Show Me the Ozarks Magazine
Transcription
Show Me the Ozarks Magazine
Love That Will Stick for a Lifetime 9 Singles in the City Home Living Design Guide Featuring Barton County February 2016 • Volume 15 • Issue 6 JaVohn “Thank you for getting me back to the sports I love!” From medical treatments and physical therapy, to non-surgical and minimally invasive procedures, to the most challenging musculoskeletal surgeries – Orthopaedic Specialists of the Four States is the largest and most comprehensive neck-to-toe orthopedic and sports medicine care group and facility in the Four State Area, providing a compassionate, patient-focused approach to world-class orthopedic care. We deliver the caliber of care expected from the nation’s top facilities and serve those needing neck-to-toe treatment for accidents, injuries, sports medicine, athletic training, physical therapy, joint replacement and revision, bone health, medical conditions, pain management, disease processes, and infection. Ortho Four States is conveniently located just minutes from downtown Joplin near the Missouri state line in Galena, KS. Call us. We make it easy. • No Referrals Necessary • Timely Appointments • Accepting most insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield and many Freeman and Mercy directed plans Learn more about JaVohn and other patient stories: Ortho4States.com ORTHOPAEDIC SPECIALISTS OF THE FOUR STATES, LLC 417.206.7846 Missouri | 620.783.4441 Kansas | 877.783.4441 Arkansas, Oklahoma, Toll Free | Learn More: Ortho4States.com February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 1 Expert family healthcare in your neighborhood Webb Webb City City Primary Care 417.347.4967 417.347.4967 Outpatient Dialysis Center 417.347.2300 417.347.2300 Urgent Care 417.347.2273 417.347.2273 Visit Visit us us at at our our new new location! location! 2 1636 S. Madison St. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 3 New adventures... courtesy of your heart. What does your heart need to keep up with you? Mercy’s heart and vascular specialists work together as a team to care for your heart, so you can do more of what you love. Mercy Clinic Cardiology Join us for a free heart healthy event. Mercy Clinic Cardiac Thoracic & Vascular Surgery with the American Heart Association 100 Mercy Way, Suite 320 & 330 | Joplin | 417-781-5387 100 Mercy Way, Suite 310 | Joplin | 417-556-8600 Your life is our life’s work. mercy.net 4 Breakfast in Red Friday, Feb. 19 & 26 | 7 - 9 a.m. Mercy Joplin Conference Center | 100 Mercy Way The breakfast is free but reservations are required. Register today at mercy.net/GoRedJoplin and enter to win a free FitBit®! CURIOUS ABOUT Assisted Living? What do you think of when you hear Assisted Living? Oak Pointe is a place where support, relationships and comfort come together, creating a community that residents proudly call home. Our assisted living and memory care offers discrete services, with other amazing amenities that cater to your individual lifestyle. OAK POINTE OF NEOSHO 2601 Oak Ridge Extension, Neosho, MO 64850 WE CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS! CALL US TODAY! 417-312-2664 OakPointeNeosho.com The The answer answer can can be be as as simple simple as as sitting sitting downwith withme. me. down good plan, plan, and and aa good good life, life, starts starts with with AA good someone someoneyou youknow. know.Call Callme meto tolearn learnmore. more. Loretta LorettaBailey BaileyAgency AgencyInc. Inc. 417-624-7355 417-624-7355 2318 2318E. E.20th 20thSt. St. JOPLIN JOPLIN lorettabailey@allstate.com lorettabailey@allstate.com Life Lifeinsurance insuranceoffered offeredthrough throughAllstate AllstateLife LifeInsurance InsuranceCompany, Company,Northbrook, Northbrook,IL;IL;Allstate Allstate Assurance AssuranceCompany, Company,Northbrook, Northbrook,IL;IL;Lincoln LincolnBenefit BenefitLife LifeCompany, Company,Lincoln, Lincoln,NE; NE;and andAmerican American Heritage HeritageLife LifeInsurance InsuranceCompany, Company,Jacksonville, Jacksonville,FL. FL.InInNew NewYork, York,life lifeinsurance insuranceoffered offeredthrough through Allstate AllstateLife LifeInsurance InsuranceCompany CompanyofofNew NewYork, York,Hauppauge, Hauppauge,NY. NY.Securities Securitiesoffered offeredbybyPersonal Personal Financial FinancialRepresentatives Representativesthrough throughAllstate AllstateFinancial FinancialServices, Services,LLC LLC(LSA (LSASecurities SecuritiesininLA LAand and PA). PA).Registered RegisteredBroker-Dealer. 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I’ll I’ll show show you you all all the the ways ways that that life life insurance insurance and andannuities annuitiescan canhelp helpmake makeyour yourmoney money workharder. harder. work February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 5 SMTO contents February 2016 Show Me The Ozarks Edition On the Cover Brian and Megan Cable Photo by Artistic Expressions Photography cover story 34 Love shows up in unexpected places, and sometimes Show Me The Ozarks is that unexpected place. Last year, Brian Cable was featured in our Singles in the City profiles. His appearance in the magazine led him to the love of his life. Enjoy the story of how Brian and Megan fell in love and all because of Show Me The Ozarks. SMTO - Love Edition Features 34 Love That Will Stick for a Lifetime 36 Love When You Least Expect It 38 Things We Love 40 Singles in the City 49 Ultimate Wedding Destinations & Services 53 Flowers for Always 54 Wedding Services Directory 6 features Featuring Barton County 56 The Big Picture - Coach Scott Bailey 58 Barton County Business Spotlights 60 Beef Jerky Outlet Fits Family Needs 62 Q & A - Big City Experience in a Small Town 64 Kaitlyn Graves - a Primetime Performer for Lamar Senior Girls Basketball Team 65 Perseverance Pays Off Big for Lamar’s Shelby Haskins 66 Stilabower Observatory 67 Gettin’ Where You Wanna Go 69 Home Living Design Guide 70 True Style Homes Builds Uncommon and Beautiful Living Spaces 72 Home Living Design Business Features 82 Your House...Your Home - Country Chic Decorating 84 Painted Earth in every edition WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE OZARKS 12 Cultural Arts and Entertainment Calendar 14 Calendar of Events -We’re deep into winter this month, but that doesn’t mean there is nothing to do in the Four-State Area! Enjoy a Mardi Gras ball and parade, watch track and field championships or bring your fishing tackle for identification and appraisal at a vintage lure and tackle meet. Treat your sweetheart to the sounds of a big band orchestra or a choral concert. And because winter won’t last forever, start thinking about spring at a home and garden show. No matter your preference, you’re sure to find something you love. 86 Faces & Places HOME/LIFESTYLE 27 Tastes of the Four States - Club 609 106 Green Thumb - Eat Your Aphrodisiacs! 108 The Great Outdoors - February is National Bird Feeding Month. It’s a great time to get started enjoying watching birds come to your feeders. 110 A Naturalist Voice - The Timberdoodle, a Dancer Before the Stars Can you find it? Find the smiley face on one of our pages. Email sue@showmetheozarks.com with the page number and spot where you found it. Submit your entry by the 15th of the month. A winner will be drawn from all the correct entries and will receive a gift certificate from an area retailer. One entry per household please. Good luck! HEALTH 90 Dental Profiles 92 Dental Care for People with Heart Disease 93 Health Events 94 Why I Run - Fran Johnson 96 Train2Run - Strength Workouts for Runners: Part One 98 Hypertension: The Silent Killer 100 Heart Failure: How to Head It Off 101 A Senior Moment 102 Heart Health and Cholesterol 104 Resolving to Quit Alcohol 105 Losing the Human Factor other great reads 18 Miami, Oklahoma Turns 125 Years Old March 3 19 Love On Stage 20 Men in Business 21 Neosho Arts Council is “Puttin’ on the Glitz” 22 Carl Junction Business Expo 24 Motive Matters for Carthage Emerging Leaders 26 A Portrait of Valentine’s Day in Urban Joplin 88 Where Are We Now... 88 A Love Still Strong 112 The Other Side of Storm Congratulations to Linda Simmons, winner of the January edition “Find the Green Smiley Face” contest. Linda wins a gift certificate to Bootleggers Restaurant & Brewery in Aurora, MO. The Green Smiley face was on page 37 in the Shop & Play Bartlesville Kidz Korner photo. Don’t miss a single edition of the most LOVED magazine in the region! Subscribe today! The Ozarks Magazine Since 2001 Subscription Form $41.99 - three years $32.99 - two years $19.99 - one year Name: Address: Form of payment: Check Credit Card Card Number: Name on Card: Card Expiration: / Mail this form with your check, money order or credit card info to: Show Me The Ozarks, PO Box 3325, Joplin, MO 64803 Call 417.455.9898 to place your subscription over the phone by credit card. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 7 The Ozarks Magazine Since 2001 Staff PUBLISHER/EDITOR Lee Radcliff EDITORIAL DIRECTOR/ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Sue Dillmon ASSOCIATE EDITORS Wendy Brunner-Lewis Kathleen Swift GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Kristi Tucker George Radcliff MARKETING/EXECUTIVE PHOTOGRAPHER Tina Smith MARKETING ASSISTANT Lauren Guthery PROMOTIONS COORDINATOR Jamie Emery STAFF WRITERS MAY 20-21, 2016 INAUGURAL FULL MARATHON HALF MARATHON • 5K • KID’S RUN • WALK OF SILENCE Joplin Memorial Marathon is a USATF certified course, which serves as a Boston Marathon qualifier. 5 YEARS STRONG Run. Remember. Rebuild. REGISTER TODAY JoplinMemorialMarathon.com Product of Active Lifestyle Events. Produced by Rufus Racing. 8 Holly Hukill John Hacker Jeff Cantrell Kathleen Swift Don Lowe Rose Hansen Larry Wood Larry Whiteley Bridget Bauer Christine Smith Kristin Nama Leigh Maria Thomas Sarah Gooding Sheila Stogsdill PHOTOGRAPHERS Angela Spieker Rose Hansen Mandy Edmonson John Hacker DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Mandy Edmonson Show Me The Ozarks Magazine is published monthly by Show Me Communications, PO Box 3325, Joplin, MO 64803. Copyright 2016 all rights reserved. Reproduction of this magazine, in part or in whole, is prohibited without written permission from SMTO. Subscription rates: $19.99 for one year, $32.99 for two years, $41.99 for three years. Advertising rates sent on request. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, and art will not be returned unless accompanied by self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage. NOTE: Information published herein is subject to change without notice. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited by law. SMTO makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of published information, however the publisher cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions. SMTO does not take responsibility for, or always endorse the opinions of contributors or advertisers. SMTO reserves the right to not run an ad or article that is reviewed to be in bad taste or goes against the focus or mission of that of Show Me The Ozarks Magazine. Editor photo by Artistic Expressions. MIDAMERICARV.COM February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 9 Care is in everything we do. Champions of Love While this is the official “go to print” weekend for us at SMTO, we are also preparing for the largest expo in our region, the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce’s 24th Annual Business EXPO at the Joplin Convention & Trade Center. The theme this year is “Champions of Business.” This event will feature over 200 exhibitors and bring more than 6,000 attendees. I mention this because over the last several weeks, I have called, emailed, texted and visited locally owned businesses to purchase all the material we need for this great event. We will have banners, flyers, business cards, t-shirts, ball caps, balloons and even the attire that we will wear. I just want to say one more time how much I love locally owned businesses and appreciate their attention to detail, their quality customer service and the overall heart they put into their place of business. Remember, when shopping local, you truly are giving back to the community in which you live. February hosts the month of roses, love notes and conversational hearts and our cover story this month is all about love. See pages 34-35 to read how SMTO played cupid in 2015. Brian Cable was one of our singles in the “Singles in the City” and is now married to Megan Colwell! Are you single? Turn to pages 40-46 to see our 2016 “Singles in the City.” Don’t be shy, this works! Just ask Brian and Megan! Experience real Hometown Hospitality at SpringHill. Person-centered care puts you at the heart of our approach of serving residents. That’s why families in the Neosho area needing assisted living care turn to us. We’re here to provide whatever is needed, whenever it’s called for. Schedule a time for coffee and a conversation. Even if we are not the right fit, we’ll help you find the one that is. SpringHill assisted living by Americare 10 Valentine’s Day and our heart go hand-in-hand. February is American Heart Month and inside our health section you can find great reads from local health professionals on topics such as hypertension, heart disease prevention, keeping your heart healthy, the importance of exercise, eating healthy and more! National Wear Red Day is Friday, February 5. Show your support for heart disease awareness and wear red that day. Email us a selfie or a photo with your friends and we will post your photo on our Facebook page! SMTO Magazine is hosting its third Bright Lights and Red Carpet Wine and Dine benefit Gala September 8 at Amelie & Roxy Event Center to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities. See page 14 for all the details. If you would like to see how you can join this cause, email me at editor@showmetheozarks.com. Let’s all come together to raise funds for an organization that gives back so much to our community! Valentine’s Day usually centers on the love of our life, the man or woman who lights up the room simply by their presence. It is also about celebrating all the people in our life that make moments and days special. Happy Valentine’s Day to my family, friends, colleagues, supporters, fellow business owners and readers of our magazine. I hope you have a great day and month! One lump or two? 417 658-4812 First comes love, then comes marriage! Joplin’s Bridal Bash will be held at the Amelie & Roxy Event Center Saturday, February 27. This event will feature over 40 locally owned business with everything you will need to create the wedding of your dreams. While you are there, stop by our table and pick up a copy of our 2016 Wedding Guide, a one-stop resource to turn your fantasy wedding into a reality. 1105 Village Road in Neosho. americareusa.net Lee Radcliff Editor/Publisher editor@showmetheozarks.com P.O. Box 3325 • Joplin, MO 64803 (417) 455-9898 • (417) 850-5557 Like us at /ShowMe The Ozarks Magazine Follow us @ShowMeMag01 BE THAT GUY. You've spent your whole life searching. Let us guide you to the perfect ring for the one you'll share forever with. Another reason why Newton’s Jewelers has been the area’s most trusted full-service jewelry store for over 100 years. Customer Experience // Upgrades @ n e w to n s jop l i n // // Custom Design // Estate Jewelr y // Rolex 5th & Main Downtown Joplin // (4 1 7 ) 6 2 3 - 2 8 0 0 February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 11 Carthage, MO February 12-28: artCentral presents “Sparkle and SHINE,” Hyde House, 1110 E. Thirteenth. Mixed media juried exhibition featuring works by members of the Joplin Regional Artists Coalition. Opening reception takes place at 6 pm February 12, public is invited. Free. Donations accepted. Call 417.358.4404. Joplin, MO Events in Joplin are subject to change. For a full listing of arts and cultural opportunities in Joplin, visit www.connect2culture.com. Connect2Culture is the source for arts and cultural opportunities in Joplin. Exhibits: Through February 26: Joplin Regional Artists Coalition (JRAC) Group Show, Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, featuring Daria Claiborne (pottery), Tamara Geisert (painting) and Paula Giltner (painting). JRAC is a non-profit organization that advocates the show and sale of member’s artwork. Call 417.592.1673. Performances: February 3-7: Joplin Little Theatre presents: Seven Keys to Baldpate, 7:30 pm (2:30 pm Sunday matinee), Joplin Little Theatre. Billy McGee makes a bet with a wealthy friend that he can write 10,000 words within a day. He retires to a mountain resort in the dead of winter and locks himself in, under the impression he has the only key. When he is visited during the night by a rapid succession of melodrama stock types it appears there is something amiss. Directed by Jim Lile. Adults $13; student/senior $11; children under 12 $5. Call for reservations at 417.623.3638 or at jltplay.org. February 11-21: Stained Glass Theatre Joplin presents Arsenic and Old Lace, Thursday–Saturday at 7 pm and Sun at 2:30 pm, Stained Glass Theatre. In “Arsenic and Old Lace,” we meet the charming and innocent ladies who populate their cellar with the remains of socially and religiously “acceptable” roomers. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Adults $8, children $5. February 25: Pro Musica presents Chanticleer Vocal Ensemble, 7 pm, Central Christian Center. Called “the world’s reigning male chorus” by The New Yorker magazine, the San Francisco based GRAMMY® award winning ensemble Chanticleer celebrates its 37th season. At 6:30 pm, the Missouri Southern Choral group led by David Sharlow will present a pre-concert. Open to the public at no charge; donations appreciated. Events: Thursdays: Knittervention of Joplin, 6-8 pm, Phoenix Fired Art. A fiber arts club where people, beginner to advanced, come together to dabble in yarns and threads while enjoying conversation. The Club meets each Thursday, same place and time. Free. More info: facebook.com/Knitterventionjoplin. February 6: Coloring Book Club, 10:30 am–noon, Post Art Library. It’s as simple as it sounds: Enjoy coloring, coffee and camaraderie! Though geared for adults, all ages are welcome. All supplies provided with many different coloring book pages to choose from. Free and open to the public. February 8: “No Barren Land” Fundraiser, doors open at 6:30 pm (show begins 7 pm), RSVPaint Joplin, 420 South Main. An art exhibit accompanied by live music and poetry; coffee bar with beverages available for purchase. Entry fee is $7 and all funds raised at the door and at the coffee bar will be donated to the International Rescue Committee. A few of the artists included will be Kyle McKenzie, Mark Neunshwander and Biaka Zaidarhzauva. February 11: Joplin Writers Guild, 6 pm, Joplin Public Library. The Joplin Writers Guild, a chapter of the Missouri Writers Guild, includes a wide variety of writers from hobbyists to professional, 12 published writers. Connect with the Joplin Writers Guild on Facebook. Open to the public. Dues $7.50 for the year, but first meeting is free. February 26: Fourth Friday Film Night, 7 pm, Phoenix Fired Art, 1603 S. Main. Fourth Friday Film Nights showcase artists’ biographies, art techniques and philosophical art-related films. Donations accepted. Bring your own camping chairs and snacks. Joplin Public Library: February 15: Chat n Crafts (Adults), 5:30-8 pm, Joplin Public Library. Adult crafting group meets every third Monday of the month. All types of hand work welcome. Share ideas, tips and tricks with other crafters. Bring your current craft project and join for laughter, friendship and fun! Classes on multiple days: Crackpot Pottery & Art Studio, 3820 E. 20th St., 417.623.1455: Tuesdays: Studio Class, 11 am-2 pm or 6-9 pm. Work alongside top potters in the area as you learn hand building, wheel throwing, glazing and different firing techniques. Lessons are specialized for each individual, regardless of experience level. Have a project in mind? Crackpot will help you plan and execute your vision! Firing fees included in class price. No membership fee required. Cost: $225 for 8-week course. Wednesdays: Studio Class, 10 am-noon or 6-9 pm. Work alongside top potters in the area as you learn hand building, wheel throwing, glazing and different firing techniques. Lessons are specialized for each individual, regardless of experience level. Have a project in mind? Crackpot will help you plan and execute your vision! Firing fees included in class price. No membership fee required. Cost: $225 for 8-week course; $165 for the two-hour course. Thursdays: Studio Class, 10 am-1 pm or 6-9 pm. Work alongside top potters in the area as you learn hand building, wheel throwing, glazing and different firing techniques. Lessons are specialized for each individual, regardless of experience level. Have a project in mind? Crackpot will help you plan and execute your vision! Firing fees are included in class price. No membership fee required. Cost: $225 for 8-week course. Saturdays: Drop-In Class, 10 am-noon. Drop-in and play with clay! Cost: $30 plus clay. No 8-week commitment required. Open Studios: Every day: Open Studio at Phoenix Fired Art, during regular business hours. The public is welcome to visit the gallery and observe artists at work at any time. Current Phoenix students may come for extra open studio hours ($5 an hour) and anyone with basic clay skills is welcome to use the facility for $10 an hour, though registered students have priority on equipment during class times. Annual membership: $25 for students, $30 for seniors, $35 for adults and $75 for a family. Mondays & Fridays: All-Day Open Studio, Crackpot Pottery & Art Studio. Open studio hours allow you to come and go anytime throughout these days during regular business hours. If you come during scheduled class time, students have first rights to equipment. Monthly passes are available for $200 each. Hourly rates (reloadable card issued) are $15/hour. Same rules for equipment use apply if you come during class. Tuesday & Wednesdays: Clay Classes at Phoenix Fired Art, 11 am-2 pm and 6-9 pm. All classes include students with different levels of experience. No prior experience is necessary, so begin or build your skills with clay by learning techniques to transform raw mud into fun and functional vessels! Four-week session. Students may join mid-session if space is available. $120 Phoenix members; $135 non-members (additional fees may apply). Call 417.437.9281 to register. Saturdays: Saturday Drop-In Clay Class with Geoffrey, 9:30 am-noon. Get your hands dirty and see if clay is something you’d like to explore further. All skill levels welcome. Phoenix loves intergenerational groups; however, children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Call ahead if you are interested in bringing a group. $25 for Phoenix members; $35 for non-members (plus clay and firing). students will learn more advanced techniques in this two-part class and will take a field trip to Hideout Harley-Davidson to capture some fun images! Two images for each student will be selected, framed and displayed in the Upstairs Gallery during April 2016. Space is limited, so register early. Sponsored by Hideout Harley-Davidson. Cost: $40. RSVPaint-Joplin Events: 420 S. Main St. Discover your inner artist! No experience required. Relax, Sip, Visit, and Paint! Each class creates a different piece of artwork. Pricing includes acrylic paints, canvas, brushes, easel, apron and instruction. $35 each. Ages 13 and over unless otherwise noted; 21 and over to consume alcohol. Walk-In Open Studios is all-ages from 1-5 pm Tuesday-Thursday for $25 per painter. A non-instructed time, artist is on-hand to help. RSVP in advance. 417.680.5434 or www.rsvpaint.com. February 18: “Art On Tap,” 6-9 pm. 21-and-over event for Spiva members is an evening of art, live music, delicious eats and plenty of beer. A live band will perform in the Main Gallery and Granny Shaffer’s will provide a tasty sampling of appetizers. Plenty of various craft beers will also be on tap. Some beer memorabilia will be auctioned to benefit the Center. Feb 2: 7-9 pm - “Winter Cardinals” Feb 3: 7-9 pm - “Into the Sunset” Feb 4: 7-9 pm - “Winter Welcome” Feb 5: 7-9 pm - “Amour des Chats” Feb 6: 1-3 pm - Family Paint “Blue Dandelion” Feb 6: 7-9 pm - Date Night Diptych, “Beach Getaway” Feb 9: 7-9 pm - Date Night Diptych, “Lions In the Sun” Feb 10: 7-9 pm - “A Night Walk” Feb 11: 7-9 pm - “Autumn Stroll” Feb 12: 7-9 pm - Date Night Diptych, “Together” Feb 13: 12-3 pm - Paint Your Pet Feb 13: 7-9 pm - Date Night “Glass Decorating Party” Feb 14: 1-4 pm - Valentine’s Paint Your Date Picasso Style Feb 16: 7-9 pm - “Perched on Love” Feb 17: 7-9 pm - “A Single Rose” Feb 18: 7-9 pm - Date Night “Stealing Kisses” Feb 19: 7-9 pm - “Love Is In the Air” Feb 20: 1-3 pm - Family Paint “Abstract Daisy” Feb 20: 7-9 pm - Date Night Diptych, “Swooned Swan” Feb 23: 7-9 pm - “Dolphin Sunset” Feb 24: 7-9 pm - “In Vino Veritas” Feb 25: 7-9 pm - “Bicycle Duet” Feb 26: 7-9 pm - “The Red Umbrella” Feb 27: 1-3 pm - Family Paint “Starry Night” Feb 27: 7-9 pm - “Sun and Moon” Spiva Center for the Arts Third and Wall streets. Galleries and gift shop hours: 10 am-5 pm Tuesday-Saturday; 1-5 pm Sunday; closed Mondays and major holidays. Suggested voluntary contribution for admission is $2 adults; $1 children. Call 417.623.0183. Complete listing of classes at www.spivaarts. org or follow us on Facebook. Register for classes online! Visit www. spivaarts.org, and click on the Active Network link for class registrations, scholarship forms, membership payments and donations. Classes: Mondays: Art Lounge with Fred and Amber Mintert, 5-8 pm. Ages 14-18. Pursuing art after high school or just don’t get enough of it at school? Class fee includes a light meal each week. Partial scholarships available. Classes are held on Mondays from Sept. 21-Nov. 16. Cost $105 for 9 weeks; payment plan available with minimum $30 down. Tuesdays: Creation Station, 3:45-5:15 pm, ages 6-12. Drop in and experiment with painting, drawing, clay, watercolor, acrylic, sculpture, collage, photography and printmaking. Explore the galleries with scavenger hunts and other activities. Must pre-register. Space is limited for this popular class. $6/class. Thursdays: Young Painter, 3:45-5:15 pm, ages 6-12. Does your child want to learn to paint? If so, he/she will love this painting class. Artist and instructor Amber Mintert teaches drawing, color mixing, brush control, broad wash and detailing in this fun introductory painting class. Call 417. 623.0183 for more information and pre-registration. $11/class. Weekend Classes: February 6 & 13: PhotoSpiva Tweens Kick-off Class with Mark Neuenschwander, ages 9-13, 11 am-12:30 pm. PhotoSpiva Tweens exhibit features the work of young, budding photographers. This year, February 27: Kinetic Art: Mechanical Sculptures with Fred Mintert, ages 10-14, 1-3 pm. In this prequel to the “Art That Moves” series, students will create a moving mechanical sculpture. Kinetic art combines art, science and problem solving to allow students to experiment with forms, materials and structure. Cost: $20. Exhibits: Though February 21: St. Avips Invitational, Spiva Center for the Arts, Regional Gallery. Works by artists whose talent is matched by their generosity: Each contributed 75-100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of their works at the annual St. Avips Ball to benefit Spiva. We express our gratitude with this spotlight exhibition. Through February 21: Making Marks: A World of Printmaking. For people who know about prints and those who don’t: etchings, lithographs, woodcuts, serigraphs and collagraphs by noted artists, as well as explanatory text and a small etching press. Multiple originals will illustrate how an etching is made. March 2-April 27: Dance Composition with Darcie Shultz, 4-5 pm, ages: 9-14. Cost: $45/8-week session, 8-week choreography class. Art Parties For All Ages at Spiva! Want to host an ART PARTY? Spiva membership and 50 percent deposit required at time of reservation. Guests must be at least four years old. Two-hour ART PARTIES include a hands-on activity taught by one of Spiva’s teaching artists. You provide refreshments and decorate the space. Call 417.623.0183 for more information. Pittsburg, KS February 12: Pittsburg State University Opera with the Southeast Kansas Symphony, The Bicknell Family Center for the Arts. Elixir of Love is one of the most performed operas by Gaetano Donizetti. It combines a touching love story and hilarious comedy with some of the most famous melodies, including the much-loved aria ‘Una furtiva lagrima.’ The opera premiered in Milan in 1839 with great reviews securing Donizetti’s status as one of the most successful opera composers of his time. For more information, visit www.bicknellcenter.com. February 13: The Band of the Royal Marines And The Pipes, Drums, and Highland Dancers of the Scots Guards, 7:30 pm, PSU Bicknell Family Center for the Arts British Regiments - United States Tour 2016 Featuring the Band of the Royal Marines and the Pipes, Drums & Highland Dancers of the Scots Guards. Ticket information, visit http:// pittstate.edu/office/tickets/bicknell-center-tickets.dot. February 17-20: Pittsburg High School Theatre Shrek, 7 pm; 2 pm matinee Feb. 20. Visit www.pittsburghighschooltheatre.org/shrek.html. February 20: Bicknell Family Center for the Arts Presents Matthew Mayer, 7:30-9 pm. Mayer’s nine solo piano albums and musical projects including movies, commercials and radio have resonated around the world. Visit www.bicknellcenter.com. February 25-28: PSU Theater Presents: The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Bicknell Family Center for the Arts. A raucous comedy that follows the fumbling adventures of Sir John Falstaff as he attempts to woo two married women at the same time. Outrageous and hilarious. For more information, visit www.pittstate.edu/info/psu-theatre/seasonbrochure.dot. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 13 Bright Lights and Red Carpet 2016 Gala Wine and Dine Benefit Dinner, Wine, Entertainment, Silent and Live Auction Thursday, September 8, 5-9:30 pm Amelie & Roxy Event Center 102/104 S. Joplin Ave. • Joplin, MO Admission $75 Proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities. A Show Me The Ozarks Magazine Production SMTO Calendar of Events What’s Happening in the Ozarks If you have an event you would like to see listed in the Calendar of Events, please email your request to: sue@showmetheozarks.com, or mail your submission to Show Me The Ozarks, 18724 Hwy 59, Neosho, MO 64850. Events are printed on a space available basis, and must be received by the 5th of the month prior to the month of the scheduled event. Eureka Springs, AR February 4, 5 & 6: 11th Annual Mardi Gras Extravaganza, Jokers Masquerade Ball at 6 pm, February 4. This ball features fascinating, imaginative costumes as well as extravagantly decorated tables. The big event is the Coronation Ball in the Crystal Dining Room of the grand 1886 Crescent Hotel February 5 at 6 pm. This is a black tie, formal gown, elegant occasion where the Mardi Gras King and Queen and their royal court are presented with much pomp and circumstance. On Saturday, February 6 at 2 pm, well over 1,000 people will line the historic streets of Eureka Springs to enjoy the sights and sounds of an authentic Mardi Gras parade. Call 804.926.8736. Franklin, KS, February 1-March 31: Miners Hall Museum Special Exhibit “Sew” Happy Exploring The Balkans’ Style and Repurposed Sewing, Miners Hall Museum, 701 S. Broadway. The exhibit is open for viewing MonSat, 10 am-4 pm. Three special monthly programs will be held. These special programs are free to the public. Doors open at 1:45 pm and programs begin at 2 pm. Call 620.347.4220 for reservations. February 7: Miners Hall Museum - “Recycled Sewing,” Miners Hall Museum, 701 S. Broadway. Taking old items and giving them new life. Presented by JoMarie Golob. Doors open at 1:45 pm and program begins at 2 pm. Call 620.347.4220 for reservations. Pittsburg, KS February 5-6: KCAC Indoor Track and Field Championships, Pittsburg State University Robert W. Plaster Center. For more information, visit http://www.kcacsports.com/schedule/0/17.php#Feb. The Ozarks Magazine Since 2001 Exclusive Platinum Sponsor February 20: Pitt Ice Bowl Disc Golf Tournament, Lincoln Park Temp Course. Registration will start at 10 am, players meeting at11:30 am and the tournament will begin at noon. The Pitt Disc Golf Club will host the annual Ice Bowl at the Four Oaks Golf Course. The golf tournament is to help raise charitable funds for the Wesley House. The event raised $428 and 40 pounds of canned goods. For more information, contact Pittsburg Parks and Recreation at 620.231.8310. Gold Sponsor Silver Sponsor available To purchase tickets or for information on becoming a sponsor, please call 417.455.9898 or email editor@showmetheozarks.com. 14 February 13: Polar Bear Plunge & Strut Pittsburg, Crimson Villas Apartment Complex. The Special Olympics 5k Run/Walk will start at 10:30 am, Plunge at noon. Make sure to stay after the plunge for the chili cook-off at 1 pm. For more information visit http://www.plungeks. org/plunge/pittsburg. February 26-28: MIAA Indoor Track and Field Champion, Pittsburg State University Robert W. Plaster Center. For more information visit http://themiaa.com/sports/2015/6/30/MTRACK_0630153130. aspx?id=300&. Carl Junction, MO February 6: Carl Junction Lion’s Club Community Breakfast, 7-10 am, Carl Junction Community Center, 303 North Main. All-you-can-eat breakfast, $5/adults, $3/children under 12. Every Thursday: Fiber Night, 6-8 pm, Carthage Antiquarium, 110 E. 4th Street. Learn new ways to DIY with fiber: knitting, spinning, needlework, crochet and more. Free and open to the public. Call 417.388.1436. February 13 & 14: Agricultural School on Wheels, 1 pm. The Jesup Wagon, also known as the Agricultural School on Wheels, carried George Washington Carver’s bulletins and many other useful supplies to the Southern farmers. A park ranger will share the story of this fascinating teaching tool. February 5-7 & 12-14: Neil Simon’s comedy Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Stone’s Throw Dinner Theatre, 2466 W. Old Route 66 Blvd. Doors open 6 pm, show starts 7:30 pm; Sunday matinee: doors open 12:30 pm, show 2 pm. Special treats for the ladies in attendance on Valentine’s Day. Ticket includes dinner and dessert. Ticket prices: $26 for adults, $23 for seniors (55 and up). Special veterans’ pricing of $18 for veterans and their spouses on opening night February 5. February 18: Coffee with Carver, Establishing a National Monument in Diamond, Missouri, 10 am. As the first national park to honor an African American, the establishment of George Washington Carver National Monument was progressive for the surrounding area. Join a park ranger to discuss how national parks are established and the complicated road to honoring George Washington Carver. February 6: Ozark’s NFLCC Vintage Fishing Lure and Tackle Meet, 9-11 am, Fairview Christian Church, 2320 S. Grand Ave. Bring in tackle for identification and appraisal. Show host Casey Jones can be contacted at 417.276.1812. February 20 & 21: Interracial Understanding, 1 pm. Join a ranger to discuss Carver’s rise to fame and his efforts for interracial understanding after his 1921 appearance before the House Ways and Means Committee. Carthage, MO February 27: Soundfest & the Arts, Carthage High School. Show choir competition, entertainment, food, craft booths. Contact criggerk@ carthagetigers.org. Diamond, MO George Washington Carver National Monument Visitor Center Free Programs, two miles west of Diamond on Highway V, then 1/4 mile south on Carver Road. Visitor center and park grounds open daily 9 am-5 pm. Call 417.325.4151 or visit www.nps.gov/gwca. February 6 & 7: Expressions of the Soul, 1 pm. Carver had a passion for art and believed his creations were expressions of his soul. See images of Carver’s artwork that he used to convey the sense of serenity and personal rejuvenation. February 27 & 28: Carver Laboratory Demonstrations, 11 am-1 pm. Want to learn about some of the products George Washington Carver developed in his laboratory? Discover how Carver used some often overlooked plants to change the way we think Joplin, MO Every Friday: Friday Nights Out at Victory, 6-9 pm, 3405 S. Hammons Blvd. $3/person; max of $15/family. Show your gym membership card to get half off admission. Open basketball court, archery tag, pool tables, foozball, bracelet making, Wii, XBox 360, food available from West Coast Tacos and BBQ. Impact Life praise team performs from 7-9 pm. Call 417.206.6886. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 15 SMTO Calendar of Events What’s Happening in the Ozarks February 5-6: Missouri Southern State University Men’s & Women’s Track & Field, Indoor Season, Mercy Indoor Track, Missouri Southern State University Campus. February, 5, all day event, MSSU Open Invitational; February 6, MSSU Open Invitational, all day event. Tickets may be purchased the day of the event. Tickets are priced at $5 per person. Kids 12 & under are free. For information about tickets, contact ???. For an updated schedule or more details of the upcoming events, visit, http://www.mssulions.com/schedule.aspx?path=mtrack or http:// www.mssulions.com/schedule.aspx?path=wtrack. February 5: Joplin Women’s Club of Joplin, noon, Twin Hills. Valentine’s party with beautiful music provided by the Barber Shop Quartet. The cost is $11. Hostesses are Jane Moult, Annie Junge and Janet Emmert. For reservations, call 417.781.6138. February 12: The Glenn Miller Orchestra, 7 pm, Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School, 3401 E. Newman Road. With its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time. The present Glenn Miller Orchestra was formed in 1956 and has toured consistently since, playing an average of 300 live dates a year all around the world. Join us for a reception with the artists after the show. Call 417.781.5124. February 14 & 16: Dog Day Afternoon, 4 pm, Joplin Public Library, 300 S. Main St. Allows independent readers in K-5th grade to practice their reading skills by reading to certified Therapy Dogs. The Library supplies the books and the dogs, and the children are the storytellers. Registration takes place at the Children’s Desk on the day of the event. For independent readers, grades K-5th. Call 417.623.2184. February 14: Children’s Lego Club, 2 pm, Joplin Public Library, 300 S. Main St. A monthly build-a-thon for LEGO-loving children! LEGOs, Duplos and Megabloks are all provided and children and their parents/ caregivers are encouraged to play and create something special. Toddlers, preschoolers and elementary age children welcome. Call 417.623.2184. February 11, 13 & 27: Missouri Southern State University Women’s Basketball, Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. February 11, 5:30 pm, Nebraska-Kearney; February 13, 1 pm, Fort Hays State; February 27, 1 pm, Pittsburg State. Tickets may be purchased in advance or the day of the event. To purchase tickets, visit https://tix.extremetix.com/ Online/?siteID=3463 or call 417.625.9820. February 11, 13 & 27: Missouri Southern State University Men’s Basketball, Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. February 11, 7:30 pm, 16 Nebraska-Kearney; February 13, 3 pm, Fort Hays State; February 27, 3 pm, Pittsburg State. Tickets may be purchased in advance or the day of the event. To purchase tickets, visit https://tix.extremetix.com/ Online/?siteID=3463 or call 417.625.9820. February 13-28: Missouri Southern State University Baseball, Warren Turner Field, Missouri Southern State University Campus. February 13, Bemidji State, 1 pm; February 14, Bemidji State, 12 and 3 pm; February 15, Bemidji State, 2 pm; February 19, McKendree, 2 pm; February 20, McKendree, 2 pm; February 21, McKendree, 12 pm; February 26, Lindenwood, 3 pm; February 27, Lindenwood, 1 pm; February 28, Lindenwood, 1 pm. Tickets may be purchased in advance or the day of the event. To purchase tickets, visit https://tix.extremetix. com/Online/?siteID=3463 or call 417.625.9820. February 20-28: Missouri Southern State University Softball, Lea Kungle Field, Missouri Southern State University Campus. February 20, Missouri S&T (DH), 12 & 2 pm; Teri-Mathis Zenna Memorial tournament, Joplin Athletic Complex, February 27-28; February 27, Sioux Falls (S.D.), 2 pm; February 27, McKendree, 4 pm; February 28, Rockhurst, 10 am; February 28, Drury, 12 pm. Tickets may be purchased in advance or the day of the event. To purchase tickets, visit https://tix.extremetix.com/ Online/?siteID=3463 or call 417.625.9820. February 26-28: Kingdom Advancement and Influence, Life Change Outreach, 1402 S. Michigan Ave. Denver Thompson of England is a vibrant preacher with real revelation knowledge of God’s word and able to speak to all age groups and cultures. He has travelled the world seeing signs and wonders with real habitations of God manifest presence enveloping people and churches. Call 417.291.0767. February 27: Bridal Bash 2016, 10 am-3 pm, The Amelie/Roxy Event Center, 104 S. Joplin Ave, downtown Joplin. Over 40 wedding-related wedding vendors, wine and food tasting, swag bags and prizes and several booths. Admission $5. Call 417.483.4268. Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center Open Wednesday-Saturday 9 am-5 pm, Sunday 12-4 pm, closed Monday and Tuesday. Wildcat Park and nature trails open 7 days a week, dawn to dusk. All programs are held at Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center, 201 W. Riviera Dr., Suite A, Joplin. Programs require pre-registration. Call 417.782.6287 or visit www.wildcatglades. audubon.org. February 6: Milkweeds & Monarchs, 1-3 pm. Age: 12+ accompanied by adult, $4 per person members/$8 per person non-members. Learn about the Monarch Joint Venture, the life cycle of the magnificent Monarch butterfly and the simple things each of us can do to help reverse the recent serious decline in their population. MJV brochures and pollinator mix seed packets will be available to get you started. Learn how to get your milkweed seeds started at home this winter and plant the seedlings come springtime February 20: Yoga in Nature, 9-10 am. All ages welcome. Cost: $3 per person members/$6 per person non-members. Enjoy exercising at your own level beside beautiful Shoal Creek with instructor Donna Bowman. Yoga can help with your balance, strength, flexibility and endurance, which can instill harmony and tranquility in one’s life. Preschool Nature Connections February 10 & 13: Bears, Bears, Bears, February 10, 1-2 pm; February 13, 10-11 am. Age: 3-6 years accompanied by adult, $5 per child. Somebody’s been asleep for a long winter nap, but should be waking up soon! It’s the black bear, who’s making a big return to his old stomping grounds in Missouri. Learn about these adaptable creatures and how people can live near them, with just a bit of common sense. A story and craft will round out the program. February 13: Discover Winter Birds and The Great Backyard Bird Count, 10 am-12 pm. Age: 8+ accompanied by adult, free. Many winter guests are visiting our feeders. Do you know who your guests are? We’ll begin indoors learning basic bird identification techniques, and a few of the more common birds in our area. We’ll also learn about critical issues affecting birds, and what we can do to help. Following a discussion of how to use binoculars and field guides, we’ll head outdoors (weather permitting) for a chance to see and hear birds in their natural habitat on a hike through the Park. Learn how you can participate at home in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count February 13-16. February 20: The Mystery of Honey Bees, 10-11 am. Age: 8+. Cost: $4 per person members/$8 per person non-members. Beekeeper Dale Foley, one of the founding members of the Joplin Beekeepers Association, will provide a program on honey bees and basic beekeeping practices. Lamar, MO Every Monday: Barton County Senior Center, 9 am-5 pm, Barton County Senior Center, 306 W. 11th. Cards, dominoes, exercise equipment, a reading library, pool, computer/Internet access and Wii. Call 417.682.3881. Monett, MO February 5, 6, 7: The Monett Artists’ Guild performs The Baseball Show, 7 pm, doors open at 6 pm; Sunday begins at 1:30 pm, doors open 12:30 pm. Featuring 25 of the finest in local talent! Monett High School Performing Arts Center, 1 David Sippy Drive. Tickets are available at the Chamber office in advance or at the door, both for $5. For more information, call the Chamber office at 417.235.7919. February 9: 47th Annual Ag Conference featuring Dairy and Beef session, 10 am, Monett Armory. The Beef session begins at 3:30 pm. Each session will feature speakers in each field with a variety of specialties. Lunch and dinner will be served on site and vendors will be available all day. There is a $5 per session charge to attend. This conference is a cooperative effort of the Monett Chamber of Commerce and the University of Missouri Extension offices. For more information, call the Chamber office at 417.235.7919. February 18: The Regional Career Fair, 1-5 pm, Monett City Park Casino in the South Park. This fair will feature employers from Barry and Lawrence counties and will allow potential employees a chance to speak with business leaders in person. If you are looking for a job, this is the place to be! For more information, call the Chamber office at 417.235.7919. Noel, MO February 13: McDonald County Chamber Annual Banquet, 6 pm, River Ranch Resort, 101 River Rd. Theme is “Casino Night.” We will hand out “funny money” to play blackjack, poker, roulette. Social hour, cash bar, silent auction and dinner. Cost: $30/person. Contact Billie Benson, 417.223.8888. Webb City, MO Every Saturday: Farmers Market, 9 am-noon, under the pavilions, King Jack Park. www.webbcityfarmersmarket.com. Grove, OK February 12-14: 18th Annual Home & Garden Show, Feb. 12, 3-7 pm; Feb.13, 10 am-6 pm; Feb. 14, 11 am-3 pm, Grove Civic Center, 1720 South Main. Get ready for spring by visiting nearly 100 exhibits of home and garden products featured in the Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Home & Garden Show. Speak one-on-one with area contractors, check out the latest ideas in home improvements, decorating ideas, landscaping and remodeling. You don’t want to miss this show! Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, 918.786.9079 or visit www.groveok.org. Nick Booe, Kansas Sales Manager Lakeland Office Systems As a child, Nick watched his father, Mike, interact with the people who worked for him at his copier company, and it inspired Nick to go into the same line of work. “This is one reason I wanted to work at Lakeland Office: the service. They offer the best service, and they have the best people in the business. Service is 100% when it comes to maintaining your client base. Without excellent customer service you have nothing.” Before Nick joined Lakeland, he joined the Army Reserves and then worked in law enforcement. “My leadership philosophy is the same as it was when I was a police officer and in the Army; your people come first, you take care of them by helping them achieve their goals. Never give up; there is always something you can do to better yourself no matter how hard it gets.” Nick and his wife Deidra live in Joplin with their two sons and daughter. 2926 W. 13th St. • Joplin, MO • Cell 417.499.8432 • Office 800.798.8606 February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 17 Miami, Oklahoma Turns 125 Years Old March 3 Thursday, March 3 Noon to 3 pm – Celebration Day at the Miami Civic Center (exhibits, photos to view) 2 pm – Celebration Ceremony with Birthday Cake at Miami Civic Center 4:30 pm – Miami 125th Celebration Parade in downtown Miami 7:00 pm – Celebration Concert at the Coleman Theatre with Jack Garoutte & LeVee Town Concert (Tickets $10 and available at www.colemantheatre.org) Friday, March 4 Celebrate Miami - Education Day with Schools Evening Concert Celebration with Miami’s own Keith Anderson in the Showplace at Buffalo Run Casino www.buffaloruncasino.com Saturday, March 5 Miami All-School Reunion at the Miami Activity Center (High School Campus) 11 am to 3 pm Light snacks available Event will include music, memories and fun! Follow the Miami OK 125th Anniversary Celebration Facebook page for updates or find details at www.visitmiamiok.com under the history tab. You may contact the Miami CVB at 918.542.4435 for additional information about the celebration. Like the CVB on Facebook at /visitmiamiok. Follow the CVB on Twitter at @miamioktourism. 18 The romance begins with the BSO hosting a gourmet Valentine’s dinner in the Price Tower for $75 a person. Seats are limited, so please purchase your ticket at www.Eventbrite.com. At the same time, the BSO is partnering with the Young Professionals for a Champagne & Chocolate event before the symphony concert at Ambler Hall, 415 S. Dewey Avenue, from 6-7 pm. Tickets are $10 for YP members and $12 for all other guests. Buy One Get One Symphony Vouchers are available to those who attend this sweetheart gettogether. At the Bartlesville Community Center, you will see several new cars provided by Patriot Love On Stage T he Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra will present LOVE ON STAGE February 13. This is a full-length mostly-pops concert featuring a variety of musical styles and selections, all centered around love and romance. The music comes from decades of popular songs, the classical stages of orchestra, opera and ballet, and the movie screen. Over 20 selections will provide a variety of symphonic sounds to add that extra romance and enjoyment to the holiday. Honda set up to view in the community hall. And afterward there will be cookies and punch for concert goers provided by American Heritage Bank. Tickets to the Bartlesville Symphony LOVE ON STAGE can be purchased at the Bartlesville Community Center or by calling 918.336.2787. VISIT Bartlesville OKLAHOMA Mid Century to Modern: Dinnerware by Russel Wright and Heath Ceramics Friday, January 8, 2016 to Sunday, March 27, 2016 — 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Exhibition draws upon the shifts in dining within the home between the 1940s and 1960s – from more formal environments to casual situations. Drawing from Price Tower’s private collections, a variety of table settings – holiday formal, casual buffet, patio barbeque, and park picnic – will serve to display a wide selection of mid-century dinnerware, glassware, utensils, and serving pieces including those by national designers Russel Wright (19051976), Edith Heath (1911-2005). A musical by Clark Gesner Price Tower, 510 S. Dewey Ave., Bartlesville, OK • 918-336-4949 • PriceTower.org You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown February 4-6, 12-13 at 7:00 pm and February 14 at 2:00 pm Theater Bartlesville is singing the praises of returning to musical theatre with You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. There will be a Valentine Dinner Theatre on February 14th. This is a fun family musical time directed by Theater Bartlesville’s very own Troy Anthony Martin and Kimberly Wright. Theater Bartlesville, 312 S Dewey, Bartlesville, OK 918-336-1900 • TheaterBartlesville.com More Events at VisitBartlesville.com Bartlesville Convention & Visitors Bureau 800-364-8708 February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 19 Men in Business 20 Discover Town ound r A Neosho Medicalodges/Gran Villas 400 W. Lyon Dr. 417.451.2544 • www.medicalodges.com Skilled Nursing & Residential Healthcare Care Center Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy • Restorative Therapy Working Together To Meet All of Your Healthcare Needs! City of Neosho 203 E. Main 417.451.8050 Get ready to pull out the evening wear and polish up those shoes and dance steps. Founded in 1839, Neosho, Missouri (population 11,835 as of 2010), is experiencing a rebirth of growth throughout the community as it accommodates the influx of economic development brought on by Interstate 49 and the community’s prime location between the two booming metropolitan areas of Joplin, Missouri, and Northwest Arkansas. The Neosho Arts Council’s sixth annual Sweet Arts Gala – themed “Puttin’ on the Glitz” – will be held at 6 pm February 20 at the Neosho Civic Center, 109 W Main, in Neosho, Missouri. Held as a benefit for the Neosho Arts Council, the black tie optional affair will feature hors d’oeuvres, a formal dinner, live music, dancing, a cash bar, and live and silent auctions of the region’s best original artwork. It’s a social occasion that affords an opportunity to dress up, spend time with your significant other, make new friends and help regional artists. If you have never attended Neosho’s Sweet Arts Gala, make this year the year. Tickets are $60 per person and may be purchased at neoshoarts.net The Neosho Arts Council is a not-for-profit Missouri corporation whose purpose is to strengthen and enrich the community by growing appreciation, participation and support of the arts through its charitable and educational activities. For more information, please call 417.592.0427. B & S Auto Center 18724 Hwy 59 • 417.451.2158 www.bandsauto.com 2013 Nissan Rogue S AWD. Auto, keyless, pwr windows, pwr locks, cruise, cd, factory warranty remaining. 45k miles, $15,995. Save thousands over new. Great selection of clean, quality affordable, vehicles at great prices. Call or come see us today. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 21 CJ Sh wMe Carl Junction The area’s fastest-growing business expo is right around the corner. The Carl Junction Business Expo will be held Saturday, March 5, from 9 am to 2 pm. The Carl Junction Business Expo has gained a reputation for putting on the most fun expo in the area. This year’s theme is “Superheroes of Networking.” The Carl Junction Business Expo showcases the latest products and services from our area’s finest businesses. Business-to-business, home products, financial services, health, education, travel, non-profit, dining, leisure and entertainment are just a few of the businesses on display at this year’s Carl Junction Business Expo. All adult attendees have the opportunity to register to win an iPad Air 2, courtesy of NeoTech Solutions. All children can register to win an Amazon Fire HD Kids Edition tablet, courtesy of S & S Computers. All exhibitors will hand out samples and gifts, and will hold drawings for merchandise and services worth thousands of dollars. This is the fifth year for the Carl Junction Business Expo, which continues to be the fastest-growing business expo in the area. The popularity of the Carl Junction Business Expo is due to its focus on fun, family and kids. This year’s expo will be full of superheroes to visit and be photographed with. Special surprises and performances will be held throughout the day. Admission is only $2 for adults. Children under 12 are free (with paid accompanying adult). The first 1,000 visitors will receive a free tote bag. The Business Expo is held at the Carl Junction Community Center, 303 N. Main. Make a day of it, and enjoy our food vendors. Free parking and free shuttle service from your car to the door is provided courtesy of Roper KIA. Limousine service provided courtesy of Simpson Funeral Home. Footprints & Friends • 26230 Fir Road • Joplin, MO 417.621.0050 • Check us out on Facebook! We provide a loving environment in which children can learn and interact with the world around them. Here you will find a nurturing, educational environment for children ages birth through 12 years. Our highly qualified teachers and staff are committed to working within each child’s comfort zone to ensure optimal social, emotional and educational results. Open Monday through Friday 6:30 am–6 pm. Like us on Facebook! 22 Circle T Collectibles • Carl Junction Auction Service 118 S. Main Street • 417.649.6805 www.gailtriplett.net Circle T Collectibles & Carl Junction Auction Service are locally owned by W. Gail “Trip” Triplett. Carl Junction Auction Service conducts consignment auctions, and Circle T Collectibles buys, sells and trades military items, knives, swords, guns, Native American artifacts, primitives, sports memorabilia, coins, jewelry and more. Open Wednesday-Sunday 9 am-5 pm Member SIPC Edward Jones, Brad McIntyre, Financial Advisor 1200 Briarbrook Drive • 417.627.9250 www.brad.mcintyre@edwardjones.com As an Edward Jones advisor, I believe it is my mission to help the community, businesses and citizens meet their financial goals. I accomplish this with one-on-one appointments to develop a strategy and work with you every step of the way. In Carl Junction since 2005, it is a sincere privilege for Debbie Leggett, my Senior Branch Office Administrator, and I to serve our community. Pilkinton Painting Company, INC. 1206 E. Pennell St. • 417.649.1132 You’ve probably seen Pilkinton Painting Company, Inc.’s, jobs all over the Four State Area, from commercial, multi-family, residential and hospitality. We have painted over 300 homes in the Joplin area since 2011, along with commercial jobs such as Coleman Theatre, Nevada Police and Courts, and the MSSU End Zone facility. Let us show you the benefits of hiring us for your next painting project. Carl Junction Area Chamber of Commerce 303 N. Main 417.649.8846 www.carljunctioncc.com The Carl Junction Area Chamber of Commerce is the area’s fastest-growing Chamber of Commerce for the fourth year in a row. Members enjoy great opportunities to exchange leads at our morning, midday, evening and weekend networking events. Want to learn more about how the Carl Junction Area Chamber of Commerce can help you grow your business? Call 417.649.8846. Bailey’s Eats & Sweets 1200 Briarbrook Drive • 417.781.2944 Bailey’s invites you to come enjoy our mouth watering ribs every Friday night! We offer a family style dining experience with quality smoked meats, sandwiches, burgers, and so much more. Bailey’s offers daily lunch and dinner specials and breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays. For great food and great service....think Bailey’s. Now serving beer and wine. Open Monday-Friday 10:30 am-8 pm, Saturday 6:30 am-8 pm and Sunday 8 am-2 pm. Bruner Drugs Jerry Botts RPH 417.649.7021 • 102 S. Main www.prorx.biz.bruner Carl Junction’s pharmacy for over 35 years. Quality prescription service, and medical equipment sales and rental. Are you looking for a special gift, whether it’s a special occasion or a “just thinking of you,” surprises and more? We have Yankee Candles too! The only thing old-fashioned about this pharmacy is the service! Gambino’s Pizza 1203 Pennell • 417.649.7979 www.gambinospizza.com All pizzas are made to order with the freshest ingredients, then baked to perfection! You will love our delicious pizzas topped with the traditional homestyle sweet and spicy sauce and a special blend of 100% mozzarella and provolone cheeses. You’ll find many pizzas with all food groups to make it convenient to eat well. Sandwiches, hearty pastas, salads and buttery calzones. Family dining, carry out and delivery. Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 am8:30 pm, Friday-Saturday, 11 am-9:30 pm. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 23 SP TLIGHT on Carthage February in Carthage kicks off with a unique training opportunity with Motive Matters for Carthage Emerging Leaders from 8 am-1 pm Feb. 3 and 4. Motive Matters is a program designed to give participants insights and knowledge for building trust and for developing a higher quality of life by understanding and valuing their motive-based personality and the unique personalities of others. Trainers create a fun, informative learning experience designed to give you a clear picture of the strengths and limitations you can generally expect from both your personal and your professional relationships. Friday, February 12, will find area legislators Ron Richard, Tom Flanigan, Charlie Davis, Mike Kelley, Bill Lant, Bill Reiboldt and Bill White reporting on their districts and answering questions from the public. Join your representatives and the Chamber for a delicious 10:30 am brunch served by the Grace Pointe Assembly Church at the first of the Eggs and Issues Legislative Forums of the 2016 session. Finally, join the Chamber and the Missouri Southern State University Alumni Association Thursday, February 25 for Business After Hours from 5-6:30 pm. Enjoy casual networking over snacks and beverages at the beautifully remodeled Mis Arcos. For information about any of these events and opportunities, contact the Chamber at 417.358.2373. Race Brothers Farm & Home Supply 2309 Fair Lawn Dr. 417.358.3529 Race Brothers carries a complete line of farm and home supplies including clothing, electrical, plumbing, lawn and garden, outdoor power equipment, tools, truck accessories, pet supplies, cattle-handling equipment, farm fencing and toys. Dedicated to providing the Carthage area with quality service and products for over 40 years. You’ll like the way we do business…tell a friend! 24 The Fleur de Lis Cafe 100 E. 4th • 417.388.1650 Now open, the Fleur de Lis Café offers a unique dining experience on the historical Carthage square. We offer French food at its best, plus a full bar. Call us for special events at 417.388.1650. Open for lunch Wednesday-Saturday 11 am-2 pm and for dinner Friday and Saturday 6 pm-close Boomer’s BBQ 1123 W. Central • Carthage • 417.358.8112 www.boomersbbqandcatering.com At Boomers, BBQ is their passion! They are serving up mouthwatering ribs, famous smoked meats, smoked sausage, wings and more! Join them for lunch or dinner, call ahead for to-go orders or use the convenient drive thru. Catering, kids’ menu, daily lunch specials, motorcycle friendly. Family owned and operated with a great family atmosphere and the best BBQ in the Four States! Open Mon-Thurs, 11 am-8 pm and Fri-Sat, 11 am-8:30 pm. Cherry’s Custom Framing and Art Gallery, LLC 311 S. Main St • 417.358.2707 www.cherryscustomframing.com Cherry’s in Carthage provides a long list of services including custom framing, art appraisal, canvas stretching and more. Come in and browse! We represent over 40 local and nationally known artists that specialize in paintings and sculptures in a wide variety of subject matter and styles. We have renovated our 130-year-old building to beautifully accommodate the wonderful works by these artists. We also offer facility rental and catering! The LunchboxTruck 2025 S. Garrison • 417.437.6129 www.lunchboxtruck417.com The LunchboxTruck is a Carthage, Missouri, food truck that serves gourmet sandwiches, salads and soups. Follow them on Facebook or their website, www.thelunchboxtruck417.com, to find hours, specials and locations. They are available for catering and events or can come directly to your business! Custom Carpet & Interiors 317 W. Centennial Ave. • 417.358.0737 Need new flooring? We have your floor covered! Now featuring “Life Happens” by Shaw Industries: carpet with a waterproof backing that stands up to life’s messes. We also carry the industry’s leading hard surfaces. Come see us! We’ll help you design your dreams. Tuesday - Friday 9 am-5:30 pm, Saturday 9:30 am-12:30 pm. The Pavilion/Sacry Medical Spa 510 South Garrison Avenue 417.526.1080 Feel amazing at The Pavilion Sacry Medical Spa! We offer skin care using Physician Care Alliance products including chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and IPL Therapy. Our facility is physician directed by Dr. Roger Sacry, M.D. Our other services include Botox, Juvederm, hair removal and weight management. We specialize in effective massage therapy. Happy New Year from the Sacry family and staff! Herrington Dental • William G. Herrington, DDS, PC 1515 Hazel, Suite 200 417.358.4231 • www.herringtondental.com Through the miracle of sedation dentistry, Dr. Herrington can treat anxious patients in as little as one or two relaxing visits. Now offering comprehensive orthodontics using Fastbraces® technology. Offering drill-less dentistry, hard tissue laser, Lumineers and more! Over 32 years’ experience. Financing available. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 25 A Portrait of Urban Joplin By Christine Smith Photo by Rodney Hobart Countryside in the City Florist • Event Planner Event Venue 422 S. Joplin Ave. • 417.781.3719 www.countrysideflowers.biz Countryside in the City is one of the leading florists in Joplin for fine, quality roses, flowers, plants and gifts for every occasion. Let our experienced designers and staff create a one-of-a-kind gift you will love. We also offer beautiful custom-designed wedding flower arrangements including wedding bouquets, centerpieces and boutonnieres. Open Mon-Fri. 8 am-5 pm and Sat. 9 am-1 pm. Convenient parking A Portrait of Valentine’s Day in Urban Joplin There’s a whole lot of love in downtown Joplin this Valentine’s Day. From unique gifts to romantic meals, you’ll find everything you need to celebrate this enchanting holiday in style. Gifts She’ll Love Dazzle her with sparkling gems from Newton’s Jewelry (428 S. Main, 417.623.2800), or clothing and accessories from the ultrahip boutique Sophie (531 S. Main, 417.782.6300). Send her a dozen stunning rainbow roses from Countryside in the City (422 S. Joplin, 417.781.3719), or surprise her with a bouquet of edible chocolate treats presented like fresh flowers from Sweet Emotion - A Chocolate Boutique (1520 S. Main, 417.691.8504). Downtown Dining Celebrate on February 13 by trying one of the Valentine’s dinner specials at Club 609 (609 S. Main, 417.623.6090), or enjoy the Valentine’s package at Infuxn (530 S. Main, 417.483.3979), which includes two cocktails, two entrees, a dessert and live music for $50. Blacklist Ink 628 S. Main Street 417.782.2500 Blacklist Ink Tattoo Studio is an upscale, high-end tattoo studio and art gallery. If it’s your first time, their knowledgeable and friendly artists will guide you through the entire process, ensuring your experience will be the best! The staff’s dedication to client satisfaction is unsurpassed. Browse their portfolios or let one of the artists help create the perfect art just for you. M & M Bistro (407 S. Main, 417.627.9996), serves traditional Mediterranean cuisine and will be open Saturday and Sunday nights, as will Caldone’s (218 S. Main, 417.626.8111), which is known for its Italian fare. Reservations are recommended. Get Creative Plan something out of the ordinary, like painting pottery alongside your sweetheart at Date Night at Firehouse Pottery (112 S. Main, Suite A, 417.553.0671) Saturday, February 13, at 6 pm. Don’t limit yourself to nighttime when celebrating; from 1-4 pm Sunday, February 14, sip on mimosas at RSVPaint (420 S. Main, 417.680.5434) while you paint a Picasso-style portrait of your date. Downtown Joplin offers everything you need to make this Valentine’s Day a memorable one. Blue Moon Boutique 613 S. Main Street 417.553.0826 Find us on Facebook! 26 Blue Moon Boutique is a unique shopping venue, “A modern boutique with a vintage soul.” Find the newest and latest in clothing, home décor, jewelry and so much more! Open Monday-Friday 10 am-6 pm and Saturday 10 am-5 pm. By Rose Hansen CLUB 609 I f you’ve never been to Club 609 in downtown Joplin, well, there’s no time like the present. It’s one of the most popular places in town for a reason. The space itself, with its warm brick walls, exposed beam ceilings and fun vintage accents like repurposed doors as a room divider, is atmospheric enough to provide a good backdrop for a solid meal. Menu offerings never disappoint. Come Valentine’s Day, this Main Street establishment will be providing special variations on dishes tailored just for couples. Kick off the celebratory feast with an ahi tuna bruschetta appetizer, which features firm slabs of seared fish atop slices of toast dressed with pesto cream. The whole dish is drizzled with a balsamic reduction sauce that finishes every bite with a sweet tang sure to leave you craving more. For main courses, the Club 609 menu has so many options—from good old burgers to juicy steaks or pasta dishes—that it’s tough to limit it down to just one pick. Let me do it for you. One of your romantic duo needs to order the Florentine Pan Fried Chilean Sea Bass ($33). The dish includes a few sides, which range from potatoes to lobster orzo, or grilled veggies to broccoli. My advice? Don’t miss the Dollie carrots, which are named in honor of owner Linda Williams’ and sibling Steve’s late mother. On the other side of the table, your date would be making a grave mistake by passing up the Cajun Napoleon Blackened Beef Tenderloins and Crab Cakes ($37), which is served with a rich cream sauce. A good steak needs no introduction, but the crab cakes really steal the show in this dish. They’re dense, moist and noticeably more cake-like than those at competing restaurants. (Admittedly, the portions on this plate are so enormous they can probably satisfy two mouths, but I’m such a glutton for crab cakes I’d be tempted to clutch them to my chest and slap away any other stray forks creeping across the table for a stolen bite.) My favorite side-dish in the entire city is Club 609’s flash-fried parmesan spinach, so you can’t go wrong requesting that accompaniment. For a romantic dessert for two, the restaurant is offering twin red velvet cakes with cinnamon chocolate sauce. They are spongy, light, thick and rich, but not too sweet—striking that perfect end note for a perfect meal. Paired with a fun after-dinner drink like a cup of sweet wine, and your bellies and hearts will, well, runneth over. >>> Club 609 is located at 609 Main Street in Joplin. Call 417.623.6090 for reservations. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 27 ShowMe Dining Guide Shawanoe Restaurant Granny Shaffer’s Family Restaurant Enjoy delicious Chef created Buffets to satisfy everyone’s taste...Daily Breakfast Buffet: 7-11am Adults $7.99, Kids $3.99. Omelet station available only on SAT & SUN. Fiesta Buffet MON: 4-9pm, Adults $15.99, Kids $7.99. Prime Rib Buffet SUN & WED: 4-9pm, Adults $15.99, Kids $7.99. King Crab Buffet TUES: 4-9pm, Adults $29.99, Kids $21.99, *Without Crab legs: Adults $15.99, Kids $7.50. Italian Buffet THURS: 4-9pm, Adults $15.99, Kids $7.99. Seafood Buffet FRI: 4-10pm, Adults $15.99, Kids $7.99. BBQ Buffet SAT: 4-10pm, Adults $15.99 Kids $7.99. Indigo Sky Casino, Hwy 60 West of Seneca, MO $$-$$$$. Hours: Sunday-Thursday 7 am-9 pm, Friday and Saturday 7 am-11 pm Enjoy a great cup of freshly roasted coffee. Watch while we roast a blend! Homemade pies, cobblers, sweetbreads and rolls made from scratch daily. Serious breakfasts, salads, steaks, seafood, Mexican, pasta and Dixieland fried chicken or catfish. Ask about our banquet rooms and catering. “Good Old Fashioned Cooking.” $-$$ 70220 East Hwy 60 • Wyandotte, OK 888.992 SKY1 Bootleggers Restaurant & Brewery 101 S. Madison Ave. • Aurora, MO 417.308.3504 2728 N. Range Line • Joplin, MO 417.659.9393 • www.grannyshaffers.com Hours: Monday-Saturday 6 am-8:30 pm • Sunday 7 am-3 pm Webb City Gringos 1401 South Madison Street • Webb City, MO 417.673.3001 Since opening in 1998, Bootleggers, located in an 1800s bank, has been the area’s go-to restaurant for family-style atmosphere and historic charm. A fullservice menu with lunch specials everyday and over 12 dinner specialties from Parmesan encrusted chicken and jumbo grilled shrimp, steaks, pasta and homemade bread everyday! Full-service bar; microbrewery coming soon. Kids’ menu, groups & catering. Reservations welcome. $-$$$ Locally owned and operated by Chris and Anissa Parrish, Webb City Gringos has served the area since 1993. Gringos is not your typical fast food restaurant. They are known for their large portions. They also have daily specials including two crispy tacos and taco salads. They now serve freshbrewed brown sugar tea by the glass or the gallon! Located across from Walmart in Webb City. “Like” them on Facebook! $ Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 11 am-9 pm. Friday-Saturday, 11 am-10 pm. Hours: Sunday-Thursday 7 am-10 pm Friday and Saturday 7 am-Midnight 28 Golden Corral of Joplin 2415 S. Range Line • Joplin, MO 417.625.1684 Casa Montez 2324 S. Range Line • Joplin, MO 417.781.3610 Enjoy all-you-can-eat hot and cold buffets, bakery, desserts, soft-serve and hand-dipped ice cream, and a chocolate fountain. Open weekends for breakfast from 7:30-11 am. Serving made-to-order omelets and so much more. Enjoy the Great Steak Buffet after 4 pm weekdays and on weekends from 11 am-close. Party room, catering and kids’ menu available. $-$$ Serving authentic Mexican specialties for over 45 years, including carnitas, fajitas, burrito enchilada style and much more! Lunch fajita buffet available Monday–Friday 11 am–2 pm. Check for nightly dinner specials. Full-service cantina offering your favorite drinks and margaritas. $-$$ Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:45 am-9:00 pm • Friday 10:45 am-9:30 pm Saturday 7:30 am-9:30 pm • Sunday 7:30 am-8:30 pm Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 am-10 pm Friday and Saturday 11 am-11 pm • Sunday 11 am-9 pm Big R’s BBQ 1220 E. 15th Street • Joplin, MO 417.781.5959 Big R’s BBQ has been serving quality, smoked meats for over 20 years. “R” menu ranges from Kickin’ Chicken and hand-cut steaks, flame broiled to perfection, to sandwiches, salads and more. Half price appetizers on Tuesday nights. Big R’s is more than just BBQ – “We have the meat you can’t beat!” $-$$ Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 am-9 pm Friday and Saturday 11 am-9:30 pm • Closed Sunday Mexican Way 1721 La Questa Drive • Neosho, MO 417.455.6985 • 417.455.0058 Home of the King Burrito! Established over five years ago across from the high school football field, and now history continues at 1721 La Questa Drive, next to True Value. We continue to serve the best tasting homemade Mexican specialties: pupusas, a traditional Salvadoran delicacy; Torta Cubana; Skillet Apache Fajitas; chiles rellenos; chimichangas; fajitas; tacos; super burritos and more! Make it your way at Mexican Way! $-$$ Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 am-9 pm • Closed Sunday • Follow us on Facebook February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 29 ShowMe Dining Guide Red Onion Café 203 E. 4th • Downtown Joplin, MO 417.623.1004 • www.redonioncafe.com Casual Urban dining in historic downtown Joplin since 1995. Famous for fresh salads, smoked chicken dip, burgers, pasta, grilled fish & steaks. Extensive craft beer menu and wines by the glass. Consistently voted “Best Restaurant” and “Best Menu” by 417 Magazine and The Joplin Globe. $-$$ Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-9 pm Club 1201 1201 E. 32nd Street • Joplin, MO 417.626.0032 Now serving Joplin’s best brunch! Homemade beignets, pastries, biscuits and gravy, peppered bacon, eggs and parmesan fried potatoes and more! For lunch, enjoy your favorite appetizers, “out-of-this-world” salads, seasoned bread and your choice of dressing. Soup du jour, sandwiches from burgers to apricot turkey and over 30 other choices! We offer a full service catering menu for private parties, business meetings and special events. $-$$ Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 am-3 pm • Friday 11 am-10 pm Saturday 3 pm-10 pm • Sunday Brunch 10 am-2 pm Crabby’s Seafood Bar and Grill Hackett Hot Wings 815 W. 7th St. • Joplin, MO • 417.206.3474 Catering • Private Parties • Chef at Home 520 S. Main • Joplin, MO 417.625.1333 • www. hacketthotwings.com Dine at Crabby’s for a beautiful meal in an elegant, yet approachable finedining experience. Choose from a wide variety of fresh seafood, steak and chops. Enjoy libations from our full bar, including the best Scotch selection in town. Serving the four states for 10 years! Make your reservations today! $$-$$$ “The Only Wings Better Are On An Angel.” Offering 13 flavors of wings. Wet flavors: Beer, Honey, BBQ, Hot & Honey, Mild, Hot, Suicide, & Smokin’ Hot. Dry flavors: Season, Cajun, Lemon Pepper, Jerk, & Greek. We also offer salads, catfish, chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, hamburgers, boneless wings and more!!!! (Smoke-free) $-$$ Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 am-10 pm • Sunday 11 am-9 pm Now serving Sunday Brunch 9 am-3 pm Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 am to close 30 Tokyo Japanese Steak & Sushi 511 N. Range Line • Joplin, MO 417.781.9888 • www.tokyosteakandsushi.com Club 609 609 Main Street • Joplin, MO 417.623.6090 Enjoy the show as our chefs prepare a delicious Hibachi meal right at your table! Full menu available with fresh sushi and rolls like our popular Crunchy Roll or Spider Roll. Great private dining rooms for large parties or families! Daily lunch and drink specials from 11 am-3 pm. Call for reservations or questions. $$-$$$ “Treat your appetite to a GOURMET DELIGHT served ‘Joplin style’.” Flavorful specialties for any occasion, featuring salads burgers and sandwiches. Delicious entrees – beef, chicken, pork, seafood and seven “pastabilities!” Offering appetizers, homemade desserts, soup du jour, beer, wine and mixed drinks. Kids menu available. $-$$$ Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 am-10 pm Friday and Saturday 11 am-11 pm • Sunday 11 am-9 pm Hours: Kitchen open Monday-Friday 11 am-10 pm Saturday 11 am-10:30 pm • Bar open later What’s for Dinner? Mythos 1306 S. Range Line • Joplin, MO 417.624.myth • www.mythosjoplin.com World-class service that sets the stage for a special dining experience featuring French, American, Greek and Italian cuisine. Choices include pasta, chicken, fresh seafood, and hand-cut aged Black Angus beef. Over 150 wine selections. Complete menu available at www.mythosjoplin.com. Call for catering or reservations. $-$$$ Hours: Lunch 11 am-4 pm • Dinner 4 pm-close Open Monday-Saturday Our readers know! Find out more about advertising your restaurant in the 4-states’ favorite Dining Guide! Call 417.455.9898 or email magazine@showmetheozarks.com February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 31 ShowMe Dining Guide These $ categories are based upon the average cost of a dinner entree excluding drinks, desserts, and/or gratuities. NOTE: Some restaurant entree prices do not include a’la carte sides or salad. KEY $ - $9 and under $$ - $10 - $15 $$$ - $15 - $20 $$$$ - $20 & up BIG R’S BBQ, JOPLIN, MO 1220 E. 15th Street. Big R’s BBQ has been serving quality, smoked meats for over 20 years. “R” menu ranges from Kickin’ Chicken and hand-cut steaks, flame broiled to perfection, to sandwiches, salads and more. Big R’s is more than just BBQ – “We have the meat you can’t beat!” Open Monday-Thursday, 11 am-9 pm, Friday and Saturday, 11 am-9:30 pm. Closed Sunday. Dine-in or take-out. 417.781.5959. $-$$ BOOMER’S BBQ, CARTHAGE, MO 1123 W. Central. At Boomers, BBQ is their passion! It’s what they love to do. They are serving up mouth-watering ribs, famous smoked meats, smoked sausage, wings and more! Join them for lunch or dinner, call ahead for to-go orders or use the convenient drive thru. Catering, kids’ menu, daily lunch specials, motorcycle friendly. Family owned and operated with a great family atmosphere and the best BBQ in the Four States! Open Monday-Thursday, 11 am-8 pm and Friday-Saturday, 11 am8:30 pm. 417.358.8112 www.boomersbbqandcatering.com BOOTLEGGERS RESTAURANT & BREWERY, AURORA, MO 101 S. Madison Ave. Since opening in 1998, Bootleggers, located in an 1800s bank, has been the area’s go-to restaurant for family-style atmosphere and historic charm. A full-service menu with lunch specials everyday and over 12 dinner specialties from Parmesan encrusted chicken and jumbo grilled shrimp, steaks, pasta and homemade bread everyday! Full-service bar; microbrewery coming soon. Kids’ menu, groups & catering. Open Tuesday-Thursday, 11 am-9 pm. Friday-Saturday, 11 am10 pm.Reservations welcome. 417.308.3504$-$$$ CAFÉ ANGELICA, NEOSHO, MO 107 E. Main, south side of the square. Creative salads such as Asian Chicken Salad and other specialties served every day. Sandwich selections include Curried Chicken Salad and Heavenly Vegetarian. Old-fashioned Cream of Potato soup is the best in the area! Dinner menu featuring our AngeliQ Grill and and Chef’s Choice! Great side choices. Private parties and catering available. Open for lunch 11 am-2 pm, Monday-Friday and dinner Wednesday-Thursday 5-7:30 pm. 417.451.5727. $-$$ CALDONE’S, JOPLIN, MO 218 S. Main Street. If you are looking for a wonderful experience, then look no further. Get ready for an explosion of flavors and beautifully decorated dishes sure to make you smile. An authentic Italian and Mediterranean restaurant in the heart of Downtown Joplin on Historic Route 66. Offering full-service catering for weddings and events. Open Monday-Saturday 11 am-10 pm, closed on Sundays. 417.626.8111 www.caldones.com $-$$$ CASA MONTEZ, JOPLIN, MO 2324 S. Range Line. Serving authentic Mexican specialties for over 45 years, including carnitas, fajitas, burrito enchilada style and much more! Lunch fajita buffet available Monday–Friday 11 am–2 pm. Check for nightly dinner specials. Full-service cantina offering your favorite drinks and margaritas. Monday-Thursday 11 am-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-11 pm, Sunday 11 am-9 pm. 417.781.3610. $-$$ CLUB 609, JOPLIN, MO 609 Main Street. “Treat your appetite to a GOURMET DELIGHT served ‘Joplin-style’.” Flavorful specialties for any occasion, featuring salads, burgers and sandwiches. Delicious entrees – beef, chicken, pork, seafood and seven “pastabilities!” Offering appetizers, homemade desserts, soup du jour, beer, wine and mixed drinks. Kids’ menu available. Kitchen open Monday-Friday, 11 am-10 pm, Saturday, 11 am-10:30 pm. Bar open later. 417.623.6090. $-$$$ CLUB 1201, JOPLIN, MO 1201 E. 32nd Street. Now serving Joplin’s best brunch! Homemade beignets, pastries, biscuits and gravy, peppered bacon, eggs and parmesan fried potatoes and more! For lunch, enjoy your favorite appetizers, “out-of-this-world” salads, seasoned bread and your choice of dressing. Soup du jour, sandwiches from burgers to apricot turkey and over 30 other choices! We offer a full service catering menu for private parties, business meetings and special events. Open Monday-Thursday 11 am-3 pm, Friday 11 am10 pm, Saturday 3-10 pm and Sunday brunch 10 am-2 pm. 417.626.0032. $-$$ CRABBY’S SEAFOOD BAR AND GRILL, JOPLIN, MO 815 W. 7th St. Catering--Private Parties--Chef at Home. Dine at Crabby’s for a beautiful meal in an elegant, yet approachable finedining experience. Choose from a wide variety of fresh seafood, steak and chops. Enjoy libations from our full bar, including the best Scotch selection in town. Serving the four states for 10 years! Make your reservations today! Open Monday-Saturday 11 am-10 pm, Sunday 11 am-9 pm. Now serving Sunday Brunch 9 am-3 pm 417.206.3474. $$-$$$ GOLDEN CORRAL, JOPLIN, MO 2415 S. Range Line. Enjoy all-you-can-eat hot and cold buffets, bakery, desserts, soft-serve and hand-dipped ice cream, and a chocolate fountain. Open weekends for breakfast from 7:30-11 am. Serving made-to-order omelets and so much more. Enjoy the Great Steak Buffet after 4 pm weekdays and on weekends from 11 am-close. Party room, catering and kids’ menu available. 417.625.1684 $-$$ . GRANNY SHAFFER’S FAMILY RESTAURANT, JOPLIN, MO 2728 N. Range Line. Enjoy a great cup of freshly roasted coffee. Watch while we roast a blend! Homemade pies, cobblers, sweetbreads and rolls made from scratch daily. Serious breakfasts, salads, steaks, seafood, Mexican, pasta and Dixieland fried chicken or catfish. Ask about our banquet rooms and catering. “Good Old Fashioned Cooking.” Monday-Saturday 6 am-8:30 pm and Sunday 7 am-3 pm. www.grannyshaffers.com. 417.659.9393. $-$$ HACKETT HOT WINGS, JOPLIN, MO 520 S. Main. “The Only Wings Better Are On An Angel.” Offering 13 flavors of wings. Wet flavors: Beer, Honey, BBQ, Hot & Honey, Mild, Hot, Suicide, & Smokin’ Hot. Dry flavors: Season, Cajun, Lemon Pepper, Jerk, & Greek. We also offer salads, catfish, chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, hamburgers, boneless wings and more!!!! (Smoke-free) Open Monday-Saturday 11 am to close. 417.625.1333. $-$$ BIG R’S BBQ, JOPLIN, MO Big R’s BBQ has been serving quality smoked meats for almost 20 years. “R” menu ranges from hand-cut steaks, flame broiled to perfection, to sandwiches, salads, and more. Big R’s is more than just Bar-B-Que – “We have the meat, you can’t beat!” 1220 E. 15th St.. Joplin, 417-781-5959. $ -uncorked- -1201- 32 MCALISTER’S DELI, JOPLIN, MO 2230 S. Range Line. You’ll be greeted by a massive menu filled with sandwiches, tasty wraps, Paninis, spuds, salads, soups and sweets. You’ll always have room for a brownie delight, lemon bar or fresh baked cookies. Everything is made exactly as you like it. Try a glass of McAlister’s famous Sweet Tea™! Gift cards, catering, to go orders. Sunday-Thursday 10:30 am-10 pm, Friday-Saturday 10:30 am-10:30 pm. WiFi enabled. 417.624.3354. $ MEXICAN WAY, NEOSHO, MO 1721 La Questa Drive. Home of the King Burrito! Established over five years ago across from the high school football field, and now history continues at our La Questa Drive location, next to True Value. We continue to serve the best tasting homemade Mexican specialties: pupusas, a traditional Salvadoran delicacy; Torta Cubana; Skillet Apache Fajitas; chiles rellenos; chimichangas; fajitas; tacos; super burritos and more! Make it your way at Mexican Way! Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 am-9 pm, closed Sunday. Follow us on Facebook 417.455.6985 or 417.455.0058. $-$$ MYTHOS, JOPLIN, MO 1306 S. Range Line. World-class service that sets the stage for a special dining experience featuring French, American, Greek and Italian cuisine. Choices include pasta, chicken, fresh seafood, and hand-cut aged Black Angus beef. Over 150 wine selections. Complete menu available at www.mythosjoplin.com. Serving lunch 11 am-4 pm, dinner 4 pm-close, Monday-Saturday. For catering or reservations, call 417.624.MYTH. $-$$$ NORMA’S KITCHEN, WEBB CITY, MO 21 S. Main Street. Happy hour every day 2-5 pm, buy one T-bone steak dinner and get the second one half price, or get any menu meal item $6.49 and up with purchase of two beverages. Open 6 am-9 pm seven days a week including holidays. Breakfast served any time. 417.673.2020 $-$$ RANDY’S DRIVE IN, CARL JUNCTION 1201 E. Pennell. Home of the Bulldog Shake! Celebrating over 21 years in business. Locally owned and operated. Over 15 sandwiches, entrees including Spaghetti Red, Frito Pie Deluxe, Chicken Plank or Shrimp Dinners and more! Salads, ice cream and kids’ menu. Open MondaySunday 10 am-9 pm. Call ahead 417.649.7732. $-$$ RED ONION CAFE - CASUAL URBAN DINING, JOPLIN, MO 203 E. 4th. Casual Urban dining in historic downtown Joplin since 1995. Famous for fresh salads, smoked chicken dip, burgers, pasta, grilled fish & steaks. Extensive craft beer menu and wines by the glass. Consistently voted “Best Restaurant” and “Best Menu” by 417 Magazine and The Joplin Globe. Monday-Saturday, 11 am-9 pm. 417.623.1004. www.redonioncafe.com $-$$ RED ONION ESPRESSORIA AND COFFEE ESPRESSO BAR, JOPLIN, MO 32nd & Indiana. Serving lunch and dinner along with a full coffee espresso bar. For starters try the Cucumber Dill Spread or Ranch Chicken Nacho. Delicious gourmet entrees, salads, soups and sandwiches. A Red Onion favorite is the West Coast Chicken. Espressoria specialties include Toasted Beef Ravioli. Enjoy a White Chocolate Latte, Vanilla Bean Frappe’ or Dreamsicle from Joplin’s premiere coffee espresso bar! Fast, fresh, eat-in or carry-out.Party platters available. Monday-Saturday, 11 am-8 pm. 417.781.4999. www.redonionespressoria.com $-$$ REDINGS MILL INN, JOPLIN, MO 102 Broadlawn Blvd. Enjoy the historic laid-back atmosphere and friendly staff at Redings Mill Inn. Now offering a non-smoking section and a completely revamped menu featuring a variety of smoked meats, BBQ ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked chicken salad and eggplant parmesan, all with new sides. Top it off with fresh squeezed lemonade! Try our hand-breaded onion rings, hand-cut fries and curly fries, or hand dipped mushrooms. Open 7 days a week: Sunday-Thursday 11 am-midnight, Friday-Saturday 11 am-1:30 am. Daily specials! 417.206.4096. $-$$$ RIB CRIB BBQ & GRILL, JOPLIN, MO 2915 E 24th Street. A real family barbecue place featuring real pit championship smoked meats, burgers, and fish along with traditional sides, salads and homemade desserts. We feature weekday lunch options and All-You-Can Eat ribs and sides on Tuesday nights! No reservations required. Catering is our specialty whether it is 100 or 5000! Hours: Open daily 11 am–10 pm. 417.206.7427 www.ribcrib.com $-$$ SAM’S CELLAR BAR & OVEN, NEOSHO, MO 101 N. Wood St. Under the Historic Neosho Square. Featuring woodfired pizza, a great beer selection and full service bar. Choose from tasty appetizers including Italian Nachos, Wood-Fired Jumbo Pretzel or Wolfinbarger’s Wood-Fired Wings. Specialty entrees include Italian Chicken Breast Salad, Buffalo Chicken Wrap, BBQ Beef Wrap, and all your favorite wood-fired pizzas. Open 7 days a week, 11 am-close. 417.451.3330. $-$$$ SHAWANOE RESTAURANT, WYANDOTTE, OK 70220 East HWY. 60. Enjoy delicious Chef created Buffets to satisfy everyone’s taste...Daily Breakfast Buffet: 7-11am Adults $7.99, Kids $3.99. Omelet station available only on SAT & SUN. Fiesta Buffet MON: 4-9pm, Adults $15.99, Kids $7.99. Prime Rib Buffet SUN & WED: 4-9pm, Adults $15.99, Kids $7.99. King Crab Buffet TUES: 4-9pm, Adults $29.99, Kids $21.99, *Without Crab legs: Adults $15.99, Kids $7.50. Italian Buffet THURS: 4-9pm, Adults $15.99, Kids $7.99. Seafood Buffet FRI: 4-10pm, Adults $15.99, Kids $7.99. BBQ Buffet SAT: 4-10pm, Adults $15.99 Kids $7.99. Indigo Sky Casino, Hwy 60 West of Seneca, MO $$-$$$$. Hours: Sunday-Thursday 7 am-9 pm, Friday and Saturday 7 am-11 pmOpen Sunday-Thursday 7 am-9 pm, Friday and Saturday 7 am-11 pm. 888.992. SKY1. $$-$$$$ TOKYO JAPANESE STEAK & SUSHI, JOPLIN, MO 511 N. Range Line. Enjoy the show as our chefs prepare a delicious Hibachi meal right at your table! Full menu available with fresh sushi and rolls like our popular Crunchy Roll or Spider Roll. Great private dining rooms for large parties or families! Daily lunch and drink specials from 11 am-3 pm. Open Monday-Thursday 11 am-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-11 pm, Sunday 11 am-9 pm. www.tokyosteakandsushi.com. For reservations or questions, call 417.781.9888. $$-$$$ WEBB CITY GRINGOS, WEBB CITY, MO 1401 South Madison Street. Locally owned and operated by Chris and Anissa Parrish, Webb City Gringos has served the area since 1993. Gringos is not your typical fast food restaurant. They are known for their large portions. They also have daily specials including two crispy tacos and taco salads. They now serve fresh-brewed brown sugar tea by the glass or the gallon! Located across from Walmart in Webb City. Open SundayThursday 7 am-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 7 am-Midnight. “Like” them on Facebook! 417.673.3001. $ GOLDEN CORRAL, JOPLIN, MO 2415 S. Range Line, 417-625-1684. Enjoy all-you-can-eat Hot Buffet, Cold Buffet, Soups and Potato Bar, Bakery & Dessert Café, and Breakfast Buffet until 11am every weekend featuring made to order omelets and more! The Great Steak Buffet every night after 4pm Mon-Sat and after11am on Sunday. Savor a juicy Sirloin Steak hand cut fresh (never frozen) every day. $ February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 33 34 Love That Will Stick for a Lifetime By Kathleen Swift • Photos by Artistic Expressions B rian Cable. The name might sound familiar to Show Me The Ozarks readers. Brian was one of nine people featured in Singles in the City in the February 2015 issue. This year, Brian again appears in the February issue, but this time, thanks to that original feature, he is no longer single. Brian tells it this way. “I hadn’t dated anyone for quite a while, and when I was asked to be a part of the Singles in the City feature, I thought I would put myself out there and see what happened. I answered the questions for that article very seriously. It was my intention to show my faith and not to be superficial in my answers. I was hoping to find someone who wanted a serious relationship.” What happened was that Megan Colwell read the feature. “We had received the new Show Me the Ozarks at work, and after work several of us grabbed the new issue and read the magazine. I turned to the Singles “We came into our relationship with the idea of putting the other first and to seek the most good for each other.” --Megan Cable in the City and read each bio. When I got to the bio on Brian, my first thought was that he was cute and interesting. I could tell by what he said that he was wanting a serious partner and that his relationship to Christ was important.” Although unsure about how to meet Brian, a chance encounter at work opened the door for Megan. A customer heard Megan talking about Brian to a co-worker. The customer said he knew Brian and would pass her phone number on to him. Everything in Brian and Megan’s life was about to change. When Brian first called Megan, she was in a Bible study, so she let the call go to voice mail. After the study group, she called him back, and the couple decided to meet for lunch the next day. The lunch lasted four hours as the two found the deeper connection that both of them wanted in a relationship. “I guess our dating was somewhat atypical,” says Brian. “We didn’t start with the small chat. We discussed the big issues like what we wanted for the future, family and careers. Megan was in a play when we first started dating, so she was often at rehearsal until 9 pm. We would meet after her play practice and go to a coffee shop and talk until late. We also wrote letters to each other. Sometimes we would misunderstand what the other had written, so it was a slow process in getting to know each other. We talked about what we thought about things and why we thought that way. Megan helps me think about things from a new point of view. We enjoy doing things together, and I enjoy doing things she likes even if it isn’t what I enjoy. It is a joy to me to be able to serve her by doing what she enjoys.” “Our relationship is based on give and take. To be in a successful relationship, you have to give up a part of yourself to the other. That is what Christ teaches us to do and that is what we do for each other,” says Megan. “We came into our relationship with the idea of putting the other first and to seek the most good for each other.” From the beginning, the couple wanted to take things slowly both emotionally and physically. “I told Megan that I wouldn’t say I love you until it would stick for a lifetime,” remembers Brian. And when he proposed, he reminded her of that. On one knee, and with a ring in his hand, he told Megan he loved her and promised his love would stick for a lifetime. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 35 36 Love When You Least Expect It M By Kathleen Swift • Photos by Tina Smith any love stories begin without either party being aware of a love about to blossom. Mike Olmstead and Cynthia Marlow knew each other for years through business connections and mutual friends. Both will tell you they had never considered the other as someone they might develop a deeper relationship with. But as Mike says, “Love can come out of nowhere and can happen when you least expect it.” “Mike and I have known each other for years through our professional connections. I am the membership director for the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, and I am also the property management coordinator for the Ferguson Team at Keller Williams Real Estate. As the evening anchor at KOAM/FOX 14, Mike has twice been a dancer in the Chamber event Dancing with the Joplin Stars, so I knew him from JACC. This past May, after a JACC Good Morning Joplin breakfast, I sent him a text regarding Chamber business and ended it on a note that was lighthearted and friendly. It was strictly business, but I think he realized that I had a sense of humor,” remembers Cynthia. “Love can come out of nowhere and can happen when you least expect it.” --Mike Olmstead “We had a phone conversation after her text to me,” recalls Mike. “There was something that clicked. The second time I called her, we talked for 2 hours. We laughed and realized that we shared many of the same experiences. We had a date set for the next Saturday, but there was no way I could wait until Saturday to see her. We met on Wednesday after I got off work. The day of our first real date, I helped Cynthia and her son move into her house. You get to know someone when you help them move.” “I had no inkling of what was going on,” says Cynthia. “My friend asked me to go to dinner with her, and she kept making suggestions that I do something with my hair and wear something cute. I was having none of that, so there I was in my ponytail and jeans. I wouldn’t sit where Mike had planned for me to be; I was unknowingly uncooperative despite the best efforts of my friend to help.” After those first dates, Mike and Cynthia knew they had each found their best friend. Mike took Cynthia to Indiana to meet his family, and she fell in love with them as she had fallen in love with Mike. “From the beginning, I have felt like she was my home,” says Mike. “She is my blessing from God.” “When he asked me to marry him, I said yes three times. Several people recorded the entire event on their phones, and it was a good thing because after we went back inside the restaurant, Mike turned to me and asked, ‘Did you say yes?’” The couple talked about marriage and had even set a date with their pastor for the ceremony, but Cynthia didn’t know when the formal proposal would come. When Mike proposed to Cynthia on October 23, he did it in a big way. “I planned the proposal for six weeks. I wanted to get a portion of Main Street blocked off, and luckily the Octoberfest was going on, so the street was closed. Cynthia’s friend took her to dinner while I waited outside the restaurant with my daughter, Cynthia’s sister and 30 friends and family members.” “I sent my daughter and Cynthia’s sister in to get Cynthia,” says Mike. “I was on my knee in the middle of Main Street when she came out. I had no prepared speech, but I spoke from my heart.” When Mike and Cynthia marry in April, they will become a family of five. Blending the families has been effortless. Mike and his son and daughter, and Cynthia and her son, spend family nights playing board games at the kitchen table, bowling or throwing the football in the backyard. “We plan to be married in our church, St. Paul’s United Methodist, and the only people in our wedding party will be our children,” says Cynthia. “We truly embrace the fact that our wedding will unite five people, not just two. We both believe that our family and our life together is the greatest gift from God. We are blessed to live every day in a happiness that is deeper than we ever thought possible.” February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 37 Love Things We Ambiance Boutique 925 S. Range Line Rd. • Joplin 417.781.9990 Vintage Vogue 144 S. Main • Carl Junction, MO 417.649.7911 • www.shopvintagevogue.com Facebook.com/VintageVogueCarlJunction Stockist and instructor for Chalk Paint™ Brand Decorative Paint by Annie Sloan. See what everybody is raving about. No priming or sanding required. Annie says, “It’s a girls paint but BOYS can use it too!” Fabulous flannels, cozy scarves and everything else needed to keep you warm and chic this winter! Fabulous finds for you and your home. Just 10 minutes from Joplin. A Beautiful Image, LLC 417.434.1088 Jamaica Me Hot • 902 W. South • St. Neosho, MO Chapman Medical Clinic • 101 N. Elm St. Ste E • Pierce City, MO A Beautiful Image by Nikole offers many services to keep you feeling confident and looking great. Nikole is a certified laser technician and offers services in laser hair removal, skin tightening, stretch mark removal, fine lines and wrinkle reduction. She also specializes in acne scarring reduction and tattoo removal. She is located in Neosho and Pierce City. Give Beautiful Image a call today! Giving back self confidence one person at a time by making them feel better about their body. 38 Cupid has struck our store and we have things you and your kids will fall in love with! Dress your little Valentine in all of our new Valentine’s Day merchandise. Pink and red dresses, Valentine’s Day-themed shirts, headbands, shoes and more. The best place to shop for preemies to grandmas, specializing in newborn to size 6, maternity clothing, gifts and accessories. We also carry personalized and custom-made Taggies and quilts. Webb City Florist & Greenhouse www.webbcityflorist.com 1001 S. Jefferson • Webb City, MO 417.673.3780 or 417.483.3141 Say “I love you” this Valentine’s Day with a beautiful bouquet of flowers for your Valentine! Pink and red roses, gorgeous carnations and more! Pick from our large selection of flowers and create a bouquet completely one-of-a-kind. We also have stuffed animals to make your gift complete! Webb City Florist has been proudly serving the surrounding area for over 100 years. Crackpot Pottery Petland Joplin 3102 E. 7th St. • 417.213.5155 Find us on Facebook Give your Valentine something as sweet as they are this Valentine’s Day. Stop by Petland Joplin and give the gift of an adorable puppy for a gift they will truly love. Petland is a one-stop shop for all of your furry companion’s needs. From a vet next door to food, toys and all other accessories, they have what you need to keep your pet happy and healthy. Blue Moon Boutique 613 S. Main St. • Downtown Joplin • 417.553.0826 www.shopatbluemoon.com • Like us on Facebook! Need help finding a gift for Valentine’s Day? Stop by and we can help you find the perfect gift. With brand new rompers, floral prints and tunics just in, there’s sure to be just what you’re looking for. We also have boots, jewelry, accessories and more. Still not sure what to buy? A Blue Moon gift card always fits and is adored. 3820 E 20th St, Joplin, 417. 623.1455 • Like us on Facebook www.crackpotpottery.com Crackpot Pottery & Art Studio invites you to break from the bonds of red roses and candy this Valentine’s Day. Show your love to your favorite someone with the gift of handmade ceramic arts. Our artists keep our gallery alive with bright colors and eye-catching pots, mugs and surprises! RSVPaint 420 S. Main St. • Downtown Joplin 417.680.5434 • www.rsvpaint.com Find Love in Painting! Couple up with Every Night’s a Date Night in February! Grab that someone special and create a memory. Only $60/couple. Bring your significant other, your sister, your mother. Heck, bring a neighbor or a stranger. Any two’s a couple. Relax, Sip, Visit, and Paint. We make painting more fun than it should be February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 39 SMTO 40 Singles in the City Singles in the City Photo by Artistic Expressions February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 41 SMTO Singles in the City Singles in the City 2016 By Rose Hansen Photos by Artistic Expressions Photography Being single has its perks. You don’t have to share the bed. No awkward dinners with the family. The closet is all your own. It also teaches you to be accountable. After all, when you’re single, the only person to blame for using the last square of toilet paper is yourself. But the search for love is also fraught with uncertainty. You can’t control whether the person you’ve fallen for will call. You can’t force yourself to have feelings for the date your aunt arranged. You can’t know whether attending an event — a co-worker’s birthday, a neighbor’s housewarming — will lead to the chance encounter that will forever alter your life. You simply learn to do your best and work on yourself— and these nine people are doing just that. nON TIME C tal Gr e s y e r t h e r, 4 a e 3 f If there’s one thing that makes Crystal look around and shake her head, it’s recognizing that too many people take time itself for granted. “All we have is time,” she says. “That is the most precious thing you could give a person. You can never get back time you have lost. It is taken for granted so much.” ON WORK Crystal holds two jobs: one as a much-loved nurse of more than 15 years for a busy internal medicine specialist, and the second as a laser technician for a medical spa. “One is stressful and one is fun,” she says. “Long hours, fast-paced and very demanding.” ON SPEED Crystal loves her Harley-Davidson motorcycle and goes out for cruises in the open wind as often as she can. It’s a hobby, she claims, that surprises people the most. ON MOTHERHOOD Office Nurse at Joplin Internal Medicine and Laser Despite participating in the rescue and aftermath of the 2011 Joplin tornado, Crystal doesn’t consider Technician at Skinovations herself to be a particularly brave woman, unless Medical Spa you count becoming a mom. “It takes a brave person to be that!” she claims with a laugh. She has three grown children and one grandson (plus another on the way!), all of whom contribute to a boisterous and fun family that she describes as “downto-earth, blue collar working folk. We always have a good time when we spend time together.” ON CHEERLEADING Rah! Rah! Rah! This firecracker was an outgoing, fun, pom pom-wielding cheerleader in high school. These days, her spirit still shines through in adulthood. “I feel as though I am a bit more cautious as I have aged, but [I am] still the cheerleader for my kids and track star for my one and only grandson. 42 rON DATING 9 e Lynn c i l A G wood, n e e 6 Dating websites and apps are amusing, but Alice Lynn prefers to attract a mate by investing time and energy in being her best self. Her ideal man is intelligent, interesting, happy and healthy. He likes to listen. “If he’s handy and inclined to help fix stuff, this is definitely a plus—and if he cooks for me lean and healthy, well, I’m over the moon!” she says. ON INTROVERSION Alice Lynn is a woman who appreciates having time to herself in order to rest, refresh and resource. “I’m a seriously introverted introvert,” she says. She’s not kidding. She once lived in the Ozarks backwoods for four years and spent her days painting and gardening. These days, her job requires her to flex her extroverted skills. By making sure to sufficiently nurture herself, she maintains her balance to joyfully play and work with others. ON SISSY SPACEK The likeness with the actress is uncanny. “While living in NYC, more than once I was stopped on a Manhattan sidewalk when mistakenly celebrity-sited as Sissy Spacek!” she says. ON WORK Alice Lynn loves her job as director/curator of artCentral in Carthage. “I get to live my passion everyday as an artist,” she says. Next to dedicating time to artistic pursuits, she’s constantly meeting new people, writes a weekly newspaper column, blogs and is supported by dedicated board members and volunteers. “I work with amazing artCamp teachers and kids and feel thrilled to Director/Curator watch them inspire me and each other. I get to interact with artists and patrons who care about speaking and seeking the truth and beauty of artCentral of creativity. I’m surrounded by amazing art. Daily I’m dancing with a learning curve that keeps me on my toes, growing and stretching to my edge.” ON DATING So mer F If she’s out on a date and is surprised by how quickly the time has passed, she knows it’s going well. She likes conversation to feel natural and carry on without feeling forced or stilted. But most telling? If she hasn’t reached for her phone by the time the main course rolls around, she’s probably hit a home run. ON STOPPING TO SMELL THE ROSES The way Somer sees it, too many people take the little things in life for granted. “In the big scheme of things, those are truly what make the big things spectacular!” ra r, 3 5 How’s that working for her? Well… “All in due time, I suppose!” she says with a laugh. ar In the past, Somer has tried using dating apps, but 21st century dating is just not the right fit for her. “I just decided that online dating is not for me,” she says. “I prefer the old fashioned way of meeting and dating guys.” Hospice/Home Health RN Case Manager at ONHL Hospice ON WORK Next to her three children, Somer is very proud of her career path as a hospice and home health RN, which she has been doing since 2011. The job is stressful, but endlessly rewarding. “It can be time consuming and, sometimes, overwhelming,” she admits. “But at the end of the day, there is no better feeling knowing that I have helped a patient pass away with dignity and grace and assured that their families were able to cope with their grief appropriately.” ON ITALIANS Somer’s Italian heritage is loaded with stereotypes, and not all of them are false or harmful. “I love to cook if I have someone to cook for,” she admits. “I can be shy at first, but I am loud and can be pushy when needed. And family is important to me, and I will do anything for them.” February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 43 SMTO Singles in the City Family is also the mirror that allows for self-reflection. In 1999, Cameo joined her mother to visit her grandmother a few weeks before passing. “It was important to me to be there for my mom as she was dealing with the impending death of her mother,” she recalls. “It was also a trip that really put a lot of things in perspective for me. When I got back I quit my job and made some other major changes in my life.” It was a definitive period in her life that pushed her down a better and truer path. o H arr in Account Executive at Choice Marketing ON HELPING OUT Cameo describes her close-knit family in one word: “Amazing.” Best of all, she has two nephews who have all but stolen her heart. “I get to see them a couple times a week,” she says. “They’ve been a good excuse to dust off my dinosaur and RescueBot knowledge and Nerf gun skills . . . among other things!” ON SOUP Cameo has been a member of the Miracle League of Joplin board since building the Will Norton Miracle Field and is currently the president. “I’m very proud of the work we do and the opportunities that we give disabled children in our community.” G e n e vi ev e ON COURAGE Genevieve considers filing for office to be the bravest thing she’s ever done. “I have lived in Southwest Missouri all of my life and I knew that publicly announcing my political views wouldn’t make me too popular,” she says. “I’ve actually been surprised at how gracious folks have been; even those who vehemently disagree with my policies seem to appreciate the need for a strong opposition. ON GOVERNMENT No matter your politics, Genevieve is an advocate for everyone to engage in government. “I talk to people almost daily that don’t vote. They say they don’t see a need to, or that it doesn’t make a difference. I usually point to how many local, and sometimes other elections, come down to just a few votes,” she says. “It does matter, [and] it does affect our lives.” ON LENA DUNHAM “I would just like to meet her.” ON GOOFING OFF Despite the fact that she writes and speaks about a lot of serious things, many people are surprised to find Genevieve has a silly side. “I love to laugh and seem to find levity in every situation,” she says. “I’m just naturally really friendly. I love talking to new people and having short exchanges at events.” 44 l l i a m s , 28 Politician “I couldn’t tell you what I wore yesterday,” she admits. “I’m usually a victim of circumstance when it comes to clothing.” She favors casual comfort over aesthetic, within reason. On dates, she remains true to the choices she would make as though she were among friends. “First dates are awkward enough without wearing uncomfortable clothes.” Wi When temperatures drop, few things comfort Genevieve more than a good bowl of soup. She has fond memories of her grandmother making soup all winter, and since she passed away, Genevieve has carried on the tradition with her own vegetarian spin. Her favorite? French onion soup. ON CLOTHES As an account executive at Choice Marketing, Cameo mainly assists clients in creating and maintaining plans that fit the unique needs of their organizations. This might mean helping with social media, writing scripts or setting a budget. “My job is awesome! I get to be creative, I get to work with a wide variety of people and businesses, and every day is different,” she says. “I may be building budget spreadsheets one day and banquet centerpieces the next. I love the variety!” o n , 42 ON FAMILY e m a gt C ON WORK ON DATING J e n ni f er P Anchor on KODE News Jennifer’s life is go-go-go, so on the Action 12 weekends, she devotes time to preparing meals that will keep her fueled during the workweek. Open the door to her fridge and you’ll find containers full of protein and vegetables. She also stays well-stocked in fruit, eggs, yogurt, coconut water and ice cream. a te , 2 5 ON COOKING en The hallmarks of a good date for Jennifer are engaging conversation and humor. She gives bonus points for a little adventure and excitement, too. If you want to ask her out, you may see her face pop up on a dating app every once in a while, but she typically stays away. It’s best to approach her if you see her around town, or just message her on Facebook. ON PARENTS Jennifer’s parents were immigrant factory workers, but they always encouraged her to pursue her career dreams. “Sometimes [people believe], because of cultural reasons, that you are born into a certain class and that’s where you will stay for the rest of your life. Luckily, my parents didn’t have that mindset and I had their support.” ON WORK ON MENTORING As a broadcast news journalist, there’s never a dull moment. “[It’s] truly a never-ending job,” she says. “It can be stressful, but it’s also very rewarding to share stories that make a difference either in the life of one person or the lives of many.” Over a year ago, Jennifer launched JoyFull Hope, which encourages young, minority girls in Southwest Missouri to dream big, work hard and break stereotypes. “I currently have 19 girls between two schools under my curriculum,” she says. “My lessons look to boost confidence, increase self-acceptance and remind each girl that all that matters is their willingness to learn and work hard.” ON DATING APPS H o wi e G Howie’s marker for a good date? Just feeling relaxed. “If you are struggling or having to work real hard to justify the both of you being there, then I would consider it a bad date,” he says. “But if two people are just chilling and enjoying each other’s company, then that is a good way to decipher if the date is going well.” ON HEALTH don, 44 ON GOOD DATES or Howie considers the Internet to be the greatest invention to date, followed by the cell phone and then dating apps. “Tinder is the third-greatest invention of all time,” he says. “Tinder for LIFE.” Howie just doesn’t understand smoking, lack of exercise, drinking, sun exposure and excessive drug use and sees it as a sign that someone is taking their health for granted. “It just doesn’t make sense to me. People wonder why 10 years go by and they don’t feel well and look 20 years older,” he says. “You have one body—so why waste it?” ON BURRITOS Burritos? Well, Howie’s not much a fan. But he’s satisfied with good rice and beans. Meteorologist on KODE TV 12 ON RISKS Howie has gone SCUBA diving and claims to have had a face-to-face meeting with Bigfoot, but his craziest excursion involved a close encounter with an alligator in the Florida Everglades. “The crazy thing,” he says, “is that I was in a blow-up raft.” ON HIGH SCHOOL When Howie looks back on the kind of teenager he was, he says nothing has really changed since then. “I always wanted attention in high school. I was always boisterous, but now I have 10 times the confidence. If I knew then what I know now! Oh, man…” February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 45 Singles in the City n l e m a n, o 4 C ON WORK: 0 J oh SMTO As a partner and general manager of RSVPaint, Coleman’s job is more fun than it should be, despite the occasional 80-hour work week. The company offers instructed painting classes for people of all experience levels. “It’s like a live action Bob Ross episode, but with wine and acrylic paints,” he says. “People find that they don’t need to be an artist to have fun painting, especially when an adult beverage or two are involved.” ON ADOLESCENCE Coleman was the self-described “weird kid” at his tiny Colorado high school. He styled his hair in a different color every week and boasted more Manager of than a dozen body and facial piercings. “As I started swimming the RSVPaint bigger and faster rivers of life, I mellowed and realized that there must be some conformity in personal appearance to survive the real world,” he explains, “but as an artist, I can still be as crazy and eclectic as I want to be in my art and in its statement and purpose.” ON BURRITOS Coleman’s ideal burrito is stuffed with brown rice, extra helpings of refried beans, grilled lime chicken, sweet corn salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and sour cream. But what goes into it might not be as important as what’s beside it: a top shelf margarita on the rocks with salt. ON NATURE As an avid hiker, biker, canoer, Frisbee golfer and camper, Coleman is definitely an outdoorsman. “Anytime I am able to be outside and just feel the wind and sun on my face, it really helps to ground me and get rebalanced,” he says. “Some days it is necessary to just step out of the studio onto the sidewalk for a few minutes and just let the world whirl around in all its glory, organized chaos and symphonies of sounds, smells and abstract ballet of man and machine.” ON DATING Tabitha Sp en Administrative Assistant c e r, 38 Tabitha doesn’t exactly have a go-to first date outfit. “I always say the most important thing is to feel confident in whatever you’re wearing.” Of course, it helps if whatever she has on is comfortable, too, and that typically leans toward a nice shirt with jeans and heels. She’s tried dating apps in the past, but has found they’re not exactly best for quality relationship building. Call her old-fashioned, but nothing beats a phone call for this woman, and she knows she’s having a good date if both parties feel relaxed and conversation flows easily. “I like to be able to laugh and have a good time.” ON KITCHENS Tabitha boasts a refrigerator with shelves that would make any man happy. “There’s . . . bacon, beer and usually leftover pizza.” Plus salad and eggs. “My fridge is always well stocked!” ON FAMILY People are most often surprised when they learn Tabitha has a college-age child from her first marriage, but her daughter is what she considers to be her ultimate pride and joy. Tabitha hails from a large family and has siblings for both hands! “I have 3 brothers, 3 sisters, 3 half-sisters and 1 half-brother,” she says. “We’re quirky but really loving and close-knit. I love the fun of everybody together.” Her mother passed from cancer a few years ago, but her 91-year-old father is, as she puts it, “still kicking!” 46 ON WORK Tabitha’s official job title is community action chairperson for General Mills. She provides administrative support to a team of professionals, enabling her to reach out to the community on behalf of the company. She is also an independent representative for Arbonne, a botany-based skincare company. “I love their anti-aging skincare and protein shakes,” she explains. “I believe in taking care of my body with a natural approach.” Win a Date Night! Watch our Facebook page in February for details on how to win a date night including dinner for two at Mythos and an evening of fun at RSVPaint courtesy of Show Me The Ozarks! facebook.com/showmetheozarksmagazine Two locations to serve you! www.comeaujewelry.com • Like us on Facebook! Joplin, MO 417.625.1755 Range Line Road behind Longhorn Steakhouse Open Tuesday-Friday 10 am-6 pm Saturday 10 am-5 pm Pittsburg, KS 620.231.2530 Located in the Meadowbrook Commons Open Tuesday-Friday 9:30 am-5:30 pm Saturday 9:30 am-4 pm February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 47 2016 Wedding Guide will be available at Joplin’s Bridal Bash February 27. See page 52! What every bride-tobe will want to carry with her throughout the planning process. Show Me The Ozarks Magazine presents… The 5th Annual Joplin Regional Area Wedding Guide A bride’s best guide to local photographers, caterers, florists, jewelers, dresses, cakes, venues, and so much more! Checklists, space for notes and budgeting and helpful tips. Buy advertising space in this invaluable resource. Our guide will be distributed FREE at the 2016 wedding shows, business expos and all locations of participating advertisers! For more information, call 417.455.9898, 417.850.5557 or email magazine@showmetheozarks.com 48 Ultimate Wedding Destinations & Services Timbered-In Catering Specializing in large parties, reunions, weddings, fundraising galas and corporate events. The bigger, the better. We love a crowd! Full-service catering with buffet and wait staff options. Event planning start to finish. Service above and beyond. Menus for every budget. Rentals available: Large selection of linens in all colors and fabrics; china, glassware, utensils and flatware including vintage china and antique glassware. We also have a commercial frozen drink machine with 5-gallon capacity and drink concentrates for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Timbered-in Catering is extremely mobile and can provide a quality meal nearly anywhere you want to serve your guests. Voted “Best of the Best” caterer in the Grand Lake area multiple years running. Serving the 4-State Area and beyond since 2001. Let Shane and Kim Berry cater your special event! Located at 25900 South 678 Road, Grove, OK. For information, call 918.786.4595, email kim@timbered-in.com, visit www.timbered-in.com or find us on Facebook at Timbered-in Catering. Amadeus Ranch Amadeus Ranch is a brand-new wedding venue located in Southwest Missouri. Situated among rolling hills, Amadeus Ranch will accommodate up to 400 people for your wedding ceremony and reception. Despite being located on a ranch, our venue is not a barn! Picture an outdoor ceremony on the patio with views of beautiful countryside and an indoor reception under hand-constructed beams and sparkling chandeliers. The beautiful bride and her maids can get dressed in our onsite Bridal Suite complete with three-way mirror and glamorous chandelier while the men relax watching the big screen TV in the Groom’s Lounge. Summer 2016 is filling up fast so don’t hesitate to check us out! Call us for a tour or booking today at 417.850.0980 or 417.850.1042, or email amadeusranchvenue@gmail.com. Look us up at amadeusranch.com or find us on Facebook! Southtown Cleaners and Alterations For special care of your wedding dress before and after the ceremony, Southtown Cleaners & Alterations will handle it delicately. Before the ceremony, Southtown Cleaners & Alterations can press your treasured dress. After the wedding, the garment can be cleaned and preserved to be kept beautiful for years or generations. Located at 2630 Main Street, Southtown Cleaners is open from 6:30 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday and 8 am to 12 pm Saturday. For more information, call Brigitte Pippin at 417.781.6046. Zena Suri Alpacas If you’ve ever dreamed of a truly unique site for your wedding and want something unusual, why not invite your guests to Zena Suri Alpacas? The picturesque log house on 78 acres makes a charming focal point for your romantic ceremony or reception, and the curious alpacas love to come and see what’s going on. Hug one for luck. With such a romantic backdrop, how can your day be less than fantastic? If a kitchen, a changing room or even a night’s lodging is needed, it’s all possible. Alpacas are like unicorns without the horns. Come and live in a fantasy world for your special day. Amid rolling hills, Zena Suri Alpacas is located near Grand Lake and just south of Grove, Oklahoma. Come for a tour and meet your new friends. For more information, call Kathleen at 804.389.2579. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 49 Ultimate Wedding Civil War Ranch Add some country charm to your special day! Whether your style is traditional, country, rustic or chic, the Civil War Ranch offers just the right settings. Take a break from the world’s hectic pace and unwind inside our pre-1900s fully insulated Wedding Barn, gather on the shore of our picturesque spring-fed 2.5-acre pond, celebrate on our beautiful large landscaped Barn Courtyard, relax under our Rose Arbor and Wedding Tree, or picnic in our expansive Pole Barn. Our prices are more than competitive, whether you need an all-day booking or just an evening, plus save even more when you book a weekday! We’re located just two miles north of I-49 at 11838 Civil War Road, Carthage, MO 64836. For more information, call 417.237.0771, e-mail info@civilwarranch.com, go to www.civilwarranch.com or find us on Facebook at Westwoods’ Civil War Ranch. Photo by Lori Niday Baker RFC Event Center Nestled near Grand Lake of the Cherokees in Jay, RFC Event Center is Oklahoma’s perfect location for your wedding, special corporate event or private party. Rich knotty alder double doors open into the main lodge, which features the dance floor and large stage. The rock fireplace serves as a relaxing backdrop for deep conversations, and the spacious bar allows for socializing and good times. A beautiful handmade log staircase ascends into the loft area. Located just beyond the main lodge is our open-air Pavilion, tucked away for guaranteed privacy. The stained concrete steps make for a spectacular grand entrance and the fountain at the bottom adds romance to the ambiance. Landscaping frames the outside with strategically placed lights to make sure it is still visible after sundown. If you’re looking for a romantic and spacious venue to host your event where you and your guests are sure to make memories that are everlasting, you’ve found it with RFC Event Center. For information visit www.rfceventcenter.com or call 918.837.1625. Scottish Rite Masonic Center From the moment you walk into the Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Joplin, Missouri, you know you have arrived at very special place. The Italian Renaissance design of the foyer and marble stairway leading to the auditorium sets the perfect stage for an unforgettable evening. The Scottish Rite offers three locations within the historic site for a beautiful wedding ceremony and wonderful reception. The Auditorium is the ideal place for larger weddings and is beautifully constructed in the French Renaissance style of architecture. Backdrops, a modern sound system and a magnificent pipe organ are available to make the event even more memorable. For more intimate ceremonies, the Tea Room on the main floor offers a beautiful brick fireplace that can serve as a backdrop for formal wedding pictures. The Dining Hall is an ideal location for your reception, offering a 15-foot high ceiling, seating for up to 350 people, a dance floor in the center of the room ready for the couple’s first dance, a dedicated area for the DJ to play music, a full commercial kitchen and lots of decorating possibilities. For more information and to check availability, visit www.joplinaasr.com or call 417.623.3219. Bullskin Creek Weddings and Events Where Rustic Charm Meets Simple Elegance With a new 2,700-square-foot timber-framed barn that includes a large balcony and an elegant crystal chandelier, every wedding will be memorable. Outside are 100 acres of rolling Ozarks hills with two large spring-fed ponds and Bullskin Creek running through the heart of it. The photographer’s dream setting makes an event one-of-a-kind. Wedding packages include women’s and men’s dressing rooms, climate-controlled event barn, outdoor ceremony area with dock, seating for 200 guests, catering/food prep area, pre-event consultation and the use of property for photography. Located outside Neosho at the crossroads of 1-44 and 1-49. For more information, call 417.456.2220 or visit www.bullskincreekevents.com. 50 Destinations & Services Club 1201 You’ll love the unique feel of this long-time favorite Joplin restaurant that’s been serving up amazing meals for 16 years. Architectural elements eclectically placed throughout the dining room and the pleasing color palette work together to create a great setting for your rehearsal dinner or wedding reception. Entertain your outof-town guests for lunch daily, or for Sunday brunch from 9 am to 2 pm. Club 1201 is eager, able and ready to cater your events off-site as well, customizing the menu to suit your tastes. Their easy-to-work-with staff, known for their excellent customer service, will do things that other caterers can’t, from barbeque to black tie events. Club 1201 is located at 1201 E. 32nd Street in Joplin MO. For more information, call 417.626.0032 The Ramsay Event Center The Ramsay Event Center is located in beautiful historic downtown Joplin at the corner of 6th and Main streets. The gorgeous 4,000-square-foot, threestory building has been restored to its former 1901 splendor and is a beautiful backdrop for the wedding of your dreams. Choose from wedding packages that include Friday and Saturday facility rental, dance floor, white padded chairs, projector, screen, set-up and tear-down, or choose the services you want, ranging from different days of the week, to multiple sizes of tables, tablecloths, 50” flat-screen TV, sound system and stage. Call 417.781.2238 to schedule a tour of the beautiful historic facility and to start planning your event to remember! Or go to www.theramsey.com for pricing information, photo gallery and more. Countryside in the City Let us help you celebrate one of the most important days of your life. Our creative and talented staff will make sure your day is as special as you always dreamed. No matter what the size of your wedding, we offer exceptional service to help you in selecting the flowers you will need on your special day. We will work within your budget and will strive to assist you in all your wedding needs. Our flower designers can create arches, aisle runners and other decorations to make your ceremony extra special. We also can create unique designs for the wedding party, make arrangements for your reception and help you create the look you want. Additionally, we have accessories available to fulfill your every need. We are located at 424 S. Joplin Ave. You can reach us at 1.800.628.4864 or 417.781.3719, or check out www.countrysideflowers.biz. Memorial Auditorium, Downtown Pittsburg, KS Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center is a full-service event facility with a 1,600-seat auditorium and multiple breakout rooms that can accommodate events with up to 500 guests. Memorial Auditorium will gladly set up the event to your exact desires and will provide professional and courteous staff during your entire event from the time you enter our facility until the final guest leaves. Complete packages are available for wedding receptions that include table cloths, table skirts, convention curtains, bar supplies and many more items including a complete sound system, grand pianos and a high-definition video system that includes multiple 120-inch screens with projectors. If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, the stage is also available for wedding ceremonies and receptions. For more information, please contact Terri Steele or Jason Huffman at 620.231.7827 or by email: maccinfo@pittks.org or go to www.MemorialAuditorium.org. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 51 Ultimate Wedding Destinations & Services Country Cakes and Bridal Shoppe The only locally-owned bridal shop in Joplin, Country Cakes and Bridal Shoppe started in 1993 as a family business that has grown. Their goal is to make your wedding planning as stress-free as possible. They believe that goal is achieved with a wide selection of wellpriced wedding gowns, in-house tuxedo and bridesmaid dress rentals, in-house alterations and especially a friendly and knowledgeable staff. Over 600 gowns are in stock from sizes 0-32. You’ll always find 50% off the lowest price on all wedding gowns. From simple to elaborate, wedding cakes can be customized to any wedding theme and can be decorated to serve from 20 to 600 guests. Supplies and advice are also available for brides who want to make their own cakes. For more information, call during regular business hours Monday-Friday, 10 am-5 pm, and Saturday, 10 am-2 pm at 417.623.2253 or e-mail countrycakes@aol.com. Information can also be obtained at www.countrycakesandbridalshoppe.com. Judy’s Ballroom Dance Lessons Judy Schneider, instructor (Master’s Degree in dance and over 30 years of experience teaching dance) WEDDING CHOREOGRAPHY - Do you want your first dance to be truly special? Have Judy Schneider create unique choreography tailored to fit your style and your music to let you shine. Private lessons for you and your spouse, or for the whole wedding party, start at $40/hour. DANCE CLASSES - Ready to take the first step in furthering your dance ability or to just create a fun date night? Join us in a relaxed environment where you will learn the most common dance styles like salsa, tango, waltz, swing and more. 6-Week Session $65/person or $45/student with valid ID. Classes are limited to 12 people. Each session is six weeks long meeting on Monday or Thursday evenings. All classes are held in the dance studio in the new Health Sciences Building, Room 151, at MSSU. For information visit www.judysballroomdancelessons.com, call 417.392.0215, email Schneider-j@mssu.edu or find them on Facebook. 52 Flowers for Always By Kathleen Swift Photo by Tina Smith “I must have flowers, always and always,” said the artist Monet. Ann Terrill, of The Florette by Countryside Flowers in Carthage, would agree with Monet. Flowers touch our lives and bring us joy. Since she was a small child, flowers have been a part of Terrill’s life. “I’ve loved flowers since I was a child. When I was four or five, my twin sister and I would pick bouquets of wild flowers for my mother, like many children do. I would make the flowers into corsages for my mom to wear to church on Mother’s Day because we didn’t have money to buy flowers in those days,” remembers Terrill. Terrill’s love of flowers, especially lilacs and roses, drew her to the floral business, and after college she worked for a local florist in Carthage. “I had a degree in art, but I learned the floral business through on-the-job training. I started by making bud vases and learned more complicated arranging as I went along.” “At The Florette, we want to give the best service for each customer and fulfill their needs.” Following her first stint in the floral business, Terrill worked at the Carthage Public Library. “Even though I was working at the library for 17 years, I stayed connected to the business by helping at The Florette during holidays and times when they needed extra help,” says Terrill. Now Terrill has returned to the floral business full time where she is happy to be working with flowers again and bringing joy to those who receive the arrangements. “So much has changed since I first began working as a florist. There are new construction methods and products. For instance, years ago we hand-wired all flowers and the accessories; now we use more glue and other products. Styles today are more modern, although traditional arrangements are still popular. Country-themed and outdoor weddings are popular, so it is important to fit the flowers and styles to the occasion. We recently created a boutonniere in a shell casing.” That kind of creativity is what makes The Florette by Countryside Flowers a go-to florist for all occasions. --Ann Terrill, florist The most important part of the floral business is knowing the customers’ needs and making arrangements that please, says Terrill. “At The Florette, we want to give the best service for each customer and fulfill their needs. That may mean adding some special item to an arrangement or creating an arrangement to fit a particular occasion. We help a customer consider where the arrangement will be. For instance, if it is going to a nursing home, we can suggest sizes and types of flowers that might fit in limited space and not require as much care but that will still be beautiful. If an arrangement is for someone in the hospital, we try to use flowers and colors the person loves to help them feel better.” For Terrill, taking time to listen to customers is important. The experienced staff at The Florette knows how to create the perfect arrangement for any occasion or for everyday enjoyment. After all, we all want flowers always and always. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 53 Wedding Services Directory Boutiques/Accessories/Services Golden Corral www.countrycakesandbridalshoppe.com 9309 Hwy 43, 5.5 miles S. of I-44 Seneca, MO • 417.623.2253 The LunchboxTruck 1900 S. Main • Carthage, MO • 417.437.6129 www.lunchboxtruck417.com Southtown Cleaners & Alterations Mythos 2630 S. Main •Joplin, MO • 417.781.6046 Bridal Beauty www.mythosjoplin.com 1306 S. Range Line Rd. • Joplin, MO • 417.624.3354 A Beautiful Image, LLC Timbered-In Catering 25900 South 678 Road • Grove, OK 918.786.4595 • kim@timbered-in.com www.timbered-in.com or find us on Facebook Jamaica Me Hot • 902 W. South St • Neosho, MO Chapman Medical Clinic 101 N Elm St, Suite E • Pierce City, MO 417.434.1088 Entertainment/DJ Service Derma Tech All That Music 2935 E. 18th Street • Joplin, MO 417.206.4884 • www.derma-tech.com www.allthatmusicdj.com 417.830.4599 Dr. Fly’s Salon Like us on Facebook • www.drflyssalon.com Joplin: 417.623.6000 • Neosho: 417.451.flys Carthage: 417.359.8872 Dance Music Company Health-E Fix Salon & Day Spa Judy’s Ballroom Dance Lessons Lovewell Boutique Salon Leah Rush • www.beautybyleah.com 622 S. Park • Joplin, MO • 417.499.4874 DJ Steve Scott www.djstevescott.com • 417.206.3800 Judy Schneider, Instructor • 417.392.0215 3950 Newman Rd. • Joplin, MO Lovewell Boutique Salon Cakes/Desserts www.countrycakesandbridalshoppe.com 9309 Hwy 43, 5.5 miles S. of I-44 Seneca, MO • 417.623.2253 Flour Box Bakery www.facebook.com/pages/Flour-BoxBakery/198547663663129 417.455.9333 • 223 South Wood • Neosho, MO Alice Ehrie Pampered Chef Independent Consultant Grove, Oklahoma • 918.314.4842 www.pamperedchef.biz/aliceehrie Catering Jewelry -uncorked- Comeau Jewelry Company Club 609 • www.club609.com Club 1201 • www.club609.com 1201 E. 32nd Street • Joplin, MO Deena Beckham • 417.626.0032 Continental Catering & Banquet Center 422 S. Joplin Ave. • Joplin, MO 417.781.3719 • www.countrysideflowers.biz Annie’s Epicurean Delights & Fine Wines www.anniesincarthage.com • 417.359.1747 116 W. 3rd • Carthage, MO 420 N. Range Line, Ste 13 • Joplin, MO 417.553.4585 • Find us on Facebook 609 S. Main St. • Joplin, MO • 417.623.6090 Countryside in the City Gifts SmallCakes: A Cupcakery 1123 W. Central • Carthage • 417.358.8112 www.boomersbbqandcatering.com Florist/Decor Webb City Florist & Greenhouse www.webbcityflorist.com 1001 S. Jefferson • Webb City, MO 417.673.3780 or 417.483.3141 Country Cakes & Bridal Shoppe Boomer’s BBQ -1201- Joplin: Range Line behind Longhorn Steakhouse Pittsburg: In the Meadowbrook Commons 417.625.1755 • 620.231.2530 Newton’s Jewelers 5th & Main • Joplin, MO 417.623.2800 www.grannyshaffers.com 417.659.9393 2802 N. Range Line Road • Joplin, MO Photo Booths Crabby’s Seafood Bar and Grill www.expressionsphotobooth.com Joplin, MO • 417.437.2288 815 W. 7th St. • Joplin, MO • 417.206.3474 54 2415 S. Rang Buffet, Cold B Café, and Bre made to order night after 4p juicy Sirloin St 2415 S. Range Line Road • Joplin, MO 417.625.1684 Country Cakes & Bridal Shoppe 322 S. Neosho Blvd. • Neosho, MO 417.451.9900 www.health-efixspa.com GOLDEN CORRAL, JOPL Expressions Photo Booth All that Music mobile DJ service making your special event one to remember. for years to come 4 1 7 . 8 3 0 . 4 5 9 9 w w w. a l l t h a t m u s i c d j . c o m Say Cheez Photo Booth www.saycheezphotobooth.com 417.299.4850 • 1-800-SAY-CHEEZ Photographers Artistic Expressions Photography Civil War Ranch www.civilwarranch.com • 417.237.0771 11838 Civil War Road • Carthage, MO www.facebook.com/CivilWarRanch Coleman Theatre www.joplinexpressions.com 417.623.3168 www.colemantheatre.org 103 N. Main St. • Miami, OK 918.540.2425 Focused Memories by Mandy The Country Caboose Wedding Chapel www.focusedmemoriesbymandy.com 417.439.9771 Tina Smith Photography tsmithphotography.com tsmithphotography@hughes.net 417.529.0517 Tents and Rentals Weiser Tent Services 10 Industrial Drive • Monett, MO 417.235.8227 • 800.798.0119 Travel GalaxSea Cruises & Tours www.galaxseaonline.com • 417.451.5468 210 US 71 Business • Neosho, MO Venues 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa www.EurekaSpringsArkansasWeddings.com 800.903.4940 Amadeus Ranch 1100 N. Prosperity Ave. • Joplin, MO 417.624.3861 • weddings@countrycaboose.com facebook.com/countryCabooseWeddingChapel www.countrycaboose.com. Keltoi Vineyard 17705 County Rd 260 • Oronogo, MO www.keltoivineyard.com • 417.642.6190 Lendonwood Gardens www.lendonwood.com 1 mile west of Main Street on Har-Ber Road Grove, OK • 918.786.2938 Memorial Auditorium Downtown Pittsburg, KS 620.231.7827 • maccinfo@pittks.org www.MemorialAuditorium.org Northwoods Wedding Chapel www.northwoodsweddingchapel.com Located 3 miles south of Nevada, MO 417.667.2067 The Ramsay Event Center www.theramsay.com • 417.781.2238 107 E. 6th Street • Joplin, MO www.facebook.com/amadeusranch 4861 Kentucky Road • Seneca, MO 417.850.0980 Rendezvous Room at River Ranch Resort Avondale Chapel & Gardens RFC Event Center www.avondalechapel.com 2005 East Central Avenue Bentonville, AR • 479.268.6893 Amelie & Roxy Event Center 101 River Road • Noel, MO 800.951.6121 • events@riverranchresort.com www.rfceventcenter.com 42162 State Hwy 127 • Jay, OK 918.837.1625 Scottish Rite Masonic Center Williams Event Company, LLC 104 S. Joplin, Ave. • Joplin, MO 417.483.4268 • Find us on Facebook www.joplinaasr.com 505 S. Byers Ave. • Joplin, MO • 417.623.3219 Bartlesville CVB www.springhouseevents.com • 417.782.1444 springhousegardens@gmail.com www.facebook.com/springhouseevents 2957 Greenwood Drive • Joplin, MO www.visitbartlesville.com 800.364.8708 The Butcher’s Block Event Center & Catering www.butchersblockeventcenter.com 417.624.1000 Bullskin Creek Weddings and Events www.bullskincreekevents.com • 417.456.2220 www.facebook.com/bullskincreek Cedar Valley Event Center www.cedarvalleyevents.com 371 Cedar Valley Lane • Jane, MO 417.226.4284 C oleman T heatre Springhouse Gardens Twin Hills Country Club www.twinhillsgolf.net • 417.623.4112 2019 S. Country Club Dr. • Joplin, MO White Rose Bed & Breakfast www.whiterosewinery.com • 417.359.9253 13001 Journey Rd. • Carthage, MO Zena Suri Alpacas www.zenasurialpacas.com • 804.389.2579 35401 S. 580 Road • Jay, OK February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 55 ShowMe the big picture Coach Scott Bailey By DeAnna Ross, Barton County Chamber of Commerce Coach Scott Bailey graduated from Lamar High School in 1985 and from Pittsburg State University in 1989 and again in 2007. Coach Bailey studied banking, finishing in the top 10 percent of his class at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, but football was always in his heart. Since returning home to his alma mater in Lamar, he’s guided the Lamar High School football team to five state championships (only the third in state history to ever do so) and their first district title in 2015. If the Lamar Tigers win again in 2016, they will be the only high school in state history to ever win six consecutive state championship titles. Photo by Tiger Action Photos, Terry Redman 56 February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 57 Barton County Business Spotlights Hillcrest Lanes 9 NE 1st Ln. • Lamar, MO • 417.682.5829 Vintage Chaos 1019 Gulf St • Lamar, MO • 417.682.4770 Hillcrest Lanes is where food, fun and bowling come together! Stop by our recently remodeled bowling alley for some great games of bowling followed by delicious cheeseburgers or pizza! Book your next birthday party or event here. Come by our Super Bowl Party Feb. 7 starting at 4 pm. Check us out on Facebook to see all of our upcoming live music events. Check out our lounge to experience night life. Open 11 am-10 pm Tuesday-Thursday, 11 am-midnight Friday-Saturday, 11 am-8 pm Sunday. Vintage Chaos offers custom live edge tables, primitives and custom vinyl and window etching pieces. A limited number of antiques is also offered. Hours are Monday-Wednesday and Friday, 9 am- 5pm; Saturday, 9 am-12 pm; and closed Thursday and Sunday. For more information, call 417.682.4770. Barton County Memorial Hospital/Auxiliary Gift Shop 29 NW 1st Lane • Lamar, MO • 417.681.5100 www.bcmh.net State Farm Insurance Matt Davidson, Agent 1029 Gulf St. • Lamar • 417.682.3395 www.mattdavidsoninsurance.com Matt Davidson and his staff are proud to serve Barton County. They offer car, home, family and financial insurance. State Farm offers a wide range of full-service online banking options. Always excellent service and value and they promise to be there for you. Tailoring insurance coverage around your needs is easier than you think. Give Matt a call for a free quote today. 58 The most common thing we hear when customers visit the Barton County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop is, “You sure have a lot of items in here for the size of your shop.” The shop is operated by the Auxiliary Volunteer organization of the hospital. It may be small, but it is packed with something for everyone, from an inspirational plaque or wall hanging to “bling” or a scarf to go with that special outfit. With items that change seasonally you never know what you might find. The shop is located inside the main entrance of the Barton County Memorial Hospital. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday 9 am-4 pm. Barco Drive In 57 SE 25th Lane • 417.682.2434 The Plaza Theatre 107 W 11th • 417.682.6842 On the Square in downtown Lamar Barco Drive-In: Movies under the stars! Opening this Spring, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Double features: adults $7; kids 12 and under $3. The Plaza Theatre is open every evening. Just call for show times. All seats $5 for Saturday and Sunday matinees! First run movies at both theatres. www.lamarmovies.com American Family Insurance Eric Hughes, Agent 407 W. 12th St. • Lamar, MO • 417.682.3725 www.amfam.com/agentlocator/EHUGHE1 As your American Family agent, we believe there’s more to insurance than the policy itself. It’s about providing dependable protection and service. Whether you’re looking for auto, home, life or farm insurance, we’ve got you covered. We can help you find the right insurance to protect the people and things that make up your dreams! Just give Eric a call today! Tractors BBQ & Grill 1008 E. 12th • Lamar • 417.682.6677 Bull Insurance Agency 907 Gulf Street • Lamar 417.682.2998 WE HAVE EXCITING NEWS! Bull Insurance Agency has the tools to make shopping for insurance simple. Allstate, Safeco, GuideOne, Nationwide and Grinnell Mutual are just a few of the companies we offer. Allow us to shop the best rates and coverage to protect your family. Casual dining at its best, serving up slow-smoked BBQ favorites such as baby back ribs, brisket, burnt ends, turkey or country ham. You can also choose from our massive menu of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, stuffed potatoes and oldfashioned hamburgers. Whether you start your day with one of our “Good old home-cooked” breakfasts, end your day with dinner, drink your favorite brew or cocktail, or finish it off with Judy’s Bread Pudding, you will be glad you made the drive! Check out our catfish buffet on Tuesdays after 5 pm or our Sunday buffet from 10:30 am-2 pm. It’s home cooking! Hours 6 am-9 pm seven days a week. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 59 SMTO Featuring Barton County Beef Jerky Outlet Fits Family Needs Four generations work together as Lamarti’s expands with newest business venture I By Sarah Gooding • Photos by Tina Smith f Lamarti’s doesn’t carry it, family members are pretty sure you don’t need it. The original gas station overlooking the former U.S. Highway 71 (now Interstate 49) in Lamar that Margaret Marti purchased from her father has grown into a truck stop and a family of diverse and complementary businesses catering to local and interstate traffic. “We’ve branched out as the family grew and added generations,” said Sherri Bayless. “When Margaret bought it from her dad, it was just her and her kids. We have added to support more family.” Margaret Marti and her husband ran the store for more than 50 years. Now, Marti’s daughter, Julie Miller, and Bayless (Julie’s cousin), are the second generation. “My dad recently passed away, but my mom continues to be a vital part of our business,” Julie said. Julie’s husband, Erin Miller, and Sherri’s son, Chad Bayless, also have joined the business, and Sherri said some of her grandkids are beginning the fourth generation’s work alongside three other generations of family members. 60 The Beef Jerky Outlet - Lamar is just the latest addition. The business opened in August in the large building that used to be a Denny’s restaurant, and family members said it was a perfect fit for the open space. “We did our own restaurant for a while, but it just wasn’t working,” Erin said. “We were looking for something that would be a nice fit with the store and traveling without being in the restaurant business,” Sherri said. While on a trip to Branson, Erin and Julie visited a Beef Jerky Outlet and learned the store was a franchise based out of Knoxville, Tennessee. This led to a trip to Knoxville for Erin to learn more, a franchise application process, an interview and finally the opening of the store on Aug. 7, 2015. The store caught the attention of travelers at the tail end of summer vacation season, and business grew with giftgiving around Christmas time. Now, family members are excited for new customers to discover the new business in the coming travel season. “It’s a big store and there’s a lot of different stuff in there. It’s not just jerky,” Erin said. “The day we opened, the first thing we sold was a box of crickets.” The crickets are for human consumption and are one of many somewhat exotic snacks available, including alligator, kangaroo, salmon, elk and bison jerky, as well as 30 flavors of beef jerky, turkey jerky, ham and bacon jerky and more. The product line also offers popcorn, jellies, marinades, spices, rubs and other treats, traditional and non-traditional. “My favorite snack is the freeze-dried okra,” Julie said. “The chocolates are a must-try also. There really is something for everyone.” One of the huge draws is the ability to sample the jerky and more at the store, allowing customers to know whether they like an item or not before making the purchase. Chad said that has been exceptionally popular with his son’s football teammates, who enjoy spending time around the store and sampling the merchandise. “It’s a big store and there’s a lot of different stuff in there. It’s not just jerky. The day we opened, the first thing we sold was a box of crickets.” -- Erin Miller This also serves as a reminder that the store, truck stop, motel, pharmacy, quilt shop and other businesses are family businesses locally owned by a long-term Lamar family. “It’s also a job with flexibility with our kids,” said Chad, adding it is helpful to be able to have the kids spend time along with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and more. “We’re just a very close family,” Sherri said. “It’s fun to come to work with your kids.” Learn more at lamar.beefjerkyoutlet.com or visit them on Exit 77 on Interstate 49. Barton County Memorial Hospital Quality Care, Close to Home 29 NW 1st Lane • Lamar, MO 64759 Follow us on Facebook! 417.681.5100 • www.bcmh.net Our Care Providers Our Full Service Care We are proud to offer a full range of services to our community. • • • • • • • • • • • • • Acute & Skilled Nursing Care Complete Outpatient Services 24-Hour Physician Staffed Emergency Department Digital Imaging Including Mammography Laboratory Department Physical Therapy Department Sleep Studies Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation Respiratory Therapy Services Asthma Education & Services Diabetes Education Nutrition Counseling Surgical Services Brett Boice, D.O. Gynecology Michelle Boice, M.D. Gynecology Justin Ogden, M.D. Orthopedic Surgery John Alden, D.O. Family Practice Joseph Wilson, D.O. Family Practice Mandy Swink Nurse Practitioner Trina Larery Nurse Practitioner Debbie Johnson Nurse Practitioner February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 61 SMTO Featuring Barton County SMTO: You retired from the Independence Police Department. What motivated you to return to law enforcement? Chief Bergman: I Big City Experience in a Small Town By Kathleen Swift • Photo by Tina Smith A fter a successful career in law enforcement, Ken Bergman retired from police work. But as a retired police officer, he realized his passion for law enforcement was still alive. During a visit to the Truman birthplace in Lamar, Missouri, Bergman and his wife were impressed with the town and the friendly people. When he began to look for a postretirement job in law enforcement, he applied for the chief of police position in Lamar, a town he found welcoming. SMTO: What is your experience in law enforcement? Chief Bergman: I served with the Independence, Missouri, Police Department for 36 years. I started out as a dispatcher at 17 years of age and continued my career with that organization as a dispatcher, a warrant service officer, a police officer, a detective, a supervisor and a commander. I served in patrol, detective, narcotics, SWAT, special investigations, community services, homeland security, intelligence and many other units within the department. I investigated all aspects of criminal activity including homicide and terrorism. Much of my career was spent in an undercover role and as a tactical officer, supervisor and commander. I also served many years as VIP security and among other things was able to guard and meet every U.S. president since Nixon along with many other historical figures. 62 returned because of my love for and dedication to law enforcement. Because of my background and experience, I still have a lot to offer in my field. Due to what is happening in the country, I felt that leadership and mentoring is even more important in my career field. SMTO: How does police work differ in a small town from police work in a larger metropolitan setting? Chief Bergman: Police work differs like night and day from Independence to Lamar. However, a cop is a cop! You experience many things, but it’s just how many times. Coming from a very large department to a small department takes adjustments. However, both Independence and Lamar officers are very dedicated, extraordinary officers. SMTO: You have worn many hats as a police officer. What do you enjoy the most about police work? Chief Bergman: I enjoy my selected profession totally. I have never dreaded one day going to work! Most fulfilling is the ability to make a difference in the quality of life for citizens and communities. My hope is to make Lamar the best department possible, both for the members of the department and citizens of Lamar. SMTO: How do you like living in a small, rural community? Chief Bergman: I love living in a small, rural town. I grew up in Sedalia before it was big and before I went to be a big-city police officer. I have gone back to my roots in a small town. SMTO: How do you unwind from your duties? Chief Bergman: I relax by lifting weights, reading, traveling and studying history. I really relax just hanging out with my best friend and lovely wife of over 30 years, Kathy. I have four children and three granddaughters, and nothing is more special than spending time with family and friends. Because of my background and experience, I still have a lot to offer in my field. --Ken Bergman, Lamar Police Chief February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 63 SMTO Featuring Barton County Fast Facts on Lamar Lady Tigers Basketball Senior Kaitlyn Graves Parents: Scott and Kristi Gordon, Marc Graves Siblings: Chelsie (28), Charity (27), Zach (24), Marc (23), Bethany (21), Phajjia (11), Levi (9), Riddick (9), Dominick (8), Jycoby (6), Taylor (4) and Willie (4) Favorite Athlete: Missouri State Head Coach Jackie Styles Favorite Subject: Science Patton couldn’t be happier with Graves. “Kate is a premier post player,” her head coach said. “She’s big and strong and has the ability to step out and hit a three, yet have finesse around the basket.” It’s all about Graves’ tremendous versatility. “She also has the ability to run the court and beat a lot of guards down the court,” Patton said. “Her skills around the basket have improved steadily, with solid post moves and turnaround jumpers with a soft touch.” In assessing herself, Graves suggested she’s become a good player as a result of strong “inside play, and I’m not afraid to dish out and take a beating because I know that with all of my time in the weight room, that’s a big part of my game.” Kaitlyn Graves a Primetime Performer for Lamar Senior Girls Basketball Team T By Don Lowe • Photo by Kimberly Barnhart / West photography he importance of senior leadership on every team in every sport is simply a must. And, having athletically gifted seniors who shine brightest when they are needed most is all the more special. Lamar, Missouri, Lady Tigers senior high girls basketball head coach Dale Patton has in senior Kaitlyn Graves (6-0 post) a difference maker on the hardwood. 64 Although Graves takes pride in her athletic attributes, what makes her most proud of all is simply the team environment as a whole. In fact, she said what’s most enjoyable is “being together with teammates and becoming a family, and striving for one goal.” Whether Graves gives a lot of thought to individual goals or not, Patton thinks this young lady will be justly rewarded for her outstanding play once all is said and done. “Kate will be able to receive numerous honors this year from the Big 8 and District,” Patton said. Regardless of what awards may come their way, Patton sees no reason this shouldn’t be both Graves’ and her fellow classmate Haskins’ times to bask in the spotlight. “This should be Kate’s and Shelby’s year to shine if their play continues as it has started.” Fast Facts on Lamar Lady Tigers Basketball Perseverance Pays Off Big for Lamar’s Shelby Haskins T Senior Shelby Haskins Parents: Bryon & Becky Haskins Siblings: Jacob (21) Favorite Athlete: Kevin Durant Favorite Subject: Anatomy/Physiology By Don Lowe • Photo by Christie Boswell / His Image Studio here’s no doubt virtually every head coach in every sport appreciates senior leadership. And, having seniors who play prominent roles as a result of their solid athletic skillset makes it all that much better. Lamar, Missouri, Lady Tigers senior high girls basketball head coach Dale Patton is thrilled to have an experienced senior like Shelby Haskins (5-9 forward) making such a positive impact on this program as she looks to close out her prep-playing days stronger than ever. Patton describes Haskins as “a self-made basketball player. She has worked extremely hard to become the player that she is today.” The player Haskins is today has to be considered like night and day from where this young lady started out. “She would be the first to tell you that when she came in as a freshman, just catching the ball and dribbling up the court were things that she could not even do,” recalled Patton. Oh, how things have changed for Haskins thanks to tremendous drive, determination and dedication.“Her effort and willingness to achieve the goals she set for herself made her a player to be recognized within the Big 8 Conference,” Patton said. Haskins believes it’s her “basketball knowledge and sense about the game” that have been the most beneficial as she’s made great strides. She added, “I know where I need to be on the court. I’m a good defensive player and I’m very competitive.” While individual success is nice, it really seems as though Haskins simply gets her greatest pleasure from just being part of a team. The way Haskins puts it is her passion is the “competitiveness of the sport.” Patton has every reason to suspect Haskins will close out her high school basketball career in impressive fashion, which should gain her much-deserved notoriety. “Shelby will vie for Big 8 and All-District honors this year for her play as the season continues, because her skills have really developed to be that type of player within the conference and district play,” Patton said. Most importantly, Haskins has developed into the type of player that gives Patton and all those who are involved with Lamar senior girls basketball reason to beam with pride. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 65 SMTO Featuring Barton County for people and groups who visit the observatory. Business picks up, he says, anytime there is a celestial event such as a comet or an eclipse, like last summer’s lunar eclipse. Also, some people find out about the observatory through the City of Lamar’s website and stop for a visit when they are traveling through the area. Powell points out that the Stilabower Observatory is unique in that it is on ground level and handicap accessible. Stilabower Observatory Article and photos by Larry Wood W hether you have a serious interest in astronomy or just a hankering to look at the stars, you might want to take a short drive to Lamar, home of the Stilabower Observatory. A 12-foot high and 16-foot round aluminum dome, the observatory houses a 14-inch Schmidt-Casssegrain reflection telescope. “For an observatory of this class to be available to the public is more than a little bit rare,” says Walter Powell, volunteer guide and curator of the site. To illustrate his point, Powell explains that the Stilabower Observatory, built with public funds and donated to the Lamar Schools, is one of only a handful of community-owned observatories in the whole country, and, as far as he knows, Lamar is the only school district that has one. In short, public observatories with telescopes this large are very rare. And admission is free. Stilabower Observatory had its beginnings in the late 1960s, the brainchild of former high school science teacher Ralph Williston. He and his advanced students placed a telescope on the roof of Lamar Middle School and dubbed it the Stilabower Memorial Telescope in honor of Edwin Stilabower, a Lamar student who was killed in a car wreck during his senior year in fall 1964. Williston and his students later built a small observatory around the telescope. By 1990, however, the rooftop observatory was in disrepair, and Williston began a drive to relocate and upgrade it. That’s when Walter Powell came on the scene. Williston began promoting the new observatory, and he recruited Powell to help with a fundraising effort to finance it. Powell readily agreed. “I had been interested in astronomy all my life,” Powell explains. “This gave me a chance to indulge that interest.” The new observatory, built by Observa-Dome, was placed on the edge of the Lamar School District football field at 5th and Maple and dedicated in 1993 as the Stilabower Observatory. When Williston later moved away from Lamar, Powell says he became the “go-to guy” by default on anything pertaining to the observatory. One of his main duties is acting as a guide 66 The observatory holds about 15 people comfortably. Once visitors are inside, a weight and pulley system opens a viewing slot at the top of the dome and the reflective scope is pointed toward the opening at the object to be viewed. Computerized tracking and digital imaging systems allow Powell to tell what planet is where on any given day or night. Powell’s main activity right now on behalf of the observatory is fundraising. Since the observatory is not climate controlled, he says, the hot temperatures during summer and cold temperatures during winter have been hard on the telescope. The guidance system, if not the entire telescope, needs to be replaced. A modern guidance system, Powell says, would automatically guide the telescope to whatever object you wanted to observe. Powell has been speaking to civic groups and other organizations to raise money for the new equipment, with a goal of raising $12,000. He adds that the Lamar School District, which has set up a fund earmarked for the observatory, is also doing its part. The school district maintains the grounds around the observatory, but Superintendent Dr. Zach Harris says the district’s main role is to support Powell and the community organizations interested in refurbishing the observatory. Harris says the district plans to form a committee of teachers, students and community members to help with the fundraising effort and that it might also hold an open house at the observatory to help in the effort. “I’ve been very impressed and humbled by the level of support from the community for this project,” he adds. For more information about the Stilabower Observatory, to schedule a visit or to make a donation, you can call Powell at 417.214.3745. Gettin’ Where You Wanna Go By Larry Wood • Photo by Tina Smith I f you’re a senior citizen or a disabled person living in the Lamar area, chances are you already know about Truman Area Transportation Service. Created in 1994 as a joint project of Lamar Community Betterment, the City of Lamar and the Barton County Memorial Hospital, T.A.T.S. has been providing transportation to the general public in the Lamar area for 21 years, with emphasis on the disabled and senior citizens. T.A.T.S. director Ginnie Keatts says there’s a definite need for the service. “Giving people a way of getting where they want to go,” she explains, “helps them stay independent in their own homes rather than going to facilities where others have to take care of them. Having transportation lets people take care of themselves.” T.A.T.S. also benefits the community as a whole and supports the local economy, she adds, because people are able to commute to jobs, go shopping, keep appointments and run other errands on their own. The statistics bear out Keatts’ observation about the need for such a service. T.A.T.S. provides an average of about 2,200 rides per month, which translates to over 100 rides per day or about one new ride every six minutes. In 2014, the last year for which full statistics are available, T.A.T.S. provided 26,350 rides and logged over 54,000 miles, or about 215 miles a day. For senior citizens and the physically disabled, riding a T.A.T.S. van is virtually free. The physically disabled who require wheelchairs or mobility devices and people over 60 years of age ride on a donation basis. If they cannot afford to donate, they may ride without charge. Disabled citizens who provide proof of their disability through the Social Security Administration or a physician’s statement may ride for 50 cents. T.A.T.S. is not just for the handicapped and the elderly, however. It will provide a ride for an affordable price to anyone who needs one. In recent years, for instance, because of economic hardship, there has been an increase in the number of workers who use the service to ride to and from work because they cannot afford to maintain their own vehicle. The regular fare for citizens under 60 is $2 for a one-way trip. T.A.T.S. is supported by federal, state and local funds. Most federal and state grants are on a local-match basis, and cutbacks at the state and federal level continue to be made. So, each year T.A.T.S. is faced with the necessity of raising funds at the community level. T.A.T.S. officials say they would love to have the support of the whole community to keep their important services available to everyone in need. You never know when you might be the one needing that ride. Anyone wishing to schedule a ride may call the T.A.T.S. line at 417.682.5542 between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. The area served by T.A.T.S. is within a three-mile radius of Lamar. Medical trips for the elderly and disabled who have no other means of transportation are provided county wide. Twenty-four hours’ notice is required for these medical trips. As of January 2016, the office of the Truman Area Transportation Service has relocated to the Memorial Hall building and is no longer housed in the Lamar Police Department. Keatts and the staff invite the public in to see the changes they have made to better serve the citizens of Lamar and the surrounding area. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 67 Smart & Beautiful Inside and Out. 2211 East 7th St., Joplin | 417.781.2648 | Open to the Public 68 20 SMTO Home Living 16 Design Guide Whether building, remodeling, updating, or shopping for a new home, you’ll find everything you need to make your indoor and outdoor living spaces uniquely and comfortably yours! February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 69 SMTO Home Living Design Guide TRUE STYLE HOMES Builds Uncommon and Beautiful Living Spaces By Sheila Stogsdill “Most of the houses built today are cookie cutter houses...We love to design homes.” --Matt Harris B aby Boomers have blazed a trail in all walks of life from music, politics and health care. Now they are venturing into the home construction market. Matt Robertson and Matt Harris are co-owners of True Style Homes. They have set themselves apart in the construction business with their uncommon housing designs that appeal to Baby Boomers as well as Generation Y, who are often first-time homeowners. Farrell Construction, a 40-year-old, third-generation family-owned company, is the parent company of True Style Homes and True Energy Group. “Baby Boomers aren’t sitting around,” said Matt Harris. “We are seeing a trend with Baby Boomers of wanting to downsize and get a smaller house.” For instance, in the past, a retired couple would have not wanted stairs in a home and would have maintained a three-bedroom, two-bath, double car garage residence. “Now, Baby Boomers don’t mind stairs and they want smaller homes,” Harris said. “We also build homes for the first-time homeowner.” Currently the business has projects for three first-time homeowners, he said. 70 True Style Homes do not just build houses – they design what they build, leaving out the middleman, Harris said. “We also function as Life Coaches,” Harris said. Time is spent with the customer asking questions, not so much what they want, but rather what they need. “Do you need a two-car garage if it is only used to store stuff?” Harris said. “Do you really need a double vanity in the bathroom?” 417.291.0027 417.529.1659 truestylehomes.net Matt Harris, Mitchell Ross, Cory Farrell, Matt Robertson and Doug Hunt IKEA Features In the past, homeowners designed their houses for resale – not to currently live in, he said. Sliding barn doors “We are building more and more 1-bedroom homes,” Harris said. Most homes are around 1,200 square feet and average between $95 to $105 per square foot. Contemporary Styles “Most of the houses built today are cookie cutter houses,” Harris said. “We love to design homes. Open living areas with unique windows “Why do we put walls around a bedroom,” Harris asked. “If you don’t have children and you are retired or single – lose the walls.” True Style Homes residences are often more airy and use lofts. The company builds houses using methods allowing the homeowner to see and feel what they really want versus what they say they want. For instance, you do not need a massive, large living room. Instead have a smaller living room, and by having 18-foot ceilings, the homeowner has the feeling of more space, Harris said. Some of the home designs use bold lighting and geometrical designs, he said. “Why can’t you have a smaller home that is efficient,” Harris said. A smaller house makes for smaller mortgage payments, and a homeowner is not locked in a long-term loan, he said. Hidden, framed wall mounts for widescreen monitors Unique design features for bathrooms and kitchens One-year Home Warranty included Zero maintenance roof with one-year warranty including 40-year limited paint warranty Zero exterior maintenance When a homeowner spends less on the main home, it frees up monetary funds to have a second home in a different location, Harris said “We push the envelope,” Harris said about home designs. Not only are the houses efficient, but the company uses a higher quality of materials, he said. “We use 2x6 boards instead of 2x4 boards on an exterior wall, and our homes are airtight,” Harris said. An average electric bill runs a homeowner between $40 to $120 a month, he said. See our gallery and follow the latest news on Facebook. “A lot of our visitors are home shoppers, but we also host many who are simply inspired by art and allow their curiosity to draw them in for a tour.” February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 71 Custom house in Arbor Hills Gryphon Building, 1027 S. Main, Joplin. Front of building facing Main Street. Professional Park - New buildings at 32nd & McClelland Custom house in Saginaw area Custom indoor pool addition New building at 1602 Range Line Four State Homes 620 S. McConnell Ave. • Joplin, MO 417.625.1609 or 417.625.1320 www.fourstatehomes.com 72 Since February 2000, Four State Homes has been bringing nearly 100 years of commercial and residential experience together in one package. We are a company that is “in touch” with Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas. Named HBA Builder of the Year for 2003 and again for 2010, we bring an unparalleled reputation and commitment to the building industry. The Four State Area is rapidly growing, and Four State Homes is playing a major role in new commercial development and the revitalization of older commercial structures. If you are from the area, chances are, you have been in at least one of our commercial projects. From large estates to entry-level homes - from strip malls to commercial “in fills,” our dedication and commitment to style and craftsmanship can be seen in our design and construction of every project. Hardwood Carpet Granite & Quartz Tile Joplin Floor Designs, Inc. 2309 E. 32nd St. • Joplin, MO • 417.659.8000 www.joplinfloordesigns.com For all your floorcovering needs......and for your shower, backsplash, countertops and more! Carpet, ceramic and porcelain tile, wood flooring, vinyl, laminate, granite and area rugs. Bringing you the best residential and commercial products and service for over 23 years. More choices for your floor...and more...from Joplin Floor Designs. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 73 Twin Oaks Custom Cabinets Inc 11587 Gateway Drive • Neosho, MO www.twinoakscabinets.com 417.451.6048 74 Since 1986, we have provided quality cabinetry for our customers by using the latest in computer-aided design and production techniques. We built our company on the philosophy that craftsmanship and attention to detail results in lasting beauty. From concept and design to installation, Twin Oaks has the expertise to create beautiful custom cabinetry solutions for every room in your home or office. Combining state-of-the-art equipment and personal one-onone service, we provide unsurpassed customer service and satisfaction. Kitchen/Break room Conference Room T.P. Construction • Troy Pierson, Owner 1185 Outer Road • Joplin, MO • 417.540.2023 tpconco@yahoo.com www.trulyprofessionalconstruction.com Since 2006, Truly Professional Construction has brought to every job a passion to make every customer’s dream a reality. The crew specializes in commercial remodels and residential remodels. Storm Shelter “We always strive to deliver what is promised and go that extra mile for a customer,” says Troy Pierson, owner. Troy reminds home and business owners to do their homework when choosing a builder. “It is always smart to do thorough background checks and make sure they are licensed, insured and carry their own workman’s comp. It is also a good idea to ask for a list of recently completed projects and references.” February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 75 Rare opportunity to own 99 acres with access to Beef Branch and Shoal Creek. Gorgeous home on hillside overlooking panoramic view. Approximately 40 acres in pasture for livestock, fenced and cross-fenced. Gorgeous home in pristine condition has open beamed ceilings, open kitchen, island, pantry and large dining area. Large stone fireplace, open balcony. Full, walk out basement leads to pool, hot tub and entertaining area. Guest house and separate garage. Joplin schools. $850,000.00 REALTY EXECUTIVES, TRI-STATES Kathleen Martz-Spidell Team 2902 Arizona, Suite 2 • Joplin, MO 64804 417.782.5552, office • 417.850.1222, mobile TRI-STATES HOME LOANS WITH LOCAL SERVICE Arvest retains the servicing of 99% of the home loans we make, giving you peace of mind that you won’t suddenly be dealing with an unknown mortgage servicing company. You can also make payments at any branch location, over the phone, or even online. (417) 627-8000 arvest.com/homeloan If you're considering buying a home, give us a call or visit your nearest Arvest location. Fee assessed to non-Arvest checking accounts for online and telephone payments. Member FDIC 78 Kent Greenwood Plastering Co. Four Generations of Plastering Experience 417.438.1292 • granbyplastering.com Located in Granby, Missouri, Kent Greenwood Plastering Co., has provided durable, reliable and efficient installation of exterior siding, interior finishing and insulation for home construction and remodeling projects since 1989. We specialize in stucco, plastering and masonry, exterior stone work, exterior stucco work, interior plastering, siding services, stucco siding and more. Over 25 years of installation experience. Quality work at affordable prices. Free Estimates • Licensed • Insured February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 79 Construction Services Group Office Joplin Internal Medicine Clinic and Skinovations Spa, Joplin, MO Neosho Fire Station – Highway 86 outside of Neosho Mitchell’s Drug Store, Neosho Blvd. MARION COMPANY LLC Construction Services Group 12451 Highway 59 Neosho, MO • 417.451.5743 www.constructionservicesgroup.net Davco Warehousing- Neosho Industrial Park 75,000 Square feet Construction Services Group is renowned for producing high quality structures as well as delivering a wide range of professional services. Clients receive one-on-one attention and a collaborative environment is fostered to maximize the creative process. Pre-construction services range from pre-construction design and budgeting to complete program development. CSG specializes in both renovation and new construction for office and retail, manufacturing, warehousing, and municipalities. Whatever your needs may be our professional staff is poised and ready to assist you in the best way possible! 80 Great Clips, Edgewood Center, Neosho Neosho Marble 18414 S. Hwy 59 • Neosho, MO 417.455.0470 • www.neoshomarble.com Neosho Marble is your premier cultured marble and cultured granite provider. Owners Kevin and Cathy Dickens have served the Four States with pride since 1991 and produce bathroom counter tops, custom showers and tub decks, and more. We strive to provide quality products, exceptional service and customer satisfaction at fair prices. Anyone can sell a product, but to provide the service and commitment is going the extra mile! Stop by our NEW location! Open to the public. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 81 SMTO Home Living Design Guide Your House... Country Chic Decorating If you are a fan of HGTV, then you have seen Fixer Upper, a series about a husband and wife team that takes old, worn-out houses and makes them into functioning, comfortable, country-style homes. The decorating style of most of the homes is geared toward what would be described as Country Chic, since these houses are in the heart of Texas and farm country, but the families also want a modern functioning home with comfortable touches. Country decorating is a wide-ranging style that depends on geographical location but is generally defined by muted colors, especially white and cream, and the use of antiques or furniture painted with the use of milk-paint or chalk paint, while celebrating the area in which you live. Shabby chic is a form of interior design where the furnishings are chosen for their worn appearance and signs of loving wear and tear. Country chic combines both country and shabby chic into one style that is easy to achieve. 82 Here’s how the style breaks down: Colors: Most rooms are painted soft colors, such as cream, white, soft gray or a neutral beige, however, soft gray-blues and sage-greens will work for the wall colors for this style as well. Base trim and crown molding should also be painted in a soft neutral color. A more modern, country look can be achieved by the addition of brighter accent colors such as barn red, matte black, country blues or sage greens to set off the design. Most of these colors should be found in the accessories and not in the main colors on the walls or furniture. Furniture: While some of the furniture in a country chic design can be found by using antiques, using new furniture that has been painted a soft white or black and sanding the edges to give them the appearance of being worn by time will also work. Many people find they prefer classic fabric-covered sofas and chairs along with some leather furniture pieces to keep it from feeling too old and worn. Old metal furniture can be utilized; leaving the rusted areas for a worn feeling, or paint new metal pieces and then distress them by sanding off some of the paint at the edges. Accessories: Country-style accessories, such as worn pottery, pewter and metal accent pieces, small glass vases for fresh flowers or baskets to hold napkins and utensils in the kitchen or towels in the bath, are perfect for country chic styles. Family photos printed in black and white and framed in rustic wood frames would be perfect for this style of decorating, as would anything showing the countryside such as framed botanical or floral prints. Fabrics: A country space will benefit from fabrics such as subtle, muted stripes, small floral prints, large checked fabrics or gingham. However, burlap, Parisian prints and muted, paisley fabrics would also work in almost any room of this decorating style. Decorative pillows on couches, chairs and propped into baskets near the bed will add to the comfy, down-home feeling you are trying to achieve. Minimal window coverings such as sheer curtains, that allow a clean, fresh feeling, are perfect for the windows, or the use of wooden shutters painted a crisp white or subtle cream would work as well. Lighting: Metal chandeliers with simple chandelier bulbs or the use of Mason jar lights and Edison bulbs would make great lighting pieces, as would wooden lamps with soft linen shades. Avoid anything too modern, such as bright brass finishes, while seeking out softer, silver metals and ruboiled bronze. Flooring and Countertops: You may be able to remove existing carpet and find old hardwoods you can refinish underneath, or install new hand-scraped or oil-rubbed wood flooring in a warm honey tone or a rich, dark color. Large, stone-look tiles in warm tones would look perfect on the floors of a kitchen or bath in country chic decorating, as would area rugs in muted tones and patterns. Soft cream or white countertops using quartz or granite would be perfect for countertops in this style of decorating. The goal of country chic decorating is to add pieces to your home that speak of the countryside, well-loved and worn family antiques, and things that make it feel comfy and cozy all year long. Give country chic decorating a chance to capture your imagination and your heart. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 83 SMTO 84 Home Living Design Guide Painted Earth By Kathleen Swift I f you’ve see the beautiful fish painted on the Orient Express buildings in the area or have admired the art at a Bass Pro Shop, you have most likely seen Clary Rhyne’s art. A commercial artist and muralist, Clary has been painting and drawing since she was five years old and has been painting professionally for 23 years. Clary says she does not have a particular style of painting. As a commercial artist, she has learned to mimic the styles of others to create a work that fits a wide range of themes and styles. Her work requires flexibility of style to paint what people envision on their walls. It is her delight to make the images her clients have in their minds come to life. One of her joys is painting murals in children’s bedrooms. Usually a parent has an idea of what the scene should be, and Clary can make it come alive and tell a story. Photo by Tina Smith Clary finds her inspiration in a great 20th century commercial artist. “I know many artists look down on Norman Rockwell’s work as too simple and not deep enough, but I have always admired his art,” says Clary. “I love his story telling and the simplicity of his work. I went to art school and understand the deeper meaning that many traditional artists want their art to reflect, but I like to keep my art simple.” Clary may call her art simple, but there is enormous research behind each mural she paints. “In preparing the art for an Asian restaurant, I researched the meaning of traditional Chinese art. For instance, I learned that nine fish meant good luck. Visual elements are important in traditional Chinese art, and it was important for me to know the significance of each element I painted.” For a time Clary painted for Bass Pro Shops. “I would be given a basic design, but there was still research to be done. Most people think that artists come up with an image from their own mind, but in reality, most artists draw from an image. Even the master artists who trained me used images. So when I was asked to paint a doe, I would research photos of does facing the direction I needed for a particular scene and in the stance I needed. It can take a lot of research to make sure you have the right species in the right setting and in the right position. It was amazing and wonderful to work for Bass Pro Shops, but the job required travel, and I had children at home. So I returned to Southwest Missouri to raise my family and started my business, Painted Earth Studio. I continue to paint murals and have added a line of smaller works. Many people can’t afford a larger piece, and the smaller works allow everyone to have a work that they love.” “...I like to keep my art simple.” --Clary Rhyne, artist The name of the business was inspired in part by her Native American heritage and in part from the Sherwin Williams paint logo. “I was doing quite a bit of faux art and painting houses, and when I walked into the store and saw the logo, I thought Painted Earth was a great name for my business.” You can find Clary’s work on her Etsy store and on her Facebook page under Painted Earth Studio. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 85 &places faces Carthage Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet The Carthage Chamber of Commerce celebrated a few of its best and brightest at the Night at the Movies annual banquet January 15. The evening kicked off with a social hour, sponsored by H.E. Williams, which featured the arrival of many favorite characters from movie history, a fun and memorable photo booth opportunity and appetizers from Mythos. Guests then enjoyed dinner, sponsored by Mercy Hospital, and the program. Awards were presented to winners of the Athena Leadership, Artist, Community Enhancement, Emerging Leader, Golden Key, McCune Brooks Healthcare Foundation Humanitarian, Small Business, Spotlight and Citizen of the Year. Dr. Fly’s was on hand to provide prizes to costume contest winners for man, woman, couple and group. Special thanks to event sponsor Leggett & Platt for sponsoring a night to remember! 1 3 2 7 4 6 5 10 9 8 12 11 1. Rebecca Haines, Stewart Johnson, Celeste Tarrant and John Hacker 2. Chris Horine and Cory Mounts 3. Richard Webster Jr, Jasper Co Auditor; Steve McIntosh; US Senator Roy Blunt; Tom Flanigan, Missouri State Representative; Jake Heisten; Congressman Billy Long, MO-07 4. Debbi and Randy Bartkoski 5. Lauren Guthery and Tina Smith 6. Rob and Marge O’Brian 7. Dr. William Herrington and Pam Herrington 8. Tonya Sprenkle and Mark Turnbull 9. Neely Myers, Mark Elliff and Mary Jo Little 10. Beth Simmons, Sandy and Don Kittrell 11. Christi Renfro and Kristy Hawes 12. Trever Hole, Zach Ray, Justin Butler and Chris Ott Left: Renee and John Motazedi 86 Photos by Tina Smith &places faces Chilly 5K Nearly 400 residents braved the cold to take part in the Joplin Family Y’s 2016 Chilly 5k and Kids’ Frozen Fun Run, presented by Freeman Health System. Held annually on January 1, the race is a signature wellness event in the community. The only New Year’s Day commitment run in the Four States, the Chilly 5k is a charity run benefitting the Joplin Family Y’s campaign for kids. This year’s event raised $10,000 that will ensure children from low-income families have access to safe, supervised programs that build confidence while teaching core values. For race results or to view event photos, visit joplinfamilyy.org. 1 2 3 5 4 7 11 8 6 9 10 12 1. Michelle Ducre and Margie Gunter 2. Briana Rogers, Tracy Rogers, Colten McNary, Alba Fernandez and Briley Rogers 3. Jeanne and Landen Porter 4. Madeline and Bryan Bridgford 5. Ethan and April Altic 6. Trevor Keller, Amanda Keller, Evan Northcutt and Chloe Keller 7. Missy Curtis and Christy Profitt 8. Lea Ann and Bob James 9. Charity Breneman and Brittany Anthony 10. Tayton Highley and Jeremy Pruitt 11. Carrie Routledge and Brannon Owen 12. Henri Coeme and Cristina Jaramillo Right: Lea Ann James and Jessica Davis Photos by Tina Smith February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 87 Where are we now... Send us your pictures! If you would like to see your pictures in our pages, just email us a photo of you and the magazine to magazine@showmetheozarks.com, (in a high resolution please). Remember to include full names of everyone in the photo, where and when it was taken and where you live! Call 417.455.9898 for more information. Above: Lauren Guthery, Pittsburg State, Pittsburg, Kansas, in the lobby of the Gonda Building at Mayo Clinic in Rochester Above: Girls’ week in Galveston, Texas, The Strand, after eating lunch at Shrimp and Stuff. Pat Smith, Robin Blevens, Kris Jones, Lindell Hughes and Joyce McNerney. Right: Marsha and Randy Patterson from Goodman, Missouri, love to ride their bicycles on the Katy Trail. They finished the trail this past June. They are shown here holding a copy of SMTO at the St. Charles trail head. Marsha states that it is an amazing trail, built on the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad. It is 240 miles long and runs from Clinton to Machens with 26 trailheads and four fully restored depots. The section of trail between Cooper County and St. Charles County has been designated as an official segment of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trial. Katy Trail is also part of the American Discovery Trail, has been designated as a Millennium Legacy Trail and was added to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame in 2008. For more information about the Katy Trail, visit www.katytrailstatepark.com. Thanks Marsha and Randy! A Love Still Strong In 1939, the movies Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of Oz premiered in American movie theaters, Germany attacked Poland and catapulted Europe into World War II, the average cost of an American vehicle was $700, and two young lovebirds from Dade County were married November 10. Congratulations to Don and Maxine Myers, who celebrated 76 years of love and marriage November 10, 2015! Don and Maxine, of Carthage, Missouri, are both 96 years old. They have one daughter, Kathy Goettel, and one granddaughter, Kendra Goettel-Clements. 88 We’re here for you Michael Fenech, DO Megan Craddock Surgeon Via Christi Village assistant administrator Naomi Powers, RN Director emergency services When you’re not feeling your best. When you find out you’re expecting. When an emergency threatens a loved one. When you’re recovering from an injury. When you need a little help with daily living. Whatever your age, whenever you need us … we’re here for you. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 89 SPECIAL PROMOTION DENTAL Dental Profile - ADC PROFILES JOHN C. DURLING II, D.D.S. ADC Dental Group • John C. Durling II, D.D.S. • Comprehensive Dentistry 2827 Arizona • Joplin, MO • 417.208.3335 • www.adcdentalgroup.com ‘‘ Patient Testimonial “I have always had excellent care at ADC and I would highly recommend them to friends and family.” -- Dory ADC’s mission is to make sure you feel comfortable and relaxed while their highly-trained staff of professionals provide you with the best comprehensive dental care in Southwest Missouri. Dr. Durling and his team have more than 20 years’ experience in several areas, including implants, InvisalignTM, sedation and sleep apnea, in addition to restorative, cosmetic and pediatric services. “We are able to do most procedures in our office,” says Dr. Durling, “and have a specialist of prosthodontics, Dr. Stuart Dexter, available to assist with more complex cases.” D r. John Durling and the team at ADC Dental believe the health and happiness of their clients is the key to their success. The friendly atmosphere they’re known for is part of what makes ADC Dental so special. “We have a warm, family-friendly office with a caring team of doctors, hygienists and staff,” says Dr. Durling. “Our patients tell us that they feel like part of the family. We value each and every one of our patients, knowing them by name and not by chart number. As with any family, we look forward to adding new family members into our home.” 90 Dr. Durling is pleased to introduce a new diagnostic imaging technique called Planmeca ProMaxTM extraoral bitewings, which allows x-rays to be filmed from outside the mouth. Extraoral bitewings are ideal for small or irregularly shaped mouths, elderly and child patients, patients with special needs, patients with a strong gag reflex and patients in pain. Extraoral bitewings enhance clinical efficiency and take less time than conventional intraoral bitewing imaging. ADC Dental goes the extra mile to create healthy, beautiful smiles their clients can feel good about. Known as the “Home of the Healthy Smile,” they know how new and longstanding clients become lifelong friends at ADC Dental. Dr. Durling says “helping people feel better by listening, providing pain relief and creating a confident smile our patients can be proud of” is the most satisfying part of his job. Whether you’re in need of InvisalignTM braces, sleep apnea solutions, implants, sedation dentistry or a routine cleaning, ADC Dental will take care of you. Call 417.208.3335 or go to adcofjoplin.com to make an appointment today and find out what being a part of the ADC Dental family is all about. SPECIAL PROMOTION Four States Dental Care Comprehensive Family Dentistry • www.4statesdentalcare.com Neosho: 2040 La Questa Drive • 417.451.1566 • Monett: 825 E. Hwy 60 Suite H • 417.635.1173 DENTAL PROFILES Dr. Dale Kunkel With the remodel of our current Neosho facility and the Monett office, we are just missing one element: you. We offer to all our new patients great specials they can’t refuse. We have a team that is dedicated to making your dental experience one you will love. We are in-network with many dental insurance companies, which means great dentistry with great savings. With us being a “one-stop shop” for dentistry, we assure you we are prepared to handle all your dental needs and wants. ‘‘ “We have fun at what we do and add a human touch to the clinical side of dentistry. We take what we do very seriously—but not ourselves.” -- Dr. Dale Kunkel February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 91 SMTO Health Dental Care for People with Heart Disease By Dr. Joe Robinson Dentures & Dental Services F ebruary is heart health month, and in recent years the incidence of periodontal disease and its relation with heart health has been studied closely. Coronary heart disease occurs when the walls of the coronary arteries become progressively thicker due to build up of fatty proteins. The heart then suffers from lack of oxygen. It in turn has to labor harder to pump blood to the rest of the body. 92 Periodontal disease is a condition in which the gum tissue surrounding the teeth is infected by the colonization of bacteria. The bacteria eventually finds its way below the level of gum to the mandibular bone causing deep pockets. Researchers have found the people who suffer from periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to also suffer from cardiovascular disease. The theory for the connection between the two include the following rationale. Bacteria from the periodontal disease enter the blood stream and attack to the fatty plaques in the coronary blood vessels. This contributes to clot formation. Periodontal disease causes severe inflammation of the gum tissue which elevates the white blood cell count and increases the sensitivity of reaction proteins. Research has shown that this has been linked to heart disease. Last is the effect of high-levels of oral bacteria decreasing the immune system and inflammatory response. These factors induce vascular effects that have been shown to contribute to the onset of certain forms of heart disease. Since periodontal disease appears to increase risk of both heart attack and stroke it is important to seek treatment. Treating periodontal disease is simply put the removal of plaque, calculus and bacteria from the tooth and surrounding gum tissue. This will restore the gum tissue to a healthy state reducing the risk factor. Regular dental check ups can prevent periodontal disease in the first place and eliminate your risk of contributing to heart disease from your mouth. Galena, KS February 2: Weight Loss Surgery Seminar, meets the first Tuesday of each month, 6 pm, Premier Surgical Institute,1619 W. 7th St. (Just minutes from Joplin, past the Missouri state line). 620.783.1732 Dr. Kido, one of our fellowship-trained surgeons specializing in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery, and his nurse and success story Kelly, are providing free weight loss seminars in the Grand Lounge of Premier Surgical Institute. The seminars are designed to welcome and inform members of the Four State Area interested in learning about – or already considering – surgery as an option for weight loss treatment. Dr. Kido has an impressive record of patient weight loss results. He offers a caring approach to improve patients’ overall health and help to those suffering from the physical, emotional, medical, and financial consequences of being overweight. Dr. Kido provides solutions that will break the cycle for the many who are frustrated with unsuccessful efforts to lose weight or maintain weight loss. Premier’s luxurious and peaceful hospital grounds promote wellness and offer the perfect setting for you to relax while we provide important information about our weight loss surgery options. No reservations necessary to attend. The seminars are free and open to the public. Light refreshments provided. Parsons, KS Every Thursday: Menu Planning 101, 12 pm or 5:15 pm, Upscale Country Furnishings. Learn to eat better, feel better and save money. Call 620.423.0450. February 11: Grief Companions Support Group meets second Thursday of each month, 6 pm, Elm Haven West. Enter through north door. Call 620.704.1110. Freeman Health System February 2: Freeman Breast Cancer Support Group, 4:30-6 pm, first Tuesday of each month at All Aboard Ice Cream, 102 Castle Dr. Open to breast cancer patients, from newly diagnosed through survivorship. Call 417.347.2662. February 2: Ozark Center Autism Support Group, 6-8 pm, first Tuesday of the month at Bill & Virginia Leffen Center, 2808 S. Picher Ave. Call 417.347.7850. February 2: Freeman Friends & Family CPR, 6:30-8:30 pm, Freeman Screen Team Resource Center, Suite C, 1130 E. 32nd St. Taught by Freeman Screen Team. Sign up at freemanhealth.com under Classes and Events. Fee: $15. Call 417.347.4448 for more information. February 9: Freeman Striders, 7-8:30 am, Northpark Mall. Striders is designed to fit into your schedule. Walk anytime, anywhere – log the distance and turn in your walking card at Northpark Mall the second Tuesday morning of each month or mail it to the Advantage office. Call 417.347.4448. February 9: Free Blood Pressure Checks, 7:30-8:30 am, Northpark Mall Food Court. Second Tuesday of every month. Freeman Advantage will also be on hand to provide information about wellness program for older adults. Call 417.347.4448. February 9: Freeman Bariatric Weight-Loss Seminar, 5:30 pm, Freeman Business Center Conference Room, 3220 McClelland Blvd (rear entrance). Call 417.347.1266. February 9: Freeman Alzheimer’s Support Group, 6-7 pm, second Tuesday of each month at Freeman Hospital East, 1st Floor Lobby, 932 E. 34th St. Open discussion led by Freeman Social Worker Julie Matchell. Call 417.347.5876. February 10: Freeman Cancer Support Group, 2-3 pm, second Wednesday of each month at Freeman Cancer Institute, 3415 McIntosh Circle. Call 417.347.4036. Via Christi Hospital - Pittsburg, KS February 9: Breast Cancer Support Group, 3:30 pm, Cancer Center conference room. Meets second Tuesday of each month. Call 620.235.7516. February 24: Cancer Support Group, 3 pm, Cancer Center conference room. Meets fourth Wednesday of each month. Call 620.235.7900. Mercy McCune-Brooks Hospital - Carthage, MO Monday and Tuesday Grief Support Group. Every Monday 1:30-2:30 pm; every Tuesday 6:30-7:30 pm. Free; registration appreciated. Call Chaplain Galen Snodgrass, 417.359.2636. February 15: Four States Stroke Support Group, 4-5 pm, meets every third Monday of each month. Byers Avenue United Methodist Church. Kevin.woods@mercy.net. February 23: Diabetes Support Group, 4-5 pm, meets every fourth Tuesday of each month, Carthage Public Library, 612 S. Garrison. For more information, call 417.359.1359. Joplin, MO Every Monday: Tips for Living a Healthy Life, 10 am-12 pm, South YMCA, 3404 W. McIntosh Circle. Free; registration required. Call 417.625.2492. Every day: 12-Step Recovery Meetings, Alano Club, 1800 E. 30th. Call 417.623.9645. Every Friday: Grief Counseling, 11 am-3 pm, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 706 S. Byers. Free. No appointment necessary. February 10 & 24: Grief Support Group, meets every second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 11 am-12:30 pm, Hospice Compassus, 2650 E. 32nd St., Suite 100. Call 417.623.8272. February 16: Brain Injury Support Group, meets every third Tuesday, 12-1:30 pm, Independent Living Center, 2639 E. 34th. Call 417.659.8086 or visit www.ilcenter.org. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 93 SMTO Health F our years after re-lacing her running shoes, Fran Johnson is training for this year’s Boston Marathon. Johnson ran throughout high school, winning several state titles, and continued in college, inspired by Florence Griffith Joyner. “Early on in high school, my dream was to make it to the Olympics,” she said. “Then there was this long break from running between 1998 until Dec. 21, 2011.” The College Heights Christian School track team inspired her to try again. “Being involved with track and those kids on the track team, which included my son, I was inspired by their hard work, determination and faith in God that they will get through the tough races. “I was missing running and thought, ‘That’s it. I’m going to start running again,’” Johnson said. “I have run since elementary school and I decided, ‘I’m going to do this,’ so I stepped out in my old tennis shoes with my stopwatch from school.” On her first run she made it two blocks before she was completely winded, but pushed on, completing a mile. “Each day, I wanted to run a little farther than I did before,” she said. “After a week, I was enjoying it so much that I went out on a seven-mile run.” Her high school coach saw her celebratory Facebook post and advised her not to do too much too soon, helping her settle into a training routine. Like many runners, Johnson started running 5k’s, then went looking for new challenges. “I ran my first half marathon in September 2012, nine months after returning to running. Then the crazy idea of running marathons crossed my mind. I ended up running my first marathon seven months later at Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. She now has run many distances ranging from 5k’s to ultra-marathons and one triathlon. WHY I RUN Boston-bound, Fran Johnson turns dream into reality through training and perseverance By Sarah Gooding 94 “I have enjoyed running in my community and in other places,” she said. “I am thankful for the support of my husband, family, friends, my high school coach and people who don’t even know me well.” That support pushed her on to a new goal. “I remember watching the Boston Marathon, and Kara Goucher was running. I didn’t know much about her at the time, but knew she was not just an athlete, but a mother and wife. To me, that was inspiring, and being a wife and mother of three myself, I said to myself, ‘I want to run Boston one day,’” Johnson said. To do so, she needed to cut her time by 30 minutes to qualify, but did through dedicated training, qualifying last August with a personal record (PR) of 3:51:39 for the women’s 45-49 age group, “I was always thinking positive and knew God would help me get there, giving me the strength I needed,” Johnson said. “I knew I wanted to run Boston, and each time I ran the marathon I was getting a bit faster. I pictured myself running at Boston all the time. Just to be on that course with all those people will be an experience to last a lifetime,” she said. “It’s going to be like the Olympics!” Now, with a qualifying time under her belt and a family trip scheduled, Johnson is eager to get to Boston and run the race she has dreamed of running. “I love the challenge of running endurance races,” Johnson said. “I love pushing myself to be better, stronger and to persevere. I once thought the 400-meter run back in high school was torture, and here I am now running endurance races. It just goes to show you that you can run anything you set your mind to. You have to be consistent with your training. I love trying new things and encourage everyone who’s thinking of running a certain race, train for it and do it!” Photo by Tina Smith February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 95 SMTO Train2Run Health By Kendra Boswell • Photos by Artistic Expressions Photography Strength Workouts for Runners: Part One 1. What areas of the body should runners target during strength training to reduce injury risk and improve running performance? 4. Are there benefits to sometimes doing targeted hip-based strength exercises in place of hill and/or speed-specific workouts? The two biggest areas are the hip and the core muscles. These areas, when weak, can affect running form and efficiency. The hip muscles in particular are a common area that gets weak in injured runners. Yes! Strength training can provide even greater strength challenges to hip muscles than what is offered by running-specific workouts and at the same time be less stressful to the joints in the body. An example of how to do this would be to drop one of your speed work or hill days and add a strength day in its place. The key is to do something that will challenge your hip muscles at least 2x a week. If your running workouts are leaving you feeling run down all the time it might be wise to replace one of your harder runs with a strength day. 2. Shouldn’t runners who run a lot of miles naturally have strong hips? Kendra Boswell No, longer distance running doesn’t tend to provide the right stimulus needed for hips to become strong. Usually something in addition to running lots of miles is required for building and maintaining strength in hip muscles. Athletes who participate in sprinting and/or weight lifting type sports tend to develop strong muscles in this area of the body. In order to keep the hips strong, runners should supplement their training with similar types of workouts used by sprinters and weight lifters. 3. What types of workouts can runners do to build strength in their hips? Jeffery Stadler Two types of running-specific ways to strengthen the hips would include adding one day a week of speed work and/or one day of hill running to your training plan. The important thing to remember about these types of run workouts is they can be hard on your body. You should do them only a few times a week and give yourself at least 2-3 recovery days in between intense workouts to allow your muscles and joints adequate time for recovery. 5. What are other benefits to incorporating hip-focused strength exercises into your training? Strength training, when done properly, can teach the body how to more readily utilize powerful running-specific muscles. Just because you have the muscles doesn’t mean you are going to use them to their full potential when you run. Strength training teaches you how to be aware of what’s going on in your body and also trains muscles and nerves to work together more optimally. When the right hip-based exercises are done with good technique, key muscles will become stronger and work more efficiently. This in turn can lead to huge improvements in running performance. Top Train2run exercise picks: Hip Strength Workout Example One: 1. Double leg sandbag hip thrust – 3 sets of 15 reps 96 2. Single leg bridge - 3 sets of 15 reps each leg 3. Single leg deadlift - 3 sets of 10 reps each leg, *drop the weight between each repetition 4. Goblet squat with reverse curl 3 sets of 10 reps 5. Side plank angel - 3 sets of 10 reps per side Hip Strength Workout Example Two: 1. Single leg hip thrust - 3 sets of 10 reps each leg 3. Walking lunges - 3 sets of 10 reps each leg 2. Double leg sandbag bridge - 3 sets of 15 reps 4. X-band walk ladder – 15 steps right, 15 steps left, 10 steps right, 10 steps left, 5 steps right, 5 steps left, repeat the ladder for 3 sets, *steps should be small and quick 5. Side plank hip blaster 3 sets of 10 reps each leg, * try to keep head, shoulders, hips and knees aligned Kendra Boswell is a Freeman Physical Therapist and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Boswell has been practicing physical therapy in the Joplin area for the past six years. Her areas of interest include helping injured runners through targeted exercise and video running assessments. She is an avid runner and triathlete – she has competed in multiple half-marathons, marathons, the half-distance IRONMAN® Triathlon and most recently competed in the 2014 Lake Placid full-distance IRONMAN® Triathlon. Boswell enjoys helping runners stay injury-free so they can experience the same joy and fulfillment she has experienced from competing in events like these. Jeffery Stadler is a Freeman Physical Therapist Assistant, Stadler has been practicing physical therapy for 19 years. His specialties include training in body mechanics and ergonomics. He enjoys cycling and putting miles in on his bicycle. He loves coaching and designing workouts for Train2Run classes because he is able to challenge and bring out the best in his students. Since he moved to Joplin in 1996, he has seen a growth in Joplin’s population of fitness enthusiasts, and is proud to be a part of that growth. Boswell and Stadler have been instrumental in creating and developing the Train2Run program offered by Freeman Rehabilitation and Sports Center. Train2Run provides education and training opportunities to help runners better prepare their bodies for the demands of running and reduce their risk for injury. Since the program was established in 2012, more than 400 runners across the Four States have participated in Train2Run classes. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 97 SMTO Health Hypertension: The Silent Killer By David Zuehlke, MD Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute H igh blood pressure, also called hypertension, affects about 80 million Americans. Known as the silent killer, hypertension wreaks havoc on hearts, kidneys and extremities for many years before symptoms suggest its presence. For this reason, physicians have been aggressive in attempts to get their patients’ blood pressure to safe levels. The problem is in defining blood pressure safe levels. Two years ago, the American College of Cardiology issued guidelines that greatly relaxed the targets for blood pressure control. These new guidelines, citing targets of systolic pressure of 140 in most adults and 150 in the older population, were met with some skepticism in the medical community. Most physicians felt lower targets were more appropriate. The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT), funded by the National Institutes of Health, recently formed to study whether lower blood pressure reduces the risk of heart and kidney diseases, stroke or age-related declines in memory and thinking. Approximately 10,000 patients ages 50 and over who were at high risk of heart disease or had kidney disease participated in the study. The study was expected to conclude in 2017, but it was halted early because a significant advantage was demonstrated in the group whose blood pressure targets were lower. Keeping blood pressure at or below 120 led to a statistically important decrease in heart attack and stroke, with an acceptable risk of side effects. Not surprisingly, the downside includes a larger number of medications necessary to reach lower target levels. The increased cost of additional prescriptions and side effects of each prescribed medication were offset by the gains in reduced heart attack and stroke. Although adoption of the newly recommended blood pressure targets has not yet urged a reissuance of new guidelines, the trend will certainly be toward tighter pressure control for all patients. This will especially be viable for patients with known heart, brain or vascular disease. 98 Cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States and lower blood pressure goals can reduce overall mortality rates. People with high blood pressure should not panic. High blood pressure takes its toll slowly, and the good news is there are hundreds of medicines with widely varying mechanisms of action that can be used for control. You and your healthcare provider will likely be able to find a program that can safely and effectively reach your goal. As we begin a new year, pledge to lose weight, stop smoking, exercise and begin to lead a healthier lifestyle that can help lower your blood pressure. Dr. Zuehlke completed his medical education at Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan. He then completed a fellowship in cardiology at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor. Dr. Zuehlke is board certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology. February 23: Freeman Advantage HealthWISE, 10-11:30 am (9:30 am social time), Business Center Conference Room, 3220 McClelland Blvd. Mark your calendar and join us for a great program, support and education on topics of concern. Open to the public. Call 417.347.5837 or visit freemanhealth.com/advantage. February 13: Prenatal Class, 6:30-9:30 pm, Freeman West Meeting Room 1W. Prepares mothers and their labor coaches for childbirth. $35 per couple. Registration is required. Call 417.347.6667. February 23: Freeman Bariatric Weight-Loss Seminar, 5:30 pm, Freeman Business Center Conference Room, 3220 McClelland Blvd (rear entrance). Call 417.347.1266. February 15: Freeman Type 2 Diabetes Support Group, 4:30-5:30 pm, Freeman Women’s Center 1st Floor Conference Room, 1532 W. 32nd St. Call 417.347.5700. February 25: Freeman Advantage Oscar Night, 5:30 pm, Freeman Business Center Conference Room, 3220 McClelland Blvd (back entrance). Academy Award Winning movie Out of Africa, starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep, won Best Picture 30 years ago. Enjoy this feature film, along with refreshments and some challenging movie trivia. Call 417.347.5837. February 16: Freeman Weight-Loss Support Group, 5:30 pm, Freeman Business Center Conference Room, 3220 McClelland Blvd (rear entrance). Call 417.347.1266. February 16: Sleep Apnea Support Group, 6-7 pm, Freeman Health Essentials, 1130 E. 32nd St. Roundtable discussion with a sleep therapist. Call 417.347.7400. February 16: Breastfeeding Class, 6:30-7:30 pm, Freeman West Meeting Room 1W, 1102 W. 32nd St. Covers basic breastfeeding techniques such as positioning, latching and assessing adequate intake, as well as pumping and going back to work. $15. Call 417.347.6667. February 18: Freeman Advantage AARP Smart Driver Course: 124:30 pm, Freeman Business Center Conference Room, 3220 McClelland Blvd (back entrance). The body changes as we age and those changes can affect our driving ability. Learn how our bodies, the roads, laws and vehicles impact you so you can drive longer and safer. Call 417.347.5837 to reserve your space. February 18: Stroke Support Group, meets every third Thursday, 3-4 pm, Freeman Sports Complex, 2206 E. 32nd St. A group mission to offer education, advocacy and enlightenment for stroke survivors and caregivers. Open to the public with special guest speaker RN Gwynn Caruthers to discuss the importance of having an open dialog with physicians and family regarding medical decisions. Call 417.347.4546. Freeman Advantage Trips: Find out more about our upcoming trips including a Tulsa day trip, March 31; Black Hills and Badlands, Fall 2016; and Hawaii Land and Cruise, Winter 2017. Call 417.347.5837. Mercy Hospital - Support Groups Every Monday: Parkinson’s Support Group, 3 pm, Mercy Joplin Conference Center, 100 Mercy Way. Call 417.556.8760. February 8: Bariatric Support Group, meets second Monday of month, 5:30-7:30 pm, Mercy Joplin Conference Center, 100 Mercy Way. Call 417.556.2915. February 10: Cancer Caregiver Support Group, meets the second Wednesday monthly, 2-3 pm. Location: Mercy Joplin Cancer Center Conference Room, 100 Mercy Way. Call 417.556.2706. February 10: Cancer Survivor Support Group—Men’s, meets second Wednesday monthly, 10-11 am, Mercy Joplin Cancer Center Conference Room, 100 Mercy Way. Call 417.556.2706. February 15: Four States Stroke Support Group, meets third Monday monthly, 1:30-2:30 pm, The Communities of Wildwood Ranch Rehab Center, 3222 S. John Duffy Drive, Joplin. Email Kevin.Woods@Mercy.net. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 99 SMTO Health For doctors, a common measure of how well the heart is pumping is the ejection fraction. This is a calculation of how much blood is ejected from the heart with each beat. A normal ejection fraction is generally 55 to 60 percent. Systolic heart failure is usually diagnosed when the ejection fraction falls significantly below 50 percent. With diastolic heart failure, the heart may contract normally and have a normal ejection fraction but is unable to relax and fill properly, leading to a backup of blood into the lungs. When the left side of the heart fails to pump with enough force, fluid may collect in the lungs, making it more difficult to breathe and causing shortness of breath, particularly during exercise or while lying in bed. When backups occur on the right side, fluid begins to collect in the lower part of the body, leading to puffy legs and feet. Probably the most common sign of heart failure is a reduced ability to exercise, but exercise is the most important thing you can do to prevent heart failure and to head off the most serious consequences once you do have the disorder. Heart Failure: How to Head It Off By Stephen Meyer, MD, Mercy Cardiovascular Surgeon T he heart is a muscle, and it’s clearly the most important muscle in your body. Composed of a special type of tissue found nowhere else in the body, the heart muscle is made to beat powerfully and continuously minute after minute, day after day, without rest, for your entire life. It should not weaken, but when it does, for any reason, the result is heart failure. The term sounds ominous, but it does not mean the heart has failed or has stopped working. It’s simply not pumping as effectively as it should to get blood and oxygen to the cells of the body. And this is a serious matter. Heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalization for Americans age 65 and over; and half of these patients will die within the next five years. Although age is not the primary reason for the weakening of the heart, there is some correlation. Only 1 percent of Americans age 65 and under, but 15 percent of those age 85 and over, have heart failure. You may have noted the symptoms in your parents, grandparents or other older persons: fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath with just a little amount of work; difficulty climbing stairs or getting from point A to point B without frequent rests; and swelling in the feet, ankles and other parts of the body. Heart failure often occurs as an after effect of a heart attack. Damage to the heart muscle makes it less efficient at pumping blood. Or heart failure can develop gradually as a result of an infection or disease of the heart. 100 Exercise strengthens the heart, just as it does other muscles in the body, by stressing it in a controlled way. It also boosts circulation, strengthens the cardiovascular system, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol and helps cells use oxygen more efficiently. One large study that followed men age 45 and over for 7.8 years found that those who were the most physically active were least likely to develop heart failure. On the other hand, men who sat five or more hours a day and got little exercise had more than double the risk of more active men. For those who already have heart failure, exercise becomes increasingly difficult, and some doctors are reluctant to advise patients to exercise an already weakened heart. Recent research, however, has demonstrated the long-term benefits of exercise, strengthening the heart muscle and bringing about improvements in ejection fraction and exercise tolerance. Patients with severe symptoms usually need a supervised exercise program to make sure they work out at the right level of intensity. Today, both the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology recommend exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation as a safe and effective part of therapy. And a recently updated Cochrane Review found consistently favorable results for exercise-based cardiac rehab, reducing a heart failure patient’s time spent in the hospital and improving health-related quality of life. The key is to start exercising early in life, long before the symptoms of heart failure appear, and make it a lifelong habit. With aging and certain medical conditions, heart failure can occur, even in previously fit persons. In such cases, exercise becomes more difficult and may need to be more moderate and controlled in intensity. But it is still an important factor in continued good health. Mercy is sponsoring a FREE “Breakfast in Red” event in conjunction with the American Heart Association February 19 and 26, 7-9 am, Mercy Conference Rooms 2 & 3. Guests must pre-register at mercy.net/GoRedBreakfast or by calling 417.881.1129. Please join us to learn more about what you can do to protect your heart. A Senior Moment H ave you ever had a senior moment? Have you forgotten to lock your doors? Lost your keys? Left appliances on? These moments happen to all of us, but as we age they can happen with more frequency. Please bear with my senior moment joke. I decide to water my garden. As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide my car needs to be washed. As I start toward the car to wash it, I notice that there is mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mailbox earlier. I decide to read my mail before I wash the car. I lay my keys down on the table, put the junk mail in the trash and notice that the trash can is full. So, I decide to take out the trash first. As I am walking to take out the trash, my shoe is untied. I bend down to tie it and set down the trash. When I stand back up, I can’t remember what I was about to do. At the end of the day: ----the garden didn’t get watered ----the car isn’t washed, ----the trash is in the front yard ----and I don’t remember what I did with the car keys. Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I’m really baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I’m really tired. -Author Unknown Don’t forget to challenge and feed your brain! Your brain requires care in order to function to its highest potential. It takes care and attention just like the rest of your body. The brain needs varied stimulation and exercise to keep it sharp and focused. Similarly, the body needs a varied exercise routine to keep it fit and healthy. The brain and the body both need nutrients to keep them healthy and functioning at their highest levels. A healthy diet is important for everyone. The nutrients in a healthy diet feed your mind and body. Without those vital nutrients, the mind and body cannot achieve its potential. Tips to reduce the incidences of senior moments: • Start doing only one thing at a time. • Manage the stress levels in your life. • Notice how things look, smell, taste and feel so that you can remember the event in multiple ways. • Replay important memories in your mind. • Get plenty of sleep and rest as needed. • Reduce mental clutter by using calendars and lists. What can I do to challenge my brain? These are a few brain activities: Reading, journal writing, letter writing, card games, jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, Sudoku puzzles, attending a class, learning a new hobby, brain games and studying the Bible. Give your brain a good workout everyday! Recent research suggests that mental stimulation helps slow the progression of memory loss. Try some foods that will help with brain health. A “brainy” diet means low-fat, low cholesterol diet with an abundance of antioxidant foods. Fruits high in antioxidants: Strawberries, blackberries, oranges, pineapple, apples, plums, grapes, grapefruits and tangerines. Vegetables high in antioxidants: Broccoli, brussel sprouts, kale, spinach, leafy greens, mushrooms, bell peppers and asparagus. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 101 SMTO Health Heart Health and Cholesterol By Kimberly Wood, MD I t’s heart month and all about valentines and heart disease prevention. Last year, doctors received new guidelines for cholesterol management for primary prevention and new medication approved for cholesterol treatment for those who already had a stent or heart attack or stroke, or “an event.” It has turned out to be a positive turn. The young, healthy people who worry about their health and do the exercise and follow the low-fat diet often have elevated cholesterol and wonder if they should take medicine to lower those numbers. It’s a real challenge as we understand there are risks in taking medications, and statin drugs are no exception. When do you consider taking the drug for primary prevention? The old metric was only addressing LDL, the bad cholesterol, and if your number was over 100 you needed to take treatment. Now the rules address more risk factors directly. If you are diabetic, then your risk is higher and you still should treat by that guideline. If you have high blood pressure, your risk is elevated, but if you take blood pressure medicine your risk is lowered by how low your pressure is maintained. The old guideline did not include this important risk factor but the new one does, and calculates a risk that includes blood pressure levels to determine the risk for cardiac events, in a 10-year span. Newer blood pressure guidelines reflect the data that shows for kidney function, lower numbers are better, under 130 for the systolic pressure (the top number). The cardiac risk calculator adjusts for the level of the pressure and if treated, too. They also include age, which is also a significant risk factor. For years we understood the good cholesterol (HDL) is more powerful to reduce risk than the bad cholesterol is to raise it. There have been ideas on how to consider this factor in the past, but this is the first time a programmed formula is available to all and approved by consensus. If your HDL numbers are under 40 you need to do all you can toward healthy heart practices because you don’t have enough of the good cholesterol, and that raises risk more that the bad cholesterol numbers being high. If your good cholesterol numbers are greater than 60, then you have a powerful risk reducer. 102 You factor age blood pressure treatment and cholesterol numbers in the Cardiac Risk Calculator (online search will bring it up) and it will calculate your risk as a 10-year risk of event. If your risk is greater than 7 percent, then you should be treated for cholesterol with medication. If you are overweight or a smoker, it will underestimate your risk and you may consider treatment at a lower risk percentage to take those factors into account. Getting treatment to be an ex-smoker and losing weight are important to reduce your risk. One hundred pounds overweight confers the same risk increase as smoking does, so smoking is the first priority risk factor to address always. There are treatments for cholesterol that raise HDL a small amount as does exercise and diet with less saturated fat and getting to a lower weight. Look at the calculator online and run your numbers to see your risk. If you are a six percent risk, take the non-drug measures you can. See your doctor for treatment if your risk is higher. The good news is this has cut back treatment for cholesterol prescriptions in my office. If you have had a stroke, heart attack or stent or have known artery blockage and you can’t get your numbers down with the old medications, the new drug, Repatha, is for you: You give yourself shots at home twice a month. Ask your doctor if you think you qualify for Repatha. February 24: Blood Pressure Screening, 11 am, Vernon County Senior Center, 301 N. Main St. 417.667.5847. February 15: Cancer Survivor Support Group—Women’s, meets fourth Wednesday monthly, 10-11 am, Mercy Joplin Cancer Center Conference Room, 100 Mercy Way. Call 417.556.2706. February 23: Diabetes Support Group. Meets fourth Tuesday monthly, 4-5 pm, Carthage Public Library Community Room, 612 S. Garrison. Call 417.359.1359. February 24: Grief Support Group, 2-3 pm, meets the fourth Wednesday of each month, Mercy Hospital Carthage Chapel. Free and open to the public. Registration requested; materials provided. Call 417.556.2472. Mercy Joplin Events: February 16: Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5:30-7 pm, 3rd floor Heart Gallery, Mercy Hospital Joplin. February 19 & 26: Breakfast in Red, 7-9 am, Mercy Conference Rooms 2 & 3. Pre-register at mercy.net/GoRedBreakfast. Mercy Cancer Center February 2 & March 2: Look Good Feel Better, 10 am-noon, Cancer Center Conference Room. Free. RSVP required. Call 417.556.2605 to register. Mercy Prestige: Call Patti Lett for more information. 417.553.2262 February 2: Savannah in the Spring Trip Meeting, 5:30-6:30 pm, Mercy Conference Center February 9: Book Bag Book Club, 10-11 am, meets on the second Thursday each month, Volunteer Service Workroom, Room 2804. February 12: Sweethearts and Healthy Hearts Luncheon, noon, Mercy Conference Room. February 13: Mamma Mia Trip, Walton Art Center, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Call 417.556.3456 for more information or reservations. National Alliance on Mental Illness Integris Baptist Regional Health Center, Grove, OK February 11: Low Vision Support Group meets second Thursday monthly, 9:30 am, Honey Creek Retirement Village, 200 Har-Ber Road. Call 918.786.2223. February 11: Diabetes Support Group meets second Thursday monthly, 12:30 pm, INTEGRIS Grand Lake Diabetes Center, 1310 S. Main. Call 918.786.1801. Miami, OK February 9 & 23: Depression Support Group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, 2 pm, Northeastern Tribal Health System Conference Room, 2301 Eight Tribes Trail. Call 918.675.2093. February 11: Caregivers Support Group meets second Thursday monthly, 11 am, Parish Hall, All Saints Episcopal Church. Call 918.542.3662. Open to the public. INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Health Center, Miami, OK Every Tuesday: Free blood pressure and glucose screenings provided by INTEGRIS Regency Home Care and Hospice. First Tuesday: Commerce Nutrition Center, 10:30-11:30 am. Second Tuesday: Nine Tribes Tower, 10-11 am. Third Tuesday: Miami Senior Center, 10-11 am. Fourth Tuesday: INTEGRIS Baptist Village, 9-10 am. February 2: Alzheimer’s Support Group meets first Tuesday monthly, 11 am, Generations fourth floor visiting room. Call 918.542.3391. February 4: Autism Support Group meets first Thursday monthly, 5:30 pm, Miami First Baptist Church Fellowship Center, 24 S. Street SW, with Dr. Alan Carnahan. Call 918.919.0148. Why Pay More? $295 For information on NAMI, call 417.781.6264 or visit www.namijoplin.org. Meetings held at the NAMI building located at 219 W. 2nd St. in Joplin. Every Monday: NAMI Basics, 6-8:30 pm. A new signature education program for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses. Every Tuesday: NAMI Connection Support Group, 6:30-8 pm. Basic Dentures Set Every Tuesday: Self Injury Support Group, 5-6 pm. Every Tuesday: Family Support Group, 6:30-8 pm. Every Wednesday: Dual Diagnosis Support Group, 2:30-3:30 pm. Every Wednesday: Post 5/22 Stress Counseling Sessions, 10 am. Every Thursday: Family to Family Class, 6:30-8:30 pm. For families or caregivers of individuals with severe mental illnesses. Includes current information about most major mental illnesses; information about medications, side effects and strategies for medication adherence; developing strategies for handling crises and relapse; focusing on care for the caregiver. February 1: Asperger’s Support for Parents/Adolescents meets the first Monday of each month, 6:30 pm. DENTAL CENTERS Located at: MID-AMERICA DENTAL & HEARING CENTER-HWY. 1050 W. Hayward Dr. Mt. Vernon, MO 65712 800-354-1905 417-466-7196 MID-AMERICA DENTAL & HEARING CENTER-LOOP Neosho, MO 558 Mt. Vernon Blvd. Mt. Vernon, MO 65712 February 22: Alzheimer & Dementia Support Group, meets the fourth Monday of each month, 5-6 pm, Medicalodge, 400 Lyon Drive. Call 417.451.2544. www.MidAmericaDental.com Nevada Regional Medical Center, Nevada, MO February 13: Care Giver Support Group, 1:30 pm, Barone Alzheimer’s Center, 2101 N. Ash St. Call 417.448.3999. 800-372-4554 417-466-4554 Dr. Hildreth & Associates are Missouri licensed General Dentists. They are not licensed in Missouri as specialists in the advertised dental specialty of Prosthetics. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 103 SMTO Health Insight Into Substance Use Disorder The website alcohol.com addresses this issue in one of its blogs at alcoholrehab.com/alcoholism/sobriety-as-a-new-year-resolution/. First the article discusses the motives of why drinkers decide to give up alcohol. Some of those motives include: • Concern about present consumption—while such people may not be addicts, the amount of alcohol consumed is worrisome. • Addicts may decide a new year is a good time to get out of their misery. • Weight loss-those who are trying to lose weight give up the extra calories consumed in alcoholic drinks • The desire to live a healthier life as consumption of alcohol can cause health issues. • The desire to have a spiritual life. • Boredom—Too much time is spent in bars and other places drinking, and the individual may want to try new things. While motives propel individuals to make changes, some good reasons exist for giving up alcohol. From alcoholrehab.com, some of those explanations include: • If people continue to abuse alcohol, it can lead them into physical and psychological dependence. If the individual is unable to escape the downward spiral, it will lead them to insanity and death. • Alcohol intoxication means the individual loses a degree of selfcontrol. It can mean people are more likely to engage in foolish, risky or illegal activity. • The individual does not need to be addicted in order to begin developing alcoholic liver disease. It is believed that 90 percent of all heavy drinkers will develop fatty liver, the first stage of alcoholic liver disease. • Those who drink excessively are at risk of developing alcoholic cardiomyopathy, which can also increase blood pressure. • Excessive alcohol consumption increases the likelihood that people will develop diabetes. • Drinking too much can cause alcoholic lung disease. Resolving to Quit Alcohol By Bridget Bauer W ith the beginning of a new year, many people resolve to do things differently. Sometimes for those who drink alcohol, a decision is made to give it up. While sobriety as a resolution is not impossible, it is not easy. 104 • Alcohol abuse can have a devastating impact on mental health. It can lead to serious problems such as depression. • If people abuse alcohol, they do more than just harm themselves. They also usually inflict pain and suffering on their friends and family. It is not necessary for the individual to be a drunken tyrant before alcohol begins to harm their relationships. • Alcohol can be expensive, especially if people regularly go to bars. During a night on the town, a heavy drinker could easily spend a couple of hundred dollars. One thing that is not necessary to make a change is to hit rock bottom or lose everything. Rock bottom is different for each individual but basically means a person has had enough. The website likens this to an elevator descending into hell. Only the rider can decide where to get off. That point can be up high and with very little lost or all the way to the bottom. “I think the article is really good,” Teddy Steen, executive director of ASCENT Recovery Residences, said. “I first heard the elevator reference from one of the counselors in the treatment center, and I still use it today. She said ‘Your bottom is like an elevator and you don’t always have to get off in the basement.’ I knew I had not lost everything but I had lost all I wanted to lose!” uses a strong drug, propofol, which allows patients to be put to sleep quickly and to wake up faster with less “haze” and confusion. Since the machine is faster, hospitals may be able “to squeeze in more procedures.” The Sedasys machine also reduces the chances of human error, and it is anticipated to cut costs. Anesthesiologists’ fees for a colonoscopy, according to the article, can be around $2,000 but the Sedasys machine only costs $150 to $200. Currently, according to The Washington Post article, only four U. S. hospitals are using the Sedasys machine, but this device “hints at the future of health care.” It is a future, the article predicts, where machines will “take on tasks once assumed beyond their reach.” If successful and widely used in the future, the Sedasys machine could put many anesthesiologists out of work. It could be another example of the “human factor” increasingly being diluted and diminished in healthcare. Losing the Human Factor By Billie Holladay Skelley, RN, MS F or years, advances in medical technology have changed how we care for patients. Telemedicine, for example, gives more people access to specialized care. Medical robots perform routine tasks that relieve shorthanded staffs. Smartphones have become diagnostic tools with apps that can check for hearing loss, skin cancer and cataracts. For the most part, these advancements have been extremely beneficial and have saved countless lives. Unfortunately, however, many have also reduced the personal, “hands on” human contact between doctors and patients and between nurses and patients. Occasionally, an innovation comes along in healthcare that causes one to wonder how far we will go in the name of cost, speed and efficiency. Is there a tipping point when technology will ultimately supersede the human factor in the practice of medicine? Has it already been reached? When a new innovation, even one that offers numerous benefits, threatens to eliminate a whole medical specialty, one has to wonder about the human interaction and personal communication that is also being lost. Who will explain to patients why a certain anesthetic is being chosen for their procedures? Who will outline the drug’s benefits and side effects? Who will check on patients after procedures to confirm their progress? Someone else will likely be assigned these tasks, but every time we drop another link in the human medical chain, care gets a little less personal. Sometimes it seems like the main goals of medical technology and healthcare reform are focused on providing care that is cheaper, faster and more efficient. There is nothing wrong with these goals, but at some point, we have to ask ourselves what we are losing in achieving them. Is the human factor in healthcare being lost? If it is, and there are many people who think it is, we are losing powerful tools when we eliminate human touch, personal communication and individualized interactions. One of these new medical innovations was recently described in The Washington Post in an article entitled “New Machine Could One Day Replace Anesthesiologists.” The article describes the new Sedasys anesthesiology machine that, according to the article, is the “leading lip of an automation wave that could transform hospitals.” This machine provides sedation to patients and does not require an anesthesiologist to be present. Currently, the device is only being used in screening procedures, such as colonoscopies and endoscopies, but a more advanced machine is waiting in the wings that “can fully automate anesthesia for complicated brain and heart surgeries, even in children.” Obviously, this new sedation device has advantages. In rural areas, where staffing shortages are often a problem, it could allow surgeons to do procedures when no anesthesiologist is available. The machine February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 105 Article and photos by Rose Hansen Eat Your Aphrodisiacs! W e don’t exactly equate romantic dinner with a healthy menu. But why not? Few things turn me into a groggy bore faster than a big, heavy plate of food, and that tends to be exactly what we get when we go out for a big night on the town. That alone is good reason to stay in this February 14. When you eat in, you get to dictate the menu. Browse any blog, magazine or Pinterest board even tangentially related to food this month and you’ll likely find articles outlining the romantic aphrodisiac foods— oysters, asparagus, bananas, chocolate and cucumbers frequently make the list. Do these foods really evoke, ahem, romantic sensations and longings? Well…probably not. But the person across the table from you should be enough. And any meal that is beautifully prepared and served is a hard-toresist seduction. To me, cooking a meal for someone and feeding it to them is the ultimate in food intimacy. You use your hands, take your time, get messy. You can set down the whisk and kiss; when the meal ends, you can wash the dishes together. (Or just leave them for morning!) Share food with the person you love above all in some way today. Here’s an easy-to-follow aphrodisiac-inspired Valentine’s Day menu for your home kitchen that won’t leave you too stuffed to keep up the romantic antics all night: Appetizer: Spinach and Artichoke Dip In the Middle Ages, a woman eating an artichoke would be scandalized. The vegetable was believed to inspire uncontrollable lust. These days, not so much. Their swollen leaves are fun to pull off the vegetable’s tennis-ball body and dip in butter, but they can be difficult to find and even more intimidating to cook. To save time on Valentine’s Day, grab a can of non-marinated artichoke hearts and toss them into this creamy dip. For bonus health points, use carrot sticks and pepper slices. But alas, I’ll admit, I really love a good chip. • • • • • 8 oz reduced fat cream cheese 2 cups plain, non-fat Greek yogurt 2 T butter 1 ½ cups parmesan cheese, shredded 14 oz quartered artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped • 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed, drained and pressed to remove excess water • 2-3 garlic cloves • 1 t cayenne (optional) Preheat oven broiler. Meanwhile, in a medium pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add garlic and cayenne and sautee for 30 seconds. Add cream cheese, yogurt and 1 cup parmesan cheese. Whisk until everything reaches a consistent mixture and begins to boil. Add artichoke hearts and spinach. Cook 5 minutes. Pour into an 8x8 casserole dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Broil until cheese melts and begins to brown. 106 Main Course: Cauliflower Margherita Pizza The staples of Italian cooking, basil and tomatoes, are also famed aphrodisiacs. Basil increases circulation and promotes heart health, and has long been associating with stimulating sex drives and fertility. And when the provocative red tomato was first introduced to Europe from South America, it became known as the love apple, or the “other” forbidden fruit. Into the 19th century, Catholics questioned its morality, solidifying its place on the forbidden menu of the lustful. The duo inspires many a sauce for pasta, but I know I’m not alone in claiming that pasta makes me feel bloated and ever so unattractive, which is not fitting for Valentine’s Day. Opt for a pizza, instead, and don’t be shy about using a premade crust (I recommend our local crusts by Redings Mill). For toppings, the Margherita’s simple combination of mozzarella, basil and tomato is easy to assemble, beautiful and delicious. Want to take it a step further? Swap out the crust for this yummy cauliflower-based recipe. • • • • • • • • 1 small head cauliflower ¼ t kosher salt ½ t dried basil ½ t dried oregano ½ t garlic powder ¼ cup parmesan chees, grated ¼ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded 1 egg Preheat oven to 450. Wash and dry the cauliflower. Cut into florets. Pulse in your food processor for about 30 seconds, until you get 2-3 cups of what looks like powdery snow. Place the cauliflower in a microwave-safe bowl and cover. Microwave for 4 minutes, drain, and then dump it into a dish towel. Once cauliflower is cool enough to handle, wring the cauliflower to squeeze out as much water as possible. The dryer you get it, the chewier and less crumbly the final product. In a large bowl, combine cauliflower with remaining ingredients except for the egg. Mix well before adding the egg. The dough should be sticky. If it’s not, add an egg white. Use your hands to press the dough into a tight 8” crust on oiled parchment paper. Set the parchment paper onto a hot pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Add toppings and return to oven for another 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted, bubbly and begins turning gold. Dessert: Strawberry and Chocolate Platter with Banana Yogurt Cream Venus, the Roman goddess of love, is symbolized by the heartshaped strawberry. (If you want to skip dessert all together, just drop a strawberry or two into a glass of champagne and call it a night.) Accompanied by chocolates and banana-based cream, two famous aphrodisiacs, and you’ll have ended a perfect romantic meal. • ½ banana • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt • 1 t vanilla Use a food processor to blend banana, yogurt and vanilla. Serve alongside strawberries for dipping. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 107 The Great OUTDOORS Russell Kinerson 2014 Mike Ritzman 2015 In recognition of National Bird Feeding month we bring you just a few of the many Nature Photography Contest entries from past years. Next month’s cover will feature our 2016 winner! Don’t forget to visit our Facebook page to view all the entries and vote for your favorite! The cover winner will be chosen by our judges and the Facebook Fan Favorite will receive special recognition inside the March edition! ALL proceeds benefit Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center! Kevin Bowman 2015 Lauren Selsor 2014 NATIONAL BIRD FEEDING MONTH How does that old saying go? “Thirty days hath September, April, June and November. All the rest hath 31 except February, which has 90.” February does sometimes seem like the longest month of the year instead of the shortest. The cold winds blow, the snow continues to pile up and we begin to think winter will never end. Now, you think it’s hard on us then, how about all the birds out there trying to survive. Winter can be a punishing time for your backyard birds. In 1994, John Porter, Illinois’ 10th District Congressman, read a resolution that February would become National Bird Feeding Month. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey shows, bird watching has become a popular activity among Americans, with about 47.8 million people taking part. Those of us who feed birds enjoy watching them come into our feeders as we sit in our warm homes. Bird feeding is important in that it provides birds with food, water and shelter they desperately need in winter when the foods that help warm their bodies is in short supply in the wild. National Bird Feeding Month is a great time to get started enjoying watching birds come to your feeders. 108 “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature. The assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” --Rachel Carson, Silent Spring NATIVE AMERICAN WISDOM THOSE AMAZING AVIANS “When man moves away from nature his heart becomes hard.” -Native American (Lakota) Proverb Displaying a behavior that may have been learned by watching humans, the striated heron uses bait to catch fish. Because of great fishing memories, many of us continue to fish. But despite more fishing opportunities and better fishing tackle, fewer people are going fishing. They spend more time indoors watching TV or playing video games. It waits until a hungry fish swims by to check out the bird’s bait and then dives in and grabs it. Now, not all striated herons catch their fish this way, but it’s been observed that those that do “go fishing” catch and eat more fish than those that don’t. MAKE A PLEDGE More and more people don’t seem to make the weekend trips to nearby lakes and rivers like they used to. This all means that many kids today as well as adults will never experience the joy of catching their first fish. They’ll miss out on the special memories that so many of us share. But you can help change that by sharing your fishing legacy with others. It’s a great way to help somebody else experience the joy of fishing that you have. Give something back to others, and make a difference. Just make a pledge this year to take somebody fishing: a family member, coworker, neighbor, acquaintance at church or, perhaps, the mechanic who works on your car. It lands on a riverbank and tosses an object into the water: an insect, berry, twig, people food or even a fisherman’s lost fly. There’s still a lot about bird behavior we just don’t know. Like, how does a flock of thousands of starlings seem to move as a single organism? And, how does a migrating Swainson’s hawk find its way from Brazil to the same tree in Oregon year after year? Does it have a built-in magnetic honing device or can it see earth’s magnetic field? Biologists and psychologists both are trying to unravel these mysteries by trying to gain more insight into avian species in hopes of maybe better understanding birds and humans. It’s easy to do and a great way to pass on the wonderful sport of fishing to others. Make a pledge! NATURE FACTS Deer and other nocturnal animals have a thin membrane of tendon like tissue at the rear of the eyeball that bounces light through the eye nerve layer twice, which greatly enhances their ability to see in dim conditions. Anyone who has driven in deer country has seen this at work as they reflect the lights of a vehicle’s headlight in a pair of telltale, glowing green orbs. CAMPFIRES IN THE SNOW VENISON SOUP When there’s snow on the ground, there’s no better time to get outside and enjoy a campfire, whether it’s on a winter camping trip or in your own backyard. • • • • • • • • • • • • • First, make sure your campfire will be protected from the wind and away from buildings, trees or bushes that might catch fire. If the snow isn’t too deep, dig down to build your fire on the ground. If you’re on top of deep snow, then stomp out a flat spot and construct a platform out of logs so that your fire won’t be resting directly on the snow. If you have a fire pit in your backyard, well, that’s great, too. I like to use those little fire cubes that light easily and burn hot, then I place my tinder on top and arrange sticks tepee-style around it, then light the cube. Add gradually bigger sticks until you build up a good, hot coal base. Campfires in the snow are great any time of day, but my favorite is at night so I can watch the flames dance against the snow and sparks float hypnotically upward in a dark night sky. ¾ lb. cubed venison 1 Tbs. vegetable oil 1 cup diced onion 1 pkg. 16 oz. frozen mixed vegetables 2 cans drained diced tomatoes 2 cups small cubed peeled potatoes 2 cups water 1 Tbs. sugar 2 tsp. beef bouillon granules 1 tsp. salt ½ tsp. pepper ½ tsp. garlic powder ¼ tsp. hot pepper sauce (optional) In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, brown venison in oil. Add onion; cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until tender. Add remaining ingredients; cover and simmer 1 hour longer or until meat is tender. Makes 8 servings. February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 109 Field notes by Jeff Cantrell • Photos by Becky Wylie The Timberdoodle, a Dancer Before the Stars T he event has been described in naturalists’ circles as the “Sky Dance.” The admirers of the book The Sand County Almanac are familiar with it. I have enjoyed the avian flight dance for decades and now look forward to the weeks of performance running most every late winter day on my own property. The stage is set along my resident nature trail and long driveway snaking through native grass lots, young forest and shrubby fields. The “stage curtain” rises as the sun retires, and I find myself on edge waiting for the first player to come out. I have known colleagues who have rushed home from work to catch a television show or sports event; clearly, I understand their anticipation. Now every February and March, I’m going home; work can wait, the sky dance is premiering. 110 The contestants are the American Woodcocks, and often we Ozarkers know them as “Timberdoodles.” They are related to the graceful shorebirds of this country’s beaches and mudflats. Perhaps the Timberdoodle is the awkward shorebird cousin, for when I mention to beginning birders the woodcock is “gnome-like,” I get nods and smiles from the baffled birdwatchers. Twilight brings the performance of the males, and it is both visual and auditory. The nasal “peent” call is the icebreaker. The call is given from the males at ground level. The first famous flight display of the evening is a wide circular flight against a backdrop of sunset pastels. The Timberdoodles go higher and higher; the whole time the wings quiver and make a twittering sound. The most engaging part of the night show is there are sky circles taking place everywhere! Perhaps at the peak of height, around 300 feet, the twittering jingle stops and a flight song accompanies a zig zag flight to the ground. If the gnome remark created a sparkle in the eyes of a beginning birder, you should see the expression when I mention the song resembles the sound of kisses on my face from my great aunts in my youth. If you have that sort of extended family in your childhood, I guarantee you will recognize the sound. The cycle of peenting, display flights and songs continues well into the darkness and sometimes with a short encore at the break of dawn. It is the type of show in natural history that entwines the fabric of our personality to the outdoors. We who appreciate nature seek these adventures and want to share them. We recognize the naturalist bond in every thread of our experience. I could not agree more with my champion, Aldo Leopold, who wrote about the drama of the sky dance, and my mentor, Dr. Janice S. Greene (Missouri State University Biology Department), who first introduced me to his writings and observations. I encourage everyone to grab a youth, friend or even an adoring great aunt and seek out the Timberdoodle’s gift to our outdoor experience. Jeff Cantrell is a local biologist and educator in Southwest Missouri, adjunct professor at MSU and proud member of the Aldo Leopold Foundation and Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF). Jeff can be reached at coyoteteacher2@gmail.com. Chert Glades MO Master Naturalist Becky Wylie is an accomplished nature photographer and supporting member of MPF. She covers native flora and fauna and works to inform the public on natural history issues from Yellowstone to the Ozarks with her images and captions. Positive Hit Music! Local Radio done Right! Share the “Love” Up with It’s a LifeStyle HowieWake & Bubba 6am-9am Lisa Davis “Work Day” Life Line 9am-3pm Karson with a ‘K’ 3pm-6pm Andrea 6pm-11pm Request Line: 417.623.0105 Listen Live @ MyNewLifeRadio.com February 2016 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 111 Dr. Bird went to work on the original composition. It was performed initially in Joplin in 2012. Performers included many people from Joplin, as well as performers from across the country. Since that first performance, Dr. Bird has continued to develop the piece. While the core has remained unchanged, new material has been added, including new vocal and narrative sections. Furthermore, a new visual element is being developed for it. The Other Side of Storm T he complete devastation and death in the aftermath of the 2011 tornado shocked Dr. Hubert Bird, as it did most people. He was born in Joplin and is a composer and conductor, known nationally and internationally. Needing to talk about it to a close friend, Dr. Bird called the retired director of the U.S. Army Band, Colonel Bryan Shelburne. The conversation led the two men to realize that an artistic expression in music and voice could serve as one way for Dr. Bird to communicate his own sorrow and that of the community. 112 Although written in response to it, “The Other Side of Storm” was not written about the tornado. Dr. Bird intentionally left “the” out of the title because he had a broader concept in mind. The tornado, while a terrible storm itself, triggered other kinds of storms. It brought storms of the heart, mind and body that can be much harder to overcome. He wanted to compose something that would reach people on a level beyond initial recovery. He created a work about surviving every storm life throws at us as human beings. Performance of the updated version of “The Other Side of Storm” is scheduled during the Joplin Proud five-year anniversary event. It will be held in Joplin High School’s new Performing Arts Center the evenings of May 20 and 21. Open to the public, there is no charge for admission, but tickets will be required. Ticket information will be available at Joplinproud.com closer to the May dates. FEBRUARY FEBRUARY ISIS 1 in 4 deaths can be Heart disease is attributed to heart disease 1 the leading cause of death among men and women in the U.S.2 Every 44 seconds, someone suffers a heart attack3 Heart disease is 1 in 4 deaths can be Every 44 seconds, thecelebrates leading cause of Heart death 1 Freeman Health System American Month in February with a attributed to heart disease among men and women in the U.S.2 someone suffers a heart attack3 reminder to contact one of our physicians for a heart-healthy check-up. Visit our website to find the best doctor for you. freemanhealth.com Our board-certified team of cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons offer rapid, expert care in all cardiac services. Sources: 1 cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm 2 cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm 3 millionhearts.hhs.gov/abouthds/cost-consequences.html