Show Me the Ozarks Magazine
Transcription
Show Me the Ozarks Magazine
July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 1 2 July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 3 SMTO contents July 2013 Photo by TIna Smith About the Cover Pictured on the cover is Bill Stansberrry from Carl Junction, Missouri. Photo by Whitney Scott Photography on the cover 49-66 Honoring Our Military The freedom all citizens of the United States enjoy is only possible because of the brave, patriotic men and women of our military. From the first Independence Day to the present, they have diligently carried on the noble tradition of safeguarding that freedom for 237 years. SMTO is proud to honor our military in this special section. 4 features MILITARY FEATURES 49 10 veterans and service members are profiled in our tribute to the military. 60 62 63 64 66 Four-state area veterans and those currently serving Auctioneer Sells and Shares History For the Love of America Veterans Memorials Residents Mark Anniversary of Civil War Engagement FEATURING SOUTHEAST KANSAS 34 The Big Picture–Designer Coal Buckets 36 Coal Buckets Chosen to Represent City of Pittsburg 38 From Mortician to Muralist 40 Miner’s Hall Museum Pays Tribute to Area’s Coal Miners 41 Galena Mayor Dale Oglesby 42 Cherokee County’s Rainbow Bridge 43 Civil War Encampment to Bring Thousands to Baxter Springs 44 Southeast Kansas Business Spotlights in every edition other great reads WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE OZARKS 10 Independence Day Celebrations 11 Calendar of Events – It’s summertime and the living is easy – especially with so many fun things to do in the fourstate area. Take a cool float down the lazy river at Joplin’s new Aquatic Center; learn more about the Civil War by attending a reenactment; “Get Your Kicks on Route 66,” enjoy a county fair or rodeo; celebrate our country’s independence and thank a veteran or someone in active service; or see a movie – outdoors! 15 70 Cultural Arts and Entertainment Calendar 16 22 67 68 80 92 International Festival to Attract Thousands to Joplin Things We Love Church Rebuilds After Tornado Resilience, Resolve and Realization Be Inspired Gardeners How to Be Generous to Family and Yourself 70 Faces & Places HOME/LIFESTYLE 25 Tastes of the Four States - Woody’s Smokehouse offers all the benefits of a backyard barbecue without any of the work. 74 Your House…Your Home - Decorating for the Great Backyard Barbecue Party 78 The Great Outdoors - Larry has found the activity that combines the two great sports of hunting and fishing. Can you find the Eagle? 82 This Wasn’t in the Manual! - Summer Causes a Complete Lack of Control HEALTH 83 Health Events 84 Insight into Substance Disorder 85 Up My Nose with a Rubber Hose! 86 Dealing with Diabetes During Pregnancy 89 Weight Management, Age Management 90 New Hazard Associated with Barbecuing Every month, readers are invited to find the eagle photo hidden on one of our many pages. Email sue@showmetheozarks.com with the page number and spot that you found the Eagle. Submit your entry by the 15th of the month. A winner will be drawn each month from all the correct entries and will receive a gift certificate from an area retailer. Only one entry per household please. Good luck! Congratulations to Jeffrey David Slish of Pineville, MO, winner of the June Edition “Find the Eagle” contest. Jeffrey wins a $ 50 Gift certificate to Black Market Fireworks. The Eagle was on top of the Swing set on page 41 in the article titled Joplin Dad Says “Let your kids make mistakes”. Take us with you all summer long...always filled with events, and where to eat, shop and play! 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 Visa Mastercard 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. July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 5 Does Your IRA Need CPR? At Stifel, our Financial Advisors can help revive your retirement program. See us first: • to revitalize a stagnant, low-yielding IRA • to plan a sound investment strategy to fit your IRA goals For more than 120 years, we’ve made it our business to earn your trust! Investment services since 1890 Falling in Love with our Cities…. Recently I attended a presentation by Peter Kageyama, the author of For the Love of Cities. In his book, Peter discusses what makes cities lovable and what motivates citizens to do extraordinary things to make all residents, visitors and guests fall in love with their community. Peter spoke straight to my heart as that is also one of my hopes each month as we take another issue of Show Me the Ozarks Magazine to print. We hope to inspire the love for our cities, honor the men and women who serve with passion and celebrate the joys of our communities. This month we feature Southeast Kansas beginning on page 34. It is not hard to fall in love with the cities, and the people, in this part of our region. We bring you an inspiring story by Brett Dalton, SEK Art Fest Director, who has steered a committee to exhibit 26 giant fiberglass coal buckets designed by regional artists to line the streets of Broadway in Pittsburg. The buckets will be displayed all summer long, along with 29 smaller buckets created by area art students in storefront windows. Brett’s vision for the coal buckets was inspired after visiting the Miners Hall Museum and seeing a coal bucket from the mining days. It was love at first sight and his vision was born. Mark your calendars for July 20 to meet the talented artists behind the bucket creations. As you go through the pages of this issue, you will find many great reads detailing what makes Southeast Kansas a must for your list of summer destinations. When you visit all 16 local businesses featured in our spotlights, and take a picture at each location, we will feature you in the magazine and send you and a guest to dinner at one of the restaurants in our dining guide! Anyone up for the challenge? Email your photos to sue@showmetheozarks.com by September 1, 2013. Featured on the cover is Bill Stansberry, a 73-year-old veteran from Carl Junction. Bill is a man of class and honor and we are so thankful that he took the time to share a piece of his history. In our “Honoring our Military” section, we feature many active military personnel and veterans. Each year, it brings me great pride to honor the men and women who serve our country. It is the same pride that I feel each time I see a man in uniform and it is such a great honor to celebrate with our community all that it means to be a part of our great country. Thank you to all the military personnel, current and past, who give or have given more than we truly will ever know. “Get your Kicks on Route 66.” No other highway in America is as famous as Route 66. Mark your calendars for the International Route 66 Festival beginning August 1. See pages 16-17 to find all the ways you can celebrate the history of the Mother Road and have the time of your lives. This festival is just another example of how people who fell in love with their cities have shared their passion for all those around them to enjoy. We LOVE our pets and you can make yours a star! Our 5th Annual Cutest Pet Contest is underway. Turn to page 80 to find all the details. Entry fee is $10 and all proceeds benefit the Joplin Humane Society. The entry deadline is August 7. Ken Williams Vice President/Investments (417) 781-6161 (800) 890-7007 401 S. Main Street Joplin, Missouri 64801 6 Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com Let’s fall in love this summer! Falling in love with your community gives you the passion to create or change the scenery where you live. Share your summer excitement by joining us on our Facebook page or following us on Twitter. Let your passion inspire others and let us help you celebrate your city, your fun and your summer! In closing, Happy Independence Day! Remember to honor those men and women who have served our country, making it possible for us to celebrate this day. Thank a veteran this 4th of July! 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 July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 7 Staff Publisher/Editor Lee Radcliff Editorial Director Sue Dillmon Account Executive Billie Bull Associate Editors Vicki Cash Wendy Brunner-Lewis Graphic Designers Kristi Tucker George Radcliff INTERN - MCAULEY HIGH SCHOOL Lauren Guthrey Promotions Coordinator Jamie Emery Staff Writers Vicki Cash Mary Engler Guccione Holly Hukill Jamie Emery John Hacker Kristin Nama Don Lowe Annie Stewart Ann Leach Larry Wood Larry Whiteley Bridget Bauer Photographers Whitney Scott Tina Smith Angela Spieker Mandy Edmonson John Hacker Distribution Manager Velma Quinn Show Me The Ozarks Magazine is published monthly by Show Me Communications, PO Box 3325, Joplin, MO 64803. Copyright 2013 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. 8 K ATA H D I N H A I R S H E E P THOUSAND OAKS RANCH CU TL ET OF LA MB ES BL WITH VEGETA 28367 FIR ROAD CARL JUNCTION, MO (417)437-4523 ktbeatty@fastfreedom.net SPRIGS R O S E M A R Y *FEATURING * OZARK LAMB* ! OCAL BUY L ! H S E R BUY F Your source for lean, tender, flavorful American lamb. Our lambs are locally grown and locally processed, raised on grass and finished on grains, such as corn, wheat and soybeans. Contact us today for availability. W W W . O ZARKLAM B.C O M July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 9 Independence Day Celebrations Garfield, AR July 5: 12th Annual Ventris Trail’s End Resort’s Fireworks Display, 8-10 pm, Beaver Lake. Watch thousands of fireworks light up the night sky while listening to patriotic music! Show is to be seen by boat only. 479.359.3912. Rogers, AR July 11: USA’s Independence Day, 5:30-7 pm, First Western Bank, 401 West Walnut Street. Enjoy casual networking, hors d’oeuvres, cultural education and great door prizes! Presented by Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport and co-sponsored by the Metroplex Event Center. Call 479.636.1240. Baxter Springs, KS July 4: $4 Fourth, tickets for use from 10 am-2 pm or 2-6 pm, Route 66 Carousel Park. Go-carts, bumper boats, unlimited ride bracelet, jumping pillow, mini-golf, priced at $4! Call 417.626.7710 or visit www.carouselparkjoplin.com. Monett, MO July 4: Freedom & Fireworks Celebration, 3 pm, South Park. Entertainment, games, vendors, and Monett Lions cooking chicken dinners. Fireworks at 9:45 pm. Call 417.235.7919. Neosho, MO June 28: 4th of July Celebration, 7 pm, Medicalodges Neosho & Gran Villas invite you to a fun filled evening of food, music and fireworks! Bring your lawn chairs. 417.451.1925. July 4: 4th of July Celebration, 5 pm, fireworks display 9:45 pm, American Legion Fairgrounds. Free swim at City pool, games. Call 620.429.1492. June 29: Celebrate Neosho. Activities take place in Morse Park and at the Hugh Robinson Memorial Airport. 5K run/walk, kids fishing derby, games, battle of the bands, food and crafts vendors, inflatable rides (admission fees apply), aerobatic performance by Kyle Franklin in his “Dracula” bi-plane; and fireworks show by AM Pyrotechnics. Call Wes Franklin, 417.451.8050. Parsons, KS Noel, MO July 4: Fireworks 4 Parsons, 7:30 pm, Seaton Family Pavilion in Forest Park, 13th and Broadway. Music in the Park Concert series features patriotic musical salute by the Community Band. After the concert, stay to watch the annual fireworks display at nearby Marvel Park. Call 620.421.7032. July 6: Fireworks Show, 6 pm, soccer field, presented by City of Noel in cooperation with Noel Betterment Association. Live music and vendors. Fire Department will be serving smoked chicken. Call 417.475.3696. Pittsburg, KS Seneca, MO July 2: Crawford State Park Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration. Large fireworks display and complete family day in the park with food, musical entertainment, games and activities for all ages. The show is free, but a Kansas State Wildlife and Parks Vehicle permit required to attend. Contact Crawford State Park Office, 620.362.3671, e-mail crawfordsp@ wp.state.ks.us, or visit www.kdwp.state.ks.us. July 6: Celebrating Our Freedom 2013, activities begin at 7 am. Fun Run for Freedom, pancake race and other fun races, freedom parade, kids games and more. Gates open at 4:30 pm at fireworks site, Bethel Road & U Highway, with vendors, kids rides, Seneca’s Got Talent finalists, concert by LiveWire, fireworks display at 9:45 pm. Call 417.776.2100 or visit www.senecamochamber.com. July 3-4: Pittsburg Independence Day Celebration. Carnival rides provided by Cardinal Amusements, baby contest, 5K run, tennis tournament, golf tournament, bike ride, horseshoe and bocce tournaments, food, arts and crafts, live music, activities for all ages and large fireworks display. Contact Pittsburg Parks and Recreation Department, 620.231.8310, or visit www.pittks.org/index.aspx. Bartlesville, OK July 4: Fireworks Celebration, 7:30 pm, Baxter Springs Chamber of Commerce. Fireworks at 9:05 pm. Call 620.856.3131. Columbus, KS Hepler, KS July 3-4: 43rd Annual Hepler Ruritan Club 4th of July Celebration and Rodeo. Huge holiday celebration and large rodeo with bareback riding, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, bull riding and breakaway roping, mutton bustin’, calf scramble and bull chariot races. Dance following rodeo on July 3,10 pm to 1 am. On July 4, the Hepler 4-H Club sponsors a parade followed by kids’ games, hillbilly games, and more rodeo. Call Kim Harris, Hepler Ruritan, 620.368.4792. Carthage, MO: July 4: Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks, 9:30 pm, Carthage Municipal Park. Call 417.237.7000. Joplin, MO July 4: Independence Day Celebration, 3 pm, Landreth Park. Favorite festival foods and refreshments, Duke Mason performing the national anthem, performances by The Jake Clark Band and Big Smitty. Largest fireworks show in the area begins at 9:45 pm by Liberty Pyrotechnics. Free trolley service from Joplin Memorial Hall (7th & Joplin streets) to Landreth Park available from 7-11 pm. Call Paul Bloomberg, 417.625.4750. 10 July 4: Independence Day at Woolaroc, 10 am-5 pm, 1925 Woolaroc Ranch Road. July 4: 4th of July Freedom Fest, 6-11:30 pm, 2nd & Johnstone. Fireworks 9:45 pm. Food, talent competition, poker run, family stage. After-fest features drinks, food and entertainment until 11:30 pm at Osage Casino Stage. Call 918.337.8086. Grove, OK July 3: Fireworks, 9:45 pm, Wolfcreek Park. Food, games, entertainment, free watermelon. Call 918.786.6107. July 4: Cajun Festival, 10 am, Grove Civic Center. Authentic Cajun music, food, entertainers, arts, crafts and food vendors. Call Grand Lake Festivals, 918.786.8896, or visit www.grandlakefestivals.com. July 4: Har-Ber Village Independence Day Celebration, 10 am12 pm. Kids parade - decorate yourselves and your wagons and bikes. Music by Ron Young. Free. Call 918.786.6446 or visit www.harbervillage.com. July 4: Duck Creek Fireworks, 9:45 pm. Enjoy fireworks on the water on South Grand lake. Call 918.782.3292. Vinita, OK July 4: Fireworks, 9:45 pm, Vinita High School. Call 918.256.7133. SMTO Calendar of Events boutique, wearable art, donation quilt, door prizes and more. $5 admission. Call 888.665.7841. in the Ozarks July 12: Hot Street Party, 7-11 pm, 4th & Johnstone. Enjoy great food and beverages, Kids Space 7-9 pm, live music 8-11pm by the Jody Schmidt Band. Email hotstreetparty@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/ hotstreetparty. What’s Happening 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. July 19: Tangible History Workshop Series-”The Earliest Quilts,” 12-2 pm, Frank Phillips Cottage, 1107 Cherokee. Make quilt blocks to take home. Cost per class is $12. To register, call 918.336.2491, Ext. 104. Bartlesville, OK Grove, OK Every Saturday through October 31: Bartlesville Farmers Market, 8-11 am, corner of Keeler Avenue and Frank Phillips Blvd. Call 918.914.3791 or visit www.bartlesvillefarmersmarket.com. Every Saturday and Wednesday: Grove Farmers Market, 8 am12 pm, Community Center lawn. Call 918.786.9109. Through July: Kiddie Park, 7-10 pm. Ride tickets: 25 cents (some rides require more than one ticket). Closed Sunday. Call 918.336.5337 or visit www.kiddiepark.net. July 1-3: Summer Horse Camp, 9 am-3 pm, Bluestem Riding Center, CR 3007 off Hwy 60. Ages 8 to 15. Basic horse care and bathing, painting horses, T-shirts, unmounted horse-related games, horsemanship/trail riding theory and vocabulary, off-site trail ride. Cost $160. Call 918.440.3542. July 12-13: Quiltfest 2013, 10 am-5 pm, Washington County Fair Building, 1109 Delaware. Hundreds of quilts, vendors mall, quilters July 16-18: Camp Woolaroc, an Adventure in Learning, 10 am-5 pm, Woolaroc. Incredible day camp. Call 918.336.0307. July 19-20: 2013 GLOC Quilt Show, Friday 10 am-6 pm, Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Grove Community Center. Show includes judged show, certified quilt appraisals, artisans’ shoppe, Saturday bed turning, classes and demos, wearable art, vendors, and door prizes. Admission is $5. Call 918.786.2466. Bentonville, AR July 5: First Friday Flicks: “The Lorax,” 8 pm, Lawrence Plaza. Call 479.464.7275 or visit www.bentonvillear.com. Every Wednesday & Saturday: Farmers Market, 10 am-2 pm Wednesdays; 7 am-1 pm Saturdays. Downtown Bentonville Square. Rogers, AR Every Saturday & Wednesday: Farmers Market, 7 am-1 pm, Frisco Park. WIC and food stamps accepted from qualifying vendors. Every Saturday: Pickin’ in the Park, 6 pm, Frisco Park, Downtown Rogers. Bring acoustic instrument and lawn chair; enjoy gospel, country and bluegrass music. July 19: 3rd Friday Art Walk, 5-9 pm, Historic Downtown Rogers. See what the artists of Poor Richard’s Art Gallery have dreamed up! Music, food, and businesses open late. Visit www.poorrichardsart.com. Columbus, KS July 12-14:- IPRA-ICRA Rodeo. 8 pm, all events. Saddle Club Arena off Country Road. Call 620.674.8820. July 16-20: Cherokee County American Legion free fair. Free entertainment each evening, carnival, livestock show, exhibits. Purchase arm bands for the carnival in advance and save. Call 620.429.1492 or visit www.cherokeecountyfair.com. Karen Rutledge Ins Agcy Inc Karen Rutledge, Agent 616 ERutledge 32nd Street Karen Ins Agcy Inc Joplin, MO 64804 Karen Rutledge, Agent 616 Street Bus:E 32nd 417-624-2661 Joplin, MO 64804 State417-624-2661 Farm, Bloomington, IL Bus: 1211999 State Farm, Bloomington, IL 1211999 July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 11 SMTO Calendar of Events What’s Happening in the Ozarks Franklin, KS Through July: Miners Hall Museum Special Exhibit, “A Nation Divided, The American Civil War,” Monday-Saturday 10 am3 pm, 701 S. Broadway. Miners Hall Museum honors the heritage of the Crawford/Cherokee County coalfields. View collections that give a unique perspective into the lives of the immigrant families that came to this country in search of a better life. Free admission. Call 620.249.9333 or visit www.minershallmuseum.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Every Thursday, Farmers Market, 4-6 pm, Franklin Community Park, 502 S. Broadway. Shop under the shade of the pavilion. Call 620.249.9333. Parsons, KS Every Tuesday & Saturday: Farmers Market, Tuesdays 4-6 pm; Saturdays 7-10 am, Downtown Parsons. Vendors welcome, no fee. Call 620.421.7030. Pittsburg, KS July 1-Sept 1: “Mining Memories,” a walking tour of 24 giant decorated coal buckets in downtown Pittsburg (sponsored by SEK Art Fest). Contact Brett Dalton, 620.235.4195. and live music. Popular demolition derby final night of the fair. Call the Crawford County Fair Board, 620.724.4092, or e-mail CRCOfair@gmail.com. Carthage, MO Every Wednesday & Saturday: Farmers Market, 7:30 am-12 pm, north side of Historic Carthage Square. Call 417.358.3579. July 5: Battle of Carthage Vespers Service, 6:30 pm Battle of Carthage State Historic Site, East Chestnut St. – next to Carter Park, Please wear cool, comfortable clothing and bring your own lawn chair. Enjoy old time music and honor our brave ancestors in song and prayer. Commemoration service held at Battle of Carthage State Park, the historic site of the final confrontation of a 12-hour battle which began nine miles north of Carthage on July 5, 1861. Free. Call 417.359.8181. July 5 & 19: Live Music at the Woodshed, 7:30-11 pm, Historic Carthage Square, $5 cover. Call 417.358.2373. July 6-13: Jasper County Youth Fair, 6 pm, Municipal Park & Fairgrounds. Call 417.358.2158. July 20-21: Brad Potter Coin & Stamp Show, 12-5 pm, Memorial Hall, Call 417.682.2678. July 26: Carthage Historic Downtown Art Walk, 6-9 pm. Visit www.carthageartwalk.org. July 26-28: 13th Annual British Car Show, 9am, Historic Carthage Square. All British Car & Cycle Blowout on the Square. Visit www.gobmc.org. July 26-28: City-wide Sidewalk Sale, 11:30 am-3 pm, Carthage retailers. Call 417.358.2373. July 28: Rendezvous 66 Car Show, 11 am, First Christian Church. $10 entry; first 100 cars receive dash plaques. Trophies awarded to top three of each class. Free to view. Call 417.358.9166 or visit www.rendezvous66.com. July 19: Friday Flix: “The Music Man,” 9 pm, BMO Harris parking lot, on the wall outside the Colonial Fox Theatre. Admission: $3 suggested donation. All proceeds benefit the restoration of the historic Colonial Fox Theatre. Bring chairs. Call 620.235.0622. July 21: ABA District 58 Tournament at Bone Creek Reservoir, located north of Arma in rural Crawford County. Registration meeting 5:30 am Rocky Point Boat Dock , competition begins at 6 am. American Bass Anglers feature over 1,000 tournaments in 42 states, low entry fees, sponsorship programs, and a level playing field for all anglers. Call District Director Jim Zaleski, 620.820.3556, or visit www.centralmidwestbass.com. July 26-July 28: Pitt Open Disc Golf Tournament, 8am, Schlanger Park, 725 E. 6th Street. Practice rounds, State Farm discount doubles, bring your own partner. Call Kevin Elrod, 620.249.8747. July 31-Aug 3: 97th Annual Crawford County Fair, Galena Fairgrounds. Livestock exhibitions and auction, arts and crafts exhibitions, competition between county FFA and 4-H clubs, rodeo 12 Route 66 Drive-in Theatre - Movies begin at dusk Friday-Sunday evenings, 1731 Old 66 Boulevard. Adults $6, children $3, kids in car seats free. Call 417.359.5959 or visit www.66drivein.com. 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/gwac. July 5-7: Documentary: The Tuskegee Airmen, 1 pm. In 1941, a select group of African Americans made their way to Tuskegee, Alabama with dreams of becoming the first black fighter pilots in the country. July 13: Carver Day Celebration, 10 am-3 pm. Activities for everyone at this special event commemorating the 1943 establishment of George Washington Carver National Monument. July 19-21: The Life and the Legacy, 1 pm. Through narration and re-enactment, this 30-minute film traces the legacy of Booker T. Washington and the founding of Tuskegee Institute. July 26-28: Agricultural School on Wheels, 1 pm. The Jesup Wagon, also known as the Agricultural School on Wheels, carried George Washington Carver’s bulletins and other supplies to Southern farmers. Joplin, MO July 5: Joplin Woman’s Club Picnic and Bingo Party, 12 pm, Joplin Family Y South, 3404 W. McIntosh Circle. Proceeds go to the Y Scholarship Fund. Call 417.623.3290. 2013 Summer Concert Series, 8 pm, Downstream Casino Resort. Tickets: $20 and up. Call 918.919.6000. July 5: Willie Nelson July 19: Peter Frampton’s Guitar Circus July 13: Stepping Out Footwear Fashion Show, 6 pm, Abundant Life Christian Center, 6468 Newman Road. Attendees will receive a free pair of shoes, T-shirt, a light snack, and other goodies. Call 417.624.7500. July 13: Mexican Dinner Benefit, 4 pm, Cathedral Assembly of God, 1730 Virginia. All-you- can-eat; drink included. Adults $7, Children $4. Proceeds help Terri Wright with medical expenses and trips to KU in Kansas City. Call 417.825.2688. July 20: A Night Out with Crime Stoppers, 5-8 pm, Carousel Park, 3834 W. 7th Street. Members of the Heartland Crime Stoppers, Inc. Board, face painting, raffle and more. Call 417.623.3131, Ext. 477. July 20: Cruise Night, 5 pm, Carousel Park parking lot. Classic cars, live DJ, dash plaques and trophies, 50/50 pot. Call 417.626.7710. July 22: Joplin Area Welcome Club Newcomer’s Luncheon, 11 am. Visit www.joplinwelcome.org for details. Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center Open Wednesday - Saturday, 9 am-5 pm. Wildcat Park and Nature trails are open 7 days a week, dawn to dusk. Programs require preregistration. Call 417.782.6287 or visit www.wildcatglades.audubon.org. July 7: Super Summer Polymer Clay--Mosaics, 2-4:30 pm. Discover mosaics in polymer clay. You will receive clay color and faux stone recipes during the baking process. Cost $40. Material list available at terratradestudios.com. be in good physical condition and able to hike in summer weather. Snack provided, or they may bring their own from home. Ages: 7-12. Cost: $100 per child members/$125 per child nonmembers. July 27: Shoebox Boat Building Workshop for Kids, 1-3 pm. Build a cardboard boat in preparation for the Kid’s Shoebox Boat Race at the annual Shoal Creek Water Festival on Saturday, August 10. Fee includes the $5 non-refundable entry fee for the race, building materials (other than shoebox), and instruction. To participate in the race, you must be present on August 10 to captain your boat. Registration for workshop limited to first 30 children. Ages: 3-12, accompanied by adult. Cost: $10 per child members/$15 per child nonmembers. Lamar, MO July 3-6: Golden Harvest Days, East Park, 1042 East Hwy, Golden City. Enjoy great food, vendors, and entertainment. Call Joyce Mein, 417.537.8781. www.edwardjones.com Retirement is for enjoying your family, not depending on them. Long-term care insurance may help protect you and your family. You cherish your loved ones. That’s why it’s so important to help protect them from financial burden if you should require in-home assistance or a nursing home stay. Edward Jones offers a variety of long-term care insurance policies that may help cover the continually rising costs associated with this type of care. It’s important to know that, generally, health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid may not cover all types of long-term care. Together, we will discuss how a long-term care insurance policy may help protect your savings. Long-term care insurance products are underwritten by GENWORTH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, Richmond, VA. This is a solicitation of insurance for policy form 7052OR. Not all policies are available in all states. Details about the costs, benefits, limitations and exclusions will be provided to you by a licensed insurance agent/ producer. By responding, an insurance agent/producer will contact you. Call today to learn more. July 13: Time with Turtle, 10-11 am. Celebrate the Year of the Turtle and spend some time with our reptile friends with shells! Ages 3-6. Cost: $5 per child members/$10 per child nonmembers. Dan L. Stanley Financial Advisor . 3111 S Arizona Joplin, MO 64804 417-659-9994 July 20: Yoga in Nature, 9-10 am. Enjoy exercising at your own level beside beautiful Shoal Creek. Cost: $3 per person members, $6 per person nonmembers. July 23-26: Nature’s Artwork Summer Day Camp, 12:30-3:30 pm daily. Do you have a young artist at home who also enjoys nature? Help cultivate their interests by sending them to our art camp! Ages 7-12.Cost: $125, includes all art materials, a snack, and instructor’s fee. July 23-26: Camp Wildcat Summer Day Camp, 8 am-12 pm daily. Young naturalists will learn about a different group of animals each day. Children should INS-5233B-A-A10 08/09/12 Member SIPC July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 13 SMTO Calendar of Events What’s Happening in the Ozarks July 26: Fourth Thursday Music/Food on the Square, 4-8 pm, Bandstand and west side of Square. Open mic hours: 4-7 pm. Live music 7-8 pm. Local art on display, food, free bounce house for children, Fast Eddie Hot Rod Cruise. Call 417.682.3595. July 26: Annual Chamber Golf Scramble, 8:30 am-3:30 pm, Lamar Country Club. Goody bag and prizes. Call 417.682.3595. Monett, MO July 1: Monett Senior Citizen’s Dance, 7-10 pm, Senior Center, 405 Dairy Street. $3 to enter. Call 417.235.3285 Neosho, MO July 10-13: Newton County Fair, Newton County Fairgrounds, located in the Camp Crowder area south of Neosho. This family event has something for everyone. A carnival, livestock exhibits, craft booths, food and entertainment make for an enjoyable visit to this traditional, all-American event. Call 417.451.1925 or visit www.extension.missouri.edu/newton/ youth/4-h.shtml. 10 CELEBRATING 10 YEARS NE OKLAHOMA’S GREEN COUNTRY 14 Nevada, MO Every Wednesday & Saturday: Vernon County Farmers Market, Wednesday 5 am; Saturday 8 am, on the Square. Area-wide growers, producers and crafters. Call 417.321.0591. Webb City, MO Every Tuesday and Friday: Farmers Market, 11 am-3 pm, entrance to King Jack Park. Saturdays 9 am-12 pm. July 6: Webb City Library Centennial Event – Celebrating 1940-49, 2 pm. Route 66 Event Center, 21 S. Webb. Presentation includes ‘40s vocal music and dance instruction of Jitterbug, Boogie Woogie, Lindy and Jive. Concert/Dance with Jim Hunter’s 40s Big Band and Pinocchio Show Choir’s performance of “In the Mood.” Call 417.673.1154. July 13: Webb City Music Show, 7 pm, Route 66 Event Center, 21 S. Webb Street, featuring the Route 66 Western Swing Band. Tickets available in advance at the Route 66 Welcome Center or $5 at the door. This event takes place on the second Saturday of every month. Call 417.673.1154. July 13: Cruise Night, 5-8 pm, Downtown Webb City. Hosted by the Webb City Chamber of Commerce and Xtreme PowerSports Auto Center. Featuring D-jays Chris Byler and Tom Moore. Dash plaques to first 50 vehicles to register and trophies awarded. Call 417.673.1154. STILL SO MUCH TO SEE! GREENCOUNTRYOK.COM 800.922.2118 | Bentonville, AR Throughout July: The Art of Life Styles Series. Aresaga’s Creperie & Coffee Shop, 548 W. Dickson Street, presents monthly exhibits featuring work solely by Life Styles clients. Call 479.521.3581. Throughout July: Opera in the Ozarks 63rd Season, 7:30 pm, Sunday performance 4 pm, Arend Arts Center. Call 479.253.8595 or visit opera.org. July 5-6: American Art and Music Festival, Downtown Square, concerts 11:30 am-1 pm and 5-8 pm. Great food, live music, children’s activities, gallery openings and more. Call 479.254.0254. July 19: Around the Bloc. The Artist Alleyway offers an affordable and energetic marketplace for local and regional artists to sell their work. Call 479.254.0254. July 26: Alzheimer’s Buffet, 10 am-noon, free. Opportunities for people in the early stage of the disease to connect with like individuals and enjoy community-based activities and events such as photography, ceramics, sporting events and other outings. Camps (Ages 6-12): July 9-11: Fiber Arts Camp, 12:30-5:30 pm. Ages 6-12. Cost: $75. Enjoy fiber arts through weaving, sewing, felting and more. Bring white T-shirt to create your unique masterpiece. July 16-18: Painting Camp, 12:30-5:30 pm. Ages 6-12. Cost: $75. Get to know different paint materials including watercolor, acrylic and mixed media. Parsons, KS July 23-25: 3-D Camp, 12:30-5:30 pm. Ages 6-12. Cost: $75. Explore the world of 3-D art using materials like yarn, confetti, and papier maché. July Music in the Park Series, 7:30 pm, Seaton Family Pavilion, Forest Park, 13th & Broadway. July 30-31, August 1: Drawing Camp, 12:30-5:30 pm. Ages 6-12. Cost: $75. Explore the different tools for drawing portraits to landscapes. July 4: Parsons Community Band Preschool Camps (Ages 3-5): July 11: The M80s (‘80s Tribute) July 9-12: Finding Nemo, 10-11:30 am. Ages 3-5. Cost: $45. Make some of Nemo’s fishy companions. July 18: Dustin Pittsley Band (Blues) July 25: Swing Shift (Western Swing & Country) Free. Bench seating and picnic tables available, bring blankets and lawn chairs. Call 620.421.7032 or visit www.parsonsks.com. Carthage, MO July 5-7: Star Spangled Girl, 6 pm, Stone’s Throw Dinner Theatre. Dinner and a show at its best! At intermission, relax and try our dessert menu. Sunday matinee at 12:30 pm. Reservations required; call 417.358.9665 or visit www.stonesthrowdinnertheatre.webs.com. July 15-26: artCentral Kid’s Art, artCentral, 1110 E. 13th Street. Inspire your young artist at artCentral’s Kid’s Art Camp and Art Show. Call 417.358.4404. Joplin, MO July 17-21: Children’s Summer Workshop, 9 am-noon; 1-4 pm, Joplin Little Theatre, 3009 W. 1st Street. Ages K-12. $55 per child, per session. Register via phone, 417.623.3638, or online: www.joplinlittletheatre.org. 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 donation for admission to AT&T Main Gallery is $2 adults; $1 children. Call 417.623.0183. Complete listing of classes at www.spivaarts.org. Early registration recommended. Classes: July 13: 2nd Saturday (a.k.a. Pinterest® Anonymous), 7-9pm. Ages 18+. Cost: $20/person. Discover the beauty of art journals. Each student receives a starter kit of supplies. July 4, 11, 18, & 25: Memories in the Making™, 10 am-12 noon, free. An art experience centered on the expression of creativity through painting for those dealing with memory loss. No prior art experience necessary. Hosted by Alzheimer’s Association, Southwest Missouri Chapter in conjunction with George A. Spiva Center for the Arts. Call 800.272.3900. July 13: Fused Glass Garden Stakes, 1-3 pm. Ages 9+. Cost: $25. Wear close-toed shoes. July 20: Girl Scout Workshop - Jewelry, 1-3 pm. Grades 4-6. Cost: $10. Discuss jewelry from ancient to modern times, learn jewelry making techniques, create a pendant necklace. Fulfills three requirements for the Jeweler Badge. July 16-19: Let Your Garden Grow, 10-11:30 am. Ages 3-5. Cost: $45. Create beautiful flowers, plants, and goodies for your garden. July 23-26: Superheroes and Princesses, 10-11:30 am. Ages 3-5. Cost: $45. Superhero or princess? Make your own crime fighting tools or beautiful accessories. July 30-August 2: African Safari, 10-11:30 am. Ages 3-5. Cost: $45. Explore the wildlife and art of Africa. Exhibits: July 20-September 8: The Essence of Unrelenting Elements–Main Gallery. Jorge Leyva, a painter and sculptor, and Brent Skinner, a clay artist, present individual and collaborative works in clay, steel, wood, stone, and oils. July 20-September 8: Mystical: Paintings by Andrew Batcheller– Regional Gallery. Subtle color variations and rhythmic organic patterns typify Batcheller’s beautiful, large-scale surrealist works. July 1-31: Memories in the Making–Upstairs Gallery. Sponsored by Alzheimer’s Association, Southwest Missouri. Spiva’s fourth annual MIM exhibit featuring artists who are dealing with memory loss. Most paintings for sale for minimum $50 contribution to Alzheimer’s Association. Bartlesville, OK Through July 14: Cherokee Women In Art: “Reflections of Culture Through Diverse Arts” Fine Art Show, Bunkhouse Gallery. Five award-winning Cherokee artists showcase their finest works, comprising a unique collection representing the Cherokee people. Call 918.966.5276 or visit www.woolaroc. July 5: First Friday Music Series “Taste of Oklahoma,” 8-11 pm, Price Towers Arts Center, 510 Dewey Avenue. Featuring live talent from across Oklahoma. Call 918.336.4949 or visit www.pricetower.org. July 13: Second Saturdays – Jo Hemian Jazz Syndicate, 8-11 pm, Price Towers Arts Center, 510 Dewey Avenue. Four-piece jazz group performs in the tradition of Bebop-era musicians from Charlie Parker to Duke Ellington. Call 918.336.4949 or visit www.pricetower.org. July 18-21: Children’s Musical Theatre presents”A Little Princess,” 7 pm, matinees 3 pm, Bartlesville Community Center. The story of a little girl with a big imagination who faces adversity with grace, performed by talented cast of nearly 90 area youth. Visit www.cmtonstage.com July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 15 International Festival to Attract Thousands to Joplin By Ann Leach Visitors to the International Festival will have a wide array of activities to enjoy during the event. Thursday night’s events include a cruise from Joplin along Route 66 to scenic Carthage, Missouri. The cruise will end at the historic Route 66 Drive-in for a special movie night. The Main Street Marketplace, located in downtown Joplin, will be the central location for everything the Route 66 enthusiast desires: treats, authors, artists, collectors and crafters. Friday night’s activities take place on Main Street in Galena, Kansas. Vendors, crafters, a concert, car show, family and children’s activities and tours of the haunted bordello will create an interesting experience for the evening. Who hasn’t heard the call of the open road? Eager to escape the daily grind or simply to get from one part of the country to another, thousands of people got their kicks on Route 66 throughout the years, before super highways and more modern modes of transportation steered drivers onto a different path. The Saturday evening events are set on Main Street in downtown Joplin. Activities during the day will highlight culture along Route 66, and a car show will fill the day. Stages at both ends of Main Street will have live entertainment running from late afternoon and into the late evening. The International Festival concludes Saturday evening with a concert headlined by the internationally acclaimed rock group The Grass Roots. Additional performers include The Detectives, The Road Crew-America’s Route 66 Band, Jessie McEntire, Walrus and City Limits. T oday, many who remember their Route 66 journey are doing their best to preserve it. They will share their efforts during the Route 66 International Festival to be held in Joplin August 1 through 3, where 8,000-10,000 people are expected to attend. Annually, thousands of foreign and domestic travelers still take to the route – dubbed America’s longest museum. Joplin, Missouri is one of those towns whose Main Street is also Route 66. “This year is the first time in the nearly 20-year history of the International Festival that it will be held in Missouri,” Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau director Patrick Tuttle said. “And where better than in Joplin?” The International Festival’s purpose is to bring awareness of Route 66 to roadies of all ages. “They want to preserve the history and essence that connects so many small towns throughout the eight states that the route passes through,” Tuttle said. “In 2012, the results of a five-year study by American Express and Rutgers University were released. The finding indicated that ‘Europeans will continue to be the dominant traveler on Route 66, but over the next five years, 100,000 Asians will experience Route 66 for the first time.’” 16 Photos by Dustin Storm For more details about the International Festival, visit www.route66internationalfestival.com. The Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau, in conjunction with the Route 66 Alliance, is bringing the event to Joplin. The 2014 event is scheduled to be held in Kingman, Arizona. July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 17 What’s Happening Miami in July 4: Firework Extravaganza at Riverview Park – Miami July 4-7: 141st Annual Quapaw Tribal Pow-Wow July 6: Allied Memorial Remembrance Ride – G.A.R. Cemetery July 20: Clogging Championship of America Regional Competition at Miami’s Coleman Theatre July 27: Route 66 Cruise Night at Waylan’s Ku-Ku Burger July 30: State of Oklahoma Tourism Summit – Coleman Theatre July 31-August 3: American Legion Baseball State Tournament August 17-24: Ottawa County Free Fair at Miami Fairgrounds For more Miami event information, please contact the Miami CVB at 918.542.4435. Like the CVB on facebook at /visitmiamiok. Follow the CVB on twitter at @miamioktourism. 18 Bartlesville in July J is Full of History! ust two hours southeast of Joplin is the town where Oklahoma oil began. Bartlesville, Oklahoma holds a treasure trove of history for travelers to explore. From oil baron museums to unique shopping and attractions, Bartlesville can be a fantastic weekend getaway. The Bartlesville Area History Museum will examine the Civil War in Indian Territory with a new exhibit opening in July. The Civil War exhibit will be an educational piece with enlightenment on the subject of Indian Territory Oklahoma during this momentous time in our nation’s history. Museum visitors will learn about the battles, the soldiers and the dramatic impact for Native Americans who served on both sides. Guests to the exhibit will also see how Oklahoma experienced a great upheaval and the terrible price paid for such division. The Bartlesville Area History Museum is open Monday–Friday from 10 am–4 pm. Fourth of July festivities will take place in historic downtown Bartlesville with Freedom Fest, an event that includes food, a talent show, a poker run, family stage and fun. This event hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Bartlesville has become a Bartlesville family favorite. The event begins at 6 pm with fireworks at 9:45 pm. Live entertainment by Kinsey Sadler will continue on the Osage Casino Stage until 11:30 pm. For more information go to www.bartlesvillefreedomfest.org. July is also full of entertainment in Bartlesville. CMT will once again delight audiences when they present the Oklahoma debut of “A Little Princess.” Young Professionals Bartlesville will hold another HOT Street Party on July 12 with a kids’ space and live music by Crush. Copper at Price Tower will have live music available July 13 and 18. Take a little escape to Bartlesville for history, entertainment and fun. For more information on these events and more go to www.visitbartlesville.com. SMTO_513.indd 1 July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 19 4/12/13 10:02 AM ShowMe the big picture Schifferdecker Family Aquatic Center Early crowds gathered for the opening of the Schifferdecker Family Aquatic Center June 8. Hours are from 1-6 pm daily. Swimmers of all ages will enjoy this fun and exciting new facility. The Aquatic Center features a lazy river, lap pool, five slides, rock wall diving boards and water spray centers, and a concession area with all the kids’ favorite summer treats. Schifferdecker Family Aquatic Center is located on the southwest corner of 4th Street and Schifferdecker Avenue in Joplin. Admission is $5 for adults 16 years and older, $4 for children under 15, and children two and under are admitted free. Family swim night is 6-8 pm every Friday with admission discounted 50 percent off the regular price. For more information, call 417.625.4750. Come enjoy this awesome attraction with your family! Photo by Tina Smith 20 July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 21 Things We L VE Webb City Florist & Greenhouse Locally owned by Marcia Musgrove and Allan and Betty Rose, this family business has been proudly serving Webb City and the surrounding area over 100 years. Wedding planning and fresh flowers, assorted green plants, photography, art created by Nicole Jordy, stuffed animals, Circle E Candles and more gift items. PREMIUM ROSES! See their friendly staff for customer satisfaction. Stop in or call today! 1001 S. Jefferson 417.673.3780 or 417.483.3141 www.webbcityflorist.com Circle T Collectibles & Carl Junction Auction Service Locally owned by W. Gail “Trip” Triplett. Carl Junction 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! 118 S. Main Street, Carl Junction, MO 417.649.6805 www.gailtriplett.net Balloon Guyz Paintball Ridge A new form of paintball for the whole family - JT Splatmaster. Now little brothers and sisters can join the fun. Great for players 6+ years of age. Call and schedule your group today! 3295 Coyote Drive • Joplin, MO • 417.781.7703 www.paintballridge.com facebook.com/paintballridge 22 Balloon Guyz have been in business since 1998. We are your Xstream Balloon decor specialists for birthdays, weddings and corporate parties/luncheons. We can do that! In Joplin/Tulsa. Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/balloonguyz 1204 Saginaw Rd. • Joplin, MO Del 417.434.1893 or Dexter 918.574.4107 Vintage Vogue Shake’s Frozen Custard Star Spangled Banner Sundae featuring strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and pecans. Shake’s classic sundaes are scoops layered with mounds of Shake’s exclusive toppings, candies and fudges. 1441 Rangeline Road • Joplin, MO • 417.782.6997 Carousel Park Celebrate the 4th of July at Carousel Park where you can have a full day of family fun at great prices. All attractions and rides are only $4 each: $4 Go-Kart Tickets, $4 Bumper Boat Tickets, $4 Unlimited Mini Golf, $4 Amusement Ride Bracelets, $4 Unlimited Jumping Pillow. At Carousel Park, “It’s Family Time!” 3834 West 7th Street. Joplin, MO. 417.626.7710 “Where Affordable Chic Meets One-of-a-Kind Unique” Stockist and instructor for Chalk Paint™ Brands Decorative Paint by Annie Sloan™. See what everyone is raving about. No priming or sanding required. Annie says, “It’s a girl’s paint but BOYS can use it too!” Specializing in fine vintage furniture, home décor and unique gifts, jewelry, scarves and bags. Fabulous finds for you and your home. Just 10 minutes from Joplin. 144 S. Main St., Carl Junction, MO • 417.649.7911 www.shopvintagevogue.com Facebook.com/VintageVogueCarlJunction Fancy Flamingo Flea Market Decorate your home with your own unique style. We have everything from stylish furniture to primitive grungy. Quality merchandise and collectibles at great prices. Sunday-Thursday 10-6 • Friday and Saturday 10-7 5171 N. Main, Joplin, MO • facebook.com/fancyflamingo 414.553.8142 July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 23 24 By Jamie Emery Food Enthusiast Woody’s Smokehouse Backyard BBQ: Where Everyone Knows Your Name W alking into Woody’s Smokehouse at Stone’s Corner in Joplin is like walking into a backyard picnic. You know you are getting ready to enjoy a great meal surrounded by family and friends. I decided to visit Woody’s Smokehouse for lunch. When I pulled into the restaurant, which is connected to a convenience store to offer their customers the luxury of one-stop shopping, I was surprised by the amount of vehicles in the parking lot. I have always felt the quantity of cars outside of a restaurant has a strong correlation to the quality of food being served. I made a mental note that the food must be good. I do not know what I expected as I walked through the door, but I do know that it was not what I found. I immediately recognized the diversity in the customers. I even walked around the restaurant once before walking to the counter to place my order. Woody’s was full of families enjoying lunch, co-workers dining, business people conducting meetings and retired men discussing the latest developments scrolling on the bottom of the news channel of the television screen. The atmosphere was a combination of laid back and welcoming. It was unique. As I made my way to the counter I noticed the trough tray full of Jones and Stewart’s sodas and everything from wheat beer to domestic. I have since added this novelty to the supply list for my next barbeque. How did I not think of that? Even though the restaurant was busy, it did not take more than a minute for my order to be taken. I ordered a sampler of brisket, jalapeno sausage and turkey with barbecue green beans and a baked potato. I sat down with my lunch when the gentleman next to me offered one of the three sauces--hot, mild and sweet--specifically created for Woody’s. In the friendly atmosphere that the restaurant offers, I learned that my fellow neighbor and his co-workers dine together at least once a week at Woody’s. He shared, “Being from Texas, where barbecue is a way of life, Woody’s is the closest to real barbecue that Joplin has to offer. It is a staple in my life.” With the parking lot full and the customer eagerly sharing his love for the food, the hype was high and I was wondering if the food could live up to my expectations. After one bite of the moist brisket and green beans, I learned what everyone else knew—Woody’s is the real deal. I completed my meal with a delicious bowl of banana pudding and began planning when I would bring my family back. As I was gathering my things to leave, I noticed the cooler next to the register and inquired about their carry out menu. Amy, store manager, shared, “Not only does Woody’s offer dine in, dine out and drive thru services, but we cater for big events and weddings. It is one of our specialties.” Woody’s Smokehouse offers all the benefits of a backyard barbecue without any of the work. All meat is cooked daily to ensure freshness (there’s no freezer on site). You can walk in, get fresh smoked meat complemented by the perfect sides, and be surrounded by friends without any of the shopping or cleanup. How could anyone go wrong? July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 25 ShowMe Dining Guide Granny Shaffer’s Family Restaurant Woody’s Smokehouse 2728 N. Range Line or 7th & Illinois • Joplin, MO 417.659.9393 • www.grannyshaffers.com 25124 Demott Dr. • Joplin, MO 417.781.9800 “Good Old Fashioned Homemade Cooking.” Fresh homemade bread, pies baked fresh daily, serious breakfasts, salads, steaks, seafood, Mexican, pasta and Dixieland Fried Chicken or catfish. Two locations to serve you. Ask about our banquet rooms and catering. $-$$ Enjoy a variety of smoked meats, brisket, pulled pork, turkey and sausage in addition to sides of our new BBQ green beans, Texas-style beans, baked potato and of course, coleslaw and potato salad. Wonderful baby back ribs along with desserts of banana pudding and chocolate cakes. $ Hours: Monday-Saturday 6 am-8:30 pm Sunday 7 am-3 pm Mythos 1306 S. Range Line • Joplin, MO 417.624.myth • www.mythosjoplin.com World-class service that sets the stage for a special dining experience featuring French, American, Greek and Italian cuisine. Choices include pasta, chicken, fresh seafood, and hand-cut aged Black Angus beef. Over 150 wine selections. Complete menu available at www.mythosjoplin.com. Call for catering or reservations. $-$$$ Hours: Lunch 11 am-4 pm • Dinner 4 pm-close Open Monday - Saturday 26 Hours: Monday-Saturday 7 am-9 pm • Sunday 8 am-9pm 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. Big R’s is more than just BBQ – “We have the meat you can’t beat!” $-$$ Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 am-9 pm Friday and Saturday 11 am-9:30 pm • Closed Sunday Wilder’s Steakhouse ~ Since 1929 Hackett Hot Wings 1216 Main Street • Joplin, MO 417.623.7230 • www.wilderssteakhouse.com 520 S. Main • Joplin, MO 417.625.1333 • www. hacketthotwings.com A Joplin tradition since 1929. Serving the finest steaks and seafood in a comfortable, casual atmosphere. Premium wine list and single malt scotch collection. Two private dining rooms available. Reservations accepted and walk-ins welcome. $$$ “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) $-$$ Hours: Monday-Thursday 5-9:30 pm Friday and Saturday 5-10 pm • Closed Sunday Golden Corral 2415 S. Range Line • Joplin, MO 417.625.1684 Enjoy all-you-can-eat hot and cold buffets, soup and potato bar, bakery and dessert café and a breakfast buffet (open every weekend until 11 am, featuring made-to-order omelets and more)! The Great Steak Buffet offered after 4 pm, Monday - Saturday and after 11 am on Sunday. Savor a juicy sirloin steak, hand-cut (never frozen) every day. Party room, call ahead seating, kids menu and we now cater. $-$$ Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:45 am-8:30 pm • Friday 10:45 am-9:30 pm Saturday 7:30 am-9:30 pm • Sunday 7:30 am-8:30 pm Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 am to close Casa Montez 2324 S. Range Line • Joplin, MO 417.781.3610 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. $-$$ Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 am-10 pm Friday and Saturday 11 am-11 pm • Sunday 11 am-9 pm July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 27 ShowMe Dining Guide Minerva Candy Company 12 S. Main Street • Webb City, MO 417.717.0042 • www.minervacandy.com This historic 100-year-old candy store is totally restored to its original glory! Breakfast includes omelets, French toast, breakfast casseroles, and biscuits and gravy. Find the best panini grilled sandwiches, soups, salads, delicious homemade ice cream, complete espresso coffee bar and homemade candy. $ Hours: Tuesday-Friday 7 am-7 pm • Saturday 7 am-10pm Music every Saturday from 7-9 pm Maria’s Mexican Grill & Cantina Caldone’s 218 S. Main Street • Joplin, MO 417.626.8111 • www.caldones.com If you are looking for a wonderful experience, then look no further. Get ready for an explosion of flavors and beautifully decorated dishes sure to make you smile. An authentic Italian and Mediterranean restaurant in the heart of downtown Joplin on Historic Route 66. Offering full-service catering for weddings and events along with hot buffet-style lunch drops. $-$$$ Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 am-10 pm • Closed Sunday Club 1201 Noshery 1901 E. 32nd Street • Joplin, MO • 417.624.8882 1010 S. Madison • Webb City, MO • 417.673.3227 1201 E. 32nd Street • Joplin, MO 417.626.0032 Serving up Joplin’s most delicious authentic Mexican cuisine! Stop by one of their two locations for lunch, dinner or any time. Tacos, burritos, fajitas, chimichangas, quesadillas, enchiladas, and more! Full-service bar with Happy Hour on Wednesdays and Thursdays and pitcher specials on Saturdays. For delicious food, award-winning customer service…Maria’s Mexican Cantina is the answer! $-$$ www.mariasmexicancantina.com Now serving Joplin’s best breakfast! Homemade Beignets, pastries, biscuits and gravy, peppered bacon, eggs and Parmesan fried potatoes and more! For lunch, enjoy your favorite appetizers, “out-of-this-world” salads, seasoned bread and your choice of dressing. Soup du jour, sandwiches from burgers to apricot turkey and over 30 other choices! We offer a full service catering menu for private parties, business meetings and special events. $-$$ Joplin hours: Sun-Thurs 10:30 am-9 pm, Fri /Sat 10:30 am-10 pm Webb City hours: Sun-Thurs 10:30 am-9:30 pm, Fri/Sat 10:30 am-10:30 pm Hours: Monday-Friday Now serving breakfast 6:30-10 am Lunch 11 am-3 pm. Open Saturdays for private parties. 28 Josie’s Ristorante’ 400 Main • Scammon, KS 620.479.8202 Mexican Way Restaurant 16202 Hwy 59 • Neosho, MO 417.455.0058 Experience the finest Italian dishes in the 4-States. All pastas and sauces are prepared fresh each day! Favorites including spaghetti, ravioli, fried ravioli and lasagna are topped with Josie’s amazing signature sauce. Also featuring steaks, chicken and seafood. Credit and debit cards not accepted. $$ Enjoy the delightful tastes of Mexico made fresh daily. Home of the Super Burrito, 14” King Burrito for only $7.25 or the 12” Queen Burrito for only $5.75! One-Way specials include Pupusas (a homemade corn tortilla filled with white cheese and ground pork), tortas, mega fajitas, enchiladas and more! $$ Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 5-9 pm Hours: Monday – Thursday 11 am-8 pm Friday – Saturday 11 am-9 pm • Closed Sunday Stone Creek Grille ~ Holiday Inn 3615 S, Rangeline Rd. • Joplin, MO 417.782.1000 • www.hijoplin.com Now serving Breakfast Buffet-$7.95 includes Coffee! Chef Teal Presents… USDA Roasted Prime Rib served every Tuesday, experience delicious Salmon Filet Moutarde, Thai-Citrus Shrimp Skewers, Ozark Catfish and proudly served 100% Black Angus beef 1/2 lb burgers and hotdogs. Served with fries or kettle chips. $-$$$ Hours: Breakfast served Monday-Friday 6-10 am, Weekends 6:30-10:30 am. No lunch service. Dinner served 7 days a week 5-10 pm Are you looking for affordable advertising that brings customers into your restaurant ready to eat? 83% of our readers plan to frequent the restaurants in our dining guide pages. This space could be yours! Call 417.455.9898 or email editor@showmetheozarks.com for more details! July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 29 ShowMe Dining Guide These $ categories are based upon the average cost of a dinner entree excluding drinks, desserts, and/or gratuities. NOTE: Some restaurant entree prices do not include a’la carte sides or salad. fried potatoes and more! For lunch, enjoy your favorite appetizers, “out-ofthis-world” salads, seasoned bread and your choice of dressing. Soup du jour, sandwiches from burgers to apricot turkey and over 30 other choices! We offer a full service catering menu for private parties, business meetings and special events. Open Monday-Friday. Now serving breakfast 6:30-10 am, lunch 11 am-3 pm. Open Saturdays for private parties. $-$$ KEY $ - $9 and under $$ - $10 - $15 $$$ - $15 - $20 $$$$ - $20 & up BIG R’S BBQ, JOPLIN, MO 1220 E. 15th Street. Big R’s BBQ has been serving quality, smoked meats for over 20 years. “R” menu ranges from Kickin’ Chicken and hand-cut steaks, flame broiled to perfection, to sandwiches, salads and more. Big R’s is more than just BBQ – “We have the meat you can’t beat!” Open Monday-Thursday, 11 am-9 pm, Friday and Saturday, 11 am-9:30 pm. Closed Sunday. Dine-in or take-out. 417.781.5959. $-$$ BOOTLEGGERS RESTAURANT & BREWERY, AURORA, MO 101 S. Madison. Serving salads, sandwiches, steaks and dinner specialties such as teriyaki chicken, grilled shrimp, beer-battered walleye and more. With such an exceptional menu to choose from, you can’t go wrong! Try one of our home brews served in a frosty pint glass. Open Monday-Thursday 11 am9 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-10 pm. Closed Sunday. 417.678.2888. $$-$$$ 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 BBQ menu. Grilled steaks and chops, smoked brisket, pulled pork and smoked sausages as well as BBQ half-chicken...Great side choices. Private parties and catering available. Open for lunch 11 am-2 pm, Monday-Friday and dinner Tuesday-Thursday 5-7:30 pm. 417.451.5727. $-$$ CALDONE’S, JOPLIN, MO 218 S. Main Street. If you are looking for a wonderful experience, then look no further. Get ready for an explosion of flavors and beautifully decorated dishes sure to make you smile. An authentic Italian and Mediterranean restaurant in the heart of downtown Joplin on Historic Route 66. Offering full-service catering for weddings and events along with hot buffet-style lunch drops. Open Monday-Saturday 11 am-10 pm, closed on Sundays. 417.626.8111 www.caldones.com $-$$$ 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. $-$$ THE COFFEE TABLE, MIAMI, OK 822 E. Central. The Coffee Table features a warm, casual and fun atmosphere and proudly offers exceptional gourmet coffee, delicious cuisine and quality service. Relax in a comfortable setting while enjoying stimulating conversation with your friends and family. They also offer specialty teas, smoothies, soups, sandwiches, salads and bakery items such as muffins, cupcakes and cookies. All items are made fresh and on site. Have your next club meeting, study group, party or luncheon at the Coffee Table. Offering catering for groups of 35 or less, and free Wi-Fi. Hours: Monday-Friday 7 am-6 pm, Saturday 9 am-2 pm, Closed Sunday. 918.542.5611. $-$$ GOLDEN CORRAL, JOPLIN, MO 2415 S. Range Line. Enjoy all-you-can-eat hot and cold buffets, soup and potato bar, bakery and dessert café and a breakfast buffet (open every weekend until 11 am, featuring made-to-order omelets and more)! The Great Steak Buffet offered after 4 pm, Monday-Saturday and after 11 am on Sunday. Savor a juicy sirloin steak, hand-cut (never frozen) every day. 417.625.1684. $-$$ Granny Shaffer’s Family Restaurant, Joplin, MO 2728 N. Range Line or 7th & Illinois. “Good Old Fashioned Homemade Cooking” Fresh homemade bread, pies baked fresh daily, serious breakfasts, salads, steaks, seafood, pasta and Dixieland Fried Chicken or catfish. Two locations to serve you. Ask about our banquet rooms and catering. MondaySaturday 6 am-8:30 pm and Sunday 7 am-3 pm. www.grannyshaffers.com. 417.659.9393. $-$$ 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. $-$$ JOSIE’S RISTORANTE’, SCAMMON, KS 400 Main. Experience the finest Italian dishes in the 4-States. All pastas and sauces are prepared fresh each day! Favorites including spaghetti, ravioli, fried ravioli and lasagna are topped with Josie’s amazing signature sauce. Also featuring steaks, chicken and seafood. Open Wednesday-Saturday, 5-9 pm. Credit and debit cards not accepted. 620.479.8202. $$ 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. $-$$$ MARIA’S MEXICAN GRILL & CANTINA, JOPLIN & WEBB CITY, MO 1901 E. 32nd Street or 1010 S. Madison. Serving up Joplin’s most delicious authentic Mexican cuisine! Stop by one of their two locations for lunch, dinner or any time. Tacos, burritos, fajitas, chimichangas, quesadillas, enchiladas, and more! Full-service bar with Happy Hour on Wednesdays and Thursdays and pitcher specials on Saturdays. For delicious food, awardwinning customer service…Maria’s Mexican Cantina is the answer. Joplin Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10:30 am-9 pm, Friday & Saturday 10:30 am10 pm. Webb City Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10:30 am-9:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 10:30 am-10:30 pm. 417.624.8882 or 417.673.3227. $-$$ CLUB 1201 NOSHERY, JOPLIN, MO 1201 E. 32nd Street. Now serving Joplin’s best breakfast! Homemade Beignets, pastries, biscuits and gravy, peppered bacon, eggs and Parmesan 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 GOLDEN CORRAL, JOPLIN, MO BIG R’S BBQ, JOPLIN, MO 30 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. $ 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. $ 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. $ salads and homemade desserts. We feature weekday lunch options and AllYou-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 $-$$ MEXICAN WAY, NEOSHO, MO 16202 Hwy 59. Enjoy the delightful tastes of Mexico made fresh daily. Home of the Super Burrito, 14” King Burrito for only $7.25 or the 12” Queen Burrito for only $5.75! One-Way specials include Pupusas (a homemade corn tortilla filled with white cheese and ground pork), tortas, mega fajitas, enchiladas and more! Open Monday–Thursday 11 am-8 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-9 pm, and closed on Sunday. 417.455.0058 $$ ROCKIN’ K STEAK & RIB, MULBERRY, KS Hwy 69 North to K-47, turn right. A family and friends gathering place for great food and fun! We prepare home-cooked meals and homemade desserts. Burgers, sandwiches, charcoal steaks, chicken, smoked BBQ meats, seafood, and Italian from “Grandma Neenie’s kitchen.” Kids and senior citizens menus available. Extra vittles served with all dinners. Open Thursday 5:30-9 pm, Friday and Saturday 4:30-9 pm, Sunday 11:30 am-2:30 pm (Buffet and regular menu) Catering available. 620.347.4980. $-$$ MINERVA CANDY COMPANY, WEBB CITY, MO 12 S. Main Street. This historic 100-year-old candy store is totally restored to its original glory! Breakfast includes omelets, French toast, breakfast casseroles, and biscuits and gravy. Find the best panini grilled sandwiches, soups, salads, delicious homemade ice cream, complete espresso coffee bar and homemade candy. Open Tuesday-Friday 7 am-7 pm, Saturday 7 am-10 pm. Music every Saturday from 7-9 pm. 417.717.0042. www.minervacandy.com $ MYTHOS, JOPLIN, MO 1306 S. Range Line. World-class service that sets the stage for a special dining experience featuring French, American, Greek and Italian cuisine. Choices include pasta, chicken, fresh seafood, and hand-cut aged Black Angus beef. Over 150 wine selections. Complete menu available at www.mythosjoplin.com. Serving lunch 11 am-4 pm, dinner 4 pm-close, Monday-Saturday. For catering or reservations, call 417.624.MYTH. $-$$$ NORMA’S KITCHEN, NEOSHO, MO Thank you 4-states for voting us best breakfast, best coffee shop, best menu and best hamburger (Juicy Lucy). Gift card special for you and your family. $120 gift card for only $80! Hours: 7 am-9 pm seven days a week. 417.455.0414 $-$$ NORMA’S KITCHEN, WEBB CITY, MO 21 S. Main Street. Happy hour every day 2-5 pm, buy one T-bone steak dinner and get the second one half price, or get any menu meal item $6.49 and up with purchase of two beverages. Open 6 am-9 pm seven days a week including holidays. Breakfast served any time. 417.673.2020 $-$$ RED ONION CAFE - CASUAL URBAN DINING, JOPLIN, MO 4th and Virginia. One of Downtown Joplin’s premiere restaurants since 1995. For starters try the Smoked Chicken Dip! Delicious entrees and crisp fresh salads including David’s Fried Chicken Salad. Sandwiches, pasta, specialties such as Arkansas Smokehouse Chicken, steaks and delicious desserts! Extensive beer and wine list. Catering and to-go orders. MondaySaturday, 11 am-9 pm. 417.623.1004. www.redonioncafe.com $-$$ RED ONION ESPRESSORIA AND COFFEE ESPRESSO BAR, JOPLIN, MO 32nd & Indiana. Serving lunch and dinner along with a full coffee espresso bar. For starters try the Cucumber Dill Spread or Ranch Chicken Nacho. Delicious gourmet entrees, salads, soups and sandwiches. A Red Onion favorite is the West Coast Chicken. Espressoria specialties include Toasted Beef Ravioli. Enjoy a White Chocolate Latte, Vanilla Bean Frappe’ or Dreamsicle from Joplin’s premiere coffee espresso bar! Fast, fresh, eat-in or carry-out. Party platters available. Monday-Saturday, 11 am-8 pm. 417.781.4999. www.redonionespressoria.com $-$$ 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, SAM’S CELLAR BAR & OVEN, NEOSHO, MO 101 N. Wood St. Under the Historic Neosho Square. Featuring wood-fired pizza, a great beer selection and full service bar. Choose from tasty appetizers including Italian Nachos, Wood-Fired Jumbo Pretzel or Wolfinbarger’s WoodFired 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. $-$$$ SHAWANOE RESTAURANT, WYANDOTTE, OK 70220 East HWY. 60, Located inside Indigo Sky Casino, west of Seneca, MO. Executive Chef Dale Davis and his culinary team will amaze you with every course they serve. From the tequila lime and Bloody Mary shrimp shooters to the Bison steak with Bourbon Barbeque, every bite will leave you wanting more. Make sure you don’t leave without tasting their homemade rustic steaming chocolate gateaux, the perfect end to an amazing dining experience. Open Sunday-Thursday 5-9 pm, Friday and Saturday 5-11 pm. 888.992.SKY1, $$-$$$$ STONE CREEK GRILLE HOLIDAY INN, JOPLIN, MO 3615 S. Rangeline Rd. Now serving Breakfast Buffet-$7.95 includes Coffee! Chef Teal Presents…USDA Roasted Prime Rib served every Tuesday, experience delicious Salmon Filet Moutarde, Thai-Citrus Shrimp Skewers, Ozark Catfish and proudly served 100% Black Angus beef 1/2 lb burgers and hotdogs. Served with fries or kettle chips. Breakfast served Monday-Friday 6-10 am, weekends 6:30-10:30 am. No lunch service. Dinner served 7 days a week,5-10 pm. 417.782.1000. www.hijoplin.com $-$$$ Sue’s Chili Garage, Joplin, MO 2330 W. 20th Street. When in the mood for delicious homemade chili, spaghetti red, fresh cut fries, a juicy double cheeseburger or fresh salad try Sue’s! Enjoy lunch on the patio, the unique inside dining “garage” atmosphere, a quick run through the drive-thru or let them cater your next event! Open Tuesday-Thursday 10:30 am-6 pm and Friday-Saturday 10:30 am-8 pm. 417.782.1200. $ WILDER’S STEAKHOUSE - SINCE 1929, JOPLIN, MO 1216 Main St. A Joplin tradition since 1929. Serving the finest steaks and seafood in a comfortable, casual atmosphere. Premium wine list and single malt scotch collection. Two private dining rooms available. Reservations accepted and walk-ins welcome. Hours: Monday-Thursday 5-9:30 pm, Friday-Saturday 5-10 pm, closed Sundays. 417.623.7230. www.wilderssteakhouse.com. $$$ WOODY’S SMOKEHOUSE, JOPLIN, MO 25124 Demott Dr. Enjoy a variety of smoked meats, brisket, pulled pork, turkey and sausage in addition to sides of our new BBQ green beans. Texas style beans, baked potato and of course coleslaw and potato salad. Wonderful baby back ribs along with desserts of banana pudding and chocolate cakes. Open Monday-Saturday 7 am-9 pm, Sunday 8 am-9pm 417.781.9800. $ Woody’s Smokehouse July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 31 A Portrait of Urban Joplin By Trisha Patton Photo by Rodney Hobart Downtown Thrives Because of Volunteers Downtown Joplin Alliance is primarily volunteer-based. These volunteers spend thousands of hours throughout the year making downtown a thriving place. From setting up chairs at Third Thursday and recruiting businesses into the downtown area to painting murals and organizing galas, Downtown Joplin is lucky to have dozens of Joplin residents on its side. The current volunteer board is made up of 18 community members. They all serve on at least one committee, and they all commit between three and 40 hours per month to Downtown Joplin. The board members include: Brent Baker (Empire District Electric), Doug Phipps (Commerce Bank), Stephanie McGrew (Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce), Jeff Neal (Neal Group Construction), Lane Clevenger (Clevenger Financial), Drew Hartley (Freeman Health System), Brandy Pryor (PILR Technology), Elisa Bryant (Missouri Southern State University), Becky Brill (City of Joplin), Carrie Puffinbarger (Convention and Visitors Bureau), Jill Fichtner (Joplin Globe), Mark Williams (The Hive), Michael Bower (Mid-America Accounts), Nate Karnes (ScaleFish Studio), Niki Alexander (AT&T), Travis Renfro (Joplin Family YMCA), Lori Haun (Downtown property owner) and Trisha Raney (Joplin City Council). Downtown Joplin Alliance also has several committees filled with volunteers. The Economic Development Committee meets the last Tuesday of every month at 4 pm at Blackthorn Pizza. The Events Committee meets the first Monday of every month at noon at Dance Universe. The Organization Committee meets the first Thursday of every month at Mid-America Accounts. If you are interested in helping make the urban core of Joplin a thriving place, please contact Trisha Patton at trisha.patton@downtownjoplin.com. 32 JB’s Piano Bar 112 South Main Street 417.624.5678 • www.jbspianobar.com ENVIRONMENT, ENTERTAINMENT, and VALUE makes JB’s the place to be! JB’s Piano Bar boasts the finest dueling pianos in the four states every Saturday night. Our talent comes from all over the country so we can promise you your evening is going to be special. Hackett Hot Wings 520 S. Main • 417.625.1333 www.hacketthotwings.com “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) Caldone’s 218 S. Main Street www.caldones.com • 417.626.8111 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 along with hot buffet-style lunch drops. Blue Moon Market 613 S. Main Street www.bluemoonmarket.org 417.553.0826 Blue Moon Market is a unique shopping venue, “A modern boutique with a vintage soul.” Find the newest and latest in clothing, home décor, gourmet food, jewelry and so much more! Food, entertainment and shopping...who could ask for more? Open Monday-Friday 10 am-6 pm and Saturday 10 am-5 pm. 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. Dance Universe 531 S. Main Street www.danceuniversejoplin.com 417.781.5678 Dance Universe is the Four-States’ premiere store for all your dance, cheer, tumbling, theatre, wedding accessories and more! They carry theatrical makeup and have a professional makeup artist for your entire wedding party. Looking for Bloch shoes, a pair of Capezio tights or blue lipstick? They have it! July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 33 ShowMe the big picture Designer Coal Buckets By Annie Stewart Twenty-six area artists pay tribute to the rich mining history of the Pittsburg, Kansas area by decorating individual three-foot by four-foot fiberglass coal buckets. The colorful works will be strategically placed around the Downtown area. Local schools were involved in the decorating of 29 regular-sized coal buckets which are featured in downtown storefronts. Viewing of both types of buckets can be incorporated in a walking tour. The coal bucket is symbolic of those who labored in and sustained the mines for many years. “The whole SEK Art Fest involves coal buckets as a celebration of the mining heritage of the area,” stated Steve Robb, chairman, SEK Art Fest Committee. “Meet the Artists” will be held in downtown Pittsburg July 20. Photo by Tina Smith 34 July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 35 SMTO Featuring Southeast Kansas According to Dalton, SEK Art Fest is made possible through the generosity of more than 25 area businesses and organizations that served as underwriters of the buckets. Underwriters will have plaques on the base of the coal bucket representing their contributions to the festival. Area schools also got involved with the decoration of 29 regular-sized coal buckets, which are currently located in storefront windows in downtown Pittsburg. Photos by Tina Smith Coal Buckets Chosen to Represent City of Pittsburg By Annie Stewart M id-June through Labor Day weekend, there will be a strange site in Pittsburg, Kansas. Twenty-six, 3-foot by 4-foot fiberglass coal buckets will dress up downtown storefronts and sidewalks, decorated by 26 area artists, paying homage to the rich mining history of the area. A kaleidoscope of colors will guide visitors and shoppers on a walking tour of the massive coal buckets. “Iowa City,” Pittsburg’s original name, was established May 20, 1876 by George Hobson and Franklin Playter. Because Pittsburg was originally situated on a highly productive coal field, the city has a rich cultural heritage from many European mine workers who settled in and around Pittsburg and Southeastern Kansas. The “Mining Memories” exhibit celebrates the profuse legacy of Pittsburg’s contribution to the mining industry. Steve Robb, the SEK Art Fest Steering Committee chairman, came up with the idea after visiting his brother in Georgia. One of the Georgia towns puts on a similar exhibit each year, and Robb wanted to try it in Pittsburg. The steering committee is made up of a variety of local residents dedicated to the festival and the development of downtown Pittsburg. “We knew we wanted to choose an object that celebrates our heritage,” stated Dalton, “especially in the mining aspect. One day, while walking around the Miners Hall Museum in Franklin, we saw a coal bucket sitting on the floor. We all knew that would be the perfect symbol for what we wanted to achieve. It was love at first sight.” A “Meet the Artists” community event will be held in downtown Pittsburg July 20. The buckets will remain on display through Labor Day weekend. They will then be auctioned off during Little Balkans Days, Pittsburg’s premier fall festival. This is the first SEK Art Fest, and Dalton has been involved in the planning for over a year. “We’ve had a tremendous response from area merchants and residents who heard about the festival,” he said. “Everyone is excited to be a part of this. We haven’t had something like this in Pittsburg, and I think everyone here is anxious to get it started. It should be a wonderful experience for the Pittsburg community.” “There are 26 artists, mostly from Southeast Kansas,” stated Brett Dalton, Art Fest director. “Some also reside in the Joplin and Lawrence areas. Nearly 60 artists submitted proposals, and the 26 were selected by a group of judges. “The artists picked up their buckets when they arrived in Pittsburg. They had about four weeks to decorate them before we retrieved them and prepared them for placement in downtown Pittsburg,” Dalton continued. “Each bucket is made the same. What will be different is how each artist decorates them. Most stuck with the mining heritage theme, but each design is unique.” All the buckets are located in Pittsburg with the exception of one, which is at the Miners Hall Museum in Franklin, Kansas. Franklin hosted the 2013 Smithsonian exhibit. 36 Steering Committee: Front row: Sarah Jensen, Cyndee Harvey and Vonnie Corsini. Middle row: Darlene Brown, Sherry Elkins, Phyllis Bitner and Lacey Taylor. Back row: Brett Dalton, B.J. Harris and Steve Robb Sitting on a three-acre site in southeast Kansas, the PSU Veterans Memorial Amphitheater is an impressive tribute to all veterans. Open 24 hours a day, year round. No admission fee. • • • • dramatic lighting at night on-site parking handicapped accessible restroom facilities are not available on site 1909 S. Rouse • Pittsburg, Kansas Additional photos and information available at www.psuvetmemorial.org Visit the website or call 620-235-4762 for a list of ceremonies or special events. July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 37 SMTO Featuring Southeast Kansas the top. We enhanced the decor with paintings of old soda fountain drinks, juicy hamburgers and fries, and “Big Bopper’s” guitar case. I did it in lettering enamel, which really made it shine. “It was also the first time I had painted on a ceiling. I painted old 78 record albums before the chrome fans were installed. It was a very neat effect when the fans were on.” Lofts had a desire to learn more about art, further develop his skills, and then share that knowledge with young people. He received his Art Education degree in 1997. His wife Susan and the oldest of their three sons also attended college during the same time. Lofts and Susan, who majored in social studies, graduated from Pittsburg State University on the same day and soon began teaching jobs. Lofts also went on to earn his master’s degree in Special Education in 1998. In 2000, they both were hired to teach in the Arma School District. Currently, Susan is a history teacher and Lofts teaches art at Northeast High School. “I prefer to paint larger-than-life size paintings. I enjoy the challenge and the ‘wow’ factor they provide.” From Mortician to By Vicki Cash G ary Lofts of Arma, Kansas loved drawing at an early age. As a child, he says he was easily amused as long he had a pencil or crayons. In 1974, Lofts earned a degree in Mortuary Science. He served in that profession for several years before deciding it would not be his lifelong vocation. About 25 years ago, Lofts began his painting career when he opened a sign shop. “I was amazed at how someone could make letters look like they had been typed. Of course, that was before graphic computers, so everything had to be done the hard way… by hand.” When technology and vinyl lettering decreased the demand for hand-lettering, Lofts began looking for other opportunities. An area restaurateur was impressed with his work and hired him to do the painting at B-Bops Diner in Pittsburg. “It was a ‘50s/‘60s type of restaurant. I painted an 8’ x 24’ mural that included a beach with waves rolling into the shore, sunbathers and a 1950s “Woody” with surfboards on 38 “Art does so much more than help you draw and paint,” says Lofts. “It helps you think. It’s great for building decision-making skills, self-esteem, and selfdiscipline. My goal is to reinforce those character traits with my students while encouraging their perseverance.” Lofts continues to paint throughout the school year in the evenings and on weekends, and also in summer. He has created murals for businesses, homes, and events. Area restaurants featuring his work include all of the Del Rio’s, Coconuts, Cowboy’s Grill and Wheat State Pizza. Other projects include Immigrant Park in Pittsburg; Miner’s Museum in Franklin; Mass Beverage in Lawrence; the 10’ x 30’ murals he has donated to the junior class prom every year for 12 years; private homes and a pool house mural. One of his most difficult projects was the Arma Centennial mural. It is 65’ long and 18’ tall. In 2009, Lofts sustained several broken bones in a fall from a ladder. His subsequent hospital stay and therapy sessions resulted in Girard Hospital hiring him to paint 14 murals in their behavioral unit. He is currently working on a 3’ x 4’ fiberglass coal bucket for Pittsburg’s Little Balkans Days Festival. “I prefer to paint larger-than-life size paintings,” Lofts says. “I enjoy the challenge and the ‘wow’ factor they provide. There are murals lurking around every corner, so I never know what is next. It’s exciting when the phone rings. I can’t wait for the next opportunity!” “MINING MEMORIES” 2013 JUNE 14 – SEPTEMBER 1 D O W N T O W N P I T T S B U R G, K S 26 Larger-than-life fiberglass coal buckets have been transformed into amazing works of art! These spectacular pieces, designed by some of the most talented artists in the 4-states, will be lining the sidewalks of Broadway this summer! sekartfest.com July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 39 SMTO A Featuring Southeast Kansas t 5:00 in the morning, the July Kansas air was already sultry and oppressive. The stout Italian immigrant left his company-owned house carrying a tin bucket with two biscuits in it for his lunch, and slowly headed for one of the most dangerous jobs in the country: that of a coal miner. The underground work was dangerous, dirty and often damp. Miners working in the underground tunnels could not stand straight because ceilings in the tunnels were too low. They picked and shoveled coal for 10 hours a day, then loaded the coal onto small cars and pushed them to an area where mules pulled the coal away from the face of the mines. In order to preserve and present authentic materials and artifacts that document the history of coal mining and its impact on Southeast Kansas, the Miners Hall Museum was opened in Franklin, Kansas May 1, 2012. The museum focuses on the coal mining history of Crawford and Cherokee counties. Phyllis Bitner, volunteer executive director of the museum, stated, “We felt that the story of the mining family needed to be preserved, told and shared. While many outdoor facilities are available, such as Immigrant Park, Pritchett Pavilion and Big Brutus, we wanted to have a central location to house the artifacts and a place to tell the stories of that important part of Southeast Kansas history.” According to Bitner, due to the huge success of the first year of operation, plans are underway for an addition to the current 5,000 square foot building. Future plans include a replica mine, where visitors will see what it’s like to spend a day underground in the darkness of the mine; a community storm shelter; an exhibition area; an art gallery; and offices. The current floor space will be developed into a larger research library and social area. Miners Hall Museum Pays Tribute to Area’s Coal Miners By Annie Stewart “Our current permanent exhibits tell the story of the mining families from the early years, and immigration throughout their entire lives,” Bitner said. “We didn’t want people to come and see a lot of tools, so we are telling the complete story, which is very moving and sometimes funny.” Miners Hall Museum is located on the Franklin/Arma Sidewalk, a national and state historic site. At 1.7 miles long, the sidewalk is known as the “longest sidewalk connecting two towns,” adjoining Frontier Historic Military Byway, which is also known as Jefferson Highway. “Franklin, Kansas is strictly a mining community, located about seven miles north of Pittsburg, population 1,500. Two churches, two schools, one theater, one dance hall, electric lights, artesian water, and paved streets. Miners live in company houses.” Ira Clemons, owner of Clemons Coal Company, 1923, recruitment tool to encourage people to move to southeast Kansas to work in the mines. The site of the museum was the site of the Amazon Army march. In December 1921, several thousand wives, daughters, mothers, sisters and sweethearts of striking miners marched in protest against unfair labor practices and laws across the coalfields of Southeast Kansas. The protest made headlines across the nation. Christened the “Amazon Army” by the New York Times, the women’s actions ultimately led to national social reform. The museum was host to the Smithsonian Institute Exhibit, ending June 23, titled “The Way We Worked,” which tells the national story of the past 150 years. Beginning in July, Miners Hall Museum will hold special quarterly exhibits. July through September will be “A Nation Divided – The American Civil War;” October through December will be “The Slovenes of Southeast Kansas.” Teachers, bus tour groups and large family groups may contact the museum to schedule tours of the special quarterly exhibits at 620.249.9333. Museum staff: Alan Roberts, Jack Druart, Kaylene Mayaske, Marybeth Grimes, Koeta Bryant, Dianna Morrison and Phyllis Bitner. Inset photo: Harry Strukel. Photos by Tina Smith 40 Miners Hall Museum is located at 701 S. Broadway (Business 69 Highway), Franklin, Kansas. Admission is free. More information is available at www.minershallmuseum.com and on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Profile Galena Mayor Dale Oglesby What makes Dale unique? Dale has spent the last 20 years of his life as mayor of Galena, Kansas. He shares, “Have you heard of an impulse buy? My position as mayor began as an impulse run and it has been so rewarding.” His Childhood Dale was born in Oklahoma City and moved to Joplin during his junior high school years. He graduated from Joplin High School. His Career In the early 1990s, Dale opened Lucky Miner Sales, a liquidation retail store that sold a little bit of everything, in Baxter Springs, Columbus and Galena in Kansas. Dale sold Lucky Miner Sales to his father and now owns and operates B& B Discount in Galena. His Leadership Dale’s reign as mayor of Galena did not begin with a campaign agenda or an organized platform. Dale shares, “I moved into Galena and fell in love with the rich history of the city. I learned about the opportunity, was interested and filed for it. It was impulse running and I just happened to win.” Dale has seen the city through great economic growth and infrastructure improvements. “I knew nothing about how to be a mayor, I just wanted to do what was best for the city and all of the people who lived in and visited Galena,” states Dale. His City Galena was originally platted by the Galena Mining and Smelting Company and was part of the tri-state mining area that had over 30,000 inhabitants. After the mines closed in the 1970s, the population of Galena decreased. During World War II, just northwest of Galena was a large plant producing ammonium nitrate, which at one point was the world’s largest producer and is still open today. In addition to the mining history, the best preserved stretch of Historic Route 66 passes briefly through the state of Kansas and features many great attractions. Other interesting facts about Galena include: the buildings of Galena helped inspire the fictional community of Radiator Springs on Route 66 in the Disney Pixar movie “Cars.” The 1951 International boom truck next to the old Kan-O-Tex service station inspired the “Tow Mater” character in the movie. Interview by Jamie Emery Photo by Tina Smith His Passion The city of Galena has welcomed many changes over the years. Dale shares, “It has been my goal to improve the lives of the residents of Galena. I have been committed to increasing job opportunities, creating new business and entertainment options and improving the overall quality of life of the people.” Some of Galena’s greatest successes include the downtown restoration project, the addition of the medical complex, infrastructure improvements and more. “Galena is a great place to live and raise a family,” adds Dale. His Family Dale married his high school sweetheart, Judy, and they have been married for nearly 40 years. They have three children and seven grandchildren. Dale and his family enjoy spending time together outdoors. They bicycle, hike, boat or anything else active, and this summer they are taking a bicycle excursion to Colorado together as a family. His Future “I see a very bright future for Galena. I hope we continue on our current course of economic growth. I am still enthused and pumped about all the possibilities the future holds for our town,” concludes Dale. July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 41 SMTO Featuring Southeast Kansas Cherokee County’s Rainbow Bridge T By Larry Wood he Marsh arch bridge that spans Brush Creek along old Route 66 about 3.4 miles north of Baxter Springs, better known as the Rainbow Bridge, often stands a lonely sentinel nowadays. Occasionally a sightseer or tourist, retracing the Mother Road, will stop to take a picture of the landmark and then bring the historic bridge back into service as his or her automobile rumbles across it, stirring echoes of the structure’s glory days when it carried motorists by the thousands traversing America’s heartland along the fabled highway. The venerable old bridge bears the uncommon burden without complaint, but most of the time it seems content to sit idle, like an old man who has run his race and welcomes the rest. Construction of the Brush Creek Bridge began in 1923 and was completed in early 1924 at a cost of about $16,000. It was part of a project in the early ‘20s to connect the mining communities of Galena, Riverton, and Baxter Springs with a concrete road, and its unusual design was the brainchild of engineer and bridge contractor James Barney Marsh. Marsh patented the design for his rainbow or arch bridge in 1912, and he built approximately 70 of them during the next 20 years, most of them in Kansas. Made of reinforced concrete, the Rainbow Bridge consists of two arches springing from two abutments or piers to support the bridge deck, with banister railings on either side of the deck. The bridge is 20 feet wide and 130 feet long, and the deck is about 22 feet above the low-water elevation of the stream. The heyday of the Rainbow Bridge, when motorists traveling along Route 66 passed over it, stretched from 1926 until 1960. Interstate traffic was then rerouted 42 to the newly completed I-44, and at about the same time, a new road was constructed between Baxter Springs and Riverton so that even most local traffic no longer used the Rainbow Bridge. The bridge gradually fell into disrepair, and it became a magnet for graffiti. Although it was cleaned up and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, the Rainbow Bridge was in danger of being destroyed during the early 1990s. A new bridge for vehicles that still used the old road was planned, and federal funding for the project required that the old bridge be dismantled. Two other Marsh arch bridges along Kansas’s short stretch of old Route 66 were demolished about this time, but the Kansas Historic Route 66 Association worked to save the Brush Creek Bridge. A compromise was reached that protected the bridge and allowed it to remain open as a historic landmark but with one-way traffic only. In 1994, the Association and the Cherokee County Commission worked together to make important repairs to the bridge, and in 2005 the National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program provided additional funds to assist with repairs. Today the Rainbow Bridge north of Baxter Springs is the only remaining arch bridge along the entire length of old Route 66. Its glistening white coat of paint and wellmaintained condition has made it not only a popular tourist attraction and an interesting historic landmark but also a fashionable spot for special events like weddings, photo shoots and picnics. Such light and pleasant duty seems to suit the peaceful old bridge. Civil War Encampment to Bring Thousands to Baxter Springs By Ann Leach L arry O’Neal and his band of volunteers at the Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum have been pretty busy in Baxter Springs, Kansas. O’Neal and the team are organizing all of the events commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. The museum is one of only two sites in Kansas commemorating the anniversary. The free event will be held October 5 and 6, 2013, the 150th anniversary of Quantrill’s arrival in Baxter Springs and the eventual massacre of almost 100 Union soldiers and sympathizers. It will be an encampment and will recreate Fort Blair. “Our museum is located on the actual park battle site,” O’Neal said. “It has been here about 40 years and we have about 7,000 items that are catalogued. It documents our town’s history, and we have baseball history and African American history and items about WWI and WWII and the Civil War, Quantrill’s battle and massacre, Route 66, the mining district and all that has made Baxter Springs the town it is.” Virtually every place where a Civil War battle was held is being commemorated. “We’re right in the middle,” O’Neal said. “This was significant because of the brutality of the event as well.” According to O’Neal’s research, there were multiple bullet wounds to the head and other brutal acts that made the massacre on the prairie quite hostile. “It’s important to know our heritage and have an appreciation for what happened here at home.” --Larry O’Neal Quantrill and his men were on their way back to Texas to winter, and they were traveling south on the Missouri side. They cut across what was then Joplin and came across the fort in Baxter Springs. At the same time General James G. Blunt was moving his command headquarters from Ft. Scott to Ft. Smith, Quantrill and Blunt met at this location, and Blunt was greatly outnumbered by Quantrill’s band. “We know there were several hundred in their band,” O’Neal said. “The make-up was unlike the Confederate units because they respected the rules of engagement, but in the West you had this group of ruffians like Quantrill’s men, and many of them became criminals after the war was over.” One of the points museum volunteers are hoping to bring to public awareness was that the Second Kansas Colored Infantry fought in Baxter Springs. In addition to several actors portraying those roles, the encampment will be educational in nature. People will be able to walk through and visit with each volunteer actor in character. There will be precision drills with cannon fire and lectures on medical techniques, and a presentation on the Underground Railroad. Will Rogers’ parents will be portrayed. Cherokee Indians will have an interpretive site. “We’ll also be having lye soap makers, a weaver, a blacksmith and an art show,” O’Neal said. “There will be a performance of ‘Voices from the Grave,’ a theatrical presentation at the cemetery that will be a patriotic program as well. There will be a ladies’ tea and fashion show and a children’s program, as well as a formal ball with an orchestra. A number of published authors are going to be on the site and they’ll be giving lectures. On that Friday the emphasis will be on the schools, and we hope that a number of area children will come and learn from these reenactors about their lives.” The event is expected to attract thousands and help is needed from community volunteers. To learn more about the event, visit www.baxterspringsmuseum.org or call 620.856.2385 for additional information. The event is free of charge and food and drinks are available for sale. “They were valorous and their commander won a Congressional Medal of Honor for holding the fort and holding off Quantraill,” O’Neal said. “Many people are unaware that there were so many colored men involved. I use the term ‘colored’ because that was what they were referred to back then and it would be historically incorrect to say ‘African American.’ But Kansas led the way in recruiting colored soldiers in the Civil War.” And why does O’Neal think area residents should care and get involved in history? “Basically to know the past is a prelude of the future,” he said. “I don’t know how else to explain it. It is so important to know our heritage and have an appreciation for what happened here in our home. People need to be aware that the war was not fought just in the Deep South, but it happened here, too. The casualties here were around 100, but it was still significant.” July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 43 Southeast Business Spotlights Cars on the Route 119 N. Main • Galena • 620.783.1366 This circa 1940 Kan-O-Tex restored gas station is the home of “Tow Tater,” inspiration for “Tow Mater” of the Disney Pixar film “Cars.” Come in and shop our gift shop full of Route 66 and “Cars” memorabilia, grab a hot dog or burger in our restaurant and get your picture taken with “Tow Tater.” The Galena Murder Bordello The Galena Murder Bordello, come visit this haunted reminder of the Tri State Mining District’s past as we explore many unsolved mysteries and murders of the area. Located on Historic Route 66 and Main Street in Galena. For more information call 620.783.1366. 2013 Route 66 International Festival The Mother Road is Calling the World to Route 66! August 1-3, 2013. Galena, KS • Joplin, MO • Carthage, MO www.Route66InternationalFestival.com Liberty Hall 720 South Main • Galena • 417.624.4444 A perfect atmosphere for your reunions, wedding receptions, meetings or just a great party! Full kitchen and bar service available. Call for reservations. 44 Streetcar Station 515 S. Main • Galena • 620.783.5554 All coffee and specialty coffees ground daily and roasted locally. Hot drinks include latte, cappuccino, mocha and chai or try a cold drink such as smoothies, Italian sodas and our signature drink: the Jamaicame Mocha. Over 25 flavors available. Special order breakfasts from 6-10:30 am or Daylight Donuts. Enjoy lunch with our soup of the day or Uptown sandwich, California Wrap, Chicken Pesto, Caprese and BLT. Private parties available and live music starting soon. Fred Deaver art and Donny Larsen photography on display. Open Tuesday-Saturday 6 am-4:30 pm. Like us on Facebook at Streetcar Station Coffee Shop. Xtreme Wingz & More 513 S. Main • Galena • 620.783.1771 Wings, burgers, sandwiches, salads and hand-dipped ice cream desserts! Ten varieties of wing sauces and dry rubs; all burgers cooked to order with fresh ground beef and homemade fries. All sauces and dips are homemade daily. Now serving breakfast Monday-Saturday 6:30-10:30 am Open Monday–Saturday 6:30 am-9:30 pm, Sundays 11:30 am-4:30 pm. Call-in orders welcome! Like us on Facebook at Xtreme Wingz & More Wolkar Drug 66 Mall 2303 Military • Baxter Springs • 620.856.5555 Relive Yesteryear Today! At 66 Mall take a walk through a unique collection from yesteryear. Make memories of Grandma a reality from her wringer washing machine to beautiful period pieces and distressed furniture. A vast array of Carnival Glass, fine jewelry, retro clothing and much more. Open Monday-Saturday 9 am-8 pm and Sunday noon-6 pm. New vendors always welcome! Wolkar Drug is your family pharmacy with a friendly and knowledgeable pharmacist and staff. We offer a complete diabetes shop, prescription medicine services, medical equipment, health care supplies, over-the-counter drugs and much more. Delivery service is available in the Kansas community for an affordable price. At Wolkar drug you’re not just customer, you’re a responsibility! Visit us today! 1117 Military Ave. • Baxter Springs July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 45 Southeast Business Spotlights Pittsburg Interiors 818 E. Highway K-171 • Pittsburg • 620.231.3102 www.pittsburginteriors.com Let the design specialists at Pittsburg Interiors help create a look for your home or office that works for you with their full lines of furniture, flooring, light fixtures, window treatments and accessories. Hours: Monday-Friday 9-5:30, Saturday 10-4 Bamboo Chinese Take Out Carl Junction 417.649.8002, Webb City 417.673.5100 or Pittsburg 620.231.4226 Bamboo Chinese Take Out in Carl Junction, Webb City and Pittsburg! Kim family owned and operated since 1985. We serve “Springfield Style” Cashew Chicken and many other local favorites! Specials every day! Dine in, take out and delivery. We also cater to meet your needs! Closed Sundays. Find us on Facebook. The Home Place & Kitchen Place 616 N. Broadway • Pittsburg • 620.231.5440 Pittsburg Ford 1097 S. Highway 69 • Pittsburg • 620.231.2450 Stop by and meet the sales team at Pittsburg Ford! If we do not have the vehicle you are looking for, let us locate it for you. Come in and give us the opportunity to earn your business. There is a reason we were voted #1 in sales and service. www.pittsburg-ford.com. 46 A shopping experience like no other. Home décor, custom draperies, blinds, ceramic tile, wallpaper, a wide selection of accessories to decorate for summer, and more! You will love this store! Free gift wrapping and wedding registry. Golden LivingCenter 1005 E. Centennial • Pittsburg • 620.231.1120 www.goldenlivingcenters.com If you have a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s, Golden Living Center offers enhanced Alzheimer’s care. Our nurses and therapists are trained to understand patient ability levels and communication techniques. They offer physical therapy, social, clinical and rehabilitation programs for your loved one in a safe and secure setting. The quiet atmosphere, décor and meals create a soothing homelike setting. Call or visit our website for more information or to take a tour. Miners Hall Museum 701 S. Broadway, Business 69 Highway • Franklin 620.347.4220 Miners Hall Museum honors the heritage of the Crawford/ Cherokee County coalfields. View collections that give a unique perspective into the life of the immigrant families that came to this country in search of a better life. Special quarterly exhibits beginning July 1. Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 am-3 pm • Free Admission Please call 620.249.9333 to schedule school and bus tours. Little Luxuries 13 N. Main Street • Fort Scott • 620.223.1101 Little Luxuries, LLC offers goods such as hand-knitted, handcrocheted, hand-embroidered and counted cross stitch items. Owner Lynn Chaney does much of the knitting, embroidery and counted cross stitch herself, and she offers crocheted items and handmade jewelry by local artists. Many antique and vintage items are also available. The Retro Kitchen Corner features vintage Home Laughlin Fiestaware, McCoy pottery, enamelware and hand-embroidered flour sack dish towels. Lynn also offers knitting classes in her store. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10 am-5 pm Thursday 11:30 am-5 pm • Saturday 9 am-4 pm • Closed Sunday Upscale Country - Fine Home Furnishings & Gifts 1628 Broadway • Parsons • 620.423.0450. www.UpscaleCountryHomeDecor.com Custom floral arrangements, mixture candles made in Lenexa, Kansas, dip chillers, Wind & Willow cheese ball mixes and bulk candy. We’re just a picnic waiting to happen... summer time fun! July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 47 LABETTE COMMUNITY COLLEGE DENTAL ASSISTING PROGRAM A dental assistant supports the dentist in a variety of oral health care and restorative procedures. Personal Patient Care • Growing Field Great Income Potential • Mobility Climate Controlled Environment Earn a certificate in as little as one year or an Associate’s Degree in Dental Assisting in as little as two years! Classes begin August 19, 2013 Labette Community College Cherokee Center For more information or to enroll today, call 1-888-LABETTE The program in dental assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission’s web address is: http://www.ada.org/100.aspx 48 Honoring Our Military By Larry Wood The 10 veterans and service members profiled in our tribute to the military range in age from a 73-year-old vet to two young men still in their teens who have just recently entered the service. Those profiled include nine men and one woman. All five active-duty branches of service (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard), and the Army National Guard, are represented by these 10 people. Despite their diverse backgrounds, what all of them have in common is a pride in the U.S. military and in their service to their country. Not one of the 10 indicated that he or she regretted the decision to serve our country. Most indicated, too, that part of what instills that internal pride is the thanks and appreciation the rest of us show them. Fortunately, the U.S. military is held in high regard by most Americans today. However, some of the veterans I interviewed recalled a time when such was not the case, and they said they definitely don’t want to go back to the days when military service was disparaged. Maintaining a strong U.S. military, then, is up to all of us. While the primary responsibility falls on the brave men and women who serve in our all-volunteer armed forces, the rest of us have a responsibility, too, to stand behind them, even when we may not agree with the political policy that puts them in harm’s way. You can make a start by thanking one of the 10 individuals profiled in this section, or if you don’t know any of them, saluting a vet or service member in your own circle of friends will work just as well. July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 49 Honoring our Military Photo by Tina Smith Name: Jeff Fulkerson Branch of Service: Army Hometown: Neosho, Missouri Enlisted or Drafted: Enlisted Job or MOS: Helicopter crew chief Jeff Fulkerson’s mother died in the mid- 1960s at the age of 33, leaving 16-year-old Jeff, who says he was very close to his mother, lost and forlorn. While still a junior in high school, he decided to join the U.S. Army and convinced his dad to sign the papers for him. Jeff knew he might be putting himself in harm’s way, because the Vietnam War was escalating, and he also knew that a lot of people opposed the war, including his own father. Jeff, though, just looked at his decision to enlist as doing his patriotic duty. “My country was calling, and I answered, and that’s all there was to it. I was given a job to do, and I did it.” After basic training and AIT, Jeff was sent to Vietnam as a helicopter crew chief and served in the 117th Infantry and the 119th Infantry, both assault helicopter companies. Jeff’s helicopters were heavily involved in Medivac (medical evacuation) support, rescuing wounded soldiers from the battlefield and transporting them to hospitals in the rear. When he and his fellow Vietnam vets came back to duty stations in the United States, they were often told by their superior officers not to go 50 off base in uniform for fear they might be harassed by anti-war protesters. More often, Jeff says, “People just wouldn’t talk to you.” Jeff feels that service members and veterans nowadays are treated much better than they were back then. He says there are even groups dedicated to assuring that military people are given the respect they deserve, and he cites the Patriot Guards, which he is involved in, as an example. The Patriot Guards is a nationwide motorcycle group that was formed especially to oppose the Westboro Baptist Church, which is infamous for its protests at the funerals of fallen soldiers. However, the Guard, as a way of honoring all fallen soldiers, also rides in funeral processions for soldiers killed in war whose services are not necessarily the object of a Westboro protest. The local Patriot Group that Jeff is involved in has about six or seven riders, and he says that when he participates in such a procession, often the streets are lined with people showing support. “That definitely didn’t happen back in the 60s.” After his military service, Jeff worked as an overthe-road truck driver for about 25 years. He recently completed another 15 years or so as a construction worker and is now retired, but not completely. He still serves as the commander of the Neosho VFW chapter, an office that he has held two different times for a total of about five years. “I enjoy it, because it gives me an opportunity to talk to guys who might open up to me,” says Jeff, who himself has been diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder, “because they know I’ve been through the same thing they’re going through, and they might not want to talk to anybody else.” Seventy-three-year-old Bill Stansberry flies both an American flag and a U.S. Navy flag outside his home in Carl Junction. Bill served 20 years in the Navy and says he is “very proud of it.” He served all over the world aboard five different ships and rose to the rank of chief petty officer. His service spanned the Vietnam era and also included the Cuban Missile Crisis. Bill grew up in Galena, Kansas, and graduated from high school there in 1958. After graduation, he joined the military, he says, because two brothers before him had been sailors, one at Pearl Harbor during World War II and one during the Korean War, and he “always had a hankering to be in the Navy.” He also credits his high school woodworking teacher, Mr. Winkle, who was a Navy veteran, with inspiring him to serve. Bill met and married his wife, Evelyn, who was also in the service, a few years after he joined the Navy. They’ve now been married 51 years, and Bill says Evelyn is still his “true north.” To illustrate how the couple moved around during his service, Bill recalls that their daughter was born in San Diego, turned two and three in Connecticut, celebrated her next three birthdays in Japan, and turned seven and eight in Guam. The family then moved to Carl Junction in 1973, and Bill served as the chief Navy recruiter in Joplin until his retirement four and half years later. After his retirement from the military, he and Evelyn stayed in Carl Junction so their kids could continue going to school there and to allow Bill to be close to his aging mother in Galena. Bill, who was a welder during his Navy days, went to work for Thermal Engineering in Joplin, and he also retired from there. He now works part-time at Ray and Steve’s Car Wash in Carl Junction. Photos by Tina Smith Asked how he felt about the Vietnam War, Bill says he didn’t think much about it but just did his job and went wherever he was sent. When his ship came back from Vietnam, he and his fellow sailors were met by anti-war protests at Oakland, California. He says that the service of his and his fellow Vietnam veterans was not appreciated at the time, but he feels that it has been in recent years. “I have been told ‘thank you’ more since 9-11 than during all the previous time put together.” He says he feels honored for having served his country, and he gets expressions of respect “all the time and from all ages.” He sometimes speaks to school groups about his military service, tries to tie it in with the idea of setting goals, and also emphasizes the importance of cherishing our freedoms. According to Bill, the kids often give him a standing ovation, and some of them come down and hug him and want to call him “Grandpa.” Bill not only feels honored to have served in the military but he also tries to honor his fellow service members. For instance, since 1997, he has been organizing and hosting semi-annual reunions in Branson for all the sailors from the different ships he served on. Bill says he would definitely encourage younger generations to serve in the military, not just because of what they can give to their country but also because of what they can get out of their service. Asked how his time in the Navy changed or shaped his own life, he answers unhesitantly, “It gave me self-confidence.” Name: Bill Stansberry Branch of Service: Navy Hometown: Carl Junction, MO Drafted or Enlisted: Enlisted Job or MOS: Welder July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 51 Honoring our Military Lawrence McKeough’s mother died when he was 11 years old, and he went to live at the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Orphans Home in Xenia, Ohio. The orphanage had its own school, and as a state-run military school, it offered ROTC, which Lawrence became involved in. When he graduated from high school, joining the military seemed the natural thing to do, since he had grown up in a military environment. Besides, it was the Vietnam era, and he didn’t want to wait to be drafted. So, after working a short while, he enlisted in the United States Navy. “I got my draft notice while I was in boot camp,” he remembers with a chuckle. The Army’s loss was the Navy’s gain, because, by then, Lawrence was already on his way to being a sailor. He went on to serve 13 years in the Navy as an enlisted man, working as a boatswain’s mate and rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He was up for promotion to Senior Chief Petty Officer when he decided to accept an opportunity to become a warrant officer instead. He then became a Chief Warrant Officer, later a Limited Duty Officer, and was eventually promoted to First Lieutenant, serving as a ship’s bos’n on several different ships. All told, during his 25 years in the Navy, Lawrence served all over the world aboard eight different ships. He saw service during the Vietnam War and at the beginning of the Persian Gulf conflict. Name: Lawrence McKeough Branch of Service: U.S. Navy Hometown: Xenia, Ohio Enlisted or drafted: Enlisted Job or MOS: Ship Bos’n He also had two extended land assignments or shore commands, in Scotland and Spain, where he spent about four years each. These assignments occurred during the childhood and teenage years of his son, Chad, and daughter, Julie, and he says they both enjoyed living overseas. He recalls with a laugh that, after the family came home from Scotland, friends and relatives could hardly understand the kids because they spoke with such Scottish brogues. In addition to Chad and Julie, who are now grown with families of their own, Lawrence’s family includes his wife of 42 years, Maureen, and their two teenage children, Karina and Robert, whom he and Maureen adopted years ago. Lawrence retired from the Navy in 1994 and three or four days later went to work for the city of San Clemente, California as an emergency manager director. The family moved to Joplin in 2002, and he now serves as the emergency planner for the Joplin and Jasper County Health Department. Looking back on his military service, he says, “It was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed every minute of it, even the extended deployments aboard ships.” He feels that the military service of he and his fellow veterans is more appreciated than it once was, partly he says, because the Vietnam vets were determined not to let the same type of disregard and disrespect happen to later generations that happened to them. 52 Photos by Tina Smith Caleb Caldwell discovered his calling while he was serving in the Coast Guard when he found out he could cook. A Joplin native and a graduate of McAuley Catholic High School, he joined the service shortly after graduation, partly to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Matt Mense, who served in the Coast Guard during World War II and whom Caleb considered a role model. Toward the end of his basic training, Caleb was sent to an officers’ club to get coffee and, while there, was put to work making cookies. Some of the officers remarked that his cookies were the best they’d ever eaten, and Caleb was sent to culinary school at Petaluma, California, for advanced training. Upon graduation he returned to the same officers’ club where he’d gotten his start, and he ended up cooking for the commanding officer of the base. After he got out of the military, Caleb attended a civilian culinary school, and he now works at Franklin Technology School as a culinary chef and instructor. Not only did his service in the Coast Guard help him discover his chosen occupation, but it also made him a better and stronger person, he says. Describing himself as quiet and retiring when he was young, Caleb says the Coast Guard “made me a person with a voice. It taught me to walk taller, talk louder and be proud of who I am.” He says he always had a sense of right and wrong but mainly in the context of do’s and don’ts. His military service gave him a deeper sense of right and wrong and a stronger sense of direction. Caleb belongs to several military or veterans groups, and he feels honored and respected for having served. “The majority of the people I meet are very supportive of the military,” he says. Name: Caleb Caldwell Branch of Service: Coast Guard Enlisted or drafted: Enlisted Hometown: Joplin, Missouri Job or MOS: Cook One way that he, in turn, tries to honor the military service of others is by remembering veterans on special occasions. For example, during the Memorial Day holiday, he always visits the grave of Don Richardson, a veteran who, Caleb says, was like a grandfather to him. July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 53 Honoring our Military After graduating from Northeast High School in Arma, Kansas, in 2004, Chris Elawar (aka Chris Jones) decided to join the United States Marines partly because he didn’t have the means to go to college. Besides, he says, “I’d always wanted to see if I could do it.” Nine years later, it’s apparent that Chris not only did the job but did it very well, rising to the rank of staff sergeant and winning numerous awards and medals along the way. After completing Marine Corps Recruit Training in San Diego, California, Chris took advanced training at the Naval Air Technical Training Center at Pensacola, Florida, to become a Survival Equipment Mechanic. In August 2005, he reported to his first command, VMA-542 “Tigers,” a fixed wing attack squadron, at Cherry Point, North Carolina. During his tour with the Tigers, he was deployed to numerous locations throughout the United States. From March 2007 until fall 2009, SSgt. Elawar served as the Seat Shop NCOIC (Non Commissioned Officer in Charge) for another attack squadron and for an attack training squadron and was again deployed to various locations throughout the country. (Seat Shop mechanics are responsible for making sure the ejection seats of aircraft function properly.) In October 2009, Chris reported to VMA-223 “Great American Bulldogs” as the Seat Shop Senior NCO in charge. The unit was deployed to Haiti during the disaster relief effort after the 2010 earthquake and then to Africa and to Rome aboard the USS Nassau. In October 2011, SSgt. Elawar deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan for a seven-month tour of duty. While he was there, the number of flight hours accumulated by his squadron was among the highest ever flown by an aviation squadron. Name: Christopher Elawar Branch: U.S. Marines Hometown: Arma, Kansas Where Stationed: Pensacola Naval Air Station Job or MOS: AME (Aviation Mechanic) Instructor 54 After he returned from Afghanistan in 2012, Chris took part in an air show in St. Louis, and he was impressed by the number of people who came up to him to shake his hand, slap him on the back, and tell him they were proud of him for his service. “The people were awesome,” he says. SSgt. Elawar currently serves as an instructor in the AME School at Pensacola, the same school in which he once took training himself. Although he has now been in the Marines nine years, he says he is not sure he wants to make a career out of the military. Noting that he has always viewed the Marines as a stepping stone for later life, he says he has already developed some business interests outside the service and that he has to do what he feels is best for him and his family, which includes his wife, Brittany, and their four-yearold son, Cayson. Regardless of his future plans, Chris says he will always be appreciative of his time in the Marines because it has given him the discipline to pursue those other goals. Name: Jeremy Heuertz Branch of Service: Air Force Hometown: Webb City, Missouri Where Stationed: Beale Air Force Base, Yuba City, California Job or MOS: Maintenance Crew Chief on U-2 Spy Planes Jeremy Heuertz finished his high school requirements early, in December 2011, and he didn’t get to go through graduation ceremonies with the Webb City Class of 2012 because, by the time his classmates received their diplomas in mid-May, he was already in the United States Air Force, having left for basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, on May 7, while still 17. Over a year later, though, he seems to have no regrets about his decision to join the military. “It’s a great life,” he says, “and a great life choice.” Now 19, Jeremy cites his dad, Randy Heuertz, as his greatest role model, and he says the fact that his grandfather, William Kirby, served in the Air Force from 1959 to 1963 influenced his decision to join the service. In fact, Jeremy is carrying on a long tradition of military service in his family. His other grandfather, James Heuertz, served in the U.S. Army, several great uncles served in the Air Force, a greatgrandfather served in the Navy during World War I, and another great-grandfather served in the Army during World War II. At basic training, Jeremy was made an Element Leader, even though he was the youngest trainee in the squadron. After basic, he went to Sheppard Air Force Base for Tech School, and he is now stationed at Beale Air Force Base in Yuba City, California, as a crew chief working on U-2 spy planes. “I love my job,” he says, “and this is a great place to live.” He also mentions the family atmosphere that comes with being in the military. “You always have someone there for you,” he says, “and they are good people to be around.” Jeremy believes that his year in the Air Force has probably made him a better person by making him more responsible and teaching him to be fair to everybody, but he says he really hasn’t changed all that much, because his parents gave him a good foundation. “I’m still the same way my dad and mom raised me.” His dad and mom, Randy and Jodi Heuertz of Webb City, are proud of their son. Jodi says she and Randy both had to sign the papers for Jeremy to join the Air Force since he was underage, but it was what he wanted to do and they supported his decision. “He has shown leadership, responsibility, maturity and pride in his service,” Jodi adds. “We love our son very much, miss him more and more every day, but he is helping keep us safe and that is more honorable than anything in this world.” July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 55 Honoring our Military Mark Tyrrell’s father served in the Army Air Forces during World War II flying B-52 bombers, and later in civilian life he sold airplanes. So Mark, growing up in St. Louis, naturally had a fascination with flying, and in 1973, shortly after he graduated from high school, he enlisted in the Air Force. After basic and advanced training, he became a crew chief working on a C-130 transport plane and eventually rose to the rank of sergeant. Name: Mark Tyrrell Branch of Service: Air Force Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri Drafted or Enlisted: Enlisted Job or MOS: Crew chief on C-130 Cargo planes Mark describes his time in the Air Force as “a busy four years.” At first, he was stationed in Germany and his plane helped support NATO forces during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in the summer of 1974. Later he was stationed in the Philippines, and his unit helped evacuate troops from Vietnam as the Vietnam War was winding down. Participating in what was sometimes known as the “baby lift,” Mark’s unit also evacuated Vietnamese women and children who were trying to escape the North Vietnamese communist regime. Some were rescued at the very last minute to avoid being taken prisoner or killed. While he was stationed in the Philippines, Mark also fulfilled a lifelong dream when he learned to fly and got his pilot’s license. After getting out of service, Mark came to Joplin and went to work for Southwestern Bell as a maintenance supervisor taking care of buildings. Later, he became the facility manager at the AT&T Call Center after Southwestern Bell merged with AT&T. Mark returned to military service in the Naval Reserve during Desert Storm but saw only standby duty. He now works for Franklin Technology Center as an HVAC instructor. He and his wife, Kim, have five kids, three of whom are adopted. Looking back on his military service, Mark says he “wouldn’t trade it for anything,” and he believes the experience has helped him in civilian life by opening doors that might otherwise have been closed to him. He also credits the military with instilling in him a sense of discipline, and he cites his work record of always being on time and taking very few sick days as an example of that discipline. “I highly recommend that young people go into the military,” Mark says, “because of the physical and mental conditioning and the discipline. I always thought these things were huge factors in my own life.” 56 Name: Mitch Wear Hometown: Joplin, Missouri Branch of Service: Army Where Stationed: West Point Job or MOS: Cadet Photos by Tina Smith Eighteen-year-old Mitch Wear knew after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, while he was in early elementary school, that he wanted to serve his country in some fashion when he got older, and a few years later he set a goal of being appointed to one of the military service academies after high school graduation. His dream came true in February when Mitch was notified he had been accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point. The appointment was formally announced March 14 at McAuley High School in a ceremony during which Mitch also signed to play sprint football for the Army team. A three-year-starter as quarterback for McAuley, Mitch expects to play the same position for the Black Knights in the Collegiate Sprint Football League, which includes several Ivy League schools in addition to Army and Navy. The rules of sprint football are the same as for regular football except that all players must weigh no more than 172 pounds. Military service is nothing new to Mitch’s family. His father, Mark, served in the Army, and one of his grandfathers was a career Navy man. Several uncles and cousins are either veterans or current service members. After Mitch decided he wanted to attend a service academy, Mark helped guide his son through the process, encouraging him to aim for certain benchmarks, like being captain of a sport, which all the academies look for on the resume of a prospective cadet. Mitch formally applied for admission to West Point late last summer. The application had to go through Congressman Billy Long’s office and to the academy, and a representative of Congressman Long’s attended Mitch’s signing ceremony in March. A 2013 graduate of McAuley, Mitch, as of this writing, is home in Joplin spending time with his family and eagerly anticipating July 1, when he will report to West Point for Cadet Basic Training. Football practice will begin about the same time. “I’m absolutely looking forward to it with mounting excitement,” he says. Mitch knows that some families dread seeing their children leave home, particularly for military service, but he says his family has been very supportive because his appointment is something the entire family has looked forward to for a long time. Echoing her son’s sentiment, Susan Wear says, “We are very proud and excited about his future.” July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 57 Honoring our Military As a student at Francis Howell High School in the St. Louis area, Amanda Self wasn’t sure what she wanted to do after graduation, but she had a grandfather whom she admired who had served in the Korean War. So, after mulling the question over, she decided to follow in his footsteps and join the military. She signed up with the National Guard under a delayed enlistment plan while she was still a Name: Amanda Self junior in high school. Once her high school days were over, she went into Branch of Service: Missouri Army the Guard on active duty in 2002. “It was the National Guard best path for me,” she recalls. After completing basic training, Amanda Hometown: Foristell, Missouri trained to become a military police officer, Where Stationed: MSSU ROTC and from 2003 to 2004 she was deployed to Iraq as a military police machine gunner. Job or MOS: Military Science Professor After obtaining her college degree and being commissioned an officer, she served from 2007 to 2008 in Kosovo as a military police platoon leader. Then from 2009 to 2010 she was deployed to Afghanistan, where she served as a trainer for the Afghan Border Police. Although she admits that her parents and other family members worried about her well-being doing her deployments, she says they have always been supportive and proud of her for her accomplishments. After returning from Afghanistan, Captain Self served as a battalion personnel officer in central Missouri, and then in November of last year she came to Joplin as a military science professor in Missouri Southern State University’s ROTC department. Having fulfilled her dream of serving in the military, she is now fulfilling a second dream, she says, because she wanted to be a teacher since she was in seventh grade. Captain Self appreciates the respect and honor that is generally accorded to members of the military nowadays. “If I am in uniform,” she says, “even at a gas station or a store, people will come up and shake hands or say ‘Thank you.’” In fact, she says, joining the military was the best decision she ever made. “It developed me as a person and as a leader, and it broadened my knowledge of life in general. There’s no better way to learn leadership than by leading soldiers.” After graduating from Webb City High School in 2011, Josh Cummins worked a while at Wal- Mart and Fed Ex Ground, but he soon began to feel that his life lacked direction and that he was developing unhealthy habits like eating too much junk food and wasting too much time. He and his family had always been supportive of our troops, and he was aware that older generations of his family had served in the military. Joining the service himself was something he had thought about for a long time. In October 2012, he decided that now was the right time. Name: Joshua Cummins Branch of Service: Army Hometown: Webb City, Missouri Where Stationed: Fort Jackson, South Carolina Job or MOS: Vehicle Mechanic He went to the recruiting office and joined the United States Army, following in the footsteps of two great-grandfathers, Archie Wood and Ellis Richardson. “I was always proud of the fact that I had family members who had served,” Josh says. Because of his chosen occupation, Josh’s entry into the service was delayed until February 2013, when he was sent to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, for basic training. Although the training was rigorous, “It was not as rough,” according to Josh, “as one is sometimes led to believe.” Besides, he says, the physical benefits alone made the experience worthwhile, because he lost weight and is now in better condition than before he went into service. The worst thing about basic, he says, was that there were times when it was “really cold.” During basic training, Josh was named a student squad leader and earned his Sharpshooter pin. He completed basic in mid-May and remained at Fort Jackson, assigned to 91 Bravo Company for Advanced Individual Training as a vehicle mechanic. In addition to training for his primary MOS, Josh is scheduled to be sent to Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia, after AIT for additional training as airborne. As of this writing, he has completed his first full week of advanced training and says he is looking forward to completing all of his training so that he can find out what and where his permanent assignment will be. He says that, while the uncertainty and the fact that, as a trainee, he doesn’t yet feel as if he is a full-fledged member of the service causes some mixed feelings, he still loves what he is doing and “would do it again if I had a chance.” Josh’s decision to join the Army came as little surprise to his mother, Stephanie Cummins. “Josh has from an early age,” she says, “shown a desire to serve our nation, and his family is proud of his decision.” In addition to Stephanie, Josh’s family incudes his father, Jason; his brother, Garner; and grandparents Don and Andrea Richardson, Terry Cummins, and Shasta and Jim Tool. 58 July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 59 Honoring our Military Raymond Vail Joshua Landers Branch of Service: Army Hometown: Welch, OK Stationed: Germany/Iraq MOS: 19D Job title: Scout Alicia Francis Branch of Service: Army, Rank: SPC Stationed: Currently serving in Afghanistan. Hometown: Carl Junction, MO Branch: United States Army on January 31st, 1964 and received an honorable discharge in November, 1966. Served in the 7th Army in Mannheim West Germany. MOS: Infantry Field Radio Repairman USSR and the Vietnam era. now helping our veterans as a Department of Kansas officer with the American Legion. STSCS(SS) Mark Buresh Hometown: Carthage, MO US Navy 1985-2005 Stationed on board and did sea rides on the following submarines; USS Alexander Hamilton, USS Will Rogers, USS Sam Houston, USS Houston, USS Alaska, USS San Francisco, USS Newport News, USS Oklahoma City. Josiah Williams Lori Buresh, Hometown: Carhage, MO United Sates Naval Academy class of 2000. Branch of Service: Army Hometown: Seneca, MO Stationed: Ft. Riley KS. Ft Leonard Wood MO, Ft. Irwin California, Anaconda Iraq MOS: 21-B Demolition Veteran: OIF - Operation Iraqi Freedom SSG John Cleaver Shirley Richter, Seneca, MO (left) with his U.S. Navy buddies in Sisifo Samoa Port of Call May 10, 1951. Served 1950-1970. Branch: Navy 1995-2005 Branch: Army 2005-2009 Hometown: Joplin, MO KIA 11/18/09 - Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan Warren Jones Served in the U.S. Air Force from June 1941 to October 1945. He was a member of the 331st Squadron, 94th Bomb Group. Warren was a tail gunner on a B-17, one of the most widely used U.S. bombers in World War II. These planes were nicknamed “Flying Fortresses” because of their many guns and heavy armor. His plane was shot down on July 14, 1943 and he was taken to a German POW camp. He was at Stalag 17 B. He currently lives in Mulberry, Kansas. 60 Francis J. Barr (Bud) Served in the Army during WWII. John W Cook Rank: 1LT Branch of Service: Army MOS: Infantry Hometown: Baxter Springs, KS Note: 2 Bronze Stars VN Cross of Gallantry CIB Advisor Team 42 Vietnam 69-71 Purple Heart Specialist Randy Feather Branch of Service: Army Hometown: Carthage, MO. Enlisted in 2009. Captain Marshall Hogue, Joplin, MO. U.S. Army Company Commander Army Reserve Since 1995. Lieutenant Paula Hartzell U.S. Navy, 1982-89 Edgar Lee Mc Wethy, Jr SSGT Rob Lewis Branch of Service: Army Served September 21 1986 November 20, 1992 Rank: SP5 Branch of Service: Army MOS: Medic Hometown: Baxter Springs, KS Note: Army Medic Killed In Action Vietnam 6/21/1967 1st Cav 1st Batt Binh Dinh Prov Purple Heart Medal of Honor Ryan Qualls Rank: SSG, Branch of Service: Army MOS: 891st Engineering Battalion Hometown: Baxter Springs, KS Note: Kansas Army National Guard 22 Yrs 1st Cavalry Iraq 05 591 Engineer Battalion, Purple Heart Alan Qualls Rank: SGT n the Air force, E-4 Medic in Army National Guard. Branch of Service: Air force 82-85, Army National Guard 85-87. MOS: National Guard Medic Hometown: Baxter Springs, KS Note: Iraq, Turkey and Germany National Guard Medic Rob Qualls Rank: E4, Branch of Service Army MOS: Combat Engineering Electrician Hometown: Baxter Springs, KS Army Electrician Iraq 91-98 08-10 Wendell, Bill, George, and Bunny Newton. George served in the Artillery during the invasion of Europe and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Wendell fought in the U.S. invasion of the 1st island in the Western Pacific; Bunny served in the Western Pacific in Saipan & was a B29 specialist in Tinian, Guam, and Iwo Jima. Bill (youngest) served in Africa. His plane went down and he and several others were rescued. July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 61 Honoring our Military or twice a month, he holds auctions and helps people get rid of anything. In addition to the military relics, Trip owns a collection of Native American artifacts, all of which are authentic. Photo by Tina Smith Auctioneer Sells and Shares History “I don’t have any reproductions, and they are 100 percent guaranteed,” Trip said. “They are authentic with a certificate that tells how old, where it came from and other details.” By Bridget Bauer W alk into Circle T Collectibles in Carl Junction, and right away you’re whisked back to the old days of the major wars. Stepping through the door, you are greeted by uniforms, helmets, guns and other artifacts and memorabilia from the Revolutionary War, the World Wars and other major wars. “I collect military artifacts from all the major wars and even foreign countries like Russia, Germany and Italy,” owner W.G “Trip” Triplett said. “This is not an Army surplus store. There is a lot of history in here, and everything has its story.” Trip has been collecting for 67 years. Settling in Southwest Missouri 30 years ago, he has always had a place where he displayed, bought and sold his collectibles. Now 72 years old, Trip started collecting Indian artifacts when he was five near his hometown of Quincy, Illinois along the Mississippi River. He thinks fishing and hunting, along with his interest in collecting when he was young, led him to where he is now. After spending 41 years in the corporate world with Motorola and Superior as a human resources executive, Trip retired about nine years ago. His last vacation was spent going to auctioneer school, and on June 5, 2004, he “graduated” from the school. Not long after that, he entered his second career as an estate sale auctioneer and consignment auctioneer. Now Trip manages Circle T Collectibles and Carl Junction Auction Service. Circle T Collectibles, located at 118 S. Main Street in Carl Junction, not only houses his military collection but also has a room where Trip has consignment auctions. Once Trip says the key to obtaining the military pieces is to go after them and jump on it when he hears about auctions or estate sales with military artifacts listed. Additionally, he has connections around the world who let him know when things become available. As for the auctioneering part, Trip admits a lot of work exists before the auction but says the day of the auction is a lot of fun. Part of the work is going through everything that is being sold so he knows exactly what he is selling. “The cardinal rule is you can’t sell unless you know what you are selling,” Trip said. “One thing I always do is make sure people know what they are dealing with. At some point, you have a reputation to be made. I’m not going to tell someone who has something worth $500 that I’ll buy it for $50. When they ask what it is, I’ll tell them and tell them what it is worth, what I’ll pay it for but that I won’t give retail for it.” Right before school let out, Trip visited a Carl Junction third grade class. He was able to talk about history by weaving a story around the American flag. Enlightening the present generation on the past is another aspect he enjoys. Ask About Our Military Discount Thank you men & women of the Military! 36 store locations in OK/MO/AR/SC/NC www.spectrumpaint.com for locations 62 For The Love Of By Ann Leach Being in the Army for over 20 years changed Ray Villa’s life. “I was a Sgt. 1st Class E7 when I retired,” he said. “I dropped out of school and thought I knew everything and decided to join up. And what was the first thing they made me do? Go back to school.” Through the years he developed a strong love for his country and for service. That’s why he spent the past seven years as a member of the national Patriot Guard Riders, honoring fallen soldiers at funerals, being present when a soldier comes home from service or just helping a soldier’s family member cope after loss. Villa has just completed his 178th mission. “It’s near and dear to my heart,” he said. “I can’t imagine ever not doing this for as long as I am able.” Villa saw a notice in the newspaper that the Westboro Baptist Church would protest at a funeral in Noel, Missouri. “I’d heard another group of guys was going to ride over and make sure that things were peaceful, and I decided to go, too. We all met there and we’ve been doing it ever since.” Villa lives in Goodman but has traveled the area as a Rider for numerous funerals and welcome home celebrations. “I love this country,” Villa pointed out. “But if there is one black eye “I think I’m going to do it as long as they give me a license or until I we’ll all have to live with, it’s how we treated our Vietnam vets when can’t and the cops don’t catch me” Villa joked. “It’s my calling. When they came home. It was just wrong, wrong, wrong. That’s one of my you go to one of those welcome homes and see those guys see their babies for the first time, that keeps you going. It’s “It’s about honoring our heroes, and when somebody does like getting an Energizer Bunny recharged.” Villa said the purpose of the Patriot Guard is “to something for this country it should be remembered.” provide honor and respect to our fallen soldiers --Ray Villa and our WWII veterans.” He is especially drawn to serving the families of those killed in action. “Someone paved the way biggest reasons. We can’t change that, but from this day forward I for all of these guys and we have to do this for all of our veterans, first don’t want something like that to happen again. I don’t want that to responders and firefighters. It’s about honoring our heroes, and when ever be in my history.” somebody does something for this country it should be remembered.” Villa said there are about 9,000 riders in Missouri who hold membership Patriot Guard Riders learn of appropriate events like funerals and in the national Patriot Guard Riders organization. There are over welcome ceremonies through the organization’s website or from a call 250,000 members nationwide. If you are interested in learning more, from a funeral home. The soldier’s family is consulted and approves visit www.patriotguard.org. the presence of the Guard at their service or ceremony. “We’d love to have more people join us,” Villa said. “We don’t care “Once we find out the information, then the news of the mission goes how you get to the missions. You can come by OATS bus or Corvette out all over the world,” Villa said. “We have spent many freezing days or even a Harley Davidson. Just come on and do something good for at a graveside service and have also had our days in the heat of July. somebody else and our country.” We want people to come out for every soldier.” MAKE YOUR FIRST STEP TOWARD COLLEGE IN COMBAT BOOTS We are proud to serve our veterans! Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week • Personal Care • Assistance in Your Home • Companionship ComForcare SW Missouri SSG Eddie Hukill (417) 529-1526 MOHomecare.com 417-‐310-‐1280 July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 63 Honoring our Military Veterans Monument 103 Veterans Way • Bella Vista, Arkansas Veterans Monument was created by the Veterans Council of Northwest Arkansas. It consists of 25 walls set in a circular pattern on a 100-foot-diameter base. The walls contain 4,512 granite tablets, each incised with the name of a man or woman who served in the United States Armed Forces. Service dates from 1776 to present. United States military history is detailed in a 36-foot timeline and series of plaques. Two walls containing the Preamble to the Constitution, the seals of each branch of the Armed Forces, and 18 historical flags complete this educational display. The park-like setting of the monument provides a place for both quiet contemplation and celebration. Veterans Memorial and Big Flag 144 East Highway 47 • Girard, KS Featuring the second-largest American flag in Southeast Kansas, the Girard Veterans Memorial and Big Flag were dedicated on May 4, 1991. The memorial is located east of the George C. Brown American Legion Post 26. The flag is 30 feet wide by 60 feet long and is suspended on a 130-foot-tall pole. Pittsburg State University Veterans Memorial Amphitheater 1909 S. Rouse Street • Pittsburg, Kansas The Veterans Memorial Amphitheater was designed to accommodate individual contemplation and provide a setting for educational programs, memorials and special events. Features include a half-sized replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall; the entry-rampart featuring U.S., state and university flags and the five seals of the uniformed military branches; two impressive entry portals; an arch behind the reflecting pool with an eternal flame; and patriotic bronze sculptures. The 250-seat Brock Family Amphitheater serves as the primary venue for special events. Engraved granite pavers paying tribute to individual veterans or veteran’s organizations are featured in the Brock Family Amphitheater Plaza and the Guy and Claire Sutherland Entrance Plaza. With 128 pavers being dedicated on Veterans Day 2007, the PSU Veterans Memorial now includes 3,186 engraved pavers. 64 Veterans Memorial Park Project 13th and Park Avenue • Baxter Springs, Kansas In an effort to recognize and honor those who have served our country and continue to do so today, the City of Baxter Springs, veterans and interested citizens have been working to establish Veterans Memorial Park on land donated by American Bank. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in February. The approximately $140,000 project is funded entirely by donations and is expected to be completed this fall. The sidewalk leading to the memorial will be constructed of granite pavers honoring or in memory of veterans. Pavers may be purchased for $50 each. Contact Baxter City Hall, 620.856.2114. Veteran’s Memorial Park Stella, Missouri Veteran’s Memorial Park was dedicated in November 2009 by Rear Admiral Jack Buffington. A great deal of symbolism was thoughtfully incorporated into many elements of the design. A large blue marble star, surrounded by a white circle with five brick sidewalks, represents the five branches of military service, The Red, White and Blue, and the star is a significant symbol in the military. Each of the brick pavers pays tribute to a veteran. Many have a connection to Stella, but there are bricks representing veterans from across the U.S., some of whose service dates back to the Revolutionary War. Veterans Memorial of Timeless Honor Mount Hope Cemetery • 3700 North Rangeline Road • Joplin, Missouri Over 1,400 veterans’ names are engraved on the Veterans Memorial of Timeless Honor, most of them from the four-state area. The 77 Missouri recipients of the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor from the Civil War to Vietnam are also listed. The memorial wall spans over 40 feet, graced by black granite panels rising to a height of nine feet to form an arch over the entire wall. The Freedom Walk leads to an area of memorial brick pavers engraved with the names of beloved veterans. Each branch of the service is represented by its individual flag and bronze seal marker. Nearby are three separate memorials specifically honoring all veterans of World War II, all Korean War veterans and all Vietnam veterans. July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 65 Honoring our Military T Residents Mark Anniversary of Civil War Engagement By John Hacker he Civil War devastated Jasper County and the surrounding area. Confederate guerrillas and Union soldiers roamed the area taking what they needed from settlers, and killing or burning the homes of those who were suspected of being disloyal to the side they represented. On May 18, 2013, Jasper County residents and officials marked the 150th anniversary of what many have called a massacre and the resulting burning of what was then the thirdlargest town in Jasper County. They gathered at a new park, owned by Jasper County and under development, named the Sherwood/Rader Farm Jasper County Civil War Park. Left: Curtis Gregory, a reenactor who works at the George Washington Carver National Monument, represented the Union soldiers killed at the engagement at Rader Farm as he walked slowly across the field. Right: Omar Reed, a historian and reenactor from Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, plays the role of a soldier with the First Kansas Infantry. On May 18, 1863, Union soldiers, with one of the U.S. Army’s first black units, the First Kansas Infantry, were caught foraging for food at the farm owned by the Rader family in an area between present day Carl Junction and Joplin, close to the intersection of Fountain Road and Peace Church Road. A Confederate guerrilla unit under famed local leader Thomas Livingston caught the soldiers away from their guns loading corn into a wagon and killed about a dozen of them. At the May 18 ceremony Missouri Southern State University Professor Jim Lile read from an account of the battle by Hugh Thompson, a Union soldier who was injured in the ambush: “Those bushwhackers left at the edge of the timber behind had followed us in, but we did not discover it until it was too late. The Lieutenant had a wagon driven into the yard on the south side of the house and no doubt, no-thoughtedly, sent 20 men unarmed upstairs to throw corn out of the windows into the wagon. Their arms being stacked outside the house in the yard, these men never reached them. The Major and the Captain rode up. Someone had reported that I had called for one or the other of them when I came out of the house, so they both rode up to me and enquired what I wanted. Before I could reply, shooting began in the rear, and almost instantly, all around us. Without knowing it, we had rode into a trap.” 66 Spc. Gregory Coopwood and Sgt. First Class Rodney Haesmyer presented a wreath honoring the soldiers killed in the Civil War engagement at Rader Farm. The survivors fled across the Kansas state line to their base at Fort Blair in present day Baxter Springs, and reinforcements were sent into Missouri from that fort on May 19. Those soldiers found that the Confederates had mutilated the bodies of their comrades. The dead Union soldiers, along with one Confederate fighter who was caught and executed on the spot, were placed in the Rader farmhouse and the building was torched by the Union soldiers, who then went to the nearby community of Sherwood, home to about 300 people. The residents of Sherwood were given a few minutes to remove as many belongings as they could, then the town was torched in retaliation for the Rader farm incident. Missouri Southern professor Paul Teverow read from another account, this one written by J.H. Gratton in a letter to his wife soon after the engagement, which he called a “transaction.” “As soon as we got word of the transaction, Col. Williams started out five companies and some cavalry that were escorting the train and we went to see what could be made out of it. We started out at dusk and marched all night excepting two hours that we rested in, and got to Sherwood at daylight. On coming to the scene of action, we found 13 black boys laying where they were shot down the day before. We had, in the night, come upon the body of a white man belonging to the battery some six miles this side of Sherwood, laying in the road stripped to his drawers. While searching the house where corn was at, we found that the family had left sometime in the night taking with them most of their movable property, but leaving many things behind.” Gratton continued his account of the Union soldiers going to Sherwood to exact their revenge. “We burned some dozen houses, those that had families in them we gave them a few minutes to get out. It is pretty hard, but war is a serious business. After getting into camp, we found that several of the black men had got in, having been so fortunate to get into the brush. Several of the men had narrow escapes, laying in the brush near the place nearly all night.” Church Rebuilds After Tornado By John Hacker O n May 22, 2011, members of the Peace Lutheran Church, located at 2002 Wisconsin Avenue in Joplin, had their last service in a building that had served as home since the 1960s. They didn’t know it at the time, but hours after the last member left the building, a historic and deadly tornado would change their lives and erase their church home from the map. A week later on May 29, they met in a tent on their parking lot and vowed to rebuild. One year later they met once again in a tent on that lot, a church in transition, still trying to decide how to proceed. Peace Lutheran and Bethany Presbyterian Church, located at 20th and Virginia streets, shared a building, holding separate services in the same building. “Last year we celebrated the one-year anniversary by having a party on the old church lot, but I don’t think we knew at that time we were going to have to move elsewhere,” said Peace Lutheran Pastor Katharine Redpath. “It was shortly after that we bought the land up here (on St. Louis Street). The city made it such that we can’t go back where we were.” When Sarah Jo Radcliff signed on with Mary Schultz to serve as co-chair of the church’s building committee, she said the first option they considered was building on the Wisconsin Avenue lot. Pastor Redpath said the church has come a long way in two years. “This is the culmination of the building part of it,” Redpath said. “To have the building back again is just super. It’s huge for the people, they need a place to say this is where we gather and this is where we get nourished and this is where we go from. It’s been a long journey.” A total of 104 people attended that first service, which Redpath said was a dress rehearsal for a dedication to be held in June. “It was awesome,” Redpath said. “I choked up out here in the welcome area. I first did the blessing out in the welcome area and we did that intentionally, did the blessing out there, the house blessing. We’ve been doing house blessings for people who lost their homes and I said this needs its own blessing. We did a ground breaking, we did the house blessing this morning, we’ll do a dedication later in June.” Some work remained to be done even as the congregation met in the building for the first time. No date had been set for the dedication at press time. Then the city of Joplin announced plans to build a viaduct to carry 15th Street over the railroad tracks just east of Wisconsin, a decision that would put a huge concrete wall right next to the lot and limit access to the area. On May 19, 2013, the Peace Lutheran Church congregation held their first service in their new home on St. Louis Street north of Zora Avenue. “What a long road,” Radcliff said. “When Mary and I signed on and they said will you be co-chairs of the building committee, we thought we were putting a building at 20th and Wisconsin. Then came the search for land, which was tiresome. But what a blessing these 13.9 acres are.” The new church features a welcome area in the lobby, a sanctuary to the right, a fellowship hall on the left and room to grow on all sides. Above left: Sarah Jo Radcliffe and Mary Schultz. Right: Peace Lutheran Church Pastor Katharine Redpath affirms the baptism of Hailey Radcliffe during the congregation’s first service in their new church on Sunday, May 19. July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 67 Resilience, Resolve and Realization Joplin Tornado 2nd Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony By John Hacker T housands of people gathered at Joplin’s Cunningham Park May 22 for a ceremony marking the second anniversary of the deadly EF5 tornado that killed 161 people and destroyed so much of the town. The scene looked dramatically different from that day two years ago. The wrecked shell of the former St. John’s Regional Medical Center that stood as a backdrop for so many television interviews was gone. The park featured a new pavilion. Hundreds of homes around the park were repaired or rebuilt. Joplin residents and others were thinking of the storm in Moore as they gathered in Joplin’s Cunningham Park to remember those who were lost in Joplin’s tempest and to celebrate the amazing reconstruction that followed. Pictures from Moore looked eerily similar to what greeted the people of Joplin after 5:41 p.m. on May 22, 2011. “I don’t want to say I know how they feel, because everybody’s different and deals with feelings differently but it was very eerie,” said Tawnya Anderson, who lost half her home in the Joplin tornado. Anderson said the pictures from Moore reminded her of what she saw after she pulled herself and her family from their wrecked home. “There was one picture I’ll never forget that was a mom carrying her daughter out of the rubble and it was eerie because it looked just like that picture that Joplin was known for when the police officer carried that little girl,” Anderson said. “I wish I could go down there and talk to everybody or just be there just like everyone came to us.” At the 90-minute ceremony, local, state and national officials spoke on the three-word theme of the event: Resilience, Resolve and Realization. The officials came bearing recognitions, grants and money to help continue Joplin’s recovery. • Federal Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano presented Jane Cage, the leader of the Joplin Citizens Advisory Recovery Team, or CART, with the first ever Rick Rescorla National Award for resilience, recognizing outstanding response to a catastrophic incident. Rick Rescorla led the evacuation of Morgan Stanley’s 2,700 employees from the South Tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. • Matt Erskine, with the U.S. Department of Commerce, announced that Joplin would receive a $20 million grant to help rebuild the 20th Street corridor and assist with the city’s economic recovery. • Traci Sooter, director of Design/Build at Drury University, announced a $585,000 grant from the TKF Foundation to build an 68 “Open Space, Sacred Place” overlooking Cunningham Park, to give people a place to reflect on what’s happened and record their memories in a waterproof journal. Joplin’s space will be called a Butterfly Garden, in remembrance of the stories told by children in the Joplin tornado about “butterfly people” helping them. The Garden will be built in the northwest section of Cunningham Park on three lots purchased by the city to expand the park. Thad Beeler, Carthage, is with National Disaster Photo Rescue, an organization born at the Carthage First Baptist Church after the Joplin tornado to help reunite Joplin residents with photos recovered from all across Southwest Missouri in the wake of the EF5 tornado that hurled the photos miles away. Beeler said his group has collected 35,000 photos since the Joplin tornado and returned 16,000 to their rightful owners. Now he’s working to help the residents of Moore recover photos again hurled miles from their starting point. “We’ve got a process and we know what to do, and we want to take what we’ve learned and help others across the country,” Beeler said. “I’ve been working with local people in Moore over social media to help them get started. I just found out that the Red Cross has thousands of photos and documents already collected and ready to turn over to someone.” Beeler said recovering photos and documents won’t become a priority until after the search and rescue efforts are completed, but he hopes to go to Moore soon to help them set up a recovery system for photos and documents. In the meantime, the group is looking for sponsors to help them purchase a computer and scanners to aid in the recovery process. The group set up a tent and brought notebooks to the anniversary ceremony at Cunningham Park and were able to reunite a few people with lost photos at that event. Corey and James Blackwood, Joplin, picked up a free tree from the Joplin Re-Leaf tent. 3 2 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 15 19 14 13 12 17 16 20 21 18 22 23 1. Auston Weldy, Steve Curry and Jared English, Joplin Parks Department employees 2. Betsy Stone, Riley Mitchell and Travis Mitchell 3. Saul Castillo, Perit Golden, McCall Matters, Richard Aston and Chad Carter from Inver Hills Community College in Minnesota 4. Sallie Beard and Virginia Laas 5. The Daniels family, Kris, Audra, Cherokee and Ron 6. Madison Butler, Krystal Thomas, Shawn Thomas and little Derrick Thomas in the stroller 7. The Smart family, Pegi, Patrick and children Kamryn, Kohan, Kilan and Michaela 8. Robin Creason, Hailey Miles, Lindsey and Peyton Wright, and Tina Creason 9. Lanni Wood and Matthew Lawson 10. Annebelle Price and Joe Price 11. Rita Allnutt, Ashley Thornton, Peyton Thornton, and Rachel Allnutt 12. Jeremy Inman, Ashley Inman, Gabriel Inman and Jackie Mitchell 13. Jennifer Brown, Courtney Swan, Jenay Lanny and Nancy Chikaraishi, all from Drury University 14. Rayma Raney, Amber Howard, Garrett Howard, Tayler Howard, Sammy Howard, and Dustey Howard 15. Sarah Henry, Cayti Bresee, Darrin Bresee, Peyton Gustafson, and Laken Bresee 16. Joplin firefighters Dwain Wilcox, Daniel Jobe and Jesse Arnold 17. Jon Skinner and Ric Meyer, with the Missouri Department of Conservation, stand on either side of Donna Coble, with Forest Re-Leaf 18. Tanny Singleterry, Todd Lankford, Paula Andrew, Christopher Andrew and Tawnya Anderson 19. Ellie, Rylie and Marcus Reiter 20. Savannah Martin, Maeghan Scott and Theresa Knows 21. Pamela Praytor, Michael Praytor, Jaylen McGill and David Carter. During the ceremony, Pamela put a wreath at the memorial to the victims in honor of her son Christopher Lucas, who was killed in the Joplin tornado while saving 14 lives at the Joplin Pizza Hut. 22. Brad Hinman, Carmi Hinman, Parker Hinman and Laney Hinman, 23. Jamie Engh, Anabelle Engh, Mason Engh and Becky Slunaker. Photos by staff photographer John Hacker July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 69 &places faces General Mills Team Joplin Volunteer Project General Mills Team Joplin participated in its annual environmental volunteer project at Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center May 18. The group of 103 participants planted trees at the Center in order to replace those lost to disease or damage over the past year. The project coincides with The General Mills Foundation’s Think Global Volunteer Local initiative, in which employees from facilities worldwide participate in a volunteer event. Think Global Volunteer Local focuses on two of General Mills’ core values: volunteerism and sustainability. Team Joplin’s Community Action Council presented Wildcat Glades with an $8,000 Foundation Grant for its educational programs. 3 2 1 5 6 4 8 7 9 1. John and Aubrie Schopper 2. Michelle Schopper and Ron Gilbert 3. Ryan Ramsey and Bryan Davis 4. Joyce Hair and Charles Blaukat 5. Sarah Shepherd and Dannielle Steele 6. Pam Ponder, Brantley Scott and JT Ponder 7. Anne and Cody Jiles 8. Michael, Tiffanie, Aron, Levi, Noah, Jessie and Elvis Yeakey, and Hannah Ailes 9. Brian, Carolyn and Elsa Mendel 10. Christa Breeden, Glenn Stark, Jim Handy, Joe Swarnes, Steven Kim, Ken Niemeyer, Terri Niemeyer, Dillian Crabb, Lisa Crabb, and Amanda Murphy Right: Kerstin Landwer and Tabitha Morris Photos by staff photographer Tina Smith 70 10 KaBoom! Playhouse Build &places faces More than 250 volunteers joined forces to build a playground accessible to children of all abilities at Community Support Services, 2312 Annie Baxter Ave. in Joplin on May 31. Volunteers assembled equipment and mixed and poured concrete, building the playground in under six hours. This was a cooperative effort of Community Support Services, a Joplin-based program that serves the developmentally disabled in a 10-county area, the McDonald’s Foundation and KaBOOM!, a not-for-profit group that works to build playgrounds to help children stay active. 1 3 2 4 5 6 7 8 1. Elaine Sherman 2. Jack Fry and Robert Bunch 3. Garrett Carden and Mayor Melodee Colbert-Kean 4. Kelly Bokay, Tommy Littlebear and Peggy Fuller 5. Wes Braman and Rick Jennings 6. Ed Parker 7. Lindsey Harrington and Clyde Nelson 8. Lauren Guthery, Brian Guthery and Gabby Moore Right: Philip Saina. Photos by staff photographer Tina Smith July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 71 &places faces For The Love of Joplin The Community Foundation of the Ozarks presented “For the Love of Joplin,” a presentation by author Peter Kageyama held May 29 at Missouri Southern State University. Peter gave a remarkable talk about what makes cities great and lovable for all residents, visitors and guests. The following day a workshop was held that explored how people connect with their own communities. Kageyama said, “Incredible things can happen when more of us fall in love with our city.” 1 2 5 4 7 1. Nancy Good and Tony Robyn 2. Lance and Sharon Beshore 3. Gary Stubblefield and Tonya Sprenkle 4. Johathan Raiche, Catherine Hart and William C. Scearce 5. Renee White and Peggy Fuller 6. Tina Smith and Peter Kageyama 7. Jane Gage 8. Lynn Onstot, Troy Bolander and Matt Wright Right: Peter Kageyama, Trish Patton and Gary Shaw Photos by staff photographer Tina Smith 72 3 6 8 Briley Rogers, Duane Rogers, Briana Rogers, Chelsea Barker and Sicko from Endless Summer Tattoo 210 N. Atlantic Blvd. Cocoa Beach FL 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. July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 73 SMTO Good Living Décor Your House... Decorating for The Great Backyard Barbecue Party Summertime is the perfect time for having parties outdoors. And nothing says summer better than a backyard barbecue party. Hosting a successful barbecue takes just a little planning. By planning ahead, you will be able to sit and relax with your guests and truly enjoy yourself. Decorating – Whether you are celebrating a graduation, birthday or even the 4th of July, decorating for your barbecue sets the tone for your event. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get great results! A red and white checked tablecloth is perfect for the 4th of July and any patriotic holiday, however, you can still use it for a summer pool party or birthday party, by adding colorful plates, glasses and a few other decorating items in coordinating colors. Your barbecue party can be as casual or as elegant as you make it. Mixing a fabric tablecloth with wine glasses and china on a wooden picnic bench says casual elegance when throwing an elegant barbecue for a wedding shower. While a dark wooden table and white fabric-covered chairs with floral china and silverware is perfect for a steak and wine barbecue for six close friends. 74 Seating - For a larger, more casual family barbecue, you will need plenty of seating for all your guests. Picnic tables, small café tables and chairs or even folding chairs will be perfect for this barbecue party. Have your guests bring their own lawn chairs if you are afraid you won’t have enough seating. If you don’t have enough table space, you can create small side tables by using large ceramic pots with a wooden cutting board on top. Kids love to sit on the ground during a party, so colorful blankets will be perfect for them. Dishes – Pick colorful plastic plates and glasses for your party so they are less likely to break, or use the “all wonderful paper plates” that can be thrown away, so that you don’t have to wash dishes. Wrap silverware in napkins ahead of time and place upright in a large bowl or basket so that guests have easy access. Use serving dishes that are brightly colored and coordinated with your party theme, or place brightly colored napkins in the serving dishes and allow them to hang over the edges for a splash of color. Fresh Fruits and Flowers – Use fresh fruits and flowers as part of your decorating. Brightly colored flowers in small pots can be placed on the serving tables and next to seating areas. Tuck in small flags for your patriotic theme or wrap the pots with napkins and secure with rubber bands to coordinate colors for a birthday party or pool party. Place fresh lemons or limes in clear plastic vases and set around the serving table or place small watermelons together in the center of the table with fresh lettuce leaves for a fresh edible centerpiece. Food – Even your food can be used as a decorating element. Use colorful foods in the same colors as your party, such as blueberry pie and strawberry cake with vanilla icing for a patriotic-themed party. Decorate your serving table with colorful dishes and accessories such as food picks placed in cupcakes or small umbrellas in the drinks. A barbecue is a great time for asking your guests to help out by bringing a side dish. Consider asking them to bring things that go with your theme, such as red, white and blue potato salad or tomato bruschetta served on toast with parsley accents for a cool green and red, tropical-themed pool party. Drinks can be color coordinated too, such as red strawberry smoothies, bright green margaritas or a yellow pineapple and ginger ale punch. Activities – Your guests will need some entertainment during your party. Have music playing in the background for your guests to enjoy. If you are having a pool party, have plenty of beach balls for tossing back and forth. For a family barbecue have three-legged races with the adults and kids racing together. If you have room, a volleyball tournament with the winners getting a special prize is always a hit and my favorite: dunking for apples! Send your guests home with a reminder of the party, such as an extra piece of dessert in a small container with a handwritten thank you on the top or give away the small flower pots from the table arrangements. Almost everyone has a camera on their phones, so give your guests your email and ask them to email pictures from the party and share them with all your guests afterwards on social media. Have fun this summer, plan ahead and enjoy your successful backyard barbecue party! July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 75 Favorite Campgrounds Cross Creek RV Park & Campground Cross Creek RV Park & Campground presents the most unique campground experience Lake of the Ozarks has to offer. From the moment you drive into the 40-acre playground, you quickly recognize just what puts this park in a class of its own. The campground is surrounded with hundreds of acres of the most beautiful oak and dogwood trees imaginable and overlooks a picturesque 10-acre fishing lake. Cross Creek offers everything your family is looking for in a true camping experience and more. Camp on your own island, sleep in a Treehouse cabin or enjoy 100 percent full hookups, private tent areas, and pull-through sites. Entertainment options include mini golf, a crystal clear pool, free WiFi, shuffle board, horse shoes, basketball, sand volleyball, paddle boats, playground equipment, and fishing boats. Close to all area attractions. You could stay a month and not run out of things to do! To find more information on the peaceful family friendly park, visit www.CrossCreekRVPark.com or call 888.250.3885. To see what fans have to say, find Cross Creek RV Park & Campground on Facebook.com/ccrvp. Joplin KOA The Joplin KOA campgrounds are open year round for busy travelers, closed only on Christmas Day, according to owner Tina Fisher of Joplin, offering campers a swimming pool, basketball court, catch and release fishing pond, fish and turtle feeding pond, and playground. The campground is planning hayrides on weekends, weather permitting, this summer. Showers and a coin-operated laundry are also available. For campers just wanting a place to set up their tent and have restrooms and laundry available, the cost is $25 per night during the summer months. Small camper sites are $30 to $35, depending upon the use of cable TV; some of the smaller sites have only water and electric hookups available. Full RV hookups begin at $37, and go up to $55 per night with a private patio. Reservations are not required, but can be made to ensure a full RV hookup. Off I-44, take Exit 4, turn south; turn east between the Petro and Conoco stations onto Dakota Lane. The campground is the third business on the lane at 4359 Dakota Lane, Joplin. Information and reservations may be made by calling 417.623.2246 or 1.800.562.5675, or visit www.koa.com 76 Shady Beach Campground As one of the longest standing campgrounds in the area, Shady Beach has earned an outstanding reputation for immaculate grounds and friendly management. Shady Beach is located 2 ½ miles north of Noel on 59 Hwy on Missouri’s Elk River. They offer over 14 acres of campgrounds, ¼ mile of beachfront property on the Elk River, air-conditioned camping cabins and complete house rentals, water and electric RV sites, free WiFi, and primitive tent sites. Try their new zip line! Shady Beach Campground specializes in 5-12 mile water floats. Elk River is a great destination for beginners, families, or more experienced floaters who wish to kick back and relax for the day. 4-man, 6-man and 12-man rafts, top mount kayaks, tubes, and canoes are available for rent. Elk River is famous for being one of the best smallmouth bass fishing rivers in Missouri. Visit www.shadybeach.com or call 800.745.6481 to plan your visit to Shady Beach Campground. Also, Shady Beach Campground has opened a new day float facility with a 12-person cabin rental in Pineville, Missouri. Visit www.shadybeachfloats.com for more information. River Ranch Resort River Ranch Resort is nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains on the beautiful Elk River in Noel, MO. An ideal location for a Missouri canoe or raft trip! Their facilities include air conditioned cabins that sleep from six to 24 people, tent camping sites with or without electric and full hook-up RV sites. You can’t visit Noel and not take a float trip down the crystal clear river. They offer trips in canoes, rafts, kayaks and tubes. Your adventure awaits you! Their camp store is like none other in the industry. They have a great selection of T-shirts, hats, food and snacks. They try to stock almost anything you might need or have forgotten. Their 600-SF cooler is stocked with all your favorite beverages and it’s always the coldest in town. Browse their website at www.riverranchresort.com and follow them on Facebook. Be sure to check out the Hungry Camper Café. They have some very popular meal options. Order a pizza and they’ll even deliver it to your site – how sweet is that! They say they have something for everyone but go see for yourself. For information, call 800.951.6121. Elk River Floats and Wayside Campground At Elk River Floats and Wayside Campgrounds, every day is a great day to float and camp. The area, situated next to the beautiful bluffs of Noel, MO., offers two campground sites – one at Elk River Floats and one at Wayside Campgrounds. Each is located on the Elk River, offering canoeists and floaters excellent opportunities to do what they love. Float trips can be as short as six hours or as long as 12, split into one or two days. They can accommodate small to large groups. Their camp sites are equipped with water and electric, housing both tent and RV camping. Sites are given on a first-come, first-served basis. Showers and picnic tables are available and a grocery store is on site for basics. A gravel beach offers shallow swimming with kids. They offer float trips as well as shoreline paddleboats, canoes, and rafts that can be rented by the hour. Rafts for six, eight and ten people start at $99. Float trips prices vary. Sites are secured with every float trip reservation. For more information, visit their website at www.elkriverfloats.com. July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 77 The Great OUTDOORS Fish Hunting If you are like most diehard bow hunters, summer is the slowest, longest time of the entire year. You think about August antelope and the elk of September. You think of October whitetails and the November rut. A three-year stretch in jail would pass more swiftly. There is yard work to be done, lawns to be mowed, a house that needs painting. A little target practice sometimes helps break the monotony but mostly there is the waiting. Bugle-Mouthed Bass A bass angler who accidentally hooks a carp is usually teased by his fishing buddy as having caught a “bugle-mouthed bass.” The poor carp is also called many other names and none of them very flattering. Well, you can bad-mouth the carp all you want but there are many anglers out there who are beginning to discover its value. Well, that need not be the case. There are few things more fun than bow fishing on a hot summer’s day. You can usually always find carp, gar or some other rough fish willing and waiting, offering sporting archery fare that will keep your skills sharp during the off-season. Those who actually go fishing for carp know they are a world-class battler that will out-fight most other game fish in the water. The power of a 20-pound carp burrowing for the bottom will test any angler’s skill, and if you hook into a 40- or 50-pounder, you are liable to be buying a new rod or reel. There is a world of fun out there that combines the two great sports of hunting and fishing just waiting to be enjoyed by you. To top it all off, carp action peaks in the summer when other fish become hard to catch. They roam the shallows early and late in the day and loaf in shady spots when the sun is high. Bow fishing equipment is relatively inexpensive and can be added to your regular hunting bow. The only way to learn how to do it is just to get out on the water and give it your best shot. 78 Availability also makes carp fishing fun. They inhabit virtually every pond, lake, creek and river, and often in abundance. Homemade dough baits are the most popular, but other effective baits are cooked cheese, gumdrops, marshmallows, potatoes, carrots, peas, beans or worms. You can increase your chances of success by baiting the area you plan to fish with whole-kernel corn soaked in saltwater a few days before you go fishing. Carp will drop bait at the least sign of resistance, so use a slip-sinker rig. Also, choose a hook small enough to hide in the bait. Don’t try to set the hook too soon because carp will pick up food several times before taking it into their mouths fully. Wait until they swim away with the bait. A stout rod makes it easier to set the hook, but a flexible one makes it easier to play a big one. Use the lightest monofilament practical and let me just say 10-pound test isn’t very practical when you have a 25-pound fish on the end of it. In spite of all the jokes, carp are edible, and when fixed right they are delicious. Filet the fish, remove the skin and cut away any red or pink meat. Season with lemon pepper and cook slowly in a covered grill, using hickory chunks to make lots of smoke. If you just can’t stand the idea of eating carp, don’t let that stop you from fishing for these world-class battlers. No one eats bonefish or tarpon either, but they are still some of the most sought after game fish in the world. Never Forget The 4th of July is much more than fireworks, parades, picnics, baseball games and family cookouts. Sadly, a lot of people have forgotten why we really celebrate this day. Adults need to be reminded and kids need to learn that the 4th of July is a day we celebrate our freedom. It should be a time we pause to honor those who gave their lives so we might enjoy the freedoms we have today. The men and women who died on the beaches of Normandy, the fields of Vietnam, the deserts of Iraq, the mountains of Afghanistan, the buildings in New York and Washington D.C. on 9-11 and so many other places around the world, should never be forgotten. It is because of their sacrifices we can worship as we please and have the freedom to say what we want. It is because they did what they did we have the freedom to get out and enjoy the outdoors. To all of you men and women who served our country, I salute you and thank you and all those who came before you and after you. Enjoy the 4th of July but don’t forget why we celebrate it. God bless America. “There are two ways of being rich. One is to have all you want and the other is to be satisfied with what you have.” --Author Unknown July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 79 Be Inspired Gardeners You Are Due a Field Trip Field Notes and Photos by Jeff Cantrell Be enthused, friends! Be motivated to add life to your yard, to aid your health and to learn more about the connections of nature. A popular trend in landscaping is maintaining a butterfly garden, and it brings far more benefits than first meets the eye. Just as watching an aquarium full of tropical fish yields a calming effect whether in your family room or even the doctor’s office, the fluttering and pollinating traffic of butterflies in your flowerbeds utterly relaxes and thrills many backyard naturalists. “Blood pressure? What blood pressure?” admitted an old mentor and neighbor of mine, Ms. Leona Finn; she knew all too well the benefits of combining nature and landscaping. She also knew that her yard was part of nature and she too felt like an important link to her surroundings. In my youth, Sunday drives were a common pastime, and no doubt those field trips brought ideas home to the garden. My foundation of gardening is rooted in old-fashioned flowers, heirloom tomatoes and native flowers from “sunbonnet donning stars” like Ms. Finn and many of my neighbors of youth like her. Butterfly gardens are best established in the fall or early spring, so now is not the time to plant, but plan. Some of the main ingredients will be summer bloomers like milkweed, boneset, blazing star and asters. I prefer the garden to have continual blooming all season long, and I stick to natives and heirloom flowers. A simply sunny, weed-free plot will do. Gift shops at the Neosho National Fish Hatchery, Wildcat Glades Audubon Center and George Washington Carver National Monument will get you started on some Missouri wildflower and naturescaping books. A helpful free publication on butterfly gardening is available at the Missouri Department of Conservation office. Drop by the Neosho or Joplin MDC office and ask for it and native plant resources. However, none of these will inspire you like a Sunday drive or field trip experience to see plants in the wild. I relate it to seeing a bear at the zoo and then seeing one in the wild in all its glory. There just is no comparison. So let me inspire you to seek out a nice evening and visit Diamond Grove Prairie (10 minutes from Joplin) or another community natural gem. You cannot enjoy these special places from the road, you must walk among them. As you step onto the prairie, you will be inspired to learn more, and plan a butterfly garden to add zest to your yard and zing to your life. You never know, you might run into me, donning a ballcap, walking the grove, inspiring to learn more…I look forward to visiting with you. Jeff is a local biologist in the Neosho area, a volunteer advisor for the Chert Glades Master Naturalist chapter and has taught naturescaping and trained Master Gardeners for 20 plus years. 80 Questions and Sunday drive prairie locations can be relayed to Chertglades.org or directly to Jeff at Coyoteteacher2@gmail.com. Let Him Dig! By Annie Stewart Our pets’ lives are at risk during the hottest times of the day, usually between 10 am and 3 pm. If they are outside pets, it is advisable to bring them indoors at this time. If you don’t have air conditioning, find innovative ways to cool your dog, such as these suggestions: 1 3 5 Find a spot in the shade and set up a kiddie pool. Or simply put a fan in front of a pan of ice. 2 Exercise your pet in the early morning or late afternoon, the coolest parts of the day. Keep fresh, cool water available at all times, in a shady location, adding ice cubes periodically. 4 Wet a kitchen towel and place in your freezer until almost frozen. Lay it on the floor for your pet to rest on. You can also place a frozen water bottle in a sock, then put it in the animal carrier when your pet has to be transported. This works well in rabbit and guinea pig cages too. Let him dig! Dogs dig for many reasons, and one of those reasons is to get cool. If possible, locate a shady place where it is okay for your dog to dig. July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 81 This Wasn’t In the Manual! Summer Causes a Complete Loss of Control By Mary Engler Guccione It’s summer. For some of you, that means sunshine, vacations and relaxing. For me, it just means I’ve lost complete control of my house for three months. How do I know it’s summer? Here are some subtle clues: 1. I can wake up at 1, 3 and 6 am and all the lights are on, along with every television and computer in our house. Yet, no one is awake. Except me. 2. My On Demand movie bill increases from $0 per month to $100. Strangely enough, I have yet to see any of the rented movies. 3. There are sleeping bodies draped across every flat surface of my house. I have an overwhelming urge to toe tag each one to remember who is who. I refrain, however. It just seems wrong. 4. The number of loads of laundry increases exponentially. Why? Because now that Madeline isn’t hampered by school from 8 am to 3 pm, she has an extra eight hours to change clothes. Repeatedly. And then some more. 82 5. There are children running through my house, eating my food and laying on my couch that I’ve never seen before. However, Madeline introduces them as “her best friend.” When I ask where they live and where their parents are, they just point in some random direction. The last one who did that pointed to my laundry room. I was almost giddy at the thought that someone’s parents were doing my laundry. Upon investigation, however, there was no one in the laundry room except a cat and due to the lack of opposable thumbs, he was not able to start a load for me. That was his story, anyway. 6. Remember the locust plague in the 1930s? Well, neither do I but I’ve seen it on The History Channel and it closely resembles my kitchen between the hours of 3 pm (when we wake up) and 3 am (when we go to bed). They ate a stick of butter and a gallon of barbecue sauce on a box of stale saltines. I had to hide my coffee beans under my mattress just so I could have coffee in the morning. We are only a couple of weeks into summer and Madeline has driven me to the edge, which for those of you who know me or read my column, is not a long ride. What she doesn’t know is that I just signed her up for volunteering at a homeless shelter during the day and ukulele lessons in the evening. (Yes, ukulele. It’s back and hot and they do offer lessons. And yes, we do own one. I don’t know how but it’s ours now. ) Now summer can begin. Anyone have a little umbrella for my drink? Someone ate mine. 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. July 11: Grief Companions Support Group meets the second Thursday of each month, 6 pm, Elm Haven West. Enter through north door. Call 620.704.1110. Mercy McCune-Brooks Hospital - Carthage, MO Every Tuesday: Grief Support Group, 1:30 pm, hospital chapel. Open to the public; led by Hospital Chaplain Galen Snodgrass. Call 417.359.2636. July 13: Spradling Family Birthing Center Prenatal Class, 9 am4 pm, hospital training room. Participants may bring a sack lunch or purchase lunch in the cafeteria. Tour of the birthing center included. Call 417.359.2600. July 14: Friends & Family CPR Class, 6 pm, hospital conference room. Free class includes infant CPR. Class size limited; registration required. Call 417.359.1350 or 417.359.1351. Joplin, MO Every day: 12-step Recovery Meetings, Alano Club, 1800 E. 30th. Call 417.623.9645. Every Friday: Free Grief Counseling, 11 am-3 pm, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church. No appointment necessary. July 5: Free Monthly Memory Screening, first Friday of each month, 10 am-12 pm or by appointment. Compassionate Care Senior Services, 624 S. Main. Call 417.623.2447. July 9: Brain Injury Support Group, 12-1:30 pm, Independent Living Center, 2639 E. 34th. Call 417.659.8086 or visit www.ilcenter.org. Freeman Health System Every Wednesday: Farmers Market, 4-7:30 pm, Freeman East. Call 417.347.1111. Every Thursday: Farmers Market, 7:30-10:30 am, Freeman West. Call 417.347.1111. July 2: Autism Support Group, 6 pm, Freeman Business Center conference room (back entrance). Call 417.347.7850. July 9: Alzheimer’s Support Group, 6 pm, Freeman Hospital East, lower level lobby. Friends and family members of persons with any type of dementia are welcome. Call 417.347.4478. July 10: Cancer Support Group, 2 pm, Freeman Cancer Institute, 3415 McIntosh Circle Drive, downstairs conference room. An opportunity for cancer patients, survivors, and family members to talk and learn about support and resources. Call 417.347.4029. July 11: Sibling Class, 6:30 pm, Freeman West Meeting Room, $5 per child. Help your child or children adapt to changes that occur when a new brother or sister arrives. Call 417.347.6687. July 13: Prenatal Day Class, 8 am-3:30 pm, Freeman West Meeting Room. Class prepares mothers and their labor coaches for childbirth. Cost: $35 per couple. Registration required; call 417.347.6687. July 15: Prenatal Evening Class, 6:30 pm, Freeman West Meeting Room. Class prepares mothers and their labor coaches for childbirth. Cost: $35 per couple. Registration required; call 417.347.6687. July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 83 SMTO Health Insight Into Substance Disorder “Just as much as helping people, my goal is to make the public understand the impact of substance abuse—drugs and alcohol—on society as a whole,” Steen said. “It is an extreme problem in our immediate area.” Steen’s main concern is that addiction is a never-ending cycle that passes from generation to generation. Most times the addiction is the symptom of an underlying problem. When ASCENT changes the course of a man’s or woman’s life, it affects everyone connected to them from spouses, neighbors, coworkers and their children. Instead of being a drain and danger to society, with treatment he or she becomes a healthy addition to the community. Changing lives breaks a cycle and stops the hemorrhage of money, life and potential. “We have to work at breaking the cycles,” Steen said. “If you don’t have a personal stake, you sometimes think it doesn’t affect you. You are certainly financially impacted.” To illustrate her point, this month’s topic focuses on the statistics in various categories that affect all of us. ASCENT researched all the facts through reliable sources. Missouri facts are: • Missouri government spends $1.325 billion on substance abuse. Of every $100 spent, only $3 goes to prevention and treatment. The other $97 is spent on law enforcement, medical, incarceration, etc. • Over 500,000 Missourians need treatment for substance abuse but aren’t receiving any treatment. • Alcohol-related health care costs in Missouri exceed around $794 million while the annual alcohol tax collected is estimated around $30 million. • In Missouri, 329,000 people abuse or are alcohol dependent and cost the state $4.2 billion while 76,000 people abuse or are drug dependent and cost the state $3.5 billion. • According to the Centers for Disease Control, Missouri’s opiate overdose death rate is one of the worst in the nation. • Emergency department visits related to prescription pain reliever misuse and abuse increased 142 percent from 2004-2009. At the same time, admissions to substance abuse treatment facilities for pain reliever misuse and abuse increased 131 percent. One glaring statistic relates to employers: Substance Disorder Doesn’t Just Affect The User By Bridget Bauer L ast month, we introduced you to Teddy Steen, executive director of ASCENT Recovery Residences. While Steen is very involved with the individuals in the program, she also has a greater vision. Her ultimate goal is to become the resource Joplin and the surrounding area can turn to for information on navigating addiction or substance abuse treatment. Therefore, we have partnered with Steen and every month will highlight a topic about substance abuse from the different types to the symptoms, intervention and treatment, etc. 84 • Drug abuse is estimated to cost U.S. employers $276 billion a year, and 76 percent of people with a drug or alcohol problem are employed. The sad reality is that substance abusers don’t think their children are affected. That assumption is wrong: • Studies by the Child Welfare League of America and other organizations have found that substance abuse is a factor in at least 75 percent of all placements in out-of-home care. • At least one in five pregnant women drinks, smokes or uses drugs, putting herself and her unborn child at risk. • More than eight million children live with substance-abusing parents. • Seventy percent of children with one or more parents in prison will, at some point in their lives, end up in the same place. Steen welcomes ideas for topics in the future and will help answer any question on addiction. She can be reached at 417.529.9368 or t.steen@ascentrecovery.org. Up My Nose with a Rubber Hose! snore, or at least according to the women in our family.” But remember, when momma ain’t happy, nobody’s happy. For now, one brother and I are using the hose. My father never will (you can’t tell him anything), but there is still hope for my other two brothers. A By David Starrett, R.Ph and Sheree Starrett, R.Ph ctually the hose is plastic, not made from rubber. You see, for several months my wife complained about my snoring. Apparently it was getting rather bad, so like any compliant husband I made an appointment with the doctor. Well, that appointment turned into two sleep studies with the end result: a CPAP machine. Hence, it’s up my nose with the plastic hose blowing moist air like your car’s A/C on max. But, no more snoring, my wife is happy, and believe it or not, I do actually sleep better. Now I know what you’re thinking: “Gee whiz, you are a pharmacist, don’t you have a pill for that?” Believe me, if there was one, I’d have tried it by now. My wife all along has contended that if I would drop a few pounds, the snoring would go away. My comeback was always, “Dear, I have the snore gene. My dad and all my brothers As my doctor explained it, my life could actually be saved here, and yours, too. And you are saying, “Yes, your wife won’t be smothering you in the middle of the night to stop your snoring!” Actually during my testing, the results showed I stopped breathing over 20 times per hour, and you know what that could lead to. Hey, if you stop breathing long enough, simply put, you may not wake up in the morning. That was reason enough for me. My insurance paid for most of the cost, and I do feel better. So, the next time your spouse gives you the ol’ elbow in the back around midnight, you might think about making a doctor appointment to ask for the “rubber hose.” July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 85 SMTO or Asian origin; have had previous problems with sugar in the urine or impaired glucose tolerance; have had a still birth or given birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds; or had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy. Also, many women with no risk factors can develop gestational diabetes. Health Dealing with Diabetes During Pregnancy By. Dr. Jeff Manley, OB-GYN, Mercy Hospital Joplin Since gestational diabetes may not cause any signs or symptoms, doctors are likely to monitor blood sugar regularly during pregnancy, particularly during the final trimester. For the mother, one risk is preeclampsia. Characterized by high blood pressure and excess protein in the urine, preeclampsia, if left untreated, can cause life-threatening complications to the mother and child. The mother’s blood sugar is checked soon after delivery, but, in most cases, the diabetes should be gone within six weeks. The placenta, which has been causing the hormonal changes is no longer present, but the mother is at a much higher risk of gestational diabetes during subsequent pregnancies and of type 2 diabetes later in life. For the unborn child, excess blood sugar crossing the placenta may cause higher birth weight babies, or fetal macrosomia. Babies weighing 10 pounds or more can become wedged in the birth canal or sustain birth injuries unless a c-section is performed. There is still a risk for birth injury even when a c-section is performed, but that risk could be slightly lower depending on the circumstances. Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes are more likely to have breathing problems, including respiratory distress syndrome. And, because their insulin production is high, they often develop low blood sugar shortly after birth, sometimes severe enough to trigger seizures. These offspring are also vulnerable to jaundice shortly after birth and to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes later in life. Developmental problems are also common. For either gestational or pre-existing diabetes, control of blood sugar during pregnancy is complicated by the fact that many diabetic medications have not been proven safe for the developing fetus. D iabetes is a common problem during pregnancy, affecting three to eight percent of pregnant women. In 90 percent of cases, this is gestational diabetes, and in nearly all cases, it is a problem that can be managed. Patients with diabetes who are planning to get pregnant should be doubly careful about controlling blood sugar, even before conception. As a diabetic, risk of miscarriage and of having a baby with birth defects is high. With good blood sugar control, a patient could bring her risk almost down to that of a woman without diabetes. The majority of women with diabetes during pregnancy didn’t have it before and will not have it after the child is delivered–a condition known as gestational diabetes. Although the risks to the mother can usually be managed with lifestyle changes and careful monitoring, the risks to the child are substantial. Almost all women experience some changes in glucose tolerance during pregnancy, generally causing progressively higher blood sugar levels. If the pancreas is unable to meet the demand for insulin, the result is gestational diabetes. Women most at risk of developing gestational diabetes are those who are 20 percent or more overweight prior to becoming pregnant; have family members with either type 2 or gestational diabetes; are of Native American, African American, Hispanic 86 Insulin is the safest medication and usually becomes the cornerstone of treatment along with exercise, diet, weight control and frequent monitoring of blood sugar. The doctor may ask the mother to check her blood sugar four times a day and to be alert for symptoms of high blood sugar, such as frequent urination and thirst. When the body doesn’t have enough insulin to process glucose in the blood, it can go into ketosis, in which the body burns energy-burning fat for energy. Even though ketosis plays a role in some popular diet plans, it is definitely not recommended during pregnancy. Too many ketones can quickly lead to diabetic ketoacidosis–a dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition. Signs include stomach pain; frequent urination and thirst that continues for a day or more; fatigue; nausea and vomiting; muscle aches, and breath that smells fruity. Regular exercise can burn off excess glucose and make cells more sensitive to the effects of insulin. On the other hand, prolonged exercise can cause a dip in blood sugar, so women are advised to talk to their doctors about intensity and duration. Blood sugar can usually be controlled best by eating three small meals plus several snacks at regular times throughout the day. Always work with your OB-GYN to decide the safest choices in diet and how to best manage your diabetes during pregnancy. To find a Mercy physician, call 417.623.6056 or visit Mercy.net. July 15: Freeman Blood Drive, 10 am-4 pm, Freeman Hospital West, conference rooms 3W-4W. People 17 or older weighing at least 110 pounds who have not given blood in the past eight weeks may participate. Call 417.347.4623. July 16: Breastfeeding Class, 6:30 pm. Freeman West meeting room 1W. Learn basic breastfeeding techniques as well as pumping and going back to work. Cost $15. Call 417.347.6667. July 16: Sleep Apnea Support Group, 6 pm. When you don’t snooze, you lose. Roundtable discussion with a sleep therapist. Bring CPAP or BIPAP machine. Call 417.347.7916. Every Thursday: Free Blood Pressure Screenings, 10-11 am, Mercy Hospital lobby. Free. Call 417.627.8424. Mercy Auxiliary July 8: Blood Drive co-sponsored by Community Blood Center of the Ozarks and Mercy Hospital Joplin Auxiliary. 8-11 am, Silver Creek Location, 2702 Richard Joseph Boulevard, and 1:30-4:30 pm, Mercy Hospital, 2817 St. John’s Boulevard. Bloodmobile in parking lot. July 30: Tupperware Sale, 9 am-5 pm, Mercy Hospital Joplin, 2817 St. John’s Boulevard, sponsored by Mercy Auxiliary. July 18: Stroke Support Group, 3 pm, College View Manor, 3828 College View. Help for those dealing with stroke. Call 417.347.1234. Interested in volunteering? Call 417.208.3456 for an application. July 22: Prenatal Review Class: 6:30-9:30 pm, Freeman West Meeting Room 1W. For mothers who have had a baby but just need a review. Registration required. Call 417.347.6667. For information, contact Volunteer Service Coordinator Patti Lett, 417.625.2262. July 30: Freeman Advantage Terrific Tea, 10 am. Freeman Business Center conference room. Guest speakers provide information for older adults. Entertainment, refreshments, and door prizes. Social time and blood pressure screenings 9:30 am; program 10 am. Call 417.347.5837. Mercy Prestige Events July 22: Prestige Ice Cream Social, 2 pm, Byers Avenue United Methodist Church. Call 417.208.3456. Mercy Maude Norton Mobile Mammography Unit Schedule for July: Mercy Hospital Joplin July 11: 8 am-4 pm, Mercy Maude Norton Hospital, Columbus, KS Every Monday: Parkinson’s Support Group, 2 pm, SWMO Community Alliance conference room, 2914 E. 32nd. Call 417.623.5560. July 18: 8 am-4 pm, Mercy Maude Norton Hospital, Columbus, KS July 16: 9 am-12 pm, Dr. Hill Clinic, Southwest City, MO July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 87 88 Weight Management, Age Management By Kimberly Wood, MD Every day I hear someone tell me, “I diet but I can’t lose weight.” Anyone can go to the bookstore for a diet book and find a bewildering variety of diets. How can someone choose what is the right thing to do? A s your body ages, there is an increased tendency to gain weight, lose muscle and increase fat stores. We associate getting fatter with getting older. We associate slim with sexy, successful, beautiful and young. Most of us think about how we look every day and want to lose some fat or get in better shape. You can get help from drugs and herbs, and you can get help from surgery. We know that a permanent change of habits in eating is easier to do if you are forced by physical changes in your digestive tract, like a gastric bypass, or if your resolve is backed up by a loss of appetite due to a weight loss drug. But there are some things you can do to help yourself that do not rely on drugs or surgery. stores to cope with the energy deficit in that period of time. Your body will compensate by decreasing the metabolic rate downward. You will have less energy, feel hungry and not lose weight because your body can’t liberate the energy from the fat cells. The third problem is impulse control. There are strategies to improve your control and minimize the loss of control settings in your life. A good book that helps explain these problems is called “The Amen Solution.” With this book dieters will learn options and solutions in greater detail to these types of failure issues. Start your day with protein, not carbohydrates and sugar, to keep your hunger down all day, and keep your energy up with low glycemic snacks to prevent a blood sugar drop causing a surge in hunger. Be sure you have a protein source with every meal or snack. I always recommend the South Beach Diet but also the Glycemic Index Diet, these books will increase your understanding of how you have to change what you eat to be a dieting success as you age. What makes you fall off your diet? The answer to this question is the key to how successful you will be. You must figure out what is it that leads you to fail. Is it that you are really hungry and have a hard time eating the small amounts required to reduce your caloric intake enough to lose weight? Is it that after a few weeks you miss the foods you gave up to lose weight? Do you get overwhelmed with stress and eat to regain a sense of calm? Does the glass of wine trigger you to overeat as if the control in your mind just got turned off? The first problem is hunger. The best solution for the problem of hunger is a low glycemic index diet. Glycemic index is the driving force in the success of almost all the diets that work, and is the common thread in the Adkins, South Beach, Paleo, Sugar Buster, no flour no sugar diets and many others. The low glycemic index diet is based on the glycemic index, a measure of how fast a food you eat gets into your blood stream as sugar. The faster it goes in, the more likely you will have certain metabolic consequences that result in changes in your energy levels and the likelihood of gaining or losing weight and the intensity of hunger you will feel later. The second problem is stress management. Finding techniques to help manage your stress other than eating can make all the difference in your success. How does stress on the pancreas make you hungrier? As you age your pancreas does not perform as well. The sugar will come down a little too fast a little later than it should, making you get the ”two hours after the cookie” dragging or jittery feeling. Or you could experience an insulin mismatch, where the blood sugar is not as high but the respective insulin level is. Insulin excess has many effects, one of which is hunger, and the other is the body’s difficulty in releasing fat July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 89 New Hazard Associated with Barbecuing B By Billie Holladay Skelley, RN, MS arbecuing on warm summer evenings is a favorite outdoor tradition for many families and an important part of the American culture. There are several dangers associated with this particular pastime, however, due to the carcinogenic byproducts produced and the burns often acquired in the process. Just as the time for firing up the grill draws near, an additional hazard with this special pastime has been noted. An article in the American Journal of Roentgenology, “Inadvertent Ingestion of Wire Bristles From a Grill Cleaning Brush: Radiologic Detection of Unsuspected Foreign Bodies,” details how barbecuing can lead to a hospital visit if someone accidently ingests wire bristles that have become imbedded in the grilled meat. According to a related EmaxHealth article, “Grilled Meat Danger in Rhode Island Requires LifeSaving Surgery,” radiologic and computed tomography examinations revealed linear metallic foreign bodies in all six of the patients. Three of the patients required endoscopic techniques to remove bristles lodged in their neck area. The other three patients had to have major surgeries. In two of these patients, the wire bristles perforated the small intestine, and in the third patient, the wire bristles perforated through the stomach and into the liver. When a wire brush is used to clean a grill, bristles can break off the brush and stick to the grill grating. Subsequently, when meat is placed on the grill, one or more of these bristles can become stuck in the meat. As individuals consume the meat, they can ingest a wire bristle. While barbecuing can be a pleasant part of summer activities, doctors advise people to be cautious when engaging in this pastime and to be aware of the possible dangers and potential hazards this activity can pose. The article details how six patients, within an 18-month span, were treated for accidental ingestion of metallic wire from grill-cleaning brushes. All six individuals had eaten meat fresh off the grill and had unknowingly consumed a wire bristle from the brush used to clean the grill. After consuming the food, these individuals began to experience painful swallowing or abdominal pain that required medical attention. 90 Both of these articles highlight the potential danger wire bristles pose when barbecuing, and they alert consumers to the need to carefully inspect their grills for foreign objects. They also stress the importance of thoroughly cleaning grills before food is placed on them for cooking. One of the authors of the American Journal of Roentgenology article, Dr. David Grand, recommends that if a grill is cleaned with a wire brush, care should be taken to wipe the grill well with wet paper towels to help remove any remaining wire bristles. INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Health Center - Grove, OK July 18: 8 am4 pm, Mercy Maude Norton Hospital, Columbus, KS July 25: 8 am4 pm, Mercy Maude Norton Hospital, Columbus, KS Schedule an appointment by calling 620.429.2545 or walk on. National Alliance on Mental Illness For information on NAMI, call 417.781.6264 or visit www.namijoplin.org. The NAMI building is located at 2701 S. Davis Blvd., Joplin. Every Tuesday: NAMI Connection Support Group, 6:30-8 pm, NAMI building. Every Tuesday: Self Injury Support Group, 5-6 pm, NAMI building. Every Tuesday: Family Support Group, 6:30-8 pm, NAMI building. July 1: Asperger’s Support for Parents/Adolescents, meets the first Monday of each month, 6:30 pm, NAMI building. Every Wednesday: Dual Diagnosis (MI and Addiction) Support Group, 2:30-3:30 pm, NAMI building. Every Wednesday: Post 5/22 Stress Counseling Sessions, 10 am, NAMI building. July 11: Diabetes Support Group meets the second Thursday of each month, 12:30 pm, INTEGRIS Grand Lake Diabetes Center, 1310 S. Main. Call 918.786.1801. July 11: Low Vision Support Group meets the second Thursday of each month, 9:30 am, Honey Creek Retirement Village, 200 Har-Ber Road. Call 918.786.2223. Miami, OK July 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. July 11: Caregivers Support Group meets the second Thursday of each month, 11 am. Hosted by All Saints Episcopal Church in the Parish Hall. 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, 1011 am. Fourth Tuesday: INTEGRIS Baptist Village, 9-10 am. July 2: Alzheimer’s Support Group meets the first Tuesday of each month, 11 am, Generations 4th floor visiting room. Call 918.542.3391. July 11: Autism Support Group meets the first Thursday of each month, 5:30 pm, Miami First Baptist Church Fellowship Center, 24 S Street S.W., with Dr. Alan Carnahan. Call 918.919.0148. July 2013 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 91 How to Be Generous to Family Provided by Gene Baker, Wells Fargo Advisors S and Yourself haring with loved ones is the theme of most people’s lives. Giving to children and grandchildren is an important financial priority that frequently surfaces. “Often, we want the next and future generations to have a better and easier life than we’ve had,” explains Deborah Lauer, Vice President in Wells Fargo Advisors’ Key Client Solutions Group. “This can take the form of bequests to heirs, but extended periods of unemployment, volatile incomes and other difficult economic circumstances among younger generations are inspiring numerous older individuals to give assets during their lifetimes, when there is a need and while the giver can see it being enjoyed.” But it’s also important to make sure that your generosity doesn’t jeopardize your own financial security. After all, you’ve planned carefully for your own retirement, and financial gifts you make now can reduce the assets you have to rely on later in life. How can you manage these competing priorities? With open communication and an awareness of tax implications, you may be able to provide the help you want to give in a way that works for the recipient and you. Assess Your Situation “Secure your own oxygen mask first before assisting other passengers” is an instruction every frequent flyer knows by heart. It also applies to your finances. You have probably reviewed your retirement strategy since the 2008 market upheavals and are adapting to the realities of investing in a slower-growth world. Have you also reviewed your estate plans in light of these changes? And are you seeing the opportunity for assets that you had earmarked for transfer later to be given today? Your financial advisor can explore how parting with certain assets now might affect your future financial independence and discuss potential solutions for minimizing the impact of removing those assets from your nest egg now. “It’s critical for individuals to prioritize their own financial security before making gifts to family members,” Lauer says. “Nobody wants to become a burden to their family, which can happen if you give away the assets you’ve acquired to support yourself.” Keep Talking Communication about money is critical within families. Once you’ve established for yourself the limits on your ability to give, share with your family members the help you’d like to offer, and invite them in turn to talk with you about their needs. Maybe you already know your grandson and his fiancé are saving for a first home. Find out what their shortfall is. Also, is what you’re being asked to support in line with your priorities? If you greatly value education and are committed to developing your granddaughter’s academic talent, you may want to offer to pay tuition directly to her school rather than giving a lump sum of cash to her parents. 92 If the conversation hasn’t come up yet but you’ve perceived a need or simply want to share wealth during your lifetime, prepare for a longer discussion. It may take a few conversations with family to figure out exactly how they are comfortable being assisted, and how you can appropriately supply that assistance. Pride can play an important role here—on both sides—as well as each party’s sense of independence. Recognize that you may have differing values and consider before you start the conversation how those might influence your decision about giving. Consider the Tax Implications Tax rules are scheduled to change significantly next year. As a result, it’s important to work closely with both your financial advisor and tax professional to make sure any gifts you make don’t trigger an unexpected tax bill. This year, you can give individuals up to $13,000 and married couples can make gifts to individuals of up to $26,000, according to the IRS.* These gifts are called annual exclusion gifts. In addition to the annual exclusion gift, an individual may gift all or a portion of their $5.12 million gift tax exclusion without triggering a federal gift tax. Non-cash gifts such as securities or real estate could also be given instead of cash. Medical expenses and tuition bills paid directly to the institution or service provider are tax-free, and don’t count toward your annual or gift tax exclusions, the IRS says. With the right planning, you and your team of professionals can develop a gifting strategy that is likely to achieve your desired goals without putting your finances in jeopardy. Don’t forget that your gifts don’t need to be monetary. When budgets are tight, writing a check to a relative can feel like a sacrifice, so don’t give until it hurts. You may discover through conversations with family that offering your time in the form of regular childcare to working parents is really what’s needed, or lending your time and expertise to helping a grandchild apply for college scholarships. These don’t cost money but can buy your family real peace of mind. * Internal Revenue Service, Publication 950. http://www.irs.gov/publications/p950/ar02. html#en_US_publink100099451 Wells Fargo Advisors is not a legal or tax advisor. ********** Ghostwritten Article (#90315 – (Giving Responsibly) CAR Approval Number: 1112-00567 e7533 This article was written by Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Gene Baker and First Vice President – Investment Officer in Joplin, MO at 417-624-0600. Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANK-GUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. ©2012 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved. 1112-00567 [90315-v1] 11/12