MissouriLife Articles

Smells like home

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:34:13 GMT

Have you ever stood outside, closed your eyes, and smelled the air? What did it smell like? Today, it smells like fall in Missouri. The sun is shining, and the leaves on the trees are turning glorious hues of yellow, red, and orange.

I have lived in a few places that had distinct smells. About sixteen years ago, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, smelled like Cap'n Crunch cereal. Still does, assuming that the Quaker Oats plant is still cranking out Crunch. One town, that shall remain nameless, but not in Iowa, had a plant that processed agricultural products, for what purpose I do not recall. I'm trying to be gentle, but it didn't smell so good. Those are the two extremes.

Four years ago now, when my family moved home to Missouri, as I walked to the mailbox one day, something struck me as familiar. It was the smell ... smelled like home ... autumn in Missouri. It was smoke from a distant fireplace, the decaying colorful leaves on the ground, and someone was cooking something wonderful. I must admit, though, that each season in Missouri has an aroma of its own, but there is something about this time of year.

Perhaps, my affection for the changing of trees began when I was a kid. My parents and I made annual pilgrimages to the Flaming Fall Revue on the Glade Top Trail, which is this weekend by the way in southwest Missouri. Each year, there is a barbecue and entertainment. If it's a good year, though, the real show is the view. If it's a good year, the trees are blazing, and you can see for miles southward through the Ozark Mountains into Arkansas.

It's something not to be missed, autumn in Missouri. But you have to be watching because it seems to come and go in an instant, that peak of color ... that moment of home.

Color me impressed

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:22:29 GMT

The International Regional Magazine Association's (IRMA) 28th annual conference was held at Halifax and Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, from October 2 through 8, hosted this year by Saltscapes magazine, and introduced the attendees to the sights, sounds, and tastes of the region. At the conference, Missouri Life was named Magazine of the Year and received gold for Best Overall Art Direction, along with six other awards for writing, photography, and design. We are absolutely thrilled that our desire to bring our readers interesting and surprising articles and stunning photography and design has been recognized in such a wonderful way.

I have spent the last seven days becoming acquainted with the Canadian province, and I must say I was impressed. The views of the ocean, the friendliness of the people, and of course, the wonderful food made for an adventure I'll not forget. But as I looked out over their fall foliage, I began thinking forward. In two years, it will be Missouri Life's turn to host the conference. I wondered what we could show them about the Show-Me State. I thought of places that remind me of home: Glade Top Trail in the fall where, on a good day you can see for miles across the Ozark Mountains; the Gateway Arch; Missouri wine country; the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. There is so much we have to be proud of in Missouri, so much to share. Perhaps you can help. E-mail me with your thoughts or comment on this post as to your favorite spot, recreation, or event worthy of international attention.

The middle of no where

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:50:23 GMT

There are still spots in Missouri that can be considered "the middle of no where." Over Labor Day weekend, I had a brush with just such a spot.

For the better part of thirty years, I have frequented Bull Shoals Lake, which straddles the Missouri and Arkansas border. As a teenager, my friends and I often spent summer days around Theodosia, and now my family makes several trips a year to a spot just around the corner from there, as the crow flies, at Lazy Acres, Arkansas, on a point, I might add, that can only be gotten to by coming from Missouri.

One of the reasons I love Bull Shoals so much is because it is a lesser traveled lake. On a busy day like Labor Day, there are a few boats, but you have to compare that to regular days to get an idea of what I mean. On regular days, my family could be out on the lake all day and see less than ten other boats or watercraft. There is ample room to swim, scuba dive, water ski, you name it.

With that in mind, just imagine having boat trouble.

It was midday, not too hot, and we were just getting ready to do some kneeboarding when our boat decided to be unresponsive; let's just leave it at that. I thought, Thank God for cell phones, but the heavy rains this year are still having their effect on Bull Shoals as all of the mile markers are underwater--no way to tell anyone where we were. That didn't stop me from trying. The marina tried to locate us, but two hours later there we sat.

Our saviors were, Richard and Marge Schmitz, from Theodosia, who had just happened to decide to take an extended boat ride that day and found their way into the cove where we were stranded. I was glad they showed up as my eight year old had just about decided to head for land and camp in the weeds on the shoreline. Funny how that survival mentality kicks in.

Thanks, Rich and Marge, for showing up when you did.

Nail biters

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 13:49:54 GMT

The Beijing Olympics have been a real nail-biter this year, but the United States has proved a strong force in the pool, women's all-around gymnastics, and women's fencing to name a few. We've talked about some of the Missouri athletes that strived at the Trials to make the team and compete in Beijing--Patrick Stroupe and Leah Pierce, but one Missourian made it and claimed silver on Friday.

Christian Cantwell of Eldon, Missouri, finished second in shot put in Beijing with a distance of 21.09 meters in his sixth attempt. Coming in behind Tomasz Majewski of Poland, Christian missed the 2004 Sydney games by a disappointing hair.

Despite his initial disappointment in his performance, his demeanor quickly changed as he saw, through the technology of texting, the excited reception the news received in his hometown.

In an interveiw with KOMU at Columbia before the games began, his mother, Jackie Cantwell, expressed only one wish, "I want my son to win. And that's that."

A box of possibility

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 22:03:30 GMT

Summer's end is upon us. Fall sports practices begin in a couple of weeks, and the kids have started looking a new shoes. It always reminds me of when I was a kid. I enjoy watching them pick out their new school supplies and clothes. They seem so excited, briefly forgetting that this new beginning means the end of their days of freedom.

When I was a kid, part of me hated to see summer end, but part of me couldn't wait for the first day of school. There was something about a new classroom, a new teacher, and a brand new box of crayons. Within that box, there existed all the hope of what the year could bring. The crayons were shiny and still pointed, perfect.

So, what to do with those last few days? So much of that time is spent preparing for what's to come, but how can we celebrate the twilight of summer? An extra float in the creek, perhaps, or a trip to the zoo would do. Maybe just a few more firefly hunts would fit the bill. I'm always on the lookout for great ideas, so if you have a few, don't hesitate to share.

When the green wind blows

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:06:11 GMT

High winds in Missouri usually indicates it's time to take cover, but in a small town northwest of Kansas City is the wind is causing quite a stir.

Rock Port has recently garnered attention as the first community in the country to be fully powered by wind energy. For the small burg of 1,300, this development is putting the town on the eco-friendly map. But there are several communities in Missouri striving to change the way we interact with the environment. In the April 2008 issue of Missouri Life, we hightligted Missouri communities that are notably eco-friendly, of which Rock Port was one. Pattonsburg, Columbia, Springfield, Nevada, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Fort Leonard Wood also made the cut in efforts from recycling and solar panels to renewable energy and building green.

What are you doing to go green? What can we learn from the examples these communities are setting?

Not so unique

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:17:14 GMT

Lightning is flashing across the sky outside, and the wind is blowing so hard the house is creaking a bit. I like a good thunderstorm, though it can be unnerving. Weather in Missouri is certainly anything but dull. One morning last week, we awoke to a lightning storm. The flashes were incessant it seemed, with little to no time before the thunder crashed. The storm hung around for hours, dumping a few inches of rain as well.

The storm this evening reminded me of a saying that I thought was a Missouri saying, "If you don't like the weather in Missouri, just wait 15 minutes," which is what brought me to the computer. I say thought because, in wanting to get it right, I googled it. I didn't realize that Missourian's are not so alone in claiming that saying: St. Louis, Minnesota, and Texas are a few. Shoot, even Iceland has a form of it.

That's okay. It is true in Missouri, for the most part. Storms pass over and the sun is out before you know it.

Rabbit food

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:53:00 GMT

It's hard to beat fresh corn on the cob. We grew it our family garden two years ago, but the racoons got more of it than we did. Short of building up our garden like a maximum security prison, we just decided not to grow corn again. We do have a five-foot-tall fence to deter the deer and keep out the rabbits, but that's as far as we go. So to my delight last summer I came across some kids around the corner from the Missouri Life building selling freshly picked corn. They are back again this year. Good news for people like me.

If you're like me, growing a garden is more about planting enough (so that when most of it dies of neglect there is still something to eat) than it is about skill. The tomatoes I wrote about in an earlier post, six or so weeks ago, are now so heavy with fruit that they are pulling over the tomato cages. Lucky me. But my zucchini have officially went the way of the compost pile for this year. Odd, I know. Even the worst of gardners have a hard time going wrong with zucchini. So I will be heading out to the farmers' market in the morning in search of fresh vegetables and fruit. I'm a bit excited at the prospect of what I might find.

In our August issue, Tasteful Traveler Nina Furstenau writes about tomatoes and shares some interesting recipes for the vegetable (or fruit, depending on your perspective). She gave us some pointers on finding fresh, local vegetables and suggests Community Supported Agriculture farms for those who do not have gardens of their own, in the June issue.

This time of year, the bounty is plenty. Where's your favorite vegetable stand?

Protecting my pocketbook

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:16:38 GMT

My family lived in Wisconsin for a few years, and the gas prices there were usually between twenty and thirty cents higher than in Missouri. It's still true. A friend of mine, who lives there, said recently that they were paying $4.19 for regular unleaded and over $5 for diesel.

As I was browsing our online archives and the net the other day trying to decide which lake we would visit on our family vacation this year, I came across a report that said Missouri was the number one cheapest place to buy gas, around $3.86 at the time. So with all of us feeling the hit in our pocketbooks, we can still appreciate that we do have it better than most. Today, this map shows the "temperature" of gas prices nationwide, and overall, Missouri is the lowest, especially around Springfield, Bolivar, and Nixa.

To find the best gas prices near you, visit MissouriGasPrices.com. As of this evening, Springfield and Bolivar have the best prices in the state ranging from $3.66 to $3.69.

I've got a whale I'd like to sell

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:57:56 GMT

"Do you want to buy Shamu?"

The Associated Press reported yesterday that InBev's next move after finalizing the deal with Anheuser-Busch may be just that. The entertainment division of Anheuser-Busch boasts ten parks, including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and its newest, Aquatica that opened this spring, and the division is considered non-core, which means it can go.

InBev's chief executive Carlos Brito did state early on that InBev would strive to keep A-B's St. Louis heritage intact, including Grant's Farm and the clydesdales.

Nevertheless, A-B employees are also nervous, as the AP article points out, that another likely event will be workforce cuts.

Beer and buyouts

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:52:33 GMT

I'm not much of a beer drinker; I'll admit it. But when it comes to brand recognition, Budweiser is one of the first that comes to my mind. Today, InBev and Anheuser-Busch announced that they had come to terms on the sale of the Missouri company to a Belgian corporation.

InBev made shareholders an offer that's hard to refuse--$70 a share. The number they've announced is sweet music to the ears of some stock holders in lean times, but there are those who are terribly troubled by the sale. All over the country people are ready to dump their refrigerator stash and boycott the beverage. Comments on the New York Times article ranged from "Drink up! Last Call!!!" to writers vowing to never buy another drop to positive comments that there will be room at the table for American-made microbrews.

It seems that more than a brand of beer is being sold or bought. A heritage is involved, one that some Missourians equate to selling the family farm. Internet-based petitions have been circulated to support saving the company for America. Both Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt and Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder have voiced opposition to the sale, as well. Kinder even shared an election story on his blog about a constituent promising him his vote based on Kinder's willingness to drink Budweiser.

It's easy to see both sides. Where do you stand? Will the sale of Anheuser-Busch affect your beer-selection choices?

Liquid lessons

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:52:08 GMT

One of the worst sunburns I ever got was when I went floating on the North Fork River in south-central Missouri. The water is clear and cool, and on a hot summer day, floating out of Twin Bridges is hard to beat.

Truth be told, there are several creeks in southern Missouri perfect for a summer floating. An article in our June issue described three in detail, the North Fork was one, along with Bryant and Beaver creeks. I floated the Niangua River near Lebanon twice last summer. On one of those floats, it was 104 degrees Fahrenheit that day. I couldn't think of a better place to be. The water was crystal clear and colder than you can imagine in that heat.

In Missouri Memo in the June issue, I talked about what these creeks can teach you when you float. Things like making sure you bring the bug spray and the sunscreen and knowing your canoe mate's skills. What are some of the lessons you've learn on trips on Missouri streams?

Thanks for the coffee

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:22:15 GMT

I want to thank all of our readers who sent us their nominees for the best coffee shops in Missouri. We received tips on shops from every corner of the state. Who knew there was a Philadelphia, Missouri? See, I'm still learning. The survey is now closed, and we'll be publishing five of them in the next issue of Missouri Life.

Many of the nominations told us things I know to be true from firsthand experience. I grew up in a coffee shop. Our family business was a small mom-and-pop cafe, and everyone that came in on a regular basis became somewhat of an extended family to me. Many still come in and have coffee everyday.

If you missed the opportunity to nominate your favorite spot to grab a cup of joe, I invite you to post your shop here. We can all use a good cup of coffee sometimes, and the company that often comes along with it.

Missouri Memories

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:21:18 GMT

To this point in my blog, I have shared some of my fondest memories of growing up in the Show-Me State, from whippoorwills to fireflies. But what I'd really like to hear is some of your fondest memories.

We are launching a new online feature, called "My Missouri Memory," with our August issue. The inaugural story comes from Dean Walley of Kansas City. He recounts a trip he and two friends took in August 1958 down the Mississippi from Hannibal to New Orleans, just like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. His story will take you on a youthful trip of adventure.

If you have a great memory of Missouri, no matter what age you happen to be, send it to us. Who knows? You might be our next Missouri Memory!

Personal bests rule the day

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:31:02 GMT

Patrick Stroupe of Armstrong finished third today at the Olympic Trials at Eugene, Oregon, in the 20km racewalking event with a time of 1:29:17. Kevin Eastler, a captain the the Air Force who lives in Colorado, took first and will be representing the United States in Beijing in the 20km and 50km events.

While Patrick didn't make the Olympic team, he seemed pleased with his performance. "I wish I had gone faster, but I didn't expect to get the standard. I wanted to PR and be happy with what I had done. I broke my personal record by about a minute and a half," Patrick said, according to the USATF web site.

Meanwhile, Leah Pierce of Columbia finished 49th in the 200M breaststroke at the Olympic Trials for swimming held in Omaha, Nebraska. Leah set Columbia Swim Club records for both the 100M and 200M breaststroke.

Holy cow!

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 04:15:36 GMT

About 8:30 p.m. the cars really started rolling into the south parking lot at the Hearnes Center on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus. Several early birds were already there, grilling on hibachis and playing Frisbee or football. They had the best seats in the house for the annual Fourth of July fireworks show.

The exploding show was loud enough to set of car alarms and startle small children, but several "Holy cow!"s could still be heard along with the usual ooos and aahhhs. This year seemed better than last, and the show ended with applause from the darkened parking lot.

Cities all over the state have fireworks shows on the fourth. If you know of a particularly good one, let us know.

Bonne Chance!

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:09:02 GMT

We sent the August issue to the printer today, and as I was approving the last few pages, I thought of Patrick Stroupe.

You many not recognize his name. He will be competing at Eugene, Oregon, this weekend in the Olympic Trials for a spot on the racewalking team. This young man from Armstrong has an Olympic dream. He has worked quite hard to be where he is, and we introduce you to him in the pages of this next issue. But he isn't the only Missourian hoping for a spot at this year's Olympic Games in Beijing.

Columbia swimmer Leah Pierce qualified to compete in the 100- and 200-meter breaststroke at the Trials. On Monday, she placed 45th out of 105 in the 100-meter race, and she competes tomorrow in the 200-meter. Although she did not qualify in the 100-meter, her attitude going in says quite a bit about what that means to her.

The amazing thing that these athletes have in common is their desire to do their best. Both do not seem to worry about the competition only about what they can control and gain from the experience.

Take me to the fair

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:40:21 GMT

On deadline today as hunger hit, Editor in Chief Danita Wood, Art Director Tina Wheeler, and myself decided we would head down to Heritage Days at Booville for a late lunch.

It was a perfect day, mid-80s maybe, low humidity, partly cloudy. As we rounded the corner of one of the dormitories on the grounds of Kemper Military Academy, now closed, where the festival was held, we spied a carnival, complete with rides. It was a first-time event for each of us, and we weren't sure what to expect. I can say the funnel cakes and kettle corn we brought back to the office reminded all of us of fairs we had gone to when we were younger.

There's just something about a fair, whether it's a county fair, regional fair, or state fair, that just makes memories. One child was begging for ice cream, and his mother hesitated because they were going to the store when they left. But we all know, store-bought just isn't the same.

How have fairs affected your life? What memories do you treasure?

Living light

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:55:48 GMT

Summer nights they can be found flying low to the grass or congregating in the bushes. When I was little, we called them lightning bugs, but some call them fireflies. We would scrounge for a jar, poke some holes in the lid, and set off on our quest to make a lantern of the glowing insects.

A colleague of mine recently shared a story with me about an experience she had at Bennett Spring. Late one evening, she stepped outside of the cabin she was in, and the blackness outside enveloped her. But when her eyes adjusted, she saw them--hundreds of lightning bugs flitting about. Then her eyes moved to the skies, filled with stars.

The Foundry Arts Center at St. Charles is planning a childhood revisitation on July 9. A giant firefly hunt is in the works. The center is asking the community to show up and help them catch fireflies to make lanterns. The lanterns will be brought inside the center and placed into a bioluminescent installation for viewing. After the event, the fireflies will be taken back outside and set free. In addition to bringing back childhood memories, a goal of the project is to create community involvement with a creative goal.

Makes me want to find a jar.

Are you a know-it-all?

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:39:08 GMT

About two and a half years ago, when I started working with Missouri Life as a freelance writer, my first assignment was to write an article about the top one hundred destinations in Missouri, Ultimate 100, which published in February 2006. (We actually went over.)

My first thought was, That'll be easy. I grew up here. What I quickly realized was just how much I didn't know about my home state. Everyday I learn something new about a place, person, or event that I hadn't known before. With each issue, as a staff, we learn more, accuracy checking stories even if we think we know the answer.

For example, were all the pictographs near Rocheport, Missouri, destroyed, or is that inkling that one remains true? How long is the Katy Bridge at Boonville, which is the focus of a grassroots attempt to save it from deconstruction, and how long does the bridge have? Does the Missouri Fox Trotter trot with its front legs and walk with its hind legs, or vice versa? Who, exactly, named our state rock "mozarkite," and was there a copyright?

I will have to admit, we had to look for answers, but you have to wait and see what we found out. Do you know the answer off the top of your head?

Beat the heat

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:10:37 GMT

Heat waves are sweeping the southwest, and Missouri heat is beginning to envelop us with the humidity that comes along with it. But springs, streams, and swimming holes abound in Missouri, providing places to cool off. One that has been missed in the last couple of years is Johnson's Shut Ins.

After a flood devastated Johnson's Shut Ins State Park in December 2005, state agencies began the clean-up process. While park recovery is ongoing, Missouri State Parks will open the shut ins for a two-month run on June 26 before closing until next year.

But the shut ins aren't the only cool spots in the state. Where do you go to beat Missouri heat?

Water, water everywhere

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:34:40 GMT

At Rocheport, the Missouri River has spilled over its banks and filled the flood plain in the Overton Bottom Conservation Area, which the Missouri Department of Conservation developed after the 1993 and 1995 floods. The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for many counties along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

As communities braced for the crest, predicted to pass by Saturday, Missouri Life contributing photographer Notley Hawkins visited Clarksville on Tuesday, and in the face of tragedy, everyday heroes emerged.

Getting to know Van Gogh

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:33:20 GMT

Last fall as I stood just a few inches away from one of Van Gogh's masterpieces hanging in The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art at Kansas City, I got goosebumps. I thought of fhe hours of work that went into the painting, of the man who put brush to canvas, and of the meaning of it to me. The strokes of Van Gogh's brush are clear and determined. Up close they tend to come and go and merge with the next, but when you step back, you see a clear picture of what he saw. It can take your breath away.

This same sense of awe strikes me when driving through the Ozarks, the Mark Twain National Forest in particular. After passing through the forest, beautiful and dense, the view from the bald can, at times, leave you speechless.

Tell me where your awe-inspired places are. Are they outdoors in Missouri's front yard or are they indoors in the form of art from our creative citizens?

We have no tomatoes today

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:40:29 GMT

The drive-thru sign at the local taco place told me to please understand why there would be no tomatoes on my taco today. Yes, I understand. I’d rather not have them than get sick.

In additon to identifying tomatoes that are possibly tainted with salmonella in connection to the recent outbreak with which raw tomatoes have been the culprit, the University of Missouri Extension office makes several recommendations for choosing tomatoes that are safe. They provide a list of tomato-producing locations, in addition to the home-grown variety.

The tomato plants in my garden are still small, maybe two feet in height. They have a few small, gumball-sized tomatoes on them. As I stood in my garden this morning I found myself thinking, Please grow faster!

Road trips and whippoorwills

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:08:53 GMT

There isn’t much I remember about a trip my family took to Disneyland when I was nine, except for the miles and miles of seemingly unending stretches of interstate highway. Sheer torture for a kid used to the rollercoaster roads of the Missouri Ozarks. I’m not sure what that says about Disneyland.

“Are we there yet?!” took on a life of its own.

Yet, one of my favorite memories revolves around drives—drives in the country along back roads in Douglas County with my parents. There was no particular destination, thus no “are we there yet?” Truth be told, we were going to listen to the whippoorwills, and I would know when we were there at the same time Mom and Dad did.

Today, gas prices delay trips to Disney, but short trips into the Missouri back yard may create memories for you or your kids that won’t cost you any appendages.

Rand McNally released its 2009 Best of the Road trips last week, which included a drive from Jefferson City to Branson along Highways 54 and 65, with a small stretch on Route 73. They recommend stopping at Runge Conservation Nature Center, Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park, Wonders of Wildlife Museum, Lambert’s Café, and Ralph Foster Museum at College of the Ozarks. I’d like to add stops at any roadside parks and designated scenic views (you’ll see the signs along the road), plus a trip to Silver Dollar City at the final destination. But keep your eyes and options open.

After having lived abroad (meaning places other than Missouri) for several years, my husband and I brought our family back to Missouri about four years ago. One evening that first summer back just after we had gone to bed, I heard a whippoorwill call from the woods outside our window. My mind immediately went to those rollercoaster roads, riding in the back seat with the windows down, wind pulling on my hair.

Ain’t Missouri life grand?