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May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 1

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OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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Publisher/editorLee Radcliff

editorial director/account executive

Sue Dillmon

associate editorsVicki Cash

Wendy Brunner-Lewis Kathleen Swift

GraPhic desiGners

Kristi Tucker George Radcliff

marketinG/executive PhotoGraPherTina Smith

intern - mcauleY hiGh schoolLauren Guthery

Promotions coordinatorJamie Emery

staff Writers

PhotoGraPhersWhitney Scott Angela Spieker

Mandy Edmonson John Hacker

distribution manaGerMandy Edmonson

Show Me The Ozarks Magazine is published monthly by Show Me Communications, PO Box 3325, Joplin, MO 64803. Copyright 2014 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.

Staff

Vicki Cash Mary Engler Guccione

Holly Hukill Jamie Emery John Hacker Kristin Nama

Kathleen Swift Don Lowe

Annie Stewart Rose Hansen Larry Wood

Larry Whiteley Bridget Bauer

Meagan RuffingRodney Blaukat Christine Smith

The Ozarks Magazine Since 2001

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Lee RadcliffEditor/Publishereditor@showmetheozarks.comP.O. Box 3325 • Joplin, MO 64803(417) 455-9898 • (417) 850-5557

Like us at /ShowMe The Ozarks Magazine

Follow us @ShowMeMag01

Congratulations to the winners of the 12th Annual 4-States Baby Contest! Our goal for this contest is to give back to our community by giving our babies the opportunity to grace our pages and having one lucky winner make the cover! Thank you

to everyone who entered your precious little ones and helped us present $1,000 to our local Children’s Miracle Network Charities. Congratulations to our adorable winners and their families!For Mother’s Day, we focus on the special bond between a mother and daughter on pages 44-47. In these five features, you will find unique individuals with different circumstances, but the unconditional love that exists in this undeniable relationship is present in each story. There is no better sound than hearing a child say, “Mom.” As a mother of three daughters, I know that our babies can grow up to become our best friends and confidants. These pages will touch your heart. On page 49, Phillip McClendon also honors the role of a mother with “Don’t Mess with Momma.” His sentiment was so real that it left me with tears in my eyes. My mom was my rock, my best friend and SMTO Magazine’s biggest fan. Each year in celebration of Mother’s Day, the women in my family spend time together enjoying each other’s company. The tradition has been passed down to my sisters, daughters and grandchildren. We keep mom in our hearts on Mother’s Day and every day! You have heard me refer to Mom many times, and always in our Mother’s Day edition. We lost our mom several years ago. She taught me so much about life and relationships. Even in the moments she pushed me in directions I didn’t want to go, said things I didn’t want to hear, or when I was at the height of frustration, she would smile and say, “You will understand one day.” I appreciated, but never understood, her great insight. Now that I’m an adult, I understand every word and miss her deeply. Much love to moms everywhere! May also marks the celebration of endings that mark beginnings. Show Me The Ozarks Magazine congratulates all graduates! Whether you are graduating from kindergarten or college, you have reached a milestone and it is a time for celebration of the hard work and dedication you have put in to reach your goal. We hope you continue striving to become all you can be and keep reaching for the stars! This year, I would like to pay personal recognition to my son, Glenn Radcliff. Congratulations on your high school graduation! Your dad and I and your family are so very proud of you. We can’t wait to watch you grow into the fine man that we know you are and pray that all of your dreams come true! There will never be another May 22nd in Joplin that we do not take a moment to look back at the event that changed our city and affected so many lives. There is great comfort in knowing how far we have come since the 2011 tornado and that we continue to remember and honor those we lost. We have dedicated several pages to highlighting how the spirit of Joplin continues. As Norman Vincent Peale said, “There is a real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishments.” Joplin, and all the members of our community, make that difference!This edition was created, designed, photographed and written with love. Happy Mother’s Day to all!

The Greatest Memories are Forever Treasures

In light of recent headlines,we don’t blame you for

being concerned.We’d like to help you keep focused on the long term,

but we also have information available on the market outlook from our nationally recognized

correspondent research sources.

Call us if you would like to receive Market Comments or if you

have other questions.

Ken Williams Vice President/Investments

(417) 781-6161 (800) 890-7007

401 South Main Street Joplin, Missouri 64801

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com

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contents May 2014SMTO

on the cover

36 12th Annual 4-States Baby Contest

Although the process each year of selecting just one baby out of all the

entries is a seemingly impossible mission, it’s easy to see that this year’s winner

makes for another stunning cover. Read about Chanler Webb, and see all of this

year’s adorable entries in our 4-States Baby Contest.

Cover Photo by Whitney Scott Photography

features

Photos by Whitney Scott Photography

Special Section - The Joplin Tornado: The Recovery Continues

50 The Big Picture - I Am Joplin Mural52 Joplin Murals - Art for Everyone56 Joplin Tornado Recovery Update - Year Three58 Joplin Industry Continues Its Recovery62 Tribute64 Review: Dear World, From Joplin With Love68 Stars of Hope69 Joplin Crusaders - Semi-Pro Football Team Builds Winning Tradition On and Off Field70 New School, New Life72 Enjoying Life Together77 Helping Hands: Dedication in the Midst of Tragedy

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 9

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE OZARKS11 Calendar of Events - April showers bring May flowers! Get yours at a garden club plant sale or learn about growing native plants; take a nature photo walking tour; and attend a Carver Laboratory demonstration to learn how George Washington Carver used often overlooked plants. May also brings Mother’s Day; graduation celebrations; prayer breakfasts; 5K and Fun Runs; fishing tournaments; and opportunities to remember and honor those who lost their lives in the May 22, 2011 tornado. 15 Cultural Arts and Entertainment Calendar78 Faces & Places

HOME/LIFESTYLE17 Tastes of the Four StatesWhere Everyone Knows Your Name84 Your House...Your Home - Flower Power86 Green Thumb - The Truculent Succulent 98 This Wasn’t in the Manual Shopping With a 15-Year-Old102 The Great Outdoors - Larry shares tips on creating a backyard bird habitat, fishing, family bonding and keeping it simple when camping.

in every edition

Can you find it?Find this green smiley face on one of our pages. Email

sue@showmetheozarks.com with the page number and spot that you found it. 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!

$41.99 - three years

$32.99 - two years

$19.99 - one year

Name: Address: Form of payment: Check Credit Card Card Number: Name on Card: Card Expiration: / Mail this form with your check, money order or credit card info to:Show Me The Ozarks, PO Box 3325, Joplin, MO 64803Call 417.455.9898 to place your subscription over the phone by credit card.

Subscription Form

The Ozarks Magazine Since 2001

Congratulations to Jennifer Jordan of Joplin, Missouri, winner of the April edition “Find the Green Smiley Face” contest. Jennifer wins two gift certificates to Golden Corral in Joplin, MO. The Green Smiley face was on

page 5 in the YPN Recycle Joplin Ad.

other great reads16 Downtown Joplin Celebrates Growth34 Family Fun in Northwest Arkansas42 Things We Love for Mom44 A String of Pearls - Mothers and Daughters49 Don’t Mess With Momma82 Women in Business97 It’s Not Your Grandfather’s Retirement Anymore99 It’s Not Rocket Science - The Butter Cow100 Favorite Campgrounds104 Mother’s Day at the Den

HEALTH88 Health Events90 Kids and Hearing Testing92 Step Away From the Scale93 I Haven’t Been to the Dentist in Years; Where Do I Start?95 Sleep Clears Away Waste Products in the Brain96 Prescribing Painkillers to Addicts Can Be Dangerous

Featuring Oklahoma24 Bring on Summer25 OKM Original Artist Concert Series Finale Features World Premier Collaboration26 Profile - Tad Jones, Director of Grand Lake Association28 Pensacola Dam, Beauty of Grand Lake30 Har-Ber Village Museum32 Oklahoma Business Spotlights

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May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 11

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.

in the OzarksWhat’s Happening

Calendar of EventsSMTO

Support Your Local Farmers Market!

Centerton, AR: 9 am-1 pm Saturdays, Highway 102 & Sienna Drive. www.centertonfarmersmarket.com.

Bentonville, AR: 7 am-1 pm, Downtown Bentonville Square.

Fayetteville, AR: 8 am-12 pm Saturdays on the Square. www.fayettevillefarmersmarket.org.

Rogers, AR: 7 am-1 pm Wednesdays and Saturdays, corner of Walnut & 1st Streets. 479.246.8383.

Franklin, KS: 4-6 pm Thursdays, Franklin Community Park, 502 S. Broadway. 620.249.9333.

Parsons, KS: 7-10 am, Tuesdays and Saturdays, Downtown Parsons. 620.421.7030.

Carthage, MO: 7:30 am-12 pm every Wednesday and Saturday, Historic Carthage Square. 417.358.3579.

Joplin, MO: 4:30-6:30 pm, Thursdays, Ewert Park, 5th Street and School Avenue. 417.625.4750.

Webb City, MO: Tuesdays 4-6 pm, Fridays 11 am-2 pm and Saturdays 9 am-12 pm under pavilions in King Jack Park. www.webbcityfarmersmarket.com.

Bentonville, AR

May 3: Bentonville Garden Club Plant Sale, 7:30 am-12 pm, Train Station Park, South Main Street. Hardy, native plants at reasonable prices. Email BVGardenClub@gmail.com.

Rogers, AR

May 10:16th Annual Kendrick Fincher Youth Run, 5K Run/Walk and Duathlon 7 am, Promenade Mall. Family Fun Zone, Youth Run and more. New – Duathlon for individuals or relay teams, 3.1 Mile Run/12.5 Mile Cycle/3.1 Mile Run Series. Call 479.986.9960.

Franklin, KS

May 1-June 28: Miners Hall Museum Special Exhibit: “Milestones for U.S. Workers,” 10 am-4 pm Monday-Saturday, 701 S. Broadway. Call 620.347.4220.

Parsons, KS

May 23-25: Katy Days, 3-10 pm Friday, 9 am-10 pm Saturday and 10 am-1 pm Sunday, Forest Park. Demonstrations; iron horse duathlon; 5K; homemade pies; live entertainment; Miss Katy queen competition and more. Call 800.280.6401 or visit www.katydays.com.

May 10: Governor’s Fishing Classic, 8 am-2 pm, Big Hill Lake, Mound Valley Boat Ramp. Team bass fishing tournament. Call 800.280.6401 or visit www.parsonschamber.org.

Pittsburg, KS

May 3: Crawford County Relay for Life, 12 pm, Pittsburg State University. Visit www.relayforlife.org.

May 3: 2014 Rollin’ Nostalgia Car Club Cruise Nights, 6 pm, first Saturday of each month, 2810 N. Broadway. Call 620.231.1212.

May 9-10: Pittsburg State University Spring Commencement Ceremonies: Garfield W. Weede Physical Education Building. 5 pm Friday: College of Education and College of Technology. 9 am Saturday: Kelce College of Business and College of Arts and Sciences. Visit www.pittstate.edu.

May 16-17: 1st Annual Cow Creek Bluegrass Festival, Lincoln Park. Hootenanny 6 pm Friday. Music, activities, arts and crafts and more Saturday. Visit www.facebook.com/CowCreekBluegrassFestival or call 620.231.8310.

May 22-25: SAE Baja Kansas: Pittsburg State University Campus. 100 teams from universities around the world compete. Call 620.231.1212 or visit http://www.pittstate.edu/info/baja2014/.

Anderson, MO

May 17-18: Quilt Show hosted by Bunker Hill Community Club, 9 am-4 pm Saturday, 12-4 pm Sunday, Hwy 71/76 exit at Anderson, east 5 miles to W Highway, turn right. Quilt display, silent auctions, vendors, fiber arts, door prizes. Admission: donation for upkeep of Bunker Hill Community Center. Call 417.223.5555 or 417.451.3771.

Carl Junction, MO

May 3: Lion’s Monthly Community Breakfast, 7-10 am, Community Center, 303 N. Main. All-you-can-eat. $5/adults, $3/children. Benefits Joplin NALA Read. Call 417.649.8846.

May 3: Big 8 Art Show & Competition, 8 am-12 pm, CJ Junior High Gym, free admission. Over 200 pieces of artwork created by 6th-8th grade art students from four school districts. Call 417.649.8846.

May 17: Nature Photo Walking Tour, 10 am-12 pm, Center Creek Park, 201 Valley. Free photography workshop. Call 417.649.8846.

Carthage, MO

Every Friday: The Woodshed inside Cherry’s Emporium on the Square, 7:30 pm. Live music. $7 admission. Call 417.358.2707.

Every Saturday: Wine Maker’s Dinner, 6-8 pm, White Rose Winery, by reservation only. Call 417.359.9253.

Every Saturday & Sunday: Kiwanis Kiddieland, 2-5 pm, Municipal Park, 2000 Oak Street. Kid-size rides. Call 417.359.8181.

May 2: National Day of Prayer, 7-8 am, Fairview Christian Church, 2320 S. Grand. Call 417.359.8181.

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in the OzarksWhat’s Happening

Calendar of EventsSMTO

State Farm, Bloomington, IL1211999

Karen Rutledge Ins Agcy IncKaren Rutledge, Agent616 E 32nd StreetJoplin, MO 64804Bus: 417-624-2661State Farm, Bloomington, IL

1211999

Karen Rutledge Ins Agcy IncKaren Rutledge, Agent616 E 32nd StreetJoplin, MO 64804Bus: 417-624-2661

May 3: Citywide Garage Sale. 7 am, sales throughout the city. Call 417.359.8181.

May 3: St. Ann’s Charity Auction: 6 pm, CMC, 1900 Grand Avenue. Italian theme “La Dolce Vita” or “The Sweet Life.” Tickets: $35. Call 417.388.2365.

May 7: Carthage Business Expo, 10 am-6 pm, CMC Auditorium, 1900 Grand Avenue. Businesses showcase their products and services. $2 admission. Grand prizes of iPad from Neotech and makeover from Dr. Fly’s. Call 417.358.2373.

Route 66 Drive-in Theatre: 17321 Old Route 66 Blvd. Movies begin at dusk Friday-Sunday evenings. Adults $6, Children $3, kids in car seats free. Call 417.359.5959 or visit www.66drivein.com.

Carterville, MO

May 4: Carterville Spring Festival, 12-6 pm, Comet Park. Demonstrations and information provided by City of Carterville, Missouri Department of Conservation, and Empire District Electric regarding where and how to plant trees, new park design and street repairs. Horseshoe tournament between Carterville Fire Department and Police Department, dunk tank, music, food, and children’s activities. Call Doug Joyce, 417.291.9803.

Diamond, MO

George Washington Carver National Monument Visitor Center Free Programs, two miles west of Diamond on Highway V, then 1/4 mile south on Carver Road. Visitor center and park grounds open daily 9 am-5 pm. Call 417.325.4151 or visit www.nps.gov/gwca.

May 3-4: “George Washington Carver, An Uncommon Way,” 1 pm. This 50-minute documentary chronicles Carver’s amazing life story. The film includes the perspectives of noted historians and features historical film footage.

May 10-11: Old-Fashioned Toys & Games. Experience the joy of playing with some old-fashioned toys and games.

May12: Walk With a Doc, 1 pm. Bring your health related questions and join a doctor from Freeman Health System for this one-mile walk to better health.

May 17-18: Carver Laboratory Demonstrations, 1 pm. Learn about some of the products George Washington Carver developed in his laboratory and how he used often overlooked plants to change the way we think about agriculture.

May 24-26: Epitaphs & Engravings, 1 pm. Discover the meaning behind the symbols and engravings found on headstones at the Carver Family Cemetery and how they reflect the lives of early settlers.

May 31: African American Trailblazers, 1 pm. Join us for this program exploring some of the many contributions and accomplishments of African Americans.

Joplin, MO

May 3: 29th Kids Classic Fun Run, 8 am, MSSU Stadium. Free running event for children K-6. Distances vary from 1/4 mile to 1.25 miles based on age. Free T-shirt. Email joplinkidsclassic@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/KidsClassicFunRun.

May 4: Cinco Celebration, 1-8 pm, Route 66 Carousel Park, 3834 W. 7th Street. Live band; great food; walking tacos; great family fun. Call 417.437.4586.

May 9: Rhythm & Brews, 6 pm, Kitchen Pass, 1212 Main. Dinner, live music. Tickets at Kitchen Pass or www.csmo.org. Call 417.624.9095.

May 9: Walk of Silence, 7 pm. Walk the corridor of 161 banners lining Joplin Street from 9th to 20th Street to remember and honor those killed in the May 22, 2011 tornado.

May 10: Annual Joplin Memorial Run. Kids Run 6:00 pm Friday May 9 at Memorial Hall. Saturday May 10: Half marathon starts 6:30 am; 5K starts 6:45 am on Joplin Street between 7th and 8th Streets. A first class event honoring those who lost their lives in the May 22, 2011 tornado. Visit www.joplinmemorialrun.com.

May 17: Route 66 Cruise Night, 4 pm, Route 66 Carousel Park, 3834 W. 7th Street. Free entry; 50/50 pot; DJ; and more. Call 417.437.4586.

May 15: Third Thursday Downtown, 5:30-8:30 pm, Main Street from 1st-15th. Enjoy local art, music, entertainment, food, unique retail shopping and special events each month. Call 417.310.3472 or visit www.downtownjoplin.com.

May 17: Lunch Bunch Teen Book Club, 1 pm, Joplin Public Library, 300 S. Main. Teens grades 6-12. Read a book nominated for either the Gateway Readers Award, the Truman Readers Award or the Teens’ Top Ten Award. Bring your own lunch; drinks and dessert provided. Call 417.623.2184.

May 24: Memorial Day Weekend at Route 66 Carousel Park, 4 pm, 3834 W. 7th Street, Military personnel receive a free ride bracelet with military ID. Call 417.437.4586.

June 7: 2014 RACE4HOPE, 6:30 am registration, race starts; 8 am, Joplin Athletic Complex, Schifferdecker Park, 5k certified course and 1 mile walk, awards, a ceremony to honor the “pink sisters”. Proceeds benefit Hope 4 You Breast Cancer Foundation. Call 417.438.8551.

Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center - Open Wednesday-Saturday, 9 am-5 pm, Sunday 12-4 pm, closed Monday and Tuesday. Wildcat Park and nature trails open 7 days a week, dawn to dusk. All programs are held at Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center 201 W. Riviera Dr., Suite A, Joplin, MO, Programs require preregistration. Call 417.782.6287 or visit www.wildcatglades.audubon.org.

May 10: Preschool Nature Connections: Bird Bonanza, 10-11 am. Ages: 3-6. Cost: $5 per child members/$10 per child nonmembers. Learn about bird migration, take a bird hike and make a fun birdie craft. Each child receives a bird house kit to take home.

May 17: Yoga in Nature, 9-10 am. All ages welcome. $3 per person members/$6 per person nonmembers. Enjoy exercising at your own level beside beautiful Shoal Creek.

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 13

May 24: Missouri Wildflower Nursery Native Plant Sale, 9 am-2 pm. Native plants benefit wildlife, are adapted to local climate and are more drought tolerant and disease resistant. May order specific plants ahead of time, Nursery will bring with them at no extra charge. Visit www.mowildflowers.net to view the plants and preorder. 

Lamar, MO

May 3: Southwest Missouri Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis, 8 am check in, 9 am walk, First Baptist Church,1301 E. 6th.  Food, fun, music and a 3-mile walk. Call 913.384.8997 or visit www.cff.org/greatstrides.

Monett, MO

May 1: Annual Prayer Breakfast, 7 am, Monett Area YMCA Event Center. Open to the public; complimentary breakfast provided. Call 417.235.7919.

Neosho, MO

Through May: Neosho R-5 Preschool and Kindergarten Screenings, PAT office, Field School. Schedule appointment by calling 417.451.8632.

Every Tuesday: Child-Parent Relationship Training, 5:30-7:30 pm, Neosho R-5 central office, 418 Fairground Road. Fun program for parents and caregivers of children ages 0-13.  Call Crystal or Bea to register, 417.312.2622.

May 3: Neosho’s Car & Bike Cruise Night, 3–7 pm, Historic Downtown Square. Live DJ; no entry fee; all registered entries receive dash plaques, entertainment. Call 417.451.1925.

May 3: 1st Annual TRIO Dodge ball Tournament, 10 am, Crowder College Neosho Campus Gymnasium. Concessions available. All funds go for TRIO Scholarships. $75 per team with a 20 team maximum. 417.455.5540.

May 10: Annual Hill & Hollow Plant Sale, 8 am, 18728 Hwy 59. Flowers, vegetables, shrubs, and trees for sale. 417.451.9500.

May 10: Newton County Extension Center Open House, 8 am, 18728 Hwy 59. See our new building and learn about our services. 417.455.9500.

May 17: Crowder College Graduation Ceremonies, 10 am for General Studies; 1 pm for all other graduates, Bob Sneller Gymnasium, Neosho campus. Call 417.455.5544.

Nevada, MO

May 2 & 3: Citywide Garage Sale: 7 am. Maps available at the Nevada Daily. Call 417.667.3344.

May 3: Cottey College “Children’s Theatre Performance,” 3 pm, Cottey Auditorium, 1000 W Austin Blvd. Call 417.667.8181.

Purcell, MO

May 17: John Vincent Benefit Fishing Tournament, 8 am-4 pm, Quaker Mill Park, Maverick Road. Hosted by the Vincent family, funds will help with medical bills incurred as John fights brain cancer. Call 417.525.4681 or visit www.fightingforjohn.com.

Southwest City, MO

May 2-3: Old Timer’s Day and Rodeo, 8 am, Main Street. 5K run, pancake breakfast, vendors, parade, “Outhouse Races,” ACRA Rodeo and more. Call 417.762.3737.

Webb City, MO

May 1: Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, 7:30 am, Route 66 Events Center, 21 S. Webb Street, $10. Call 417.673.1154.

May 1-3: Citywide Garage Sale, 7 am. Maps available in the Wise Buyer. Call 417.673.1154.

May 3: Bright Futures Fun Walk, 10 am-12 pm, Webb City High School Stadium. Concessions, face painting, DJ, games, bouncy house and more. Call 417.673.3402.

May 7: The Power of Email Marketing, 10 am-12 pm, Route 66 Event Center, 21 S. Webb Street. Learn how to make a real difference in your marketing program using email. Call 417.673.1154 or visit www.mssutraining.com.

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in the OzarksWhat’s Happening

Calendar of EventsSMTO

May 10: Route 66 Cruise Night, 5-8 pm, Downtown Webb City. Antiques, classic cars and more; trophies awarded. Call 417.673.1154.

Bartlesville, OK

May 1: OLLI @ Woolaroc, 1-5 pm, Woolaroc. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute fundraiser - 501c(3) deductible - $50 suggested. Two classes to choose from: sketching with OK Mozart artist Lyle DonCarlos (bring a chair) or photographing the great outdoors with award-winning Kathleen Rutledge (bring your camera). Visit http://education.okstate.edu/olli for a registration form or call 1.405.744.5868 to reserve spot.

May 2-4: Stray Kat Kar Show, 10 am-10 pm, Dewey, Stray Kat Kustoms. Laid-back show and music. Call 918.534.2190.

May 3: The Magical Music of Disney, 7:30-9:30 pm, Bartlesville Community Center, 300 SE Adams. Full concert of music and visuals featuring many memorable Disney movies and characters. Tickets: Adults: $34, $24, $14; Students: $17, $12, $7. Call 918.336.2787 or visit wwwbartlesvillesymphony.org.

May 10: “Oil Flyer” Bartlesville Train Excursion, 10-3 pm, Train Depot, 201 SW Keeler. One-hour excursions offered at 10 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. Tickets: $10. Proceeds benefit the preservation/restoration of the 1948 caboose and newly acquired 1914 tank car. Call 918.336.8709.

May 10: The Good, the Bad & The Barbeque, 6-10 pm, Mullendore Cross Bell Ranch. Barbeque dinner, dancing and live and silent auctions. Tickets: $65/person. Proceeds support Elder Care programs. Call Deirdre McArdle, 918.336.8500 or visit dmcardle@abouteldercare.org.

May 17: JPMC Community Heart Walk/Run, 8 am-12 pm, Bluestem Cardiology, 3460 SE Frank Phillips Blvd. 5K run: $25, includes T-shirt. Money raised supports Bluestem Medical Foundation which supports Jane Phillips Medical Center. Call 918.331.1431.

May 30-June 1: Sunfest, Friday 3-11 pm, Saturday 10 am-11 pm, Sunday 10 am-5 pm, Sooner Park. 32nd annual arts and crafts event featuring music, art, food, and activities. Call 918.977.1836 or visit www.bartlesvillesunfest.org.

Grove, OK

May 2: Grand Lake O the Cherokee Quilt Guild, 10 am, Community Center, first Friday of each month. Call 918.786.9078.

May 2-3: Citywide Garage Sale, 7 am; map in the Grove Sun. Call 918.786.2228.

May 15: Har-Ber Village and Grove Public Library present special book discussion program, 2 pm, Grove Public Library featuring “Roughneck” by Jim Thompson with scholar Dr. Emily Dial-Driver. Call Katie Johnson, 918.786.6446.

May 17: Grove Grand Gobbler’s JAKES Event, 8:30 am, 25900 South 678 Road. JAKES stands for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship. Enjoy many outdoor activities including archery, horseback riding, kayaking, fishing, tomahawk throwing and more. Ages 4-17. Call 918.801.2840.

Pryor, OK

May 3: First Saturday Trader’s Day, 8 am, Whitaker Park, South Coo-Y-Ya. Gun traders, produce, arts and crafts, wood carvers, garage sale items, etc. Call 918.825.0157.

May 23-25: Rocklahoma Music Festival, 12 pm, Catch the Fever festival grounds. Headliners include Five Finger Death Punch, Deftones, Staind, Twisted Sister, Kid Rock, and many more. Call 866.310.2288 or visit www.rocklahoma.com.

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 15

Bentonville, AR

May 2-3: Art on the Creek, 9 am-6 pm, Wishing Spring Gallery, 8862 W. McNelly Road. Booths featured along McKisic Creek’s walkway, inside The Studio building, and throughout Wishing Spring Gallery grounds. Also visit the Gallery where 45 local artists will be displaying and selling their hand-crafted work. Call 479.855.2064 or visit www.village-art-club.org.

Fayetteville, AR

May 1: First Thursday Fayetteville, 5:30 pm, Downtown Fayetteville Square. Artists and downtown merchants connect and transform the entire downtown area into a cultural arts experience. Free. Call 479.521.5776.

May 6: Lyle Lovett & His Acoustic Group, 7 pm, Walton Arts Center, 495 W. Dickson Street. The Texas-based musician fuses elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues in a convention-defying manner that breaks down barriers. Call 479.443.5600.

Carthage, MO

Every Saturday: Art Classes, 12-2 pm, Cherry’s Art Emporium, 311 S. Main Street. All ages, all materials furnished, $30. Call 417.358.2707.

May 1-9: Exhibit “Layers,” artCentral Hyde House Gallery, 1110 E. 13th Street, 12-5 pm Fridays & Saturdays; 1-5 pm Sundays. Pastels and paintings by artists Patti Beavers, Sarcoxie, and Becky Golubski, Pierce City, in both galleries. Call 417.359.8181.

May 9-11 & 16-18, “My Three Angels,” 6 pm, Stone’s Throw Dinner Theatre, 2466 Old 66 Blvd. Dinner and show at its best! Sunday Matinee 1 pm. Three amiable convicts are employed as roofers above the Ducotel’s general store. Reservations required; call 417.358.9665 or visit www.stonesthrowdinnertheatre.webs.com.

May 13 & 25: Canvas & Cocktails, Cherry’s Art Emporium, 311 S. Main Street, 2nd Thursday & 4th Tuesday of every month, 6-8:30 pm. All materials and a cocktail, $40. Call 417.358.2707.

May 28: Fourth Friday Art Walk, 6-9 pm, Historic Carthage Square. Call 417.359.8181 or visit www.carthageartwalk.com.

Joplin, MO

May 3: Pro Musica presents first jazz concert with Frederick Moyer & the Dave Brubeck Tribute Quartet, 7:30 pm, Corley Auditorium in Webster Hall, MSSU. No charge, but tickets required. Reserve up to 2 tickets per person by emailing info@promusicajoplin.org. Call 417.625.1822 or visit www.promusicajplin.org.

May 1-11: Celebrating a Local Son and His Art - 125th Birthday of Thomas Hart Benton, 8 am-5 pm Monday-Friday, 1st floor of Joplin City Hall. Public exhibit of a collection of works by Neosho native and world-renowned painter and muralist Thomas Hart Benton. Also on display are works submitted by regional 11th and 12th grade students. Weekend viewing by appointment. Call 417.625.4789.

May 28-June1: The Andrews Brothers, 7:30 pm, Sunday matinee 2:30 pm, Joplin Little Theatre, 3001 W. 1st Street. Musical/Comedy directed by Carolyn McGowan, featuring music of the 1940s. Call 417.623.3636 or visit www.joplinlittletheatre.org.

Spiva Center for the Arts, Third and Wall. 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:

May 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29: Memories in the Making®, 10 am-12 pm. Free. An art experience centered on the expression of creativity through painting for those dealing with memory loss. No prior art experience necessary. Call 800.272.3900.

May 3: Anime with Amber, 11 am-1 pm. Ages 12-18. Cost: $25. Observe the work of professional anime artists, then practice on real anime boards to create your character, storyline, and background.

May 6, 13, 20, and 27: Creation Station, 3:45-5:15 pm. Ages 6-12. Cost: $5 per class. Experiment with a variety of media and explore the galleries with scavenger hunts and other activities. Limited space; please preregister.

May 7, 14, 21, and 28: Preschooler and Pal Art Class, 10-11 am. Ages 3-5. Cost: $5 per class. Share art with your very young artist through a variety of media and build creativity through reading and art. Parents must stay with student. Limited space; please preregister.

May 10: Mommy & Me Plein Air Paint Day, 1-3 pm. Ages 6-12. Cost: $30/pr. Just in time for Mother’s Day, spend the afternoon with mom and learn together how to paint in the beautiful outdoors. Supplies provided.

May 31: Whimsical Box Painting, 1-3 pm. Ages 14+. Cost: $35. Students will be shown how to “let go” and expand on their designs.  Supplies provided. Class size is limited.

Exhibits:

Through May 4: PhotoSpiva 2014, Main Gallery. Year 38 of Spiva’s acclaimed national photography competition presents outstanding images by amateur and professional U.S. photographers.

Through May 4: Natalie Wiseman: Un-still Life, Regional Gallery. Household items illustrate themes of potential, luck, and control – or the lack thereof. Wiseman’s realistic style and primary color palette depict life that is anything but still!

May 17–July 6: Kathy Ruth Neal: Wood at Play, Main Gallery. A self-taught wood carver whose work depicts whimsical characters in vignettes of American Life. Her colorful carvings have been displayed in galleries, museums and private collections nationally and internationally.

May 17–July 6: Michael Gory: Luminary Animals, Regional Gallery. Large animals are the stars here. Glowing, intense color and fluorescent expressionism create a sense of heightened consciousness in a shimmering, magical world.

Neosho, MO

Through May 4: 3rd Annual Herman Jaeger Festival, Historic Downtown Square. Thursday: Jaeger Historical Exhibit, Wine Pairing Dinner; Friday: “Cinema in the Civic” featuring “Frozen”; Saturday: Car/Bike Cruise Night 3 pm-7 pm; Sunday: Oak Ridge Garden Party. Call 417.592.0427 or 417.451.2885 or visit www.neoshoarts.org.

May 3: Dr. John H. Galey Art & Music Festival, 10 am-Evening, Wood Street off the Square. Enjoy artwork, storytelling, live music, food, child friendly activities. Call 417.451.1925.

May 5: Pigeon Studio Art Sale, 10 am-4 pm, Fireside Room, Neosho campus. Pottery, photography, drawings, paintings, jewelry,  sculptures and Mother’s Day gifts for sale. Call Casey Stueber, 417.455.5526.

Pierce City, MO

May 17: 6th Annual Pierce City Arts Festival, 9 am-4 pm, Pierce City Park. Art, folk art, food vendors, wine tasting, free art workshops, and much more!  Free. Call Becky, 417.489.3041, or visit piercecityartsfestival.webs.com.

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A Portrait of Urban Joplin

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.

Blacklist Ink628 S. Main Street

417.782.2500

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.

Blue Moon Market613 S. Main Street

www.bluemoonmarket.org417.553.0826

By Trisha PattonPhoto by Rodney Hobart

One of Downtown Joplin’s premier 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. Open Monday-Saturday, 11 am-9 pm.

Red Onion Cafe 4th & Virginia

www.redonioncafe.com417.623.1004

downtown Joplin celebrates GrowthDowntown Joplin Alliance is celebrating! Over the last six years of bringing the community together, helping support the growth of the arts movement and encouraging businesses to stay in Downtown, we have some impressive data. Over the last six years of Third Thursday, the vacancy rate in Downtown has decreased from 55 percent to 25 percent. We have many more restaurants, retail shops, entertainment venues and art galleries than at any other time over the last two decades.

This progress is apparent throughout the urban core. In the last six months, we have seen an increase in development in Northtown, Midtown and Southtown. Just one month ago, Eureka Flats, the newest set of modern lofts, opened across the street from Soul’s Harbor. At the end of 2013, we welcomed The Bruncheonette just north of Downtown, a breakfast and lunch venue that is open throughout the week including Sundays. In Southtown, we are excited to see El Vaquero and Stacked open and busy. Third Thursday has grown as well. Originally, there was one music stage, 12 artists and 50 attendees. In March, we had over 4,000 people visit Third Thursday, eight music stages and over 100 artists on display. This is made possible by the volunteers, sponsors and donors of Downtown Joplin Alliance. The volunteer-based organization has over 35 volunteers who commit thousands of hours over the year.

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 17

By Jamie Emery Food Enthusiast

> > Big R’s BBQ is located at 1220 E. 15th Street • Joplin, MO • 417.781.5959

From the moment you walk into Big R’s in Joplin, you feel like you are walking into a family function. The restaurant’s décor offers memorabilia from local events and functions, many that become nostalgic for anyone who has spent much time in Joplin. You can find portraits of the owner’s children and the hillbilly chic atmosphere is inviting and warm. However, that is just the beginning. I arrived at Big R’s slightly before the lunch crowd. I took my seat, ordered my sweet tea and began my favorite hobby—people watching. I watched as people from all walks of life came together, and soon the restaurant was full. I looked across the room and realized that it is not often that this many different people come together with commonality. By the end of my meal, I, too, realized what everyone else eating at Big R’s that day already knew and what brought us all together.As I perused the lunch menu, I quickly noticed that their excellent lunch specials not only extend from Monday thru Friday, but apply to Saturday as well. At $7.99, which includes your drink and the dessert of the day, I had many options. That menu included a chicken fried steak on a big seeded bun, a jumbo hot dog topped with pulled pork and creamy coleslaw, a hickory smoked turkey breast salad or a hickory-smoked turkey breast with shaved ham and Swiss cheese on a toasted ciabatta. I ended up not ordering off the lunch menu and decided on one of my personal favorites, the half-chicken dinner. For my two sides, I chose a loaded baked potato and baked beans. Big R’s menu really surprised me. What I assumed was just a barbeque restaurant offered a great number of home-style selections. The menu seemed to consider every person in a family.As I waited for my lunch, I watched as the owner, Twyla Housh, personally seated guests. I know there are a great number of locally owned restaurants in our community, but I wonder how many take that hands-on approach. I watched as waiters and waitresses interacted with the guests and how they interacted with each other. The feeling of the whole lunch was light, playful and pleasant. I didn’t feel the stress of the hustle and bustle of life.

Where Everyone Knows Your Name

My lunch was great. The chicken was moist and the barbeque sauce was the right combination of sweet and spicy. The rolls, the baked potato and my baked beans met my expectations, but the pie….If you have not had a piece of Big R’s pie than you are truly missing out. The pies are personally made by the owner and her mother every day and are unbelievable. You have not had a piece of pie until you have had one from Big R’s. Eating at Big R’s in Joplin reminded me of the 1980s sitcom “Cheers.” Big R’s is more than an establishment that serves food, but a place where people come together to share their experiences and life. It is a place where “everyone knows your name.”

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ShowMe Dining Guide

Golden Corral of Joplin2415 S. Range Line • Joplin, MO

417.625.1684Enjoy 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 Triple Fountain Yum is here! Chocolate, caramel and white chocolate falls. The Great Steak Buffet offered after 4 pm, Monday-Saturday and after 11 am on Sunday. Party room, call ahead seating, kids menu and catering. $-$$

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

Tokyo Japanese Steak & Sushi511 N. Range Line • Joplin, MO

417.781.9888 • www.tokyosteakandsushi.comTokyo Japanese Steak & Sushi invites you to enjoy the show as our chefs prepare a delicious meal at your table. We have a full menu of fresh seafood, premier meats and more. Now is the perfect time to make your holiday reservations! Daily lunch specials from 11 am-3 pm. Call for reservations or questions. $$-$$$

Hours: Monday - Thursday 11 am-10 pmFriday and Saturday 11 am-11 pm • Sunday 11 am-9 pm

Casa Montez2324 S. Range Line • Joplin, MO

417.781.3610Serving 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

Shawanoe Restaurant 70220 East Hwy 60 • Wyandotte, OK

888.992 SKY1Shawanoe is now serving the Big Sky Ribeye which will challange even themost serious steak lover!! Pair this 22 ounce Ribeye Steak with any two sides of your choice for just Thirty-Nine Dollars and Ninety-Nine Cents.... we guarantee that you will not walk away hungry..... Shawanoe Restaurant located inside Indigo Sky Casino...Hwy 60, West of Seneca, MO. $$-$$$$

Hours: Sunday-Thursday 5-9 pm Friday and Saturday 5-11 pm.

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 19

Caldone’s218 S. Main Street • Joplin, MO

417.626.8111 • www.caldones.comIf 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

Hackett Hot Wings520 S. Main • Joplin, MO

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) $-$$

Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 am to close

Wilder’s Steakhouse ~ Since 19291216 Main Street • Joplin, MO

417.623.7230 • www.wilderssteakhouse.comA 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 pmFriday and Saturday 5-10 pm • Closed Sunday

Club 609609 Main Street • Joplin, MO

417.623.6090“Treat your appetite to a GOURMET DELIGHT served ‘Joplin style’.” Flavorful specialties for any occasion, featuring salads burgers and sandwiches. Delicious entrees – beef, chicken, pork, seafood and seven “pastabilities!” Offering appetizers, homemade desserts, soup du jour, beer, wine and mixed drinks. Kids menu available. $-$$$

Hours: Kitchen open Monday-Friday 11 am-10 pmSaturday 11 am-10:30 pm • Bar open later

20

ShowMe Dining Guide

Mythos 1306 S. Range Line • Joplin, MO

417.624.myth • www.mythosjoplin.comWorld-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-closeOpen Monday - Saturday

Pacific Rim2850 S. Range Line • Joplin, MO

417.659.8888Experience a wide variety of Asian dishes, sushi and the house special, Mongolian BBQ. Full menu, soups, appetizers and vegetarian plates. For those of you who have a difficult time deciding, try Pacific Rim’s Signature Appetizer Sampler. Daily lunch specials from 11 am-3 pm. $-$$

Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 am-10 pmFriday 11 am-11 pm • Sunday 11 am-9 pm

Lumpy’s BBQ1316 Broadway • Joplin, MO

417.623.7183 • “On Historic Route 66”Local flavor that’s smokin’ hot! Enjoy the famous BBQ only Lumpy’s serves in our smoke-free restaurant. Renowned smoked ribs, smoked chicken and smoked turkey with a twice baked potato! Happy hour 2-6 pm. New tap selections include Guiness, 312, Stella Artois and Towhead. Let us cater your event, reunion, picnic and business luncheons. Ask about our lunch specials and our Senior and Military discounts. $-$$

See us on Facebook • www.theoriginallumpysbbq.com Hours: 11 am–11 pm daily

Randy’s Drive-In1201 E. Pennell Carl Junction, MO

417.649.7732Home of the Bulldog Shake! Celebrating over 21 years in business. Locally owned and operated. Over 15 sandwiches, entrees including Spaghetti Red, Frito Pie Deluxe, Chicken Plank or Shrimp Dinners and more! Salads, ice cream and kids’ menu Call ahead. $-$$

Hours: Monday-Sunday 10 am-9 pm

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 21

Minerva Candy Company12 S. Main Street • Webb City, MO

417.717.0042 • www.minervacandy.comThis 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-10pmMusic every Saturday from 7-9 pm

Suzanne’s Natural Foods3106 Connecticut Ave • Joplin, MO417. 781.0909 • www.suzannes.com

Eating healthy on-the-go is difficult in Southwest Missouri. Finally, there’s an option! Suzanne’s Natural Foods is not just a grocery store anymore.  Come in and try our delicious sandwiches, wraps, soups, and salad bar. It’s okay! All our ingredients are organic and natural. Worried that healthy food just never tastes as good? Never fear, our chef has mastered that rare combo of healthy, homemade, and addictive. Still not convinced? Alright, just come in for our always popular smoothies and fresh juices, they need no introduction. $-$$ Hours: Monday - Friday 11 am - 2 pm

Granny Shaffer’s Family Restaurant2728 N. Range Line or 7th & Illinois • Joplin, MO

417.659.9393 • www.grannyshaffers.comEnjoy a great cup of freshly roasted coffee. Watch while we roast a blend! Homemade pies, cobblers, sweetbreads and rolls made from scratch daily. Serious breakfasts, salads, steaks, seafood, Mexican, pasta and Dixieland fried chicken or catfish. Ask about our banquet rooms and catering. “Good Old Fashioned Cooking.” $-$$

Hours: Monday-Saturday 6 am-8:30 pm • Sunday 7 am-3 pm

Big R’s BBQ1220 E. 15th Street • Joplin, MO

417.781.5959Big 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 pmFriday and Saturday 11 am-9:30 pm • Closed Sunday

22

BIG R’S BBQ, JOPLIN, MO1220 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, MO101 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 am- 9 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-10 pm. Closed Sunday. 417.678.2888. $$-$$$

CAFÉ ANGELICA, NEOSHO, MO107 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, MO218 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, MO2324 S. Range Line. Serving authentic Mexican specialties for over 45 years, including carnitas, fajitas, burrito enchilada style and much more! Lunch fajita buffet available Monday–Friday 11 am–2 pm. Check for nightly dinner specials. Full-service cantina offering your favorite drinks and margaritas. Monday-Thursday 11 am-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-11 pm, Sunday 11 am-9 pm. 417.781.3610. $-$$

CLUB 609, JOPLIN, MO609 Main Street. “Treat your appetite to a GOURMET DELIGHT served ‘Joplin-style’.” Flavorful specialties for any occasion, featuring salads, burgers and sandwiches. Delicious entrees – beef, chicken, pork, seafood and seven “pastabilities!” Offering appetizers, homemade desserts, soup du jour, beer, wine and mixed drinks. Kids menu available. Kitchen open Monday-Friday, 11 am-10 pm, Saturday, 11 am-10:30 pm. Bar open later. 417.623.6090. $-$$$

CLUB 1201 NOSHERY, JOPLIN, MO1201 E. 32nd Street. 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. Open Monday-Friday. Now serving breakfast 6:30-10 am, lunch 11 am-3 pm. Open Saturdays for private parties. $-$$

GOLDEN CORRAL, JOPLIN, MO2415 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 Triple Fountain Yum is here! Chocolate, caramel and white chocolate falls. The Great Steak Buffet offered after 4 pm, Monday-Saturday and after 11 am on Sunday. Party room, call ahead seating, kids menu and catering. 417.625.1684. $-$$

GRANNY SHAFFER’S FAMILY RESTAURANT, JOPLIN, MO2728 N. Range Line or 7th & Illinois. Enjoy a great cup of freshly roasted coffee. Watch while we roast a blend! Homemade pies, cobblers, sweetbreads and rolls made from scratch daily. Serious breakfasts, salads, steaks, seafood, Mexican, pasta and Dixieland fried chicken or catfish. Ask about our banquet rooms and catering. “Good Old Fashioned Cooking.” Monday-Saturday 6 am-8:30 pm and Sunday 7 am-3 pm. www.grannyshaffers.com. 417.659.9393. $-$$

HACKETT HOT WINGS, JOPLIN, MO520 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, KS400 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. $$

LUMPY’S BBQ, JOPLIN, MO1316 Broadway “On Historic Route 66” Local flavor that’s smokin’ hot! Enjoy the famous BBQ only Lumpy’s serves in our smoke-free restaurant. Renowned smoked ribs, smoked chicken and smoked turkey with a twice baked potato! Happy hour 2-6 pm. New tap selections include Guiness, 312, Stella Artois and Towhead. Let us cater your event, reunion, picnic and business luncheons. Ask about our lunch specials and our Senior and Military discounts. Hours: 11 am–11 pm daily. See us on Facebook 417.623.7183 www.theoriginallumpysbbq.com $-$$

MCALISTER’S DELI, JOPLIN, MO 2230 S. Range Line. You’ll be greeted by a massive menu filled with sandwiches, tasty wraps, Paninis, spuds, salads, soups and sweets. You’ll always have room for a brownie delight, lemon bar or fresh baked cookies. Everything is made exactly as you like it. Try a glass of McAlister’s famous Sweet Tea™! Gift cards, catering, to go orders. Sunday-Thursday 10:30 am- 10 pm, Friday-Saturday 10:30 am-10:30 pm. WiFi enabled. 417.624.3354. $

BIG R’S BBQ, JOPLIN, MOBig 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. $

GOLDEN CORRAL, JOPLIN, MO2415 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. $

ShowMe Dining Guide

KEY$ - $9 and under$$ - $10 - $15$$$ - $15 - $20$$$$ - $20 & up

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.

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 23

ME’S PLACE, JOPLIN, MO1203 Broadway. Serving “Love on a Plate” each day. Monday: Skillet Burgers, Tuesday: Baked Chicken or Chicken & Dumplings, Wednesday: Country Ribs or Ham & Beans, Thursday: Meatloaf or Salisbury Steak, Friday: Smothered Pork Chops, Saturday: Boneless Catfish. Lunch and dinner daily, includes two sides and cornbread. Fourteen sides to choose from. Fried wings available daily. Kids menu available. Open Monday 11 am-3pm, Tuesday-Saturday. Lunch 11 am-3 pm • Dinner 5-8 pm. 417.622.0603. $-$$

MINERVA CANDY COMPANY, WEBB CITY, MO12 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, MOThank 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, MO21 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 $-$$

PACIFIC RIM, JOPLIN, MO2850 S. Range Line. Experience a wide variety of Asian dishes, sushi and the house special, Mongolian BBQ. Full menu, soups, appetizers and vegetarian plates. For those of you who have a difficult time deciding, try Pacific Rim’s Signature Appetizer Sampler. Daily lunch specials from 11 am-3 pm. Open Monday-Thursday 11 am-10 pm, Friday 11 am-11 pm and Sunday 11 am- 9 pm. 417.659.8888. $-$$

RANDY’S DRIVE IN, CARL JUNCTION1201 E. Pennell Home of the Bulldog Shake! Celebrating over 21 years in business. Locally owned and operated. Over 15 sandwiches, entrees including Spaghetti Red, Frito Pie Deluxe, Chicken Plank or Shrimp Dinners and more! Salads, ice cream and kids’ menu. Open Monday-Sunday 10 am-9 pm Call ahead 417.649.7732. $-$$

RED ONION CAFE - CASUAL URBAN DINING, JOPLIN, MO4th and Virginia. One of Downtown Joplin’s premier 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. Monday-Saturday, 11 am-9 pm. 417.623.1004. www.redonioncafe.com $-$$

RED ONION ESPRESSORIA AND COFFEE ESPRESSO BAR, JOPLIN, MO32nd & 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.

Woody’s Smokehouse

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, MO2915 E 24th Street. A real family barbecue place featuring real pit championship smoked meats, burgers, and fish along with traditional sides, salads and homemade desserts. We feature weekday lunch options and All-You-Can Eat ribs and sides on Tuesday nights! No reservations required. Catering is our specialty whether it is 100 or 5000! Hours: Open daily 11 am–10 pm. 417.206.7427 www.ribcrib.com $-$$

SAM’S CELLAR BAR & OVEN, NEOSHO, MO 101 N. Wood St. Under the Historic Neosho Square. Featuring 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 Wood-Fired Wings. Specialty entrees include Italian Chicken Breast Salad, Buffalo Chicken Wrap, BBQ Beef Wrap, and all your favorite wood-fired pizzas. Open 7 days a week, 11 am-close. 417.451.3330. $-$$$

SHAWANOE RESTAURANT, WYANDOTTE, OK70220 East HWY. 60, Shawanoe is now serving the Big Sky Ribeye which will challange even the most serious steak lover!! Pair this 22 ounce Ribeye Steak with any two sides of your choice for just Thirty-Nine Dollars and Ninety-Nine Cents.... we guarantee that you will not walk away hungry..... Shawanoe Restaurant located inside Indigo Sky Casino... Open Sunday-Thursday 5-9 pm, Friday and Saturday 5-11 pm. 888.992.SKY1. $$-$$$$

SUZANNE’S NATURAL FOODS, JOPLIN, MO3106 Connecticut Ave. Eating healthy on-the-go is difficult in Southwest Missouri. Finally, there’s an option! Suzanne’s Natural Foods is not just a grocery store anymore. Come in and try our delicious sandwiches, wraps, soups, and salad bar. It’s okay! All our ingredients are organic and natural. Worried that healthy food just never tastes as good? Never fear, our chef has mastered that rare combo of healthy, homemade, and addictive. Still not convinced? Alright, just come in for our always popular smoothies and fresh juices, they need no introduction. Open Monday-Friday 11 am-2 pm. 417.781.0909. www.suzannes.com. $-$$

TOKYO JAPANESE STEAK & SUSHI, JOPLIN, MO511 N. Range Line. Tokyo Japanese Steak & Sushi invites you to enjoy the show as our chefs prepare a delicious meal at your table. We have a full menu of fresh seafood, premier meats and more. Now is the perfect time to make your holiday reservations! Daily lunch specials from 11 am-3 pm. Open Monday-Thursday 11 am-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-11 pm and Sunday 11 am-9 pm. View our menu at www.tokyosteakandsushi.com. For reservations or questions, call 417.781.9888. $$-$$$

WILDER’S STEAKHOUSE - SINCE 1929, JOPLIN, MO1216 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, MO25124 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. $

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Like the CVB on Facebook at /visitmiamiok. 

Follow the CVB on Twitter at @miamioktourism. 

Miami is full of things to do in May. For more information about visiting Northeast Oklahoma, please contact the Miami

Convention & Visitors Bureau at 918.542.4435 to request a free packet. Full event listings are available at www.visitmiamiok.com. The Coleman Theatre offers free tours on Monday and Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm and on Tuesday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. Find Coleman event details at www.colemantheatre.org or call 918.540.2425.

Bring on

miami may eventsMay 1, 7 pm: John Conlee at Buffalo Run Casino

May 1, 7 pm: NEO A&M College Spring Football Game at Red Robertson Field

May 2-3: Rodeo Miami at the Miami Fairgrounds

May 3: Miami City Wide Garage Sale

May 8, 8 pm: Northeastern A&M College Commencement

May 17-18: Silent Movie at the Coleman Theatre

May 19: Miami BMX Rider Event

May 24-31: 28th Annual Oklahoma Boys State at NEO A&M College

May 24: Miami Municipal Pool Opens

May 24, 6 pm: Miami Route 66 Cruise Night at Waylan’s Ku-Ku

May 26, 10 am: G.A.R. Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony

Summer!

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 25

Bartlesville Convention & Visitors Bureau201 SW Keeler, Bartlesville, OK 74003918-336-8708 • 800-364-8708

VisitBartlesville.com

Sunfest Annual Arts & Crafts ShowMay 30-June 1Sooner Park, Bartlesville, OK918-977-1836 • BartlesvilleSunFest.org

Sunfest is going International in 2014. 32ND annual tradition continues with the best mix of music, art, food, and activities available in Green Country.

Amici New York String Quartet and SHEL House ConcertWednesday, May 14 • 7pm-10pmFrank Phillips Club206 SE Frank Phillips ClubBartlesville, OK • OKMozart.com

50th Delaware Pow WowMay 23-25 • 6pm-11pmFalleaf CampgroundsRoad 600, Copan, OKDelawareTribe.org

The Oklahoma GamesRX & Scaled Team CompetitionMay 30 & 31 • 9am-6pmBruin Activity Center1700 SE Hillcrest Dr, Bartlesville, OKRegistration: TheOklahomaGames.com Trisha Meaney 620-870-4225

Frank Lloyd Wright in the Heart of Green Country!

OK Mozart International Music Festival - June 7-14, 2014

the popular OKM Original Artist Concert Series in Bartlesville will conclude this year’s season with a world-premiere event, pairing OK Mozart’s Amici New York String Quartet with the Fort Collins,

Colorado, contemporary sister-quartet, SHEL, on stage at the Frank Phillips Club in the Kress Building at 206 SE Frank Phillips Boulevard. Doors open at 7 pm for the May 14 concert. OK Mozart Artistic Director Constantine Kitsopoulos said it was during SHEL’s performance closing out the 2013 OKM Festival showcase series that an epiphany occurred. While the sister group performed their original tune “Tuscany,” which was influenced by the quartet’s classical upbringing, he realized they provided a great opportunity to bring chamber music to diverse audiences.“I was intrigued by the originality of SHEL’s music,” Kitsopoulos said. “I could hear additional strings weaving in and out of the arrangements of the songs. After a brief conversation with the band, I knew it was something we should explore further.”“For us, [this concert] is a long-standing dream come true -- we’re extremely excited,” said SHEL’s cellist and mandolin player Eva Holbrook. “Bartlesville is without question one of the most unique and wonderful towns we’ve ever visited, and we’re thrilled to be working with OK Mozart once again to bring a very special concert experience to one of our favorite audiences.”SHEL is comprised of the Holbrook sisters – Sarah, Hannah, Eva and Liza – four talented young artists ranging in age from 19 to 24 who demonstrate a musical prowess that belies their years. The quartet creates beautiful four-part harmonies in lilting vocals that represent just a fraction of their allure. These young ladies are exceptional musicians who all play an array

of instruments including mandolin, cello, violin, electric bass and various percussion including drums and djembe.Tickets are $32 and can be purchased at www.okmozart.com, in person at the Bartlesville Community Center, at the OK Mozart box office or via phone at 918.337.2787.Additionally, a VIP ticket is available for $72. Limited to just 40 tickets, the VIP package includes an opportunity to visit with SHEL, the Amici New York String Quartet and Kitsopoulos in the Bartlesville Monthly Magazine loft above the Frank Phillips Club. Hearty appetizers, wine and beer will be offered and VIP ticket holders will be entitled to reserved seats for the downstairs concert. The meet-and-greet begins at 5:30 pm.

okm original artist concert series finale features World Premier collaboration

Above: The SHEL quartet is comprised of the Holbrook sisters: Sarah, Hannah, Eva and Liza. Right: The Amici New York String Quartet is comprised of four members of the Amici New York orchestra: Adria Benjamin, Bob Zubryki, Sebu Sirinian and Roger Shell. Photo by Lehmer Photography

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Personal HistoryTad Jones grew up in Oklahoma and graduated from Oologah High School. First attending the University of Mississippi for two years, he played football as a walk-on quarterback. Tad transferred to the University of Tulsa in 1993 where he played football for the Golden Hurricanes. Tad earned his degree in marketing and graduated from TU in 1996.

Public ServiceAfter graduation from Tulsa University, Tad ran for public office. He served in the Oklahoma Legislature for 12 years from 1998-2011. As a legislator, he served as chairman of the education committee, where his work centered on issues involving higher education and career technology. “I enjoyed that work a great deal. I met some interesting people from all over Oklahoma,” Tad said. During his last two years in office, he served as the majority floor leader.

Grand Lake AssociationCurrently a resident of Claremore, Okla., Tad serves as the director of the Grand Lake Association. “I have met amazing people from around the country who come to Grand Lake,” Tad said. “Many of the people who live here or have summer homes here have been extremely successful in their work lives. Grand Lake is a hidden gem. We think of it as our own little watering hole.” That quiet little gem is playing host to the Grand Lake Extravaganza this spring, which offers prize money for catching tagged bass. “We began planning last year, and are excited that so many people from Oregon and California, Massachusetts to Florida and everywhere in between will be coming here not just for a few hours, but to spend

Profile

several days. This is part of how the Grand Lake Association markets the four counties that touch Grand Lake. We want people to come and enjoy our great resorts, hotels, fishing and recreation, and we hope to grow the Extravaganza every year.”

FamilyTad and his wife Sammi have four sons, ages nine, seven, three and 10 months. “We home school our sons, and they are also a part of a school co-op, so they get to be involved in all kinds of sports too. They play flag football, soccer and basketball. They keep us busy.” Tad said his love for our country and for freedom motivated him to give each of his sons a middle name that honors a founding father: Benjamin (for Ben Franklin), Daniel (for Daniel Webster), Alex (for Alexander Hamilton) and Thomas (for Thomas Jefferson). The family also enjoys the recreation that comes from living in the Grand Lake area.

Free TimeWith four active, young sons, Tad finds most of his free time spent with his family. He enjoys golf and playing games with his boys. He has also learned a great deal about fishing the last two years.

InspirationTad said his love of the Lord is what inspires him. “I try to do my best for Him every day. My wife and I try to live our faith and be the best we can be.”

Tad Jones, Director of Grand Lake Association

By Kathleen SwiftPhoto by Tina Smith

Featuring OklahomaSMTO

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 27

NE OKLAHOMA’S GREEN COUNTRY

GREENCOUNTRYOK.COM

800.922.2118 |

ShowMe_GCMA_MAY2014.indd 1 4/14/2014 11:13:01 AM

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The two brothers were the first to complete an engineering survey for the dam, but their dreams were put on hold for several years while they searched for financing of the monumental project. As part of a loosely organized lobby group called “The Rainbow Chasers,” Holderman made a difficult trip from Oklahoma to Washington, D.C., attempting to secure financing for the dam. Jack Rorschach and George Schaefer of Vinita, along with Clay Babb and Owen L. Butler of Grove, made up the remaining Rainbow Chasers. Pensacola Dam was almost built in 1914 by British capitalists, but plans were halted due to World War I. However, when Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidential re-election campaign train traveled through Vinita in the 1930s, he was greeted with a huge sign that read, “Let’s Build The Grand River Dam.” George Schaefer had managed to get a city ordinance approved in Vinita requiring all Presidential

trains to stop in the community if they passed through. The president had to stop, by Vinita City law.President Roosevelt thanked Vinita for arranging the unscheduled stop and said he would see what he could do about funding the dam. With the help of U.S. Representatives Wesley E. Disney and W.R. Holway, $20 million in funding was approved in September 1937 through Roosevelt’s New Deal’s Public Works Administration.

Thanks to the vision of a young Cherokee man at the turn

of the 19th century, residents all across Oklahoma benefit from the hydroelectricity provided by the Pensacola Dam (also known as Grand River Dam).

While riding herd over his father’s cattle, Henry C. Holderman first envisioned building dams on Grand River to provide the Cherokee Nation with electricity. Along with his brother, Bert, Holderman and two classmates from the Spaulding Institute in Muskogee built a houseboat and floated down Grand River in search of suitable dam sites.

“On busy holiday weekends in summer months, some like to say the population of the lake shore swells to the size of Oklahoma’s third largest city.”

--Justin Alberty, Corporate Communications Director for GRDA

By Annie Stewart

Pensacola DamBeauty of Grand Lake

Featuring OklahomaSMTO

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 29

Around 3,000 workers moved to the area to work on the dam before construction began, earning $16 a week. Concrete pouring began December 30, 1938, with a total of 23.9 million pounds of steel and iron placed into the dam’s structure to reinforce it. Major works on the dam were complete March 21, 1940, and the lake was filled by the end of that year’s summer.The federal government took control of the dam in November 1941 to aid in the World War II effort and returned it to the Grand River Dam Authority in 1946.“Visitors to Pensacola Dam and the Grand Lake area will enjoy countless recreational opportunities in and around the lake shore,” said Justin Alberty, corporate communications director for GRDA. “The lake covers 46,500 surface acres with ample room for boating, skiing, sailing, fishing, swimming or just cruising. On busy holiday weekends in summer months, some like to say the population of the lake shore swells to the size of Oklahoma’s third largest city.”The Grand River Dam Authority provides free tours of the facility, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Tours originate from the GRDA Ecosystems and Education Center just west of the dam in Langley. The Center opened in 2010 and is home to GRDA’s state-of-the-art water quality monitoring laboratory, GRDA’s lake permitting operations and the GRDA Police Department. During tours, visitors watch a video filled with many images of the dam construction, followed by a tour of the dam’s Art Deco powerhouse and scenic view of the southern edge of Grand Lake.

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May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 31

32

Grand PanacheGrand Lake’s hottest boutique offering the latest fashion trends for women from coast to coast with featured clothing lines of resort, casual, after 5 and collections of awesome yoga wear along with jewelry, accessories, home accents and much more. Their location is accessible by land or lake with courtesy docks for your convenience. Open Monday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm.Located at Honey Creek Landing in Grove, OK918.787.9327 • wwwgrandpanache.com • Find them on Facebook

OklahomaBusinessSpotlights

Sue’s Resale ShopSue’s Resale Shop is a consignment shop that carries name brand and designer fashions in all sizes and accessories for the entire family. They also carry nice home decor items. They have 7,500 square feet to better serve their customers with a large selection of merchandise. Sue’s has been voted “Best of the Best” every year from 2003 to the present. Celebrating 28 years! Located on Highway 125 (between Miami and Fairland). 918.542.9208

The Grapevine & More Stop in at The Grapevine & More for a great selection of fresh new décor of florals, candles, wall décor, clothes, boots, accessories with a rustic flair and more. Home décor, interior solutions. Hours Monday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm. Closed Sunday.414 East 3rd Street • Grove, OK • 918.786.4158

Dashelle D’AnnA women’s boutique with trendy apparel and accessories to meet your unique style. Dashelle D’Ann is conveniently located in the Annie’s Galleria Shopping Center. Come find all our new spring arrivals. Hours Monday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm.414 East 3rd Street • Grove, OK918.787.6900 • www.shopdashelle.com

Fuzzy to FabulousFuzzy to Fabulous combines high-end fashion with handmade treasures in a one-of-a-kind store unlike any other. Staci is wearing a hand-knitted, 100 percent alpaca wool and nylon shawl, handmade beaded jewelry and black alpaca pants. Come by this shop filled with fleece and alpaca yarn, spring sweaters and beaded jewelry. Feel the luster of the soft shawls, socks, slippers, stuffed animals and unique gifts created by local Oklahoma artisans. Visit our ranch location at 35401 S. 580 Rd., Jay, Oklahoma, or go to www.fuzz-to-fabulous.myshopify.com or find us on Facebook.3635 US Hwy 59 • Grove, OK • 804.389.2579

mother’s day and more!

Spring Clearance Sale!

20-75% off!

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 33

Lendonwood Gardens Come visit this beautiful eight-acre botanical garden in Grove, Oklahoma. You’ll see dogwoods, azaleas, daylilies, roses and more! Dazzling displays highlight every season. Perfect backdrop for weddings and special events. Open year-round from dawn to dusk. One mile west of Main Street on Har-Ber Road.918.786.2938 • www.lendonwood.com

The Vintage RoosterThe Vintage Rooster is a multi-dealer antique and collectibles mall located in beautiful Grove. Within the 7,000-square-foot building, the large selection and variety of quality antiques and collectibles are sure to please even the most discriminating buyer. Everything from the antique to the unique. Open 7 days, Monday–Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 12-5 pm. 8021 Hwy 59 North • Grove, OK • 918.787.9797

GrandLakeAreaInfo.comGrandLakeAreaInfo.com is an online visitor guide that shares the huge diversity of attractions and activities on and off the lake including museums, golf, casinos, fishing, shopping and much more! Also included are accommodations, restaurants and services.

Timbered-In CateringCatering for weddings, anniversaries, reunions and large events. We have an on-site event venue and an outdoor wooded setting to accommodate up to 650 guests, as well as catering off- site. We offer a large selection of tablecloths, chairs, chair covers,vinatge china, vintage glassware and a frozen drink machine. Voted “Best of the Best” caterer in the Grand Lake area. Let Shane and Kim Berry cater your special event! 25900 South 678 Road • Grove, OK • 918.786.4595

Grove Paint & Supply3639 US Hwy. 59 N

Grove, OK • 918.786.9579Voted “Best of the Best” in the Oklahoma area.

Under new ownership since January 2013Full line of paints and sundries

Custom matches • Stains • Industrial coatings

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The park has lions, hippos, bears, rhinos, monkeys, prairie dogs and more. There is a 4-mile stretch where you can drive through the park and come face to face with animals like llamas, emus and bison. Just be sure to keep your windows rolled up and don’t feed the animals!The park also offers areas where you can walk through and see creatures up close (such as kangaroos and reptiles), as well as areas where you can pet farm animals like pigs and goats. Sometimes there is an opportunity to pet a baby lion or monkey. Pony and camel rides are offered, as well.Make a day of your visit and pack a lunch or get some food from the snack bar and eat at one of the park’s picnic tables. The park is

open every day of the week except for holidays.

downtown bentonvilleArt, culture and history thrive in

downtown Bentonville, a town named after Missouri senator Thomas Hart Benton, who was pivotal in the effort to bring the territory of Arkansas into

statehood. Benton’s nephew (also named Thomas Hart Benton) was a

famous Regionalist artist whose artwork can be viewed at nearby Crystal Bridges.

Incorporated in 1873, the town features brick buildings situated around a charming town square. A must-see on the square is the Wal-Mart Museum, which explores the life of retail giant Sam Walton. The museum is housed in the original 5 & 10 store that Walton opened in 1950. Adults will enjoy learning about this down-to-earth businessman while kids will have fun with the interactive displays. Be sure to try a sweet treat at The Spark Soda Shop, an

old-fashioned soda fountain located at the exit of the museum.Walk a couple of blocks off the square and you will

find the unique and surprising 21C Museum Hotel. The space in the hotel lobby and

adjacent rooms is dedicated to exhibiting 21st century art. Be sure to see the outdoor sculptures.If you’ve worked up an appetite, stop at The Station Café for old-fashioned burgers

or the Flying Fish, a casual restaurant that features a variety of fresh seafood.

Walton arts centerYou don’t need to travel to New York in order to enjoy a Broadway show. Each year, several traveling Broadway shows make their way to Walton Arts Center, Arkansas’ premier center for the performing arts.The idea for this center was born out of the University of Arkansas’ need for a large performing arts center, and the City of Fayetteville’s need for a multi-purpose community arts center. The two entities formed a partnership, and in 1992 the Walton Arts Center opened on Fayetteville’s Dickson Street.In addition to Broadway shows such as Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “The Wizard of Oz,” many other types of genres can be viewed at the center. There are dance events, children’s programming, a jazz series and special events like Broadway on Ice.Upcoming big-name performers include comedian Sinbad and country singer Lyle Lovett.But don’t come to Walton Arts Center just for the entertainment; come to develop your own talent. The center offers art, music and theatre classes and workshops for children and adults, both during the week and on weekends.

botanical Garden of the ozarksOpened in 2006, the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is just one of two botanical gardens in the state, and over 40,000 people visit it each year. It is located on the south shore of Lake Fayetteville and includes a horticultural center, a lakeside hiking trail and the region’s only butterfly house.There are several 2,000-square-foot gardens with various themes: rose and perennial, Ozark native, rock and water, herb and vegetable, four seasons, children’s, Japanese and sensory.The Botanical Garden is in its infancy and is currently expanding. Its latest project is developing the Klingaman Arboretum, which will include trees and shrubs such as maples, oaks, dogwoods, magnolias, rhododendrons and azaleas.With fun statues to look at, areas to explore and benches to rest on, the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is an ideal location to enjoy the beauty of the area’s natural resources with the entire family.

crystal bridges museum of american artThis cultural oasis in Bentonville offers visitors the chance to view world-class art in the middle of the Ozarks. Alice Walton, daughter of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton, created Crystal Bridges so that local people could gain exposure to the works of renowned artists such as Georgia O’Keefe, Norman Rockwell, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol without having to hop on a plane.Admission to the main gallery is free (there is a small admission charge for special exhibits). Public guided tours are also free and last 45 minutes to an hour.The museum itself is a work of art. Designed by architect Moshe Safde, the complex presents simple modern lines and employs the wide use of glass and water elements for the purpose of incorporating the beauty of the surrounding landscape into the museum.If you bring your children, make sure to stop at the Experience Art Studio where they can allow their inner artists to explore at various discovery stations.The artwork at Crystal Bridges extends outside of the buildings and can be found along the paved walking trails. The overlook on the Crystal Bridges Trail offers a wonderful view of the complex and of the surrounding landscape.

Wild Wilderness drive-through safariLocated in the countryside near Gentry, this 380-acre park is filled with a variety of exotic animals. Originally a dairy farm, this wilderness park opened its doors in the 1970s for those who wanted to view more exotic animals.

With its beautiful natural resources and many cultural attractions, Northwest Arkansas offers a variety of things for families to experience.

Family Funin Northwest Arkansas

By Christine Smith

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 35

By Shanna

Mystique Boutique is just the place you’re looking for when it comes to Unique Women’s Fashions! They carry items of all shapes, sizes and prices! You’ll love the wide variety offered including jewelry, handbags, sweaters, dresses, jeans, slacks, Spanx and jackets. Now carrying a selection of men’s ties and children’s clothing. Stop by and let them help you pick out that perfect gift, or maybe just something special for yourself!

Pictured above: A) Mayoral dress $45.32 B) BJK Collection boys classic suits $85.80 C) Neckties $25, bow ties $15.50 D) Blingy pacifier $33.10 E) Boo-Bunnie ice pack $10.07 F) Spoiled Little Mama camo diaper bag $213.40

1901 E. 32nd St. • Joplin, MO 417.621.0222

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12th annual4-States

Baby C ontestBy Annie Stewart

Chanler Webb is following in big sister Couri’s footsteps, winning first place in Show Me The Ozarks Baby Contest. Couri Webb won first place in 2008.

Born July 5, 2013 in Joplin, Chanler weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces. Already best friends with Couri, Chanler lights up with the biggest smile and starts bouncing up and down with excitement when her sister enters the room. One of her favorite games is playing school, with Couri as the teacher and Chanler as the student.

Very vocal and full of personality, Chanler never sits still and is beginning to say “Dada” and “Momma.” She loves to listen to music, as well as making her own with her favorite toy tambourine. Another best friend to Chanler is Remi, her big chocolate lab.

“Chanler is such a sweetheart,” said her mother, Courtney Webb. “She is always so happy and smiling. Even strangers stop us to comment on her smile and big beautiful eyes.”

Chanler’s parents are Craig and Courtney Webb, Joplin. Grandparents are Karen Hutchison and Rick Garrett, Joplin; Russell and Nancy Webb, Carl Junction; Parker Hutchison, Grove,Oklahoma; great grandmother Marlene Webb, Protection, Kansas; and great grandparents Don and Carolyn Marshall, Joplin.

1st PlaceChanler Webb

Really?!? Just four? We’re going to be

here all night...

C hoosing the Winners(aka Mission Impossible)

Contest, shmontest... Which one can I

take home?

Every year we face the daunting task of selecting the cover baby and runner-up winners in our 4-States Baby contest. What begins as a seemingly impossible mission is carried out by our panel of judges with much discussion and great care. The process is never an easy one because each of these babies is so beautiful and any one of them would make an awesome cover! But alas, we must choose just one, and the results are stunning! In the end, our ultimate goal is to raise money for our local Children’s Miracle Network, and this year we raised $1,000 thanks to the parents of all these adorable babies. We would also like to thank our sponsors, Ambiance and Newton’s Jewelers, as well as our cover photographer, Whitney Scott Photography, for making this year’s contest another success.

Meet our Judges:Heather Lesmeister, CMNKelsey Martin, CMNWhitney Scott, Whitney Scott PhotographyAnthony Giarratano, JACCBarbie Lake, Bright Futures NeoshoKristi Spencer, KOAM-TV

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 37

Amari Grace Hills was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces. Amari has a big brother named Taysen who adores her. They are best friends and already love each other unconditionally. Amari is currently working on rolling over and holding her own bottle. She loves bananas, bubble baths, imitating faces and trying to talk. She enjoys interactions with others and is always smiling. Amari is definitely a daddy’s girl and has him wrapped around her finger already.

Amari’s parents are Charleene Carver and Christopher Hills, Joplin; grandparents are Kim Skaggs, and Sharon and Jerry Jones, Joplin.

Ryker Elijah Wike joined his family September 17, 2013. He was born in Chiang Hua City, Taiwan, and weighed 6 pounds, 5 ¾ ounces.

Ryker loves to play outside with his Cozy Car and tricycle, and he likes to take everything off the bottom shelf in the kitchen and climb inside.

The love of dance is one of Ryker’s top joys, and he is already drawn to his dad’s tools in the garage. A real chatterbox, he even repeated “God Bless You!’ to his mother.

Ryker’s parents are Jason and Laurel Wike, Duenweg, MO. Grandparents are Karen and Todd Riddell, Pacific Palisades, California, and Sierra Vista, Arizona; the late C.J. Swigert; and Sandy and David Wike.

3rd PlaceAmari Grace Hil ls

Honorable Mention Ryker Elijah Wike

2nd PlaceRaice Michael Baker

Raice Michael Baker was born in Monett, Mo., October 12, 2012, and weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces. He was three weeks early, but he was perfect.

Raice is an only child and loves football, baseball and basketball. He would spend all day playing with his Little Tikes basketball goal if permitted. Definitely all boy, Raice loves any kind of motorcycle or dirt bike. Both his Pop and his Pap ride Harleys, so it is no surprise that Raice is a “biker” too!

He loves books, has an extensive vocabulary and is a chatter box. He loves helping his Nene and Pops feed their fish and also playing with Auntie Grace’s puppy, Stinky.

Raice is a happy 18-month-old and is always full of life, continuously

filling the lives of his family, friends and everyone around him with joy.

Raice’s parents are Tori and Michael Baker, Joplin. Grandparents are Lisa and Danny Schell, Cassville; Donna and Brett Grainger, Monett; and Todd Baker, Neosho.

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12th annual 4-StatesBaby C ontest Entries

Fan favorite - 2nd place

Maelyn MittsFacebook Fan favorite Braxton Dardenne

huntlee valadez

scarlette romanovaoakley edward deankennedi Garrigan landon sanders

maci Potocnik

kaitlyn taylor

brexton comer

sophia mills

Zachary snyder

madeline ann cooper

eleanor albious

“Don’t let that cute little smile and pretty blue eyes fool you, he is ornery, but we wouldn’t trade him for the world, he truly is a blessing.”

--Parents, steven and michelle dardenne

“Given zero chance of survival..... NEVER GIVE UP!!! Miracles happen!!”

--mom, tanisha mitts

William

henry Jackson blevins

Zoiee Jo lee

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 39

elisa abigail carrier

Jackson Paul madl

harper allison

Zachary austin Wild

madelyn friden

elyiana faye Williams

mary Gustafson

hunter brashearsGracie may Woodward

hudson bridges

nora michelle haines shepheard maxfield

liam horton

Peyton aria Webb

lola schmitt

king(kJ) sills

crew call

alyxis mcreynolds

Parker henson

noah sowersby

Justus short

tatum claire

blair alcorn

kinslee elena shephard

allison silvey

erika Pace

megan Jacobs

haven hunter

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12th annual 4-StatesEntriesBaby C ontest

tytus von burkhart

Willa fecke dominic sigars

adalyn roth

andie m

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hawk lindenaustynn asbell

kayden tanner dickerson

keaton John simmons

Zachary isaiah baldwin

Paisley henry

adelyn Jones

aaron miller

tyrzah khopang

levi srygley

karleigh shephard

rafferty lee

karlie Joe rhatigan

kayd frye

kaiden durbin

bentley James Gregory

savannah michele Johnson

William cates

Jocelyn mcintyre

eden Johnson

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 41

krysta hentage

liam James evans

Greyson m

. Jones

cole White

liam W

eston lathrop

khloe mitchell

avery lewis

aria mae doty

nevaeh conner

Quinn rutledge

cash rutledge

ava Grace h

icks

abbot eckerman

Jedidiah ethan marlow

carter Jackson

camille Jane filarskiboston marie norton

cooper dale richJames Walter lynch

nacona and Patience tracylilly ann Pritchard

ava hope Grimm

ellie chapman

Grayson morey

hunter lee

landry and braxton schwab

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Grandma’s AtticAntique Mall & Flea Market Located in Mustang Plaza between Conoco and EconoLodge, 493 E. Hwy 76, East of Anderson, MO, exit #10417.845.8000 • www.grandmasattic-antiques.comCome see some of the most unique items in the area for antiques and gifts. Grandma’s Attic has over 50 vendors featuring lines such as Crew of Two, Finders Keepers, Junkology and many more. Give a one-of-a-kind gift. Find us on Facebook. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm.

Vintage Vogue10 minutes from Joplin144 S. Main • Carl Junction • 417.649.7911www.shopvintagevogue.comFacebook.com/VintageVogueCarlJunction“Where Affordable Chic Meets One-of-a-Kind Unique”Be bold… set the pace… give a heartfelt gift… make a statement… do the unexpected! John Wind Maximal Art Jewelry to match your modern vintage style. Featuring Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan! Specializing in fine vintage furniture, home décor and unique gifts, jewelry, scarves and bags. Fabulous finds for you and your home.

Things We Love

The Botany Shop Garden Center710 Minnesota Ave. • Joplin, MO • 417.781.6431www.botanyshop.comCome in and see the gorgeous display of hanging baskets, potted plants full of spring blossoms, garden statues and more! You’ll find gifts for Mom and Grandma that will bring joy all summer long. The Botany Shop is the largest nursery in the area for disease-resistant American Elms. Several varieties of the healthiest berry plants are available: Goji berries, elderberries, raspberries and blackberries! In business since 1973.

Webb City Florist & Greenhouse1001 S. Jefferson • Webb City, MO417.673.3780 or 417.483.3141www.webbcityflorist.comEvery mom deserves a beautiful bouquet on Mother’s Day! Locally owned by Marcia Musgrove and Allan and Betty Rose, this family business has been proudly serving Webb City and the surrounding area almost 100 years. Wedding planning, stuffed animals, Circle E Candles and more gift items. PREMIUM ROSES! Their friendly staff is committed to customer satisfaction. Stop in or call today!

for Mom

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 43

Carmen’s Apples 2501 N. Range Line • Joplin, MO • 417.434.8939Give Mom the best gift of all! Custom edible fruit arrangements, hand-dipped strawberries covered with chocolate and caramel, chocolate-drizzled cake pops, assortments of decorative fruit and more! We offer everything from apples, strawberries, bananas and pineapples all covered with chocolate, caramel, nuts and sprinkles to fruit arrangements, fresh fruit bowls and more! This family business offers free local delivery, outstanding customer service and free daily samples.

Dr. Fly’s SalonLike us on Facebook • www.drflyssalon.comJoplin: 417.623.6000 • Carthage: 417.359.8872Neosho: 417.451.flysVINYLUX™ is a breakthrough polish that endures a week of fashion perfection… without a base coat! Two steps for faster service time, time-released durability and available in 71 fashion-forward colors! The perfect Mother’s Day gift! Gift cards available.

Don Davis Florist1710 E. 32nd Street • Joplin, MO 417.206.3247www.dondavisflorist.netNeed a special Mother’s Day gift? Wish her a Happy Mother’s Day with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, the perfect Mother’s Day gift! Don Davis Florist carries an array of flowers, plants, Aromatique candles and potpourri, decorative fragrances, botanicals and more! Don Davis Florist is an approved local FTD Florist and a member of Telaflora. Area delivery is available. Don has been the leading florist in Joplin since 1955.

Upstairs Boutique5th & Main • Downtown Joplin417.781.6581 • www.upstairsboutique.comThrough May 11, 2014 purchase any Brighton necklace and bracelet and you can choose any pair of Brighton earrings FREE! Free earrings must be of EQUAL or LESSER VALUE to the highest priced item purchased. Limited to stock on hand. Charm jewelry excluded. Necklace and bracelet must be purchased in the same transaction. (Prior purchases excluded.) At participating retailers only.

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Karen Plott with mother, Ruth Proctor, and daughter Jessica.

Photo by Tina Smith

Mother’s Day FeaturesSMTO

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 45

A Stringof Pearls

Mothers and daughters. The relationships we share are precious to us, and even more when life throws us curveballs. For Karen Plott, her 16-year-old daughter Jessica and her mother Ruth Proctor, life events have bonded them closer than ever. “I have four children,” says Ruth, “and my relationship with all of them is very special. Right now, I live with Jessica and Karen, and we support each other. We have good times together. I think the love and respect we all have for each other makes our relationship special.”Two and a half years ago Jessica was diagnosed with a debilitating neurological disease. “I knew she was strong,” says Jessica’s mom, Karen, “but she is most remarkable. She is in pain 24/7, but Jessica looks for the brightness in any situation.” Karen says she is blessed both to have Jessica as a daughter and to have her mother living with them. “Sometimes, if I have a late meeting, I come home and find Mom and Jessica watching a movie and eating pizza. They have a special relationship.”Karen and Jessica also share an amazing relationship. As a creative woman herself, Karen has encouraged Jessica in her pursuit of photography. Jessica says, “Photography gives me a good mental environment. I like to create fine-art portraits and would someday like to be a fashion photographer. Right now, photography helps me create images with stories about what is going on in my life.”Making sure Jessica’s dream of being a fashion photographer comes true is high on Karen’s priority list. “The best job in the world is being a mom. Jessica is a blessing. I had her late in life, but I think that has made me a more patient, relaxed parent,” explains Karen. Despite Jessica’s physical limitations, Karen has been able to show her the world.

Faces to the Sunshine “The love and respect we al l have for each

other makes our relationship special.”

--Ruth Proctor

By Kathleen Swift

“I think I passed on the love of travel!” Mother and daughter have shared time together in cities from Los Angeles to New York and Boston, to Mexico and London. “I think you learn to appreciate home even more when you experience other cities and cultures,” says Karen. Karen characterizes her home as full of laughter. “We appreciate each other and enjoy being together whatever the day brings,” Karen says. “The best thing for me,” Karen continues, “is watching Jess grow up and teaching her values and love. She is compassionate, loving and giving even though she lives in pain.” Through the Internet, Jessica has been able to connect with others who share her disease. She has online friends around the world and encourages them. “I’ve had parents contact me and say, ‘I hope to meet Jessica someday.’She has inspired other kids to dig deep and get through their pain.”That kind of inspiration can only come through the example Jessica has in her mother and grandmother. Karen believes there is a silver lining to be found even when life deals you a rough hand. “I have a quote from Helen Keller that I keep in my office. It says, ‘Keep your face to the sun and you will never be in the shadows.’ I try to live those words each day by being a positive influence to all the people I care about.”

Like a string of pearls, the mothers and daughters who share their stories with us this month are each unique, rare and beautiful. All of their circumstances are unique. One grandmother lives next door to her daughter and grandchildren, while in another household three generations

of women share their lives. Other mothers and daughters share their passions and the joys of growing up and sharing their lives as adults. Each group of women share pearls of wisdom

about being mothers and daughters and the love they have for each other.

Mothers and Daughters

46

“We’re a close family,” says mom Kathy Wininger. “We love, love, love our times together. We put Christ first and then our family. We make time to be together even though the girls are grown and have their own families. At least twice a month we all have a meal together and play games.

We’ve had these family times since the girls were little.”

In All Things Love

“ The best gift Mom gave us was being raised in a Christian home.”--Brittany Friend and Mandy Edmonson

Everyone in the family says Brittany and Mandy are opposites in almost everything. Mandy loves to shop; Brittany loves for her sister to shop for her. Brittany enjoyed the outdoor life as she was growing up; Mandy couldn’t have cared less. Despite these differences, when it comes to their mom, both daughters share a great love and respect for her, and are close to her and to each other.Mandy and her mother share a love of shopping, and on Sunday afternoons you can often find them “junkin’.” They enjoy poking around flea markets looking for items to repurpose. “Mom is my best friend; we do everything together. I could not imagine life without her. She is always there for me,” shares Mandy.Brittany too cherishes her relationship with her mom. As a new mother, Brittany says, “Mom and I talk everyday. I treasure the love, caring and understanding she has given me, and I admire her strength. I want those things for my daughter, Alyvia Rose.” Both girls say, “The best gift Mom gave us was being raised in a Christian home. It is a part of who we are today.”Kathy says that although she misses the times when the girls were growing up, she and the girls continue to find new ways to be together and keep their strong relationship growing. They shop together and take family trips. They share every aspect of their lives. “I love being a mom, and I would do it all over again,” Kathy says. “I cherish all of our moments together.”

With a 13-year-old daughter in the house, Kirstie Smith says, “There’s a new adventure every day.” And this mother and daughter share those adventures. Quinn is an athlete who participates in competitive cheerleading, and although her mother, Kirstie, never cheered, she supports her daughter 100 percent.

“Quinn knew when she was three that she wanted to be a cheerleader. We tried to get her involved in dance or gymnastics at first, but nothing made her happy until she got to compete in cheerleading,” says Kirstie, who is there for every practice and competition. “Our time together is special because this is such a passion for her.”

Quinn believes she has learned a great deal from her mom.

“I couldn’t ask for anything better in my mom. She understands about the necessities I need for cheerleading like special shoes and attire and getting to competitions.”

Kirstie adds, “I’m a working mom, and Quinn and I have come to depend on each other. She has had to step up and help at home. I get home at 5:00, and if she wants to eat and be at practice at 6:00, she has to start dinner.”

Kirstie is proud of the determination, drive and attention to detail Quinn, a straight-A student, brings not only to cheerleading, but to her school work.

“We are very proud of her,” says Kirstie.

Quinn sums it up this way: “I hope to be like my mom someday. I hope to provide for my children like she has for me.” And Kirstie knows that the drive Quinn has for all she does will serve her well in the future.

“We have a wonderful relationship, and I know that whatever she sets her mind to, she will be successful. She has big hopes and dreams,” says Kirstie.

Whatever the future holds for Quinn, you can be sure her mom will be there cheering her on.

Cheering for Each Other

“I couldn’t ask for anything better

in my mom.”--Quinn Smith

Mother’s Day FeaturesSMTO

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 47

Nine-year-old Becca Englund describes her mom this way: “I would say being Mom’s daughter means love. She brings out the best in each of us.” And Becca’s older sisters, Brittani Stephens and Courtney Spaulding, both in their 20s, feel the same. Courtney says, “Now that I am in college, I realize that everything Mom told me was true. She was always right.” Brittani adds, “As we have gotten older, we have all grown closer. We all text daily and are involved with each other. We are all best friends.”Kerri Englund says her relationship with her three daughters is special. “I was a teenager when Brittani was born, so the older girls and I kind of grew up together. Even though I was young, I disciplined and had good structure for my girls. My role is mom, and I did not try to be their friend. Now, I would say that three girls and their mom could not be closer.”Despite the age differences among the girls, they all cherish the times they spend with their mom and each other. Courtney recounts that one of her favorite times with her mom is when they both wake up early and sit on the deck quietly talking and watching the day begin. Cooking and sharing meals brings the four together too. “I like it when we are all home and make fried chicken and sit and visit with each other,” says Becca. Kerri believes “the relationship with my girls has brought balance to my life. Having them has given me so much to live for, and I am lucky to be a mother to them.”

Happy Together

That road runs both ways. Brittani adds, “Mom made sure that we had everything we needed when we were growing up. She did not have the opportunities we had, but she made it happen for us. She is so awesome. I aspire to someday be half the mom she is.” Kerrie sums up the relationships this way: “We are all so close and I could not be happier; I’m a very blessed mom!”

“She brings out the best in

each of us.”--Becca Englund

Carol Clark keeps a greeting card poem titled If I Had It to Do over Again on her refrigerator. The last line reads, “I’d go a little easier on you, on stuff that didn’t really matter.”Carol says, “I love the poem because it reminds me to be patient with kids. The little things are not important. Kids need to be kids and mostly need time and love.”That is the philosophy of motherhood Carol lives by. “As a mother, you have to keep things in perspective,” Carol remarks. She has had many years to practice loving children as

Time and Love

she raised two daughters and a son. She has also taken care of all four grandchildren as her daughters returned to the world of work outside the home.

Daughter Stephanie Laney says, “She is a great mom and grandmother. She is such a loving

person. Mom has more patience than anyone and always had patience while we were growing up. Now

she spoils the grandkids. She has a room decorated for them full of toys and books.”Carol says her relationship with Stephanie is different from most mothers and daughters because they live next door to each other. “Stephanie includes me in their family vacations and we do a lot of shopping,” Carol says. Stephanie adds, “My mother is my best friend. I can talk with her about everything, and I love to spend time with her whether it’s shopping, going to the movies or just watching our favorite show, “Grey’s Anatomy.” Carol adds, “We discuss everything. I do not always have answers, but I never judge any of my children. They know they can trust me.”Stephanie says that her mom is a strong woman whom all the children admire because she has always given them time and love.“I wish I had half of the patience my mom has,” says Stephanie. “I hope as my girls grow up I can have the same type of relationship with them that I have with my mother.”

“She is such a loving person.”

--Stephanie Laney

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GOOD FUN,IN GOOD HANDS JOPLIN FAMILY YMCADay Camp

Looking for ways to keep your kids active and engaged this summer? Call 781 YMCA to enroll today!

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 49

It’s incredible to watch these relationships grow and develop. It’s extraordinary to see a daughter become a mother. She finally realizes a mother’s love because she has become one herself. Her perspective and attitude change. She has a new sense of appreciation.When you were five, your mom was a goddess. You smeared your face with her lipstick and modeled her earrings and high heels, wanting to be just like mommy. You ran to her to find comfort after a fall. That’s the way it was until you were about 13, when she suddenly became stupid, out-of-touch, and you couldn’t get far enough away from her. Your primary form of interaction for the next five years or so was a single word: “Mooooooooooooommmmmmm!” But, one thing didn’t change. When your heart was broken or you were hurt, you would immediately seek her comfort. And then, somewhere between your 20s and your 30s, if you were lucky, she became your best friend again.I want to tip my hat to all of you who are mothers. Your strength, sacrifices, determination, persistence and unconditional love and grace is inspiring. You encourage, discipline, comfort, listen and empathize. You are counselors, protectors, made to order chefs, taxi drivers and maids. You are simply strong.

See Phillip McClendon’s “Motivational Minute” every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

By Dr. Phillip McClendon McClendon Consultingwww.phillipmcclendon.com

Don’t Mess With

The next time you think about being hard on yourself, don’t. You are not going to be perfect. You are going to have those days when it just isn’t going to go right. (Truth be told, if they would have done it the first time you asked, you wouldn’t have had to get to the point of crazy woman with her head spinning.) God created you to be a natural. You have all the gifts you need inside to be the mother He intended you to be. In fact, God compares His own love to that of a mother’s love in the book of Isaiah where He says, “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you….”No matter your age, you are helping to make your daughters who they will become. They are watching how you prioritize, handle sticky situations and deal with everyday life. Your daughters are watching how you love and treat others. They are taking in the way you care for your family. They see you when no one else does. They see your strength. Don’t mess with Momma.

Have you ever seen a grown woman want to beat up an 8-year-old? You might be one of these women and understand exactly what I am saying if you are a mother. Someone is hateful and mean

to your daughter, and you are ready to go to the mattresses (yes, Baptists watch the Godfather). I have seen this play out as my daughters were growing up and now as a grandfather. Maternal protection and instinct is amazing. The mother/daughter relationship is intriguing, to say the least. I would rather cross a snake on a grizzly bear’s back than a mad momma.  

Momma

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thebigpicture

ShowMe

These are the facts:

May 22, 2011. One tornado. 8,000 buildings.

161 lives lost.

And then life, impossibly, went on.

New York Times best selling author Cheryl

Strayed wrote, “Grief taught me things. It

showed me shades and hues I couldn’t have

otherwise seen. It required me to suffer. It

compelled me to reach.”

Reach we have. In the years since, we’ve

raised school walls, built hospitals, created

art. It’s impossible to forge ahead as though

nothing has changed because, in fact,

everything has changed, but still we proceed.

And step by step, piece by piece, we move a

little bit closer to healing.

Photo and article by Rose Hansen

I Am Joplin Mural Joplin’s latest tornado-related mural stands

proudly on the corner of 6th and Main,

and is the brainchild of the ever-growing

organization Art Feeds.

The Recovery Continues

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 51

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Article and photos by Rose Hansen

A r t f o r E v e r y o n e

The Recovery ContinuesSMTO

In the days following Joplin’s 2011 tornado, art sprung up everywhere: painted rainbows cloaked tree trunks laid naked by wind, and damaged building walls were reborn in color. These works defied loss, reminding all who saw them to maintain hope, faith and strength. Such messages embody everything that moves us about the human spirit of survival. They’re transcendent. Beautiful. And most beautiful of all? It makes for great art.Of course, it’s silly to wax poetic about Joplin’s murals when they’re out in the open for everyone to view at any moment. What you really need to do is go out and experience them for yourself. Or at least, right here:

Jopl

in

Popularly viewed as a wall of spontaneous, post-tornado graffiti, this mural is actually intentional art crafted by the hands of artists Jim Bilgere and AJ Vincent Alejandro. “We were both volunteers in the tornado, we were both artists in a desperate situation,” says Bilgere. “[Alejandro] called me up and said he had an idea to go make a positive message.” The duo drove around town looking for empty walls. By chance, they stopped at the Conoco on 20th and Main. “I saw that wall and he was already inside talking to ‘em. And then we just started writing positive words.”The two-day process drew a lot of attention. “People were stopping, thanking us. I didn’t know it was going to be like that. It was amazing.”

Even though the Mong Su Dom Tai Karate Studio building owner granted permission, the mural was never actually intended to last. The original assumption, Bilgere explains, was that the building was slated for demolition and the mural would eventually come down. That it hasn’t comes as a pleasant surprise to Bilgere, who currently works in New Orleans. “That’s good!” he says. “Keep it forever.”

love bomb/Joplin Wall of hope mural20th and Main Streets

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 53

Such messages embody everything that moves us about the human spirit of survival. They’re transcendent. Beautiful.

The splashy mural gracing 15th and Main was planned long before the tornado hit. According to lead artist Dave Loewenstein, it was part of a six-state venture called the Mid-America Mural Project. The project was funded and planned during the 2010/2011 winter to involve a long design process that would involve and engage the community. “We were set to go,” says Loewenstein. “And then the tornado happened.”

Once the initial chaos settled down, a public meeting was called to discuss the feasibility and appropriateness of completing the mural. The

Joplin’s latest tornado-related mural stands proudly on the corner of 6th and Main, and is the brainchild of the ever-growing organization Art Feeds. The mosaic of some 300 faces that compose the mural wasn’t constructed specifically with the tornado in mind, but as Art Feeds founder and CEO Meg Bourne Hulsey explains, “Most things come back to the tornado in terms of our identity in Joplin.”The black and white images feature Joplin residents holding signs that read “I AM” with one chosen word to describe themselves. Upon closer look, it’s clear the common sentiments are “survivor,” “resilient” and “strong.”The point of the mural, says Hulsey, was to connect small pieces together. “We are one community of many parts and different walks of life. It doesn’t revolve around the tornado, but it’s absolutely a representation of the strength and resilience of Joplin.”

the butterfly effect: dreams take flight 15th and Main Streets

overwhelming consensus was “they wanted to do it more than ever,” Loewenstein says.A core team of roughly 30 designers held multiple community-wide collaborative art workshops. Drawings captured people’s dreams, families and feelings about Joplin. No one was asked to directly discuss the tornado, but it remained a common thread. “The storm affected all relationships, and eventually design.”The resulting three-part mural takes up permanent residence between downtown and the disaster zone. The mural’s central portion is collaged directly from hand-drawn images that depict the challenges faced by the community and the faith manifested to overcome.As for the butterflies, Loewenstein acknowledges hearing second-hand stories of the tornado’s infamous “butterfly people,” but nothing first-hand and verifiable.However, the design team was interested in the idea of changing from one thing to another in order to heal wounds. “The butterflies in the mural are really about metamorphosis,” says Loewenstein. “That’s how I remember it.”Of course, he adds, “You can’t control how people interpret art after it’s out of your hands, and that’s a good thing.”

i am Joplin6th and Main Streets

54

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 55

56

3It has been almost three years since an F5 tornado ripped through Joplin, killing over 160 people and destroying one-third of the town. The affected part of town looks nothing like it did before the tornado, but it also looks nothing like it did in the immediate aftermath of the storm or even like it did one year after the twister hit. Almost as staggering as the amount of damage done by the tornado is the amount of rebuilding accomplished since. Perhaps the pace of that rebuilding has slackened some, but there have been many changes in Joplin just in the past year. Shown below are some of them.

Joplin Tornado Recovery UpdateArticle and photos by Larry WoodYear Three

Work continues at Mercy Hospital, which is on schedule to reopen in its new location at the intersection of Main Street and I-44 in March 2015.

Plans call for students to attend classes in the new Joplin High School building starting with the opening of the 2014-2015 school year in August, although some parts of the building, such as the auditorium, will likely not be finished. The new school is on the same site as the old one at 20th and Indiana.

El Vaquero Restaurant, rebuilt on its old site at 2412 S. Main Street, is still packing ‘em in after its long-awaited reopening in mid-January of this year.

The Recovery ContinuesSMTO

Cici’s Pizza, one of Joplin’s favorite pizza places, has also had long lines at its new location at the corner of 16th and Range Line since reopening in late February just a couple of blocks from its old location in the Bel-Aire Shopping Center.

The Goodwill store has been busy since reopening at the end of February at 2102 S. Range Line, the same site as the old store.

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 57

Irving Elementary School opened in a new building at 2901 McClelland January 6 of this year after its old building on 26th Street was destroyed. Two other Joplin schools, Soaring Heights Elementary and East Middle School, opened on East 20th Street on the same date.

Volunteer workers break for lunch at Joplin Habitat for Humanity’s latest project at 2424 Empire. The Joplin chapter has completed 80 homes since the 2011 tornado.

This log house, recently completed in the heart of the tornado zone, is one of 162 homes built or repaired by Rebuild Joplin since the 2011 storm. The organization expects to finish another 60 projects before its mission is complete.

Its old building at 15th and Range Line destroyed by the 2011 storm, Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers reopened near the corner of 32nd and Range Line about a year ago, but not in time to make our tornado update story in the May 2013 edition. Anybody for a Chicago Dog?

A new St. Mary’s Elementary near the corner of 32nd Street and Central City Road will take the place of the old building on 26th Street that was destroyed by the tornado. A new St. Mary’s Catholic Church will sit beside the new school.

Alps Discount Liquor and Smokes reopened in a new building at the end of December 2013 on the same site as its old building at the corner of 26th and Main.

This shot of vacant lots near the corner of 26th and McClelland, where a number of medical offices were formerly located, shows that, despite the tremendous progress in rebuilding Joplin over the past three years, much remains to be done.

Almost as staggering as the amount of damage done by the tornado is the amount of rebuilding accomplished since.

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The Recovery ContinuesSMTO

Joplin Industry Continues Its RecoveryArticle and photos by Larry Wood

“Certainly we have made great progress,” Rob O’Brian, president of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, says, reflecting on the recovery of Joplin’s business and industrial community since the May 2011 tornado. “We continue to see activity at Crossroads Business Park,” O’Brian points out. Heartland Pet Food Manufacturing is constructing a 425,000-square-foot facility and will start operations later this year with about 150 employees. Eagle Picher Technologies is expanding into a 6,000-square-foot building owned by the Joplin Regional Economic Development Alliance at Crossroads and will add about 60 employees. TECI (Turbine Engine Consultants, Inc.) is moving to Crossroads from its former location on 20th Street. Coca Cola opened a 55,000-square-foot facility at Crossroads about a year ago, moving from its old 22,000-square-foot facility on Virginia Avenue. O’Brian credits much of the interest the Chamber of Commerce is seeing in the Crossroads Business Park to the new interchange the Missouri Department of Transportation is planning to build in 2015 near the park at the intersection of I-44 and I-49. At the Joplin-Webb City Industrial Park on Enterprise Avenue in Webb City, Don’s Cold Storage is going up with a warehouse for cold and frozen products that will have between 100,000 and 150,000 square feet. Plans call for 50 employees initially, with additional workers hired later. Cott Beverages, formerly Cliffstar, has decided that Joplin is a good location for them, and they will add a warehouse with about 230,000 square feet to give them more distribution capacity. CNC Machine at the corner of 20th Street and Maiden Lane has moved into a 20,000-square-foot building at the Joplin-Webb City Industrial Park.At 20th and Connecticut streets, city developer Wallace Bejjali plans to build a 100,000-square-foot loft-over-retail center, which will be anchored by a cinema complex on the east and by the new Joplin Public Library on the west. These plans appear to be coming together, O’Brian says. Some of the apartment buildings in the vicinity of 20th and Connecticut streets that were destroyed in the tornado are going back up, and the new high school at 20th and Indiana is scheduled to be completed later this year. O’Brian feels that the completion of these projects will spur other building activity along the 20th Street corridor. He suspects, too, that some people are anxious to see what happens with the planned railroad overpass on 20th Street and with the development at 20th and Connecticut before committing to building along 20th Street.

Heartland Pet Food Manufacturing Crossroads Business Park

Coca-Cola Crossroads Business Park

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 59

“We’re all impatient to think that everything is totally back to normal,” he says, “but quite honestly, when we look back at the amount of destruction—the buildings destroyed and the jobs lost—we’ve done an amazing job. The business community has done a fabulous job.”O’Brian points to an excellent rebound in the employer community. About 530 employer buildings were either destroyed or damaged in the tornado, and 470 of the employers, about 90 percent, have either built back or never left. Those who never left include the ones who continued in

business at their damaged site or simply moved to a different location in Joplin. Most of the employers that have not come back, O’Brian points out, were small businesses with few workers. Over 5,000 jobs were either lost or at risk after the tornado, and approximately 95 percent of those employees are back on the job. In addition to the companies that have rehired their employees, O’Brian gives a lot of credit to businesses like Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Mercy Hospital, which retained all of their employees even when the doors to

the businesses were closed in the immediate wake of the tornado. Besides the companies that have rehired or retained their employees, Joplin also has 150 brand-new employers who were not here before the tornado and who have added another 500 jobs to the local economy.Current employment in the Joplin metro area, standing at slightly over 82,000 jobs, is greater now than it was just before the 2008 recession when it stood at about 81,000 jobs.

“We’re a lot farther ahead of where a lot of people thought we would be at this time,” O’Brian says. “We had a great response from the community, a great response from our neighbors and a great response from all across the country. I am humbled and gratified by all the progress we have truly made.”

“We’re all impatient to think that everything is totally back to normal, but quite honestly, when we look back at the amount of destruction—the buildings destroyed and the jobs lost—we’ve done an amazing job. The business community has done a fabulous job.”

-- Rob O’Brian, PresidentJoplin Area Chamber of Commerce

Apartment buildings at 20th and Indiana

Eagle Picher Technologies on 20th Street

Over 5,000 jobs were either lost or at risk after the tornado, and approximately 95 percent of those employees are back on the job.

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May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 61

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The five-year milestone is significant because it will indicate just how much the community has recovered from the devastating destruction.

“We want as much to be rebuilt as possible by May 2016,” says Dan Stanley, one of many community leaders working to mark the occasion. “By that time all of the schools, including

the high school, should be completed. The Mercy hospital and St. Mary’s church and school should be completed. We expect Blue Buffalo pet food will be open and operational, and

many of the 7,000 homes and apartments that were lost should be rebuilt by then.”Infrastructure, such as streets and sewers, continues to be rebuilt and improved.

The Recovery ContinuesSMTO

Tribute By Kathleen Swift

Each May 22 we remember. We remember the tornado and the lives lost, the destruction of property and the sense of disorientation we felt. But we

also remember the heroic actions of police, firefighters, medical personnel, counselors, city personnel and ordinary citizens. Each year we remember, and as the five-year anniversary of the Joplin tornado approaches, the whole region will remember with a time of tribute.

“We are leaving no stone unturned in the recovery effort,” Stanley says. “It says a lot that although 531 businesses were destroyed or severely damaged, all but 60 have indicated that they will rebuild or have already rebuilt. Those that rebuilt did so with bigger footprints and a more contemporary style. In addition, approximately 150 new businesses have opened.”The rebuilding is just one part of marking the recovery and remembrance efforts. Stanley adds, “The five-year anniversary will be a time of tribute and respect. We want to pay as much respect as possible to the 161 people who lost their lives in the

tornado. We want to remember each of them. We also want to pay tribute to those who helped our community during the aftermath of the tornado, including the 180,000 volunteers who have come from all across our country.”Coincidentally, the five-year anniversary will fall on a Sunday. Plans are still being made for the tribute, but we can be sure that political leaders will be a part of the remembrance. President Obama and Governor Nixon will be invited along with other national, state and local candidates and officials who supported the citizens of Joplin, Duesquene and the entire area. “This is a great place to live, and what we are accomplishing blows people’s socks off when they visit from around the country,” boasts Stanley. “We are an economic boom town right now, and as we move forward we want to continue to provide quality of life opportunities.”

“We are an economic boom town right now, and as we move forward we want to continue to provide quality of life opportunities.”

--Dan Stanley

Photo by Tina Smith

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 63

“What we are accomplishing blows people’s socks off ...”

--Dan Stanley

Each year we remember, and as the five-year anniversary of the Joplin tornado approaches, the whole region will remember with a time of tribute.

The photos on the left taken in the hours just after the May 22, 2011 tornado stand in stark contrast to scenes of recovery on the right nearly three years later.

Photo by Sam Claussen Photo by Tina Smith

Photo by Tim Wemple PhotographyPhoto by Mandy Edmonson

Range Line Road

Mercy Hospital

Stanley emphasizes the need to provide cultural opportunities such as art centers, musical entertainment, sports complexes, nature and healthy living. He also sees the need to support wellness in the community. Wellness in physical health, emotional health and healthy relationships for all ages are vital to the community and the region. Stanley says, “Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education, has said that Joplin is the educational role model for the nation. We emphasize a blend of traditional and vocational education that supports good jobs in our local area.”The future is bright for Joplin and the surrounding communities. As the five-year anniversary of the tornado approaches, there is still work to be done. But there are also untold opportunities to share what we have learned and to become an even better community. We will do all of that, and we will remember May 22, 2011 with a tribute.

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The Recovery ContinuesSMTO

By Rose Hansen

Dear World, From Joplin With Love

Review:

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 65

“Dear World, From Joplin With Love” by Robert X. Fogerty, underwritten by Freeman Health System.

Where to Buy: Spiva Center for the Arts (Tues-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun 1-5 p.m.; closed Mondays and major holidays) and Freeman West gift shop. $25.

What does it mean to be a survivor? To lose a home and neighborhood and yet, find ourselves? To accept

grief without allowing it to become all-consuming? When a tornado rips a hole in the heart of a community, what does the world look like for those left behind?Dear World, From Joplin with Love, a book of portraits by Robert X. Fogarty, seeks to answer those questions.Readers with any knowledge of Joplin’s 2011 EF-5 tornado will quickly know that the book’s pages bear the faces of survivors and the survived—those who lived, and those who must suffer the losses of those who didn’t. While tragedy permeates the book, by its final pages we become convinced of the profound nature of survival and faith.Held in hand, the book’s weight is both literal and metaphorical thanks to its dark cover, heavy pages and the staggering heft of what it means to be a survivor with a story. Its opening pages feature panoramas of city-wide destruction and accompanying essays before turning to the faces of Joplin residents. Be forewarned: some of the stories are not easy. You may turn your head and wince. But they are raw and they are real, delivered in a fiercely calm tone without sacrificing the emotional centers of each individual’s telling.But it’s the pictures that will really blow the breath out of you, and for good reason.To begin to understand the purpose and making of this book, know that a book was never part of its original conception. Dear World, From Joplin with Love began as a 50-photo portrait exhibit by Robert X. Fogarty at the Spiva Center for the Arts and Freeman Health System. According to Fogarty’s note at the front of the book, the photographer visited Joplin in April 2012 to “tell the stories of heroism, champions, patience, generosity and virtue.”The community response to the expo was overwhelmingly positive. As Jo Mueller, executive director at the Spiva Center for the Arts, puts it, “The work [was] too meaningful to relegate it to a one-time exhibit. The decision to create a book was an easy one. A few thousand people were fortunate enough to experience the images in the gallery but that left vast numbers of people without access. The gallery itself also confined us to displaying fewer than 50 percent of the portraits Robert took; by publishing the book, we’re able to showcase images of everyone who so thoughtfully created messages and sat for their portraits.”The images capture members of the community—from quiet citizens to public officials—who expressed their feelings about the tornado by writing the directly words on their skin and sitting for portraits. Mueller views the subjects’ participation in portraiture as a profound act of healing. “Making art is safe; it’s a release; it’s a way to express things that are not easily talked about,” she says.Notable phrases from the portraits include: One World One Neighborhood, Tornadoes Raze Communities Rise, Rebuild Rejoice Renew, Surrounded by Heroes, Lord Willing I Will, Help Jomo Get Their Mojo Back. The words are strong and common messages of hope, faith, courage and gratitude. And over and over again, “love” appears, the kernel of truth laid so visible within the book’s title. After anything, everything, it’s never loss that takes precedence, not destruction, nor grief. It’s love.Dear World, From Joplin with Love is a must-have for every Joplin household and waiting room. But its potential audience stretches far beyond the city limits of a town and people resurrected from destruction. By witnessing the stories and faces of survivors, its pages communicate hope and inspiration for any human being faced with trauma and loss—promising that anyone can, and will, rise again.

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May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 67

SW Missouri

417.310.1280 mohomecare.com

Quality Care so you can have Quality Family Time

68

The Recovery ContinuesSMTO

In June 2011, in the aftermath of Joplin’s tornado, Sandra Lovett, a grant writer and supervisor of the Service-Learning Program at Missouri Southern State University, received a phone call from the New York Says Thank You Foundation,

a New York City-based organization founded after the 9-11 tragedy to repay the kindness that Americans around the country offered New Yorkers in the wake of the World Trade Center attacks. New York Says Thank You wanted to bring the National 9/11 Flag and the Stars of HOPE Project to Joplin to honor our community and those we lost in the 2011 tornado. The National 9/11 Flag is an American flag destroyed during the 2001 attacks that was rescued by the construction superintendent at Ground Zero, which has since been stitched back together by various groups around the country, and is now promised to the National 9/11 Museum as a modern “Star Spangled Banner.” Stars of HOPE is an art project to bring hope and inspiration to children of disaster-stricken communities by giving them an opportunity to paint colorful wooden stars with a message of hope that are then placed on street corners to brighten the landscape of the disaster-stricken community. About the same time as Lovett’s New York phone call, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), a federal agency that promotes service among Americans, issued a challenge to nonprofit groups across the country to see which organizations could engage the most volunteers to serve their community during the week that would mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Because of the volunteer activity Joplin was experiencing and the additional volunteers expected in conjunction with the Stars of HOPE and the National 9/11 Flag, Lovett submitted an entry to the competition on behalf of MSSU in hopes of winning one of two $100,000 awards.Working together, representatives from MSSU, the City of Joplin, the New York Says Thank You Foundation and the Stars of HOPE Project made plans to bring the National 9/11 Flag and the Stars of HOPE Project to Joplin over the 9/11 anniversary weekend. Because of the large number of stars (over 3,000) to be painted and posted throughout the community and because of the condition of many of Joplin’s schools at the time, Stars of HOPE, rather than going into the schools as usual, adopted a new format known as a Community Paint that would involve anyone who wanted to volunteer. Organizers also realized that more than one location would be needed. MSSU, because of its role in planning the weekend activities, was chosen as one site, and Lovett asked Charlie Brown, who was then organizing Saturday activities at Cunningham Park to promote Joplin’s involvement in Coca-Cola’s Favorite Park contest, whether he would be willing to conduct a Community Paint at the park. Brown, who had been involved in relief efforts in connection with Joplin’s tornado almost from the beginning, readily agreed, and he continues to be involved in various relief efforts today. As Lovett says, “Charlie took the ball and ran with it, and he’s still running.” In addition to the painting and posting of over 3,000 Stars of HOPE throughout the tornado zone, other activities during the 9/11 10th anniversary weekend in Joplin in September 2011 included a National 9/11 Flag Memorial Service that began at MSSU and ended at Joplin’s own Ground Zero, Cunningham Park, at the exact time the twin towers fell 10 years earlier. Also, 1,067 volunteers stitched the final restorative patches into the 9/11 Flag while it was in Joplin. In late September 2011, Lovett learned that MSSU’s Resource Development Center had won one of the $100,000 prizes awarded by CNCS, and a three-year program was developed to further the mission of the Stars of HOPE Project. Since late 2011, Lovett and Brown have been working together with others to make Stars of HOPE and share them with other communities devastated by natural disasters or manmade tragedies. Joplin has shared Stars of HOPE with families who lost loved ones on 9/11 and with a number of communities, like Moore, Okla., which have experienced tragedies similar to our own. You might say that Sandra Lovett and Charlie Brown themselves are Stars of HOPE.

StarsBy Larry Wood

Hopeof

Mary Barker, Charlie Brown and Sandra Lovett

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 69

The Joplin Crusaders semi-professional football team has certainly enjoyed a great deal of success

during their 14 years of existence, while collecting six Central Football League (CFL) championships along with another three runner-up finishes.More importantly, though, than any of their on-field accomplishments, it’s how they approach the ‘game of life’ that is really most impressive about the Crusaders’ organization.“The Joplin Crusaders are about more than just a way for players to keep playing the game of football,” says Sam Sturgis, who handles marketing duties for the organization and also plays wide receiver. “It is about building a stronger and better community along with stronger and better people.“Our mission is not only to excel at the game of football, but to provide an outlet for young men to become better men, whether it’s by providing a way for players to become more involved with their community through events or as role models for the next generation of football players as coaches and skill camp counselors.”Sturgis continues: “The Crusaders provide players with skills as it pertains to being part of a successful team with a long, prideful tradition. They learn valuable life lessons through the game of football. Some use the team as a means of self-discovery. Players learn more about who they are as a person or what they are capable of on and off the gridiron.”Not surprisingly, one of the best examples for how this Crusaders bunch portrays a strong community spirit was showcased during Joplin’s devastating tornado three years ago.“Several of our players on the team are survivors (of the storm),” Sturgis says. “It was an amazing site two days after it hit Joplin how the CFL and the Crusaders rallied together with more than 650 volunteers.“We had more than 150 chainsaws, cleaning up one yard at a time. Players and fans donated their time, money and support to the Joplin community for well over a year.”

FAST FACTSJoplin Crusaders Semi-Professional Football Team

Head Coach: David Pitts (Also Defensive Coordinator)   

Assistant Coach: Brandon Gubera, Offensive Coordinator

Offensive Formation: Spread with a 50/50 mix of air and ground attack

Defensive Formation: Explosive, sets the tone for offense. Adapt defense each week to what type of offense opponents run.

Team Strengths: A lot of speed on offense and defense

Upcoming Games: Host Kansas City Cougars May 3; Host NWA Battle May 10; Travel to Enid (Okla.) Enforcers May 17

Semi-Pro Football Team Builds Winning Tradition On and Off Field

Just as they did in that unimaginable time of disaster, these Crusaders’ ability to bond together is a major key to their sustained success for more than a decade.“The biggest thing we have going for us is that we play as a unit and our players are very coachable,” Sturgis assures. “That’s what has allowed us to be so successful over the past 13 years.”How they play collectively as a group is most pivotal, but there are numerous individuals who have proven to be big-time playmakers including running backs Kenny Sessions and Heath Baker, quarterbacks Robert Lockett and Steve Hamilton, defensive linemen Jonathan Nash and Justin Williams, linebackers Jordan Highley and Antwan Dyer, cornerbacks Tay Love and Quito Lightbourne, and safeties Walter Coleman and Cleavon Williams, just to name a few.Really, regardless of who suits up from one week to the next, one year to the next, it’s this program’s high standard to be the best that likely sets it apart from most others.“For more than 13 years the Joplin Crusaders have existed and strived for football excellence in the CFL,” Sturgis emphasizes. “As Missouri’s only semi-pro football team in the CFL, the Crusaders have proudly carried the banner for football excellence and have represented the city of Joplin and its surrounding communities with distinction, pride and respect.”All the while, the Crusaders have definitely celebrated a slew of victories. “Now in their 14th season, the Joplin Crusaders have won a total of 134 games and lost only 16,” notes Sturgis.Without a doubt, the Crusaders are winners on and off the football field.

Joplin CrusadersBy Don Lowe • Photo by Tina Smith

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The Recovery ContinuesSMTO

“We remember how we got where we are and make the best of it,” he says, “but as we move forward with the new school and everything else, we need to do it right. Our goal is to bring the best program and work on it and improve it—and we’re excited about that opportunity.”After the EF-5 tornado erased Joplin High School in 2011, students and staff split into two locations for three years. It was inconvenient, awkward and uncomfortable—but it was also temporary. And, come August, high school students will usher in the new school year under a new roof.“The school is going to feel different than the old Joplin High,” Sachetta promises, adding that even recent graduates, upon return, would feel the shift.“We’d outgrown the old building,” says Sachetta. “We’re in a new century and it’s time to start looking at how a school day looks and interacts with a different type of building.”In this case, bigger is better. At 457,000 square feet, the new Joplin High School and Franklin Technology Center boasts enough space to give the 2,000-plus student body plenty of elbow room, and that’s just from the inside. The

Article and photos by Rose Hansen

New School, New Life

“We want to create a school where learning in different ways is the number one focus, rather than sitting in a desk.”

--Kerry Sachetta, Principal Joplin High School

There’s nothing like a can-do attitude to turn disaster on its nose.It’s tempting to turn the rebuild of Joplin High School into a story of triumph over tornado—but it’s also so much more than that. For Principal Kerry Sachetta, that tragic day shouldn’t be forgotten, but it’s time to move ahead.

campus’s vast exterior area, which includes an outdoor stage and plenty of green space, will be a welcome change for students stuck in the former windowless, temporary school.The new building, by contrast, is filled with light. Its main architectural themes are multi-purpose spaces and massive windows. The campus features multiple buildings, including the new Franklin Technology Center, mostly linked by enclosed glass skyways. Common spaces are expected to foster greater

collaboration, glass walls increase accountability, and unique classrooms for specialized

programs, such as the individualized lab for a new course in sports medicine, will serve students and staff with an efficiency

unavailable in the old building.Several FEMA safe rooms are distributed

throughout different wings for quick access no matter where—or who—you are. With a capacity of up to 5,000 people, the safe rooms are for everyone. “People within a certain radius will have a building to come to,” says Sachetta. “[They’re] school and community safe rooms.”The cost of these facilities is expected to run between $105-$110 million, a price tag covered by insurance, government grants, donations and a portion of the $62 million school bond approved in 2012 by voters.But the cost is more than worthwhile. “It’s a much more dynamic place. I think when someone walks in there, they’re really going to see education interaction everywhere they go without poking their heads in a classroom,” says Sachetta.The new school’s design has directly enabled progressive, out-of-the-box changes in curriculum. Forward-thinking architects were able to design a building that met program and course ambitions of the district.“We want to create a school where learning in different ways is the number one focus, rather than sitting in a desk,” says Sachetta. “They’re not confined to one 30x30 classroom anymore.”For more information about Joplin High School’s new curriculum, visit www.joplineagles.org and search “Next Generation.”

Despite JHS’s new textbook-free curriculum, the new school features a beautiful, two-story library, newly dubbed as the

“Media Center”

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 71

At 457,000 square feet, the new Joplin High School and Franklin Technology Center boasts enough space to give the 2,000-plus student body plenty of elbow room, and that’s just from the inside.

The main entrance is bridged in glass.

Main entry way features interior and exterior “thinking stairs”

meant for seating.

Left: Gymnasium capacity 2,500 in the bleachers. The main gym is a top-loading gym which means that students and guests will enter the gym from the top floor and fill the bleachers below. Locker rooms are located beneath the bleachers. Players access the gym floor through vomitories on both sides. The vomitories will have colored translucent panels that provide drama for player entry. Middle: Stairways are filled with light Right: Innovative glassed-walled “think tanks” put learning on display for all to see.

Wide, glassed-in walkways between wings enable plenty of freedom for students between classes.

Kelli Price, Communication Specialist with Joplin Schools states, “We have learned from the design of the temporary

campus at the mall that when you give students freedom and treat them like adults, they

tend to rise to the occasion.”

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The Recovery ContinuesSMTO

“There are a lot of great things going on in Joplin,” said David Heltzel, executive director for Oasis Village, “and Oasis Village is just one of them.” Oasis Village, which will be located on 10 acres of land just south of McClelland Park, is designed to serve low-income seniors. With an expanding senior population, Joplin and Jasper County face a growing need for seniors to have affordable housing and meaningful social connections. Heltzel said, “Research shows that across our country one-third of seniors have less than $1,000

Enjoying Life TogetherBy Kathleen Swift

“This is a community-driven solution rather than a government-driven solution.”

--David Heltzel, Oasis Village Executive Director

A new concept in senior living is springing to life in Joplin. Oasis Village, the brainchild of Joplin native Jon Lowry, is a non-profit founded to provide purpose and dignity to low-income,

healthy seniors. The concept is quickly becoming a reality. Shortly before the May 2011 tornado, Lowry met with Joplin leaders and set before them his idea of how to serve the growing senior population with limited incomes. After the tornado, the need for such a community became even more urgent.

saved for retirement. Eighty percent survive on Social Security, and for many that means living on around $800 a month. The size and the scope of the problem can no longer be ignored. We have got to find solutions, and Oasis Village is a part of the solution. This is a community-driven solution rather than a government-driven solution.”Often after retirement, low-income seniors become invisible. They become more isolated and sedentary and often do not have the means to enjoy many of the activities associated with retirement.

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 73

For more information about Oasis Village, visit www.oasisvillage.org/.As reported by Yale Medical Group, social interaction is essential for older adults.“Specific health benefits of social interaction in older adults include:• Potentially reduced risk of

cardiovascular problems, some cancers, osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis

• Potentially reduced risk for Alzheimer’s disease

• Lower blood pressure• Reduced risk for mental health issues

such as depression”

Olivia Woolsey, an Oasis Village volunteer said, “The minute you retire or have illness, you are ignored. Through no fault of their own, many seniors have changes in their lives.” Too often our society sees retirement as a time to travel or play golf or engage in other activities that are beyond the means of many seniors. “We asked ourselves if the way we as a society defines retirement is correct,” said Heltzel. Oasis Village is designed on a co-housing model. In Joplin, it will resemble a traditional middle-class retirement community serving 40 to 60 healthy, low-income seniors. The housing design incorporates the concept of mutually supportive community. That means the seniors living at Oasis Village will eat two meals a day together in a community setting, enhancing the social engagement for everyone. Through work either at Oasis Village or in the community, seniors will have income to pay for the meals they eat and to cover the cost of rent and utilities, leaving them the opportunity to use their Social Security for other needs.

“They will no longer have to choose between turning on the heat and buying groceries. And after the initial funding and building, the community becomes virtually self-sustaining. There will be varying levels of work,” Heltzel said, “and residents will be able to live there as long a possible.” The goal is for seniors to stay as healthy and active as possible in a community that supports them through social engagement, financial counseling and other support services.Some seniors who lost their homes in the May 2011 tornado had to relocate away from Joplin. According to Heltzel, many have reached out, saying that Joplin is home and they would like to come back. Oasis Village will give them that opportunity. Victims of the tornado will receive priority for the energy efficient, bungalow-style housing and apartments to be constructed.Oasis Village has already drawn interest from other communities. “We hope to be able to help others create the same kind of community for healthy, low-income seniors,” Heltzel said. “We want to be the example for others. We want to say, ‘Come to Joplin and see what we’ve done!’”

The goal is for seniors to stay as healthy and active as possible in a community that supports them through social engagement, financial counseling and other support services.

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We Will Remember

Commercial. Industrial. Residential.

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 75

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May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 77

Chris Burkart was mowing in Olathe, Kansas, oblivious to the fact that the next 48 hours

would change his life forever. “When I came in my phone was ringing off the hook,” says the director of operations for Northport Health Services of Missouri, LLC. “I got in my car and headed to Joplin.”Burkart had not yet realized the extent of the tragedy that was the devastating May 22, 2011, tornado that tore through Joplin. Among the destruction that day, three skilled facilities were affected, leaving some of the residents with only their names written on their arms as their facility staff heroically pulled them from the wreckage and worked to find safe placement for them.“We immediately coordinated with the administrator of Meadows Care Center and were able to take 12 of their patients right away,” says Randy Alsup, Joplin Health and Rehabilitation Center’s (JHR) administrator. “Right after the tornado, 32nd Street was closed. Telephone poles lay across the road with power lines everywhere. The next thing I saw was a stream of people walking up our driveway with lights on being led by the staff of the Meadows. We also had several just come in off the street because their homes had been destroyed close by our facility. “ The JHR facility sustained some damage during the storm, as it is located on 32nd Street between Schifferdecker and Maiden Lane. Fortunately, the residents and staff were all fine.“The damage to our facility was all external and totaled over $100,000,” says Alsup. “We lost every tree on the property and several ends of our building sustained damage and brickwork had to be repaired. Most of our residents didn’t know the extent of the tornado until days later.”Burkart and Alsup, as well as many other staff at JHR, spent the night at the facility to ensure that their residents were cared for. “I remember standing in front of the building the next morning with Chris (Burkart) who was with me all night,” says Alsup. “We saw employees with flashlights walking up our driveway at 6 a.m. They couldn’t get in by driving, so they parked and walked the rest of the way in. That was a very special moment for us to see such dedicated professionals doing everything they could to get in here and take care of our patients.”Burkart said another time that stood out to him was when NHS Management, LLC, an affiliated company in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, sent a huge truckload of supplies for staff members that may have had a need. Burkart had just sent a similar load to Tuscaloosa from Missouri employees one month before when Tuscaloosa had their tornado. He also said Norman Estes, president and CEO, was “instrumental in getting an employee relief fund set up with Missouri Healthcare for staff throughout the area who were affected by the disaster and who worked in long-term care.”Saba Habis, MD, geriatrician, is the rehabilitation clinical director at Joplin Health and Rehabilitation Center as well as the chief quality officer at Freeman, and he received an influx of patients to care for during this time. “What I can tell you is that the burden a disaster the caliber of the May 22 tornado places on the affected population and the health care systems is substantial,” says Dr. Habis. “It can overwhelm and even break health care systems if they are not well-positioned and well-led. Joplin Health and Rehabilitation Center proved to have the leadership, strength and vision to take part in the resuscitation effort needed after the disaster.”

Chris Burkart

Randy Alsup

Saba Habis, MD

helping hands: dedication in the midst of tragedy

Alsup, Burkart and Dr. Habis agree that teamwork is essential when facing a crisis in order to properly care for residents. In a 120-bed facility like JHR, this is important. The facility specializes in care for short-term rehabilitation residents who need care to transition from the hospital to home that includes the Step Forward Program, a goal-based program for a safe discharge home; long-term care residents with a robust activity program; and a Memory Care Unit with special programming for residents with memory deficits. JHR is adding 26 private suites with kitchenettes, a 1,500-square-foot therapy gym, and a hoist track system to start working with residents who have balance issues right away in a mobile setting.

“That was a very special moment for us to see such dedicated

professionals doing everything they could to get in here and take

care of our patients.”--Randy Alsup

“Our location has always been a selling point,” says Alsup. “We are located close to Freeman and Mercy hospitals. But longevity of staff is always a great reason to choose a facility. The industry standard for turnover is 125 percent of nursing home staff. Ours is 52 percent and improving every year. Having the dedicated staff means the quality of care is going to be excellent as well.” JHR employs approximately 100 active caregivers, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nurse assistants, dietary, housekeeping, laundry personnel and other day-to-day staff. Joplin Health and Rehabilitation Center provides residents with access to extensively trained professionals in physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy.

For more information, go to www.joplinhealthandrehab.com.

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&placesfacesthird thursday celebrates 7th yearJoplin’s Third Thursday launched its seventh season with the sun shining, live music, an art-walk and a ribbon cutting for the city’s newest park at Seventh and Main streets. The Route 66 Mural Park marks booming development for Main Street. According to Downtown Joplin Alliance’s Trisha Patton, Third Thursday started with just one art gallery; in contrast, this year’s season boasts 17. Huge crowds set a high bar for Third Thursday attendance, offering a hopeful a glimpse toward downtown Joplin’s revival.

1. City and Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce representatives Rick Keller, Teddy Steen, Joe Craigmile, Sara Hood, Trisha Patton, Charlie Huddleston, Elisa Bryant, Linda Teeter, and Mayor Melodee Colbert-Kean dedicate Joplin’s newest addition, the Route 66 Mural Park. 2. Patrick Tuttle of the Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau. 3. Watercolor artists Don and Ruth Snider put their creative process on display by painting on-site during their Post Memorial Reference Library Exhibit. 4. Treehouse Yoga’s owner Sharlotte Fedewa and Melissa Crowder in, what else, “tree” pose. 5. Ken Phillips in his 1923 Ford T-Bucket, which he drove across the country for Historic Route 66’s Great American Road Race. 6. Six-year old Evalyn Clark boasts a curly beard thanks to Art Feeds. 7. Meet Jon White, one of the two graphic designers responsible for creating the artwork showcased on The Route 66 Murals, t-shirts, and coffee cups. 8. MSSU graphic design senior Justin Oden completed his self-portrait in just a few hours. “It’s about learning proportions, [but] you see what you didn’t know was there before,” he says of the process. “You see yourself.” 9. Skilled in painting, photography, engraving, and jewelry design, artist Jack Davis is a true “jack-of-all trades.” 10. The Josh Jennings Band delivers throaty vocals and foot-stomping guitar music to the street crowds. 11. Scott Hackleman of The Crawlers joins fellow cyclists to promote bicycle awareness at Third Thursday. 12. Grandma had to fork over two dollars, but brothers Caleb and Jacob Grant are all smiles for the new Route 66 mural. Right: Paul Whitehill, owner of Joplin-based Images in Tile and the visionary behind both “Cruisin’ into Joplin” and “The American Ribbon” displays featured in Mural Park. Photos and captions by rose hansen

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&placesfacesYmca annual campaign kickoffThe Tri-State Family YMCA of Neosho, Mo., Grove, Okla. and Rogers, Ark.; Joplin Family YMCA; Osage Prairie YMCA of Nevada, Mo.; and the Fair Acres Family YMCA of Carthage, Mo., launched the first ever regional annual campaign kickoff. The event was held Thursday, April 3 at 4 p.m. at Victory Ministries. The main purpose of the kickoff was to generate regional attention to what YMCAs have to offer and to kick off their campaign season. The YMCAs rely on generous support of donors to help thousands of people within our communities. Together, we can help our friends, families and neighbors achieve so much more.

1. Aaron Thompson and Mike Denny 2. Kim Gray, Bob Higgins, Cookie and Lorrie Estrada 3. Audie

Dennis and Ryan Stanley 4. Craig Tankersley and Jason Teeter 5. Joe Ryder and Jonathan Roberts

6. Tina Ferguson and Jeremy Mead 7. Archie McDonald, Tericia Mixon and Joe Swearengen

8. Josiah and Sherry Chaquette 9. Muffy Edwards and Holly Royster Left: Shelly and Haven

Shepherd, Lyman Burr and Leisa Newman. Photos by tina smith

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&placesfaces

The 12th annual Jazz & Jeans FurBall, held April 12 at Downstream Casino Resort, was a sold-out event with all 330 seats filled. This year’s FurBall featured jazz music by Jim Hunter and the Mellotones, dinner, and silent and live auction items including a golf cart from Grizzly Bear Golf Cars, mattress and box springs from Leggett & Platt, and a limited-edition print from Doug Hall. Through fundraisers such as the FurBall, the Joplin Humane Society provides adoptions, dedicated rescue and foster care programs, public low-income spay/neuter services and volunteer programs.

12th annual Jazz & Jeans furball

1. Jayne Haskins, Randy Brown and Diana Graddy 2. Marcia Kay and Ron Foster 3. Susan Zerkel and Tianna Fisher 4. Mike and Kathy Blood and Chuck and Linda Brown 5. Kaelee Compton and Pat Brown 6. Laura Pomeroy, Chief Chris Creekmore and Jennie Crownover 7. Robert and Nan Dunlap 8. Heather Clark and Matt Mellen 9. Sherry and Tim Wemple and Ronnie Crownover 10. Alice and Pedro Pantoja Right: Barbara and Stephen Crump Photos by tina smith

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May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 81

&placesfacesfaces of hopeOpening night for the exhibit, “Faces of Hope: The Inspiring People of God’s Resort,” was held Saturday, April 5, at Spiva Center for the Arts. Featuring the work of Whitney Scott Photography, this exhibit shares the images and stories of individuals, couples and families living in the area of Joplin now known as God’s Resort. Previously known as “The Last Resort,” this neighborhood was rife with drug and alcohol abuse, prostitution and a place familiar to law enforcement, until the half-block area was adopted by a group of caring people who established a nonprofit organization. The photographer and her family spent time serving the weekly meal offered at God’s Resort, and they were inspired by this group of survivors. A personal photography project was born from that inspiration.

1. Barbara Williamson and photographer Whitney Scott with Anna Crooks, whose photo is featured on the wall beside them. 2. Katie, Louise and Annie Secker 3. Michelle, Logan and Joe Dixon 4. Ronnie and Becky Rogers with Ben and

Emma Scott 5. Barbara Williamson and Julie Taylor 6. Seantel and Randy Coffey 7. Jocelyn Brisson and Justin Miller pose next to Jocelyn’s portrait with her

diploma. 8. Raymond and Vickie McCoy pose by their portraits taken at God’s Resort. 9. Paul and Melonie Cline 10. Jay and Julie St. Clair, Barry and Barbara

Williamson, Jeanne and Greg Edster, David and Whitney Scott, and Justin Miller. 11. Lisa and Chloe Harnar 12. Sam, Mandy, Olivia and Ivey Fancher, Barry and

Barbara Williamson, Megan, Tim and Zach White 13. Carol Ann and Gary Morrison Left: Gary Stubblefield and photographer Whitney Scott

Photos by Whitney scott Photography

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Women in Business

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 83

Women in Business

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Your House...Good Living DécorSMTO

Tulips, jonquils and other flowers that were planted in fall are the first to appear in spring. If you didn’t plant your bulbs in the fall,

don’t worry, you can still purchase tulips and other spring flowers in pots, enjoying their color now and transplanting them into your garden

after they have dropped their last bloom, so you can enjoy that beautiful color again next spring.

Tulips and jonquils look especially beautiful in a glass vase and surrounded by other bright spring colors. This table is beautifully set with crisp white dishes

and bright green linens, and of course, a vase of bright yellow jonquils and tulips. Use a single tulip or jonquil positioned on top of your napkin and

wrapped with a simple ribbon for a beautiful napkin ring.

Just like the colors of autumn leaves signal the beginning of fall and winter, the colors of spring flowers signal the coming of the warm breezes of spring and summer. Using flowers and floral-inspired fabrics in your decorating bring new life to your home, inside and out.

Power

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 85

Flowers are perfect for bringing the power of spring and the feeling of happiness to any room. Take advantage of “flower power” in your decorating and make every room feel like springtime!

Your front porch will look most inviting with bright, blooming flowers in pots and hanging baskets. Choose similar flowers for both the pots and hanging baskets; this will carry the eye from the pots on the steps to the hanging baskets on the porch. Tuck in cascading ivy or other small cascading flowers for a less formal look.

Small baskets hanging from a porch or railing make a perfect

place for more flowers. Grouping several small baskets together will create a more striking display. Consider

coordinating the colors for a special spring party, an engagement

party or a spring barbecue.

I love having spring flowers in pots because it allows me to brighten up any corner just by moving in a pot of flowers. Place them on a stand next to your favorite chair and create a great reading nook. Tuck small pots of spring flowers on a bookshelf to brighten that area or in a window sill with billowy, white curtains and take advantage of the breeze. By having several different sizes and colors of pots and flowers, you can move them from room to room and even outside to have a feeling of springtime anywhere.

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If you spend any time on Pinterest, you’ve probably seen

these lovely plants in a whole host of creative arrangements. Thanks to their ability to store water in their leaves, they’re chubbier than most typical plants,

lending an air to the exotic. And, can I just say, adorable?

The first time I saw a succulent, my heart flooded with both love and all-consuming envy. It’s easy to be seduced by the subtle colors, the

heart-quaking cuteness of their smallness, all those odd shapes, from fans to knobby tentacles. Despite a cluster of friends who’d created

elegant terrariums and wedding bouquets and wreaths with succulents, I still felt intimidated.

You see, until recently, I’ve always classified myself as a house-plant-murderer. Every orchid purchase wilts before I make it out of the store. Ferns?

Forget it. I’ve even killed air plants—which don’t even require watering.But I bought one little succulent anyway. To my surprise, it lived. A few months

later, I bought another one. After keeping them for nearly two years, I can let you in on a little secret: They are virtually indestructible—even if you’re new to gardening,

limited on space, don’t have time or have a self-professed “black thumb.”

GreenThumb

Nature’s Answer to

“Black”

By Rose Hansen

Thumbs

T h e Tr u c u l e n t S u c c u l e n t

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 87

Unconvinced? Let me demystify these amazing, versatile creatures:

Light and TemperatureI’ve read and heard all kinds of dire warnings about light for succulents. Too little, and they’ll go dormant. Too much, and they might scorch. The rule of thumb is that deep colors, like red or purple, need a lot of sun. Green is more forgiving. A good gauge is whether or not the plants start “reaching” for a better light source. If so, it’s time to relocate. But generally speaking, these plants are tough.Our south-facing kitchen window is stuffed with succulents of all colors, and they might just be the happiest residents in our household.

WaterMy boyfriend regularly accuses me of trying to kill our succulents. He dutifully obeys suggested guidelines and waters at least once a week.When left to my own devices, the soil turns so dry that it shrinks away from the container walls. I’ve literally gone weeks without offering them a drop. The succulents just shrug their shoulders and go on surviving.In fact, I once kept a succulent alive for more than a year in the back of my truck. Never watered it. It lived through a summer drought and most of a Minnesota winter. In the end, the only reason it died was because I accidentally blew it apart with a pressure washer.

PottingSucculents need soil that drains easily, typically one engineered for cactus. You can find this in any hardware store. Before transplanting, loosen the roots before moving into its new container, then leave it in a shady area for a day to acclimate before exposing to sunlight. Yes, it really is that easy.Old-school hob nobs will tell you to use well-draining pots. To a degree, I agree. It’s a no-fail strategy. Except… I’ve also housed them in non-draining vessels like glass vases, hollow statues, and my antique tea set milk jug. They just look cuter that way.

Succulents are low-maintenance, easygoing, forgiving. They tolerate abuse and neglect, they flourish under the slightest of care. They are nearly impossible to kill. They are, dare I say, the plant kingdom’s most beautiful equivalent to a cockroach.So if you’re on the fence, take the leap! Adopt that adorable little succulent calling your name from the hardware store rack. Have

faith in your own gardening potential, however lackluster.Trust me, even if you fail to do your part, the plants will do just fine.

Rose Hansen recently left Minnesota for Missouri in search of greener, and warmer, pastures. Master gardener? Nope. But she’s learning and willing to share. Follow her progress from transplant to full bloom at flyingfarmers.com or on Instagram @flyingfarmers.

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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.

May 8: Grief Companions Support Group meets the second Thursday of each month, 6 pm, Elm Haven West. Enter through north door. Call 620.704.1110.

Via Christi Hospital - Pittsburg, KS

May 9: Monthly Lunch and Learn, 12-1 pm, Hospital cafeteria. $3 lunch, RSVP by May 7. May is National Stroke Awareness Month and speaker is Janelle Dimond, Trauma/Stroke coordinator. Call 620.235.7894.

Mercy McCune-Brooks Hospital - Carthage, MO

May Health Focus - Skin Cancer Screening. Learning the ABCDEs of melanoma could save your life – Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter and Evolving. A sudden or continuous change in the appearance of a mole is a sign that you should see your doctor. Clinics to screen for skin cancer are scheduled on two dates in May. (See listings below.)

May 1-9: Mercy Day of the Child, Mercy Carthage Pediatrics, 1911 Buena Vista Avenue, 9-11 am. Mother Goose makes an appearance and distributes books, crayons and coloring pages. Children make May baskets and other activities. Refreshments served.

May 4-26: Monday and Tuesday Grief Support Group - Monday 1:30-2:30 pm; Tuesday 6:30-7:30 pm.  Open to the public at no cost; registration is appreciated. Materials provided. Call Chaplain Galen Snodgrass, 417.359.2636.

May 7: Visit the Mercy Hospital Carthage booth at the Carthage Chamber of Commerce Business Expo, 10 am-6 pm, Congregation of the Mother Co-Redemptrix (CMC), 1900 S. Grand Avenue. Call 417.359.1350.

May 11 & 25: Spradling Family Birthing Center Open House for expectant parents. 1-3 pm, free. Call 417.359.2600.

May 13: Skin Cancer Screening Clinic, 1-3 pm, Mercy Clinic Primary Care, main hospital entrance, conducted by Karen Fenstermacher, FNP. No appointment necessary. Call 417.359.1350.

May 21: Skin Cancer Screening Clinic, 8:30-10:30 am, Mercy Clinic Primary Care, main hospital entrance, conducted by Kenneth Watts, MD. No appointment necessary. Call 417.359.1350.

May 27: Diabetes Support Group, 4-5 pm, Carthage Public Library Community Room, 612 S. Garrison. Call 417.359.1359 or 417. 359.1351.

 Joplin, MO

Every Monday: Tips for Living a Healthy Life, 10 am-12 pm, South YMCA, 3404 W. McIntosh Circle. Free; registration required. Learn about managing fatigue, working with health professionals, relaxation techniques and practicing healthy eating habits. Call 417.625.2492.

Every day: 12-Step Recovery Meetings, Alano Club, 1800 E. 30th. Call 417.623.9645.

Every Friday: Grief Counseling, 11 am-3 pm, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 706 South Byers. Free. No appointment necessary.

May 2: 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.

May 20: Brain Injury Support Group, 12-1:30 pm, Independent Living Center, 2639 E. 34th. Call 417.659.8086 or visit www.ilcenter.org.

May 27: Joplin Ostomy Support Group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month, 7 pm, Freeman Business Center, 3200 McClelland, back entrance. Speaker, refreshments. Call Jackie Strobl, 417.849.7814.

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 89

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Freeman Health System

May 5 & 12: Prenatal Class, 6:30-9:30 pm, Freeman West Meeting Room 1W. Class prepares mothers and their labor coaches for childbirth. $35 per couple. Registration required; call 417.347.6687.

May 6: Autism Support Group, 6-8 pm, Bill & Virginia Leffen Center, 3230 Wisconsin Avenue. Call 417.347.7850.

May 6: Cancer Support Group, 2 pm, Freeman Cancer Institute downstairs conference room. Call 417.347.4029.

May 7: Senior Community Committee Event: Senior Prom, 11:30 am-2 pm, Butcher’s Block Event Center, 499 Fountain Road. Get dressed up and be ready to dance and have some fun! Tickets $8; purchase at the Freeman Advantage office. Lunch included. Call 417.347.5837.

  May 8: Will’s Place Block Party, 5-7 pm, Will’s Place, 1800 W. 30th Street. In observance of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, enjoy an evening of games, arts & crafts, and food. Call 417.347.7580.

May 13: Alzheimer’s Support Group, 6-7 pm, Freeman East conference room 4E. Call 417.347.5876.

May 13: Freeman Blood Drive, 11 am-2 pm, parking lot behind Freeman Urgent Care. People 17 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds and have not given blood in the past 8 weeks may participate in the blood drive. Call 417.347.4603.

May 15: Stroke Support Group, 3 pm, College View Manor, 3828 College View. Call 417.347.1234.

May 19: Freeman Blood Drive, 10 am-3 pm, Freeman West Meeting Rooms 3-4W. People 17 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds and have not given blood in the past  8 weeks may participate in the blood drive. Call 417.347.4603.

May 19: Diabetes Support Group meets the third Monday of each month, 4:30-5:30 pm, Freeman Women’s Center conference room, 1532 W. 32nd Street. Call 417.347.5831.

May 20: Sleep Apnea Support Group, 6-7 pm, Freeman Health Essentials, 1130 E. 32nd Street. Roundtable discussion with a sleep therapist. Call 417.347.7400.

May 20: Breastfeeding Class, 6:30 pm. Freeman West meeting room 1W. Cost: $15. Call 417.347.6667.

May 21: Freeman Advantage presents: AARP Driver Safety, 1 pm, Freeman Business Center, 3220 McClelland Blvd. Call for reservations, 417.347.5837.

May 22: Freeman Screen Team Early Detection Screenings, 8 am-4 pm, 1130 E. 32nd Street, Suite C. Appointment required; call 417.347.6555.

May 23: Freeman Golf Tournament of Miracles, 11 am-7 pm, Peoria Ridge Golf Course, 10275 South 600 Road, Miami, OK. Enjoy lunch and dinner; networking with other great businesses; and excellent golfing. Four-person scramble; proceeds benefit local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Call 417.347.6639.

May 27: Freeman Advantage Tea, 9-11:30 am, conference room, 3220 McClelland Blvd. Annual health screening; open to the public. Topic: “Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer” with Jackie Burr Graue, NP. Call 417.347.5837 or visit freemanhealth.com/advantage.

Mercy Hospital

Every Monday: Parkinson’s Support Group, 2 pm, SWMO Community Alliance conference room, 2914 E. 32nd. Call Nancy, 417.623.5560.

Every Wednesday: Free Blood Pressure Screening, 9 am-12 pm, St. John’s Medical Equipment store, 3120 S. Main, Suite 10. Call 417.627.8424.

Every Thursday: Free Blood Pressure Screenings, 10-11 am, Mercy Hospital lobby. Call 417.627.8424.

Mercy Healthification Team:

Every Wednesday: Mercy Running Group and Walking Group, 5:30 pm, hospital lobby, 32nd Street and Connecticut, water to be provided. Visit Mercy Running Group Facebook page  for information and route updates.

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Suzanne S. Long, Au.D., CCC-A, F-AAABoard Certified in Audiology

Happy Better Speech and Hearing month!  As promised in last month’s article, I’ll be

covering the topic of testing children’s hearing, which can be done at any age, believe it or not.  A hearing screening is actually part of the newborn screening process, so babies born at a hospital will have their hearing checked at least once prior to being discharged from the hospital. Most hospitals will attempt to rescreen a baby’s hearing if he or she doesn’t pass the first screening. Any baby who doesn’t pass the final screening is then recommended to follow-up with an audiologist for diagnostic testing. There are two types of testing that hospitals do to check an infant’s hearing: Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs) and Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) screening. Neither of these screenings require a behavioral response (e.g. raising your hand or pushing a button), so they are ideal for testing infants.

Newborn/Infant hearing testingOAEs testing is a minimally invasive test where an earphone is placed in the infant’s ear, and a series of tones is presented at a fairly quiet volume. There are microscopic hair cells in the cochlea in the inner ear that create a signal in response to those tones, which can be measured if everything is working correctly. OAEs can be done while the child is asleep or awake (as long as he or she is calm and quiet), so it is the easier of the two main tests available for newborns and infants. However, it only tests a portion of the auditory system, so it is not as complete as the ABR test.

ABR testing is a slightly more invasive but more thorough test, which evaluates further along the auditory system through the brainstem. An earphone is placed in the child’s ear, and clicks or tones are presented at varying volumes as selected by the audiologist. Electrode sensors are placed on the child’s forehead and behind the ears and are used to pick-up on the brainwave responses to those different sounds. The ABR responses are fairly well correlated to behavioral responses, so it is the preferred diagnostic test when wanting to establish hearing ability or severity of hearing loss.

Toddler hearing testingAs babies get older, it becomes increasingly difficult to obtain ABR results (unless they are sedated), but they are able to provide behavioral responses to different sounds. Ideally, it would be great to put earphones on toddlers and have them raise their hands when they hear tones, but that’s not very realistic. Instead, audiologists talk and play tones through earphones (or a speaker in the booth if the child won’t leave earphones on) to get some sort of response from the child. Sometimes that response is to look toward the source of the sound where a toy or TV is activated as reinforcement, and sometimes that response is to clap hands or drop a block into a bucket. OAEs are also useful for this age group if the behavioral results are inconsistent. Bottom line for testing toddlers: have a lot of tricks up your sleeve because what works for one kiddo might not work for the next one.

and Hearing TestingKids

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 91

Caring for your heart matters...Via Christi Heart Center in Pittsburg has made major investments in the latest heart imaging technology, which can mean faster diagnoses and more effective treatment for a variety of heart-related conditions. We’re working to provide you with cutting-edge cardiac care because we understand that when it comes to taking care of your heart, nothing is more important.

...because your life matters

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HealthSMTO

The dreaded bikini season is fast approaching, along with it the offers of how to lose 50 pounds of weight

fast – without even trying! Unfortunately, being happy in a swimsuit isn’t as easy as getting to your goal weight. Anyone who has spent their lives tied to a scale – or watched anyone they care for do the same – knows keeping your eyes on that number often does more harm than good. We live in a time where we are simultaneously warned about the dangers of obesity and the ever-increasing rates of eating disorders. We face body hatred from every direction: in the supermarket checkout lane, magazines in our doctors’ offices and even social media, all working tirelessly to shame us into believing our body couldn’t possibly look great in that swimsuit right now. This shame often drives us to the scale, tying our self-worth, body image and health to a single number. According to an article in betterhealth.gov, research shows that 23 percent of men and 45 percent of women whom doctors say have a “healthy weight” actually see themselves as “overweight,” while 20 percent of women labeled “underweight” see themselves as much larger and are actively working to lose that weight. Approximately 45 million Americans diet each year, spending about $33 billion on weight loss products to achieve their goals. Diet and weight control behaviors are often associated with weight gain in the long-run, not to mention a much higher risk of developing an eating disorder as a result. The truth is society trains us to hate our bodies, whether we are skinny, fat or somewhere in between. Although we may be able to reshape society someday, the incessant body hatred is a problem right here and right now. The number on the scale cannot measure your strength, your talents, your ability to love others or your possibilities in life. The number does not reflect your sense of humor, how much others care for you or your ability to overcome whatever life throws your way. Stepping away from the scale, especially as spring and summer approaches (as does the need to bare more skin as the bitter cold turns to sunshine and unrelenting heat) is hard. Turning our backs on something we have relied on for so long forces us to pay attention to what we have been hiding from for so long: just how uncomfortable we really feel in our own bodies. Although it may be easy to tell our friends “I feel fat,” it is not easy to admit to them (or ourselves) that we have this nagging feeling that just will not go away: we do not like the way we look, we are unhappy with ourselves or where our lives have taken us, or that we deeply wish we could be as beautiful as those people in the magazines. Unfortunately, those feelings will not go away overnight. But here are five things that will help start the process of feeling comfortable in your own skin, embracing the bikini body you have and defining beauty for yourself:

By Jennifer Copeland, PsyD Mercy Clinical Psychologist

Embrace the bikini body you already have

1) Every body is different. We are all unique in our own rights, experiencing what the world has to offer through the filter of our past, present and hoped-for future. Try to notice and be aware of when you compare yourself, your achievements and your body to those around you – or those in the media. Not only are the images in the media unrealistic, they are technologically altered to fit an unobtainable beauty ideal. When you have these moments, try to remind yourself that just because those people fit the conventional idea of beauty does not mean they are happy and healthy. Which means that IF you could change your body to look like theirs, you won’t necessarily be happy, healthy or comfortable in your body either.2) Sometimes you will get stuck in old patterns and habits. Be patient with yourself, and simply redirect your focus to more positive thoughts. For moms, instead of thinking about how much you wish your stomach was smaller or tighter, remind yourself of the gratitude you feel for your stomach’s ability to grow a human being. For every negative thought about a certain part of your body, find something to be grateful about for what your body does for you. Remember, those arms you feel uncomfortable with allow you to hold your loved ones close and show them you care for them. What has your body done for you lately?3) Healthy living is important for people of all sizes, and you can start feeling better now – no matter what the number on the scale says. When you remove weight from the equation you give yourself the freedom to make changes you want to keep around, changes you will enjoy and are not a punishment. When you stop trying so hard to fit into another person’s idea of health and beauty, you have room to discover what that means for you. Embrace the body you have right now, learn to trust what it is telling you and honor those signals, and nurture your body the best you can.4) Who are you letting have a say in your self-esteem? Are there a lot of people in your life who are trying to help, but their comments are doing more harm than good? Any family members who like to make snarky comments about your body? Identify the bullies in your life and find ways to tune them out. Many find it helpful to get involved with more positive people, not those who tear down your self-esteem. The Internet is full of support groups and blogs supporting size acceptance and positive body image. Check your local library for great books such as Linda Bacon’s Health At Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight or Wendy Oliver-Pyatt’s Fed Up! The Breakthrough Ten-Step, No-Diet Fitness Plan for more great information. You may find that with this extra encouragement, those other words won’t hurt quite as much.5) Don’t feel guilty about taking time to focus on yourself. Audre Lorde once said, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” The weight loss industry stands to lose a lot of money if even some of those 45 million dieting Americans decide to love their body instead of trying to change it. Those $33 billion are a powerful motivator for continuing to make people feel bad about themselves. It can be a revolutionary act to refuse to participate in that cycle, so remember that you are not selfish – you are brave.No matter what size you were 10 years ago or will be 20 years from now, don’t waste more time being unhappy with the body you have now. Focusing on the past such as the bullying others may have inflicted on you (or you inflicted on yourself) because of your size and worrying about what you will look like in the future (or if you will ever be able to lose that weight) causes more pain and suffering. And that kind of body hatred only robs you of the opportunity to enjoy the present moment.

From the Scale: Step Away

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 93

By Dr. Joe Robinson Dentures & Dental Services

First, if you’re in pain, let’s get you out of pain. Addressing the pain issue first is obvious but nobody needs to make other treatment decisions under duress. “This one hurts, just pull them all” is an example of a decision based on duress. The next step or phase would be to explain to the patient that the condition of the tooth is irrelevant if the foundation is bad. The bone and tissue supporting the teeth needs to be in good condition prior to restoring the teeth. One must secure the foundation prior to building the roof. Periodontal disease must be treated to secure the foundation and support the tooth. After the periodontal health of the patient is stable, decay and failing restorations can be addressed. Now we can repair the form and function of the crown of the tooth through restorative dentistry. Removing decay and restoring the crown of the tooth may include the final piece of the puzzle, which is replacing missing teeth. The disease process of periodontitis and decay have been removed and now we can fill the gaps. Excluding wisdom teeth, an adult should have 28 teeth. A person can survive and adapt to chewing without all 28 teeth.

I Haven’t Been to the Dentist in Years;

Where Do I Start?This is a common issue with many patients who make their first appointment for a consultation in our practice. I don’t like to overwhelm a patient on the first visit with a long complex treatment plan. If they haven’t had regular dental care in some time the last thing I want to do is scare them off with a to-do list that seems insurmountable. My approach with these patients is a back-to-basics plan.

Symmetry in the mouth is important. Things need to match: What you have on top should touch something on the bottom and vice versa. How you fill the gaps from missing teeth is a whole other discussion. If a person is missing teeth in the front of the mouth and needs to have them replaced before the periodontal and restorative phases are complete, a temporary solution can be made. Now that the treatment is complete, the last piece of the puzzle is maintenance. You have spent time and money to repair and replace teeth, and for them to last they must be maintained. Maintenance should be at least a cleaning and check up twice a year. This interval allows the dental team to catch problems before they become advanced. As always, discuss your expectations of treatment with your dentist.

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Every Thursday: Free Blood Pressure Checks, 10-11 am, hospital lobby. Call 417.627.8424.

Auxiliary Events

May 5: Masquerade $5 Jewelry Sale, 7 am-5 pm, Mercy Hospital Joplin, sponsored by Mercy Auxiliary Joplin.

May 6: Masquerade $5 Jewelry Sale, 7 am-4 pm, Mercy Hospital Joplin, sponsored by Mercy Auxiliary Joplin.

May 27: Blood Drive, 8-10 am, Galleria, 2702 Richard Joseph Boulevard parking lot, sponsored by Mercy Auxiliary Joplin.

May 27: Blood Drive, 12:30-4:30 pm, Mercy Hospital Joplin, 2817 St. John’s Boulevard parking lot.

May 27: Blood Drive, 1-4 pm, P D & C Building, 300 E. 50th, Rooms 1 & 2.

Mercy Prestige Events - Call 417.625.2262

May 12:  Dine with the Doc, 12 pm. Luncheon with Dr. David Tonkin Pain Management, Byers Avenue United Methodist Church, 1730 S. Byers Street.

May 13: Mercy Stitchers, 11:30 am-1 pm,  Byers Avenue United Methodist Church, 1730 S. Byers Avenue.

May 28: Mercy Prestige Trip - New Theatre Restaurant, Overland Park, KS, featuring “Miracle on South Division Street.”

National Alliance on Mental Illness

For information on NAMI, call 417.781.6264 or visit www.namijoplin.org. The NAMI building is located at 219 W. 2nd Street in 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.

Every Wednesday: Dual Diagnosis Support Group, 2:30-3:30 pm, NAMI building.

Every Wednesday: Post 5/22 Stress Counseling Sessions, 10 am, NAMI building.

May 3: Asperger’s Support for Parents/Adolescents meets the first Monday of each month, 6:30 pm, NAMI building.

May 16: Provider Education Class, 8 am, Butcher’s Block Banquet Center. For people who work directly with individuals living with mental illness including emergency room staff, social workers, law enforcement, guidance counselors, public defenders, peer specialists and more. CEUs available. Call Diana, 417.781.6264, to register.

Medicalodges - Neosho, MO

May 14: Alzheimer’s Support Group meets the second Wednesday of each month, 4-5 pm, 400 Lyon Drive. Friends and family of persons with any type of dementia are welcome. Call 417.451.2544.

May 20: Remember Me Group meets the third Tuesday of each month, 4-5 pm, 400 Lyon Drive. Create a scrapbook with education about dementia. Must RSVP. Call 417.451.2544.

Nevada Regional Medical Center – Nevada, MO

May 13: Breastfeeding Support Group, 6:30 pm, Medical Arts Building conference room.

May 15: Skin Cancer Screening, 10 am – 12 pm, mezzanine conference room. Must preregister; call 417.448.3622.

May 20-22: Tuesday & Thursday Childbirth Class, 6-8 pm, Medical Arts Building 3rd floor class room. Must preregister; call 417.448.3622.

May 24: Saturday Childbirth Class, 8 am-12 pm, Medical Arts Building 3rd floor class room. Must preregister; call 417.448.3622.

May 27: Community Blood Center Blood Drive, 1-4 pm, Moore-Few Community Room.

INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Health Center - Grove, OK

May 8: 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.

May 8: 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

May 8: Caregivers Support Group meets the second Thursday of each month, 11 am, Parish Hall, All Saints Episcopal Church. Call 918.542.3662. Open to the public.

May 8 & 22: Depression Support Group meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, 2 pm, Northeastern Tribal Health System conference room, 2301 Eight Tribes Trail. Call 918.675.2093.

INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Health Center – Miami, OK

Every Tuesday: Free blood pressure and glucose screenings provided by INTEGRIS Regency Home Care and Hospice. First Tuesday: Commerce Nutrition Center, 10:30-11:30 am. Second Tuesday: Nine Tribes Tower, 10-11 am. Third Tuesday: Miami Senior Center, 10-11 am. Fourth Tuesday: INTEGRIS Baptist Village, 9-10 am.

May 2: Alzheimer’s Support Group meets the first Tuesday of each month, 11 am, Generations 4th floor visiting room. Call 918.542.3391.

May 2: 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.

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By Billie Holladay Skelley, RN, MS

Getting enough sleep has long been promoted as essential for good health. The importance of sufficient sleep cannot be overstated because if sleep is disturbed or interrupted, it can

affect many aspects of human behavior. Persistent sleep deficit can decrease your attention span and impair your cognitive functioning. It can cause mental mistakes, memory lapses and reduced motor reactions and response times. Simply put, a lack of sleep puts both your safety and your health at risk. Yet, many people throughout our nation routinely function in a state of chronic sleep deprivation. This lack of sleep is a significant health concern because sleep is not a passive state where the brain just shuts down. Rather, sleep allows your brain to carry out essential biological and neurological processes. It allows us to process memories so we can make better decisions. Sleep helps us restore tissue and energy stores. It is so restorative in nature that it helps to determine how people function and whether they can perform optimally. The sleep deficit problem is so widespread in our country that some health professionals have declared the problem a public health epidemic. It is an epidemic we certainly do not need because more and more research is revealing just how detrimental sleep deprivation is to our health. A recent article in Science, “Sleep Drives Metabolite Clearance from the Adult Brain,” reveals that sleep has a vital function in maintaining metabolic homeostasis. The authors of the article, led by Maiken Nedergaard of the University of Rochester (N.Y.) Medical Center, used real-time assessments of tetramethylammonium diffusion and two-photon imaging in live mice to study fluid flow in the rodents while they were awake and asleep. They found that the space between brain cells increased by 60 percent when the animals were asleep, which resulted in “a striking increase in convective exchange of cerebrospinal fluid with interstitial fluid.” During sleep, cerebrospinal fluid flowed into the interstitial spaces of the brain and washed away waste products and debris—such as protein fragments that could potentially form plaques. When the animals were awake, brain cells swelled up and narrowed the crevices or spaces that separated the cells, clogging up the drainage system and allowing wastes to pile up. In other words, the passage of fluid was facilitated during sleep and was almost closed off in the awake state. This research reveals that the restorative function of sleep may be a “consequence of the enhanced removal of potentially neurotoxic waste products that accumulate in the awake central nervous system.” A related online Science News article, “Sleep Clears the Cluttered Brain” by Tina Hesman Saey, also indicates that sleep appears to have a cleansing function for the brain by allowing for the removal of neurotoxic waste products. According to this article, the brain “pushes fluid in between its cells to flush out buildup products, such as protein pieces that form plaques in people with Alzheimer’s disease.” While such research findings are fascinating, the described study was

conducted in mice. Additional research needs to be undertaken to determine if similar results are found in humans and if the observed changes in brain function are actually associated with neurological diseases. The Saey article notes, however, that researchers have already postulated that sleep deprivation may make it impossible for wastes to be fully washed away, and this could lead to a buildup of waste by-products that may eventually contribute “to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.”We know sleep is essential for human beings. It is a biological imperative. More and more studies are revealing how it restores alertness, enhances performance and decreases mistakes. Research is also illustrating how necessary sleep is for good health. As a society, we must make every effort to ensure that the sleep deprivation epidemic is resolved for the sake of our safety and our health.

Sleep Clears Away Waste Products in the Brain

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InsightInto Substance Abuse Disorder

Prescribing Painkillers to Addicts Can Be Dangerous

The Link Between Phillip Hoffman Seymour’s Death and Painkillers

By Bridget Bauer

Now that details have emerged about actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s death, Teddy Steen, ASCENT Recovery Residence executive director, is even more determined. She is influenced to find a way to educate the medical and mental health community on the effects of prescription mind-altering drugs on not only admitted addicts but also those who have the potential to become addicts.On the surface, it appears that Hoffman died from a drug overdose. Looking closely at the details, another side to the story surfaces. Yes, Hoffman was a drug addict but had been clean and sober for 23 years. What triggered a relapse was the prescription of pain medication for another health issue.

This excerpt from Debbie Bayer’s blog explains what happens. Bayer, M.A., is a spiritual counselor and clinical hypnotherapist and has 25 years of experience in 12-step programs.“Phillip Seymour Hoffman died from having a combination of sensitivities in his neural wiring that caused his brain to override his better judgment, took away his free will and caused him to take the actions that ultimately killed him. It appears that these sensitivities were unknowingly activated by a prescription of pain killers that were necessary at the time to treat a different medical condition. Because of his previous 23 years of being clean and sober, he was presumed safe to take the pain medication. It looks like he and maybe even his doctors didn’t know about how his brain worked, which kept him from staying in treatment long enough to allow his brain to rewire itself around those sensitivities and render him clean and sober again. For this, like all addicts in this situation, he deserves our kindness and compassion.”Heroin is again reaching epic proportions, and your stereotypical drug addict is not the only one using it. High school and college kids, teachers, soccer moms, etc., are also becoming addicts. The one thing many of these new heroin addicts have in common was that their journey into addiction began with prescription pain medication. These pain medications are like synthetic heroin and once people become addicted and can no longer afford the prescription drugs due to their high street value, turning to the street drug, heroin, is the most economical solution. “Unfortunately, a drug is a drug is a drug,” Steen said. “The brain cannot tell the difference between a prescription drug and an illegal one. Once the drug hits the addict’s brain all it knows is that it wants more.”Steen wants to drive home that the medical community needs to be more discriminating when prescribing pain meds. While prescription medications can cause a recovering addict to relapse, they can also lead to addictions for others.“As doctors continue prescribing narcotic pain medication indiscriminately we will continue to see the rise in drug addiction, heroin addiction, crime, etc.,” she said. “Just because you have a toothache or backache doesn’t mean you need hydrocodone. The medical community understands that addiction is designated as a disease, but most of them have very little understanding of the disease itself.” If an addict needs pain relievers, Steen said the doctors need to respect the disease of addiction. Talking about what is happening and accountability are necessary between the addict and doctor. However, she has seen too many relapses because of an addict getting prescriptions for other drugs. Then they return to their drug of choice. Therein lies the danger.Steen recommends that anyone who is interested in learning more about this disease and how it works read the entire article on Debbie Bayer’s blog.http://debbiebayerblog.com/2014/02/04/phillip-seymour-hoffman-did-not-have-choice-or-free-will-and-neither-do-you/

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“How much should I save?” is a common question among those planning for retirement. The rule of thumb, Peterson says, is to save at least 10 percent of your salary each year, but that’s if you started saving early in your career. If you’re 40 or 50 and haven’t started socking away money in your 401(k) or IRA, you may find that a 10 percent savings rate won’t be enough to help you reach your retirement goals.

Your first step should be to meet with your Wells Fargo Advisors financial advisor to assess your current nest egg and savings rate and estimate how much annual income you’re likely to need during retirement. The Wells Fargo Advisors planning process can help you stress-test various retirement scenarios and identify areas of your plan that need adjusting.

For instance, you may find that boosting your savings rate by a few percentage points a year will get you closer to your long-term financial goals. “The more you save, the better off you’ll be,” Peterson says. “And even a small step-up in savings can make a big difference.”

It’s Not Your Grandfather’s Retirement Anymore

It used to be relatively simple to plan for retirement: You’d just circle the date on the calendar when your pension was set to kick in and have your co-workers start planning your send-off party.

But that was then. These days, retirement planning is a lot more complex. The number of corporate pension plans has fallen dramatically over the past two decades — from about 92,000 single-employer defined benefit plans in 1990 to 29,000 in 2009, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.* With the burden of paying for retirement shifting to individuals, personal savings and investments are becoming the primary source of retirement income.

Evaluating your retirement savings goals is essential whether retirement is imminent or 30 years away. By considering your savings goals and income needs, you may find that your current plan is likely to leave you short when it comes time to stop working. The good news is that you have options, such as working a bit longer than you initially planned. The fact is, delaying retirement by working just a few extra years can keep you from having to dip into your savings, meaning more of your money can continue to benefit from the tax-favored compounding in plans such as 401(k) and IRAs.

You may also find additional funds — in the form of an inheritance or the proceeds from the sale of a family business — to help you move closer to your financial goals. Your financial advisor can help you review and adjust your current retirement savings plan to factor in such windfalls.

“Develop a plan and stress-test it with your advisor,” Peterson says. “The results can help you understand what’s possible, and also what may be out of reach.”

2) Rethink your retirement budgetFor many years, experts recommended aiming to replace roughly 80 percent of your annual preretirement income during retirement. The idea was that living expenses typically decreased in retirement. “But that advice assumed that you were going to spend your retirement in a rocking chair on the front porch,” Peterson says. “These days, retirees are likely to be very active.” And that means higher costs to keep up with a more expensive lifestyle.

It’s important to look at your planned retirement budget realistically, Peterson says. Work with your financial advisor to map out essential costs, such as housing and food, and discretionary expenses, such as travel and entertainment. That exercise can help you set credible long-term savings goals based on your expected income needs during retirement.

* Government Accountability Administration, “Survey Results of the Nation’s Largest Private Defined Benefit Plan Sponsors,” http://www.gao.gov/assets/290/288087.pdf.**********This article was written by Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Gene Baker, 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 VALUEWells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.©2013 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved. 0113-002066 [91290-v1] 01/13

1) Step up your savings

Revising Your Plan

“In the old days, Grandpa knew how much his pension would pay him for the rest of his life,” says Donna Peterson, senior vice president for retail retirement at Wells Fargo. “Now the big question is, ‘How much income will your savings generate from month to month during your retirement?’”

So what can individuals do to better prepare for today’s retirement landscape? The answer is to plan ahead. Start building a stronger foundation for your retirement with two important steps.

Provided by Evan and Gene Baker,Wells Fargo Advisors

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This Wasn’t In the Manual!

By Mary Engler Guccione

There are many things in this life I detest. I hate hunger. I abhor injustice, and I

have zero tolerance for spandex, poison ivy, sweet wine and tofu. And among those, I really dislike shopping the mall with my 15-year-old. To make that statement a little more truthful…since I progressed past 40, I detest shopping. Period. I was preparing for Easter and decided I wanted a new dress. Now, my heritage is German. That means, for whatever reason, I have always had Big. German. Arms. I call them my “German stein slinging arms.” These puppies have never been skinny. I emerged from the womb looking like Popeye. So it disheartens me when I get to buy a pretty spring dress and they are all sleeveless. Every single one of them. Sleeveless. Like the manufacturer just assumed that every woman has nice, slender arms. Like every woman over 40 doesn’t have that weird extra bubble of skin and fat at the crook of her armpit.

Is it possible to design a spring/summer dress that will cover your sagging neck, your freakishly large arms and your back-fat? And while we’re at it, it would appear my thighs are in a race to get to my ankles, so a little extra fabric over those would be great. Reading back over this paragraph, I realize I have just described a winter overcoat, which I would have to take off at the first hint of a hot flash. Wonderful. Now I’m at the mall with Madeline. She spies the “’Oh Ma GAWD!’ perfect outfit” for Easter. It’s a doily. I swear. A doily. If she wanted that, I can run home, grab two old doilies I inherited from my grandmother, slap them together with some thread and VIOLA! She has the “Oh Ma GAWED” perfect outfit. Boom. While that may have saved me $75 bucks, I still wouldn’t purchase. Why? Because it’s a doily and it’s not covering enough of what “The Good Lord gave her.” This announcement, of course, causes World War III in the middle of the store. In her anger, she slams her Starbucks caramel-macchiato-latte-with-a-quad-shot-no whip-Grande on the table. It sloshes out of its spill-proof little slit lid and spews onto the doily. As we are leaving the store with our new purchase, she spies the “Oh Ma GAWD” perfect pair of shoes to go with the dress. This is why I detest shopping. On the upside, sweet wine isn’t looking so bad right now.

with a 15-Year-old Shopping

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Rocket Science By Rodney Blaukat

It’sNot

Rodney Blaukat is the author of Rocket Science Made Easy and can be reached

at rodney@theblaukatgroup.com or www.rocketsciencemadeeasy.com

A few years back I was in Springfield, Ill., for business. As you normally do when you are on the road, my colleagues and I were looking for something to entertain us in the evening. As

luck would have it we were there just in time for the Illinois State Fair. That’s where the fun began.Now for those of you who have been to a state fair, you know it is a combination of a 4-H meeting combined with a monster truck rally. It’s worth the price of admission just to do some people watching. The phrase “Is that deep fried?” and “I’ll bet you can’t do that” can be heard ringing throughout the fairgrounds. But I was not prepared for what I saw when we ventured into the Dairy Barn.As we entered the barn, right in the center was a giant glass display case. As I got closer it looked like a sculpture of a full-size cow.

I thought, that’s kind of cool. Then as we got up to the display case we find out the entire display was made out of butter! All of it…butter. That’s not something you see everyday.As you might imagine, my first, second, third and fourth question was why? They even had a webcam (the cow cam) set up on the fair website so you could log on and see the cow. Come to find out this had been going on for several years. I’m still not sure who was sitting at their dining room table many years ago and looked at a stick of butter and said, “That would make a good cow sculpture.” I was confident no one would believe me, so I was able to take a picture.So what’s the point? Other than saying I saw the butter cow and scratching that off my bucket list, I think we do have a lesson to learn. Whatever your task, no matter how bizarre it may seem at the time, it’s worth doing right. I can’t begin to count the number of statues, displays and items I’ve seen over the years that are made with everything from butter to bumpers. But I know the artists did them with care and craftsmanship, giving everything they had to each project. The butter cow is seen by hundreds of thousands of people each year and has been a tremendous advertisement for the dairy industry in Illinois. Sometimes our effort and commitment to do something that others might think is futile can become just the thing to lift the spirits of others. So go carve your butter cow! It’s Not Rocket Science. It’s Rocket Science Made Easy.

The Butter Cow

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Favorite Campgrounds

Majestic Oaks

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.

River Ranch Resort

Family / OutdoorsSMTO

Located only five miles from Bagnell Dam, Majestic Oaks offers a great family camping experience with a quiet country setting. The park has RV sites, tent sites as well as cabins and campers for rent. The tent area is secluded from the RV area, with RV sites as large at 60’x30’

with cable television and wireless internet. The grounds are pet-friendly. Amenities include two shower houses, a camp store, swimming pool, basketball & shuffleboard

courts, sand volleyball, playground, barrel train ride, and hiking trails.

The resort also offers seasonal events, like their Halloween Spooktacular in the fall that includes Haunted Hayrides, and other activities for the entire family.

The campground offers prices to fit every budget, ranging from $22 for tent sites to $36 for deluxe

RV sites. Seasonal and year around rates available. They are open from April 1 through October 31, but have

limited services and availability year around.

For more information about Majestic Oaks Family RV Park and Campground, visit www.majesticoakspark.com.

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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.

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.

Shady Beach 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.

Elk River Floats and Wayside Campground

Cross Creek RV Park & Campground

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custom creationsEvery year certain new lures become really hot fish catchers, and everyone has to have one. The reason they catch fish when a lot of the old standard lures don’t is that fish are seeing something different than anything else that’s been thrown at them.But, you don’t have to wait for the next lure to come out, just customize your old lures into something new and different to the fish.Lure paints are available in a variety of traditional and fluorescent colors, as well as luminous and glitter finishes. Patterns you can use include vertical and horizontal stripes, polka dots, checkerboards or something simple like over-sized eyes or prominent red gill slashes.Another option is to buy prism tape in pre-cut patterns like ladder back that they use on Great Lakes salmon spoons. Or, you can just cut your own designs and tape them on plugs and spoons.

If your customized creations don’t work, just re-paint or re-tape and try again until you find something that does and you get the satisfaction of catching a fish on something you created.

bird habitatTo attract and keep wild birds in your backyard, think diversity. Wild birds need lots of different kinds of cover, and different species prefer different kinds of food.Cover includes grass, shrubs, small trees and tall trees, all of which appeal to different species.Trees and shrubs also provide safe and secure nesting areas, and the mix should include plants that produce seeds, fruits and nuts.Flowering trees and bushes attract insects, providing an important source of protein for birds.For best results, pick species that produce fruits and seeds at different times of year. For example, cherry, honeysuckle and raspberry provide food during the summer breeding season, while dogwoods produce fruit in the autumn.Before digging holes and rearranging your yard, make a list of what you have and what you should add. Draw a diagram of your backyard. You should also note areas that are sunny and shady.Use the diagram as a site map, placing the shrubs and plants you’ll need to create the perfect wild bird habitat.Now get out the shovel and start digging.

family fishingOne thing I love about fishing is that it tends to bond families if everyone takes part.Husbands, wives and kids can all fish on even footing. Little sister might just catch something bigger than Dad did.Spending time together and being on equal footing for that particular period of time has some positive benefits for the family, and nearly every family I’ve seen that begins fishing together assumes they will hate it, and ends up wondering why they didn’t do it a long time ago.Even the most finicky female teenager is excited when hauling in a huge fish and posing in front of the camera with her catch. Frankly, more often than not, women tend to make better fishermen than the guys do, and this is by and large because they tend to be more patient and don’t overwork their bait.Want to get closer to your wife and kids? Spend some quality time with them fishing.

OUTDOORSThe Great

Photo by Lauren Selsor 2014 Nature Photo Contest

Photo by Russell Kinerson 2014 Nature Photo Contest

May 2014 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 103

special PrizesCrappie can sometimes be caught on moving baits, but what they really like is food that’s doing nothing at all, just hanging there in one place and not moving. This takes patience and practice but it will increase your catch rate. Minnows and small jigs work great, and use a thin, sensitive bobber to detect delicate strikes.Small crappies are good practice, but if you want to catch slabs, get away from the little guys because the big ones aren’t likely to be among them. Most crappie anglers think they’ll find big slabs in deep water but, more often than not, you’ll find them in shallow water.Crappie are special prizes because they are abundant pretty much throughout the year and always ready for a tussle. There are lots of great ways to fix crappie, but to this old Missouri boy it’s pretty hard to beat rolling them in corn meal, deep frying and serving with fried potatoes, onions and cornbread.

keep it simpleWhen you’re out camping for the first time, the temptation is to bring so many gadgets and supplies that you’ll have plenty of options for eating, sleeping and dressing. But while this may feel fun as you pack, it often just takes up precious packing space. Eat simple foods, dress in simple clothes, and you don’t need to bring a laptop with you. Resist the temptation to over-pack on what you don’t need, because you’ll have more space for things you’ll actually use.Going on a trial run is a great idea. Not sure how you’ll fare when camping? Take the weekend before your big trip and decide to camp

all day. What does your tent need? How comfortable is your bedding? What gizmos did you find little use for? Even if you’re just camping in your backyard, this trial run can be a great idea.

stinging bugsAvoidance is the best practice around stinging bugs like bees, wasps and hornets. Accidentally disturbing nests and hives can result in being attacked and stung. Many people also get stung when these bugs become trapped in clothing and sting out of panic or fear. To avoid, tuck in pant legs and wear shirts with snug-fitting cuffs.Severe reactions include difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue and skin eruptions. An intermediate reaction usually involves swelling that travels from the sting site to other areas of the body. Redness, swelling and pain in the sting area are normal, even for those not allergic to stings. Treat with a thick paste made from baking soda and clean water. Cover the paste with gauze and allow it to dry. The drying process will actually draw out toxins from the sting. For the most part, stinging bugs are mere annoyances that occasionally pack a painful sting. Just be sure to carry the proper gear to handle stings so you can enjoy our great outdoors instead of fretting over those pint-sized pests.

“For self, for family, for the world we share, the outdoor experience teaches many lessons.”

--Mark LaBarbera

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Field notes by Jeff Cantrell Photo by Becky Wylie

It is nothing to raise a stink about; we just have to face it: We have all sorts of wildlife as neighbors. Some neighbors we embrace, others we may appreciate yet

we keep them at a distance. I, for one, love my striped neighbors, and I have always been a fan of their entire mammalian family, the mustelids (the weasel family).Striped skunks do belong to the same group (family) of mammals as weasels, mink, badgers and otters. The mustelids are known for their musk glands, short legs and hearty appetite, and most have a slender body.The striped skunk is a common resident of suburban neighborhoods, brushy fencerows and open woodlands. It is in these areas where “momma” skunks find abandoned groundhog, fox or armadillo burrows to nestle into and set up housekeeping for her young to be born. She is a good mother and appreciates a tunnel with more than one entrance, and if a complex den has a route with a dead end it will become the tidy latrine (restroom) for the skunk household. Skunks have one litter per year, and the mother takes on the task as a single parent caring for 2-6 young (kits). Skunk kits are usually born in May, and despite being wrinkled and almost bare, they have black and white markings at birth. They become fully haired at two weeks old. At 6-7 weeks they are ready to venture out with Mom and go for spring hikes and hunting expeditions. Mom knows the importance of a routine, and skunk trails are well traveled, and a routine gives the kits a sense of

place and territory. Often the family of skunks or individual skunk is expected along the same route at the similar time of evening as seen before. Striped skunks prefer the night shift and venture out of their den during the early evening and stay active into the night. She is a protective mom and is especially wary of great horned owls that will prey on her litter. She seems organized along the daily routes, and single file is the usual troop formation. For their potty breaks, it is common for momma skunk to have designated latrines and rest stops along their foraging hike. While she is nursing the young, the mother’s diet will vary from berries and tender young plants, mice, moles, young snakes, eggs, and heavy on the insects. They share the love of digging for beetles and grubs with black bears. The young are weaned by late summer and eventually leave Mother’s protective care. The kits gain weight rapidly on a protein-rich diet of insects and rations of plant foods.Although they are known for being stinky, she is a clean mother and spends time grooming herself and her young. The musk glands are used for defense, and adult skunks prefer not to spray unless they have to give a STRONG WARNING. Most skunks start off warning a potential danger with a one foot stomp and a hiss. The foot stomp becomes a series of stamps with either front feet or both going or even an all-feet “stamping dance,” making the skunk appear it is on a pogo stick. However, the dance party is over when the back arches, hairs stand straight on the tail and back, and it is time to prove their reputation. Even baby skunks can squirt musk at two months old, but mom might keep them behaving because they don’t particularly like to spray unless they have to and they don’t like it on their fur.So here’s a salute to one of our wild dedicated moms on Mother’s Day. We naturalists respect your devotion and we appreciate you keeping a little distance. Jeff Cantrell is a local biologist (and a stinker) in the Neosho area and can be reached at coyoteteacher2@gmail.com.Becky Wylie is a local naturalist, nature photographer, plus a stinker too. More of her photos can be viewed at chertglades.org.

Mother’s Dayat the Den

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