detours winter 2013 issue

Winter 2013 Vol. 18 No. 1 $3.99

INDEPENDENCEWalk with Harry Truman in a tour of his hometown

OUR COVER STORY

FOOD Savor Authentic Midwest Recipes

HOW TODOCUMENT YOUR TRAVELS

ProfileCHRISTMAS TREE FARMER

Visit our tasting room in downtown Macon. The tasting room offers plenty of indoor seating overlooking the winemaking area. Our mission is to provide a fun, relaxing setting without worries

of pressure or intimidation. We believe anyone can learn about wine and wine making.

GRAPE WINESFRUIT WINES

107 VINE SERIESAND MORE

FRI & SAT 10 AM - 9 PM • SUN 12 PM - 5 PM

107 VINE STREET • MACON, MO 63552(660) 395-7181• WWW.WESTWINERY.COM

TRUMANMEDIANETWORK

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lifesyle content at tmn.truman.edu

har r ya journal of thought and action

A bi-annual journal produced by the Truman Institute at Truman

State University highlighting research and innovation.

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winter 2013 03 detours

contents

ENTERTAINMENT

22 Getting Reel Chicago film festival embraces the essentials

26 Walking With Harry Visting sites in the president’s hometown

ADVICE

14 Sweet Sips, Dry Drinks Winemaking in the Midwest

16 Travel Tales Documenting your next vacation

17 Exploration Essentials Getting the most from a caving adventure

DESTINATION

08 Homage to Omaha Museum preserves community memories

12 Branching Out Hotel stays true to its 20th Century roots

FOOD

18 Cup O’ Joe Kansas City shops cater to coffee enthusiasts

20 Hometown Brews Columnist returns to local pub

21 From the Kitchen Detours recipes

RESOURCE

32 O, Christmas Tree Christmas tree farm creates family memories

36 Making It Work Photo contest winners

42 Food on the Water 25 places to dock-hop

48 Calendar Upcoming events in the tri-state area

22

08

>>TABLET EXCLUSIVEA Fresh FocusSt. Louis bakery deals in sustainable sweets

“Perfecto” on the HillColumnist visits Italian bakery 18

detours 04 winter 2013

Editor-in-Chief ELIZABETH McBRIDE

Executive Editor MEGAN WILKE Art Director BURGUNDY RAMSEY Digital Editor CARLY ROBISONManaging Editor SARAH GOO Advice Editor MEGAN WILKE Destination Editor MELISSA BRADFORD

Entertainment Editor ABBEY NORTHCUTT Food Editor EMILY BRENNAN Resource Editor KATY SPENCE Contributors EMILY BRENNAN, RACHEL FOSTER, JENNA HURTY, ELIZABETH McBRIDE, MIA POHLMAN,

ANUSHRI THAKKAR, AMANDA THOMAS, ALLISON TRAY, ANDI WATKINS DAVIS, EMILY WICHMER, MEGAN WILKE and FORREST WILSEY

Designers SARAH DOWNEN, LAUREN MOLL, MADELINE SMITH, SHANNON SPICKLER and THERESA WILDHABER

Assistant Art Director BECCA REITZ Photographers BURGUNDY RAMSEY, BECCA REITZ and SHANNON SPICKLER Adviser JAMES CIANCIOLA

In Memoriam ELIZABETH KOCH (1991-2012)

• WEB •Online Editors ELIZABETH McBRIDE and MEGAN WILKE

Copy Editors SARA HETTEL, JENNA HURTY, JOHN RITI and ALLISON TRAY Bloggers MAO TAKAGI, HEIDI TRIPP, ALLISON TRAY, SAM WALK and ANDI WATKINS DAVIS

Contributors EMILY BRENNAN, RACHEL FOSTER, MADELINE HAUCK, JENNA HURTY, DAWN KOHLER, ELIZABETH McBRIDE, MIA POHLMAN, JOHN RITI, ANUSHRI THAKKAR, AMANDA THOMAS,

MARY TOMLINSON, ALLISON TRAY, ANDI WATKINS DAVIS, EMILY WICHMER, MEGAN WILKE and FORREST WILSEY

• ADVERTISING AND PUBLICITY •Publicity Manager MARIAH SHIELDS TMN Advertising Manager ADAM ANTOR

TMN Advertising Representatives COLBY BYCROFT, ALEXANDRA SHETLER, DAVID STODDEN and HANNAH WEST Publicity Representatives GENNIE AVELLINO, KELLY CUNNINGHAM, KATHERINE GINNARD,

CAROLINE HAMERA and ROWEN SEARS


EDITORLETTER FROM THE

detoursTruman State University

Barnett Media Center100 E. Normal

Kirksville, MO 63501Phone: 660.785.7438

Fax: 660.785.7601

[email protected]/detours

detours is a copyrighted publication, produced biannually by Truman State University students. No material can be reproduced in any form without prior written consent of the detours adviser and staff. The editor-in-chief is responsible for all decisions. detours is distributed across the country, mainly in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. Opinions expressed in detours are not necessarily the views of staff. detours is not responsible for the full cost of an advertisement if an error occurs.

The theme for the Summer 2014 photo contest is Catching Light.

The contest is open to any and all kinds of photos. Entries must include the photographer’s name, address and telephone number

as well as the photo’s location and title. We also encourage contestants to include a short caption about the photo.

The deadline for entries is February 7, 2014. The winning photo will be published in the Summer 2014 issue, and the winner

will receive a free, two-year subscription to detours.

For full rules and regulations, visit tmn.truman.edu/detours.

Submissions should be emailed to [email protected].

SUMMER 14

EDITORIAL POLICY

DEAR READER,

Someone recently passed along to me a quote I had to read multiple times, finding it compelling and unmistakably relevant to those passionate about travel. It came at just the right moment. I was having one of those nights, holed up in my apartment, when I desperately wished I was someplace more cosmopolitan than Kirksville, Mo., with its 14 square miles and downtown shops that close before the sun sets.

The quote is an excerpt from one of Virginia Woolf’s expansive collection of diary entries. In it, she relates a common struggle against egotism and says she combats this by making an effort to step outside her own realm — both physical and mental — and interact with others, practicing anonymity. Sometimes I think it’s important for those of us in the Midwest who love to travel to remind ourselves that adventure and eclecticism can be found anywhere with human beings.

Thus, this issue of detours is dedicated as always to bringing you the best of the Midwest, whether that’s an expansive museum in Omaha, Neb. (pg. 08), or a conversation with a stranger in one of many Kansas City, Mo., coffee shops (pg. 18).

Our main feature takes you on a walk through Independence, Mo., to explore sites notable in the life of Midwesterner and United States President Harry S. Truman (pg. 26). History buffs or those simply interested in American culture will appreciate a visit to Truman’s family farm or a tour of the home he shared with his wife. The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum allows explorers to study original documents from the 33rd president’s time in office and includes an exact replica of the Oval Office.

Truman himself stayed at The Elms Hotel and Spa in Excelsior Springs, Mo. (pg. 12). Its recent renovation gave it the amenities many contemporary travelers expect without diminishing the qualities that render it timeless in its luxury.

In Chicago, the Midwest Independent Film Festival is the only film festival in the world dedicated exclusively to showcasing the best in Midwest moviemaking (pg. 22). Every first Tuesday of the month, filmgoers pack themselves into Landmark Century Centre Cinema to enjoy a truly one-of-a-kind film followed by a Q-and-A session with its creator.

For the first time at detours, we’re also helping you take your travels back home with you. Check out our tips for documenting

your adventures (pg. 16) as well as our brand new recipes section (pg. 21), which highlights three trademarks of Midwestern cuisine any serious explorer is bound to encounter. You can also share in the experiences of others by checking out the winning images of our “Making It Work” photo contest (pg. 36).

Take detours wherever you’re headed next. Our latest tablet edition is available on iTunes and features two new exclusive stories, including a columnist’s review of the Missouri Baking Company in St. Louis. And as always, make sure to visit tmn.truman.edu/detours for the latest in blog entries and additional content.

I like to think traveling is just as much about subtle nuances of culture and the small details of daily experience as it is about the location itself. So go out with an open mind, drink the best wine (pg. 14) eat delicious food (pg. 42) and find that one brewpub you’ll return to again and again (pg. 20).

As always, embrace life’s detours,

Elizabeth McBrideEditor-in-Chief


Winter 2009

With its classic architecture and respect for tradition, Main Street Inn epitomizes the colonial spirit of Ste. Genevieve. Originally built as the Meyer Hotel during

1882, this fully renovated bed-and-breakfast provides contemporary amenities while keeping guests in touch with the past. The three-story house includes seven spacious and private guest rooms, each one distinctly furnished with antiques and named after notable people of the town’s history. In addition,

the house is only a short walk to the art galleries, antique shops, wine rooms, restaurants and bakeries in the downtown square.

MAIN STREET INNSte. Genevieve, Mo.

Winter 2008

Covering one city block and reaching 40 feet at its highest point, the Grotto of the Redemption in

West Bend, Iowa, is the world’s largest man-made grotto and the largest assortment of minerals and

petrified wood in one place. Visitors can walk through small caves and admire rows of sparkling

geodes or designs of pink, green, dark purple, gold and brown rocks. The Grotto’s construction is so

intricate and precise that the crystals, rocks and gems look like they’re growing naturally right out of the walls. The patterns of the nearly 50 precious

and semi-precious stones relate aspects of the life of Jesus Christ, communicating a Christian narrative in a way that allows the religious and

nonreligious to appreciate the artistry.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL

LIBRARY AND MUSEUMSpringfield, Ill.

Summer 2008

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Ill., is the nation’s largest presidential library, showcasing more than 47,000 Lincoln

artifacts as well as nearly 13 million historical state artifacts. Interactive galleries, lifelike wax figures and detailed displays mingle with traditional

museum relics to offer guests a nuanced portrait of America’s 16th president.

GROTTO OF THE REDEMPTION

West Bend, Iowa

ARCHIVESFROM THE


Outside the Truman Library and Museum in Independence, Mo., stands a replica of the Liberty Bell. Its presence reminds onlookers of the historical significance of the town, exemplified by the numerous sites related to the life of Harry S. Truman. Take a walk with the president and learn more about must-see places in Independence on pg. 26. (photo by Burgundy Ramsey)

ON THE COVERARCHIVES


DESTINATION

Homage to Omaha

Guests can see the Union Pacific 1243 Steam Locomotive in the Trish & Dick Davidson Gallery.

DURHAM MUSEUM


i, folks! Welcome aboard! If you have any questions just let me know,” has been

volunteer Leo Racine’s customary greeting at The Durham Museum in Omaha, Neb., since the early 1990s. The museum, known locally as “The Durham,” preserves and displays the city’s expansive railroad history. The Durham Museum exists in what once was Union Station, which Union Pacific Railroad Company opened as a passenger train station during 1931. The sharply angled structure of the building and the small touches of detail in the ornate sconces and decorative stone designs are representative of the Art Deco architecture that was popular at the time. Two years after Union Station closed during 1971, Union Pacific deeded the station to the city of Omaha, which reopened it as the Western Heritage Museum during 1975. Charles and Margre Durham donated money to

the museum to help fund a renovation project that started during 1995. Officials renamed the building “The Durham Museum” during 1997 in their honor. Greg Starman, a history major, grew up in Omaha and completed an internship at the museum during summer 2013. “I like the Trans-Mississippi Exposition Exhibit because that was the precursor to the World’s Fair,” he said. “You can go to the exhibit and see the replica of all the things they had — all the buildings.” The Durham has preserved more than 800,000 photos of Omaha and the residents of the city within its archives. Some of the developed photos are on display in various permanent exhibits in The Durham. Situated in one of the first sections of the permanent exhibits is the Baright Home and Family Gallery, which includes a rawhide teepee, the like of which the Omaha Indian tribe might have used. Moving deeper

H

Homage to Omaha

Different exhibits at the museum reveal the diversity of Omaha’s history.

MUSEUM PRESERVES COMMUNITY MEMORIES

STORY AND PHOTOS BY AMANDA THOMAS


DESTINATION

“I like the Trans- Mississippi

Exposition Exhibit because that was

the precursor to the World’s Fair.”

— Greg Starman

A statue of a woman buying her tickets stands at what was once the Union Station ticket booth.

Statues of waiting travelers hark back to glory days of 20th Century transportation.

A quilt showcases the different factions of Omaha’s population.

An exhibit displaying architecture replicates The Grand Central Hotel in Omaha.

DURHAM MUSEUM


through the section of exhibits, guests can find the Bishop Clarkson Community Gallery, distinguishable by its display of a miniature Virgin Mary. Farther back still is the Byron Reed Gallery of Coins and Documents, which contains historically significant artifacts the prominent real estate agent Byron Reed collected during his lifetime. It is an extensive enough collection to warrant its own room and contains Roman Imperial, Byzantine and Egyptian coinage, as well as various documents and manuscripts, some of which date back to the medieval era. The museum’s largest exhibit is located at the back of the building. The Trish & Dick Davidson Gallery displays a multitude of train cars and locomotive transportation paraphernalia. On the back wall, under the window overlooking the old railroad tracks that used to serve Union Station, there is a large, black Union Pacific 1243 Steam Locomotive. The room also includes a bright yellow and red Union Pacific 25559 Caboose and a Pullman Cornhusker Car. A self-proclaimed “railroad brat” for his time spent playing on local railroad tracks as a kid, volunteer Leo Racine works in the railcars to narrate a bit of the history of the locomotive industry for passersby touring the trains. His animated hand gestures punctuate his every word as he recalls a time when train riding went hand-in-hand with unrivaled extravagance. “These trains were absolutely incredible in their luxury,” Racine said. “In 1930, it would probably cost you, depending on your accommodation, from Chicago to Los Angeles, one way, around the neighborhood of 100-plus dollars. So you’re looking at about $1,000 in today’s money.” Traces of the luxurious culture that pervaded the train industry during the early 20th century survive in The Durham’s interior. The entrance hall features high ceilings, tiered chandeliers and polished marble floors, as well as a gift shop integrated into what was once the glass-encased ticket booth. The Durham’s staff works to make the essence of Omaha’s culture accessible through informative exhibits. Director of Marketing Patty O’Bryan said she believes everyone can benefit from visiting the museum. “The Midwest is a big part of building our states, and [it’s good] just to see the things actually in front of you, as opposed to reading about them in books, or researching online,” O’Bryan said. “There’s just something for everybody.”

Light floods the station floor through windows remniscent of 1930s luxury.

>>WEB EXCLUSIVERead more about the specific exhibits in

the museum on our website, tmn.truman.edu/detours.

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DESTINATION

assing through the doors of The Elms Hotel and Spa in Excelsior Springs, Mo., is like stepping

into the 1920s. Jazzy big band music echoes throughout the main lobby as staff members welcome visitors with smiles and greetings. Although the building has undergone numerous renovations to provide guests with 21st century comforts, 20th century details preserve the building’s historical roots.

That history began during 1888 when entrepreneurs built The Elms on the site of a bubbling spring many believed to cure diseases. When an 1898 fire destroyed the building, builders erected a second hotel on the site — only for it to meet the same end as its predecessor. Built during 1912, the large, weathered stone building that stands today has hosted a multitude of iconic guests, including Al Capone, Jack Dempsey and President Harry S. Truman.

During 2011, The Elms underwent a $20 million renovation that revamped the spa, lobby and guest rooms. General Manager Eric Busick said the building’s transformation brought it up to the 21st century, noting management wanted to ensure the building kept its historical features.

The Elms is on the National Register of Historic Places, which requires management to contact the State Historic Preservation Office before remodeling the building. Busick said having The Elms on the register is important because it denotes pride in the building’s history that future generations can appreciate. The management kept several of the original prominent elements of the building, such as the fireplace and tiles in the lobby.

As visitors check in at the front desk, an ornate gold cash register sits in the same place it has for decades. Rounding any corner inside the building, guests will come face to face with pieces of history, such as a round, old-fashioned metal safe or the tall, rusty door to the boiler room.

Branch in g Ou tHOTEL STAYS TRUE TO ITS 20TH CENTURY ROOTSSTORY AND PHOTOS BY EMILY WICHMER

Kansas City resident Karen Haywood said she enjoys coming to The Elms annually with a group of her friends. From her first visit before the renovation to her latest stay during 2012, she said she noticed a change in the focus of the hotel.

“I think [the management] did a great job modernizing the place,” she said. “But I can tell they kept the flavor of an older inn. Now it’s more classy and upscale, and still a great place to relax.”

In the quiet wing of the building devoted to the spa are four couples treatment rooms that each contain two massage tables. Two other rooms contain nine sets of showerheads, called Vichy showers, which rinse guests after a massage. Spa Director Kevin Snedden

explained these deliver a steady, pressurized and relaxing stream of warm water to visitors.

“We especially wanted the spa to be more couple-centric,” Snedden said. “We now offer more treatments designed specifically for couples.”

Haywood said she especially enjoys sitting by the lap pool and relaxing in The Grotto, a large, stone-covered room in which spa-goers can recline on padded chairs. Guests can also sit in the sauna or cleanse themselves with scrubs at the exfoliation bar, all while recharging in the warm, mood-lit area.

Since the renovation, Busick said he has seen an almost incredible increase in visitors. The Elms averages around 60,000 guests a year, and though most of them come from the

P

There are several historical features of The Elms, including this wall safe from the 1920s.

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Midwest, some come from across the world.

The building has come a long way since 1912, and Busick said he sees The Elms continuing to go in the same direction in the future.

“In 50 years, I believe The Elms will still be doing what we do best — offering the best experience we possibly can to visitors and constantly trying to outdo ourselves,” Busick said. “I would go so far as to say we’ll be doing the same thing a century from now.”

The Elms also provides a variety of

dining options, such as the Café at The Elms, which offers pastries in addition to coffee and espresso. Patrons can sip a latté from the sleek wooden seats of the café while watching cars weave down the long, landscaped driveway to enter The Elms. The building also houses The Tavern, a bar and lounge,

Branch in g Ou twhile 88 at The Elms serves steak, salads and salmon prepared fresh to order, and the wall of windows offers a panoramic view of the resort’s manicured 16 acres.

Other features include an outdoor pool, two grand ballrooms and a large wooden gazebo Snedden said is a popular site for weddings. With rolling hills and the rustic stone building itself serving as a picturesque backdrop, people have flocked to The Elms for their big day or for weekend getaway.

However, John Mormino, Director of Operations at The Elms, said the charm of the building isn’t the only draw. He explained the goal of The Elms is to leave the land, the buildings and the guests better than it found them.

“Our motto is ‘Do what’s right for those we serve,’” Mormino said. “The building has history, but our staff is also genuine. It generates a uniqueness that allows guests to step aside from their stressful issues and relax.”

“I can tell they kept the flavor of an

older inn.” — Karen Haywood

The Elms has its fair share of ghost stories. The hotel supposedly is home to a ghostly gambler haunting the lap pool and a 1920s cleaning woman watching over the staff from beyond the grave. In fact, the television show Ghost Hunters featured the building during the episode “Something in the Water,” which aired during July 2013 on the SyFy network. During its investigation, the team of ghost hunters noticed ripples on the water of the lap pool when no one was in the pool and heard strange noises in the guest rooms that sounded like heavy breathing. Despite these eerie occurrences, the management and ghost hunters agree the spirits are friendly.

Ghosts at The Elms

The spa at The Elms features several rooms where couples can relax.

Guests can rest on plush sofas in the waiting room of the spa.

The Elms is built on the site of an old mineral spring said to have cured a number of diseases.

Built during 1912, The Elms Hotel and Spa offers guests a place to relax and unwind.

>>WEB EXCLUSIVERead more about the renovated spa at

The Elms and its treatment options on our website, tmn.truman.edu/detours.

THE ELMS HOTEL



ADVICE

STORY BY JENNA HURTY

DRY DRINKSSWEET SIPS,

WINEMAKING IN THE MIDWEST

include Norton, Missouri’s state grape, and Missouri Riesling, a grape native to Missouri that nearly became extinct after prohibitionists destroyed many of the vines. Additionally, they grow Cabernet Franc, which is the national grape of France. If wine tasting sounds like a fun activity, learn what Neuner has to say for a satisfying experience.

n a region famous for growing corn, soybeans and wheat, winemaking might not immediately pop into a

Midwest native’s head as a common craft. However, several vineyards throughout the region provide wine enthusiasts with their favorite drink. Terry Neuner, owner of Westphalia Vineyards in Westphalia, Mo.,

specializes in sulfite-free wines that fewer than a dozen wineries in the United States produce. Neuner said the main difference between this wine and others is its “fresher taste,” like a homegrown tomato compared to a store-bought one. At the vineyard he and his wife, Mary, have owned since 1991, he grows mostly local grapes. These varieties

PHOTOS BY SHANNON SPICKLER

Some wine bottles are corked manually.Wine is kept fermenting for several months.

I

WINEMAKING


Tastings vs. Tours At a wine tasting, guests sample different

wines and learn about the winemaking process. They also learn about the various types of wine and what differentiates expensive wine from cheaper wine. A wine tour, on the other hand, includes a tasting and a tour of the vineyard itself, during which visitors can see firsthand the vines and the places where the various stages of the winemaking process happen.

Any season is a good season for wine tasting. Since winemaking is a year-round process, tastings are available every month. Around September, the grapes are harvested and start the fermentation process. During February, the white wines will be ready. The red wines take a little longer because of the aging process. Some of the cheaper red wines might be ready in February, but the more expensive ones will take longer and might not be ready until fall.

Regional VarietyDifferent areas specialize in certain types

Wine bottles are sanitized before being filled and corked.

of wine based on what grapes will grow in that particular region. The type of grape from which the wine is produced is an important factor in determining the flavor of the beverage. When researching wineries you would like to visit, this should be taken into account if there is a particular type of wine you would like to sample. For instance, Neuner grows grapes native to Missouri, so the wine he produces from those grapes will acquire that particular regional flavor.

The Winemaking Process The fermentation process determines if

a wine is red, white, sweet or dry. Red wine is made with red grapes, but white wine can be produced from either green or red grapes. White wine is made without the skins of the grape, and because of its shorter fermentation process should not have a lot of “body,” or texture. To make white wine, winery employees put the grapes in a barrel to ferment the same day they are picked. The production of red wine starts off a little differently. First, the grapes are exposed to the air for seven to 10 days in a process known as open fermentation. After

that, winery employees store the grapes in large barrels where the fruit will continue to ferment. Open fermentation is done to extract the textural element, tannin, from the skins. Tannin gives wine its dryness and is responsible for the color and “body” of red wine. White wine can contain tannin as well, but it gets its tannin from fermentation in wooden barrels.

Sweet vs. DryDry wines haven’t been sweetened with

sugar or perservatives after the fermentation process. Although there are multiple ways to make sweet wines, there is a general process many wineries follow. In this process, the wine is first fermented to the proper degree of dryness after which the winemakers add the necessary sugar and preservatives to make it sweet and halt the process of fermentation. At Westphalia Vineyards, however, Neuner uses a less common technique to sweeten his wine that doesn’t involve using preservatives. Instead, he drops the temperature of the wine while it’s still sweet, which acts to stop the fermentation process.

Travel Talest the end of a vacation, people often commemorate the trip by meeting up with friends and simply sharing photos. It can take

weeks to share the experience with all interested parties using this method. However, there are faster ways to document a vacation, and blogging is one of the easiest.

A journalist for more than 20 years, Andrea Guthmann caught the travel bug nearly three years ago. In addition to freelancing for the Chicago-Sun Times, Chicago Parent and Daily Herald, Guthmann blogs for TravelingMom.com as the “Midwest Mom.” Her experience has given her some insight into how vacationers can begin to document their travels.

Create an online blog. Throughout the past decade, blogs have emerged as

popular and accessible mediums anyone can use to write about whatever topics interest them, and creating a blog is easier than you might think. Guthmann said blogging is a good way to catalog your travels in a personal manner.

“There isn’t an editor involved,” she said. “It’s just you getting your thoughts out there.”

Starting a blog might seem like a daunting task because there are so many platforms available to choose from. Guthmann recommended using WordPress for a first blog. Other easy-to-use and free blogging platforms include Tumblr, Blogger and Weebly. These websites offer helpful tutorials detailing the process of setting up a blog.

Ask yourself what you’ll want to remember. You’ll likely be participating in a lot of activities, visiting

many restaurants and seeing quite a few sites during your trip. Guthmann said one of the biggest challenges of writing about a vacation is deciding what to include. She said she tries to focus on the most exciting or fun aspects of her vacations.

On the other hand, Guthmann said although she keeps her blog posts focused on the positive experiences of her trip, some bloggers choose to write about some of their problematic experiences. You never know — some of the most memorable vacation experiences might occur when your car breaks down or when bad weather creates a hitch in your original plans.

“I don’t get into too much personal stuff about what might have been a negative part of a family trip, but there are people who do that and take kind of a humorous approach at the darker side of family travel,” Guthmann said.

DOCUMENTING YOUR NEXT VACATIONSTORY BY EMILY BRENNAN

Keep notes when you travel. After the delicious food, beautiful sites and historical

landmarks you might encounter during any vacation, you might not remember everything that happened during your trip if you don’t keep track of your activities. There are a number of ways to keep notes, including writing in a journal, using an itinerary or writing notes on a phone or tablet. Guthmann’s method of choice is to keep notes via Twitter.

“I will often tweet about stuff while I’m on the trip, and those tweets will then serve almost as notes to me,” she said. “While I’m tweeting, I’m thinking of clever things to say about the place, using a play on words within my tweet, so when I go back and look them over, it reminds me about what I liked about the place.”

Get creative. If you travel often and intend to write about multiple

adventures, it’s ideal to prevent your posts from sounding the same. If you follow a similar formula for each post, you and your friends might get bored reading them later. Guthmann suggested finding new ways to tell your stories.

“I got a couple of assignments for a cruise website and I was blogging for them every day,” she said. “Each day I had a different theme that I focused on, so maybe one day it would be about the restaurants on the ship, or another day it would be about the cool excursions we’d done to different places.”

You can also collect photographs in a scrapbook and use short anecdotes to supplement the pictures, or you can try writing about each day of the trip in a diary. Think about how to tell your story in a way that entertains you, and don’t be afraid to try something new.

AAndrea Guthmann(Photo by Charlie Guthmann)

ADVICE | DOCUMENTING TRAVELS


any up-and-coming cavers find themselves between a rock and a hard place trying to figure out

exactly where to start. Beginners might have many important questions concerning what equipment to use, who to talk to about a cave and what to expect when caving.

But first, it’s important to understand more about the activity. There is a big difference between a show cave and a wild cave. Show caves are easily accessible, and touring companies provide guided expeditions. On the other hand, a wild cave might be completely unexplored and could possess an abundance of tight turns and cramped spaces. Explorers can start their expeditions by using good sense and following a few tips from the National Speleological Society that ensure the trip will be both safe and exciting.

START SIMPLE. Show caves are good places for beginners to get a feel for what caves are like. Cave & Mine Adventures, a show cave tour company based in Vallecito, Calif., gives novices this opportunity. The caving environment can be uncomfortable, so it’s not for everyone. Small spaces and cold conditions can make a person pause to consider if caving is something they truly want to do, Vice President Heather Ginn said. Exploring a show cave can help first-time cavers learn what they can and cannot handle.

ASSESS THE RISK. It is an absolute necessity that a caver understands the risks associated with the activity. The National Speleological Society website features brochures designed to educate potential cavers about caving and spelunking, and its “A Guide to Responsible Caving” highlights the dangers of caving. Collapses, falling rocks, hypothermia and even getting lost are some of the potentially fatal hazards a person might face while caving. Cave guides emphasize, however, that for those prepared to cave, the rewards are worth the many challenges.

KNOW THE CAVE. “Caves are an environment that is different depending on the cavern,” Ginn said. Many caves are different in the width of their walls, the height of their ceilings, the number of speleothems, — or cave formations — the amount of light and the presence of drop-offs. Caves are typically cold and damp. Underground rivers are not uncommon. These features make the environment for caving harsh, but they support the biological diversity of the animals and plants

Exploration Essentialsthat live inside of caves. Cavers should expect to encounter plenty of mud, water and cooler temperatures.

COME PREPARED. This means dressing properly. Cavers wear multiple layers of warm clothing to combat the cooler temperatures inside caves. Boots are favored footwear because they’re durable, water-resistant and warm, and because they increase grip against potentially slippery rocks. The NSS recommends wearing clothing made of polypropylene, nylon, and polyester because these materials are more resistant to abrasions and water. Plus, they dry faster and retain more body heat than natural fabrics. Gloves are also common pieces of caving apparel because they increase grip against rocks and keep the hands warm.

DON’T FORGET EQUIPMENT. Cavers should bring helmets, kneepads, elbow pads, trash bags and a sturdy pack in which to carry it all. If a cave has high vertical drops, explorers should carry nylon rope and proper cave rappelling gear. This will allow for greater exploration if any caver decides to venture into a drop-off inside the cavern. Additionally, the NSS recommends bringing in at least three light sources per person — plus extra bulbs and batteries — to ensure no caver is left in the dark.

KNOW WHERE YOU CAN CAVE. A cave is usually either government-owned or private property. Cavers looking to access a government-owned cave will have to fill out access permits depending on the requirements of state laws. Contact local government or cave administration to find out where to obtain these permits. Private caves are usually closed off to all except the property owners. Those interested in exploring a private cavern should avoid trespassing and make contact with the property owners to get permission to enter the cave.

CONSERVE THE LAND. Caves are natural features and should be treated with respect. Anything cavers bring in should be brought back out, and no rocks, animals or plants should be distrubed or removed. Many of these animals have very little, if any, skin pigment and are generally blind, so they can’t survive outside the cave. Additionally, make sure to clean all caving material before and after entering a cave to prevent the spread of hazardous fungi and bacteria.

STORY BY FORREST WILSEYGETTING THE MOST FROM A CAVING ADVENTURE

M

SPELUNKING | ADVICE



FOOD

STORY AND PHOTOS BY RACHEL FOSTER

CUP O’ JOEKANSAS CITY SHOPS CATER TO COFFEE ENTHUSIASTS

barista de casaFor several years, Saturday mornings

have meant long lines and full tummies in a bustling corner shop in Liberty, Mo. Located on the square, Barista de Casa is a popular hangout spot for coffee fans. Shop owner Brandon Gott discovered his roasting talents by experimenting with beans in his stovetop Whirley Pop popcorn maker, and the rest was history. He said the sense of community people can create over a great cup of joe has kept him in the coffee business. Gott recollected one morning when the richest man in town was having his coffee and chatting with a young homeless man he didn’t know.

“When was the last time you went to any restaurant and got into a conversation with the table next to you?” Gott asked.“It doesn’t happen often, but when you add some coffee, it happens every day.”

broadway café and roasting company

The love and excitement owner Sara Honan, business partner Jon Cates and the rest of their team at Broadway Roasting Company in Kansas City, Mo., show regarding the art of making coffee is evident the moment visitors walk through the door. Every week, management hosts an hour of coffee knowledge, flavors and history with visitors. Known to regulars for his expertise at his shop, Cates has more than 20 years of experience tasting and serving coffee.

“Everyone who works here knows customers by name and has been serving some of them the same order for years,” Cates said. “That is what has built Broadway Roasting Company’s strong, loyal following.”

With two different shops separated by just one block, customers can either enjoy their drinks in a traditional coffee shop at the Broadway Café or in the old Westport Fire Station at the Roasting Company. Either way, they’ll find a friendly environment and the aroma of fresh beans.

A colorful, hand-painted chalkboard displays different drinks available at Broadway Roasting Company..

Barista de Casa displays a sign every day through its window at the cozy brick-walled sitting area outside.


about the coffeeLocated in Kansas City, Mo., About

the Coffee is not a traditional neighborhood coffee shop, but a gathering ground. Local shop owners, baristas and coffee enthusiasts can purchase top-of-the-line espresso machines, select glasses and browse other necessities in this coffee supply store. Because it does not roast or serve coffee specifically, this establishment is singular among Kansas City coffee shops. By promoting all 17 local roasters, About the Coffee brings area coffee experts together.

“We are the Switzerland of the coffee industry,” owner Marty Roe said. “All competing shops work with us and support what we do.”

An annual event hosted at the shop is the Jam-Jam. At this gathering, several businesses supply free food and drinks while local musicians perform to entertain guests. Visitors can try affogato, a scoop of ice cream covered in an espresso shot, or sample several other coffee-infused treats while listening to music and chatting with coffee roasters from around the Kansas City area. If a customer finds herself craving coffee while shopping at About the Coffee, there are plenty of beans for sale to take home.

friendly bean coffeeSince 2004, every bean and drop of

coffee sold at Friendly Bean has been roasted in machine named Betsy. Despite customers often wanting to make it at home, Friendly Bean does not offer wholesale. The shop’s main focus is serving its customers within the Kansas City, Mo., community.

“It’s not just about the coffee, but making an impact on people’s lives,” Friendly Bean employee Sam Schmitt said.

The shop imports its beans from farms in Honduras and Guatemala. During summer 2013, shop owner John Neudorf visited the farmers in Honduras for a week. He worked in the fields with Jorge, and now they’re more than just business partners — they’re friends.

“An AIDS/HIV orphanage in Honduras has been sending gifts to us with our logo on it,” Schmitt said. “They really appreciate [Neurdorf’s visits].”

A key component of the shop’s mission is involvement in both the community of Kansas City and the homeland of the beans. Schmitt said the employees are excitedly planning a December 2013 Guatemalan trip to reach even more of the farms. With expansion in the works, Friendly Bean not only serves quality drinks, but brings pieces of the world home.

Broadway Roasting Company employees let guests sample the shop’s newest products at weekly coffee tastings.

oddly correctDuring fall 2008, Gregory Kolsto had

more than pumpkins and holidays on his mind — he was starting a coffee roasting company out of a garage. Today, his business entitled Oddly Correct still caters to coffee enthusiasts on Main Street and Westport Road in Kansas City, Mo. With only 11 items on its menu and no lattés, mochas or syrup-flavored drinks available, the shop has built a reputation by simplifying the coffee experience.

The Brew Bar features three new coffee roasts daily, and an espresso bar offers different drink choices such as Hop Toddy and Americano. Oddly Correct baristas not only roast for their shop but offer beans wholesale so customers can buy in bulk. Although his employees go against the grain of modern coffee conventions, Kolsto said they took the time to understand coffee, resulting in an uncommonly satisfying experience for visitors.

“We have everyday regulars that have been with us since the beginning, but a big percentage are new every day,” Kolsto said. “We get to share a new experience with them.”

An advocate for coffee without sugars, milks and syrups, the staff at Oddly Correct shares coffee in its purest form with residents of Kansas City.

COFFEE SHOPS


isiting brewpubs is one of my father’s many hobbies. Throughout the years, my family

has been to more than 400 of these restaurants that produce their own beer and has collected around 300 pint glasses. But no matter how far we go, we always come home to Flat Branch Pub and Brewing in Columbia, Mo. The fantastic atmosphere, delicious food and home-brewed beer have kept us coming back for 12 years.

Named for the nearby Flat Branch Creek, which flows on the edge of downtown Columbia and the University of Missouri campus, Flat Branch Pub and Brewing has been serving classic bar food and homemade beer since 1994. Its brick exterior is a remnant of the Hudson car dealership it was during 1927. During the spring and summer, flourishing plant life surrounds me as I walk up the wooden steps and down the concrete walkway. The plants give way to wood and steel as outdoor turns to indoor, and the brewpub’s entrance is located past the gated outdoor seating. Just inside the doors, the staff always greets me warmly.

If seated in the left half of the restaurant, I

can see the barkeep serving drinks and admire the brewing process through the glass walls at the back of the brewpub, where seven steel cylinders sit turning yeast, wheat and hops into beer. Bench seating fills the right half, lining two walls and a row of tables down the center aisle. I love sitting on this side, where I can watch cars and pedestrians on 5th Street or chefs cooking pizza in the open-flame brick oven.

As children, my brother and I would get crayons and color in the brewery’s logo — the restaurant’s name crowned with wheat and hops — and complete puzzles while waiting for our cheese pizza or chicken tenders. Now that I’m older, I can look around the pub and appreciate how the restaurant comes together. An open ceiling allows the eye to follow the air ducts across the room, making the restaurant feel spacious despite the continuously packed house. At the same time, the dark wood floors and beams draw the room together and make the space feel more private.

Although Flat Branch retains classic mainstays such as Fish & Chips, homemade brick oven pizzas, burgers and sandwiches, the menu changes regularly, bringing back seasonal favorites and creating new and

V exciting dishes. You can try something different with each visit to Flat Branch, or you can stick to a classic and simple Garlic Five Cheese Pizza like I do. If you are still hungry at the end of your meal, you can try one of the baked goods or sample Mizzou-made Arbuckles Ice Cream — another draw for my brother and me. I always order a cup of Tiger Stripe because the golden vanilla ice cream is streaked with chocolate, but French Vanilla or the flavor of the week are also available.

While my brother and I enjoy our ice cream, our dad likes to sip his beer. The brewpub produces more than 100 beers, but only 13 of its brews are on tap at one time. Ed’s I.P.A., Honey Wheat and the Katy Trail Pale Ale are always available, which is one of the reasons my dad keeps coming back. He says he enjoys a beer he can chew, so he orders an I.P.A. at every Brewery. Ed’s I.P.A. at Flat Branch is one of his favorites because it is a great balance of hops, creaminess and floral flavors. You can try each beer with a sampler or order a pint of your favorite to take home. You can even buy a growler — a glass or ceramic jug used to transport a half-gallon of draft beer.

In addition to making its own beer, Flat Branch also produces three sodas. The Root Beer, Cream Soda and Ginger Ale serve as perfect alternatives to beer for those like me who enjoy the food but can’t try the beer. My favorite is the Cream Soda.

As its name implies, Flat Branch Pub and Brewing is not just a restaurant or brewery — it’s both. It’s the perfect combination of brew, food and continuous goodness that keeps me, and a lot of Columbia, hooked. Flat Branch is a local classic, and as a Columbian myself, I can promise my first beer will be a Flat Branch cold one.

STORY BY ALLISON TRAYCOLUMNIST RETURNS TO LOCAL PUBBREWSHOMETOWNPHOTO BY BURGUNDY RAMSEY

Brews and classic menu offerings keep people packing the house at Flat Branch.

>>WEB EXCLUSIVERead more about what keeps people

eating at Flat Branch Pub and Brewing on our website, tmn.truman.edu/detours.

FOOD | BREWPUB

Cream Cheese Puff Balls Ingredients:

8 ounces sliced pepperoni8 ounces cream cheese 2 packages refrigerated crescent rolls

Separate the crescent rolls into individual triangles. Then flatten each triangle and cut it so it becomes 3 smaller triangles — this step is not required, but it allows for more puff balls. Dice pepperoni into small pieces. Mix the pepperoni and cream cheese in a bowl. Drop a small spoonful of the cream cheese and pep-peroni mixture in the middle of a crescent roll triangle. Pinch up the edges so the filling does not come out. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes at 350 degrees F.

St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake Ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix with pudding included 4 large eggs1 stick melted butter½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract 8 ounces cream cheese 3 ½ cups powdered sugar Crisco spray for greasing pan

To make this gooey butter cake, prepare the butter cake mixture separately from the gooey mixture. Butter Cake Mixture: Grease the bottom and sides of a 13-by-9 pan. Combine yellow cake mix, 2 large eggs, 1 stick of melted butter and vanilla extract in a mixer or large mixing bowl. Make sure the batter is moist. Spread batter evenly across the pan. Gooey Goodness: Melt cream cheese in the microwave for 45 seconds. Mix together ¾ cup of powdered sugar, melted cream cheese and 2 large eggs. This should have a very gooey consistency. Spread the gooey mixture on top of the cake batter in the pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes. When taking the cake out of the oven, make sure the gooey mixture is not too runny. Let it cool for about 2 hours before cutting it and adding the remaining powdered sugar.

From the KitchenDETOURS RECIPES

Hash Brown Casserole Ingredients:

32 ounces hash browns2 cans cream of potato soup16 ounces sour cream2 cups shredded Fiesta Blend cheese 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheesePinch of salt and pepperPinch of garlic salt ½ red bell pepper (optional)½ yellow bell pepper (optional) ½ package of cooked bacon (optional)

Combine hash browns, soup, sour cream and cheese into a large mixing bowl. Dice bell peppers into fine pieces. Add bell peppers and cooked bacon to the bowl. Once thoroughly mixed, add salt, pepper and garlic salt. Spread mixture into a buttered Pyrex — 13-by-9 works well. Do not smooth out the top of the mixture so that the peaks will get brown. Bake in oven at 350 degrees F for 1 hour.

STORY BY ANUSHURI THAKKARPHOTOS BY BECCA REITZ

MIDWEST RECIPES | FOOD

Cream Cheese Puff Balls

St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

Hash Brown Casserole


ENTERTAINMENT


INDEPENDENT FILM


t’s not the Guggenheim, but for cinemagoers that make a monthly trek up the twisted ramps and

staircases of Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema in Chicago, Ill., the art at the top tends to elicit similar displays of admiration. Not uncommon is the sight of tears rolling down cheeks, the uproarious laughter, or gasps echoing as hands clasp together and heads tilt back during the defining moment of a moving picture.

The Midwest Independent Film Festival acts as a bridge between those who love the art of film and those who appreciate the Midwest. During the first Tuesday of each month, filmmakers, actors, critics and movie fans fill every cup holder with a cocktail, packing seats and lining aisles in the uppermost screening room in Chicago’s Diversey neighborhood to see a movie made in the Midwest.

After nearly 10 years, hundreds of films and countless tickets sold, festival founder and director Mike McNamara readily recalls the festival’s inception in his own struggles as a fledgling actor during the early 2000s. As a young artist attempting to launch a career, he said he watched as former classmates packed their lives in suitcases and headed west, and McNamara wondered if leaving his entire family to relocate was his only real chance to do what he loved. In a last-ditch effort to carve out a niche for himself in his hometown of Chicago, he reached out to others in the same predicament.

“We kind of started this Midwest Independent Film Festival on a kind of hope,” he said. “You know, there were plenty of film fests that were showing work from the coasts or internationally. We felt like there was a place in the film festival world for a fest that was solely dedicated to the Midwest.”

One decade later, a guest arriving at the gathering area might push her way through throngs of people — a tuxedoed man in one corner and a woman with a flower in her hair by the wine bar — to settle with her back against the metal railing beyond which the 100-foot cinema unfolds. The featured film, anything from a documentary to comedy

short, is situated within the lineup of festival activities between a producer’s panel and a Q-and-A session with the filmmaker. It’s the festival’s own collection of what would be special features on a DVD.

As for the film itself, McNamara warns potential audience members they won’t find the latest Trojan War flick or another movie in the vein of “The Fast and the Furious.” The money for those films remains on the coast, leaving the Midwest to experiment with the raw dynamics of relational storytelling, which consist of complex micro-plots and character intrigue.

“The goal here is not to make a gagillion dollars,” he said. He explained people participate in this festival to share or experience a piece of art that will retain meaning for them years into the future.

A New ViewFilm critic Patrick McDonald talks in

terms of “journeys.” His own journey carried him from a childhood in Bloomington, Ind., when bouts of insomnia compelled the boy to spend his nights captivated by late-night films during Hollywood’s Golden Age.

“There was something magical to me in going to see a movie when I was a kid — just going to a theater,” he said. “And I’d often sit a couple times through it because I got so immersed in it, and I was so amazed by the imagery.”

A film buff since childhood, McDonald took up the practice of film criticism during 2007, and shortly after began screening films submitted to the Midwest Independent Film Festival. By his estimation, he watches roughly 120 new films per year. He said without hesitation, however, that his favorite film remains famed Italian director Federico Fellini’s 1963 classic “8 ½” because of the power it wields through its utter simplicity and directness of tone — qualities he looks for when screening films for the festival.

“The joy of life that it expresses so beautifully — and so rare a consequence that you can get that kind of interpretation of life in 24 frames a second,” he said of Fellini’s work.

Having spent five years in screening

ICHICAGO FILM FESTIVAL EMBRACES THE ESSENTIALSSTORY AND PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH McBRIDE


ENTERTAINMENT

rooms with famous film critic Roger Ebert at the Chicago School, McDonald said he’s no stranger to the effects film can have on audiences. A good film, he said, “is very plain spoken, and also passionate.” In other words, a good film has what McDonald said he considers “Midwestern ethos.” Trying to define the idea, however, he stutters and sighs.

McDonald invites to the Midwest Independent Film Festival anyone with a passion for film and a need to feel included in a group of like-minded people who “aren’t afraid of anything” artistic.

“You’re not afraid of a silent movie,” he said. “You’re not afraid of a potboiler from the ’40s. You’re not afraid of an action picture. All genres — all points of interest — can flow through, because a good film is a good film in the end.”

The “Meet” MarketWhen someone is considering uprooting

her entire existence to move to another city in the name of self-exploration and artistic fulfillment, some might call her foolhardy. But when an acquaintance offers her a ticket to a film festival in the city she looks to as the launch point for a film career, the convenient pull is perhaps harder to resist. At any rate,

Wisconsin-born Corrina Crade had already made up her mind.

“There’s no way I can lose here,” she recalled thinking, and accepted her friend’s ticket in a final farewell gesture to her ex-

boyfriend and nine-to-five job.Crade said she arrived in Chicago during

winter 2010, when “the biggest storm in 80 years” shut down Lake Shore and relegated the anxious 20-something to her new apartment with just an air mattress, her unpacked suitcases

and a hat. Two days later, she headed out, trudging to Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema where she presented her ticket for admittance to the Midwest Independent Film Festival.

“I just was like, ‘I’m going to be a filmmaker, and I’m going to be an actress,’” Crade said. “And I got my snow boots on, and I walked all the way over there. The film went on.”

With the lights dimmed, festival director Mike McNamara stood below a lit screen to introduce the film. Wintry weather conditions prevented the usual packed house. But this was the first Tuesday of the month, and if there was a film to show and pinot noir to serve, blue seats would be occupied at 2828 N. Clark St.

A first-time attendee, Crade said she looked around in surprise at the other 30 film enthusiasts and aspiring professional filmmakers devoted enough to brave ice and snow because they couldn’t let just one Midwestern masterpiece slip through their fingers.

“You’re going to see films here that you’re not going to see anywhere else,” McNamara said.

He explained the Midwest Independent Film Festival provides not only networking opportunities for young Midwest professionals like Crade, but an outlet for art enthusiasts yearning to explore the rich cultural realm

“There was something

magical to me in going to see a

movie when I was a kid — just going

to a theatre.” — Patrick McDonald

Film enthusiasts attend the festival to meet other Midwesterners with the same passion for the silver screen.

The festival is a gathering ground for networking film professionals.

however, Crade said she feeds off the creative energy she absorbs through close interaction with other film lovers and experienced industry professionals, using the festival atmosphere as a professional safe zone in which to test her creativity.

“It becomes fuel,” she said. “You come and you go, and you’re thinking, ‘Oh my God, if this person’s working on this, I’m going to get involved with that or audition for this.’ All I want to do is continue working.”


glowing subtly beyond the “always in your face” mainstream media.

Aside from infrequent sick days and pressing work obligations, Crade hasn’t missed a First Tuesday since moving to the Windy City. During 2012, she founded CRADEmade Entertainment, her own production company. More recently, she finished work on “Oranges,” a feature film she wrote, produced and starred in alongside Ohio native Brant Daugherty — a name television aficionados might recognize from “Army Wives” and “Pretty Little Liars.”

Crade credits the Midwest Independent Film Festival with allowing her to meet others interested in the independent film community. For some, those networking and socializing opportunities alone are enough. As an artist,

>>WEB EXCLUSIVERead more about an award-winning

independent Chicago filmmaker on our website, tmn.truman.edu/detours.

Notable faces

of the Midwest Independent

Film Festival Over the years, countless movie and television producers, directors and actors both known and aspiring have come to Chicago in support of Midwest moviemaking. Here are eight accomplished individuals who have shared their insights with film devotees during 2013:

Maria Finitzo: Two-time Peabody Award-winning social documentary filmmaker

Barry Berg: Co-producer of 1995 film “Clueless” and producer of Emmy-nominated miniseries “Hatfields & McCoys”

David Dastmalchian: Actor in “The Dark Knight,” “Prisoners” and “The Employer”

Steven A. Jones: Producer of 1998 film “Wild Things,” starring Kevin Bacon and Matt Dillon

Ilyssa Fradin: Actress in “Batman Begins”

Sonny Mallhi: Writer and producer of 2011 thriller “The Roommate” and producer of “The Lake House,” starring Sandra Bullock

Derek Haas: Screenwriter of “3:10 to Yuma,” starring Russell Crowe

Lisa Wiegand: Director of Photography for “Chicago Fire”

First Tuesdays nearly always bring a packed house, enticing filmgoers with a pre-show Producers Panel and a Q-and-A session with the filmmaker after the movie.

INDEPENDENT FILM

ENTERTAINMENT

WalkingwithHarry

More than 40 years after his death, residents and visitors to Independence, Mo., still can see former President Harry S. Truman taking his famous walks around his hometown. An image of him strolling dominates city tourism signs, and a statue of the President commands the downtown square.



number of Truman-related sites throughout the city collectively form the Harry

S. Truman National Historic Site, and Independence also contains the Truman Library and Museum. Larry Villalva, Harry S. Truman National Historic Site Superintendent, said visitors get to tour the landmarks and experience firsthand the life and work of the country’s 33rd president.

The sites designated as national historic structures include the Truman home on Delaware Street, the Truman family farm, the Noland home, and bungalows where Bess Wallace Truman’s two brothers once lived. These, however, make up only part of what Independence has to offer those that appreciate the legacy of one of America’s most well-known historical figures.

The Truman HomeThe Truman home on Delaware Street

looks much the same as it did 50 years ago. Senior Park Ranger Norton Canfield said that, since Bess Wallace Truman’s death during 1982, virtually nothing has been moved or replaced in the home she shared with her husband.

During a tour of the house, visitors walk through the first floor common areas. The upstairs rooms are not included to protect the privacy of the family and the condition of the house. Guests can see firsthand the original apple-green kitchen with décor from the 1950s, more than 1,000 volumes of books owned by the Trumans, and Harry’s signature hat and coat left on the rack where he placed

them before his death.Anecdotes about the president’s life

and family, paired with the original artifacts from his life, allow a guest to create her own mental picture of Harry S. Truman.

“We’re not here to sell you anything,” Canfield said. “We’re here to tell you what happened and you can draw your own conclusions.”

Visitors to the Truman home expect more than just a museum, Canfield said, explaining Truman touched lives as a president and a man. He said rangers leading the tours try to provide each visitor with the information, setting and atmosphere they hope for during the tour.

Although more than 30,000 people visit the home each year, a personal experience for visitors is the goal of each tour, Chief of Interpretation Mike Ryan said. Tours are limited to eight people to provide a close environment and to preserve the home.

“Everything on the tour is original, and the authenticity is key,” Ryan said. “There are no rope barriers or anything like that. It’s just like you’re walking through the home and the Trumans have stepped out for a few minutes.”

Visitor Mickey Brown said she toured the home to get a sense of the man she recollects from her childhood. She said she recalls seeing Truman with his bodyguards walking in the city, and the house remains as she remembered it.

Bess turned the house over to the U.S. government in her will. Ryan said Bess understood the value a complete and undisturbed house would have for future generations, so she left it to the people.

AVISITING SITES IN THE PRESIDENT’S HOMETOWNSTORY AND PHOTOS BY ANDI WATKINS DAVIS

INDEPENDENCE


ENTERTAINMENT

Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Although the library is not one of the national park sites, many of those visiting Independence to learn about the president walk through its museum to gain a more extensive understanding of Truman’s life and career, Library and Museum Director Michael Devine said. The official records from Truman’s years in the White House reside in the library where researchers and travelers alike can study documents from his presidency and personal life.

The two-story museum holds Truman’s automobiles, gifts given to him, information about his work as president and an exact replica of the Oval Office of his presidency.

More than 80,000 people visit the museum each year to learn about the Truman Administration and Truman as a man. Devine said he thinks it is important for people to come because Truman shaped many aspects of society and politics today, including the U.N., social security and school lunch.

“I think spending a day at the Truman Library, visitors can get a much better

understanding of the contemporary world,” Devine said.

Two permanent exhibits, one about Truman’s presidency and the other about his life, join short-term exhibits that change throughout the year. These have included paintings by Missouri artist George Caleb Bingham and signed baseballs from professional players, as well as exhibits from museums across the country.

The museum also offers a program called the White House Decision Center. As part of this program, a group can assume the roles of President Truman, his cabinet and White House press during role-playing scenarios of difficult decisions Truman made while in office.

Participants deliberate and make their own decisions about each issue, learning more about Truman’s presidency while also learning valuable negotiation skills, Devine said. Around 6,000 students visit the Decision Center each year.

Museum guests can also sign their names in guest books throughout the exhibits. In these, visitors can input their opinions

Senior Park Ranger Norton Canfield talks with visitors to the Truman home before a tour. Guests can view the first floor of the home through ranger guided tours given year-round.

The Truman Home and Truman Museum and Library are featured on many of Independence’s tourism signs.

“We’re not here to sell you anything. We’re here to tell you what happened

and you can draw your own conclusions.”

— Norton Canfield

INDEPENDENCE


about different events during the Truman administration, including the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Devine said many people comment about how that decision affected their lives.

The library and museum also functioned as Truman’s office after his presidency. The president frequently gave tours in the museum himself, and he would walk from his home to the library every day. The museum opened his personal office as an exhibit during 2009.

Truman’s personable nature made an impression on many, Devine said. Even today, tourists often come to the museum and share stories of meeting Truman or bring photographs of themselves with the president.

Devine said Truman was known as a man of the people and was unusually common for being a former president. He said Truman’s presence throughout Independence and the rest of the Jackson County area and his work from the museum office and library made a lasting impact on the people.

“There’s not a corner of Jackson County that Mr. Truman didn’t step foot in,” Devine said.

Harry S. Truman wasn’t always a president. In fact, he held a variety of jobs before ever entering the political world. According to records at the Truman Museum and Library, Truman’s first job was at Clinton’s Drug Store as a clerk at age 14. It wasn’t until he graduated high school that Truman officially began working his way through the series of jobs that eventually lead him to the Oval Office.

For a time right after high school, he worked as a timekeeper for a railroad construction contractor. Then he worked in two Kansas City banks as a clerk before returning to the family farm during 1906 to help his father. Beginning during 1905, Truman served in the Missouri National Guard and was called to federal service during the First World War. After the war, he nearly went

bankrupt because of a failed attempt at running a men’s clothing store.

Truman won his first election during 1922, becoming one of three judges for the Jackson County Court, and he eventually went on to become the presiding judge of the court. During the time he spent as a county judge, Truman formed a savings and loans partnership company with friends. The business didn’t succeed, and Truman was still serving as county judge, so he withdrew from the partnership during 1931.

Following that job, Truman was elected to serve as a Missouri senator during 1934 and was elected as Vice President of the United States during 1944. After only 82 days as Vice President, Truman was sworn in as the President of the United States following Franklin Roosevelt’s unexpected death.

A Working Man

The eternally burning flame at the Truman Library and Mu-seum can be seen from the courtyard or through a window into the museum. Visitors can stroll in the courtyard and view President Truman’s grave.

ENTERTAINMENT

1. Truman’s statue on the courthouse lawn

2. Clinton’s Soda Fountain: Truman worked his first job in the building at age 14.

3. The former Farmer and Merchant’s Bank: The Harpie club, a group Truman formed with his friends to play poker, met in this building. Nearly 15 men gathered every Monday night in a back room on the third floor to play poker together. Many of the men in the club were veterans who served in the war with Truman, and many of them assisted Truman with his political career.

4. The former Community Savings and Loan: During 1925, Truman became involved in this company with two business partners, Spencer Salisbury and Arthur Metzger. After withdrawing from the business, Salisbury became an enemy of Truman’s and spoke against him privately and publicly for many years.

5. Trinity Episcopal Church: Built during 1881, this church is where Harry and Bess got married during 1919.

6. The former Slack Grocery Building: The Rural Jackson County Democratic Club used to meet in the upstairs section of this building. It was here, during 1922, that Truman was introduced to the party by Tom Pendergast as the party candidate for the eastern district county judge seat. This was Truman’s first affiliation with politics and the Pendergast machine.

7. The Jackson County Courthouse: The courthouse contains Truman’s office from his time as a county judge.

Touring Harry’s Independence

SquareThe National Park Service offers three cellphone

tours to guests of the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site. Visitors can use their phones as guides while following a map provided at the Visitor’s Center. A voice on the call describes the history and significance of each site and easy-to-use keypad commands allow visitors to take the tours at their own pace. One tour showcases buildings on the historic Independence Square where Truman worked and played during his life.

A statue of Hary Truman commands the lawn of the Jackson County Courthouse.

Many of the surrounding buildings had significance in Truman’s life.


INDEPENDENCE


Park ServicesBefore exploring any Truman site

in Independence, visitors can stop by the National Park Visitor Center on the Independence Square to buy tickets to the president’s home and view a video about his life. The video explains Truman’s character and love of Independence, and Harry S. Truman National Historic Site Superintendent Larry Villalva said it gives visitors valuable information to compliment the home tour.

The center also offers many non-traditional options for learning about the president and has an exhibit of Truman artifacts picked from more than 57,000 items stored by the National Park Service.

Truman’s daily walks have inspired some of the center’s services, Ryan said. Three cellphone tours are available that take visitors through areas Truman once walked. The tours guide guests through the neighborhood he lived in with Bess, the grounds of his family farm, his first workplace in the building that now houses Clinton’s Soda Fountain, and all around the downtown Independence Square, he said.

“Any tour that a visitor receives, they will be impressed by how [Truman] was a man of the people,” Ryan said. “And I don’t think there’s any better example of that than how he was willing to get out and walk the streets, to meet and greet.”

During summer 2013, the Park Service conducted a program out of the Visitor Center to honor Truman’s walks while promoting healthy living and educating the community about the Truman sites and his life, Ryan said. The “In Step with Harry” program provided tourists and locals with free ranger-led walks to Truman sites every Saturday morning. The walks centered on Independence Square, but each week the rangers highlighted different sites and information about the president.

The different programs the park offers allow visitors a rare glimpse into the life of a president, Ryan said. The sites show how Truman lived, and the stories told by rangers and in the programs confirm he was truly the people’s president. Ryan said guests should leave the park — and the city — feeling like they might have talked to the president himself.

“There’s not a corner of Jackson County that Mr.

Truman didn’t step foot in.” — Michael Devine

O,ChristmasTreeO,ChristmasTree


or nearly 25 years, David and Janie Fouch have used their Christmas tree farm in Kirksville, Mo., to share

their love of the Christmas season with the families of the surrounding area. Janie explained they have learned much about tree farming, provided a place for families to create memories and made many memories of their own.

Before David retired and Janie became director of Faith Lutheran School in Kirksville, they both worked as teachers. Shortly after their fifth and sixth children were born, Janie said they wanted to earn extra income for their children’s college funds and to have the whole family involved in a project together. After researching Christmas tree farms at the library of Northeast Missouri State University — now known as Truman State University — and visiting several that winter, they decided to start Fouch’s Christmas Tree Farm. They

CHRISTMAS TREE FARM CREATES FAMILY MEMORIESSTORY AND PHOTOS BY MIA POHLMAN

bought 20 acres of land from Janie’s father and planted 500 Scotch pine seedlings during spring 1983. Janie, David and their children watered those 500 seedlings by hand that year.

“Each one was like a precious baby,” Janie said.

Six years went by before the first round of seedlings matured into Christmas trees ready for sale. During the Christmas season of 1989, Fouch’s opened for business. Soon after, David

and his father used lumber from the tree farm to build a log cabin in which customers could warm up by the fire and pay for the trees. The Fouch’s refer to the next 10 years as the “glory

years,” because the 22,000 trees on their farm — each planted six feet apart — were “big and beautiful.” During these years, Fouch’s sold 1,000 trees annually to individuals, families and retailers. Because of drought and tree diseases, the Fouch’s recently downsized the number of Christmas trees on their farm. They now have 9,000 Scotch and white pine trees and only retail their trees, selling 500 per year. During spring 2013, they planted 3,000 seedlings for the last time. Although they will not plant any more seedlings, they plan to be in business for another 10 years as the recently planted trees mature and grow.

David’s mother, Sara Beth, handles the paperwork for the farm and socializes with customers in the cabin, and David’s father, Darrell, mows the grounds. When the Fouch children were younger, they helped plant and prune the trees, pull weeds, and shake

F“Each [seedling] was like a precious baby.”

— Janie Fouch

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CHRISTMAS TREE FARM


the dead needles out for customers. As the grown children now live in different states and countries, David and Janie take care of the rest of the manual labor. During the planting and Christmas seasons, the Fouch’s hire their nephews and high school students to help with the work. Some weeks the Fouch’s can spend up to 80 hours in the tree field.

The weekend before Thanksgiving, the tree field opens for families to buy their Christmas trees. The Fouch’s have a few pre-cut trees for sale inside the cabin. The majority of families, however, choose to walk through the field to select and cut their own Christmas trees. The Fouch’s make themselves available to help drag trees to the cabin where they shape the tree, shake out the dead needles and use twine to tie up the tree. Every child who comes gets to take home a candy cane.

“It’s just fun,” Janie said about the Christmas tree field season. “You hardly ever hear a discouraging word. It’s just a

really special time.”The Fouch’s provide the tools, twine,

and even the extra gloves and coats needed for cutting down a Christmas tree. Sometimes customers come early to pick out their tree and tag it, claiming it as their own. Janie and David often find mittens on trees that customers have left behind in order to find that certain tree again.

“They don’t have to bring anything but enthusiasm,” Janie said.

Randy and Peggy Mikel have been coming with their family to buy Christmas trees at the Fouch farm for 20 years. Although their five daughters are grown, they still go to the Fouch farm as a family each year to pick out their Christmas tree. Three of their daughters are married and bring their husbands to help hunt for a tree.

“The walk through the acreage trying to find the perfect tree, measuring, cutting, half of our group on one side [of the field] and

David and Janie have been members of the Missouri Christmas Tree Growers Association for years.

The Fouch’s Christmas Tree Farm sign is the first hint of Christmas spirit customers will find as they travel back the gravel road to select a Christmas tree at the farm.

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the other half on the other … it literally turns into an expedition,” Randy said. “Those are memories you just can’t replace.”

Janie makes wreaths from the extra greenery sheared off the Christmas trees. Customers specially order the wreaths, and each September she begins making 250 bows with which to decorate them. After her husband brings in the greenery, Janie cuts it to size and arranges it using manual clamp machines to assemble the wreaths. She then decorates them, making one wreath in half an hour.

Each year, Darrell hand-carves 100 Santas — as well as one for every member of the family — that people travel to the farm specifically to purchase. The carvings usually sell out the first week the farm is open. Each Santa is made from basswood and ranges in height from four to 12 inches, though some have been as tall as two feet. To make these figures, Darrell draws a pattern and then cuts

a piece of wood to shape with carving knives. After he carves the figure, Darrell paints and stains it. He then initials each Santa and includes the year he made it. Each holiday season, Darrell paints the Santas in accordance with a distinct theme. Past designs have included Santa holding candy canes, a sack of toys or a Christmas tree.

The Fouch’s also give tours of their farm, during which they teach about planting and shearing trees, controlling diseases and weeds, maintaining a tree farm and how to tell the age of a tree. Students from nearby schools and Kirksville Chamber of Commerce members have toured the farm, and each year preschool children from the local Head Start programs come to the farm at Christmastime to tour and cut down a tree.

“It’s a lot of work and you’re dependent on the weather,” David said, taking a break from pruning the trees.

Janie shared some of the tricks she uses to lengthen the life of her Christmas tree. To get the most out of your own live tree, follow her guidelines:

“It literally turns into an expedition.

Those are memories you just can’t replace.”

— Randy Mikel

Janie prunes a Christmas tree during the month of August to prepare for Christmas tree field season.

1Give it a Shave“If you take your tree home immediately and keep it out of the water for a little bit, then you need to shave off a little bit [of bark] at the bot-tom [of the trunk] because it seals itself over.”

2Keep it Watered“I get my tree Thanksgiving weekend and I always keep it up until the middle of January. It’s green as green can be, but I never let it run out of water. It always has to have water.”

3And Keep it Watered Well“The first couple of days [the tree] will drink a gallon a day. Then [the amount of water it drinks] will start to taper off.”

Keep Your Christmas Tree

LongerAliveTips from Janie

LongerAlive


“If you had it to do all over again, would you still have a tree farm?” Janie asked, looking at him from the platform used for baling the trees.

“I think,” David said, laughing.Because of the amount of work it takes to

run a Christmas tree farm, 90 percent of new Christmas tree farms don’t make it long enough for the trees to be big enough to sell, Janie said. For the past 30 years, the Fouch family has put in the work to make their Christmas tree farm one of the exceptions.

Nine thousand Scotch and white pines grow in the Fouch’s Christmas tree field.

When purchasing a tree, customers can warm up by the fire inside the log cabin David and Darrell built when the farm first opened during 1995.

>>WEB EXCLUSIVERead more about Janie Fouch and her

family business on our website, tmn.truman.edu/detours.

The Fouch’s keep their farming equipment in a shed next to the log cabin.

CHRISTMAS TREE FARM



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making itWORK

PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

winner“Meal Preparations”by Carly RobisonLa Plata, Mo.

PHOTO CONTEST


winner“Steadfast”

by Charysse KuanQingdao, China

winner“A Right of Passage in Mozambique”by Megan StaudacherGuinjata Bay, Mozambique


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“The Sublime Retreat”by Hayden WilseyGrand Canyon, Ariz.

“Organic Beats”by Hayden WilseySpring Green, Wis.

honorable mention

honorable mention

PHOTO CONTEST


“Pre-flight”by Ellyn Poisson

Kirksville, Mo.

honorable mention


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honorable mention“Working Mother”by Carly RobisonLa Plata, Mo.

“The Creator”by Leah DobbyFlorence, Italy

honorable mention

PHOTO CONTEST


fac ebo ok fan favor i t e

“Tea for Three”by Amy Keeve

Forest Park, St. Louis, Mo.


(Mini) Docknockers Beach Bar and GrillBright umbrellas line the two-tiered deck of this scenic restaurant known around the lake for its seafood. Although it operated in small, or mini, capacity during summer 2013, guests will be able to enjoy a full menu, which includes the popular peel-and-eat shrimp and a bucket of crab legs people can break apart with wooden hammers, during the upcoming season.

The DuckThis establishment gives guests the only fine dining experience on the lakefront. With a wine list of more than 180 selections, The Duck is also the only restaurant on the lake to receive Wine Spectator Magazine’s “Award of Excellence.” Menu items include seafood, dishes made with certified Angus Beef and the popular Grilled Rack of Lamb.

Food on the Water

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MEGAN WILKE

n the Ozarks of central Missouri, summer lake culture is about sun, water, food and the best ways to enjoy

all three. Restaurants have adapted to make it easy for people to jump in their boats and hop from dock to dock without missing a moment of the lake lifestyle. Be sure to plan ahead to hit all your favorite destinations. Here are 25 of the best places to dock-hop:

Beaver’s at the Dam Bar and GrillBeaver’s is located on the north shore with a view of historic Bagnell Dam. Two levels of open decks provide ample seating for guests to enjoy the calamari appetizer or grouper sandwich. Weekly specials include live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays, and a breakfast buffet on weekends. The restaurant also hosts the Powerboat Lake Race in June.

Schmidty’sThis small bar in sheltered Tiki Bay started with the owner’s own capital and quickly grew because of the success of the Leg Spreader, the restaurant’s signature drink. Handmade pizzas, crab legs and walking tacos — hamburger meat, lettuce and sour cream inside a bag of nacho cheese Doritos — are also available in the covered outdoor seating.

I

(Mini) Docknockers Beach Bar and Grill

Beaver’s at the Dam Bar and Grill

Schmidty’s

25 PLACES TO DOCK-HOP

The Duck

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DOCK-HOPPING

H. Toad’s Bar and Grill

H. Toad’s Bar and Grill

H. Toad’s Bar and GrillThe diverse menu of this expansive resort includes everything from burgers to frog legs. Big-name celebrities like Brett Michaels and Nelly have performed during the free live entertainment events every other weekend. Features include a spa, boutique and market, and kiosks situated around the resort help guests arrange parasailing trips and boat rentals.

Shady GatorsThis self-proclaimed “Party Capital of the Lake of the Ozarks” carries several Cajun favorites such as chicken gumbo, jambalaya and gator bites — hickory-smoked and flash-fried gator filets in a citrus blend. Live bands and DJs perform every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and sand volleyball matches are common occurrences.

Shady Gators


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Franky and Louie’s Beach Front Bar and GrillThis restaurant aims to bring a piece of Key West to the Midwest. A white sand beach and covered seating help evoke the beach lifestyle, while live music keeps guests entertained daily. Pizzas are crowd favorites, and the Surf Side Snack Shop provides peel-and-eat shrimp as well as ice cream and fruit smoothies.

Ozark Bar-B-QueThis waterfront restaurant affords guests breathtaking views high above the main channel. All barbeque menu items — chicken, pork, ribs and sausage — are hickory-smoked on site. Another popular selection is a bucket of homemade onion rings big enough to share. In the gift shop, customers can purchase apparel as well as candy, flotation devices and water tubes.

Dog Days Bar and GrillDuring 2011, Powerboat Magazine voted Dog Days “#1 Restaurant on the Water.” It offers something for almost any dock-hopper. Each year during July, the restaurant hosts Aquapalooza, the lake’s largest free concert event, and weekly entertainment features both national and regional artists. Menu favorites include steak, seafood and pasta.

Shorty Pants Lounge and MarinaThe large wooden deck of the Shorty Pants Lounge overlooks the water at this Cajun-themed restaurant. The New Orleans-inspired menu offers spices from Louisiana, with crab cakes, étouffée and po’boy sandwiches. The outdoor Tiki bar serves many popular cocktails like the Cajun Bloody Mary.

Paradise Restaurant and BarThis tropical-themed paradise is open seven days a week, its lakefront location offering expansive views of the water. Wednesday night is “Ladies Night” with half off all frozen drinks. The restaurant also hosts live entertainment and has a menu including salads, sandwiches, burgers and succulent seafood entrées like Ginger Glazed Salmon with Mangos.

Papa Chubby’s Food and BoozeThis Chicago-style restaurant designed its menu to reflect the best of the Windy City. Diners can order one of Chubby’s 14-inch Chicago Thin Crust Pizzas or dig into a signature Gyro. A sandy beach provides easy access to the water and a place for guests to lounge. Live entertainment and weekend events help define the nightlife.

Larry’s on the LakeA floating Tiki bar distinguishes this restaurant from any other on the lake. Burgers, salads, pizzas and tacos are just some of the highlights on the diverse menu, with Larrywood Weekly Specials like dollar sliders on Mondays. Diners can also participate in the Big Larry Challenge, devouring 5 pounds of the Big Larry Burger with fries and onion rings in 30 minutes or less.

Franky and Louie’s Beach Front Bar and Grill

Franky and Louie’s Beach Front Bar and Grill



Mariners Pier 31 Restaurant and MarinaLocated on-site at the Pier 31 Marina, this restaurant is open year-round and is suitable for all ages. The varied menu includes catfish, steak, pasta and tacos. Customers can browse for souvenirs and apparel in the gift shop or make arrangements at the marina for boat, personal watercraft or boat slip rentals.

Bulldog’s Beach House Bar and GrillKnown for its great bartending, Bulldog’s is also the self-proclaimed “Home of the Stuffed Burger.” The Beach House Burger is stuffed with a signature blend of cheeses and herbs, and the Goober Burger is stuffed with peanut butter. Guests can also enjoy live entertainment and drink specials at the Tiki bar.

Bumps Barefoot BarBumps offers an extensive assortment of dishes, including sandwiches, wraps and 9 ounce “Hand Pattied” gourmet burgers. A peel-and-eat shrimp appetizer is available in season — cooked, chilled and served with cocktail sauce. Breakfast is served on weekends and holidays. The gift shop on the gas dock sells apparel and souvenirs.

Bumps Barefoot Bar

Jolly Rogers Grub and GrogThis restaurant is known for its pirate-themed atmosphere and galley, or kitchen. Guests can relax in the covered outdoor seating and open deck, or pull up a chair beside the boat-shaped bar. Famous onion rings are served with Cajun horseradish. A gift shop offers apparel and the sauces and seasonings used in some menu items.

The Jerk ShackBright powder blue walls draw diners off the water and into this Jamaican-themed restaurant. Fried plantains as well as rice and peas help make up the island-inspired menu, complete with the popular Rasta Jerk Chicken seasoned with mango sauce and served with grilled pineapple. Guests can also use the gas dock and visit the gift shop for apparel.

Jolly Rogers Grub and Grog



The Jerk Shack

DOCK-HOPPING


Coconuts Caribbean Beach Bar and GrillPalm trees, a sandy beach and a swim-up pool bar are prominent features of this Caribbean-themed bar and grill. DJs and live bands play weekly to entertain diners indoors and outdoors. The White Fish Bowl contains black beans, mandarin oranges and Pico de Gallo on jasmine rice with a sweet Thai chili sauce.

Richard Knoggins Pub and GrillCozy indoor seating with a game loft and a cook-to-order philosophy epitomize this small mom-and-pop restaurant. In addition to pizza and burgers, diners can also order the popular “The Unit,” a massive half-pound, all-beef hot dog. All food is air-baked, never deep-fried.

Frogs Bar and GrillA small bar, indoor dining area and two outer decks afford a view of the water anywhere guests choose to sit. Diners can purchase made-to-order burgers and sandwiches and spin the large drink wheel for mystery drinks, including both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Ice-cold beer is also available by the bottle.

Richard Knoggins Pub and Grill

Coconuts Caribbean Beach Bar and Grill

Coconuts Caribbean Beach Bar and Grill

Frogs Bar and Grill

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DOCK-HOPPING

Big Dick’s Halfway InnBig Dick’s is located halfway between the Truman and Bagnell Dams. Live entertainment and a Tiki bar are available for diners on the weekends. Besides its popular tenderloins purchased from the local meat market, the restaurant is known for “Shooting the Minnow,” which is the practice of swallowing a live minnow in whatever beverage guests prefer.

The Fish and CompanyBarefoot country singer Dale Blue has made this restaurant his new home and regular performance location. Covered patio seating provides a picturesque place for guests to enjoy any one of the burgers, sandwiches or world famous Nathan’s quarter pound, all-beef hot dogs. Food is also available dockside-to-go.

Captain Ron’sGuests have access to two sandy beaches, four Tiki bars and Captain Ron’s very own pirate ship in this secluded cove. Indoor and outdoor seating lets customers enjoy a grouper sandwich or one of the live bands that play every night during the summer. Captain Ron’s is also home of the Shootout, a boat race and the biggest event at the lake.

Bear Bottom Resort RestaurantThis restaurant is part of a sprawling, family-owned resort, complete with campgrounds, rental cabins and a large waterslide that is easy to spot from the water. Live bands play every weekend, followed by the owner performing as a DJ for “Club Bear Bottom.” Nachos are a popular choice from the menu, and just a half order can feed three to four people.

Bear Bottom Resort

Captain Ron’s

Captain Ron’s



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JANUARYevents

01 02 03 04

06 07 08 09 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31

West Side StoryJan. 3 - 5St. Louis

Classic musical plays at the

Fabulous Fox Theatre.

(314) 534-1678

Twelfth NightSt. Louis

Celebrate the start of Mardi Gras with a music and fireworks.

(314) 771-5110

Earth ExplorersUntil Jan. 12Des Moines

National Geographic

exhibit features eco-zones.

(515) 274-6868

All SinatraJan. 24 - Feb. 23

Kansas City

Cabaret tribute to the Voice

showcases his most popular

songs.816 421-1700

ZooLightsUntil Jan. 5Chicago

More than two million lights will illuminate

the Lincoln Park Zoo.

(312) 742-2000

Chicago Sketch

Comedy Festival Jan. 9 - 19Chicago

Largest sketch comedy festival(773) 327-5252

Bald Eagle Days

Jan. 10 - 12Rock Island

Go eagle-watching at this environmental

fair.309-788-5912

ChocolateFestival

Rock Island

Guests can enjoy chocolate treats, cooking demonstrations and speakers.

(309) 794-0991

The Harlem Globetrotters

Kansas City

Talented basketball troupe showcases

its skills in the name of family entertainment. (816) 949-7100

ARTstrava-ganza

Waterloo

Guests can have sci-fi fun and

create their own monsters at this

annual event.(319) 291-4490

RV Vacation & Travel

ShowJan. 9 - 12St. Louis

Consumer show featuring

camping lodging.618-288-9952

Hello, Dolly!

Springfield

Experiece the Tony Award-

winning musical about a

matchmaker.(217) 206-6160

Christopher O’RileySpringfield

Innovative pianist melds classical and

modern alternative rock.(217) 206-6160

Matinee at the Movies

Peoria

Relax and enjoy an afternoon of music from more than 14 classic films.

(309) 671-1096

Les Misérables

Jan. 23-26Ottumwa

Community thesbians present

beloved musical.(641) 799-5421

The Diary of Anne FrankBloomington

Jan. 16-26

Newly adapted version of Tony Award-winning

play(309) 663-2121

Winter Iowa Games

5kDubuque

Run a 5k outdoor race on the streets of Dubuque.

(563) 582-6838

Great Midwest

Train Show Wheaton

Experience the world’s largest monthly train

show.(630) 290-1962

Gateway Spring

Home Show Jan. 17-19Collinsville

Showcases all a homeowner

needs(888) 433-3976

05Giant Flea

MarketDuquoin

Exhibitors display and sell a wide variety of used items and

collectibles.217-529-6939

CALENDAR


COLOR KEY

Illinois

Iowa

Missouri

FEBRUARYevents

07 08

09 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28

01

03 04 05 0602

Blue Ribbon Bacon

FestivalDes Moines

Bacon lovers enjoy showcase with unlimited

samples.1-800-545-FAIR

Centennial Beer

FestivalFeb. 20 - 26

St. Louis

Taste 175 beers from 25 local

breweries.(314) 241-4949

2014 Mardi Gras Pub

CrawlLake of the

Ozarks

Include popular venues around the lake area

1-800-386-5253

Festival of Rhythm Feb. 1 - 2

Kansas City

Performances include

Beethoven’s Fifth.

(816) 471-0400

Disney on Ice:

Passport to AdventureFeb. 20 - 23

Cedar Rapids

Skaters glide through stories.(319) 362-1729

Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles

Feb. 4 - 5Des Moines

Broadway production of Beatles hits

(515) 246-2300

Central Illinois First

FridayPeoria

Art Organization

hosts free studio tours.

(309) 282-3279

Midwest Arms

Collectors Feb. 14-16Ottumwa

Guns and knives on display

at showcase.(641) 684-7000

New Light on Lincoln’s

Oldest Transcript Bloomington

Lunch and learn in the Museum

of History.(309) 827-0428

Urbandale Indoor

TriathlonUrbandale

Enjoy the challenge of a triathalon

indoors.(515) 278-3900

North Shore

Cupid’s Love DashHighland Park

A 5-10k course, participants can

run or walk.(847) 432-2884

Peter PanFeb. 26-28

Cape Girardeau

Stage adaptation of

classic, exciting adventure

(573) 651-2265

CasablancaFeb. 15-16St. Louis

Symphony performs classic film score live to this timeless

movie.(314) 534-1700

Auto ShowFeb. 8-17Chicago

Come see brand new

vehicles at the Chicago Auto

Show.(630) 495-2282

Cook n KaraokeSpringfield

Food and musical

entertainment at the Burger

Bar(217) 528-9030

Along the Iron Curtain

Until Mar. 24West Branch

Soldiers guarding

German border(319) 643-5301

Jeff DunhamChicago

Comedic ventriloquist and Comedy Central Star

(217) 333-5000

The 30-Minutes-or-Less E.R. Service Pledge.Emergency medicine is about three things:

compassion, skilled care and speed. You’ll find

these at Northeast Regional Medical Center.

The experienced E.R. physicians and the entire

team are committed to working diligently to

have you initially seen by a physician within

30 minutes of your arrival. If you need an

E.R. fast, try our fast E.R. Once you do, you

won’t want to go anywhere else. For more

information, visit NERMC.com.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.

62846_NRMC_ERpldg_6_625x10c.indd 1 6/15/12 5:11 PM

Northeast Regional Medical Center proudly welcomes two new cardiologists, Dr. Dana Valencia and Dr. Eliot Nissenbaum.

Both physicians are skilled cardiologists who believe in providing a personal and attentive healthcare experience. Northeast

is the area’s first and only hospital to be accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers, the national Chest Pain Center

accreditation agency.* Together we look forward to helping care for the hearts in our town. To learn more about our cardiac care and Chest

Pain Center accreditation, visit NERMC.com today.

Your heart. Our life’s work.

eliot nissenbaum, d.o.dana valencia, m.d.

*According to the Society of Chest Pain Centers, scpcp.org.Northwest Regional Medical Center is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff.

Members of the Medical Staff at Northeast Regional Medical Center

62679_NRMC_Heart_10x10c.indd 1 6/26/12 11:56 AM































The 30-Minutes-or-Less E.R. Service Pledge.Emergency medicine is about three things:

compassion, skilled care and speed. You’ll find

these at Northeast Regional Medical Center.

The experienced E.R. physicians and the entire

team are committed to working diligently to

have you initially seen by a physician within

30 minutes of your arrival. If you need an

E.R. fast, try our fast E.R. Once you do, you

won’t want to go anywhere else. For more

information, visit NERMC.com.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.

62846_NRMC_ERpldg_6_625x10c.indd 1 6/15/12 5:11 PM

K KIRKSVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

KirksvilleMISSOURI’S NORTH STAR

www.visitkirksville.com • (660) 665-3766

Remember Kirksville? Remember the home of the Palonza and the home of the second- best hamburger? Remember the lake? Remember all the good times here?

Come back to Kirksville and see what is new!