Exclusive, original photography and ideas you won’t find anywhere else.

The 573 embodies the area’s unique lifestyle by pre-senting the best of what the area has to offer. The 573 is always fresh and its content is 100% original. It is all about the people! People like yourself who understand the wonderful gifts we’ve been given here in the 573 and sometimes take for granted.

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denelle smugalat. smugaladenelle smugala, michelle robbst. smugala, joan curtist. smugala, casey reevesdr. connie waters, sarah haas, dotty bachcasey reevesnoelle wagnermarc johnsongary jones

Published nine times per year by Image Maker Market-ing. All content of this magazine is Copyright©2012, 573 Magazine. All rights reserved. No portion of this maga-zine may be copied or reprinted without the express writ-ten consent of the publisher.

Subscribers and AdvertisersYou are valued and vital to our success. If you have any questions, call us at 573.756.9933.

Letters to the EditorWe welcome your comments or suggestions. Send letters to 573 Magazine, P.O. Box 684, Farmington, MO 63640 or tom.image573@gmail.com.

Writing Opportunities We will always consider freelance writers or story ideas. Please email queries to the attention of the editor at: tom.image573@gmail.com.

573 Magazine is printed by a certified green printer using 100% green paper, inks, and processes.

Our Circulation is verified by an independent auditor. It conducts and ensures actual and honest print counts, distri-bution, circulation and readership studies.

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

16 Your Resolutions

24 Stress and Kids

34 Winter Music

47 The Fossil Guy

64 A Tea Party

72 R U Fit?

Glad to see 2011 go? If your year was anything like mine, you, too, are relieved to see a new year on the horizon. Like most of you, I had my fair share of the bad and the ugly in 2011. A bad economy can bring out the best and worst in people; we found

ourselves in the middle of a bogus lawsuit and the subject of a nasty whisper campaign. And in 2011 we had to work our tails off just to keep up with a cruddy economy. And

lastly, sadly, I had a very dear friend pass on.

BUT GUESS WHAT?

Things are no different today than they were way back in the mid-1800s when Charles Dickens wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness ...” While we suffered no French Revolution,

we gained character and integrity all the same. With regards to the bogus lawsuit, we decided it just wasn’t worth our time. And while the nasty rumors brought a few good

laughs, we decided no response was the best response and we kept our lips sealed. And the bad economy, well we just worked harder and better to keep competitive. All the negative things kept us doing our best and brought the best out of us all at the 573 Magazine. And even though I can’t do anything about losing a good friend, the loss

makes me want to be a better friend.

THERE WERE MANY TIMES IN 2011

We all wanted to give up. Instead we attended the Get Motivated seminar. We heard Dr Schuller say, “Tough times never last but tough people do.” We realized we ARE

tough people. Great opportunities abound for the brave, bold and hardworking. Steel sharpens steel. We encouraged and inspired each other. Then we noticed there were 100 great things happening to every one bad thing. We simply shifted the focus to the good things. The magazine went from 48 pages to 84 pages. Our web site went from 20,000 unique hits an issue to 150,000 plus. The 573 platform (print magazine, e-zine, web site and events) managed to turn the spotlight on Missouri tourism and the impor-tance it plays in our state’s economy, winning us the Navigator Media Award. We now

are available in major retail outlets like Walmart and hundreds of others. We moved our office to a larger and better location and we now have a distribution warehouse. In

2011 we went paperless as a company. No more paper or ink waste.

ALL IN ALL

It’s been an exhilarating and exhausting year. But we grew as a people and company. We believe 2012 is going to be a great year. We know it too will have it’s bad and ugly,

but we are planning to ignore all the bad and stay focused on our own race and all the good things happening around us. We plan to keep working hard and we plan to keep the 573 Magazine something that Southeast Missouri can be proud of and something we all can call ours. We will continue to work hard for our local communities and we will always work hard to bring out the best

in our readers through positive thoughts and ideas, honesty and good business ethics, and of course dedication to our craft.

HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR!

t. smugala -the editor

Missouri boasts one of the richest cave systems in the world with over 6,000 caves throughout the state. And for over 10,000 years, those caves have been used by humans. The fresh flowing water of Missouri caves, along with the natural shelter they provided, made perfect campsites for the region’s indigenous population long before any Europeans crossed the Atlantic. Later in history, the caves made great hideouts for Civil War soldiers and outlaws like Jesse James. Man’s tradition of using caves continues today with unique destinations like Cave House, just north of Bonne Terre.

The owner of Cave House, Flora Denton, recently published her first book (The “C” Word). It’s a refreshing “tell it like it is” account of her journey. You certinly don’t have to wonder where Flora stands on her hatered of the “C” word or the love and generoisty she holds for her family and fre-inds. It’s an eye opening read that will give you a greater appreciation for your life. Until supplies last, all guests of the Cave House recieve a copy of the book.

T h e o l d a d a g e “ o n e w o m a n ’ s t r a s h i s a n o t h e r w o m a n ’ s t r e a s u r e ” c o u l d n ’ t b e m o r e t r u e f o r B o n n e T e r r e n a t i v e L o r i M o t l e y . S h e s c o u r s f l e a m a r k e t s , y a r d s a l e s a n d j u n k s h o p s f o r t h e p e r f e c t p i e c e s o f o l d , d i l a p i d a t e d f u r n i t u r e a n d o t h e r u n i q u e i t e m s . S h e p a y s a d o l l a r h e r e , a n d a d o l l a r t h e r e , a n d , w i t h a k e e n e y e a n d v i v i d i m a g i n a t i o n , s h e p i c k s t h e p e r f e c t p i e c e . T h e n b a c k a t h e r s t u d i o u s i n g s p r a y p a i n t , g l u e a n d m a t e r i a l s h e a r t -f u l l y t r a n s f o r m s t h e m i n t o o n e - o f - a -k i n d t r e a s u r e s f o r t h e h o m e .

A m a s t e r o f i n g e n u i t y , L o r i t h i n k s n o t h i n g o f t a k i n g a w o r n p i c t u r e f r a m e w i t h p e e l i n g p a i n t a n d t u r n -i n g i t i n t o a c h i c b u l l e t i n b o a r d . T h a t s c a r r e d , r i c k e t y c a b i n e t w i t h t h e ‘ 6 0 s h a r d w a r e a n d b r o k e n d o o r ? S h e r e - p u r p o s e s i t i n t o a s t y l i s h , o p e n - f r o n t s i d e b o a r d . A l l s h e n e e d s i s a b l o c k o f s a n d p a p e r, a l o t o f e l b o w g r e a s e , a n d a g o o d c a n o f s p r a y p a i n t t o c r e a t e h i g h -s t y l e h o m e f u r n i s h i n g s o u t o f t r a s h .

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573: HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?I t began as a process of t r ial and error. I bought my f i rst piece from a thr i f t store about 10 years ago and redid i t for my daughter’s room. After I did about three pieces, I f igured out what worked and what didn’t. After that, I knew what to look for. I t was a way for me to decorate my home in an affordable way, and i t gave me sat isfact ion, knowing I did i t myself .

573: WHERE ARE YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO “SHOP”?Flea markets are my favor i te because there are usual ly a lot of things to choose from and they are al l in one place. You can do a lot of shopping in a reasonable amount of t ime. I cal l i t “one-stop” shopping. Yard sales and thr i f t stores are good, too, but you spend more t ime shopping because you have to go so many dif ferent places. For a true “picker,” the hunt is as much fun as the purchase.

573: WHAT DRAWS YOUR EYE TO CERTAIN PIECES?The f i rst thing is the detai l of the piece; the architectural detai l , mainly. Are the legs on the table straight or bowed? Is the hardware reusable? Is i t in good enough condit ion to be restored? Is i t st ructural ly sound? How much t ime and expense is i t going to take?

573: WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION?My family wi l l tel l you that I watch a lot of HGTV, but I also read a lot in magazines and do research on the internet. But for the most part, I just study the piece for a whi le, picture i t in dif ferent ways and decide from there.

573: HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR STYLE?My predominant sty le is v intage/shabby chic, but I l ike al l k inds. That’s what makes i t so interest ing - every piece is new and one-of-a-kind. What makes i t so fun is the piece you buy may actual ly be tradit ional, but you can turn i t into another sty le that is ent i rely dif ferent f rom how it started.

573: WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PIECES?I guess my favor i te pieces are the ones I put the most work into; they give me the most sat is fact ion. These are the pieces that, after they are done, I can’t bear to part with them. But I also enjoy knowing who the piece is for before I do i t . I f I am making i t with someone l ike my daughters in mind, I enjoy i t more because I’m thinking about them the whole t ime I’m working and I put their personal taste into i t . I f I ’m making a gift for someone, I always t ry to consider what their home is l ike and what their needs are.

573: ONCE THE PIECES ARE COMPLETE, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THEM?I sel l some from my home to f r iends that know I do this k ind of work, but most of i t i s sold at The Design Haus in Kimmswick. I t ’s a beauti ful store with a good cl ientele of shoppers who l ike unique décor.

573: WHAT ARE YOU FUTURE PLANS?Unti l I can win the lottery and open a store of my own, complete with a fabulous workshop, I wi l l cont inue with what

I ’m doing now.

It’s the day after Thanksgiving and New Year’s resolutions are beginning to swell my brain like yesterday’s swollen belly. I’m sure if you are anything like me, this time of year you’re bombarded with emails, conversations and thoughts about new years resolutions. Normally I try to avoid the whole topic, but this year I’ve decided I’ll make a strong effort to write my goals down and give it my best effort.

It seems the reason so many people fail to achieve the resolutions they set for themselves is they focus too much on the process of achieving those goals, rather than focusing on why they want to achieve the goal in the first place. If you can spell out why you want to reach the goal, you’ll have a better chance of actually reaching it.

For example, the #1 goal set each January 1st is to lose weight. So many people are determined to do this as each new year begins, yet so many fail. Why? Because they focus on the process of achieving the goal, rather than why they have the goal in the first place.

The whole process of losing weight is not at all fun, to be sure. You have to change your routines and eating habits, get moving, be consistent, and be patient as you work through the process. If you decide you’re going to walk briskly for 20 minutes each weekday, what happens the first day it rains? You don’t do it because it’s easy to say, “I don’t feel like getting wet -I’ll walk tomorrow.” Then you berate yourself when you don’t make progress or stick to the plan.

But if you’re focused on the “why” of your goal (i.e., having more energy or getting into that swimsuit), then you’ll likely be thinking, “Ok, I’ll walk in the rain holding an umbrella,” or “Where can I take my walk without catching pneumonia?”

So here’s my New Year’s resolution: I have resolved to only write down goals for which I have a strong reason for actually achieving. I’m forgetting what everyone else’s goals are this year. I’m forgetting what everyone else says you should be able to accomplish. I’m going to focus only on the “WHY.”

I’m going to figure out the reason for the goal first, then keep that “why” in clear view by focusing on how I’ll feel when I achieve the goal. I’m going to concentrate on the positives of the “why,” not the negatives of the “process.”

With all the new technologies out there, you can achieve more than you ever before thought possible, but there still may be things that just aren’t within reach for you right now. Be realistic. Set tangible, attainable goals so you can get satisfaction from achieving more and more of your objectives.

•••••••

FOURTH FRIDAY ART WALK STE. GENEVIEVE December 17 ~ 6pm-9pm Historic downtown Ste GenevieveGalleries in Ste Genevieve are offering the opportunity to view the art works of Ste Genevieve area and regional artists with a variety of art forms that will offer something for everyone. FREE Admission, for information visit www.stegenartwalk.blogspot.com

BULLWHIP ARTIST FARMINGTON December 17 ~ 7pm-10pm The VaultWhip cracking can be a loud “Yee Haw!” series of pops and bangs, but a whip in Dante’s hand also can be as suspenseful as knife throwing, as funny as vaudeville, as mesmerizing as juggling, as elegant as dance, and as compelling as an expert display of gun skills. Call 573-783-0173

JOYFUL NOISE GATHERING JACKSONCommunity Christmas caroling with brass ensembleDecember 20 ~ 6pm Jackson City ParkPlease join us for a special Christmas CelebrationWith joyous singing, a live nativity, a visit from Santa Claus at 6:30 escorted by fire dept. and police. Enjoy tasty Christmas cookies and hot chocolate! Dress warm and enjoy the festivities!

ROCKIN’ NEW YEARS EVE FARMINGTON December 31 ~ 9pm-Midnight Spokes Pub & GrillBring in the New Year with rockin’ tunes from No Filter. Call 573-756-6220 or visit www.spokespub.com

NEW YEARS CELEBRATION FARMINGTON December 31 ~ 5pm-1am 12 West Bar & GrillDinner & Dancing. Entertainment: Casey Reeves and Bill Wheeler. Reservations recommended. Call 573-760-1135.

UNITED WE ROCK NEW YEAR’S CAPEDec 31 ~ 7pm to 1am The Venue Event CenterUnited Way of Southeast Missouri presents Mid-Life Crisis and Lawdogg perform Hors d’oervres- 7 to 9 p.m. & 11pm snack. Tickets 573-334-9634

THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS CAPE January 4 ~ 7pm Show Me CenterOn the heels of signing one of the most extraordinary rookie classes in team history, the Harlem Globetrotters will bring their 2012 World Tour to Cape Girardeau.

HUMOROUS STORYTELLING CAPE January 20 ~ Shows at 2pm & 7 pm Rose Theater, Enjoy performances by National humorous storytellers Bil Lepp and Kevin Kling. Tickets call 573-335-1631 or visit

www.capestorytelling.com

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I am a big advocate for small business and doing what you love. Sure, it’s more difficult to follow your dream; it involves belief in yourself, passion and tightly-crossed fingers, but the benefits are many. When you chase your dreams, you often have to make hard choices and sacrifices - mostly time and money. But, after many years of helping business owners market their businesses, I’ve come to realize most are happy to make time and financial sacrifices to do what they love. As a business owner myself, I have no need for shopping sprees or mindless hours of TV to anesthetize myself from regrets. Instead, I find peace in doing what I love.

From the outside, I’m sure there are people who view following their dreams as too daunting a task, but tears and fears are a part of life once you’re off the sofa. When you’re pursuing a dream, you have everything to look forward to and no time to waste on indecisiveness. It’s impossible to know true satisfaction without first experiencing hardship. We were born to laugh and cry; to feel pain and uncontrollable laughter. We’re born to live in the moment, but rarely are we able to do so. Doing what you love will bring you as close to living in the moment as possible.

Although there may never be a perfect time to change your life, now is the perfect opportunity to move toward living out your dreams. The present economy is ripe for hardworking entrepreneurs to be successful, as 80% of all successful companies are started in recessions. As the economic tide slowly begins to turn, I think this may be the perfect occasion to start a new business.

But first, you’ill have to face your fears: Fear of failure, fear of criticism, fear of the unknown. The benefits you gain from doing what you love make those fears easier to overcome. The realization that you’re in complete control of your destiny is the biggest high anyone can imagine; it makes the sacrifices bearable. Being able to plan and orchestrate your own life is the greatest gift you can give yourself. The cool thing is, you can have it all, as long as you don’t need it all. That is the single best benefit of doing what you love: It’s uncomplicated once you conquer the doubts.

Before you even begin to think about what the best business to start is, you need to do a little research. But don’t lose sight of the fact that the best business for you is the one that interests you and inspires you to do great work. That’s where doing what you love will pay off. If you love what you do, you’ll be better able to handle the long hours because it won’t seem like work. This is exactly what many people lack in their day-to-day jobs, so it doesn’t make sense for you to start a business that puts you in that same position. Don’t start a business doing what you hated doing for the last 10 years for someone else. Choose something that you’re genuinely passionate about. It’s that passion that will make the difference between success or failure.

Maybe your town lacks a shop that offers a particular product, or maybe you can do something cheaper. Be careful here - thinking you can provide a similar product or service but offer it cheaper is the fastest way to the poor house. It’s far better to provide good service at a fair price, than bad service and product at a cheap price. Sure, you’ll make the first customer sale, but you’ll lose your repeat clients. And if you don’t know the difference between customers and clients, this should be where your research begins.

If you have an idea for something, finding people who share a similar interest may give your idea validity and viability. Ask around and do a few simple surveys of the people in your area. Keep in mind you can’t assume that just because a certain business is doing well in one place, it will also do well in your area.

Most importantly, don’t lose sight of the fact that the best business for you is the one that interests you and inspires you to do great work. That’s where doing what you love will pay off: You will be better able to handle the long hours because it won’t seem like work.

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Consignment shops are hot and they are popping up all over the place. People want to sell their clothes, antiques, art, furniture, and other goods when they feel the need to downsize, but they don’t want to just give their stuff away. When someone consigns their goods, they retain ownership until it’s sold. If it doesn’t sell, the owner gets it back after the agreed time period. The cool thing about a consignment shop is you do not have to put out big bucks in advance for product you may or may not sell.

As homeowners increasingly try their hand at DIY improvement projects, they are looking for handymen to assist them with the project. Good handymen are hard to find, and the really talented ones are working around the clock. If you are a jack-of-all trades and honest, you can start a lucrative business as a handyman with little start-up money.

This is a green business idea that could prove extremely profitable. Home insulation, weather stripping, and year-round energy efficiency help homeowners cut energy bills while remaining comfortable. The startup costs for something like this would be low and the potential to make a profit is high. You should also look into opportunities for government assistance if you start a green business.

Offering fitness services for seniors could be a very profitable business venture. Baby Boomers know the importance of keeping fit and many try to allot time for exercise into their schedules. They want new and interesting ways to keep fit. From personal trainers to fitness motivators, 2012 will have many business opportunities helping seniors.

I think this would be a great service. Most boomers are not planning to retire, but they will all slow down sooner or later. Providing help with shopping, errands or even assistance with online shopping could be a great benefit for many seniors. This could even expand into other services for seniors who are losing their mobility.

Here’s a good idea. If you love garage sales, why not organize and run other people’s sales. Find people who don’t want the hassle of running a garage sale, but have a lot of junk. Many people don’t know how to set prices or market their wares. Capitalize on these three issues as selling points. Take care of everything, including advertising, in exchange for 50% of the proceeds. In the end, the homeowner will make more money because you’ll know how to set up and sell at top dollar. No hassles, expert organization, and enticing advertising... you get the picture.

Everyone hates cleaning windows. Take advantage of that by taking the job off their hands. You don’t need much equipment; the key here is providing good service. Wear a professional uniform as it can certainly attract new business. If you love being outside and like to talk to people, this could be a money-maker for you.

A variation on handyman service is senior home renovations. Focus on doing work that makes seniors more comfortable in their homes. Ramps and safety equipment just scratch the surface, and the need is only going to get greater and greater.

This is a hot idea. With the flood of tourism in the area, there are hundreds of new businesses waiting to be started. And what better way to do what you love than to do it with people on vacation. You could tie your business in with many of the local places of interest. This sort of business would require a bit more web effort, but there is little competition in the region, so website optimization would be pretty easy for tour guides. If someone likes this idea, I would be interested in helping you get it off the ground.

Disclaimer: Realize these are only suggestions. Before you go into business for yourself, you should consider what all failed business owners know: First, seek professional marketing help before you spend the first dime; second, gain a basic understanding of business and how the local markets operate; and third, the old “I did it my way” approach will cost twice as much and may lead to disaster in the long run.

I just couldn’t decide what to get you for Christmas! A blender? Nah! A free subscription to the magazine? Maybe. A sack of money? I wish.

No, I want to give you something way better than a sack of money.

Coming from a poor family myself, I make it a point to beextra sensitive to my own children’s feelings during the holidays. Their

experience is nothing like the stress I felt around Christmas time during my childhood, as my own parents dealt with bigger issues like how to keep the electricity on. But things are better for my children

and I am thankful for that.

Thinking about all the Christmas’s past was when I decided it would be cool to do a story about children‘s stress levels and how to help them make

it better during the holidays. Fortunately for me I have a very dear friend whodeals with children’s issues. When I asked her to write a story, she was very

excited. You see my friend, Nina Chastain, is an extremely talented and passionatecounselor who deals with children‘s issues day in and day out. So what better gift

than to give us a few tips about holiday stress on children and how to make it less ofan issue. All of us at the 573 Magazine hope you have a merry, stress-free Christmas

and a kickin’ new year.

-the editor

What are your favorite childhood memories of the holidays? The meals? Tag football? Finding hidden gifts in the closet, carefully unwrapping them to peek inside, and then putting them back before you were discovered? Snowball fights with Uncle Howard?...

Hopefully, you have some great holiday memories. All too often, however, holiday stress hijacks our lives. Parties, expenses, out of town guests, travel, preparing food, and extra activities add demands on our time and attention that stress even the most zen-like and organized parents.

Kids react differently to stress than adults. They tend to show it through their behavior. It is their way of alerting you to something or letting you know that too much is happening. Their tears, tantrums, or withdrawing from unpleasant situations are actually their coping mechanisms. Some children become ill with stomachaches while others may appear nervous, show anger and demand attention. It’s how kids deal with it.

What I have learned from my counseling practice is that emotional and behavioral health – in kids and adults – comes from developing self-confidence, strong coping skills, the ability to maintain caring relationships, the ability to make positive choices, and a large dose of optimism. My clients discuss their concerns, worries and hopes for their kids. I’ve learned so much from their experiences, as well as from research and the type of therapy I practice. Here are a few things that may help create holidays with pleasant memories, and less stress.

your family is more likely to relax. Set a calm example, because we all know that ‘do what I say, not what I do’ never works. Kids follow examples. Let your kids see you using positive coping mechanisms to deal with stress, such as exercising, discussing your feelings appropriately and doing special things for yourself. Your kids will pick up cues from you and use some of these strategies on their own. The way you approach an issue can set the tone for how your kids will behave.

Set up conditions for positive behavior. We are more likely to react emotionally when tired, hungry, stressed, or overstimulated. Remember – kids get hungry more often and become tired more easily. Physical exhaustion and lack of sleep can lead to increased stress and anxiety, and one of the best ways to reduce stress and anxiety is - you guessed it -getting enough rest. Have a contingency plan. Pack healthy snacks to balance inevitable sugary treats, a comforting pillow, and a relaxation CD. If you have to cut a visit short or say ‘no’ to an event, it truly won’t be the end of the world.

Remember the importance of routines. The holidays are a time when regular routines fly out the window. This can increase anxiety in kids who need structure. For others, it is like a breath of fresh air, an opportunity to recharge their batteries with chunks of unstructured time to themselves. Each child is different and it is helpful to be in tune to their needs. To minimize stress, try to get routines back on track ASAP. Resist overscheduling so that you and your kids are not overwhelmed.

yourself and the family with transition time. Plan time into the day when you all ‘chill’. Even a few minutes in a quiet place helps recharge kids and parents. Perhaps getting under the Christmas tree and gazing up though the branches at the twinkling lights and sparkling ornaments can brighten your outlook. Having some peace and solitude with your child is more important than ever during the busy holiday season. Can you find a quiet nook and read a book together, or create art?

Become a good listener. Reduce your kid’s stress by learning to be a good listener. When your child wants to talk about his or her problems, sometimes the best thing we can do is simply listen and validate their feelings. It isn’t always necessary to give advice. Remember that some level of stress is normal; let your kids know that it’s OK to feel scared, angry, lonely, or anxious and that other people experience those same feelings. Your reassurance counts, so remind them that you’re confident that they can handle the situation.

Get out and get moving with your kids. Fresh air and exercise are essential for lifting moods and re-charging us mentally and physically. All those endorphins counteract stress. Get out there! Walk the dog and refurbish the dog house. Bird watching is easier now that the leaves are off the trees – remember to feed them. Make your own birdfeeders out of pine cones, peanut butter and bird seed. Get bigger kids to bring in the fire wood. Mud and snow are great for looking for animal tracks. Go ice skating, or if you are lucky, snow shoeing or skiing. For the ambitious, how about winter camping? Maybe start with a winter picnic and a thermos of hot soup. shovel an elderly neighbor’s driveway, make snow angels, build an igloo. How about a snow elephant? Make a maze in the snow or a snow cave. You could go on a winter scavenger hunt, or a photo expedition. Don’t forget about Frisbee, hide and seek, and capture the flag. Clear winter skies are wonderful for star gazing. How nice would it be to start Christmas day with a hike in a state park, or even around the neighborhood.

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-- and yourself -- what the holidays are really all about. Have a conversation with your kids about traditions and spirituality. If you believe in Christ, focus on the real meaning of Christmas – and trusting God. If you have traditions or other beliefs, explain why they are important to your family.

Practicing traditions gives all of us a chance to acknowledge and appreciate the culture and community to which we belong. It fills up our internal ‘security bank’ and gives us a sense of belonging. Traditions make the stress of daily life less painful, giving us comfort and strength. “As parents, we can do a great deal to make sure that that inner bank of love and security has a healthy balance by the time they leave our care. Family traditions around holidays are one of the means we have for letting children know that they are embedded in community, for witnessing their growth over time, and for passing on important cultural and family values,” according to Marie Hartwell-Walker, Ed.D. Include them in the traditions. Kids who are part of it all will know how to carry it on when it is their turn. If the traditions that you grew up with don’t fit your beliefs or needs, create ones that do. Focus on what is meaningful for your family now.

Most parents have the skills to deal with their kid’s stress. Do seek professional help when any change in behavior persists, when stress is causing serious anxiety, or when the behavior is causing significant problems in functioning at school or at home. If you need help finding resources for your child, check with your doctor or

the counselors and teachers at school.

Nina Chastain, Balance Point Counseling, provides compassionate, treatments to alleviate problems that cause human suffering and promotes the capacity for sustained happiness in the lives of those served.

It’s a special form of therapy called Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Developed at the University of Washington by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., this therapy is appropriate for a range of problems relating to emotion dysregulation, including substance use problems, eating disordered behavior, and anger-related problems. Clients may experience these problems as: Painful emotions from which they feel there is no escape, quickly shifting from one emotion to another, problems with anger, difficulties with interpersonal relationships, sense of emptiness, or confusion about identity and or impulsive behavior or self-injury.

The cool thing about Nina is her ability to put you at ease and make you feel good to be in the world. I like that.

If you would like to get in contact with my friend Nina, check out her site at www.balancepointnow.com

Special thanks to our models Sage and Savannah and their mother Lisa, for putting up with two separate photo shoots.

“The most important part of therapy is the relationship between therapist and client. It is a partnership that helps people reach their goals.”

- Nina Chastain, LCSW

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As we ease into winter in the 573 region, everything begins to slow down and life can get a little boring if we don’t find something to keep ourselves busy. Some people have their winter hobbies and others are content to plop down in front of the TV. But what about those of us who need to get out of the house? When we can’t get out for a hike, a bike ride, an outdoor festival or an afternoon at the wineries, what do we do to entertain ourselves? I’ve traveled all over the area and was lucky enough to find some nice warm places nearby where you can grab a bite to eat, have a drink and listen to some great live music.

If you’re in the Ironton area and looking for a place to relax, hear some good music and get a bite to eat then you should check out Ryno’s Pizzeria and Pub. In the winter months Ryno’s hosts musicians on the first and third Saturday, and the second and forth Thursday of each month. The music at Ryno’s ranges from classic rock to country to blues, and is often acoustic. There’s a full bar, and the food includes pizza, burgers, sandwiches, steaks, and all the classic pub grub items. The music at Ryno’s is inside the bar area, but there’s also a separate non-smoking dining room for those who prefer it. If you’re looking for a warm and welcoming atmosphere to enjoy great live music, food and drink look no further than Ryno’s Pizzeria and Pub.

If you find yourself a bit further Northeast in the Bonne Terre area, Hub’s Pub is a place you’ll want to check out. A family owned and operated bar, Hub’s Pub is a fun and laid back spot to have some drinks and listen to a wide variety of live music on any Thursday or Saturday night. They host acoustic acts and full bands playing covers and original country, rock n’ roll, funk, rockabilly, 1980s rock, and more. Thursday nights are open jam nights, where locals are welcome to come and show off their skills. Hub’s is your classic hometown pub that’s sure to please when you’re looking for a night out with some good live music.

People in the Cape Girardeau area have been lucky enough to have The Rude Dog Pub hosting all kinds of live music in their downtown location ever since 1996. They have original and cover bands playing everything from rock to bluegrass to funk and just about any other kind of music you can think of. There are bands every weekend, on the occasional weekday, and even when there’s not a live band, The Rude Dog’s juke box will be rocking. There’s also darts, pool and a full bar for any night when you’re looking for something to do.

Taytro’s Bar and Bistro is another new addition to the area, opening about a year ago in Festus, and serving up great food, drinks and live music ever since. Taytro’s is a family owned and operated restaurant that hosts some great live acoustic music every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday night. The genres range from blues to folk to rock to country, and make a warm atmosphere ever more inviting. The food is Cajun themed, and you’ll also find great seafood specials most nights. The bar features an eclectic wine, beer and cocktail selection and is non-smoking and family friendly. So, if you’re in the Festus area and looking for a great place to hear some live music and get some good food and drink, Taytro’s is your place.

The Vault in Farmington is host to great bands, sideshows and classic movies. The bands range from locals to national touring acts, and the genres include old timey music, bluegrass, blues, rock, folk, funk and everything in between. The sideshows have included acrobatic cats, bullwhip artists, fire-breathing, sword- swallowing, and all kinds of crazy talents. They’ve even shown movies like Night of the Living Dead on Halloween and Scrooged around Christmas. Amazing entertainment isn’t the only thing to draw you into The Vault, there’s also the tasty and locally sourced food and drink. Their specialty is gourmet hotdogs, but they also serve up some great salads, sandwiches and other vegetarian options. The drinks include a variety of old fashioned sodas, beers and wines. So when you’re sitting bored at home this winter, itching to get out of the house and wondering what there is to do, keep in mind all of the local options for live entertainment. Also, keep in mind all the great New Year’s shows each venue will be hosting before you do any traveling. All the places mentioned in this story are locally owned, and most are family owned and operated, which means you’re supporting local business and local families. So get out there and find your

favorite local spot for live entertainment.

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W e r e c e n t l y h o o k e d u p w i t h a m a n w i t h a p l a n . T h e p l a n i s s i m p l e . R e s t o r e a n d b r i n g t o l i g h t a s m u c h h i s t o r y a s p o s s i b l e . T i m C o n l e y i s n o s t r a n g e r t o r e s t o r a t i o n . H e h a s b e e n r e s t o r i n g M i s s o u r i ’ s h i s t o r i c p r o p e r t i e s f o r d e c a d e s . W h e n y o u f i r s t m e e t T i m y o u k n o w r i g h t f r o m t h e s t a r t t h a t t h i s g u y k n o w s h i s s t u f f a n d p u l l s n o p u n c h e s . H i s a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s r e a d l i k e a l a u n d r y l i s t . T h e r e i s n o d e n y i n g t h a t h e k n o w s w h a t h e i s d o i n g a n d h e k n o w s t h e f a s t e s t w a y t o g e t i t c o m p l e t e d .

T i m h a s s t a r t e d o n a n e w p r o j e c t i n S t e . G e n e v i e v e . F r a n c o i s B a p t i s t e V a l l e ’ S r . s e r v e d a s C o m m a n d a n t i n t h e o r i g i n a l s e t t l e m e n t h o m e . T h e i n t e r e s t i n g t h i n g a b o u t t h e w a y T i m h a n d l e s t h e s e r e s t o r a t i o n s i s t h a t h e l i v e s i n t h e h o m e w h i l e h e i s d o i n g t h e r e s t o r a t i o n . H e r e a l l y , r e a l l y l o v e s w h a t h e ’ s d o i n g .

5 7 3 : T E L L U S A B O U T Y O U R S E L F.I w a s r e a r e d i n L a d u e , M i s s o u r i , t h e s o n o f a

d e v e l o p e r w h o s e l i f e w a s d r i v e n b y t h e n e w c o n s t r u c t i o n i n b o o m y e a r s o f 1 9 5 0 s t h r o u g h

t h e 1 9 8 0 s . I n c o l l e g e I t r i e d t o c o n v i n c e m y f a t h e r t h a t h e s h o u l d r e s t o r e t h e h o m e s i n t h e L a f a y e t t e S q u a r e n e i g h b o r h o o d . W e

t o u r e d t h e n e i g h b o r h o o d b u t m y f a t h e r , l i k e m o s t b u s i n e s s m e n o f h i s e r a , w a s n o t

r e m o t e l y i n t e r e s t e d i n h i s t o r i c p r e s e r v a t i o n , a n d c e r t a i n l y w o u l d n e v e r i n v e s t i n a n y

p r o p e r t i e s l o c a t e d w i t h i n t h e c i t y l i m i t s o f S t . L o u i s . T h a t ’ s h o w I b e c a m e i n t e r e s t e d

i n H i s t o r i c P r e s e r v a t i o n . I b e l i e v e d t h a t t h e A m e r i c a n c i t i e s , l i k e S t . L o u i s , w o u l d e n j o y a r e b i r t h . I g r a d u a t e d f r o m c o l l e g e i n 1 9 6 9

a n d t h a t J u l y p u r c h a s e d t h e B l a i r M a n s i o n a t 2 0 4 3 P a r k A v e n u e o n L a f a y e t t e S q u a r e . S o o n s e v e r a l f r i e n d s a n d I o r g a n i z e d t h e L a f a y e t t e S q u a r e R e s t o r a t i o n C o m m i t t e e a n d L a f a y e t t e

S q u a r e w a s d e c l a r e d M i s s o u r i ’ s f i r s t H i s t o r i c D i s t r i c t . W e s t a r t e d t h e H i s t o r i c H o u s e T o u r c o n c e p t w h i c h g a v e o u r o r g a n i z a t i o n p o s i t i v e p u b l i c i t y a n d m u c h n e e d e d o p e r a t i n g c a p i t a l .

L a t e r , i n 1 9 7 4 I p u b l i s h e d “ L A F AY E T T E S Q U A R E : A N U R B A N R E N A I S S A N C E ” .

T h e b o o k w a s i m m e n s e l y s u c c e s s f u l … I n d e e d a s e c o n d p r i n t i n g w a s o r d e r e d b e f o r e t h e

f i r s t p r i n t i n g w a s a v a i l a b l e d u e t o t h o u s a n d s o f a d v a n c e d o r d e r s . L a f a y e t t e S q u a r e w a s

s u d d e n l y l e g i t i m a t e a n d h i s t o r i c p r e s e r v a t i o n b e c a m e v e r y f a s h i o n a b l e .

5 7 3 : T E L L U S A B O U T T H E H O U S E .T h e J e a n B a p t i s t e V a l l e h o u s e o r G o v e r n m e n t H o u s e , w a s b u i l t i n 1 7 9 3 b y t h e t a l e n t e d b l a c k s l a v e s o f J e a n B a p t i s t e V a l l e . T h e o r i g i n a l S t e . G e n e v i e v e w a s f o u n d e d i n 1 7 4 9 a s a t i n y c l u s t e r o f v e r t i c a l l o g h o m e s o n a p o r t i o n o f L a G r a n d C h a m p o r B i g F i e l d j u s t t h r e e m i l e s s o u t h o f i t s p r e s e n t l o c a t i o n . T h e h o m e s w e r e p e r c h e d p e r i l o u s l y c l o s e t o t h e M i s s i s s i p p i R i v e r a n d l i k e i t s n e i g h b o r K a s k a s k i a , w a s i n u n d a t e d t o i t s r o o f t o p s b y f l o o d w a t e r s t h r e e t i m e s b e t w e e n 1 7 8 5 a n d 1 7 9 0 . T h e G o v e r n o r G e n e r a l i n N e w O r l e a n s , o r d e r e d t h e p o p u l a t i o n , t h e c u r e o f t h e C a t h o l i c C h u r c h , t h e C o m m a n d a n t , a n d h i s S p a n i s h t r o o p s , t o r e b u i l d o n t h e s m a l l h i l l s t h r e e m i l e s n o r t h , a n d N o u v e l l e S t e . G e n e v i e v e w a s b o r n . T h e V a l l e ’ f a m i l y i n S t e . G e n e v i e v e w a s t h e l e a d i n g f a m i l y i n t h e L o u i s i a n a T e r r i t o r y . F r a n c o i s B a p t i s t e V a l l e ’ S r . s e r v e d a s C o m m a n d a n t i n t h e o l d t o w n a n d h i s s o n s F r a n c o i s B a p t i s t e a n d J e a n B a p t i s t e V a l l e ’ w o u l d a l s o s e r v e , i n t u r n , t o l e a d t h e t r a n s i t i o n i n N o u v e l l e S t e . G e n e v i e v e . I t w a s t h e b l a c k s l a v e s o f b o t h b r o t h e r s w h o b u i l t t h e n e w v e r t i c a l l o g h o m e s f o r t h e p o w e r e l i t e o f t h e t o w n . T h e h o m e s s t i l l -s t a n d i n g c o n s i s t o f t h e N i c h o l a s J a n i s H o u s e ( c a . 1 7 9 0 ) , t h e V i t a l S t e . G e m m e B a u v a i s H o u s e ( c a . 1 7 9 2 ) , T h e L o u i s B o l d u c H o u s e ( c a . 1 7 9 3 ) , a n d t h e G o v e r n m e n t H o u s e , t h e h o m e o f J e a n B a p t i s t e V a l l e ( c a . 1 7 9 3 ) .

5 7 3 : W H A T I S I T L I K E T O L I V E I N A H I S T O R I C H O M E ?I t r y n e v e r t o f o r g e t h o w i m p o r t a n t G o v e r n m e n t H o u s e i s t o t h e h i s t o r y o f t h e L o u i s i a n a T e r r i t o r y . S o m a n y h i s t o r i c e v e n t s p l a y e d o u t w i t h i n t h e w a l l s o f t h i s v e n e r a b l e o l d h o m e , b u t p e r h a p s t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t i s t h e o f f i c i a l t r a n s f e r o f t h e L o u i s i a n a T e r r i t o r y f r o m t h e S p a n i s h K i n g t o N a p o l e o n a n d t h e n t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s o f A m e r i c a . N o o t h e r h i s t o r i c h o m e i n S t e . G e n e v i e v e w a s e v e r o w n e d b y t h e h i s t o r i c f i g u r e w i t h w h o m i t i s a s s o c i a t e d f o r t h e e x t e n d e d p e r i o d a s w a s G o v e r n m e n t H o u s e b y i t s C o m m a n d a n t a n d o w n e r J e a n B a p t i s t e V a l l e ’ . J e a n B a p t i s t e o w n e d t h i s h o m e a n d l i v e d i n i t f o r 5 6 y e a r s . H e m o r e t h a n a n y o t h e r p e r s o n i s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e e n d o f t h e C o l o n i a l p e r i o d a n d t h e t r a n s i t i o n t o t h e A m e r i c a n F e d e r a l P e r i o d . O n l y h e r e i n S t e . G e n e v i e v e c a n s o m e o n e e x p e r i e n c e t h e h o m e a n d g a r d e n o f o u r l e a d i n g c i t i z e n f r o m t h e h e i g h t o f t h e F r e n c h C o l o n i a l P e r i o d a n d w a l k o n t h e s a m e f l o o r b o a r d s a n d s i t i n t h e s a m e r o o m s w h e r e h i s t o r y w a s m a d e . I c o n s i d e r i t a g r e a t p e r s o n a l h o n o r t o o w n a n d p r o t e c t t h i s w o n d e r f u l h o m e a n d I t a k e m y r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o p r o t e c t i t v e r y s e r i o u s l y .

S o m a n y h i s t o r i c e v e n t s

p l a y e d o u t w i t h i n t h e

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h o m e , b u t p e r h a p s t h e

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t r a n s f e r o f t h e L o u i s i a n a

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o f A m e r i c a .

T h a t ’ s r i g h t , t h e M i s s o u r i D i n o s a u r . I d i d n ’ t e v e n k n o w M i s s o u r i h a d a d i n o s a u r . I k n e w a b o u t t h e M a s t o d o n s , b u t a r e a l d i n o ? W e c a u g h t u p w i t h t h e m a n w h o i s b r i n g i n g i t a l l t o l i g h t a n d t h e m u s e u m t h a t ’ s h o u s i n g t h e c r e a t u r e r i g h t h e r e i n t h e 5 7 3 .

G u y D a r r o u g h i s a s e l f - t a u g h t a n d h i g h l y a c c o m p l i s h e d f o s s i l c o l l e c t o r , f o s s i l p r e p a r a t i o n e x p e r t , a n d i l l u s t r a t o r w h o h a s w o r k e d i n p a l e o n t o l o g y a n d r e l a t e d a r e a s f o r 4 0 y e a r s . H e h a s c o l l e c t e d a n d s t u d i e d f o s s i l s i n C a n a d a , M o r o c c o , a n d m a n y p a r t s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . M o s t i m p o r t a n t l y h e i s t h e f o s s i l g o - t o g u y o f M i s s o u r i . A n d t h e c o o l t h i n g a b o u t G u y i s h e s h a r e s h i s t o y s .

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U n d e r t h e w a t c h f u l e y e s o f m u s e u m p a t r o n s , G u y D a r r o u g h p i c k s o f f o n e t i n y g r a i n a t a t i m e . G u y w i l l s p e n d h u n d r e d s o f h o u r s a t t h e B o l l i n g e r C o u n t y M u s e u m o f N a t u r a l H i s t o r y l a b s l o w l y r e l e a s i n g t h e M i s s o u r i d i n o s a u r f r o m i t ’ s s t o n e - h a r d e n e d c l a y t o m b .

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Guy’s technical and artistic skills in fossil preparation meet the highest museum standards and he is called upon by many a museum to work on new finds. And specimens from his personal collection are routinely loaned to museums for exhibition and for scientific studies. Guy has amassed a premiere collection of Missouri fossils, making significant discoveries in Paleontology (including the discovery of a wide variety of Cambrian and lower Ordovician fossil animals previously unknown to paleontologists) and he co-authors the Journal of Paleontology.

Guy directs the excavations at the Chronister dinosaur site in southern Missouri. The most recent find is a portion of the jaw from the dinosaur Hypsibema missouriense, a hadrosaur or duck-billed dinosaur. Working with the Missouri Ozark Dinosaur project, Guy and his crew have found the remains of other dinosaurs, turtles, fish, and plants. Many of these finds are on exhibit at the Bollinger County Museum of Natural History. Guy is co-authoring a paper on the site with paleontologists from the New Jersey State Museum.

Over the years Guy has discovered many fossil animals that were previously unknown to science. These fossils include Cambrian and Lower Ordovician, multi-plated mollusks, Gastropods and Monoplacophorans. (If you want to know what all those are you are on your own. I’m sure you can find something about them on the internet.) Guy’s wife, Doris, has just had a new species of fossil mollusk named after her, called Matthevia dorisae. John Pojeta of the Smithsonian Institution is presently working with Guy on these new fossils. A series of papers describing these fossils are being submitted to the Journal of Paleontology for publication.

T h e m u s e u m h o u s e s a l i f e s i z e d r e p l i c a o f t h e M i s s o u r i D i n o s a u r a n d o t h e r c r e a t u r e s . G u y a l s o c r e a t e s p r e h i s t o r i c c r e a t u r e s f o r l o a n t o m u s e u m s a n d b o t a n i c a l g a r d e n s a r o u n d t h e c o u n t r y .

A t i n y t o w n w i t h a b i g p l a n . M a r b l e H i l l a n d t h e B o l l i n g e r C o u n t y M u s e u m o f N a t u r a l H i s t o r y h a v e i t g o i n g o n t o s a y t h e l e a s t . W i t h a m u s e u m a n d a t o n o f s w e a t e q u i t y , t h e p e o p l e o f M a r b l e h a v e p u l l e d o f f t h e i m p o s s i b l e : A v i a b l e t o u r i s t a t t r a c t i o n i n t h e m i d d l e o f n o w h e r e . T h e y ’ v e m a n a g e d t o t u r n a p i g ’ s e a r i n t o a s i l k p u r s e - a c t u a l l y a n o l d p i l e o f b r i c k s i n t o a w o r l d c l a s s n a t u r a l h i s t o r y m u s e u m w e l l w o r t h t h e v i s i t a n d h o m e t o t h e M i s s o u r i d i n o s a u r .

It’s hard to imagine that Missouri was once a tropical environment similar to the Bahamas. The fossils and rocks found here indicate that Missouri was occasionally covered by a warm, shallow sea, starting some 500 million years ago during the Cambrian Period. These ancient waters were home to an array of colorful shellfish and unique creatures. Their fossils reveal much about Missouri’s earliest inhabitants and their environment. This exclusive exhibit shows examples of Missouri’s earliest life forms and gives a rare glimpse into our prehistoric past.

The Bollinger Natural History Museum, located in the town of Marble Hill Missouri, houses a stunning collection of natural history specimens and artifacts from Missouri and the world. Out in the middle of nowhere this world class museum attacts numbers of visitors from all over the country. It didn’t happen overnight and it took a lot of local people to see the dream become reality.

High on a hill overlooking Marble Hill sit two beautiful buildings of the former Will Mayfield College. Ten years ago they were in a state of total disrepair, unoccupied for more than 70 years and of no use to anyone. Dave Thomas, a local business person, along with several other community leaders decided to restore the Art and Science Building (current Museum Building) to its former glory and find a way to use it for community betterment. About that same time, Bill Teeters, a local geology buff, was working with Guy Darrough at the Chronister Dinosaur Dig site and knew that Guy was looking for a place to showcase the bones being found there as well as his enormous collection, so Bill got Guy and Dave together. The Bollinger County Museum of Natural History was born. They could not have done it without community support. In restoring the buildings, most of the local business people have pitched in giving their materials and labor at cost or greatly reduced. And they are still busy working the museum. They are restoring the 3rd floor of the museum building with plans to house a repository collection of items that are collected out of our state streams. That will be interesting.

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W h e n y o u v i s i t t h e m u s e u m p l a n t o s p e n d a t l e a s t

a n h o u r a n d a h a l f . T h e r e i s

m u c h m o r e t h a n b o n e s a n d f o s s i l s

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r i v e r b o a t w r e c k , a l a r g e c i v i l

w a r c o l l e c t i o n , a n a n t i q u e c o i l

r a d i o c o l l e c t i o n , m i n e r a l s f r o m a l l

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1 2 - y e a r - o l d b o y .

In 1942, a geologist named Dan Stewart, who worked for the Missouri Geologic Survey, was doing field exploration for clay deposits in Bollinger County. One day he was examining an outcrop of clay in a creek bank when a young boy poked his head over the top of the bank and asked what Dan was doing. When the boy heard that Dan was looking for clay, he told him that his family had found some in the process of digging a cistern. So Dan followed the boy to investigate.

Much to Dan’s surprise, the boy’s mother showed him some large bones that they had found in the clay. Dan searched the other piles of clay further and found more bones. A total of 14 tail bones (vertebrae) were found, as well as a few other bone fragments. Dan asked Mrs. Chronister if he could take the bones to have them examined by experts, and she agreed. Later the Smithsonian Institution paid her a tidy sum of $50 dollars for these bones and she used the money to buy a cow.

The Smithsonian identified them as belonging to a dinosaur which Dan believed was new to science, but sat on a shelf until 1979 when Hypsibema missouriense became the new name for this enigmatic beast.

In the 1980s, the New Jersey State Museum conducted a series of test excavations at the site to determine if more dinosaur material was present. A number of dinosaur bones was recovered, as well as fossils of turtles, crocodiles, and fish. These new fossils made it possible to determine that Hypsibema was a hadrosaur. Hadrosaurs are also called “duck-billed” dinosaurs because their snout superficially resembles a duck’s bill.

In 1989 Guy Darrough and Michael Fix obtained permission to conduct an excavation within a protective enclosure. Beginning in 1990, the excavation was conducted by an all volunteer crew. More bones of Hypsibema were recovered including vertebrae, and fragments of the pelvis. Also, fossils of two other types of dinosaurs were found at the site. One of these is a relative of Tyrannosaurus rex, and the other is related to Velociraptor.

In July of 1999, the dig project became legally incorporated in the State of Missouri as a not-for-profit foundation called “The Missouri Ozark Dinosaur Project Inc.”

Since 1999 to the present, the Chronister site continues to yield significant fossils of dinosaurs, turtles, amphibians and fish.

Currently Guy is working on a large block of clay containing bones which may be from the Missouri dinosaur.

O n e o f t h e m o s t r e c e n t a n dm o r e i n t e r e s t i n g i t e m s o nd i s p l a y a t t h e m u s e u m i s t h e M a s t o d o n j a w t h a t 1 2 - y e a r - o l dD i l l o n L a n d e w e e f o u n d w h i l ef i s h i n g w i t h h i s d a d . T h e r i v e rb a n k w h e r e t h e b o n e w a s f o u n d i s a m e r e 3 0 m i n u t e s f r o m t h e m u s e u m . A c u r a t o r f r o m S o u t h e a s t M i s s o u r i S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y s a i d t h e b o n e s a p p e a r t o h a v e b e l o n g e d t o a f e m a l e o r a j u v e n i l e m a s t o d o n .

M a s t o d o n s o n c e r o a m e d t h e a r e a a n d w e r e l a r g e , w o o l y c r e a t u r e s . T h e y b e c a m e e x t i n c t a b o u t 1 1 , 0 0 0 y e a r s a g o .

On a hot Labor day, a few years ago, we went fishing. As dad and his friend were fishing, I decided to explore and take some pictures. As I was walking I saw a huge bone laying in the clay and mud. As soon as I saw it I yelled to my dad but he wouldn’t come because he thought I had just found a small fish bone or something but when he went to see it he was very surprised to see what I found. We had no idea what it was, all we knew is that it wasn’t something we live with. We pulled it out of the mud and put it a side til we were done fishing. After we finished fishing we pulled and pushed it up the dirt slope. Dad and Dan carried it across the bean field, we were all hot, sweaty and muddy with the beans itching as we walked through them. I was very excited and anxious to see what it was and I couldn’t wait to tell my friends. During the ride home we talked about what we thought it was. I can’t explain how excited I was that night and how excited I am now about the find.

Dillon Landewee

As an artist, reinvention from time to time is crucial—From

Picasso, to Einstein, to Mick Jagger... A pattern seems to

emerge. Stumble upon a style and run with it until you can’t

stand it anymore, then reinvent yourself and move forward --

typically a 10-year process. This rediscovery has played out for

countless centuries and we can all find ways to reinvent ourselves. Change is the only thing you can

count on so you may as well be active in how your life changes

and let it fall in your favor.

Tell us about yourself.I don’t think I ever thought I would do anything but teach and I always thought college was just a natural progression from high school. My parents encouraged education, so being the oldest of five children, I guess Dad and Mom thought that if I succeeded in college then the other four would follow. And they did. I think my parents realized early on that I had some artistic and musical abilities. They found the means to give me piano and music lessons, along with art lessons from local artist Charles Rhinehart. Through their encouragement, I continued to gravitate toward the fine arts. I had two art classes in high school, but I seemed to take a greater interest in band and went to Southeast Missouri State University to major in music. I took an art class during my freshman year and I quickly changed my major and graduated with a BS (and later an MAT) in Art Education.

I spent 30 years teaching art at De Soto High School and was an adjunct instructor at Jefferson College for four years, teaching Art For Children, after I retired.

My husband, who was a counselor at De Soto Jr. High, and I were always involved in school activities from sports to decorating for dances, proms, building floats, student art shows, and taking student groups on trips. Now, seeing former students like Ali Cavanaugh work professionally in the art world gives me even greater satisfaction in knowing I helped develop a sound and strong program at De Soto.

Tell us about your art.My present work has more of an “Old World” look, with the subject matter being of European and Midwestern rural and city scenes. I use a wider range of color, overlapping and mixing more, and the darks are darker (no black!!) and the lights are brilliant. My strokes swish and blend ever so lightly. John Singer Sargent is probably my favorite artist and I like to study his paintings to see how he uses color, but I also study how he achieves the softer edges, which make his strokes look effortless.

I suppose this reinventing, so to speak, is what most accomplished artists have always done and you can see this when you study their paintings. I think it’s a natural transition; you work in one style and then you begin adding something a little different, which grows into another style. Sometimes the changes are great but I think mostly its one style that evolves into another and then another… Maybe it’s boredom, or maybe the work has become stagnant, or maybe it’s just the creative process. Tell us about your studio.

I moved back to my hometown of Ste. Genevieve from De Soto in 2007. I was able to build a house and I built it to surround myself with the people and things that make me feel good. I collect art, and every piece of art that I own, whether mine or someone else’s, is a pathway to my past and a way of reconstructing memories that were, and are, meaningful to me. I also built a studio downstairs that has windows opening up to a spectacular view of cows in the pasture, and the Zell church and community just a half -mile away as the crow flies. The windows face north, the light is always flowing into my studio and I have space. What a switch from painting at the dining room table to actually having a studio with windows, great view from three sides, and walls full of paintings that make me look, and think and inspire me to create.

...run with it until you can’t stand it anymore, then reinvent yourself and move forward.

According to TV and the internet, we are going to be faced with the reversal of Earth’s magnetic poles, a new Ice Age, a meteor attack, super storms and volcanoes, alien invasions and a hidden rogue planet poised to collide with Earth. It’s gonna be one busy year. I’m not sure how I am going to find the time to accomplish my New Year’s resolutions with all this going on.

Countless movies and television shows are frantically being produced to cash in on the End of Time. Not sure what they are planning to do with all that money if the end really comes. They make it all seem so real and so convincing, and why not? We all know if it’s on the TV or internet it has to be factual, right?

in the true spirit of the end of time frenzy I have made my own predictions for 2012 and I’ve come up with a few ways the average person can cash in on doomsday.

1. We will see many more UFOs this year and alien abduction will be at an all-time high. To cash in on this, I suggest you take up training as an alien abductee therapist. With so many folks being beamed up and experimented on, you could clean up helping them get over the indignity of all that alien probing. Yikes!

2. I predict on Wednesday, May 15th, a giant 10 story glacier will roll into town. This might sound like a bad thing, but think of all the possibilities here. With all that ice around things like furs, ice picks and salt will be selling at a premium. Think about it, isn’t it time fur came back into fashion anyway?

3. I think we will see some sort of doomsday insurance soon. You certainly do not want to be unprotected if the world really does end. I mean, you could lose everything.

4. I predict there will be doomsday credit cards. Think about it, the credit card companies will loan you a pile of cash that they know you can’t pay back right before the end of the world. You would get to buy everything you ever wanted. A new car, Blu-Ray, cosmetic surgery... If the end doesn’t happen, you’ll just have to pay it back at a premium interest rate. Oh, forget this one - it’s already happening.

5. I think we will see an End of Time candidate run for president in 2012. You know, the Doomsday Platform. If the world is conquered or destroyed by UFOs, this candidate would be there for us to save the world and negotiate with the aliens to ensure we get the best deal.

6. Lastly, I predict that someone with guts will come forward with the following statement: “If the Mayans were so advanced, so intelligent, and able to predict the future, why did THEY not know their own civilization was going to collapse and die?” Personally, I believe 2012 was just the end of the Mayan calendar. It was round and there was only so much room. After their calendar ended, I think they were just planning to start over.

In all seriousness, 2012 is going to be a great year. Take advantage of all the opportunities that are in front of you. Try not to focus on all the negative hype floating around. Remember, the media is planning to capitalize on your fears. Don’t give them what they want.

•••

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Something new has opened in Desloge. Something very cool for kids. The Rosie Nellie’s Tea room is open for business. Dress up business. What little girl in her right mind wouldn’t like to hold a birthday party there? The owner of the tea room provides everything you need to make a girl’s dream come true. They supply the outfits, the jewelry, the makeup, the cake and fruit, assistants to help the girls get dolled up and of course, tea. The furniture, the table setting, the costumes... every detail is thought of to ensure the girls have a life long memory. And it’s reasonably priced, at 150 dollars for a 6-girl dress-up tea party. They even get to make a piece of jewelry to take with them as a souvenir of the day.

But there is much more to Rosie Nellie’s than simply a dress up place. It’s a tea room, a gift & bling boutique and coffee house equipped with wifi and other goodies. There is nothing else like it in the area and it could go head to head with many similar type places in St. Louis.

n c e u p o n a t i m e t h e r e w a s a l i t t l e p r i n c e s s w h o w a s h a v i n g a g r a n d p a r t y , s h e i n v i t e d a l l o f t h e o t h e r p r i n c e s s e s i n t h e l a n d t o h e r b a l l r o o m f o r t h e c e l e b r a t i o n . T h e p r i n c e s s e s w e r e d e l i g h t e d t o a t t e n d t h e r o y a l a f f a i r a n d a r r i v e d i n s t y l e . E a c h l i t t l e p r i n c e s s c h o s e a g o w n a n d a c c e s s o r i e s t o w e a r d u r i n g t h e p a r t y . T h e r o y a l l y a d o r n e d y o u n g l a d i e s c r a f t e d e l e g a n t t i a r a s b e f i t t i n g a n y w e l l - t o - d o p r i n c e s s . F o l l o w i n g t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f a b e j e w l e d b r a c e l e t f o r a l l , t h e l i t t l e l a d i e s w e r e e s c o r t e d t o a b e a u t i f u l l y - a d o r n e d t a b l e c o m p l e t e w i t h r e a l c h i n a s e t t i n g s a n d t e a p o t s . P i n k t e a w a s s e r v e d a l o n g w i t h a n a r r a y o f s c r u m p t i o u s f i n g e r f o o d s , s n a c k s a n d c a k e . W h e n t h e p a r t y w a s o v e r , t h e p r i n c e s s e s w e r e g u i d e d t h r o u g h r o y a l p a r t y g a m e s , c o n c l u d i n g w i t h t h e p r e s e n t a t i o n o f a t r e a s u r e c h e s t f i l l e d w i t h g i f t s .

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A l e x i s a n d J a d e n h a d a g r e a t t i m e a t t h e t e a p a r t y . A l e x i s s a i d , “ T h e b e s t p a r t w a s c u t t i n g t h e c a k e a n d d r e s s i n g u p . I c a n ’ t w a i t t o h a v e m y p a r t y t h e r e . ”

J a d e n s a i d , “ I t w a s a w e s o m e . T h e b e s t p a r t w a s m a k i n g t h e b r a c e l e t s . ”

573: Tel l us about yoursel f - My name is Cassie Black. I own Rosie Nel l ie ’s Boutique & Tea Room in Desloge. I grew up in Caledonia and moved to this area when I was 18. I am married to David Black and I have 4 chi ldren, Chelsea, Trey, Asia and Jax.

I had the most wonderful chi ldhood, pretending and make-bel ieve was a huge part of i t . I am the youngest of 10 chi ldren. Not only did my parents raise me, my brothers and s isters had a hand in i t , too. Through them I developed a lot of what I love today.

My chi ldren are my biggest inspirat ion in l i fe . I have tr ied to show them that the s implest things that are free are the most enjoyable , l ike pretending as a chi ld and making memories with family and fr iends.

My father a lways owned his own business and I think i t was born in me to do the same. As a chi ld I a lways looked for ways to make money, then I would take the money I made and use i t to make more money. I washed vehicles , bought candy suckers to resel l , sold the Grit papers , Christmas cards, anything to make extra money. It taught me to be very appreciat ive of the things I have. One t ime I remember making bracelets from yarn and begging my mom to take me to the f lea market so I could se l l them. The funny thing is . . . she did!

573: Why a tea room? - As a chi ld, a l l my s isters would dress me up, put makeup on me, make my clothes, make me baby dol ls . . . These memories are very special to me and I think a lot of kids miss out on these kinds of memories because of the fast pace and the way famil ies don’t have t ime to bui ld memories due to busy schedules .

I remember my mom making coffee for family and fr iends. I would take her my tea set and she would f i l l i t and put coffee and creamer in too. I would make a table from our ki tchen bench and my niece, cousin and I would pretend we were having a tea party. These memories stand out as i f i t were yesterday.

So, I decided to put in a room at my shop so everyone could enjoy a l i t t le taste of the old days when people enjoyed vis i t ing and drinking hot tea and coffee. Where women can have part ies and enjoy the fun of hats , feather boas and gloves OR they can just s imply have a shower or birthday party without i t being in their home. I have always loved a party and entertaining. I t i s my thing combined with the dishes, teapots , teacups and decorat ions. The chi ldren can have a place to pretend again and dream.. . af ter a l l , “Cinderel la dreamed” and dreams do come true! MEMORIES ARE A WONDERFUL THING!

I had the most wonderful childhood, pretending and make-believe was a huge part of it. I am the youngest of 10 children.

573: Tel l us about your shop - My daughters chose the name, Rosie Nel l ie ’s , af ter thinking about their s is ter, Asia naming al l her baby dol ls Rosie Nel l ie . Asia a lso wanted to name her new s ibl ing Rosie Nel l ie but i t turned out her new s ibl ing was going to be a boy. I thought i t was great because i t was old-fashioned with a Victorian f la ir. Rosie Nel l ie ’s - A perfect name for my store.

When I began to work on opening the store, I knew I wanted i t to have a Victorian f la ir. I have always decorated Victorian even when i t was not in style . I think the Victorian touch is so beaut i ful and relaxing. I want people to be able to come into the store and enjoy a cup of hot tea or coffee and look around and have a wonderful kind of feel ing. I always look to f ind the most unique i tems to put in the store. I am blessed with my daughters , who have helped me with the styles and i tems for the younger ladies , too. I a lways look for things you don’t f ind other places . I love to f ind something unique.

Rosie Nellie’s is loaded with unique, jewelry, bling, cards and gifts. A tea room, a coffee shop and event hall rental. Well worth checking out.

Winter can be a tough time of the year to stay in shape, with the cold weather and the excess of holiday food. By the time Christmas has passed we’ve all packed on a few extra pounds and our lives have gotten a lot less active. This is often when seasonal depression sets in, and you’re left with the choice to give in or fight back. For many of us that fight is set to begin at the start of the New Year with a resolution to lose weight and be healthier. The problem is that’s easier said than done. Will you work out on your own? And if so, will you be able to keep yourself on track? Will you choose a gym? And if so, which one? There are so many options that it can become an overwhelming process.

Parkland Crossfit was founded a little over a year ago by Kenny Warden, when he took the risk of leaving a management position at a large local gym to start his own business. He started out in the garage of a friend with a small group of members, but it allowed Kenny to work at a more personal level with each individual to cater to their needs. Within one year Parkland Crossfit unveiled their new 5,700 square foot gym in downtown Farmington, but Kenny and his staff still take pride in working with all of their members on a one-on-one basis.

Many of you are probably asking yourselves, what is Crossfit? And what makes it different from other workouts? When I posed this question to Kenny he admitted it’s a pretty complex answer, and his initial response was “constantly varied, functional exercise, executed at maximum intensity.” Luckily he went on to elaborate and explain that Parkland Crossfit is a group of people motivated to stay fit through fun and creative exercise. Crossfit trains movements, not muscles, using bodyweight and free-weights to push members’ bodies to adapt to various stimuli. There are three main components to this workout: cardio, weightlifting and gymnastics. This makes for a fun and very active workout.

To get started at Parkland Crossfit you begin with a twelve class foundation course to get acquainted with how the program works. Kenny always offers the first week, or three classes, free to anyone who would like to learn more before they sign up. So, if you’re ready to get back on track with a healthier lifestyle, and start the New Year out right, this might be the best option for you. Since Parkland Crossfit is run by its owner, you know that you will be treated right. And honestly, what do you have to lose by going and checking it out? Getting back in shape and losing that extra weight can be a challenge, but the help of professionals keeping you on the right track might be just what you need to make it happen.

573: Tell us about yourself.Seven years ago I married my beautiful wife, Amy Francis, we have two sweet little girls, Kenadie Rose(4) and Claire Elizabeth(2). My family is an important part of our business. My wife Amy does all of our office work, cleaning, and child care. Along with the little ones, they all three provide warm smiling faces, each time you enter our gym.

573: Tell us about your facility.The facility is 5,700 square feet. It’s a lot bigger than most people think. We offer 3 separate workout areas, a child care area, and locker rooms. When the weather is nice we open up the two big bay doors. It makes the experience of working out a little nicer.

573: Tell us about your future plans. As far as the future, we are simply looking to further the Crossfit name, the brand and keep it growing, hopefully moving into school sports programs, law enforcement, and possibly corrections officers, anywhere that people need to be fit and ready for the unknown and unknowable. We plan on starting Crossfit kids programs sometime early in 2012. Expanding the age range that you could do CrossFit from 3 years all the way up until, well, when you can’t move anymore.

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Of course we all know about the funny scanner blocks popping up all over. You know, you scan ‘em with your cell phone and it takes you to a special deal or website. Recently Don Lilley from Carpet One integrated this new technology into his marketing efforts and guess what? The big guy at Carpet One, Howard Brodsky, came to Missouri and presented him with an award. Carpet One is now integrating Don’s plan into the Carpet One marketing program available to it’s members. That’s a pretty big achievement for a small town carpet store.

Brodsky knows good marketing when he sees it. Brodsky has been inducted into the Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame along with such notable people as Starbucks’ Howard Schultz and Ted Turner. Brodsky is Co-founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of CCA Global Partners, one of the largest privately held companies in the United States. CCA is comprised of 14 companies with aggregate sales of over $10 billon. CCA companies consist of Carpet One, Flooring America, ProSource Wholesale Flooring, and 12 other companies from biking to lighting with over 3,000 retail locations in the US, Canada and Australia. CCA’s newest division is CCA for Social Good, servicing non-profits and over 600 child care centers.

573: Tell us about Carpet One.With more than 1,000 independently owned, full-service stores, Carpet One members in the aggregate are the largest floor covering retailer in the industry.

It’s this co-op that provides our members the most comprehensive product warranties available anywhere. The most competitive pricing available. Highly personalized customer service that comes with locally-owned stores. The best selection of carpet, laminate, vinyl, hardwood, ceramic tile and area rugs in a range of colors, textures and styles. Exclusive brands available only at Carpet One Floor & Home stores and much more...

573: Is Carpet One good for rural USA?Carpet One helps independent owners in rural areas compete against large corporations that threaten to take market share away from independent businesses by giving them the tools they need to compete. Rural Carpet One Floor & Home stores remain locally owned but they have access to the buying power, technologies, and business tools that keep them in the game with big corporations. Through Carpet One, rural flooring stores are connected to a network of independent flooring stores throughout North America. Carpet One is also part of the largest floor covering buying group in North America.

At Carpet One, we know that independent businesses help rural USA thrive by being an active part of their local communities and putting more money back into the communities where they do business. Our goal is to give these businesses everything they need to succeed and continue to contribute to their local communities.

573: Tell us how the efforts of Don Lilley help Carpet One and the consumer.One of the greatest benefits of being part of Carpet One is the opportunity to learn from fellow members. Don Lilley is helping other Carpet One members by sharing best practices and his experiences with them. This ultimately helps the consumer by giving them the best of both worlds – a local retailer that can provide the value of a big corporation with expertise and knowledge of the local community.

573: You say the community service is important -can you give a few examples.Carpet One Floor & Home Care encompasses all our good deeds from local efforts up to national campaigns. Our stores support their local communities through volunteering, product and financial donations, sponsorship of youth athletic teams and much, much more.

Nationally, Carpet One supports several worthy causes including breast cancer research, environmental awareness, and animal welfare through campaigns such as Carpet One Welcomes Your Support. This program alone has raised over $800,000 for breast cancer research and awareness through the sales of specially-designed pink ribbon welcome mats.

573: What do you do in your spare time?I am very involved in community service. I’m the founder of the Social Entrepreneur Student Leadership Program for high school and college students which foster social responsibility and community involvement.

For the past five years, I’ve been a judge and chairman of the National Judging Committee for the North American Entrepreneur of the Year Program.

And I serve as a justice of the peace, performing wedding ceremonies. To date, I have a perfect record in this arena; more than two-dozen marriages performed all remain intact.

All in all there is a lot to be learned by all this. One, don’t be afraid to follow your passion. Two, you can still make it big in the U.S. and three, a small town guy can still have a big effect on the world if he tries. Way to go, Don.

Ebenezer Scrooge, the main character in Charles Dickens 1843 novel A Christmas Carol, is a cold-hearted, selfish miser who hates Christmas. His name has come to represent greed and a mean spirit. Scrooge’s catchphrase, “Bah, humbug!” is often used to express disgust with Christmas traditions. But was it really Christmas that Scrooge hated? With the recent downturns in the economy it can be easy to forget good manners and the true spirit of the season, which are thankfulness and generosity. Just as in A Christmas Carol, a real life journey to Christmas Past, Present and Future could do us all some good.

We have all been wronged by another from time to time. Scrooge thought he was wronged by his lover, Belle, when she married another man. This was the catalyst for Scrooge’s meanness and what turned him into a greedy, paranoid workaholic. It was his ambition that stood in the way of a personal relationship, driving Belle away. The Ghost of Christmas Past revealed to Scrooge that Belle was only looking after her own self-interest for love, happiness and family - things she felt Scrooge had no desire or time for, as he had developed more interest in money than in her.

When Scrooge is taken to Christmas Present, the spirit reveals to Scrooge two emaciated children clinging to his robes, the boy, Ignorance, and the girl, Want, and the spirit warns Scrooge of their evils. He is also shown that even though Tiny Tim’s family had few material things to offer each other, they had the greatest offering of all, love.

In Christmas Future, Scrooge is then taken to an unkempt graveyard, where he is shown his own grave, and realizes he was the dead man whom the others spoke ill of. It is implied that the future does not have to be like this—a cheap tombstone in an overgrown cemetery, but Scrooge must change himself if he is to change his future.

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A group of carolers knock at your door and serenade you. Do you:+1 Enjoy their singing, and give them all your change.+2 Turn the lawn sprinklers on and hide in a back room.+3 Release the hounds.

Who do you usually give Christmas cards to?+1 Family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, the mailman...everyone’s on my list!+2 Only people who send them to me first.+3 Nobody.

Shopping for presents is:+1 Great - I love looking for just the right thing for my loved ones.+2 I do all my Christmas shopping the day after Christmas when I can get good deals.+3. Time consuming and expensive; I do as little of it as possible and dread the day after Thanksgiving.

If you were spending Christmas out of town would you bother to put up decorations?+1 Absolutely - I wouldn’t dream of missing out on all the holiday cheer.+2 Maybe a little tinsel.+3 Don’t be ridiculous - I never decorate if I don’t have to.

Your best friend gives you the ugliest item of clothing for Christmas. Do you:+1 Tell her it’s lovely and wear it the next time you see her regardless of how awful it looks.+2 Ask her if she kept the receipt so you can exchange it.+3 Put it into the garage sale pile.

A friend leaves a message on your cell phone inviting you over for Christmas dinner. Do you:+1 Immediately call back and ask what time you should be there.+2 Tell them you’re a little sick from a bad fruitcake.+3 Next time you see them act like you didn’t get the message

If you score was:6-8 You are a great lover of Christmas and by no means a Scrooge. Go on and spread your holiday cheer with pride.

9-12 You may be on your way to becoming a Scrooge. Maybe give some consideration to your Christmas Past and think about why you really feel the way you do. Try watching It’s a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street.

13-18 Okay Scrooge, time to look at Christmas Future. Nobody likes a Scrooge. Is this the way you want to be remembered? Ugly, Mean and Greedy? Just remember, no matter how big of a Scrooge you are, there is always time to change. If you take the time to be nice people they will gladly forget your past indiscretions and welcome you into their hearts…and we all could use that, not only at Christmas, but all year long!

Turn on the TV or get online and chances are you will be introduced to the All-American male slacker. For the last 30-plus years, we as a people have put all our efforts toward our young women and have somehow left many of our young men feeling worthless and living at home.

According to the recent U.S. census, 35% of males aged 20 to 34 live with their parents, while only 20% of females in the same age range live at home.

In the past, women made less when it came to wages, but today the reverse is true. Fact is, in the ten largest cities in the United States, women in their 20s now earn more money than men of the same age.

What comes to mind when you think of men under 30? Jobless slackers with no direction or future. And who is deciding all this?

If you look at any new TV show, most of the male characters are wimpy slackers who are barely able to dress themselves without a wife or girlfriend and living in their parents’ basement. Their female counterparts are portrayed as intelligent, money-hungry professionals packing super-human kicks and punches.

Seems like we need to teach young men to be strong, ambitious and self-reliant again. We need to get behind their dreams. We need to focus on their mental and physical abilities and reward men for their achievements whether it’s politically correct or not. And if the schools, TV or internet won’t convince our young men they are worth it, I guess it’s up to us to push our young men off to college or technical schools so they can learn a trade or career.

I think it’s cool that we want our girls to be tough and play sports with the boys. I think it’s cool that we push our girls to excel in school. I think it’s cool that we have women in the military. I think it’s cool that women have broken the so-called glass ceiling. But let’s not forget to make our boys into men.

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I recently met a hard working guy with his head on straight. When he’s not studying he’s working to make money and when he’s not working he’s doing what he loves -focusing on his future.

573: Tell us about yourself.My name is Bryan Krause, I just turned 21 and I’m a thrid year student at Lindenwood. I’m the oldest of three sons. My family is bigger than most, but the love and support is amazing. I’ve always loved sports, but recently I had to give up playing baseball at Lindenwood to focus more on my studies.

573: Any struggles you can share?I think everyone would agree 2011 was pretty tough, but I think 2012 is going to be a great year. I would definitely say struggles are never- ending when you’re working toward something difficult. Just when you think everything is working, something else comes and bites you in the butt. I’m sure my struggles aren’t as bad as some other people’s and I learn from everything that happens to me. Staying focused in school is one of my biggest struggles, but my family and girlfriend keep me motivated. The economy has been very hard on my family, but I know we will all take something good away from the struggles we have all been forced to endure.

573: What are your plans for the future?I know the future is unpredictable so hard work is my plan. My girlfriend Maggie Vogelsang and I have big plans. She starts studying at Lindenwood next year and both our chosen fields are in high demand, so we should have no problems getting work after graduation. We both want to travel, so having the resources to do so is important to us.

Is Santa fearing the worst for 2012 with his I’ve nothing-to-lose attitude or does he have things to hide? Running with the bulls, tattoos, rock bands.. I mean really, has he lost his ‘belly like a bowl full of jelly’ mind? Who does he think he is driving around in that Vett with the top off. Come on.

And what’s next for this guy. Mail order bride from Russia? Weekend in Vegas on a gambling binge? Sky diving? A reality show? And how is he funding all this anyway? The money has to be coming from somewhere. Is he embezzling from the elves? Just sayin’.

As the editor of this magazine I think it’s my duty to ask the hard questions sometimes. And like it or not, I think we need to look into all this and let the truth be known.