573 magazine -oct/nov 2012

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Original stories, 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, joan curtis, brian notot. smugalat. smugala, casey reevessusan barber, amber henrycasey reevesnoelle wagnerbob hisserichsarah heckemeyer, brandon rains marc johnsongary jones

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

13 DIY Wedding Dress

22 Now And Then

46 Granny’s Pie

55 She Made It

66 My Little Dog

76 A Stay At The “Y”

Have something to say? Have a story to tell? Want your business recognized? Have big plans? 573 Magazine is always looking for interesting people, places and thoughts. Don’t be shy. Email us at: [email protected].

has always been my favorite time of the year. Along with the obvious things, like leaves turning colors and cooler temperatures, there is much, much more to fall in the 573.

Fall is not like the slow approach of summer from spring or the gradual warming of winter to spring. No, it is hot as heck one day, and then- Wham-O! It is fall and cool outside. The sky turns the bluest blue, the air gets crisp, and I get the urge to grab a camera and hit the trails. We have all the elements here which take fall over the top to make it fantastic. Ahhhhh, the colors!

With the changing of the leaves and the harvesting of the grapes, come thousands of tourists from St. Louis and all over the Midwest. The baby boomer bikers come cruising on their decked-out motorcycles to view the colors of our rolling hills. Day-trippers by the score come to hike our parks and sip wine in our beautiful vineyards. Fly fisherman, with their light duty spinner bait, enjoy our clear streams. Off-road dirt bikers and mountain bikers roam the best trails in the Midwest. Kayakers and floaters hit the rapids. Truth be told, parks like St. Joe, St. Francois, Hawn, Elephant Rocks, Taum Sauk and Pickle Springs are properties that other areas can only dream of possessing. I know the 573 is the place for turkey and deer hunting so much so that people from other places actually own large parcels of property just to hunt. The more people that use the area for recreation and tourism, the better off we all are. Besides spending money here, some people decide to retire here, and others start businesses that create more opportunities for all of us.

There are plenty of extreme sports for the younger generation and there are also gentler things for the less adventurous to enjoy. And recently, the area has been gaining a reputation for its new art scene. It really is a 55+ dreamland with hundreds of activities and organizations designed for retirees.

I have lived and traveled in many parts of the world and I can tell you flat out, without any doubt, the grass is not even close to being greener anywhere else. The 573 is one of the greatest places on Earth. And remember, buy locally and please do not litter. It just makes good sense.

lanning a wedding can be quite expensive and the thought can be overwhelming. However, there are cost effective and eco-friendly ways to stretch your wedding budget. One of the most expensive investments in a wedding is the bride’s dress. A popular trend with brides is repurposing used formal gowns into a fresh, chic, and fabulous and non-traditional wedding dresses. Anyone can do this and it can be a fun adventure for the bride and her friends.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO INTERVIEW

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clothing stores are like a library of vintage fashions from the past. A bride can find formal gowns that span generations that she can modify into something amazing. Once the vintage dress is found, there are ways to make it new again. Even if the bride isn’t the handiest with a sewing machine, she can try using straight or safety pins, tape, fabric glue or free hand sewing to modify the dress into a one of a kind custom piece.

Taking the dress apart may seem intimidating, but it can be a way to be creative with your wedding dress. The bride may find an ornate bodice she likes but would rather wear it with a skirt and coat for the fall. Tearing the lower portion of the gown off and just using the bodice with a skirt and coat could be quite chic. However, she could like the dramatic style of a flowing gown but hate the outdated bodice or puffy sleeves so she tears the bodice off and pairs the flowing gown with an oversized sweater or cardigan.

Something common with the fall and winter seasons is layering; why not layer with your wedding dress? Finding a vintage sweater, cardigan, or a winter coat can bring freshness to the dress. Other items that could be used as accessories are broaches, buttons, and earrings sewn on for an added layered detail or a gorgeous vintage winter hat. It might be possible that the bride has reusable items in her own closet she can use for her gown like using a belt or piece of ribbon to cinch in the waist of the layered dress.

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Dear 573,

My name is Kate Sechrest. I am nominating (with consent) a student of mine for the Cinderella contest. She is perfect for the contest, so much so, that she would never dream of writing this letter. She is so humble and modest, especially for a high school girl, that it is extremely endearing.

Her name is Danielle Forest. She is a sophomore at Central High School in Park Hills. She loves science, math, reading, and sports. She plays on the JV basketball team and runs track. She has a wonderful sense of humor and enjoys a good laugh, even if the joke is on her. She is unique. Unlike many of her peers, Danielle is not easily embarrassed, does not spend large amounts of time on her looks (which is one main reason why I am nominating her), and does not get involved in the drama, gossip, or negativity that can come with high school.

Danielle’s regular school outfit is green sweatpants, a green sweatshirt, her green purse, tennis shoes, a messy ponytail, glasses, and a book to read. Her interesting look and her big smile instantly draws your attention. She is nice to everyone and never speaks a negative word. She is a good role model for others because she is just being herself. She is athletic, academic, and an all-around great kid and student. I am proud to say I know Danielle. And if I am lucky enough, one day I will have a daughter as sweet, humble, modest, unique, and exceptional as Danielle.

Well, I have a twenty-year-old brother in the National Guard named Nick and a half brother, Bruce Jr. who is in college. My mom’s name is Mary. I love her so much because she is always there for me when I need her. She and my dad have given me so much love. My grandma’s name is Verna; she keeps me grounded and always takes care of my friends and me. I enjoy spending time with my family camping, fishing, and floating on the rivers. My dad and I enjoy fishing and hunting together.

I’m a junior in high school. I participate in marching band; I play the bass drum. I also play basketball and run track. I have the high jump record at my high school. I was just inducted into the National Honor Society. I help my friend Georgia coach a kindergarten soccer team. In the future, I want to major in biology so I can have several choices for my future.

The shoot was an incredible experience for me. I never thought I would have the chance to do something like that. Normally, I never fix my hair or wear makeup.

Noelle, the clothing stylist, and Tom, the editor, were supportive and walked me through the shoot. I really want to thank 573 for giving me the opportunity.

Chuck at Synergy Salon was amazing. I was really nervous. He made me feel at ease. I was surprised at the outcome of my hair and makeup.

The clothing was totally different than what I normally wear. Noelle was creative and made feel like it wasn’t my first photo shoot. I normally wear sweat pants, a t-shirt and tennis shoes. The dresses, skirts, and shoes blew my mind.

It was one of the most amazing days I have ever had. I want to thank everyone for their kindness and confidence in me.


My name is Rafael Figueroa. I am a surgeon at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center. I married my soul mate, Carla, during medical school. Soon we were blessed with our own precious family with the arrival of Samuel and Samantha. Our journey has brought us to the very welcoming city of Farmington where we have lived for the past three years. Although I could not have been any prouder of my family and our professional and personal achievements, I must say I felt like I was missing something.

I came to the realization how physically out of shape I was and how much weight I had gained during this adventure of early married life. I weighed 200 pounds. That’s over 40 pounds gained from my baseline: not good, especially for a medical doctor.

At first I tried some simple diets, attempting to eat healthier by decreasing sweets and junk food. I was only able to lose four or five pounds, but I really did not feel any better.

I started to hear about running from friends and coworkers. I noticed how excited and how involved they were with this hobby. I decided to give it a shot. I had never run seriously before, and at the beginning it was very was difficult. I spent more time walking and gasping for air than actually running. It didn’t take any time at all before I started to see improvement in my endurance. I started to get more and more excited about this cool outdoor activity.

Contrary to what I thought, instead of being tired from running, I actually had more energy than ever. I stopped dragging my feet when playing with my kids after a long day of work. Many times my children were the ones who had to pick up the pace to keep up with me! I have also noticed I have more energy and time for my wife. Once she saw the transformation I was going through, she began to run and feel better, too.

Running has given me not only a physical activity but also a feeling of well being, less stress, and that boost I need to make it through my everyday life. I also lost close to 20 pounds in a couple of months without any major change in my diet.

I now have lost 40 pounds and I find myself hooked with this activity and breaking my own goals. I also learned that the best way to continue the motivation to run is to enroll for a race. I did my first half marathon last year. In October I plan to run the St. Louis Marathon—26.2 miles. It is hard to find the time to run with our busy lives, but I feel that’s just part of the hobby. I am even more excited about running now that my wife has been bitten by the running bug. She will be running her first half marathon this year…

We went to Maine for my first full marathon, the Sugarloaf. We then went to Caribou, Maine to visit some friends.

The marathon was a great experience. It was a beautiful outdoor run though lakes and mountains during the off season at the ski resort. It was by far my toughest physical challenge. I finished in 4hr 50 min, not as good as I wanted but, hey, it was a thrill to just finish! I did “hit the wall” around 19th mile. That was when the physical and mental challenge really started. Carla and the kids did catch up with me twice during the run (in the car of course)... And they waited for me close to the finish line. I carried Samantha for the last quarter mile and we crossed the finish line together! I will never forget that feeling.

There is enough negativity flying around to choke a jackass, or an elephant for that matter. With the coming election (like every election) we are told by many politicians that the world will come to an end unless, of course, they get elected. It makes you feel just like giving up. But I refuse to give up and I refuse to be a negative person. Instead of giving up, I say give in. Yep! Just give in to the yea-sayer that lives deep in your heart. It may be the nay-sayers of the world that get all the attention, but in the end, the yea-sayers always get the prize. Being a yea-sayer helps you to stay focused on not giving up, and there are many reasons not to give up. The 573 Magazine works hard to lift up and inspire our readers. I’m not a perfect person and I’m not a bad person. I’m just a regular person -like all the rest. But nevertheless, as the editor, every time I print my positive thoughts in this magazine I get plenty of emails. Ninety-nine percent of the feedback is well-wishing and positive; others are giving me the what for. They comment on things like, “Why should anyone care what you think,” or “You are only making me feel bad by being positive when really there’s no hope,” or “You don’t have my problems...” I can tell you I spend a lot of time responding to those letters—each and every one—because I truly believe it is important to never give up and I truly believe you can fulfill your dreams. After all, you live in the greatest country on earth with every opportunity at your fingertips.

You are stronger than you can ever imagine, no matter what your situation. If you want something bad enough you have to face the setbacks and failures that are sure to get in your way. A simple failure cannot be the catalyst to stop you from achieving your dreams, neither can 10 set backs or 100 failures or 1000 dishes of bad luck pie... NEVER GIVE UP.

I am oftentimes asked the question, “Who wants life to keep knocking them down only to struggle back to your feet to get knocked back down? What’s the point?” To that I say, “THAT IS THE POINT!” Getting knocked down is what life is all about. It’s how you handle the fall and your ability to stay in the fight that makes you who you are. (Remember: It’s not the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog.) If one person can do something, then you can do it, too. Get up. Get out there. Never give up.

Don’t sell yourself short. There are always going to be many people who will try to bring you down and tell you what you want to achieve is not possible. Don’t let anyone destroy your dreams. Never give in to the nay-sayer. They are always trying to bring you down to make themselves feel better. They gossip. They give their negative opinions. They don’t like others to be happy.

I got a letter once saying that it’s just not true that you can grow up to be president. It’s not realistic and I shouldn’t keep telling people they could grow up to be president. He went on to say, “What if 10,000 7th-graders believe what you are saying? Are they all going to become president?” To that I say no. Obviously, there will not be 10,000 Presidents. Just the ones who wanted it the most and the ones who refused to give up will get the chance to make it. A scarier thought is this: What if NONE of them believe they can be president?

Keep in mind that you continually examine your reasons for wanting something badly enough to not give up. It’s the not giving up combined with the yea-sayer spirit that WILL lead to success. If you set out to be president and along the way you become interested in archeology, then you become an archeologist. If you set out to become president and decide the effort is too great and the journey is not desirable enough, then you can use what you’ve learned and move into a new interest. You simply choose to say yes to something else. But if you truly want to be President, you truly can. You may have to possess the right skills and you may have to do things you don’t like, but the opportunity still exists. And truth be told, most presidents really don’t get the “I want to be the president itch” until their forties.

You see, the yea-sayer is so excited and turned on about life that they use their imagination and “just do it”. It’s in the doing and failing where they get the experience and tough skin that keeps them going until they can reach their goal.

You have some financial distress. Never give up. You come from a broken family. Never give up. You suffer from depression. Someone always has it worse. Never give up. Your health is bad. It will either get better or this day is as good as it going to get. Never give up. You need a better job. Start looking. Never give up. You’re getting older with no great future? Get back to school. Never give up. You have no support system. Find some. Never give up. You think there is nothing to hope for. There is. Never give up.

AS LONG AS YOU ARE ABOVE GROUND ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. Keep fighting. Keep fighting. Keep fighting. Never give up.

Parades, football, pumpkin pie, family, hospitality, freedom and sometimes negativity... Thanksgiving means different things to different people. Me, I’m a purist. I simply like one day where people are thankful for what they have. One day when we make a giant dinner and people gather to feast. One week of turkey leftovers. (You know what I’m talking about!) I’m sure there’s room in our busy society to have one day dedicated to the memories of our family present and past. It’s the one thing that ties us together. No matter what happens your family will always be there, no matter what happened in the past if you are simply willing to be thankful and reach out to them.

Ninety-three- year-old Fleeta Rodewald, affectionately known as Granny, moved with her parents to Qulin, MO in 1935, when their family farm in Tennessee was purchased by the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority). She was a mere sixteen years-old. Several of the homesteaders from the Tennessee area had relocated to Qulin to find work and land. She remembers well going through the Great Depression and speaks of President Hoover and the state of the country like it was yesterday.

Three years later, Granny met and married John Rodewald, who was born and raised in Qulin. Together, Fleeta and he worked hard, lived tight and saved any amount of money they had in order to purchase land of their own.

As the years passed, the Rodewald family grew. Daughter Marcella was born in 1939; another daughter, named Kate, in 1941; and then a son, Tony, in 1956. Their farm also grew through the years.

In 1953, Fleeta got a job at the post office. Many days she would finish work there and then go home to work in the field, driving a tractor and/or picking cotton. After retiring from the post office, she continued helping John on the farm. Their children were taught to work hard and save their money, but to always give a helping hand to those in need.

Even now at 93, one can pass by Fleeta’s house and often times see her in the bean field hoeing weeds. Her children and grandchildren dare not get on to her about it. They’ve tried, but she tells them, “I’d rather be out in the field doing something than sitting in the house doing nothing.” Doing nothing is foreign to Fleeta. Even if she is not feeling well, she will still be shelling purple peas, hulling pecans, or baking pies.

Fleeta’s great granddaughter Kristen moved to Qulin from Nashville in February. Kristen had never lived in Qulin, or any small town for that matter. When she was younger she would visit, but it wasn’t until she moved there that she saw first-hand how hardworking and respected Granny is and the true meaning of a close knit family.

“Granny,” according to Kristen, “really is the matriarch of this family.” Even though the quiet little town of Qulin is much different than where Kristen was raised, she cherishes the memories that she makes with Granny. “Granny and my grandmother Kate always help others, whether it is giving them food from their garden or cooking for families who have lost loved ones,” Kristen says, “Sometimes, living in a bigger town, it’s difficult to slow down because we tendto get too busy with life.”

Thanksgiving dinner is a big event in the family with 35-50 members attending. All bring a side dish or dessert, all gather around the meal for the blessing, and all enjoy the time spent with one another. Sweet memories are spoken of from times past, while new memories are being made—memories that show their grandchildren that they indeed have much to be thankful for.

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Fleeta’s pies, at these dinners, are a cherished family treat. One of the family’s favorites is mincemeat; Thanksgiving isn’t complete without it. She willingly teaches any of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren this special pie recipe.

Mincemeat was developed some 500 years ago, in England, as a way of preserving. Mincemeat pie began as a main course dish with more meat than fruit (a mixture of meat, dried fruits, and spices). Today it’s just the opposite -- a true holiday dessert.

Granny’s Mincemeat Pie*

In medium saucepan combine:1 heaping cup of mince meat (None Such Mincemeat Pie Filling)2/3 cup chopped apples1/2 cup of raisins2 tsp. grated orange peel1 cup water3 Tbs. of flour

Mix until flour is dissolved.

Add in 2 Tbs. of oleo and a dab of lemon juice with 2/3 cup of sugar.Cook until boiling.Once boiling, pour in to 9 inch pie crust.Even out the filling, then roll out dough to cover top of pie withcrust, cutting off edges.Pour about 3 Tbs. of milk over top of crust and sprinkle one tsp of sugar on top.Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until lightly brown.

I never use the entire jar for one pie. It tends to be too strong. I have found out through the years that one heaping cup of None SuchMincemeat filling works best mixed with the other ingredients -more apples... ~Granny

Granny reminds us to always be willing to help those who are down and out if they are sincerely trying to live right, but especially to help family.

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Ryan Meyer is a husband, father, first-grade teacher, former U.S. Marine, and a chain saw artist. When he’s playing the woodcarver role, you’ll find him around Crystal City at The Wood Den doing something very few people can do. He starts with nothing but his hands, chain saws, tools and a log and leaves behind a monumental sculptural piece of art. His shop is easily recognized by the large Paul Bunyan wood sculpture out front. The Wood Den started as Ryan’s father’s custom woodworking business in St. Louis back in 1976, and was revived in 2001 when Ryan developed his own idea of woodworking. The shop is currently expanding across the street into a large warehouse space.

Ryan’s sculpting process starts with an order from a customer. The special requests can call for a variety of creations made of anything from a huge stump in the front yard to a small log from his shop. Ryan plans the artwork before he physically starts by first envisioning what he’s going to carve and then how he’s going to carve it. He explains that one of the most challenging parts of the job is choosing the right piece of wood for the sculpture; a stump in a customer’s yard can be most challenging. When Ryan physically starts working the piece of wood, he begins with a large chain saw to get the general shape. As he gets more detailed, his tools get smaller and smaller, down to hand-tools and sanders. The final step of the process is finishing the wood with a sealer that has to be routinely reapplied.

It’s one thing to read about this process, but another thing entirely to watch Ryan at work. I met up with Ryan at The Wood Den where he was sculpting a beaver out of a small, cherry log. He mentioned, before the interview, how hard it can be working in the extreme temperatures and weather conditions. When I arrived for the shoot, I immediately understood what he meant; I was soaked in sweat just watching him work. Ryan also mentioned the physical dangers of working with chain saws and giant pieces of wood. In 2004 Ryan had a tree fall on him. He woke up in the hospital a few days later with numerous broken bones. He has also cut himself with the chain saw. Last year, he lost one of his fingers in a bad accident. Ryan’s first grade students find his missing finger intriguing. According to Ryan, it’s all worth it to get to do what he loves.

Although juggling family, a teaching career and woodcarving gets a little hectic, you can tell Ryan is passionate about what he does. His favorite part of his job is putting on his headphones and getting “in the zone” as he works. His goal is to provide his customers with art they can’t get anywhere else. When I left Ryan, he was getting ready to start work on an eight-foot humpback whale.

To learn more about The Wood Den and Ryan Myer’s work go to www.wood-den.com.

Taylor said, “The overall attitude in my community growing up did not really push high self-expectations; fortunately, my parents did. They helped me find my niche and let me run with it! Performing in St. Louis as a hobby all of those years opened me up to different perspectives. I began to understand the amount of work it would take to achieve my dreams and suddenly it all felt obtainable. If there’s one thing I hope my story can do is to inspire a single kid whose footsteps I was in - just 5 years ago - to go after that dream no matter how big it may be. And there’s always permission to change it, but by settling one is simply limiting their own happiness. Although I must say, it’s not so much where I am today, but the journey I took to get here. I’ve learned so much, failed so much, and struggled so much, but without all of that I wouldn’t be proud to say I am living my dream.”


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We wanted our girls to grow up much in the same fashion as we did; near family, in a small town with a sense of belonging... we wanted them to have a place to call home. I am a hometown girl, raised in this area with most of my family still within a few short miles. My parents are in their 70’s now and it has been a wonderful blessing to have the opportunity to raise our girls so close to them. In 1998, we made the decision to stop climbing the corporate ladder and decided to make Bourbon home for our girls. We have five daughters, Taylor (21) living in NYC, Olivia (17), Hannah (16) and Madison & Morgan (twins age 9) living at home in Bourbon with us. Roger, my husband, is in executive management with Wal-Mart Distribution. I manage our rental business, and we own a convenience store in town. We bought that business when I was 8 months pregnant with twins…we were soon to have five daughters, not sure what were we thinking?!?!

Our days and nights are very, very full and our house has a revolving door for all the friends that spend countless hours at our home. Olivia and Hannah are on the dance team, Madison and Morgan play soccer and take gymnastics, and Hannah also plays junior varsity volleyball. Thankfully, she just started driving! If we are not running one of the twins to soccer or gymnastics, then we are going to watch Hannah play volleyball or going to football games to watch her and Olivia perform their dance routine at halftime. We do not like the idea of missing any of their events. We have certainly become accustomed to a very hectic, busy, full and extremely rewarding lifestyle….we would not want it any other way. Did I mention I will be going to NYC to see Taylor in October and again in November? With the help and support of family, all things are possible…. :-) I am grateful!

Taylor started dance at the age of three when she made her dancing debut in her first recital with her dad by her side; it was adorable. However, singing is what she will tell you she does best. She considers herself a singer that can dance. She graduated high school in the top 10 percent of the class of 2009.

In the spring of 2001, we had a friend tell us about auditions for the musical “Annie” that was going to be performed at Ozark Actors Theatre in Rolla. Taylor loved the movie, knew the words to every song and probably auditioned without an ounce of stage fright because she was so familiar with the music. I was not at the audition but I can clearly remember all the nervous moms sitting outside the steps of the theatre trying to listen closely to every note each girl sang. Taylor’s audition went well and she received a callback during our 30-minute drive home.

Callbacks the following day were with co-director, Edward Coffield, who is currently with the St. Louis Repertory Theater. Edward walked out of the theatre and asked if we had any objection to her dying her hair red, and it was at that moment I knew she was going to be their Annie. I was such a proud mom! That summer I suddenly had a little redhead that had to rise early during show days to have her hair curled by her grandmother and me. The community fair that summer would be slightly embarrassing for her with curlers in her hair, but she insisted on going.

Taylor was always busy in high school and rarely had down time. If she was not driving to St. Louis for rehearsals, voice or dance lessons, she was studying or practicing basketball or soccer. She rarely had time to fit anything else in her schedule. I recall her being upset more than once when she missed homecoming and dances. Our family would spend countless hours and miles driving over an hour each way to and from St. Louis for rehearsals, dance and voice lessons, and shows. Many of those trips were made with her four sisters in tow. I was always thankful for the portable CD players we had. They were a lifesaver in entertaining her younger sisters on all those trips in and out of the city. When she turned sixteen, it was bittersweet but we gave in and let her drive herself to and from the city. Allowing her to drive took a lot of pressure off her dad and me but created another stress in worrying that she would make each trip safely.

While in her teens, Taylor spent several summers at the Muny in St. Louis and was fortunate to work with so many talented professionals in the business. She also befriended and looked up to the college students that were spending their summers working at the Muny. She dreamed of being in their shoes one day.

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While working with those college students, she gained an overwhelming amount of knowledge about the colleges and universities with the best musical theatre programs. Hands down, The University of Michigan had the most prestigious musical theatre school in the country accepting approximately 20 students into their program per year. I remember her senior year in high school as it was yesterday; at times thinking I was more stressed than she was. The college application process for a musical theater major is very involved and complex: the ACT test, the application deadlines, the audition prep, song choices, monologues, resumes and essays. Each university had different application criteria. I remember making a spreadsheet of each college’s application requirements. Taylor knew her dream school was a long shot, and she knew she needed a backup plan. She decided six universities was a good number, and if she was not good enough to get into one of the six she auditioned for, then she was going to look at other career options. Her auditions went well and she was awarded scholarships to some of the programs.

Ahhh, the show! It has been an incredibly amazing journey for her and our family and friends. It all began in October of 2010, early in her sophomore year at the University of Michigan when she received an email from Rachel Hoffman, casting director for “Bring It On“(BIO). Rachel was interested in auditioning Taylor for the part of Skylar in the upcoming out of town Atlanta tryout. She took a day off school and flew to NY to audition and was back at U of M within 24 hours--all while rehearsing for the upcoming U of M Musket production of Aida. She received a callback but was suffering from bronchitis. And it was tech week for Aida so Hoffman asked her to put herself on tape. That was the end of that! She received positive feedback about her audition but did not get the part of Skylar for the Atlanta production.

Later in her sophomore year she received yet another email from Rachel saying that the “Bring It On” (BIO) director could not get her off his mind and wanted her to come back to NY to audition for the lead role of Campbell for the BIO Broadway National Tour that was opening in November 11 in Los Angeles. I flew to NY with Taylor May 10, 2011. I did not want her to be there alone and felt she could use some support during this rigorous process. She had three pretty intense days of auditioning, and I can remember meeting up with her at the Telsey Casting office toward the end of the day Friday, her final day of auditions. I had the pleasure of meeting the BIO director, Andy Blankenbuehler. He asked me how I liked NY and I replied, “I love it here!” He said, “Good, because you get to come back one more time for final callbacks.” All I could think at that moment was, “Oh my goodness. This could really happen for her.” Taylor went back to NY for her final callback June 5-9, 2011. I decided not to go with her, but I knew she would be fine as she had the support of a few of her St. Louis theatre friends. She would keep me posted daily on how her callbacks were going.

Taylor was to start rehearsals for Muny’s Legally Blonde on June 9 but due to the audition for BIO, she was delayed by one day. It would all be okay because the Muny’s new executive producer, Mike Isaacson, was also one of the producers of Bring It On. He assured her it would be fine for her to miss her first day of “Blonde” rehearsals. She and Isaacson landed in St. Louis early the morning of June 10, time for her to get back to work and her to catch up on what she had missed. Missing one day of rehearsal for a Muny production means a lot of quick learning must take place. I had taken her to the airport to fly out to NY and she was without a car. When I arrived at the Muny around four o’clock that day to pick her up, she walked out quickly putting her things in the car and said, “Hold on.” A few minutes later, Taylor is walking toward me with Mike Isaacson by her side. I had the pleasure of hearing face to face that Taylor was going to be the lead in the Broadway National Tour of “Bring It On”. I shed tears of joy that moment. The announcement was so well orchestrated; they had a conference call, called her out of rehearsal and videotaped the whole thing.

The BIO tour took the cast to 13 cities throughout the country and Canada. I wanted to go to all the cities but only managed to make it to six of the 13. Opening night in LA was so amazing and star-studded! We had over 25 family members and friends there. But I have to say having her home for two weeks while the show was playing at the Fox was the best! She was so well supported; I think the Fox saw a lot of first timers during BIO’s run in St. Louis. While the show was here, the cast performed a JDRF benefit honoring Taylor’s sister, Madison, newly diagnosed with TYD1 (type one diabetes). The benefit was spectacular and the cast welcomed the opportunity to perform something outside of BIO.

While the cast was never certain the show was going to Broadway, there was much talk about it throughout the tour. It was while they were performing in Toronto, Canada, that Mike Isaacson made a surprise visit and stepped out on stage to announce to the BIO company that they were headed to Broadway. I received a call from Taylor just moments later. What a special moment that was, hearing your daughter tell you she is going to star in a Broadway show.

The tour ended in Toronto June 3. Taylor flew home on the 4th and she and I made the trip back to NYC on the 9th to get her settled into an apartment and make her first public appearance walking the red carpet at the Tony Awards to promote BIO on Broadway. They did not waste time and were back at it rehearsing June 11th. The show underwent major changes before the August 1st opening night. There is nothing quite like an opening night on Broadway. It was amazing! I could probably go on for days about the week we had in NY with 28 family and friends.

“Bring It On” is playing at the St. James Theatre on 44th Street in the heart of the Theatre District in Times Square. Taylor performs eight shows a week Tuesday through Sunday. The show opened as a limited engagement through Oct. 7, 2012, but has been extended through January 20. She has been busy attending press events, and recently performed for Joe’s Pub, Broadway on Broadway and Diva Night. She signed autographs for Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids (BCEFA) Flea Market Fundraiser, and along with the BIO cast, recorded a song for Broadway’s Carols for a Cure and of course the original BIO cast album.

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This opportunity came so unexpectedly and so quickly for Taylor, it is crazy to think how many people out there would love to be in her shoes. She is often told how “lucky” she is to be where she is and although she will not disagree, she will be quick to say that luck is when preparation meets opportunity. She was prepared, the opportunity was there and she got the part!

Taylor has always been driven; a bit of an overachiever. Her goal from a very young age was to be on Broadway. Occasionally she would think of exploring other career choices but she always seemed to revert back to what she was most comfortable with…..performing. Like all performers, she has had her share of setbacks and rejections. She would question herself when she failed to get a certain part, always over analyzing and wondering what she could have done differently. I have done a ton of consoling throughout the years, as she has always been very tough on herself. Her dad and I would stress to her how difficult it was to make it in the business and we would joke that she might someday find herself waiting tables in NYC. We were not trying to persuade her or push her in a different direction. We simply wanted her to understand and be realistic about the business and how very few actually make a living working as an actor. We always supported her decision knowing how difficult the road might be.

Aside from her family, Taylor had a few key people that really believed in her and encouraged her to follow her dreams. Her high school English teacher, Tia Lewis Marquino, was one of them. She was a remarkable teacher, very instrumental in Taylor’s college application process, and today is a great friend. Lisa Campbell, her voice teacher, and Lara Teeter, her dance instructor, always believed in her and were great role models and motivators. They are both ultimate professionals of their craft, highly in demand, yet always seemed to be able to juggle their schedules and fit her in for a lesson.

Taylor will also tell you one of the things that kept her motivated to pursue her dreams was the fact that she was from a small town. Being from a small town does not mean you are small-minded. She was always one to step outside the box a little--whether it was putting over 100,000 miles on her car in four years driving in and out of the city, a drama camp in NY, or Illinois, Missouri Fine Arts Academy in Springfield, or going to college nine hours away from home--those experiences are what molded, shaped her and gave her confidence to keep believing in herself and her abilities. She is proud to say she is from a town “Where the cattle population exceeds the human population.” Her Twitter account says, “I am from the country and I like it that way”. One of the things she misses most about home (aside from her family) is her car; she says she misses the long drives in and out of the city where she could sing as loud as she wanted and no one could hear her.


My name is Becky Long, and my husband Shawn and I live in Ste. Genevieve. Fall has always been my favorite time of year, but in 2005 it became even more so! My now husband and I were talking about marriage at that time and had searched EVERYWHERE for the perfect ring. I had finally found a ring that I was in love with at a local jewelry store; however, it was only available as sterling silver costume jewelry. I sadly continued to search. Unbeknownst to me, my husband went back to the store, bought the ring and took it to a nearby jeweler who was able to re-create the ring from a mold. As if that wasn’t romantic enough, my husband actually had him use some of the diamonds from his grandmother’s ring in mine. Then, on my birthday, October 15, we went on a tour of the Ste. Genevieve wineries, ending at my favorite...Charleville. It was right at dusk on a stunning fall day. Hay bales were circled around a bonfire that cast a warm glow. Shawn and I walked to the edge of the vineyards just to take it all in. He asked me if I had gotten everything I wanted for my birthday. I told him I had, and he proceeded to tell me that he had one more surprise for me as he dropped to one knee. I cried (happy tears of course) and was shocked as he slipped THE ring onto my finger and told me the story of how it had come to be. Our friends and family were there to celebrate. We were married the following year on October 14th, 2006.

So for me, as cheesy as it may be, fall always reminds me of falling in love and of the day that I married my best friend. Our little family is just the two of us for now—well, plus 3 pugs, 2 cats, 2 rabbits & 23 chickens—but it’s a happy little family nonetheless.

...he proceeded to tell me that he had one more surprise for me as he dropped to one knee.

Hello Bob and 573 Team,I’m sorry to read about Mo’s passing. There are very few things that break your heart more than losing your best furry, friend. The new pup looks like a love and my suggestion for his name is Scout. It sounds like he’s a natural born explorer, and I bet he’ll be like most hike dogs—running up ahead, checking behind and off to either side - scouting! When my dog went on hikes I think he traveled the trail two to three times more because of all the exploring.

Thank you for such a wonderful magazine. My boyfriend and I have just moved from Florida to Farmington so I have only seen two issues, but I’m looking forward to being a subscriber when we find our permanent home. I’m also receiving the Weekend Update emails which got us out of the house to the Jour de Fete last weekend so thank you for that service as well.

Happy hiking. Maybe we’ll see you and Scout out there soon!

Michelle Levesque

Hi Bob,The name that stuck out in my mind when I read the article and saw the pictures of your cute puppy was “Pip.” Short and cute like him. Easyto call. I really enjoy the magazine.

Moya Dix, Black, MO

Good afternoon,I have just finished reading the most recent 573 Magazine from beginning to end and thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved your story about Hughes Mountain and your new puppy. Also, The Arcadia Valley Academy is one of my favorite places and we love to eat there. Your article about Katherine and her husband was great. They have and continue to work very hard at the Academy. I have two suggestions for a name for your new puppy. I first thought of “Hugh” because his first hike was on Hughes Mountain, then I thought “Hewie” sounded cuter. He looks like a Hewie. Thanks for a wonderful magazine.

Carol V. Kelsheimer, Arcadia

Hi!I choose “RUDY!” He looks like a Rudy to me.Dictionary Definition: One who makes even the darkest nights shine with the brightest stars. He mends broken hearts, and makes possible new beginnings. He takes what has been shattered and lovingly puts all the pieces together again. He is tender, sweet, adoring, gentle, and kind- but most of all he loves with a full and open heart. He is the very air that fills the lungs, and the pulse that makes a heartbeat possible. The definition makes my eyes tear up! I hope you like the name I chose :) Have a great day :) He’s very beautiful! Enjoy him :)

Amy Weinkein, Perryville,

573:The dog’s name clearly should be “hiker.”

Casey Hartly

573,Hello. My name is Sara Sue Faulstich and would like to be a part of choosing a name for your new puppy. I lost my dog Bullet in May. He was like a kid to us. My fiancee, Jake Oppermann, and I found a new puppy a few weeks later and named him Trigger. I really like that we picked a name that went along with Bullet’s name!! That is why I think the name Larry would be very cool for your new dog. It would be like the three stooges in a way. Larry and Mo were the original characters. The third stooge had changed a couple times throughout the show. Also it would be cute for him to have a name that is actually a “persons” name because he will be apart of your hiking trips and meet lots of other people. I also had one other idea of naming him Pickles to dedicate his name to Mo’s last hike.

Sara Faulstich

573 Magazine,Sorry to read about your dog MO. I’ve had a rat terrier skipping around me for 11 years, ever since he was a pup of six weeks. Everyone spoiled him until he passed in 2011. He loved to chase toys and to this day I still cry when I think of him. The little dog you have looks like a Skippy to me.

Ann Christsen, Ste. Genevieve

Good Evening Bob,I just read the story on your new puppy. I am so sorry to hear about Mo. Having had dogs my whole life, I know that losing one is a sad experience but I hope you find joy in Huey. That’s right - my suggestion is Huey! in honor of his first hike on Hughes Mountain. Whatever you decide to name him, I am sure he will be a loyal and great companion. By the way my current dogs are named Kipper (a tri-color Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) and Oliver (a black & white Chihuahua).

Jeffrey Robson -St. Louis

573,How about Azmo or Pickle?

Kristen Sherrill

573,We have a rat terrier. She is a feisty one--Maggie Mae is her name. For yours, I suggest Cricket. My wife suggests Saint.

Richard Mabery

Hi,I am submitting a name for your new companion. How about Rocky! since the two of you are busy hiking in this rocky area. Or maybe Rusty! This looks like some of the color in his coat. Maybe Blazer! He will be blazing the trails with you.

Adam Darrell Perry, Bonne Terre, age 11

P.S. I am definitely an animal lover, especially dogs!

Bob,I read with interest your article in the magazine. I am sorry to learn of your loss of little Mo. Your new little friend is a cutie. I have a name I would like to suggest: “Little Skeeter.” I don’t know where I came by this name. It just popped into my head. Good luck finding a new name. If you pick my suggestion, I am Joyce and I live in Fredericktown. I recently moved from Colorado.

Sincerely, Joyce

Good day to you, When visiting Johnson Shut-In’s, I picked up your magazine at the visitor center. What a neat magazine you have! I enjoyed the story about the new puppy in need of a name! I want to offer the name of Rascal for him. I do not know why but when I saw the pictures of the puppy I thought of Rascal Flatts! I have never been to Hughes Mountain but I have heard stories of its beauty. Hope all of you have a good day and I wish the new puppy many happy trails.

Julie Francis

Hello,My name is Karen Coleman. My husband and I are owners of a Pomchi and we also take him everywhere!! (He loves the outdoors!) His Name is Wilbur. When I read about Mo I felt a giant tug at my heart. Our dog is everything to us. I think that the name Kirby would be cute and suiting for the new puppy. Thanks for all the great stories in the 573!! I enjoy them very much.

573:I like the name “Journey” for Bob’s new pup. This little pup has a lifetime of wonderful journeys ahead of him with his new loving owner!

Shannon Richardson

Greetings from Arcadia Valley,I just received my 573 magazine (new subscriber) and I want to extend my condolences to Bob on the loss of Mo. I know what it is like to lose your constant companion as I lost my beloved Sheltie, Maddie, about one year ago. Because Bob meanders along the trail with his dog, I’d like to suggest the name Meander which he could shorten to “Me” if he would like to continue with dog names with two letters. I hope the new pup brings great joy to Bob and he becomes as good of a hiking partner as his beloved Mo. Good luck with picking a name and I hope all your trails are happy ones.

Carol Hopkins

Dear Editor,Please forward to Bob. I would like to submit the name “Sarge” for your new pup. We had a mutual friend whose dad was fondly called Sarge.

Alice Guess Mickey

573:Looking at the new puppy, I think he looks like his name would be Gink. So I would call him Gink, and he is a cute one!!

Rhonda Thompson

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If you’ve been reading my articles you know that I find these little gems as life’s sweet treats for our senses. Often hikes and time spent in nature are more about what you don’t hear and see. On occasion you might hear an airplane, but usually the only sounds you hear are those of nature. The sound of water burbling, the scent and sight of flowers, and the way the breeze wafts around you while you walk seem like signs of a higher power and as such are here for our enjoyment. Slow down along the trail, seek out those gifts and enjoy them.

The other two trails are the Whispering Pines Trail, a ten mile loop, and the White Oaks Trail, a four mile loop. All three trails intersect at some point and if you want, you can traverse all of them in a day. You’ll want to bring along some water or and your water filter plus some high energy snacks if you do. As is usual in Missouri’s parks, the walk is well worth it.

At the .7 mile mark you’ll come to the Whispering Pines Trail and will find a map of the other trails in the park. It is here where we made a left turn, crossed the creek and headed uphill. We paused for water at the top where we sat on the rim rock while Pete drank his fill and we enjoyed the morning chill after a long, hot summer. All along the way we could hear the sound of running water. We listened to the jays scolding hapless forest creatures and noted the territorial drumming of a Pileated woodpecker.

Wildflowers are abundant on this trail. One of my favorite flowers is the Scarlet Catchfly. They are usually found in riparian areas – never in rocky outcroppings, and they seldom grow in large bunches. Instead they tend to grow in “a flower here and a flower there” type of arrangement. We spotted only three on our hike. They are the reddest of red and only about an inch and a half in size. You’ll miss them if you’re not searching for them. Find more on wildflowers at www.uswildflowers.com

In the lower parking lot there is a large pavilion with at least eight picnic tables and a nearby playground for the kids. Also in the area is a large campground with several BBQ pits in case you want to bring along some grill-able items (which I strongly recommend!). We followed the trail back to the parking lot where we enjoyed some sliced apples and Pete had his midmorning snack.

You’ll want to allow an hour for this walk.

The new puppy Pete (now 6 months old and 11 pounds) was along for the hike and trail training. We hiked up the creek stopping along the way several times to let Pete sniff first here then there. He’s learning quickly and is exhibiting good manners along the trail as we encountered other hikers. I think he’ll be a great companion.


I had such a great time exploring Hawn State Park with Bob and Pete! Growing up in Perryville my dad always took us to local state parks and conservation areas when we would visit family in Farmington and Ironton on the weekends. I’ve definitely kept the tradition alive with my own kids now that I live in Farmington. I love that we have such an abundance of beautiful and FUN places that we can hike and swim right in our own backyard. It’s not unusual for my family to make day trips to Pickle Springs, St. Joe Park, Johnson Shut Inns, Amidon Conservation Area, Elephant Rocks, Trail of Tears or Sam A Baker. We pack a cooler, some sunscreen, a bottle of bug spray, and then we hit the road. Besides, there can’t be a better way to get a little exercise, make some memories, teach my little ones about the awesome natural area we live in, and wear the kids out—all for FREE!

Marisa Zaricor


“What’s your favorite wine?” was the first question I asked Terry Steele, owner of Steele Crest Winery when I met him. He didn’t waste any time to respond, “I don’t know, I really prefer beer.” I knew I was going to get along with this guy!

Terry, a self-confessed ex-hippie, is a man of many talents: musician, wine maker, artist, and cat lover. Terry and his wife Sheila spent three years building the winery before it opened last October. Located just outside Jackson, the Steele Crest Winery is surrounded by rolling pastures and horse ranches. It makes for a very relaxing Saturday afternoon.

Terry’s guiding philosophy is “Quality. Quality. Quality.” He makes his 16 red, fruit and white wines with a Spanish flair which you can taste. He and Sheila make frequent trips to Spain combining business and pleasure with sightseeing and wine and Port tasting. While there, Terry works in the vineyards and wine making facilities where he learns to make wine and continues to hone his art.

One of the main attractions to Steele Crest is the brick oven pizza. Steele Crest boasts the tallest outdoor, wood-fired pizza oven in Missouri. The brick, for the oven, was recycled from a brothel in Cairo, Illinois. The seven available pizza are delicious with just the right char on the crust that only comes from the high-temperatures of the wood-burning oven. There’s really nothing like brick oven pizza to give crust a nice smoky taste. Everything, including the sauce, is made fresh from hand selected ingredients.

Terry’s other passion is music. “Many of the people who work at the winery can jam with the entertainers,” Terry told me. “The patio and wrap-around porch provide the audience an unobstructed view of the bands.” Terry is especially proud of his rebuilt sound system and only lets one guy use this equipment. “And I don’t like cover songs,” Terry said. “I insist that the bands play original tunes most of the time.”

Southeast Missouri is lucky to have as many wineries and wine options as we do. As a sommelier and wine educator, I think it is wonderful that people have a chance to enjoy a nice day out in the sun, take in great entertainment, and have an opportunity to support truly local wines and entertainment venues so close to home.

Steele Crest Winery is located in Jackson at 2055 State Highway Y. They’re open Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

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573: Tell us about yourself.

My name is Brian Noto. I’m originally from Southern California, the 714 to be exact. I have four children, two boys and two girls, who still live in California. I have a wonderful wife, Quantella, who I actually met in Cape when I first moved here in 2005. She is the Director of the Hospitality Management Program at Southeast Missouri State University.

573: What brought you to the area?

I like to tell people the Witness Protection Program just to see if they are listening, but most people are on to me pretty quickly. Prior to moving here, I lived in Denver where I ran a magazine and trade show. I moved to Cape to work with my old friend building electric cars, doing a weekly TV show, and starting an annual trade conference.

573: How did you get into the magazine industry?

I started in the magazine business in 1986 and have mostly been in the media ever since. My first jobs were working for Enthusiast Publications in the automotive and outdoor markets. I have worked as an editor, photographer, sales manager, and publisher. My first love is publishing and it’s great to see 573 not only bringing local and regional interest stories to this market, but continuing to expand its presence and solidify the market.

573: Tell us about your wine experience.

My wine experience really began with beer. The first publishing company I worked with had a magazine titled All About Beer which is still being published. We would get beer in the mail (pretty cool, huh?) to taste. When I traveled around North America, covering auto shows and races I would look up micro breweries, go by and taste the beer. It was a natural transition into wine tasting. After a while I started testing the knowledge I had accumulated by earning certifications with the most prestigious organizations like the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Society of Wine Educators.

There is a group of people from De Soto, Dream Catcher Paranormal, who actually offer ghost hunting tours. That’s right. For a few dollars, the group will lead you through an old, abandoned psychiatric hospital, or a Civil War graveyard, or a converted funeral home chucked full of wayward spirits.

The Dream Catcher Paranormal team, founded in 2010, is dedicated to finding the answers to your “bumps in the night”. The group investigates the paranormal with scientific equipment, cameras and voice recorders to find these answers. They even have experienced trackers for those who believe they spotted Big Foot, the Chupacabra or UFOs.

Most events that occur can be explained through rational thought and thorough investigation. However, there are certain occasions where one might question strange events occurring and/or might feel threatened. This is where founder Donnie Dixon,” The Paranormal Biker,” and his organization can provide the help that you are seeking. They handle any investigations from houses, factories, hospitals, properties to graveyards. And yes... if you think Big Foot or aliens are peepin’ in your window, this paranormal team will get to the bottom of it. They are also available for consultations, group meetings, and lectures.

We decided to follow them on a hunt.

The ghost hunt was an interesting experience to say the least. The ghost hunters were such friendly people, and I could just tell how much ghost hunting really meant to them. I had no idea how much equipment went into it! I loved hearing their ghost stories from all the exciting and terrifying ghost hunting adventures they have been on. I have always known Annie Laurie’s had some kind of spirit behind it, but whoa that was some night! Laurie Everett -property owner

One of the oldest remaining buildings on Broadway, in Cape Girardeau, is a two-story residential building built in the early 1800’s that was later converted into a funeral home. In 1930, Mr. Brinkopf’s daughter Erna married Joe G. Howell, who took ownership of the business as Brinkopf-Howell Funeral Home. Henry W. Grossheider and family later took over the business and kept the name. Today it is Annie Laurie’s Antiques. While working with Laurie Everett she mentioned experiencing various unexplainables. Ahh, the perfect location for the hunt. We contacted the Paranormal Biker to get to the bottom of all this. Oh yeah, did I mention the full moon? No matter what you believe this was one scary night.

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My name is Donnie Dixon, aka The Paranormal Biker, and the founder of Dream Catcher Paranormal. My fiancée Wilma Johnson (also my case manager) and I are paranormal Investigators. We like to travel on my 1980 Goldwing that I’m in the process of restoring. I’m actually making some modifications to hold video cameras in order to get a different aspect on “rolling up on a case”.

In 2010, I started putting out ads for team members on Facebook and I had several interviews with people. Wilma was one of them. Then I was contacted by Jeffco Paranormal Society with an offer to join their team. Wilma and I joined their team for awhile before going off on our own. Well, in time our friendship grew and that’s how our paranormal love story began.

I have always been into Big Foot and UFOs. Once though, I had a puppy about six-months-old and it died of Parvo. After that I started seeing a small, black shadow out of the corner of my eye. The cabinet where I kept his food would always be open. Even after I would close it and leave, it would be open when I came back home. I started asking myself, “Do animals have spirits?”

Last year we went on our first Investigation at a mental hospital. We loved it so much that we talked with the realtor and owner of the building about allowing other people in to experience this amazing, haunted hospital. How it works is that when everyone arrives (no more than 5 people at a time to keep contamination down to a minimum) we take them on a daylight tour of the hospital and give them some history and stories of what we have experienced. When night falls, we begin our investigation.

When investigating, we cannot force spirits to make their presence known to us all the time. But on most nights we hear knocking, Footsteps, and/or doors slamming. Sometimes there are things thrown about—mostly at Wilma. For some reason they love her. We have also witnessed shadow people and balls of bright light coming toward us down the hallway. We always have a great time with all of our guests, even if it is not the most active of nights.


In the Viewing Room: Wilma was trying to communicate with the spirits. She kept hearing what sounded like small bangs or pinging sounds. She then got touched on the back of her right arm and had the sensation of someone feeling her hair.

The Basement: We were doing an Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) session, and we kept hearing foot steps above us on the main floor. Laurie went up to check and there was no one in there. The footsteps continued for the whole time we were in the basement. It sounded like a small child running at one point.

Donnie went into the crawl space to do an EVP session. While there, Wilma and Nathan heard a disembodied voice (which sounded like a woman) say “A-ha.” And on the air duct we heard some tapping noises. The air duct was not working so it could not have been from temperature fluctuations.

We went back in the Viewing Room for our last session. Laurie was also with us. We where noticing some ticking noises. We discovered it was two wind-up alarm clocks which were not working when we were in there for the first session. They were also relocated on the other side of the room.

The pictures you sent to us: The one on the left is motion blur from Wilma’s flashlight. The picture on the right is unexplained. We had no equipment with green lights in this area; this could be the energy that Wilma was feeling which some people call “string energy.”


When some people think of the YMCA, they might think of summer camp for kids. There is much, much more than that going on at the YMCA Trout Lodge near Potosi. For more than 50 years, the Trout Lodge has been helping families get away from it all. And when I say “all” I mean it literately, all inclusive. The best thing about a stay at the Y is not so much what you get away from, but what you get away to.

Each year, thousands of families, students, reunions, campers, corporate groups and religious retreats stay at the YMCA Trout Lodge and Camp Lakewood to relax, spend time together, and learn new skills. There’s something for everyone at Trout Lodge…from archery, zip lines, boating, hiking, to geo-caching, 4 star golf, bonfires, wall climbing, astronomy, skeet shooting, arts and crafts, and horseback riding. There is also something romantic and peaceful about the place. The moment you check in, the staff begins to put you in a new state of mind. It’s the same way you feel around Christmas time. Everyone is helpful and nice, and you soon find yourself in that mode. You can feel the stress pouring off your body. When you get to your room or cabin, the first thing you realize is there is no television to distract your mind: just you and the beauty and the peace. No stress, just your mind at ease.

A while ago we heard about a young couple who have been under a lot of stress. The husband recently lost his job of five years. Now he is a stay-at-home dad. The money the family saved by not dropping the kids off at day care, along with his drive and other expenses of his hour commute, nearly outweighed his old salary. But having to raise and take care of a three- and five- year-old is stressful work for anyone, let alone for a new Mr. Mom. It seemed like the perfect match—a struggling young couple with two young kids and a stay at the “Y”! When I contacted the marketing manager of the Y, Allison Gill, she loved the idea of having a local couple stay for the weekend. Allison told me a large number of her guests come from St. Louis and from out of state so she thought the idea of introducing local folks to the Trout Lodge was a good one. Many people don’t know that the Trout Lodge is open to non-members. Also, the name Trout Lodge can be a bit deceiving because it really is not a trout lodge at all.

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Located on 5,200 acres of forest-covered hills in Missouri’s Eastern Ozarks, the YMCA offers guests a variety of lodging options including hotel-style rooms and loft rooms, private forest view and lake view cabins, and rustic, dorm-style cabins. All accommodations come fully equipped with gorgeous views of the Mark Twain National Forest and many have stunning views of Sunnen Lake. Also included are a world-class golf course and a thoughtful dining room (perhaps one of the best things about the place) with both comfort food and healthy choices. The food service director, Rex Isgriggs, takes great pride in his commission of making the food as healthy and as tasty as possible. The three days we were there the meals were very good. No two meals were alike. The buffet includes a food bar, salad bar, kid’s bar, dessert bars (with sugar-free selections), and a drink station.

My name is Jerrod and I’m 32 years old. I am married to Andrea (Annie) who is 27. We live in Scott City. We have two great kids: Kenny is 5 and Gabby is 3. I recently became a stay-at home dad after I was laid off of my job at a production plant. I wasn’t planning on leaving my job, but that’s the way things go. My wife works at The Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Cape Girardeau which is a great job. As a family, we like to go to the park, camping and swimming in the summer. In the colder months we enjoy bonfires and curling up on the sofa watching some TV.

They set our couple up in a forest view cabin nestled in the woods. When I tell you it is a quiet get-a-way; I’m not kidding. The only one not happy to see us was a grumpy old ground hog, but he got over it soon and went back to nibbling grass. When you first step into the cabin the thing that strikes you is the space you are given and the large fireplace. Everything is thoughtfully arranged from dry wood and fire starters, to clean white sheets. Two bedrooms, two baths with showers, roll away beds and a pull out sofa... The cabin sleeps 10. Two things the cabin does not have is a kitchen, you don’t need one and a tv, you don’t need one of those either. There are so many things to do, all included, that you are too tired from all the fun you have to worry about what’s on tv.

The dining room was big and the views of the lake were awesome. The picture windows were from floor to ceiling, and there was not one bad view. The three days we spent there we never had to wait in line for food. The food service director, Rex Isgriggs, told me, “Quality and variety are key to feeding folks on a get-a-way in the fall. Some want comfort food after a hard day of hiking while others want low fat meals after a hard day of doing nothing.”

We at 573 caught up with our couple during a canoe trip, a hike, a pony ride and a night bonfire event. The outstanding event for me was the “Songs, skits and s’mores bonfire”. It was like nothing I had ever seen. Sure the bonfire was massive and lit up the cool, moonless night—that was great. But it was the staff that had the audience (including around one hundred kids, mostly 10 to 15 years of age) worked into a frenzy. When I came up over the hill, it was an amazing sight set against the backdrop of the lake. The staff was putting on quite a show telling jokes, singing songs and performing skits... They would teach the audience their roles and within a few moments the entire audience was participating. This maybe the best benefit to a stay at the Y, the ever thoughtful staff trained in ways to get everyone involved, especially the children.

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I walked away from the entire experience totally understanding why the Trout Lodge is a perfect place to bring a family. It’s all very simple. If you want to climb a wall, ride a horse, play golf, or just sit in front of the fireplace, you can do it here without having to worry too much about the safety of your kids. And out of the 50 or so activities available, most of them are designed for the entire family.

Allison Gill, the marketing director, talked about the lodge, “Our programs are based on the YMCA’s five core values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, and Faith. We welcome families and groups of all nationalities and denominations and pride ourselves on the cultural diversity of our staff. The 2012 Trout Lodge Program and Waterfront summer staff consists of 20-35 international men and women from places like Uruguay, South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Columbia, and England. We obtain this diverse staff through the YMCA International Camp Counselors Program (ICCP) and Camp U.S.A.”

“Activities and programs at YMCA Trout Lodge,” according to Ms. Gill, “are designed to help families and friends spend time together. From swimming in the lake to learning to shoot a bow and arrow; getting creative with arts & crafts to participating in scavenger hunts, Trout Lodge is a perfect place for families and groups to grow stronger. We encourage families to get out and play together and we promote that by not including televisions or phones in our guests’ rooms. We do have a family lounge with a TV, sitting areas, tables for playing games and a variety of books. Families can gather here, meet other families and build new friendships.” Ms. Gill also states, “Many of our children and families may only come to YMCA Trout Lodge and Camp Lakewood once in their entire life. That one time, one opportunity, one memory can make all the difference in their world.”

YMCA Trout Lodge is located 75 miles from St. Louis between Potosi and Steelville, Missouri, and is a branch of the YMCA of Greater St. Louis. Non Y Members are welcome.

Lastly a stay at the “Y” is a pretty good deal. Rates ALWAYS include lodging, buffet-style meals in the Trout Lodge Dining Room, and most activities!

Guest Room: $165 per night (two adults/two kids)Loft Room: $185 per night (two adults/two kids)Family Cabins: $250 per night (two adults/two kids)

www.ymcaoftheozarks.org


573 magazine -oct/nov 2012

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