417 Magazine 2009-06

JUNE 2009 $3.95

Volume 12 Issue 6www.417mag.com

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Point and Shoot

Hot Husbands

Only In Austin

HEY, GOOD LOOKIN’: Curiousto find out which 20 local guys were named HotHusbands finalists? Meet them in our feature starting on p. 103.

DIVE IN: You’ll find snorkeling among the mas-sive list of 92 sum-mer fun activities in this month’s cover story. Enjoy!


10 417 MAGAZINE

PROFILE: NOAH ALLDREDGE Noah Alldredge believes in stay-ing physically and spiritually fi t. Easy for a personal trainer to say.

TALK OF THE TOWN A Springfi eld doctor does research on Mt. Everest, a Branson magician goes solo, and marketing kids rock.

5 BEST We’ve found the fi ve restaurant dips that will make your jarred salsa jealous. Grab a chip, and test its dip-holding limits.

FAVORITE THINGS Sandra CH Smith, executive director of the Springfi eld Arts Council, loves the word dang and butterfl y-gazing.

BY THE NUMBERS Jane McElvaine, co-owner of Maxon’s, knows how to stretch a buck. See how in her week-long spending log.

BRANSON UPDATE Kids begging you for a little fun? Read all about SDC’s kid-themed festival (and get going, already!).

QUICK CRITIC Get a little bronze without a little sunburn. We’ve found the top fi ve bronzers you’re buying at 417-land stores.

LEISURE TIME Learn to appreciate both indoor and outdoor art with Art in Public Places and the Greene County Botanical Center.

EFFORTS Read about the 417-landers donating the most precious resource of all: time. Plus, party with Skipper at a beach bash.

YOU TELL US It’s your turn, ladies of 417-land. Take our For-Women-Only survey, and let us know what you’re all about.

QUICK TRIP Lawrence, Kansas isn’t just the home of the Jay-hawks. Visit for fi ne art, lakeside fun and even a buff alo burger.

PARENT PLANNER Learn how to cultivate your child’s inner artist at the Springfi eld Art Museum’s Watercolor USA exhibit.

417 TOP 10 June brings plenty of golf, music on Commercial Street, a festival solely for kids and, of course, SnowFest.

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REVIEWS & BEYOND Find a new way to eat cornbread (hint: salad’s involved) at Willard’s cute little eatery, Back Porch Tea House.

DINING NEWS Bob Nicol returns to his Kimberling Inn roots. Plus, learn where to get famous (and drool-worthy) carrot cake in Branson.

NECESSITIES & SHOPPING We can’t get enough of summertime fl orals. Check out the latest fl owery handbags and accessories. Plus, peruse one of Springfi eld’s cutest gift shops: Th e Saltbox.

HEALTH Get a little inspiration from veteran marathoners Paul and Melissa Adler, then check out this month’s health calendar.

DINING GUIDE Read up on all things fried and delicious at Quincy Magoo’s. Plus, the ever-helpful dining listings.

PEOPLE PICS Scour the faces at the hottest events in 417-land. We’ve got Downtown in Denim, Eyes in Disguise, Food for a Woman’s Heart and An Evening with the Phantoms.

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127 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 12 issues, $19; 24 issues; $32. Please call Dylan Whitaker at 417-883-7417. Allow 4–6 weeks for processing orders, payment and changes of address. SINGLE ISSUE, NEWS-STAND: $3.95; back issues, $6 plus $5 shipping and handling, if available. No back issue orders or subscriptions outside the United States. ADDRESS CHANGES: Include both new address and mailing label with old address. 417 Magazine (ISSN 15389189) is published monthly by Whitaker Publishing, LLC, 2111 S. Eastgate Ave., Springfi eld, MO 65809–2146. © Whitaker Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use in any manner, in whole or in part, without written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Periodical postage paid in Springfi eld, Missouri and additional mailing offi ces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 417 Magazine, 2111 S. Eastgate Ave., Springfi eld, MO 65809–2146. The magazine accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork or cartoons. The Volume and Issue numbers appear on the front cover of the magazine. Printed in the United States of America.


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HOT HUSBANDSYou’ve been meeting our 20 Hot Hus-bands fi nalists all month at the 417 Blog at 417mag.com (if not, intros are also in this issue, starting on p. 103), and now it’s time to de-cide who’s hottest. Read extended Q & As with each of our fi nalists at 417mag.com, and cast your votes online beginning June 1. We’ll eliminate a handful each week—with vote tallies starting from zero every Monday—until we arrive at our fi nal 10. Those 10 Hot Husband winners will be unveiled in the Septem-ber issue of 417 Magazine.

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Contents

BY MATT LEMMON, WEB EDITOR [email protected]

TALKIN’ FOOD Go to 417mag.com to become a subscriber to our Table Talk newsletter and get 417-land’s freshest, most up-to-the-minute foodie information available.

YOU’RE THE STAR! 417mag.com has a ton of People Pics and Where’s 417? photos that aren’t in the magazine. Just log on and fi nd frequently up-dated galleries brimming with your smiling faces.

FUN IN THE SUN Sign up for our 417 VIP Text Club and get a greatly re-duced admission offer via text the day before our Splash Down to Summer event on June 20 at White Water.

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FOR THE DOGS This month, you’ll decide the winners of our Ugly Dog con-test by voting online. In May, 417-landers nominated their own mutts for consideration, also making a $10 donation to the Southwest Missouri Humane Society. Now you will choose the three dogs that best exemplify the term “so ugly it’s cute.”

FOR-WOMEN-ONLY SURVEY Ladies, we’re still looking for your candid opinionson love, family and life in 417-land. Just go to 417mag.com to take our For-Women-Only survey. The results will be present-ed in our September 2009 issue of 417 Magazine, but we can’t do it without you.

DOWN TO FOUR Since February, you have been narrowing down the 64 Greatest Things about 417-land, with hopes of arriving at the single most amazing aspect of life in southwest Missouri. Voting for the fi nal four is now online. Choose, but choose wisely. We’re gonna make a big deal about the winner.

{ }Our website has tons of bonus content to go along with the sto-ries you read in print. Here are a few of this month’s highlights:

MORE SUMMER, MORE FUN As you can probably see beginning on p. 90, our an-nual Summer Fun guide is jam-packed. But it’s even more packed than that! Many of our items have extra tips you’ll only fi nd at 417mag.com. For instance, we’ll help you throw a massive garage sale easily and legally. We also point you toward a sum-mer’s worth of runs and 5Ks in 417-land. Trust us. You’ll want to read this story online, too.

TAKE A LOCAL ART TOUR Intrigued by the artistic talents of Dale Auguston (“Wall Flow-ers,” p. 45)? Online with the story you’ll fi nd a lengthy list of local businesses displaying the work of local artists like Dale.

MORE FUN IN AUSTIN Our travel story on Austin, Texas (p. 108) lines out how to put together a weekend in the city. Find a resource guide at 417mag.com with phone numbers, ad-dresses and websites you need to plan your little heart out.

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EDITORIAL

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ART [email protected]

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EDITORIAL AND ART INTERNS

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS & PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ifyour phone number has a 4-1-7 area code (or once did or someday will have), this magazine is for you. Every article

aims to make your life better in some way. When a new restaurant opens up, we let you know what to expect. If a 417-lander does something extraordi-nary, we’ll fi nd out why and how they’re doing it.

Th ere’s a sign hanging on the wall at the Whitaker Publishing offi ce, where 417 Magazine is produced. It says, “We enrich our readers’ lives with quality information presented in an attractive, entertaining way.” 417 Magazine is the life-improvement magazine of south-west Missouri. Th at’s what 417 Maga-zine means. —Th e Editors

What does417 Magazine

Attention all 417-landersYeah, that’s you.

We’re looking for your stories about life in 417-land for our readers’ page, You Tell Us. Visit 417mag.com and click Contact to share your stories.

STAFF POLL:

What’s your favorite feature of

a 417-land summer?


18 417 MAGAZINE

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STAFF POLL:

What’s your favorite feature of

a 417-land summer?

417mag.com

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20 417 MAGAZINE

Game Day

Ball games and moving vans. As a father and son team, that’s what Dylan and I know best. Lord knows we’ve seen a lot of both. Dylan was born in Cocoa,

Florida, where I worked as a television reporter covering the Space Shuttle program, and within weeks of his birth we moved (the first of many for him) to Atlanta. Before Dylan could walk, we were attending Braves games. As a toddler, he attended Hawks games, Falcons games and Georgia Tech football games.

Two quick stories: We were sitting in the end zone where Tech had just punted the Au-burn Tigers deep to their own four-yard line. Bo Jackson entered the game. I told Dylan, 4 at the time, to watch number 34 because he was the best college player in the country. On the next play, Jackson took an option pitch 96 yards for a touchdown, significantly improving my reputation with my son for fatherly awesomeness.

At another Tech game, Dylan asked to move as close to the field as possible, so he could get a close up look at Tech’s giant Yellow Jacket mascot. Looking between the rails on the front row, Dy-lan slumped in disappointment and returned to his seat next to me. I asked him what was wrong. Dylan glumly said, “The Yellow Jacket’s not real.” What makes you say that?, I asked. Dylan pointed out, “He’s wearing tennis shoes.” Awesomeness point deduction.

When we moved to Niskayuna, New York, Dylan and I attended Union College football games, Albany Yankee minor league games and took road trips to see Mets, Expos, Red Sox and Yankee games. Next stop: St. Louis and Cardinals season tickets. Our favorites were the Sunday afternoon games. Sun-washed father-son memories. Since my wife and Dylan’s mom, Joan, is a Florida grad and Gator backer, Dylan proudly wears orange and blue on game days. Now we’re in Springfield, and Dylan is always my first choice for attending a Bears or Springfield Cardinals game. He was with me when Stan Musial threw out that ceremonial first pitch, and my eyes filled with tears.

As Dylan grew up, he was not only a good partner to watch games with, he was fun to watch. He was always the best player on his baseball team, drafted to play in a league for 12-year-olds when he was just 10. Talk about summer fun.

Our moves from south to north and back to the Midwest gave us plenty of practice lifting heavy dressers, balancing delicate mirrors and cursing mattresses that wouldn’t make the turn on a flight of stairs. As his wedding approached, our last father-son moving adventure was to get patio furniture to the home he would share with new wife, Anna. The last father-son ballgame was a Springfield Cardinals matinée. It won’t be the last game we watch together, but it’s the last one we watched together without a young wife’s blessing.

But those blessings will come easily. Her 21st birthday party was strategically planned for the night the St. Louis Cardinals won the 2006 World Series. We rocked Millie’s Café. That night, I danced and fell in love with the daughter-in-law-to-be.

She loves my son, and she loves his Gators. So on May 17, Dylan’s didn’t just get a wife, he got a fan. And we both got someone who can tell us exactly where we need to put that patio table.

Notes

Gary WhitakerPublisher | [email protected] Ph

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Lovin’ Summer

Iwas always more interested in new books at the beginning of the school year than I was about leaving the classroom and running out into summer. Th at’s not normal, but... summer’s hot and sticky.

It was the year I moved to Springfi eld, though, that I started sys-tematically enjoying all the simple summertime pleasures and re-

ally looking forward to the season. As I got to know my new home region, I played in a company softball team at Killian Sports Complex (one of our 92 “Summer Fun” ideas starting on p. 90) and fell in love with Ozarks sun-sets, fi refl ies and the ping of a metal bat at our Wednesday night games. I met friends on restaurant patios for sunny lunches (another of the 92 ideas) and basked in the sunshine. I took a leisurely fl oat trip down a lazy river (again... a Summer Fun tip) and saw for the fi rst time how intensely beautiful our region can be when the trees are green and lush. Even though I’d lived here six months before summer rolled around, it was summertime when I fi nally got to know 417-land and all its hidden treasures.

If you’re new to the area, I hope you can use this guide to make yourself at home. If you’ve been here for ages, I hope it’ll serve as a reminder of the summer joys you’ve forgotten. We worked hard to fi nd fun ideas, many of them cheap and many of them free. A lot of them are kid-friendly, and pretty much all of them are fantastic for grown-ups who are young at heart. So throw on some shorts, squelch your desire to wallow in the A/C, and go enjoy 417-land.

Notes

Katie PollockEditor | [email protected]

Dylan WhitakerAs the circulation manager for Whitaker Publishing, Dylan Whitaker makes sure 417 Magazineis delivered to your house every month, along with being an oc-casional writer and photographer. He is a proud two-time member of the 417 Fun Committee, and he is also a fairly new member of the Springfi eld Sertoma club. But most importantly, he was just married to his amazing new wife, Anna, on May 17 at Touch in Springfi eld.

Ashford StamperAshford Stamper is a graphic design and illustration major at Missouri State. He competed with his illustration class and won a contest to create the art for “Sum-mer Fun.” You can see his quirky illos beginning on p. 90. “I started out with pen and ink drawings em-phasizing exaggerated forms and repetitive lines,” he says. “Th en, I created some loose watercolors for the background and layered them together digitally.”

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Bret ForesterOne mild day in December 2008, Bret Forester realized his dream and reached the pinnacle of his fl edgling career: He had been off ered the position of web pro-ducer for Whitaker Publishing. He is responsible for guarding the gate that links 417 Magazine with the rest of the world. Aside from web design and developing interactive features, Bret likes to spend his free time chasing laser pointers and collecting shiny objects. Ph

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WE LISTENEDI read [Th e Kids Issue, March 2009] recently and didn’t see anything about public libraries listed. Most libraries do programs for kids, teens and adults year-round.

Valerie Havens, via e-mail

Th at’s a good point. Unfortunately, we sim-ply didn’t have space to touch on libraries in Th e Kids Issue, but the resources available there shouldn’t be overlooked. See our Sum-mer Fun Guide, starting on p. 90. Th ere, we suggest that parents and kids take advantage of the fun and learning available at their lo-cal libraries as one of our 92 things to do this summer. —Editor

FLASHBACKGary,I wanted to compliment you on your great senior photo in the April issue. It’s like looking back in time. Oh wait, that was the idea! I’m fi nally a subscriber since I found myself frustrated in doctor’s waiting rooms when they’d call me in before I could fi nish an article in 417. I still enjoy your writing and those that you’ve hired to do so under your care!

Kristy PierceProduction Manager, Big Cedar Lodge, Ridgedale

417 > THE BEACHDear 417 Magazine,I moved to Springfi eld from the Palm Beaches in Florida recently. I love your magazine. Please start my subscription with the April 2009 issue. (A must.)Th ank you,

Sally Harris, Springfi eld

417 Magazine! Best magazine around. Con-gratulations! I look forward to it every month.

Mary Rauen, Monett

I love the magazine and the articles.Becky Moyer, Branson

BEST HIGH SCHOOLS FEEDBACKWe anticipated a bit of kickback from readers after Central High School didn’t rank in our April 2009 “Best High Schools” cover story. And sure enough, we got it. But who can blame them? It’s a great school and the only high school in our region off ering the Internation-al Baccalaureate curriculum. Th at’s why we mentioned that program and the school’s US News & World Reports honors in the original story. Our methodology for determining the rankings was printed in the magazine and posted with the story online. Here are some let-ters and excerpts from letters that we received after running “Best High Schools.” —Editor

Notes

SHOP TALK My goodness, I can’t thank you enough for your great article [about Uptown Angels boutique, “Wallet-Friendly Fashion,” April 2009]. I just got the mag about 30 minutes ago, and as silly as it sounds, you brought tears to my eyes. You captured who I really am, while highlighting the store in an incredible light. You’re good at this! No matter what, my goal is to stay true to who I am and remember who gave me this dream and brought it to life. I’m glad that came across to you while you were in the store.

Sarah ShieldsOwner, Uptown AngelsSpringfi eld

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Great job on the awesome school article. It was great, and you could see how much hard work and eff ort you had put forth.

Terry Penner, Seymour

Why would US News & World Report con-sider the rigorous IB classes as well as AP classes when ranking high schools, and you wouldn’t do the same? Did you not consid-er that there might be a problem with your research when Central High, recognized by national publications and frequently called the “crown jewel” of the R-XII school dis-trict, did not show up on your list? Recent graduates include a Rhodes Scholar (George Olive) and students now at Harvard, Duke, University of Chicago, UPenn, Northwest-ern, Vassar, American, NYU, and other top-ranked universities.

I think a cover story on Central High School is in order to help make up for the slight that is so obvious.

Rebecca Rhoades, Springfi eld

417 Magazine resoundingly demonstrates it has failed to leave the 1990s, choosing instead to characteristically dismiss Central High School’s considerable achievements with nothing more than two sentences. Not only has Central’s media program consistently competed with Hillcrest’s, Cen-tral won both of the major national awards this year. We also boasted a successful boys basketball team, and a speech and debate squad whose accomplishments and size are at or near parity with Parkview’s. Most con-cerning, however, is the bias exhibited to-wards the IB program, which, as the achieve-ment of the second consecutive US News & World Report Bronze ranking demonstrates, is quite good. Indeed, Central’s academic program is widely recognized as the stron-gest in the city, as it consistently draws a signifi cant number of academic transfers from the supposedly superior Glendale and Kickapoo districts. Failing to disclose the methodology for determining the rankings diminishes the validity of your rankings beyond consideration. It is long past time for 417 to update its view of Central, as oth-ers have begun to do.

Forrest Brown, via e-mail

CORRECTIONSIn the Spring 2009 issue of 417 Home, we should have introduced a source in “Power from Above” (p. 32) as Carla Klein, a southwest Missouri sales representative with Th e Energy Savings Store. In the Dining Guide, address and store information for Garbo’s Pizzeria were incorrect. See p. 139 for the corrected listing. We regret the errors.

Even when you’re upset with us, we are happy to hear from you. Visit 417mag.com and click Contact to send us your notes.

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Notesinbox

SHOUT-OUT Even though your “Best High Schools” article includes a “shout-out” to Central High School (throw the dogs a bone?), your omission of that school in the April article about college-preparation ranking is nothing short of inadequate journalism… Omitting [International Baccalaureate], the most world-re-nowned college prep program, in an article about college preparation is as egregious as omitting Tiger Woods from a list of great golfers. In both instances, the stats that document outstanding achievement are a matter of public record; a mere shout-out is simply not enough.

Vickie J.,via comments on 417mag.com

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26 417 MAGAZINE

“Where’s 417?” is a

monthly feature, one of

the most popular ones in

the magazine. If you’d like

to see your vacation pics

here, take a copy of the

magazine with you and

whip out your camera. We

want to see your photos.

E-mail your high-reso-

lution photos (usually

500 KB or higher) to

[email protected], or

mail to Where’s 417?,

2111 S. Eastgate Ave.,

Springfield, MO 65809.

Where’s 417?

Notes

1. Sarah Bridwell on the Masaya Volcano in Managua, Nicaragua during a service trip with fellow Evangel University students. She’s holding the “Best of 417” issue.

2. J.B. Snethern, Barbara Jones and Pat and Chris Harstick at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London with “The Kids Issue.”

3. Fred and Eunice Buesking with “Best of 417” at the Samuel Jefferson Home in Barbados.

4. John Zazuliak vacationing in the Mexican Riviera with the “Best of 417” issue.

5. Allen and Linda Schilter in Playa del Carmen, Mexico with the “Live the Best Year of Your Life” issue.

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Notes

1. Tempa and Craig Schmidt at the Karpata dive site in Bonaire, Neth-erlands Antilles.

2. Angie Messner, Kelsey Messner, Ashley Maska, Ally Maska, Brandon Messner, Brad Messner and Monte Maska with “Breakfast Champi-ons” at the top of peak nine (11,700 feet) in Breckenridge, Colorado.

3. Kristie Rogge, Tyler Rogge, Zachary Rogge and Chan Rogge at the Continental Divide with the “Live the Best Year of Your Life” issue.

4. Roger and Anita Christian in St. Lucia with the “Best of 417” issue.

5. David Summers (a Northwestern University graduate), Linda and Larry Summers and Kari Summers (Mizzou fans) brought “Break-fast Champions” to The Alamo Bowl, where they cheered on the University of Missouri Tigers and the NU Wildcats.

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Where’s 417?

Notes

1. Beverly Estes in South America on a cruise with the “Life the Best Year of Your Life” issue.

2. William, Stacey and Peyson Shields and Chloe Smith in Keystone, Colorado with “Live the Best Year of Your Life.”

3. Connie Hirahara, Vickie Bridges, Devra Gower, Wendy Kerns, Beverly Winkert and Robyn Tweedy at the Walt Disney World Marathon with the “Live the Best Year of Your Life“ issue.

4. Jim and Rendy Morris at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Wisconsin with the “Live the Best Year of Your Life” issue.

5. Judy and Carl Simpson in Scranton, Pennsylvania with “Romantic Escapes.”

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Notes

1. Dr. Jim Daily, Ryan Walker, Mike Davis, Dr. Gary Walker, Rick Newton, Ed Giltner, Bill Southworth, Jerry Bennett and Mike Breeding near the Amazon River in Brazil with the “10 Most Beautiful Women” issue.

2. Drs. Jay and Cindy Baker enjoyed the “Best of 417” issue while vacationing on Isla Mujeres in Mexico

3. Lana Duda with the “Best of 417” issue at the Route 417 markers in Orlando.

4. Tim Sloan and Craig House in Snowbird, Utah with “Live the Best Year of Your Life.”

5. Debbie Pelkie, Elaine Edwards and Mary Mays with “Get Fresh” at Barcelo Resort in Cancun, Mexico for the celebration of their 35th high school reunion.

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30 417 MAGAZINE

“Where’s 417?” is a

monthly feature, one of

the most popular ones in

the magazine. If you’d like

to see your vacation pics

here, take a copy of the

magazine with you and

whip out your camera. We

want to see your photos.

E-mail your high-reso-

lution photos (usually

500 KB or higher) to

[email protected], or

mail to Where’s 417?,

2111 S. Eastgate Ave.,

Springfield, MO 65809.

Where’s 417?

Notes

1. Mike and Tomi Bellinghausen with “Medical Miracles” on an Alas-kan cruise to celebrate their 40th birthdays.

2. A missions team from Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Antigua, Guate-mala with the “Get Fresh” issue.

3. Ben and Sally Waldrop and Edna and Robert Moffitt in Hawaii with the “Ultimate Shopping Guide” issue.

4. Bill Wilson, Sarah Wilson, Jeanne Abbott, Kathy Jenkins, Barb Nich-ols, George Nichols and Steve Hutchings, in Le Claire, Iowa with “This Changes Everything.”

5. Sherry and Rob Wilson with the “Fall Escapes” issue in Venice.

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32 417 MAGAZINE


people + places

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N oah Alldredge isn’t your average gym rat. He knows that making it to the gym every single day is unrealistic.

So Alldredge, an ACSM certifi ed personal trainer and registered dietitian, brings the gym to his clients through his two-year-old fi tness company, Big Time Results, LLC.

And the gym is not Alldredge’s entire life, either. His passion for fi tness extends

beyond his clients. He works part-time as the dietitian with the

AIDS Project of the Ozarks and started his own

nonprofi t food pantry, Springfi eld Food For Life, which provides nu-tritional food for people with terminal illnesses, cancer or AIDS.

Despite an economy that has turned gym memberships into luxuries, Alldredge has never been busier. “Fitness is like a Roth IRA,” says Alldredge. “If you make an in-vestment now, it will pay off in the future.”

For Alldredge, a healthy lifestyle is more than just looking good

in a swimsuit. But that can’t hurt, either.

Built to CareBY MELODY ADAMS

[email protected]

For a full profi le of Noah Alldredge and info about Springfi eld Food For LIfe, go online to 417mag.com.

34 417 MAGAZINE

Coming August 2009cattlebaronsballswmo.org417-447-1483Headliner: Marshal Reign

BallCattle Baron’s

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Michael GrandaLinda Griffi n

John Q. HammonsAndrea McKinney

Tom O’NealLisa Rau

Dave RichardsAndy WilliamsPhillip Wright

Talkof the

Town

Medical Mountain Disappearing Act Kids With Game

SIGHTS SET HIGH: A Springfi eld eye doctor, Dr. Tom Prater, is heading up Mount Everest for some extreme medical research.

Life


36 417 MAGAZINE

Life

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5BEST

Ways to Take a DipBY NICHOLE LEMMON | [email protected]

SALMON DIPCost: $10.75

Where to Get It: Touch, 1620 E. Republic Rd.,

Springfi eld, 417-823-8383 Why We Love It: Let’s be honest.

Th is isn’t a dip, this is a meal. Served in a pan with four ounces of salmon and lobster bisque, covered with crunchy spinach, this dip

is complete with spinach and artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and fontina

cheese. No chips here; dive in with crispy lavosh bread.

Hungry yet?

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D ipping your chip isn’t just about melted cheese, or even chips for that matter. Local restaurants’ menus are full of hearty, exotic and crave-worthy combinations that are often fi lling enough to be more than just an appetizer.


BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP Cost: $6.49Where to Get It: Big Whiskey’s,311 Park Central East, Springfi eld, 417-862-2449 Why We Love It: Th ose of you who enjoy a little kick to your dip won’t be disappointed. Loaded with shredded chicken, cream cheese and plenty of Buff alo sauce, we piled every chip to its break-ing point. Be aware, it gets spicier as you get to the bottom. But we love it that way.

LIGHT CUCUMBER DIPCost: $8Where to Get It: Parlor 88 Lounge, 1111 E. Republic Rd., Springfi eld, 417-882-8882 Why We Love It: Imagine you just got done playing golf. You are hot. You need a drink and something refreshing to eat. Your dream dip has arrived. Served with a large Parlor cracker and veggies (on our visit we got celery and carrots), this dip (complete with sour and cream cheese) is more like a cheese ball. With just a hint of cu-cumbers, the dill and chopped pickle are what add fl avor. And you’ll be amazed at the presen-tation.

BABA GHANOUSHCost: $6.99Where to Get It: Riad Greek Cuisine, 105 Park Central Square, Springfi eld, 417-866-1151, Riad South, 1250 E. Republic Rd, Springfi eld, 417-881-7423 Why We Love It: Th ink hummus with a kick, and don’t be fooled by the small dish. Th is blend of roasted eggplant with Mediterranean spices, lemon, garlic and extra-virgin olive oil goes a long way. Served with warm, soft pita bread, we always run out before the dip and have to ask for more.

PEANUT BUTTER MELTDOWNCost: $12Where to Get It: Fedora Social House, 300 Park Central East, Springfi eld, 417-832-9514 Why We Love It: Sweet dips are the best kind, wouldn’t you say? From the minute your fondue pot and forks arrive, you’ll be fi ghting your din-ing companions for the last marshmallow. Th e menu says it’s served with graham crackers, ba-nanas and pretzels as well, but we’ve found the staff at Fedora will accommodate your palate if you want to substitute accompaniments.

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Sandra CH SmithExecutive Director, Springfield Regional Arts Council

BY JEFF HOUGHTON [email protected]

You wouldn’t believe the things Sandra CH Smith told you about her life if she didn’t have the details to go with them. Her tales come complete with

voices, lessons learned and grinning pauses to make sure you’re taking it in. The current chapter of her epic has her as the Executive Director of the Springfield Regional Arts Council. Smith puts it simply and sincerely: “I love the arts. I just love the arts.”

Before coming to Springfield, Smith took ownership of Cliff Cottage Inn in Eureka Springs, which she still manages. Smith has also worked planning enormous fundraising events in Philadelphia. She entertained the elite of Washington D.C. while she worked as a social secretary for Mrs. Martin Vogel, “Washington’s number-one society matron,” and helped host elaborate parties. Then she went to finish college in France. And most fascinating of all, she sailed in a boat around the Pacific Ocean… for seven years. “I decided not to define my journey ahead of time be-cause I didn’t know if I’d even survive my first night,” Smith says. “My dad, when we’d take trips, would always say, ‘Oh, we’re just follow-ing our noses.’ So that’s what I did.”

It was that sort of adventurous spirit that led Smith to Springfield. She hurriedly inter-viewed the day she got back from an overseas visit. “I never take things seriously,” laughs Smith. “I said, ‘Alright, I’ll jump in my car. I’ll bring the body, but the mind will have to follow later.’” Now, working with the rest of the SRAC staff, she both enjoys and cul-tivates the rich art scene in Springfield. If things ever get too stale at the office, or the staff is close to burning out, she’ll make up a new adventure. “Occasionally, in the middle of July, I’ll say, ‘Oh I just heard this horrible snowstorm is coming. We have to go work at home,’” she says.

Life

What´s YourFavorite?

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Work of art?

Primavera

Sailing term?

City to port?

Type of fish?

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Morning routine?

What’s Your Favorite…

SOUND ART:Sandra CH Smith in front of “Cream Skimmer’s Melody,” an assemblage by Hing Wah and Jerry Hatch, in the Creamery Arts Center.


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Summer activity?

Juice?

Slang word?dang

Piece of public art in Springfi eld?

Nickname for money?

Type of gravy?

Part of the Creamery building?

Jeff Houghton will interview Sandra Smith on Friday, Au-gust 7 on The Mystery Hour,Jeff’s monthly talk show presented by The Skinny Improv, 301 Park Central East. Visit theskinnyimprov.com or call 417-831-5233 for info and tickets.

Mystery Meets

Visit 417mag.com to read about the favorites of past subjects, suchas Doug Pitt, Billy Long and more.

Thing the Arts Council brings to the community?

40 417 MAGAZINE

BY MELODY ADAMS | [email protected]

WHERE COST WHAT FOR

Hors d’oeuvres and drinks with husband, Rick, and 417 Magazine owners Joan and Gary Whitaker.

Picture frames for a top-secret project.

Jane’s favorite perfume, Casual, was fi nally in stock.

Receipt Tracker

TOTAL SPENT: 423.29‹‹

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As the co-owner of Maxon’s Diamond Merchants and a certifi ed gemologist, Jane McElvaine surrounds herself with diamonds all day. But the most valuable thing in her life is her family. Every Sunday, Jane and her husband, Rick, have their two sons—Scot, 25, and Mark, 22—over for a family dinner.

Source of Income: Co-owner of Maxon’s Diamond Merchants and rental properties in Springfi eld and Ozark.Cheapest Guilty Pleasure: An appletiniBill She Hates the Most: Health insurance. The McElvaines’ insurance costs rose 22 percent in the past year.

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Pint-SizedAmusements


B elieve it or not, KidsFest is ideal for parents, not just the little tykes. Silver Dollar City’s annual, summer-

long festival keeps the kids busy and gives parents a moment’s rest. Th is year’s top acts include magician Peter Gossamer, who per-forms dramatic illusions every day except for Wednesdays, and the VeggieTales productionTh e Invention of Silliness, about crafting a sil-ly song with Larry the Tomato and Bob the Cucumber. New this year is the Swedish per-cussion group JEERK!, which is high-energy and full of noise. (Just what kids need more of, right?). Plus, let your kids get their hands dirty with the Kid Concoctions class, just

by using Elmer’s Glue and a little imagination. And roller coasters, banana-split-eating contests and plenty of food is on standby. You’re welcome, parents.

Life

The 411WHAT: National KidsFest WHEN: June 6–August 9WHERE: Silver Dollar CityCOST: $42.99–$53.74 (one-day ticket)MORE INFO: 800-831-4386, silverdollarcity.com.

FOR THE KIDS:Let the kids get messy and enjoy a live Veg-gieTales production.Ph

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» THE BIG BRONZER, CARGOWhere: Sephora, Battlefield Mall, 2825 S. Glen-stone Ave., Springfield, 417-886-4646Size/Price:

» BAREMINERALS FAUX-TAN ALL-OVERFACE COLORWhere: The Cosmetic Company, 1450 E. Republic Rd., Springfield, 417-889-6464Size/Price:

» M·A·C BRONZING POWDERWhere: M·A·C cosmetics counter, Dillard’s, Battle-field Mall, 2825 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-883-4550Size/Price:

» CLINIQUE TRUE BRONZE PRESSEDBRONZING POWDERWhere: Clinique cosmetics counter, Macy’s, Battle-field Mall, 2825 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-882-1500Size/Price:

» JANE IREDALE MINERAL COSMETICS,MOONGLOWWhere: DermaHealth of Springfield, 1902 E. Battlefield Rd., Suite A, Springfield, 417-447-7777Size/Price:

Life

Safely Sun-KissedBY SAVANNAH WASZCZUK | [email protected]

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At its core, Seven Wheelchairs: A Life Beyond Polio is about how a botched inoculation paraly-sed a young man. Sounds like a downer, right? Not exactly. It’s

tragic, certainly, but somehow author Gary Presley tells his story with brutal honesty and optimism, leaving readers with hope rather than any sense of pity for the man who has spent 50 years in a wheelchair.

Presley describes, at the very start of the book, the exact moment that his life changed forever. It’s moving because, quite literally, it changed with a pin prick. And Presley describes it poignantly: “I felt the sting. Only a sting then, but it was an un-spoken promise of pain I cannot describe, not even now. I would walk seven more days, only seven days, and then I would be lifted into an iron lung and never walk again.” He was a 17 at the time and was re-ceiving a polio vaccination.

It’s not as if Presley never felt anger about what happened to him, but that isn’t the emotion that fi lls his entire life. When the rage subsided, and it was time to trade the iron lung for a rocking bed and then a wheelchair, he took on the challenge. “I was afraid, but I was ready,” he wrote. “I wanted to... scratch my nose when it itched.”

Presley continued, after coming to terms with his fate, to have a passion for life. But he had to journey through chronic depres-sion and guilt over thinking that he had crippled his parents’ lives by depending on them.

His look at himself is eye-opening even for the reader, but he makes his way to hap-piness on a roller coaster that’s described at times with lighthearted wittiness. He talks at length about bedpans and calls himself Gimp. He refers to his disease as “the polio weight loss diet.” He describes his fi rst ride in a power chair as “butt surfi ng.”

And he approaches his unchangeable fate with a sense of humor and seems to relish life regardless of anything. It becomes clear in the book that it was Pres-ley’s attitude—the way it evolved over time—that ultimately created a full life for him.

Life

Where can I get it?

Seven Wheelchairs: A Life Beyond Polio is available at amazon.com or Borders, or via author Gary Presley’s website, garypresley.com.

Life on Wheels

Seven Wheelchairs ALife Beyond Polio

BY KATIE POLLOCK [email protected]

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Most of the time, people think of Springfi eld’s all-natural, outdoor-friendly attraction as Bass Pro Shops. In a little more than a year, a new spot

will be added to the list. Ground breaks soon for Springfi eld’s new Botanical Center.

In October 2006, the Springfi eld–Greene County Park Board approved a 20-year mas-ter plan for our city’s up-and-coming Spring-fi eld–Greene County Botanical Center. Today, Friends of the Garden President George Deatz says they hope to break ground for the project by the summer’s end. He says it should take about one year to complete.

Plans have the 12,800-square-foot Botanical Center building set into a hillside in the 55-acre Close Memorial Park, which adjoins the 59-acre Nathanael Greene Park. Th e parks share a com-mon entrance on Springfi eld’s South Scenic Av-enue. Th e center will face Lake Drummond with a 125-foot long glass façade looking out onto a gorgeous view of the outdoors and allowing a lot of natural light to enter the building.

Th e Botanical Center’s resources include a classroom, meeting and exhibit space, a li-

brary, a combination gift shop and bookstore and offi ces for the Springfi eld–Greene County Park Board; the University of Missouri Greene County Extension (which includes the Master Gardeners) and Friends of the Garden.

Visitors to the Botanical Center can see 41 bloom-fi lled gardens, 21 of which were already complete at press time, including the Hosta Garden, the Master Gardeners’ Demonstration Garden, the Ornamental Grass Garden, the But-terfl y Garden, the Daylily Garden and the Rose Garden. All gardens are free of charge, except the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, which charges $3 for adults (ages 12 and younger are free). Th e center will also be home to an arbo-retum with trees and shrubs for display and research purposes.

Deatz says the garden is intended to be a resource for all local residents to learn about gardening, and it is expected to be a draw for potential visitors to the city.

Friends of the Garden board member George Freeman says anyone planting a garden can come and preview how diff erent plant and fl ow-er species grow in our local climate. “You can al-most think of it as a plant library,” he says.

An All-Natural Attraction

SNEAK PEEK: Construction of Springfi eld’s new botanical center, a LEED-certifi ed build-ing, is scheduled to start by the summer’s end.

Life

ALMOST THERE

The Center has a price tag of $4,367,635. Three million of these dollars came from a voter-approved parks sales tax in 2006. The Greene County Commission, the Springfi eld–Greene County Park Board and private donors (who contrib-uted through the University of Missouri–Greene County Extension and Friends of the Garden) contributed all other funds aside from the amount still needed, which was approximately $170,000 at press time. The remaining funds are to be raised by local contributors. To do-nate, send a check with “Botanical Cen-ter Fund” on the memo line to the Com-munity Foundation of the Ozarks, 425 E. Traffi cway St., Springfi eld, Missouri, 65806. All donations are tax-deductible.

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Wall Flowers


D ale Auguston isn’t picky. As a stained glass artist and painter, he doesn’t need a gallery to show his artwork.

And thanks to the Creamery Arts Center’s Art in Public Places program, Auguston’s work has adorned the walls of several local businesses, including Guaranty Bank, Bancorp South and the Center for Plastic Surgery at CoxHealth.

The Art in Public Places program, which started more than a year ago, pairs local artists with Springfield businesses for an impromptu art exhibit. The artist receives recognition and the chance to sell artwork, and the local busi-nesses get a more visually appealing space.

To be considered for exhibition, artists must be a member of the Springfield Regional Arts Council, which has a $20 annual fee. In

addition, artists must join the Artist Registry. SRAC takes care of most of the exhibit, from finding an artist, to hanging the exhibit and handling publicity.

Auguston, who has been teaching art class-es for three years at Ozarks Technical Com-munity College, says that as long as there are places to show his work, he will keep creating artwork and encouraging his students to cre-ate their own designs. “It feels great just to have my work out there,” he says. “It’s a hum-bling experience for me.”

Life

It feels great just to have my work out there,” he says. “It’s a humbling experience for me.”

“

Dale Auguston

To learn which local businesses have had their walls adorned with artwork by

talented locals, visit 417mag.com

ART ALL-STAR:Dale Auguston (above); DancingAfter Dark, an acrylic collage by Auguston (right).

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Life

Reaghan and her twin, Mara, still attend child care at DCO, where Skiles is the public relations coordinator. DCO receives government funding, but their main contributions come from fundraisers such as the Malibu Beach Bash. Th is year’s bash is themed “Shipwrecked on Gilligan’s Island.”

“We encourage those who attend to come dressed as their favorite character from the show,” Skiles says. “You could dress formally as Ginger or casual as one of the other characters. It’s really up to you what the dress code is.” At 7 p.m., an island-themed dinner will be served, catered by the Ramada staff . “Th e meal will be paired with Malibu rum drinks, of course,” Skiles says.

A live auction and entertainment by local band Sequel Dose will take

place after dinner. Tickets are $150 for individuals, or $1,000 for a table of eight. Th e ticket price includes all activities, food and drinks, Skiles says. “It’s really a lot of fun and this money allows us to help so many people in the area,” she says.

The 411

WHAT: Malibu Beach BashWHEN: July 31WHERE: Ramada Oasis Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfi eldCOST: $150 per person, $1,000 for a table of eight.MORE INFO: Development Center of the Ozarks, 417-829-0896.

Party with Ginger and Th e Skipper

WHITNEY WILKINS | [email protected]

L aura Skiles had volunteered for several Developmental Center of the Ozarks events, so when one of her now 3-year-old twins was born with cerebral palsy, she knew where her

daughter should go for therapy.“When Reaghan started her therapy, I immediately requested a

DCO therapist,” Skiles says. “I just knew how good they were.”

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Lifeefforts

BY SAVANNAH [email protected]

P opular business speaker, author and columnist Harvey Mackay once said: “Time is free, but it’s

priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.”

Despite life’s many daily tasks, many peo-ple rearrange their schedules and give hours of priceless time to volunteer. For those peo-ple, the Gift of Time awards were created.

Th e Springfi eld Chamber of Commerce and the RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Pro-gram), fi rst awarded the Gift of Time awards in 1991 to recognize volunteers who aren’t

noticed in the news. Since then, the award has acknowledged numerous individuals in 417-land.

Th is year’s Gift of Time luncheon will begin at 12 p.m. on Th ursday, June 18 at the Oasis Hotel & Convention Center (2550 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfi eld, 417-522-7220, springfi eldoasis.com). All nominees will be in attendance, and 10 of them will be acknowledged as the Volunteers of the Year. Th e award recipients will remain a secret to everyone, including the winners, until the luncheon. Several business help sponsor the event, including 417 Magazine, CoxHealth, Springfi eld Chamber of Commerce, the Council of Churches of the Ozarks, B & E Printing, the City of Spring-fi eld, Elite Promotions Inc., Dan Emrie Photography and SMAVA (South-west Missouri Association of Volunteer Administrators).

The 411

WHAT: Gift of Time LuncheonWHEN: June 18WHERE: Oasis Hotel & Convention Center, 2550 N. Glenstone Ave., Spring-fi eldCOST: $18, which includes lunchMORE INFO: Contact Sharon Bradford or Beverly Bullock at 417-862-3595 to reserve your spot.

Time is free, but it’s priceless. Youcan

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Time toShine

48 417 MAGAZINE

Help for Every Child

BY SAVANNAH [email protected]

From gap-toothed grins to innocent smirks, a smile on a child’s face is quick to spread joy. When a 6-year-old foster child paired one of these smiles with twinkling eyes and a

truly sincere thank-you, Ambassadors for Chil-dren volunteer Gwen Hager knew she would spend many more of her future afternoons working at the agency’s Kid’s Clothes Closet.

Ambassadors for Children is an operating agency of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks that is dedicated to supporting foster children in Greene County. Th e Kid’s Clothes Closet, which is one of several programs the agency provides, is housed in the Ronald McDonald House. Th e foster children can visit two times per year, and on each trip they can have three complete out-fi ts, a pair of pajamas, a gift card for shoes, a coupon for a free haircut and more.

Hager has volunteered at the Kid’s Clothes Closet with a group of co-workers from Great Southern Operations Offi ce each year since 2002. It was her fi rst year volunteering when she met the inspiring 6-year-old child. She re-members him well, particularly the excitement that spread over his face when he saw tags on all of the clothes.

Agency director Sondra Uzzell says the kids are often that excited when they realize the clothing items are brand-new. “When they go in and see the tags, the kids can’t believe no one has worn them before, and that they fi t them correctly, and that they have no holes in them. It really makes them happy,” Uzzell says.

It’s that joy that is often shared with the vol-unteers and keeps them coming back. “We had done other volunteer work before, but this was

diff erent,” Hager says. “Th e feeling [volunteer-ing] gave us was so good.”

Th e Ambassadors for Children agency also of-fers several other programs for foster children in Greene County, including Project Self-Esteem; a tutoring scholarships program; the Pack-a-bag With Love program and the agency’s newest program, Adopt-a-Caseworker. Any foster child from Greene County is eligible to receive re-sources from Ambassadors for Children, regard-less of his or her foster family’s income.

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Want to Help?If you’re interested in donat-ing money, you can send a check payable to Ambassadors for Children to Attn: Sondra Uzzell, 627 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfi eld, Missouri, 65802. If you’re interested in volunteer-ing your time or helping with the Adopt-a-Caseworker pro-gram, you can contact Uzzell at 417-862-3586 or e-mail her at [email protected].

When they go in and see the tags, the kids can’t believe no one has worn them before, and that they fi t them correctly, and that they have no holes in them. It really makes them happy.

“

”Sondra Uzzell

CLOTHES FOR KIDS:Volunteers from Great Southern Operations Offi ce organize new cloth-ing items at the Kid’s Clothes Closet.


Life

Girl Talk

R eady to share some stories? We want to know what the women of 417-land think and who they are.

In an effort to find out what makes you tick, we’ve created a For-Women-Only Sur-vey that will provide a picture of the south-west Missouri woman. There are questions about relationships and sex, about financ-es and aging. We even provide some space where you can share your best moments and your biggest dreams or pass on your favorite advice. Heck, we even ask who you think is the sexiest man alive. (Hubba hubba.)

We want to get to know you, and here’s where you can help us out. Just fill out 417 Magazine’s For-Women-Only Survey online at 417mag.com. The deadline to fill out the survey is June 19. Keep an eye out for the September 2009 issue of 417 Magazine,where we’ll feature the survey results.

Don’t want the entire readership to be privy to your personal business? Don’t worry; your secrets are safe with us. The survey results will be presented in aggre-gate, and all individual responses will be at-tributed anonymously unless you have spe-cifically chosen to provide your name and given us permission to use it. So please, be honest.—Katie Pollock

50 417 MAGAZINE

Rock Chalk,Visit the JayhawksJune is the perfect time for a warm-weather weekend get-away, so plan your trip to Lawrence, Kansas before the swel-tering heat of summer sets in. We’ve got your mini-vacay covered, with ideas for lodging, feasting, splurging and keep-ing the whole family occupied—all within a four-hour drive. You can thank us later.BY KATIE POLLOCK | [email protected]

EatFor a little fi ne dining, head to Teller’s Restaurant (above) (746 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, 785-843-4111, 746mass.com). The Italian eatery won a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for the past four years and serves goodies like artisanal cured meats, goat cheese ravioli and homemade gelato, all underneath impossibly high ceilings.

If you’re more in the mood for something served on a bun, try Local Burger (714 Vermont St., Lawrence, 785-856-7827, localburger.com). As the name suggests, this burg-er joint uses locally grown or raised ingredients. And it’s not just grass-fed beef on these burgers. You can also get things like buf-falo, elk, pork, turkey and even a tofu fi let between two buns.

PlayClinton Lake (above)(visitor’s center: 785-843-7665) is just 15 minutes from Lawrence and offers lots of fun, family-friendly options. There are seven campgrounds around the lake with showers and playgrounds, and you can water ski, motor boat, wind surf or sail in the deep main body of the lake. Visit the Clinton Marina (785-749-3222, clintonmarina.com) at Clinton State Park for rental boats and fi shing equipment. There are two sand swimming beaches (Bloomington East Swim-ming Beach and the Clinton State Park Beach), which are great for a relaxing picnic and a dip in the water.

Shop Au Marché European Market (above) (931 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, 785-865-0876, aumarche.com) carries edible treats from all over Europe (olive oil and caper berries from Italy, mustards from Germany and France, licorice from Sweden and chocolate from Belgium), along with cute aprons, tea towels and gifts.

For the more artsy type, Phoenix Gallery (919 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, 785-843-0080, phoenixgal-lery.biz) sells artwork from local and national artists including ceramic bird-houses, glass jewelry and cute wooden toys.

StayFor a history lesson—the tale of this hotel dates back to 1855 before Kan-sas was even a state—and a luxurious spot to lay your head, check into The Eldridge Hotel (below) (701 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, 800-527-0909, eldridgehotel.com), with its comfortable/classy décor and trendy on-site eatery. If a rural escape is more your style Circle S Ranch & Country Inn (785-843-4124, circlesranch.com) is just outside Lawrence and sits on 1,200 acres of prairie grassland with roaming longhorn cattle, rock fences and a goldfi sh-fi lled pond. It’s great for couples that are visiting Lawrence as a romantic getaway. The historic inn was originally a home-stead from the late 1800s, and there is even an eight-person hot tub in the sunny silo.

Life quick trip

SeeHop over to the University of Kansas campus to visit the Spencer Museum of Art (below) (13th & Mississippi, 785-864-4710, spencerart.ku.edu). Visit after August 15 to see an exhibition of rare pho-tographs taken by Andy Warhol. Currently, the museum is showing East Asian art.

This summer, you can take advantage of warm weather at the Down-town Lawrence Film Festival. (Call 785-842-3883 for more info.) Classic black-and-white fi lms will be shown outside on the second and fourth Thurs-days of June, July and August, with live music before the start of the movie at 9:15 p.m.

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Caught in the Art

BY MELODY [email protected]

Before they’re introduced to the wide world of art, it’s hard for kids to imagine what lies beyond the 64-color box of Crayolas or the fi nger-painted

fl owers taped to the refrigerator. But get-ting your children invested in art can be as easy as a trip to the Springfi eld Art Museum. “Just exposing children to the fi ne arts will make them appreciate it,” says Dan Carver, the museum educator at the Springfi eld Art Museum. “It may just be an understanding, not necessarily a liking.” Children will learn to observe their surroundings and develop critical thinking skills. But parents will have to work a little, too. Read on for Carver’s tips on how to raise a little arts patron.

Tell your child he or she will be seeing many diff erent artists and many diff erent styles. Assure them that they won’t or don’t have to like everything they see.

Make sure your child understands and respects the rules for any museum. Not touching the artwork is especially important.

Play a game together by exploring the art-work. Determine which pieces have certain lines, colors, shapes, textures and patterns.

Keep up-to-date on local exhibits, and take your child to any activities and special events, like the Springfi eld Art Museum’s Watercolor USA exhibit starting June 6.

Sign your child up for an art class. Th e Springfi eld Art Museum summer session is from July 7 through August 7, and registra-tion ends June 26. Your child can choose be-tween art introduction, pottery, drawing and painting, multicultural art and more.

Life

Watercolor Me HappyPack up your little artists and attend the Springfi eld Art Museum’s Watercolor USA exhibit.

It’s the 48th year that the Spring-fi eld Art Museum has held the an-nual Watercolor USA exhibit, which puts artists from all over the globe on display from June 6 through Au-gust 2. More than 600 water-media artists participate in the exhibit, and the work is judged by staff from the museum. The exhibit coincides with the Japan Watercolor Federation exhibit, in which watercolor artists chosen by the Watercolor USA Na-tional Honor Society will be put on display at the museum. Next year, a selection of U.S. artists will be put on display in Japan.

WHAT: Watercolor USA exhibitWHEN: June 6–August 2WHERE: Springfi eld Art Museum, 1111 E. Brookside Dr.COST: FreeMORE INFO: Dan Carver, 417-837-5700

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Go to 417mag.com to learn when to register your kids for summer art classes, and sign up soon.

ART CLASS: Letting kids identify shapes and colors of a work of art, like this painting by Jerry W. Bowman entitled Patternity, might just turn them into mini art critics.

52 417 MAGAZINE

are proud to sponsorGOODTIMES. GREATCAUSE.

AGOODTIMES GREATCAUSE

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Score some laughs, sneak in a game of golf or just enjoy some artwork in 417-land this month. BY ASHLEY REH | [email protected]

417 TOP 10 >>

3. June 6 »TOUR DE CURE

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Minimum fundraising of $125 required to ride. To register or for more

information go to diabetes.org/tour.

June 5–20 »LOOT

Recommended for ages 16 and older. Opening weekend $12,

Thursdays and Sundays $16, Fridays and Saturdays $18, $2 discount to seniors and

students. Tickets may be purchased at the box office 305 E. Walnut St., Springfield or

on the phone (417-831-8001). For more information, visit vctheatre.com.

5. June 6–August 9 »NATIONAL KIDSFEST

Open daily. Silver Dollar City,

399 Indian Point Rd., Branson. For more information, visit silverdollarcity.com. Pho

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June 5»FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK

-

Free. 6 to 10 p.m. Downtown Springfield. Check

out the newsletter at ffaw.org or call 417-849-8255 for more information.

4. June 6–August 2 »WATERCOLOR USA

-

-

Free, donations accepted. Springfield Art Museum,

1111 E. Brookside Dr., Springfield, 417-837-5700.

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MUSICAL ARTIST:Live musicians often perform for visitors at Global Fayre during the First Friday ArtWalk

417 MAGAZINE 55

9. June–July »

SOUNDS ON THE SQUARE

Free. First

three Fridays and Saturdays in June

and the last three in July. Fridays 5 to

10 p.m. and Saturdays 6 to 10 p.m.

Park Central Square. For more infor-

mation regarding performers, dates

and times visit itsalldowntown.com

or call 417-831-6200.

June 20 »EIGHTH ANNUAL SNOWFEST

-

-

Free, 4 to 9 p.m.

Jordan Valley Park, 635 E. Trafficway St., Springfield.

For more information visit parkboard.org.

June 12–28 »MESHUGGAH NUNS!

Fiddler On The Roof

Adults $25, children ages 14 and younger $15,

seniors and students $22. Springfield Little Theatre, 311 E. Walnut St., Springfield.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Sundays at 2:30

p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit springfieldlittletheatre.org

or call the box office at 417-869-1334.

Through October »

C-STREET MARKET

Free. Vendors pay $4 on Tuesdays,

$7 on Saturdays or $150 for the season. Tuesdays 4 to 7 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. to

noon. Commercial Street and Jefferson Avenue footbridge in Springfield, itsalldown-

town.com, 417-880-3435.

8. June 26 »

GRAPES & GOLF FORE DIABETES

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-

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$75 per person. Starts at

1 p.m. Green Golf Club, 169 Coun-

try Club Dr., Republic. To register

call 417-890-8400, ext. 6856, and

for more information see the local

events link at diabetes.org.

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Playful tassels and a gold-tone

chain with a logo bauble add a spark

of fun to Juicy Couture’s “Free Style” bag. In soft,

buttercup yellow leather, with leather accents, a cloth lining

and a cinched top. The perfect summer bag! $398.

Panache Boutique1308 E. Republic Rd. | 417.887.5448

LipFusion’s micro-injected collagen plumps lips instantly and painlessly. Your lips look and feel fuller and smoother in seconds, with no needles! Available in a variety of

The Cosmetic CompanySteeplechase Center 1508 E. Republic Rd.417.889.6464

Fashionable women’s shoes with removable tops— the original interchangeable shoe! Great for

travel —wear one sole and take along extra tops for a different look. Choose from a

variety of unique, creative and stylish tops to suit any occasion.

Grand Glitz At these locations:

Branson LandingGrand Village

Mylinka bags, designed by Rita Diane, are known as the “world’s most beautiful handbags.” They’re crafted in soft, sculptured leather with details like Austrian Swarovski crystals. Your wardrobe isn’t complete without a Mylinka bag!

Grand Glitz At these locations: Branson LandingChappy Mall

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Surprise Dad with this modern twist on an old classic—Burt’s Bees “Bay Rum” grooming kit, complete with shaving mug, brush, soap and aftershave balm. Keep your outdoor fun (and your Father’s Day cookout) chemical-free with these all-natural products: Burt’s Bees sunscreen, herbal insect repellent, and “Skeeter Screen” mosquito deterrent in a handy reed diffuser.

Banshee Candles & GiftsYour Home Fragrance Store2704 S. Glenstone Ave. – in the Brentwood CenterSpringfield | 417.889.9889

Take your backyard cookout to the next level with this portable, weather-resistant cabinet built specially to house your Primo Grill or Big Green Egg. Available in various color combinations to suit your outdoor décor.

Select Outdoor Kitchens820 N. Cedarbrook Ave.Springfield | 417.862.6512

No matter what activities Dad enjoys in the great outdoors, Wiley X has the right protective eyewear. These great-looking designs feature shatterproof light-adjusting lenses, facial cavity seals, anti-fog ventilation, a scratch-resistant hardcoat and nearly indestructible frames. Available with a variety of frames, lenses and options for sports, outdoor, riding, driving and tactical use.

Chesterfield EyeWorks1650 S. Enterprise Ave.Springfield | 417.889.7788

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good eats + good drinks + dining newsFood

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Turn the page for ... cornbread salad

a chef’s homecoming

creamy carrot cake

fi zzy chocolate

pre-lunch shopping

(continued p. 60)

All it Needs is aRocking ChairS

BY CASSIE [email protected]

Th e cornbread salad—complete with kidney beans, cheese, tomatoes, corn, peppers and onions

Immediately after our 417 Assistant Art Director, Bethany Lohmeyer, and I walked into the Back Porch Tea House, we were greeted

by co-owner Pam Askren of Village Flowers & Mercantile-slash-Back Porch Tea House, located in Willard. Th e store has a mix of antiques and reproductions, and as art directors, we appreciated the way each booth was made into a cute display. (Th ere were no wadded-up clothes in the corner or stacks of never-opened Happy Meal beanie babies.) Since we showed up a bit early for lunch, we decided to take a look around the Mercantile. Bethany bought a white porcelain pitcher and some milk glass candy dishes.

After browsing, we headed to the tea house, which has been enclosed to look like a screened-in porch com-plete with a shaker-shingle awning. Th e area is bright and cheerful, and we immediately felt relaxed.

60 417 MAGAZINE

Food

(continued from p.59)

BACK PORCH TEA HOUSE*

The FoodI had been to the tea house a couple of differ-ent times, but I decided to ask the waitress what the place is known for. She told me the chicken pot pie for $4.95 was a favorite. When it arrived, it looked absolutely scrumptious. A deep, colorful bowl covered by a fluffy, golden puff pastry. It smelled delish.

The puff pastry was great, but the creamy chicken, carrot and celery filling was a little too salty to eat the whole thing.

I also ordered a cup of taco soup on the side. (I know it sounds weird with chicken pot pie.) That soup was great. Just the right spicy taco flavoring with beans, rice, and cheese.

Bethany ordered the cornbread salad for $4.95. It’s a mixture of cornbread, tomatoes, cheese, kidney beans, red and green peppers, corn and green onions on top of fresh lettuce, all topped with a creamy ranch dressing. For $1.95 extra, she got grilled chicken on top. She said she would definitely order it again, but she would get the dressing on the side. The corn-bread was soft but not soggy.

The dessert tray looked fantastic, and we both decided to split the carrot cake. This was absolutely the best part of the meal. The cake was chock-full of carrots and walnuts and melted in my mouth. The icing was rich cream cheese and was just the right amount of sweet-ness. Topping it off with a cup of coffee, I was in heaven. I would travel to a different state for this cake.

The VerdictOverall, I think this is a great place to bring your girlfriends to have a really good lunch for not a lot of money.

While you’re at it, you can pick up a gift for yourself or someone else. You can even pick up a flower arrangement/bouquet from the full-service florist. But do yourself a favor, and save room for dessert.

417 MAGAZINE 61

Food

Drinkof theMonth

Cost$2.95

Where to get it Emack & Bolio’s2925 E. Battlefi eld St., Suite 105, Springfi eld, 417-889-3622

What’s inside The ingredients are simple. A true egg cream has just three things: chocolate syrup, milk and seltzer water.

What it tastes like Take the classic fl avor of rich chocolate milk, then add some fi zzy fun to it. Kind of like a much richer and creamier Italian soda. If that doesn’t sound super-exciting, well… it’s not. But that’s not the point. It’s a simple pleasure and an inexpensive little delight. Trust me, adding something carbonated to something as nostalgic as chocolate milk is an instant mood-lifter. If you aren’t into sweet drinks, buy one for your kiddos.

An egg cream (which has neither eggs nor cream in the recipe) is a popular treat in New York City, and Emack & Bolio’s offers fl avors such as vanilla (almost as traditional as choc-olate) and strawberry. —Katie Pollock

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Bob Nicol spent 20 years in the kitchen at The Pier Restaurant at Kimberling Inn, but his career path took him to Ledgestone Grill and Nicol’s Fine Dining at StoneBridge. He was there for the past three years, but just

as the weather began to warm in advance of this year’s lake season, Nicol had a homecoming and returned to Kimberling Inn. He and his wife Reneé, along with their longtime staff, have revamped the dinner menu at The Pier (now called Nicol’s at the Pier) and made The Gar-den Terrace a go-to spot for breakfast and lunch. Diners get to take in some great views of Table Rock Lake while they taste some of Nicol’s best work: prime rib (his spe-cialty), almond-crusted chicken, fi let mignon with béar-naise sauce, lobster tail and lots more mouth-watering goodies. Pop in this summer and see the changes for yourself; including remodeled spaces. “It’s very excit-ing,” Nicol says. “It’s like coming home.”—Katie Pollock

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Food

EAT CAKE: Dino’s 24 Karrot Cake Cafe at-tracts a sweets-loving crowd at its Branson location in the Chappy Mall. All for a slice of carrot-laden heaven.

Growing Karrots

C arrot cake–lovers are fl ocking into Dino’s 24 Karrot Cake Café in downtown Branson’s Chappy Mall. Dino and Cheryl Kartsonakis opened the successful cafe in early February. Dino may soon leap

ahead of the growth the duo saw at their fi rst 24 Karrot location at 12 Downing Street in Hollister.

It all started with an original carrot cake recipe with cream cheese frosting created by Dino, a classical pianist and famed Branson entertainer for 19 years. Th at cake was so good and so in demand that Dino and Cheryl teamed up with 40-year veteran baker Chuck Baum in 2007 and opened Dino’s fi rst site in Hollister. Soon after, the business was shipping cakes to customers in 48 states, some to a celebrity clientele in Hollywood that includes Denzel Washington and Oprah Winfrey.

In addition to baked yummies and the shop’s own blend of 24 Karrot Coff ee, the Chappy Mall spot off ers sandwiches, soups and salads. Anoth-er recent addition is the 24 Karrot Crystal Room gift shop at the Chappy Mall location, which sells customized gift basket and crystal items.

Th ere’s a lot on the horizon for the business that began with a carrot cake. 24 Karrot delicacies may soon be appearing in Neiman Marcus and other national retail chains. Other possibilities are storefront locations in Kansas City and Nashville. And, although there’s nothing fi rm yet, Dino says that “Another Ozarks location is defi nitely shaping up.”—Barbara Burgess

Homecoming

The 411

Nicol’s at the PierServing dinner Tuesday through Saturday.The Garden TerraceServing breakfast and lunch daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.Available for parties and private meetings. Located at the Kimberling Inn. 11863 State Highway 13, Kimber-ling City, 417-739-4311

LAKESIDEDINING:Bob Nicol is serving up his almond-crustedchicken at The Pier Restaurant.

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Style

» p. 64 Necessities » p. 66 Savvy Shopper» Style Preview

luxuries + things we love

CUTE KICKS: Step out in style with these Madden Girl “Adaline” sandals,$39.99 at Macy’s.

Produced by Nicole Fuller,Ashley Johnson and Sarah GorskiPhotos by Kevin O’Riley

64 417 MAGAZINE

Style

Make your wardrobe as bright and happy as summer itself.

FloralsPurple rose hair tie, $14 at Macy’s.

Liz Claiborne gold floral brace-let, $22 at Macy’s

Natasha turquoise rose bangle,$38 at Dillard’s.

Robert Rose coral and gold magnolia bracelet, $22 at Dillard’s.

Miss Me navy floral romper, $84 at Staxx.

Glenda Gies bag, $325 at Bag Lady Boutique.

Pink belt, $34. Available at Macy’s.

417 MAGAZINE 65

Blue and purple flower dress,$24.98 at Envy.

Style

Virgins, Saints & Angels rose cluster ring,$225 at Staxx.

Charter Club pink rosette scarf, $58 at Macy’s.

Rampage “Ramira” sandal, $45 at Macy’s.

Off-white rose ring, $5.48 at Envy.

Donald J. Pliner metallic rose pumps, $360 at Dillard’s.

Unisa Rubi Sandal, $65 at Macy’s.

Nine West purple floral pashmina, $42 at Macy’s.

Blue and white striped brooch, $22 at Macy’s.

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THE SHOP:Th e Saltbox and In-House Boutique,1345 S. Fort Ave., Springfi eld, 417-862-3707, wickmans.com. Open Mon.–Fri., 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Sat., 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sun. 12–5 p.m.

ATMOSPHERE:I pulled into a pebble parking lot off of a predominantly residential street. Trees and fl owers frame a white and brown building that looks like it was pulled from a storybook. Feels rather Austrian, very Sound of Music. Wa-ter features, a wire bike, fl owers, and smiles greet me from all directions as I approach the entrance. I step through the door into the fl ower shop portion of Wickman’s. To my left is a set of red doors, and through their win-dows I see color and possibly my paycheck.

KEY PEOPLE: Glenn and Donna Kristek purchased Wickman’s Gardens from Gus and Francis Wickman in 1973. Glenn worked for the Wickmans while attending Missouri State

University as a horticulture major, and in the end, he found his place as an entrepreneur-ial horticulturist. As their children grew and Donna found herself with time, she opened Th e Saltbox in 1979. It’s name came from the similarity of roof slopes from the Saltbox homes of the 1700s. Donna said that she saw it as an opportunity to bring the latest and greatest in home décor and fashion to the community. She has a love for interior design and found a place to nurture it at Th e Saltbox. Once she brought in some accessories, their success prompted the opening of its adjoining sister shop, the In-House Boutique, in 1987.

WHAT YOU’LL FIND: On this particular day, Linda Norman (manager of Th e Saltbox) and Sharon Miller (manager of the In-House Bou-tique) walked me through both shops. Th ey explained to me that every item in the shops is hand-picked. Within the three rooms of Th e Saltbox, there are baby items, dinnerware, stationery, an entire room dedicated solely to

candles and fun gifts that have fallen through the categorizing cracks. Best of all, they have seasonal explosions, which are accompanied by open houses that have a way of getting everyone in the mood. Th e In-House Boutique is quite blingy. From its accessories to its leopard-print jackets, everything is unsub-tly fantastic. Both shops off er complimen-tary coff ee, free gift-wrapping and layaway. Linda and Sharon agree that it’s really about personal service and creating an experience. Th ey get a lot of out-of-towners in during the holidays who are really looking for a neat place to stroll through and fi nd unique gifts. It ends up being a destination place that never disap-points.

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Savvy Shopper is a monthly opin-ion feature guiding readers to inde-pendent local stores. Have one you’d like to suggest? Visit 417mag.comand click Contact.

HOME AT HEART:The Saltbox and In-HouseBoutique are havens for great gifts for the home.

Take Your PickBY NICOLE FULLER | [email protected]

417 MAGAZINE 67

Style

VERDICT: I could probably spend a couple of hours strolling through both shops and the garden area. It’s a really happy place to be. I love the energy that the fl owers give off . And when I walk into the gift shop, I have the urge to have a dinner party and buy some-thing new to wear to it. Th e only thing I’m missing is a place to get a latte and scone. But wait… According to Donna, stay tuned.

5 things We Love at the Saltbox and In-House Boutique

Initial Coozy “A”, $14.95

Silver Lobster, $20.95

Floral printed pillows, $44.95-66.95

Gold cuff with imprinted fl owers, $18

High Fashion patent green and white handbag, $92

68 417 MAGAZINE

10Reasons toRoad Trip to Branson

Shoppers will fi nd everything from trendy boutiques to outlet stores

in Branson. Grand Glitz carries the area’s largest selection of Chris-

tine Alexander. And Branson Belle Boutique off ers stylish women’s

clothing, shoes and accessories. Branson Landing, the city’s waterfront

shopping destination, includes popular stores like Hollister, Victoria’s

Secret and Bass Pro Shop. Bargains await savvy shoppers at Branson’s

outlet malls, including Tanger Outlet and Factory Merchants Branson.

The fun never ends at Silver Dollar City’s National Kids’ Fest! Have

fun in the world’s largest treehouse, watch the magic of Peter Gos-

samer, make Gooey Gunk at Kid Concoctions, or ride the soon-to-be-

unveiled, top-secret, all-new Family Fun Ride. Silver Dollar City’s Na-

tional Kids’ Fest starts June 6. Th ere’s even more family fun in store

at Titanic Branson. You can walk Titanic’s Grand Staircase, listen to the

captain’s commands on the bridge and send an SOS signal.

Shopping Family Fun

Shoppers enjoy a stroll on the Branson Landing PromenadePhoto by Chris Hutchison for Branson Landing

Kids love the rides at Silver Dollar CityPhoto courtesy of Silver Dollar City Attractions


For pure indulgence, visit Spa Cha-

teau. Th is luxurious, full-service spa

at Chateau on the Lake off ers signature

treatments that blend rich elements of

the Ozarks with exotic European thera-

pies. Enjoy the view of Table Rock Lake

as you relax in the decadent outdoor

Roman bath. For a more rustic atmo-

sphere, try Big Cedar Lodge, tucked into

the Ozark Mountains just ten miles south

of Branson. Big Cedar off ers luxury ameni-

ties--including fi ne dining, spa treatments, golf

and a full-service marina--in a beautiful wilder-

ness lodge setting.

Table Rock Lake, Lake Taneycomo

and Bull Shoals Lake are great plac-

es to swim, ski, fi sh, or just relax. State Park

Marina on Table Rock Lake rents boats, wave

runners and gear for fi shing or scuba diving--

everything you need to enjoy your weekend at

the lake. White Water outdoor water park fea-

tures the largest selection of water rides and

water attractions in the Ozarks, including a

huge wave pool, speed water slides and a 6-lane

freefall and racing thrill slide. For a big splash,

bring the kids CastleRock Resort and Water-

park, known for its themed birthday events

and party packages.

Relaxation Water Sports

Chateau on the Lake, a luxury resort overlooking Table Rock LakePhoto courtesy of Chateau on the Lake

White Water tropical adventure park features nearly 7,000 feet of slidesPhoto courtesy of Silver Dollar City Attractions

70 417 MAGAZINE

Stand up and cheer at

Dixie Stampede–an exciting,

family-friendly show that includes stunt rid-

ers, ostrich races and a thundering herd of

Longhorns. Don’t miss Kirby and Bambi Van

Burch, Branson’s most-awarded magic show.

Th is amazing show features royal white tigers

and never-before-seen illusions, including a

disappearing helicopter. Enjoy an entertain-

ing cruise on the Showboat Branson Belle, or

marvel at the incredible Acrobats of China at

the New Shanghai Th eatre. Relive the classic

adventures of Peter Pan, with Cathy Rigby in

her signature role, at Th e Mansion.

C ulinary students at Th e Keeter

Center’s Dobyns Dining Room of-

fer delicious choices for lunch, dinner or Sun-

day brunch. Th e bakery treats are irresistible.

Cantina Laredo’s authentic gourmet Mexican

food features signature sauces, like chipotle-

wine with Portobello mushrooms (and you

can watch the fountain-and-fi re show on the

Landing from your seat). At the award-win-

ning Chateau Grille at Chateau on the Lake,

the meticulously prepared, elegantly present-

ed cuisine is matched only by the spectacular

view of Table Rock Lake.

Entertainment Food

Showboat Branson BellePhoto courtesy of Silver Dollar City Attractions

Classic Dobyns Pot Roast at Th e Keeter CenterPhoto by Dylan Whitaker

417 MAGAZINE 71

B ranson Creek Golf Club, man-

aged by Troon Golf, has been

rated the number one public course in Mis-

souri by Golf Magazine and Golf Digest for

ten consecutive years. The 7,100-yard cham-

pionship-level course designed by Tom Fazio

features breathtaking views of the Ozarks

landscape. In June, the Payne Stewart Golf

Club will celebrate the grand opening of all 18

holes on its course, designed by Church Smith

and Bobby Clampett. The course is a tribute

to golf legend Payne Stewart, and each hole

is interwoven with a story from Stewart’s life

and golfing career.

M ake a connection with history at

Titanic Branson. Step through

an iceberg into an astonishing, half-scale repli-

ca of Titanic. The 90-minute, self-guided tour is

designed to give guests the sensation of being

an original passenger on Titanic’s 1912 maiden

voyage. Walk among thousands of tropical but-

terflies from all over the world at the Butterfly

Palace & Rainforest Adventure, or navigate the

Emerald Forest Mirror Maze. Explore the col-

lection of incredible oddities, amazing artifacts

and extraordinary world records at Ripley’s

“Believe It or Not” Museum.

Golf Museums

The fourteenth hole at Branson Creek Golf ClubPhoto courtesy of Branson Creek Golf Club

Titanic Branson, World’s Largest Titanic Museum AttractionPhoto courtesy of Titanic Branson

72 417 MAGAZINE

T hemed bars and pubs dominate

Branson’s nightife. You can sing along

with the crowd at Branson Ernie Biggs Piano

Bar at the Branson Landing or try gator tail

(tastes like chicken) and play a round of pool

at the Outback Pub. Stop by Waxy O’Sheas

Irish Pub to enjoy traditional Irish fare and lis-

ten to the Irish house band, Dirty Old Towne.

If you’re in the mood for a quiet spot, you’ll ap-

preciate Chateau on the Lake’s Library Lounge,

with its comfy chairs, stone fi replace, and re-

laxed, intimate atmosphere.

Missouri’s winemaking heritage is

celebrated in Branson. Visitors to

Mount Pleasant Winery taste award-winning

wines and bottle their own dessert wine from a

600-gallon French oak barrel. Mount Pleasant’s

stone-and-timber architecture creates a won-

derful atmosphere for receptions and private

wine tastings. Stone Hill Winery, one of Mis-

souri’s oldest and most-awarded wineries, off ers

visitors a step-by-step tour of the winemaking

process and the chance to taste its famous Spu-

mante wines.

Nightlife

Wineries

Th e Library Lounge at Chateau on the LakePhoto courtesy of Chateau on the Lake

Tasting gallery at Mount Pleasant WineryPhoto courtesy of Mount Pleasant Winery

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PHOTOS BY EDWARD BIAMONTE

in some of the ,

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Opposite page: Adam navy & white romper, $295 at Ashby’s. Burberry blue polka-dot scarf, $68 at Town & County. Plaid shirt, $7; White Members Only jacket, $28, both at Vintage Vice.

Left: Yellow and red pocket square, $22 at Town & County. Rocketdog alley shoes, $42.95 at Blackwells. Antonio Melani coral wedge, $89 at Dillard’s. Matt & Nat Bag, $284 at Staxx.

Vintage Canoe with Sail: For sale, contact Ed and Lisa Stracke, 417-848-7840.

Below: Free People blue tank, $98; Dolce Vita sandal, $60; Orange scarf, $10; Kenneth Cole earrings, $19.20, all at Dillard’s. Eco grey boss V-neck, $26; Ben Sherman zip-up, $89; In-Sight plaid shorts, $58, all at Staxx. Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star in black, $39.99 at Dillard’s.

Bicycle for Two: Trek T-900, $1,100 at A&B Cycle.

Models: Andrea Christy and Bryan Pena

82 417 MAGAZINE


Opposite page: Lemon blouse with ruffles, $289; Milley white pants, $275; green silk scarf, $98, all at Harem & Company. Cole Haan Genevieve wedge, $228; Calvin Klein The Dylan pants, $78, both at Dillard’s. Stone ross button-down, $185 at Blackwells.

Above: Gold bangle with rhinestones, $98; gold bangle with pearls, $79; gold ring with light green stone, $169, all atHarem & Company. White Sunglasses, $32 at Town & County.

Special thanks to Mary Lou & Ernest Braswell for sharing their gardens with us.

84 417 MAGAZINE

Top: Bills khakis in green, $165; Mine stripe linen button-down, $98; Ted Baker orange tie, $89, all at Town & County. B.B. Dakota dress, $86 at Staxx. Liz Claiborne necklace, $85; Michael Kors summer wedge, $98, both at Dillard’s. Metal mesh clutch, $85; Gold clip-on earrings, $59, both at Harem & Company.

Opposite Page: Polo Golf argyle sweater, $185; AG Jeans, $168; IKE Behar purple button down, $165, all at Town & County. Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star in black, $39.99 at Dillard’s. Kersh white tank, $25; Kersh yellow dress, $42, both at Town & County. Ralph Lauren pearl earrings, $24 at Dillard’s. Rachel Michelle feather headband, $34; Jackie Jewels white necklace, $52, both at Staxx. Tahari khaki and yellow belt, $98 at Harem & Company. Cole Haan Genevieve Wedge, $228 at Dillard’s.

Vintage Reproduction Golf Cart: Provided by Ozark Golf Cars and Utilty Vehicles, 417-581-2644

Top left: Gold ring with purple and red stones, $159;gold ring with black triangle stone, $179, both at Harem & Company. Cole Haan small orange metallic handbag, $195

at Dillard’s. Brown wrap bracelet, $199 at Ashby’s.

Rickshaw: Provided by Adam Ashlock of GO-GREEN Pedicabs, 417-773-2068


86 417 MAGAZINE

summerTHIS MUCH WE KNOW IS TRUE: It’s hot, the days are longer, and we could all use a break from the everyday. Lucky us—there are three months of summer ahead and plenty to do in 417-land. And to help you fit it all in to one season, we’ve gathered 92 summer activities to keep the fun going every day until the leaves turn. Plus, find 11 ways to get wet (local surfing, anyone?), 12 entertaining ideas for rainy days (strap on your roller skates) and 16 creative tips for free fun (go ahead, bottle up those fireflies). So lather on some sunscreen and step into your flip-flops: Things are about to heat up.

Freebie:Splash Around:Rainy-Day Boredom-Savers:

Illustrations by Ashford Stam

per

ByM

elo

dy Adams, Ashley Reh,

Savannah Waszczuk, Whitney Wilkins

417 MAGAZINE 87

1.

2)ROLLYOURSELF SILLY

Dim lights, loud music and a huge slippery fl oor… roller skating rinks are the perfect recipe for fun on a rainy day. Head over to Skateport(3820 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfi eld, 417-887-9421), and strap on some of those non-fashion-friendly brown and orange roller skates for a chance to enjoy some indoor entertain-ment. In addition to skating around and around and around, the kids (or the grown-ups) can also enjoy arcade games and grab a bite at the snack bar at this roller rink.

8) ESCAPE TO THE GRAPE

Make it a weekend tour, and hit six local wineries. Now that’s what we call bliss. 1. Le Cave Vineyards (6696Jasmine Rd., Billings, 417-744-4122, lecavevineyards.com)Don’t worry about fancy wine lingo here. Th e laid-back winery hosts horseshoe tournaments and pig roasts and was reno-vated from an old dairy farm.2. Mount Pleasant Winery(3125 Green Mountain Dr., Branson, 417-336-9463, mount-pleasant.com)Th e walls of Mount Pleasant are lined by work from local artists Sam Stang and Brian Hynes. 3. Oovvda Winery (5448 N. Berry Ln., Springfi eld, 417-883-4896, oovvda.com)Satisfy your sweet tooth with wines made from the estate’s

homegrown fruits. With names like Cherry Tart Pie and Black Raspberry, you’ll think you’re sampling desserts.4. Stone Hill Winery (601 State Hwy. 165, Branson, 800-926-9463, stonehillwinery.com)Sip your way through Stone Hill’s six tasting rooms. 5. Whispering Oaks Winery(520 Lucky Rd., Seymour, 417-935-4103, whisperingoakswinery.com)Th e family-owned winery has a quaint picnic deck for sipping at sundown. Or a post-wine nap. 6. White Rose Winery (13001Journey Rd., Carthage, 417-359-9253, whiterosebed-breakfast.com)Go ahead—drink another glass. Th e winery’s staff loves to host overnight guests at the bed and breakfast and serve a full Irish breakfast that’ll cure anything.

3) CATCH AND…DON’T RELEASE

Don your best waders and reel in the catfi sh at Beaver Creek PayLake (10936 Hwy. AF, Mountain Grove, 417-453-6153, beavercreekpaylake.com). For $3 plus $1.75 per pound of fi sh you catch, visitors can fi sh all day. If you’ve had enough mess for one day, just ask the staff to clean your catch for you ($1 per fi sh). And for those who’d rather eat fi sh than catch it, Th e Fish Fry—located right on the lake—serves up fi sh fresh and more. Meals are served picnic-style with disposable plates, so diners can feast on the outdoor gazebo.

4) GET HIGHTake to the sky at

American Parasail (State Park Marina, Hwy. 165, Branson, 417-334-2628), and soar more than 200 feet above Table Rock Lake. And don’t worry—you’re in good hands. Captain Sam Sandt has fl own parasailers all over the world, including celebs like Sammy Hagar and Stevie Won-der. (Not in Branson, though.) Th e price is $79 per person, and the company is certifi ed to fl y single, double or triple riders.

6) VIEWALFRESCO

Catch a free fl ick at Founders Park (330 E Water St., Springfi eld, 417-864-1049) every Friday and Saturday night from July 10 through August 29. A few classic movies are sprinkled in with the newer releases. PG- and G-rated movies are shown on Friday Family Nights, and PG-13 movies are shown on Saturday Date Nights. Make sure to bring a blanket or lawn chair, or you’ll end up snuggling up on the concrete. (Free tickets available at Busch Municipal Building, Mediacom Ice Park, Chesterfi eld and Doling Family Centers and the Mediacom offi ces. Otherwise, it’s $5 at the gate.)

BRAVE THE RAPIDSAdd a rush of excitement to your

yourself in a small aluminum canoe

PARTY RIVER

canoe at the Niangua River Oasis(171 NRO Rd., Lebanon, 417-532-6333),

LAZY RIVER

canoes at Twin Bridges Canoe & Campground Inc. (HC64, Box 2300, West Plains, 417-256-7507)

SERIOUS FLOAT RIVER

little outside of 417-land and check

LostValley Canoe (Ponca, Arkansas, 870-861-5522).

7) RENT SOME FUNIf you feel a tinge of jealousy every time your co-workers

mention the fun they had with their wave runners and pontoons last weekend, you might consider renting some toys of your own. Wave runners, speed boats and pontoons are available to rent at most marinas, including: Table Rock State Marina, 380 State Park Drive, Branson, 417-334-3069. Beaver Creek Marina, Beaver Creek Drive, Kissee Mills, 417-546-5121. Scotty’s Trout Dock, 395 North Lakefront, Branson. 417-334-4288.

5) GET YOUR WADDLE ON

Ride Th e Ducks starts on land then splashes into Table Rock Lake or Lake Taneycomo on two 70-minute tours. (2320 W. Highway 76, Branson at the Branson Landing, bransonducks.com, 1-877-887-8225)

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9)BE ON THE BALLGive MJ a run for his mon-

ey by starting a game of pick-up basketball (or just Horse). We’ve found a few Springfi eld places to prove your game:Fassnight Park (S. Campbell Ave. and Meadowmere St., Spring-fi eld) Glenwood Park (451 N. Cedar-brook Ave., Springfi eld)Hartman Park (4001 S. Hemlock Ave., Springfi eld)Hawthorn Park (815 S. Market St., Springfi eld)Meador Park (2500 S. Fremont Ave., Springfi eld)

13)HANG TEN You don’t have to travel to

the coast to test out your surfi ng skills. The Republic Aquatic Center (711 E. Miller Rd., Repub-lic, 417-732-3344, republicmo.com) is home to Th e Flowrider, a ride which has been nicknamed Th e Huna by locals. Th e outdoor ride simulates a stationary wave that dares any rider’s best weight-balancing moves. Th e wave travels approximately 30 mph and presents challenges typical to skateboarding and wakeboarding, and riders take on the wave atop fl owboards, which are similar to wakeboards. Th e center is open daily until Labor Day, and cost is $5 per person to enter, plus $2 more for Th e Huna.

14)BELT IT OUTDoing karaoke at a

Springfi eld bar may not make you the next American Idol, but it will give you the chance to sing your heart out in front of a crowd. Belt out your favorite tunes at many 417-land bars, including: My Place (1211 W. Battlefi eld St., Springfi eld); and Bugsy Malone’s (400 South Ave., Springfi eld).

CAVE IN

Branson’s Marvel Cave in-

(399 Indian Point Rd., Branson, 417-338-8220) has as

Crystal Cave (7225 N. Crystal Cave Ln., Springfi eld, 417-883-9599)

10)GET LOST AT BASS PRO

Grab some fudge at the small snack shack before wandering down to let the kids peek at the live turtles. Have a scavenger hunt with the stuff ed animals, or play the target-shooting game. Finish off the day with a trip to Hemingway’s Blue Water Cafe to nosh on some all-you-can-eat crab legs. It’s a shopping trip the whole fam can get into. BassPro Shops, 1935 S. Campbell Ave., Springfi eld. 417-887-7334; 1 Bass Pro Dr, Branson, 417-243-5200, basspro.com

11.12)TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Grab the kids, and head over to the zoo for an outdoor, up-close wildlife experience. View animals from all around the world, including Asian elephants, tigers and primates. You can even feed the giraff es from an elevated feeding deck. Info on summer events, including “Pan-cakes in the Park,” are available online. Th e zoo costs $7 for adults and $5 for children ages 3 to 12. Dickerson Park Zoo, 1401 W. Norton Rd., Springfi eld. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, rain or shine. For more information visit dickersonparkzoo.org, or call 417-864-1800.

16)PACK A PICUHNICPack your own basket of goodies for a lunch out in the open.

Check out the North Fork Recreation Area 16 miles west of West Plains for ample places to lay down the checkered cloth. If you don’t feel like throwing together your own PB&J’s, stock up on goodies at Price Cutter Plus’s Battlefi eld location. Chef James Clary has added a slew of pre-made dishes to the store’s repertoire, and they’re all to-go-able.

15)LIGHT UP THE SKYGrab a blanket and a few

snacks to eat while you stare at the sky and watch fi reworks explode on Fourth of July. Visit 417mag.com for a few spots where you can catch fi reworks.

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DIP YOUR OARSRelish the smooth glide of your

sunrise to sunset and includes a canoe- and kayak-launching

The

and MarinaCanoe and kayak rental, 8 a.m. to one hour prior to sunset. $8 per hour, $25 half day, $45 full day. Lake Springfi eld Boathouse and Marina, 2312 E. Lake Springfi eld Park Road, Springfi eld. 417-891-1550, parkboard.org.

17.

21)ROCK OUT,OUTSIDE

Every Wednesday during the months of May, June and July, you can see live lunchtime shows at Founders Park. Con-certs start at noon, so pack a brown bag and call it your lunch hour when you head to the park to see local bands and perfor-mance groups. Founders Park,330 E. Water St., Springfi eld, 417-864-1049.

22)OM ON OVERIf you haven’t jumped on

the yoga bandwagon yet, summer is the best time to start. Outdoor yoga classes for all skill levels at Dynamic Body (1110 E. Republic Rd., Suite 108, Springfi eld, 417-883-4047) stretch your mind and body underneath the warm rays of the sun.

19)TOSS IN A WINAdd some competition

to the traditional Frisbee toss with a game of disc golf. Th e game is similar to traditional golf, but the golf balls and clubs are swapped for a fl ying disc. Each “hole” gives competitors a chance to throw the disc into a target area, which is most-often an elevated metal basket. Th e goal is to land the disc in the basket, and the fewer number of throws it takes, the better. It’s free to play at the spots listed below, and you can fi nd more local courses at discgolfmon-key.com. Tom Watkins Disc Golf Course (2015 W. High St., Springfi eld); Oak Grove Park (1538 S. Oak Grove Ave., Springfi eld)

20)DIG IN DIRTStop staring jealously

at your neighbor’s garden, and plant one yourself. Learn a few tips at Fall Into Gardening, hosted by the Master Garden-ers on August 8. Call 417-862-9284 to register.

23)TAKE A STROLLExplore the Mizumoto

Japanese Stroll Garden, a 7.5-acre hidden jewel right here in Springfi eld. Th ere are many plants, trees, lakes and Japanese lanterns, plus a waterfall, traditional Japanese tea house and a 13-tier Japanese pagoda. Nathanael Greene Park,2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfi eld. Tickets are $3 for adults. Ages 12 and younger are free. Open 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. every day except Tuesday and Wednesday. For more information call the ticket booth at 417-891-1654.

24)VISIT A FLUTTER FEST

Th e Greater Ozarks Butterfl y Festival at Springfi eld’s new butterfl y house features species of butterfl y native to the area. Also see host plants, caterpil-lars, butterfl y eggs, chrysalides and gardening information for attracting butterfl ies. Free, July 10-12, Close Memorial Park,2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfi eld.

18)FEEL THE BEAT ON THE LANDINGBranson Landing hosts a slew of musical entertain-

ment all summer long. For free. Take that, economy. Find a schedule of shows (including Big Smith and Th e Mark Chapman Band) online at bransonlanding.com.

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MAGGIE COURTNEYTHUNDERATION:

kind of scary,super-fast

loved it!Ranking:

BARN SWING:super-scary

kind of fastloved it!

Best part:

In her own words:

POWDER KEG: super-scary

super-fastloved it!

Best part:In her own words: “Next time I’m

TOBIN GRINDERAMERICAN PLUNGE:tame,

super-fastloved it!

Ranking:Best part:

GRANDFATHER’S MANSION:tame

loved it!Best part:

In his own words:

FIRE IN THE HOLE:kind of scary,kind of fast

it was okay,Best part: The animatronic guy

KIDRATED THRILLSWe get a lot from Silver Dollar City: plenty of games, lots of interest-ing food choices (Frisbee-sized cookies, anyone?) and, of course, plenty of rides. We took two adventurous kids to SDC (7-year-olds Tobin Grinder and Maggie Courtney) and let them loose among the rides. Here’s how they rated the thrills.

25. 27)GET WET INDOORS

Indoor water parks are sure to keep the kids splashing and smiling, no matter what the weather is outside. The Grand Country Inn resort (1945 W. 76 Country Blvd., Branson, 417-335-3535, grandcountry.com) is home to Splash Country, an indoor/outdoor water park with a three-level tree house and a lazy river, among other things. Also, guests of the Welk Resort (1984 State Hwy. 165, Branson, 417-336-3575, welkbranson.com) can enjoy the resort’s Splash-A-Torium, an indoor/outdoor water park with a 100-foot waterslide and more.

29)BECOME A LOCAVORE

If you haven’t yet, visit your local farmers’ market already! Springfi eld has 417-land’s big-gest, the Greater Springfi eld Farmers’ Market, with more than 90 vendors from 11 coun-ties (located in the northeast parking lot of Battlefi eld Mall). June is the best time to stock up on fresh produce: blueberries, strawberries, grapes, blackber-ries, peaches, carrots, tomatoes and peppers are ripe for the buying. Baked goods are always available, along with fresh eggs, milk and frozen meat.

28)DIVE INTO FUN

Head to White Water on Saturday, June 20, for Splash Down to Summer, sponsored by 417 Magazineand GO Magazine. Th e fun starts at 3 p.m., and attend-ees can stay until 9:30 p.m. (more than two hours after the park’s guests leave for the day). Th ere’ll be entertainment from the band Pearl, fun-fi lled games, a tropical-themed barbecue, exclusive ride time and the a plunge in the gargantuan 500,000-gallon surf quake pool. Th e event is a fundraiser for the Silver Dollar City Foundation. White Water, 3505 W. Highway 76, Branson.Admission is $10 for kids (ages 4 to 11) and season pass holders and $15 for everyone else. Text 417MAG to 74700 to receive special event price.

26)CAMP IN YOUR YARD

You don’t need a riverfront view or a tree-fi lled forest to go camping. Fill up some canteens, grab a few sleeping bags and have the kids follow you out the back door to camp in your own yard (no tent fees required). En-joy some parent-child bonding time by teaching your kids how to pitch a tent, and try roasting hotdogs over the barbecue pit for the ultimate camp-like experience. Dim the fl ash lights, and share scary stories to fi nish the night with a spooky touch. (Just don’t scare the kids so much that they parade into the house.)

30)CAPTURECRAWDADS

Kick off your shoes, roll up your blue jeans, and grab a bucket. We’re sending you on a crayfi sh-catching mission. More commonly known as crawdads, these little guys can be caught in most of our local streams, and we hear many shallow banks of the Finley River are loaded with them. (Try checking under big rocks.) Leave the rods and reels at home; all you need is your hands to catch them. Th e only requirement is a Missouri fi shing license for anyone older than age 16.

417 MAGAZINE 91

31)PARK ITFun, low-key and free: Is

there anything better on a lazy summer Sunday than some time in a park? Th ere are countless parks of all varieties in 417-land. To name just one, PhelpsGrove Park (950 E. Bennett St., Springfi eld, 417-864-1049) has eight tennis courts, a baseball fi eld, plenty of picnic tables and grills, a walking trail and lots of playground equipment. You can make a whole day of it.

35)GET ON YOUR BIKE AND RIDEWith more than 60 miles of trails, the Ozark Greenways off er two-

wheeled fun for the whole family. So jump on your bike, go at your own pace and enjoy the summer air. Ozark Greenways is a nonprofi t member-ship-based organization dependent on public support. For more informa-tion or to get involved, visit ozarkgreenways.org or call 417-864-2015.

SPY ON THE FAUNA

Free, 8 a.m. to noon, meet at Reming-ton’s, 1655 W. Republic Rd., Springfi eld, 417-887-0261

33.

34)SEE KID ROCKTake the kids to see Rock U Mentally. Started by Bucky Heard, this local group’s music touches on environmen-

tal and social issues that kids can relate to. Th e group is performing a show this summer similar to the old-time one-hour variety shows. It includes costumed characters, a mad scientist, multimedia animation and rock videos. It runs every weekend from July 16 to August 15 on Th ursday, Friday and Saturday. $15 adults, $10 kids. Group rates available.Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater, 1610 W. State Highway 76, Branson, 417-294-5183, rockumentally.com

32)WALK THE WALK

Summer’s warm nights are a great time to visit First Friday Art Walk. Jump from gallery to gallery in downtown Springfi eld to check out painting, photog-raphy, sculpture, glasswork and much more. Art Walks are free and take place on the fi rst Friday of every month in downtown Springfi eld from 6 to 10 p.m. Visit ff aw.org for more information.

37)BURN RUBBER(OR SEE IT HAPPEN)

Head out and see some liveracing action. The Ozark Raceway Park (8519 State Hwy. U, Rogersville, 417-738-2222, ozarkracewaypark.com) has drag races most Friday and Saturday nights. Cost is $10 for specta-tors, or you can run your owncar down the quarter-mile stretch for $15. Th e MO-KAN Dragway(30753 Baseline Blvd., Asbury, 417-642-5599, mokandragway.com) has Friday Fun Drags every Friday night. If you prefer dirt to asphalt, check out a dirt track race at the Midway Speedway(2230 Hwy. B, Lebanon, lebanon-midwayspeedway.com).

36)OGLE THE CHROME

Come hang out with Dad on Father’s Day weekend at Area ’57 for the Rods and Relics Rod Run, featuring about 150 cars and trucks from the year 1949 or before. Free, June 19-21. Times are TBA. Area ’57, 1610 W. Highway 76, Branson, are-a57events.com.

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GRAB SOME AIR

BalloonSport USA Springfi eld. 417-865-0800, balloonsportusa.com.

40.39)CURTAIN CALL

Altar Boyz TheMiss Firecracker Contest andJoseph and the Amazing Techni-color Dreamcoat Visit 417mag.com

38)TRAVEL BACK IN TIME

When rain gets you down, arcade games at 1984 can pick you right back up. Th ere are about 60 video games (such as Galaga, Ms. Pacman and Star Wars) and six pinball machines, plus ’80s music to make you feel like you’ve stepped into a time warp. Walnut Street and Jeff erson Avenue, Springfi eld,1984arcade.com, 417-831-3665.

44)FIRE OFF A FEW ROUNDSTh e Ozark Shooters Club is a complete shotgun-shooting

facility. If you don’t own a gun, no problem. Th e club rents out guns and ammunition. It works a little like a country club. Th ere are memberships available, but the general public can also come in to shoot. Th e complex includes 45 acres of woods and rolling hills. Th ere are three sporting clay courses, three trap fi elds, two skeet fi elds and three wobble traps. A women’s handgun clinic is off ered June 13, and you can call for more details. Ozark Shoot-ers Sports Complex, 759 U.S. Hwy 65, Walnut Shade, 417-443-3093.

42)GIVE THE A/C A BREAK!

Switch off that A/C on a mild summer night, and open the windows wide. Whether it’s game night, movie night, or night-night, your body will appreciate the fresh air. And don’t be afraid to pretend you’re living in the old days more frequently. Th is will save you money and energy and help the planet, all while giving you that breezy, beachy-home feel.

43)FEED YOUR SWEET TOOTH

Sweet Cheeks Candy, a nostalgic gem of a candy shop, is a tasty outing for anyone aged 1 to 90. You can buy 5-cent can-dies and 8-inch suckers, get your face painted or learn to play chess. Go in bitter, come out sweet. Sweet Cheeks Candy, 205 West Church St., Ozark (417-299-0122), sweetcheekscandys.com.

41)THROW SOME PAINT

For thrill-seekers who want to get dirty, get strategic and get a fl ag, paintball fi ts the bill. It’s great for a group. (Getting hit stings a bit, so be wear clothes with good skin coverage.) $15per person, includes mask, paint-ball gun, air and 100 paintballs.Paint Games Plus, 345 N. Karnage Lane, Springfi eld. 417-866-8801, paintgamesplus.com.

45)INVEST IN SOME OLDFASHIONED RETAIL THERAPY

Get some fresh air and shop in a town square this summer. Downtown Ozark has several shops (like the Persimmon Tree) and restaurants (like Pappas Style Kitchen). Browse for some new reads at Th ird Street Books or have a bite to eat at the Spring Creek Tea Room. In Bolivar, you can fi nd TM Clothing Company, Country Hearth & Tea Garden (shop and tea room combo) and Bogart’s, a new soup-and-sandwich shop where you can hear jazz on Friday nights. West Plain’s old Court Square has a variety of antique shops, lunch spots and old-fashioned charm.

417 MAGAZINE 93

SAMPLE THE CORNDOG SELECTION

is a yearly tradition that

Ozark Empire Fair 3001 N. Grant Ave., Springfi eld. 417-883-2660, ozarkem-pirefair.com.

50.

51)TAKE A SWINGSpend some time with

your little slugger at the bat-ting cages. Extra Innings has year-round indoor and outdoor softball- and baseball-training facilities. Th ere are six indoor hitting tunnels, pitching tunnels and softball batting tunnels. Hitting tunnels are available for a half hour for $15 or an hour for $25. Extra Innings, 1900W. Sunset St., B-100, Springfi eld. 417-881-2920, extrainnings-springfi eld.com

49)GO NATIVETake a quick road trip

to the land beyond southwest Missouri. Th ere are plenty of driveable cities nearby, but heading south to Eureka Springs will be an artsy experi-ence. Th e hilly town is packed with B & Bs, art galleries, good eats and a whole bunch of sum-mertime events. For the crafty part of you, visit in time for the annual Native American Pow Wow at the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. It’s a weekend of funky crafts, native dancing, talented artists and wildlife exhibits. Proceeds help to build natural habitats for the big cats at the refuge. $5 day, $10 week-end. June 19–21. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, 239 Turpentine Creek Lane, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, 479-253-5841, turpentinecreek.org.

46)DINE IN SUNSHINE

TOUCH RESTAURANT 1620 E. Republic Rd., Springfi eld, 417-823-8383

RIAD GREEK CUISINE105 Park Central Sq., Springfi eld, 417-866-1151

home to one of the largest out-

SAN FRANCISCO OVEN1110 E. Republic Rd., Springfi eld, 417-881-3033

the lit buildings and busy streets

and you’ll almost feel like you’re

GALLOWAY STATION 4211 S. Lone Pine Ave., Spring-fi eld, 417-890-1626

table-style seating and green sur-

47)ROAST YOUR DESSERT

Next time you fi re up the grill for dinner, forgo a costly trip to the ice cream shop and roast some marshmallows over the barbecue pit instead. Trust us, this is a kid-approved dessert.

52)FRESHEN UP YOUR MEAL

In season, you can pick blueber-ries, blackberries, raspberries and black raspberries at Sun-shine Valley Farm (8125 A.D. Hwy., Rogersville, 417-753-2698, sunshinevalleyfarm.com). You can also pick blueberries at TheBlueberry Patch (986 Crosstie Rd., Seymour, 417-935-4178).

48)SWIM WITHOUT SUNRather than using a rainy day as the perfect excuse to skip your

exercise routine, head over to the (2511W. Republic Rd., Springfi eld, 417-891-1616) and take advantage of the center’s indoor pool. While you swim off some calories in one of the pool’s three 25-yard lap lanes, the kids will enjoy sliding down the giant, winding red water slide and plunging into the swim area.

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53.

56)CATCH YOUR SUPPER

Southwest Missouri has some of the best fl y fi shing around, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro.

RIVER OF LIFE FARMTh is outfi tter is on the North Fork River near Dora. Newbies, let one of the experienced guides help you out. A guided day of fi shing is $250–$350, and the fee includes boats, shuttles and a lunch cooked on the river. River of Life Farm,RR1 Box 4535, Dora, 417-261-7777, riverofl ifefarm.com

RIVER RUN OUTFITTERSTh is Lake Taneycomo spot of-fers two-day fl y fi shing schools that include a half day in a classroom, followed by a day and a half on the water. River

, 2626 State Highway 165, Branson, 417-332-0460, riverrunoutfi tters.com.

CRANE CREEKTh is little river near Crane has nearly three miles of great fl y fi shing. Th e creek was stocked once in 1890 with the rare McCloud strain of Rainbow Trout. Th e fi sh have grown and spawned in the wild since that time. Only fl ies or artifi cial lures may be used, and the limit is one fi sh 18-inches or longer. Follow Missouri 413 north of Crane. Watch for sign on left just outside of town.

58)HELP FIDO MAKE SOME FRIENDS

Rescue your pooch from your confi ned backyard, and take him to Cruse Dog Park (2100W. Catalpa St., Springfi eld, park-board.org). All dogs are allowed to run leash-free in the fenced in, six-acre area created for man’s best friend.

55)PEDALREALLY FAST

Add a whole new thrill to your kids’ favorite hobby by taking them to Spokes BMX Raceway (2550 W. Bennett St., Springfi eld, 417-831-6060, spokesbmx.com) to race other youngsters-on-wheels on a 1,100-foot dirt track.

57)LET YOUR MIND WANDER

Th is summer is the last chance to see 50 exhibits at Th e Discov-ery Center from the Exploratori-um Science Center in California, which will be here until August. Th ey focus on bridges, light, mirrors, refl ection and rotation. Discovery Center, 438 E. St. Louis St., Springfi eld. For more information visit discoverycenter.org or call 417-862-9910.

60)BUILDSOMETHING

Want your kids to try working with their hands? Home Depot and Lowe’s host free building workshops for kids. Contact your nearest Home Depot and Lowe’s for class times.

59)FIRE UP THE GRILL

One word comes to mind when the sun is shining: barbecue. You can get the grilling goods and lots of supplies at Outdoor Home, Outdoor Rooms by De-sign and Maschino’s, to name a few barbecue hotspots (pardon the pun.)

54)GET SOAKEDCool off at the bumper boats at Th e Track Family Fun

Parks. Th ree of their fi ve tracks off er bumper boats. Two of those have Super Soaker bumper boats, which feature water cannons, turning a traditional bumper boat ride into a strategic water battle. For locations or more information visit bransontracks.com or call 417-334-1612.

DANCE, DANCE

Jordan Valley Park (635 E. Traffi cway, Springfi eld, 417-866-7444, ci.springfi eld.mo.us/jvp/)

417 MAGAZINE 95

HIT THE BEACHTABLE ROCK LAKE:

Moonshine BeachThis is the only sand beach on Ta-

$4 per car. Gates close at 9 p.m. Moonshine Beach Recreation Area, 3778 South Highway 165, Branson, 417-335-8383.

LAKE TANEYCOMO: Rockaway Beach Public BeachThis beach got a fresh load of

Restrooms and a basketball court

Free. Open at all times. Rockaway Beach, 417-561-4280.

BULL SHOALS LAKE:Theodosia

Theodosia beach area has a boat

$1 per day, per per-son. Lake Road 160-25, Theodo-sia, 417-273-4444.

66.

61)WASH YOUR RIDERain in the seven-day

forecast is no excuse for not washing your car. Make an afternoon of it by pulling out the water hose, having the kids pull on their swimsuits and letting them scrub away some of the dirt. Th ey’ll like the idea of playing in the hose, and you’ll get some free help with your dreaded task. Plus, good old-fashioned elbow grease works far better than most car washes, and you’ll save yourself a whole lot of quarters. 64)HIT THE BOOKS

Pop into your local library and ask about summer programming options. Th e Springfi eld–Greene County Library system has lots to do, and most of it is free. Th e Dewey Decimal Stomp teaches kids that any household item can be a musical instrument (lucky parents!), while the Magic of Creativity takes kids on a tour of the library, complete with a special visitor from the magician’s hat. Other classes involve science, magic story telling and lots of imagination. Library District, 417-883-5341, thelibrary.org.

62)CACHE IT INGeocaching is basically an advanced version of hide and seek—

except it’s much harder. Participants hide “caches”—often trinkets or coins—and search for other caches using a series of clues and a GPS system. Geocachers often compete to hide the most creative or clever caches, and it can take searchers many hours or even days to fi nd a cache, whether hidden carefully in the middle of a city or lining the Frisco Highline Trail. Geocaching is often enjoyed as a group, so join the Ozark Mountain Geocachers to take part in weekly searches, break-fast meetings and roadside cleanups. Just send an e-mail to [email protected], and ask to receive info on upcoming events.

63)ADVENTURE-LAND

If you’re tired of running the same 5Ks or fun runs, take your racing skills up a notch with a downtown race designed to exercise your body and mind. Th e Ozarks Multi-sport Club is hosting an urban adventuring race this summer. (Date is TBA, but you can get info by calling 417-890-7200 or visit-ing startingblockonline.com and ozarksmultisportclub.org.) Teams of two to fi ve people are let loose with maps downtown. Using a set of clues, they fi nd as many check-points as possible. And afterward? Post-race pizza party!

65)GO FLY A KITEGrab your kite, and let it fl y high on a windy day. Find a wide-

open fi eld at any of your local parks (but we can recommend lots of open spaces to run and fl y at Nathanael Greene Park in Springfi eld). Natha-nael Greene Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfi eld.

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DRIVE IN CIRCLESIs your 10-year-old dying to get

The Track Family Fun Parks

There are also kiddie and rookie

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69)SLEEP UNDER THE STARSSummer is the perfect time to get acquainted with the great

outdoors. And we don’t mean spending the day lying by the pool, we mean spending the day hiking, swimming in fresh water and sleeping on the ground. Leave the RV at home, pile the kids in the car, and head to Roaring River State Park Campgrounds (12716 Farm Rd. 2239, Cassville, 417-847-2539). Th ere’s nearby trout fi shing, well-developed hiking trails and eagle watching, so you’ll have plenty of chances to spend some quality time with Mother Nature.

71)KNOCK DOWN SOME PINS

You can fi nd bowling alleys all over in 417-land. It’s the classic fun activity for families (c’mon, Dad, show the kids your technique) and great for a rainy day. Check out Battlefi eld Lanes for a good strike. 1127 E. Battlefi eld St., Springfi eld, 417-883-1234, battlefi eldlanes.com.

68)TAKE A HIKEGeorge Washington Carver wasn’t only known for peanut butter. He was an avid fan of nature, and his namesake park, George Washington

Carver Park, (5646 Carver Rd., Diamond, Missouri, 417-325-4151), is a great place for a leisurely hike. Th e quaint ¾-mile trail might be short, but park guides advise taking time to stroll through the vegetation and trees surrounding the trail. Hikers will also amble by a pre–Civil War cemetery.

73)GET LOST IN DICK’S OLDTIME 5 & 10Visiting this dime store is a must on any trip to Branson.

Explore more than 50,000 items with the widest variety you’ll ever see: from skivvies and candy to hardware and houseware. Located in historic Branson at the corner of Main and Commercial Streets.

72)HOP ON A CHOPPERChopper Charter Branson off ers scenic helicopter tours of Branson

hot spots, charter services and the newest feature: dinner fl ights that provide transportation to Branson-area restaurants. Also, this summer try the I Fly Helicopter Experience, where you learn to fl y. Prices are $40–220. Taney County Airport. 469 Blue Sky Lane, Hollister, 417-332-1545.

70)SEEK MUSICIf your little angel is

about to drive you to bedlam, consider enrolling him or her in Camp Rock, a summer program at Springfi eld Music. Kids learn to play with a real band on stage and record their own mu-sic videos. Camps are one week and scheduled throughout June and July. $349, Spring-

, 3100 S. Fremont Ave., Springfi eld. 417-881-1373, springfi eld-music.com.

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LIGHTEN UP YOUR EVENING

holes in the lid and head

unless you like the idea of a

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74)FEEL AN ICEBERG Walk through a scaled-

down Titanic to view more than 400 personal and private artifacts on display. Learn the fate of a real guest or crew member through a boarding pass, and touch a wall of ice. Visit for the Father’s Day Boat Show June 20–21 to check out Bass Pro Shop’s Tracker Boat Center boats displayed in Titanic’s parking lot from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. 3235 76 Country Blvd. & Hwy. 165, 417-334-9500, titanicbranson.com.

75)CHOOSE SIDES IN THE CONE WARSTh e debate is relentless: Andy’s Frozen Custard

vs. Pineapple Whip. No matter your favorite, there’s no denying these vendors dominate the world of frozen treats.

79)DRIVE-INWhether you’re looking

for cuddle time with someone special or something diff erent to do with the kids, a trip to a drive-in theater is a ton of fun. Pack up lawn chairs, blankets and a battery-operated radio, and head to Seymour’s OwenDrive-In (1 Owen Dr., Seymour, 417-935-2232) for new block-busters under the stars. Cost is $5 per person. If you head to the Sunset Drive-In Theatre(1601 E. Church St., Aurora), you can bring along your own grill and barbecue your movie-time eats to save some serious dough on concessions. Admission is $6 per person.

81)FEED SOME QUACKERS

People fl ock to Springfi eld’s Sequiota Park, and not just for the trails and cave. Th ere’s a charm-ing lake, too. Take your little ones or Fido and a loaf of bread to feed the friendly geese and ducks that waddle alongside. Sequiota Park,3500 S. Lone Pine Ave., Springfi eld.

82)TAKE A PONY RIDEIf you have a horse, you can go trail riding at Busiek State Park in

Christian County. Located just off U.S. 65, the park has a beautiful spot where two streams meet in the forest. More than 18 miles of scenery will keep you and your four-legged friend entertained, including beautiful hills, green bottomland and picturesque brooks. Free, 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Located 18 miles south of Springfi eld in Walnut Shade. 417-895-6880.

77)FINISH LINELace up your favorite sneakers, and get moving.

Th ere’s a diff erent 5K run each weekend this summer, and most are supporting a great cause (and off ering up free T-shirts for runners). Races are scattered throughout 417-land, so you’re sure to fi nd one in your area.Check out our great big list of races at 417mag.com.

78)HIT THE LINKS417-land has some of the best golf courses in the coun-

try, and it’s time to highlight them. We’ve put together a nine-hole, mix-and-match course for you with highlights from nine courses. You can read about the potpourri online at 417mag.com So print out the guide, take it along, and make your way through the links during these hot summer days.

80)BROWSE THE BOOTHS

We love our fairs and festivals here in 417-land. Lucky us, there are lots of them scattered through June, July and August. Find a few favorites online at 417mag.com.

76)PURGE YOURSELF OF ALL YOUR JUNK

Be done with the cluttered closets and Grandma’s pea-green gravy boat. A garage sale is a great way to get rid of all of your unused items and make a few extra bucks. Increase your chances by checking with your local city hall to fi nd out if there are any city-wide garage sale dates. License your sale for free through the City of Springfi eld’s fi nance department by calling 417-864-1617. Want to coordinate a big block sale? Visit 417mag.com

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LEARN TO BREATH UNDERWATER

Aquasports Scuba Center (5601 S. Campbell Ave., Springfi eld, 417-883-5151, aquasports.ws/index.htm)

($395 for a group course, $495 for a semi-private course and $595 for private course.)

90)TRADE YOUR CUPPA JOE FOR

SOMETHING ICYCHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER FROZEN FRAPPETh is frozen delight tastes like a frozen Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. $3.75, Hebrews Coffee,1604 E. Republic Rd., Springfi eld.

MANGO MANIA JET TEATh is refreshing blended drink tastes like liquid fruit. $3.73, MudHouse, 323 South Ave. #B, Springfi eld.

MINT MOMMATh is refreshingly frozen thirst-quencher tastes like a Th in Mint cookie. Big Momma’s, 217 E. Commercial St., Springfi eld.

84)JOIN A LEAGUEEnjoy the outdoors, get

some exercise and bond with your buds by joining a softball or baseball league. Even if you’re not Albert Pujols, there’s a coed or mixed-league team or tournament for your skill level. Killian Sports Complex,2141 E. Pythian St., Springfi eld, 417-837-5817. Cooper Sports Complex, 2300-2700 E. Pythian St., Springfi eld, 417-837-5806. parkboard.org.

91)ROOT, ROOT, ROOT FOR

THE CARDINALS’Nuff said. Head out to Hammons Field to see your Springfi eld Cardinals play and make some memories with your own little slugger. Tickets are $6–23.50. Visit springfi eld-cardinals.com for the schedule, 417-863-2143.

85)GRAB YOUR PUTTER

You don’t have to have Tiger-esque skills to enjoy a little putt putt. Mini-golf locations in 417-land are fun for the whole family. Fun Acre off ers 18 holes with obstacles to keep you chal-lenged. It’s also kept clean and in good shape. (Fun Acre, 2500 S. Campbell Ave., Springfi eld, 417-889-1872) If you’re in Bran-son, just wander down the Strip to fi nd mini-golf galore.

86)GET BACK TO NATURE

Th e Nature Center has about three miles of trails to hike through 80 acres of land. Th ere’s also an aquarium with native fi sh, a wildlife viewing room, a nighttime display to see nocturnal animals and a cave exhibit. Free. Open daily.

ture Center, 4600 S. Chrisman Ave. Springfi eld, 417-888-4237.

92)PRACTICE YOUR BACKHAND

Head out to Cooper Tennis Complex. Tennis lessons start at the beginning of each month for both adults and kids. Also, adult mixed doubles league is occurring in July and August. Cooper Tennis Complex,1100 N. Hampton Ave., Spring-fi eld. For more information call 417-837-5800.

87)TREAT YOUR TOOTSIES

Summer means two words: fl ip fl ops. So invite a few friends over, set out some emery boards and bright polishes, and get to work on those toes. Don’t want to do the pedicure work yourself? Check out 417mag.com for a list of local salons where you can treat your feet.

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89)HAVE A CULTURAL EXPERIENCEInstead of hanging around by the television, head to the Spring-

fi eld Art Museum for a couple of new exhibits this summer including Watercolor USA (see p. 51 for more info). Children can participate in summer art classes, also. Registration is through June 26. Museum, 1111 E. Brookside Dr., Springfi eld, 417-837-5700.


You nominated almost 100 husbands, dads and friends

for our Hot Husbands competition, and we narrowed down

the playing field by looking for men who are great dads, great husbands

and great members of our community (that means they give their time

generously). The 20 finalists are on these pages, but their fates are

up to you. So be sure to head to 417mag.com starting on June 1 to

cast your votes. There, you can read the finalists’ full Q&As and learn

how they are hot both inside and out. Voting will continue through June

29 at 5 p.m. After voting ends, stay tuned. The 10 final winners will be

announced in the September 2009 issue of 417 Magazine.—The Editors

PHOTOS BY EDWARD BIAMONTE

HOTHusbands

417 Magazine’s

The Finalists

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KIRK ELMQUIST, 40Vice-President of Sales/Marketing for the Springfield CardinalsWhy He’s Hot: Kirk has been involved in a huge number of non-profit events and organizations, such as emceeing the Steak and Steak dinner for Boys and Girls Club or Eyes in Disguise for The Kitchen Inc. “I have been given much in life, and I was raised to always give back,” he says.

NICK SANDERS, 36Owner of TXK Technology and AvashareWhy He’s Hot: Nick donates his time as an auc-tioneer to approximately 34 charity events annu-ally. “I’m the clown in the front of the room telling jokes that embarrass my wife and mother in-law,” he says. He’s also currently serving on the Devel-opment Board of Springfield Catholic Schools.

TOM SATTAZAHN, 31Contractor/Owner of Master Handyman LLCWhy He’s Hot: Tom does a lot of vol-unteer work through his church and par-ticipates in Back to School Bash, which provides backpacks and school supplies for local kids.

TONY MATTEO, 37Radio On-Air and Programming for Alice 95.5Why He’s Hot: Among other charity work, Tony helps out The Ozarks Food Harvest through his radio station’s part-nership with it. “We’ve raised more than a half-million dollars for OFH in my time at Alice 95.5,” he says.

TREVOR CRIST, 31Insurance Agent for Nixon & Lindstrom and Partner in Fedora Social HouseWhy He’s Hot: Trevor gives a lot of his time to local organizations, such as the Greater Ozarks chapter of the American Red Cross. He’s also past president of Rotaract Club of Springfield.

THE FINALISTS

HOTHusbands

417 Magazine’s


PAUL LONG, 36Owner of Paul Long Agency, LLCWhy He’s Hot: Paul is ultra-involved in his hometown, from serving on the Bolivar Rotary Club and Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce to volunteering for Enterprises Unlimited (a sheltered workshop for people with developmental disabilities).

KEITH JAMES, 44Business Owner, Simmons Beautyrest GalleryWhy He’s Hot: A cancer survivor him-self, Keith volunteers for the American Cancer Society and is involved with the Relay for Life, the American Cancer Soci-ety’s largest fundraiser. For Relay for Life 2008, his team raised close to $30,000.

JURIS SIMANIS, 39Sports Medicine/Family Practice MDWhy He’s Hot: Juris is the volunteer medical director for the Pleasant Hope Emergency Medical Services and provided volunteer medical coverage for many local events, such as the annual YMCA Polar Bear Run and the CMH Holiday Run.

ROBERT STEELE, 41PediatricianWhy He’s Hot: Robert has been a pro-vider and collaborating physician for the Child Advocacy Center, a board member for Parenting Life Skills Center, medical consul-tant for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Chairman of the State Advisory Board for Childhood Immunizations.

JOSEPH PASSANISE, 40Criminal Defense AttorneyWhy He’s Hot: Joseph is currently vol-unteering his time to help not-for-profi ts fi nd collaborative solutions in an eff ort to increase their productivity without increas-ing costs in a diffi cult economic climate. He also sits on the board of the Parenting Life Skills Center, among other eff orts.

THE FINALISTS

Visit 417mag.com to vote for your favorite Hot Husband.

102 417 MAGAZINE

THE FINALISTS

MICHAEL GARNER, 28Vice President/Commercial Lending Officer (UMB Bank)Why He’s Hot: Michael donates his time to Rock’n Ribs and Boys and Girls Town via his Rotaract involvement. He’s also a regular donor to the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks and a board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

CHRIS REYNOLDS, 27CEO/Co-Owner, Intuitive Web SolutionsWhy He’s Hot: Chris and his wife are a Big Cou-ple to a 9-year-old boy through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. “He keeps me young,” Chris says. The couple wanted to be involved in an organiza-tion that allowed them to use their experiences to mentor a young person.

DAVID TAYLOR, 51Advertising Agency OwnerWhy He’s Hot: In addition to being on the leadership team for his First & Calvary Presbyterian Church Sunday school class, David serves on the mar-keting committee of Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield.

MATT KRAMER, 31Buyer for Paul Mueller CompanyWhy He’s Hot: Matt, whose wife is a teacher, spends both his time and his money helping out her school district and students. “It is rewarding to be involved in something that is so vital to many chil-dren’s lives and can have a positive impact on them that will last a lifetime,” he says.

GRANT WISTROM, 32Co-owner of Prudential Grand Lake Wistrom Realty on Grand Lake in Grove, OklahomaWhy He’s Hot: A former NFL defensive end, Grant runs the Grant Wistrom Fam-ily Foundation. The organization helps pediatric cancer patients by taking them out of the hospital on fun outings.

HOTHusbands

417 Magazine’s


THE FINALISTS

ANDREW BROWN, 35AttorneyWhy He’s Hot: Andy says that some of his most rewarding experiences as an at-torney have been as guardian ad litem for abused and neglected children. “Giving them a voice in court, while not always fi nancially lucrative, puts our day-to-day hassles in perspective,” he says.

SKIP MOTSENBOCKER, 40Managing Director & Chief Marketing Offi cer of SignalPoint InvestmentWhy He’s Hot: Skip is involved in organi-zations that give back to the community, the environment and children. Th ose include the Child Advocacy Center, United Way, Partnership for Sustainability, Community Foundation of the Ozarks and more.

MARC TAUAI, 31Loan managerWhy He’s Hot: Marc spent six years in the National Guard serving his community, state and country. He says that he always tries to be generous with his time through volunteering, whether it’s helping friends, family or a stranger.

JOEL DOEPKER, 40Director of Public Relations and Communica-tions, Ozarks Technical Community CollegeWhy He’s Hot: Joel is the college repre-sentative for the United Way of the Ozarks Campaign Cabinet, where he works with local colleges and universities to set up fundraising eff orts. He also provides public relations support for the Autism Speaks or-

JOE DAUES, 46News anchor on KSPRWhy He’s Hot: Joe’s is a familiar face at charity events around the region. He has volunteered his time as emcee, host or judge at events for organizations such as the American Heart Association, the Alzheim-er’s Association, the American Cancer Soci-ety, MDA telethon, Th e Kitchen and more.

Visit 417mag.com to vote for your favorite Hot Husband.

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Paul Foster has captured the world on fi lm

for the Discovery Channel, but his favorite

destination is his home in Nixa. BY MELODY ADAMS

W here hasn’t Paul Foster been? Th at question is certainly easier to answer than trying to list all the places where Foster, a Nixa resident, has traveled in his 24 years as a videographer. One look at his collection of weathered, peeling passports stamped beyond recogni-tion, and you’d know that Foster is a serious traveler. He’s been to fi ve continents, 49 out of the 50 United States and more than 25 diff erent countries (and he’s been to many of those countries several times). If a photo tells a thousand words, then Foster has a full compendium of stories, and then some.

Getting His Feet WetFoster fell into the world of television after receiving an electronic media degree from Southwest Missouri State University in 1984. After interning at Springfi eld’s oldest news station, KOZK, he got a job as a technical director at KSPR, which wasn’t even an affi liate of a national broad-casting station at the time.

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After cutting his teeth for a while, he jumped ship to KY3, which allowed him the opportu-nity to attend a National Press Photographers Association workshop in Oklahoma, where he developed his technique. Foster writes very little, using mainly the interview and natural sound. “I’m still a storyteller,” he says. “I let the story tell itself instead of coming up with my own words.” After defi ning his technique, Fos-ter truly fell in love with being a cameraman.

He was invited by local personality Joyce Reed to join a station in Kansas City as a news photographer. His work on a news special called “Crack Down”—detailing the jobs of a street narcotics unit and the battle against crack cocaine—earned him an Emmy in 1989. “It’s great that a camera guy could win an Emmy on his own, without a producer or a writer,” says Foster, who honed his taste for adventure while riding with undercover cops and capturing risky drug raids on fi lm.

Foster left his job in Kansas City to be the video coordinator, and later the assistant man-

ager of the PR department, at St. Joseph Health Center. His transition into corporate communi-cations allowed him to build a solid freelancing base. After fi ve years at St. Joseph, Foster was off ered a promotion to become the PR manager, but he declined and left to focus solely on free-lance work. “It was a perfect way to transition out of full-time and into freelance,” says Foster, who got his feet wet shooting for the Kansas City Chiefs, the NCAA and the Big 8 (now the Big 12). Foster also took jobs for local nonprof-its, despite the low pay, including the Heart of America United Way and the Kansas Missouri Special Olympics. “Nonprofi ts wouldn’t have a huge budget to go to a big production house, but they’d have a need for a video to tell their story,” says Foster. “I would come in, make a video and help their cause.”

Out Into the WorldOne of Foster’s fi rst big trips shooting paid programming for CNBC landed him in a gold exploration camp in French Guiana, called the

Omai Gold Mine Operation. Foster and his team slept 10 diffi cult nights in the middle of the rainforest, but the trip jump-started his years of adventuring.

Foster had some of his best adventures working for a show called Th e Unexplained,which took him to remote corners of the Earth to explain, well, the unexplained. Two hundred miles north of the Arctic Circle, the Notre Dame in Paris, Teotihuacàn and Chichen Itza in Mexico—his ventures were all over the world, and he loved every minute of it. “We went to places where people had never seen a camera before,” says Foster.

A show titled Human Weapon took him to Asia several times, including Camodia, Malay-sia, Th ailand and the Philippines. “To me, go-ing to Th ailand or Cambodia or rural China or the Arctic Circle are the things that are really exciting,” says Foster. “People don’t normally get to go to women’s prisons, boatbuilders in Venice, emerald mines in Brazil. I feel very blessed; my life has been an adventure.” Fos-

GLOBETROTTING: Weathered passports and photos from Japan and the Phillipines are souvenirs of a career that has taken Paul Foster to 25 countries, 49 states and almost every continent on the planet.

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ter also shot episodes of How Stuff Works for the Discovery Channel, Minute by Minute for the History Channel and City Confi dential for A & E. For the past fi ve years, Foster’s been shooting the Oxygen show Snapped, about women who come undone and commit violent crimes.

But world travel does take its toll. Foster has logged innumerable hours stuck in air-ports or crammed in a car. “It gets really old sometimes,” he says, “spending a lot of your life in a hotel or an airplane.” Foster’s wife, Lee, a dental assistant at Parkcrest Dental Group, has accompanied Foster on a few of his travels—to Los Angeles, Hawaii and, most recently, to London. Foster traveled sans gear with his family to Italy in 2006. “When I can travel with one suitcase and a backpack, it’s like I have nothing with me,” says Foster, whose videography gear can sometimes take up to 10 suitcases.

Foster hasn’t just been bitten by the travel bug, he’s been consumed by it, constantly

craving foreign cities, remote villages and the comfort of fellow travelers. And he wouldn’t have it any other way. “You develop life long friends because you spend so much time away from home with other people,” says Foster.

When acquaintances ask Foster what he does for a living, Lee rolls her eyes. Where to start? He could tell them about the time he traversed the slums of British Colum-bia with a frantic stepmother searching for her drug-addled stepdaughter. Or the time he crouched for safety 300 feet deep in a Brazilian emerald mine while dynamite was exploding around him.

But he’d be just as happy telling you about his three kids, the youngest of which took her own adventure to western Europe. “As cool as everything is, nothing really beats home and family,” says Foster. “After 11 days in a hotel trying to learn the lan-guage and working your butt off , it’s nice to relax at home.”

People don’t normally get to go to women’s prisons,boatbuilders in Venice, emerald mines in Brazil. I feel very blessed; my life has been an adventure.

—Paul Foster

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GetawayLone Star

How to spend three Texas-sized days in the state’s capital:

The urban oasis that is Austin. BY MIKE EDWARDS

W hen most people think of Texas, they envision cowboy hats, boots, blue jeans and oil wells. Th e fact is, Texas is the home of four million-plus

metro areas, and one of those just doesn’t have the Texas feel. Read on, to learn how to spend three days in Austin, the state capital.

DAY 1:Start at Th e Driskill Hotel, a landmark in Downtown Austin. Built in 1886, it’s located near the beautiful Capitol building, and it’s famous for being the place President Lyndon Johnson waited for results of his campaign with John F. Kennedy as vice-president in 1960 and for his Presidential campaign in 1964. After checking in, head to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildfl ower Center. Founded by former fi rst lady Lady Bird Johnson, and actress Helen Hayes this is a place to be introduced to the beauty and diversity of wildfl owers.

Continue your trip down presidential mem-ory lane, and visit the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum on the University of Texas campus. As you walk toward the entrance, you’ll get a great view of the Texas Longhorns’ massive football stadium. A ride to the library/museum’s 10th fl oor shows an exact replica of Johnson’s Oval Offi ce, including the famous bank of three televisions, one for each network, that Johnson watched daily.

At dinnertime, head to Jeff rey’s, the home of impeccable steaks and fi ne cuisine, along with a distinctive selection of local and world wines.

DAY 2:Grab a fantastic breakfast at the Four Seasons Hotel, and then walk off your breakfast with a stroll through the Austin Government District, home of the Capitol Building. Th e building was restored to its original splendor in the mid-’90s. Next, don your swim gear and head to Barton Springs Pool. It’s is a spot in the middle of Austin near Zilker Park. Its warm spring water remains a comfy 68 degrees year round.

Grab dinner at Mirabelle. It’s an upscale res-taurant without being too pricey, and it off ers the best and most reasonable wine list in town.

If you grabbed an early dinner, then take a drive out to Lake Travis for one of the most beautiful sunsets you’ll ever see. It’s a fi shing and water-sport destination, and you can catch the best view at Th e Oasis or Th e Iguana.

And while you’re enjoying the outdoors, take in some wildlife entertainment as well. Every summer night, hundreds of people gather to see the world’s largest urban bat colony fl y from un-der the Congress Avenue Bridge. Nearly 1.5 million bats emerge, and it’s a sight to see!

Taking advantage of the nightlife in Austin is a must. Th e Warehouse District has plenty of bars and live music, and Th e Continental Cluband Antone’s are both known for music (the blues at Antone’s).

DAY 3:Have breakfast is in the form of tacos. Th e best place in Austin is Maria’s Taco Xpress on La-mar. Try the Migas Taco. Delicious!

After breakfast, walk through the University of Texas campus. Th ere are seven museums and 17 libraries on the campus for you to see.

In the mood for Mexican? Grab lunch at Z’Tejas Grill, and try the ruby trout salad or the pecan-crusted chicken salad. After lunch, check out some of the shops in the downtown area. Th ere are many fun and funky shops to enjoy on South Congress (a.k.a. SoCo), plus some great restaurants, like the Magnolia Café, Guero’sand the area’s best coff ee at Jo’s Coff ee. If it’s something sweet you crave, the place for treats in downtown Austin is Amy’s Ice Cream, an Austin institution.

Make your last Austin dinner a memorable fi nish to three days in the Texas capital. Zootserves delectable steaks, seafood and poultry, including duck, along with world-class wines, and to-die-for deserts.

Finish your fi nal evening with a trip to the highest point in Austin, Mount Bonnell. Rising more than 700 feet above sea level, it provides some breathtaking views of Austin and the lakes and rivers in the area. It’ll be the perfect place to wave goodbye to Texas’s super-fun capital.

Visit 417mag.com to learn how to get to Austin (by land or air), plus a resource listing for all the hotspots mentioned in this story.

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KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD:Clockwise from top, get to know the city by taking in the Austin skyline, the crispy oysters octavia at Jeffrey’s, University of Texas campus, the Four Seasons Hotel and Lady Bird John-son Wildfl ower center.

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The heat radiates off the stone sup-ports in late afternoon. It’s like running past a space heater blast-ing waves of molten steel onto your skin. In the summer, it’s a

feeling you dread as you climb the arc of The Suspension Bridge. The bridge spans the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati. As you run on the pedestrian path, you can hear the whine of car tires on the metal grates change pitch and make the bridge sing. On this bridge, I knew I was starting a life-changing journey. It was the summer of 2007.

I’d meet a running buddy every Tuesday afternoon on the Kentucky side of the river for what we called the five bridges run. We’d criss-cross the Ohio River several times cross-ing three bridges once and one bridge twice. On our runs, Robert would talk about getting married. I’d mostly talk and joke about life in a house with three girls and one woman. That summer, my talks got much more serious. I told Robert that an old boss from Cincinnati

had called and wanted me to interview with his new TV station in Springfield. It was very tempting. I was born in Missouri. That’s where I got my driver’s license for the first time; it’s where I graduated from college.

Robert listened that summer as I explained the crossroads I stood near. I was just past 40. I’d been in Cincinnati for 12 years. I was estab-lished. My kids liked their school. I liked the town. People seemed to like me. I was fat and happy.

And I was definitely heavier than I’d been in years. My weight had jumped to a very un-runner-friendly 195 on my height-challenged frame. At work, I was definitely comfortable. But maybe I was too comfortable. Climbing that bridge that summer, it dawned on me that maybe it was time to take a chance. It was time to take a journey. Robert seemed to know all this before I said it out loud.

Change isn’t easy. We made the move. We found a house. Put the kids in school. I went to work. My wife found a job that sup-

ports her passion of running. But I missed my friends. I missed Robert and our Tuesday runs. I missed a Sunday running group from Cincy made up of doctors, police officers and regular Janes and Joes from all walks of life. Of course, I also had to learn a whole new cul-ture at work. I had to learn new things and dismiss old habits. I found out that I missed the old familiar routine way more than I thought I would.

I started to feel at home when I found Ozark Mountain Ridge Runners. OMRR had running groups. OMRR had a calendar of rac-es. OMRR had people just like the ones I’d left behind; people who supported a slightly older, somewhat slow, heavier runner. I wound up running five half-marathons in 2008 thanks to the support of the running groups and my family.

Along the way, I changed the way I ate. I started taking in smaller meals several times a day instead of eating big (too big) meals three times a day. I managed to drop 30 pounds and

Running Toward Home

-

BY PAUL AND MELISSA ADLER

Pho

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by

Kev

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RUNNER’S WORLD:Melissa and Paul Adler adjusted to Springfield and re-adjusted their waist-lines while training for the Dallas White Rock Marathon.

Health

Paul’s Story


gain the confi dence to make another run at a marathon. It also didn’t hurt that my wife challenged me to it. She might have called me a sissy if I hadn’t accepted her off er to train with her and run the Dallas White Rock Marathon.

On the day of the race, I stood in downtown Dallas shuttled into the A category. Th at’s the letter for the category of “faster runners.” It was a beautiful thing to see that letter on my chest. I knew I wouldn’t win or come close to the front of the pack. But just being in the same crowd with the letter A made me proud. It’s also something I never dreamed would happen on that summer day in Cincinnati. As I passed those hot stones, I didn’t know my journey would take me to a race in Dallas and a new place in Missouri that felt like home.—Paul Adler

Experienced runners know about it. Veteran marathoners warned me about it. Th e Wall. Somewhere around mile 22, I was told, your tank will be empty, every muscle will ache, and your brain will have to convince your reluctant legs to fi nish. For my fi rst marathon, I had prepared a motivational speech to be delivered in my head, and out loud if neces-sary, for the moment it happened. Four little

miles were not going to wipe out 17 weeks of intense training.

Th e morning of the Dallas White Rock Marathon was warm and windy. Th e tempera-ture was in the 60s and climbing. Too warm for many marathoners, but I didn’t mind. Th e start of the race was jammed, and water stations were chaotic. Th e heat forced many runners to take liquids early.

Mile after mile passed as the Dallas skyline shrunk and the course escorted us through beautiful neighborhoods. I was staying on pace to fi nish under four hours. Th en, 6.5 miles into the race, it happened: I hit Th e Wall. It was a 12-foot sign with 2 huge arrows. FULL MARATHONERS KEEP LEFT. HALF MARA-THONERS KEEP RIGHT. Th is time I was go-ing left. I was a marathoner. My emotions surprised me. My eyes welled up, my heart pounded even harder. It was an amazing moment. Th en I realized my windpipe was closing and it was getting hard to breathe. I quickly revised my speech: “Quit your blub-bering. Th is is what you’ve trained for. Be-sides, people will think you’re injured, or de-hydrated, or crazy.”

I proudly went left of Th e Wall and turned my attention to the 10-mile loop around White Rock Lake. Th is was arguably the windiest part of the race. Runners sounded like kites as their numbers frantically fl apped in 30-mile per hour gusts. I joke that surely could have shaved 20 minutes off my time if the winds had been calm. In the end, I fi n-ished my race 48 seconds short of qualifying for Boston. Th e last few miles were hard, but happily there was no wall.

Somewhere in the last gasps of the race, I passed a man who was delivering his motiva-tional speech to himself. “You’ve looked for-ward to this for six months,” I heard him say. “Don’t quit now.” It was a good speech. I hope he fi nished.

Before beginning my training, and conquer-ing my fi rst 22-mile training run, I doubted whether I could fi nish a marathon. Now that I have, I realize the only wall I faced was the one in my head that kept me from believing I could go the distance.—Melissa Adler

Health

It was a beautiful thing to see that letter on my chest. I knew I wouldn’t win or come close to the front of the pack. But just being in the same crowd with the letter A made me proud.

RUN WITH THE PACK

Finding a club or organization with members who share your passions is a great way to get to know your neighbors and make connections in 417-land. For Paul Adler, who ran the Dallas White Rock Marathon with his wife last year, the group that made him feel at home was the Ozark Mountain Ridge Runners Club.

To get involved with the Ridge Runners or to see the group’s cal-endar of local runs, visit omrr.org. Memberships dues are $20 per fam-ily per year, but the run calendar is available for free online.

“

”—Paul Adler

Melissa’s Story

*Editor’s Note: Paul Adler fi nished Th e Dallas White Rock Marathon in 3:38:53. Melissa Adler fi nished in 3:51:47.

112 417 MAGAZINE

Various Dates »ZUMBA CLASSESZumba is the hottest new workout craze. The Latin-based music routines feature aerobic and fitness interval training. Step by Step Dance Studio, Spring-

field, 417-689-4141; Macedonia Baptist Church, Springfield, 417-882-6647; Oak Grove Commu-nity Center, Springfield, 417-891-1635; Cox Health Meyer Center, Springfield, 417-269-3282; Dance-works, Ozark/Springfield, 417-888-0294; Starlight-ers School of Dance, Nixa, 417-724-8878; First Baptist Church of Ozark, Ozark, 417-581-2484; The River Fitness Center, Ozark, 417-582-1795; Branson Public School, Branson, 417-335-4568; Health Studio and Spa, Monett, 417-235-5500.

3

June 20 »14TH ANNUAL TWO-PERSON SCRAMBLE GOLF TOURNAMENT

Enjoy a day out on the links while supporting several West Plains–region youth programs. This two-person scramble is hosted by the Kiwanis of West Plains, who fund Little League, soccer and swim teams in the West Plains area. Entry fee includes four mulligans and No. 8 string game, along with a cash prize for the longest drive and longest putt. Free beverages are provided. Prize money is based on number of entries, so make sure to be there. $100 entry fee. June 20, 12:30 p.m. West Plains Municipal Golf Course, 1724 N. Terra St., West Plains, 417-256-9824.

BY WHITNEY WILKINS | [email protected] JUNEEVENTSFOR YOURHEALTH

TOP

Health

June 24 »YMCA FAMILYADVENTURES SWIM NIGHTJoin your little tadpoles at the

Downtown YMCA for an evening of splashing and laughing at a family-friendly pool event. Activities include trivia, constructing rafts and treasure hunts. Other family adventure activities include family climb class, family fun night, family gym, family inflatables and family yoga. $15 per family for members, $35 per family for non-members. June 24, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Downtown YMCA, 417 S. Jefferson Ave., Springfield, 417-862-7456, orymca.org.

1

2

TAP IT IN: Take a drive for the team and support West Plains–area youth programs at the 14th–Annual Two-Person Scramble Golf Tournament.


June 27 »BRIDGES FOR YOUTH 5K & 1 MILEThis run benefi ts Bridges for Youth, an after-school program. The

program has four after-school centers in Springfi eld and one in Marshfi eld. All of-fer study rooms, games and movies for kids who might otherwise be at home alone. Corporate and family rates are available for the race, which begins at scenic Jordan Valley Park in Springfi eld. $15 pre-registered, $20 day of race. Bridges for Youth, 1039 W. Nichols St., Springfi eld, 417-827-0716, bridg-esforyouth.net.

5

June 20 »WILLARD TRIATHLONCome for the free food and drinks,

or to support Project Playground, a city project to put playground equipment in Willard’s new soccer park that opened in April. A pre-triathlon clinic will be held at the Willard Community Building on June 3. Ages 15 and older can race, and everyone receives a T-shirt. $40 if pre-registered, $45 day of race. Willard Community Building, 222 Jackson St., Willard, 417-742-2262.

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114 417 MAGAZINE

Reclaimed brick pavers and oak fl ooring made from old barn wood bring a warm, rustic feeling to this 10,000-square-foot brick estate.

BY SAVANNAH WASZCZUK PHOTOS BY EDWARD BIAMONTE

COP TOP: The designers paired copper accents with the espresso colors of the cabinetry for a bold, warm feel in the kitchen.


s owner of Triple S Properties, Inc., a residential and commercial real estate development company in Spring-field, Mike Seitz had plenty of experience in home construction before he decided to build his current house. His 10,000-square-foot all-brick estate is located in Eagles-gate, a master-planned community in south Springfield.

With the help of Heritage House Interiors’ Interior De-signer Rachel Barks, along with Trish Bradford, a friend of

Seitz’s who worked as the interior decorator, the home was created as a spot that is warm and accommodating for both small family gatherings and large get-togethers.

116 417 MAGAZINE


Being warm and inviting, the hearth room is a great place for Seitz to

“

”

TK TK TK: (above) office tk tk tk tk (below) wine cellar

118 417 MAGAZINE


For a decorative new twist on the ceiling fan,

check out the “Fan D’lier” by Savoy House.

Th is stylish fan is perfect for small living

spaces such as porches, mud rooms and half

baths. It’s energy effi cient, suitable for damp

locations and includes a wall-mount remote

control.

In anticipation of the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield’s 55th annual Parade of Homes, we consulted some 417-land experts in home building, design and décor to get their best, most innovative ideas for your home. Here are their creative ideas to make your home more comfortable, more beautiful, more efficient—and more enjoyable.

The Parade of Homes is scheduled for June 19-21 and June 26-28, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

3252 N. Glenstone, Springfieldwww.MetroBuildersSupply.com

Metro Builders Supply

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Supp

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Available at

Multi-tasking furniture gives you fl exible

options when it comes to using your out-

door space. Th is Eclipse lounger by Gloster

provides conversation seating, a cozy nook

for two, or a relaxing spot to nap, read or

sunbathe. It even comes with its own shade.

11966 Hwy 13, Kimberling Citywww.OutdoorRooms.net

Outdoor Rooms by Design

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Available at

MAGAZINE’S

120 417 MAGAZINE

Benjamin Moore’s “Aura” paint offers two-coat

coverage, is self-priming on many surfaces, and

can be re-coated in one hour, saving you time

and money. Aura’s new color science technol-

ogy produces rich, durable colors in a low-VOC

paint that’s available in any sheen.

A custom barbeque island provides a safe spot

for your grill; the size, finishes and storage

space can be designed to suit your needs and

your price range. When you’re done grilling,

the island can be rolled out of the way or tucked

into a corner to make more room for fun on

your patio or deck.

Enjoy the detoxifying health benefits and

soothing heat of a far infrared sauna in your

own home. Unlike conventional saunas that

use steam and high heat, the far infrared

sauna produces wavelengths of light that are

absorbed by the body. Saunas for home use

are available in a range of sizes and finishes,

and they’re available with options including

CD players, MP3 ports and DVD players.

1815 E. Seminole, SpringfieldHwy 65 and CC, Ozark

www.seminoledecorcenter.com1715 S. Campbell, Springfield

www.maschinos.com

1358 E. Kingsley, Suite C; Springfieldwww.midwestsaunas.com

Seminole Decor Center Maschino’s

Midwest Saunas

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Available at

Available at


Bark siding gives your home a natural, rustic look

that’s virtually maintenance-free. It can be used

on interior and exterior surfaces, or as a decora-

tive accent. Because it makes use of a material

that would otherwise have been considered an

unusable byproduct, it’s a green alternative to

traditional siding choices.

Through your local lumberyard.www.cedarcreeksgf.com

Cedar CreekWholesale

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Available at

Turn your home into an energy-effi cient Smart

Home. You can save energy without compro-

mising your lifestyle by managing the lighting

and temperature in your home with an effi -

cient, user-friendly system. Regardless of the

age of your home, the experts a Stereo One can

design a system to make it more earth-friendly

without the need for major remodeling.

2868 S. Glenstone, SpringfieldBrentwood South Shopping Center

Stereo One

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One

Available at

122 417 MAGAZINE

Th e new Oreck Halo™ is a germ-killing upright

vacuum. It uses UV-C technology to eff ectively

reduce the amount of bacteria, germs, dust

mites and mold that could be on your carpets

and fl ooring. Th is powerful vacuum traps dust

and debris inside a HEPA fi lter bag and includes

on-board attachments.

Fresh, new bedding is a great way to update a

room without the expense of remodeling or buy-

ing new furniture. Crisp fabrics and details like

the printed borders and pleated ruffl es in this

Sferra bedding make your bedroom feel like a

summer retreat.

3358 S. Glenstone, SpringfieldIn the Primrose Marketplace, next to TJ Maxx

www.oreckstore.com/springfield-mo

2716 S. Glenstone, SpringfieldIn the Brentwood Shopping Center

www.nancyroseinc.com

Oreck CLeanHome Center

Nancy Rose

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Hom

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Available at

Available at


124 417 MAGAZINE

Make your ugly concrete surfaces look like stone,

brick, slate or tile. Art Crete of America’s concrete

staining and etching process protects and beau-

tifi es your existing concrete, creating a beautiful,

non-skid fi nish that’s easy to maintain. Th ey can

even include logos in your design.

www.ArtCreteofAmerica.com

Art Crete Of America

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Available at

Looking for an earth-friendly alternative to

chemical fertilizers, but still want a lush, green

yard? Elite Irrigation’s Organic Lawn service is

a safe, natural organic lawn program that con-

trols weeds, insects and disease. Th is all-season

program helps your lawn stand up to summer

heat and winter freezes, and produces a beauti-

ful yard that requires less water.

2733 E. Battlefield, #152; Springfieldwww.417turf.com

Elite Irrigation

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riga

tion

Available at


Add usable square footage to your home by a cre-

ating a functional, comfortable outdoor living

area. Outdoor fi replaces create a focal point, add

beauty and atmosphere, and extend the useful

life of the space.

Th ese beautifully shaped awnings add a sophis-

ticated touch to your home’s exterior and boost

your home’s curb appeal. Awnings can help lower

your utility bills by shading south-facing win-

dows. Th ey can also help protect your furniture,

rugs and drapes from the harmful eff ects of the

sun.

3107 E. Chestnut Expressway, Springfieldwww.outdoorhome.com

1342 N. Nias, Springfieldwww.coppermanor.com

Outdoor Home

Copper Manor

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Available at

Available at

126 417 MAGAZINE


Pho

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FULLY LOADED: A generous dish of jumbo shrimp served with cream cheese corn and loaded mashed potatoes with cheese, chives, bacon and garlic.

> > >

Visit 417mag.com and click 417 Dining to read more reviews of southwest Missouri’s best eateries.

If You Fry It, Th ey Will Come

BY KATIE POLLOCK [email protected]

You can do a lot of things with a hamburger. Some of those things are a good idea, and some of them aren’t. But most of the brightest hamburger innovations have one thing in common: Th ey usually don’t up the healthiness quotient.

And hey, that’s okay. It’s a burger after all. It’s an indul-gence. And we’ve all seen enough commercials to know that just about anything can wind up on patties of beef. Jalapeños, bacon, pineapple

(continued on p.128)

128 417 MAGAZINE

rings, pepperoni... the list never ends. But on a recent visit to Quincy Magoo’s—the Spring-fi eld eatery in the space formerly occupied by Fish and then Clary’s—I was dealt a new one: the fried hamburger.

No, I’m not talking about a burger whose beef is fried. Th is one was a battered and en-tirely deep-fried wonder that looked more like a giant donut than any hamburger I’ve ever seen. Th at’s what it looked like on the outside anyway. Cut open the fried package, and you fi nd all the typical cheeseburger makings: a sesame-seed bun surrounding a fat hunk of ground beef and three kinds of melted cheese.

My arteries hurt just looking at it, even though (I’m not gonna lie) my mouth was sort of watering. But, it wasn’t I who ordered it. It was my dining buddy, Eli Estes. On the Quincy Magoo’s menu, which is a lot larger than we expected, the fried burger stands out as the most unusual and most curious of all the items. Th e restaurant, with its brick walls, long bar and pool table, is half restaurant, half bar. I enjoyed the Bloody Mary, which was made with pepper vodka and packed a decent kick. Fans of the bar at-mosphere (there’s a touch-screen photo hunt game!) have plenty of bar-food-style appetiz-ers to choose from on the menu, such as the very yummy white queso (which is yellow, by the way). And fans of the restaurant at-mosphere have plenty of dinnertime variety. Th ere’s everything from burgers and steaks to shrimp dinners and meals with southwest-ern fl avor, like quesadillas. Not everything on the menu is fried, but for some reason, on our visit, the fried road is one that Eli and I took.

We started with the fried mushroom appe-tizer, which came out quickly and was served with chipotle and ranch dipping sauces. Th e batter was crispy but not too heavy, and the piping-hot mushrooms inside were fl avorful and weren’t cooked to death.

When Eli’s fried cheeseburger came out, we weren’t sure how to tackle it. It was pretty big, and with a side of French fries, the overfl ow-

ing plate looked like a challenge waiting to be met. Th e fried burger was defi nitely fl avor-ful, and the gooey cheeses and any juice from the burger seemed to be held within the fried shell. All the fl avors just melded together.Surprisingly, though, the burger was a little dry. As good as it tasted, the fried hamburger

was too much to tackle. Eli’s assess-ment: “Th e increase in fl avor

doesn’t seem proportion-ate to the decrease in

healthiness.”Is the fried burger

something to order again and again? Nope,

but I really doubt it was meant to be. It’s an

adventure. A fun, strange, overwhelming, yummy thing

to order just once, just so you can say you did it. “I conquered the fried cheese-burger!” You know you want to say it.

Sticking to the theme of the evening, I or-dered the fried shrimp dinner, which came with mashed potatoes and cream cheese corn. Th e mashed potatoes were stellar and my very favorite part of the meal. Th ey are fully loaded with goodies: cheese, bacon, chives, garlic. Th ey were so full of extra yummy fl avors that if it hadn’t been for the skins mixed in (I love skins), I would have forgotten that potatoes were even involved.

My shrimp were really tasty but fairly typical for fried shrimp. Th ey were jumbo, crunchy and cooked just right, but after the fried mushrooms, a few bites of fried burger and all those potatoes, I barely had enough room to eat two of them. (Th e meal came with about 10 shrimp. Th at’s a dang gener-ous portion of shrimp.)

So did we spring for dessert? Oh my God, no. Too full. Could we walk out to the car? Barely. Would we have prefered a piggy back ride? Defi nitely. If big burgers, fun ap-petizers and touch-screen photo hunt (!!!) are your thing, you’ll be a fan of Quincy Magoo’s. And if you want to take on the challenge of the fried burger? Well… let me know if you are able to clean your plate.

About ReviewingReviews are written by our editors and freelance writers as a service to readers, without advertising consideration. Visits are as anonymous as possible, and all expenses are paid by 417 Magazine. New res-taurants are allowed at least four weeks to establish themselves before a fi rst visit. To comment, please use our new Dining Feedback section on 417mag.com.

Quincy Magoo’s

(from p.127)


The 417 Magazine Dining Guide is a select list of restaurants in southwest Missouri. Im-plicitly, the magazine’s editors recommend all these restaurants. The Dining Guide is not re-lated to advertising, and 417 Magazine doesn’t accept freebies in exchange for reviews or listings.

Listings are updated often; they appear based on space availability. (Please visit 417mag.com to view a searchable Dining Guide and read archived reviews from the edi-tors of 417 Magazine.)

Eateries written about in Dining Guide items such as the restaurant review, “Dining News” and “7 Good Things” (a list of great eats and drinks) are chosen by editors as a service to readers. —The Editors

CLICK 417 DINING417mag.com features a 417 Dining sec-tion complete with an archive of truth-telling restaurant reviews, searchable listings and Google maps.

DINING FEEDBACKReaders’ restaurant comments are always wel-come. Use Dining Feedback at 417mag.com (rollover 417 Dining) to send us your recom-mendations, opinions and all things related to restaurants.

LOCAL RESTAURANT NEWSIf you have news about your restaurant or a correction to our listing on your restaurant, we’re all ears. Call 417-883-7417 and ask for Katie Pollock, or e-mail [email protected].

= Best of 417 Reader’s Choice winner = Updated listing

$ = Most dinner entrées are less than $10 $$ = Most dinner entrées are $10 to $20 $$$ = Most dinner entrées are $20 or more

= The restaurant is entirely smoke-free = Wheelchair-accessible

= Reservations recommended

BEST OF 417

UPDATED

Dining Guide

A-LIST FINE DINING

5 SPICE CHINA GRILL,Chinese fusion.

BEST OF 417

ARGENTINA STEAKHOUSE,Fine steakhouse

fare

AVANZARE,Northern Italian

BEST OF 417

BIJAN’S SEA & GRILLE,Mediterranean.

BEST OF 417

BRUNO’S IL RISTORANTE,Sicilian

BUCKINGHAM’S PRIME RIB AND STEAKHOUSE, Gour-

met grill

CAFÉ 37,Contemporary American.

UPDATED

CANDLESTICK INN RESTAURANT,American/French

provincial.

BEST OF 417

CHATEAU GRILLE,Con-

temporary American, French style.Wine Spectator

è

CRABBY’S SEAFOOD BAR & GRILL, Contemporary Ameri-

can.

D’MONACO,Contemporary American.

té

FIRE & ICE,Global cuisine.

FLAME STEAKHOUSE,American steakhouse.

BEST OF 417

GALLERY BISTRO,Contemporary.

GILARDI’S RISTORANTE,Northern Italian

BEST OF 417

HARUNO,Japanese.

.

130 417 MAGAZINE

BEST OF 417 UPDATED

KAI,Contemporary Japanese

LIBERTY TAVERN,Contemporary American.

METROPOLITAN GRILL,Contemporary Italian.

BEST OF 417

OCEAN ZEN,Asian fusion.

BEST OF 417

RIVERSIDE INN,American/Continental

TOUCH,Mediterranean.

BEST OF 417

THE TOWER CLUB,Contemporary American.

TROFI,European.

WORMAN HOUSE,American steak-

house

71. dilled chicken salad PRICE CUTTER PLUS (3260 E. Battlefi eld St., Springfi eld, 417-887-5516)

2. southwestern pork soup EMACK & BOLIO’S (2925 E. Battlefi eld St. #105, Springfi eld, 417-889-3622).

3. banana shake WHICH WICH? (3405 E. Battlefi eld St., Springfi eld, 417-882-9424).

4. JULIE’S CHEWIES (105 S. Main St., Nixa, 417-725-8865, 1325 S. Glenstone, Springfi eld, 417-887-

2777).

white chocolate chunk chocolate-pecan.

5. muffaletta sandwichMCALLISTER’S DELI (several locations in 417-land).

6. limeade drinks BAMBU VIETNAMESE (1338 E. Battlefi eld St., Springfi eld, 417-881-9881).

7. prime rib table-tizer PARLOR 88 (1111 E. Republic Rd., Springfi eld, 417-882-8882).

7 Good Things is chosen by the editors of as a service to readers. We’ve

tried everything on this list, and we like it. To send us your 7 Good Things suggestions, click

Contact on 417mag.com and then submit a letter to the editor.

*good things

Dining Guide


ZOEY’S MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE,Greek and Mediter-

ranean.

CASUAL DINING

ANDY WILLIAMS MOON RIVER GRILL,American.

NEW LISTING

BAR LOUIE,Contemporary American.

BLEU OLIVE,Mediterranean.

CHÉZ ROBÈRT BISTRO,American/French/Caribbean.

DA BAREFOOT CHEF,Gourmet.

DEVIL’S POOL, American.

DICK CLARK’S AMERICAN BANDSTAND GRILLAmeri-

can.

DOBYNS DINING ROOM,American.

132 417 MAGAZINE

FEDORA SOCIAL HOUSE,Fondue

GLENN’S AT MURDER ROCK,American.

GRAD SCHOOL, American

UPDATED

GRAPEVINE WINE SHOP, American

HEMINGWAY’S BLUE WATER CAFÉ,Sea-

food.

BEST OF 417

HOULIHAN’S,American.

MACARONI GRILL,Italian.

BEST OF 417

MILLE’S TURN OF THE CENTURY CAFÉ,Ameri-

can.

NEARLY FAMOUS DELI & PASTA HOUSE, Deli

and Italian.

BEST OF 417

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, Australian-themed

steakhouse

PAPPAS STYLE KITCHEN, Greek/American

PARLOR 88, 1111Appetizers.

RIAD,

Greek/Mediterranean.

RED ONION CAFÉ,Casual/Italian.

BEST OF 417

ROCKBRIDGE RESTAURANT, Ameri-

can.

RODIZIO BRAZILIAN GRILL,Brazilian-style steak

and more.

RUBY TUESDAY RESTAURANT,

BEST OF 417

SANDSTONE GARDENS BISTRO,American.

ST. MICHAEL’S,American.

BEST OF 417

TONIC ULTRALOUNGE,Cocktails, small plates, dinner.

TROLLEY’S,American.

TUSCAN GRILL,Italian.

TWILIGHT GRILLE,American.

VALENTINE’S,Italian/American.

WHITE RIVER FISH HOUSE,American/seafood.

BARBECUE, BEEF & STEAK

BUCKINGHAM’S SMOKEHOUSE & BBQ,

BEST OF 417

BUCKINGHAM’S EXPRESS,

CROSSTOWN BBQ,

DOE’S EAT PLACE,American steakhouse.

.

BEST OF 417

FLAME STEAKHOUSE, Please see p. 129.

LONGHORN GRILL,

OUTBACK STEAK & OYSTER BAR,

RICHARD’S HAWGWILD BBQ,

Dining Guide


STEAK INN,

WORMAN HOUSE, Please see p. 130.

BREWERIES, SPORTS BARS & TAVERNS

BIG WHISKEY’S,

BEST OF 417

BUFFALO WILD WINGS

417BEST OF

417

CARTOONS OYSTER BAR & GRILLE,

COYOTE’S ADOBE CAFÉ & BAR,

EBBETS FIELD,

FUSION BAR & GRILL,American

GALLOWAY STATION,

BEST OF 417

INDIGO JOE’S, 417 read

BEST OF 417

OUTBACK PUB,

134 417 MAGAZINE

PATTON ALLEY PUB,

BEST OF 417

QUINCY MAGOO’S,

REVIEWED ON P. 127

RIAD, Please see p. 132.

RIVALS CASUAL GRILLE,American.

SPRINGFIELD BREWING COMPANY,

CAFÉS& DELIS

EAT: POWERED BY DA BAREFOOT CHEF,

THE FRENCH HEN,

THE GROTTO,

LJ’S BISTRO,

LOLA’S PASTRIES & EATERY,

PANERA BREAD,

BEST OF 417

RIVERWALK JAZZ CAFÉ,

SAN FRANCISCO OVEN,

SUB SHOP,

BEST OF 417

TEA BAR & BITES,

CAJUN

BAYOU LUNCH BOX,

BIG EASY GRILL,

FRENCH QUARTER CAFE,

CHINESE

5 SPICE CHINA GRILL, Please see p 129.

HONG KONG INN RESTAURANT

BEST OF 417

LUCY’S

MR. YEN’S,

BEST OF 417

SAMURAI SAM’S,

COFFEE & DESSERT

ANDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD,

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BIG MOMMA’S COFFEE & ESPRESSO BAR,

THE COFFEE ETHIC,

DJANGO’S COFFEE HOUSE,

EMACK & BOLIO’S,

FRENCH HEN CAFÉ & COFFEEHOUSE, Please see p. 134.

HEBREWS COFFEE,

HOT SHOTS COFFEE & ESPRESSO,

Dining Guide


KALDI’S COFFEE ROASTING CO.,

KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS

BEST OF 417

LAMAR’S DONUTS & COFFEE

THE MUDHOUSE,

BEST OF 417

THE MUDLOUNGE,

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BEST OF 417

SUPREME BAKERY,

BEST OF 417

DINERS & GREASY SPOONS

ANTON’S COFFEE SHOP,

AUNT MARTHA’S PANCAKE HOUSE,

BILLY BOB’S DAIRYLAND

136 417 MAGAZINE

CASPER’S,

GAILEY’S BREAKFAST CAFÉ,

BEST OF 417

FAMILY

BRIC’S BELGIAN WAFFLE AND PANCAKEHOUSE,

CHEDDAR’S CASUAL CAFÉ

BEST OF 417

INCREDIBLE PIZZA CO.,

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ROSIE JO’S CAFÉ,

VILLAGE INN FAMILY RESTAURANT,

.

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ZIGGIE’S CAFÉ,

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INDIAN

GEM OF INDIA,

ITALIAN

AVANZARE Please see p. 129.

AZRIELLE’S,

BRUNO’S IL RISTORANTE, Please see p. 129.

D’ARPINO’S ITALIAN CAFÉ,

DIGIACINTO,

Dining Guide


GILARDI’S RISTORANTE, Please see p. 129.

J. PARRINO’S PASTA HOUSE AND BAR,

MACARONI GRILL, Please see p. 132.

NONNA’S ITALIAN AMERICAN CAFÉ,

TUSCAN GRILL, Please see p. 132.

VALENTINE’S, Please see p. 132.

ZIO’S ITALIAN KITCHEN,

BEST OF 417

JAPANESE

FUJI,

HARUNO, Please see p. 129.

HINODE,

IZUMI HATAKE SUSHI GRILL,

KAI, Please see p. 130.

KYOTO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE,

LITTLE TOKYO,

MIJURI SUSHI & RHYTHM,

NAKATO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE,

BEST OF 417

OHANA JAPANESE CUISINE

SAKURA,

UMI

WASABI JAPANESE SUSHI & GRILL,

KOREAN

SOO’S KOREAN RESTAURANT

Dining Guide

138 417 MAGAZINE

GOLDEN KOREAN,

MEXICAN

CANTINA LAREDO,

BEST OF 417

EL PUENTE,

HERRADURA,

LA FIESTA GRILL,

MARIA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT,

BEST OF 417

MEXICAN VILLA,

PRIMA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT,

THE TAMALE KING,

PIZZA

ARRIS’ PIZZA,


BEST OF 417

BUD & WALT’S PIZZA & PASTA HOUSE, -

CRAVIN’ PIZZA,

GARBO’S PIZZERIA,

-

-

UPDATED

IMO’S PIZZA417 Magazine

BEST OF 417

MCSALTY’S PIZZA CAFÉ,

--

-

LUIGI’S PIZZA KITCHEN,

-

OLD CHICAGO, -

BEST OF 417

PIZZA HOUSE,-

THE PIZZA STOP, -

SOUTH AVENUE PIZZA, -

ROCCO’S PIZZA,

ROSATI’S PIZZA, -

-

WHEAT STATE PIZZA,

TEA ROOMS

BETH’S BAKE SHOPPE & TEA ROOM, -

417 Magazine

BEST OF 417

CAFÉ ROSWITHA, --

FAT QUARTER TEA ROOM,

-

MALINDA’S TEA ROOM,-

RUBY LENA’S TEA ROOM, -

SPRING CREEK TEA ROOM,

THE VINEYARD TEA ROOM,

THAI

BANGKOK CITY,

THAI HOUSE,

BEST OF 417

THAI PEPPERS

-

-

THAI THAI CUISINE, -

BEST OF 417

THAI XPRESS,

-

TONG’S THAI RESTAURANT,

VIETNAMESE

BAMBU,

-

UPDATED

LITTLE SAIGON,--

-

UPDATED

Dining Guide

140 417 MAGAZINE

People Pics faces + places

Downtown in Denim

Benefiting organization

Date

Location

Money raised

Attire

Food

Entertainment

Sponsors

People Pics417mag.com

Pho

tos

by

Shei

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nd

Kin

sey

Bat

son

417 MAGAZINE 141

People Picsfaces + places

Food For a Woman’s Heart Luncheon


Date

Location

Money raised

Attire

Food

Entertainment

Sponsors


Pho

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by

Gin

a D

eGen

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an

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Hannah Voss, Bennett Thurman

People Pics

Eyes in Disguise


Date

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Presenting sponsor


Ph

oto

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417 MAGAZINE 143

People Picsfaces + places

An Evening with the Phantoms: Presented by Dr. Walter and Martha Gaska

The Phantom

of the Opera

The Phantom of the

Opera

Miss Saigon, Guys and Dolls,

Les Misérables, Company, Kiss Me Kate

Damn Yankees.


Date

Location

Money raised

Attire

Food

Entertainment

Sponsors

417 Magazine

Springfield Business Journal,


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144 417 MAGAZINE

Lee’s Summit native Sarah Duval met Republic native Chris Gillstrap in 2004 during their alpha seminar course at Drury University. Th e two became best friends and remained that way for a year and a half, and Sarah says the transition from friendship to dating blurs togeth-er. Before the two were offi cial, they had many “friend dates,” but

what she would call an offi cial fi rst date happened on Valentine’s Day in 2006. In January 2008, Chris asked Sarah’s dad if he could have his daughter’s hand

in marriage. After her father agreed, Chris proposed in the same spot that Sarah’s father proposed to her mother, on a hiking trail in Mount Vernon.

Th e wedding ceremony took place at the historic Stone Chapel at Drury Uni-versity, and the reception was held at the Discovery Center. Sarah replaced the traditional groom’s cake with a stack of Chris’s favorite snack—chocolate chip cookies. Both Sarah and Chris love Memory Lane chocolate milk, so they had a chocolate milk toast rather than a champagne toast. Steve Proffi tt, owner of Th e Potter’s House, was the offi ciant.

Hilary Horan was the maid-of-honor, and Mollie Duvall, Laura Bliss, Megan Blosser and Bekah Wertz were bridesmaids. Th e best man was Tyler Danforth, and Alex Robichaud, Andy Trossen, Jeff Horn and Aaron Witzke were the groomsmen.

Sarah Duvall Chris GillstrapBY SAVANNAH WASZCZUK | [email protected]

THE DETAILS

Reception:Photography:Wedding Planner:Dress:Flowers & Linens:Food:Cake:Entertainment:

&

Weddings

Go to 417bride.com to read about more local nuptials and fi nd 417-land wedding-planning resources.

Documents

417 Magazine 2009-06