Summer 2019
School is out and the kids are involved in summer activities. It is time to build memories (or relive some old memories) with some summer trips and Missouri has many varied places to visit for weekend or short trips. If time is not available for long trips, we can still travel with our computer to either experience these places or to plan some IRL trips.
It may seem early to talk about the Missouri Bicentennial, but it takes time to prepare for a celebration of the 200th anniversary of statehood. Missouri2021.org has much information about the upcoming celebrations.
One special thing is the bicentennial quilt project, which will be made using a quilt block from each county and the city of St. Louis. Missouri2021.org/bicentennial-quilt/ provides details on how to enter a quilt block. Individuals and organizations may submit a quilt block that represents their homes. A committee will select the blocks to be made into the official state quilt.
The Missouri Civil War Passport Program (MO-passport.org) will provide a fun way to visit important Civil War sites in Missouri. You can purchase a “Passport Book” and then visit any of the 29 sites around the state that have Civil War history events. At each site you can receive a stamp in your passport to commemorate your visit. My town of Glasgow was the site of an important Civil War battle and is included in these sites. The location to visit to get your book stamped in Glasgow is the Bushwhacker Bend Winery (BushwhackerBend.com). The Glasgow page in the passport can be found at MO-passport.org/glasgow/.
Around Glasgow, when we say, “....at the Lake”, we are talking about the Lake of the Ozarks. The lake has more shoreline than the state of California and offers many vacation opportunities. Check them out at VisitMo.com/in-the-spotlight/lake-of-the-ozarks. Of course there are many boating, fishing, and water sports to enjoy, but there are also shopping, shows and fine eating. You don’t want to miss Ha Ha Tonka State Park, which can be previewed online at VisitMo.com/things-to-do/ha-ha-tonka-state-park.
As a boy I was always interested in American Indians and I have never grown out of it. I recently enjoyed a program on Missouri Indian tribes given by Mike Dickey, the state administrator at Arrow Rock State Historic site (MoStateParks.com/park/arrow-rock-state-historic-site) and an expert on Missouri Indian tribes. Missouri-vacations.com/missouri-native-american-history/index.htm is loaded with information about the native tribes who lived in what is now Missouri..
Mr. Dickey spoke at my SAR Chapter Meeting. SAR is the Sons of the American Revolution. If you have an ancestor who participated in gaining our nation’s freedom during the revolution, you would be eligible to join the SAR. My Chapter, the M. Graham Clark Chapter can be found at mgcsar.org. We have 15 Chapters in Missouri and would be happy to have you join us. You can contact me for more information or consult the state association page at mossar.org/membership/becoming-a- member/.
Perhaps we will cross paths while visiting a state park or while having our passports stamped at a Civil War site. If we meet, please say “hello”. Those friendly greetings are some of the best things about living in Missouri. Of course, be safe while traveling either on the internet or IRL.
It may seem early to talk about the Missouri Bicentennial, but it takes time to prepare for a celebration of the 200th anniversary of statehood. Missouri2021.org has much information about the upcoming celebrations.
One special thing is the bicentennial quilt project, which will be made using a quilt block from each county and the city of St. Louis. Missouri2021.org/bicentennial-quilt/ provides details on how to enter a quilt block. Individuals and organizations may submit a quilt block that represents their homes. A committee will select the blocks to be made into the official state quilt.
The Missouri Civil War Passport Program (MO-passport.org) will provide a fun way to visit important Civil War sites in Missouri. You can purchase a “Passport Book” and then visit any of the 29 sites around the state that have Civil War history events. At each site you can receive a stamp in your passport to commemorate your visit. My town of Glasgow was the site of an important Civil War battle and is included in these sites. The location to visit to get your book stamped in Glasgow is the Bushwhacker Bend Winery (BushwhackerBend.com). The Glasgow page in the passport can be found at MO-passport.org/glasgow/.
Around Glasgow, when we say, “....at the Lake”, we are talking about the Lake of the Ozarks. The lake has more shoreline than the state of California and offers many vacation opportunities. Check them out at VisitMo.com/in-the-spotlight/lake-of-the-ozarks. Of course there are many boating, fishing, and water sports to enjoy, but there are also shopping, shows and fine eating. You don’t want to miss Ha Ha Tonka State Park, which can be previewed online at VisitMo.com/things-to-do/ha-ha-tonka-state-park.
As a boy I was always interested in American Indians and I have never grown out of it. I recently enjoyed a program on Missouri Indian tribes given by Mike Dickey, the state administrator at Arrow Rock State Historic site (MoStateParks.com/park/arrow-rock-state-historic-site) and an expert on Missouri Indian tribes. Missouri-vacations.com/missouri-native-american-history/index.htm is loaded with information about the native tribes who lived in what is now Missouri..
Mr. Dickey spoke at my SAR Chapter Meeting. SAR is the Sons of the American Revolution. If you have an ancestor who participated in gaining our nation’s freedom during the revolution, you would be eligible to join the SAR. My Chapter, the M. Graham Clark Chapter can be found at mgcsar.org. We have 15 Chapters in Missouri and would be happy to have you join us. You can contact me for more information or consult the state association page at mossar.org/membership/becoming-a- member/.
Perhaps we will cross paths while visiting a state park or while having our passports stamped at a Civil War site. If we meet, please say “hello”. Those friendly greetings are some of the best things about living in Missouri. Of course, be safe while traveling either on the internet or IRL.