Winter 2019
Once again the seasons have turned. We leave fall behind and anticipate another winter season that will surely bring us the cold beauty of snow and ice cloaked trees and the joy of warm cozy nights with family and friends.
While those cold days and nights can bring us good times indoors, we also can find good opportunities for winter travel in our great state. As usual, I have searched the internet to find sites that can provide entertainment on those cold nights and information for travel when the threat of “cabin fever” urges us to get out of the house.
I used to ice skate on one of our farm ponds. It was fun, but I think skating on the Midwest’s largest ice rink might have been better. For one thing, the Steinberg Skating Rink has a cafe nearby. Located in Forest Park in St. Louis, the rink is open everyday, including holidays and Sundays from November 11 through March 1. You can watch folks enjoying the skating online at SteinbergSkatingRink.com.
On the other side of the state, but also on the ice, we find the KC Curling Club. You can go to just watch or to play this Olympic sporting event that you may have seen on television. The club offers “learn to curl’ classes with stones and brooms provided. You just need warm clothing and non-slick shoes. Learn more at KCCurling.com.
We Missourians sometimes like to brag about our weather and the fact that we can have all four seasons in a single day. This web page at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/ surviving-mo-winter offers 10 things to know to survive a Missouri winter. It is not serious, but it does have some very pretty winter photos.
This University of Missouri site at Climate.Missouri.edu/sigwxmo.php is totally serious. It lists the significant weather events in Missouri for the century. If you memorize these facts, you can be the hit of any weather-related conversation. For example, in 1924 three-fourths of the state was covered with a solid sheet of ice for at least half a month. The world record rainfall intensity was in Holt which received 12 inches of rain in 42 minutes. Well, maybe the hit of every conversation is a slight exaggeration.
Some days are perfect for staying home and others for traveling. We need to be safe on the highways and who would be the best for driving advice? The Missouri Highway Patrol (mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/Publications/Brochures/ documents/SHP-725.pdf) offers driving tips for every season. It also has links and phone numbers to get current road conditions.
Nothing says fun like a Missouri festival. This site at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/9-winter-festivals-in-mo-that-are-simply-unforgettable includes a list of nine great Missouri winter festivals that mostly take place between Thanksgiving and Christmas—a perfect time to get out and about. Here in Glasgow, we have our Olde Tyme Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving. There are lots of activities including a lighted nighttime parade. Take a look a DowntownDifferent.com/glasgow/missouri.
MoStateParks.com/page/77676/winter-activities lists activities in some of our parks this winter. You will find everything from eagle watching to making maple sugar. There is plenty to amuse and educate at special events and, of course, there is always camping and hiking.
Enjoy your winter in Missouri. Be safe in your travels on the road and on the internet. If we should cross paths either on the web or perhaps at an ice rink (I’ll just be watching) or at a parade, be sure to say hello. Nothing warms a cold winter evening like a happy greeting from a friend.
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.
While those cold days and nights can bring us good times indoors, we also can find good opportunities for winter travel in our great state. As usual, I have searched the internet to find sites that can provide entertainment on those cold nights and information for travel when the threat of “cabin fever” urges us to get out of the house.
I used to ice skate on one of our farm ponds. It was fun, but I think skating on the Midwest’s largest ice rink might have been better. For one thing, the Steinberg Skating Rink has a cafe nearby. Located in Forest Park in St. Louis, the rink is open everyday, including holidays and Sundays from November 11 through March 1. You can watch folks enjoying the skating online at SteinbergSkatingRink.com.
On the other side of the state, but also on the ice, we find the KC Curling Club. You can go to just watch or to play this Olympic sporting event that you may have seen on television. The club offers “learn to curl’ classes with stones and brooms provided. You just need warm clothing and non-slick shoes. Learn more at KCCurling.com.
We Missourians sometimes like to brag about our weather and the fact that we can have all four seasons in a single day. This web page at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/ surviving-mo-winter offers 10 things to know to survive a Missouri winter. It is not serious, but it does have some very pretty winter photos.
This University of Missouri site at Climate.Missouri.edu/sigwxmo.php is totally serious. It lists the significant weather events in Missouri for the century. If you memorize these facts, you can be the hit of any weather-related conversation. For example, in 1924 three-fourths of the state was covered with a solid sheet of ice for at least half a month. The world record rainfall intensity was in Holt which received 12 inches of rain in 42 minutes. Well, maybe the hit of every conversation is a slight exaggeration.
Some days are perfect for staying home and others for traveling. We need to be safe on the highways and who would be the best for driving advice? The Missouri Highway Patrol (mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/Publications/Brochures/ documents/SHP-725.pdf) offers driving tips for every season. It also has links and phone numbers to get current road conditions.
Nothing says fun like a Missouri festival. This site at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/9-winter-festivals-in-mo-that-are-simply-unforgettable includes a list of nine great Missouri winter festivals that mostly take place between Thanksgiving and Christmas—a perfect time to get out and about. Here in Glasgow, we have our Olde Tyme Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving. There are lots of activities including a lighted nighttime parade. Take a look a DowntownDifferent.com/glasgow/missouri.
MoStateParks.com/page/77676/winter-activities lists activities in some of our parks this winter. You will find everything from eagle watching to making maple sugar. There is plenty to amuse and educate at special events and, of course, there is always camping and hiking.
Enjoy your winter in Missouri. Be safe in your travels on the road and on the internet. If we should cross paths either on the web or perhaps at an ice rink (I’ll just be watching) or at a parade, be sure to say hello. Nothing warms a cold winter evening like a happy greeting from a friend.
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.
Fall 2019
Following a summer of floods and high water that rallied Missourians to help one another, fall brings a welcome change of pace. Fall is a great time to explore Missouri either on the highways or on the internet. As always, I have researched some web sites to help you travel through your computer or plan your road trip.
Here is a site that I bet very few of us have visited IRL: Atlasobscura.com/places/welch-spring-hospital-ruins. The Welch hospital ruins are located on the upper Current River between Cedargrove and Akers and are best reached by canoe. The spa was built in 1913 by a doctor who believed that the waters of the spring and the air from the nearby cave had healing qualities. Access at the time was only by two dirt roads, and the crowds he expected never came.
The Vacuum Cleaner Museum at St. James offers easier access. Found online at Atlasobscura.com/places/vacuum-cleaner-museum-and-factory-outlet, the museum boasts 600 vacuum cleaners on display. It is advertised as the cleanest museum in the United States.
Fall festivals and fairs can be found throughout the state. Hootin and Hollering (HootinAnHollarin.com) takes place in Gainesville. Folks, that is Missouri country at the finest. They promise crafts, food, entertainment and square dancing. It sounds like a good time to me.
If Ozark Country Music is not quite your style, you might prefer Blues music at the National Blues Museum (NationalBluesMuseum.org) in downtown St. Louis. Visiting the museum on Saturday or Sunday provides the opportunity to hear live Blues performances.
There might not be many things more calming than the sound of running water. and the sound and the sight of waterfalls can be very appealing. TheCrazyTourist.com/14-amazing-waterfalls-in-missouri/ showcases photos of 14 amazing Missouri waterfalls. Instructions are included on how to visit them IRL, but the photos prove that the “amazing” title is well deserved.
My home town of Glasgow joins with many other towns with Civil War battles to participate in the Civil War Passport Program. Our location is the Bushwhacker Bend Winery (BushwhackerBend.com). Visitors can have their “passport” stamped to mark their visit to Glasgow. We were the site of a significant Civil War battle in 1864. The passport program is described in detail at MO-passport.org/glasgow/.
As a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, I was delighted to find this site at VisitMO.com/things-to-do/american-revolutionary-war-era-flagway. This is the largest display of the flags of the American Revolution in existence. The display, owned by Sue and Ken Molzahn, can be found three miles west of Collins on US Highway 54. The “flagway” down their 1/8th-mile-long driveway, features more than 135 hand-painted or sewn flags honoring the militia, regimental, dragoon, artillery, naval ensigns and variations of the original 13-star Stars and Stripes. Also included are the regimental flags of the French Expeditionary Units that participated and fought alongside George Washington’s army for an independent America.
Missouri offers an abundance of things to do and see in all our seasons during the fall. Perhaps our paths will cross. If you should see me tapping my toe to some country or blues music or sampling some Missouri wine, be sure to say hi. Meeting friends always makes any day a better one. Until then, be safe on the IRL road or on the internet.
Here is a site that I bet very few of us have visited IRL: Atlasobscura.com/places/welch-spring-hospital-ruins. The Welch hospital ruins are located on the upper Current River between Cedargrove and Akers and are best reached by canoe. The spa was built in 1913 by a doctor who believed that the waters of the spring and the air from the nearby cave had healing qualities. Access at the time was only by two dirt roads, and the crowds he expected never came.
The Vacuum Cleaner Museum at St. James offers easier access. Found online at Atlasobscura.com/places/vacuum-cleaner-museum-and-factory-outlet, the museum boasts 600 vacuum cleaners on display. It is advertised as the cleanest museum in the United States.
Fall festivals and fairs can be found throughout the state. Hootin and Hollering (HootinAnHollarin.com) takes place in Gainesville. Folks, that is Missouri country at the finest. They promise crafts, food, entertainment and square dancing. It sounds like a good time to me.
If Ozark Country Music is not quite your style, you might prefer Blues music at the National Blues Museum (NationalBluesMuseum.org) in downtown St. Louis. Visiting the museum on Saturday or Sunday provides the opportunity to hear live Blues performances.
There might not be many things more calming than the sound of running water. and the sound and the sight of waterfalls can be very appealing. TheCrazyTourist.com/14-amazing-waterfalls-in-missouri/ showcases photos of 14 amazing Missouri waterfalls. Instructions are included on how to visit them IRL, but the photos prove that the “amazing” title is well deserved.
My home town of Glasgow joins with many other towns with Civil War battles to participate in the Civil War Passport Program. Our location is the Bushwhacker Bend Winery (BushwhackerBend.com). Visitors can have their “passport” stamped to mark their visit to Glasgow. We were the site of a significant Civil War battle in 1864. The passport program is described in detail at MO-passport.org/glasgow/.
As a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, I was delighted to find this site at VisitMO.com/things-to-do/american-revolutionary-war-era-flagway. This is the largest display of the flags of the American Revolution in existence. The display, owned by Sue and Ken Molzahn, can be found three miles west of Collins on US Highway 54. The “flagway” down their 1/8th-mile-long driveway, features more than 135 hand-painted or sewn flags honoring the militia, regimental, dragoon, artillery, naval ensigns and variations of the original 13-star Stars and Stripes. Also included are the regimental flags of the French Expeditionary Units that participated and fought alongside George Washington’s army for an independent America.
Missouri offers an abundance of things to do and see in all our seasons during the fall. Perhaps our paths will cross. If you should see me tapping my toe to some country or blues music or sampling some Missouri wine, be sure to say hi. Meeting friends always makes any day a better one. Until then, be safe on the IRL road or on the internet.
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.
Spring 2019
Spring. I am looking forward to it. January has brought snow and ice and COLD. But we know that spring will soon be here and the white of the snow will be replaced with the green lawns and colorful flowers that mark the spring season.
Many of us will travel to see friends and to enjoy our beautiful state. We often plan our travel with the help of the internet, and sometimes we even travel through our computer screens. In order to help you with this travel, I’ve researched some sites with details about Missouri travel destinations. As always, you can type in the URLs in this article or simply click on the links below.
We will begin with a visit to one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Forest Park (stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/parks/parks/Forest-Park.cfm), with its 1,371 acres, is approximately 500 acres larger than Central Park in New York City. The park is home to many St. Louis attractions.
I have always enjoyed a visit to the Science Center (slsc.org) having traveled there with Boy Scouts and with St. Mary’s School students. The center includes so many great exhibits, and there is a Omnimax Theater and a planetarium. Plan your IRL trip from the website.
Everyone should see the world famous St. Louis Zoo (stlzoo.org). The zoo receives about 3 million visitors each year to visit the more than 16,000 animals who reside there. You can visit in private on their webpage to enjoy the zoo or to plan an IRL visit. I remember when visiting as a child there were no seals visible at their enclosure. My mother said, “I’ll call them,” and began to bark. People laughed until a lot of seals came out and barked back. We never had seals on our farm so I have no idea where she learned to do that.
The Muny (muny.org) is America’s largest and oldest open-air theater. Its season begins in June, but it is always good to plan ahead.
Forest Park also offers biking, jogging and skating paths, an ice-skating rink, a golf course, lakes and other activities. More than 12 million visitors enjoy the park every year.
A nice glass of wine makes any day better. Missouri was a major wine producer before prohibition, and since then, the state’s wine production has returned to prominence. Here in Glasgow Bushwacker Bend Winery will be participating in the city’s wine walk on April 17. It can be visited online at BushwhackerBend.com. For more information on Missouri’s wine production, visit MissouriWine.org.
For many of us, spring means a return of baseball. The home opening day for the St. Louis Cardinals is April 4 against the San Diego Padres. The Kansas City Royals open at home March 28 against the Chicago White Sox. Opening day is always special. Learn more at mlb.com/cardinals and mlb.com/royals.
Rocheport (rocheport.com) is a historic town on the Missouri River, located near Columbia and the Katy Trail. It has some beautiful bed and breakfast inns and a winery that offers some lovely views of the river bottom.
Whether you find enjoyment from science, opera, wine or baseball, Missouri will provide you with a great spring travel opportunity. Either staying home at your computer screen or visiting IRL, I hope you have a wonderful Missouri spring. We may cross paths at a ball game or while enjoying a glass of Missouri wine. Maybe you will hear me barking at the seals at the St Louis Zoo. If you do be sure to say hello. I’ll be glad to see you.
Many of us will travel to see friends and to enjoy our beautiful state. We often plan our travel with the help of the internet, and sometimes we even travel through our computer screens. In order to help you with this travel, I’ve researched some sites with details about Missouri travel destinations. As always, you can type in the URLs in this article or simply click on the links below.
We will begin with a visit to one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Forest Park (stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/parks/parks/Forest-Park.cfm), with its 1,371 acres, is approximately 500 acres larger than Central Park in New York City. The park is home to many St. Louis attractions.
I have always enjoyed a visit to the Science Center (slsc.org) having traveled there with Boy Scouts and with St. Mary’s School students. The center includes so many great exhibits, and there is a Omnimax Theater and a planetarium. Plan your IRL trip from the website.
Everyone should see the world famous St. Louis Zoo (stlzoo.org). The zoo receives about 3 million visitors each year to visit the more than 16,000 animals who reside there. You can visit in private on their webpage to enjoy the zoo or to plan an IRL visit. I remember when visiting as a child there were no seals visible at their enclosure. My mother said, “I’ll call them,” and began to bark. People laughed until a lot of seals came out and barked back. We never had seals on our farm so I have no idea where she learned to do that.
The Muny (muny.org) is America’s largest and oldest open-air theater. Its season begins in June, but it is always good to plan ahead.
Forest Park also offers biking, jogging and skating paths, an ice-skating rink, a golf course, lakes and other activities. More than 12 million visitors enjoy the park every year.
A nice glass of wine makes any day better. Missouri was a major wine producer before prohibition, and since then, the state’s wine production has returned to prominence. Here in Glasgow Bushwacker Bend Winery will be participating in the city’s wine walk on April 17. It can be visited online at BushwhackerBend.com. For more information on Missouri’s wine production, visit MissouriWine.org.
For many of us, spring means a return of baseball. The home opening day for the St. Louis Cardinals is April 4 against the San Diego Padres. The Kansas City Royals open at home March 28 against the Chicago White Sox. Opening day is always special. Learn more at mlb.com/cardinals and mlb.com/royals.
Rocheport (rocheport.com) is a historic town on the Missouri River, located near Columbia and the Katy Trail. It has some beautiful bed and breakfast inns and a winery that offers some lovely views of the river bottom.
Whether you find enjoyment from science, opera, wine or baseball, Missouri will provide you with a great spring travel opportunity. Either staying home at your computer screen or visiting IRL, I hope you have a wonderful Missouri spring. We may cross paths at a ball game or while enjoying a glass of Missouri wine. Maybe you will hear me barking at the seals at the St Louis Zoo. If you do be sure to say hello. I’ll be glad to see you.