Boonville

By Laura Wax
Boonville Daily News

The Cooper County 4-H clubs came together Sunday, October 22 to hold their annual 4-H

Achievement & Recognition Night.

Achievement & Recognition Night is an annual event held to recognize the accomplishments of local 4-H members and the service of the county’s 4-H volunteers. 4-H members who completed their projects by turning in a project report form by year’s end were honored with certificates of completion. Members were nominated by their fellow 4-H’ers to be recognized as the Outstanding First Year member, Outstanding Younger Members, and Outstanding Older member for Cooper County.

Outstanding First Year member went to Alena Blank, a member of the Blackwater Willing Workers 4-H Club. Her active club involvement spanned many activities including helping hand out Christmas fruit bags with her club, running as a 4-H royalty candidate, and practicing her public speaking confidence at meetings. She also discovered her passion for riding and showing horses and has shown excellent drive and dedication in pursuing horsemanship.

Gentry Rogge was selected as the Outstanding Younger Member – Girl. Gentry has now completed her second year in 4-H as a member of the Family Fun 4-H Club and participated in a variety of community service events. She has continued to enjoy creating Arts & Crafts and Cake Decorating projects for the fair. This year she was able to show her own market lambs at the county fair. Gentry’s sheep halter training poster was selected for the 4-H Building at the State Fair, and one of her lambs received Reserve Grand Champion Market Wether at the county fair. At the end of the showing season, Gentry’s lambs also received Reserve Champion Carcass Lamb and 4th place Carcass Lamb at the State Fair.

Clayton Imhoff was selected as the Outstanding Younger Member – Boy. Clayton showed both beef cattle and meat goats. One of his goats was named the Grand Champion Doe at the county level and took overall 3rd place out of a class of 15 at the State Fair. Clayton also participated in Archery this year, receiving the 2nd highest shooter for Intermediates. Clayton continues to encourage younger 4-H members to be involved and believes there are many opportunities for youth in 4-H. Outstanding Older member went to Haley Imhoff. Haley is always eager and excited to share her passion for 4-H with others. Through her dedication to maintaining a self-owned 25-head herd of Charolais cattle, Haley has learned that there is true value in every up and down. She continues to learn and grow through this herd management project and greatly enjoys seeing the herd’s offspring thrive. Each year after the fair Haley ensures to evaluate ways she can continue to improve and grow for the future. Although she is incredibly passionate about her livestock projects, Haley believes one of the greatest aspects of 4-H is the lifelong friendships you build along the way. Clayton and Haley are members of the Blackwater Willing Workers Club.

Cooper County Presiding Commissioner George Monk presented the Outstanding Club of the Year to Prairie Home Helping Hands. “This 4-H club has provided members opportunities to further develop their public speaking, leadership, and community engagement skills. The club encouraged all the members to participate in various extemporaneous speaking activities and helped them learn how to regularly perform 4-H demonstrations. The nomination shared that several of their members have branched out into exploring various state 4-H activities and remain dedicated to helping their community thrive. Supporting Buddy Packs, providing monthly land care for the Prairie Home bank, and setting up 4-H information booths at their school, the youth have worked hard to lend a helping hand. The members are always eager to learn and promote an active club environment for everyone.”

Comprised of teens ages 13-19 year olds, Teen Council members seek to learn and practice leadership skills while completing service learning. Teens plan and organize county wide events and celebrations for the entire 4-H community. The purpose is to help teen 4-H members develop leadership skills, while helping to build a strong county 4-H program that benefits all members and volunteers. For the fourth year, this council presented the Teen Council Friend of 4-H award to a local business or organization that has been a friend of 4-H through their assistance in providing resources to 4-H in Cooper County. The award went to Patricia Campbell for her multiple years of dedication to 4-H in Cooper County.

Each year, KMMO and the Brownfield Radio Network sponsor the Youth in Ag award for area 4-H and FFA members who have shown a commitment to the promotion and continuance of agriculture in their community. This award is presented during the local fair in July and the winner is presented with a belt buckle. This year’s recipient of the Youth in Ag Award, who was nominated by the Cooper County 4-H Council, was Carter Taylor. Carter was chosen for his achievements through his 4-H club and FFA chapter in leadership roles, community service, and the advancement of agriculture.

4-H members who attended both day camp and overnight camp, camp counselors, had fair projects selected for the Missouri State Fair, and many other statewide activities were recognized for their hard work this past year.

The evening ended with Anne Pfieffer, 4-H Council President and Teen Council sponsor, speaking to and encouraging the 4-H members. “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. So have dreams, make those dreams your goals, and do what you need to reach them.”

Originally Appeared Here

Provided by Dale Wright

Capitol Report

Governor Mike Parson, First Lady Teresa Parson, and members of the Missouri General Assembly embarked on an international Trade Mission to Japan this month, marking the first time a Missouri Governor has made the trip in 26 years.

Japan had been a significant contributor to Missouri’s economy, with exports exceeding $455 million in 2022, making it a vital trade partner and source of foreign direct investment. The Trade Mission is part of Missouri’s focus on infrastructure and economic development, with an objective of building connections with influential international figures to promote Missouri’s thriving trade capabilities. Japanese companies already operating in Missouri have played a crucial role in boosting the state’s economy and job creation. Hitachi has a large plant in Jefferson City, while Kawasaki has a plant in mid-Missouri’s Boonville.

The mission aimed to reinforce Missouri’s status as a prime business destination and foster continued investment and success. The itinerary included visits to Tokyo and Nagano Prefecture, Missouri’s sister state. The delegation toured Nagano Prefecture University, a collaborative partner with the University of Missouri, and held meetings with Shuichi Abe, Governor of Nagano Prefecture, and the Mayor of Suwa, St. Louis’ sister city.

The delegation from Missouri engaged with government officials, diplomats, and business leaders, positioning Missouri as an attractive hub for business investment and expansion.

Scheduled meetings encompassed discussions with company representatives already linked to Missouri, expressing gratitude for their investments, and dialogues with companies yet to establish a presence in the state, urging them to consider Missouri for future investments. The $455 million worth of goods exported to Japan in 2022 underscored the vital role of international trade in driving Missouri’s economic prosperity, with processed foods, chemicals, and electronic products in high demand.

The Missouri delegation actively engaged in meetings with top executives from leading companies, including Hitachi, Kawasaki, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nidec, Panasonic,

Toyoda Gosei (TG Missouri), and ZEN-NOH. Further discussions with prominent Japanese business organizations, such as the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), took place.

 

Governor Parson also met with U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel and participated in an agri-business dinner. The Trade Mission received financial backing from the Hawthorn Foundation, a Missouri nonprofit organization.

 

Special Committee on Earnings Tax Expanded to Evaluate Personal Property Tax Policies

The Missouri House of Representatives’ newly established the Special Interim Committee on the Earnings Tax was originally tasked with reviewing earnings taxes in the state but has been given an additional responsibility: the evaluation of Missouri’s policies concerning personal property taxes.

Reducing the tax burden on Missouri’s citizens has remained a top priority for the Missouri Legislature. This year, the Missouri General Assembly took steps to alleviate this burden for the state’s senior citizens by passing SB 190, a tax relief measure aimed at eliminating state income tax on social security benefits and freezing property taxes for seniors. By lightening the state’s tax load on our citizens, Missouri can enhance our competitiveness in workforce recruitment, support business growth, stimulate local economies, and create expanded opportunities for all residents.

We must acknowledge that the reduction of tax burdens extends beyond economic policy; they reflect our dedication to individual liberty and economic empowerment. By relieving our citizens of undue tax burdens, we unlock their potential to innovate, invest, and foster opportunities for themselves and their communities. It is time to enable our people to retain more of their earnings, as doing so will lead to a more robust, dynamic, and resilient Missouri for all its residents.

An Update on Missouri General Revenue Collections

The net general revenue collections in the state for September of this year decreased by 4.2 percent compared to the same month in 2022, dropping from $1.26 billion to $1.21 billion. For the fiscal year 2024 up to September, net general revenue collections decreased by 2.9 percent compared to the same period in 2022, falling from $3.24 billion to $3.14 billion.

When looking at the breakdown of tax types:

 

•   Individual income tax collections declined by 8.8 percent for the year, going from $2.18 billion to $1.99 billion. They also decreased by 6.3 percent for the month.
•   Sales and use tax collections increased by 15.4 percent for the year, rising from $768 million to $886.2 million. This marked an 11.1 percent increase for the month.
•   Corporate income and corporate franchise tax collections dropped by 8.9 percent for the year, decreasing from $259.7 million to $236.7 million.
•   Refunds increased by 14.9 percent for the year, going from $166.3 million to $191 million, showing a substantial 28.8 percent increase for the month.

Expanding Broadband: How to Take Advantage of Federal Programs

•   The Missouri Office of Broadband Development within the Department of Economic Development has thrown its support behind the Missouri ACP Act Now initiative, led by the national nonprofit EducationSuperHighway (ESH). The primary goal of this initiative is to raise awareness about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal program designed to assist eligible households in covering the costs of high-speed internet.
•   The ACP could be a significant resource for Missouri households, especially as the state continues to expand broadband access. The ACP, funded at $14.2 billion through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), provides monthly discounts of up to $30 (or up to $75 for households on qualifying Tribal lands) and a one-time $100 discount toward a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. Despite more than 1 million eligible Missourians, only 33 percent have enrolled in the program.
•   EducationSuperHighway’s efforts in promoting the Affordable Connectivity Program were recognized as a valuable contribution to connecting all residents of Missouri. The
•       Missouri ACP Act Now initiative brings together a diverse coalition of partner cities, counties, community-based organizations, and trusted institutions in collaboration with ESH to address the broadband affordability gap. These partners will gain access to resources such as email marketing templates, social media campaigns, and a pre-enrollment tool available at GetACP.org/Missouri. These tools will help community leaders promote the ACP and assist eligible families in the enrollment process, particularly in under-resourced communities where awareness, trust, and enrollment barriers may be more pronounced.

Originally Appeared Here

By Laura Wax
Boonville Daily News

For the children in all of us, Halloween is a magical time. We dress up in fun or scary costumes and roam the streets gathering as much candy as our plastic pumpkin buckets can hold.

Once upon a time the celebration was just a quick trip across the stage at school in you costume followed by a classroom party. Then trick-or-treating on Halloween night in the neighborhood and possibly a visit to the haunted house that was located in the Overton bottoms. In recent years however, Halloween activities throughout town have increased. The popularity of trunk-or-treats has risen. Businesses along with churches and organizations have jumped in feet first to provide several opportunities for the area youth to stuff their goodie bags with as much as they can.

At a trunk-or-treat, individuals and groups decorate the trunks of their cars. Trick-or-treaters can safely pass vehicle to vehicle maximizing their candy collection. There are multiple trunk-or-treat and trick-or-treat opportunities for the trick-or-treaters covering multiple days.

The candy gathering season will kick off on Friday October 27 with a Halloween Party at Riley Equine Center. From 5 – 8 p.m., you can enjoy a bonfire, take a hay ride, visit the haunted trail, have your picture taken with a horse, or participate in a costume contest. There is a $10 per car entry fee.

Saturday, October 28 will see multiple events happening. The downtown merchants are inviting area children to come for a friendly day of trick-or treating in Historic Downtown Boonville. Visit the following merchants during their normal business hours for potential sweet treats: Celestial Body at 221 Main Street; Gordon Jewelers at 406 Main Street; Stella’s Flowers and Gifts at 307 Main Street; and Molly’s Jewelry Design and Repair at 422 Main Street. Others may join in the fun as well.

Saturday afternoon and evening will see multiple trunk-or-treats all over the area.

The River, Rails and Trails Museum & Visitor Center’s trunk-or-treat is from 4 – 6:30 p.m. Their ‘Night at the Museum’ will be at the Visitor Center at 100 E. Spring Street right next to the KATY Trail. City departments as well as local businesses and organizations will be there to pass out candy. This year, the porch on the visitor center will be enclosed. Trunk-or-treaters can wander through an Alice in Wonderland experience.

River of Life Assembly of God’s Fall Fun Fest will be held from 4 – 6 p.m. on Saturday at their location at 1430 W. Ashley Road. This event will be held indoors no matter what the weather holds. Hotdogs and popcorn will be available for those to snack on as they visit. Just down the road will be trunk-or-treating at Bradley Automotive, 320 W. Ashley Road from 4 – 6 p.m. This event will feature candy, costumes, and cars.

Riverdell Care Center invites children to join them for fun as well on October 28. They will be open for a trunk-or-treat from 4 – 6 p.m. at their facility at 1121 11th Street. Show off your costume to make a resident smile. Lakeview Healthcare and Rehab will host their event on Saturday, October 28. They will be accepting trick-or-treaters from 5 – 7 p.m. Lakeview is located at 1450 W. Ashley Road.

Finish of Saturday evening with the First Baptist Church’s annual trunk-or-treat in their parking lot at 625 Main Street from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Featuring candy, games, prizes, hayrides, and a costume contest, there is something for everyone.

The fun continues Sunday, as Zion Lutheran Church holds their 4th Annual Community Halloween Party. From 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., in the Zion Lutheran School Activity Center, there will be trick-or-treating, bingo, cake walks, pumpkin decorating contest, and more. Soup and sandwiches, hotdogs, and desserts for a free will donation will be available.

The festivities will continue on Halloween night, Monday October 30. The Boonville Lions Club will host their annual parade along Main Street. The parade is open to anyone who wishes to highlight their costume. The parade begins at 6 p.m. at the corner of Main and Morgan Streets. From there, it will proceed south to Laura Speed Elliott where a costume contest will take place. Unlimited Opportunities Inc. invited you to tour the halls of UOI for a spooky treat at their event on Monday, October 30. They will host from 5 – 7 p.m. at their location at 1620 W. Ashley Road.

Firm Foundation Foursquare at 1000 Sixth Street will host the final trunk-or-treat of the season. From 5-7 p.m., their parking lot will be a great way to top off the season. Be on the lookout for trick-or-treaters throughout town on Tuesday evening. City-wide trick-or-treating will round out the days’ worth of festivities.

Originally Appeared Here

The ghost stories of M R James are so good that I hesitate to read them in a lonely room. But I’ve come across something very amusing that he wrote using his expertise as a Cambridge scholar of apocryphal and spurious writings connected to the Bible.

A book he reviewed in 1900 for the Guardian (not the Manchester Guardian, but an Anglican weekly that closed in 1951) contained “from one end to the other, nothing but the most intolerable, ignorant, stupid, tumid bosh”. In saying why, he made me laugh aloud.

The Archko Volume; or, the Archeological Writings of the Sanhedrim and Talmuds of the Jews was published in a new edition in Philadelphia in 1896 and then in London. It purports to be court accounts of the trial of Jesus and allied matters.

These, the title page avers, were “translated by Drs McIntosh and Twyman, of the Antiquarian Lodge, Genoa, Italy. From Manuscripts in Constantinople, and the Records of the Senatorial Docket taken from the Vatican at Rome.”

No record of the learned doctors has been found. But the volume’s editor, the Rev William Dennes Mahan (1824-1906) was a Presbyterian minister of Boonville, Missouri.

By Mahan’s account, in 1856 a man who sheltered with him in a snowstorm told him of a manuscript of the trial of Jesus. “Father Freelinhusen, a monk of great learning at Rome, who is the chief guardian of the Vatican”, offered to send a transcript for 35 darics (a coin of Xenophon’s time), or $62.44 in American money. The results so amazed Mahan that, by his own account, he sailed for Rome in 1883.

M R James lets him condemn himself out of his own mouth. “The Vulgate is an ancient manuscript, taken from the Hebrew, and translated into the Latin in the second century; also one of the Greek and one of the Syriac,” writes Mahan of biblical versions. “In the fourth century, Jerome tells us, there was another translation of the Vulgate, under the instruction of St Augustine, and St Jerome recommends this in the highest terms. About the fifth century there was another translation made, which is called the Codex, in the Latin language. There was one at Alexandria, one in the Vatican, and one at Sinai.”

Such misapprehensions by Mahan make Dan Brown look reliable. Mahan concludes: “If the New Testament records are true, then the historical items contained in this book must be true; and if these items, or items like them, be not true, then the items of the New Testament are not true; that is, no man dare to say these are the identical items, but items like these, and why not these? They came from the right place.” James comments: “One cannot deny a slight obscurity in the expression here; but, as Mr Mahan might say, there are obscurities in many books and why not in this?”

The edition of The Archko Volume that M R James reviewed lacked a section that in 1885 had been detected as copied  verbatim from the novel Ben Hur (1880). Its author, Lew Wallace, gave evidence to a church hearing at which  Mahan was suspended for a year from his ministry for falsehood and plagiarism. But The Archko Volume was republished omitting the awkward chapter.

Investigation since has found his source for the rest  to be a short story of 1837, “Ponce Pilate à Vienne,” by Joseph Méry, translated into English in 1842.

You can find M R James’s review by searching online for A Mare’s Nest from Missouri. The Archko Volume is still in print, linking the modern taste for conspiracy-style inventions with that of the 19th century.

Originally Appeared Here

Anderson Valley Brewing Co. in Boonville, Calif., makes some awesome Goses. In fact, Brewmaster Fal Allen wrote a whole book on them. So who better to submit 6,000+ words on the topic?

In the beginning … there were Goses (we think)

We know that people were brewing beer as long as five or six thousand years ago and it is very probable that the “idea” of fermenting cereal grains arose independently in more than one area. There is well documented evidence of brewing in Mesopotamia about five thousand years ago but some recent archeological finds strongly suggest that a form of beer was being brewed in Scotland about the same time. (Nelson 2005)

We have very little knowledge of what those beers were like. In some cases we can discern some ingredients that were used, but we have no way of knowing what they tasted like. In all likelihood these beers were made from grains that were already made into a bread like product; crumbled into water and allowed to ferment. A variety of grains (and other ingredients) were used depending on what was available on hand. This would have varied both by location and by time of year.

Beer was thought vastly inferior to wine throughout the Roman empire, and it was not until the Middle Ages (476 to 1453 CE), when the beer drinking Germanic peoples expanded their empires, that we find much written about beer by people who actually drank it. 

Of the limited number of references to beer that can be found, there are differences in interpretations, language, and terminology that make it all the more difficult to decipher their meaning. Books were hand written and rare and by the end of the first millennium the printing press was still a distant 400+ years in the future. 

This was the state of affairs when Gose was first brewed. 

“Gose” is a German word and is pronounced “GO-zah”. The beer is named after the river Gose that runs through the town of Goslar where the beer originated. Gose was first brewed somewhere around 1,000 years ago in the small town that was just springing up near the silver mines of the Rammelsberg Mountain in the Harz region of lower Saxony.

Those early Goslarian ales were probably significantly different from the Gose we are drinking today. The original Goslar beer was almost certainly spontaneously fermented by multiple kinds of Saccharomyces as well as lactic acid bacteria, Brettanomyces, other wild yeast, and probably even a bit of acetobacter if the beer was left to age.  With the exception of the brewing kettle almost all the brewing equipment back then would have been made of wood. That mixed culture lived in the wood vessels that were used for brewing and fermenting the beer. 

The brewing process was very different from that of today. Brewers did not sparge the mash, and if they boiled the wort at all, it was not for very long. We can be almost positive it was brewed with a spice mix and not with hops. During the medieval period, hops were not yet used in brewing, most beers were brewed with a mixture of spices (sometimes referred to as gruit). 

There were two main styles of beer back then: a strong alcoholic brown beer brewed with gruit spices, and a low alcohol white beer usually made with some portion of wheat.

These two beers were very different. The brown beers were between 7% or 9% (ABV) and the alcohol and herbs helped to preserve it. Beers of that strength (that were sometimes fortified with intoxicating herbs) were too alcoholic and expensive (due to increase malt requirements) to be consumed throughout the day.

For daily consumption brewers made a much lighter white beer. These beer were between 2% to 5% (ABV). They had neither sufficient alcohol nor many spices to help preserve them, and so would sour quickly. They were often made with malt that was not kilned but left to “air dry” in the sun or the attic. The lack of kilning lead to a malt that produced a cloudy beer very light in color and that lacked the bready flavors we normally associate with beer. These beers were often served within 48 hours of brewing and as they aged over the next week or two the sourness would increase.

Most of these white beers have passed on into history. Of those few that do remain (Berliner Wiess, Belgian Wit beer, Broyhan and Grodziskie), Gose predates them all. 

Gose ’round the world

Gose’s long and meandering history, over the thousand or so years took it from Goslar to Leipzig and beyond. For several hundred years Gose’s renown spread though out the region. Most of the neighboring towns started to emulate the style.

Soon there was the original Goslarian Gose, but also a Halberstadt Gose, a Blankenburger Gose, Aschersleber Gose, Wernigeroder Gose, a Leipzig Gose and many others. Gose became so popular as an export from Hammburg in the 1300s that they put a special tax on it and other foreign beers to keep it from out selling the local beers. Gose’s popularity grew mostly to the south to Leipzig, where Gose became the beer of the town. Gose taverns started popping up all over Saxony.

At one point in the 1800s there were over 80 of licensed Gose taverns in and around Leipzig. For more than 200 years Leipzig and Gose were almost synonymous.  World Wars I and II were hard on Germany and especially hard on Gose.

Gose’s final decline started in late 1950 a few years after the communist party took over eastern Germany.  The communist government had very little interest in promoting regional cultures, their focus was on all things relating to mother Russia. The government started to nationalize local breweries giving control over to the state run Volkseigener Betrieb (VEB). As VEB took control they were not interested in making a niche sour beer from the Saxon region of Germany, their focus was on making industrial lagers for the proletariat. By the late 1960s Gose had vanished from the beer landscape. 

Gose’s story might have ended there were not for the efforts of Lothar Goldhahn and Dr. Hartmut Hennebach.

Goldhahn had been a restaurateur until the communist government came along and re-assigned him to the job of book binder (a job he had little fondness for). He dreamed of opening his own restaurant.  In 1985, Goldhahn read an article in a local newspaper about Leipzig’s Gose culture during the 18th and 19th centuries. 

He conceived to re-open the old Gose tavern named Ohne Bedenken, to restore it to its former glory of the late 1800s, but the job would not be an easy one. A large part of the beer garden had been damaged in bombings during the war. After the Communist party’s takeover of East Germany in 1949 the Ohne Bedenken fell on hard times. Goldhahn would not only have to get permission from the Communist government (private businesses were not the norm) and he would also have to invest over 3,000 hours of his own time to restore the tavern and restaurant.

One day in 1985 while searching for Gose memorabilia at a swap meet, Goldhahn met Dr. Hartmut Hennebach (a former biologist). Hennebach was selling off his small collection of things related to the history of Leipzig. They began talking about Leipzig and its rich history and soon they became friends. Herr Goldhahn, assisted by Dr. Hennebach, began doing extensive research about Gose and the Gose taverns and eventually felt that they had come up with a traditional Gose recipe for their new endeavor.  

Goldhahn felt strongly that the new Gose should be brewed in Leipzig but no local brewery wanted anything to do with this odd, top-fermented sour beer.

In 1985, he convinced the Schultheiss Berliner-Weisse-Brauerei in East Berlin to brew a Gose for them. The Gose Ohne Bedenken re-opened in May of 1986 to great reviews and enthusiasm quickly spread. Then came the fall of the Berlin wall and for a time their Ohne Bedenken Gose tavern flourished. By the mid-1990s it was so popular that it was impossible to even get in the building without a reservation.

In 1999, Homebrewer-turned-professional, Tilo Jänichen and Adolf Goedecke (great great grandson of Ritterguts Gose brewery owner) formed a venture to again brew the Ritterguts Gose. They produced the beer according to the Rittergut Gose profile from 1824 and they were lucky enough to find a few old bottles of beer from which they could culture up yeast and lactobacillus to use in the fermentation (McGregor 2017). They started brewing at the Microbrewery Leipzig but soon moved production to the Brauerei Reichenbrand. Some other breweries started brewing their own Goses. 

As recently as the early part of the second decade of this century, Gose was still an almost unheard of style.

In early 2012 Westbrook Brewing released their interpretation of a Leipzig Gose. It was the first release of a Gose that got any real traction in the USA, and for many, this was their introduction to the style.  As brewers and consumers became more familiar with the style a fascination with sour beers began to grow. This fascination would soon turn into a full blown movement.

Gose would rise from the brink of extinction to common place offering. Gose’s popularity has been driven by many factors; drinkability, being a great palate for other flavors, by consumers desires for “anything new,” and by ease of production.

In part 2, Allen explains the flavor profile and technical aspects of Goses

Originally Appeared Here

If you are planning a trip to Missouri during the autumn, consider going in mid-October, when the state’s maple, hickory, ash, oak, and other types of trees are in full, vibrant color. No matter what area of Missouri you visit, from the north to the Ozarks in the south, you will find no shortage of charming small towns in which to celebrate fall. Pumpkin patches, apple orchards, seasonal festivals, and other autumn delights beckon visitors from all over each year.

Ste. Genevieve

Historical buildings in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.

The town of Ste. Genevieve may be small in population at around 5,000 residents, but it is big on historic charm, natural beauty, and colorful fall foliage, making it a must-visit autumn destination. The quaint town is the oldest permanent European settlement west of the Mississippi River and delights visitors with its French colonial architecture. Conveniently located between the bustling cities of St. Louis and Cape Girardeau, Ste. Genevieve comes alive during the fall months with its annual fairs and festivals, including the Pecanapalooza. There is no shortage of autumn colors at the nearby Hawn State Park and Hickory Canyons Natural Area or in town at the Lions Club Park.

New Haven

Old house in New Haven, Missouri.

The small town of New Haven has charm to spare with its location on the scenic Missouri River and warm, close-knit community feel. The town kicks off the fall season with the annual Balloon Glow, which features colorful hot air balloons lit by their burners, creating a glowing spectacle in the sky. Later in autumn, you can take in the vibrant foliage at one of the town’s parks and natural areas. Historic downtown New Haven is home to both the Pinckney Bend Distillery and the Paddle Stop Brewery, where you can sample seasonal beverages while enjoying a river view.

Parkville

Mackay Hall at Park University campus in Parkville, Missouri. Image credit JHVEPhoto via Shutterstock.com

Brimming with small-town charm, Parkville is one of those destinations that make you want to extend your vacation, whether it is a week-long family trip or a romantic weekend getaway. The town’s location directly on the Missouri River makes it a scenic place to take in colorful fall foliage. The 140-acre Platte Landing Park is conveniently located in town and features two miles of hiking and biking trails and a boat ramp offering access to the Missouri River. Located along Rush Creek, the Sullivan Nature Sanctuary is another ideal place to experience fall in small-town Missouri. 

Boonville

Boonville, Missouri, in the fall. Image credit Robert Stinnett from Boonville, MO, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Rich in history, culture, and natural attractions, the unique town of Boonville is named after Nathan and Daniel Boone, sons of explorer Daniel Boone. The town, which is located on both the Santa Fe National History Trail and the Missouri River, comes alive during the scenic fall season. Situated atop wooded bluffs, Boonville offers visitors breathtaking views of colorful autumn foliage. The town sits at the trailhead of Katy Trail State Park, which features the 237-mile Katy Trail. Boonville is also home to the Warm Springs Ranch, a training facility for the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses. The ranch is open for tours through October each year. 

Hannibal

Colorful buildings downtown in autumn, Hannibal, Missouri. Image credit Sabrina Janelle Gordon via Shutterstock

Situated on the mighty Mississippi River, the historic small town of Hannibal is best known as the boyhood home of writer Mark Twain and the setting of his famous books. Tourists flock to the town year-round, but the quaint community really springs to life in the autumn. Each October, the town hosts the Annual Hannibal Folklife Festival, which features local craftsmen, artisans, local food, music, and live entertainment. High atop a bluff overlooking the river, Lover’s Leap offers visitors a scenic view of fall foliage from a unique vantage point.

Weston

Fall leaves in Weston, Missouri.

You will have no problem getting your fix of fall foliage and festivities in charming Weston, a small town featuring a historic downtown dating to the pre-Civil War years. Situated on the Missouri River at the Kansas border, the town offers visitors miles of hiking and biking trails at the Weston Bend State Park. This 1,133-acre park is ideal for taking in local wildlife and fall foliage views, as well as having an autumn picnic. Each fall, Weston hosts the annual Applefest, celebrating all things apple with a parade, kid-friendly activities, and live music.

Branson

Bridge and fall colors in Branson, Missouri.

A world-famous vacation destination at any time of the year due to its abundance of live musical entertainment, 1800s-themed amusement park, and Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction, Branson is really in its element during the fall months. Visitors can go leaf-peeping in the heart of the Ozarks and check out one of the several seasonal events, such as the annual Silver Dollar City’s Harvest Festival. For nature lovers, the 1,534-acre Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area offers some of the best fall foliage views in town. You can also check out the fiery fall colors from the Branson Ferris Wheel in the town’s entertainment district.

Situated in the heart of the Midwest, Missouri offers some of the best fall getaway destinations in the country. Whether you crave a festive fall event or a quiet day amongst colorful foliage in a state park, you will find it in one of the state’s many small towns. What the communities lack in population, they make up for by way of historical attractions, natural beauty, and miles and miles of scenic autumn views.

Originally Appeared Here

Three projects in Mendocino County were recently awarded a total of more than $7.5 million in Clean California Grants, the California Department of Transportation reported.

According to a news release, the projects included:

• The Beautify Willits project by the City of Willits, which will beautify and improve public spaces, accessibility in downtown, public parks, and the Main Street and Commercial Street corridors with a focus on safety, reducing litter and illegal dumping, increasing community engagement and educational outreach. The grant amount request is approximately $2.7 million.
• The Fort Bragg Art and Recycling Beautification Project, which proposes to procure and install art-covered, eye-catching multi-use waste receptacles at strategically placed locations throughout town to reduce littering and increase recycling. The receptacles will be distributed into three areas, 1) along the Coastal Trail, 2) within the Central Business District, 3) and around schools and parks. In partnership with local schools, the city will use art created by students to have quality skins manufactured to decorate the bins using themes, which connect art to environmental preservation. In addition, the City will host two (2) Beach Clean-Up Events during the grants performance period. The grant amount request is approximately $267,000.
• Anderson Valley Track to Health and Fitness by the Anderson Valley Unified School District will provide beautification, enhancement and expansive community fitness opportunities in Boonville. The track will be a venue for safe and equitable sporting events for high poverty youth at Anderson Valley Junior Senior High School, accessible for independent soccer league participation, a location for fitness charity/tournament events, and most importantly a place for all residents to achieve their individual wellness and recreation goals, since there are no gyms or workout facilities within a 20-mile radius. The grant amount request is approximately $4.7 million.

In an email announcing the grant award, Louise Simson, superintendent of the Anderson Valley Unified School District, said: “We have had lots of hard days in the last two years – kids without toilets for months on end, septic systems dug up, leaky roofs, broken air conditioners – but we have always had the belief that our kids deserve better. We are one step closer to our kids experiencing BETTER, and are grateful to Caltrans for improving the quality of life for Boonville students and residents through this improvement program.”

Caltrans noted that “since launching Clean California in July 2021, Caltrans and local partners have removed an estimated 1.86 million cubic yards of litter from state highways. The program has created more than 4,000 jobs that have helped Californians overcome barriers to employment, including 357 people experiencing homelessness, and drawn more than 10,000 volunteers to events ranging from community cleanups to large debris collections for appliances, tires and mattresses.”

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Admitted to the Union in 1821, the “Show Me State” of Missouri is a key part of the Midwestern United States known for its integral role in the expansion of America. With a human history dating back thousands of years and loads of stunning natural wonders, including the Missouri River, the State and its pretty towns are indeed treasures for anyone to discover. From musical genres to Civil War stories and more, Missouri’s unique towns are great examples of quintessential Americana. So prepare your bags and come see what makes these destinations so special!

Rocheport

Cyclists at Rocheport station on Katy Trail, via marekuliasz / Shutterstock.com

Long the home of indigenous peoples and formally established as a trading post in the early 1800s, the lovely and historic town of Rocheport today maintains a very humble population of just some 200 permanent residents. A place of quiet beauty and rustic charm, visitors can enjoy a slower pace of life and explore the wonderful Rocheport Historic District and its array of early 19th century buildings. Situated along the lengthy and picturesque 240 mile Katy Trail State Park, Rocheport is also a great spot for outdoor lovers where opportunities for biking, hiking, and jogging are popular year round. Meanwhile some inviting and tasty local vineyards can be found in the area making a stop in Rocheport a truly memorable, historical, and relaxing Missouri destination to discover.

Fulton

A Family Video store in Fulton, Missouri. Editorial credit: Logan Bush / Shutterstock.com

Seat of Callaway County, the town of Fulton was established in the 1820s and is now the home of just under 13,000 inhabitants. Site of the Missouri School for the Deaf as well as William Woods University and Westminster College, Fulton is a welcoming community where guests can enjoy typical small town life with a dose of unique American and world history. Known for a successful defense from Union troops during the Civil War, tourists can learn more about the conflict and Missouri’s history at the Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society Museum. Meanwhile at the National Churchill Museum (on the campus of Westminster College), one can learn more about the famed British wartime leader and explore the campus where he delivered his famous “Iron Curtain” speech in 1946. Amongst the other exhibits to discover here include a section of the Berlin Wall that was installed on site after the barrier’s fall in 1989.

Arrow Rock

Arrow Rock, Missouri, a historic tavern from the 1800s. Image credit Logan Bush via Shutterstock

Considered more of a village than a town proper, Arrow Rock is one of Missouri’s most fascinating historic places that is listed in its entirety on the National Register of Historic Places. Established in the 1820s, Arrow Rock continues to exist as a type of time machine to the 19th century where thousands of tourists visit every year. And indeed with less than 100 permanent residents, most of those in town are visitors from the outside looking for an authentic slice of old Americana. Explore such landmarks like the Old Tavern (1834), the Bingham House (1837), a portion of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, and the Lyceum Theatre (1872), amongst many others. And with numerous charming and inviting bed and breakfast establishments, there is always a reason to want to spend time in this true marvel along the Missouri River.

Boonville

Historic railroad Katy Bridge over Missouri River at Boonville.

Boonville is the seat of Cooper County and is situated roughly at the mid point between the cities of Kansas City and St. Louis. Established in the early 1800s and today the home of just under 8,000 inhabitants, this historic town has nearly 500 individual sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Hain House and the Old Jail and Hanging Barn (1848), which together with many others transport visitors to the important and tumultuous 19th century. Meanwhile for the nature lover, a portion of the Katy Trail State Park passes through Boonville where trails galore are the perfect way to enjoy a vigorous exercise or a relaxing walk. And with a number of intriguing festivals year round, including fall’s Festival of the Leaves or the summer Heritage Days, there is always something delightful to discover in Boonville.

Hannibal

Street view in Hannibal, Missouri, via Sabrina Janelle Gordon / Shutterstock.com

Known as the childhood home of American literary icon Mark Twain, the town of Hannibal is a most charming locale situated along the mighty Mississippi River. Incorporated in the mid 1800s and today home to just over 17,000 residents, Hannibal is a scenic and welcoming destination that offers some of the very best of Missouri. Of course with its ties to Mark Twain, guests cannot miss out on visiting his Boyhood Home and Museum, the eponymously named Historic District, and a splendid ride on the Mark Twain Riverboat! And with numerous other attractions and landmarks named for the author and his fictional characters there is always a healthy dose of American culture on display here. Enjoy the Tom Sawyer Days and the Twain Memorial Lighthouse, or take an old fashioned trolley ride through town, when in Hannibal there is really never a dull moment.

Lexington

Street view in Lexington, Missouri, via Facebook

For those looking to discover important sites of the American Civil War, then Lexington is indeed the place to be. Seat of Lafayette County, the famed Battle of Lexington (1861) was fought here, and tourists can learn more about this crucial event at sites like the Lexington Civil War State Historic Site and the Lexington Historical Museum. Meanwhile in the historic district, an assortment of 19th century edifices can be found like the County Courthouse (1849). And with Lexington’s beautiful location along the Missouri River, opportunities for relaxing strolls along the waterfront and at the nearby Riverfront Park Marina are great ways to spend an afternoon.

Branson

Stone church at top of the rock in Branson Missouri

Situated within the Ozark Mountains, the town of Branson was established in the 1880s and today boasts a modest population of nearly 13,000 inhabitants. Known for its hot summers and mild winters, Branson is widely celebrated for its eclectic range of museums and attractions which include the Titanic Museum, the Hollywood Wax Museum, Silver Dollar City Amusement Park, the Branson Scenic Railway, and the Andy Williams Performing Arts Centre, amongst many others. Enjoy picturesque helicopter tours around the area of the White River, while fun activities like go-karting, mini golf and more are offered at the many entertainment centres across town. Indeed for a most unique mix of wide ranging entertainment, Branson is not only one of the best places to visit in Missouri, but in all in the United States.

Missouri is also known as the “Show Me State”, and with its rich mix of natural beauty, fascinating history, and welcoming American charm, it is no wonder why it deserves to show off. Here many beautiful and awe inspiring towns can be found each with their own reasons to want to visit. From the endless entertainment options of Branson to the historic allure of Arrow Rock and beyond, these unique Missouri towns are testaments to the wide ranging attractions of America. Wait no longer and come visit Missouri and these special towns, where lasting memories are sure to be made and cherished.

Originally Appeared Here

Think of your favorite dessert. Go ahead, envision it until just the mental picture makes your senses of taste and smell flare a little.

Natasha Ballew wants to turn the dessert you daydream of into a cookie.

The Columbia native behind Family Tree Cookie Company said she takes delight in considering her favorite desserts and others’ beloved treats, then transferring the flavor palate into cookie varieties such as cosmic brownie, bourbon peach crumble, pumpkin spice latte cheesecake, and red velvet brownie chunk.

Since launching her business early this year, Ballew’s creations have graced booths and satisfied appetites at back-to-school events, children’s camps and weddings.

Last month, Family Tree appeared at the inaugural Zipper Craft and Art Festival in Columbia’s Arcade District, and later this month will have a presence at the Centralia Pumpkin Festival.

A truly sweet Family Tree

Ballew, who works full-time as a nurse, descends from a long line of bakers; the sort, she said, to wave off recipes and act as culinary matchmakers — mingling ingredients that sound like they’d be good together until they realize their chemistry.

She long envisioned starting her own food truck. Inspired by street food and other more casual fare, she anticipated a fusion focus, where multiple cultures and cuisines meet to surprise the palate.

Around the demands of her day job, she found herself baking often for family and friends, co-workers and patients. Feeding others is “what makes my soul happy,” Ballew said.

After baking an array of desserts around the past Super Bowl, Ballew’s daughter nudged her to start her own business. It was her daughter, she said, who conceived the Family Tree name and drew its logo.

Now Ballew comes home each evening after working in a clinic and does something sweet. Monday through Friday, she prepares homemade toppings and fillings: red velvet brownies, pumpkin space latte creamer to be turned into a cheesecake filling, salted caramel apple pie filling to stuff churro cookies.

She then devotes Sundays to dough prep for the approximately 100-200 cookies she bakes a week.

Dreaming in desserts

Ballew finds inspiration almost everywhere. A notebook sits by her bedside, as she sometimes quite literally dreams in flavors, she said. Or she will walk a festival grounds and spy something that becomes her next offering.

She typically creates three to four new cookie varieties a month, she said, and keeps those on her permanent menu. Seasonal offerings rotate in and out with the availability of local ingredients. Ballew’s bourbon peach crumble cookies, for example, will last until she runs through a supply of peach preserves made from the fruit of Boonville’s Peach Tree Farm.

The creativity keeps coming. Ballew recently moved creamed cinnamon honey from possibility to reality. And soon, she plans to widely offer dessert boards — only available at special events so far — which feature her cookies, homemade truffles and candy, “muddy buddy” mix and more.

Family Tree Cookie Company dough should also be available soon in edible form, she said, shaped into an offering like cake pops.

Community starts in the kitchen

If creativity drives Ballew’s work, community sustains it. She cherishes chances to visit local farmers and artisans, enfolding the fruits of their labors. She invests the word “local” with meaning, recalling the heaviest days of the COVID-19 pandemic when small businesses came to feed her and her nurse colleagues. She wants to keep the loop of mutual kindness going.

To that end, she links hands with several local women-owned businesses — including Four Leaf Laser Co., County Line and Design Company, photographer and marketing specialist Kate Pani, and a local egg farmer. They all rely on each other’s products and services. To support one is to support them all, Ballew said.

“I am so fortunate to have these women in my life,” she said in a follow-up email, “we support each other creatively, sharing resources, knowledge and celebrating in all the wins, big and small. I cannot imagine doing this without them.”

Typical Family Tree orders can be turned around in about 24-48 hours, Ballew said, while special events or larger requests require a couple weeks. She plans to launch a dedicated website soon. For now, customers can find Family Tree Cookie Company on Facebook and Instagram.

Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. He’s on Twitter @aarikdanielsen.

Originally Appeared Here

FULTON — With all seven seniors in the starting lineup for Senior Night, the Fulton Hornets had two straight 12-plate appearances, seven-run frames in the third and fourth innings.

“All the seniors are playing, played the whole game, and it was just fun to watch them go out and string hits together like that, make it happen,” Fulton softball coach Tim Echelmeier said.

Those innings at the plate led to Class 3 No. 4 Fulton run-ruling the Boonville Lady Pirates 16-4 in 4½ innings in a district opponent matchup Tuesday at Fulton’s softball field.

With the game tied at 2-2 heading into the bottom of the third, the Hornets were fed up with it being close, so they responded as a team by stringing hits and walks together.

Fulton (20-6-1) No. 9 hitter Aubrey Fleetwood, who made the starting nine for her Senior Night, led the bottom of the third by lining the softball to the gap in right-center and hustling to second for a double.

Two batters later, Fleetwood stole third as Reagan Echelmeier swiped second base, then the Boonville starter threw a wild pitch, allowing Fleetwood to score and Reagan Echelmeier to advance to third. Fleetwood’s baserunning put the Hornets up 3-2, and they held onto that lead.

During Fulton’s fourth plate appearance in the bottom of the third, another passed ball sent Samantha Hedgpath home. Then, in the same at-bat, Samantha’s twin sister, Jayna Hedgpath, drove in a run on her seeing-eye single between the shortstop and third baseman.

Keeping it going, Brilee Ash did the most damage, crushing a three-run home run to left-center before getting swarmed by a group of Hornets at the plate.

With one out and Fleetwood back at the dish, Fulton plated its final run in the third inning when she hit into a fielder’s choice at shortstop, scoring courtesy runner Olivia Weaver from third. Boonville made an out at second, but its second baseman overthrew her first baseman, and Fleetwood made it to second.

After three innings, the Hornets led 9-2, and they weren’t done with the offensive onslaught yet.

Fulton liked what it did in the third inning and decided to do it again in the fourth.

Bringing home the first of the Hornets’ seven runs in the fourth inning, Ash lined a single to right field.

Following that, Fulton scored six runs with two outs in the fourth inning: Rilee Swaim popped an RBI single past a diving left fielder, Onyx Kamp slapped an opposite-field RBI double down the right-field line, Reagan Echelmeier drilled a two-run base hit to center field and scored when Samantha Hegpath reached on a fielding error by the pitcher and Samantha Hedpath scored when Layla Underwood hit into a fielder’s choice at second base.

All that hitting, baserunning and scoring put Fulton up 16-4.

Boonville (10-16) needed to score at least three runs in the top of the fifth to avoid getting run-ruled.

Hornets reliever Natalie Underwood, who took over for starter Ash, ensured that didn’t happen. She sent the Lady Pirates down 1-2-3, striking out the first two, looking on three pitches each.

It was a back-and-forth contest before the third inning, with each team taking the lead once and the Hornets tying it once.

Jayna Hedgpath put Fulton in front first, driving in a run on her sacrifice pop fly to second base in the first inning.

Grace Poulsen put Boonville on top for the only time when she smacked an opposite-field two-RBI single to shallow right field in the top of the second.

The Lady Pirates’ lead lasted just one frame, as Swaim sent one home on a sacrifice fly to center field in the bottom of the second to tie it at 2.

From there, Fulton kept getting on base and scoring while its pitchers allowed Boonville to get on base just five times between the third and fifth innings.

Four Lady Pirates reached base to start the fourth, and they drove in their final runs on Aubrey Ritchie’s RBI double down the right field line and Emme Comegys’s RBI single to shallow left field.

Ash earned the win for Fulton, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits, a hit by pitch and no walks while striking out one in four innings.

“Brilee’s a strike thrower,” Tim Echelmeier said. “I can always count on her to come in and throw strikes. She did her job. It was a nice night all the way around.”

Boonville starter Ritchie took the loss, giving up 10 runs (nine earned) on seven hits, four walks and a hit by pitch as she punched out one in 3⅓ innings.

Following Fulton’s already entertaining ballgame, tears of joy and emotions abounded as Fulton’s seven seniors, with parents in hand, walked to home plate.

Before reaching home, a group of non-senior varsity and junior varsity Hornets held out bats and pulled them back as each senior walked past them like an official ceremony in medieval times, with the fitting exception of bats instead of swords.

Tim Echelmeier, who’s already had much success coaching his seven seniors, shared what it’s been like working with them.

“It’s been a great group,” Tim Echlemeier said. “These guys have worked hard and been athletic. A lot of them have played together for many, many years. And yeah, the program’s gonna definitely miss those girls.”

All the hard work and effort paid off on and off the diamond, as Senior Night announcer Ash stated during Samantha Hedgpath’s and Jayna Hedgpath’s walk-throughs that the twins will play college softball at NCAA Division II Lincoln University in Jefferson City.

The Hedgpath twins will join 2023 New Bloomfield graduates Brooklyn Smith and Reagan Smart on the Lincoln softball team.

While the Hedgpath twins were the first two Fulton seniors on the team to sign for college softball programs, Tim Echelmeier said there would be more. In addition to the Hedgpaths and other senior signings, Hornets girls tennis player Madi Plybon, who plays club softball, officially signed for Westminster College softball on Sep. 15.

Whether they’re playing softball or not, each senior’s presentation came with excitement about what they will do.

Fulton’s Fleetwood and Schoening will attend State Fair Community College and want to be dental hygienists; Swaim will attend Eastern Oregon University and will either go down the path to becoming a dermatologist assistant or some form of child psychologist; Kamp will complete Moberly Area Community College’s nursing program.

Meanwhile, first-team all-state infielder Reagan Echelmeier is undecided, but she wants to play college softball.

In the meantime, future plans are not on the Hornets’ mind, as the district tournament is next week, and it’s likely going for a conference title on Thursday.

In its final home game this season, Fulton (8-1 North Central Missouri Conference) plays its most meaningful contest before districts when it hosts Highway 54 rival Mexico (15-10, 7-1 NCMC) at 5 p.m. Thursday.

If the Lady Bulldogs beat Hannibal, who’s last in the NCMC, today, then the Fulton – Mexico matchup will decide who wins the NCMC. The Hornets run-ruled the Lady Bulldogs 14-2 in five innings on Sep. 14 in Mexico, Missouri.

“They’ve got some very talented players,” Tim Echelmeier said. “They can string some stuff together on you. So no, we’ll have to be on our A game to win that game for sure.”

Originally Appeared Here