Winter 2020
We sometimes say that we hope winter will be shorter or milder. I agree that too much snow and ice can cause problems, but think how boring it would be if the temperature and weather were the same all the time. Pretty soon, we would be wishing for either a hot summer day or a cold winter day. That variety is certainly present in Missouri, sometimes all in the same day!
As I write this, we have already had our first snowfall in Glasgow. There will certainly be more to come. Winter travel can be a treat especially for those who enjoy skiing and other winter sports. With the restrictions still in place from COVID, we may rely even more on our computers for travel experience.
If you are going to be on the actual highways this winter, it is prudent to check for closed highways and road conditions. MODOT provides this as a public service at MODOT.org/winter-road-conditions. This site even includes photos of some of the roads and tips for winter driving, including how to safely share the road with a MODOT snowplow. There is also a link that allows you to report road conditions.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac (OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/old-farmers-almanac-winter-2020-mo) predicts a really cold and snowy winter for Missouri. This site also shares photos of Missouri’s previous winters and snowy highways. Make sure that the house is warm and you have a sweater handy before checking out this site.
Twelve unforgettable places in Missouri that everyone must visit are listed at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/places-to-visit-this-winter-mo. The site contains a warning that, because of the COVID, users should verify before IRL travel. Of course, this is always a good thing to do. The site lists resorts with skiing, ice skating and eagle watching. Forest Park and other St. Louis locations, including the St. Louis Zoo, are featured. The zoo is famous for many things including the Sunday afternoon penguin parade. Yes, they turn the penguins out to walk the pedestrian walkways. The site also lists curling in Kansas City and open air ice skating in Columbia.
Cold weather brings harsh challenges for families that have trouble paying their utility bills. With some folks out of work because of COVID, this may be even more pressing this cold winter. If you know someone in this situation, please help them to take advantage of a Federal assistance program. This informational page comes from a St. Louis TV station: KMOV.com/news/federal-program-helps-missouri-residents-keep-utilities-on-as-winter-months-approach/article_0e3921c2-18f7-11eb-9330-5b19e debe3d5.html. To qualify, applicants must be a Missouri resident, a U.S. citizen, live in the household and be responsible for paying the utility bill, and have $3,000 or less in bank accounts, investments or retirement accounts. This is a long URL and it is not the kind of page I usually include in this column, but this information may save a child’s life during the coming winter. Share it with someone in need.
Stay safe and warm this winter. Everyone has their favorite season. I will admit that winter is not mine, but there is still much to do and to enjoy in any season in Missouri.
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.
As I write this, we have already had our first snowfall in Glasgow. There will certainly be more to come. Winter travel can be a treat especially for those who enjoy skiing and other winter sports. With the restrictions still in place from COVID, we may rely even more on our computers for travel experience.
If you are going to be on the actual highways this winter, it is prudent to check for closed highways and road conditions. MODOT provides this as a public service at MODOT.org/winter-road-conditions. This site even includes photos of some of the roads and tips for winter driving, including how to safely share the road with a MODOT snowplow. There is also a link that allows you to report road conditions.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac (OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/old-farmers-almanac-winter-2020-mo) predicts a really cold and snowy winter for Missouri. This site also shares photos of Missouri’s previous winters and snowy highways. Make sure that the house is warm and you have a sweater handy before checking out this site.
Twelve unforgettable places in Missouri that everyone must visit are listed at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/places-to-visit-this-winter-mo. The site contains a warning that, because of the COVID, users should verify before IRL travel. Of course, this is always a good thing to do. The site lists resorts with skiing, ice skating and eagle watching. Forest Park and other St. Louis locations, including the St. Louis Zoo, are featured. The zoo is famous for many things including the Sunday afternoon penguin parade. Yes, they turn the penguins out to walk the pedestrian walkways. The site also lists curling in Kansas City and open air ice skating in Columbia.
Cold weather brings harsh challenges for families that have trouble paying their utility bills. With some folks out of work because of COVID, this may be even more pressing this cold winter. If you know someone in this situation, please help them to take advantage of a Federal assistance program. This informational page comes from a St. Louis TV station: KMOV.com/news/federal-program-helps-missouri-residents-keep-utilities-on-as-winter-months-approach/article_0e3921c2-18f7-11eb-9330-5b19e debe3d5.html. To qualify, applicants must be a Missouri resident, a U.S. citizen, live in the household and be responsible for paying the utility bill, and have $3,000 or less in bank accounts, investments or retirement accounts. This is a long URL and it is not the kind of page I usually include in this column, but this information may save a child’s life during the coming winter. Share it with someone in need.
Stay safe and warm this winter. Everyone has their favorite season. I will admit that winter is not mine, but there is still much to do and to enjoy in any season in Missouri.
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.
Fall 2020
This has been a difficult summer as we have dealt with the virus restrictions followed by a troubling beginning to fall with an increase in COVID cases and the need for additional precautions. It would be easy to despair, but we must always remember to give thanks for the privilege of living in the great state of Missouri. Here in Glasgow, we are beginning to have some COVID-19 cases and the need for masks and distancing is becoming more clear to us.
Sheltering at home is the ideal opportunity to visit interesting Missouri locations online as we create a list of “future travels” IRL. To aid in that for you, I have researched some Missouri sites.
What could be more in line with Missouri country and simple living than a Farmer’s Market? ColumbiaFarmersMarket.org and SedaliaAreaFarmersMarket.com are just a few. Several markets also offer crafts and wares as well as senior discounts. There are so many that you can type in farmer’s market followed by the name of a town or neighborhood. You might be surprised how many responses show up.
Fall always makes me think of apples and cider. Just south of Kansas City in Belton is Dunn’s Cider Mill, which can also be found at MillSite.homestead.com/Index.html. They even have cider doughnuts! I don’t know what they taste like, but I am itching to try one.
For years, I have driven past the Millersburg exit 137 on I-70, and say something like,“ I should go there to visit.” Even though I know some folks from there, I have never visited. Millersburg was laid out by Thomas Miller in 1829. In spite of the shared name, I do not think I am related, but I could be. Information on the community can be found at CallawayMoHistory.org/millersburg. It is a pretty interesting page and I plan to visit IRL soon.
Of course, every fall nature paints the valleys and hills in beautiful reds, yellows and oranges that can take your breath away. This year will be no different. Of course, you can just leave your house and drive without following one of the routes suggested at VisitMo.com/articles/take-fall-drive-missouri, but you should still visit the page to view the many photos and explore the six suggested fall routes. Whether you travel IRL or online, there is a lot of interesting and beautiful places for your viewing pleasure as you travel.
So, as we social distance and try to protect ourselves and those around us from the virus and any other issues, we can still travel and share good things about our great state. We are stronger than the fears and problems that keep us from growing and sharing. We can spend the fall and the rest of the year sharing the things that make Missouri such a wonderful place to live. If we cross paths at a farmer’s market or while visiting a Missouri small town, say hello and we’ll do a safe elbow bump.
COVID or not, we Missourians can still be friendly.
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.
Sheltering at home is the ideal opportunity to visit interesting Missouri locations online as we create a list of “future travels” IRL. To aid in that for you, I have researched some Missouri sites.
What could be more in line with Missouri country and simple living than a Farmer’s Market? ColumbiaFarmersMarket.org and SedaliaAreaFarmersMarket.com are just a few. Several markets also offer crafts and wares as well as senior discounts. There are so many that you can type in farmer’s market followed by the name of a town or neighborhood. You might be surprised how many responses show up.
Fall always makes me think of apples and cider. Just south of Kansas City in Belton is Dunn’s Cider Mill, which can also be found at MillSite.homestead.com/Index.html. They even have cider doughnuts! I don’t know what they taste like, but I am itching to try one.
For years, I have driven past the Millersburg exit 137 on I-70, and say something like,“ I should go there to visit.” Even though I know some folks from there, I have never visited. Millersburg was laid out by Thomas Miller in 1829. In spite of the shared name, I do not think I am related, but I could be. Information on the community can be found at CallawayMoHistory.org/millersburg. It is a pretty interesting page and I plan to visit IRL soon.
Of course, every fall nature paints the valleys and hills in beautiful reds, yellows and oranges that can take your breath away. This year will be no different. Of course, you can just leave your house and drive without following one of the routes suggested at VisitMo.com/articles/take-fall-drive-missouri, but you should still visit the page to view the many photos and explore the six suggested fall routes. Whether you travel IRL or online, there is a lot of interesting and beautiful places for your viewing pleasure as you travel.
So, as we social distance and try to protect ourselves and those around us from the virus and any other issues, we can still travel and share good things about our great state. We are stronger than the fears and problems that keep us from growing and sharing. We can spend the fall and the rest of the year sharing the things that make Missouri such a wonderful place to live. If we cross paths at a farmer’s market or while visiting a Missouri small town, say hello and we’ll do a safe elbow bump.
COVID or not, we Missourians can still be friendly.
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.
Summer 2020
As I write this, it is a beautiful day. We have a lot of those in Missouri, regardless of the season, however, this day is a challenge for the writer of a travel column in a travel magazine. Because of the restrictions put in place to keep us all safe during the COVID-19 Virus, we have not been able to get out and travel nearly as much as usual.
I hope that by the time the print issue of Show-Me Missouri reaches your mailbox most of the restrictions will have been lifted. I hope I am not destroying any illusions, but these articles are not written the same day that you get the magazine in the mail. My editor, Gary Figgins, gives me more time to send my column to him than I used to give him to submit his math homework in high school, so I am grateful.
Our governor has announced that the restrictions in Missouri will begin to be lifted, though “social distancing” will remain a fact of life for some time. Since my focus is always on travel through our computer screens, this is perfect for me. As always, you can type in the URLs in this column or click on the links in the column.
I have been obeying the social distancing commands and staying in the house. I belong to a number of organizations that have not been meeting. I’ll reference my personal web page at JYMiller.net to let you see what I’ve been missing.
During the summer, you may be looking for activities for your children that are both fun and educational. Children’s author Deborah Zemke presented a workshop at the Lewis Library of Glasgow and provided a link for anyone to use for children’s activities. Her activity page can be found at DeborahZemke.com/deborahzemke/fun-stuff.html. You can also find the link at LewisLibrary.org.
Some summer day trips to take in Missouri can be found at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/10-amazing-summer-day-trips-mo/.
Missouri has many beautiful state parks that offer opportunities for hiking, fishing, camping and much more. As I write this many of them are closed, however, they are expected to be open—at least for some activities—before the summer is over. Check before visiting to see the current status. Up-to-date information can be found at MoStateParks.com/temporary-closures.
A great place to visit IRL or through your computer is Rocheport (VisitMo.com/trip-ideas/a-weekend-in-rocheport). Southern Living named Rocheport as “..one of the best tiny towns” in America. Rocheport (Rocheport-mo.com) has a population of about 200 friendly folks. It is west of Columbia just off of I-70.
The town has five bed & breakfasts, a number of shops, access to the Katy Trail and it is home to the Les Bourgeois Vineyards (Missouriwine.com/visit-us).
If you are as old as I am, you might remember Pete’s Cafe, images of which are located at Flickr.com/photos/ guyclinch/12919081944. Pete’s was famous for two things: a full size painting of The Last Supper inside and promotional signs along highways all over the country. Les Bourgeois’s tasting room is in the same building as the old cafe and includes one of those signs on the wall, as well as one of Pete’s menus. The food was good, too. My college fraternity used to have a steak supper there from time to time. Some 30 years later, my son’s law school classmates were regular patrons of the A-frame at Les Bourgeois Vineyards. Today you can sip on Riverboat Red while enjoying a view of the river below.
We may cross paths on the information highway or IRL. If you should spot me enjoying a glass of wine in Rocheport or visiting our Glasgow Library, be sure to say hello.
Just wave; we won’t shake hands.
I hope that by the time the print issue of Show-Me Missouri reaches your mailbox most of the restrictions will have been lifted. I hope I am not destroying any illusions, but these articles are not written the same day that you get the magazine in the mail. My editor, Gary Figgins, gives me more time to send my column to him than I used to give him to submit his math homework in high school, so I am grateful.
Our governor has announced that the restrictions in Missouri will begin to be lifted, though “social distancing” will remain a fact of life for some time. Since my focus is always on travel through our computer screens, this is perfect for me. As always, you can type in the URLs in this column or click on the links in the column.
I have been obeying the social distancing commands and staying in the house. I belong to a number of organizations that have not been meeting. I’ll reference my personal web page at JYMiller.net to let you see what I’ve been missing.
During the summer, you may be looking for activities for your children that are both fun and educational. Children’s author Deborah Zemke presented a workshop at the Lewis Library of Glasgow and provided a link for anyone to use for children’s activities. Her activity page can be found at DeborahZemke.com/deborahzemke/fun-stuff.html. You can also find the link at LewisLibrary.org.
Some summer day trips to take in Missouri can be found at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/10-amazing-summer-day-trips-mo/.
Missouri has many beautiful state parks that offer opportunities for hiking, fishing, camping and much more. As I write this many of them are closed, however, they are expected to be open—at least for some activities—before the summer is over. Check before visiting to see the current status. Up-to-date information can be found at MoStateParks.com/temporary-closures.
A great place to visit IRL or through your computer is Rocheport (VisitMo.com/trip-ideas/a-weekend-in-rocheport). Southern Living named Rocheport as “..one of the best tiny towns” in America. Rocheport (Rocheport-mo.com) has a population of about 200 friendly folks. It is west of Columbia just off of I-70.
The town has five bed & breakfasts, a number of shops, access to the Katy Trail and it is home to the Les Bourgeois Vineyards (Missouriwine.com/visit-us).
If you are as old as I am, you might remember Pete’s Cafe, images of which are located at Flickr.com/photos/ guyclinch/12919081944. Pete’s was famous for two things: a full size painting of The Last Supper inside and promotional signs along highways all over the country. Les Bourgeois’s tasting room is in the same building as the old cafe and includes one of those signs on the wall, as well as one of Pete’s menus. The food was good, too. My college fraternity used to have a steak supper there from time to time. Some 30 years later, my son’s law school classmates were regular patrons of the A-frame at Les Bourgeois Vineyards. Today you can sip on Riverboat Red while enjoying a view of the river below.
We may cross paths on the information highway or IRL. If you should spot me enjoying a glass of wine in Rocheport or visiting our Glasgow Library, be sure to say hello.
Just wave; we won’t shake hands.
Spring 2020
After a winter with snow and ice, we welcome the delights of spring. Warm afternoons, cool nights and the green of new grass and reborn trees make life a pleasure. Spring is a perfect time to break free from those housebound winter days and to travel in our great state of Missouri. In order to help you explore, I have searched some internet sites to just visit online or to help plan for IRL travel.
If you like to do things outdoors, you already know about Bass Pro Shops. The self-described “Grandaddy Of All Outdoors Stores” is located in Springfield, with smaller stores scattered across the state. Most features of the stores can be seen at BassPro.com. If you have a favorite outdoor activity, they have something for you. Merchandise—everything from archery to firearms, camping gear, fishing, outdoor cooking, clothing, toys, and more—can be found.
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium (WondersOfWildlife.org) is located adjacent to the springfield store. This world-class attraction was voted America’s Best Aquarium in a 2018 USA Today poll.
If you don’t want to eat at Springfield’s Bass Pro, you can travel only a few miles south to Lambert’s Cafe (ThrowedRolls.com/lamberts-cafe-ii/) in Ozark. Lambert’s is not just a restaurant; it’s an experience. The original location is in Sikeston and a third location is in Foley, Alabama. I met Norman Lambert in his Sikeston restaurant and made the mistake of saying I was almost full. He held me and motioned to a waiter, saying; “Bring this man some more food!”. You never leave Lambert’s hungry. The servings are large and they have “pass arounds” like fried okra, fried potatoes, black eye peas, macaroni and more. Of course they throw softball-sized rolls to you and offer molasses to put on them. Throw me one, Norm! You can visit IRL anyday except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
You can visit online anytime, but the rolls are better in person.
My friend, Sam Crowe from Caruthersville, is one of the largest honey producers in the area. If you call him, he answers the phone: “Sam Crowe, have a honey of a day.” Sam does not have a website, but you can google him to get his phone number. You can also have a look at the National Honey Board at Honey.com which includes numerous recipes using honey and information on the health aspects of honey. A map shows the location of honey suppliers and some information about the importance of honey bees. Check it out, and if you get down in the Bootheel, find some Sam Crowe honey. It would be good on a Lambert’s roll.
Photos and descriptions of Missouri four remaining covered bridges are available at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/covered-bridges-mo/. These bridges were built between 1858 and 1872 and are all that remain of what was once a common feature. You will most certainly want to travel IRL to see these historic treasures in Cape Girardeau, Linn, Jefferson and Monroe Counties.
Missouri in the Spring is a treat to all the senses. Visit these and other sites on your computer, but also get out in the open air and take some road trips. Don’t forget to visit the sites that are close to your home. However you travel, be careful and keep yourself safe. If we should cross paths while browsing camping supplies at Bass Pro or relaxing in the shade of a covered bridge, be sure to say hello. We Missourians like friendly greetings almost as much as we like honey on a hot biscuit.
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.
If you like to do things outdoors, you already know about Bass Pro Shops. The self-described “Grandaddy Of All Outdoors Stores” is located in Springfield, with smaller stores scattered across the state. Most features of the stores can be seen at BassPro.com. If you have a favorite outdoor activity, they have something for you. Merchandise—everything from archery to firearms, camping gear, fishing, outdoor cooking, clothing, toys, and more—can be found.
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium (WondersOfWildlife.org) is located adjacent to the springfield store. This world-class attraction was voted America’s Best Aquarium in a 2018 USA Today poll.
If you don’t want to eat at Springfield’s Bass Pro, you can travel only a few miles south to Lambert’s Cafe (ThrowedRolls.com/lamberts-cafe-ii/) in Ozark. Lambert’s is not just a restaurant; it’s an experience. The original location is in Sikeston and a third location is in Foley, Alabama. I met Norman Lambert in his Sikeston restaurant and made the mistake of saying I was almost full. He held me and motioned to a waiter, saying; “Bring this man some more food!”. You never leave Lambert’s hungry. The servings are large and they have “pass arounds” like fried okra, fried potatoes, black eye peas, macaroni and more. Of course they throw softball-sized rolls to you and offer molasses to put on them. Throw me one, Norm! You can visit IRL anyday except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
You can visit online anytime, but the rolls are better in person.
My friend, Sam Crowe from Caruthersville, is one of the largest honey producers in the area. If you call him, he answers the phone: “Sam Crowe, have a honey of a day.” Sam does not have a website, but you can google him to get his phone number. You can also have a look at the National Honey Board at Honey.com which includes numerous recipes using honey and information on the health aspects of honey. A map shows the location of honey suppliers and some information about the importance of honey bees. Check it out, and if you get down in the Bootheel, find some Sam Crowe honey. It would be good on a Lambert’s roll.
Photos and descriptions of Missouri four remaining covered bridges are available at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/covered-bridges-mo/. These bridges were built between 1858 and 1872 and are all that remain of what was once a common feature. You will most certainly want to travel IRL to see these historic treasures in Cape Girardeau, Linn, Jefferson and Monroe Counties.
Missouri in the Spring is a treat to all the senses. Visit these and other sites on your computer, but also get out in the open air and take some road trips. Don’t forget to visit the sites that are close to your home. However you travel, be careful and keep yourself safe. If we should cross paths while browsing camping supplies at Bass Pro or relaxing in the shade of a covered bridge, be sure to say hello. We Missourians like friendly greetings almost as much as we like honey on a hot biscuit.
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.