Winter 2023
The ever revolving cycle of seasons has once again moved to winter. Every season in Missouri has unique and wonderful charms. Winter may not be your favorite (it is not mine), but still there are many aspects of a winter season that bring us pleasure, especially when that season is in Missouri.
Winter pleasures include steaming mugs of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate while relaxing in a comfortable chair in the presence of good friends. As always, I have researched some internet sites to get you started.
Warm Springs Ranch near Boonville is the home of the famous Anheuser Busch Clydesdales. The usual tours of the ranch are not available in the winter, but they have special Christmas-related events that you can read about at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/christmas-farm-mo. Visitors IRL can visit the horses, tour the barns, shop at the gift shop and enjoy special Christmas treats. Visitors online can see some great photos of the ranch.
It has become very popular for communities in Missouri to sponsor drive-through events in their parks to see Christmas displays with lights and music. Glasgow is a historic river town located on the sharpest bend in the Missouri River, so our parades is a nighttime lighted Christmas themed boat parade. This page tells more about it and includes a video of last year’s parade: VisitMo.com/events/old-fashioned-christmas-boat-parade.
Eagle Days events are very popular in Missouri. This website at mdc.mo.gov/events/eagle-days, will help you locate a good place to observe these birds along waterways in Missouri. Remember, it is illegal to get too close to the birds or to frighten them. I plan to observe our local eagles with binoculars from the upstairs porch of my house in Glasgow.
I used to enjoy hiking and camping and often did both with family, Boy Scouts and even alone. Some physical problems make that more difficult for me now, and my camping is pretty much limited to an annual visit to Boy Scout Camp Lewallen just north of Poplar Bluff: StLBSA.org/properties/all-properties/camp-lewallen. I used to love hiking and camping in any season. Winter hiking presents more challenges than summer, but on the plus side, there are a lot fewer bugs and snakes.
Hiking trails, wild animal viewing are close to St. Louis. You can see photos of Lone Elk County Park at StLouisCountyMO.gov/st-louis-county-departments/parks/places/lone-elk-park/#30H. Lone Elk Park is a wildlife management area with bison, wild turkey, waterfowl, elk and deer. Motorcycles are prohibited. Domestic animals are not allowed, even if confined in a vehicle. The park acreage was once part of the Tyson Valley Powder Plant used for the testing and storage of ammunition during WWII. After the war, the area served as a county park, and in 1948 herds of elk and bison were established. The land was re-acquired by the Federal Government during the Korean War, and for safety reasons, the wildlife herds were destroyed in 1958. However, one lone bull elk survived.
In 1964 St. Louis County reacquired a portion of the original tract from the General Services Administration and in 1966 the name was changed from Tyson Park to Lone Elk County Park. Six additional elk were obtained from Yellowstone National Park in 1966 through the efforts of the children of the Rockwood School District and West St. Louis County Lions Club.
I hope you have a great and safe winter. If our paths should cross while watching a parade or checking out a Christmas display, be sure to say hello. There is nothing like a warm Missouri greeting to increase comfort on a cold day.
Winter pleasures include steaming mugs of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate while relaxing in a comfortable chair in the presence of good friends. As always, I have researched some internet sites to get you started.
Warm Springs Ranch near Boonville is the home of the famous Anheuser Busch Clydesdales. The usual tours of the ranch are not available in the winter, but they have special Christmas-related events that you can read about at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/christmas-farm-mo. Visitors IRL can visit the horses, tour the barns, shop at the gift shop and enjoy special Christmas treats. Visitors online can see some great photos of the ranch.
It has become very popular for communities in Missouri to sponsor drive-through events in their parks to see Christmas displays with lights and music. Glasgow is a historic river town located on the sharpest bend in the Missouri River, so our parades is a nighttime lighted Christmas themed boat parade. This page tells more about it and includes a video of last year’s parade: VisitMo.com/events/old-fashioned-christmas-boat-parade.
Eagle Days events are very popular in Missouri. This website at mdc.mo.gov/events/eagle-days, will help you locate a good place to observe these birds along waterways in Missouri. Remember, it is illegal to get too close to the birds or to frighten them. I plan to observe our local eagles with binoculars from the upstairs porch of my house in Glasgow.
I used to enjoy hiking and camping and often did both with family, Boy Scouts and even alone. Some physical problems make that more difficult for me now, and my camping is pretty much limited to an annual visit to Boy Scout Camp Lewallen just north of Poplar Bluff: StLBSA.org/properties/all-properties/camp-lewallen. I used to love hiking and camping in any season. Winter hiking presents more challenges than summer, but on the plus side, there are a lot fewer bugs and snakes.
Hiking trails, wild animal viewing are close to St. Louis. You can see photos of Lone Elk County Park at StLouisCountyMO.gov/st-louis-county-departments/parks/places/lone-elk-park/#30H. Lone Elk Park is a wildlife management area with bison, wild turkey, waterfowl, elk and deer. Motorcycles are prohibited. Domestic animals are not allowed, even if confined in a vehicle. The park acreage was once part of the Tyson Valley Powder Plant used for the testing and storage of ammunition during WWII. After the war, the area served as a county park, and in 1948 herds of elk and bison were established. The land was re-acquired by the Federal Government during the Korean War, and for safety reasons, the wildlife herds were destroyed in 1958. However, one lone bull elk survived.
In 1964 St. Louis County reacquired a portion of the original tract from the General Services Administration and in 1966 the name was changed from Tyson Park to Lone Elk County Park. Six additional elk were obtained from Yellowstone National Park in 1966 through the efforts of the children of the Rockwood School District and West St. Louis County Lions Club.
I hope you have a great and safe winter. If our paths should cross while watching a parade or checking out a Christmas display, be sure to say hello. There is nothing like a warm Missouri greeting to increase comfort on a cold day.
Fall 2023
by J.Y. MILLER
Fall may be my favorite season. It brings relief from the summer heat and a return to school and school events. As a youth, growing up on a Missouri farm, it was a time for hayrides, repairs on fences or machines and some time to relax. Those days are long behind me now, but I still enjoy my fall pleasures, including some travel in our great state of Missouri. A lot of my travel is now through the screen of my computer in the form of cyber trips.
To help plan those cyber trips, I have searched for some fall travel locations.
I was particularly interested in this site about Alley Mill: www.nps.gov/ozar/learn/historyculture/alley-mill.htm. The mill, located near Eminence, is a beautiful structure that was used to grind farmers’ grain into flour and corn meal. The page describes the lengthy process in good detail. My name, of course, is Miller. My grandfather, Addison Lewis Miller, actually owned and operated a mill and produced these products. I have some of the “Miller’s Fine Meal” bags.
Weston Bend is a beautiful state park near Weston, close to Kansas City. It is a great place to hike and to enjoy views of the colorful foliage that we can enjoy during a Missouri fall. This site at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/kansas-city/state-park-near-kc-must-visit/, includes pictures of those trails and views. One of the photos is of an old tobacco barn. We raised tobacco on our farm and took it to Weston to sell. Tobacco is a labor intensive crop. I spent many Christmas school vacations stripping tobacco. We pulled the leaves from the stalks and sorted them by grade. It was hard work.
Fall usually reminds us of cider and pumpkins. Here in Glasgow, we have a pumpkin festival called Pumpkin Daze that takes place on September 30. Details about it and many other events in Glasgow can be found at VisitGlasgowMo.org/events-local/. We put on a pretty good party here in Glasgow. If you enjoy Pumpkin Daze, you will love the lighted old time Christmas parade the weekend after Thanksgiving.
If you visit St. Louis, you really should see the Gateway Arch. It is pretty imposing. You can visit it virtually at GatewayArch.com/. It is much more than the tram ride to the viewing room 630 feet above the riverfront.
ArchPark.org/visit/points-of-interest/museum-at-the-gateway-arch provides online details about the Arch and the museum below it. While you are downtown, see the old courthouse (Archpark.org/visit/points-of-interest/old-courthouse), Busch Stadium and much more.
Many years ago, when I began teaching math in Warrenton, I smoked cigars and pipes. I gave that up long ago when my 5-year-old son said, “Daddy, why do you smoke? I don’t want you to die.” I put my pipe in the pipe rack and never lit it up again. That was nearly 50 years ago. But, during my smoking days, I enjoyed an IRL visit to the corn cob pipe factory in Washington. My Missouri Meerschaum corn cob pipe was one of my favorites. With 150 years of history, Missouri Meerschaum Company is the only surviving corn cob pipe manufacturer in the world. You can make a virtual visit at CornCobPipe.com/our-museum/. The Washington factory includes a museum that explores the company’s history and a store that sells pipes, hats, shirts, tobacco, and more. Even if you, like me, no longer smoke, I think you will enjoy this website. It is a part of history.
I hope you enjoy all these sites and that you have a great Missouri fall. If we should cross paths IRL while visiting the Gateway Arch or checking out Glasgow’s Pumpkin Festival, be sure to wave and say hello. It is always good to connect with 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 may be my favorite season. It brings relief from the summer heat and a return to school and school events. As a youth, growing up on a Missouri farm, it was a time for hayrides, repairs on fences or machines and some time to relax. Those days are long behind me now, but I still enjoy my fall pleasures, including some travel in our great state of Missouri. A lot of my travel is now through the screen of my computer in the form of cyber trips.
To help plan those cyber trips, I have searched for some fall travel locations.
I was particularly interested in this site about Alley Mill: www.nps.gov/ozar/learn/historyculture/alley-mill.htm. The mill, located near Eminence, is a beautiful structure that was used to grind farmers’ grain into flour and corn meal. The page describes the lengthy process in good detail. My name, of course, is Miller. My grandfather, Addison Lewis Miller, actually owned and operated a mill and produced these products. I have some of the “Miller’s Fine Meal” bags.
Weston Bend is a beautiful state park near Weston, close to Kansas City. It is a great place to hike and to enjoy views of the colorful foliage that we can enjoy during a Missouri fall. This site at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/kansas-city/state-park-near-kc-must-visit/, includes pictures of those trails and views. One of the photos is of an old tobacco barn. We raised tobacco on our farm and took it to Weston to sell. Tobacco is a labor intensive crop. I spent many Christmas school vacations stripping tobacco. We pulled the leaves from the stalks and sorted them by grade. It was hard work.
Fall usually reminds us of cider and pumpkins. Here in Glasgow, we have a pumpkin festival called Pumpkin Daze that takes place on September 30. Details about it and many other events in Glasgow can be found at VisitGlasgowMo.org/events-local/. We put on a pretty good party here in Glasgow. If you enjoy Pumpkin Daze, you will love the lighted old time Christmas parade the weekend after Thanksgiving.
If you visit St. Louis, you really should see the Gateway Arch. It is pretty imposing. You can visit it virtually at GatewayArch.com/. It is much more than the tram ride to the viewing room 630 feet above the riverfront.
ArchPark.org/visit/points-of-interest/museum-at-the-gateway-arch provides online details about the Arch and the museum below it. While you are downtown, see the old courthouse (Archpark.org/visit/points-of-interest/old-courthouse), Busch Stadium and much more.
Many years ago, when I began teaching math in Warrenton, I smoked cigars and pipes. I gave that up long ago when my 5-year-old son said, “Daddy, why do you smoke? I don’t want you to die.” I put my pipe in the pipe rack and never lit it up again. That was nearly 50 years ago. But, during my smoking days, I enjoyed an IRL visit to the corn cob pipe factory in Washington. My Missouri Meerschaum corn cob pipe was one of my favorites. With 150 years of history, Missouri Meerschaum Company is the only surviving corn cob pipe manufacturer in the world. You can make a virtual visit at CornCobPipe.com/our-museum/. The Washington factory includes a museum that explores the company’s history and a store that sells pipes, hats, shirts, tobacco, and more. Even if you, like me, no longer smoke, I think you will enjoy this website. It is a part of history.
I hope you enjoy all these sites and that you have a great Missouri fall. If we should cross paths IRL while visiting the Gateway Arch or checking out Glasgow’s Pumpkin Festival, be sure to wave and say hello. It is always good to connect with 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.
Summer 2023
Summertime and the living is easy. Catfish are jumping here in the river at Glasgow. School is out and many of us are able to take at least a few days of vacation. With no worries about snow covered roads, summer can be the perfect time for a road trip.
In order to help you plan your trips, I have researched some Missouri travel internet sites.
Those catfish are mighty good eating. They are also the official Missouri State Fish. The channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) was designated as the official state fish in 1967 through the efforts of students from Glasgow High School (Glasgow.k12.mo.us). You can see the official list of all of Missouri’s official state symbols at SOS.mo.gov/symbols.
In order to help you plan your trips, I have researched some Missouri travel internet sites.
Those catfish are mighty good eating. They are also the official Missouri State Fish. The channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) was designated as the official state fish in 1967 through the efforts of students from Glasgow High School (Glasgow.k12.mo.us). You can see the official list of all of Missouri’s official state symbols at SOS.mo.gov/symbols.
A highlight of summer in Missouri is often the fireworks displays sponsored by cities and organizations on the Fourth of July. It is a fitting time to not only display the flag but also to remember those men and women who have protected our liberty since 1776. You may be surprised to learn how many Revolutionary War Patriots eventually came to live in Missouri. At FindAGrave.com/virtual-cemetery/460893?page=1#sr-108825471 lists around 500 Revolutionary War patriots buried in Missouri. You may find one of your ancestors listed there. If so, you are eligible to join the Daughters of the American Revolution or the Sons of the American Revolution. or the SAR. My SAR chapter is the M. Graham Clark Chapter ). Anyone can attend one of our meetings, and we will even help you research information to complete your membership application. Chapters can be found on both the state SAR (mossar.org) and state DAR (mssdar.org) websites. An IRL visit to some of those patriot gravesites would make an interesting day trip by automobile or on the web.
An iconic St. Louis business is Ted Drewes Frozen Custard (TedDewes.com). Ted Drewes, Jr. continues the business begun by his father more than 80 years ago. The business has all kinds of ice cream treats, but it may be most famous for its “concrete” which will be handed to you upside down. It is so thick that not a drop will spill. There are two locations. If you visit during December, you can also purchase a Christmas tree.
A visit to Jefferson City is great fun for adults and kids. VisitJeffersonCity.com shows some of the many things to do in the state capital. Of course, the beautiful Capitol building with the Thomas Hart Benton murals is a must see and can be visited online at MoStateParks.com/page/55186/missouri-state-capitol. You can also tour the Highway Patrol Museum and the old Missouri State Pentitentiary (which may be haunted). That is only the beginning, and if you tire of air-conditioned tours, there is easy access to the longest park in America, the Katy Trail (BikeKatyTrail.com).
One of Missouri’s nicknames is “The Cave State”. With more than 6,000 known caves, it is well earned, and many of the caves are open for tours. They are cool and comfortable even on the hottest summer days. This page features a listing of the most popular and many photos: WorldOfCaves.com/the-best-list-of-caves-in-missouri/.
Wherever you travel during this fine Missouri summer, always be safe both on the roads and on the information highway. If we should cross paths while ordering some Ted Drewes custard or while exploring a Jefferson City museum, be sure to say, “hi”. A visit with old or new friends is a Missouri custom.
Spring 2023
Spring is always a beautiful season, and a Missouri spring often defines the ideal spring. After winter’s snow and cold nights, we want to spend time outside with the scent of flowers and the sweet breezes of soft winds. We may find the opportunity to travel to enjoy our state and enjoy all that Missouri has to offer.
Speaking of sweet smells, you will find them at the Long Row Lavender Farm (LongRowLavender.com) in Wright City, just a few miles west of St. Louis. This 15-acre family farm has rows and rows of lavender plants and other flowers. The lavender plants begin to bloom in June, but the farm opens in March. A gift shop and various workshops are available. The webpage has many photos of flowers from the farm.
While lavender smells good, strawberries taste good. Boz’s Berry Farm in Republic will let you pick your own berries, or you can purchase them already in the container. Which ever way you select, you will also want to try one of their “famous strawberry slush” drinks. Of course, you will have to actually go there to fully enjoy the slush, but you can see the drink and more at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/bozs-berry-farm-mo/.
Bending and picking berries may make you want to ease a sore back with a relaxing soak in some good Missouri water. I have picked a few berries myself, and I will attest to that. While a soak in a whirlpool bath or a hot tub may provide some physical relief, a visit to a Missouri waterfall with a chance to soak in the pools associated with them can sooth the soul and mind, as well. I was surprised to learn that Missouri has quite a number of waterfalls. Some offer public swimming, and some are in caves. This website describes a rod trip to seven Missouri waterfalls: OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/waterfalls-road-trip-mo/. The site offers a glimpse at each. Put those photos and videos on full screen, and it is almost like being there.
Waterfalls can be found at Forest Park in St. Louis, Hickory Canyons Natural Area in New Offenburg, Taum Sauk Mountain State Park and Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park in Middle Brook, Stegall Mountain near Pike Township, Marvel Cave near Branson and Grand Falls in Joplin.
Grand Falls in Joplin is the largest continuously flowing waterfall in Missouri. Plunging 12 feet, what it lacks in height, it makes up in beauty, swimming opportunities and the fact that it flows all the time.
If you visit the falls in Joplin, you will be close to another interesting site. There is only one place in the U.S. where you can stand in four states at once. That is not in Missouri, but we do have a place where three states touch. The states are Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. It is near Joplin at the end of a dead-end road. There is a nice marker there which you can see at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/three-states-at-once-mo/. If you insist on seeing it in person, here are the coordinates to put into your GPS: 36° 59.916′ N, 94° 37.077′ W.
So, if your version of spring fever demands that you get out and about, Missouri offers some great tours. If we should cross paths while picking strawberries and trying to stand in three states at once (my size 16 feet should make that easy), be sure to say hello. Meeting friends always makes any trip just that much nicer.
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.
Speaking of sweet smells, you will find them at the Long Row Lavender Farm (LongRowLavender.com) in Wright City, just a few miles west of St. Louis. This 15-acre family farm has rows and rows of lavender plants and other flowers. The lavender plants begin to bloom in June, but the farm opens in March. A gift shop and various workshops are available. The webpage has many photos of flowers from the farm.
While lavender smells good, strawberries taste good. Boz’s Berry Farm in Republic will let you pick your own berries, or you can purchase them already in the container. Which ever way you select, you will also want to try one of their “famous strawberry slush” drinks. Of course, you will have to actually go there to fully enjoy the slush, but you can see the drink and more at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/bozs-berry-farm-mo/.
Bending and picking berries may make you want to ease a sore back with a relaxing soak in some good Missouri water. I have picked a few berries myself, and I will attest to that. While a soak in a whirlpool bath or a hot tub may provide some physical relief, a visit to a Missouri waterfall with a chance to soak in the pools associated with them can sooth the soul and mind, as well. I was surprised to learn that Missouri has quite a number of waterfalls. Some offer public swimming, and some are in caves. This website describes a rod trip to seven Missouri waterfalls: OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/waterfalls-road-trip-mo/. The site offers a glimpse at each. Put those photos and videos on full screen, and it is almost like being there.
Waterfalls can be found at Forest Park in St. Louis, Hickory Canyons Natural Area in New Offenburg, Taum Sauk Mountain State Park and Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park in Middle Brook, Stegall Mountain near Pike Township, Marvel Cave near Branson and Grand Falls in Joplin.
Grand Falls in Joplin is the largest continuously flowing waterfall in Missouri. Plunging 12 feet, what it lacks in height, it makes up in beauty, swimming opportunities and the fact that it flows all the time.
If you visit the falls in Joplin, you will be close to another interesting site. There is only one place in the U.S. where you can stand in four states at once. That is not in Missouri, but we do have a place where three states touch. The states are Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. It is near Joplin at the end of a dead-end road. There is a nice marker there which you can see at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/three-states-at-once-mo/. If you insist on seeing it in person, here are the coordinates to put into your GPS: 36° 59.916′ N, 94° 37.077′ W.
So, if your version of spring fever demands that you get out and about, Missouri offers some great tours. If we should cross paths while picking strawberries and trying to stand in three states at once (my size 16 feet should make that easy), be sure to say hello. Meeting friends always makes any trip just that much nicer.
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.
Winter 2022
Winter in Missouri can be a challenging friend. Fall entertains us with colorful foliage, summer treats us to hot, sweet afternoons and lazy evenings, spring thrills us with new life and growth. But, winter can chill us with snow and ice that brings traffic hazards, cold noses and frozen pipes.
Still, the winter season has many charms. Winter in Missouri can bring us special joy if we are open to the season’s positive aspects.
Winter travel in Missouri needs to be carefully planned with attention given to weather forecasts. When the cold does keep us indoors, we can enjoy evenings with our families and travel online through our computer screens.
To help plan those cyber trips, I have searched for some winter travel locations. You can type in the URLs directly or just go to ShowMeMissouri.net, click on Cyber-Travels and then click on the links.
Before making any long trips, even in warmer seasons, it might we wise to check on road conditions. This is especially true in the winter season. This Missouri Department of Transportation site will show road conditions as well as road closures due to constructions. It is a valuable resource in any season. Check out the roads at Traveler.MODOT.org/map/.
Older children and adults sometimes enjoy telling ghost stories. A cold winter night might be a good opportunity to dim the lights and indulge oneself in something a little scary. Missouri has a lot of haunted locations. One of these is the Lemp Mansion in St. Louis. This site at LempMansion.com/IsItHaunted.htm tells the tragic story of Johan Adam Lemp and his family. Mr. Lemp was a pioneer in the St. Louis brewery business, and his brewery was located near the present location of the Gateway Arch. His large mansion was the very symbol of power and wealth. The business eventually passed to William Lemp in the early 1900s. After both his son and a close friend died from illness, William lost his mind and committed suicide in the mansion. Two other sons later committed suicide in the home as well. The mansion is rated as one of the 10 most haunted places in the U.S. Today you can visit the mansion and tour it. It also contains a restaurant and an inn.
Leaving the haunted world behind, I remember watching the last Olympics and being fascinated by the curling events. You might remember seeing the competitors sliding a 40-pound chunk of granite toward a target 140 feet away. Teammates rapidly sweep the ice with brooms to change the stone’s path. The objective is to put your stones close to the target. The opposing team can knock your stone away from the target. It has some similarity to shuffleboard. Ready to try it? Check out the Kansas City Curling club at KCCurling.com/. You can go there to watch curling or to take curling lessons. Remember to dress warmly.
In St. Louis, you can visit the “Old Cathedral” near the Gateway Arch or online at OldCathedralStL.org/. The proper name is the Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France. The history of this place begins in 1764 when the founders of the city dedicated this block of land to be used for religious purposes. The current church is the fourth church to be built in this spot. It was dedicated in 1834.
A museum is located in the church basement and tours of the church are offered. Services are held on a regular basis and visitors are welcome to attend. I have been there a number of times, and it is a beautiful church. You can take the tour virtually at OldCathedralStL.org/take-a-video-tour. The video explains much of the art and symbols that appear in and on the building.
Enjoy winter in our beautiful state. If we should see each other at the Lemp Mansion or while having a quiet moment in the Cathedral, be sure to say hello. Nothing warms a Missourian’s heart like a friendly greeting on a cold day.
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.
Still, the winter season has many charms. Winter in Missouri can bring us special joy if we are open to the season’s positive aspects.
Winter travel in Missouri needs to be carefully planned with attention given to weather forecasts. When the cold does keep us indoors, we can enjoy evenings with our families and travel online through our computer screens.
To help plan those cyber trips, I have searched for some winter travel locations. You can type in the URLs directly or just go to ShowMeMissouri.net, click on Cyber-Travels and then click on the links.
Before making any long trips, even in warmer seasons, it might we wise to check on road conditions. This is especially true in the winter season. This Missouri Department of Transportation site will show road conditions as well as road closures due to constructions. It is a valuable resource in any season. Check out the roads at Traveler.MODOT.org/map/.
Older children and adults sometimes enjoy telling ghost stories. A cold winter night might be a good opportunity to dim the lights and indulge oneself in something a little scary. Missouri has a lot of haunted locations. One of these is the Lemp Mansion in St. Louis. This site at LempMansion.com/IsItHaunted.htm tells the tragic story of Johan Adam Lemp and his family. Mr. Lemp was a pioneer in the St. Louis brewery business, and his brewery was located near the present location of the Gateway Arch. His large mansion was the very symbol of power and wealth. The business eventually passed to William Lemp in the early 1900s. After both his son and a close friend died from illness, William lost his mind and committed suicide in the mansion. Two other sons later committed suicide in the home as well. The mansion is rated as one of the 10 most haunted places in the U.S. Today you can visit the mansion and tour it. It also contains a restaurant and an inn.
Leaving the haunted world behind, I remember watching the last Olympics and being fascinated by the curling events. You might remember seeing the competitors sliding a 40-pound chunk of granite toward a target 140 feet away. Teammates rapidly sweep the ice with brooms to change the stone’s path. The objective is to put your stones close to the target. The opposing team can knock your stone away from the target. It has some similarity to shuffleboard. Ready to try it? Check out the Kansas City Curling club at KCCurling.com/. You can go there to watch curling or to take curling lessons. Remember to dress warmly.
In St. Louis, you can visit the “Old Cathedral” near the Gateway Arch or online at OldCathedralStL.org/. The proper name is the Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France. The history of this place begins in 1764 when the founders of the city dedicated this block of land to be used for religious purposes. The current church is the fourth church to be built in this spot. It was dedicated in 1834.
A museum is located in the church basement and tours of the church are offered. Services are held on a regular basis and visitors are welcome to attend. I have been there a number of times, and it is a beautiful church. You can take the tour virtually at OldCathedralStL.org/take-a-video-tour. The video explains much of the art and symbols that appear in and on the building.
Enjoy winter in our beautiful state. If we should see each other at the Lemp Mansion or while having a quiet moment in the Cathedral, be sure to say hello. Nothing warms a Missourian’s heart like a friendly greeting on a cold day.
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.