Missouri Life November/December 2023

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY

WOODWORKER CREATES SANTA MAGIC HO! HO! HO!

85 EVENTS TO SWEETEN THE SEASON A STATEWIDE TOUR WITH SCROOGE SALUTING THOSE WHO SERVED 2023ʼS BEST OF MISSOURI LIFE WINNERS

DISPLAY UNTIL DECEMBER 31

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1 Offer not available in all areas. Discount applied by retailer representative at time of contract execution and applies to purchase of 3 or more windows and/or patio doors. Cannot be combined with other offers. To qualify for discount offer, initial contact for a free Window and Patio Door Diagnosis must be made and documented on or before 12/31/23 with the appointment then occurring no more than 10 days after the initial contact. No payments and deferred interest for 36 months available to well qualified buyers on approved credit only. Not all customers may qualify. Higher rates apply for customer with lower credit ratings. Financing not valid with other offers or prior purchases. No Finance Charges will be assessed if promo balance is paid in full in 36 months. Renewal by Andersen retailers are independently owned and operated retailers, and are neither brokers nor lenders. Any finance terms advertised are estimates only, and all financing is provided by third-party lenders unaffiliated with Renewal by Andersen retailers, under terms and conditions arranged directly between the customer and such lender, all subject to credit requirements. Renewal by Andersen retailers do not assist with, counsel or negotiate financing, other than providing customers an introduction to lenders interested in financing. This Renewal by Andersen location is independently owned and operated. “Renewal by Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are marks of Andersen Corporation. ©2023 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. ©2023 Lead Surge LLC. All rights reserved. 2 See limited warranty for details.

3 / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023

Historic Downtown Boonville Presents c Downtown Boonville Presents

Saturday December 1st

Saturday December 1st

MAIN ST FESTIVAL on Miracle

AIN ST ESTIVAL on iracle

A Christmas Parade Visit with Santa

A Christmas Parade Visit with Santa

Holiday Market & Crafts

Holiday Market & Crafts

Holiday Home Tour

Holiday Home Tour

Merchants’ Open House Caroling Along Main Street horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

Merchants’ Open House Caroling Along Main Street horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

wwwBoonvillemochamber.com or www.goboonville.com BoonvilleMOTourism or call 660-882-3967

llemochamber.com goboonville.com villeMOTourism 660-882-3967

Tree Lighting Ceremony Live Music, Food & Fun

Tree Lighting Ceremony Live Music, Food & Fun

4 / MISSOURILIFE.COM

CONTENTS November/December 2023

FEATURES 22 The Santa Maker Master woodworker Kevin Begley keeps Chrismas in his heart throughout the year, and it shows in the work of his hands. This Columbia artist crafts holiday figures destined to be heirlooms. An irritable old miser and a handful of spirits are at the heart of the Charles Dickens holiday story, A Christmas Carol . Reserve your seats for these eight unique and uplifting productions. Delve into the lives and selfless heroism of six Missouri servicemen who earned the nation’s highest military recognition: the Medal of Honor. 43 Best of Missouri Life Readers from every region of the state voted for their favorites. Now it’s time to unveil the 2023 Best of Missouri Life award winners. DEPARTMENTS 10 Letters A reader remembers bean filled dreams, proud locals boast of their murals, and a Chamois native comes home. 26 Ebenezer Season 30 Beyond the Call

16 Missouri Green Life Be gentle to your budget and the planet with sustainable gift and party ideas. 18 Books A new book makes a bold statement about incorporating vivid colors into a home’s historic style. Missourians have a long tradition of stepping up to serve their country, and there are stats to prove it. 21 State-tistics

26

64 Events Calendar

Fill in your holiday calendar with some of these 85 family friendly seasonal events. Simon Rose has been entertaining radio audiences in Columbia for more than three decades with his wit, wisdom, and British accent.

74 Conversation

COLUMNS 8 My Missouri Life She wasn’t the fanciest

angel to grace the top of a Christmas tree, but she was too special to forget. Wine expert Doug Frost tells how the legend of Champagne was born, and why Missouri’s sparklers are something to celebrate.

A Christmas Carol by the Kansas City Repertory Theatre

57 Wine Dog

ON THE COVER Meticulously handcrafted Santas, made by woodworker Kevin Begley, are destined to become family heirlooms. COVER PHOTO: LG PATTERSON

‹

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY

WOODWORKER CREATES SANTA MAGIC HO! HO! HO!

12 Discover

58 Musings on Life What is a spurtle, and why is it the ideal holiday gift? Cook up some porridge and let Ron Marr explain. 60 No Place Like Home When Lorry Myers was too busy for Christmas, it came knocking at her front door.

Mizzou researchers try out a high-tech tractor, and a list of historic Missourians welcomes new members. Farina Ristorante and Oyster Bar has become the destination for elevated Italian fare in Kansas City.

DREAM, EXPLORE, & DISCOVER

14 Find Dining

85 EVENTS TO SWEETEN THE SEASON A STATEWIDE TOUR WITH SCROOGE SALUTING THOSE WHO SERVED 2023ʼS BEST OF MISSOURI LIFE WINNERS

DISPLAY UNTIL DECEMBER 31

$5.99

MISSOURILIFE.COM

MISSOURI LIFE, Vol. 50, No. 8, 2023 (USPS#020181; ISSN#1525-0814) Published eight times a year in January, March, May, June, July, September, October, and November by Missouri Life Inc., PO Box 57, 208 Columbia Street, Rocheport, MO 65279 for $21.99. Periodicals Postage paid at Rocheport, Missouri, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Missouri Life, PO Box 57, Rocheport, MO 65279. © 2023 Missouri Life. All rights reserved.

KANSAS CITY REPERTORY THEATRE/ DON IPOCK

5 / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023

CONTENT BY LOCATION

Albany, 48 Arcadia, 50 Armstrong, 48 Arrow Rock, 18, 28, 48, 53, 66 Ava, 52 Ballwin, 46 Bevier, 46 Bismark, 50 Blackwater, 44 Boonville, 44, 68 Bourbon, 72 Branson West, 52 Branson, 27, 28, 52, 53, 70 Brunswick, 48 Buffalo, 44 Caledonia, 50 Camdenton, 44 Cape Fair, 52 Cape Girardeau, 50, 72 Carrollton, 48 Chamois, 10 Chillicothe, 10, 66 Cole Camp, 68 Columbia, 12, 23, 29, 44, 53, 68, 74 Creve Coeur, 64 Dexter, 50 Diamond, 70 Eureka, 57 Excelsior Springs, 66

Green City, 10 Hannibal, 34, 46, 64 Hartville, 70

Pacific, 10, 64 Parkville, 66 Phillipsburg, 53 Pierce City, 12, 70 Poplar Bluff, 28, 72 Potosi, 43, 50 Ridgedale, 53 Rocheport, 18, 44, 53 Rolla, 72 Salem, 72 Salisbury, 48 Savanah, 48 Sedalia, 44, 53, 68 Sikeston, 72 Slater, 48 Smithville, 66 Springfield, 14, 52, 70 St. Charles, 28, 64

THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY PO Box 57, 208 Columbia St., Rocheport, MO 65279 Info@MissouriLife.com MissouriLife.com SUBSCRIBE MissouriLife.com MissouriLife@PCSPublink.com 1-800-492-2593 PUBLISHER Greg Wood EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Danita Allen Wood

Hermann, 46, 64 Holts Summit, 44 Houston, 70 Independence, 66 Ironton, 43, 50 Jackson, 50 Jefferson City, 44, 68 Joplin, 52, 70 Kansas City, 18, 20, 27, 29, 53, 57, 66 Kirksville, 46, 64 Lampe, 52 Lebanon, 44, 68

Lee’s Summit, 48, 66 Lexington, 10, 48, 66

EDITORIAL AND ART EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sandy Selby CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dan Bishop 573-514-5453 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Nate Birt, Pamela Clifton, Daniel Pliska,

Liberty, 48 Lincoln, 68 Linn Creek, 68 Macon, 46 Malta Bend, 18 Mansfield, 70 Maplewood, 64 Marble Hill, 50 Marceline, 48 Marshall, 48 Maryville, 48, 66 Milan, 10 Moberly, 46, 64

St. James, 50, 57, 72 St. Joseph, 43, 48, 66 St. Louis, 12, 14, 20, 29, 34, 35, 46, 53, 64 Ste. Genevieve, 72

Steelville, 72 Stockton, 52 Strafford, 52 Union, 64

Ron Soodalter, Susan Atteberry Smith, Evan Wood Columnists Doug Frost, Ron Marr, Lorry Myers CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ILLUSTRATORS Merit Myers, LG Patterson MARKETING DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING Deborah Marshall, 573-514-5453 ADVERTISING AND MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES Steve Belko, St. Louis, 636-980-0926 Mary Leonard Bullington, Kansas City, 816-868-7498 Mike Gonitzke, Springfield/Southwest, 901-826-6911 Mary Hiatt, St. Louis, 402-672-9449 ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Amy Stapleton, 573-514-5453 OTHER MEDIA MISSOURILIFE.COM, MISSOURI LIFE TV, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, MISSOURI LIFELINES, DIGITAL EDITION DIGITAL MEDIA Digital Managers Javeed Shaikh, Heidi Strong Contributors Nate Birt, Peg Cameron Gill BUSINESS Business & Strategy Consultant Jerry Croft Circulation Management NPS Media Accounting Beyond Your Books

Versailles, 44, 68 Walnut Shade, 52 Warsaw, 44, 68 Washington, 64 Waynesville, 68 Webster Groves, 29 Weston, 66

Farmington, 50 Fayette, 48, 53 Fredericktown, 33 Gallatin, 53 Glasgow, 48, 53, 66 Grandview, 14

Mountain Grove, 10 New Bloomfield, 12 New Haven, 20, 46, 64

Novinger, 64 Ozark, 52, 70

Visit ChoiceHotels.com/Missouri or call 1-877-424-6423 to get our lowest price guaranteed.**

FIND US ONLINE

*Rate Restrictions: Valid only for Choice Privileges members (program enrollment is free). The reservation must be made on ChoiceHotels. com at participating hotels and must be made at least 7, 14, 21 or 30 days in advance, which will vary based on the hotel for which a reservation is being made. Subject to availability, the rate starts at 15% off Best Available Rate, is non-cancellable, non-changeable and non-refundable. Your credit card will be charged for the total reservation amount within 24-48 hours of booking. This rate has a seven (7) night maximum length of stay. Rooms at this discount are limited. Offer is not available to groups and cannot be combined with any other discount. Choice Hotels reserves the right to change or discontinue this offer at any time. Eligibility restricted to U.S. and Canadian residents. Members must book direct at ChoiceHotels.com/Missouri or call 1-877-424-6423. All Choice Hotels properties are independently owned and operated. **Guarantee applies to Third Party Website standard rates for a Choice single or double occupancy room that are at least 1% and $1.00 less than the Choice rate. Claims must be submitted within 24 hours of booking and 48+ hours prior to 6 PM check in time the day of hotel arrival. Other terms also apply; see www.choicehotels.com/legal/best-rate-rules for full terms and conditions. ©2023 Choice Hotels International. All rights reserved.

6 / MISSOURILIFE.COM

MY MISSOURI LIFE

The Most Beautiful Angel

I WAS HEARTBROKEN WHEN MY MOTHER TOLD ME THE ANGEL WAS GONE. That fragile tree-topper with the pretty crocheted dress was my favorite part of the family Christmas tree as I was growing up. Half a cen tury later, as Mom’s health began to fail, she gave me many of the Christmas heirlooms I loved—the nativity set, the lighted ceramic Christmas tree, and a kooky cookie jar. But where was the angel? Mom confessed that she hadn’t seen that angel in years and probably hadn’t kept her. The doll, she said, was falling apart, so she must have thrown her away. As I went through box after box of ornaments, tchotchkes, and holiday finery after my mother’s death, I held on to a fantasy of finding the angel. But I reluc tantly accepted that I would not see her again. The doll beneath the angelic makeover was an inex pensive plastic toy, but my grandmother had created her delicate, meticulously crocheted dress. The skirt and sleeves were lacy and decorated with tiny silver sequins. Beneath the crocheted layer, to preserve the angel’s modesty, was a finely sewn satin gown. The crocheted wings were embellished, too, and stiffened with wire. I can’t imagine how many hours Grandmother put into making the heavenly garment, but as a child, I thought it was the loveliest dress any doll had ever worn. For weeks in late 2021, I went through every closet and cupboard in my mom’s house. I opened each box, setting aside family keepsakes and leaving the rest for the auctioneer to sort. The storage room under the garage was the last space I had to tackle. That’s where Mom kept boxes and barrels full of decorations for every holiday. I couldn’t help but feel a tingle of hope every time I cut the tape on an old box. I did rediscover many happy memories, but there was no angel. I was down to one last shipping barrel in the back corner of the room. I unlatched the metal ring, lifted the lid, and found the barrel stuffed to the brim with ropes of plastic greenery—another disappointment. Yet some impulse, perhaps an angel, compelled me to pull out every piece of that greenery rather than shov ing the barrel back into the corner.

My grandmother Della was a professional seamstress and gifted needlework artist. She created a collection of doll outfits in the 1960s, including this one-of a-kind angel dress.

It was there, at the bottom of the last unexplored container in the house, wrapped in decades-old layers of tissue paper, that I found my angel. I sat down on the cold concrete and cried like the child I had been the last time I laid eyes on that sweet tree topper. My Christmas tree will never be featured in a design magazine, but I wouldn’t trade my hodgepodge of memories for a color-coordinated showpiece. Over the years, I’ve topped our family tree with glittery stars, a jaunty hat, and even a fancy lighted angel. Those days are over. From now until my last Christmas on this Earth, a glued-together angel with a homemade dress will watch over me.

SANDY SELBY EDITOR-IN CHIEF Sandy@MissouriLife.com

SANDY SELBY

8 / MISSOURILIFE.COM

Explore It's Time To

Mexico, Missouri Mainstreet of the Midwest

22 Magic Tree Lighting - Downtown Village Square November

December

1-3

“Little Mermaid” Production - Presser Arts Center

2 Holiday Parade (Its A Wonderful Life) - Downtown Village Square, 10 a.m. 2 United Credit Union Tree Lighting - 802 E. Breckenridge, 5 p.m. 8 Christmas at Graceland - 501 S. Muldrow, 5:30 p.m. (Reservations Required: 573.581.3910) 8-10 “Little Mermaid” Production - Presser Arts Center 10 Simmons Stables Old-Fashioned Christmas - 701 W. Boulevard Facebook: Simmons Stable Preservation 10 66th Annual Presentation of The Living Nativity Scene First Christian Church of Mexico, Missouri, 6 p.m. 14 Presser Pipes Christmas Concert - Presser Arts Center, 7 p.m.

Promotional Funding Provided By The Mexico Tourism Tax

9 / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023

LETTERS FROM ALL OVER

You Write Them. We Print Them.

BEAN SEASON I’m 60 now and 50 years ago, I was having a similar experience as Sandy with green beans [ “My Missouri Life,” by Sandy Selby, September 2023 ]. My mom and I—days of pick and snap, pick and snap. The funny part is that at the end of those days, I would close my eyes while lying in bed and see beans! Beans, beans, beans! Thank you for bringing back for me that memory. THE BIG PICTURE I was looking at the Missouri Life on building murals in small towns [ “Walls of Fame” by Susan Atteberry Smith, September 2023 ]. You need to come to Green City to see our This is Cattle Country , and then to Chillicothe to see their Home of Sliced Bread mural. Milan has some buildings with mural paintings, also. —Kathleen Hauser, Milan Did you know Pacific has four murals in town? Also, they just opened up the old Route 66 Red Cedar Inn as a museum just down from the revamped Jensen’s Point lookout built into the bluffs overlooking the town and river. There is the historic First Baptist Church. It was constructed in 1874. In 1895, King William Adams and his wife, Mary, purchased the lots the church sat on, the first recorded African-American property purchase in Pacific, and deeded the lots to the church. And it is home to Bigfoot. There is a Bigfoot park, plus the grocery store has a prop that looks like Bigfoot is coming through the wall. It might make a great spotlight town story. ——Kathy Felsted Usher, Pacific —Audrey Jett, Mountain Grove

and breakfast, The Old School on the Hill, owned by Debbie and LeRoy Huff. In your September issue about Roadside Markets [ “A Fresh Take” by Glory Fagan ], you featured the Boys from Chamois. I visited the Paulsmeyers’ stand named The Wagon, which still runs on the honor system. The assortment for sale was pumpkins, squash, sweet corn, and U-pick sunflowers. Thanks for featuring my hometown! —Glenda Ferguson, Paoli, Indiana magazine, online site, and for me, your recipes. As I go through the listings for Missouri Life TV [ MissouriLife.com /mltv ], I cannot find one for Lexington. This puzzles me as the community is so hospitable, historic, and ringed by orchards and historic plantation homes. Located on the Missouri River just a little east and north of the Kansas City area, it has a fascinating river history as well—steamboat disasters and wrecks, the MR340 River Race, and much more. This town offers something for everyone’s taste! —Abigail W. Tempel, Lexington Thanks for the excellent suggestion, Abigail. We’ll get in touch with the town. —Editor WRITE TO US Info@MissouriLife.com FACEBOOK /MissouriLifeMagazine TWITTER @MissouriLife INSTAGRAM @MissouriLifeMag Missouri Life Missouri Life, PO Box 57, 208 Columbia Street, Rocheport, MO 65279 READY FOR A CLOSE-UP My husband and I so enjoy your

HAPPY HOMECOMING Thank you for the shoutouts in your issues about Chamois. While attending Chamois Days, I stayed at the 1876 bed Glenda returned to her hometown of Chamois and stopped by places featured in recent issues, including the Old School on the Hill B&B, and the Boys from Chamois farm stand.

TIM FERGUSON, GLENDA FERGUSON

10 / MISSOURILIFE.COM

Tis the Season IN WARRENSBURG!

JOIN US FOR A WINTER ESCAPE IN A MAGICAL SETTING. Step back in time to the Charles Dickens tale “A Christmas Carol.” The first weekend of December, Downtown Warrensburg is transformed into a beautiful celebration of the definitive holiday novel. Enjoy carolers and merchants in period costumes and horse-drawn carriage rides around our historic square. Stroll downtown as holiday music fills the air and witness merchant windows transformed into mesmerizing displays of artisans performing their crafts. This unforgettable, yuletide celebration is waiting for you and your family in Warrensburg, MO! For more information, visit VisitWarrensburg.com/Holiday-Fun! •COMMUNITY HOLIDAY PARADE: Friday, December 1 •WARRENSBURG MAIN STREET’S DICKENS CHRISTMAS: Saturday, December 2 •CENTER STAGE ACADEMY’S “THE NUTCRACKER” Saturday and Sunday, December 2-3 •POWELL GARDENS FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS Evenings Wednesday – Sunday from November to December

Scan the QR code to learn more!

11 / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023

DISCOVER

Driven to Succeed We roll toward the end of 2023 with tractors that drive themselves and some of Missouri’s most famous self-starters.

Christmas All Year Whether you need a gift for your favorite aunt or the new guy in IT, a subscription to Missouri Life magazine is the perfect fit. We search every part of the state for interesting destinations, fascinating people, and hidden history. Then, our talented team brings those stories to you in a beautiful magazine that celebrates all things Missouri. A subscription to Missouri Life, available at MissouriLife .com/gift, will remind the recipient of your thoughtfulness every time an issue arrives, and that’s sure to keep you in good stead with both Santa and the IT guy.

2

1

Martha Griffiths

MOVERS, SHAKERS & HISTORY MAKERS The State Historical Society of

Missouri recently expanded its data base of Historic Missourians. This free online resource features biogra phies, images, and facts about dozens of accomplished Missouri citizens. It’s a useful tool for students, educa tors, and anyone who wants to study up on state history. New additions to the site include St. Louis Cardinals player/broadcaster Mike Shannon and zoologist Mary Jane Guthrie of New Bloomfield. Also added were Arvarh Strickland of Columbia, the first full-time African American professor at Mizzou, and Martha Griffiths of Pierce City, who helped ensure that protections for women were included in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Read about these inspirational leaders and all the other Historic Missourians at HistoricMissourians.shsmo.org.

NOT YOUR GRANDPA’S TRACTOR The future of farming has arrived in Columbia at the University of Missouri. Researchers at the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and the College of Engineering took deliv ery of a first-of-its-kind electric, autonomous tractor called a Monarch MK-V. This high-tech piece of farm equipment not only makes tractor navigation a driver-optional pursuit, but it could also redefine standard agricultural practices and make farming more accessible to people with disabilities. The new tractor is charged with a biofuels generator. It will be a research and teach ing tool for Mizzou’s agriculture and engineering programs. Among this farm marvel’s features are sensors and cameras that will collect important data and artificial intelligence tech nology that will make the application of herbicides and fertilizers more precise. The researchers studying the tractor’s capabilities will work with MU Extension’s AgrAbility Program to learn how the technology can benefit disabled farmers. “We want to investigate the next generation of technology,” said Jianfeng Zhou, a professor in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. “This is a tool to showcase to our farmers and stakeholders how new technologies can change tradi tional and conventional farming activities.”

/// NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

PEDAL, PADDLE & HIKE IN AN ADVENTURE RACE

THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY

The Great Statewide COOKIE Exchange

84 FESTIVE HOLIDAY EVENTS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 $5.99 (DISPLAY UNTIL DECEMBER 31)

DISCOVER A CHRISTMAS CABIN

MISSOURILIFE.COM

3 WINTER TALES OF AMERICAN INDIANS

HAVE YOU HUGGED A COMFORT DOG TODAY?

MONARCH TRACTORS, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

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Holiday Reflections Step into the Most Magical Sights, Sounds & Selfies of the Season at Union Station Kansas City

Presented by

Nov. 20 th through Jan. 1 st • KC’s Original & Most Beloved Holiday Experience • Endless Photo Ops Fill Nearly 40,000 SQF • Dozens of New Scenic Elements

Supported by

Virtual Reality Sleigh Ride: Exciting 4D Experience

Mini Holiday Ride-On Train

New Dazzling Indoor Water Show

Purchase Tickets at UnionStation.org

Tickets as low as $7 * *excludes preservation fee

FIND DINING

Speaking Italian Farina Ristorante and Oyster Bar is the talk of the town. STORY Chef Daniel Pliska arina Ristorante and Oyster Bar in Kansas City has gained a following for the “modern Italian” creations of its owner, James Beard award-winning Chef Michael Smith. Chef Michael prides himself on using the finest ingredients in his top-tier Italian restaurant at 19th and Baltimore. His menu is inspired by the various regions of Italy, and Chef Michael applies deft cooking tech niques to bring out the best in fresh foods at their peak season. The menu sections at Farina are laid out in classic Italian fashion, starting with Antipasti (before the pasta), Insalata (salads), Pasta Atipica (not tradi tionally known pastas), Four Kings of Rome (refer ring to classic Roman shaped pasta such as spaghetti, rigatoni, tagliatelle, and bucatini), Secondi (the main course served after the pasta course) and Dolce (sweets). Lovers of Italian food will find plenty of familiar favorites among the offerings. But adventurous din ers will be rewarded with the more exotic items that Chef Michael and his kitchen staff prepare. These include the grilled octopus with apricot, cherry, and rosemary-chili pesto; corn agnolotti with Oregon morel mushrooms and corn sauce; and prosciutto- wrapped quail with smoked oyster mushrooms, arti chokes, Swiss chard, and demi-glace. Chef Michael, who began working in kitchens at the tender age of 12, has trained and worked in esteemed restaurants in the South of France and the midwestern United States, including a stint as a sous chef for the acclaimed Charlie Trotters in Chicago. His debut in Kansas City restaurant ownership came in 2002 at 40 Sardines, which quickly soared to a lofty reputation. That was followed up by Michael Smith Restaurant, now closed, and later, right next door at 19th and Main, Extra Virgin, a Middle Eastern Spanish-style tapas restaurant that still operates today. He opened Farina in 2019.

F

A great menu calls for a great beverage program to complement the food, and Farina excels with its award-winning wine program curated and directed by General Manager Nancy Smith. The extensive list has been recognized

by Wine Spectator and received the magazine’s coveted Award of Excellence in 2019 and every year since. The restaurant is known for its barrel-aged Manhattans and Negronis, Mezcal cocktails, and tequila drinks of all kinds. Another special beverage is the espresso martini, which Chef Michael says is making a comeback. A meal at Farina Ristorante and Oyster Bar would not be complete without one of the delectable des serts. Created by pastry chef Ali Woody, the dessert selection includes classic Italian specialties with unique twists. One customer pleaser is the Panna Cotta Flight with amaretto-apricot, berry-basil, and cucumber-melon. Another favorite is the Chocolate Hazelnut Tiramisu. Tiramisu, which is translated as a pick-me-up due to its espresso syrup-soaked lady fingers, does not normally contain hazelnuts, but that addition creates an intriguing variation on the des sert. Another unusual dessert on a recent menu is the Mixed Berry Trifle with black raspberry sorbet, butter cookie, and Marsala-soaked peaches. Italian food is indisputably one of America’s favor ite cuisines, and the options range from simple pizza and pasta restaurants, to Italian restaurants that rise to more extravagant levels. At the most exalted level, where a meal becomes an experience, you’ll find Farina Ristorante and Oyster Bar.

From top: A persimmon and carrot salad with burrata and

pomegranate seeds is a seasonal favorite. Award-winning Chef Michael Smith is known for his culinary creativity. Sardinian black rice with calamari and sweet red pepper

sauce delights diners with rich Italian flavor.

CHEF DANIEL PLISKA is a certified executive chef and author. He teaches culinary arts at Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield.

Explore the menu, make reservations, and learn about Chef Michael Smith’s new book, Farina , at FarinaKC.com .

JENNY WHEAT, STYLING BY JANIE JONES, RON BERG

14 / MISSOURILIFE.COM

Winter CheerFound Here! is

Just NORTH of the river in Kansas City

From Small Town Shopping to Big City Dining and Entertainment, Clay County

is your perfect Winter retreat! VisitClayMO.com

INDEPENDENCE, make heartfelt memories. where holiday traditions

Plan your trip today at visitindependence.com

15 / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023

MISSOURI GREEN LIFE

HOST A MINDFUL HOLIDAY PARTY • Ask guests to bring leftover containers. Meagan suggests that mason jars are perfect for sending family and friends home with goodies for their fridge or shelves. • Create a recycling collection location. Encourage guests to place their glass and other recyclable materials in a single location, such as a kitchen counter or a dedicated plastic tub. Label it so they know exactly where it should go. • Turn everyday items into holiday decor. “Rip worn out clothes or fabric scraps into strips to make colorful garlands, or ask your local coffee shop if they have extra burlap bags you can turn into wreaths,” Katie says. • Use regular dishware. Put your dishwasher to work and use regular cutlery and plates instead of disposables. • Wrap gifts in reusable fabric. You can find free fabric-wrapping tutorials online. Or Katie suggests using gift bags while avoiding writing directly on the paper. That way, the person receiving the gift can reuse the bag next time. COLLECT MORE CREATIVE IDEAS Seek out more recycling inspiration sustainable gifts to check out compa nies such as Constructive Playthings based in Grandview, and St. Louis-based The Social Goods Marketplace and Little Cliff. Be intentional about the gifts you give,” she says. “Handmade and secondhand gifts show just as much (if not more) love as buying new.” in Missouri and beyond. Katie encourages shoppers seeking

our greatest holiday gift achievement ever might be as close as your recycling bin or craft room. Rather than pouring your hard-earned cash into trinkets your loved ones might toss, why not get creative? We asked the experts to share some of their favorite tips, trends, and tricks for boosting sustainability all season long. They suggest ways to save money, delight family and friends, and keep waste out of landfills. One of the hottest trends to hit the cold-weather, gift-giving season is giving old fabric new life, according to Katie Carpenter, executive director of Perennial. The St. Louis-based nonprofit workshop and classroom teaches people how to create all manner of DIY projects, diverting more than 12,000 pounds of materials from landfills. Green Giving Holiday gifts and parties can be sustainable and sensational. STORY Nate Birt Y

Leftover Containers

Recycling Collection

Regular Dishware

“I’ve seen a huge increase in consumers wanting to repair or alter clothes

and avoid fast fashion,” Katie says. “Our sewing machine basics classes are constantly selling out, and it is amazing to see a resurgence in sewing, mending, and

Perennial

quilting communities.” Katie also suggests giving experiences—local classes, gift cards, and tickets to events—rather than things. For those who purchase gifts, look for items packaged using a single material such as cardboard or glass, says Meagan Huth, chief marketing officer at The Upcycling Company, a glass recycling company. The company is in the planning stage for an expansion into Missouri. “Packaging that is made from a solo material is more likely to actually be recycled into new products,” Meagan explains. Communities and businesses are moving away from the once-popular recycling systems that combined metals, glass, plastics, and cardboard. The reason? Between 30 and 70 percent of aggregated recycling gets contaminated, meaning a large percentage of it ends up dumped in a landfill instead of being reused.

Reusable fabric

Find creative inspiration at Perennial, PerennialStL.org, and The Upcycling Company, RecycleGlassHere.com.

PERENNIAL, THE UPCYCLING COMPANY, FREEPIK

16 / MISSOURILIFE.COM

Alpine Shop

Christopher’s & MaGift’s

Cornucopia

More than 15,000 items in our two-level store. Cookware, bakeware, fabric, and kitchen tools galore. The largest selection of Fiesta in the area. 30 varieties of bulk coffee and 40 varieties of bulk tea. Missouri-made baskets.

Come experience why Alpine Shop has been Missouri's Home for Outdoor Recreation for 50 years! Featuring the area's largest selection of Patagonia apparel and gear. Bike • Boat • Camp • Climb • Ski • Snowboard • Trail

STLGift.com Christopher's - 127 E. Argonne Dr. 314-909-0202 MaGift's - 121 N. Kirkwood Rd. 314-758-3535 St. Louis's Premiere Gifting Destinations... Browse our stores with unique selections of products For the Body... For the Home... For the Memories... Shop In Store or Online 24/7

AlpineShop.com 440 N. Kirkwood Rd. 314-962-7715

The Magic House Cornucopia-Kitchen.com 107 North Kirkwood Rd. 314-822-2440

Imo's Pizza

STAGES St. Louis

STAGES St. Louis is proud to announce our 2024 Season in The Ross Family Theatre at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center: STEEL MAGNOLIAS (May 31 – June 30); Disney’s NEWSIES (July 26 – Aug. 25); and RAGTIME (Sept. 20 – Oct. 20). Season Subscriptions on Sale in January 2024.

Where fun and learning come to play! Take on the role of a veterinarian in a child-sized village, conduct experiments in a science lab, make your hair stand on end at the electrostatic generator and imagine yourself as part of the CITY SC team in our Soccer Training Center Exhibit!

Original St. Louis Style Pizza, since 1964. Sandwiches, salads, pasta, and ice cold beer. Celebrating 50 years! The Square Beyond Compare.

ImosPizza.com 215 S. Kirkwood Rd. 314-966-3666

MagicHouse.org 516 S. Kirkwood Road 314-822-8900

StagesStLouis.org 210 E Monroe Ave. 314-821-2407

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BOOKS

Forms of the Past A new book showcases a unique design philosophy on display in a historic Missouri home. REVIEW Evan Allen Wood

T

here are instances in which the obsolescence of a certain technology seems uncomplicated. The refrigerator outmoding the icebox, for instance, seems like a cut-and-dried example of a more effective

restored gentleman’s and lady’s drawing rooms, but within each we see touches from different periods. There are first empire chairs and a small end table designed by Gateway Arch architect Eero Saarinen. There is a federalist mirror and a portrait of fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. The result is something new and transcendent. The home, like a candle, is bonded to its original functions while perfectly adapted to a new role in contemporary life. The book—a stunning, large-format coffee table number, well-suited to showcase a visual spectacle of design—takes the reader on a walk-through of the Blosser House and explains the how and why behind every room, including excerpts from Katillac’s design diary and photographic comparisons to famous historic homes (James Madison’s Montpelier and George Washington’s Mount Vernon, to name a couple) that served as inspiration. Then the book moves on to three sections: The Design Lab, A Periodic Table, and The New Theory. These sections help to further explicate Katillac’s philosophy of historic style with plenty of full-color photographs, many of which come from her other projects and experiments in Arrow Rock and Kansas City, among other locations. Katillac’s vision, as seen in Historic Style , makes the case for outside-the-box thinking when it comes to the design of the past. Beyond discarding it, beyond thoughtless reverence for it, she shows us throughout the book that there is a way to engage the past in conversation from our place in the present. As one closes its back cover, one is reminded that books themselves have been criticized as being obsolete mediums for conveying information. Their visual scope is limited compared to television, and they don’t lend themselves to passive consumption like video or audio mediums. What’s more, when you’ve finished reading, you must find a place to store the actual object, unlike what we read on our phones, tablets, and e-readers. But a book like Historic Style was made with a kind of self-conscious appreciation for the book-as object; in other words, once its ideas have inspired you, it will serve as a tribute—casually displayed on an end table or your bookshelf—to your good taste.

technology replacing an older one. Or how about the lightbulb replacing the candle? It’s certainly a less hazardous method of illumination, and yet, perhaps curiously, we still find candles in plenty of households. The candle could be the perfect metaphor for the house readers can explore in Historic Style: Honoring the Past with Design for Today , published in October. The book encapsulates the vision of interior designer Kelee Katillac, using as a case study her work on the

Henry Blosser House just outside of Malta Bend. As the title implies, Kelee’s work seeks to balance historic verisimilitude with contemporary aesthetics and function. The house’s story begins with its construction by Henry and Sarah Blosser in 1878. More than a century later, the once-grand home, which also served as the seat of a small agrarian township that sprang up around it, was in desperate need of restoration. Kelee Katillac discovered it as almost a ruin, but with help from benefactors Arthur and Carolyn Elman, turned it into what the book aptly describes as a case study in the mixture of historic and contemporary design—a hallmark of Katillac’s work. Rather than simply rehab the home and furnish it entirely with period-appropriate pieces, Katillac opted to embrace its historic roots but also incorporate design that anticipates and embraces the present. For example, true to the home’s original design, we see

HISTORIC STYLE: HONORING THE PAST WITH DESIGN FOR TODAY Jorge Arango, 360 pages, nonfiction, Missouri Life Media, hardcover (107/8 by 12 3/4 inches), $95. This book is available now at Amazon.com, at the Missouri Life Mercantile in Rocheport, and at MissouriLife.com /shop.

THE PUBLISHER

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Christmas Christmas Homes Tour by

the Friends of Historic Boonville. For a full list of houses, ticket pricing, along with All other

in

HISTORIC BOONVILLE

details call 660-882-7977.

1pm - 7pm

www.FriendsofHistoricBoonvilleMO.org

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19 / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023

BOOKS

Worth Remembering Authors explore notable places, people, and events that shaped our state.

BEAUTIFUL STATES OF MIND, Chelan David, 415 pages, nonfiction, self-published, softcover, (6 by 9 inches), $19.95. The author is a Kansas native who moved to Kansas City much later, after traveling the world with his own Indian father who kidnapped him and his sister when they were small. This book is a travelogue by a father who visited all 50 states with his two daugh

the next day. All proceeds of this oversized, coffee-table book benefit a scholarship fund at New Haven High School.

THE GATEWAY ARCH, AN ILLUSTRATED TIMELINE, John C. Guenther, 48 pages, nonfiction, Reedy Press, softcover, (8 1/2 by 11 inches), $17. This well-illustrated timeline takes a chronological look at the historic foundations of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial as well as the evolution of the St. Louis riverfront. LEFT IN THE MIDWEST, edited by Amanda L. Izzo and Benjamin Looker, 554 pages, history, University of Missouri Press, softcover, (6 by 9 inches), $35. This academic study of St. Louis progressive activism in the 1960s and 1970s will interest those who would like to learn more about social reform movements of the time. The book covers such diverse topics as women’s environmental activism, Black Power continuity and rupture, surveillance and subversion of student activists, violence, and public healthcare. Edited by Amanda L. Izzo and Benjamin Looker Version 5.indd 1 9 781681 064468 51700> ISBN 978-1-68106-446-8 $17.00 Architect John C. Guenther , FAIA, LEED AP holds a fellowship in the American Institute of Architects and was a lecturer in the College of Architecture at Wash ington University in St. Louis, where he co-founded and taught Mid-Century Modernism in St. Louis 1930–1970. John serves as president of the Society of Architectural Historians–St. Louis Chapter. He wrote “Missouri’s Architectural Treasures,” published by Missouri Life magazine; “25 Must-See Buildings in Missouri” for USA TODAY ; and the introduction to The Lost St. Louis Riverfront 1930–1943 which documents the historic riverfront architecture removed in anticipation of the Gateway Arch National Park. A n icon of Structural Expressionism, the Gateway Arch expresses both a timeless monumentality and a contemporary dynamism. The Gateway Arch: An Illustrated Timeline is a chronological look at the historic foundations of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, starting from the very beginning, when the Louisiana territory was controlled by France. The story of how this monument came to be is remarkable. St. Louis’s central location has been key to US history, serving as the “Gateway to the West,” and it was here that Lewis and Clark began their Corps of Discovery (1804–1806). Located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, St. Louis was a major port during the Golden Age of Steamboating and was the origin of the Missouri-Pacific Railroad in 1849 that forged a connection between St. Louis and the west coast. Learn how Eero Saarinen’s Gateway Arch is a powerful and symbolic expression of this westward exploration. Gain insight into the planning, growth, and evolution of St. Louis and its riverfront. Discover the vision, determination, persistence, collaboration, creativity, and innovation on the part of many, as the design and realization of the Gateway Arch continued to evolve over time. Join author, architect, and historian John Guenther as he seeks to “connect the dots” of history and takes readers through a visual journey of the key events that led to the building of the Gateway Arch. AN ILLUSTRATED TIMELINE

THE GATEWAY ARCH

ters. While he doesn’t have the kindest words for Missouri and went to the wrong journalism school (University of Kansas), this is an entertaining read, as he shares life lessons he and his family learned during their journeys.

by John C. Guenther, FAIA, LEED AP

LEFT IN THE MIDWEST St. Louis Progressive Activism in the 1960s and 1970s

DEE DANN, FOLK ARTIST, David M. Menke, 135 pages, nonfiction, New Haven Preservation Society, hardcover, (12 by 9 1/4 inches), $35. This gorgeous, full-color book documents the folk art work and career of artist Dorris “Dee” Dann, whose

3/15/22 10:51 AM

life as an artist thrived after she moved to New Haven. Dee’s life was tragically cut short when she was assaulted in 2001 and died

THE PUBLISHERS THE PUBLISHER

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STATE-TISTICS

December 7, 1941 Missourian George Allison Whiteman, a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, was one of the first Americans killed in World War II. He was stationed in Hawaii and had just taken off in his P-40B Warhawk when he came under attack by Japanese planes on their way to Pearl Harbor. His plane crashed and caught fire at the edge of the runway. Whiteman Air Force Base is named in his honor. $3 Billion Missourians made that impressive investment in war bonds during World War II. 174,085 That’s how many Missourians served in the military during World War I. About half spent their service time overseas, while the other half were involved in training and other operations in the United States. By the end of the conflict, more than 10,000 Missourians had been injured or killed in the fighting. 2,271 That’s the number of Missourians who have been declared Missing In Action since World War II. They Served Us Well Missourians have a long history of coming to the aid of their country. Here are just a few examples of the heroism and sacrifice our citizens have made for the good of us all.

Sources: State Historical Society of Missouri, Missouri Secretary of State, 24/7 Wall St.

FREEPIK

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“I love Christmas,” says Kevin Begley of Columbia. That was already evident, because he had mentioned his “Christmas room,” a storage room for all his Christmas decorations, in the basement of his home. “This year,” he says, “the mantle will have wooden branches spray painted to look like river birch.” Changing the mantle every year to delight his family is another hallmark of his joy in Christmas. But Kevin, a woodworker, is best known for his handmade Santas. He toils in his shop year-round like one of Santa’s elves, working an hour or so almost every day while listening to classical music. It’s not a business. He doesn’t have a retail shop, and he doesn’t have shelves lined with wooden Santas. “It’s a hobby,” he says emphatically. He tried taking his Santas to art shows but didn’t enjoy the experience, and he doesn’t have to. His Santas fly out of his hands into those of families who collect them and treat them as heirlooms to be passed on to the next generation. Someone buys a Santa, and then their friends and family see it and want one. Some buyers become collectors and ask for a new one every year. When Kevin started making Santas, he took inspiration from craft stores that manufacture replicas by the thousands. “I’d see something and think, ‘If I made that, I’d change it this way.’ Then I’d go home and make it,” he says. When he saw some Santas made out of two-by-fours at an art show, he asked himself, “What if I did this?” and soon realized he wouldn’t make them out of one piece of wood. Some of his Santas have 40 pieces of wood that he carves and assembles. From day one, he wanted his Santas to have different and noteworthy beards. The super-long beards began as an extra stability device, but now he simply makes bigger boots. He has made Santas with beards of white muslin or the long wooden whiskers you see here, and some have short but still dis tinctive beards. Every Santa has unique details. Kevin’s real career was in education for 31 years. He was a teacher and then an elementary school principal. In fact, it was door decorating for his classroom that spurred his creativity. Santa Maker’s Magic A master woodworker infuses Christmas joy into his sculptures. STORY Danita Allen Wood PHOTOS LG Patterson

FREEPIK

23 / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023

“I’d start with a triangle, and then put arms and legs on it and hang it on my door to make bun nies for Easter, Uncle Sams, or witches for Halloween. Pretty soon, other teachers were asking me to make them one.” But his interest in art and wood have been lifelong. He liked working with wood. His father worked in a lumberyard all his life, and his grandfather

built houses. Kevin learned from them and from his father-in-law, who had a woodworking shop in his basement. He found himself making fre quent requests to his father-in-law to borrow a saw and knew he needed his own workshop. But he also liked art. He discovered that inter est in elementary school. He went to a one-room country school that had all eight grades, but at the end of third grade, all the country schools consolidated. A new teacher saw Kevin draw ing a picture. She stood over him, watching him draw and making him nervous. He had done some shadowing in the picture, and pointing to it, his teacher asked, “Where did you learn to do this?” He told her he didn’t know. When he recounted the story to his family, his grandma planted the thought that he should become an art teacher. The idea stuck, and he took every art class he could in high school, while making a specialty of oil paintings of old barns. He became an art major in college, attending Central Methodist for his bachelor’s degree and Northeast Missouri State (now Truman State University) for his master’s. Kevin starts his Santas with the body. With each one, he wonders, “How should I make this guy look?” Sometimes an arm might drape around a toy or a snowman. He figures out how he wants to make the beard. Should it dangle off a little tilt of the head? “I really enjoy figuring all that out,” he says. His least favorite part is antiquing the final Santa by painting brown paint over the red and black. It’s painstaking work that takes alert attention and is not as relaxing as some of the other work. “You have to rub the brown paint off fast, and it’s higher stress work.” He’s built every kind of Santa: Santas with bags of goodies, Santas with toys, Santas with snowmen, teddy bears, or even a Mizzou Tiger. Some of his Santas carry wreaths or lanterns. But, he repeats, it’s not a business.

Flowing beards and mustaches, some that drape to the ground, are a hallmark of Kevin’s Santa creations.

He recently asked his 18-year-old grandson what he wanted for Christmas. According to Kevin, the young man replied, “Papa, I just want to come to your house and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas. That will make me so happy.” As he recounts this, you can see the joy in Kevin’s face. Spreading the magic of Christmas is his real joy and passion.

Stop by Missouri Life Mercantile in Rocheport or MissouriLife.com/shop to see some of Kevin’s Santas.

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