We say Grace

Everywhere I go, everywhere I turn, I hear “there is something happening in the community, what is it?”  Well, We say Grace, is what is happening.

This past weekend I made a trip to the Patton Saddle Club for the Patton Lions Club’s Cheese Fries and the fast lawnmowers of the Patton Lawnmower Racing.  It’s a family event and a local favorite for my family.

While I might have only been there for cheese fries and fast lawnmowers, it was a touching event, not only because they honored a Bollinger County Champion, Bill Fulton, but because they practiced the American traditions that many of us hold close to heart.

Just moments before the racers took the track the crowd stood and a local young lady sang the beautiful lyrics to our National Anthem, it was enough to bring tears to your eyes as you stared at the flag above the race track.   Then we all bowed our heads and prayed for the racers, the community, and thanked God for the opportunities he gives us.  We said Grace.

In the past four years as a community leader and active citizen of the community I have watched a change not just in the structures of our community, but the people in our community.

I have seen a shift in the activism in our community, I have seen community members step up and step out to do great things out of the love for our county and our residents.  I have seen our local athletes make the brave act of taking a knee before a game and praying God’s blessings over their team and their opponents.  I have seen students choose church over parties and God over lust.  I have seen community leaders, elected officials, and community events pause and pray together before they begin.

These are the changes happening in our community.  This is where the good is coming from.

Some may say this is a new wave, some may say this is a step back to the 1950’s, but I say this is what happens when We say Grace.

(This is a copy of this week’s column that I write The Banner Press, I encourage you to support our local paper)

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Massey Log House and the Alma Fisher School in Marble Hill, Missouri

Massey Log House (1869) and the Alma Fisher One-Room School located just down the street from the Bollinger County Courthouse in the City of Marble Hill, Missouri.

The Massey Log House and the Alma Fisher School will be open for tours every Sunday from 1 pm to 3 pm throughout the month of October 2017.

 

The tours are family friendly, educational, and give you an up close look at what life in Bollinger County looked like over 100 years ago.
 

The Massey Log House and the Alma Fisher One-Room School are operated by the Bollinger County Historical Society - for more information you can call 573-579-1304. 

 

Here is a small glimpse at The Massey Log Home:

 

A glimpse of the Alma Fisher One-Room School:

 

 

 

Vacation Bollinger County, Missouri at a Southeast Missouri Paradise

 (Disclosure:  Parts of this vacation were sponsored, however all thoughts and opinions are my own or my family's, I cannot be bought)

Where can you master stand-up paddle boarding, watch the sunset over a lake, have dinner surrounded by nature, make s'more's over an open fire, and then finish the night off with a family movie?

Our family just returned from our last summer break getaway, that we nicknamed Vacation BoCoMo at the Semo Paradise, because it is a true paradise hidden out in rural Bollinger Cunty, Missouri. 

Just a short drive outside of the City of Marble Hill, Missouri sits this.....

This 4 bedroom, 3 bath  home could easily be a large family getaway, a multi-family getaway, or a quiet place to escape from the city! 

The home faces a large lake and is surrounded by 30 private acres!  By private I mean, you see NO OTHER HOUSES from the front or back deck!  You have limited (very limited) cell service, Wi-Fi is available inside the home, and you can hear the frogs croaking and crickets chirping. 

I have become a huge fan of vacation homes, especially vacation homes set up like this home!  The home is fully furnished, minus food and your clothes, making packing so much easier and vacation a lot less stressful!

Our  Getaway went a little like this..

We started with an afternoon boat ride.

We upgraded to the kayak.

While the husband manned the grill.

The kids enjoyed some relaxing time in the hot tub (you know because the kids need to relax).

We enjoyed dinner off the grill out on the deck.

Then watched the sunset at the lake from a stand-up paddle board.

Followed S'more's at the fire pit.

Then movie night and a friendly game of air hockey.

All to make us sleep just like we were at home.

If all this does not wear you out, here is a list of nearby things to do.....

Bollinger County Natural History Museum - perfect for an afternoon of exploring the home of the Missouri Dinosaur, the kid friendly area is perfect for the little ones, and you may even learn a bit of Civil War History while you are there.

The Mayfield Cultural Center - Next door to the Bollinger County Natural History Museum sits beautiful The Mayfield Cultural Center.  Visit their Facebook page for their menu, hours, and events happening at The Mayfield.

Shopping in Marble Hill, Missouri - no large overstocked mall, just local businesses with unique merchandise and friendly faces.  A few must stop places include; Holly's Where you find your Wear, The Mustard Seed Boutique, Bollinger County Coop, Sunset Floral & Garden Market, Cato's Second Time Around, Ricketts Boot Store (only open Saturday's or by appointment), Bill Peter's Hardware, and TJ's Country Supply.

Duck Creek Conservation Area -  Duck Creek Conservation Areas  is just a short drive from the home - where you will find more great fishing, a flat area to ride bikes, and a lot of unique animals.   From Duck Creek if you want to drive a little farther, you will find Mingo National Wildlife Refugee, another must stop for outdoor lovers.

Patton Lawnmower Races - again a bit of a drive,  maybe 45 minutes, but while you are in the area worth catching a show.  The Patton Lawnmower Races is great for little boys and girls of all ages - okay big boys really love it!  Great Show and very Family Friendly!   If you go, you must try the Cheese Fries - they are a Patton Lion Club specialty! 

Blue Pond - deepest known sinkhole pond in Missouri.  Worth the drive, but pack your bug spray!  Short hike, stroller friend, and a unique Missouri Conservation Area. 

Semo Paradise is available for rent on HomeAway - you will find the link HERE. 

More photos of the great home....

Blue Pond - deepest known sinkhole pond in Missouri.

We took a short hike to Blue Pond at Castor River Conservation Area.  Blue Pond is deepest known sinkhole pond in Missouri.  The pond is believed to have formed from a cavern collapse during the New Madrid earthquake in 1811 (per Missouri Department of Conservation). 

This is a super short hike - if both gates are open - took us about ten minutes total to hike from parking lot to the pond.  The area is "semi rugged" meaning it is uneven ground and has some large rocks and weeds to walk through - just wear good walking shoes and bug spray.  This is a kid friendly hike and strollers with big wheels would easily go on the path.  

The pond was a little disappointing tonight as the last time I visited it was gorgeous, but this time there has been a tree fall in the pond that made the pond not appealing. 

The pond is super cold, the valley leading up to the pond is very cool as well, maybe 20 degrees cooler than it was in town.  You will see lots of wildlife, wild flowers, and some corn!  

More Photos From the walk to and from Blue Pond 

A Hometown Christmas in Marble Hill, Missouri

At the edge of the world, there is the tiny town of Marble Hill, Missouri - okay really we are not at the edge of the world, but that is what my darling husband likes to say.....yes locals, he is foreigner!  

Tonight we drove through McDonald's for some ice cream and did what my parents did years ago - drove around our "edge of the world" tiny town and looked at Christmas Lights!  

As we drove, my heart was proud of our "edge of the world"  tiny town and the love, cheer, and pride that is displayed for all to see.  

You see I live in a town that.......

Proudly has The Nativity on display at....

Our County Courthouse!  

This makes me smile that I live in a community that can share our beliefs without worry or fear! 

Across the street from the Bollinger County Courthouse stands Wicecarver Store; no longer open for business, but proudly putting smiles on the kid's faces with all the pretty lights and decor!  

I am not an expert on Wicecarver Store, but what I do know is the store front is decorated beautifully every holiday season by the loving hands of Ms Trankle and Ms Cooper!  

Secretly I drive by daily just so I can admire the lovely building! 

Farther up the road from the Bollinger County Courthouse, you will make a left at the stop sign and continue on High Street - you find this: 

So many pretty lights....

Decorated with care....

And hours of love and care - just for us to enjoy! 

The lights do not stop there! 

No direct route to this house, located on Gilmore Street (behind Marble Hill Medical Center) is this house!  Creative I say, these people must be related to Santa!! 

In the middle of town, Magnolia Park stands this lovely tree - I might be a bias, but only because this tree was decorated by the community coming together for the community!  

Tree sponsored by The Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce - all lights donated by community members

Other must see streets in Marble Hill, Missouri include - 

Graham Street - location of The Mustard Seed - beautiful lights! 

The Mayfield Cultural Center - the tree in the window is stunning! 

Twin City Park in the middle of town,

The Marble Hill Water Tower - you will not see it at night, but you will see the star!