Fishing for Freedom (FFF) has been active in Quincy, Illinois, for 12 years now. I have participated several times as a boater at Bryan Dralle’s Lake. The veterans who enjoy this annual event fish at a couple of private spots, like Dralle’s, but also on the Mississippi River and at Mark Twain Lake. The…
I have heard an astounding number of variations of the “Pomp and Circumstance” marches in my lifetime. I think between my time in band, as a graduate, and as a teacher, I really should have kept a tally. The most recent event I heard it at is one I will never forget, even though I…
If you are looking for a interesting, unique but beautiful place to visit this summer, stop by the Black Madonna Shrine near Pacific, Missouri. The Black Madonna Shrine and Grottos are located on 300 acres in the foothills of the Ozarks. A grotto is a cave or artificial recess or structure made to resemble a…
In this article I am going to cover some of the highs and lows of fishing. I will also discuss some of the highs and lows of human behavior, and how the two can sometimes intertwine. For several weeks last winter I worked with a young man who claimed to be a guide for…
The State of Missouri bought 4,200 acres of land near Riverton, Mo., in 2016 using money the state received from a settlement involving lead mining. This land was planned to be a new state park called Eleven Point State Park. The Pigman House Seven years later, the park is still not open. There were many reasons…
Summer brings sunshine and heat, and one of the best ways to cool off is by taking a dip in a river or lake in a Missouri state park. From hanging out in a quiet cove to exploring one of Missouri’s pristine rivers, Missouri state parks offer swimming experiences the whole family can enjoy. Jimmy…
Everyone could use a little poetry in their life from time to time. This wonderful poem about my native Ozarks by John Gould Fletcher (1886-1950) was first published in Poetry magazine in February 1940. Wes Franklin The Ozarks By John Gould Fletcher These are the lonely Ozarks; fold on fold The crumbling limestone, mossy, drips; it…
By Matt Ankney The Continental United States is visited by millions of international tourists each year seeking recreation in wilderness settings exemplifying a unique American outdoor experience, hungry for something like Sam A. Baker State Park in peak season during perfect weather on Memorial Day Weekend. By mid-morning Sunday, the nearly 6,000 acre park located…
