Here’s travel news about Missouri this month:

SLCL Presents St. Louis’ Most Popular Suspense Author Ridley Pearson

The St. Louis County Library Foundation and Pudd’nHead Books are pleased to present St. Louisan and acclaimed suspense author Ridley Pearson for a discussion and signing of his latest thriller “The Risk Agent” on Monday, July 2, at 7:00 p.m. at Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.

The program is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase at the event from Pudd’nHead Books.

Rich with the atmosphere of Shanghai and crackling with tension-filled suspense, bestselling suspense author Ridley Pearson’s latest introduces two compelling new characters—and heralds in the start of a brilliant new series.

A Chinese National working for an American construction company is grabbed off the streets of Shanghai in broad daylight. His one-man security detail goes missing as well.

Rutherford Risk is a firm specializing in extraction: the negotiation for, and the recovery of hostages. Private investigation is illegal in today’s China. Operating within her borders will be difficult at best.

The security company recruits two unique outsiders to do their bidding. Grace Chu is a forensic accountant hired to follow the money; John Knox is a civilian with unparalleled training in both combat and culture. Grace’s top-notch American education and Chinese military service make her an unassuming, but effective, operative, while Knox’s take-no-prisoners attitude brings them perilously close to harm. Following the money leads to more complex – and dangerous – consequences than either anticipated. Who is actually behind the kidnapping? And more important, can Knox and Grace locate the two hostages ahead of the deadline?

“The Risk Agent” is brimming with all the classic Pearson elements fans and literary critics love. Inventive story lines, crisp prose, and breathtaking scenery—it’s all here along with expert pacing and an edge-of-your seat crime story.

Ridley Pearson’s novels have sold over six million copies and have been translated into twenty languages. He is the author of seventeen New York Times bestselling suspense novels for adults. He has also written numerous popular young adult adventure novels, including the Kingdom Keepers series and the Peter and the Starcatcher series, co-written with Dave Barry.

Program sites are accessible. Upon two weeks notice, accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities. Contact St. Louis County Library by phone 314-994-3300 or visit www.slcl.org.

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Cajun Concert in Hermann–July 6, 7 & 8

(HERMANN, Mo.)–Aye-eeee! Stone Hill Winery is gearing up for the 23rd annual Cajun Concert on the Hill, set for July 6, 7 and 8. Recording artist Ed Gary and the Louisiana Cajun Aces will make the 800-mile trek from the bayous of Louisiana again this year to perform the three-day concert. Over the past two decades, this ever-popular concert has evolved into the summertime event of the season, drawing thousands of visitors from across the nation.

The band, known for being “true Cajun,” released its first compact disc, titled Cajun All Time Favorites, in September 1999 to great reviews. The band’s 2002 recording, C’est la Vie, was nominated by the Cajun French Music Association as best recording of the year in 2003, and Ed Gary was nominated for vocalist of the year. In 2004, the band released Du Coeur, and Gary was inducted into the CFMA Hall of Fame. In 2009, 20-Year Reunion…Dancing at Stone Hill Winery was released to coincide with Stone Hill Winery’s 20th annual Cajun Concert. The band’s authentic Cajun music runs the gamut from slow, poignant waltzes to heart-pounding, rug-cutting two-steps.

Accompanying the band will be a number of Cajun dancers who will encourage guests to join in and learn the tricky steps to all their dances during the three-day extravaganza. They’ll even perform their own version of Mardi Gras on Sunday, and they’ll offer free dance lessons to all pavilion ticket holders one hour before each concert.

Cold wine and zesty Cajun dishes of catfish, andouille sausage, jambalaya and red beans and rice will be available in our pavilion, and a more extensive menu will be offered at the Vintage Restaurant located next to the winery.

The concerts are scheduled, rain or shine, for Friday night, July 6, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturday, July 7, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 8, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the door two hours before each concert. Adult pavilion tickets–$12 each day; Grounds tickets–$5 each day. Special two- and three-day passes and children’s tickets are available. For more information, call 800-909-9463.

Fair Saint Louis: 32 Years of Spectacular Celebration   Aretha Franklin, John Denver, Elton John, Oprah Winfrey, Willie Nelson, Bill Cosby, George H. Bush: all are iconic personalities, and all have performed or been guests of Fair Saint Louis. For over 30 years, the Fair has drawn world-renowned entertainers and figureheads to the grounds of the Gateway Arch.   Through the years, the Fair has hosted many unique celebrations, including a wedding on its grounds and a Constitutional Village to commemorate the bicentennial.   Fair Saint Louis has not existed in the same way it does today for its entire history- it has grown and evolved with the times, but has never ceased to be free, open to the public, and a spectacular celebration of America’s Biggest Birthday Party and truly where America comes to celebrate.   Look back through the inspiring saga of Fair Saint Louis at our newly-launched History page on our website.   Thanks for Making it Your Fair! With the great legacy of Fair Saint Louis, there is a responsibility to produce a well-run, safe an enjoyable experience year after year. It’s the result of innumerable corporate and individual contributors, and it takes a lot of hands. Whether financial support volunteer services or donation of supplies, the Fair Saint Louis Foundation relies on contributions; it receives no direct government funding. Help make Fair Saint Louis “Your Fair!” By giving a gift to the Foundation, we say “Thank You” via some special packages that include lapel pins, parking passes, VP Parade reviewing stand invitations and even reserved VIP tickets to the Fair Saint Louis and Celebrate St. Louis Summer Concerts. View the four donation levels and packages on our website and make your contribution today!     From the Budweiser Main Stage to the Small Screen Celebrate Saint Louis headliner Nelly performs at Soldiers Memorial to close out the concert series on Saturday, July 21 but the native St. Louisan won’t get much of a break after that. Nelly will be serve as a mentor to undiscovered artists on the upcoming CW show “The Next: Fame is at Your Doorstep,” beginning this fall. He will be joined by other artists Joe Jonas, Gloria Estefan and John Rich, who will travel around the country to immerse themselves in the lives of performers as they compete for a chance to represent their hometown nationally.   The new CW show isn’t the only way Nelly is giving a chance at stardom to musical hopefuls. The Music Video Contest presented by Vatterott College ex’treme Institute by Nelly- St. Louis will give a three local bands the chance to play at Fair Saint Louis, and give one grand prize winner 10 hours of recording time at their studio. The star, who has been known to give shoutouts to his own hometown in his music, is also currently looking to produce a new studio album in the fall.   Fair Saint Louis: Commited to Giving Back Fair Saint Louis has an ongoing commitment to promoting the Saint Louis region and enriching the quality of life for its citizens. This is accomplished not only through the community-wide events of Fair Saint Louis and Celebrate Saint Louis Summer Concerts, but also through its gifts to the region and its Community Vendor program. Through this program, local not-for-profit organizations provide volunteers for the Fair Saint Louis events and profit from beverage sales. Community Vendors have raised millions to support their community programs and better the St. Louis region. Two of the participating non-profits this year are the Sacred Heart Men’s Club and the Metro East Foster Parents Association.   Sacred Heart Men’s Club This organization has a mission to foster fellowship, goodwill, and brotherhood both within the club and in the general community. All proceeds from beverage sales will go to the St. Vincent De Paul Society, which provides services to the needy. Member John Albers says that the camaraderie between the men involved was his biggest draw to joining the organization, and has enjoyed planning their participation in Fair Saint Louis for the past two years. “It’s really a family event,” he says. “The guys bring their wives and their kids to help volunteer. The experience has been awesome.” The Metro East Foster Parents Association This association provides for the general well-being of foster children in the Metro East area, including scholarships, activities, and other needs. “We get to see these children transform from scared, neglected and abused children into happy, well-adjusted and loving children,” says Mary, a member of the association. “What on earth is better than that?” The Metro East Foster Parents Association receives numerous calls and letters from children that have aged out of the system and become stable adults to let them know their appreciation for this not-for-profit. This important support of foster children will be the beneficiary of funding generated from their volunteer efforts in Fair Saint Louis vendor booths. For more info on these Community Vendors and all Fair Saint Louis Community Vendors, visit Giving Back today!   Heart Retrospective Released Tuesday From Dreamboat Annie in 1976 to Red Velvet Car in 2010 (and the 11 albums in between), sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson have been releasing chart-topping hits and making history as the first women to lead the band, play the instruments, and write their songs. Now, their impressive career spanning four decades will be chronicled in their multi-label boxed set, Strange Euphoria. The boxed set was released on Tuesday and includes three CDs and one DVD of their best-loved songs, demos, and live performances. This is the first time the Wilson sisters have ever curated a collection of their work and opened their vaults to release material never heard by the public. The duo kicked off their U.S. tour this month and are making Fair Saint Louis one of their many stops, rocking their 21 career Top 40 hits, songs from their new Strange Euphoria collection, and more. Join them under the Gateway Arch on the Budweiser Main Stage on July 4th at 8 p.m.

Organized by the Fair Saint Louis Foundation, Fair Saint Louis and the Celebrate St. Louis Summer Concerts are gifts to St. Louisans and guests from our region’s outstanding corporate and civic partners, including the City of St. Louis, the National Park Service, the Metropolitan St. Louis Police Department, the St. Louis Fire Department and EMS and the U.S. Coast Guard. The collective commitment from these organizations keeps Fair Saint Louis and the Celebrate St. Louis Summer Concerts free and open to all each year.

  “Touring” in Northwest Missouri

Jefferson City, Mo. — Sometimes it can just be a hassle trying to figure out where to go and what sights to see. Well, in the Show-Me State, we have help for you. Missouri’s official tourism website, VisitMO.com, has listings for hundreds of things to do, places to eat, and places to stay in the northwest region; add nearly 100 scheduled events and you have enough to keep your family busy . . . well, forever.

But wait! How about a pre-determined, organized sightseeing tour where the deciding has been done for you? Your wish, as they say, is our command.

Let’s take a look at some organized tours in northwest Missouri; each makes for a great day trip. While we’re at it, we’ll highlight a few of the region’s bed and breakfast inns, just in case you want to stay a while and be pampered.

A great place to start your northwest Missouri vacation is Arrow Rock. First noted in the 1804 journals of explorers Lewis and Clark during their epic Corps of Discovery journey, Arrow Rock was established in 1829 as a stopping point on the Santa Fe Trail along the Missouri River.

The entire village of Arrow Rock is designated a National Historic Landmark and Arrow Rock Tram Tours showcases its history. These tours, aboard a seven-passenger tram, feature stops such as the restored home of Missouri’s preeminent 1800s artist, George Caleb Bingham. Built in 1837, the home has been restored and furnished as it might have been when he lived there. The Bingham Home is part of the Arrow Rock State Historic Site.

Other sites of note include the 1830s Victorian home and 1844 gun shop of famed gunsmith J. P. Sites; the unique shops along the Main Street boardwalk; a one-room, stone calaboose (jail) built in 1873; and the Friends of Arrow Rock Museum.

Don’t forget the 1834 J. Huston Tavern, which has been serving meals to travelers along the Santa Fe Trail since 1834 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the oldest continually operating restaurant west of the Mississippi.

After spending a day in Arrow Rock, enjoy a restful night’s sleep at one of the village’s bed and breakfast inns.

Down Over Bed and Breakfast offers five guestrooms with private baths. This 1912 bungalow is the only one of its kind in Arrow Rock. A full, hot breakfast is included. At Borgman’s Bed and Breakfast, you find four guestrooms that share three bathrooms. Cinnamon rolls are a specialty; they are served with eggs, bacon and fried apples. At Arrow Rock Bed and Breakfast, guests find wonderful accommodations in an 1853 home. The inn features two guestrooms, and a full breakfast is served. The Switzler House gives you complete privacy in a cozy one-bedroom, two-bath cottage. Fresh cookies, breakfast muffins, fruit, cereal, coffee and juice are supplied.

About 100 miles northwest of Arrow Rock is Jamesport, a small town surrounded by the largest Old Order Amish settlement west of the Mississippi River; it’s one of the strictest Amish colonies in the world. Jamesport is often cited by various publications as one of Missouri’s best day trips.

Step Back in Time Tours presents a show-and-tell excursion that guides and entertains you on a tour of the Jamesport area. Tours are given by a knowledgeable guide, who rides with you in your car, van or bus.

During tours, you visit an Amish homestead where a family demonstrates lighting, heating, and cooling techniques, plus the tools they use in their daily lives. They will answer your questions about how and why they live as they do – with no electricity and traveling via horse-drawn buggies and wagons.

Elsewhere on the tour, enjoy an Amish country store (there are many from which to choose) and the variety of wares offered – everything from furniture, quilts and clocks to jams, spices and rugs. Jamesport also offers an Amish bakery and restaurant.

In Jamesport, settle in for the night at the Country Colonial Bed and Breakfast. Built around 1865, the refurbished inn has three guestrooms with private baths. Take the Clydesdale-drawn, sunset carriage ride through the countryside, and pet the deer along the way. A full, scrumptious breakfast is served.

If your travels in northwest Missouri have you looking for something on the, shall we say, creepy side, at night … when it’s dark … we have you covered. You can visit the supernatural and paranormal side of northwest Missouri on a guided ghost tour.

Paranormal Adventures USA, host of Ghost Tours of Missouri, puts the spotlight on several northwest region cities, including Lexington, Excelsior Springs, Liberty and Independence. Because of the nature of the tours, they are recommended only for those ages 12 and older; reservations are required.

Here’s a quick overview of tours in each city:

• The Ghost Tour of Lexington features Wentworth Military Academy, Battle of Lexington and the Anderson House (used as a field hospital during the 1861 Civil War battle), the Saluda Steamboat explosion, and the notorious gambling and brothel area known as Block 42. Learn about the haunted Jesse James bank and outlaw ghosts. The tours include only public buildings with authentic paranormal activity. Lexington is considered the most haunted city in Missouri.
• Ghost Tour of Excelsior Springs takes you to The Elms, one of the five most-haunted locations in Missouri; plus a school, the downtown business district and other paranormal sites.
• Ghost Tour of Liberty covers the business district, the courthouse, a college, a cemetery and additional locations. Learn about the ghostly construction worker, the haunted courthouse, and the doctor who had unusual post-surgery habits. 
• Ghost Tour of Independence studies the mysterious, paranormal side of this historic city. It features the courthouse, town square, jail, cemeteries and other ghostly areas. Learn about the haunted doll, the ghostly mail clerk, and the haunted inn.

Each of the ghost tours takes place at night, which may have you wondering how you’ll occupy yourself during the day. Fear not; each of these cities has lots to offer, plus cozy bed and breakfast inns where the only thing that’s scary is how comfortable you get and how good the food tastes.

In Lexington, enjoy the beautiful homes – including more than 25 built in the 1800s – in the Highland Avenue Historic District, which runs along what once was the Santa Fe Trail. If retail therapy is what you crave, shop the Lexington Commercial Historic District where 19th century buildings house a variety of antique and specialty shops; the district is home to the 1847 Lafayette County Courthouse.

At day’s end, settle in at Mainstreet Memories Bed and Breakfast, a 1915 Greek revival with three guestrooms. Guests are treated to a full breakfast; house-made desserts are served in the evenings. Another inn, Parsonage Bed and Breakfast, is located in the Old Neighborhoods National Historic District. Guests enjoy complimentary drinks, snacks and a full breakfast in an ornate frame home, originally built in the late 1800s as a church parsonage. The Victorianne Bed and Breakfast is an 1885 Queen Anne with two guestrooms in the main house and one in the carriage house. This is the most-photographed house in Lexington.

Less than 30 minutes from Lexington is Excelsior Springs, known as the City of Health because of its rejuvenating springs. No visit to Excelsior Springs is complete without a stop at the Hall of Waters Visitor Center and Cultural Museum. Built in 1937, the Hall of Waters is open for tours. In its heyday, it housed the world’s longest water bar, an indoor swimming pool, a polio-therapy pool, and a spa for men and women.

Staying overnight in Excelsior Springs offers a great excuse to treat yourself with a visit to The Elms Hotel and Spa, which opened in 1912 as a luxury resort. It welcomed the famous and the infamous: Harry S. Truman and Al Capone are past guests. The facilities are undergoing a complete renovation; however, most of the 153 guestrooms are open, as is the restaurant. The spa is scheduled to reopen later in 2012.

For a bed-and-breakfast experience, the Inn on Crescent Lake Bed and Breakfast offers 10 guestrooms (each with a private bath) and a full, hot breakfast. This stately 1915 Georgian Colonial mansion sits on 22 acres and is surrounded by two crescent-shaped ponds.

Liberty, about a 20-minute drive south of Excelsior Springs, features the Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site. This Victorian stone house is where the famous artist lived from 1939 until his death in 1975. The house and the studio contain many of his belongings and works of art. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

After a day exploring Liberty, rest your head at Stone-Yancey House Bed and Breakfast. This inn has three large guestrooms with private baths, all on the second floor of an 1889 Victorian home. Guests with children younger than 15 need prior approval. In addition to a three-course breakfast, enjoy house-made cookies and desserts. At The Terrace Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast, a Dutch colonial bungalow built in 1923, stay in one of three guestrooms (two include a full, hot breakfast; one a continental breakfast). On the first floor of the inn, you find Anna Marie’s Teas, a delightful tea shop specializing in premium teas and related products, with more than 90 loose-leaf tea choices.

From Liberty, a 20-minute drive south leads to Independence, home of Pioneer Trails Adventures & Wagon Tours. This tour makes you feel like you are in the old west aboard a mule-drawn wagon or buckboard. Several itineraries are offered, covering many of Independence’s historic sites. A tour might include: two Civil War battle sites; the 1859 Jail that held Frank James; the slave-built 1827 courthouse; the home where Bess Truman was born; and Clinton’s Soda Fountain, where Harry Truman had his first job.

In Independence, don’t miss the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, which chronicles his presidency; the Harry S Truman National Historic Site, including the home where Truman lived from 1919 until his death in 1972 – before, during, and after his service as president; and the National Frontier Trails Museum, the major “jumping-off” point for the Lewis and Clark Trail; Santa Fe Trail; Oregon Trail; California Trail; and Mormon Trails.

Spend the night in Independence and make the historic city a two-day trip. At Hawthorn Bed and Breakfast, enjoy the fully restored 19th century stone mansion, with five extra-large guestrooms and private baths. Guests are treated to a full, home-cooked breakfast, that’s freshly prepared for each guest and served at a private table. Serendipity Bed and Breakfast occupies an 1887 brick house — guests call it “a museum you can sleep in.” There are three apartment-suites in the carriage house; a couple of two-bedroom suites in the main house; and a single room, for one person, on the lower level of the main house. All have private baths.

Just west of Independence is Missouri’s largest city, Kansas City. One of the sightseeing tours offered in this arts, culture, jazz and barbecue wonderland is the Battle of Westport Driving Tour. On this self-guided trek, learn more about what’s sometimes called “The Gettysburg of the West” as you explore 25 stops – covering a little more than 30 miles – associated with the battle, waged Oct. 21-23, 1864.

Among the stops is the The John Wornall House Museum, which served as a field hospital during the intense fighting. This incredibly restored 1858 Greek-Revival home was the vision of Wornall, a prominent and wealthy Jackson County farmer. Among his accomplishments, Wornall was co-founder of the Kansas City National Bank and a state senator. Tour the home and plan to attend one of their special living-history events.

The Battle of Westport Visitor Center and Museum, located in Swope Park, offers an overview of the battle and has brochures showcasing all the stops on the tour.

While on tour, be sure to explore the famed Country Club Plaza retail, shopping, dining and entertainment district of Kansas City. Take a unique tour of the area with an Ambiance on the Water gondola ride, and then enjoy some of the city’s barbecue at Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue, one of Zagat’s highest-rated barbecue restaurants in the country.

After you’ve completed the driving tour, rest for the night at 1812 Overture Bed and Breakfast. This century-old home is equipped with modern amenities, including Wi-Fi access and a gazebo with hot tub. A full breakfast is served. The location is ideal, especially if you’re in town for a big performance; it’s just two blocks to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and five blocks to Sprint Center. Another great place to get a good night’s sleep is Su Casa Bed and Breakfast. This ranch home offers a southwestern theme for guests to enjoy; amenities include a swimming pool, game room and in-home, 20-seat theater. Fresh treats, such as cookies, pies or cakes, are baked daily at Su Casa, and they don’t mind sharing recipes for their specialties, such as sweet potato pecan pancakes.

No vacation to Missouri’s northwest region is complete without a stop in St. Joseph, often noted as the city where America’s “Wild West” began. St. Joseph is home to several museums, including the Patee House Museum, where you can climb aboard an 1860 train, ride a carousel and then walk the streets of St. Joseph, circa 1860-80; and the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art, where a terrific collection of 18th, 19th and 20th century art gives you greater appreciation for the talented American artists who created the works.

St. Joseph is a great place to start your trek along Route 36, known as The Way of American Genius. Along this stretch of highway, which runs across the state to Hannibal, you discover some of the country’s great ideas, inventions and innovators. On the northwest leg of the route, you learn about the Pony Express in St. Joseph; J. C. Penney, in Hamilton; General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing, in Laclede; and Walt Disney, in Marceline.

Although you act as your own “guide” and do the driving on this trek, some of the work has been done for you. An audio CD that outlines and details the Highway 36 tour is available at the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau and via the Missouri Highway 36 Heritage Alliance website.

Oh, and don’t forget about an overnight stay in St. Joseph. Museum Hill Bed and Breakfast offers four guestrooms decorated with antique furniture; luxury linens, private baths, fresh flowers and a full breakfast. Whiskey Mansion Bed and Breakfast, built in 1885, features four guestrooms, each with a private bath and claw-foot tub. Take advantage of the mansion’s library, enjoy the formal dining room, and stay connected with free Wi-Fi.

In addition to these great itineraries, Missouri’s northwest region is loaded with things to do, attractions, restaurants, events and places to stay. Find details and listings at Missouri’s only official tourism website, VisitMO.com. While browsing the website, you can order a free copy of the 2012 Missouri Travel Guide; also available by calling 800-519-4800. And yes, there is a free app for that—“Official Missouri Travel Guide.”

About the Missouri Division of Tourism
The Missouri Division of Tourism (MDT) is the official tourism office for the state of Missouri dedicated to marketing Missouri as a premier travel destination. Established in 1967, the Missouri Division of Tourism has worked hard to develop the tourism industry in Missouri to what it is today, an $11.2 billion industry supporting more than 279,000 jobs and generating $627 million in state taxes in Fiscal Year 2011. For every dollar spent on marketing Missouri as a travel destination in FY11, $57.76 was returned in visitor expenditures. For more information on Missouri tourism, go to www.VisitMO.com.

Links used in this article:

Arrow Rock Tram Tours
www.visitmo.com/arrow-rock-tram-tours.aspx

Arrow Rock State Historic Site
www.visitmo.com/arrow-rock-state-historic-site.aspx

1834 J. Huston Tavern
www.visitmo.com/j-huston-tavern-restaurant.aspx

Down Over Bed and Breakfast
www.visitmo.com/down-over-bed-and-breakfast.aspx

Borgman’s Bed and Breakfast
www.visitmo.com/borgmans-bed-and-breakfast.aspx

Arrow Rock Bed and Breakfast
www.visitmo.com/arrow-rock-bed-and-breakfast.aspx

Switzler House
www.visitmo.com/the-switzler-house-guest-cottage.aspx

Step Back in Time Tours
www.visitmo.com/step-back-in-time-tours.aspx

Country Colonial Bed and Breakfast
www.visitmo.com/country-colonial-bed-and-breakfast.aspx

Ghost Tour of Lexington
www.visitmo.com/ghost-tour-of-lexington.aspx

Highland Avenue Historic District
http://www.visitmo.com/highland-avenue-historic-district.aspx

Lexington Commercial Historic District
http://www.visitmo.com/lexington-commercial-historic-district.aspx

1847 Lafayette County Courthouse
http://www.visitmo.com/lafayette-county-courthouse.aspx

Old Neighborhoods National Historic District
http://www.visitmo.com/lexington-old-neighborhoods-historic-district.aspx

Mainstreet Memories Bed and Breakfast
www.visitmo.com/mainstreet-memories-bed-and-breakfast.aspx

Parsonage Bed and Breakfast
www.visitmo.com/parsonage-bed-and-breakfast.aspx

The Victorianne Bed and Breakfast
www.visitmo.com/the-victorianne-bed-and-breakfast.aspx

Ghost Tour of Excelsior Springs
www.visitmo.com/ghost-tours-of-excelsior-springs.aspx

Hall of Waters Visitor Center and Cultural Museum
www.visitmo.com/hall-of-waters-visitor-center-and-cultural-museum.aspx

The Elms Hotel
www.visitmo.com/the-elms-hotel-and-spa.aspx

Inn on Crescent Lake Bed and Breakfast
www.visitmo.com/inn-on-crescent-lake-bed-and-breakfast.aspx

Ghost Tour of Liberty
www.visitmo.com/ghost-tour-of-liberty.aspx

Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site
www.visitmo.com/thomas-hart-benton-home-and-studio-state-historic-site.aspx

Stone-Yancey House Bed and Breakfast
www.visitmo.com/stone-yancey-house-bed-and-breakfast.aspx

The Terrace Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast
www.visitmo.com/the-terrace-avenue-inn-bed-and-breakfast.aspx

Anna Marie’s Teas
www.visitmo.com/anna-maries-teas.aspx

Ghost Tour of Independence
www.visitmo.com/ghost-tour-of-independence.aspx

Pioneer Trails Adventures & Wagon Tours
www.visitmo.com/pioneer-trails-adventures-wagon-tours.aspx

Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
www.visitmo.com/harry-s-truman-library-and-museum.aspx

Harry S Truman National Historic Site
www.visitmo.com/harry-s-truman-national-historic-site-independence.aspx

National Frontier Trails Museum
www.visitmo.com/national-frontier-trails-museum.aspx

Hawthorn Bed and Breakfast
www.visitmo.com/hawthorn-a-bed-and-breakfast.aspx

Serendipity Bed and Breakfast
www.visitmo.com/serendipity-bed-and-breakfast.aspx

Battle of Westport Driving Tour
http://www.battleofwestport.org/Tours.htm

The John Wornall House Museum
http://www.visitmo.com/the-john-wornall-house-museum.aspx

Battle of Westport Visitor Center and Museum
http://www.battleofwestport.org/VisitorCenter.htm

Country Club Plaza
http://www.visitmo.com/country-club-plaza.aspx

Ambiance on the Water
http://www.visitmo.com/ambiance-on-the-water-gondola-ride.aspx

Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue
http://www.visitmo.com/fiorellas-jack-stack-barbecue-county-club-plaza.aspx

1812 Overture Bed and Breakfast
http://www.visitmo.com/1812-overture-bed-and-breakfast.aspx

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
http://www.visitmo.com/kauffman-center-for-the-performing-arts.aspx

Sprint Center
http://www.visitmo.com/sprint-center-kansas-city.aspx

Su Casa Bed and Breakfast
http://www.visitmo.com/su-casa-bed-and-breakfast.aspx

Patee House Museum
www.visitmo.com/patee-house-museum

Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art
www.visitmo.com/albrecht-kemper-museum-of-art

Missouri Highway 36 — The Way of American Genius
www.visitmo.com/missouri-highway-36-the-way-of-american-genius-northwest.aspx

Pony Express National Museum
www.visitmo.com/pony-express-national-museum.aspx

J. C. Penney Museum
www.RoadsideAmerica.com/story/16234

General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site
www.visitmo.com/general-john-j-pershing-boyhood-home-state-historic-site.aspx

Walt Disney Hometown Museum
www.visitmo.com/walt-disney-hometown-museum.aspx

St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau
www.visitmo.com/st-joseph-convention-and-visitors-bureau.aspx

Missouri Highway 36 Heritage Alliance
www.AmericanGeniusHighway.com

Museum Hill Bed and Breakfast
www.visitmo.com/museum-hill-bed-and-breakfast

Whiskey Mansion Bed and Breakfast
www.visitmo.com/whiskey-mansion-bed-and-breakfast.aspx

NINI HARRIS AND ESLEY HAMILTON SHOWCASE ‘ST. LOUIS PARKS’
AT THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN, SATURDAY, JULY 7

WHAT: NiNi Harris and Esley Hamilton Presentation and Book Signing: “St. Louis Parks”
WHEN: Saturday, July 7; presentation from 11 a.m. to noon, book signing immediately following from noon to 1 p.m.
WHERE: Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., south St. Louis
COST: Included with Garden admission ($8 adults; St. Louis City/County residents, free Saturday before noon and $4 thereafter). Free children ages 12 and
under and Garden members.
INFO: www.mobot.org; (314) 577-5100, 1-800-642-8842 toll free

(ST. LOUIS):  Join authors and acclaimed local historians NiNi Harris and Esley Hamilton for a passionate armchair journey through the St. Louis City and County gems featured in their new book, “St. Louis Parks.” The public presentation is at the Missouri Botanical Garden on Saturday, July 7 at 11 a.m. in the Shoenberg Theater, with an introduction by Dr. Peter Raven, president emeritus of the Garden. A book signing in the Garden Gate Shop will immediately follow the presentation at noon. The event is included with Garden admission.

The photo-rich hardcover book “St. Louis Parks” delivers portraits of St. Louis City and County parks. Explaining why these common spaces are crucial to the region’s way of life, Harris and Hamilton take readers through major and minor parks in the city and county, respectively. Local attractions from Tower Grove Park to Lafayette Park to Forest Park are included in the 176-page hardcover. Photography by Mark Scott Abeln and Steve Tiemann evokes the unique character and history of each park.

“St. Louis Parks” is co-author NiNi Harris’s 10^th book on St. Louis history and architecture. Co-author Esley Hamilton has worked as a historian and preservationist for the St. Louis County Department of Parks and Recreation since 1977.

The public presentation is from 11 a.m. to noon in the Shoenberg Theater of the Garden’s Ridgway Visitor Center, with the book signing immediately following from noon to 1 p.m. in the Garden Gate Shop.

The “St. Louis Parks” presentation and book signing is included with Missouri Botanical Garden admission of $8 for adults and free for children ages 12 and under. St. Louis City and County residents enjoy free admission on Saturday before noon and are $4 thereafter. Missouri Botanical Garden members are free.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd. in south St. Louis, accessible from Interstate 44 at the Vandeventer exit and from Interstate 64 at the Kingshighway North and South exit. Free parking is available on site and two blocks west at the corner of Shaw and Vandeventer.

For general information, visit www.mobot.org or call (314) 577‑5100 (toll-free, 1‑800‑642‑8842). Follow the Garden on Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/missouribotanicalgarden and http://twitter.com/mobotnews.

More than 37,000 households in the St. Louis region hold memberships to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Memberships begin at $65 ($60 for seniors) and offer 12 months of free admission for two adults and all children, plus exclusive invitations and discounts. Members help support the Garden’s operations and world-changing work in plant science and conservation. Learn more at www.mobot.org/membership.

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NOTE: Digital images available by request or via Flickr. Download media materials at www.mobot.org/media.  

The Missouri Botanical Garden’s mission is “to discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment in order to preserve and enrich life.” Today, 153 years after opening, the Missouri Botanical Garden is a National Historic Landmark and a center for science, conservation, education and horticultural display. 

The Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd. in St. Louis, just south of I-44 at Vandeventer-Kingshighway (exit #287B). Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Closed Christmas Day. Grounds open at 7 a.m. most Wednesdays and Saturdays (exception: special admission rate events). Admission is $8; free children ages 12 and under and Garden members. St. Louis City and County residents are $4 and free most Wednesdays and Saturdays until noon (exception: special admission rate events – third weekend of May, Memorial Day 2012, Labor Day weekend and first weekend of October). Park for free on site and two blocks west at the Shaw-Vandeventer intersection. The Garden is accessible via public transportation by taking the MetroLink commuter rail line and picking up a Metro bus (www.metrostlouis.org). For general information, log on to www.mobot.org or call the 24-hour recording at (314) 577-5100 or 1-800-642-8842. For membership information, visit www.mobot.org/membership call (314) 577-5118 during weekday business hours. For volunteer opportunities, visit www.mobot.org/volunteer or call (314) 577-5187. The Missouri Botanical Garden is a tobacco-free environment. 

Saint Louis Art Museum Announces Third Annual
Outdoor Film Series Lineup
Live Music, great food and late Museum hours light up Art Hill

May 31, 2012— Featuring big-screen movies, local entertainment and Sauce Magazine’s Food Truck Fest, the lineup is set for the Saint Louis Art Museum’s Third Annual Outdoor Film Series.

Musical performances begin at 7:00 p.m. on Art Hill Plaza. All films are free and begin promptly at 9:00 p.m. The Museum’s Main Level and restrooms will remain open until 11:00 p.m. Free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sauce Magazine’s Food Truck Fest will take place each Friday with a selection of local mobile eateries positioned on Fine Arts Drive. Favorites include Go Gyro Go, Seoul Taco, Completely Sauced, Chop Shop and Papa Tom’s Fancy Franks. Food truck service will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Friday, July 6
“Monty Python and the Holy Grail”
Greenleaf Singers and instrumental ensemble
A St. Louis vocal troupe, the Greenleaf Singers perform early European music, dating from the time of Leonardo through the age of Shakespeare. Their repertoire includes folk songs from village festivals, love melodies from royal palaces and drinking numbers from raucous taverns.

Friday, July 13
“The Birds”
Scarlet Tanager
Hailing from St. Louis, six-member Scarlet Tanager writes and records melodic indie pop music. Led by Susan Logsdon, this group of husbands, wives, brothers, sisters and friends features a variety of instruments. Their first CD, “American Songbird,” was released in June 2011.

Friday, July 20
“A Hard Day’s Night”
Pepperland Band
This local group, formed in 1996, has played together in various incarnations for over 15 years. By performing the music of John, Paul, George and Ringo— both as The Beatles and as soloists— with an offbeat, updated twist, Pepperland maintains a sound and identity of their own while recreating the spirit that defined a generation.

Friday, July 27
“Goldfinger”
Big Brother Thunder and the MasterBlasters
Big Brother Thunder and the MasterBlasters draws on African, Caribbean and Brazilian styles and rhythms to create an energetic blend of funk-soul with rock and jazz. Big Brother Thunder, a male and female group of vocalists and musicians, combines its talent with the MasterBlasters, a horn trio, producing a sound you can’t help but move to.

The Saint Louis Art Museum Outdoor Film Series is presented by Macy’s. Premier media sponsorship provided by KMOV. Food Truck Fest presented by Sauce Magazine. Promotional support provided by Fresh 102.5, St. Louis Magazine and STL Family. Additional support provided by Cutter Insect Repellent.

The Museum is regularly open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 9 p.m. on Friday. For more information on the Outdoor Film Series, please visit slam.org/filmseries.

The Saint Louis Art Museum is one of the nation’s leading comprehensive art museums with collections that include works of art of exceptional quality from virtually every culture and time period. Areas of notable depth include Oceanic art, pre-Columbian art, ancient Chinese bronzes and European and American art of the late 19th and 20th centuries, with particular strength in 20th-century German art. The Museum offers a full range of exhibitions and educational programming generated independently and in collaboration with local, national and international partners.

Admission to the Saint Louis Art Museum is free to all every day. For more information about the Saint Louis Art Museum, call 314.721.0072 or visit slam.org.

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Berries & BarBQ Wine Trail Celebrates the Flavors of Summer

Luscious berries, savory BarBQ and cool, fragrant wine cellars make for a memorable summer weekend in Missouri Wine Country.

Hermann-area vintners continue their crowd-pleasing ways July 28 and 29 with the Berries & BarBQ Wine Trail. Visitors will have a chance to sample delectable food and wine pairings at seven stops on the Hermann Wine Trail, which winds for 20 scenic miles along the Missouri River between Hermann and New Haven.

• Adam Puchta Winery — Heritage BarBQ, paired with Riefenstahler

• Bias Winery — Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs, paired with Strawberry Fruit Smoothie

• Dierberg Star Lane — Grilled Pork Chop with Gooseberry-Sage Sauce, paired with Star Lane
Sauvignon Blanc

• Hermannhof Winery — Caribbean-Spiced Grilled Pineapple with Raspberry-Mango Chutney,
paired with Vignoles

• OakGlenn Winery — Graped Brisket, paired with Chardonel

• Röbller Winery — Berry Glazed Pork Kabobs, paired with St. Vincent Rosé

• Stone Hill Winery — Barbecued Chicken, paired with Sangria

Wine Trails are held, rain or shine, from 10:00 to 5:00 Saturday and from 11:00 to 5:00 Sunday. The $30 per person ticket price includes a souvenir wine glass. Participants also may enter a drawing for a one-night stay at a Hermann bed and breakfast, plus a $30 gift certificate from each winery.

Tickets must be purchased in advance online at VisitHermann.com or from the Hermann Welcome Center, 800-932-8687.

Held each year the last full weekend of July, Berries & BarBQ Wine Trail is one of five annual Wine Trail events. Holiday Fare Wine Trail is the third weekend of November, Say Cheese Wine Trail is the second weekend of December, Chocolate Wine Trail is the third weekend of February, and the Wild Card Wine Trail is the first weekend of May.

To learn more visit www.HermannWineTrail.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE:  May 30, 2012

Website: www.preservemo.org

Missouri’s Most Endangered Historic Places List Announced

St. Joseph, MO-Missouri Preservation announced its List of Most Endangered Places for 2012 on  Wednesday, May 30,  2012.  The endangered sites were identified at a Missouri Preservation Press Conference held  at the Historic Frank J. Sommer House at 914 Main Street in St. Joseph, which is on the 2012 List of Most Endangered Historic Places.

The Most Endangered Historic Places Program, one of Missouri Preservation’s most visible programs, brings much needed attention to threatened historic resources throughout the state.  The Most Endangered Program annually spotlights historic resources that are imperiled.  Each year Missouri Preservation solicits nominations from around the State, evaluates the merits of the submissions, and announces the Most Endangered.  Throughout the year, Missouri Preservation provides technical assistance, advocacy, and planning support for the listed properties.

Penny Pitman, Chairperson of the Most Endangered Historic Places Committee, and Bill Hart, Missouri Preservation’s Field Representative, made the announcement.  Pitman announced, “We had so many exciting and vital new nominations to our Most Endangered Program that the selection committee named an entirely new list of properties, unlike years in the past where properties were carried over from previous years.”

Pitman said the properties which had been typically held over on the list will now be identified as Watched Properties.

The announcement was originally set to be made at the Leeper Hotel in Chillicothe, which had been nominated twice this year, but the Most Endangered selection committee discovered immediately after the meeting that the Leeper Hotel was sadly already undergoing demolition.

“It breaks our hearts  we could not make our announcement soon enough to draw attention to this loss to the culture of Chillicothe and the state before the headache ball arrives,” said Pitman.  ”We mourn the loss of a prominent anchor to a classic city square that could have been recycled for current purposes.”

The 2012 List of Missouri’s Most Endangered Historic Places  (in no particular order) is as follows:

1.      The Frank L. Sommer House (“The Cracker House”)         Buchanan County
2.      The AAA Building                                                St. Louis City
3.      The Lyric Theater Building                                      Phelps County
4.      Barns and Farmsteads of Missouri                                Statewide
(Including the Fulton State Hospital Barns, Callaway County)
5.      The Pouncey Building                                    Jackson County
6.      The Diamonds Café & Truck Stop                  Franklin County
7.      Kemper Arena                                            Jackson County
8.      The Charles and Bettie Birthright House                 Dunklin County
9.      School Buildings of Missouri                            Statewide
(Milton Moore School in Kansas City, Jackson County)
(Central Elementary School in Boonville, Cooper County)
(Lyon School in St. Louis City)

On the 2012 Watched Properties List:

The Jefferson School                                    Cape Girardeau  County
Historic Bridges of Missouri                                    Statewide
(Riverside Bridge, Christian County)
(Route 66 Bridge, St. Louis County)
Former Missouri State Penitentiary Complex              Cole County
The Wheatley-Provident Hospital Building                Jackson County
Lexington Municipal Auditorium                          Lafayette County
Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church         Lafayette County
St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad Depot      Madison County
The Russell Hotel                                               Mississippi County
Delmo Community Center                                  Pemiscot County
Rock Mechanics Laboratory/Former Missouri               Phelps County
Trachoma Hospital Building

Superior Waterproofing of St. Louis is the Sponsor for the 2012 Most Endangered Historic Places Program.

Missouri Preservation, founded as the Missouri Heritage Trust in 1976 and now known formally as Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation, is Missouri’s only statewide non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, supporting, and coordinating historic preservation activities throughout Missouri.   Missouri Preservation provides programs in the areas of education, recognition,  and advocacy.  Educational programs include the annual statewide preservation conference and regional workshops.  Its primary recognition program is the Statewide Preservation Honor Awards,  presented yearly  at the State Capitol, and its chief advocacy program is  the annual announcement of Missouri’s Most Endangered Historic Places.

A listing of the properties is attached with more detailed information about each of the Endangered Places.  For more complete information, visit the Missouri Preservation website at http://preservemo.org/.

Explorer hours begin Memorial Day weekend at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2012 

 JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Looking for something fun to do with the family this summer? Earn your Missouri State Park Explorer Patch by participating in fun activities at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park at Wildwood. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, these events are free and open to the public.

 Anyone, any age, can earn an Explorer patch by completing projects and fun activities.

Beginning Memorial Day Weekend, special Explorer hours will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday; and from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday. These special hours will continue through Labor Day Weekend.

Topics will change weekly, so there is always something new and exciting to do. Bring your family, your friends and your Scouts and have fun while exploring the park and learning about Missouri’s natural resources.

Contact the River Hills Visitor Center at 636-458-3813 at the park to inquire about each weekend’s theme or check park flyers or the parks Facebook page.

Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park is located 20 miles west of St. Louis on Highway BA, between U.S. 40 and Highway 100. For more information about state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Saint Louis Art Museum Open Memorial Day

May 25, 2012— The Saint Louis Art Museum offers extended holiday hours this weekend. The Museum will be open to the public on Monday, May 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular hours will be kept on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Museum is regularly open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 9 p.m. on Friday. Admission to the Museum is free every day. To learn about current and upcoming events and exhibitions, visit slam.org.
The Saint Louis Art Museum is one of the nation’s leading comprehensive art museums with collections that include works of art of exceptional quality from virtually every culture and time period. Areas of notable depth include Oceanic art, pre-Columbian art, ancient Chinese bronzes and European and American art of the late 19th and 20th centuries, with particular strength in 20th-century German art. The Museum offers a full range of exhibitions and educational programming generated independently and in collaboration with local, national and international partners.

Admission to the Saint Louis Art Museum is free to all every day. For more information about the Saint Louis Art Museum, call 314.721.0072 or visit slam.org.

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Day of activity and nature planned June 2 at Graham Cave State Park

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 24, 2012

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Let’s Get Out – Let’s Move!” at a day full of activities and nature June 2 at Graham Cave State Park near Danville. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the event encourages physical activity as a fun way to explore Missouri’s state parks and historic sites. The event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is free and open to the public.

Booths from the Dog Scouts of America, St. Louis Area Geocachers Association, Missouri State Parks and the Montgomery County Health Department will be set up around the lower picnic area parking lot. A naturalist will lead walks that vary from .3 miles to more than two miles in length. Participants, who can earn a patch for their walk, should dress for the weather and wear sturdy, closed shoe toes.

The Montgomery County Health Department will distribute Safe Kids bike helmets free to children under the age of 14 years, and with the Missouri State Park Rangers, will present a bike checklist and safety course.

The St. Louis Area Geocachers Association will be on hand to explain geocaching and show examples of geocache containers, trinkets and logbooks. They will load their GPS receivers with nearby waypoints and will place temporary geocaches for participants to find.

Dog Scouts of America troops will provide information about Dog Scouts. They will provide demonstrations for proper dog greetings and display various back packs for the dogs and their cape with the badges they have earned.

The Montgomery County Health Department will offer pulse oximetry (either baseline or before and after a hike if participants wish), body mass index calculation and literature on available services.

Register for drawings for free hiking sticks, a 20” children’s bicycle, and more! Bring a picnic lunch and join us for a fun, activity-filled day. Reservations are not required, but registration for the guided walks is requested by calling the park.

Graham Cave State Park is located at 217 Highway TT near Danville. For more information about the event, call the park at 573-564-3476. For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, visitmostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Cherokee basket program planned June 3 at Van Meter State Park

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 24, 2012

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A special program on Cherokee baskets will be presented June 3 at Van Meter State Park near Miami. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the program will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. at Missouri’s American Indian Cultural Center, located in the park. The public is invited to attend the free event.

Rose Drake, tribal member of the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma, will present a lecture on her research at the National Museum of American Indians and National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. She has won numerous awards for her traditional and contemporary basketry and will bring a collection of Cherokee baskets.

From May through September, Missouri’s American Indian Cultural Center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The center is closed Monday and Tuesday.

Van Meter State Park is located 12 miles northwest of Marshall on Highway 122. For more information on the park or event, contact the park at 660- 886-7537. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visitmostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Begin 2012 with a hike in a Missouri state park

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., DEC. 9, 2011 – Celebrate the beginning of 2012 by participating in America’s State Parks First Day Hikes in one of nine Missouri state parks. The free guided hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy and rejuvenating hike Jan. 1.

“We’re excited to host First Day Hikes in Missouri state parks as part of this national effort to get people outdoors and into our parks. Hikes offer great ways to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family,” said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Nine Missouri state parks will offer Jan. 1 guided hikes ranging from one-half mile to three miles.  A list of state parks with guided hikes follows.

• ·         Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, Wildwood. Meet at 2:30 p.m. at the Virginia Day Memorial Trailhead; hike will be one mile;
• ·         Crowder State Park near Trenton. Meet at 1 p.m. at the Redbud Trailhead; hike will be two miles; Call 660-359-6473 or email crowder.state.park@dnr.mo.gov. to register.
• ·         Graham Cave State Park near Montgomery City. Meet at 12 noon at the park office; hike will be one-half mile on the Indian Glade Trail.
• ·         Pomme de Terre State Park near Hermitage. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Pittsburg area campground entrance near trail kiosk; hike will be 2.75 miles on the Indian Point Trail.
• ·         Prairie State Park near Mindenmines. Meet at 10 a.m. at the park’s nature center; hike will be 1.5 miles on the Drover’s Trail.
• ·         Roaring River State Park near Cassville. Meet at 12 noon at the Devil’s Kitchen Trailhead; hike will be 1.5 miles;
• ·         Rock Bridge Memorial State Park near Columbia. Meet at 12:45 a.m. at the Devil’s Icebox parking area; hike will be three miles (with an option for a longer hike) in the Gans Creek Wild Area.
• ·         Trail of Tears State Park near Jackson. Meet at 1 p.m. at the park’s visitor center; hike will be approximately two miles along the park’s southern boundary.  Please register in advance by calling 573-290-5268 and leaving a message.
• ·         Washington State Park near De Soto. Meet at 2 p.m. at the Thunderbird Lodge; hike will be 1.5 miles on the 1000 Steps Trail.

“I hope you’ll take this opportunity to start the new year with a new tradition for your friends and family and take a hike in a Missouri state park. If you are not able to attend one of our guided hikes, you can still take advantage of the numerous trails throughout our state park system,” Bryan said.

First Day Hikes originated more than 20 years ago at the Blue Hills Reservation, a state park in Milton, Mass. The program was launched to promote both healthy lifestyles throughout the year and year-round recreation at state parks. While many states offered outdoor recreation programs on New Year’s Day, this is the first time all 50 state park systems have joined together to sponsor First Day Hikes.

“What better way to kick off the new year than with a hike in a state park?” said Ruth Coleman, president of the National Association of State Park Directors. “Think of it as the start of a new and healthy lifestyle for the whole family. Whether you’re staying close to home or traveling, join us at one of America’s State Parks on New Year’s Day.”

“Studies have shown that getting outdoors is one good way to relax and recharge the body, mind and spirit,” stated Phil McNelly, NASPD’s executive director. “We hope that hiking along a trail in a state park will become part of an individual’s or family’s regular exercise routine.”

America’s State Parks and Missouri State Parks are committed to promoting outdoor recreation in state parks as a way to address obesity, especially among children. Getting kids outside and unplugged from video games and other electronic media creates a unique connection with nature that promotes physical and mental well-being and encourages creativity and stewardship of our shared resources.

For more information on the First Day Hikes as well as all Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. For information on the First Day Hikes initiative across the nation, visit americasstateparks.org.

Learn to enjoy the outdoors at

WOW Kansas City Sept. 23-24

            JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., SEPT. 12, 2011 – Have you ever wanted to learn skills that will enhance your outdoor adventures?  If you answered yes, then WOW Kansas City is for you.  WOW Kansas City will be held in Swope Park Sept. 23-24 and registration is open now.

The WOW National Outdoor Recreation and Conservation School is packed with opportunities for people of all ages to learn outdoor recreation skills. The event is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources; Kansas City, Missouri, Parks and Recreation; Bass Pro Shops; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Missouri Department of Conservation; Wonders of Wildlife; the National Park Service and Missouri State University.  The event will begin on Friday evening with a camping opportunity, and will continue from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

WOW Kansas City is designed to teach participants how to enjoy a wide range of outdoor recreation activities while practicing personal safety and outdoor responsibility. WOW will offer classes in a variety of outdoor skills including archery, fishing, canoeing, campfire cooking, camping and more. Participants will camp at Swope Park and participate in Saturday classes at James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area. Transportation to the wildlife area will be provided from Swope Park.

Classes are open to anyone age nine or above; however, nine to 12 year olds must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to classes. The trained professionals provide hands-on instruction for people who may not be familiar with the outdoors and children who may be experiencing nature for the first time. The workshop is a great opportunity for families to learn activities together and take the “Children in Nature Challenge.”

The cost to attend is $15 per person or $30 per family, making it an affordable day of family fun. Financial assistance is also available.  Advance registration is required and the deadline to register is Sept. 9.

Camping on Friday night will be held at Camp Lake of the Woods in Swope Park and will begin at 4 p.m. with tent setup and a hands-on outdoor cooking experience (food is provided).  Evening activities will include an owl program and family activities and hikes. Tents will be available to those who do not have one and can be reserved through the registration process.

For more information or to request a registration packet, contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources by calling toll free 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) or sending an email to moparks@dnr.mo.gov. Registration information and forms are also available on the web at mostateparks.com/wow.

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The Missouri Division of Tourism Launches VisitMO Facebook Campaign:
“What’s Not to Like about Missouri?”

Jefferson City, Mo. (September 6, 2011)—If you are not a fan of VisitMO on Facebook, it’s time to update your status; you won’t want to miss the fun! The Missouri Division of Tourism launched a Facebook campaign to draw attention to its new Facebook page:Facebook.com/VisitMO. The campaign “What’s Not to Like about Missouri?” uses tongue-in-cheek slogans such as “We have zero recorded freshwater shark attacks,” and “We are the only state shaped like Missouri,” to connect with users and to encourage sharing.  VisitMO fans can post the reasons they like Missouri and spread the campaign to friends using the page’s built-in sharing options.

In the first seven days of the promotion, the page received more than 2,000 new page “likes” and hundreds of “likes” on posts and photos.

The campaign landing tab includes a list of “What’s Not to Like about Missouri?” slogans and provides a space for users to add their own ideas, all of which can be instantly shared on their personal walls. Each week, user generated slogans will be selected for review with the potential for publishing as a poster in the campaign. Users will be credited for their efforts and have the ability to share the poster they helped create with their Facebook friends.

“The promotion is fun and connects with Facebook users in a personal way. We hope that people will come to view VisitMO on Facebook as a page with personality and view Missouri not only as a vacation destination, but develop a personal connection to it,” said Katie Steele Danner, director of the Missouri Division of Tourism.

The Facebook page provides the opportunity for Missouri residents to share their first-hand experiences with the myriad of unique Missouri attractions. Additionally, visitors can share their memories and ask questions of the community about travel options. The Missouri Division of Tourism hopes fans of the page will enjoy the fun of the “What’s Not to Like about Missouri?” campaign and also take part in sharing authentic travel advice to travelers who are considering a trip to or through Missouri.

Big Oak Tree State Park and

Towosahgy State Historic Site reopen to the public

            JEFFERSON CITY,MO., AUG. 30, 2011 — In May, BigOakTreeState Park and Towosahgy State Historic Site inMississippiCounty were covered with 12 to 16 feet of water and sand following the intentional breach of the Birds Point Levee along theMississippi River. On Sept. 2, these important natural and cultural resources in theMissouri state park system will reopen to the public. Two events in September will provide special opportunities to revisit these areas.

“Our staff monitored these two facilities throughout the summer to determine the impact of the breach. We are pleased to be able to reopen these areas to the public while we continue to make repairs to our facilities,” said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

AtBigOakTreeState Park, the areas open for visitor use include the main picnic area and the boardwalk, which takes visitors into the heart of the vast swamp forest. Other portions of the park remain closed while assessment continues on the impact from the flooding. All of Towosahgy State Historic Site will reopen to the public.

Visitors will have a chance to celebrate the reopening ofBigOakTreeState Parkduring its annual Living History Day event Sept. 10. This free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the park’s main day-use area. The event will feature demonstrations of old-time skills such as spinning, trapping, flintknapping and making canvas floor cloths. “Bluegrass Revival” and the “Shoestring Band” will provide music throughout the day and barbecue and funnel cakes will be available for purchase. The Southeast Explorer, a mobile teaching and learning center fromSoutheastMissouriStateUniversity, will be available with exhibits about the history of southeastMissouri. The center features activities for grades three through six so the event will provide something for the entire family and all age groups.

On Sept. 24, the rural location of Towosahgy State Historic Site will provide the perfect setting for an evening event showcasing the night sky. The site preserves the remains of a once-fortified Indian village of the Mississippian Culture between 1000 A.D. and 1400 A.D.  Join staff on top of the temple mound to view the blanket of stars from the same vantage point as Native Americans did more than 1,000 years ago. The event will include Native American stories of the night and tales of the constellations. This free event will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“Visitors at these two sites will notice some changes and areas that will need improvements. We can continue to make these improvements while our visitors take advantage of the great fall weather to revisit two outstanding resources in southeastMissouri,”Bryansaid

Big OakTreeState Parkis located 15 miles south of East Prairie on Highway 102. Towosahgy State Historic Site is located approximately 15 miles southeast of East Prairie on County Road 502. To reach the site, take State Highway 77 south toward Dorena and turn west on County Road 502. For more information on these events, call Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site at 573-748-5340. For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, call the Missouri Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) or visit mostateparks.com.

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Experience late summer wildflower display Sept. 3 at

Prairie State Park

            JEFFERSON CITY,MO., AUG. 29, 2011 – As the tallgrass prairie transitions from summer to fall, it is ablaze with color.  On Sept. 3, experience this color explosion on a wildflower walk atPrairieState Park near Mindenmines. The 1.6-mile walk begins at 10 a.m. at the park’s nature center and will last approximately two hours.

The park naturalist will lead the hike as you walk among the tall grasses and colorful fall flowers to learn more about the prairie ecosystem.  Dress for the weather and hiking across the prairie; long pants, sturdy shoes and insect repellent are recommended.

PrairieState Parkis located at 128 NW 150th Lanein BartonCounty. For more details, call PrairieState Parkat 417-843-6711 or the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information on Missouri state parks, visit mostateparks.com.

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Wildheart offers music and environmental message in

Missouri state parks           

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., Aug. 24, 2011 – The music and environmental message of Wildheart will be heard again in 12 Missouri state parks and historic sites, thanks to a grant from the Missouri Arts Council.

Wildheart is composed of Jan and George Syrigos, both Emmy award- winning educators and entertainers who bring a strong science message to young audiences as they explore wildlife, habitats and natural history. Their performance combines original music with motion and media to deliver a conservation message about the natural world.

Earlier this year, a Missouri Arts Council grant partially funded performances by Wildheart in seven state parks. “These performances were popular with both kids and adults and we are pleased that we can provide additional performances,” said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. “Wildheart is more than entertainment; they present the same kind of message we promote to kids inMissouri state parks,” he said.

Wildheart is an approved Missouri Tour Performer for the Missouri Arts Council and the grant will provide the performance at a 60 percent reduced rate from the original price. Individual state parks and historic sites are pursuing local matches to the grants to further reduce the cost to the state park system. This will allow them to provide the performances free of charge to the public.

Performances of Wildheart during September and October will be held as follows:

• Sept. 3 - Lake Wappapello State Park, Williamsville; 7 p.m. in the amphitheater.
• Sept. 24 - Crowder State Park, Trenton; shows at noon and 2 p.m. (in conjunction with Fall Outdoor Discovery Day).
• Oct. 1 – Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, Middlebrook, 7 p.m. in the campground amphitheater.
• Oct. 8 – Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Kaiser, 6 p.m. in the shelter atPublic Beach #1.
• Oct. 15 - Washington State Park, De Soto, 7:30 p.m. in the campground amphitheater (in conjunction with Fall Harvest Festival).
• Oct. 22 – Graham Cave State Park, Danville, 4 p.m. in front of GrahamCave.
• Oct. 28 – Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton, shows at 5:30 p.m., 6:10 p.m. and 6:50 p.m. (in conjunction with Ha Ha Haunt).

Additional parks and sites that will schedule performances include Arrow Rock State Historic Site in Arrow Rock; Jefferson Landing State Historic Site in Jefferson City; StocktonState Park near Stockton; Harry S Truman State Park near Warsaw and Wakonda State Parknear La Grange.

Bryan added that he would like to thank Wildheart and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency, for making the concerts possible. All shows are free of charge to the public and everyone is invited to attend.

For more information about these shows, call the individual parks where the concerts will be held or call the Missouri Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946(voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf. For information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

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Behind-the-scenes tour offered at Missouri State Museum

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo, Aug. 25, 2011 – The Missouri State Museum invites you to see the museum from a new perspective, with a behind-the-scenes tour into the collections and operations of the facility. Tours will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 26, Sept. 30 and Oct. 20 at the new Riversides Collection Facility at 117 N. Riverside Drive. The series of “It’s Your History” tours, which are free and require no reservation, will last approximately one hour.

Have you ever wondered where the artifacts are stored?  Are you curious what a curator actually does? These are just some of the questions that will be answered on the tour. During these tours, you will have the chance to see what it takes to store, preserve and conserve artifacts. The tours are part of the Missouri State Museum’s ongoing effort to make the museum more accessible to everyone.

The Missouri State Museum, which is part of the Missouri state park system, is located on the first floor of the Capitol building at 201 West Capitol Ave. The museum galleries are open to the public free of charge from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.

For more information, contact the Missouri State Museum office at 573-751-2854 or the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419(Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

Civil War tours planned at the Missouri State Museum

              JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., Aug. 24, 2011 – Learn more about the Civil War in Missourion a tour through the Missouri State Museum in the State Capitol at 2 p.m. each Saturday from Sept. 3 through Dec.17.

            The Civil War was a tumultuous time in the history of Missouri and the country withMissouri seeing more engagements than any other states except Virginia and Tennessee. The people of Missouri found themselves not only on both sides of the fighting, but they were often in the middle of many battles. During the tour, you will learn why Missouri was sought after by both the Union and the Confederate troops, the details of the battles at Wilson’s Creek andWestport, the reasons behind General Ewing’s Order Number 11, and what the leaders were thinking during the conflict.  Tours will include artwork and artifacts in the Missouri StateMuseum and Capitol that relate to the Civil War in Missouri.

The Missouri State Museum in located in the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City.  For more information, contact the museum at 573-751-2854 or the Missouri Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf).  For more information about state parks and historic sites, visitmostateparks.com.

Learn to enjoy the outdoors at

WOW Kansas City Sept. 23-24

            JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., Aug. 25, 2011 – Have you ever wanted to learn skills that will enhance your outdoor adventures?  If you answered yes, then WOW Kansas City is for you.  WOW Kansas City will be held in Swope Park Sept. 23-24 and registration is open now.

The WOW National Outdoor Recreation and Conservation School is packed with opportunities for people of all ages to learn outdoor recreation skills. The event is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources; Kansas City, Missouri, Parks and Recreation; Bass Pro Shops; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Missouri Department of Conservation; Wonders of Wildlife; the National Park Service and Missouri State University.  The event will begin on Friday evening with a camping opportunity, and will continue from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

WOW Kansas City is designed to teach participants how to enjoy a wide range of outdoor recreation activities while practicing personal safety and outdoor responsibility. WOW will offer classes in a variety of outdoor skills including archery, fishing, canoeing, campfire cooking, camping and more. Participants will camp at Swope Park and participate in Saturday classes at James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area. Transportation to the wildlife area will be provided from Swope Park.

Classes are open to anyone age nine or above; however, nine to 12 year olds must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to classes. The trained professionals provide hands-on instruction for people who may not be familiar with the outdoors and children who may be experiencing nature for the first time. The workshop is a great opportunity for families to learn activities together and take the “Children in Nature Challenge.”

The cost to attend is $15 per person or $30 per family, making it an affordable day of family fun. Financial assistance is also available.  Advance registration is required and the deadline to register is Sept. 9.

Camping on Friday night will be held at Camp Lake of the Woods in Swope Park and will begin at 4 p.m. with tent setup and a hands-on outdoor cooking experience (food is provided).  Evening activities will include an owl program and family activities and hikes. Tents will be available to those who do not have one and can be reserved through the registration process.

For more information or to request a registration packet, contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources by calling toll free 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419(Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) or sending an email to moparks@dnr.mo.gov. Registration information and forms are also available on the web at mostateparks.com/wow.

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Informational meeting planned Aug. 27 at Pershing State Park

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., Aug. 25, 2011 — The public is invited to bring their ideas to an informational meeting on Saturday, Aug. 27, at PershingState Park near Laclede.  The informational meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the amphitheater at the campground.

Accomplishments at the park and future plans will be highlighted during the informational meeting. Visitors are invited to share comments on the park’s services and operations.

This informational meeting is part of an ongoing effort to ensure citizens have input on facilities and services offered in state parks and historic sites.

Pershing State Park is located 18 miles east of Chillicothe or seven miles west of Brookfield on Highway 36 in Linn County. The park’s campground is located approximately one mile south of Highway 36 on Missouri Route 130.

People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling the park office at 660-963-2299 or by calling the Missouri Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For information about state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

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