Dona Reynolds, Blog: January 2010

 The turbines swishing through the air generating electricity have such an awesome appearance that the Bluegrass Ridge Wind Farm has became a bit of a tourist attraction. Seeing the need to provide more information to visitors____and to further develop the community___The Tri-County Alternative Energy Education and Visitors Center was envisioned.

Now, the not-for-profit King City group supporting the venture is in the process of raising funds for a 4,800 square foot facility.  It would house a visitors' center with hands-on activities for both children and adults explaining alternative energy and a viewing area of the Blue Ridge Wind Farm developed by Wind Capital Group.

The facility also would offer educational programs and serve as a community center.

Please read this touching story about Matt Ziesel a young man that "Just wants to play football" that became a media sensation overnight. 

Matt Ziesel is a freshman at Benton High School in St Joseph, Mo, who loves to play football.

Last Friday night displayed what true sportsmanship truly is about in a freshman game against Maryville.  The score was 46-0 which was a lost game for Benton but a winner for sportsmanship, coaches and all the players that night, along with Matt Ziesel who just wants to play football!

With 19 seconds left in a meaningless game, Benton Freshman Coach Dan McCamy, approached Maryville's coaches with the idea of allowing Matt to enter the game and score a touchdown.  At first bewiltered by Mr. McCamy's advances the Spoofhounds' staff agreed.

Matt sprinted down the sideline, with Coach McCamy giving encouragement, and Maryville's players feigning attempts to tackle him.

Matt's father, Mike, Benton's activities director witnessed the game but his wife was out of town so Mr. McCamy decided to put the video on the internet for Mike's wife to see.

Matt has Down syndrome and Doctors had advised his parents that he probably shouldn't play football, due to the dangers of physical contact. 

Matt watches the video and sees a touchtown regardless of the circumstances.

Matt just wants to play football!

To the Maryville and Benton players, and coaches, Thank You, for making this happen for Matt!

The large building at 602 Francis, St Joseph MO, was built in 1918 as a Department Store where Townsend Wyatt and Wall occupied the building until 1983.

Townsend Wyatt and Wall was the lead department store in Downtown St. Joseph, carrying up-scaled clothing, furniture, small appliances and more. 

Residents recall the luncheon counter where shoppers and visitors came for a quick lunch and a fountain coke. 

The 3rd floor was the mezzanine where shoppers could sit, rest and watch others shopping.  The basement was called the bargain basement where shoppers could save money while still shopping at Townsend Wyatt and Wall. 

After the doors closed the building remained empty for many years, occasionally being rented for storage.

In the late 1990's the building was purchased by Jeff Smith & Company. 

This was the first residential rehab project that took place in the Downtown St. Joseph area.  The Townsend building was converted into 46 residential apartments opening in 2003.    

Today,  Jeff Smith & Co. still owns and operates the residential apartment building along with additional properties in St. Joseph.

 read other items about St Joseph

Last week while showing homes to the Minton family who are relocating to St Joseph, 

      we took a break and visited Kris & Kate's Old Fashioned Ice Cream Shoppe.

      Their twin 5 year old daughters Tara & Cara immediately liked the

BIG PINK ICE CREAM CONE BUILDING and had quite a time in selecting which one of the

ice cream treats from the menu as their choice.

      Kris and her daughter Erica offer a warm welcome to customers at the fun family oriented store. 

Kris & Kate's Ice Cream shoppe offers special parking for Harley's, volleyball nets, sand-pits for the kids along with the-best-selection-of-ice cream-treats to be enjoyed at picnic tables or at the gazebo area while listening to the goldie oldie music.

                         Kris & Kate's Ice Cream Treats is located at Belt Highway and 36th Street

visit St Joseph