Dona Reynolds, Blog: Missouri: Saint Joseph: Saint Joseph Mo

Cool Crest Garden Golf

Looking for something fun to do with the family, a romantic evening out with your significant other, some fun with your friends, or even an entertaining staff meeting?!?!  I have the perfect place for you!  Known as "The Nice Place for Nice People" the three 18-hole garden miniature golf courses is full of beautiful flower gardens, bronze statues, waterfalls and nostalgic music giving you that perfect atmosphere.  It is a great place to let lose with a little competitive fun, relax on a bench and enjoy the outdoor weather, then treat yourself to a snack at the concession stand. 

Cool Crest has been serving St. Joseph for over 50 years, through four generations.  The family business has bloomed into family traditions.  A perfect example of good morals as the family has continued to successfully run the business.  Not only that, but they have been able to share those customs with the entire St. Joseph community. 

Owners Jan and the late Guy Saxton published a book in 2005 that tells the complete ‘Cool Crest Garden Golf family legacy'.  Copies are available at Cool Crest if you are interested in knowing more on the Cool Crest family.

Such a cool story that you too can experience!  Help keep the tradition alive...stop by and play a game of golf, benefit from the good vibes in the air, and I am sure once you do it won't be the last! 

1400 North Belt Highway, St. Joseph, MO 64506
816.232.2663

If you're like me, you stop at the grocery store several times a week for one or two items. 

When Hy-Vee  joined the St Joseph community in 2003 they completely changed the experience of grocery shopping. 

Hy-Vee is what I call a full service store, with not only the freshest produce but also the lowest prices of grocery items. Hy-Vee's buffet is a popular lunch and supper spot for either eat-in or carry out for community residents.  The full service store has a florist shop, dry cleaning service, bank, pharmacy, and one of the finest bakeries.  Hy-Vee's catering service is one of the best in St Joseph for private parties, businesses and weddings.

Hy-Vee, started in the early 1930's in Beaconsfield, Iowa and currently has stores in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, South Dakota, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Nebraska.  Hy-Vee is an employee owned company.

Hy-Vee is totally committed to the communities in which their stores are located, being very active in civic and community activities.  Hy-Vee's Charitable-Giving is yet another example of their partnership with local communities where their stores are located.

Yesterday when I stopped at HyVee, the store was themed for St Joseph's upcoming "Sound of Speed" air show on May 1 and 2.  I visited with Brad McAnally the store director while shopping yesterday about what a great event this will be next weekend in St Joseph.

The 2010 Tour of Missouri professional cycling race is still up in the air, but either way cycling will continue in St. Joseph. 

On May 8, 2010 the 'Robidoux Roundup Mountain Bike Race' and 'Krug Park Bike Trials Competition' will take place at Krug Park.  The two events will bring close to 200 athletes to the area to compete bringing cyclists from Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. 

St. Joseph is a great cycling city.  Home to many cycling enthusiasts and first class biking trails, the city  continues to promote itself as a cycling destination. 

The community grew aware of the importance of keeping cycling alive during the promotion of the 2008 and 2009 Tours, and will continue to work on promoting bike riding, bike safety, and biking opportunities to the community.

For more information on these cycling events or cycling in St. Joseph please visit:  mountain biking, trials competition, St Joseph Cycling

Yesterday while showing property, I ran across this wonderful old farm house setting in the middle of a field with panoramic views for miles.

There was something about the house, that made me wonder, who had lived there?  why no one had taken care of it through the years?  When was it built?  Did they have kids that ran playing through the fields?

Many people buy prints of old houses and old barns and often display them in their homes along with a family heirloom piece of furniture.  This photo could have been just one of those prints.  What is your thought?

Looking for a trail to hike and bike?

As spring approaches fast you probably have the sudden urge to get outside and enjoy every ounce of sunshine you can after the snowy winter we had.  Well...I can't agree with you more!  Only leaving my house this winter for reasons that I had to such as work, going to the grocery store and so on, I couldn't wait for the sun to shine, the flowers to start blooming, and to stand outside and let the wind blow so I could hear the neighborhood wind chimes ring.  It's the time of year to throw open the windows and head outdoors to shake off several months of hibernation.

Many of you have your regular planned activities that you and your family participate in.  But what family doesn't like to be outdoors walking or riding their bikes, spending time together in the fresh outdoors surrounded by beautiful sceneries?!?  St. Joseph has a new, still expanding Urban Trail System that has something for everyone to enjoy!

The system is a network of 10' concrete trails and traditional sidewalks.  Each link of it ties into a neighborhood, school, recreational facilities, food, shopping, parks, and provides the opportunity for fitness in a safe environment.  The trails were built with the idea of giving walkers and bikers the ability to operate safely with few or no at-grade crossing on highways or streets.  Each link of the parkway has its on unique features and beautiful sceneries.  All having specific starting and ending points, you can jump on or off to make your walk/ride your desired length.  Currently offering 9 different routes, the project is still in expansion with 1 undergoing construction and more plans in the works.  The trails are used for walking, running, biking, skating, skateboards, wheelchairs, strollers, and other non-motorized modes, horses and powered vehicles are not allowed.

For more specific information on the hike and bike trails

The three skaters statues (roller bladders) is located at Corby Pond, where Northwest Parkway and Corby Parkway meet.  Donated by the Bradley Family Trust, the adorable statues are mimicking children skating along the parkway in St Joseph. 

"Little fairies" periodically dress up the skaters with hats, scarf's, clothing, and specific holiday attire.  The little fairies are unknown to the community, but very much appreciated as it gives them a new look and a makes for a new conversation. 

The skaters were designed to be in complete action as if they were real kids zooming by on their skates.   The realistic statues represent different activities in which you can participate in while utilizing the state of the art parkway system; this one is making a statement for those interested in skating....and even those that aren't. 

St. Joseph's park system encompasses over 1,500 acres of city parks connected by a 26 mile parkway system. Recreational opportunities abound including golfing, baseball, ice skating, swimming, and tennis.

Additional info on St Joseph Parks

For over 30 years the 36th Street Food and Drink served St Joseph as one of the finest restaurants in town. 

(Sorry, the photo of the building below is a older photo that I happen to have and could not find a better one.)

Recently the building and land was sold.

Last week it became reality to local residents as the building became the victim of the wrecking ball.

Looking toward the future, the popular 36th Street Food & Drink Restaurant has relocated to Mitchell Park Plaza. 

If you have not read about the restoration of the "Big Chief Tablet" factory into one of St Joseph's finest loft apartments and the vision of the Mitchell Park Plaza here is the article Western Tablet Building.

Pony Up St. Joseph as we celebrate 150 years of the Pony Express!  The legend that is still alive today making St. Joseph a historic destination well known worldwide.  Before the railroad and the telegraph, there was the Pony Express. 

The legendary overland mail service began on April 3, 1860, as a lone rider left the Pikes Peaks stables in St. Joseph, MO and rode into history.  Take a step back in time and let your mind wrap around the concept of delayed response and conversation. 

Today it is so easy to jump on the phone and make a phone call, pull up your computer and send an email, grab your cell phone and send a text message, and a hundred other new ways to instantly make contact with others. 

The exhibits at the Pony Express Museum illustrate the need, creation, operation, and termination of the Pony Express, the real beginning of communication.  Can you imagine the look on your teenagers face when they learn that they'd have to wait weeks to hear back from their best friend?!?  It is hard for them to understand as they have been raised in a totally new aged generation, but as they learn it their faces light up and it all begins to sink in on how we have gotten to where we are today.   

Let them relive it and come learn about it yourself....many events and activities are scheduled to celebrate the 150^th anniversary on April 1, 2 & 3, 2010.  The celebration will feature museum exhibits, gala balls and banquets, a re-ride, trail trips, family festivals, and more.  For a full line up of events please visit  the Pony Express.