Welcome to Bennett Spring

INVEST YOUR TIME WISELY...

26248 Hwy 64A • Lebanon, MO 65536For Information or Reservations: (417)532-4307 or (800)334-6946

www.bennettspringstatepark.com E-Mail: [email protected] www.jimrogersfl yschool.com

Bennett Spring State ParkBennett Spring State Park

Invest in Family TimeInvest in Family Time

PICNICKING DINING CAMPING

CANOEINGNATURE CENTER

LODGING

SHOWER HOUSE

RV & TENT CAMPING

PLAYGROUND

HIKING

FEED THE TROUT

TROUT FISHINGCABINS

The Place To BeThe Place To BeOn The Niangua RiverOn The Niangua River

We’ve Expanded...Again!NEW Cabins in 2012NEW Cabins in 2012Chase Ridge CabinsChase Ridge CabinsLarge Selection of

One-Eyed Willy’s Apparel

AKC RegisteredAKC Registered English Bull DogsEnglish Bull Dogs

“Just Like One-Eyed Willy”

Call One-Eyed Willy’s to make one part of your family.

• Family Weekend• Family Weekend Entertainment Entertainment• Canoes• Canoes• Rafts• Rafts• Kayaks• Kayaks• Primitive Camping• Primitive Camping• Electric Hookups• Electric Hookups

• Concession on the River• Concession on the River• Shaded River Front• Shaded River Front

Camping Camping• Float to your Campsite• Float to your Campsite

• RV Sites with Decks

• Cabins (Sleeps up to 8)• Cabins (Sleeps up to 8)•• Clean Comfortable Cabins Clean Comfortable Cabins• Clean Showers• Clean Showers

~ OLD TOWN & OSAGE CANOES ~~ OLD TOWN & OSAGE CANOES ~

www.oneeyedwillys.comwww.oneeyedwillys.com

372 Corkery Rd.372 Corkery Rd.Bennett Spring, MOBennett Spring, MO

417-993-2628417-993-2628

NEW FOR 2013NEW Shelter

House Available for Parties &

Reunions

PAGE 4 WELCOME TO BENNETT SPRING

You’re sure to fi nd something here to make your stay memorable.

We have fi shing, fl oating, hiking,

shopping and much, much more.

No matter what time of year you visit,

we’re certain you’ll fi nd Bennett Spring to

your liking.The people are friendly,

and the fi shing is always good.

We’re glad you’re here!

CONTENTSSomething for Everyone Bennett Spring State Park offers a little something for everyone in the family ......................................... Page 5

From the BeginningBennett Spring State Park is rich in history. It was once a milling community known as Brice, but it's now known for its lunkers, camping and canoeing......................................... Page 6

Almost DoneThe new state-of-the art indoor hatchery facility and runways are nearly complete at Bennett Spring...........................................Page 10

Lebanon, MO: We're Just Up The RoadJust a few miles up the road, Lebanon, Mo. offers unique stopping and entertainment opportunities........................................PAGE 12

A Day For The Kids One day a year is set aside for the youngest anglers at the park......................................... Page 16

Just Zip It! NRO's zipline has become a popular attraction for Bennett Spring visitors......................................... Page 18

Winter Doesn't Mean The Fishing EndsCatch-and-release season offers anglers the opportunity to fi sh at Bennett Spring all winter long......................................... Page 22

Once You're Off The RiverOne Eyed Willy's offers weekend entertainment for the entire family......................................... Page 28

Cover design by Randy WatermanCover photo by Julie Turner-Crawford

Welcome to Bennett Spring

State Park!

Route 66 GIFTS SOUVENIRS

COLLECTIBLES

I-44 Exit 135 - West On Route 66 1/2 Mile24200 E. Route 66

Lebanon, MO

Open Every Day!

Route 66 SodasRoute 66 Sodas

The BlueseumThe BlueseumHistoricalCollectionof Blues

MusicMemorabilia

Of cal HQ of Route 66 Sodas

PAGE 5WELCOME TO BENNETT SPRING

enturies ago, the "Eye of the Sacred One" fi rst drew the

Osage Indians to its banks. The clear blue waters are now known as Bennett Spring, the centerpiece of one of Missouri's oldest state parks.

Bennett Spring con-tinues to entice nature lovers of every descrip-tion. Situated in the Niangua River valley, the park offers many opportunities for trout fi shing, camping, hiking, bird-watching, swimming and picnicking. Not only are the recreational options diverse and intriguing, but the scenery is enchanting and breath-

taking — no matter what the season might be.

Many of the improvements and additions to the park were completed by the Civilian Conser-vation Corps (CCC) during the 1930s. The rustic hiking trails carved out of the woods, the old stone bridge that arches over the waters of the spring, and the cozy park cabins welcoming weary fi shermen all re-

sulted from their efforts. The serenity of the park, however, was perfect from the beginning.

Bennett Spring State ParkFrom picturesque scenery to rugged tails, fabulous fishing to cozy cabins — we've got it all!

C

See ‘Something for everyone’/ page 32

1680 W. ELM, LEBANON (417)-532-7158

OPEN Monday - Friday 8am - 5:30pm • Saturday 8am - 5pm

“Your Everything Store”

FARM & HOME

Visit us at www.billsfarmandhome.com

A Little Something for Everyone at

• Apparel for the whole family• Toys• Tools• Home Décor• Jewelry and Much More!

Daily Specials Served

7 Days A Week

18 DIFFERENTcombination Dinnersto choose from for

ONLY $7.50EACH

417-588-0279M.-Th. 11am-10pm

Fri.-Sat. 11am-10:30pmSun. 11am - 9pm

Inside the Lexington Square Mall1801 W. Elm, Lebanon • Off Exit 127


From Brice to Bennett

Milling community transforms into a premiere state park

Kids Meals starting at $1.99

Corner of Elm & Jefferson, Lebanon

417-588-2700

Valley View Store

Hwy. 64 Between Lebanon &Bennett Spring State Park

BREAKFAST•Biscuits & Gravy•Sausage Biscuits•Cinnamon Rolls

LUNCH•Freshly Sliced

Meats & Cheese•Freshly Made

Sandwiches•Ice •Candy •Medicine •Liquor

Open 7 Days A Week 8am-8pm


ennett Spring State Park is one of Missouri’s fi rst and most popular state parks, attracting a growing number of tourists

every year.The third largest natural spring in

the state of Missouri pumps one mil-lion gallons of water each and every day. Anglers from around the nation wade in the spring’s waters in search of lunker-sized trout, and those look-ing for adventures in camping and ca-noeing come in droves each year, but there was once a time when Bennett Spring State Park was simply known as Brice, Mo.

During the 1920s, when America was enjoying prosperity following World War I, Bennett Spring (then known as Brice) was one of many areas considered by state planners to be preserved as a state park.

A Dec. 12, 1924, article in the Laclede County Republican stated that Lebanon Chamber of Commerce Presi-dent O.A. Mayfi eld requested that the state consider Bennett Spring as a pos-sible park site. It said the fi rst parcel of land, 8 1/2 acres that belonged to Josie Bennett Smith, would became a part of Bennett Spring State Park. The land

was purchased from Mrs. Smith on Dec. 27, 1924.

Several weeks later, another contract was signed between Wil-liam Sherman Bennett, Mrs. Smith’s brother, and the state for the sale of 565.33 acres. Of that land, 427 acres can be traced as belonging to James Brice, who settled there in 1837. The land where today’s park store, offi ce, dining lodge and hatchery buildings stand once belonged to the Bennett family.

James Brice fi rst came here while traveling in Missouri from Illinois

in search of productive land and a healthful climate. He decided to stay at the beautiful spring area, which reportedly teemed with wildlife. Elk, deer, wild turkeys, buffalo and even panthers were said to drink from the enormous spring.

Brice homesteaded 160 acres, which included the spring, and eventually homesteaded additional acreage that included all of the land and the spring branch area.

He built the fi rst mill in the vicinity where early farmers brought their corn

The history of The history of Bennett Bennett

Spring State Spring State ParkPark

B

See ‘History’/ page 8

BB O OO K SSLEBANONLEBANONA full-service book storeA full-service book store

featuring books, magazines,featuring books, magazines,children’s books, toys andchildren’s books, toys and

games for all ages.games for all ages.

727 S. Jefferson, Lebanon727 S. Jefferson, Lebanon(inside Smitty’s Shopping Center)(inside Smitty’s Shopping Center)

417-532-2500417-532-2500417-532-3038 Fax417-532-3038 Fax

[email protected]@embarqmail.com Ginger Johnson Tracy Curry

Hair Styling • Mass age Th erapy Hair Styling • Mass age Th erapy Jewelry • Nails • Hair Products Jewelry • Nails • Hair Products Pedicures • Parlor Spa ProductsPedicures • Parlor Spa Products

125 W. Commercial • 417-588-4217Owner:Owner:


From Page 7for grinding. The mill eventually was washed away during a violent rainstorm and fl ood. Brice, the fi rst permanent settler in the Bennett Spring area, died in 1855 and is buried in the Bennett Cemetery.

The Bennett fam-ily later settled at the spring area on land known as the Elmer Conn farm, site of the present Sand Spring Resort. The enterprising Peter Bennett built a mill at the spring outlet and Nian-gua River, which also was washed away in a rainstorm and fl ood. Bennett built a second mill, known as Bennett’s Mill, during the Civil War years. It became a center for tradesmen and farmers. The mill was too small to accommodate the increase in business, so Bennett built a third mill and included a carding machine that pre-pared wool for the spinning wheel. He also built a sawmill in one section of the mill.

As business continued to grow, Bennett decided to construct a three-story building, and he purchased equipment for it in St. Louis. Since the railroad track went only to Rolla, Bennett and his employees had to meet the train there and haul the equipment to Brice in ox-driven wagons — a slow process over the rocky fords of that time.

Peter Bennett married Anna Brice, the daughter of homesteader James Brice. After Brice’s death, Peter and Anna inherited the property.

When Peter Bennett died in 1882, his son, William Sher-man Bennett, continued to run the mill. Bennett’s daughter,

Josie Bennett Smith, operated a hotel at Brice for many years.

The Bennett Mill was destroyed by fi re in 1895. The last mill at Brice was built by Dr. John B. and Freeman Atchley. Others who operated the mill in later years were J.E. Kelly,

Mr. Runge and B.J. Usery. The mill stood as a land-mark at Bennett Spring for sightse-ers and tradesmen alike. The Civil-ian Conservation Corps, which worked in the area during the 1930s, improved the mill. However, it later was destroyed by fi re. The CCC also constructed a log dam, foot trails, a new bridge and many other build-ings at the park.

The spring val-ley already had become a popular camping site in the late 1800s as area farmers waited their turns at the mill. According to a Missouri Depart-ment of Natural Resources (DNR) brochure, campers would fi sh, hunt or visit with local townspeople to pass the time.

By the turn of the century, recre-ation was gaining in importance at Brice. According to

the DNR brochure, in 1900 the Missouri fi sh commissioner introduced 40,000 mountain trout into the spring, and a privately owned fi sh hatchery was built in 1923, the year before the state bought the spring and some of the sur-rounding area for a state park.

The Brice Post Offi ce was originally built as a log build-ing on the river bank and named after James Brice. In later years, it was located in a general store operated by William Sherman Bennett and his wife, Louie. The name of the post

Hist ory of Bennett

office was changed to Bennett Spring in 1939 and finally was dis-continued in 1965. Arlie Bramwell was the last postmaster at Bennett Spring.

It was reported that in the early 1900s William Sherman Bennett had a number of cans of young trout emptied into the spring. The trout thrived in the cold waters, attracting many fishermen.

Brice was the location where famed author Harold Bell Wright completed work on his classic novel, “The Shepherd of the Hills.’’ Wright also wrote “The Calling of Dan Mat-thews,’’ while he lived in Lebanon. In that book, Wright’s “Gordon’s Mill’’ actually was Bennett’s Mill.

Today, one off the oldest origi-nal buildings at Bennett Spring is the Bennett Spring Church of God, organized in 1917 through the influ-ence of William Sherman and Louie Boles Bennett, who donated land for the church site. In the 1950s, stone veneer was applied over the wood-en structure. It is the only original building that was in old Brice.

“Aunt Louie’’ Bennett was pastor of the church for many years. Today, Bennett Spring Church of God is a very active church and is visited by many fishermen staying at the park each trout season.

In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Project Administration (WPA) were two new programs implemented by the U.S. government to put people to work during the Great Depression. Much work was done at Bennett Spring starting in November of that year. The crews’ first tasks were to build barracks for themselves. They built a new dam, a bridge, a dining lodge, six cabins, a store and post office building, shelters, houses, roads and trails. They also renovat-ed the old Atchley Mill.

The men also constructed a sec-ond set of gravel-bottomed hatch-ery rearing pools and in 1935 built a new section onto the hatchery building. When the men left in 1938, they dismantled all but one of their barracks.

Through the years most of the development at the park has taken place outside of the park’s boundar-ies as private individuals built cab-ins, hotels, campgrounds and many

other businesses. In 1969, Arlie Bramwell sold his wood and stone cabins to the state. Ralph Usery’s cabins were razed. Splan’s Resort was once a very busy place there. Vogel’s Resort was acquired by the state in 1980.

In 1969, the Nature Interpretive Center opened at the park with George Kastler as the first natural-ist, and in 1982 the park dedicated a new office and store building close to the dining lodge on the site of the original Brice. Later the park’s

Niangua entrance was renamed the Bramwell Entrance in honor of Arlie Bramwell.

An additional 1,650 acres of land to the south of the current state boundary was purchased in No-vember 1988 to provide watershed protection for Bennett Spring itself as well as the park area. Each year has brought more improvements.

Now, at 3,216 acres, the state park that arose around Peter Bennett’s spring continues to delight all com-ers.


HEARTLANDHEARTLANDANTIQUE MALLANTIQUE MALL

•Large Display Booths•Fine Quality Antiques

OVER 40,000 SQ. FT.All on one floor, under one roof.

Ample Parking!Ask about our ebay service!

(417) 532-9350(417) 532-93502500 EVERGREEN PKWY • LEBANON, MO2500 EVERGREEN PKWY • LEBANON, MO

I-44 ~ Exit 127I-44 ~ Exit 127email: heartlandantiquemall@yahoo.comwww.heartlandantiquemalllebanon.com

MO Cheese OutletMO Cheese Outlet We Can Build You Baskets Or You Can Build

Your Own417-532-9350

OPEN 8-8 • 7 DAYS A WEEK

fter more than a year of work, the Bennett Spring State Park Hatchery will be a completely new and improved facility.

The $2.375 million renovation of the hatchery’s many raceways (water canals that house the trout as they grow to a fi shable size) and the building of a brand new facility were expected to wrap up in early December 2012.

“Basically the work for the hatchery part is starting to wrap up. The projected date has been moved back a few days to the middle of December. That work should be completed soon, barring any unforeseen problems,” said Hatchery Manager Mike Mitchell in late Novem-ber.

The new facility, which was opened in September 2011, allows for an increased production of the park’s famous rainbow

trout. With the much bigger building, Mitchell believes that production of the trout can increase from 350,000 to be-tween 450,000 and 500,000 per year.

The increase isn’t just from the size of the facility. Unlike the old building, the new one allows for indoor spawning, which may help increase production by lowering trout deaths caused by outdoor spawning. The fi sh eggs and sperm, also called milk, will be protected from ultraviolet rays from the sun, which can kill them. The bigger facility also will help cut down on fi sh crowding, which can cause death from disease, bacteria and stress.

The improvements were part of the state’s Trout Plan, which had a goal of

increasing trout production by 20 per-cent, and was mostly paid for through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Program, along with Missouri Department of Conservation tax dollars and trout tag fees.

Fishermen shouldn’t get too excited yet when they see Mitchell’s estimates on the increased production. Since the facility just opened in September 2011, it will be about two years until those trout are ready to be released for fi shermen. Mitchell wants to make sure that people know that the construction isn’t going to have an effect on the 2013 fi shing season.

“Right now it looks like we have the numbers for 2013, and also at this point


Almost done$2.3 million in hatchery renovations near completion

A

REDBEARD’S RANCH30075 Marigold Drive

Lebanon, MO 65536 • [email protected]

417-533-REDS (7337)

Glamorous Camping

•Riverfront Camping •Horseback Riding•Riding Lessons •Canoes/Kayaks/Rafts

•RV Sites •Hayrides

“Glamping”Tent-Cabins with Heating & Air Conditioning!Quiet Family Camping on the Niangua River

417-532-7128489 S. Jefferson, Lebanon, MO

Mon.-Fri. 9:00am-5:30pm •Sat. 9:00am-12:00pm

•Drive Thru•Delivery•Medical Supplies•Vitamins•Health & Beauty•All Major Insurance Accepted•Nursing Home Service•Computerized Prescription Service


in time the size looks pretty good,” Mitch-ell said. The hatch-ery tries to average a 12-inch fi sh. The trout are released into the spring nightly from March through October.

Along with build-ing a new facility, the hatchery’s raceways, which separate the trout by size, were given an upgrade. The canals used to have gravel beds, which Mitchell said caused problems for the hatchery process, and the concrete walls between the raceways were also beginning to erode at the bottom. All new concrete was poured for the raceways.

One new feature that has proven popular with visitors of the Bennett Spring State Park Hatchery is the multiple viewing windows that were installed in the new facility. Because of the windows, the public can get an inside look at the spawning process year round.

If looking through a window isn’t enough for some curious visitors, the hatchery also offers tours of the facil-ity at 10 a.m. on the fi rst and third

Saturdays of every month.While construction is wrapping

up on the hatchery, construction near the hatchery is just gearing up. Fishing platforms near one of Ben-nett Spring’s most popular fi shing spots — the dam — are receiving an upgrade.

“They’re already getting started by removing some material from the bank. Hopefully, they’ll get the forms

up and start on the platforms after Thanksgiving,” Mitchell said.

One of the plat-forms, which is on the Bennett Spring bank right below the dam and next to the old hatchery building, is being paid for with MDC funds as part of a bank stabilization program. After years of fl ood, the bank was cracking and falling apart.

On the opposite side of the bank, another platform

is being constructed. The platform will be Americans with Disabilities Act compliant and wheelchair accessible. It was funded through a donation from the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation. The organization raised $45,000 to build the new fi shing/viewing platform.

ou’ve earned it...a beautiful home and the time to relax and enjoy it. Don’t let your lifelong goal of owning your dream home turn into a legal contest that could last for years. If the title work was done incorrectly, you could be facing untold legal fees and stress that noone should endure. Let us help. We are the professionals. We offer title insurance, escrow, closings, and anything you would need with your land transactions.

YY

HOGAN LAND TITLE COMPANYHOGAN LAND TITLE COMPANY OF LACLEDE COUNTYOF LACLEDE COUNTY

Manager: Ginger Johnson215 E. Commercial, Lebanon, MO

417-532-5333417-532-5333

We HaveWe Have The BestThe Best Cheeseburgers!Cheeseburgers!

HWY 64 & KKHWY 64 & KKBetween Lebanon & BennettBetween Lebanon & Bennett417-532-2578417-532-2578

Get it ALL...at

Grandpa & Grandma’s

Li’lCountryStore

• Hand Dip Ice Cream• Hand Dip Ice Cream• Made to Order• Made to Order Sandwiches Sandwiches

• Groceries• Groceries• Fishing License• Fishing License• Gas & Diesel• Gas & Diesel

• Power Ball & MO. Lottery • Gift Shop/ Souvenirs

Pizza &Wings


ome to Lebanon to relive the his-tory of Route 66, the “Main Street of America." Historic Route 66 brings travelers from through-out the world to Lebanon eager

to "get their kicks on Route 66." You can learn more about this era with a visit to The Route 66 Museum and Research Center featured in Best of the Midwest Travel Magazine in 2012.

This fascinating 3,500-square-feet museum is located in the Lebanon-Laclede County Public Library and has an extensive map col-lection and vignettes about the diners, gas stations, motels and communities built

along Route 66. Come learn what travel was like in its heyday. Admis-

sion is absolutely free.Set aside a nice chunk

of time to experience our shopping. Lebanon is

home to the Shepherd Hills Factory Outlet, the world’s largest dealer of top-selling Case Knives. The huge store

also offers so much more, includ-ing Ozark walnut bowls, Mikasa china and Denby pottery. There’s outstand-ing outlet shopping at Factory Stores of America mall offering jeans, shoes, housewares and other must-have items. Visit one of our many family-owned antique shops and be sure to stop in at the Heartland Antique Mall, which has more than 250 dealers and 40,000 square feet of antiques, a Rus-sell Stover Candy Outlet, cheese outlet and crafts mall.

The Kenneth E. Cowan Civic Center is the pride of Lebanon, a state-of-the-art, multipurpose facility with

We're just minutes up the road from Benne

Spring State Park

CLebanon has a little something for everyone

Shepherd Hills Factory Outlets417-532-7000 I-44 Exit 127 800-727-4643

www.shephills.comSoy Candles

417-533-3608555 E. Elm St. (Chalet Village) • Lebanon, MO

• Body Cleansing Products• Natural Supplements• Herbal Teas• Weight Loss Products

• Burt’s Bees Skin Care Products

• Health & Fitness Books• Essential Oils


a 46,000-square foot exhibition hall, meeting rooms, a 675-seat the-ater, an outdoor arena and a grand foyer. This facility has been home to diverse events such as ro-deos, trade shows, concerts, demoli-tion derbies, ban-quets, fairs, plays and weddings.

In addition, we are extremely excited that NASCAR short-track racing has returned to the I-44 Speedway with racing every weekend from April through September. You can also be sure to catch some mudslinging fun at our premier dirt track, Lebanon Mid-way Speedway. Golf is available at our a semi-private, 18-hole championship golf course located between Lebanon and Bennett Spring.

Enjoy a live performance at the Ozark Music Theater; there are shows every Saturday night. The kids will love spending time at the beautiful parks and the Boswell Aquatic Cen-ter or visiting Whirlwind Ranch, an alpaca ranch where you can purchase

See ‘Lebanon’/ page 37

HOME DÉCOR • GIFTS • BABY SHOWERS • BRIDAL • BIRTHDAY • ART CLASSES

113 WEST COMMERCIAL LEBANON 417.588. GIFT WWW.PERENNIALDESIGNCOMPANY.COM

CO

FF

EE

BA

R • B

OO

K Y

OU

R P

AR

TIE

SSA

TU

RD

AY

MO

RN

ING

ST

OR

Y T

IME

MON.-FRI. 9-6 • SAT. 9-3 • CLOSED SUN.MON.-FRI. 9-6 • SAT. 9-3 • CLOSED SUN.

417-532-4786 • 480 S. Jefferson • Lebanon, MO417-532-4786 • 480 S. Jefferson • Lebanon, MO


A different kind of sports bar’n’grillyou’re going to open a sports bar and grill here in the Ozarks, you’re probably going to do it the way the Glendennings have out by Bennett Spring State Park.

As a sports bar, the Gravel Bar and Grill has the req-uisite televisions mounted in the corners of the room, but you’re just as likely to hear the patrons talk-ing more about deer hunting and fl y fi shing than pennant races and playoffs.

The Gravel Bar and Grill still bears the sign of the Sand Spring Restaurant, but the last year has seen it morph from an old-style-buffet family dining environment to a modern sports bar, complete with raised round tables and tall stools.

“We’ve got a customer base started, folks ranging from their late 20s to their early 50s,” said owner Jack D. Glen-denning. “They come in, they visit, they get appetizers. They’ll spend a couple hours there.”

Nobody’s interested in making the place into party-central for the Bennett Spring area, he said. “That was the misconception of several people ... that we’ve turned it into

a bar. No, it’s not a bar. It’s no differ-ent than going into an Olive Garden or an Applebees or a T’s Redneck Steakhouse.”

Last Autumn, the Glendennings sat down as a family to try to fi gure out what to do about the ailing res-taurant at the Sand Spring Resort on Missouri 64 just west of the Niangua River.

“It was time to do something different. We needed to take advan-tage of what we had, but we weren’t

quite sure how to do it,” Glendenning said. “The old-style buffet restaurant is a money-sucking beast. ... There have been other places around that have closed down that have had buffets, and there’s a reason for that. There’s so much waste. “

The Glendenning family came up with numerous ideas,

THE GRAVEL BAR & GRILL

If


including shutting it down and making the space into extra rooms for the Sand Spring Resort. It was the Glen-denning sons, both in college, who pushed for the bar and grill format. “They said, ‘Dad, you know there’s really not a place people can come get sandwiches and drink a beer or a cold drink of any kind. Maybe we ought to try that first,’” Glendenning said.

The renova-tion started around Thanks-giving weekend in 2011. The whole fam-ily pitched in, as did family friend Brandon Johnson and his wife. The work went on through the winter and finished on Feb. 23, 2012, a week ahead of the Opening Day of trout season at Bennett Spring.

Everybody had ideas and input for the project, Glendenning said. The unique lights above the bar were the brainchild of Vicky Glendenning and Tara Johnson. Metal pipes serve as rough conduit for the wiring, and the shades are upside down galvanized buckets that look like traditional fishing bait buckets.

Another thing to distinguish the Gravel Bar is the literal gravel bar. “It’s really made out of gravel,” Glen-

denning said.The new place offers a variety of sandwiches and

specializes in burgers. Unlike most grilling restaurants, however, at the Glendennings’ place you don’t have to go far to meet the meat.

“We raise all our own beef. That’s our beef raised on our farm. I know exactly where it was born and raised,” he said. “We get it inspected and butchered over here at Owens Meat Processing in Urbana, so it’s USDA in-spected beef.”

The menu offers a wide selection of sandwiches, from the Dirty Pickle Burger — a hamburger with deep-fried pick-les and pepper jack cheese — to the popular patty melt.

“We toy with different ones and have different spe-cials all the time. Chili, steak sand-

wiches, patty melts — they love the patty melts on Texas toast,” Glendenning said. “Our pulled pork sandwich is really good. And we do catfi sh and shrimp. Our catfi sh is excellent. I’d put our catfi sh against anybody’s.”

See ‘Gravel Bar & Grill’/ page 34

Make it a great day... Make it a GreatLife.

MASSAGE THERAPIST • SECURE 24 HOUR FITNESS

POOL • SNACK BAR • GOLF LESSONS • PERSONAL TRAINERS

Premium18 Hole

GolfCourse

Public Always Welcome.

16744 HIGHWAY 64 • LEBANON, MO 65536

417-532-2901www.lebanonmissourigolf.com

$29mo.For the EntireFamily

PAGE 16

Kids Fishing at Bennett Spring

WELCOME TO BENNETT SPRING

Hundreds of young anglers turn out for annual eventhile most kids look forward to sleeping in and watching Saturday morning cartoons, hundreds of others have something different on their minds at least one Saturday in May each year — catching a lunker.

Each year in May, typically the Saturday prior to Mother's Day, kids line the banks of Bennett Spring State Park for the annual Kid’s Fishing Day.

The annual event typically brings more than 800 kids to the park, but the projected turnout may have been as little low for the 2012 event,

which was held on May 5. Bennett Spring State Park Assistant Hatchery Manager and Kid’s Fish-

ing Day organizer Julie Caffey said more than 500 tags and goodie bags had been handed out to young anglers by 9 a.m., and more than 950 were given out by 2 p.m. Fishing begins at the opening whistle and continues until 8:15 p.m.

Kids were welcome to fi sh in any portion of the park, but the hatch-ery staff wants to give the young outdoor adventurers a more than fair chance of catching a fi sh.

“We put 2,200 out in the kids-only area and 30 lunkers, then we stocked the rest of the park with about 1,500 fi sh,” Caffey said. “Lots of opportunities.”

In addition to fi shing, children are invited to stop by several educational stations, including fl y tying, archery and pellet gun shooting, learn about birds of prey, demonstrations of cleaning and cooking fi sh, and information about some of Missouri’s na-tive wildlife.

“I think in the morning they are focused on fi shing, and hope-fully they catch their limit of four, but then they can come over

W

Art Gallery and GiftsArt Gallery and Gifts

Functional Pottery,Artwork, Jewelry & More!

Art Gallery OpenApril - October

Thurs.-Sat. 10 am - 6 pmVisit

www.maccreedsgallery.com& order online year round.

HILLTOP K-9 BOARDING, LLC

• Affordable Rates• Personal Quality Care

• Heated and Air Conditioned Runs

417-532-810924450 Evanston Road, Lebanon, MO


here and take in all of the exhibits. We’ve just got a little something for everyone,” said Caffey.

The park’s new hatchery is also open for tours.

“I think a lot of people were excited about the new hatchery,” Caffey said. “We usually do tours on the fi rst and third Saturdays of the month, but to-day is a special day and it is open.”

While the entire park is busy, the main action can always be found along the stream.

Young anglers Emily Lochirco and Juliann Alferman traveled from their homes in Washington, Mo., to take in Kid’s Fishing during the 2012 event. The girls were no strangers to Ben-nett Spring State Park, and each had a trout on her stringer to prove it.

When asked about the best part of Kid’s Fishing, Lochirco was quick with her answer.

“Getting the fi sh,” she said with a smile.

The girls travel to Bennett Spring with their families often, but Kid’s Fishing is always a lot of fun.

“We just have fun,” Alferman said.By the Whistle Bridge, dad Trevor

Schumeman was fi shing with his sons, T.J. and Dallin. May 5 was the fi rst time the Lebanon, Mo. family had par-ticipated in Kid’s Fishing at Bennett Spring State Park.

“We love it,” the senior Schume-man said as he helped Dallin, who celebrated his fi fth birthday on Friday. “It’s just great to get them outside, in the outdoors and doing something fun. Getting closer to nature.”

When asked if fi shing was a nice birthday present, Dallin smiled and nodded his head.

See page 27


hirty miles per hour isn’t very fast in a car. When you’re suspended on a steel cable and looking at the tops of trees rac-

ing past below you, however, it’s fast enough.

Visitors to the Bennett Spring area enjoyed a new attraction during the 2012 season as the owners of NRO Campground created NRO Zipline.

They built four towers and a land-ing pad, laying out a four-stage zip line that’s over 3,400 feet.

“I think it did really well for the fi rst year,” said Missy Evans of NRO at the end of the tourist season. “It was kind of like the restaurant business — feast or famine. There might be a day or two where we didn’t have any-thing, and then 20 cars drove up.”

The NRO Zipline is the fi rst of its kind in the Bennett Spring area. It was the brainchild of NRO patriarch Bob Burns, who, at 77, took the ride him-self over the summer, Evans said.

It’s not just daredevils that zip at NRO, Evans said. “It’s all walks of life ... We’ve had 80-year-olds here.We’ve had little ones that aren’t quite old enough to go themselves. Our guides will tandem with them so they’re able to join in on the family fun as well.

“If they can fi t in the child-sized harness. They’re obviously not going to make it all the way to the tower be-cause they’re too light. That’s why we have the guide to tandem with them,” she said.

During the season, NRO’s guides went out of their way to try to provide the zip line experience to as many people as possible, including people with disabilities.

Evans almost said no to a woman who is disabled with neurological problem that limits her control of her limbs. “I was nervous for her,” Evans said.

Two guides came down and sat and talked with her about her medical con-dition, then decided she could do it.

“She can do the fi rst two. They won’t allow her to do the last two be-cause they’re faster. She was so excited when she came in on that second run. She was crying, she was laughing, she was just so excited that she was allowed to do that, that they took the time with her to allow her to do that,” Evans said.

That wasn’t the only zip line patron that raised lumps in the throats of the crew in 2012. A young woman who

NRO Zipline enjoys successful fi rst seasonNRO Zipline enjoys successful fi rst season

Just zip it

T

417-532-5861 • Mon-Thurs 8am-10pm • Fri-Sat. 8am-11pm • Sun 9am-9pm • Lebanon, MO

Check Check out our out our

selection selection of Missouri of Missouri

Wines!Wines!

Night Night Crawlers Crawlers available available

year round!year round!

11 miles from park.

Exit 127 • 912 Alexis Ave. • LEBANON417-532-2818

Open Mon. -Sat. 11 am-3 pm • 5 pm-9 pm Closed Sundays

SUSHI • BENTO • CHINESE • AMERICAN

had been in a car accident and is con-fi ned to a wheelchair also came for the experience.

“She had been in an auto accident and she was paralyzed from the waist down,” Evans said. “With the help of her family, help-ing to lift her up and get her hooked up, she actu-ally got to zip as well.

“She said the only thing that made her mad was that she didn’t do things like that before her accident.

“That’s something, that we’re able to be able to provide something like that for someone,” Evans said.

Evans is proud of the gang that operates the zipline. “We have won-derful guides, we really do,” she said. “Chad Payne, Amanda Jennings, Cody Evans, Jonathan Lutz, Dalton Pierce, Logan Bryan — They love it, they really do. All of them take a lot of pride in what they do.”

All the NRO guides have under-gone an intensive three-day training with a Texas-based company, Adven-ture Experience, in order to become certifi ed.

Adventurers are asked to go by a few rules, as outlined on the NRO Zipline web site, in order to zip:

■ You must have at least two people to begin the tour.

■ The minimum weight is 80 pounds. The maximum is 275 pounds.

■ You must wear closed-toed shoes during the tour. No fl ip-fl ops or sandals.

■ All jewelry, watches, accessories and loose articles must be removed. NRO will not be held liable for lost, stolen or damaged items.

■ Anyone with long hair must tie it back.

■ You must follow your guide’s

instructions at all times.■ No cameras are allowed on the

tour.■ Participants must be in good

health with no recent surgeries/proce-dures and cannot be pregnant.

During its fi rst year, the zipline attracted all sorts of people — even,

eventually, Evans herself.“I was very terrifi ed of it, and

everybody kept calling me a chicken, until I was ready to go down myself. Once I did, I went fi ve times in one day. It’s just a lot of fun,” she said.

“We have talked about expanding it a little bit. If it continues to go really well, we would like to add on to it,” Evans said. “They could go to where we stop now for the same price, but if

they wanted a longer zip, it would be more. We would have it fi xed where they would just con-tinue on.”

NRO encour-ages zippers to make a reservation, Evans said. The rate is $40 per person, and groups of eight or more get a $5 discount per person. Reservations may be made by calling (417) 532-0041.

For more informa-tion, visit the NRO Zipline website at www.nrozipline.com.


Historic Route 66Historic Route 66InnInn

Forest ManorForest Manor Motel & RV ParkMotel & RV Park

Come for the RatesCome for the RatesStay for the HospitalityStay for the Hospitality

1307 E.1307 E. Route 66,Route 66,LebanonLebanon(Next to Starlite(Next to Starlite Lanes Bowling)Lanes Bowling)

417-532-6114417-532-6114

17101710W. Elm,W. Elm,LebanonLebanon(Next to Dowd’s(Next to Dowd’s Cat sh & BBQ)Cat sh & BBQ)

417-532-3128417-532-3128

•HBO •Weekly Rates•Cable •Room Service at Your Request•Wireless Internet •We Welcome Truckers (parking available)

American Owned and OperatedAmerican Owned and Operated

NRO OFFICE, CHECK-INNRO OFFICE, CHECK

& COUNTRY STORE& COUNTRY STORE

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner &Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Catering ServiceCatering Service

We can handle groups

of 2 - 2,000 people!people!

Bob, Barbara, Jo171 NRO Road • Lebanon, MO 65536 • 417-532-6333 or 4

Dine on the decks of THE HOLLY HOCK overlooking the Niangua River.

CAMPING • CABINS • CANwww.nroc

417-532-0www.nrozipl

FLYFLY through the SKYSKYonon overover 3000 feet 3000 of PURE ADRENALINE

NRO RIVER OASISNRO RIVER O INC.

ALL THE COMFORTSOF HOME

Choose cabins that sleep up to 18 people.

Fully Furnished. Heat & air conditioning,

BBQ grills and that home feeling that allows

you to rest up for the next days activity.

NRO OFFICE, CHECK-INK-IN

& COUNTRY STORE

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner &Catering Service

people!

hnnie & Missy 417-588-3797 • Reservations Only ~ 1-800-748-7249

NOES • RAFTS • KAYAKScanoe.com

0041line.com

FLY SKYon over 3000 feetfeet ofof PURE ADRENALINEPURE ADRENALINE

NRO RIVER OASISOASIS INC.INC.


he end of the trout season doesn’t mean anglers can’t still enjoy Bennett Spring

State Park. The catch-and-release season,

which runs from the second weekend in November through the second weekend in February, is one of the best times for begin-ner fl y fi shermen (or women) to practice their newfound skills.

“It’s a great time for people to come who are new to fi shing and maybe a little conscious. Sometimes people feel a little uncomfortable when they haven’t done something new before and they don’t want to be around a thousand people that are re-

ally profi cient at anything,” said Ben-nett Spring State Park Concessionaire Jim Rogers.

On the fi rst weekend of the catch and release season, he saw people that

were having a good time laugh-ing and having fun “just catching fi sh,” he said.

While the atmosphere may be a little more relaxed and trout tags are not required, there are still rules to follow. Fishing must be done with a one-hook lure without a spinner, but a fl y rod is not required, which surprises people when they ask about winter fi shing and whether it’s diffi cult to use a fl y rod, Rogers

said.“It’s not really hard (to use a fl y

rod), but you don’t have to use one.

Catch-and-release season is a good time to improve those skills

T

See ‘Winter fi shing’/ page 26


Circle J's Campitheater awaits

Campground offers open mic nights, venues for regional bandsfter a long day on the river, sometimes live mu-sic is the perfect way to end the day.

Every weekend throughout the fl oating sea-son, Circle J Campground, 10221 Missouri 64,

hosts live entertainment at its new Campitheater.According to Justin Miller, who goes by the name

"Tree" in the local music scene, Circle J started the Campitheater in 2012 to provide people in the area with a new entertainment option.

“We wanted people to have something other than just the regular bar scene — to be able to go out see live music, see live bands — but it’s not a big festival or a bar scene. You can feel comfort-able taking your kids,” Tree said.

At about 8 p.m. every Friday, the Campitheater invites all aspiring entertainers to show off their skills for Open Mic Night. Admission is free on Fridays.

“Anybody is welcome to come out and play their instruments, sing and maybe do some comedy as long as it’s clean,” said Tree.

Throughout the summer, Campitheater is also host to many regional bands on Saturday nights.

For Circle J campers, the concerts are an added “perk” that comes included in the camping fee. Non-campers pay a $5 entry for ages 12 and up. Children under 12 are free.

“There’s all kinds of different music at Campitheater — anything from classic rock to country to blues to reg-gae,” Tree said.

Last season, the Campitheater’s first year in opera-tion, Tree said there was a good response from campers from all over the Niangua River. There were even some

regulars that attended several shows. Tree’s goal for this season is to let more

people know about the things happening at Campitheater.

“We’re still trying to get the word out there and really trying to let Lebanon know about it and get

some of the local crowd out there,” Tree said.

For the upcoming season, Circle J has a few big concerts in the works to go along with its regular weekend offer-ings.

A Hillbilly Days Bluegrass Festival is planned for the Saturday of Father’s Day

weekend. If there is a big enough response, the festival

might be expanded to that Friday as well. Details and prices of the all-day bluegrass festival haven’t been fi nalized.

Campitheater also has two shows planned for the year featuring kids entertainment.

When the two new festivals get fi nalized, the infor-mation will be on Circle J’s website, www.circlejcamp-ground.com. For more information, call 532-4430.

A

20725 Hwy W • Lebanon, MOHours: Mon.-Fri. 7AM-3:30PM

Fax: 417-588-8956 Phone: 417-588-1082

Serving the Boat IndustryServing the Boat Industry& the Boat& the BoatOwner SinceOwner Since19931993

27823 Marigold Drive • Lebanon, MO 65536417.532.2878

www.riverwoodresortmo.com

R•E•S•O•R•TR•E•S•O•R•T

Only 1 mile from Bennett Spring State Park, Right on

the Niangua River

• Fly Fishing • Family Outings• Float Trips • Hiking / Nature Trails

• Honeymoon / Anniversary &Special Occasions • Conferences

Luxury AccommodationsOpenYear Round

23 Miles West on Hwy 64 Right on T Hwy 9 miles Left on E Hwy 1 mile on Left

Meadowview Dutch Market

• Seasonal Fresh Produce & Flowers

• Discounted Groceries• Deli Meat & Cheese

• Homemade Sandwiches• Bulk Spices• Bulk Candy

Now Accepting Credit, Debit Cards & EBT

Discount & Surplus GroceriesPrices Subject to Stock on Hand

417-993-3017Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 8-5 pmFri. 8-6 pm • Sat. 8-5 pm

Welcome to Our Community

“God’s Gift To Us Is Life. What We

Do With It Is Our Gift To Him”

1

32

1

5

6

4

Experience Life in the “Past” Lane!

Directions: West on Hwy 64, 10 Miles past Bennett Spring Park.Turn right on Hwy T, then on YY to Store. Follow signs.

Open: 10:00am to 5:00pm

Closed Sunday

Books on Country Living &Mennonite Life and History

•Dry Goods •Gifts •Housewares•Kitchenwares •Handmade Toys•Handmade Soaps & Lotions•Candles & More•Homemade Ice Cream (Seasonal)The Leadmine

Restaurant is lled with good

old-fashionedhome cooking, homemade breads, buns and pies. Open 11am-2:30pm Monday-Saturday. Closed January-February.

51 Sunset Drive • Tunas, MO• Closed Sundays

Country LaneCountry Lane FurnitureFurniture

•Roll Top Desks•Solid Oak Bedroom Suites•Dining Sets •Hutches •Rockers •Cedar Chests •Cedar Toys

•Seasonal Greenhouse

•Picnic Tables•Gliders•Flower Boxes•Gazebos•Too Many To List

Leadmine64 to T Hwy to School Rd.

HandcraftedHandcraftedQuality Lawn CraftsQuality Lawn Crafts

Country View Woodworks

Quality Lawn CraftsQuality Lawn Crafts

“Feeding Your Family Better”

Arlin Miller • Mary Ann Miller • ProprietorsHwy 73, Bu alo, MO 65622

Local ProduceLocal Produce In SeasonIn Season

Bulk & NaturalBulk & Natural FoodsFoods

Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8:30-5:30 • (417) 345-5100 • Fax (417) 345-5115

•Baking Supplies•Organic Grains•Cereals•Wheat/Gluten Free Products•Pastas•Dried Fruits•Nuts•Candies - Reg. & Sugar Free

•Beans & Soup Mixes•Rada Cutlery & Soy Candles•Sugar Free Products•Frozen Doughs•Frozen Fruits & Vegetables•Snacks•Housewares/Cookbooks•Coffee/Teas

•Cheeses•Pennsylvania Dutch Meats•Christian Story Books•Spices/Seasonings/Cures•Local Homegrown Fruits & Vegetables in Season•NOW Nutrition Products

23

4

5


From page 22You can use spinning rods and/or fl y rods,” Rogers said.

Anglers are required to have a Mis-souri fi shing license and a trout permit, which allows them to fi sh in any stream in Missouri, including the park.

“They don’t have to check in, they don’t have to do anything, just show up anytime between 8 (a.m.) and 4 (p.m.) and release the fi sh that they catch and have a

good time,” Rogers said.The number of visitors fi shing during

the fi rst weekend of the catch-and-release season follows that of the regular season. Record high temperatures stopped some people from enjoying the park in the sum-mer of 2012, but overall, the season was good, according to Rogers.How’s the fi shing?

“The fi shing is great. I’ve never heard so many compliments from fi shermen,

and I’ve been here for 30 years, the num-ber of fi sh in the stream and the size of them has just really been good,” Rogers said.

He said one post-season morning he noticed about 50 trout behind some an-glers that had waded out into the spring area.

“It’s kind of funny, but it’s not funny. When they’re not complaining, it must be really good,” Rogers said.

And people appear to be wanting to keep their luck a secret. When he has asked anglers how the fi shing is, people pull him to the side and tell him — almost in a hushed voice as if wanting to not let the secret out — “it’s really good.”

He reminds anglers that although the new hatchery is open, construction is continuing, as the raceways and the old hatchery building are being renovated.

Anglers can fi sh from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mon-days during the catch and release season. Rogers said the Bennett Spring State Park Store also is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on those days.

The park staff also uses the slower-paced season to remodel the cabins with new furniture, new carpet and pictures. Equipment, such as new fl at screen televi-sions and the satellite system, are also being upgraded during the 2012-2013 winter season.

Rogers said the goal is to have the rooms fi nished before the coldest days of winter arrive and before March 1.

But if anyone is hoping to be the fi rst to sleep on a new bed and hasn’t made a reservation for that weekend yet, it’s too late. All 65 rooms, which includes the motel and lodges, are already booked up for the opening weekend.

“If we could take reservations 10 years ahead, they’d probably fi ll that week-end up. It’s such a sentimental, reunion, nostalgic time. They fi sh, but that doesn’t seem to be the big draw. So many of them have done it for three and four genera-tions, it’s like a big party, big get-together,” Rogers said.

Reservations can be made a year in advance, so anyone wanting to make a reservation for the 2014 opening weekend can do so on March 1, 2013.

For more information or to make reservations, call (417) 532-4307 or 1-800-334-6946.

Winter fi shing opportunities await at Bennett Spring

Photo Center

Bakery

Deli

Portrait StudioPharmacy

Tire & Lube Express

Vision Center

Camping

Wireless Center

Salon

Money Center

Vacation Made Affordable

1800 S. Jeff erson Ave. • 588-2268Open 24 Hours

Only 12 miles from Bennett

Spring State Park


From Page 17Nine-year-old T.J. was more interested in experiencing

Kid’s Fishing than talking about it, but he did take a quick break.

“It’s fun,” he said. “I think it is awesome.”The Schumemans had not caught any fi sh as of 8:30 a.m.,

but they were determined to keep trying.Upstream, Mindy Schmitz of Raymore was watching her

youngsters try their hands at fi shing.“It has been a lot of fun,” she said. “We’ve been down

here a lot of times over the years, but never for this event. The kids are really excited and hope they catch something, but they are also excited about all of the exhibits and activi-ties this afternoon. They have a huge bag of fi sh food and are pretty excited about that. They love to feed the fi sh.”

Schmitz was glad that Bennett Spring State Park pro-motes getting kids into the outdoors — as well promoting of a life lesson or two.

“I think it is great because fi shing involves patience,” she said. “I think kids sometimes don’t get too interested in it, but they really stock this area so well, and they give away so many things. I think it just wants the kids to be here more, which is really cool… We were just hoping this would be a good experience for them, and this being the fi rst time, I hope we catch some fi sh.”

The free event, which is open each year to kids ages 15 and younger, is held each May at Bennett Spring State Park.

CA

M P G R O U ND

10221 Hwy. 64 • 417-532-4430 c i r c l e j c a m p g r o u n d . c o m

Open YearRound

• RV Sites• Cabins • Camping• Firewood • 2 Pools• 20 Years Experience in RV Repair

• Home Cooking• Mouth Watering BBQ• Homemade Desserts• Locally Grown Beef• Open All Year• Free WIFI

Circle J Cafe’ 417-533-5131

RV Repair Here or WeCan Come to You! 417-532-4430

• Live Music on Weekends• Local Acts• Fun for the Whole Family• All Talent Welcome

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: CamphitheaterCamphitheater at Bennett Spring


Once you get off the river ...

housands of people fl ock to the Niangua River expecting a good place to swim, fl oat and fi sh, but they might be surprised to fi nd

that it’s also a place where they can hear some live local music.

“People like that night entertainment after they get off the river,” said Brian Wilson, owner of One Eyed Willy’s campground and canoe rental, 372 Corkery Road. “It gives them a little bit more than fl oating and coming back and sitting around their campfi re to do on a Saturday night.”

From Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend (the peak canoeing season), One Eye Willy’s hosts free live

music from local bands or karaoke every Saturday night. Karaoke usu-ally starts from 6 to 7 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m. Bands usu-ally perform from 7 to 11 p.m.

“We do both of them, either karaoke or the bands, right there on the river bank on the gravel bar,” Wilson said.

One popular local band that performed multiple times over the summer was Naturally Blended, a reggae/rock band. Wilson said a wide variety of regional

bands per-formed on the gravel bar, some of which have drawn in several fans who weren’t even camp-ing at One Eyed Willy’s.

“Some people just drive down for the entertainment,”

Wilson said.While some people like to be

entertained, others want to be the entertainment themselves. Wilson said karaoke also brings in a “big crowd” to the gravel bar.

“They really like karaoke because they can get involved,” he said.

One Eyed Willy's offers weekend entertainment during the fl oating season

T

See ‘One Eyed Willy's’/ page 37

Contact us at:P.O. Box 505

Lebanon, MO 65536417-533-5627

[email protected]@LebanonREDI.com

Lebanon’s Superior Lodging Family.

•Newly Remoldeled•Free Hot Breakfast

•Indoor Pool•100% Non-Smoking•Ask for I-44 Discount

Exit 1271955 W. Elm

Lebanon, MO 65536417-532-1111

[email protected]

Pride of Super 8

Quality Award

Winner

•SuperStart Breakfast •Truck Parking •Outdoor Pool

•Wireless Internet•Corporate Lodging

Exit 1271831 W. Elm

Lebanon, MO 65536417-588-2574

Exit 127930 Ivey Lane

Lebanon, MO 65536417-533-3100

•Free on the HouseHot Breakfast

•Exercise Facility•Outdoor Pool

•Free High Speed Internet•Meeting Room


The Bennett Spring-Lebanon area offers YMCA, GreatLife facilitiesWant to go golfing or get a quick

workout while in the Bennett Spring area? If you are a member of GreatLife Golf and Fitness or the YMCA, you are in luck.

GreatLife Golf and FitnessMembers can take a break from cast-

ing their fi shing lines and grab their golf clubs and try 18 holes of championship golf, or break a sweat in the state-of-the-art fi tness facility.

A fixture in the Lebanon commu-nity for more than 60 years, GreatLife Golf and Fitness of Lebanon is located two miles west of Lebanon and nine miles east of Bennett Spring State Park on Mo. 64.

Memberships at GreatLife in-cludes access to all GreatLife facilities, wheth-er you’re from Springfi eld, Kan-sas City, Topeka, Kan. or elsewhere.

Non-members are also welcome to try out the course and can even book a free round of golf in advance by visiting the course’s website, www.lebanonmissourigolf.com.

Formerly known as Lebanon Com-munity Golf and Country Club, Leb-anon's GreatLife Golf and Fitness is a semi-private, 18-hole championship golf course two miles west of Lebanon and nine miles east of Bennett Spring State Park on Mo. 64.

For the last 60 years, the course has provided a challenging golf experi-ence for players of all abilities and is open year round with the exceptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, weather permitting.

In recent years, the course has under-gone a makeover that not only includes the new name, but new membership rates and a fi tness center.

The course features a driving range, putting green, and chipping green with three sets of tees stretching to 6,435 yards. Gently rolling hills offer a track

that affords elevation changes, large contoured greens, water hazards, a large “sinkhole” on the par-3 16th hole, and numerous options in shot selection on the par-4s and par-5s.

The par-4, fourth hole presents an opportunity to cut a 90-degree dogleg left over trees with your drive to pos-sibly reach the green or play it as a conventional par-4. The ninth and 18th holes share a huge green divided by a large bunker that can make for some interesting, lengthy putts. With a mix of tight, tree-lined fairways and some that are more forgiving, the course defi nitely presents a variety of play.

The clubhouse features a snack bar and gives

golfers an oppor-tunity to relax, and the grounds a lso feature a swimming pool and tennis courts.

The state-of-the-art fit-ness center is open 24/7 to all

members and includes cardio, free weights and circuit train-

ing. There are certifi ed instruc-tors that provide a variety of fi tness

classes, including spinning and zumba, and a certified massage therapist is available by appointment.

GreatLife offers memberships (single, couple or family) for $29 per month. More information is available at www.lebanonmissourigolf.com or by calling the club at (417) 532-2901.

Lebanon Family YMCAWant to get a little exercise, play some

basketball or go for a swim during your time in the Lebanon area?

YMCA members in other locales can use the Lebanon YMCA facilities, which are growing and offering a host of new activities.

Located in the Kenneth E. Cowan Civic Center, the Lebanon YMCA fea-tures an indoor pool, basketball court, and fi tness center which features cardio equipment, including fi ve treadmills, and free weights for every muscle group.

And, memberships reciprocate,

meaning YMCA members can use their “Away” pass and join the privileges of a YMCA member in any of the Ozark Regional YMCAs.

Non-members may purchase a day pass.

The YMCA offers a wide variety of youth activities, including youth base-ball, youth tumbling, youth 3-on-3 bas-ketball tournaments, basketball leagues and a host of other activities.

Adults can chose

f ro m a d u l t b a s k e t b a l l ,

adult fl ag football and volleyball, and health and well-ness classes, in-

cluding yoga and specialty wellness

classes. The Y offers adult flag

football, men’s basketball, co-ed vol-leyball, youth sports, Kids’ Night Out, Teen Dance Night, swimming lessons, childcare and a wide array of other activities.

The monthly rate for an adult joining the YMCA is $33 with a $50 joiner fee. A family membership is $49 per month, a youth membership is $17 per month, seniors and college students pay $25 per month, and senior couples may join for $37.50 per month.

Among the many services the YMCA provides is Summer Day Camp and Camp W.

The Y offers childcare for parents who work during the day and need a safe and fun place for their kids to go during the day. The Summer Day Camp is for chil-dren entering grades K-6 in the fall.

Camp Wakonda offers a week-long camp experience for kids entering grades 2-9. Campers learn about them-selves, the environment and gain new skills.

During the summer months, Leba-non-area residents can enjoy the Boswell

See ‘Facilities’/ page 33


Camping used to mean you were roughing it, but now, with wireless Inter-net, roughing it has become a little less rough.

Over the summer of 2012, free WiFi was installed at 11 Missouri state parks, in-cluding Bennett Spring State Park. A WiFi hotspot has been set up at the Bennett Spring Dining Lodge for some time, but now campers can enjoy wireless Internet at all 190 camping sites in the park.

“It’s one of those services that people have come to expect. We’ve had some people say they appreciate having it,” said Park Superintendent J.D. Muschany.

Several WiFi antennas were erected around the park last spring. The coverage should work at all the campsites, but Mus-chany pointed out that WiFi can be fi ckle.

“It doesn’t hit every campsite all the time because of leaves and winds and whatever, but it’s hitting a lot of it. We’ve got a lot of antennas up,” Muschany said. The WiFi is provided at no cost to the campers.

The idea of providing Internet came from a survey of campers conducted in 2010.

Participants indicated that if WiFi were provided to them, they might extend their stays at Missouri’s parks.

“We’re trying to get them to stay longer and be with us a day or two more. If it helps them do that, then it helps us,” Muschany said.

WiFi is also available at Montauk State Park, Roaring River State Park, Table Rock State Park, Meramec State Park, Sam. A. Baker State Park, Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, Onondaga Cave State Park, Long Branch State Park and Finger Lakes State Park.

WiFi comes to campsites

Hidden Valley OutfittersFAMILY ORIENTED RV PARK / CAMPGROUND & FLOAT SERVICE

website: hvoutfitters.comemail: [email protected]: 417-533-5628Twitter: hv_outfitters

27101 Marigold DriveLebanon, MO 65536Like us on Facebook

at HiddenValleyOutfitters

Located at the Niangua River Bridge on Hwy. 64,across from lower entrance to Bennett Spring.

Always Float to Your Car

or Campsite!

Permanent

RV Sites

Are Coming!

Packages

Available!


From page 5A leisurely walk along the shaded

Stream Trail reveals a stunning view of the clear spring waters. Fitness enthusiasts can opt to brave the rig-orous seven-mile hike to the Natural Tunnel, while l e s s - d e t e r -mined hikers may tread the two-mile Sa-vanna Ridge Trai l , which winds through the woods and a t o p b l u f f s o v e r l o o k i n g t h e p i c t u r -esque Ozark mountains.

Nature walks guided by park naturalists at the Nature Interpretive Center guarantee an authentic out-door experience. The nature center also houses exhibits explaining the history of the spring and describing

the natural environment of the park. A variety of free and interesting pre-sentations and programs are available throughout the year.

B e n n e t t S p r i n g ' s most popular attrac-

tion is the f i s h i n g . Although the ra in-bow trout is not na-t i v e t o Missouri, it has be-come the state's most popular sport fish since its introduction to the area.

U n -t i l they are large enough to be re -leased into the spring branch, the trout are raised at the hatch-ery in the park. The regular trout season extends from the be-ginning of March to the end of October.

In November, the "catch-and-release" period begins and continues on Fri -days, Saturdays and Sundays through February. Year-round the rainbow trout beckon fisherman from the Midwest and beyond.

Although Bennett Spring State

Park is most widely known for its fishing, its other amenities are readily available to those living within a day's

drive. When lo-cal swimming pools become overcrowded, the park's im-pressive swim-ming pool can s e r v e a s a n ideal a l terna-tive. When din-ner at the same old restaurants

seems unappetizing, the park's din-ing lodge can impress dinner guests with its "down home" cooking. When

the town's event calendar is less than full, Bennett Spring area outfit-ters can provide thrilling float trips on the Niangua River.

A day trip to the nearby state park is also inex-pensive and fun.

Bennett Spring State Park is Leb-anon's very own Oz. Lebanon na-tives' search for their hearts' de-sire need not go any farther than

their own backyard, Bennett Spring State Park. There truly is no place like home.

Something for everyone at Bennett

11937 Highway 64 • Lebanon, MO417-588-4334

For All YourFor All Your

Fly Fishing NeedsFly Fishing Needs•Casting Lessons•Equipment•Clothing•Advice•Over 2000 Book Titles

Try Before You Buy!Try Before You Buy!Sensational Food!

Kitchen Tested. Family Approved.

BBQ & SteakhouseOllie’s

BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNERHomemade Pies • Brisket • Ribs • Steaks • Prime Rib

• Rainbow Trout • Talapia • Seafood • The Best Sandwiches in the Area! • Catering Available

588-8828 HOURS:

Closed Tuesdays after Labor Day.

Located on Hwy. 64 between Lebanon & Bennett Spring State Park


Aquatic Center. Located in Boswell Park, the Boswell Aquatic Center (BAC) opens for the summer at the end of May. YMCA members have free access to the BAC all summer.

Non-members are also welcome to enjoy the pool, which features twisty and speed slides, two diving boards, a lily pad crossing that has a hand ladder above it, three floating characters for kids to climb on and a kiddy pool. Snacks and drinks are available at the pool’s concession stand.

The pool is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Admission to the pool is free for all YMCA mem-bers.

For non-members, entry is $3 for ages 13 and up, $2

for ages 4 to 12 and free for children ages 3 and under. Season passes also can be purchased for $70 for one person or $175 for a family.

Swimming lessons are $15 for YMCA members and $40 for non-members.

Private lessons are also available by appointment at a rate of $75 for members and $100 for non-members.

The YMCA also gives free memberships for foster children and families of deployed military personnel. The Y believes no one should be denied programs or services due to an inability to pay.

Financial assistance is available to those who qual-ify.

For information on the Lebanon Family YMCA, call (417) 588-1177 or visit the website, www.orymca.org.

Facilities from page 30

3 BUILDINGS OFAntiquesCelebrating 39 Years!

HAYBARN ANTIQUES1776 N. Maple, 1 mile North out of the Buffalo Sq.

417-880-0602 • Closed Saturdays

Dutch’s Antique ParlorOver 107 Booths

Antiques • Old Toys Pet Apparel • Tools

Motorcycle Wear

We Buy Estates

25999 N. Hwy 5, Lebanon

OPEN M, W, Th 10-5F, Sat. 10-6

Sun. 1-4

5,000 sq. feet of the best antiques and primitives in the area

•Rt. 66 Memorabilia•Open year round 10-5 every day

417-532-7082I-44 Exit 123, 5 miles West of Lebanon

Route 66 Antique Mall

Explore Yesterdays Treasures Today...

Over 90 booths offering a wide variety of quality antiques and

unique household items including shabby chic.

1440 W. Elm St. 417-532-2006


From page 15The restaurant offers a different burger

special every day, Glendenning said. “It’s six bucks for a burger, fries and a pop. You can’t fi nd that anywhere,” he said.

The Gravel Bar and Grill ended its fi rst trout fi shing season as a success, Glenden-ning said.

“Our busiest nights last summer were Friday and Saturday, Saturday night was the busiest. People would come off the river,

they don’t want to cook, they’d show up, get burgers and appetizers or pizza — we do lots of to-go pizzas. I’d put it up against anybody’s,” he said.

Now, with visitors to the tourist area around Bennett Spring State Park more of a trickle than a fl ood, the restaurant is closing during the week.

“We’re experimenting being open on the weekends all the time. We’re always open the weekend that’s the opening of

deer season,” Glendenning said. “Fridays and Saturdays are pretty good. Sunday’s the day we’re not sure about yet.”

And when the fishing crowd comes back in March, the Gravel Bar and Grill will be ready to welcome them, Glenden-ning said.

A partial menu is available at the Sand Spring website at www.sandspringresort.com/restaurant.htm. For more information, call the restaurant at (417) 532-5837.

Gravel Bar & Grill

850S. Jefferson Ave.

25416Granite Ln.

#1 Authentic

699 S. Monroe • Lebanon532-0087

Mon-Thurs 11-9 • Fri 11-10Sat 11-9:30 • Sun 11-8:30

Voted Lebanon’s

The Best Mexican FoodTHIS SIDE OF THE BORDER

Where Everything is Authentic Except the Water:

1679 S. Jefferson • 532-5865Mon-Thurs 11-9 • Fri-Sat 11-10 • Sun 11-8

Mexican Cuisine • Steaks • Daiquiris• Margaritas • Beer & Wine • Banquet Room

“GET N ,R DONE TO YUR LIKEN”

221 Evergreen Pkwy. • (417) 532-3519Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm • Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm

www.tsrednecksteakhouse.com

✓Stock Yards® Choice Beef✓Hickory Smoked Meats✓Smoked In-House✓Fresh Baked Bread✓Freshly Prepared Sauces & Salads✓Lunch & Call Ahead Orders✓Full Service Bar

&Distillery

Fresh Homemade Cooking

417-991-3838 • 1125 MILLCREEKMon-Th. 6:30am - 8pm • Fri 6:30am - 9:00pm • Sat 6:30am - 8pm • Sun 6:30am - 2:30pm

NewAll You Can Eat Buffet

We hope that you enjoy our town as much as we do! And while you’re here, grab a

bite to eat at one of these fine restaurants!

DINING GUIDE

23 PETE’S PLACE AT ONE-EYED WILLY’S

24 READINGS FLY SHOP

25 MACCREED’S ART GALLERY

26 REDBEARD’S RANCH

27 RIVERFRONT CAMPGROUND & CANOES

28 RIVERWOOD RESORT

29 SAND SPRING RESORT

30 SPRINGVIEW FLY SHOP / ORVIS MOTEL

31 THOMPSON’S RV PARK

32 WEAVER’S CAMPGROUND & MOBILE HOME PARK

33 VOGEL’S HOMESTEAD RESORT

24

28

29

30


hand-knit items made of soft alpaca yarn.Stay at a comfortable national chain hotel, a family-

owned motel, a neon-lit Route 66 landmark or a charming bed & breakfast. What-ever lodging you choose, you can count on Lebanon’s famous, friendly hospitality. You won’t go hungry when you visit. Whether you’re into Ozark BBQ, pizza, ethnic offer-ings, down-home comfort food or upscale cuisine, we have you covered.

Come experience Lebanon’s fun, friendliness, character and diversity. You’ll enjoy the visit and you’ll be glad you came. For more information, please contact the city of Leba-non Tourism Department toll free at (866) LEBANON, or visit the website at www.lebanonmo.org.

Lebanon from page 13

Wilson reminded potential audiences that the shows are meant for a family audience. He said that adults are welcome to bring their children to the performances.

If the audience gets hungry during one of One Eyed Willy’s Saturday night concerts, there is also a concession stand parked on the gravel bar. Everything from pulled pork sandwiches

to cheeseburgers are available for purchase.

“ T h e y d o n ’ t have to pack a bunch of stuff and br ing i t down. They can eat at the concession stand if they don’t want to cook,” Wilson said.

One Eyed Willy’s also hosts horseshoe and beanbag toss tournaments throughout the summer.

“We just try to provide a little variety of entertainment for people to do after they get off the river,” Wilson said.

For more information about the concerts and entertain-ment at One Eyed Willy’s, visit oneeyedwillys.com or call (417) 993-2628.

One Eyed Willy'sfrom page 28

Enjoy Quiet Family AtmosphereEnjoy Quiet Family Atmosphere

Larry’sCedar Resort

Cabins with kitchens • Condos • Sleeping Units • All Electric • A/C & TV

NO PETS, NO EXCEPTIONS

WelcomeWelcome fromfrom

Larry & Kay PeaceLarry & Kay Peace

For Reservations Call (417) 532-2356 25976 State Hwy 64A • Lebanon, MO

1/4 Mile from Trout Fishing, Dining Lodge, Fish Hatchery & Public PoolOFFICE HOURS: 8:00 A.M.-7:00 P.M.

MAKE YOURMAKE YOUR ESCAPE TO THEGreat OutdoorsGreat Outdoors

LODGINGLODGING

OPENOPENYEARYEAR

ROUND!ROUND!

FishingFishing

RV Spots & CampingRV Spots & Camping

Hotel & Indoor Pool

Float TripsFloat Trips

www.sandspringresort.com1996 Highway 64 • 417-532-7291

1-800-543-34741-800-543-3474

• Full RV Hookups• Camping• Cabins• Pool• Cafe• General Store• Laundry Room• Showers• Dog Run• Horseshoe Pits• Hiking Trails• Float Trips• Live Music• Chuckwagon Dinners

The Perfect Family Getaway.

Located just 2 miles west of the Niangua

River.

Reconnectwith family

while relaxing.

417-588-1631www.wildoakscampground.com

1818 State Highway 64 • Lebanon, MO

Catching Comfort Since 1995!

• All Kitchen Equipped Suites Starting at $49.00 • 4th Night FREE!• Satellite TV in Bedrooms/Living Room • Phones • Playground

Bennett SpringBennett Spring I•N•NI•N•N417-588-9110 or 800-IS-TROUT

www.bennettspringinn.com • Adjacent to Bennett Spring State Park

Bennett Spring State Park RestaurantBennett Spring State Park Restaurant

You Catch It & Clean It,We’ll Cook It!

See What We Have Cooking For You!See What We Have Cooking For You!

Open 7 Days A Week • March Hours 7AM- 7PMOpen 7 Days A Week • March Hours 7AM- 7PMBreakfast Buff et Saturday & Sunday 7AM - 11AM • Friday Night Buff et 5PM - 8:30PMBreakfast Buff et Saturday & Sunday 7AM - 11AM • Friday Night Buff et 5PM - 8:30PM

26248 Hwy 64 A • Lebanon, MO26248 Hwy 64 A • Lebanon, MO •• 417-532-4547417-532-4547

FULL BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNERFULL BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER FOR DESSERTFOR DESSERT

Homemade PiesHomemade Pies

FreeFreeWiFiWiFi

Documents

Welcome to Bennett Spring