By James L. Cloward
As of Friday, February 18, 2011, nine people had attempted the Route 66 challenge at Cookin’ From Scratch in Doolittle. Out of those nine, all had fallen short of completing the massive meal.

Consisting of a 66oz. cheeseburger complete with onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato, cheese and a bountiful bun, this behemoth burger was also served with 1 ½ pounds of french fries! That brings the total to over 5 ½ pounds of gut-busting grub!

It was beginning to seem like a futile feat. Then came 6 foot 5 inch, 235 pound “professional eater” Randy Santel from Kansas. The 24 year old body-modification expert began training to take on the challenge. Santel prepared the night before the challenge by eating 10 ½ pounds of watermelon and drinking ½ gallon of water. His last full meal was lunch the day prior to the challenge.

“This is not something you just roll out of bed one day and decide to take on. It takes some real preparation.” advises Santel.
Santel entered the restaurant to the applause of a true athlete. Towering above the patrons, he carried his gym bag and specially-made stool with him to the “arena,” a raised stage in the back of the restaurant.

After signing some autographs, a radio interview and photo-ops, Santel got his game face on awaited the arrival of the bounty of food. He put on headphones to help him “get in the zone.” What pumps him up? “I love listening to ‘Party in the USA’ by Miley Cyrus. My MP3 player even has Hannah Montana on it!”

Finally, the large lunch arrived on a metal pizza tray and was placed in front of the pro. Turning his cap back, he dove in thus starting the 66 minute countdown of the clock. Santel began by tearing the huge hunk of beef into more manageable sized bites. After approximately 10 minutes, all of the beef was devoured. Another 10 minutes and all that separated Santel from victory was a mound of fries. Balling the fries in his fists he popped the potatoes into his mouth in true pro-eater fashion.

After only 26 minutes, Santel took his final swallow becoming the first person to successfully complete the Cookin’ From Scratch Route 66 Challenge. Besides bragging rights, Santel received his meal for free (if you don’t complete the meal, it costs a cool $36.99), a T-Shirt and a certificate of completion.
“I’m thinking about trying one of those cinnamon rolls!” Santel quipped after devouring the dinner.

Randy Santel’s family traveled with him to witness this event which Randy called “one of the bigger challenges I’ve faced yet.” Mom Kathy reveals, “When he was a baby, I used to break his peas in half because I thought they were just too big for him to handle! My, how things have changed!”

Santel, a former offensive lineman for the SMS Bears football team, recently won the Men’s Health Magazine competition to transform into “gladiator” shape in 3 months. Santel joined the competition late, and after just two months lost 25 pounds and added some serious muscle. He won the competition and was flown to Auckland, New Zealand for a role on the cable TV show Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.

His future plans include taking on all food challenges on the Kansas City-side of Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas. On his television future, “I’m open to new ideas or roles,” Santel says.

This was Santel’s 36th food competition win. He is booked out for the next 2 months and is planning “something big” for challenge number fifty. “I’m hoping by then I’ve gotten my name out there enough and it will get a lot of attraction.” Santel currently works as a concrete estimator and competes on the side.
Randy says the best way to learn more about himself and his sport, look him up on Facebook or on an internet search engine. “I love getting feedback from my fans!”

by Christopher Stryker
There are two people in the car. With seemingly reckless abandon, the driver slides around corners and jumps hills at such extreme speeds that he doesn’t have time to react without knowing what lies ahead. With nerves of steel and absolute trust in the driver, the co-driver recites written “pace notes” handed to him only shortly before the race. “Left 50 right 180 flat-over-crest yump hard-right-don’t-cut…” He speaks a language foreign to most, but imperative for safe transit of the course.
You may not know it, but rock spraying, adrenaline pumping, high-horsepower machines are invading the Ozarks on February 25 and 26. The 100 Acre Wood Rally is coming. Don’t let its sweet and innocent name deceive you; it may be named after Winnie The Pooh, but this isn’t a convention for cute and cuddly creatures. This is raw horsepower and edge-of-your-seat action.

In addition to a drastically changed stage route, for the first time in half a decade, there will be a new champion. Ken Block, the five time consecutive winner of the 100 Acre Wood, is pursuing the World Rally Championship this year, a competing series based primarily in Europe, leaving the top spot on the podium open for some new talent.
So who is favored to lead at this year’s rally? Canadian Antoine L’Estage, the 2010 Rally America Champion, is favored by many, but will face stiff competition from David Higgins, who travels all the way from Trefeglwys, Mid Wales to compete. Then, of course, there’s BMX and action sports legend Dave Mirra. Mirra is coming off  a second place overall finish at Sno*Drift, the first stop on the Rally America series, which occurred last month.

But let’s not forget Travis Hanson; despite competing in the less powerful Super Production Class, he was the overall winner at Sno*Drift. In fact, he won by nearly four full minutes, an eternity when considering the raw power of the Open Class machines he was competing against. The time separating second and third was a mere 5.2 seconds. He is the first driver in history to net an overall win while running in the Super Production Class.

There will be approximately 50 competitors, from all over the nation (and even some from other continents), but at least a few of those are relative locals. Take Kim DeMotte of Webster Groves, for example. He is a long-time supporter and organizer of the 100 Acre Wood Rally, entering the field this year in a vintage 1972 Datsun 510. There’s also John and Mark Huebbe, twin brothers from St. Louis, also active rally organizers, who will be competing in their 1970 Volkswagen Beetle.

Extrapolating from a 2009 survey, more than 300 people will volunteer, and hundreds of spectators will come from across the nation. The teams will impact the Salem economy alone by nearly a quarter of a million dollars, not to mention the surrounding areas. And that doesn’t include the revenue from the spectators. Nearly 80 percent of these people will travel more than 500 miles to attend. Suffice it to say, the rally is a big deal for the local economy.

But what is this rally stuff, anyway? Simply put: “Real cars, real roads, really fast.”

Sections of road are closed to the general public and turned into “Special Stages,” where modified cars drive at maximum speed from one end of the course to the other. They do this timed, one car at a time, generally starting at one minute intervals, in order to avoid wheel-to-wheel action which would make the series even more dangerous. During their passage they must pay strict attention to the road conditions; they must watch for rocks, trees, pot-holes, jumps, and even the occasional wild animal.

They must also pass through sections of open, public road to get from one stage to another. This is referred to as a “transit.” During this time, they must obey and follow all traffic rules. As a result of this, all cars competing are completely street legal, and must pass inspection just like your family sedan.

Cars are grouped into separate categories or “classes” based on their performance expectations. For example, all-wheel-drive cars do not compete directly with two-wheel-drive cars, and cars with turbochargers do not compete directly with those not having them.

At the national level there are five distinct classes. The podium finishers are generally in the Open Class, which are the fastest and nastiest of the competitors. The production based classes are generally somewhat slower, with fewer allowable modifications. That being said, there can be surprises such as Hanson’s win at Sno*Drift.

What do you need to know if you want to witness some of this high-speed action yourself? First and foremost, be safe. For your safety, and the safety of the competitors, it is imperative that you follow the rules and watch only from approved spectator areas. For a list of these areas, visit http://www.100AW.org and check out the “Spectating” menu.
While at the spectator area, pay careful attention to the stage marshals, who will be making sure that spectators are safe and that they don’t cause any hazards that would cause the stage to be canceled. (They will cancel a stage if the crowd becomes unruly or unsafe. Don’t think for a second that they won’t.) Don’t stand anywhere that you don’t have a quick escape route, and always anticipate the unexpected.

What should you take to the stage with you? The short list includes water, snacks, comfortable shoes, and a camera. If it’s particularly dry and dusty, a face mask won’t hurt either. Expect about an hour’s worth of action, and be sure to arrive early. It’s not unheard of to have to walk for nearly a mile just to make it to the course from where you parked if you arrive late.

It’s hard to imagine a sport more extreme than stage rally. Real, production-based cars, flying down gravel roads, sometimes in excess of 100 miles-per-hour. Navigating corners completely blind, putting their complete faith in a navigator who is reading from notes they’ve had only a brief amount of time to study. It’s tense. It’s nerve-racking. It’s the ultimate adrenaline rush. It’s rally.

By Michele Broxton
There’s a very cool energy moving through Salem right now – have you noticed it?  Storefronts are being revitalized, parking lots have more cars, and new businesses are moving in.  That’s right! New businesses are moving into Salem!  Stay tuned to the Kaleidoscope for more details about these businesses and others still in the works!

Energize your career!

MERS Goodwill, a statewide organization that offers training and job programs, is set to open their doors on or about March 1, 2011. “We look forward to providing employment and training opportunities to eligible individuals in the community with barriers to employment, so that they may work and live more independently.” said Valerie Gaines, Regional MWA Program Coordinator. MERS Goodwill will be located in the EastSide Plaza shopping center in Salem on Hwy 72/32 in the new Eastside Village, newly constructed mini-offices and retail spaces that provide a “plug and play” approach to small business space rental.  “The Eastside Village project is a great opportunity for small business owners to provide a professional presence with affordable rent and utilities,” said Michele Broxton, project manager. “We are really excited to offer this as our own way of saying ‘thank you’ to Dent County and hope to encourage people to take a chance on their dream with reasonable prices and a very cool location.  We have two more spaces available right now, so folks can just call me (877)608-4563 and I’ll be happy to help.”  This project is proudly providing jobs to local contractors.

Spruce up your home!

Another new addition to Eastside Plaza (across from Country Mart in Salem) is Crowley’s Home Works.   Crowley’s Home Works offers quality furniture, floor covering and appliances and has locations in Houston and Mountain Grove, Missouri.  “We are really excited to open the store in Salem,” said Laura Crowley.  Crowley’s Home Works is scheduled to open in the Spring/Early Summer 2011.  This project is proudly providing jobs to local contractors.

Got Laundry?

Salem Coin Op Laundry is scheduled to open its doors on April 1 and it will offer some really special services to the Salem community.  We caught up with Michael McClusky at Pizza Inn in Salem.  “We’re here celebrating with our family and parents,” said McClusky.  The McClusky family is local to the area and lives in Edgar Springs.  “The coin operated laundry facility was a recognized need in the City of Salem, and we are tremendously excited to provide a clean, safe, laundry facility to the community. “  In addition to cameras monitoring the building interior and parking lot, the Laundromat will be attended in the evenings and on weekends.  “We are thrilled to offer top of the line, efficient front loader machines,” said McClusky. “Customers will have 24 washing machines and 24 dryers, ranging from 2 baskets to 6 baskets of laundry capacity each.  Plus, we have a special drain system for our heavier duty machines that will be used for horse blankets.”  Need someone to wash, dry, and fold your laundry for you?  The Salem Coin Op Laundry can help!  “We will offer a full service laundry, so folks can drop off their dirty laundry and pick it up the next day,” said McClusky.  And get this… it’s just 80 cents per pound.  You could have a whole load of laundry done for less than a value meal!    This project is proudly providing jobs to local contractors.

Dine in Style!

Opening early April, the new Brick House Grill will offer Steaks, Seafood, Pasta, and Salad for lunch and dinner seven days a week, plus breakfast on the weekends.  Owners Tracy and Julie Brakefield; former state Senator, Frank Barnitz, and Lisa Barnitz are working diligently to bring their dream to life in Salem.  “We are thrilled to do something for the community,” said former Senator Barnitz.  “We felt it would serve the people of Dent County and the surrounding area.”  Located in the former Stevens Steakhouse, this restaurateur team plans to bring a new dining experience to Dent County.  In addition to great food provided by local vendors, the Brick House Grill will offer a nice environment with live music on the weekends.   This project is proudly providing jobs to local contractors.

Follow Your Dream.  If you have an idea for a business, or would like to expand your existing business to Salem, here are some folks to call who can help you learn more about available commercial space in Salem:

Commercial Property For Sale:

Carl Hale, Carl Hale Real Estate, (573)729-2255, Price Range:  $125K – $449K

Pat Tackett, VIP Properties, (866)729-7622, Price Range:  $125K – $449K

Andy & Mary Sue Moody, Moody Real Estate, (800)662-5997 Price Range:  $160K –$ 450K

Commercial Property For Rent:

Michele Broxton, multi-property owner, (877)608-4563 Rent Range:  $425/month & up

Doyle Murr, Rightway Homes, (888)729-6200 Rent Range:  $500/month & up

Additional Resources:

Sharon Tubbs, Director –Salem Economic Development, (573)729-2428

Search Online at www.MORealEstate.net

Please and Thank you

A concerning trend I see in parenting today is the misuse of please and thank you.  Frequently, I hear parents asking their children to please take out the trash, please stop jumping on the couch or please stop hitting your sister.  By asking please, we are suggesting that they have an option.  And then to say thank you, implies that they are doing us a favor by behaving themselves.  Please and thank you should be reserved for those occasions when we give our children a choice and their response deserves mention:  please walk your grandmother to the car, please help your brother tie his shoes, or please choose the next video.   While learning to be polite is important, differentiating between a request and a command is equally important.  Someday they will have an employer tell them to take the trash out, and I doubt that he will be saying please or thank you.

Playmates

Dear Mom,

My son is ten-years-old and we don’t have anyone his age in our neighborhood.  There are some older boys but they are pretty rough and they treat my son like a worm.  He acts like it doesn’t bother him but I know it does inside.  I’ve told him not to hang with those boys and that he’ll only get hurt, but he keeps going back for more.  What do I do?

Worried

Dear Worried,

BE THE MOM!  You are not your son’s friend, you are his mother.  If these older boys are not healthy for him, do whatever you have to do to put a stop to his association with them.  But don’t just cut him off from those relationships; replace them with much healthier ones.  I call it purposeful socialization.  Begin within your own family and start with dad.  A healthy father and son relationship should be the foundation of his associations.   If he has brothers and sisters, encourage those relationships next, and then if he has cousins in the area that are good influences, include them.  If those relationships are not possible, ask him about children that he likes in church, his school, or any other organization he is involved in.  Invite those children, and their families if possible, over for events, dinner, picnics, and BBQ’s. It will take planning and perseverance but that is part of your job.  It won’t take long to get him over this hump; and, as he matures, he will make better choices.  But, if you do not cut off those unhealthy influences now, you are setting your son up for a lifetime of peer dependency and an acceptance of intimidation.

Vicki and her husband Terry are the parents of eight children and were named Colorado Parents of the Year and Family of the Year, 2001.  Vicki is the author of two books, many articles, former talk show host, and has appeared on numerous television and radio programs.  To get your parenting questions answered, write to Vicki at justamom@bigkonline.com

Dear Dave,

We have $21,000 in credit card debt, and ongoing medical expenses for our special-needs child. My husband works very hard, but only makes about $25,000 a year, and we’re living in a 30-year old trailer. My dad is willing to help us pay off some of the debt, and get us moved into a house, if we’ll get financial counseling. Is there a better way out of this situation?

Sheryl

Dear Sheryl,

If you’re going to have to make payments to your dad, in other words, if the money is going to be a loan, don’t do it. The borrower is always slave to the lender. If you really want to ruin family events, have debt to your parents. It twists you up inside, and it’ll be especially hard on your husband.

Now, if this is going to be a gift, and there are no expectations of re-payment being made, that’s a little different. But if you were my child and I wrote you a $21,000 check, I’d expect you to go into financial counseling and start saving money for your child’s future and for yours. That’s only reasonable. You guys obviously aren’t wasteful yuppies spending money right and left, but having a family and raising kids in the Dallas – Fort Worth area on $25,000 a year is tough – even  without the credit card bills you’re talking about.

Another thing I’d advise is that your husband get on a five-year game plan to improve his earning potential. Sit down with him, hold hands, and let him know he can be anything he wants to be. Then, help him decide what he wants to be in five years, what he wants to be making five years down the road, and the steps he’s going to take educationally or in terms of training to achieve that goal.

He’s a hard-working man, but today’s culture doesn’t reward hard work alone. You’ve got to engage the gray matter a little, and boost your brain power, too. You make more money when you plan to make more money!

—Dave

Dear Dave,

I have three stepchildren, the oldest of which is married and has a little baby. The only time we hear from him is when they want money. We don’t mind helping out once in a while, but his wife just seems lazy. She stays at home all the time, and doesn’t help bring in anything. What can we do to fix this?

Cindy

Dear Cindy,

When your relationship with someone is based on you giving them money, then you don’t have a relationship. But there may be other reasons they aren’t calling very much.

If you say things about his wife being lazy when you do talk, it probably makes them both angry. If this is the case, they may only call when they’re desperate enough to put up with your comments about her. Plus, taking care of a baby is one of the hardest full-time jobs around. The value or importance of what someone does isn’t always reflected in a paycheck.

But I don’t think you should be giving them money all the time, either. You could try gently giving advice, instead. Maybe they need to be on a budget, or perhaps they should be spending less.

Regardless, I’m always against perpetuating relationships that are based on handing out money!

—Dave

* Dave may be coming to your town this spring. For more information, please go to http://www.daveramsey.com/category/events?atid=davesays

By James L. Cloward
A very respected artist visited Peacock Stained Glass in downtown Rolla earlier this week. Dan Fenton, known as a pioneer in the glass arts, taught a three-day course there on February 18th, 19th and 20th. Six students were taught the fine art of glass-fusion, a trade which Fenton helped establish some 40 years ago.
On day one, they began preparing the materials for their largest project of the course, a patchwork-style bowl displaying a beautiful rainbow of colors. This included cutting the glass into multiple thin slivers and stacking them in a pattern. Afterward, the projects were placed in a kiln for overnight firing. The following days had the students adding to the bowl project and further forming the desired result.

Fenton, who with wife Patti, owns and operates the Fenton Glass Studio in his hometown of Alameda, California, traveled to Rolla specifically to offer this course. “I have been traveling the United States for decades teaching groups about glass fusion,” stated Fenton, “It’s just something I love doing.”
Just last week Fenton was in Allentown, Pennsylvania. After a short stop back home, he will be visiting Alaska. Fenton adds excitedly, “They said they plan to take me dog sledding there – now that’s something I’ve never done before!”

On getting into the glass craft Fenton says, “I believed I was about to be drafted into the Vietnam war and I desperately needed a job. I walked into a local glass store who had a ‘help needed’ sign in their window. I didn’t work there long, but that’s how I began my interest in glass.” By the way, Fenton was not drafted into the war.
Fenton has authored many books on his beloved art, including: Pâte de Verre and Kiln Casting of Glass, Glass Under Heat and Sandblasting on Glass.
Students paid $250 apiece to attend the course, which included all materials. The skills learned were, of course, priceless.

To learn more about this outstanding artist, his work and his California studio, visit his website at www.danfenton.net. Peacock Stained Glass can be reached at (573) 341-3550.

Justin Renaud (L), Visual Arts Director, and Nathan Hall (R), Minister of Worship and Technology, share a fun moment at a kickoff meeting in the new Greentree Christian Church addition.  The new addition is slated to be completed within the next few months is a state of the art sanctuary built to seat approximately 750 people.  The church plans to continue to hold three services on Sunday morning as follows:  8:00am Traditional, 9:15am Blended, and 10:30am Contemporary.  For more information, contact Greentree Christian Church at (573)364-2649 or find them online at GreenTreeRolla.org and on Facebook: Greentree Christian Church

The Newkirk Auction Center in Licking will be hosting a special auction to benefit The Animal Shelter of Texas County (TASTC) on Feb. 25th 2011 at 7 p.m.  Michael Newkirk, the auctioneer, will be donating his facilities and services to the event with all of the proceeds going to benefit TASTC.  
The Animal Shelter of Texas County is a no kill shelter located east of Houston on Highway 17. TASTC provides safe housing, rehabilitation and adoption services for unwanted dogs and cats in Texas County. The shelter offers animals who have no homes a chance at a new life.  The animals that come to the shelter are treated with love, compassion and with over 500 loving adoptions, the success of the shelter is clear.

Local area businesses and individuals have graciously stepped forward and donated items to be sold on Friday.  Many of the contributors are locally owned business from Licking, Houston, and Rolla.  Some of the items that have been donated include:

32” Color Flat Screen TV
Gift Certificate for Oil/lube/filter change at Romines Motor Company in Houston
Gift Certificate for Oil/lube/filter change at Denny Ford in Rolla
Miller’s Gill Gift Certificate
Applebee’s Certificate
Wal-Mart Gift Card
Cardinals Shirts and Jackets

The Newkirk Auction is located east of Licking  approximately 3.5 miles on Hwy 32.  For more information or to make a donation you can contact Rita Romines at TASTC by calling  (417) 967-0700. Other information is available at www.newkirkauction.com; www.tastc.com; and a copy of the event flyer is posted below.

TASCflyer_revised