I read in the Joplin Globe that someone in the Missouri legislature has submitted a bill that would ban various types of party/drinking paraphernalia including kegs, beer bongs, and mardi-gras beads on rivers in Missouri. I can’t imagine that legislation will get much traction in a state where so many people value their rights to be a redneck more than protecting natural resources like rivers. But if it did I have to admit that I would be glad. Mainly because the way I like to enjoy Missouri rivers is in total contrast to the way many Ozarkers do these days…loud, drunk, and obnoxious. This type of behavior is not allowed in city parks, state parks, or really anywhere in public, so I don’t really get why it has become acceptable to degrade a public river in such a way in the first place.

Truth be told, I honestly wouldn’t care if they banned alcohol outright because this would leave the river to those who want to actually enjoy the river itself. The rednecks and college kids can party in their trailers or frat houses to their hearts content as far as I’m concerned. Maybe a reasonable compromise where you get a maximum of say, a six pack for every 1 person on the river. It just seems unfortunate to me that the river is more about drinking than it is about the river to so many people.

Realistically I know how Missourians love their cigarettes and beer, so I think it would be unlikely to ever pass such a measure. It’s one of those things where if it hadn’t become such a mainstay for so many people, it may almost seem logical that these types of items and activities would be prohibited on rivers. But try and take it away and I’m sure rednecks will come out in droves in support of “their rights” to be irresponsible and inconsiderate. I’m just thankful that the river I most frequent does not have this problem whatsoever – probably because there are no canoe rental facilities.

Since I was spending the weekend in St Louis with Hannah and her fam, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to make the 15 minute trip over to the dome to watch my former high school compete for the class 4 state championship. To be honest, I was fairly surprised that this years team made it that far, but apparently they knew what it took to get things done.

This championship game was more exciting than other ones I have been to recently. When I was in high-school, the game was a blowout 44-14 victory and the last time I went it was an agonizing 1 point loss following a missed 2 point conversion. This year the cardinals played Jefferson City Helias in a fast paced back and forth game that was up for grabs throughout it’s entirety…literally. It wasn’t over until a cardinal reached up and grabbed an interception with about a minute and a half left in the game.

I always find it impressive to see just how many people make the nearly 5 hour trip to St Louis to watch the game. This year was no exception, with what appeared to be the entire town sitting in the stands. I heard there were some carthage players and fans sitting on the webb city side and cheering for Helias, but I didn’t see them so I can’t confirm this. Knowing how so many Carthage people hate WC more than they like their own team it wouldn’t surprise me.

All in all it was a great game and a fun weekend!

Sometimes I like to spend my lunch breaks looking up old photos and historical things relating to the area. Since the Joplin area was a boomtown around the turn of the century it has a very elaborate and interesting history, much of which is still visible today, particularly in the plethora of extravagant homes found in the older areas of Webb City, Carthage, and Joplin.

Sometimes though, history is as funny as it is interesting and this photo is a prime example of how the perception of something can change if given enough time. What once said “we have the best”, if published today would be an embarrassment.