Digital Print Ink - October 2019

OCT 2019

40 YEARS AND COUNTING

DIGITALPRINTINK.NET

417.881.5309

NEWS FROM THE FARM T hose who are regular readers of the DPI newsletter may remember a time when I updated readers about life on our farm. It was one of my favorite columns, and I know readers enjoyed it, too. Plus, it’s pure joy to see Chandler toddling around chasing the sheep, or “wams” as he calls them. I am so glad that he can create some of the

Steve Welcomes 5 ‘Wams’ and 3 Goats to the Farm

same memories his older cousins were able to have. Some of my favorite memories of Sydney Grace and Dylan include the two of them helping “Poppa.” It’s special to share that with Chandler more than a decade later. Growing up on the farm taught me many valuable lessons that I was able to pass onto my two daughters and now their children. You learn the value of hard work and respect, and if you don’t do your part, that can be the difference between life or death for the animal. But the “wams” weren’t the only addition we committed to this summer. For the first time, our farm is home

This month, I’m happy to bring it back — especially with our latest news!

Chandler, age 2 ½

Growing up on a dairy farm, farming has always felt like home to me. Jan and I live on a hobby farm where we raise two beef cows and a calf. When our eldest grandchildren, Dylan and Sydney Grace, were younger, we had a flock of sheep on the farm. With the addition of our youngest grandchild, Chandler, we knew that it would be fun to recreate some of those memories. So, for the first time since 2013, my wife and I added five sheep to our property! Sheep are the perfect animals for my small farm. They are much easier to handle than a 2,000-pound cow. That being said, sheep are more work than cows. Sheep, unlike cows, are in constant danger of being carted off by predators, require more attention, and can be more susceptible to disease. Yet, I’d be lying if I didn’t mention the tremendous value I get from raising sheep. Since they’re not the brightest animal in the world, they rely on us to keep them alive. I gain little in terms of monetary contribution from the lambs, but they become more like a pet because of the attention you have to give them.

Chandler helping feed the sheep (or ‘wams,’ as he calls them) & goats

to three goats. We purchased some pygmy goats, primarily because we knew that Chandler would enjoy them. But the goats were also a smart choice for our farm. You always have a bush or some brush that needs to be cleaned up. Acting as little brush trimmers, the goats are the perfect animals for the job. With eight new additions and more calves expected this fall, there are many exciting developments happening on the farm. There’s always news to share, and I’m sure this won’t be the last time I report on it.

1

417.881.5309

DIGITALPRINTINK.NET

REGGIE ‘MR. OCTOBER’ JACKSON’S LEGENDARY GAME How’s That for Odds?

“I feel that the most important requirement in success is learning to overcome failure. You must learn to tolerate it, but never accept it.” –Reggie Jackson Some people shine brightest in the spotlight. When put to the test, they deliver every time. Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson is one of those people. During the sixth game of the 1977 World Series, Jackson hit three home runs in a row, securing the Yankees’ victory over the Dodgers and winning them their 21st World Series title. The legendary playoff game also earned Jackson the nickname “Mr. October,” which has stuck to this day. Like many stories of greatness, Jackson’s featured a lot of hard work behind the scenes. He dedicated himself to his sport and constantly worked to improve his play. Growing up, Jackson played baseball, basketball, and football and excelled at all three, though football was his strong suit. He was scouted and given opportunities to go pro straight out of high school, but, on the advice of his father, he went to college on a football scholarship. Thanks to a $5 bet, he tried out for the baseball team at Arizona State University and made it. Jackson was

the first black person on the team, and, even though he experienced discrimination, he never let it stop him. From the minor leagues into the majors, Jackson’s ambition got him through many tough times, as did the constant support of his father and of Oakland A’s manager John McNamara.

Jackson always dreamed of playing for New York, and, eventually, his dream came true when he signed with the New York Yankees in 1976.

To this day, Jackson holds many prominent records, including being the first player to earn more than 100 home runs for three different teams (the A’s, Yankees, and Angels). He even has his own candy bar, the “Reggie! Bar,” which debuted during a Yankees game in 1978. Let’s see if any of this year’s playoff games stir up as much excitement as Reggie Jackson’s did in his heyday.

Enjoy All Springfield Has to Offer This Halloween RACES, COOKIES, AND MAZES

Celebrate Halloween weekend with minimal tricks and plenty of treats at these Springfield events!

Halloween spirit, but don’t miss the Halloween weekend event, when the spooks and scares are ramped up! From 4–7 p.m., families can enjoy mild, fun scares for the kids of all ages, while adults and older children should prepare for absolute terror from 7–9 p.m. This event is wheelchair- accessible, but strollers are not allowed. Tickets go on sale Oct. 1 and can be purchased through Eventbrite.com.

KatieMade Spooky Cookie Decorating Class When: Oct. 26 and 27 at 1:30 p.m. Where: The Kitchen at Homegrown Food Admission: $42–$45

Halloween Hustle When: Oct. 26 at 9 a.m.

Who knew scary could be so delicious? Learn how to impress guests and cookie lovers alike with

Where: City Utilities, Springfield Admission: $10–$25 depending on age, distance, and registration

hand-iced sugar cookies. Attendees will roll out and bake cookies, learn techniques for perfect decorating with icing, and practice on a variety of spooky-shaped cookies. This two-day event is intended for those who are 13 years old or older, but you can teach younger kids with the new skills you gain! Learn more and register online at KatieMadeIt.com.

Instead of racing through Halloween weekend in fear, run for charity! Springfield’s City Utilities will host its annual Halloween Hustle to benefit a local charity, and this year’s beneficiary is Harmony House. As Springfield’s only domestic abuse shelter, Harmony House provides resources and education to

Indoor Halloween Maze When: Oct. 25 from 4–9 p.m. Where: Creepin’ at the Crossroads, 107 S. Main St., Nixa Admission: $5 before the event, $7 at the door

survivors, their families, and the community. Every penny made from this event will benefit the house. Attendees of all ages can choose from a 5K or 10K race. Search for The Halloween Hustle on Facebook to learn more.

All throughout October, Creepin’ at the Crossroads will be hosting an indoor maze designed to get you in the

2

417.881.5309

DIGITALPRINTINK.NET

Welcome, New Clients!

SWEET TREATS Giving Back in the Spirit of Halloween

Branson Hills Assembly of God Hairluxe & Company Wood Ridge HOA TMF Makeup Dream Homes of Springfield

Titus Roofing Plumb Supply

Referrals Steve Popp Will Cox Dustin Meyer Plumb Supply

October is filled with plenty of opportunities for scary movies, ghost stories, and sweet candy, but it can also be a great time to give back. Try some of these philanthropic approaches to Halloween, and learn just how sweet it can be to help others. GIVE THE LOOT AWAY One of the easiest ways to give back this season is to donate your leftover candy to Operation Gratitude. The organization sends care packages to troops serving our country overseas, and each package includes a small handful of candy. Donations through Operation Gratitude’s Halloween Candy

Miso Caramel Apples

Inspired by Bon Appétit

Ingredients

• • • • • • • • •

4 Granny Smith apples 1/2 cup raw pistachios 1 1/2 tsp plus 1 cup sugar

Give-Back Program are one of the biggest contributions to this program. Many dentists, local businesses, charities, and families choose to donate candy each year, so check with local locations that may even offer cash for the candy! If you want to ship your own box to Operation Gratitude, learn more about their guidelines at OperationGratitude.com. SPREAD TREATS, NOT TRICKS Trick-or-treating is the best part of Halloween for most kids, but for children in the hospital, it can be impossible to hit the neighborhood and collect candy. You and your family can change that! Contact your local children’s hospital or pediatrics wing, and ask about ways you can make Halloween a little sweeter for their kids. Maybe your family could go trick-or-treating there, or you could donate bags of candy to help the hospital cut costs. You could even reverse this idea and spend Halloween at a nursing home facility, trick-or-treating at residents’ doors and filling their evenings with memories. DRESS UP RESPONSIBLY Arguably the most memorable part of Halloween is the costumes and personas we all take on for one night. Instead of scouring department store racks for pre-made costumes, support secondhand stores that help your community. Stores like Savers and Goodwill offer those with disabilities employment opportunities, and reusing old materials is an easy way to be eco-conscious. In addition, don’t let your old costumes collect dust. Donate these items, and check out a few used-costume racks to find this year’s masterpiece.

3 tbsp sesame seeds

2 tbsp white miso, divided

4 Popsicle sticks

2 tbsp light corn syrup 1/4 cup heavy cream

1/4 tsp kosher salt

Directions

1. Heat oven to 275 F. 2. In a food processor, pulse pistachios and 1 1/2 tsp sugar. Add sesame seeds and 1 tbsp miso, pulsing until miso is fully broken up. Spread evenly on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15–20 minutes and let cool. 3. Meanwhile, insert a Popsicle stick into the center of each apple. 4. In a saucepan, bring corn syrup, 1 cup sugar, and 2 tbsp water to a boil. Boil for 5–7 minutes, swirling infrequently, until caramel is a light amber color. 5. Add cream and salt to caramel, whisking to combine. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and quickly whisk in remaining miso. 6. To assemble, first roll apple in caramel, then in pistachio mixture, before resting on greased baking sheet. 7. Let cool 30 minutes and serve.

Begin your season of giving with Halloween! Look for more local opportunities by searching online or in your local newspaper.

3

417.881.5309

DIGITALPRINTINK.NET

PRSRT FIRST-CLASS MAIL USPOSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

417.881.5309 DIGITALPRINTINK.NET 3444 S. CAMPBELL AVE. • SPRINGFIELD, MO 65807

inside

1 2 3 4

New to the Herd

‘Mr. October’: The Legendary Reggie Jackson

Celebrate Halloween Weekend in Springfield!

Making Halloween the Season of Giving Miso Caramel Apples

The Secret to a Perfect Jack-O’-Lantern

J ack-o’-lanterns are an iconic part of the Halloween aesthetic, but they can quickly backfire. If you carve your pumpkins too early, you may end up with a moldy mess on Halloween. The first rule of jack-o’-lanterns is to wait as long as possible before you start carving. Here are some other tips to help you achieve the perfect jack-o’-lantern this year. FIND THE PERFECT PUMPKIN. A great jack-o’-lantern starts in the pumpkin patch — or in the grocery store if you’re short on time. Look for a fresh pumpkin with a sturdy, green stem, no bruises, and a flat bottom so it’s stable when you’re carving. Size and shape aren’t important, so long as the pumpkin sparks your creativity. Just make sure you don’t accidentally bring home a small sugar pie pumpkin, which will be harder to carve. WASH YOUR PUMPKIN. Before you start carving, mix 1 tsp of chlorine bleach with 4 liters of water and wash your pumpkin to help prevent mold. Be sure to wear gloves! CUT FROM THE BACK. Cutting the top of the pumpkin is traditional, but it removes the stem, which helps keep the pumpkin fresh.

Pumpkin Screams

It also threatens the structural integrity of the pumpkin. Cutting from the bottom is not good, either, because all the liquid inside the pumpkin will ooze out. For the best results, carefully cut a hole in the back of the pumpkin. APPLY PETROLEUM JELLY. After you’ve scooped out all the “pumpkin guts” and carved your masterpiece, apply a little petroleum jelly to the cuts. This will help seal in moisture. The Farmers’ Almanac also recommends spraying your pumpkin with anti-humidity hairspray to lock in freshness. GO ELECTRIC. Using a real candle heats up the inside of the pumpkin, causing it to decompose faster. An LED tealight with a flickering effect will create that classic spooky jack-o’-lantern look and keep the pumpkin cool. Plus, you don’t have to worry about any trick-or-treaters getting burned if they accidentally trip over your pumpkin. These tips are to help your jack-o’-lantern last longer. When it comes to designs, feel free to let your imagination run wild! The best jack- o’-lantern is one you’re proud to show off on Halloween.

5 Tips for Longer-Lasting Jack-O’-Lanterns

4

417.881.5309

DIGITALPRINTINK.NET