Ink From the Inbox

Showing Concern

It is very sad and unsettling that you handle ads that show ATVs in Missouri streams [September 2025]. First, it is against the law. Second, it disturbs our natural resources. Third, it shows a lack of consideration for our environment. Your staff who sell advertising evidently do not have concerns for our environment. We are very disturbed that you allow such ads in your Missouri Life magazine.

— George and Susan Powell, St. Louis

We appreciate your concern. We aren’t lawyers, but we looked up the regulations. We found many exceptions. ATVs are allowed in streams on private property and road crossings. The ad we ran shows a legal usage. — Editors

Reflecting on the Iron Mountain Baby

I have been getting Missouri Life for quite a few years, and it is one of the few magazines I read cover to cover. The articles are wonderful, and the photography is top notch. I have taken a lot of pictures of some of these same spots over the years.

The June [2025] issue held significant meaning for me. I grew up in Missouri and still think it is one of the prettiest states there is. There is so much to see. I stopped when I came to the article “Iron Mountain Baby.” My grandfather lived in Iron Mountain. I had heard the story about the Iron Mountain Baby while I was growing up.

The song referred to [“The Ballad of the Iron Mountain Baby” by John Barton] was written by one of my relatives! My grandmother’s maiden name was Barton, and the Reverend John Barton was related to her. I was excited to learn the rest of the story, as the saying goes.

Your article gave me a lot of details I didn’t know. I am saving that issue to share with family members. And I will file it with my ancestry information as well.

Thank you so much for the magazine. It is so good, and I enjoy it and look forward to it. When I see it in the mailbox, I smile! I usually share my issues with a neighbor, who really loves it as well.

— Janice Walker, Norman, Oklahoma

Visiting Chamois Again

Thank you for every issue of Missouri Life, featuring all the special places to visit and return to every year. I love traveling from Indiana, where I live now, to Chamois, my hometown, during Chamois Day on September 20. I stayed at the 1876 bed-and breakfast, the Old School on the Hill, owned by Debbie and LeRoy Huff, in Miss Edna’s room, named after my junior high teacher. I made sure to bring my September issue and posed for a photo with Debbie. Even though I am now a Hoosier, thanks for all you do to feature Missouri!

— Glenda Ferguson, Paoli, Indiana

Finding a Fugitive Slave

Talk about history coming to life! I recently reread the story of Archer Alexander [“The Last to Rise”] that was posted in your September 2025 magazine that I received.

I recalled reading that in February of 1863, a slave, Archer Alexander, overheard a Confederate plot to blow up the Peruque Creek Bridge just west of St. Louis (a key Union railroad crossing) and to kill the Union troops in the area. He reported it at great risk, as the story goes into, saving the bridge and alerting the troops in the vicinity who halted any bridge crossings and went on the alert.

Then I recalled that in my recent genealogy investigations for our family, Peter Parr, my great-great-grandfather and the first in our line on the Parr side to arrive in America from Germany, appeared to have been stationed there around that time and could have been one of the troops saved by the information (although admittedly he was not continually deployed the entire length of time he was enrolled). It causes deep reflection indeed to think that because of this one brave man (and a slave at the time), a whole branch of my family, including myself, exists. Wow.

— Mark Schulte, St. Louis

We love that when we put articles in our magazine, often the story continues to unfold for us and our readers, and they can find unique connections to history! — Editors

In the September 2025 magazine, the article “The Last to Rise” was fantastic! I could not put it down. What a true testament to our own Missouri history. I had no idea of the story of Archer Alexander, a man with so much bravery. My question is, why hasn’t this been made into a movie or documentary?

— Robin Rees-Love, Kingdom City

We are glad you love the article as much as we do. What a great question. Someone sure should! — Editors

Bringing New Ideas

WOW! As a new subscriber, only into my second publication of Missouri Life, I am thrilled at what I am seeing and reading! How refreshing that everything is Missouri from front to back! I love it! Keep bringing it because it never gets old or runs out. Missouri is like a deep spring-fed river that doesn’t dry up.

Do you take suggestions from readers? If so, I would suggest checking out Fountain City Winery in Kansas City. Owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Jay and Melissa Pietkiewicz, this unique winery embraces both of their amazing talents. I live in St. Joseph, and the drive is worth it!

Looking forward to diving into the next publication of Missouri Life! Cheers!

— Julene Younger, St. Joseph

Honoring Lorry Myers

Lorry, I want to thank you for all the articles you’ve written over the years. Each month when I get Missouri Life, I have no idea what I will get when I read your article; however, I do know that it will be a great read. I’m especially thankful for your ability to make me laugh and cry a lot of times within the same paragraph. Keep up the good work.

— Jim Kilgore, University City

Just read your Christmas “miracle” story [“It Takes a Village,” by Lorry Myers, November/December 2025] in the Missouri Life magazine that was delivered today. I must admit, at 80, it takes quite a bit to get tears out of this grizzled old timer, but your writing did just that. Thanks for sharing your wonderful gift of the written word with Missouri Life readers. I look forward to reading it every issue.

P.S. We have a wonderful and quite little-known 19th-century historic village site here in Warren County.

— Dave Boeckmann, Innsbrook

Enjoying the Magazine

This is the best magazine anywhere. I’m from Fayette, but I have lived in California since 1967. This magazine has provided me with the history and insight into everything in Missouri. When I visit, I plan to stop by your office to say thanks and express my happiness in person.

— Bernard Ashcraft, San Leandro, California

We will gladly welcome you! — Editors

Drinking with Doug Frost

I’m always so happy to get my issue of Missouri Life magazine in the mail. I read it cover to cover.

I am 63 years old and have lived all my life “in these parts”—and still your articles teach me about Missouri with every issue.

I especially like Doug Frost’s articles [Doug Frost has been our wine columnist since 2006]. He gives us great information and explanations.

Thank you for publishing the best magazine about Missouri. Keep up the excellent work.

— Audrey Jett, Mountain Grove

Correction

Chef Pliska must have simply made a typo in the last paragraph of his excellent review of Springfield’s Thai Garden [“Authentic Thai, Timeless Tradition,” November/December 2025], because he surely knows you can’t be in Springfield and southeast Missouri at the same time.

— Larry Wood, Joplin

Daniel knows where Springfield is; southeast was due to an editing error. — Editors

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These letters where originally published in the January 2026 issue of Missouri Life.