Blake Dankert, owner of Plantation Antique and Interiors and Kaitlynn Reichert, owner of Kaitlynn’s Deli & Ice Cream Shop are featured in Rural Missouri Magazine. Click here to read the article.

Here is a link to his article: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/16/early-glimpse-of-missouri-caucuses-shows-support-for-santorum/

There has been much talk in the news in recent weeks about Mamtek. Representative Randy Asbury brings a critical perspective to the forefront in his news release regarding the matter.
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For the first time ever, Union Pacific (UP) allowed the public to route where their steam giants will travel in 2011. On January 18, the votes were in, tabulated, and the winner announced . . . The Little Rock Express!

Starting in Kansas City, MO, the The Little Rock Express route will travel through more than 60 Missouri communities with stops in Booneville, Jefferson City, Chamois, St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, Dexter and Poplar Bluff. UP will announce the excursion date and other details in the coming weeks. Follow UP on Facebook and Twitter for the latest information.

Thank you to all those who voted and secured this excursion for Missouri.

You may be asking, “What difference does this make to Brunswick?” Brunswick is included in the “Old Trails Region” and has the potential to benefit from the exposure Old Trails will receive when the Union Pacific steam giants travel The Little Rock Express route. This is a wonderful opportunity for the Old Trails Region and plans are being made for events to capitalize on this opportunity for the Old Trails Region.

Brunswick gets a bit more exposure on the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s blog, “Think Outside the Barn.” Click here to view the December 14 post.

Supporting local businesses and fostering economic development are priorities for the Brunswick Area Chamber of Commerce. We are pleased to introduce Brunswick Bucks to encourage residents to spend their money locally to strengthen the local economy. Supporting local businesses adds to the tax base helping our school, streets, city services, ambulance, etc.

Can Brunswick Bucks have an impact? Area communities with similar programs have enjoyed tremendous success. The seven communities we spoke with confirmed that their programs made “significant impacts” in their local economies and were very well received. It is a “Win! Win!” situation for all: consumer, businesses, and area residents. Each of us can make a difference.

Participating “Brunswick Bucks” Businesses: AgriServices of Brunswick, Allen’s Dime Store, Ashlyn House B&B, Bowyer’s Florist, Brunswick Auto Parts, Brunswick Distributing, The Brunswicker Newspaper, Buds & Blossoms, Creative Memories, Finishing Touch, Gordon Building Center, Gourmet Cheesecakes by Kaitlynn, Harmon’s Service, Leanna’s, Plantation Antiques & Interiors, Prenger Foods, Sam Johnson’s Furniture & Appliance, Sew Sweet Quilt Shop, Sherry’s Home Cookin’, Sycamore Valley Farm B&B, and The Railyard Steakhouse.

For more information, call 660-548-3337 or Email

The sidewalks are finished and they look fantastic! The beautiful street lights and banners welcoming all to our charming community really set off the downtown area. “Revitalization fever” appears to be contagious. Each day I can’t wait to get to town and see what business owner has caught the “fever” and their business is getting a “new look.” Thanks to all who continue to invest in the Brunswick area with their time, talents, resources, and finances to breath new life into the downtown area. Your efforts are greatly appreciate!

The Summary of the Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan begins, “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing changes in management direction for Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge.” The Draft describes “goals, objectives and strategies” that will greatly affect Swan Lake and as a result, the surrounding areas. All interested citizens are encouraged to educate themselves about the proposed changes and contact elected officials to share your views on the proposed changes. PDF versions of various documents are included below for your convenience.

Fran Graff, Brookfield Chamber of Commerce states, “Free copies of the Summary are available at the Brookfield Library. In order for our comments to be considered for the preparation of the “Final CCP”, they must receive our comments by July 5, 2010. Our neighbors in Sumner are dependent on the Goose & Duck Hunters to keep their town alive. Brookfield has a large tourism base during any & all of the Hunting Seasons as do all the surrounding towns. Whichever way you feel about this issue we owe it to ourselves to quickly become informed on what is about to happen. Please take the time to read the booklet or go to the website at: http://www.fws.gov/Midwest/planning/swanlake . On the right side you can select “Summary Draft CCP” which is the same booklet… please be personally informed so there are no regrets later.”

Contact List

EXECUTIVE ORDER 7563 ESTABLISHING SWAN LAKE MIGRATORY WATERFOWL REFUGE

Letter to Refuge Manager Steve Whitson

Managing Swan Lake’s Assets

Sample Swan Lake Letter

Closure Duration Could be Less Than Anticipated
“MACON – MoDOT has be working quickly to complete design plans to enclose the foundations under two of the bridge piers on the Grand River Bridge, which have been eroded due to high water levels. An emergency contract will be put out for bids this Friday, June 17, with contractor bids due by next Tuesday, June 22. MoDOT will issue a press release with the bid results.

If reasonable bids are received and approved, and water levels allow the contractor to proceed, the most critical work can be completed in a relatively short period of time. This could potentially open the bridge to at least one-lane traffic by mid-August. The time-frame is less than originally anticipated, and would avoid having the bridge closed later in the year impacting harvest season and school travel.

Once the bridge is opened, less critical work would continue and be completed by October or before, when all lanes would open to traffic. This work will eliminate the need for the repeated short-term closures which have recently occurred.

While the bridge remains closed detour routes are: Cars and light trucks – Route 139, M and 11; Trucks over 37 tons – Routes 65, 36 and 11.

For more information, contact the MoDOT District 2 Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-275-6636 or visit our website at http:/www.modot.org/northcentral“