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JUNE 2019
40 YEARS AND COUNTING
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GRIT AND DETERMINATION E very parent wants to offer their child more than they were given as a kid, but for my father, doing better for my three brothers and me meant teaching us some of life’s biggest lessons. cross state lines and purchase grass seedlings that thrived in drier weather. He knew his cows needed sustenance to produce the milk he needed to keep the
Remembering the Tremendous and Arduous Life of My Father
When my father was just a baby, his mother abandoned their family. Because of the time he grew up in, he was sent to be raised by his grandparents until his father remarried. However, the woman his father did remarry was abusive to my dad and his brother. By age 14 and in the middle of the Great Depression, Dad decided he was better off in the world than in the cruel home where he was living. After enduring a difficult, abusive childhood and the sudden death of his first wife, Dad began wondering if everything he did would end in failure and loss. Anger consumed my dad by the time he met my mother during their military service. Despite his cynicism, he married my mom, and together, they raised four boys and ran a successful dairy farm. Eventually, Dad’s well- earned disgruntled nature shifted to motivation, and his answer to everything was hard work. Armed with a limited eighth-grade education, he became one of the first farmers in our area to do bulk milking, which established a faster and more efficient process. When drought plagued the region, Dad would
lights on, and he was willing to travel miles to get it. Dad also became the first farmer in the area to use artificial insemination to build a better herd of cows.
My Dad, James E. Counts 1914-1965
Grit and hard work were the backbones of our small, Missouri dairy farm, and because of our dad’s focus and determination, my brothers and I were able to attend college and go on to have lucrative careers in our fields. We owe a lot of our success to the principals and ethics our father instilled in us — even if there were days we wished we could just be lazy. Actually, my oldest brother once jokingly said, “If Dad didn’t believe in Sabbath and resting on Sundays, he would have probably worked us to death.” But that’s farm life. For someone who was abandoned by his mother, abused by his stepmother, and only attended school through eighth grade on and off, Dad had more ingenuity and work ethic than any man I have ever known. My father died when I was just 13 years old, and I never knew much about his childhood until my brothers and my mom began sharing stories with me. It wasn’t that he was hiding anything from me, but given my young age and the period he grew up in, he never felt it appropriate to share much. He still felt shame for some of the
tribulations he had to live through, and while I wish he didn’t have to live through what he did, I’m grateful for the background that created the man who became my father. Even if I only had 13 years with my dad, I’m proud to be his son and carry with me the lessons he shared every day of his life. –Steve Counts
“… my oldest brother once jokingly said, ‘If Dad didn’t believe in Sabbath and resting on Sundays, he would have probably worked us to death.’ But that’s farm life.”
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Heroic Dads Who Didn’t Back Down BEING A PARENT ISN’T ALWAYS A WALK IN THE PARK
Kids often look up to their father as one of their greatest heroes. There are the long drives to sports tournaments, the late-night movies, and the sweets when Mom isn’t looking. We probably all have some reason to look up to our dad as one of our biggest influences. It’s Father’s Day this month, a special time of year when we take a moment to think about the sacrifices the father figures in our lives have made for us. Most dads are pretty great, but some go above and beyond the fatherly call of duty. Let’s take a look at some heroic dads who risked everything to keep their families safe. BRAD LEWIS: OVER THE LEDGE Life can change in a split second, and how you choose to react in a moment of peril can define your legacy forever. Few people know this as well as Brad Lewis. When Brad and his young son, Oscar, were deeply entrenched in an intense Nerf battle, he surely didn’t think the situation would turn as dangerous as it did. When a few darts missed his father and landed on the balcony, Oscar ran after them but soon found himself teetering on the balcony’s ledge, 12 feet above the ground. Thinking fast, Brad grabbed his son just before he fell over, both taking the plunge while Brad protected his son with his own body.
was left fighting for his life in the ICU, with severe fractures to his skull and vertebrae. Thankfully, Brad is expected to make a full recovery and has made serious strides since the accident. He and his son will live to play another day. GREG ALEXANDER: COULDN’T BEAR TO SEE HIS SON HURT While camping in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in June 2015, Greg Alexander awoke to the sound of a nightmare. The screams of his son intermingled with the roars of an unknown assailant, beckoning Greg to his son’s tent. There, he found his son Gabriel being attacked by a bear. The bear had his son by the head and was dragging him away. Greg jumped on the bear’s back, desperately trying to take attention away from Gabriel. Amazingly, it worked, and in the end, the bear ran away. Gabriel was left with serious cuts to his head, but thanks to his dad’s heroism, the two were able to walk away from that campsite and back to their lives together. The important thing to remember is that you don’t have to take a leap of faith or fight a bear to be a hero in your family’s eyes. Just be yourself, show some support, and do the best you can. Happy Father’s Day, everybody.
Just as he’d intended, Brad absorbed most of the blow. While Oscar sustained serious wounds, his father’s injuries were more severe. Brad
FOR THE LOVE OF SIGNS
How DPI’s Newest Employee Found His Way to Springfield
Digital Print Ink’s newest sign and apparel embroidery expert has love to thank for his latest business venture. About 16 years ago, DJ Ginsberg operated his own silk-screen printing and apparel business in Omaha, Nebraska, but his then-girlfriend, Karra, lived six hours south in Springfield, Missouri. After a year of dating and traveling, the duo decided they were better as friends and cut their romantic ties.
joined our team this April as a salesperson and leader in our sign and new embroidery division.
With the addition of more advanced sign work and apparel embroidery, DJ says, “DPI’s emphasis on expanding its printing options will give businesses an efficient printing service, optimizing effective style, great quality, and working partnerships. The branding and color quality of each piece will be precise because DPI will manage it all.” “It’s really going to give customers a place where they can get everything they need in one place,” DJ continues. Because of a growing emphasis on signs, DPI is expanding its space by 2,000 square feet to accommodate the new printing options. While DPI expands, DJ knows quality will always remain at the forefront. “The work is impeccable. I don’t care if it’s a business card or what. The work is impeccable. It makes my life easier,” DJ says with a little laugh. At DPI, we’re grateful for the expertise and knowledge DJ has brought to our company. We cannot wait to see how he continues to help us grow. (And a special thanks to Karra for leading DJ to us!)
DJ Ginsberg, DPI Sign Salesperson
Fast forward to May 2018. DJ and Karra reconnected and gave their relationship another try. By October 2018, the couple was married. Shortly after, DJ closed his business of 30 years, packed up his Omaha life, and moved to Springfield to be with Karra and his new step-daughter, Beth.
“That was the best thing I ever did,” DJ recalls.
As for what led DJ to DPI, that was all Karra’s doing. Karra discovered DPI’s job posting for a sales position on Indeed.com, and after decades in sales and printing, DJ says the position was “right up my alley.” DJ
Learn more about how DPI’s experts can help you create stunning print campaigns by calling 417.881.5309 or email info@digitalprintink.net.
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GETAWAY IN GATEWAY CITY
Welcome New Clients!
Adapt Health Missouri Cloud 9 Ranch First Pentecostal Church Glenstone Square Little Creek Baptist Church M-Fiber Michelle Lewis and Associates S&L Donuts Sneed Auto Transport South City Dental The Law Office of Alicia R. Martin Watersmith Irrigation
Vacation in Missouri This Summer With This Guide
With school ending and warm, sunny days on the horizon, summertime offers a plethora of adventurous opportunities. If you’re looking for a fun and easy family trip, look no further than the Show Me State’s own St. Louis! Packed with historic sites, well-known attractions, and endless family adventures, the Gateway to the West holds your family’s ticket to a memorable vacation.
BLT Dogs
Family Fun
Between exotic animals and hair-raising adventures, there’s no end to the fun your family can have in St. Louis. If you’re seeking some thrill, set your sights on Adventure Valley Zipline Tours, Paintball Park, and Adrenaline Zone. Six Flags can certainly get your heart rate up, too, while the City Museum and St. Louis Science
Is a hot dog a sandwich or not? We’re not here to weigh in on the ever-contentious debate, but when you combine a hot dog with a BLT, it definitely becomes more sandwich-like — and way more delicious.
Center offer educational adventures and interactive exhibits for all ages. Of course, no trip to this city is complete without a stop at the St. Louis Zoo. Chill with Antarctic penguins or dip your hands into the stingray pool at this city’s premier free attraction.
The Sights
Ingredients
When you visit The Gateway City, you have to explore the sites that make it postcard- worthy. Enjoy peanuts and crackerjacks at Busch Stadium and root for our St. Louis Cardinals, or take in the best view of the city atop the Gateway Arch. ( Pro Tip : Look past the outfield of Busch Stadium or grab a drink at one of the numerous rooftop bars near the arch for a spectacular view as well!) Before you leave, swing through the Budweiser Brewery Experience to learn more about one of the nation’s most well-known breweries.
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4 strips bacon
4 hot dogs (ideally Boar’s Head Beef Frankfurters, but any all-beef variety will do)
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4 hot dog buns
1 tbsp mayonnaise
1 head romaine lettuce, shredded 1 large tomato, seeded and diced
Booming Nightlife
Salt and pepper, to taste
Leave the kids with a babysitter for some of St. Louis’ best nightlife. With historic musical destinations like The Pageant, highly-rated restaurants through the Delmar Loop, and places with a combination of both, like Blueberry Hill, the options to enjoy St. Louis after sundown are endless. If you feel like exploring or getting lost in other worlds, summertime in St. Louis
Directions
1. Heat a skillet to medium and fry bacon until rendered and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel to drain. 2. Fry hot dogs in bacon drippings, creating a crust and cooking until warmed through. 3. Using a dry skillet or oven, toast buns. 4. Spread mayonnaise on buns, place hot dog and bacon inside, and top with tomatoes and lettuce. Serve.
offers plenty of local festivals and shows at The Fabulous Fox live theater. In addition, after you visit the city’s most famous brewery, check out the burgeoning craft brew scene.
For more information on St. Louis, or to plan your trip, visit ExploreStLouis.com.
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
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Remembering Dad
A Few Dads Who Went Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
Meet DJ Ginsberg!
Visit St. Louis This Summer
BLT Dogs
Roadside Attractions with Fun for All Ages
T he United States can be a weird place, and some landmarks definitely reflect that sentiment. Along almost every highway, bizarre landmarks draw road trippers of all ages. Sometimes tourist traps aren’t worth the price of admission, but when you’re taking your summer road trip this year and your family needs a place to stop and stretch, these are three roadside attractions worth checking out. The Lost Sea; Sweetwater, Tennessee The Lost Sea is the largest underground lake in the U.S. Lying 140 feet beneath the surface, it’s a fun escape from the summer heat, since it’s 58 degrees year-round. Kids and adults alike can learn about the history and geology of the area on a guided tour through forest above and lake below. And afterward, you can stop by the general store, ice cream parlor, or cafe to visit. The Mystery Spot; Santa Cruz, California Advertising itself as a “gravitational anomaly,” this wacky spot
Enjoying the Journey
in the middle of the redwood forest showcases a series of optical illusions such as balls rolling uphill and a cabin where visitors can lean toward the ground and appear to defy gravity. It might not be aliens, like some believe, but visitors of all ages will get a kick out of the illusions messing with their perception. Plus, the nearby hiking trails through the redwoods offer a free added experience. Dinosaur Land; White Post, Virginia It might not be Jurassic Park, but it’s still worth a look. Nestled in the greenery of Northern Virginia, this park has over 50 life-size statues of dinosaurs of all kinds. Tours are self-guided, parking is free, and children (or adults) with dinosaur obsessions are sure to smile and point out their favorites. It’s certainly something to “rawr” home about. Whether these spots are your destinations or you’re just passing through on your summer road trip, visiting these roadside attractions and others like them will add some fun to your travels.
Roadside Attractions Worth Visiting
Photo credit Wikimedia Commons images, Arjun R.
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