I was a cardiac nurse for 28 years before my life was put on hold because of cancer. I dove into the fight with everything I had. I soon realized that though cancer was a part of my life, it wasn’t my whole life. So my journey with cancer began. I continued to work, pursue my hobbies, and live my life. While going to Southeast Cancer Center, I met wonderful people who helped me through my toughest fight. They gave me everything they had. I saw them assisting every patient that entered the center in this same manner. They gave their time and compassion to every patient. Even after I was deemed cancer-free, I found myself drawn to the Southeast Cancer Center. I had seen cancer’s effect on myself and close friends. I experienced and witnessed the struggles cancer patients encounter on their journey. After some reflection, I realized I wanted to alleviate some of those struggles and make the journey less of a hardship. I also wanted to educate people on cancer prevention and the importance of screenings for early detection. The Southeast Cancer Center helped me overcome breast cancer. Now I wanted to help other patients conquer their cancer diagnosis. With these goals in mind, I joined the Southeast Cancer Center team as a nurse navigator. As the nurse navigator, I work with our patients along their cancer journey. One of the main programs I oversee is the genetic testing program. Genetic testing analyzes your DNA to identify gene mutations that increase your risk of developing cancer. Some gene mutations increase a person’s risk of developing breast cancer from less than 10% to 87%. There are 29 known genes linked to 8 cancers: breast, prostate, endometrial, ovarian, gastric, colon, pancreatic, and melanoma. Genetic testing detects people who have these gene mutations. Once patients are advised of their risk, they enter a proactive mode of cancer prevention. For example, someone with a high risk of breast cancer would start mammogram screening before the age of 40. Genetic screening is a simple process. First, watch a 3-minute video. Afterward, a genetic counselor will determine if you qualify for genetic testing. Qualification criteria are based on the patient’s personal and family health history. If you qualify for testing, you’ll undergo a blood draw. I work with insurance companies to completely cover the costs for the test. It gives me great satisfaction to provide this service to our patients and the community. If individuals are not at high risk to develop certain cancers, they gain peace of mind after testing. If they are at high risk, they can become proactive and hopefully prevent cancer. When I think of my cancer journey, I don’t feel despair- I feel hope. Hope for myself and other cancer patients. And that brings me full circle. Hope is personified in a painting our patients made for us. The actual name for it is “Feeling Explosion.” Every year we take patients on a weekend retreat- We Can Weekend - to escape the reality of cancer and to learn coping mechanisms. Everyone at the retreat helped make “Feeling Explosion.” We filled empty eggshells with paint and threw them at the canvas, and they exploded in a spray of color. It was so empowering for everyone. When I look at the painting, I am reminded of life’s precious hope. Hope is having the courage to get up. Hope is living your life day by day. Hope is why I am a nurse at the Southeast Cancer Center. 51
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According to the TV and the internet, we are facing the reversal of Earth’s magnetic poles, a new Ice Age, a meteor attack, super storms and volcanoes, melted ice caps and flooding, alien invasions, a hidden rogue planet poised to collide with Earth, a Russian invasion, political divisions, another Civil War, the collapse of modern civilization as we know it... It’s gonna be one busy year. I’m not sure how I am going to find the time to accomplish my New Year’s resolutions with all this going on—oh well, maybe next year? I have made my predictions for 2019, and I’ve come up with a few ways the average person can cash in on all these disasters. 1. I predict we will see many more UFOs this year and alien abduction will be at an all-time high. To cash in on this, I suggest you take up training as an alien abductee therapist. With so many folks being beamed up and experimented on, you could clean up helping them get over the indignity of all that alien probing. Yikes! 2. If the ice caps melt as predicted, a massive amount of water will roll into town. This might sound like a bad thing, but think of all the possibilities here! With all that water around, things like jet skies and beer will be selling at a premium. Since cars can’t float, we’ll all need boats to get to work. 3. If the Russians take over the US as predicted, there will be countless opportunities to cash in. With no more Trump/Russia Collusion to haggle about, brain-numb will become a REAL thing. I suggest opening retirement homes and re-education camps for all the conspiracy theory- obsessed reporters and their counterparts. And don’t overlook mindless entertainment to fill the voids. Invent a new Pet Rock or a new Finger Spinner. 4. I predict that cell phones will manifest themselves into killer robots that emit slaver-beams into our ears. After years of being spat on, carried in pockets, and smashed, they revolt and enslave us all. Okay, I know what you are thinking: “How could this be a good thing and how can I make money if this happens?” It’s obvious... 5. If zombies conquer the world, there will be several ways to make money in a zombie-ruled society. Uber and other private taxi services are going to shine. I mean, we all know zombies can’t drive. Bonus: you can sell plastic seat coverings because everyone’s car will need them, right? 6. Lastly, I predict that someone with guts will come forward with the following statement: The sky is blue, there are stars at night, and it’s okay to laugh. I can’t guarantee he will not be arrested for stating the obvious — it’s kind of like yelling fire in a crowded theater now. Just saying, that law profession is still an excellent money-making gig.
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Every time we publish our 573 People of the Year issue, we get hundreds of emails inquiring how and why we chose the people. Here is how it works. We believe we are honest and trustworthy purveyors of 573 Land. We cover the people and places of the 573 without bias or agenda. Simply put, we show what we see. We tell stories of all the cool places we travel and all the outstanding people we meet. We help every community to present itself in a positive light and we go where we are pulled. We pride ourselves on giving the underdog a voice. Regardless of color, race, sex, age, religion, and politics, if you have a passion for something, we will get you in. You tell us what to feature and who is interesting. That’s how people end up in the 573 Magazine. The 573 People of the Year is a different story- they are selected. We look at the hundreds of people we came across in the past year and pick out whom we feel is the most deserving. We ask ourselves, Has this person made a positive contribution to the 573 that is worthy of recognition? Does the honoree personify the 573 Magazine: passionate, driven, honest, giving, hard-working, innovative, and unbiased? And lastly, is the honoree a nice person? The 573 is thick with outstanding people. Choosing a few to be a 573 Person of the Year is very, very difficult. If you don’t see yourself listed as a 573 Person of the Year, just crawl out of that sunken sofa, turn that stupid device off, and get out and taste some reality for a change. Explore your world in real time. 573 Magazine wants to get to know you.
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When I think about all of the things that have led me to where I am today, I think the biggest influences have been my Family and my Faith. My mother was a very strong woman who dealt with so much her short time here on Earth. I think her parents instilled in her those qualities. She grew up on a little farm of 30 acres in the Bootheel, where my grandpa farmed cotton, watermelons, beans, and corn. She had eleven siblings and they all had to work on the farm to help. After she married my father they moved here to this area, close to my paternal grandma’s farm. {The barn where we took pictures is barn on her farm} That is where I grew up until high school. We always had a large garden and she would grow most of the food we ate. We canned vegetables and had potatoes in the cellar. My brother and I took on many responsibilities to help out. My mother taught us how to do so many things: garden, cook, bake, paint, drive the tractor, but the most important things she taught us were responsibility and caring for others. She taught me how to budget and make ends meet when times are hard. We didn’t have any luxuries, but we had each other. She would be the first one to help a neighbor that needed her. She was always baking and giving to others. When I was 11 or 12 I started babysitting for local families on the weekends. My brother had a newspaper route, then took a job at the General Store in Doe Run, so I took over the paper route. It was quite a long bike ride, but I did it as soon as I got out of school. All of these people and experiences have molded me into the person I am today. I thought I wanted to be a nurse as my profession, but after all of mom’s health issues, I realized that I wasn’t cut out for that. I would faint every time I went to the hospital to see her, so there was no way I could work in that environment. I frequented the pharmacy a lot for her medications and after a teacher of mine talked with me about it, I was able to start working at Medicate Pharmacy in Farmington when I was 15. That was the beginning of my pharmacy career.
I worked at Medicate throughout high school and college as a technician and intern, then remained working there as a Pharmacist for a total of 22 years. I was blessed to be able to work for and mentor under Jack and Barbara Dunning. Medicate became one of the most progressive and successful pharmacies in the state of Missouri. More importantly, the owners treated everyone (employees and customers) equally. It didn’t matter who you were, where you lived, or what you had—you were important. We were expected to perform efficiently, honestly and ethically in all of our work. Customer service was of utmost importance. During these 22 years, life happened. I married my husband Tim in 1990. We attended high school together, but started dating after graduation. I went to college at St. Louis College of Pharmacy. He attended Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff. His degree is in Ag Mechanics. His story shows the importance of hard work and relationships, honesty and integrity. He always puts others first. He’s the first one to the job and the last one to leave. Because of his abilities to find new ways to do things and ability to get along with everyone, he has had opportunities that we never imagined. We have four wonderful children- Alex (23), Taylor(20), Sydney(17), Trenton(15). I hope to have instilled in them the same values that have been passed down in our families for generations: Faith, family, love, determination, honesty, hard work, respect. Alex graduated from MIZZOU with degrees in plant science and studies in AG education. She loves working on the family farm and took care of the day to day operations when Tim was working out of the country. She works on the farm but also is teaching Ag classes at St.Paul Lutheran High School in Farmington. She is so excited to start this new program and provide opportunities to new students. Taylor works for his uncle in the concrete business (another family-owned business). He loves to work hard and be outside. Sydney is a senior at Farmington High School. She is in the midst of making college and career choices and enjoying her senior year. Trenton is a sophomore and loves playing soccer. They all help out on the farm when needed and enjoy the outdoors. After much prayer and support from my family, I decided to make a leap of faith and open my own pharmacy. I found partners who had the same values and vision as myself. On March 5, 2018, Parkland Health Mart in Farmington opened for business. I love where I live and work. I love the people here, and I am so excited that we have been given the opportunity to change so many peoples’ lives. God Bless.
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573: Tell us about you and your family. I’m the oldest of three kids. I have a younger brother and a younger sister. My sister works as an RNA, and my brother works at the Shawnee Center. We moved here from Chicago when I was in the 2nd grade. I attended Jefferson Elementary, Cape Central Middle School, Cape Central Junior High, and Cape Central High School. I played football, basketball, and ran track. I walked on the 2011 SEMO football team and met my future colleagues Wyky Jean and Kweku Arkorful. I graduated in 2014 with my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in social work. After graduation, I worked as an emergency responder/youth transporter for the 32nd Judicial Circuit Juvenile office and as a UPS worker. Later, I moved to Paducah, Kentucky, for a position as a youth worker in a juvenile detention center. I worked there for a year and then moved back to Cape.
573: Tell us about the organization. How did you get 573: Why is it important to mentor kids? involved? I think it’s just important to help kids in general. We started Honorable Young Men Club (HYMC) in 2016. ‘Mentor’ is just a title- anyone can help and not Before we volunteered in schools, we spent our time at have that mentor title. Being a mentor doesn’t the local Salvation Army and the Bridge Church to help make my advice more valuable than someones with boxing supplies and mentorship. My mother Toni else’s advice. I feel we need to help kids because Pearson, who worked as a parent liaison at the Central they’re the future. Older generations typically Middle School for over ten years, asked if my close complain about the younger generation and friends and I would come up with a program that would what they’re doing wrong. My question is: why mentor at-risk students. Once we put the program not give them advice and help them? My future together, we were sat down with the school principal, children won’t look up to me no matter how cool Rex Crosnoe, to present our creation. Mr. Crosnoe I may seem, but they will look up to the current loved the idea of us mentoring at-risk students. We adolescent generation that we didn’t help. So volunteered one day a week for eight months before why not lead the generation that will one day being hired as full-time mentors. In fall 2016, we resigned lead your kid’s generation? The kids we work from our jobs. I stepped away as a sales rep at Signature with especially need guidance and mentorship Packaging. Wyky Jean left his position as manager at because they may not get it in their daily Andy’s. Kweku Arkorful gave up his title as Intramural environment. Coordinator at SEMO. Aaron Adeoye vacated his job as a detailer at Nissan. Ever since then we’ve been working You can help the Honorable Young Men’s Club at: with the Central Middle School and Central Junior High FaceBook.com/HonorableYoungMenClub School. We currently have over 190 students and four mentors. HYMC teaches adolescents how to become respectable men. We teach them the characteristics of being a man such as showing respect, shaking a hand properly, and tying a tie. Our program is based on our seven core values: integrity, giving back, respect, accountability, duty, enthusiasm, and self-awareness. Our sessions take place during the school day. At Central Middle School, we have six 45-minute sessions every Tuesday and Thursday with about 7-10 students. We hold similar courses at the Junior High on Monday and Wednesday.
words t. smugala According to the American Chiropractic Association, the word ‘chiropractic’ comes from the Greek words cheir (meaning ‘hand’) and praktos (meaning ‘done’), i.e., Done by Hand. A prolific reader of all things scientific, Daniel David Palmer realized that although various forms of body manipulation had been used for hundreds of years, no one knew the philosophical or scientific rationale behind their effects. Palmer’s major contribution to the health field was, therefore, the codification of the philosophy, art, and science of chiropractic which was based on his extensive study of anatomy and physiology. Palmer performed the first chiropractic adjustment in September 1895. Palmer examined a janitor who had become deaf 17 years prior after he felt something “give” in his back. Palmer examined the area and gave a crude “adjustment” to a displaced vertebra in the upper back. Afterward, the janitor’s hearing improved. In 1897, Palmer established the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, where it remains today. Following the first adjustment, many people became interested in Palmer’s new science and healing art. Today, there are more than 70,000 active chiropractors in the United States. Recently we met up with the young Doctor Chris Crawford to tell us what’s crackin’.
573: Who is Chris Crawford? I am 30 years old and originally from Apple Valley, Minnesota. Much of my family including my mom and Dad still live in Minnesota. I have three siblings: two older, Leigh and Matt; and one younger, Kaitlyn. My girlfriend Lauren is an insurance producer for Chap Arnold Insurance. I am an avid sports fan, and I love to get out and play most sports or watch them, live or on T.V. Soccer and basketball are my two favorite sports, and I enjoy coaching them at Saxony Lutheran High School. 573: Tell us about your practice. I have been in practice for the past six years. My practice is based upon giving people the optimal function of body mechanics while adjusting for peak nervous system performance. I have patients from a few weeks old to over 95 years old. We treat many different issues ranging from basic to complex. Many people come to us as a means to avoid using pain medication or surgeries. I love to see my patients get better over time and succeed in activities back pain may have kept them from accomplishing. I use diversified techniques such as Cox flexion/distraction, drop table techniques, instrument assisted soft tissue manipulation, and other varied methods to individualize the care that every patient receives.
573: Tell us about the team. I coach various teams at Saxony Lutheran High School. During the fall, I am the boys head soccer coach. In the winter, I trade soccer for basketball as the boys basketball coach. Even in the spring, you’ll find me coaching as the girls soccer coach. Our boys soccer team is the 5-time defending district champion and finished this season ranked as the #5 team in the state by the state coaches poll. Our boys basketball team has won the past two district championships and made it as far as the quarterfinals. Our girls soccer team won the Class 1 State Championships in 2015 and 2016 and finished the season last year ranked #3 in the state coaches poll.
573 Magazine has always been a big supporter of the arts. Heck, we like to think of our magazine as art. We have supported the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri for many years now and I can tell you that the organization is on the move. With a new gallery location and a new director, the Arts are in full bloom in Cape. Let me introduce you to my friend, Sara Steffens, Director of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri. She has it going on.
573: Tell us about you and your family. I’m Sara Steffens. I moved to Cape several years ago when I took a job as Director of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri. I grew up in Barnhart, MO, and most of my family lives in the St. Louis area and the St. Genevieve area. My husband is John Steffens. He is an attorney in Cape at the Limbaugh Firm. We are expecting a little girl in May and could not be more excited. We also have a genius level dog named BRUCE! Working at the Arts Council is wonderful and the type of thing I was meant to do. I have always loved cameras, photography, and art in general. I have a degree in fine arts with an emphasis in photography and a minor in art history from Missouri State University. Outside of work, we spend time with family and friends and travel as much as we can. 573: How did you end up in Cape? It’s cliché, but a man brought me here. I was working as the Director for the Perry County Historical Society and met my future husband through the organization. We shared a love of history and just connected. I then applied for Director for the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri. It’s been a whirlwind, but I hit the ground running with this position. I love being surrounded by art. 573: Tell us about the Art Walks. The First Friday Art Walks are community-centered events that take place on the First Friday of every month. They were established in 2003. First Friday with the Arts is an event initiated by local galleries and gallery-owners to encourage residents of the Southeast Missouri region to engage in the arts. The Art Walks are growing, and people really enjoy coming downtown and experiencing its charm. Many downtown businesses and galleries are involved and keep their doors open later in the evening. They hold sales, artist’s receptions, and other special featured activities. We do stamp cards three times a year at participating locations. If you collect a certain number of stamps, you’ll receive a promotional item from a business. We are thinking of revamping the stamps cards and providing other activities. I think the community really enjoys the themed Art Walks such as Cookie Spree, Pet’s Night Out, and Trick- Art-Treat. Pet’s Night Out is one of my favorites because people bring their pets to enjoy the festivities. 573: Any future plans for the Arts Council? Yes! We are currently in a fundraising phase for the upstairs renovation. The Arts Council has received Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credits from the Missouri Department of Economic Development. If you have business income in Missouri, you may qualify to receive these tax credits. Businesses who are invested in the arts or downtown Cape Girardeau can support the Arts Council and save money on taxes at the same time! This will bring a Performing Arts Center not only to Cape Girardeau but to our Southeast Region. The Performing Arts Center will have a modifiable stage, wings, gallery walls, a demonstration kitchen, and other performance areas. We are very excited about this project!
573 WOMAN OF THE YEAR words and pics t. smugala I have known Tameka Randle for a few years, and we have become good friends. Sometimes the minute you first meet someone you instinctively know their heart is in the right place. Tameka is that person. She is the right kind of person at the right time. She’s comfortable in any situation and any group of people. Tameka is the current Assistant Director of Educational Access and Outreach Programs for the Academic Support Center at SEMO. The program’s mission is to enhance the academic achievement and educational attainment of all Southeast Missouri students spanning the educational spectrum from pre- collegiate to undergraduate and graduate studies. Tameka was honored by the Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau. She received their Zonta Woman of Achievement award for leadership and service in making a significant impact on the lives of girls and women throughout the region. She has also been recognized for making a significant impact in the workplaces and communities of people under 40. While working at Southeast Missouri State University, she received the Civic Engagement Award for outstanding service and engagement in the university community. Her passion is philanthropy. She has served as Commissioner for the Missouri Community Service Commission, Board President of the Community Caring Council, and Board Vice President with the Gibson Center. She graduated from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry Leadership Missouri Program and the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Cape Program.
The greatest enjoyment in my life is spending time with family. My family includes my mother Bobbie, who recently passed away, and my father, Onzo. My parents were married for almost 50 years. There’s also my sister La’Wanza, brother-in-law Justin Sr., and nephews Justin Jr. and Jace. Nearly 20 years ago, my parents started the Randle Family Fish Fry in my father’s hometown of Lexington, Mississippi. It takes place every year on the first Sunday of July during Independence Holiday, July 4th. Family, friends, and community members are invited to attend. There are approximately 100 - 200 people in attendance annually. The purpose of the Randle Family Fish Fry is to bring people together and give back. I also enjoy what I call the three W’s for winning: word, water, and walking. Every day, I take the time to read the word, drink my water, and walk. Another passion of mine is shopping and hanging out in downtown Cape Girardeau. I like to shop at Annie Laurie’s and Stash for their great boutique items. My favorite hangout spot is Katy O’Ferrell’s. It’s a fun, friendly place with lots of smiles! 83
Running a small business is tough. Not “easy tough” like climbing Mt. Everest or getting a doctorate in micro-genetics — no, running a business is much harder. I know from first-hand experience that It takes lots of effort to run a profitable business. Having an excellent business idea and sufficient funding is not enough to make you successful. Running a profitable business is three dimensional game of chess where every move will cost you and your family dearly. If you fail, your kids’ education could be in jeopardy. If you fail, you could lose your home. If you fail, you could lose self-respect. Running a successful business is tough, and there is always much to lose. I mean, if you can’t make it to the top of Everest, you can turn back. If you bust out of micro-genetics with only a masters degree, chances are you will be fine. Successful business owners are problem solvers. They fight to succeed against all the odds, but successful entrepreneurs have one other thing they have to maintain — family. Some of you may laugh, but it is 100% true. Without emotional support from family and friends, your chances of success in business are much lower. You have to put your family and friends first. Engrossed in the day-to-day pulls from their needy companies, how can a business owner put family and friends first? Personally, and some will think this is old fashioned, I make to-do lists. I plan my “can-do-anytime work” around my family-time schedule. I end up doing 20 or so hours of late-night work per week after my family has hit the hay. There are a million ways to climb this mountain. Recently we met up with a super entrepreneur to let us in on how she manages her time.
573: Who is Patty Merkley? I’m blessed to have a daughter, Chloe Reese, who is also my best friend. She is thirteen and the co-captain of the Central Junior High School cheer squad. Our dog, Chase Elbert, is a nine-month-old Great Dane and the family goofball. My parents are Deborah, a retired and loving mother and grandmother, and Mike, who works as the human resource manager and my right-hand man at Camp Merkley Kids Dental. My sister, Laura, works at Central Junior High School. She is my touchstone! She is also the mother of my two wonderful nieces and my nephew. My niece, Cambreigh, is spiritually my firstborn. She is a talented seventeen-year- old CHS cheerleader and cat lover. My niece Haley is also seventeen years old. She is an equally amazing Zalma student, skilled volleyball player, and future nurse. My nephew Connor is the funniest and sweetest boy I know! He gives the best hugs. Even though he is only a fifteen-year- old CHS student, he is a musical savant. 573: Tell us about Camp Merkley. Camp Merkley Kids Dental is a dream come to life! We pride ourselves on providing all kiddos the highest level of comprehensive dental care in an environment designed to distract and comfort our campers. With the life-size tent “waiting room,” the hanging chairs, the starry sky ceiling, and the abundant prize wall, no detail was overlooked. Only our talented team members outshine the interactive and fun design of Camp Merkley. I took careful consideration and time to compile the best team possible. Demitria and Liz greet every family at the front desk with a smile. Amy, Brie, Nikki, McKenzie, and Elainna work their magic by assisting. Everyone adds their own unique flair! I’m known as “Dr. Patty” with the kids. Beginning my career as a nurse, I progressed to dentistry and chose to specialize in the field of pediatrics. Dr. Christine Schoolman joined the practice this summer, and she is nothing short of spectacular!
573: What makes Patty Merkley a good business person? Being a business owner has taught me so much. Initially, the biggest challenge was finding the perfect team. Time- consuming as it was, I was committed to recruiting a group that had the same passion in caring for kids. I wanted to make sure they shared the vision of providing the best level of care in a gentle and fun way. To me, being a good business owner means that you are constantly looking for a way to better yourself, your team, and your product. We discuss each patient on a daily basis to keep all of our team members up to date on special considerations. Each week, we revisit ways to give back and interact with our community. Since opening, Camp Merkley has made donations to the Oral Health Coalition, Safe House, Immaculate Conception School, River City Aquatics, Jackson School District, Eagle Ridge Christian, Step Up for Dyslexia, and Cape Central High School. We also adopt families and provide gifts through the Student Santa organization. Camp Merkley is personal to me. It is not just a business- we are a family! 573: Tell us about Cookie Day. Annual Cookie Day is a tradition my sister and I began years ago. We wanted something to jumpstart the Christmas season. Laura and I devoted the first Saturday after Thanksgiving to making and decorating Christmas cookies. What started as one or two batches of mismatched cookies grew quickly to an all-sugar cookie decorating extravaganza! I know, not what you would expect from a dentist.... but I’m a pediatric dentist... I am all about laughing and being silly with kids in my personal life, too!
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