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Exploring the kick-ass geography, history, diversity, and modern culture of the Show Me State from our headquarters in Possum Trot, Missouri

The Pure Missouri Post: Dec 2022

All that’s well and good (and sometimes a little odd) in the Show Me State

Kevin Worley

Dec 11, 2022

Happy Missouri Holidays! 🎄

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Joyous Kwanzaa! Wishing you and yours the best of holidays here in Missouri and beyond.

ALMANAC 📆

Mark Twain’s “A Letter from Santa Claus”

One of Missouri’s most famous natives, Mark Twain, wrote this letter to his three-year-old daughter “from Santa Claus” in 1875. It’s a magical, feel-good message (save the parts where he suggests the servant could “die someday” if instructions weren’t followed). You can read the entire letter here at The North Pole Times:

LINK: A Letter from Santa Claus

SHOW ME LINKS 🔗

Unseen St. Louis: An introduction to the caves of St. Louis

Writer Jackie Dana of the fascinating Substack Unseen St. Louis shares the story of St. Louis being built on top of caves, and how breweries (and others) took full advantage of these underground structures.

LINK: St. Louis caves—and the breweries that loved them

A Prairie Home Companion returns to StL

This Thursday, “A Prairie Home Companion Christmas Show” comes to the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis with Heather Masse, Rich Dworsky, Pat Donohue, Dean Magraw, Sue Scott, Fred Newman, and Tim Russell. Both the live-theater event and livestream tickets are available.

LINK: A Prairie Home Companion Christmas Show

Holidays across Missouri

Here are a few links to the many Christmas and holiday-themed events happening in the Show Me State:

LINK: Christmastime in Hermann

LINK: Plaza Lights in Kansas City

LINK: Christmas Country Church Tour in Perry, Cape Girardeau and Bollinger counties

LINK: Gardens Aglow at Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden in Springfield

LINK: More events across the state from VisitMO

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SNAPSHOT 📷

A single image to represent “Our Missouri”

**Dedicated on December 2, 1963, the David Woods Kemper Memorial Fountain in Downtown Kansas City, also known as** **The Muse of the Missouri, was a gift to the city from Eleanor and James Kemper, Sr., in honor of their son, Lt. David W. Kemper, who was killed in the line of duty during World War II.** **This photo from 1964 includes three buildings and a parking garage that no longer exist. Here’s what it looks like today.** Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, Mo.

GALLERY 🖼

Art and artists of the Show Me State

QUOTABLE ❞

“Merry Ol’ Missouri, you’re always home to me. Your simple pace and quiet space made loud with family. Christmas could never be blue when I’m here with you.”

—Excerpt from lyrics to “Merry Ol’ Missouri,” co-written and performed by Missouri native Shelby Ringdahl. Watch the music video here.

Missouri Birthdays of Note 🎂

Phoebe Hearst

Dec. 3, 1845, in Franklin County
Suffragette, socialite, philanthropist

Ferlin Husky

Dec. 3, 1845, in St. Francois County
Singer/songwriter in the Country Music Hall of Fame

Calvin Trillin

Dec. 5, 1935, in Kansas City
New York Times columnist, book author, and champion of KC barbecue

Emmett Kelly

Dec. 9, 1898, in Sedan, Kan.
World’s most famous clown, grew up in Texas County, Mo., and lived briefly in Kansas City

Redd Foxx

Dec. 9, 1922, in St. Louis
Television actor and comedian

Dick Van Dyke

Dec. 13, 1925, in West Plains
Television actor and entertainer

Betty Grable

Dec. 18, 1916, in St. Louis
Movie actress and entertainer

August Anheuser Busch Sr.

Dec. 29, 1865, in St. Louis
President and CEO of Anheuser-Busch from 1913 to 1934

Thanks for reading and sharing this Pure Missouri Post. Stay well, be good, and keep in touch.

The Pure Missouri Post