In May 2007, we published the first 573 Magazine. There were few paying advertisers and no grant money—just a simple idea: a regional lifestyle magazine covering the 573 area code. We would create something 100% positive and focus on the area's people, places, and passions. We would create a magazine that was focused on something other than selling ads. It would be published for and written by the people! Everyday people. No politics, no world news, no disasters. We would get out there and experience all the great things we have here and all the things that sometimes get taken for granted. We share with you by creating beautiful images and videos. Our recommendations for businesses and restaurants are earned, not bought! And 17 years later, the 573 Magazine is going strong and better than ever.
573 Magazine. 17 years and going.
It’s so hard for me to fathom that it's been 17 years since the first 573 Magazine already. I’ve had the time to explore all the parks, hike the trails, and meet passionate people… With all this on my mind, I went into the archive and paged through the very first publication. Here's what was there.
We cover great places.
The very first story in 573 asked local mayors about Spring.
Karen Yates -Fredericktown (left)
Whitewater races have been held in March on the St. Francis River for as long as I can remember. The stunning natural beauty of the area (the race course runs from Millstream Gardens to Silvermines Recreation Area) makes attending the race the perfect place to watch the world wake up. When the cold, gray days of February make Spring seem as if it is still far away, I always start watching for that first vehicle in town with a boat on top. When I finally spot it, I breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that soon the days will start to warm and that Spring isn’t so far away after all.
Richard Greminger -Ste. Genevieve (center)
It’s as if everything is coming back to life again. The grass and trees are all turning green and flowers are starting to bloom to bring back color to the world. With the exception of paying taxes in April, there’s not too many downfalls to spring. People seem to be in better moods and then there’s baseball... Having two boys playing ball makes the sport and the season even more fun and enjoyable.
Jeannie Roberts -Farmington (right)
I think it is obvious why anyone applauds the arrival of Spring. By the end of February, when heartwarming Christmas and New Year celebrations are a distant memory, I am pensive. I think holidays save us from "cabin fever," and by the last few cold fronts and frozen grey skies, I am wishing for Spring. When April finally comes with blooming Lilac and SUN, I am euphoric. I can't imagine a world without seasons. And a season where a large, furry animal brings candy in baskets works for me!
We cover people with a passion. We created beautiful photographs inspired by the impressionist artist Edgar Degas
The second story in the 573 Magazine was, of course, featuring our clear water streams and young people with a passion for dance. We created photographs inspired by the impressionist artist Edgar Degas, the French impressionist artist famous for his paintings of ballet dancers, who displayed a mastery in the depiction of movement, grace, and emotion.
Innocence. You can see it on the faces of our children.
The third story was 20 Reasons to Live in the 573. Here are a few of my favs.
It is a sixty-mile drive to all the good stuff. A million miles from all the bad stuff. It is a lot better to pick and choose what you like about St. Louis than it is to deal with all you dislike about St. Louis.
You havenʼt lived until you climbed on massive pink boulders. Lots of fun. Elephant Rocks State Park is a place you'll never forget! And now that I think of it, there are lots of parks around here—great parks. They don’t call this the Park Land for nothing!
Innocence. You can see it on the faces of our children. They don’t need to spend all their time looking over their shoulders. They spend their time thinking about kid stuff. I tell ya, they just look different here. You can see it in their eyes.
Opportunity. One of the fastest-growing regions in the state. An excellent environment
for anyone wanting to start a business. Here’s a tip: think professional, service, and technologies. The land of opportunity for any entrepreneur.
The birds. Cardinal, dark-eyed junco, goldfinch, blue jay, indigo bunting, bluebird, summer tanager, tufted titmouse... You do not realize how fantastic our birds are until you live elsewhere without them.
Silver Mines Recreation Area, named for actual silver mines, is located on the banks of the St. Francis River. "Whitewater" enthusiasts from around the world bring their kayaks to enjoy the river's challenges during the White Water Festival and spring high water. There are several places to access the river. You can get river shoes at Walmart.
Small town events are always interesting.
Wineries. The area is dotted with wineries. Most are very good. All are entertaining.
All you can eat Catfish. The Cat Fish Kettle serves all-you-can-eat catfish. The fish is always fresh, and it’s good! Like really good!
The Cape Air Show was great fun.
Dogwood trees & the Mark Twain Forest. There are hundreds and hundreds of miles of hiking trails in the Mark Twain Forest.
Stars. People live their entire lives in St. Louis without ever seeing the stars. Sky gazing during a meteor shower is one of the most fantastic things you can do. You can see the galaxies. Wow!
Old Barns. There are old barns everywhere. They all make great photos. They’re just beautiful to look at.
Clean air. The air quality in the area is near perfect. The skies are clear and blue. I guess since you have to breathe, you might as well breathe clean air.
Our food reviews are always a blast.
And one of my favorite stories in the first issue was the very first Superhero, WW2 Airborne Ranger -Robert Silvey. Oddly enough, World War II was a very tiny part of Robert Silvey’s life story. We cover Superheroes.
According to Robert, his true heroic acts were that of a Devoted Husband, Loving Father, Compassionate Grandfather, Loyal Friend, and Champion of local veterans affairs. From the acquisition of a tank for the Farmington VFW to the war memorial standing in front of the Farmington City Hall to the Robert Silvey Farmington V.A. Clinic, Robert’s active role in local veterans affairs certainly made him deserving of the Medal of Honor. Like most vets of the Greatest Generation, Robert didn’t see himself as a hero, but I can tell you he was one.
Here’s what he told me about his war experience: “Woken up at 2 am, an hour later we’re being bounced around inside a transport plane while the Germans are taking potshots from below. You can’t hear much over the roar of the engines -too loud to sleep, but you try anyway; better that than thinking about dying. They stand you up and hook you to the line, the light goes green, and you’re pushed out the door into the night. Your chute opens, and you start your helpless glide to earth. Frightening, the tracers from the small arms fire below rocket towards you. It’s as good a place as any, I guess. Same odds of getting killed hanging from a parachute as you do hiding in a bush on the ground. You hit the ground, pitch black. No one around, you don’t know where you are. Bullets buzzing from all directions. Everyone’s scattered. You don’t know who’s shooting at you or who you’re shooting at.
It’s all pretty insane, not like those John Wayne movies, where you’re fighting face-to-face with the enemy, and your hatred is stronger than your fear. It’s not like that at all. You’re just trying to keep breathing. The scariest part is it’s all so random, you’re moving along, and your buddy gets killed just out of the blue. You never saw who shot him. Chances are the guy who killed never even knew he hit anything.
When we finally did get close to the beach the invasion was in full bloom. It was an awful sight to watch - our boys trying to get to shore with all that firepower pointed at them. A lot of those boys were killed before they even hit the beach; the boats were just blown to pieces. We could see the whole thing from our position behind the German lines. If you’ve seen the movie Saving Private Ryan, you have a small taste of what it was really like. It was chaos and murder. And if they made it to the beach, there was a massacre waiting for them. We did what we could to help out, but we were just trying to stay alive for ourselves. It wasn’t long after that I got hit. I have no idea where it came from. Badly hit on the leg, I had to just keep fighting for my life until it all ended. Nowhere to go until we owned the beach.”
After a few weeks in the hospital, Robert was sent into action several other times in France and Italy. He even saved the life of a member of the French Underground. In the end, he was wounded a total of three times before he was sent stateside. He received three purple hearts, a bronze star, a silver star, and many other decorations for honorable service. Some of the medals he showed me, he claimed he didn’t really even know why he got ‘em. “Some of them just showed up. Like I said, you were more interested in staying alive and helping your buddies than getting medals.”
We cover you.
Looking back at this and knowing we have stayed true to who and what we are makes me so proud of all the people who helped us make 573 Magazine something great. We will keep chugging along, and let us know if you know a Superhero. We are always on the lookout for people with a passion.
Now get out there! Do something. What one person can do, another can do. Make something. Join a club. Take a class. Claw your way out of that sunken sofa and LIVE. Time's a wasting.
Pics & Words Da Editor
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