Large cities such as St. Louis, MO come along with all
the expected tourism sites such as the St. Louis Arc, numerous museums, Jazz
Clubs, entertainment arenas and exquisite high fashion shops. Thousands of
visitors flock the streets each summer to enjoy a Cardinals baseball game, the
latest musical show tour or headlining band. Yes, it is exciting, exhilarating
and can be quite costly, as with visiting a major city in any state.
Today, let’s take a look at life in a small town,
specifically a college town located smack in the middle of the state of
Missouri, named Rolla. By the way, so as not to offend the residents, please
pronounce the town’s name as Ralla, not Rowla that first glance may indicate.
The town of Rolla is found within the picturesque
1.5-million-acre Mark Twain National
Forest, mid-way between St. Louis and Springfield and known, worldwide,
as the home of Missouri University
of Science and Technology, for short, Missouri S & T.
Long known as a major stopping off point along the
historic 2,000-mile-long U.S. Route 66,
Rolla was also the original terminus of the St. Louis and San Francisco
Railroad, known locally as the "Frisco Line." Today the BNSF Railway
runs directly through town and the 1501 "Blue Bonnet Special", a
massive Frisco Engine, is a unique attraction situated in the 15-acre Schuman Park. The Frisco 1501
Caboose, which houses U.S. Route 66 Train memorabilia, and is available
for tours, is located in the City's Downtown Festival Park. ‘Frisco’, played a significant role in the
early development of not only Rolla, but many of the surrounding towns as well.
History buffs must check out the Old Court House, The Dillon Home and a very
tiny, and uncomfortable, original jail. 
Arts and culture thrive in
Rolla with the Ozark Actor's Theatre and Missouri S & T’s own Leach
Theatre. The Centre, Rolla’s Health and Recreation Arena, offers artwork and
photography provided by Arts Rolla.
The main town streets are lined
with the expected Fast-Food Restaurants found in a college town, along with
numerous rental housings for the S & T students.
Life in a small, college town
brings with it a sense of intimacy you cannot find within a large city.
Residents greet you with a friendly ‘hello’ and bond together to assist those
‘in need’. Family life is the focal point for most residents who enjoy bowling,
raft-trips, camping, swimming, hiking and gathering together to enjoy the
home-made tastes of those luscious family recipes handed down from generation
to generation.
You cannot mention life in a
small town without the addition of church lined streets, a place so many gather
each week to fulfill their spiritual and religious convictions. In fact,
charitable drives, recreational activities, religious teachings and friendship
abound within the walls of each church.
What strikes me most appealing,
withstanding the low housing costs, is the beauty of the scenery, the
generosity of the heart and the slower paced lifestyle. Rollians are true to
the states motto, The Show Me State, but once shown and accepted, they are the
most faithful, supportive individuals you could ever know. The warmth of love
fills the air, the openness of compassion and understanding fills the soul.
So, if you tire of the hectic,
rushed, expensive living of a city, drop in and say hello. Rolla will welcome
you to their small, rather rural college town, and even give you a ‘hi
neighbor’.
I couldn’t leave out one very
important fact that is happening this year in Branson, MO at Silver Dollar
City. For those of you who have not heard of Branson, well, it is one of the
liveliest, most exciting and entertaining family vacation spots in the country.
This year, and this year only, they are offering free admission to anyone
married or born in 1976. Check out their web site for information @ http://www.silverdollarcity.com/offers/spirit-of-76-season-pass.aspx
About the Author:
Monica M Brinkman has traveled
the US, living in the East Coast, West Coast and now resides in the state of
Missouri. A poet, flash fiction and
fiction novel writer, she is currently finishing the sequel to The Turn of the
Karmic Wheel, aptly named ‘The Wheels Final Turn’. You will find her each
Thursday evening as the host of the It Matters Radio broadcast.
Loved your post, Monica. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Rose. Appreciate you stopping by to say hello. Take care
ReplyDeleteMonica Brinkman is an excellent author: a big-town lady in small-town Rolla!
ReplyDeleteRolla has (or used to have) An American Taekwondo Association club/school. They held tournaments regional tournaments there for years.
ReplyDeleteMonica Brinkman is not only my friend from way back, but she is an Excellent author, writer and Host of It Matters Radio! Every Thursday night, she puts her heart, soul and very hard work, to host and promote new authors and musicians.its been my pleasure and honor to work with her! This article gives me a beautiful view of her town Rolla, and I think I want to go visit her SOON! Thanks for your support and love, Monica all these years..I love ya!
ReplyDeleteThat Route 66 sure travels the country. Got my tee shirt in Gallup, NM. Almost moved to MO, good writing karma. Nice blog. Lots of luck with your writing.
ReplyDeleteMonica,
ReplyDeleteYour small town sounds charming. College towns are wonderful places. I also love the cover of your novel. Very eye-catching. Best wishes.
Good summary of your area, Monica. It just goes to prove, good things do come in small places.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for this great insight Monica, We hope to tour route 66 within the next couple of years and we will make sure that Rolla is a stop off point, might just make it a longer stop there as it sounds very much like our small village in Wales (UK)
ReplyDeleteThank you all for stopping by and getting a small glimpse of our little town, Rolla. Would love you to visit.
ReplyDeleteTake care all.
What amazes me is that every state or local in this country has its own flavor and culture, and Missouri is no exception. Great deal of facts here. I "know" Monica M. Brinkman and have read much about here but learned more about her state here.
ReplyDeleteWow, wonderful blog format! How long have you been blogging for?
ReplyDeleteyou make blogging glance easy. The overall glance of your site is fantastic, as
well as the content material!
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