The last couple of weeks have been heavy on family and light on wandering, which means this issue sticks close to your publisher's home base.

This week, we're bringing you a twisty trail to make you sweat; a powerful piece of WWII history being cared for locally; Mediterranean eats; hip-hop dance; and a big, beautiful list of weekend events.

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Klaus Park Trail, Jackson, MO

The Klaus Park Trail is a compact, twisty loop tucked just off I-55 in Jackson.

It packs a lot of trail into a tight space, looping snugly around itself, zig-zagging again and again, as if the trail design were inspired by a tape worm.

The plentiful turns and elevation changes make it a solid option for trail running, a challenging walk, and mountain biking. I'm told it's a really fun ride. I haven't ridden it, just hoofed it. Great spot for beginner mountain bike riders because you’re never far from your car. 5 out of 5 stars in bail-ability.

A few things to know going in:

• Designed with mountain biking in mind, but open to foot traffic
• Elevation changes make it a great workout
• Expect repetition, not vistas. You're here to get your heart rate up amongst the trees. Don't expect a bluff overlook or roaring river.
• You’ll hear interstate noise. Ahhh nature with a faint hum of semi. Jk, it's not that bad.

Important: Trail etiquette matters here, especially in winter's lovely freeze-thaw cycles. Even if it hasn’t rained, warming daytime temps can turn the trail surface into soft mud that’s easily damaged. If your shoes or tires are leaving deep prints, turn around and come back another day. Ruts that harden are difficult to repair.

I’m proud to say we’ve got a mountain bike trail in Jackson. That’s cool. Mountain biking is cool. Mountain bikers are cool. Let's take a sec to bask in the cool...

For the hikers, yeah, it’s not a postcard trail, but it’ll get you outside, break a sweat, and it beats scrolling.

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This section is sponsored by

A Flag in Cape. Marines Remembered.

Inside the Marine Corps League: Cpl Mason O. Yarbrough Detachment #1081 in Cape Girardeau, an American flag keeps the memory of a fallen Marine alive, cared for by people who believe remembering is a responsibility.

The flag once covered the casket of Lowell Walker Blount, a U.S. Marine from Indiana killed on Iwo Jima on March 8, 1945, just weeks before the battle ended. He was 22 years old. Jim Stroman, chaplain of Cape's Marine Corps League detachment, shared Blount’s story during a recent visit inside the League’s mini Marine museum.

The flag came to Cape through Flag Keepers, an organization founded by Marine Sergeant Major John Doty to ensure historic flags are preserved with care. When Flag Keepers began looking for a permanent home for Blount’s casket flag, Stroman raised his hand. He believed it belonged somewhere personal...not boxed away in storage at a large museum, but in the hands of people who would actively protect and interpret its history.

That belief matters here. This detachment is named after Cpl Mason O. Yarbrough, a Marine from Southeast Missouri who also died in the Pacific during World War II. Stroman said housing Blount’s flag here brings together two Marines killed in the same theater of war — one from Indiana, one from Southeast Missouri — within a detachment that was already dedicated to remembering a fallen Marine.

The flag dates to the era when the U.S. had 48 states. It has 48 hand-sewn stars, and is larger than a typical casket flag. Stroman had a custom display case made by a local veteran.

Visiting the Marine Corps League’s Mini Marine Museum

Cape's Marine Corps League detachment also maintains a small Marine Corps museum, featuring uniforms worn by local Marines, Marine Corps books and photographs, and items connected to the League’s history in Southeast Missouri.

This is not a walk-in museum, but anyone is welcome to visit by appointment, whether you wish to see the flag, honor a fallen Marine, learn more about the Corps, or explore the collection.

To arrange a visit, contact Jim Stroman: (949) 510-7888.

It’s a quiet and caring place, where some stories are still being carried, thoughtfully, right here at home.

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Try This

Eating your way through Cape? Follow the smell of falafel to Olive's Pitaria. Get Mediterranean favorites in a charming old home by the River Campus. Good service. Warm Pita. Turkish coffee. Baklava.

Open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

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Learn Something New

Check! This! Out!: Hip Hop Dance Studios.

You can now take hip hop, contemporary, and feel-good dance classes for all ages (3 and up) in Cape Girardeau. All centered on confidence, creativity, and positivity.

Even if you dance like Elaine Benes with no intention of improving, you can still help us support this new local business. Show them some love on social and tell your dance-curious friends. Let's get the word out.

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For each event, you’ll find more info at the link.​
​*Because these events are upcoming, they have not been vetted. That would require a time machine, and we don't have the funds. Party at your own discretion.

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This Weekend’s Happenings

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Fri, Jan 09

​MBDA Regional Networking Event, Cape Girardeau, MO - The Multicultural Business Development Alliance invites small business owners and prospective entrepreneurs from underserved communities to connect with other entrepreneurs, the community, and local resources. 6pm.

​Friday Optimist Bingo, Cape Girardeau, MO - Weekly bingo night at the Osage Centre!

​Mixtape Music Bingo, Scott City, MO - Song clips, bingo cards, and prizes at the Riverhouse. Free to play, but registration is required. 6-8pm. Karaoke may follow.

​Try Scuba, Carbondale, IL - Get a taste of scuba diving with a guided, beginner-friendly experience at the SIU Student Rec Center. Includes all equipment, pool time, and one-on-one instruction with a professional dive leader. Registration required. 4:30-6:30pm. $45.

​Duck Duo Date Night, Paducah, KY - A guided paint-along date night for couples at MAKE Paducah, where partners work together to create a duck-themed canvas. 6-8pm.

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Sat, Jan 10

​Grand Re-Opening - Henry N. Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center, Cypress, IL - I'm so excited about this! Celebrate the re-opening of the Cache River Wetlands Center with an open-house, environmental crafts, booths, and self-guided winter hiking, biking, and birding. Lunch will be available for purchase. 10am-2pm.

​Saturday Nature Dialogues - Rescuing, Rehabilitating, and Releasing Wildlife in Southern Illinois, Marion, IL - Learn about wildlife rescue and rehabilitation during this talk by Bev Shofstall of Free Again Wildlife Rehabilitation, featuring an owl she rescued. 1-3pm.

​Coffee’N Dirt Roads, Jonesboro, IL - Jeep’N Shawnee starts a new monthly meetup at Hebrewz Coffeehouse for coffee, trail talk, and checking out each other’s rigs before heading out for a group trail ride. All 4x4 vehicles welcome. Sat, Jan 10, 10am.

​Cape County Ducks Unlimited Sportsman’s Dinner, Cape Girardeau, MO - An evening of dinner, raffles, and prizes benefiting wetlands conservation. Guns, gear, and kids’ games at the AC Brase Arena. Doors at 5:30pm. Tickets required.

​Composition in Photography, Jackson, MO - Learn how photographers arrange visual elements within the frame in this hands-on class covering composition basics. Open to beginners through pros. 10am-12pm

​Onondaga Cave & Meramec State Park Hiring Event, Leasburg, MO - Meet staff from at Onondaga Cave State Park and Meramec State Park and learn about seasonal job opportunities at both parks. A good chance to ask questions, get details, and see if a Missouri State Parks gig is a good fit. 10am-2pm

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Sun, Jan 11

​Reynolds House Tea Talk, Cape Girardeau, MO - January’s Tea Talk features Dr. Art Mattingly discussing the preservation and relocation of the B.F. Hunter log cabin, with a slideshow on saving a mid-1800s structure for SEMO’s Historic Preservation program. Sunday, 2-3pm. Free.

​Basic Crochet - Stitches, Anna, IL - Learn a basic chain start and practice single, half-double, and double crochet stitches while creating a sampler from a pattern. Instruction, yarn, H hook, and yarn needle included. 1-3:30pm. $20. Ages 10+.

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Want your event in Backroad Weekly?​
Our event slots are discounted for the new year - $15!
Backroad Weekly has 800+ subscribers across Southeast Missouri and a 55% open rate. Get an ad slot here.​

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WORD SCRAMBLE ANSWER: BISCUIT

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Welp, (*slaps knees), we better get goin'. Thanks again to our sponsor.

Catch you down the road.

Caitlan Hester
Publisher, Backroad Weekly

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