Author: paulinemasson

By Pauline Masson – The lights in downtown Pacific create a glow of the vintage buildings that harkens back to the years when Christmas in downtown Pacific was a magic time with shoppers streaming into the mom and pop shops that lined St. Louis Street where they could buy just about anything they needed. My friend, the late Carl Zitzman once told me a story of one of those storybook Christmases at his house. He thought the year might have … Continue reading “Holiday Lights in Old Town Bring Back Childhood Memories of Long Ago Christmas”

By Pauline Masson – On Route 94, seven miles west of Marthasville stands a town of fewer than 200 permanent residents that thrives as a welcoming Mecca with a modern day twist on tourism. Trelor, Missouri is a favored place of local farmers, visiting cyclists, Missouri conservationists, history buffs, school field trips and hometown folks. On any Saturday afternoon at the Trelor Bar and Grill, where friendly farmers offer a welcoming handshake to KATY Trail cyclists, visitors are welcomed by … Continue reading “Trelor and Peers, Missouri, Tiny Historic Places that Thrive on Tourism, History and Hometown Love”

By Pauline Masson – There are 36 dots on the Route 66 Diving Map between Chicago, Illinois and Santa Monica, California where trekkers can stop for fuel, food, fun, rest, collectibles or car trouble. So how would we get them to stop in Pacific – which can boast one of the best preserved stretches of the original road in six states? This is the burning question as we prepare for the upcoming 2026 centennial birthday of the Mother Road when … Continue reading “Rt 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica, with a Stop in Pacific, Missouri”

By Pauline Masson –  For every area resident who has ever uttered the words, “There is nothing for young people to do in Pacific,” along comes an opportunity for absolutely everyone to pitch in and change that. A group of organizers has already gained wide community support in its effort to build a skateboard park on the slope adjacent to the children’s pavilion just inside the entrance to City Park. Many readers will remember that the community came together in … Continue reading “Campaign Underway to Build a Skate Park to Memorialize Fallen Soldier Jeff White”

By Pauline Masson – Developer Mike Gallagher found himself in the middle of a bureaucratic head scratcher Tuesday Oct 24, when he asked the Planning and Zoning Commission to waive his responsibility to construct curbs, gutters and sidewalks at his new development on Indian Trails Road. P&Z commissioners said the improvements were set by ordinance when the Board of Aldermen approved the Nottingham Ridge subdivision and street improvements with no waivers in 2016 and the Planning and Zoning Commission could … Continue reading “P&Z Says Request to Waive Sidewalks In Development Already Approved by Ordinance Is Out of Their Hands“

By Pauline Masson – Here’s a hometown story to warm hearts and minds. Veteran animal rescuer Mary Galati has adopted a litter of eight abandoned Husky Labrador mix pups, two male and six female, and she is hoping to find permanent homes for them before winter sets in. They are eight months old, spayed, well fed and healthy. They are mostly golden to light tan in color. They live outside and Mary is worried that they need homes soon. She … Continue reading “Local Dog Rescuer Worries that Winter is Looming and Threatens Her Most Recent Orphans”

By Pauline Masson –  When it comes to Halloween in Pacific, forget spooky stories and scary stalkers. For the past twenty years, one man – who more closely resembles Santa Claus than a ghost or goblin – has reinvented the best memories of his childhood into an ever-growing phantasmagoria of Halloween that staggers the imagination. This year, 2022 there are 100 lighted, waving creatures, from an international diaspora of Halloween ideas, in Dan McClain’s yard at the corner of South … Continue reading “Fantastic Monsters and Friends Welcome Trick or Treaters to Annual Halloween Party at Dan McClain’s House on Payne Street”

By Pauline Masson – If you would like see how a sleepy little river town can be reinvented as a modern high tech, high toned, tourist Mecca, go to Augusta. When my husband Bob and I decided to spend Sunday afternoon there I was just looking for a ride in the sunshine after a six-month bout of long COVID. I certainly had no thought of writing a travel blurb. But when what has transpired in Augusta, I couldn’t resist. I had … Continue reading “Augusta MO and its Wineries Reinvented Like a Setting for an Epic Movie”

By Pauline Masson – Barbara Alt’s surprise “keep your enemies closer,” speech at the September 20 board of aldermen meeting may have turned the tide for residents of Candlewick Lane, who for the past three months – and for the most part – have opposed her family’s request to rezone their property. Facing the board of aldermen as they considered a measure crucial to her family’s future but opposed by her neighbors, Barb Alt made an astonishing request that may … Continue reading “Surprise Petitioner’s Speech May Have Turned the Tide On Candlewick Lane Gate“

By Pauline Masson – In a four-three vote, with the mayor breaking a tie, aldermen Andy Nemeth, Jerry Eversmeyer and Rick Presley voted to deny a request from new alderman Scott Lesh for a quarterly report on city revenue and expenditures. The action took place at the Oct. 4 board of aldermen meeting, with perhaps half a dozen persons in attendance. Lesh said he needed the information because he feels uninformed when he is asked to approve a large expenditure … Continue reading “Mayor Breaks First Tie to Shut Out New Alderman’s Request for Quarterly Financial Report”