Tag Archives: missouri

Judge Blocks Missouri Law that Excludes Birth Control Coverage

A federal judge has blocked a law in Missouri that would require insurance companies to exclude coverage for birth control for moral objectors. That law runs contrary to the regulations of the Affordable Care Act. The judge notes insurers cannot follow both laws at the same time. In order to fully understand this situation, you need a little history. Part of the Affordable Care Act requires all health plans to cover preventative care without charging the consumer for a co-pay, coinsurance, or deductible. As of August 1, 2012, this includes all forms of birth control that have been approved by … Continue reading →

Missouri Genealogy Resources

Missouri is the “Show Me State”. That could be a good motto for genealogists, too. Genealogy involves searching for vital records that provide proof of things like an ancestor’s birthday. You might suspect that you know it, but want to be shown documentation anyway. Here are some Missouri genealogy resources that can help you. Cyndi’s List is the probably the most comprehensive list of links to genealogy resources on the internet. If it exists online, then Cyndi’s List very likely has a link to it. They have a page called “United States – Missouri”. Get started by selecting any of … Continue reading →

How the Midwestern Floods are Affecting Summer Travel Plans

I live in a state that has been ravaged by floods. More than 15 counties here in Wisconsin have been declared disaster areas and FEMA workers continue to assess the damage to homes and businesses. Mother Nature’s wrath has already exceeded the $20 million mark and is expected to rise in the coming days. The devastation may not be as widespread as it is in Iowa, but residents here are still reeling from the destruction left behind from last week’s torrential rain and severe floods. This month’s deluges have also soaked several Midwestern tourist spots, most of which rely on … Continue reading →

Top Reasons to Visit Branson, Missouri

I’ve traveled to Missouri dozens of times (in college I dated a guy who attended Drury University) and while I’ve visited some of the “Show Me State’s” most popular attractions I was still a bit taken aback by a recent statistic that made headlines regarding Branson, Missouri. The family-friendly Ozark resort town, which is known for its country music roots, attracted more than 8 million visitors to the area last year alone. So what’s the draw? I’ve compiled this list of reasons why people from around the world are putting Branson at the top of their must-visit lists: Affordable. Branson … Continue reading →

Mardi Gras in Missouri

I’m still in shock. As I was going through my new calendar today I noticed that we are only about a month away from Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday falls on February 5th this year. Fat Tuesday then Ash Wednesday and before long it’ll be Easter… and we’re still celebrating Christmas in our home. My daughter is up to the ninth day of Christmas and happily belted out what her true love gave to her earlier today as she eagerly awaits the Epiphany and the gifts she’ll get to open on Three Kings Day. But, back to Mardi Gras. If you … Continue reading →

Quiet Destinations–Escaping the Holiday Chaos

Tomorrow is Black Friday. A time when shopping bags, elbows, expletives, and in some cases, even fists fly. If you are looking to escape from the midnight mall madness, the customer–driven craziness, and the all encompassing chaos that accompanies the official kick-off to the holiday shopping season then consider traveling to northwest Missouri. That’s where you’ll find Conception Abbey, one of several Roman Catholic Benedictine monasteries around the world that are open to groups and individuals looking for a safe haven to reflect, pray, meditate or simply escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life (especially during the Christmas … Continue reading →

Marriage Laws – Missouri & Iowa

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Our series on marriage laws continues into the Midwest with stops in Missouri and Iowa. We’ve learned quite a bit during our study of the various marriage laws affecting the 50 states of the United States. So let’s take a look at Missouri and then we’ll pause in Iowa. Missouri There is no residency requirement to apply for a marriage license in the state of Missouri. You will need to apply at the Recorder of Deeds office and provide valid identification and your social security numbers. Applicants under the age of 18 will need to have consent from their custodial … Continue reading →

Sunday Travel Funnies—MapQuest: Not All It’s Cracked Up To Be

Can you imagine diligently creating a travel itinerary for your family’s vacation complete with maps, timelines and coordinates—only to find that once you hit the road all your hard work was for naught? To say you’d be irate may be an understatement. If you are planning a trip to Ozark Mountain Resort any time soon—be warned—this blog is for you. For the past two years, dozens of visitors trying to make their way to the picturesque resort located in southwest Missouri have not rolled into the parking lot of the 150-acre vacation spot… instead, they’ve pulled into the driveway of … Continue reading →

Exploring Missouri: Hannibal, Missouri (2)

Once we got to Hannibal, we had to figure out what to do first. The general consensus was to begin with Mark Twain Cave Complex. We all love caves and exploring one that had such prominent history was exciting to say the very least. You almost feel like Becky and Tom did when they were exploring the cave all those many years ago. Almost. We began the one hour tour by watching a film in a very small room. There was not enough seating and most of us had to stand, or sit far apart from each other. The film … Continue reading →

Exploring Missouri: Visit Tom Sawyer in Hannibal, Missouri

As an active family with five kids, we often look for fun weekend adventures within a few hours drive of our home. This past summer was no exception and we found ourselves traveling to towns all over, and spending some time soaking up the history and sights that the cities had to offer. Our favorite travel spot this summer was Hannibal, Missouri. I had no idea the amazing history and culture that could be had in such a small town! It was nearly 140 years ago that Mark Twain transformed the sleepy little river town of Hannibal into a now … Continue reading →