CONTENTS Volume 76 | DECEMBER 2023 | Number 12 8 14 28 8 Lighting up the season Madison care center invites guests in for the holidays 14 Reindeer games Vanzant farm brings magic of North Pole to Missouri 22 Best of Rural Missouri Vote for your Show-Me State favorites 28 Handmade with a higher cause New Florence shop offers decor and more 34 Fred & Red's Nostalgia and legendary dishes are on the menu in Joplin 46 The call to adventure Couple builds canvas tents for campers, outfi tters and more IN EVERY ISSUE 4 Cooperation 5 Perspectives 28 Neighbors 34 Eats 39 Recipes 42 Events 46 Outdoors 50 Just4Kids ON THE COVER Every holiday season, thousands fl ock to southern Missouri to visit Prescott Family Reindeer Farm to get an up-close look at the animals. Read their story on page 14. Missouri RURAL Grow2Gather | Elk Horn Tent & Canvas | Fred & Red's December 2023 | ruralmissouri.coop DECEMBER 2023 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP 3http://www.RURALMISSOURI.COOP