Longtime Radio Personality Marv Luten interviews guests, shares community updates, National and Local sports and more. The Marv in the Morning Podcast is a production of O’Quinn Media.
For guest or sponsorship opportunities, email tracy@oquinnmarketing.com or marvinthemorning53@gmail.com
— Automated Transcript —
**Marv in the Morning Podcast**
**Intro**
Welcome to the Marv in the Morning Podcast. Now here’s Marv. Thanks again and welcome to another episode of the Marv in the Morning Podcast on the Fort Not Lost in the Woods Podcast site. Brought to you by TK’s Pizza, Three Brothers Meat Company at Link Creek, Bales Construction, the Bank of Crocker, Paul’s Furniture, Shelter Insurance Agent Dave Holl of Richland, Saint Robert Auto Supply, Seeger Toyota, the Pulaski County Health Center, STR Glass on Saint Robert and VFW Post 3168 in Lakeway.
**July 4th Celebrations**
Well, as we drop this week’s episode, it’s the 3rd of July. One day away from the country’s semi-quincentennial, commonly known as the nation’s 250th birthday. There’s a lot going on, including massive fireworks displays around the country. Washington D.C. is trying to set a Guinness Book of World Records. The largest ever was in the Philippines. This massive display featured 810,904 individual fireworks and lasted for 1 hour and 1 minute. That may be hard to beat, but D.C. has upped its show where dozens of pyrotechnical technicians will fire off about 851,000 fireworks at several different sites. A number that would eclipse what is usually the biggest annual July 4th show in the U.S.
A little closer to home is the fireworks display at Fort Leonard Wood on the 4th. The Shrine Club in Buckhorn will have their Buckhorn Blast, which is free to the public and features food, entertainment, bounce houses for the kids, probably some water entertainment from the fire department, and more. That is also on the 4th. The next day, on Sunday, July 5th, Lakeway VFW Post 3168 will have their 4th of July celebration, which is also free. There will be food and beverages to purchase, entertainment, and their fireworks display, and we’ll have a lot more of that coming up on our visit with the Commander of the Post, Chris Byrd, shortly.
Then the following Saturday, Shady Dell Park in Richland will host their annual 4th of July event, which is always a week later, and that is by design. In all the local events, Premiere Pyrotechnics out of Richland will put on the fireworks shows. Part of the 3100-plus events in the Midwest, Premiere Pyrotechnics is involved with this year. To find out more about Premiere Pyrotechnics, I visited with the owner, Matt Sutcliff, on episode 105. That’s one of the more interesting interviews I’ve done about where all these fireworks come from, how they get here, and the huge network Premiere Pyrotechnics has in the Midwest. It’s a little lengthy but well worth your time if you didn’t catch it last month. I think I dropped it on June the 12th, but don’t quote me on that. I do know it is episode 105.
**News on the War**
News on the war, still going on in the Mid-East with Iran and the U.S. and Israel and Hezbollah in the country of Lebanon. It’s still tit for tat with the ceasefires going on, then canceled when someone violates the agreement, then they’re back on again like we saw earlier this week. The Strait of Hormuz was opened, then shut down, then reopened. Several ships did make their way out, and we did see some gas prices drop a little. As of last Monday, I saw some stations at about 3 and a quarter a gallon. I filled up last Sunday for 3.34 a gallon, a far cry from the 4.19 we saw at its peak in Missouri.
Now, while the price of gas and diesel is dropping a little, I visited with a frugal shopper who gets every great deal she can at the grocery stores, and she told me while the stores are still running specials, the prices at the grocery stores after they went up when the initial price of fuel rocketed, these prices have not come down yet. And as I see it, they probably will not. I trust this person’s information because she is my wife, and if anybody knows how to save money on groceries, it’s the one I married 35 years ago.
I don’t know much about the real estate market. I do know lumber has jumped up, so has the cost of insurance, but that was probably going to rise anyway, no matter what happened with the fuel prices. And the cost of a 12-pack of beer has leaped upwards. This I know firsthand. My wife does not buy beer for our family.
**Wedding News**
By the time this podcast drops on this Friday, the 3rd, the big news besides the war with Iran and the wicked weather around the nation, is a wedding. You might have heard about it, especially if you’re a Swiftie or a Kansas City Chiefs fan. The marriage of Travis Kelce, tight end and future Hall of Famer for the Chiefs, and one of the world’s most notable and popular entertainers, Taylor Swift, where her eras tour last year generated over a billion bucks. Not sure many entertainers, no matter who they are, can say that. Now everybody is tight-lipped about this marriage, but the news industry has let the public in on some hints at a Madison Square Garden in New York wedding. They believe it’s today, the 3rd, and I’m sure this is generating more headlines than anyone can imagine. They’ve even gone on to say this is America’s version of a royal wedding. Hope it happens soon so we can get back to my favorite time of the year, football season in the NFL, because training camp started at the end of this month, and we hope Kelce is not too worn out.
**Interview with Chris Byrd from VFW Post 3168**
**Marv:** Today on the podcast, as we mentioned earlier, we visit with Chris Byrd, the Commander of Lakeway VFW Post 3168, and talk about a bunch of stuff they do, because of all the VFW posts here in Pulaski County, and there’s four of them, and other posts, this one at Lakeway is one of the busiest. We find out what all goes on at the Post, and what’s in store for this weekend with their 4th of July celebration taking place on the 5th. Chris is coming up next.
**Marv:** Hold up, this is good. If you haven’t been to Seeger Toyota of Saint Robert, you’re missing out. This is the place where buying a Toyota actually feels good. Great selection, friendly faces, and zero, I said zero, awkward pressure. It’s why drivers keep voting us Pulaski County’s number one dealership four years in a row. So whether you’re ready to buy today or just ready to smile, come by Seeger Toyota of Saint Robert, doing it the right way, the Seeger way for over 56 years. Come see what all the talk’s about. Seeger Toyota of Saint Robert, the fun starts here, next to Walmart and at seegertoyota.net.
**Marv:** Since 1911, The Bank of Crocker has served the greater Pulaski County area. This year marks their 115th year. How do you last that long? Well, by giving their customers cutting-edge banking services with a hometown flair. You can do your banking from anywhere in the world with their convenient online banking. At the big banks, you’re just another number. At The Bank of Crocker, they know your name, maybe some of your family, and might even know the name of the dog sitting next to you in the drive-in facility. It’s called the personal touch, which is why they’re celebrating their 115th year as your hometown bank. And there’s four locations for your convenience in Crocker, Richland, Waynesville, and St. Robert. The Bank of Crocker. Remember, FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.
**Marv:** TK’s Pizza in St. Robert, home of the original hand-tossed King, has been throwing dough in Pulaski County for over 40 years. Although a lot has changed in that time, TK’s delicious hand-tossed pizza has not. Taste our iconic pizza, our delicious toasted subs, mouth-watering calzones, huge, fresh salads, gooey cheese bread, and more at the same little spot we’ve been throwing dough for decades. 743 Missouri Avenue in St. Robert. Call 573-336-FAST or order online at 336fast.com. We’ll have it ready when you get here. Come on, taste the TK’s tradition.
**Marv:** Welcome to the podcast today. We are visiting with Chris Byrd, who is the Commander of Lakeway VFW Post 3168. I know you are a very busy man, Chris. Thanks for joining us.
**Chris Byrd:** You’re welcome, Marv. Thank you for having me.
**Marv:** You bet. Well, first off, let me get a little background of Chris Byrd.
**Chris Byrd:** Well, Marv, I came here to the Fort Leonard Wood area back in 2006. The military brought me here, stationed at good old Fort Leonard Wood. I came down here from Ohio, did my military time, and finished up right here at Fort Leonard Wood, decided to stay. Great community, great folks around here, such as yourself, Marv.
**Marv:** Thank you.
**Chris Byrd:** And then I got really engaged and active in the community around and in the military side of it. And um, it’s just been a real big pleasure. I mean, I can’t say more about the community and the military aspect of everything around here than than where we’re at. Um, I got a beautiful wife. She used to teach at Waynesville High. This year she’ll be transferring over to Lakeway, uh, starting her career over there for a little bit of time. I’ve got five wonderful children. Um, they all keep me super busy other than the VFW, of course. And um, that’s really much it about myself.
**Marv:** Well, I know you used to work for MoDOT. You were you worked on bridges.
**Chris Byrd:** Correct.
**Marv:** Which took you away from the family for weeks at a time. And I’m sure you’re glad to be back with the family because I know raising five kids cannot be easy for a one-parent household.
**Chris Byrd:** Absolutely, Marv. Thank you. Uh, yeah, I did work for MoDOT. I was a bridge inspector, uh, traveled throughout Missouri, inspecting bridge structures and making sure they were safe for traveling for the traveling public. Um, and it was. It was difficult being gone on the road three nights, four nights a week here and there at a hotel and not knowing what’s going to be going on the next morning. Uh, I felt bad for my wife. She was at home raising the kids by herself. So, um, I’m no longer with MoDOT, and I focus all my energy towards the VFW and the veteran community here in the in the area.
**Marv:** There are four VFW posts in Pulaski County. I believe there I know there’s one in Dixon. There’s one in Crocker, there’s one in Saint Robert, and the one in Lakeway. And of all four of them, Lakeway is hands down the busiest, because there’s so many things going on at your VFW post that it it’s it’s just amazing. I’m I’m going to run down a little bit, you know, you’ve got the kitchen open all the time. Seven days a week, the canteen is open. You have bingo, you have the huge hall for events people can rent. You have the Queen of Hearts, you have pool leagues, uh, you have entertainment there. One thing that has been going on for a long time that you give to the senior citizens of Pulaski County is a free dinner every Friday, where anybody over the age of what, 55, 60 can come in and get a free lunch the last Friday of every month. And that has been going on. And of course, uh, you have a smoke-free facility. One thing that I really like about a lot of places are going smoke-free. Um, if you want to smoke, if you’re a smoker, you have to go outside. At your place, you guys went out and built a building inside the facility for people to go in and do what they want to do, smoke and also, uh, maybe play some games. How did that all come about?
**Chris Byrd:** Well, um, Marv, absolutely. We did go to an indoor smoking facility. That’s a 20 by 24-foot expansion room, uh, all enclosed, heated, air conditioned, TV, entertainment aspects. Um, it it went to the membership, uh, about bringing up going to a no-smoking facility. Uh, anybody who’s familiar with the VFW know that the membership, um, you know, cast the votes there for for those decisions to take place. Uh, we went no-smoking a year ago in June last year. Uh, it’s been a little bit of a bump and a snag here and there, but, you know, we’re pushing through it. And I think that, um, I think the no-smoking thing’s really starting to adapt in a lot of places, not just at the VFW, but everywhere else, you know, throughout the state as well. Um, and you’re right, Marv, on the last Friday of every month, we do the senior dinner. Um, we we start that at noon. Uh, usually, uh, you you’re going to find fried fish on the menu, hush puppies, uh, stuff like that’s going to be on every occurrence every month, and then they’ll have another chef special to go along with that. Following that will be a round of bingo, and then we’ll, uh, we’ll subside everything for the end of the day and then we’ll close it up. So, um, yeah, we’re very busy. Queen of Hearts keeps us going. Uh, the bingo hall, if you do choose to, uh, come out to our VFW and have an event in our hall, it is rentable. Uh, there’s, you know, a deposit to be paid. Um, if you’re a member in good standing in our VFW or its auxiliary, you can get that bingo hall for, I think, if I’m not correct, free of charge with the deposit, you know, put down.
**Marv:** And the kitchen. Got to talk about Steak Night, buddy, because that is that is one of the more popular. Everybody I talk to always says he goes, you know, where can I get a good steak? And everybody’ll say, Lakeway VFW Post. Friday and Saturday nights you can get steak out there. And I don’t know who does your cooking, but you got some of the best cooks out there, uh, for cooking steak, and the steaks are outstanding.
**Chris Byrd:** Marv, I can’t say enough about our steaks. They are they are delicious. Um, our steak cook, Mike, he does a fabulous job back there. He does a really good job with those steaks and cooks them, you know, perfect to order for each order that comes through. Um, our steaks are hand-cut in house. So those are hand-cut 14-ounce rib eyes. Every week we hand-cut those up and prep them the day before steak night, so that way they’re fresh for the customer. Um, all of our beef is coming from local Missouri. We’re we’re getting out of Butler, Missouri, on the the loins and the sirloins as well. So, you know, it’s it’s more localized. Uh, the beef is great beef. It’s a good product. And, you know, to have the best steak in Pulaski County, you got to have the best steak in Pulaski County. So, I can’t say any more about it. It’s good, it’s delicious. Every Friday and Saturday night,
**Marv:** And it’s it’s relatively cheap compared to going to, uh, a steakhouse.
**Chris Byrd:** Absolutely, Marv. Um, 24.75 for a 14-ounce hand-cut rib eye. Uh, that’s a side salad, uh, baked potato, a side veggie, and a piece of garlic toast. Um, the 8-ounce sirloin, I believe, is 17.99 with the same sides. So, uh, nowhere else can you get a steak at that price, at that quality.
**Marv:** And steak is not the only thing you have on your menu either.
**Chris Byrd:** No, sir. Um, we are actually in the middle of revamping our menu. Our social media on Facebook there, you if anybody follows us on Facebook, uh, have seen some changes to our menu recently. We’ve added some new items, taken some off. Um, last night, we tried our first hand at frog legs. So, I think that that went rather well. Uh, we are also looking in the future of doing an alpha gal menu for the alpha gal friendly folks that no longer can partake in our fabulous steak night. So, uh, we are, uh, changing the menu in the kitchen. That’s open six days a week.
**Marv:** Frog legs, when are they available? Because you hit my you hit my tastebuds, buddy.
**Chris Byrd:** Well, last night was the first night we tried them out, Marv. Um, I haven’t been inside there yet today to see where we were at with it, but, um, we are looking forward to putting those on the menu at a full-time rate there.
**Marv:** And we will tell you, we recorded this prior to, uh, this podcast dropping here on the 3rd of July, prior to, uh, the 4th holiday. And that’s going to lead me into the next big event coming up at Lakeway VFW Post, and that is your 5th of July celebration. This year, the 4th falls on a Saturday. So at the Lakeway VFW Post, they are going to move things to the 5th of July, and you have a lot of things going on on that Sunday.
**Chris Byrd:** Yes, Marv, uh, we do. Um, so to start off our, uh, 4th of July weekend for us on on July 5th, uh, we’re going to get amped up. We’re going to open up at noon. It’s a holiday weekend, so we open up at noon anyways. Uh, and then we’re going to get to the festivities about 4:00 p.m. that afternoon, uh, where, uh, Misfire Band is going to be playing for us live in the back of the parking lot there. Uh, during during the band being played, we’ll have some activities for the children. Uh, we’re going to have a giant jump house, bounce house, out there for the kids. Um, if you’ve got anything you want to take out or some aggression you want to get out on somebody, we’re going to also have a dunk tank on site. Line somebody up, throw a ball, dunk them in the water, make yourself feel good or cool you off. It’s I’m sure it’s going to be hot in July in the parking lot. Uh, to conclude that, we’re going to have some food, uh, that’s going to be going on. I’m not quite 100% sure the menu’s 100% set right now, but I know it’s going to be some pulled pork, maybe some sliders and some other sides. Um, we also have talked done some talks with Midway Coffee. Midway Coffee has talked about coming out on July 5th for us as well to do some kids dirty sodas. Um, I guess the kids are into the dirty soda thing. I’m not quite sure what they are myself, but, um,
**Marv:** I’m not sure I want to know, but if it’s if it’s sold by Midway, it’s going to be all right.
**Chris Byrd:** Right, exactly. And, you know, another local business that does very well in our community, uh, you know, we’ll be out there with us and celebrating our our, uh, 5th of July party with us. So, um, we’ve got a lot of activities going. There’s going to be some, uh, glow sticks and stuff for the kids. And then cannot forget about the fabulous fireworks show put on by Premier Pyrotechnics. Uh, they do a wonderful job.
**Marv:** And we have interviewed Matt Sutcliff here on the podcast a couple of different times. And Matt has, um, really, I mean, from where he started to where he is today. Wow. Uh, what a great entrepreneur. Uh, he does a lot of local stuff, even though, and when I talked to Matt, I asked him how many shows do you guys do a year? He said, no, I think right now we’re up to like 3100. So, uh, for them to do all that and not only in this state, but they go throughout the entire Midwest. So, Matt puts on a great show with Premier Pyrotechnics, and I guarantee you, you’re going to enjoy the fireworks display because it will be lasting, and it’ll be something you you talk about for a while.
**Chris Byrd:** Absolutely. Yeah, it’s always been a great show. They do a great job out there every year that they come back.
**Marv:** So you only have the one band out there, Misfits?
**Chris Byrd:** Misfire.
**Marv:** Or Misfire, sorry.
**Chris Byrd:** That’s a Yeah, Misfire is going to be the only band that’s going to play live that night from, uh, I’d say from 5:00 to 9:00, 9:30 somewhere near as it gets dark. And then we’ll commence into the night show of the fireworks.
**Marv:** So you’ve got a lot of stuff going on out there. I want to talk a little bit about what’s coming up down the road with Chris Byrd, and we’re going to take a quick break, hear from some of our fine sponsors, and we’re coming right back.
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**Marv:** We are with Chris Byrd, the Commander of Lakeway VFW Post 3168. When did you become Commander of the Post?
**Chris Byrd:** Marv, I was elected Commander of the VFW 3168 last June. Uh, last June was my first year as a Commander of that Post. Uh, and let me tell you, it was a very long, busy year. Um, I’ve learned so much from a lot of people inside that Post, the membership, the previous, uh, elected officials of that Post. And you’re right, we are hands down the busiest. We we stay that way because, you know, everything that we do every day goes towards the community and the veteran base around here in the in the area. Uh, the constant veteran assistance programs that we’re involved in, the constant community involvement that we’re doing, the donations that we give out to some of the organizations inside our community, that’s why we stay so busy at our Post because we are able to put all that back into our area right here.
**Marv:** And what are some of the things that you donate to? Some of the organizations?
**Chris Byrd:** So, I know in the past we’ve done Kids Harbor. Uh, we’ve made some donations to Kids Harbor. Uh, Lakeway School System gets some donations from us for their back-to-school programs. Uh, Lakeway Youth Sports program, which do not get any funding from Lakeway themselves. Uh, so we’ve donated to that. Uh, we’ve made some other donations to, um, Pulaski County Voice. Uh, we’ve made, we’ve made so many donations, Marv, I tend to forget a lot of them because we’re always, you know, involved in and getting out there.
**Marv:** Some of the stuff you have coming up, uh, down the road. Of course, uh, you are, um, going to be opening up. You always open up on Sunday. But during the football season is a special time, uh, out at the Lakeway VFW Post because you have fans from a lot of different teams. I don’t know how many TVs you have in the canteen. There’s probably about four or five TVs. And probably on each TV is a different ball game.
**Chris Byrd:** Correct, Marv. Yeah, we have a we have quite a few TVs inside the canteen. Um, and we we have more. We just haven’t put them up yet. Uh, but you’re right, football is a special time, sports time is a special time. Uh, right now you’ve got Cardinals baseball, you’ve got, you know, um, you’ve got the, um, World Cup going on. So, it it is. It’s a lot of people that come in there, and it’s just so much fun, um, to sit and listen to them and cheer on their favorite sports teams.
**Marv:** And very little problems at the Lakeway VFW Post as far as people getting out of hand.
**Chris Byrd:** No, Marv, uh, really we don’t have too much of it at all. It’s just everybody having a good time, and, uh, there’s just so much camaraderie. And, uh, it’s there there’s so much of a backbone of history of everybody around that area. So, everybody knows that when you come into the VFW in Lakeway, it’s, hey, it’s a friendship, it’s a brotherhood, it’s family.
**Marv:** And so many veterans, uh, do come in there. Of course, it’s that’s what VFW stands for. You veterans of foreign wars. The amount of veterans that stay here just blows my mind. Because, number one, and we’ve talked about this with the mayor of Saint Robert, who’s a, uh, retired military, a lot of people because first off, the area. It’s a great area to live. The cost of living doesn’t kick you in the butt like, okay, gas is I think as we’re talking, gas is down to about 350, 360 a gallon compared to out in California, where it’s 7 or 8 bucks a gallon. Uh, but the cost of living here is very doable for somebody on a veteran’s pension.
**Chris Byrd:** Correct, Marv, yes. Uh, and I think that’s what attracts a lot of veterans once they retire to come here or stay here is that, you know, the cost of living is so affordable. Um, also we can’t, you know, kind of count out the fact that, you know, our crime rate here in the area is super low. Uh, because we are so veteran friendly, I think that that deters a lot of that. And so together, uh, you know, from Waynesville, Saint Robert, Lakeway, Richland, the whole area is just full of veterans, uh, throughout the rural area of this community.
**Marv:** So coming up here in this month of July, I know you’re going to have your senior citizen’s dinner, uh, the last Friday of the month, which if it’s the 3rd of July on a Friday, will be the 31st of July, if I’m not mistaken, for the last Friday of the month.
**Chris Byrd:** That’s correct, Marv, yes.
**Marv:** Okay. What else do you have coming up in July?
**Chris Byrd:** Uh, July, we have, uh, on the July 25th inside of our bingo hall, we have it event going on for the, uh, Waynesville High School Class Reunion of class of 1976. So, if there’s anybody out there that’s going to be, um, tuning into this podcast and you’re wanting to know where that’s going to be, it’ll be at our VFW Post 3168, located at 26050 Swindell Drive, Richland, Missouri.
**Marv:** Which is Exit 150 off I-44. You can’t miss it. It’s on the South Outer Road off the interstate. Um, it’s a dead-end road, so you go down there about maybe a quarter mile and you will see the VFW on the left-hand side of the road if you’re going down Swindell Road. So, uh, what else do we have coming up?
**Chris Byrd:** Um, so, uh, also in July, uh, anybody in the area that’s familiar with the Pulaski County Pool League, um, they travel amongst all the different locations inside the county where they will, um, commence to finding out who the best pool player is in the in the county, the best pool team. Uh, we start that back up on the 29th of July, and so you’ll start seeing a lot of activity inside of our VFW with the pool players. Um, we have eight-ball teams and we have nine-ball teams. So, we play every Wednesday and Friday every week when they’re in session.
**Marv:** So, what are your hours out there at the at the V?
**Chris Byrd:** Well, right now, uh, Monday through Friday, we are 3:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Um, Saturdays and Sunday, we open up at noon, and, you know, it’s kind of a, you know, Saturdays are 1:30 in the morning kind of deal. Sunday could be a little bit sooner because business could be slow, and we may shut doors earlier. Even throughout the week, we may shut shut down a little bit earlier because we don’t have the customers in there. Uh, but generally, we’re open at 3:00 p.m. every day through the week, which hopefully we can change that in the upcoming future, maybe go to opening up at noon every day.
**Marv:** And you have got some great employees out there.
**Chris Byrd:** Absolutely. Nothing but the best employees. Um, one of the best bartenders in the county, and she she is just awesome at what she does. Our kitchen staff is hands down the best. Uh, they fulfill their orders as best they can. Uh, they try to put out the best product of food and and they they try to do it with a smile. And that’s what we encourage them to do is always be nice and and uh, have a smile on your face while we’re while we’re serving up food.
**Marv:** And what nights are bingo? Because I know that’s that’s that’s a big event out there at Lakeway is bingo.
**Chris Byrd:** So our bingo nights are on Tuesday night. Bingo follows after the Queen of Hearts drawings. And the Queen of Hearts is every Tuesday night at 6:45 p.m. And then bingo will start at 7:00 p.m. afterwards.
**Marv:** So you only do that one night a week now?
**Chris Byrd:** One night a week. Yes, Marv.
**Marv:** Okay. Anything else that you want to talk about that I have not a question I have maybe not asked you?
**Chris Byrd:** Well, I know we got some, uh, some other things that come up too. When when, you know, we kind of go back to some of the things that you asked what we donate to, um, you know, we do a lot of golf tournaments, uh, where we donate to some of these things. The Jim Phillips, uh, tournament out in Dixon. Uh, we got one of those coming up here on August 1st. Uh, I think it’s, um, they’re four-man scramble teams. We’re looking for three teams. I think right now we have one team already, um, you know, accounted for. We’re looking for two more, uh, teams, so we’re going to, you know, need at least a good, uh, four to six players, maybe. Cause I think we we got two spoken up for. Um, we we also donate to the Saint James Veteran’s Home for their golf tournament in Saint James. So, we do a lot of that. Uh, we just recently golfed for the Boy Scouts of America in Bolivar last Saturday. Um, so those those are some other organizations that we’re donating funds to to, uh, you know, help carry on some things for them as well. That’s really the the breakdown of how we operate out there, Marv. Every, uh, every Tuesday is Queen of Hearts. Uh, 50/50 drawing inside, take home the half the cash that night after the Queen has has been drawn. Uh, bingo to follow on Tuesdays. Every Friday and Saturday, can’t forget about the steaks. Look for the frog legs to hit the menu in the future. And then our senior dinners are the last Friday of every month.
**Marv:** So I will be, uh, visiting you for the frog legs. That I can guarantee you. And I want to take this time to thank the VFW for being one of the sponsors of my podcast. It’s been nice having you aboard, and hopefully, uh, that relationship will continue down the road.
**Chris Byrd:** Absolutely, Marv, and I sure do appreciate you, uh, bringing me in today and let me have the opportunity to talk to everybody about what’s going on out there at the VFW 3168.
**Marv:** And I thank you for your time because I know you’re a busy man, and I’m going to let you go so you can get on down the road. Chris Byrd, our guest, as the Commander of the VFW Post in Lakeway 3168. Chris, thanks for your time.
**Chris Byrd:** Thank you, Marv.
**Ad Break**
**Marv:** Your NAPA Auto Parts store, Saint Robert Auto Supply, has everything you need for your vehicle and more, when you need it. NAPA brand oil and antifreeze, windshield wipers and vehicle accessories, plus tools and equipment for all of your projects. From car covers and flashlights to car wash, air fresheners, sun shades and glass entire cleaner, you’ll find it all at your NAPA Auto Parts store, Saint Robert Auto Supply, just off Missouri Avenue. Stop by today and get the good stuff, seven days a week.
**Marv:** In these days of texting and emails, words, phrases and names are shortened to letters. It doesn’t change anything, it just makes things easier. That’s the case of STR Glass, a Saint Robert establishment since the 60s. Still the same great service when it comes to auto glass, windows, shower doors and anything to do with glass. And when it comes to fixing chips in your windshield to prevent cracking, there’s none better. They’re still in the same location on VFW Memorial Drive and still have the same phone number, 336-4122. They’ve just shortened their name from Saint Robert Glass to STR Glass, but will never shorten their services to you, the customer.
**Sports**
**Marv:** In sports, brought to you by Three Brothers Meat Company at Lynn Creek, where you might see me soon because my stock of their delicious brats is running low. A change in the St. Louis Cardinals from the past several weeks, where they were holding their own in second place behind Milwaukee in the NL Central. Well, the Cards went three and seven in their last 10 games coming into this week’s weekday games, while the Cubs went eight and two and leapfrogged the Cardinals into second place. The first-place Brewers went five and five, and Saint Louis as of Monday morning, found themselves in third place in the division, seven games out of first. But they were still five games over 500 as the midway point of the season hit.
Now, for what they call a rebuilding season for Saint Louis, I still find this amazing. And something I did not see coming. But the play of the younger players trying to make a mark and climb up that ladder has been great. Their pitching is still not a strong point, but they’re scoring runs and winning close games. And manager Ollie Marmol is for the most part making the right moves from the bullpen and making the right calls. Can they challenge for a playoff spot? Well, we’ll have to wait and see. But they’re making the most of a retooling or rebuilding season, and nobody is taking them for granted. Redbirds have a tough stretch ahead as they make their way to the All-Star break. Cardinal Nation hopes they can keep up that momentum.
Kansas City Royals remain in the AL Central cellar, nine and a half games back of first-place Chicago. The White Sox in first place. Isn’t this the team Pope Leo grew up watching? Wonder if there’s some divine intervention going on here. The World Cup continues at several venues in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Canada made it to the knockout round, and the Canadians are elated. The U.S. lost their last pool play or group play game against Turkey, or Turkey as they pronounced it. The USA had already qualified for the knockout round and played some of their non-starters. This week, it’s Bosnia-Herzegovina for the USA in their first win or go home match, which is already in the books as we drop this podcast. And soccer fever is in full swing around the world. But the neatest of all this, from what I see, is the rest of the world getting a chance to see what America is all about. The people here welcoming them in with open arms. Can’t wait to see how many of them want to come back to America and make the USA their homes forever. That’ll put a monkey wrench in our current border policy. I still can’t get over the craving for ranch dressing from these visitors. I can see them wanting American barbecue, but something so simple to make as ranch dressing. Some overseas food producers should be keeping an eye on this. Again, our local high school sports season is on summer break, so that will wrap up sports for this episode. Brought to you by Three Brothers Meat Company in Lynn Creek, and we’ll be right back.
**Ad Break**
**Marv:** Need to fill your freezer and save some serious money? Well, that’s a problem Three Brothers Meat Company is happy to fix. We’re talking whole beef bundles, quarter beef bundles, and the mighty freezer buster, stacked with beef, chicken, and pork. So good, you might start inviting yourself to your own house for dinner. These bundles are perfect for grilling, family dinners, or just beating grocery store prices with much better quality food. Check them all out on our Facebook page. They’re pinned right there at the top of the page. Call 573-346-5233 or just swing by and see us, 2179 State Highway A in Montreal.
**Marv:** Are you tired of all the games that other furniture stores play? At Paul’s Furniture, we’ve got the biggest name brands at the guaranteed lowest prices. You come in, you’re going to see that price on it. The next time you come in, it’s going to be the exact same price because we always have the best deals, the best prices, and the biggest name brands with free delivery. We’re going to do whatever it takes to earn your business at Paul’s Furniture. That’s what’s made us the number one furniture store in Pulaski and Phelps County for the last 30 years. If you’re tired of the games that others play, come see us at Paul’s Furniture.
**Marv:** Thanks to my sponsors, TK’s Pizza, Three Brothers Meat Company, Bales Construction, The Bank of Crocker, Paul’s Furniture, Shelter Insurance Agent Dave Halled of Richland, Saint Robert Auto Supply, Seeger Toyota, the Pulaski County Health Center, STR Glass of Saint Robert, and VFW Post 3168 of Lakeway.
**Outro**
**Marv:** Thanks to my producer, Tracy, for taking time away from her busy schedule to put this all together. And thanks to you, my podcast faithful, those old and the new ones too, for letting me be a part of your life for a little while. If you’re enjoying the Marv in the Morning Podcast, we invite you to leave a review on whatever app you’re listening on. We would also love for you to share the episode with family and friends on your social media accounts. Be sure to follow our podcast on Facebook, on the Marv in the Morning Podcast page. And you’re also invited to join us on Facebook on the Fort Not Lost in the Woods Podcast group. This podcast is a production of O’Quinn Media. Join me next time for another episode on the Marv in the Morning Podcast. Stay cool out there, check on your neighbors, and keep plenty of water handy and some type of cover for your outdoor pets. Until next week, later.