The 40/40 Project

We've heard it from folks in many small towns, "if you have trouble, your neighbors will be there to help you." This week on the 40/40 project, we meet a little boy who's had to learn the hard way how true that is. Gabriel Wilcox was born in February, and on the way home from the hospital, survived a car crash that took the lives of his entire family. Now being raised by his grandmother, Gabriel's gotten help from neighbors all over the Eldon region, as we hear as we talk with Angela Wilcox at an event to raise money for her grandson. It's really true what they say about Missourians, they help out their neighbors when need arises.

The 40-40 project visits Lake Ozark, which isn't just a fun place to visit for a vacation but is home to a lot of fine people, including a store owner who tells us why she went from spending only the summer tourist season at the Lake to becoming a full time resident of Lake Ozark.

KBIA's Darren Hellwege visits the Ozarks and takes us to Springfield where he meets a family whose love of fishing is typical for the region.

Jon Ingram ventured out to Hermann on a beautiful Sunday morning for a fiddling competition. He came back with more than music in his ears; he uncovered much about the culture in this mid-Missouri town. 

On this 4040 Project KBIA's Darren Hellwege takes us on a visit to the little town with friendly people and a name that's easy to bungle. Auxvasse is home to about 900 people, two convenience stores, one friendly bar and grill, and for Missy and her neighbors it's the love of those other people that makes Auxvasse a special place. For them, no matter how you pronounce it, they call it "home."

But, let's try to be respectful and get it right: it's "uh-VAWS."

Columbia is known for many things: education, health care, parks, reporter--and it’s also known for it’s diversity. We meet one of the thousands of Columbians who come from other countries and hear of how Columbia has become home for her and her family. 

Darren Hellwege visits Mexico, Missouri.

Centralia is the second largest town in Boone County, with a population of about 4000. A small part of the today also stretches east into Audrain County. An employee at the unique one-stop-shop, Kinkead Pharmacy, tells us more about the town.

KBIA’s Darren Hellwege visits a couple of businesses in the historic downtown section of Moberly, Missouri for this 40/40 project feature on the town known as “the magic city”. 

Sedalia's about halfway between Columbia and the Kansas City metro area.