Missouri Northeast is a great place for companies that are looking to grow, make, move, or connect. The region is so unique and innovative that it piqued the interest of award-winning NPR podcast host Tom Wilmer. He recently visited Missouri Northeast to see for himself what the region has to offer.
In the fifth episode of an eleven-part series, Tom reports from downtown Macon, Missouri. He visits West Winery and speaks with the owner about Missouri-made wine. After that, he has a conversation with Bridget Grace Sheaff at the historic circa-1889 Royal Theatre—the home of Maples Repertory Theatre’s live stage-performances.
Tom Wilmer, Journeys of Discovery Podcast Host:
“The reason that I am here is to explore wines, and wine making in Missouri, and that is what you do. Tell us about how it started for you, and why you got interested?”
Chris West, Owner of West Winery:
“Well, I first started making in my house, then moved it to the basement from the kitchen, but then we outgrew that and decided we were going to go ahead and start a winery, and this was the first location we started.
Basically, the whole reason I started making wine is because I get really bored, and I can master things pretty quickly, and I don’t know if I will ever really master wine making. There are just too many variables that can happen within a season, and the fruit, and while we have ways to try and limit them, I have found that this is an industry that can keep me interested for years.”
Tom Wilmer, Journeys of Discovery Podcast Host:
“The theater blows my mind, it is like 1889? Yet so well preserved… and today you have a professional equity theater group here.”
Bridget Grace Sheaff, Maples Repertory Theatre:
“Maples Repertory Theatre is a professional theatre – we do six shows per year…we see about 10,000 people come through to see performances here and our actors come from all over the country, and we have a lot of people who come back year after year. And to have a community like Macon that is so ready to support the arts like this is so remarkable.”
Check out the full conversation on the Journeys of Discovery podcast here, and stay tuned for more coverage of Tom’s visit to Missouri Northeast.
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