Bushwhacker Museum runner-up in state

Rural Missouri, the largest paid circulation monthly publication in Missouri, has named the Bushwhacker Museum of Nevada as runner-up in the Best Small-Town Museum category in its annual Readers' Choice awards.

Now in its 12th consecutive year, the Best of Rural Missouri Readers' Choice contest asks Rural Missouri's more than 540,000 recipients to vote on their favorite Missouri eateries, destinations, and activities in some 20 categories, ranging from "Best Restaurant" and "Best Burger" to Best Small-Town Museum" and "Best Theater."

A winner, runner-up and editor's choice were named in each category.

The results of the contest appear in the April 2013 issue of Rural Missouri and can also be viewed online at www.ruralmissouri.coop.

"This is quite an honor for our little museum" said Will Tollerton, Bushwhacker Museum coordinator. "Thank you to all our many dedicated board members, volunteers, members, and visitors who have done so much to make the Bushwhacker a destination in this state. Thanks are especially due to our past museum coordinator, Terry Ramsey."

Rural Missouri, which is based in Jefferson City, is offered free of charge to all Missouri's electric cooperative members and has been in publication since 1948.

Last year, readers overwhelmingly approved the return of a statewide format for the Reader's Choice contest. So, for this year's edition of the contest, the format remained the same. ,

"If you've ever visited a Best of Rural Missouri winner, there's a good chance you've spotted a certificate touting the accomplishment somewhere near the cash register of perhaps in the entryway," said Rural Missouri Editor Jim McCarty. "These restaurants and destinations are proud that their patrons voted for them, and they want everyone to know how much they appreciate the support.

"We here at Rural Missouri also appreciate the support and our readers' continued interest in the contest. It's a lot of fun for them, our staff and those who earn bragging rights for the coming year."

Those who completed ballots were entered for a chance to win a $500 Best of Missouri gift basket. This year's winners were Roger and Carolyn Kirkman, Intercounty Electric Cooperative members from Summersville.

The basket included Missouri-made foods, locally crafted pottery, a gift certificate to a Missouri bed-and-breakfast of the Kirkman's choice along with Rural Missouri merchandise.