PHOTO GALLERY: Missouri's 50th District covers parts of three counties

When the grandparents of Bentley Christopher Agee came home after his birth in July of this year, they noticed that someone had changed the official population figure on the Hartsburg city limits sign on Highway A. Jenn and Bud Ditzfield own the Hart Creek Bistro at 15 E. Main St. where many of people meet, but nobody has yet confessed to the “innocent” gesture, Jenn Ditzfield said.   |  Stuart Palley

Roger Pilkenton drives his truck past an abandoned farm house adjacent to his own property at the intersection of Missouri 87 and Schoenthal Road in Cooper County. Pilkenton is restoring a roughly 100-year-old farm house on his own property, which he recently purchased. He plans on retiring to the farm with his wife, Mary.   |  Stuart Palley

Bill Mullendorp, left, and John McMillen share beers at the Hitching Post in Hartsburg. Mullendorp, McMillen and their friends are regulars at the Hitching Post.   |  Stuart Palley

Ruth Parcell shops for fresh produce at the Ashland Farmer's Market. The market was started by life-long Boone County resident Zach Rippeto, who can be found selling his own barbecue chicken on most days.   |  Stuart Palley

Sunlight shines through the smoky air and onto a pool table at Lucy's in McBaine. Lucy's is a cafe and bar off of Route K that serves area residents.   |  Stuart Palley

Kathy Perkins laughs as she picks a song to play on the Jukebox at Lucy's in McBaine. Lucy’s is a few hundred feet from the Katy trail and is a popular stop for cyclists on the weekends.   |  Stuart Palley

Dylan Caldieraro, a student at Columbia College, plays his guitar near the Missouri River at Catfish Katy's. Caldieraro drives his truck down to the river to relax on weekends between studying. Catfish Katy’s is a general store and RV campground in Huntsdale.   |  Stuart Palley

The sun sets on the Missouri River towards Jefferson City at the Hartsburg Access.   |  Stuart Palley