Columbia Home Magazine - April/May 2012

Kitchens in

Get the Look You Love in Your Kitchen Pg. 23

Artsy

Eggs A DIY Guide to Dyeing Pg. 37

Superhero

Celebration A High-Flying Birthday Adventure Pg. 67

Wooded

Bliss A Wedding Story Pg. 89

t h e d e ta i l s i s s u e A p r i l / m ay 2 0 1 2

INTERIORS | FURNISHINGS | FLOORING | FRAMING

1 0 2 9 E A S T WA L N U T S T R E E T

|

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI

DISCOVER US IN THE NORTH VILLAGE ARTS DISTRICT

STUDIO HOME OPEN 10-5:30 MON-FRI 10-5 SAT | 573 . 445 . 4122

Photo by taylor allen

Beautiful Transformations At one of my recent doctor appointments, my OB/GYN, Dr. Katherine Welch, asked me why I haven’t changed my photo in the magazine to show off the baby bump.

I hadn’t really thought about it. “Well,” I responded, “I guess I’m just going to surprise our readers once I have the baby.” But she made me think, why hide it? Pregnancy is a beautiful transformation when you’re not the one going through it. I know some women claim to love the 40-week process, and I’ll admit there are perks to pregnancy. Total strangers open doors for you, you’re showered with smiles and warm looks, and don’t even think about lifting anything more than 10 pounds in front of anyone. But in all reality, when you get pregnant, you have a long, hard road ahead of you. Pregnancy symptoms are different for everyone, but many of us experience morning sickness, leg cramps, heartburn, in my case rapid weight gain, mood swings, not to mention complete and utter exhaustion. Yeah, it’s definitely hard. And because I’m still “in it,” I can recall these symptoms easily. But the most phenomenal thing happens once you finally give birth. You start to forget the pain and suffering. Pretty soon you’ll find yourself saying things like, “That wasn’t so bad. I could do it again. I actually loved being pregnant. Remember all those warm and kind looks from total strangers?” God does have a sense of humor, doesn’t he?

It is fitting that this issue falls on Mother’s Day. My team and I decided when planning the articles that we should celebrate spring and motherhood. In our how-to guides, native Columbian Emily Southerland teaches us how to plan a birthday party your child will never forget in "Superhero Celebration," page 67, and Lily Dawson teaches Easter egg artistry that is as simple as it is beautiful on page 37. I’m always proud of our artist profile articles but this one especially. Laura Robinson, the daughter of Gary B. and Pat Robinson, is an amazingly talented young woman who has autism but hasn’t let that hold her back from great success in life and on the stage, page 54. Lastly, make time to read our Last Word, where each issue I give the pen back to our readers so they can share with us what they are passionate about. Jessica Macy’s essay on page 106 is touching and leaves an important lesson for our community.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to offer a very deserved and special thanks to one of our team members. Kristin Branscom is the art director for Columbia Home and was the lead designer when we developed the new look and feel of the publication more than a year ago. You know you are working with someone truly talented when she makes something that is incredibly hard look easy. She is by far one of the most talented graphic designers I have had the chance to work with. Kristin, thank you for your hard work and dedication. We are so lucky to have you in the Columbia Home family.

Edito r i a l Betsy Bell, Publisher Betsy@ColumbiaHomeMagazine.com Lily Dawson, Assistant to the Publisher Lily@ColumbiaHomeMagazine.com Katrina Tauchen, Copy Editor Katrina@BusinessTimesCompany.com contri bu t i n g E d i to r William Dawson Cons u lta n t Sherry Hockman, Interior Decorating Editor-At-Large MANAGEMENT Chris Harrison, General Manager ChrisH@BusinessTimesCompany.com Renea Sapp, Business Manager ReneaS@BusinessTimesCompany.com Cindy Sheridan, Operations Manager CindyS@BusinessTimesCompany.com DESIGN Kristin Branscom, Art Director Kristin@BusinessTimesCompany.com Creativ e Se rv i c e s Beth Snyder, Creative Marketing Director Beth@BusinessTimesCompany.com Rebecca Rademan, Graphic Designer RebeccaR@BusinessTimesCompany.com Ashley Eaton, Graphic Designer AshleyE@BusinessTimesCompany.com MAR KETING REPRESENTATIVES Teresa White TeresaW@BusinessTimesCompany.com Valerie Mueller Val@BusinessTimesCompany.com Annie Jarrett Annie@JeffersonCityMag.com CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Taylor Allen, Casey Buckman, Angelique Hunter, David Owens, Carole Patterson, Emily Southerland, Ashley Turner, Rosario Vietti CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lily Dawson, Stephanie Detillier, Kate Smart Harrison, Ellie Hensley, Jessica Macy, Jill Orr, Molly Wright, Nancy Yang Int e r n s Allison Dorr, Andrea Lewis, Dana Schuermann, Meg Sterchi SU BSCRIPTIONS Subscription rate is $12.95 for 6 issues or $18.95 for 12 issues. Call Cindy Sheridan at 573-499-1830 ext.1003 to place an order or to inform us of a change of address.

Columbia Home is published by The Business Times Co., 2001 Corporate Place, Suite 100, Columbia, MO, 65202. 573-499-1830 Copyright The Business Times Co., 2007. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of any editorial or graphic content without the express written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

Betsy Bell Publisher columbiahomemagazine.com | 13

table of contents

FEATURES

21 Introducing Our Interns

Get to know the ladies behind the pages of Columbia Home.

23 Kitchens in Bloom

Sneak a peek at the four featured kitchens in the 10th annual Boone County Council on Aging’s spring fundraiser, benefiting senior community services in Columbia.

37 Artsy Eggs

47

Spice up your Easter egg hunt this year with some unique decorating ideas. Many use materials that you already have around your home.

67

47 Rock the Color Block

A mother-daughter pair shows off how to rock spring’s bold fashion trend. These colors are sure to make a statement for any occasion.

37

45

77

91

53 Defining Scenes

Columbia native Laura Robinson overcomes obstacles presented by autism in order to achieve her dreams.

60 Parks Around Columbia

Need some help wrangling the kids this summer? We have some fun ideas to entertain your children.

67 A Super Celebration

A birthday party fit for Superman, with DIY tricks and tips for hosting your own bash of heroic proportions.

31

86

77 Destination Farther

Four Columbia women share stories of insight, service and the value of a global community.

29

Kitchens in

Get the Look You Love in Your Kitchen Pg. 23

ARTSY

EGGS A DIY Guide to Dyeing Pg. 37

Superhero

Celebration A High-Flying Birthday Adventure Pg. 67

Wooded

BLISS A Wedding Story Pg. 89

T H E D E TA I L S I S S U E A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 2

On the cover Break out from the traditional rut this year with DIY Easter eggs that are sure to impress, page 37.

Photo by Angelique Hunter.

IN EVERY ISSUE 13 Welcome 16 Calendar 29 Design Trend 31 Designer’s Palette 32 Dear Kate 35 Expert’s Advice 42 Shopkeeper’s Story 45 Fashion Forecast 85 Book Club 86 Welcome to the World 89 Weddings 91 Announcements 93 Entertainment 95 City Scene 103 Home Bound 106 The Last Word columbiahomemagazine.com | 15

April Sunday

1

Spring Biker Bash, Mid-America HarleyDavidson

Monday

2

Tuesday

3

Family Fun Fest, Flat Branch Park, 6 p.m., Free

Wednesday

4

White Rabbits, The Blue Note, 9 p.m., $10

9

Easter Buffet, University Club Ballroom, 10:30 a.m., $26.95

Sixth Annual Mizzou Baseball and Softball Clinic, Daniel J. Devine Indoor Practice Facility, 5:30 p.m., $25-35

15

16

Easter

Mizzou Tennis vs.

Kansas State, Green Tennis Center, Noon, Free

22

Earth Day Festival, Downtown Columbia, Noon, Free

23

29

Wedding Expo and Bridal Show, Hilton Garden Inn, Noon, $5

16 | April/maY 2012

Mizzou Baseball vs. Baylor, Taylor Stadium, 6 p.m.

10

Ribbon Cutting: Women’s Network, Grand Cru Restaurant, 11:30 a.m.

6

Timeflies, The Blue Note, 9 p.m., $15

17

24

12

13

April 11-14 Top Girls, Stephens College, 7:30 p.m., $6-8

Revolutionary Live Presents: The X Tour ft. Excision, Liquid Stranger and Lucky Date, The Blue Note, 8 p.m., $25-30

Mizzou Tennis vs. Kansas, Green Tennis Center, 5 p.m., Free

18

19

20

AARP Drive Safely, Daniel Boone Regional Library, 9 a.m., $12 AARP members, $14 for nonmembers

Grand Opening Celebration, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Concannon Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa, Free

Hickman vs. Rock Bridge Baseball, Rock Bridge HS, 5 p.m.

Hamlet, Rhynsburger Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $10 adults, $8 students and seniors

30

Shop Hop, Downtown Columbia, 10 a.m., Free

Open House for Ann Stafford's Retirement, 4-6 p.m., Woodhaven, Free

Family Fun Fest: Teen Fest, Flat Branch Park, 6-8 p.m., Free

Split Lip Rayfield, Mojo’s, 9:30 p.m., $12

Artrageous Fridays, Downtown Columbia, 6 p.m., Free

25

26

27

Switchfoot, The Blue Note, 8 p.m., $22

Saturday

7

Shakespeare’s Pizza MaxTrax Duathlon, Derby Ridge Elementary School, 8:30 a.m., $55 Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza, Douglass Park, Noon, Free

11

University Concert Series Presents Musical Reflections, Jesse Auditorium, 7 p.m., $17

Annual Spring Choral Concert, Stephens College, 7:30 p.m., Free

“We Always Swing” Jazz Series: Tia Fuller Quartet, Murry’s, 3:30 and 7 p.m., $18-37

5

Friday

Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt, Riechmann Pavilion at Stephens Lake Park, 7:30 p.m., $7

19th Annual Salute to Life Walk & Run, Boone County Government Center, 7:30 a.m. to Noon, $15 for Memorial Walk, $25 for 5K and 10K

8

Thursday

April 27 - May 4 The Goodbye Girl Musical, Stephens College, 7:30 p.m., $6-16

14

April14-15 The Italian Film Festival (USA) of St. Louis, Ragtag Cinema, Noon, Free Senior Music Showcase, Stephens College Historic Senior Recital Hall, 3 p.m., Free

21

Mizzou Baseball vs.

Kansas State, Taylor Stadium, 2 p.m.

Columbia College Forensics Science 10th Anniversary, Launer Auditorium, 1:30 p.m.

28

.

May Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

1

Hickman vs. Rock Bridge Baseball, Hickman HS, 6:30 p.m.

6

Kitchens in Bloom, Noon, $10 in advance $12 at door

Missouri Orthopedic Institute TriZou Triathlon & DuZou Duathlon, Mizzou Aquatics Center, 7 a.m., $45-165

13

Mother’s Day Buffet, University Club Ballroom, 10:30 a.m., $26.95 Mizzou Softball vs.

Oklahoma State, University Field, Noon

7

University Concert Series Presents Pianist Ang Li, Jesse Auditorium, 7 p.m., $9-19

8

Wednesday

2

9

Thursday

3

Science Building Groundbreaking Ceremony, Northeast Corner of Columbia College Campus, Noon

10

Wake Up, You Sleepyheads!, Daniel Boone Regional Library, 6:30 p.m., Free

Paquin Art Show, Paquin Tower, 11 a.m., Free

14

Heritage Weekend, Douglass Park, 3 p.m., Free Salute to Seniors, Rock Bridge HS Gym, 7 p.m., Free

15

Hickman Senior Awards Night, Hickman Auditorium, 7 p.m., Free Heritage Weekend, Douglass Park, 3 p.m., Free

16

Christina Perri, The Blue Note, 8 p.m., $20

Family Fun Fest, Flat Branch Park, 6 p.m., Free

17

Dancing with Missouri Stars, Columbia College Southwell Complex, 7 p.m., $20

21

22

23

24

27

28

29

30

31

Columbia College Military Recognition Day, Bass Commons, 11 a.m.

Columbia Public Schools’ Last Day, Dismissal 2½ Hours Early

Saturday

4

5

Tzigane Unleashed, First Baptist Church, 7 p.m., $20

University Concert Series presents The Secret Garden, Jesse Auditorium, 3 and 6 p.m., $7-12

11

12

May 4-6 Wild West Fest, Boster Castle, 10 a.m., $7 for anyone 6 or older

Graduation Buffet, University Club Dining Room, 5 p.m., $24.95

Mizzou Softball vs.

Oklahoma State, University Field, 6 p.m.

18

Family Fun Fest, Flat Branch Park, 6 p.m., Free

Columbia College Commencement (First Ceremony), Southwell Gymnasium, Noon

Graduation Buffet, University Club Dining Room, 10:30 a.m., $20.95 Grapes to Glass, Stone Hill Winery in Hermann, Mo., 2:45 p.m., $25

19

Hickman Graduation, Mizzou Arena, 11 a.m., Free Rock Bridge Commencement, Mizzou Arena Practice Gym, 4 p.m., Free

Author John Elias, Daniel Boone Regional Library, 7 p.m., Free

20

Memorial Day Parade, Downtown Columbia, 9:55 a.m., Free

Friday

25

26

MU Women’s and Children’s Hospital Go Girl Run, Women’s Half Marathon and 5K, University of Missouri Reactor Field Park, 7:45 a.m., $30-199

.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 17

18 | April/maY 2012

columbiahomemagazine.com | 19

20 | April/maY 2012

Introducing Our Interns

By Li ly Daws o n | P h oto s by taylor allen

Meg Sterchi Social Media Intern As our first social media intern, Meg has opened our eyes to the wide world of social networking. She is a communication major and knows her way around Twitter and Facebook like a pro. Meg has plans to attend MU School of Law in the fall, with hopes to gain a career that incorporates music, law and travel.

Andrea Lewis Editorial Intern Andrea hails from Wausau, Wis., and has big dreams to work for a professional football team after she graduates in May from MU. Her experience writing for Mizzou Athletics lends itself well to that field.

Luckily this sporty girl is super crafty as well, which makes her a great asset to the editorial department.

She is also interested in event planning if the whole NFL thing doesn’t work out.

Allison Dorr Editorial Intern St. Louis native Allison studies strategic communications at MU and contributes her J-school experience in our editorial department as one of our editorial interns. Allison hopes to end up in Washington, D.C., or Chicago but right now is enjoying spending game days in Columbia cheering on the Tigers. She is a self-proclaimed coffee addict, which contributes greatly to her productivity (thanks, Starbucks!).

Dana Schuermann Graphic Design Intern Dana is a senior strategic communications major at MU who has a soft spot for animals. She spends her free time walking dogs for the Humane Society and dreams of working for a nonprofit organization that helps animals. She works with Columbia Home’s graphic design department and plans on working for a marketing firm after graduation. But don’t let this computer-savvy chick trick you; she also enjoys playing the piano and plays a mean ping-pong game.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 21

22 | April/maY 2012

kitchens in bloom Judy and Ron Carter

By Li ly Dawson Photo s by A ng el iqu e Hu nter A nd taylor allen Jan and Wilson Beckett

Lynn and Mark McIntosh

Russ and Nancy Zguta

This is the 10th year for the annual Boone County Council on Aging’s spring fundraiser, Kitchens in Bloom, and it’s your chance to tour four beautifully remodeled Columbia kitchens and get inspired for your own home-improvement projects. Whether you’re a master chef or an entertaining queen, these kitchens are sure to provide some ideas to kick start a kitchen renovation of your own. The proceeds from ticket sales benefit senior community services in Columbia, a very deserving fund. The event will be held on Sunday, May 6, from noon to 4 p.m., with tickets available at the BCCA office, D&H Drugstore and The Marketplace for $10. Support this great cause and get a sneak peek into the kitchens of some notable Columbians this spring.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 23

Get the Carters' Kitchen Nestled at the end of Sunset Drive is Judy and Ron Carter’s beautiful home that was once an MU president’s hunting lodge. The couple moved into the house in 1977 and remodeled the kitchen a year ago with the help of Nick Detert, Ben Vineyard and Lou Swacker. Judy and Ron wanted a more spacious kitchen that could house their grandkids.

3

Ron and Judy Carter 1244 Sunset Drive

2 1

1. CUSTOM CABINETRY Judy’s favorite features in the kitchen are the cupboards and pullout drawers built

by Lou Swacker. Made of alder wood, the shelving keeps the Carters very organized and leaves ample space for their kitchen tools.

2. COLORFUL PALETTE The Carters’ kitchen wall was torn down to open up to a formal dining room.

“These drapes were original with the house,” Judy says pointing to multicolored toile print fabric. She wanted to mimic that look in her kitchen upholstery as well. Nick Detert found the fabric for the eat-in kitchen chairs and a coordinating blue color for the bar stools that pleased Judy. “He did a great job matching them to our tastes.”

24 | April/maY 2012

3. MEDITERRANEAN REFUGE Natural brown granite countertops work well with the Carters' extensive Italian plate collection. The rustic details in the granite convey a Mediterranean look when juxtaposed with the hand-painted platters.

The kitchen had Corian countertops before, a change that the Carters were very excited to finally make. “I love the granite,” Judy says. “I love the large island. I have grandchildren and needed a place for them to spread out.” The brown shades in the granite also coordinate with the brushed brass knobs and drawer pulls throughout the kitchen.

Get the McIntoshes' Kitchen Lynn and Mark McIntosh had a completely workable kitchen but wanted a place for their family of 16 to gather. They partnered with Kliethermes Remodeling to create a space that allowed a comfortable flow of traffic and room for company. Along with the kitchen renovation, they added a large porch that the family treats as an extension of their entertaining area.

2

Lynn and Mark McIntosh 1313 Wood Hill Road

3

4 1

2. BRINGING THE OUTSIDE IN

4. A WARMING TREND

Grainy woods, dark granite and lots of lighting set the stage for the color palette of the room. They used a green splash of color on the deck for their comfy furniture. Plant life on the patio and in the dining room contributes to the green scheme.

Using inviting tones, such as this beige stone backsplash, helps set the cozy feel the McIntoshes wanted their new kitchen to convey. “Our old kitchen was blue plaid,” Lynn says embarrassingly. “We wanted our new space to be a place for everyone to hang out, something comfortable for any number of guests.”

Prior to the remodel, the McIntoshes hosted an engagement party. “No one could get around; it was obvious we needed a change,” Lynn says. They knocked down all the walls and switched their colors over to oranges, reds, golds and browns highlighted with natural plants. They are extremely pleased with their current design and Kliethermes Homes and Remodeling’s great ideas that helped to transform their space.

3. REPURPOSED WINE CHEST 1. A PLACE TO PLOP The granite peninsula is the most used area in the kitchen. Often this area is even home to their laptop. “We do everything here; we read the newspaper in this spot every day,” Lynn says.

Lynn said Kliethermes’ design is exactly what she wanted. “They even found things that we didn’t even think about,” she says. “This chest used to be in our bedroom. During the renovation they saw that we were getting rid of it and thought it would fit perfectly in this corner.” They were right. It now houses their wine collection.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 25

Get the Zgutas' Kitchen 2

The homeowners wanted a space that could both entertain and allow Nancy to cook freely without getting into guests’ way. They asked for something simple and contemporary. There are a lot of elements in the remodeled kitchen that have made the Zgutas’ lives a lot easier.

“I absolutely love my condiment drawer,” Nancy says.

Russ and Nancy Zguta 500 Thilly Ave.

1

3

5

1. A PLACE TO GATHER

3. SPACE-SAVING NOOK

The original 1981 kitchen was relatively the same size but had little entertaining space. The Zgutas added the kitchen island during the remodel for a place to gather with guests, especially children and grandchildren. They chose Corian countertops because they are durable and easy to clean.

Kerry Bramon thought up a useful wine corner to make the best use of the Zgutas’ room.

“It wasn’t in the original plan, but it has been a great place to store our glasses,” Russ says about the feature. “Kerry did a great job.”.

2. A BASIC PALETTE Nancy and Russ chose beige for the wall color to keep a natural look. The neutral walls create a nice backdrop for red accent pieces such as their area rug and dish towels. Keeping the backsplash tile beige and white allowed the Zgutas to keep a streamlined look throughout the kitchen.

26 | April/maY 2012

4

4. ACCENTS THAT POP The contemporary finishes such as stainless-steel appliances and brushed silver knobs and drawer pulls were the simple makeover the Zgutas wanted. “The contemporary look,” Nancy says, “needed a color that wouldn’t compete but could add some warmth to the modern space.” Red satisfied their challenge. They were able to use their existing red blinds to break up the sleek woods and top-of-the-line appliances.

5. EVERYTHING IN PLACE Nancy’s favorite feature in the kitchen is her sliding spice drawer. “I have my spices arranged alphabetically to keep them organized,” she says.

Get the Becketts' Kitchen “We like to cook together,” Jan says. Most kitchens are built with one chef in mind, but for the Becketts, dinnertime is a joint effort. They created a working kitchen perfect for two people to be cooking side by side. Prompted by their need for new appliances, they updated their traditional 1935 Old Southwest Columbia kitchen in 2010.

2

Jan and Wilson Beckett 706 Thilly Ave.

5

1

2. ORNATE accents

3

4

The Becketts love to travel. “We find things everywhere we go that add to our current design,” Wilson says. This stained glass lamp was new with the remodel. They have hand-painted ceramics, framed art and a David Spear piece adorning the room. They’re a reminder of the couple’s adventures and add personality to the traditional space.

1. AN “I” ISLAND

3. SHOCKING GRANITE

Jan and Wilson Beckett’s massive I-shaped island helped with their entertaining needs and the placement of the oven. The middle cutouts allow area to store cookbooks and create a more accessible traffic pattern.

The white-washed cabinets lightened up the room that was previously dominated by dark woods.

A huge island of dark granite greets guests as they walk into the Becketts’ beautiful kitchen. “We have even gotten shocked by the amount of metal in the slab,” Jan says. The new countertops replaced Corian and were placed 4 inches higher than the old ones because the Becketts are both tall.

4. WHITE WASH Their new island was built with the traditional design of the kitchen in mind, but Jan and Wilson hoped that they could lighten up the space. “Painting the lower cabinets white opened up the room,” Jan says. columbiahomemagazine.com | 27

Top 5 Reasons to get a Personal Trainer this Year 1. Hit your goals, finally!

2. Stay motivated 3. Be held accountable 4. Learn correct form and use of equipment 5. See quick results that last Jack – Competitor on the National Swim Team, training for the Olympic Trials, and Nationally Certified Personal Trainer at Anytime Fitness.

North Location: 3200 Penn Terrace Suite117 Columbia

28 | April/maY 2012

South Location: 2101 Corona Road Suite 103 Columbia

home design trend | birds

marc jacobs

Birds of a Feather

by Li ly Dawson p h oto s by taylor allen & cas ey b uckm an Bird prints are huge for spring fashion. These fun fowls can also bring youthfulness to a room when translated to home dĂŠcor.

Add a feathered pillow, hang a pigeon print or insert a swallow statue into your palette to start. Then just practice your chirping, and you’re on your way to becoming a real birder. Find these items and more at Poppy, Studio Home Interiors and Grace.

Product information (counterclockwise from top left): Pyrhula Robin Pillow, Studio Home, $109; Chicken Feather Pillow, Pier 1 Impor ts, $19.98; Bird Cage, Grace, $79; Car thage Standing Birdhouse, S. Stewar t Home, $23.50; Green Pitcher, S. Stewar t Home, $34.99; Sharon Stelter Bird Sculpture, Poppy, $120; Yellow Metal Bird, S. Stewar t Home, $9; Dolan Geiman Box Prints, Poppy, $55 each; Bird Lamp, S. Stewar t Home, $60; Bird on Small Finial, Ashley Furniture, $30; Bird Print, S. Stewar t Home, $16; Bird Eggs, S. Stewar t Home, $3.25; Wallpaper Samples, Johnston Paint and Decorating, call for pricing. columbiahomemagazine.com | 29

designer's palette | office

An Office Oasis Give the man in your life a space to call his own. Beverly Reid sets the palette for this rustic room with furnishings from S. Stewart Home.

By Li ly Dawson | p hoto s by cas ey b uckm an

Homes can take on many different looks. We’ve seen trends such as contemporary, French country and Southwest have their heyday, but how do you decorate for the man in your life who doesn’t want uniform walls and furnishings? There needs to be a place where Dad can “hide out”: a sanctuary that combines masculinity, tastefulness and function.

Beverly Reid of S. Stewart Home has put together a palette that not only brings out ruggedness and industrialism, but also keeps accessibility in mind. Useful items and calming colors turn a space that’s usually forgotten into a purposeful room that has a personality of its own.

Using reclaimed wood finishes and rusty accents, the space takes on an urban vintage feel, one that fits a masculine client. “The space evokes

that revitalization of urban centers and the gentrification happening in so many cities right now,” Reid says. “You can live in the middle of Columbia but feel like you are in an updated warehouse with the architectural and relic-like furnishings.”

Reid created this office with hopes of getting away from the traditional look of home offices. Updating an area with unique features such as iron bookends and a rustic wooden desk helps to produce an edgy and comfortable space for a manlier client. She even suggests adding your own family heirlooms to the room to add a bit of family history to your workspace.

All of the above items can be found at S. Stewart Home, located in the Broadway Shops at 2703 E. Broadway. columbiahomemagazine.com | 31

dear kate

Life, love, family and more. Your questions answered.

dear kate,

My 11-year-old daughter came home the other day and told me that her dad’s girlfriend is like her second mom.

This statement nearly ripped my heart out. I was immediately hurt (not surprisingly) and angry (somewhat surprisingly). My knee-jerk reaction was to tell her no one would ever be her mother but me, but I thankfully caught myself. Instead I just listened about all the fun things they did over the weekend and waited until she had gone to bed to have a good cry. How do I deal with this “new” mom in my daughter’s and my life? R. K.

NORTH LOCATION 1414 Rangeline (573) 449-6230 SOUTH LOCATION 3709 Providence Rd. Suite D (573) 874-1186

ALLVACUUMCARE.NET

Owner, Randy Peterson Locally Owned Business for 57 years

32 | April/maY 2012

Dear R.K. Kudos to you for listening to your daughter and not putting your feelings on her, as painful as it was to hear those words.

How do you deal with it? It sounds like you already know how: by listening, supporting and not judging your daughter or yourself. Try not to take her feelings or words as a personal affront, and remember she’s simply trying to deal with pretty dramatic life transitions, too.

You undoubtedly want your daughter to feel comfortable and at peace with the way her family is evolving, both at your house and her dad’s, so giving her any reason to second-guess her feelings or inadvertently instilling guilt won’t help her achieve this.

No one will ever take your place as her mom; you’re not in competition for that role and never will be. Continuing to provide an environment of unconditional love, stability and safety is what she needs from you, and it sounds like that’s exactly what you’re doing. The simple fact that she felt safe enough to share this with you says a lot about your relationship. It doesn’t sound like she was telling you this out of spite, but because she wanted you to know about her weekend and how she was feeling. What a gift!

dear kate, To put it simply, I don’t really like my extended

family. I have a fairly large family, and though there are a few members whom I get on with, the majority of them make my blood pressure go up just by being in the same room. These people maintain snide and hateful attitudes toward life and people in general. I am an adult and know I have the option to spend time with them or not, but every time I decline to attend a family engagement, I feel bad because it hurts my mom, who is seemingly oblivious to their hateful nature. The few times I have tried voicing my concerns, she has been quick to rationalize or gloss over the perceived transgressions. Short of formally excommunicating myself, I’m not sure what to do. H. A.

Dear H.A. You didn’t choose to share DNA with these people, but you’re right, you can choose whether you spend time with them.

As much as you don’t want to hurt your mom’s feelings, it should not be forgotten that she’s making choices, too. If you feel it would be worthwhile, maybe talking to your mother about your feelings in general would help her understand your perspective. And if she is unable or unwilling to understand your frustration or discomfort, that is not yours to carry. Alternatively, maybe talking with the family as a whole or with individual members about your concerns or feelings would be beneficial.

Communication is fundamental in resolving conflict, but if you honestly feel that communicating your feelings would only lead to greater stress and discord, then perhaps it’s best to leave things unsaid and focus on what’s best for you.

It’s important to recognize that you can determine how much contact you want; you don’t have to be present for every family function or conversely never see any of them again. Perhaps your attendance at family functions could be reserved for extra special occasions or when you know that the good eggs are going to outweigh the bad in terms of attendance. If you are going to engage with them, do it on your terms and consider these things: • You’ve got their number: You’ve spent your life around these people, and though their behavior may be continually frustrating, it’s also very familiar. You have the luxury of knowing who these people are and what they’re about and can prepare yourself accordingly.

• It’s your choice: Your attendance at family gatherings is in your control. You are going because it’s something you are choosing, not out of guilt, but because it’s the right choice for you.

• It’s time limited: Set a time limit for your stay, and stick with it.

• Leave the nastiness behind: When you leave, leave without their baggage. Allow them to hold on to that.

• Occupy yourself: Find something to do while at the function, even if that means washing dishes for an hour. Sometimes staying away from the action is the best way to be present but not engage.

Have a question for Kate?

Email kate.smart@gmail.com

Kate Smart Harrison holds a B.A. in psychology from Loyola University, New Orleans and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Missouri.

Kate also attended a graduate program in Austria for peace studies and conflict transformation.

Disclaimer: The advice provided in this column is for general informational and educational purposes only; it is not offered as, and does not constitute, a therapeutic relationship or psychotherapeutic advice. None of the information presented is intended as a substitute for professional consultation by a qualified practitioner.

kitchen

tabletop

home

LET’S CELEBRATE!

THANK YOU FOR A

FABULOUS 1ST YEAR!

We’re kicking off our 1st Birthday Bash with the District Shop Hop on April 13th from 5-8pm.

In celebration, we’ll have daily giveaways and storewide specials April 13-22.

Come in and register to win!

812 East Broadway • 442.9550 • tallulahs@me.com Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10-6 • Sun: 12-4

Bridal Registry Available

columbiahomemagazine.com | 33

A big THANK YOU to all of our 2012 Dr. Hugh E. Stephenson, Jr. Heart and Stroke Ball Sponsors and Donors!

Presenting Sponsors

University of Missouri Health Care Boone Hospital Center Missouri Heart Center

Signature Sponsor

Hugh E. Stephenson Jr., MD Department of Surgery

Dinner Sponsor

Veterans United Foundation

Media Sponsors

Do you know a Magnificent Mom?

The Networks of mid-Missouri Cumulus Media Inc. (KPLA & KFRU) Columbia Home Magazine Pump Top Network

Photo Booth Sponsor

Nancy Allison-Shelter Insurance Agency

Open Your Heart Sponsor Providence Bank

She could be a friend, your sister or someone else in the community.

Nominate her now at www.columbiahomemagazine.com.

Silent Auction Sponsor Missouri Vein Care

Live Auction Sponsor

Moberly Regional Heart Center

Dessert Sponsor

Columbia Surgical Associates

Now through the end of May, we’ll be accepting nominations for Riback/DKB and Columbia Home’s Magnificent Mom’s Contest.

Winners will receive great prizes and a feature spread in Columbia Home magazine.

What are you waiting for?

Submit your Magnificent Mom today!

Go to www.columbiahomemagazine.com and click on the Magnificent Mom’s Contest link.

34 | April/maY 2012

Valet Sponsor

Joe Machens Dealerships

Red Carpet Sponsor

Miller’s Professional Imaging

Champagne Sponsor Studio Home

Thank you to all of our other donors and sponsors!

Adam Puchta Winery, Allen’s Flowers, Atterberry Auction & Realty Co., Bass Pro Shops, Cooper’s Oak Winery, Flour Girls Bake Shop, Glazer’s, Golden Barrel, Head Motor Company, Hermanhoff Winery, Landmark Bank, Miller’s Professional Imaging, Missouri Contemporary Ballet, Missouri Cotton Exchange, My Secret Garden, Peachtree Banquet and Catering Center, Senior Hands, Stephens College Department of Film and Media, Visionworks Marketing Group, Will West Music & Sound

expert's advice | andrew stone

Ask the Expert: Andrew Stone Ever wondered if you need to visit the eye doctor even if you don't wear glasses?

Or if 20/20 really is perfect vision? Andrew Stone of Andrew Stone Optometry tackles these questions and more relating to the health of your eyes.

They say that 20/20 is considered perfect vision. Is that accurate? 20/20 does not necessarily mean perfect vision; it only indicates the sharpness or clarity of vision at a distance. There are other important vision skills, including peripheral awareness or side vision, eye coordination, depth perception, focusing ability and color vision, that contribute to your overall visual ability.

I have fine eyesight and don’t need glasses. Is there any reason I should visit an optometrist? Besides prescribing glasses and/or contacts to correct your vision, optometrists are also interested in your overall health. The eyes are like tiny windows to the inside of your body, and your optometrist can detect early signs of diseases including diabetes and hypertension.

Why does my optometrist need to dilate my eyes for the examination? Shining a light into the eye makes the pupil constrict, severely limiting the amount the doctor can see of the internal structures. To properly assess the health of your eye it is often necessary to make the pupil of the eye bigger so we can see in.

Photo by david owens

Why does reading small print get harder as I get older? The most common complaint from patients as they age is the decreased ability to see up close. As we become older, the lens of the eye, which allows us to focus from far to near, becomes less flexible, which can mean near vision becomes more difficult, limiting our ability to use, for instance, computers and smartphones.

Will working at a computer hurt my eyes? Using a computer for long periods of time may result in eye strain, blurred vision, dry eye, headaches and muscle tension. Have a regular eye exam to ensure your eyes are healthy and that you have the correct eyeglass or contact lens prescription. Your optometrist can

design eyeglasses to make computer work more comfortable. If you wear glasses, have an anti-reflective coating applied to your lenses to reduce glare. Also, while working on the computer, remember to rest your eyes, blink and use a humidifier or artificial tears if necessary.

At what age should someone first visit an eye doctor? The American Optometric Association recommends a child’s first comprehensive vision assessment to be at about 6 months of age. The optometrist will test for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, eye movement and eye health problems.

Vision development and eye health problems are easier to correct if treatment begins early.

Why should kids wear sunglasses? Children’s eyes are more susceptible to UV radiation exposure because the lenses in their eyes are clearer. Once damage occurs, it cannot be reversed. It’s crucial for parents to remember to enforce wearing sunglasses as a habit because more than 80 percent of all eye damage occurs under the age of 18, and most UV eye damage is cumulative.

I’ve heard there are some foods, such as carrots, that help eyesight. What are these and how important are they? Carrots are high in vitamin A, which is essential for sight and important for a balanced diet. However, eating carrots or other foods high in vitamin A will not improve your vision. Actually, taking large amounts of vitamin A can be very harmful. People who do not eat a balanced diet can develop vision problems along with other health problems.

What are the best ways to protect my eyes and vision on a daily basis? All of those things that are good for your body are also good for your eyes. Eating properly, exercising and getting enough sleep are essential to a healthy body and cardiovascular system. Also, sunglasses and protective eyewear protect the eyes from the outside in. columbiahomemagazine.com | 35

By Li ly Dawson P h oto s by a ngel iqu e h unter

Tired of the same old dye job year after year on your family’s Easter eggs? Spice up the hunt this April with some egg-cellent decorating ideas. Using everyday items such as masking tape and rubber cement, you, too, can transform blank canvases into works of art.

All tutorials adapted from marthastewart.com/275369/decorating-easter-eggs.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 37

Garden Eggs

Marbelized Eggs

• Eggs • Egg dye

• Eggs • Egg dye

• Flower and plant stickers • 1-inch terra cotta flower pots

1. Dye egg to desired color. Let dry for 30 minutes.

2. Apply blades of grass and plant stickers along egg.

Place in terra cotta pot.

Dyeing Tips

Before you begin, create a drying rack from foam board fitted with flathead pins. This will keep your eggs from sitting in pools of dye while drying.

To make each color dye, mix 3 cups of water, about 20 drops of food coloring and about 2 tablespoons white vinegar in a container.

38 | April/maY 2012

• Olive oil • Paper towels

1. Place egg in dye, and leave it submerged until it turns the desired shade.

2. In a wide, shallow bowl, prepare a second batch of dye, which will provide the swirls, in a darker shade or a different color. Liquid should be 1/2 inch deep. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Run a fork through this mixture, creating curlicues of oil on the surface.

3. As oil swirls, place dyed egg in mixture, and roll it once around the bowl to pick up oil streaks.

Remove the egg.

4. Gently pat egg with a paper towel. Let it dry. You can experiment with color combinations; vary the base tints and the swirls to achieve striking contrasts, subtle shadings or multihued richness.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 39

Lace Eggs • Eggs • Egg dye • Rubber bands • Scissors

• Lace trimmings or scraps from a worn tablecloth or curtains

1. Cut lace into strips long enough to wrap around eggs and still have extra to form a sash for holding.

2. Wrap eggs and secure lace with rubber bands.

3. Dye eggs.

4. Lift egg out of dye bath, cut off rubber bands, and unwrap lace. Let dry on foam board fitted with flathead pins.

40 | April/maY 2012

Dripped On Eggs • Eggs • Egg dye

• Rubber cement

1. Using the brush applicator attached to the rubber cement’s lid, drizzle rubber cement onto an eggshell in the desired pattern. Let sit until it’s dry to the touch, about 30 minutes.

2. Place egg in dye bath until it reaches desired color. Let dry for 30 minutes.

3. Repeat the entire process, applying another layer of rubber cement and letting it dry, then applying another layer of dye and letting it dry.

4. Gently rub the glue off the egg with your fingers to yield a “dripped” appearance. Be careful not to crack the egg.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 41

shopkeeper's story | studio home

Design, Vision, Purpose For Jon Trigg and Aaron Dolan, Studio Home owners and designers, a new studio space is just the beginning.

By M o l ly W right | photo s by angel iqu e h u nter

The back story Born in 1974 in Trenton, Mo., Dolan had no ambitions to become a farmer like his father. However, he says, “I raised chicken and Longhorn cattle” and was even chapter president of the local Future Farmers of America organization at one point. After high school he received a full-ride agriculture scholarship to the University of Missouri and enrolled in hotel management, but it didn’t take long for him to realize it was not a good fit. He decided to transfer to the Human Environmental Science Program and focus on interior design.

After graduating with his bachelor of science in interior design, Dolan did event coordinating for the chancellor for a year. He then worked for Rust and Martin for a year before moving on to Putnam’s Interiors, where he worked for the next 10 years. In addition, from 2002 to 2005 Dolan taught residential design at Stephens College.

Trigg was born in Brunswick, Ga., in 1968 but considers the St Louis area his boyhood home. Like Dolan, he didn’t start out with interior design ambitions and worked in flooring and construction after high school. But in 1993, Trigg decided he needed a change, so he moved to Columbia, enrolled at MU and focused on ceramics.

It was during this time that he met Dolan through mutual friends, and they hit it off. In 1996 they began their 16-year relationship. Over time, they also started talking about someday opening their own design studio.

“You’re in school and you have all these bright ideas about how you’re 42 | April/maY 2012

going to set the world on fire,” Dolan says referring to the excitement of branching out on their own. But it would be some time before this dream would materialize.

In the meantime, Trigg graduated with his B.F.A. and then received his M.F.A. from MU, both degrees in ceramics. Although at the time they talked about leaving Columbia, the men decided to stay, and Trigg worked off and on for Stover Carpets for several years, doing everything from installing to sales manager.

“We want to focus on running the business the way it should be, making sure our clients are satisfied, taking care of them the way they should be.” — Jon Trigg

photo by taylor allen

S

tep into Studio Home, and the timeworn wooden floor will guide you through a showcase of antique, vintage and modern design pieces, all coexisting in harmony. In fact, the eclectic mix of beautifully upholstered furniture, distinctive accessories, artwork and treasures is truly a delight. But for owners and designers Jon Trigg and Aaron Dolan, their new 3,500-square-foot showroom is the realization of ideas that took root when they first met in school 16 years ago.

1029 E. Walnut St. • 573-445-4122 Open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Opposite page, left: Aaron Dolan (left) and Jon Trigg, designers and owners of Studio Home. Opposite page, right: Studio Home moved from its original location on the 100 block of East Walnut to its new 3,500-square-foot space in the North Village Arts District. Left and above: The beautiful Studio Home showroom features an eclectic mix of upholstered furniture, unique accessories, one-of-a-kind artwork and more. “We are well-versed in all the traditional design but also bring our own taste to the table,” Trigg says.

Planning for the future

The new Studio Home

In 2007 Trigg and Dolan began discussing their future more seriously.

One consideration was opening their home to foster children. “We thought fostering children was a good way to be involved with them and see how well we do with children,” Trigg says. Discovering there was a great need for safe and healthy homes within the area’s foster system, they enrolled in the foster parent classes, and Dolan became certified (only one certification is awarded per household). As a result, for the past two and a half years, they have fostered a child whom they adore.

Their fostering experience additionally led to supporting children in other ways. “Primarily, we like to focus our donating where children will benefit from it,” Trigg says, such as giving to Rainbow House.

Last year they also gave 10 percent of their fourth quarter sales to the Giving Tree, an event sponsored by the Foster Care Support Group.

In 2008 Dolan and Trigg decided the time was right to make their design studio a reality. That fall “Jon and I both left our jobs and started Studio Home,” Dolan says of their first location in the 100 block of East Walnut. Soon, word of mouth began bringing more and more clients to their doorstep, so a bigger place was in order. In July 2011 they moved Studio Home to its present location at 1029 E. Walnut.

Today, Trigg and Dolan are putting all their energy into Studio Home, where they plan to continue providing quality design service. “We want to focus on running the business the way it should be,” says Trigg, “making sure our clients are satisfied, taking care of them the way they should be.” With their business growing, they also plan to hire two more full-time employees, which ultimately should allow them more family time as well.

Both men are pleased with their showroom in the North Village Arts District. “The relaxed feeling of being in the arts area allows us to be casual,” Dolan says, “and Jon and I are pretty casual.”

Still, Dolan admits they get down to business with their clients.

“It’s a relationship that’s very intimate that requires a lot of trust. You have to set that basis to really be able to go forward.”

As for Trigg, he wants Columbians to know they can tackle just about any job. "We are well-versed in all the traditional design but also bring our own taste to the table,” he says.

Overall, Trigg and Dolan are a good team. Committed to their work, to their community and their desire to help foster children, they are also always moving in a forward direction. Perhaps Dolan sums it up best: “For now, we do what we are able, but there’s more to come.” columbiahomemagazine.com | 43

fashion forecast | carlisle and per sÉ

Camel and Gold by lily dawson | P h oto s by Tay lo r A l len

A classic pairing of neutral and sparkle, this trend is as timeless as it is easy. Pairing a chunky gold necklace with a simple ivory sheath or khaki suit transforms a dull look to a showstopper. Find these looks and more with Carlisle and Per Sé Collections by Becky McHugh.

Contact Becky at 573-449-2961 or BeckyMcHugh@me.com.

Accessories provided by Breeze and Elly’s Couture.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 45

46 | April/maY 2012

On Courtney (left): BB Dakota Yellow Blazer, Swank, $86; Calvin Klein Teal Henley Top, Dillard’s, $69.50; Teal Bandage Skirt, Britches, $30; Big Buddha Quilted Turquoise Satchel, Dillard’s, $95; Erica Lyons Turquoise Necklace, Dillard’s, $38; Metal Beaded Necklaces, Swank, $25-40; Miss Me Jocelyn Pumps in Red, Elly’s Couture, $44.99; Lily Dawson Designs Woven Toggle Bracelet, Elly’s Couture, $35; Anna and Ava Clip-on Earrings, Dillard’s, $20; Anna and Ava Ring, Dillard’s, $15; Anna and Ava Bangle Bracelets, Dillard’s, $20.

On Nema (right): Gianni Bini Blue Dress, Dillard’s, $138; Antonio Melani Ivory Blazer, Dillard’s, $199; Betsey Johnson Flower Necklace, Elly’s Couture, $185; M Haskell Neon Necklace, Dillard’s, $28; Michael Antonio Lantana Pumps, Elly’s Couture, $69.99; Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC Clutch, Swank, $195.

Rock the Color block This mother-daughter pair shows off a bold trend that’s huge for spring.

Start with a bright clutch or piece of jewelry to make a statement that really pops. Take out your color wheel, folks. The combinations are endless!

Styled by Lily Dawson Photos by Angelique Hunter columbiahomemagazine.com | 47

48 | April/maY 2012

Opposite Page clockwise from top left: JWMaxx Green Jeans, Britches, $45; Jessica Simpson Papaya Heel, Dillard’s, $89; Gianni Bini Colorblock Purse, Dillard’s, $89. Antonio Melanie Yellow Lace Dress, Dillard’s, $169; Lily Dawson Designs Teal Wrap Bracelet, Elly’s Couture, $75; Carol Dauplaise Yellow Beaded Bracelet, Dillard’s, $16; Anna and Ava Bangle Bracelet, Dillard’s, $20; Pixie Dust Silver Sequin Clutch, Elly’s Couture, $59.99. Calvin Klein White Henley Top, Dillard’s, $69.50; JWMaxx Green Jeans, Britches, $45; Anna and Ava Ring, Dillard’s, $15; Pixie Dust White Skinny Belt, Elly’s Couture, $19.99.

Erica Lyons Turquoise Earrings, Dillard’s, $16. Cremieux Seersucker Belted Short, Dillard’s, $69; Anna and Ava Stackable Blue Rings, Dillard’s, $20; Vince Camuto Tomato Red Handbag, Dillard’s, $49.

On Nema: Cremieux Orange Linen Blazer, Dillard’s, $139; Vince Camuto Striped Satin Top, Dillard’s, $79; Lily Dawson Designs Woven Toggle Necklace, Elly’s Couture, $99; Ralph Lauren Gold Necklace, Dillard’s, $48; Ralph Lauren Coral Necklace, Dillard’s, $58; Green Talon Necklace, Swank, $36.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 49

50 | April/maY 2012

Oppsiste page, clockwise from top left: Cotton Candy Melon Shirt Dress, Britches, $35; ADA Obi Wrap Belt, Swank, $70; Elliott Lucca Lime Green Clutch, Dillard’s, $98; Wide Gold Bangle Bracelet Set, Swank, $66; La Mer Wrap Watch, Swank, $90; La Mer White Watch, Swank, $88; Lily Dawson Designs Chain Link Rings, Elly’s Couture, $15 each.

Steve Madden Winonna Patterned Wedges, Dillard’s, $99.99.

MinkPink Cream Sweater, Swank, $80; Lily Dawson Designs Spiky Turquoise Ring, Elly’s Couture, $20; Lily Dawson Designs Chain Link Ring, Elly’s Couture, $15; Ring’s Eclectic Turquoise Ring, Elly’s Couture, $99; Disney Couture Treasure Chest Ring, Elly’s Couture, $88.49.

Vince Camuto Trinity Suede Heel, Dillard’s, $89.99. Erica Lyons Necklaces, Dillard’s, $38-48; Ralph Lauren Turquoise Necklace, Dillard’s, $78.

On Courtney: Cremieux Maxi Shirtdress in Blue, Dillard’s, $139; Feather Breastplate Necklace, Swank, $46; Gianni Bini Cheryl T-Strap Sandals, Dillard’s, $89.99; Gold Bangles, Britches, $20; Anna and Ava Bangle Sets, Dillard’s, $20 each; House of Harlow Feather Row Ring, Swank, $35; House of Harlow Tribal Wrap Ring, Swank, $58.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 51

By St eph a n i e D eti ll ier | hea ds hots By Carole Patter s on

Columbia native Laura Robinson didn’t just perform the role of an autistic woman on stage; she is autistic herself. But thanks to family, friends and therapists, her diagnosis hasn’t stopped her from following her dreams. columbiahomemagazine.com | 53

animation from Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film and Television, landing an internship at Cartoon Network and taking on a leading role in a play that has gained national accolades, including kudos from the Los Angeles Times.

“A lot of people still have misconceptions that autistic means Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man or Spencer Reid on Criminal Minds who has Asperger’s and knows every word of the encyclopedia but can’t deal with people,” Laura says. “You might have met somebody on the spectrum, but every person is different.

After doing the play a lot more things have come to light. I feel I understand myself more, and just because I have autism doesn’t mean I can’t chase my dreams and legitimately do the job I’ve always wanted to have.” above: For Columbia native Laura Robinson, autism hasn’t held her back from pursuing her dreams. Bottom right: Laura plays Iris, an autistic woman, in Ken LaZebnik’s play On the Spectrum, which has garnered accolades from the Los Angeles Times.

Pinpointing the problem

I

her own and refused to communicate. Shiny,

ris rarely leaves her apartment. Instead, the young woman, who has been diagnosed with autism, lives much of her life online. Even during face-to-face communication, she relies on a computer-aided speech device called Proloquo to “speak.” Sometimes she rocks her body back and forth, which causes her long, unkempt hair to flail about her face.

Social interaction is challenging for Iris — as it is for most people with autism. Through the Internet, however, she meets Mac. Although the young man has Asperger syndrome, he is fully integrated into society and is applying for law school. Iris becomes enamored with him, and slowly she pushes herself out of her comfort zones, out of her closed-off world, to experience a remarkable romantic relationship she hadn’t expected.

Iris is, however, a fictional character in a play called On the Spectrum. Columbia native Laura Robinson, who performed the role of Iris, is real though. And she, too, has autism.

Although Laura is on the “higher-functioning” end of the autism spectrum, her journey out of her own comfort zone has not been an easy one. Years of therapy, several specialists and a team of family and friends have helped Laura become more comfortable socially. It’s taken a lot of guts on Laura’s part, too. Her diagnosis hasn’t held her back from moving to California on her own, earning a degree in 54 | April/maY 2012

At around age 2, Laura started pulling back from her parents, Gary and Pat. She had been an engaged, responsive child, but now she didn’t want to be held, preferred to play on sparkly objects, such as holographic wrapping paper, held her attention for long time spans.

She’d become obsessed with the pieces of paper and rub them in her small hands to reflect the light bouncing off them.

“She was not a normal, healthy, interactive child, but we didn’t know what the problem was,” Pat says. “We had to start peeling back the onion layers because it wasn’t overt. She was a beautiful girl, but she was more content with interacting with the world as she perceived it rather than how we were wanting her to.”

Initially, a therapist diagnosed Laura with attention deficit disorder, but when Pat researched ADD, she knew the description didn’t fit her daughter. Yes, Laura had become difficult to manage outside of their family home. She covered her ears to protect herself from noise and flapped her hands when she was agitated. She was sensitive to loud sounds and could often detect audible sounds that Pat couldn’t even hear. Intercom announcements at Kmart led her to act out.

But at home Laura was calm and comfortable.

At the time, the Robinsons were involved with Parents As Teachers through Columbia Public Schools. Jerri Deming led Pat and Gary to seek outside help, and they turned to speech therapists Sharon Ginsburg and Judy Harper for a diagnosis. The more they worked

with Laura, the more subtleties they noticed.

Finding an exact diagnosis for Laura, however, took some time because her autism was mild, “a touch of the brush.”

“The outside world was very harsh for her, and she tried to escape that harshness by retreating into her own world,” Pat says. “She couldn’t stand certain fabrics against her skin.

She couldn’t stand being in a noisy gymnasium. She really only wanted to watch movies and quoted lines out of a Disney movie if she had to speak. If I asked her what she did at school, she would tell me that she picked berries. I knew that was from Sleeping Beauty.”

Forming a support team A former clinical dietitian for Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, Pat had become a pro at plan-making and coordinating. She was accustomed to coming up with nutritional goals and working with nurses and physicians to ensure that the goals were being met. Pat leaned on those strengths as she formed a team to help Laura. In addition to her family and friends, she coordinated with occupational and speech therapists, both at school and in private practice. She talked with other parents who volunteered their children to participate in group social activities with Laura.

“They were my rocks,” she says. “They helped their children see that everyone has problems. This is Laura’s. No one’s perfect.

Laura needs help in this area.”

“As the parent of a special needs child, you can’t do it by yourself. You have to pull in lots of support, and you need a break at times.” — Pat Robinson The Robinsons also partnered with Columbia Public School administrators, teachers and the after-school program, which helped tremendously as Pat and Gary worked to start their business, Gary B Robinson Jewelers.

Laura’s brother, Spencer, was also part of the plan. Pat recalls a conversation her sister overheard between her two kids. Spencer asked Laura if she wanted a red vitamin or a blue vitamin.

Laura had adopted echolalia to communicate, meaning that she simply repeated or echoed back words. So, she repeated his question: Red or blue?

He asked the question again. Blue or red, she replied. Rather than choosing one for her, Spencer — no older than 7 at the time — patiently continued to ask her the question until she chose one.

“Socially was when things were hard for Laura,”

Mother Nature Would Approve

Pat explains. “She had to have very patient, constant intervention to redirect her to participate with the group. ‘We’re not finished with the game, Laura. Let’s play for 10 more minutes.’ Boy, she’d watch that clock. But everyone had to adhere to the plan. We belonged to a wonderful Brownie troop. The kids would hang in there with her and protect her and help her along. As the parent of a special needs child, you can’t do it by yourself.

You have to pull in lots of support, and you need a break at times.”

Even Laura’s swim team coach happened to be a special education teacher. She understood Laura’s needs — one of them being her aversion to the gun being fired at the start of each heat. The coach volunteered to hold her hands over Laura’s ears until she jumped into the pool. Eventually, the coach put a stop to using the gun altogether; the team needed Laura, a strong swimmer.

“I admire Laura so much,” Pat says. “She never tired of people trying to help her get better. She knew she could trust these people, that they were not criticizing her. Laura also helped all of us to see things from her perspective.”

Putting the pieces together Despite all of the therapies and accommodations, Laura didn’t begin realizing what autism was — or

Locally Owned • American-Made

Next to Bright City Lights 1400 Heriford Road, Columbia, MO 573-777-5999

even that she had autism — until her teenage years. columbiahomemagazine.com | 55

56 | April/maY 2012

the holes are, filling them and digging for the next hole — while maintaining a normal family life.”

Following her creative drive

For On the Spectrum, Laura had to act out autism symptoms she had spent years learning to suppress.

“I don’t remember hearing the word ‘autism’ until I was 14,” she recalls. “I was in study hall class with two or three other kids, and this woman handed me a flier. I saw the word ‘autism’ and asked what it was. She said, ‘You have it.’ At first, I thought it was a form of cancer.”

Pat says Laura knew she had certain learning-style problems, though she and Gary didn’t officially use the word “autism.” It was hard, for them and Laura.

“It hit me like a brick wall, and teenage hormones were mixed in, too,” Laura says. “I was confused on many levels. I remember watching myself, paranoid, wondering, ‘Is it showing now? Can they tell I’m autistic?’ Now, I don’t care if you can tell.”

Laura’s speech had radically improved. Academically, she did fine in computer, film and contemporary issues classes but struggled with math. Sometimes, such as for exams, she was put in a quieter room to help her concentration. However, Laura still had a literal view of life and slowly had to be taught to be adaptable. Knowing what Laura needed to be taught was difficult to predict sometimes.

“I remember her speech therapist Sharon Ginsburg saying to me that it’s like slicing into a block of Swiss cheese; you never know where the holes are,” Pat said. “Sometimes the holes are important; sometimes they’re not. Each step in Laura’s life came with an incredible amount of observing, realizing where

Although Laura preferred to stay holed up in her room on Friday nights while typing away stories on her computer, her parents forced her to branch out. She swam, played golf and tennis and acted in local theater performances. She had always been interested in movies and became fascinated with Japanese anime, a medium of animation. Slowly, Laura learned the importance of socializing with friends and family.

Laura was set on becoming an animator.

She participated in True/False Film Festival’s short animation submissions and attended summer camps in Chicago and San Francisco.

Her parents knew that the animation industry wasn’t in Columbia; it was in New York or Los Angeles or abroad. So Laura left Columbia — and her strong support group — to attend Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

“Every time I go home to Columbia now, I know I absolutely made the right choice to leave my comfort zone,” says Laura, who graduated in 2010 and then interned at Cartoon Network for a year. “I’ve learned a lot and made a lot of friends. I’m so thankful that my parents did everything they could to get me integrated in society and to still get to have the career I want to have.”

Acting out autism After three of his nephews and a niece were diagnosed with autism, screenwriter Ken LaZebnik became deeply and personally involved with the autistic community. He had already written two plays about autism when Jack Reuler, artistic director of the Mixed Blood Theatre Co. in Minneapolis, asked him to consider writing a third.

“Jack was engaged with the online autism community about a developing issue: Is autism a civil rights issue? Is it a disability or a difference?” says LaZebnik, a Columbia native. “He thought exploring those questions would make for a good play and approached me about writing it.”

During and after writing On the Spectrum, LaZebnik sought input from the autism community. Laura’s dad, Gary, noticed the plea for feedback on Facebook and volunteered Laura, who had met LaZebnik during a Stephens College summer film institute.

“It was so sweet of my dad,” Laura says.

“He’s so proud of all I’ve accomplished, but I thought: ‘Aww, autism again? Yeah, I’ll get on that right away.’ But once I started, I read the play in one sitting. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever read and was very accurate to my experiences, though I related more to the male character. In real life, I’m totally Mac.” Reuler, who directed the play, was committed to casting an actor who was on the spectrum, but that was proving to be quite the challenge. Aside from some middle school and early high school theater performances, Laura had no acting experience, but she agreed to meet him in Los Angeles and read for Reuler. He cast her on the spot.

“Laura was ideal for this role because she knew it from the inside out,” LaZebnik says.

“Laura knew on a very deep level the kind of challenges that Iris faces and had a wonderful authenticity to her performance.”

“If anything surprised me about her performance, it was the sense of wonder she brought to Iris falling in love — a terrific innocence and joy that was tremendously touching.” — Ken LaZebnik Having finished her animation internship, Laura began lining up her accommodations in Minneapolis and preparing for six intense weeks of rehearsal. Not only would Laura be performing with professional actors, but the role of Iris was also a physically demanding one. She had to act out several tics and repetitive body movements, such as rocking back and forth while typing on her assisted-speech device.

Seeing her daughter act out these autism symptoms made Pat cringe during rehearsals.

“We had spent all these years scrubbing away as many of the autism characteristics as possible, and she had to go back and rediscover them for her performance.”

The role was challenging and initially uncomfortable for Laura, too. “Trying to do that for the first time was scary,” Laura says. “All I wanted to do was run back to my apartment, columbiahomemagazine.com | 57

58 | April/maY 2012

Laura relocated to Minneapolis for six weeks of rehearsal for On the Spectrum. Now that the play is over, she’s returned to the West Coast to seek work as an animation producer. curl up in a ball and sob. I also had to kiss my costar on stage a lot, and he had a girlfriend. I had never had to kiss anyone on stage. But that was the job I had been hired to do. The overall effect was more important than my fear.”

LaZebnik pinpoints this romantic innocence as one of the strengths of Laura’s performance.

“If anything surprised me about her performance, it was the sense of wonder she brought to Iris falling in love — a terrific innocence and joy that was tremendously touching,” LaZebnik says.

The play received positive reviews for its authenticity, heartfelt performances and nuanced screenwriting. On the Spectrum is currently up for the prestigious Steinberg Award for best new play in America outside of New York City.

Despite her critical acclaim, Laura says she doesn’t plan to be another “struggling actor” in Los Angeles. Now that the play is over, she’s moved back to her West Coast apartment and is searching for jobs as an animation producer. She struggles with figuring out how to explain to employers that she has autism without their using that against her, but she doesn’t let that discourage her.

“My generation of autistic students were some of the first not shoved into all special ed, to be allowed in regular classes; and we’re becoming adults and entering the workforce,” Laura says. “At first I thought something was wrong with me; autism felt like a defect of some kind. But I eventually got over it. You find a group of friends who are accepting of who you are. You learn that you’re still a person. And you can still walk your own walk.”

Note: Mixed Blood Theatre has free digital copies of On the Spectrum. To request one, visit mixedbloodtheatre.com.

Custom solutions for every room in your home.

Call today 573.474.1072 Free, in-home consultations www.organizethatspace.com

She just won.

You can too.

Like us on Facebook. facebook.com/columbiahome

www.columbiahomemagazine.com columbiahomemagazine.com | 59

Parks Around Columbia PROVIDENCE

By Lily Daws o n Gr a ph ic by Da na S c hue rm a n n

Providence

Valleyview Park

Worley St. Park

Clay Shy Community Park

BROADWAY

I-70 Downtown Optimist Park Douglass Park

Kiwanis Park

Fairview Park

STADIUM

MKT Trail

RU FO M

Forum Nature Area

Highpointe Park

NIFONG

N W

E S

60 | April/maY 2012

Rock Quarry Park

Rock Mem Stat

k Bridge morial te Park

Whether it’s trails, sports, swimming or a quiet place to relax, Columbia has a park for it.

Explore all of Columbia’s 74 parks with your family this summer.

T

he temperatures are rising, kids are getting antsy for three months off of school and you are left to deal with

them for the inevitable 100-degree days. Have no fear; we have assembled a map of parks in your area to keep your tykes from turning into TV-obsessed drones. No matter where you live, the City of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation has done a great job of placing parks within a couple miles of Columbia’s residential areas. There is something for everyone at these recreational spots. Stop by Stephens Park for some beach time, kick around the ball at one of the many soccer field-equipped parks or take a relaxing walk along the “Figure 8” trails at Forum Nature Area for a peaceful escape.

Columbia Parks and Recreation also hosts

HWY 63

some fun summer camps for kids that can be found on the following pages. These camps, along with many others in the community, range from sport-themed to musical and theatrical.

This list is tailored to finding the right fit for your child. Overnight camper? Outdoorsy? There are a number of camps made for every facet of a child’s personality.

Use these resources to guide your summer family fun, and remember: Apply sunscreen, drink lots of water and when all else fails, it’s never too early to teach them how to mow the lawn (wink, wink). columbiahomemagazine.com | 61

So many CUSTOMIZABLE OPTIONS, it won’t fit on this page!

YOUR LIFE. YOUR HOME. YOUR STYLE.

www.lifestylesfurniture.info 573-874-1550 • 63 East Broadway Columbia, MO 65203 62 | April/maY 2012

Columbia’s Camp Guide

Religious

Kids4Jesus Catholic Bible School: Win the World for Jesus St. Thomas More Newman Center and Parish Bible School camp takes a look at virtues through games and activity adventures and even includes mission work by helping a Catholic medial team do its part in the global mission of evangelization.

• Date: July 9-13 • Cost: $35 • Age: 4 to fifth grade • How to register: Call 573-449-5424 • Deadline: No deadline The Crossing: Kids Club 2012 Kids Club is a weeklong vacation Bible school at The Crossing with up to 500 kids and 400 volunteers. This year's theme is the Olympics and will be full of games, skits, music and service projects.

• Dates: June 4-8 • Cost: $30 • Age: Third to fifth grade • How to register: Online at thecrossingchurch.com • Deadline: Late fee after May 27 Solid Rock Solid Rock is a recreational camp for Woodcrest Church families and friends, filled with sports activities, games, crafts and more.

• Date: July 2 to Aug. 17 • Cost: $30/day or $125/week • Age: First to fifth grade • How to register: Online at woodcrest.org • Deadline: No deadline

Sports

Mizzou Track and Field Camp This camp teaches the latest training techniques and allows campers the chance to have individual instruction while engaging in activities related to their specific events.

• Dates: July 15-18 • Cost: Individual, $325; track team, $275 per member (five-plus athletes); individual commuter, $275; coach, $200 • Age: Sixth to 12th grade • How to register: Online at mizzoutrackcamps.com • Deadline: Registration must be received by July 11

By A ll is on Dorr

Mizzou Football Tiger Youth Camp This camp is a great introduction to football for young and beginning players, teaches the fundamentals of football and even has interactive skill development sessions with MU football players.

• Dates: June 9-10 • Cost: $60 in advance (by May 22) or $75 day of camp • Age: First to eighth grade • How to register: Online at columbiayouthfootball.com • Deadline: No deadline Macher Swim School Swimming Lessons Macher Swim School offers exceptional swimming instruction at various levels, from tots to adult fitness swimming.

• Dates: June 4-June 27, July 2-July 25, July 30 to Aug. 15 • Cost: $77 (session 1), $68 (session 2), $60 (session 3) • Age: 6 months and older • How to register: Online at macherswim.com • Deadline: No deadline *Above prices are for children's classes. Adult classes add $1 per class.

Summer Day Camp at Willow Ponds Farm Fun and safety with horses summer camp at Willow Ponds Farm LLC includes grooming and tacking up, riding instruction, skills demonstrations and more.

• Dates: June 11, June 18, June 25, July 9 and July 16 • Cost: $315 • Age: 8-13 • How to register: Call 573-442-8493 • Deadline: Early bird special ends May 11 Yoga Camp for Kids Description: Yoga camp gives children a chance to experience yoga, music and movement in a creative way, including thematic activities, projects, yoga practice and more.

• Dates: Mondays (age 5-10) and Fridays (age 3-6) in June and July • Cost: $25/day • Age: 3-10 • How to register: Online at yogatogrow.com • Deadline: Prior to the date you plan to attend. Discounts are available for enrollment before May 1 and enrollment in multiple days.

Art

Columbia Parks Mini Art Camp Enjoy drawing, painting and a variety of other arts and crafts projects at this fun mini art camp for budding artists.

• Dates: June 4-8 • Cost: $49 • Age: 6-10 • How to register: Online at GoColumbiaMo.com • Deadline: No deadline

Dance

Dancearts Summer Camp This camp includes classes in ballet, modern, tap, jazz, hip-hop, musical theater, Ukrainian and Russian character and East Indian and has a showcase performance on July 28.

• Dates: July 9-27 • Cost: $700 • Age: 8-18 • How to register: Call 573-875-1569 • Deadline: First week in July Missouri Contemporary Ballet Children's Division Camp Camp includes classes in ballet and jazz taught by the professional dancers of Missouri Contemporary Ballet, as well as learning choreography, watching ballet videos and doing crafts.

• Dates: June 18-22, June 25-29, Aug. 6-10 • Cost: Camps starting at $180 per week. Contact the MCB for further details.

• Age: 4-8 • How to register: At the MCB, 110 Orr St., Suite 106 • Deadline: The Friday before each individual camp starts Missouri Contemporary Ballet Pre-Professional Camp Camp includes classes in ballet, modern, jazz and Pilates taught by the professional dancers of Missouri Contemporary Ballet, as well as learning choreography, watching ballet videos and doing crafts.

• Dates: June 18-22, June 25-29, Aug. 6-10 • Cost: Camps start at $220 per week.

Contact MCB for further details.

• Age: 8-18 • How to register: At the MCB, 110 Orr St., Suite 106 • Deadline: The Friday before each individual camp starts columbiahomemagazine.com | 63

Innovative Designs

...by Priya

Residential & Commercial

Design for Real Living

573.489.6235 Architectural Blueprint Unique Homes Remodel Renovation Custom Interiors

Follow Me!

www.Twitter.com/DesignsByPriya

64 | April/maY 2012

Theatre

S.T.A.R.S. (Seeking Traditions Art & Rights of Passage) Learn the seven principles of Kwanzaa at this camp through enriching activities, swimming, field trips, arts and crafts and a project to earn money.

• Dates: June 11 to July 13,* July 16 to Aug. 10 • Cost: $70 (session 1), $65 (session 2) • Age: 6-14 • How to register: Online at GoColumbiaMo.com • Deadline: No deadline *No class July 4

TRYPS Children's Theatre This camp allows campers to write, rehearse and perform original skits based off of the movies Puss in Boots, Brave, Shrek, Tangled and How to Train Your Dragon, as well as go to acting, musical theater, improvisation and crafts classes.

• Dates: July 9-13, July 16-20, July 2327, July 30 to Aug. 3, Aug. 6-10 • Cost: $175; 10 percent off sibling discount if enrolled in same camp • Age: Kindergarten to seventh grade • How to register: Online at TRYPSkids.com • Deadline: No deadline

Mizzou Band and Choir Piano Camp This camp provides an enriching curriculum of full ensemble rehearsals, private instruction, sectionals and electives taught by qualified music educators from throughout the state.

• Dates: June 3-8 • Cost: Residential, $400; commuter, $300 • Age: Sixth to eighth grade • How to register: Mail application to Mizzou Band and Choir Camp, 140 Fine Arts Building, 65211 • Deadline: April 15

Performing Arts In Children’s Education (PACE): The Little Mermaid A two-week production camp featuring the ARTREACH musical theater adaptation of The Little Mermaid, this camp is complete with musical theater instruction and multiple performances on June 16 and 17.

• Dates: June 4-8, June 11-15 • Cost: $225 • Age: 6-12 • How to register: Online at kidsintheact.org • Deadline: The day before each camp

Education

Music

Outdoor

Camp Invention at Mill Creek Elementary The Camp Invention program instills vital 21st-century life skills such as problem solving and teamwork through hands-on science fun.

• Dates: July 9-13 • Cost: $230; $25 off with a full payment by March 29 • Age: First to sixth grade • How to register: Online at invent. org/camp • Deadline: No deadline

Camp Hickory Hill Session I This camp supports people with diabetes while offering camping, safety and medical and education programs as well as a wide range of activities such as canoeing, caving and more.

• Dates: July 15-29 • Cost: Dependent on family’s income • Age: 13-17 • How to register: Online at camphickoryhill.com • Deadline: July 1

Columbia Summer SUNsation Columbia Summer SUNsation offers free summer school sessions for students entering kindergarten through eighth grade through Columbia Public Schools.

• Dates: June 4-29 • Cost: Free • Age: Kindergarten to eighth grade • How to register: Online at columbia.k12.mo.us/summer • Deadline: Guaranteed enrollment deadline is April 20

Camp Hickory Hill Session II This camp supports people with diabetes while offering camping, safety and medical and education programs as well as a wide range of activities such as canoeing, caving and more.

• Dates: July 22-29 • Cost: Dependent on family’s income • Age: 7-12 • How to register: Online at camphickoryhill.com • Deadline: July 1

Camp Adventure Camp Adventure emphasizes awareness of nature and the environment; includes activities such as canoeing, outdoor cooking and swimming; and encourages the use of senses, development of curiosity and a healthy dose of fun.

• Dates: June 4-15, June 18-29, July 2-13,* July 16-27, July 30 to Aug. 10 • Cost: $220 • Age: 6-13 • How to register: In person at the Activity and Recreation Center, 1701 W. Ash St. • Deadline: No deadline *No camp July 4 Camp Mudd Camp Mudd is an affordable outdoor camp experience full of field trips, nature activities, sports, crafts, music, drama, swimming and more.

• Dates: June 6-10, June 13-17, June 20-24, June 27 to July 1, July 11-15, July 18-22, July 25-29, Aug. 1-5, Aug. 8-12 • Cost: $130/week, $125/week for six-plus weeks • Age: 5-12 • How to register: Send registration to the University YMCA, 2500 MU Student Center, 65211 • Deadline: No deadline Full Day Summer Adventure Club This MU summer program offers a variety of activities including swimming, a field trip, guest speakers, educational activities, arts and crafts and more.

• Dates: July 2-6, July 9-20, July 23 to Aug. 2 • Cost: $137 (session 1), $344 (session 2), $309 (session 3) • Age: Kindergarten to sixth grade • How to register: Online at adventureclub.missouri.edu • Deadline: No deadline Before School/After School Summer Adventure Club Coordinating with CPS Summer SUNsations, this program provides themed activities, guest speakers, group games, outdoor and active play and more.

• Dates: June 4-29 • Cost: $272 (a.m. and p.m.), $214 (p.m.), $139 (a.m.)

• Age: Kindergarten to fifth grade • How to register: Online at adventureclub.missouri.edu • Deadline: No deadline columbiahomemagazine.com | 65

66 | April/maY 2012

A Super Celebration

by Li ly Dawson | Photo s by Emily So u therl an d

Gather your friends because they won’t want to miss this high-flying adventure of superhuman proportions.

A Columbia girl shows how her handmade superhero party was a “BANG” birthday bash.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 67

T

hrow a birthday party for your child that will turn every guest into a caped crusader. Native Columbian Emily Southerland shares her son’s foe-fighting festivity with Columbia Home. Southerland scoured her favorite blogs and Pinterest and left no super power out of this superhero-themed party. From sewing special capes for each guest to creating a four-tiered cake with a surprise inside, Southerland handcrafted each aspect of the party and spared no expense for her son, Noah.

For decorations, Southerland went to the Marvel Comics website for pictures of vintage comic book covers and printed the covers to create bunting above the birthday cake table.

She also used the Internet to find templates for “Hero Juice” labels that were placed over mini bottles of water.

Alongside birthday candles, Southerland attached “ZAP” and “BANG” superhero graphics to bamboo skewers, adding height and whimsy to Noah’s colorful cake.

68 | April/maY 2012

Cones created with blue cardstock added a “POW” to popcorn and Fruit Loops.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 69

Southerland saved the day with her ingenious party snacks. Cones created with blue cardstock added a “POW” to popcorn and Fruit Loops. She even got the kids to eat their veggies with her super snacks buffet. Labeling carrots as “X-ray vision aids,” grapes as “speed enhancers” and cheese as “brain power boosters” kept the super kids coming back for more.

70 | April/maY 2012

columbiahomemagazine.com | 71

72 | April/maY 2012

Southerland, a professional photographer, was in her element designing a Gotham City backdrop. She took photos of the masked children conquering a skyline that was under attack. The kids, stomping the skyscrapers, received the photos as a favor.

To create your own superhero celebration, take inspiration from Southerland’s design and try out some new ideas tailored to your child.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 73

Southerland admits to spending more than a year planning and preparing for this party. To create your own superhero celebration, take inspiration from Southerland’s design and try out your own ideas tailored to your child.

Southerland’s party blew the socks off the guests and her entire blog following. To read more from Southerland, follow her blog at emilys-little-world.blogspot.com.

74 | April/maY 2012

From sewing special capes for each guest to creating a fourtiered cake with a surprise inside, Southerland handcrafted each aspect of the party and spared no expense for her son, Noah.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 75

CONGRATULATIONS

Kenny & Sharon Holland!

WINNERS!

Would Like Thank Our Sponsors

Destination

Farther

By Na ncy Yang | Photo s su bmitte d by su bje cts

Four Columbia women share their stories from time spent with the Peace Corps. From jumping out of airplanes to sleeping in rat-infested rooms, these stories promote global citizenship and an appreciation for those who have traveled great distances to help struggling countries.

Romping among the world's largest sand dunes, Natalie Peters celebrates a recently completed sky dive over the Namib Dessert.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 77

a deeper beauty in knowing about the world beyond the easier life in America,” she says. “I see beauty in a woman walking miles with bananas on her head in a stunning and natural way. But I also see it in her strength to smile and enjoy her life in spite of difficulty.”

One of the most profound experiences of Peters’ Peace Corps service happened rather unceremoniously. She and a friend were riding a bus when they saw a baby die in his father’s arms. “Blood was snaking out of the boy’s nose,” she says. “No one was taking him to the hospital. I just wanted to stop the bus.”

Over time she would discover that in this part of the world, it can be hard to tell the difference between a wedding and a funeral. And she would learn a turn of phrase ABOVE: As a Peace Corps volunteer, Peters (center) serves at a secondary school in a remote part of Uganda. BELOW: A patchwork of hammocks become bedding for Meredith Dorneker and friends during a days-long boat trip to the Peruvian rain forest.

coined by Westerners when there’s nothing else to say: “This is Africa.”

Craving adventure This is Africa Before Natalie Peters joined the Peace Corps, she’d led a rather charmed life. A graduate of Rock Bridge High School, she had been a cheerleader and a member of the Bruin Girls Pom squad. She studied dance and piano and excelled in school.

She went to Harvard. But when her college friends began heading into medicine, law and consulting, she felt a pull in a different direction.

“I wanted to see more of the world and of life outside the construct of a college Ivy,” she says. “I was surrounded by people who were successful, highly motivated and relatively well off. Everyone seemed to be doing the same thing, and I wondered who I would be in a different culture.”

It wouldn’t be long before she found out. In February 2010, nine months after graduating from college, Peters traveled to Uganda to train for her two years as a Peace Corps volunteer. In May of that year, she was assigned a teaching job in a remote valley near the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

She would live on the campus of a boarding school for girls in a dwelling that lacked electricity and running water. There would be rodents, mosquitoes and killer ants to contend with. She would cook her meals over a fire, wash her clothes by hand, endure solitude and try very hard to fit in.

78 | April/maY 2012

“You think you’re going to come in and integrate immediately, let go of your outer skin and almost forget your other life,” she says. “But people don’t forget you look different and have money. The reality is that you bring your culture with you. You can’t totally escape.”

It’s a realization that sinks in after about a year of service, says Peters, who has discovered that her notions of optimism and a life well-lived have shifted as well. “There’s

A few years earlier and a continent away, Meredith Dorneker, a graduate student at the University of Missouri and coordinator of the Peace Corps fellowship program, was having some profound experiences as well. Among them was the discovery that she could handle just about anything — including the rats that scampered around her bedroom.

“The first night I screamed,” she says, recalling that her host family simply didn’t

tree nursery run by the students of a oneroom schoolhouse. It was a reforestation project designed to sustain the school with a long-term plan to turn the community into a site for eco-tourism.

Like most Peace Corps volunteers, Dorneker did some eco-touring of her own.

On her days off, she traveled with other volunteers, explored Peru’s northern beaches and its pre-Inca ruins. They ate ceviche made of raw fish cooked in the juices of lemons and limes, rode in crammed vehicles with passengers on the roof and traveled for days on a boat carrying cattle and chickens on its lower decks. One of the highlights was Pacaya Samiria national reserve, where they journeyed deep into the Peruvian rainforest.

TOP, ABOVE: Peace Corps volunteers enjoy working with children for their open-mindedness and sense of humor, says Dorneker, who served at a tree nursery run by school children.

ABOVE: Poised above the ruins of Machu Picchu, Dorneker and other Peace Corps volunteers traveled on their days off.

“Locals led us in dug-out canoes through the reserve,” she says. “It was high water season, and we saw alligators, tons of exotic birds, sloths, monkeys and pink river dolphins.” As would be expected in the Amazon, they also encountered anacondas.

“By the end of my service, I felt like I was a little Peruvian,” she says of her desire to not only see new places but also really live them. “Now if I stay in one place too long, I get bored. I crave adventure.”

For Dorneker, adventure seems to leave in its wake something powerful. It can be seen in her confidence to go anywhere -— even by herself — and embrace the possibilities.

Inner strength Karen Shanteau Davis served in the highlands of Guatemala from 1992 to 1994. Now a mother, teacher and board president of the Central Missouri Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, she’s been able to reflect on the experiences of others as well as her own.

“The real adventure to me is an internal one,” she says. “It’s about learning to stretch your limits in a place that’s far away from everything that’s familiar. You have to learn to find your own inner strength without a support system. Even living with boredom can be a challenge, especially for a generation that has grown up with cell phones and computers.”

Davis was a public health and nutrition volunteer at a time when Guatemala’s young children were facing severe malnutrition. American companies contracted

respond. “There were many rodents in my room every night. Eventually I learned to pick them up by their tails and throw them out.”

Like Peters, Dorneker lived without electricity or running water and learned to temper her idealism. “Things were absolutely different than I imagined,” she says.

“I was naive in some ways, thinking people would welcome me with open arms when I showed up. I thought it was going to be this easy, idyllic place.”

Dorneker served in Peru from 2006 to 2008 in the Illimo and Salas districts, about 18 hours by bus from Lima. As an environmental education volunteer, she worked through Heifer International to help families care for animals without degrading the environment. She also volunteered at a

Karen Davis, right, served in the highlands of Guatemala from 1992 to 1994 as a nutrition and public health volunteer. columbiahomemagazine.com | 79

...............................................................................................................................................

Dr. Willett and his staff will make your smile beautiful.

Dr. Kent Willett, D.D.S. Dr. Kent Willett, D.D.S., is a General Dentist practicing in Columbia, since 1981.

He is well known for his talents in both sedation dentistry and cosmetic dentistry, while being a long-time member of the prestigious Pankey Institute in Key Biscayne, Florida, where he has completed studies in restoring difficult dental cases. He sees referrals from all over the United States seeking high quality dental care.

• American Dental Association • Academy of General Dentistry • Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation • Missouri Dental Association Dr Willett is not a specialist, he practices general dentistry. Dr. Willett has completed an American Dental Association approved one year residency program in which Conscious Sedation is taught. Cosmetic dentistry is a non-specialty interest area that requires no specific educational training to advertise this service.

80 | April/maY 2012

Today’s dentistry lets us have the smile we choose, not just the smile we were born with. Learn how Cosmetic Dentistry can help dramatically improve your smile, without a care in the world. Oral sedation gives you the peace of mind you’ve always wanted and makes for a totally comfortable dental experience.

1601 Chapel Hill Road • Columbia, MO Office: 573.445.5300

"You come back a different version of yourself," says Davis, right. with local farmers to grow foods that weren’t native to the country. Because the companies bought only a select grade of crops, local farmers, whose diets didn’t include these foods, were letting the rest of the harvest rot. Davis’s service involved taking some of the crops and working them into traditional recipes for women’s groups and co-ops.

“My experience clarified that I wanted to go into education and invest in the lives of others,” she says. It has also influenced the way she’s raising her 10- and 14-year-old children. “I want them to have an awareness that each of us is a global citizen. Because of my experience, I can fully appreciate the cause and effect of the global society that we live in — the interconnectedness of sustainability.”

Despite the challenges and hardships volunteers face during their service, they often find that coming home is more difficult. Many have changed so much that they have a hard time picking up where they left off, Davis says. This is where the Central Missouri Returned Peace Corps Volunteers comes in. The organization offers support and networking, as well as information about jobs and educational programs.

“You come back a different version of yourself,” she says. “It’s important to share the experiences and fit them into your life.”

The cultural exchange Vicky Riback Wilson remembers watching television with her mother back in 1961 when President John F. Kennedy announced the establishment of the Peace Corps. Her mother said if she were her age, that’s what she’d do. Eight years later, Riback Wilson arrived at a girls’ boarding school in Uganda, 30 miles east of Kampala.

“I was assigned to what was arguably the best girls’ boarding school in the country,” she says. columbiahomemagazine.com | 81

Vicky Riback Wilson, third from right, attends a cocktail party given to the volunteers by the Ministry of Education when she arrived in Uganda in 1969.

“For me, there were far more amenities than many in the Peace Corps today.”

At that time, few if any NGOs (nongovernment organizations offering aid) existed, which reflected a relatively confident and independent society.

Also, Riback Wilson had the good fortune of finishing her service about a month before Uganda was taken over by the notorious Idi Amin, one of the most brutal dictators in all of Africa.

But her service wasn’t exactly a cakewalk. She, too, witnessed a child die in a parent’s arms and had to adapt to being an outsider. Her only communication with the outside world was by letters. Traveling was often risky, and she hitchhiked regularly.

“Fairly often, people were killed on the road, and they’d pile leaves and branches over the bodies,” she says. “I gasped when a driver said, ‘You Americans must see dead bodies all the time.’ He was referring to the shoot-outs in American Westerns on TV.” It’s an experience that reflects the kind of cultural exchange that lies at the heart of the Peace Corps. Its official mission is threefold: to offer trained volunteers to developing countries, to promote an understanding of Americans to the people served and to share the experiences of other cultures back in the United States. The original idea, Riback Wilson says, was to give Americans world experiences so that they could become better citizens.

“My experience has been useful in many different jobs,” she says. “It was particularly useful when I went to the legislature where someone has to adjust quickly. I viewed it like going to another country.” In addition to serving as a representative for Missouri’s 25th District, Riback Wilson has directed the MU Fellowship Office, the Columbia Art League and Head Start and was a statewide leadership educator for the University Extension.

“Nothing has ever been a straight line,” she says.

Great adventures never are.

82 | April/maY 2012

jewelry • Accessories

lamps • wall decor

home accents

S. Stewart Affordable Fine Living

HOME

Broadway Shops at Hwy. 63 & Broadway

2703 E Broadway Suite 127

Open Mon-Sat 9-6

573 - 442-9131

columbiahomemagazine.com | 83

84 | April/maY 2012

book club | a good american

Respect for the New, Longing for Home Review of Alex George’s A Good American

A

lex George has lived in Columbia for the past nine years. Born and raised in England, he moved to the States with his family in 2003 and worked as an attorney by day — and a writer by earlier in the day. The result is his U.S. debut novel, A Good American. Like the characters in his book, George simultaneously feels great love and respect for his new country (he recently became a naturalized citizen) and a profound longing for the place he has always called home. It is this internal struggle, along with George’s enormous talent for rich, evocative prose, that makes him the perfect person to tell the story of the Meisenheimer family, a story of how people become family and places become home.

Syncopated wonder Released in February 2012, A Good American begins in 1904 with the journey of Frederick and

Jette, a young couple desperately in love and pregnant out of wedlock, as they leave their homeland of Germany to start a new life in America. The couple leaves secretly aboard a ship that takes them across the Atlantic to New Orleans. Upon arrival, Frederick is instantly bewitched by the strange, avant-garde sounds he hears coming out of a small jazz club he wanders past. Already a music lover, Frederick immediately attaches to this new music, with all of its soulful, syncopated wonder.

Jette, who is by now Frederick’s wife, is not quite as keen to immerse herself in American culture as her husband is. When the couple eventually ends up in the fictional town of Beatrice, Mo., she is relieved to be in a place populated largely with German immigrants. It is here that the Meisenheimer’s family plants its roots and the first of many generations grows and blooms.

By ji ll orr | Photo by Taylor A llen

The story of family The story is told by James, Frederick’s grandson, who proves a reliable narrator, guiding us through the family’s history, from long before he was born until the present day when we learn that his family conspired for decades to keep a dark secret from him. Heartbroken and shaken, James must integrate this new information into what he has always believed about his family, which forces him to see everything — including himself — in an entirely new light.

George’s A Good American ambles through the 20th century in a melodious, mellifluous way, much like the jazz music Frederick so loves. It draws readers in with the unique, funny and sometimes tragic experiences of this family.

Themes of complex familial relationships, duty, honor, resiliency and love repeatedly emerge throughout the book,

Author Q & A with Alex George CH: Is there any one thing you hope people will take away from reading your book?

AG: What I wanted to do with this book was tell a really good story — a big, complex story people could get lost in. I wanted to pull the readers in and make a connection with them.

I think that is what good storytelling is all about.

CH: Was writing this book based on your own experiences as an immigrant?

AG: In a way. I think everybody who moves to another country experiences a certain degree of ambivalence. The way I processed that in my head, I suppose, was to embody those feelings within these characters. Frederick is the part of me that wholly embraced America, and Jette is the part of me that was more cautious and homesick.

CH: You weave real historical events into the

new and fresh with each generation’s story. No family’s history is without moments of unadulterated happiness or soul-shattering despair, but George’s story, beautifully written and deftly told, will undoubtedly strike a familiar chord with many readers who will relate to the epic tale of family and the journey to become good Americans.

fictional lives of your characters. Why did you choose to do that?

AG: I found you couldn’t really tell a story that spans a century of American history and pretend that the real world wasn’t going on.

Plus, it was fun. I enjoyed including Harry Truman. Obviously he was from Missouri, and he did play the piano, so he fell in nicely.

CH: How has living in Columbia affected your experience as an author?

AG: This is an amazing town. We have lots and lots of talented writers here, and it is great.

The biggest support for me is to live in a place where this stuff is valued and appreciated.

CH: What are you working on now?

AG: I’m working on a new novel set in Maine in the 1970s and ’80s. It is inspired very obliquely by the book Man on a Wire by Philippe Petit. It’s about friendship, gravity, punk and the power of dreams. columbiahomemagazine.com | 85

Welcome to the World

Beau Jeffrey Wardrip Pa r e n t s : Jeff and Jackie B i rt h w e i g h t: 7 pounds, 11.5 ounces

What's the funniest thing that's happened to you since becoming a mother? Because Beau is so young, there has not been a “funny� moment. However, there have been so many sweet moments. He is starting to smile and recognize faces. After a long day at work, it is the best feeling when I pick him up from daycare and he smiles at me. I have an older son, and he is in love with his little brother. He loves baby Beau and is very protective of him. Being a mother is the hardest but most rewarding job imaginable.

Grayson Ryan Tate Pa r e n t: Elizabeth and Ryan B i rt h w e i g h t: 9 pounds, 2 ounces

What's the funniest thing that's happened to you since becoming a mother? We were worried that he had not gone to the bathroom in a while and were told by the nurse to rub cold water on him to get him to go. As we were calling the nurse back to tell her nothing had happened, my husband said, "He's going!" I walk out and see a giant stream shooting up, all over our bed.

86 | April/maY 2012

Emma Teresa Tuller Pa r e n t s :

B i rt h w e i g h t:

Jon and Erin

4 pounds, 8 ounces

What did you not expect that happened?

This is my third baby, so I pretty much knew what to expect: sleepless nights, lots of diaper changing, seemingly constant feeding. But one thing that has surprised me is how well my older kids have done with Emma. Her big brother is 10 years old, and he is so gentle and sweet with her. He'll sit and talk to her to try to make her smile and recently said, “She's the funniest baby ever!” because of the funny faces she makes.

What was your first reaction upon seeing your new daughter? I thought she looked absolutely beautiful and could not have been more perfect. I had this overwhelming urge to just hold her close to me.

Utthita Balasana (Extended Child’s Pose) On all fours, move knees to the edges of mat (wider than hips) and bring big toes together.

Sit on heels and lengthen spine. Exhale and walk hands away from body.

Let the chest sink inside the thighs and rest forehead on the ground.

Relax the entire body and take 5 full breaths.

Focus on the sound of the exhale.

Stretches the spine, hips,knees and relieves tension. Namaste.

yogasol.org 573-356-0162

Would you like to see your baby featured? Email your cutie to Betsy@ ColumbiaHomeMagazine.com

210B Saint James Street | North Village Arts District Yoga Sol offers a variety of classes for all skill levels. columbiahomemagazine.com | 87

weddings | Smith-hess

Wooded Bliss Beneath a sunlit canopy behind her parents’ house, Meggie Smith and Jacob Hess wed last Sept. 24 after their office romance proved to be true love.

By Ell i e Hen s ley | Photo s by a s hley t urner

L

ove was the last thing Meggie Smith was looking for when she started working at Veteran’s United Home Loans in Columbia. She was headed into her senior year at the University of Missouri, involved on campus and juggling other part-time jobs, which didn’t leave much time for dating. But when she made a silly bet with co-worker Jacob Hess and then lost, it was just good sportsmanship to buy him lunch.

Hess quickly became one of her favorite work friends, which is why two months later, Hess knew Smith was sad her brother had just moved to Kansas. He asked her if she wanted to meet for drinks in July 2008, on what became their first official date. She quickly found that the kindness and work ethic she’d witnessed in him on the job spilled over into his personal life as well. “He’s always helping others, and he’s very patient,” Smith says. “He gives 200 percent at all he does.”

She also finds it endearing how addicted he is to hobbies, though they continually change. “Jake will try anything twice, at least: eating incredibly spicy peppers, biking across the state or growing Venus flytraps,” she says.

Although Smith’s busy schedule often kept them apart, Hess had only admiration for her accomplishments and goals. She had been considering leaving Columbia after graduation, but their unexpected chemistry forced her to reconsider.

They were still going strong two years, five months and 19 days after those first drinks together when Hess took Smith to lunch. On the way to her car afterward, he surprised her with a book of Post-Its titled, ‘Why I Love My Meggie May.” The last four pages read, “Will you marry me?”

She gleefully accepted and thus began the most collaborative wedding planning ever. Their families, who grew close over the course of the relationship, were both eager to lend a hand. Hess’s mom spent hours stuffing wedding invitations, and Smith’s mother, an avid gardener, planted hundreds of plants and flowers for their arrangements and bouquets. Other relatives and friends contributed homemade cookies, mints, pies and the standard wedding cake. Then came another sweet surprise: finding out VUHL was paying for their honeymoon to Hawaii because they were the company’s first couple who met and were engaged there.

Smith and Hess wed last Sept. 24 on her parents’ property north of Columbia.

Surrounded by nature and 300 loved ones, they exchanged vows under the shade of a beautiful walnut tree. columbiahomemagazine.com | 89

announcements | engagements

Love Stories

Four Columbia couples on the road to "I do" Rock Bridge alums Adam and Becca are planning a May 19, 2012, wedding at Tiger Plaza officiated

by Adam’s brother, Kyle.

Parents of the couple are Tim and Lisa Reed and Paul and Jeanette Houston. Adam is a 2009 William Woods grad, and Becca attends Columbia College. After Adam moved back to Columbia after WWU, he knew that Becca Becca Houston and Adam Reed was a keeper because she was the one he always wanted to hang out with. The proposal took place at Becca’s parents’ house following dinner and a drive out to McBaine’s big burr oak tree. The families prepared a small celebration for the couple after Adam popped the question in the decorated backyard. The pair says they don’t have a song but like anything they can dance and be goofy to — something they can look forward to at their reception. They are going to Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean for their honeymoon.

Lauren Breen and Chris Hardesty

Lauren and Chris are Columbia natives with more than 10 years of commitment under their belts. Both are Rock Bridge graduates with plans of a destination wedding in the summer of 2013. Chris works in logistics at Midway USA, and Lauren is an admissions representative at the University of Missouri. They are a romantic pair and are completely dedicated to each other. Chris knew Lauren was “the one” when she postponed a major surgery to celebrate his birthday with him. Chris’s sly engagement surprised Lauren on their 10th anniversary after they both promised no gifts. The couple’s favorite memory was a tropical Hawaii vacation, but their favorite date spot is no farther than their living room’s love seat watching a movie together. Parents of the engaged couple are Barbara Breen and Thomas and Diana Breen and Carl Hardesty and Kellye Hardesty.

Katharine Whitener and Derek Kriegshauser

Two former Kewpies turned Tigers will tie the knot June 9, 2012, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Columbia. They will be ushered down the aisle by five of their best friends and family. Derek, son of Stephen and Lisa Kriegshauser, is an assistant loan officer at Veterans United Home Loans. Katharine, daughter to Doc and Mary Whitener, is an admissions representative at MU. The Columbia locals were engaged at Ragtag Theatre when Derek held a “private screening” of a movie he put together of him and Katharine followed by him getting down on one knee. Derek is so dedicated, he decided to change his plans to attend Truman State University a month before he was supposed to leave for college. He stayed at MU to be close to Katharine (though he played it off at the time like it was for his friends). They are honeymooning in Riviera Maya, Mexico, at the Iberostar Grand Resort.

Kristen grew up in Columbia in a divided home. That is to say, her mom, Holly Steinhoff, went to the University of Kansas while her Dad, Greg Steinhoff, was an MU fan. Kristen chose KU, and her Jayhawk boyfriend, Tyler, could not be more pleased with her decision. Both architecture graduates, Kristen and Tyler spent many late nights in their architecture studio together.

“If any couple can survive architecture school together, they are destined to survive eternity together,” Kristen says. They Kristen Steinhoff and Tyler Harrelson now live in Boston, where Kristen works for an architecture firm and Tyler is the project manager for a general contracting company. In Boston they love to explore local beaches, parks and hiking trails. They plan on tying the knot June 9, 2012, at Stephens College’s Firestone Baars Chapel and honeymooning in Costa Rica. Tyler is from Olathe, Kan., and is the only son to Jill and Bryan Harrelson. CH

Would you like to see your engagement featured in Columbia Home? Email your photo to Betsy@ColumbiaHomeMagazine.com columbiahomemagazine.com | 91

92 | April/maY 2012

entertainment | happenings about town

8Things 1

You must do this spring

By Li ly Dawson

Earth Day Festival You don’t have to be an environmentalist to celebrate Mother Earth. Come to The District on April 22 at noon, and spend Earth Day with your community. The celebration includes a street fair, children’s activities, music in Peace Park and more.

5

Shop Hop Out with the winter wardrobe and in with the new! The District shops and restaurants will be providing exclusive discounts to shoppers as well as free snacks and refreshments. Come experience this incredible shopping outing on April 9 at 5 p.m.

2

6

3

7

4

8

2012 Missouri Beer Festival Can’t make it to Germany to sample world-renowned beer? This beer festival has dozens of booths that will put your taste buds to the test with beer and food pairings. Come experience brews like never before on April 7 at 1 p.m. at Stoney Creek Inn. Tickets are $20 and are available at missouribeerfestival.com.

University Concert Series presents David Sedaris A master of satire, David Sedaris is sure to entertain with his wit and live reading of published and unpublished works. He will visit Jesse Auditorium on April 21 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $29-42 and can be purchased at concertseries.org.

The Italian Film Festival (USA) of St. Louis

This unique film festival is coming to Columbia April 14-15 for the first time ever. Ragtag will be showing awardwinning Italian films starting at noon.

Admission is free, so go ahead, bring friends and get your culture on.

Family Fun Fest: Teen Fest Teens, teens and more teens! Head down to Flat Branch Park on April 18 at 6 p.m. to let loose with other teenagers. The Teen Fest features a bungee run, an art wall, a talent contest and other fun activities.

Dancing with Missouri Stars Watch esteemed mid-Missourians dance the night away with professional ballroom dance instructors. The sixth annual event will be held May 17 at 7 p.m. in the Southwell Complex at Columbia College. Tickets can be purchased at Columbia College or ccis.edu/events/dancingstarsmo.

Kitchens in Bloom This is your chance to tour four historic Columbia homes that have recently undergone kitchen makeovers. These beautiful kitchens are sure to inspire the Ms. Fix-it in all of us. The selfguided tour starts at noon on May 6.

You can buy your tickets for $10 at the Boone County Council on Aging, D&H Drugstores and The Marketplace or for $12 at the door. Proceeds will benefit senior services programs. CH columbiahomemagazine.com | 93

Showrooms By

94 | April/maY 2012

city scene

Mid-Missouri Home & Lifestyle Expo Sylvia, Chance and Jenny Foster

Claire and Grace Billington Carrisa Loethen

Mary Billington

Shane Martin

Kenli Garrett

Emily and Bennett Brownfield

Harry and Susan Trice

Jill & Jim Orr Wayne and Candi NeSmith

Krystal and Shiamne NeSmith

Andrea Lewis, TJ the Tiger and Meg Sterchi

This was the 52nd year for the Home Show, held Feb. 24-26 at the Hearnes Center Fieldhouse. More than 100 vendors were there to answer home improvement questions.

Columbia Home raffled off the Ultimate Backyard Paradise Giveaway at the conclusion of the event.

Lily Dawson and Teresa White

columbiahomemagazine.com | 95

le, Live-in For Affordab t an Childcare Hos Pair! u A International

Quality: Carefully screened and trained loving au pairs Flexible: Up to 45 hours of at-home childcare per week Affordable: Approximately $343 per week per family Educational: US Govt. approved cultural exchange program Advantage: Introduce another language to children in your home Experience: Bringing people of the world together for thirty years International: Au Pairs of European and Asian decent

573.268.7945

CATHY FULKERSON • WWW.CHIAUPAIRUSA.ORG 96 | April/maY 2012

city scene

Hugh E. Stephenson Heart and Stroke Ball

Amy Davis, Mitchell Drinkard and Cristena Head

Missouri Contemporary Ballet Dancers

Jerry Rogers and Shannon Sorensen Greg and Sondra Flaker

Monika and Munish Goyal

Betsey and Robert Shay

Lili Vianello and John Shrum Whitney Thomas and Cosmo

Jill and Jim Orr

Cathy and John Baird

Jane and Daniel Rothery

The Hugh E. Stephenson Heart and Stroke Ball took place Jan. 28 at MU’s Reynold’s Alumni Center.

A silent auction was held, and dinner was served to the guests who came out to show their support for the American Heart Association.

Max and Julia Lazinger

columbiahomemagazine.com | 97

98 | April/maY 2012

city scene

Adult Prom

EricaPefferman, TeresaDavis, Stacey Cole, Whitney Thomas, Carla Leible, Angie Huhman, Julie Friebe and Nicci Garmon Kyle Waymon and Aly Reyes

Ammy and Donald Merriman

Steve and Carla Leible

Christine Simon, Martha Boswell, Amy Sprouse and Laura Cole

Whitney Thomas and Cosmo

Kari Laudano, Cosmo and Mallory VanWaarde

Manny Haley, Stacey Cole, Angie Huhman and Carla Leible

The Adult Prom was held at the Elks Lodge in Columbia on Jan. 14.

The event featured a silent auction, and all proceeds benefited the MU Children's Hospital and Ronald McDonald House.

Dancing With Missouri Stars Kickoff Party

Caitlin Younker, Carrie Millikin, Elise Eslick and Karen Grundy Betsy Farris, Chuck Witt, Barbara Tellerman, Sanjeev Ravipudi, Erica Beshore, Joe Bechtold and Jerry Murrell

Jerry Murrell and Darlene Johnson

Norm Ruebling and Becky McHugh

Chris Stevens, Kate Gunn and Scott Wilson

The kickoff party to announce the 2012 celebrity dancers for Dancing With Missouri Stars was held Feb. 12 at Room 38. This year's dancers are: Joe Bechtold, Erica Beshore, Betsy Farris, Jerry Murrell, Sanjeev Ravipudi, Kathy Ritter, Barbara Tellerman and Chuck Witt. The event will be held May 17 at Southwell Complex on the Columbia College campus, and all funds raised will benefit Missouri Contemporary Ballet.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 99

BUILDING YOUR FAMILY TREE, ONE BRANCH AT A TIME.

Join us at the aRC on Sundays at 10:15 a.m.

Easter Egg Hunt and Water Baptism

Easter Sunday for more information visit our website

www.newlifecolumbia.org

100 | April/maY 2012

city scene

Rootin’ Tootin’ Chili Cookoff

Ed Franks, Russ Duker, Dan Long, Jeremy Mullins, Nikki Bell, Lauren Eisleben, Nathan Rob and Chad Vollrath

Adam Lindsey, Steven Chen, Mike Baird, Channing Tillmen and Elena Sapp

Christine Simon, Martha Boswell, Amy Sprouse and Laura Cole

Tim Bach, Dan Berlemann, Brian Davison, Paula Stuebben and Kelli Cash

Hannah Grewach, Tuesdai Bridges, Carol Hall and Becky Galli

Jason Philips, Robin Nietors, Randee Kradrick, Kristen Deken and Adrian Santana

On Feb. 18, more than 50 teams gathered at the Expo Center to compete in the Rootin’ Tootin’ Chili Cookoff.

This was the seventh year for the event to raise funds for the Boys and Girls Club of Columbia.

Red Shoe Gala

Charly King, Glenn Dietzel, Jon Curtis, Kay Stewart and Bea Hill

Kallie and Mac LeMone

Rita Miller, Charly King, Melody Marcks and Steve Erdel

A capella group

The Ronald McDonald House Charities' Red Shoe Gala, Experiencing Oz was held at the Holiday Inn Executive Center on Feb. 16. Guests started the evening in Oz with networking, games and a silent auction and then moved to the Emerald City for dinner, entertainment and a live auction. Proceeds benefited the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 101

If there is any of my talent that seems good, if any of the photographs stir your heart, if any seem beautiful and lovely, if any seem praiseworthy or if anything that I say or do has a profound and positive effect on you, then I give all the credit, all the praise and all the glory to God and my saviour Jesus Christ, in whose name, and by no other name under heaven, is salvation found.

We ALWAYS give you all of the images on disk - no matter what kind of photo shoot it is.

www.do-photo-graphy.com

102 | April/maY 2012

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Home Bound

These friendly faces are at the Central Missouri Humane Society.

Subscribe today.

FIND INSPIRATION

IN EVERY ISSUE columbiahomemagazine.com

Vito

Age: Age: 7 months (male) Breed: American Pit Bull Terrier Temperament: Very energetic and intelligent. Would be a great running buddy.

Bruno

Age: 1 to 2 years (male) Breed: Bulldog Mix Temperament: Friendly and full of energy. Playful and loves any attention. Would do well in any home.

Designer’s Palette Goodies you must have.

Get your

Fashion

fix

Azzy/Zig

Age: 1.5 years (male) Breed: Aussie Border Collie Temperament: Sweet and easygoing.

Loves to play fetch. Can be vocal when left alone. Loves kids. Neutered.

Little Man

Age: 6 years (male) Breed: Brown Tabby Temperament: A bit bigger than his name suggests at 20 pounds, with a heart to match his size. Brush him, and he will cuddle right up to you. Neutered.

Kick back, enjoy our

Features

Home Bound

Find your new furry friend

Butters

Age: 5 years (male) Breed: Siamese Temperament: Skittish at the shelter, but once he is warmed up, he is an affectionate pal. Neutered.

Sylvia

Age: 8 months (female) Breed: Black and White Long Haired Temperament: Calm and sweet girl.

Loves to be groomed. Spayed.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 103

ADVERTISER INDEX Academy Of Fine Arts........................................ 18 Academy Of Early Childhood Learning............... 18 Albright Heating & Air Conditioning...................64 All Vacuum Care.................................................32 American Heart Association..............................34 Andrew Stone Optometry...................................62 Angelique Photography......................................28 Anytime Fitness.................................................28 Boone County Council On Aging........................ 11 Boone County National Bank...............................7 Boone Hospital................................................... 10 Buchroeder's....................................................108 Busenbark Carpet Outlet...................................30 Calena's Fashions.............................................. 74 Carlisle Collection............................................105 Carpet One......................................................5,12 Casey Buckman Photography...........................105 Century 21 Advantage........................................58 Children's Orchard.............................................86 Columbia Facial Plastic Surgery.........................94 Columbia Landcare............................................58 Columbia Parks & Recreation.............................52 Columbia Pool & Spa..........................................96 Commerce Bank..................................................3 Concannon Plastic Surgery................................ 14 Cultural Homestay International........................96

Custom Surface Designs.................................... 74 David Owens Photography...............................102 Designer Kitchens & Baths.................................94 Diamond Banc.................................................... 19 Downtown Appliance......................................... 81 Dr. Gregory Croll................................................ 81 Dr. Willett...........................................................80 Dungarees..........................................................96 Fechtel Beverage & Sales Inc.............................88 Focus On Learning.............................................46 Girl.....................................................................55 Hockman Interior Design...................................80 Innovative Designs.............................................64 Interior Design Associates.................................84 Isle Of Capri....................................................... 21 Joe Machens- Ford/Lincoln/Mercury................20 Johnston Paint & Decorating Direct..................100 Kliethermes Homes............................................22 Landmark Bank................................................107 Laser Body Sculpting...........................................5 Lifestyles Furniture............................................62 Majestic Homes.................................................84 Martellaro Marble And Granite...........................83 Mary Moss.........................................................55 McAdams' Limited.............................................72 Mid-City Lumber Co...........................................92

Mid-West Remodeling........................................46 Missouri Contemporary Ballet............................56 New Life Community Church............................100 Organize That Space..........................................59 Petals For You....................................................83 Room 38............................................................98 S. Stewart & Co. LLC..........................................83 Shelter Insurance Agents.................................102 Smarr Custom Homes........................................ 19 Spillman Contracting.........................................92 Studio Home........................................................2 Superior Garden Center...................................104 Sycamore...........................................................72 Tallulah's............................................................33 Taylor Allen Photography....................................98 The French Laundry & Alterations......................44 The Tiger Hotel...................................................36 Truescape Landscaping........................................6 University Of Missouri Health Care....................66 Williams And Hussey Eyecare..............................8 Willow Ponds Farm.............................................82 Wilson's Fitness...................................................9 Wine Cellar & Bistro...........................................90 World Harvest Foods..........................................82 Yoga Sol.............................................................87

Columbia Home & Lifestyle magazine is published by The Business Times Co., 2001 Corporate Place, Suite 100, Columbia, Mo., 65202. (573) 499-1830 Copyright The Business Times Co., 2008. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of any editorial or graphic content without the express written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

104 | April/maY 2012

columbiahomemagazine.com | 105

the last word | Jessica Macy

Life of Service

A young girl learns the value of assisting the elderly through a close relative, fueling the fire to do this special work as an adult.

By J essica Mac y | Photo by dav id owen s

M

y great aunt’s name was Margie Patterson. I called her MP, really because I could never spell or say Margaret correctly. She was one of the most important people in my life. Sitting with her reading big picture books in a big overstuffed armchair, I learned to dream. In the spring, she would pick blackberries as fast as I could eat them out of the bucket. Our infamous car rides took us on countless adventures, and, according to my mom, we plain just got into a lot of trouble. On snowy winter days, I found a child’s perfect fort under her quilting frames.

MP was full of life and accomplished many things far ahead of her time. When I was 7 years old, she retired from being a newspaper editor but continued to have a column until long after I was in college. It was a rare Sunday when she missed church; she taught Sunday school for more than 25 years and even served as the first female church elder. Most importantly, she lived a life of independence and service to others. This spirit of altruism was ingrained in me at a young age by MP and certainly contributed to my passion for senior causes.

Aging with dignity Working for Boone County Council on Aging was natural for me. It’s clear to me that I belong in a nonprofit that helps people as they age with dignity. Just more than three years ago, I became the executive director at Boone County Council on Aging, where my passion finally found a home.

Boone County Council on Aging has been around since 1973 with the goal of improving the lives of seniors by providing a wide variety of service. This includes helping seniors with small things such as connecting them and their families to the right resources or agencies for help. We also engaged more than 800 volunteers last year who helped our seniors by doing yard work, making friendly visits, shoveling snow, raking leaves, making home repairs and shopping for groceries. Although these may seem like small tasks, they mean the world to an elderly person. For seniors with more critical needs, we provide case management services that help them meet their basic needs. These critical programs help seniors combat isolation and depression, increase home safety, improve nutrition, 106 | April/maY 2012

lower emergency room visits, enhance overall health and help seniors remain independently in their home for as long as safely possible.

When you think about it, that is where we want to age — at home.

Seniors matter

We tout Columbia as a great place to retire, and it is. We have an active community with amazing health care and resources. However, senior poverty is on the rise in Boone County. In the past three years, it has nearly doubled to more than 1,500 seniors. Sadly, once a senior enters poverty, it is nearly impossible to move them out. Too many of our seniors have to choose whether to fund much-needed medications, utilities, rent or food. After working a lifetime to make our community strong, this vital group does not deserve to be left behind and forgotten. This is a generation that thought Social Security and Medicare would be able to take care of them in their old age, but they are now faced with a system that is so overtaxed, their solvency is constantly in question.

Boone County Council on Aging is facing new challenges as local funding sources shift to focus on children. Although helping children will get at the root causes of poverty, it leaves a significant gap in helping seniors remain independent. Now is the perfect time for our community to show that seniors matter.

Close your eyes and think about this: Who is that older person who is/was important in your life? Was it your grandparent, an aunt, a professor, a boss, a neighbor, a friend? There are thousands of people out there just like my Aunt Margaret, people who left lasting footprints in our community. Their lives were full of independence and service to others. Their lives still have value. We all have much to learn from them. I encourage you to get active with Boone County Council on Aging or other local charities that serve seniors.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit BooneAging.org.

Columbia home | 2001 Corporate Place, Ste. 100 | Columbia, MO 65202

108 | April/maY 2012

PRST STD U.S. Postage paid Fulton, MO Permit #38