COMO | March 2020

MA R C H 2020 | T HE WO MEN I S SU E | A PU B L ICATION OF TH E B U SIN E SS TIM E S COM PAN Y

REMEMBERING MOLLY BOWDEN EATING ON THE LOOP

WOMEN of EXCELLENCE

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SUNDAY, JULY 19 - MONDAY, JULY 27, 2020 | $2950 A portion of the cost of the trip benefits Hospitality Students

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Letter from the Editor

ART DIRECTOR’S PICKS

Strength & Intentionality

T

here are two words that have followed me throughout my life: responsible and wise.

No matter how many times I’ve tried to shake them, they are still there, as if permanently etched on me as part of my identity. I have a greater appreciation for their presence in my life now (growing up I felt as if those words were boring), but there are still certainly days where I wish someone would choose a word that sounded a bit more powerful or bold.

So allow me to do that for the welldeserving women featured in The Women Issue. They are strong and intentional! Each woman has left an impactful, unique mark on this community through their purposeful actions and relationships. We owe them our gratitude for their contributions.

Let me give you a glimpse into the stories you will find in this issue.

To begin, we start with a story honoring fallen police officer Molly Bowden who, to this day, is the only Columbia police officer to have died in the line of duty. Fifteen years later, Molly’s presence is still felt throughout the community in the variety of ways people have sought to honor her and create a legacy for her and her family. What does this look like? Find out on page 55.

We then explore organizations in Mid-Missouri that are, and have been, championing women and their opportunities to break through glass ceilings, such as the League of Women Voters and the State Technical College of Missouri. What are they currently doing to help women achieve new heights? Find out on pages 76 and 79.

And we can’t forget to acknowledge the amazing women on our cover, who likely don’t even need an introduction because they’re such recognizable faces around town.

These women have shaped what Columbia looks like and continue to influence our

“A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.”

— Melinda Gates city through their contributions and their mentorship. Meet our Women of Excellence award recipients and honorable mentions starting on page 88. You will be inspired by their incredible stories.

As you sit in awe of the women in this issue, take a moment to reflect on the women in your life that have impacted you. If you have the chance, thank them for their contribution and share with them the two words you would use to describe them. You might be surprised by how deeply this small gesture impacts them.

Happy reading,

The State Historical Society of Missouri’s new Center for Missouri Studies is a treasure of information and art! An exhibit celebrating the centennial anniversary of women’s suffrage in the U.S. opens on March 14. I hope to learn more about these Missouri women: Martha Gellhorn Born to a suffragist in 1908, Martha was a prolific war correspondent.

She worked with Eleanor Roosevelt, Dorthea Lange, and Ernest Hemingway (whom she later married).

Gwen B. Giles Gwen made history in 1977 when she became the first black woman elected to the Missouri Senate. She spent her career fighting racial discrimination and advocating for women.

Annie Fisher A daughter of former slaves, Annie was known as the best chef in Columbia.

She won a prize for her biscuits at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, and her success led her to buy many properties downtown. One of our Women of Excellence, Verna Laboy, teaches students about Annie through re-enactment.

ON THE COVER The Women of Excellence award recipients: Heather Hargrove, Marjorie Graf, Wendy Reinke, Verna LaBoy, Brooke Sydenstricker McCarty, Carrie Gartner, Cindy Whaley, and Karen Miller.

Read more about them on page 88.

Photo by Anthony Jinson.

M A RCH 2020 | THE WO M EN ISSUE | A PUBLICAT ION OF T HE BUSINE SS T IME S COMPANY

REMEMBERING MOLLY BOWDEN EATING ON THE LOOP

EMMA BENTLEY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

WOMEN of EXCELLENCE COMOMAG.COM

13

President Erica Pefferman

Erica@comomag.com

Senior Vice President Fran Patrick Fran@comomag.com

EDITORIAL Publisher Erica Pefferman Erica@comomag.com

Editor-in-Chief Emma Bentley Emma@comomag.com

Contributing Editor Beth Bramstedt Department Editor Hannah Kueck

Hannah@comomag.com

Editorial Assistant Tiffany Schmidt Tiffany@comomag.com

DESIGN Art Director Cassidy Shearrer

Cassidy@comomag.com

Senior Graphic Designer Jordan Watts Jordan@comomag.com

Graphic Designer Sadie Thibodeaux Sadie@comomag.com

MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES Marketing Consultant Bonnie Hudson Bonnie@comomag.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Keith Borgmeyer, Anthony Jinson, Justin Kelley, Vicki Winton

Operations Manager Amy Ferrari Amy@comomag.com

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To inspire, educate, and entertain the citizens of Columbia with quality, relevant content that reflects Columbia’s business environment, lifestyle, and community spirit.

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INTERNS

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ON THEM E

Who is a woman you admire?

Katie Perry Harris Writer

Prince Chingarande Intern

Jennifer Truesdale Writer

David Morrison Writer

My mother. She went back to nursing school later in life to pursue a new career. She’s always there for our family, and we’re lucky to live in the same town.

I admire my mom.

She’s the most hardworking, caring, and selfless person I know. Also, she’s handled all of my shenanigans and dramatic nature since I was a child.

I admire Pat Fowler.

She is warm, generous, smart, an advocate, and the most civically engaged person I have ever met. She never stops asking what she can do for others or for our community.

My wife, Megan, is not only smarter than I am but also possesses more practical skills and is tougher than I could ever hope to be. What’s not to admire?

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IN THIS ISSUE

28 HOMES Explore the history of the newest and oldest bed and breakfast in town.

MARCH 2020 | The Women Issue

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28

Editor’s Letter

HOMES Rooms on Cherry

LIVING

43

21 ART & CULTURE Stamp Out the Stigma

23 PET FRIENDLY Pudgie and Polly

25 WELLNESS 10 Tips for Cultivating a Joy-filled Life

27 WELLNESS Minimal Invasion, Massive Relief

GOURMET Eating on the Loop

48

STYLE Seeing Red

59

COUPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW Rose Hayden and Meichele Foster

WORKING 65

CLOSER LOOK

66

BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

69

110

MOVERS & SHAKERS

DATEBOOK

71

114

LOCAL GOVERNMENT The State of the State

74 CELEBRATIONS An Eclectic Celebration

76 NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT Celebrating the Centennial of the 19th Amendment

79 BUSINESS UPDATE Women Take Tech

83 PERSON YOU SHOULD KNOW Frances Fujiko Harvey

THIS OR THAT Julie Middleton

FEATURES 55

REMEMBERING MOLLY The community comes together to honor the fallen officer’s sacrifice and legacy.

88

WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE Honoring 24 remarkable women in the Mid-Missouri area who have broken glass ceilings, paved their own way, and brought other women along with them on their journey.

Little Black Dress funderaiser Gala Wine • Dancing • Raffles • & More!

Friday, May 8, 2020 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm Doors open at 6 pm Program begins at 7 pm Southwell Gym at Columbia College Tickets on sale March 1st for $75.

Reserved tables and sponsorships are still available.

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Living

43 EATING ON THE LOOP From Carlito’s to Just Jeff’s, take a quick tour of eight of the Business Loop’s finest eateries.

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59

SEEING RED

COUPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW

Make a fashion statement at True/False with this spring’s non-traditional power trio.

Rose Hayden and Meichele Foster talk about their relationship and everything they love about Columbia.

Buy your pass at TrueFalse.org

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MARCH 2020

Living

ART & CULTURE

Stamp Out the Stigma Look Around Boone uses art to engage youth in the conversation on mental health.

BY JASMINE-KAY JOHNSON

M

ental health stigma continues to meet its match as Look Around Boone prepares for its second annual gallery event this month. Look Around Boone is a community initiative aimed at increasing mental health awareness among youth.

The initiative was established by the Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services department in 2017, and in 2018, it transitioned to the Family Access Center of Excellence, commonly known as FACE. Fortunately, the campaign was already widely present in the Boone County school system with a reach of 50,000 people.

“Even though we facilitate the campaign, it doesn’t really belong to FACE,” says Adielle Ehret, executive director of FACE. “We feel like this is a community campaign that we have the honor of facilitating.”

With FACE as the new home, the acclaimed art contest and art show was born and the website was also updated.

This year’s contest has 57 submissions; one is a video and the others span the world of performing and creative arts. “It’s just for us to continue to be creative about how to spread the word about the campaign and have more involvement and energy behind it, and of course, youth are the best for that,” says Adielle.

Students ranging from sixth grade to twelfth can enter the contest with paintings, videos, poetry, and more.

“There’s lots of ways to combat stigma, but having a contest in general helps increase awareness about the campaign,” Adielle says.

The more involvement the initiative can get from students, parents, and teachers alike, the better the chances are of having necessary discussions about mental health.

“Sometimes, as adults, we feel like we know how to best reach youth, and really, truly, we don’t.”

One of the most important aspects of the contest, and the Look Around Boone initiative in general, is that the youth-directed messaging comes from the youth.

“Sometimes, as adults, we feel like we know how to best reach youth, and really, truly, we don’t,” she says.

Along with the numerous art submissions, there will be a resource fair that addresses mental health, basic needs, after-school activities, and more. “For a variety of us to get together and be present and have that supportive presence for anyone that needs help, that day is a wonderful way

Look Around Boone’s 2nd Annual Gallery Event Compass Health Network 3501 Berrywood Dr. March 14, 2020 1 to 3 p.m.

to put into live practice the mission of Look Around Boone,” Adielle says.

This message rings true as the Look Around Boone website provides links to several resources such as Burrell Behavioral Health, OK2TALK, and plenty more. The effectiveness of FACE’s campaign and awarenessraising has been measured to ensure the work being done has positive results. After surveying 16,639 students in Boone County, it was revealed that the students reported decreased mental health stigma attitudes and increased willingness to seek out help on average from Fall 2018 to spring of the next year.

COMOMAG.COM

21

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MARCH 2020

Living

Pudgie and Polly Savannah Davis spills the beans on her adventures owning pet pigs.

BY CAYLEA RAY

W

e’re used to seeing dogs with their owners around Columbia, but we aren’t really used to seeing pet pigs wandering around town.

Savannah Davis, a receptionist for Riversong Spa and Salon, is mom to two pet pigs, Pudgie and Polly. Savannah was supposed to go on vacation for her birthday a few years ago, but the trip ended up getting cancelled. Instead of another trip, she begged her mom for a pig, and got Polly.

“I’ve had her for three years, and a little bit ago, I saw an ad for pigs at a research center.

They were done doing research on the pigs and said they were getting rid of them.” Savannah says there were 20 pigs and she found Pudgie when she went to the research center.

Polly and Savannah

Savannah enjoys bringing her pigs to work and downtown Columbia as well. “Polly is a certified emotional support animal, so she has a card and a vest and everything, so she can go wherever I go. With Pudgie, I always ask if it’s okay, because a lot of people think of pigs as stinky and destructive. They’re not like that all. They’re very calm and have a lot of emotions,” Savannah says.

The pigs are very different from each other.

“Polly is very independent; she likes to be outside. She’s outside in this very spacious kennel. Pudgie is the complete opposite; he hates outside,” Savannah explains. “He wants to snuggle with his blankets and stay inside.

Pudgie sleeps in our bed most of the time.”

Savannah also has a cat, Bagher. She brought Pudgie home a month after Bagher and says they were automatic best friends.

“I’ve always thought it was because they are the same color; they’re both black and they’re both small, so I don’t know if they really know that they’re different species,” Savannah says.

Pudgie and Bagher act like best friends by sleeping together, eating out of the same bowl, cuddling, and playing together. “Seeing them try to play is interesting because Bagher plays like a kitty, hitting with the paws, and Pudgie just runs around in circles and ends up falling down,” says Savannah.

PET FRIENDLY

"You have to be a special person to own pet pigs.”

While Polly may not be best friends with Bagher, she creates her own adventures being the outside piggy. Savannah has a sunroom on the second story of her house, so she decided to make that Polly’s room. She recalls the story of leaving big cans of tan house paint in the room one day and coming home to find a big surprise.

“I came home one day and she was tan!”

Savannah recalls. “She had it all over herself, the walls, everything. It was house paint, so it was industrial and she was tan for like a week and a half.”

While Savannah loves her piggies, she doesn’t recommend people own them unless they are seriously committed to being a pig owner.

“People are shocked by how sweet and well behaved they are. It encourages them to want pet pigs,” Savannah says. “Pigs are naturally aggressive; they have to be worked into a gentle environment. When people do know me for a while, they say they want to get a pig and I suggest they probably shouldn’t. You have to be a special person to own pet pigs.”

Pudgie and Bagher

COMOMAG.COM

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MARCH 2020

Living

WELLNESS

10 Tips for Cultivating a Life

BY BETH BRAMSTEDT

Choose A Scent Every girl loves to be told she smells good. Do you have a signature scent?

If not, indulge yourself in the perfume aisle and find the one that captures you. You’ll love the way it makes you feel.

My scent of choice: Philosophy’s Amazing Grace

Start a Perpetual Calendar Nothing cultivates joy like looking back in time to remember what you accomplished, who you connected with, and what you experienced.

Start recording your daily highlights now to make way for 2021.

My favorite: 1canoe2’s five-year memory book

Pamper Yourself

Create a Playlist

Make a Hit List

Life is too short not to enjoy the small things.

Make it part of your routine to treat yourself to a massage, a glass of wine, your favorite chocolate, or even a bouquet of flowers.

Nothing beats the blues like driving down a back road, singing like no one is listening. String together the songs that get your toes tapping and have them ready.

Grab a friend and make a list of fi rsts – places you haven’t explored, restaurants you’re dying to discover, and activities you have yet to try. Then attack the list one at a time. It’s a double shot of feel good – a fun time with a special person.

My go-to treat: The Candy Factory’s raspberry truffles

Grow Yourself

Celebrate Others

Feel like you’re in a rut?

Stretch yourself. Ask around or do a little research to find a new book or podcast that will challenge or help you with some area of your life. Commit to reading or listening once a week.

Finding joy isn’t always about us. Commit to celebrate others.

Acknowledge the birthday, wedding, baby shower, or retirement of someone special by going above and beyond. Buy a touching gift, handwrite a card, plan a date, or meet a need.

Whether it be a lazy Saturday morning, a mid-afternoon nap, or a weekend getaway, prioritize rest and relaxation in your life.

Turn off the TV, silence your phone, and let the solitude and stillness clear your mind and emotions.

My trick: Look for unique gifts months in advance

Top suggestion: A weekend retreat in Rocheport

My latest growth source: Emily P. Freeman’s book and podcast “The Next Right Th ing”

Make Room for Rest

The top of my list: Eric Church’s “Jack Daniels” (I’m not even a fan of whiskey, but this tune puts a smile on my face.)

Next on my list: Cajun Crab House with a seafood-loving friend

Stretch Yourself

Create Rhythms

And I literally mean, stretch yourself.

Whether it be yoga, Pilates, or a walk on the trail, get off the couch and get yourself moving.

The focused attention and deep breathing will clear your head and fi ll your soul.

We all have good intentions, but they can quickly fall by the wayside with our list of to-do’s. Want a tried and true way to fi ll your life with joy? Create rhythms of work and rest, solitude and community, being and doing.

My activity of choice: Yoga Sol’s noon Yin Yoga class

Pull out your calendar (now) and prioritize the items that speak to you.

COMOMAG.COM

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I don’t just see a customer.

I see you.

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MARCH 2020

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Living

WELLNESS

Minimal Invasion, Massive Relief A uterine artery embolization gives Karla Church relief f rom painful menstrual cycles.

BY THERASIA BRAUTIGAM | PHOTO BY JUSTIN KELLEY

K

arla Church, a local 53-year-old avid golfer, has played golf on and off for many years. Once she and her husband became empty nesters, they started playing the sport even more. That is, until Karla’s golfing suffered a setback when she started experiencing irregular and heavy menstrual cycles. Her menstrual symptoms made it difficult to stay active on the golf course. In June of 2019, Karla underwent a procedure called uterine artery embolization to improve her symptoms.

Karla’s symptoms started about two years before she had the procedure, and she sought the assistance of her gynecologist to find a solution. Her doctor found three fibroids, or noncancerous tumors, on the muscles of the uterus. Fibroids increase in size during a menstrual cycle, which can lead to heavy bleeding, pain, cramping, and pressure symptoms like frequent urination or multiple bowl movements.

Dr. Ambarish Bhat, an interventional radiologist at MU Health Care and the doctor who performed Karla’s uterine artery embolization, explains that “around 70% of women get fibroids, but only around 25% of those women have symptomatic fibroids.”

Women between the ages of 25 to 50 are most likely to have fibroids.

After Karla’s fibroids were discovered, she had an intrauterine device, IUD, inserted in attempt to help her symptoms disappear.

Unfortunately, the IUD didn’t improve Karla’s heavy bleeding and caused her to gain weight. Dr. Bhat explains that choosing hormone medication is typically the first step in attempting to treat fibroids.

“They can get put on hormones to try and make the fibroid smaller. The problem with that is, these hormones come with side effects and the fibroid can get tolerant to the hormones and stop responding,” he says.

If the hormone regulation route fails, the next step is either a myomectomy, hysterectomy, or a uterine artery embolization. Before 20 years ago, a

“I’ve had no issues as far as unexpected periods. There’s a much better, more natural blood flow, and I’m not nearly as worried about going places.”

myomectomy or hysterectomy were the only options. Now interventional radiologists like Dr. Bhat specialize in minimally invasive procedures like this one.

Dr. Bhat describes that the patient has a small hole made in the artery in either their wrist or their groin. The doctor can then enter the main artery of the abdomen called the aorta. Through the aorta, the doctor accesses the artery that supplies blood to the uterus and inserts specially designed particles to block the arteries that supply the fibroids.

“Once you block the arteries, the fibroids die and can no longer change their size during the cycle. The reason why you get pains during the cycle is because fibroids can increase in size tremendously during the last half of cycle.

They can shrink and become calcified after you treat them,” explains Dr. Bhat.

After the procedure is complete, the patient typically stays overnight to have their pain monitored. Dr. Bhat explains that since the fibroids are dying, it can be extremely painful for some women.

“I won’t say it was as bad as childbirth, but it was painful. I was glad I went ahead and stayed the night in the hospital to manage the pain,” says Karla. After the first night, the procedure has a quick recovery rate.

“It took me probably four days to feel 100% again. It was a recovery that was worth it, and I was able to be mobile the whole time,” Karla says.

Since Karla’s procedure, she has been able to rejoin the golf course without worry of unexpected bleeding.

“I’ve had no issues as far as unexpected periods. There’s a much better, more natural blood flow, and I’m not nearly as worried about going places,” she says.

COMOMAG.COM

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Cherry RO OM S O N

Explore the history of the newest and oldest bed and breakfast in town.

BY JESSICA VAUGHN MARTIN PHOTOS BY KEITH BORGMEYER

28

MARCH 2020

Living

HOMES

Everyone wants to live at the Niedermeyer.

There’s a waiting list. But, if you’re not interested in becoming a long-term tenant, you can hop the line with a stay at Rooms on Cherry.

Tucked inside the historic Niedermeyer Apartments (that white brick, greenroofed building on Tenth and Cherry — the one you’ve probably wondered about a time or two), Rooms on Cherry is the newest B&B in the oldest building in town.

“I just put it on Airbnb and people have gone crazy,” says Linda Libert, property manager at the Niedermeyer and Rooms on Cherry. “Everyone wants to stay in the oldest building in Columbia.”

FEELI N G S O F CO M M U N IT Y Yes, the building itself has been around for nearly two centuries, but the newlyrenovated four-bedroom, two-bath suite has all of the most sought-after modern amenities. A full kitchen with exposed brick is shared among the guests, who can rent out one or more of the four bedrooms. It makes for a fitting space for a bridal party suite or a football weekend retreat.

As you’ll see, Linda has thought of everything. Want to stop by the Columbia Farmers Market during your stay? Grab some greens — there’s a salad spinner in the cabinet. Are you an on-trend, health-conscious cooker? Test out the air fryer during your stay. Oh, and don’t worry about carrying around quarters for laundry; it’s included too.

Much like the Niedermeyer apartment building itself, Rooms on Cherry calls forth a sense of community, inviting guests to get to know each other over a cup of coffee shared in the common area, which separates the four rooms.

“We’re [calling it] Rooms on Cherry instead of strictly a B&B because there are implications of that, like they wouldn’t be able to use the kitchen,” Linda says. “But everyone loves coordinating in here, having a good time, and sharing the kitchen.”

The first guests, who stayed in early 2018, made tasty use of the shared space.

“Last winter, they were still doing construction so I didn’t want to put it on Airbnb or VRBO, but we had professors stay here,” she says. “I had guests from Brazil, Poland, Italy, and Greece. And they loved it. They were making each other dishes and it was just really cool.”

In the summer, guests can relax on the porch or join in on one of the community BBQs. “We do parties on the porch probably every other weekend,” Linda says.

“One person will start barbecuing and next thing you know there are seven or eight people out there with them. The community is amazing; that’s what draws people.”

C EN T U R I ES O F H I STO RY Since its construction in 1837, the Niedermeyer has been many things — a boarding school, a hotel, and an apartment building, to name a few — and housed many guests. With a stay at Rooms on Cherry, you’ll join the ranks of well-known historical figures who have overnighted here. Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of Abraham Lincoln, visited her niece there when the latter was in boarding school. Famous Missourian Mark Twain visited the building in 1902, when it was the Gordon Hotel, to receive his honorary doctorate of law from MU. “The history is probably most important as far as the reasons people come visit,” Linda says. In fact, that’s how this whole thing got started. Five years of renovations on the building have included numerous donations to the Columbia Historic Preservation Commission.

During a pickup of antique radiators, chair of the HPC Pat Fowler gave Linda a new project idea. “She goes, ‘Linda, I wish this was more of a hotel because I’ve

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always wanted to stay here,’” she recalls. “And that’s where it started.

So, when I told her that [it was happening], she freaked out.”

The transformation from old to new has beautifully preserved the historical facets of the space, bringing them to life with antique finds that match the eras represented. To maximize this preservation, each room has an identity of its own.

“What I did with the rooms is I brought the people in who [began the legacy],” Linda says. “Ann Hawkins Gentry and Colonel Gentry, they built this house. So, we designed it back to the day she would have been here.

And I actually found this beautiful antique painting with an antique frame that almost looks just like her. This is her room.”

One of the other three rooms hearkens back to the famous visitor mentioned before, Mark Twain, and the other two are themed after MU and The District. In The District room, photos of the Niedermeyer’s history and renovation dot the walls, revealing the stark contrast between the dilapidated building that barely avoided demolition in 2013 and what stands now, revived by the work and people who saved it.

S E AS O N S O F C H AN G E It’s really true — everyone wants to stay at the Niedermeyer. This includes Linda, who now lives full-time in the building, in an apartment she renovated in 2012. But, as she knows, just a few years ago, a stay at the Niedermeyer wasn’t in high demand.

In 2013, Linda came home to her apartment to find a sign declaring the demolition of the property. For her, and the four other tenants that lived in the property at the time, this presented a problem.

HOMES

“For months we had a sign saying the building was going to be torn down, so nobody renewed their leases and nobody acknowledged that they could actually move in here,” she says.

Columbians interested in historical preservation, including the building’s current owner, Nakhle Asmar, saw a problem too. The building needed an advocate. And that came in the form of Linda’s apartment.

One tenant who was also a journalism student spoke to her colleagues at the Columbia Missourian and said, “you need to see Linda’s apartment.”

An article highlighted the newly-renovated space, which included a restored brick fireplace, carefully refinished wood floors, and high ceilings. When Nakhle saw the beauty a renovation could reveal, he discovered what Linda already knew: the Niedermeyer could — and should — be brought back to its glory days. The apartment revealed something else, too: Linda’s keen eye for finding beauty beneath the surface. Soon, Nakhle asked her to come on board to help with the rest of the building’s renovation.

With Rooms on Cherry, another piece of the building was saved. The space is just the beginning of a major overhaul of the whole building, which is happening from the ground floor up. Above the main staircase, a vacant white wall begs for color. Soon, a mural of the Niedermeyer with Mark Twain and the columns will appear. Other changes will come too, down the road.

“Eventually we could possibly make this whole first floor a B&B,” Linda says. “We’ll just see how it goes.” For now, you can book your stay in one of the four Rooms on Cherry through Airbnb.

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Quality in every aspect.

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2450 Trails W Ave, Columbia, MO 65202 • (573) 442-9499 • rostlandscaping.com

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FOUR COLUMBIA LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU:

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Jake Baumgartner

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Cynthia Minchew

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Marc Schumer

Tracy Arey

Kelly Wilsdorf

Anne Tuckley

THE TINT GUYS

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ANNE TUCKLEY HOME

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Comfort, Quality, and Style

By Jake Baumgartner Find more at baumgartners.com

P

eople are constantly looking for that high quality piece of furniture that makes their house feel like a home, yet offers the element of style. La-Z-Boy has been the go-to source since they introduced the recliner in 1928.

While some may think of this line as being a little less streamlined, the brand has evolved to create furniture that is sleek and comfortable. Whether your home is inspired by the Mid-Missouri country theme or the elegant urban design, every interior design can benefit from the stylish comfort of La-Z-Boy. La-Z-Boy has a myriad of designs, several of which should fit your style of living, family, or movie room. We know you like to have options and La-Z-Boy has several to offer, from reclining sectionals with storage consoles that have electrical outlets for the modern age to a more classic look for the fashion savvy.

These new styles can complement any room and still be comfortable enough for family movie nights. While we cannot supply the film, we can supply the luxury seating needed for ultimate family relaxation and movie viewing.

With La-Z-Boy, you won’t need to sacrifice comfort or quality when looking for style. Choose from different fabrics and colors to reflect the image you are trying to achieve. Whether you are looking for a modern, classic, or cozy vibe, there is an

option that fits within your budget while offering the look and feel you want.

We understand that you want a piece that is uniquely you, so we aim to have the most updated selection available. Let us

help you find what you’re looking for; you may be surprised by what La-Z-Boy has to offer. Visit our showrooms in Columbia and Auxvasse, and let our staff help you find the La-Z-Boy product that works for you.

Jake Baumgartner

BAUMGARTNER’S FURNITURE Jake essentially grew up in the furniture industry as he is the fourth generation involved in Baumgartner’s Furniture. Working very closely with his father, Alan, Jake has been devoted to the stores full-time since 2004. His greatest enjoyment, however, still comes from working closely with the customers. He is married to Sarah and they have two active boys, Noah and Laine. Jake received his degree in finance from Saint Louis University.

573-256-6288 BAUMGARTNERS.COM

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Buying a Home is a Production: Who are the Characters?

By Cynthia Minchew Find more at tlclender.com

S

ometimes buying a home feels like a three-act play — complete with drama, suspense, protagonists, and maybe even an antagonist or two along the way. But more times than not, these productions usually weave through the drama to a happy ending. That can be the case for you, too. Understanding the main characters of your production . . . I mean home buying experience . . . can be helpful along the way.

THE MAIN CHARACTERS

The Loan Officer — You assumed we would list our profession as the lead character, and you were right. The fact of the matter is that you can’t turn your dream home into a reality without the green stuff! Your loan officer can prove to be a tremendous help in weaving through some of the more mundane, yet necessary, portions of the home buying journey.

Our role can be as big or as small as you want it to be, but in my experience, having what some people in the sports world refer to as the “glue guy” can be tremendously valuable for you.

The Realtor — Having a Realtor who is looking out for your best interest is another important piece of the puzzle. We have some great Realtor partners throughout MidMissouri who work hard every day to help you find that home that checks all of your boxes.

Title Company — In baseball terms, the title company is “the closer.” They bring all the various facets of the deal together in the final form to get the deal done. If you ever struggle to know who the title company representative is, they’ll be the ones entering the room with a massive stack of papers!

aware of during the process. Your inspection gives you that peace of mind and certainty.

Appraiser — You want to make sure you are getting the house you are paying for, right?

The appraiser signing off on the value of your soon-to-be home is a small, yet critical, step in the process.

Insurance Company — Most people that I talk to find that insurance is a burden . . . until you need it. That statement is no more true than with your home, especially if you are moving from renting to owning. It’s hard to quantify in your head just how much stuff falls entirely under your care and responsibility once you become a homeowner. Finding an insurance agent and company who you trust and who values you as a client is huge, and it will be for as long as you own a home!

Home Inspector — Nothing is more frustrating than completing your homeownership journey only to find out that there are issues you weren’t

It’s always good to have the right cast of characters involved in your production, and TLC stands ready to be a part of your show!

SUPPORTING CAST

Cynthia Minchew

TOTAL LENDING CONCEPTS Cynthia has lived in Columbia since 1994 and lived in Houston prior to that. She married Randy Minchew in 1980 and raised four kids and 2 nieces. They have been blessed with five grandchildren.

Cynthia has financially supported and volunteered in the recovery and addiction field for more than 35 years. She currently serves on the board of Adult & Teen Challenge Men’s Center in Neosho, Missouri and Primrose Hill in Clark, Missouri. which is a home for women and children. Adult & Teen Challenge is a faith-based drug and alcohol treatment center. With nearly 40 years of experience in the mortgage business, she is well-versed in every level of the loan process. She has worked extensively in underwriting, processing, and closing departments.

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Let the Sunshine In

By Marc Schumer Find more at windowtintcolumbiamo.com

E

veryone appreciates a great view. We often walk into a room and are taken aback by a rippling lake featuring a family of ducks waddling along the shore, or the vibrancy of the leaves changing color each fall, or crisp falling snow.

One of the trends in home design is to capture these moments by creating rooms with large windows that frame these picturesque scenes. This design concept allows us to enjoy the sunrise on a chilly morning while sitting at our kitchen table sipping a cup of coffee, all warm and cozy.

Whether it be a wall of windows off the main living area, a window seat in the master bedroom, or a window above the kitchen sink, these openings serve as a way to bring the outside in, and to let us experience the change in seasons and connect ourselves to nature.

The effect can bring joy to our lives and a sense of well-being to our environment, but they can also bring excessive heat, glare, and discomfort.

We always have the option to decrease the irritation by adding blinds or curtains, but not without diminishing the beauty. The solution?

Window films that tame heat, reduce glare, protect furniture, increase comfort, and save energy without obstructing the view.

Llumar Solar Window Films have been designed specifically to let you enjoy the windows in your home without having to cover them up. Depending on the specific needs or issues you are trying to solve, Llumar offers a series of films that can curb your objections while continuing to let the sunshine in for the life of your home. No worries about bubbling, pealing, or purple color changing with a warranty that is passed on to the next homeowner.

You can choose from reflective, dualreflective, harmony, ceramic, neutral, and

low-e options. Each has been created to meet different priorities.

And the process is simple. We’re happy to meet with you, discuss your concerns, and suggest the best window film for your situation. We’ll even let you experience the products firsthand before making the purchase. And best yet, we’ll do all the installation.

Ready to reduce your frustration and continuing enjoying the views your home affords? Give the Tint Guys a call; we’re here to help let the sunshine back into your life.

Marc Schumer

THE TINT GUYS, A DIVISION OF SOUND PERFORMANCE INC Marc and his wife, Shelly, have been in business in the same location serving Columbia and the surrounding areas for nearly 20 years. Their original focus on personal connection, expert service, and value-based products stands as true today as it did in 2001. They truly enjoy bringing solution-based options with competitive pricing to all of Mid-Missouri. They split their time between their work-family and their six kids and one grandchild.

1310 INDIANA AVE., COLUMBIA, MO 65203 573-874-9203 | WINDOWTINTCOLUMBIAMO.COM

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Addressing Curb Appeal

By Tracy Arey Find more at discovercolumbiamo.com

D

id you know that your home’s curb appeal is its “handshake” to potential buyers? While it might seem obvious, your home’s curb appeal, or more simply put, how it looks from the street, is what forms buyers’ initial impressions. A recent study at Michigan State University found that when sellers put a little more effort into the fronts of their homes, the perceived value of the homes increased by a whopping 5% to 11%! The value wasn’t the only thing that increased, either. The homes actually sold

more quickly too by being able to draw buyers in with just that first glance! Here’s the kicker, your house doesn’t need an entire facelift.

Try this: walk up to your front door with “buyer’s goggles” on. Take note of the mailbox, house numbers, front door, doorbell, and trim. These are all things that can easily be replaced, repainted, or cleaned to provide a fresh look! There are a few other small steps you can take as well: trim those shrubs or update your front porch lighting!

A seasonal wreath can help to give your home more character and make it feel more welcoming. If you feel like your home is lacking that “pop,” shutters draw dimension

out of your home, making it more appealing from the street.

One of the most overlooked items is a maintained lawn. If you are able to show your buyers that you care about your home, chances are, they will too. Studies suggest that this tip alone can sell homes six weeks faster! And, last, but not least, cut out the clutter! Anything that is distracting from your home will surely distract your buyer from the most important thing: selling it to them.

As the weather is warming up, enjoy sprucing up the front of your home! And, if you’re looking to sell, give us a call. We’ll come over and brainstorm some valueadding tips for the front of your home!

Tracy Arey

TRACY AREY REAL ESTATE Tracy has accumulated 30 years in the Columbia real estate market working with single-family home buyers and sellers, new construction, investment property, and development. His well-rounded knowledge and creativity have made him a top agent throughout his career. His wife, Beth, and son, Bennett, also work on his team. Tracy uses his expertise and outside the box thinking to achieve his clients’ goals. Growing up in Iowa taught him the value of family, the Golden Rule, and work ethic.

His company mirrors these exact values. If you are thinking of buying or selling in the area, he’d be happy to sit down at the kitchen table and discuss all your options and how he can help achieve your goals together!

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Come Get Your Feet Wet

By Kelly Wilsdorf Find more at rostlandscaping.com

D

o you struggle with wet boggy areas in your landscape? Don’t think of this as a troublesome spot to dry out but rather as an opportunity to get creative.

Our designers can visualize many options for what your landscape can become. How about a dry creek bed, rain garden, bog planting, or even a koi pond? If handled correctly, that ugly wet spot can be a blooming oasis or better yet, a focal point in your landscape. Many of these areas can be addressed simply by adding plants, but the plant selection is key.

Here are a few options for plants that can handle wet feet to get you started. Let your imagination go from there!

ANNUALS AND TROPICAL PLANTS All of these examples will thrive being planted directly into water. Annuals provide various shapes and colors of foliage, and they tend to grow very quickly creating large impact. Many gardeners will often plant the larger annuals in a pot, then place that pot into the ground.

This way at the end of the year they can be cut back and brought inside for the winter.

• Papyrus • Canna • Water Hyacinth • Water Lettuce • Elephants Ear

SHRUBS

Add great structure and size to any wet areas with shrubs. Their roots create stabilization for areas that tend to erode and add winter interest to bleak landscapes.

• Winterberry • Red Twig Dogwood • Rough Leaf Dogwood • Button Bush • Sweet Shrub

TREES

There are several trees that will thrive in wet, boggy areas. They can also provide shade, which cools the temperature of the water, reducing algae growth. Also keep in mind that evergreens aren’t an option because they cannot handle wet conditions.

• Bald Cypress • Pond Cypress • Willow • Black Gum • River Birch

PERENNIALS

There is a large selection of perennials that work well in saturated areas, or areas that are flooded for short periods of time. As a bonus, pollinators appreciate these plants because of their diverse assortment of blooms.

• Swamp Milkweed • Perennial Hibiscus • Sedges • Monkey Flower • Cardinal Flower • Iris • Ferns • Prairie Cord Grass So, if you have a wet, boggy area you struggle to deal with, get creative and turn it into an asset! Use these helpful plant ideas to create some year-round interest in the damp portions of your yard. Come meet with any of our landscape designers or come out to our garden center to see which options will work best for you.

Kelly Wilsdorf

ROST LANDSCAPING Kelly Wilsdorf grew up in Columbia, just down the road from Rost, Inc. and is happy to still call Columbia home. She has a degree in Plant Science and Landscape Design from the University of Missouri and was hired as Rost’s Landscape Maintenance Manager after graduation. Her love for plants makes this job very enjoyable when assisting clients with their outdoor tasks. Outside of work, you can find her cooking, gardening, sewing, and several other outdoor activities.

573-445-4465 | ROSTLANDSCAPING.COM

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Love & Fashion Or rather, a love of fashion

By Anne Tuckley Find more at AnneTuckleyhome.com

A

nyone who knows me knows my passion for design is not limited to interior spaces. I love all things creative and artistic, and one of my favorite industries to watch (and actively support financially via fantastic shopping excursions) is fashion.

The fashion and interior design industries are closely linked, and one’s taste in one tends to mimic their taste in another.

While the opportunities literally are endless, the following are three unique ways to blend principles of fashion into interior design.

1.

Angles: Most ladies I know have a favorite neckline style. Whether it is the bold statement made by a dramatic v-neck or the equally sexy but more subtle lines of a boatneck. As consumers, we tend to be drawn to cuts that are the most flattering for our body type. Take that style you love and apply it to your design. Incorporate those same angles into your room layout, painting techniques, or accessory display.

2.

Lines and Color: All ladies know growing up that you wear dark colors on the areas of your body you want to minimize and light colors on the areas you want to maximize. We also learn at a young age that vertical lines are slimming and horizontal lines enhance.

The same is true for your room. If you have a small room with minimal windows, look to light-colored pieces to make it appear larger. Use dark

colors in larger rooms to give them a more intimate feel. Short ceilings?

Incorporate some vertical lines into your wall paint, wallpaper, or drapes.

3.

Neutrals: Who doesn’t love a closet full of neutrals? Neutrals provide a great canvas to work with. They inspire creativity and allow you to change your look simply by switching out your accessories. The same is true for your home.

Anne Tuckley

ANNE TUCKLEY HOME Anne has been in the interior design industry for over 20 years and has resided in many metropolitan cities from NYC to Houston while honing in on her skills. Her specialties are interior design and home staging, with a focus on unique perception. Anne graduated with a BFA in fine art with a concentration in design and illustration. She has extensive experience in designing new construction as well as remodeling and conceptualizing out-of-the-box ideas. She ensures cutting edge design and superb customer service.

108 CORPORATE LAKE PLACE, COLUMBIA, MO 65203 573-639-1989 | ANNETUCKLEYHOME.COM

A-1 Party and Event Rental can make your dream event a

reality.

211 Peach Way, Columbia 65203 • 573-474-7881 • A1PartyFun.com

Navigating the Business Loop’s f inest eateries.

BY PRINCE CHINGARANDE | PHOTOS BY ANTHONY JINSON

The Business Loop is one of Columbia’s main arteries, running east to west through the city and connecting residents and guests to the interstate.

Th is stretch of road is so important, says Carrie Gartner, the Loop’s executive director, that there’s a 10-year corridor plan to improve the public spaces along the street and an economic development plan focused on local small-scale manufacturers and makers. “These efforts will increase the vitality of the street while still remaining true to its character,” she says.

These improvements will also help residents and guests continue to connect to some of the best food experiences the town has to offer.

Sub Shop

Sub Shop is your one-stop shop for any of your sub sandwich, dessert, or other quick food needs: Th is community staple is dubbed “the place to get the best buns in town.” Sub Shop has been in Columbia since 1975 and has gone on to expand to three other locations in town.

According to their website, they have been recognized

by Thrillist as sixth on the top 33 college town sandwich shops in America, the fourth best to get a sandwich in Missouri by onlyinyourstate.com, and the best sandwich in Mid-Missouri by Feast magazine.

Th is reputation comes from the restaurant’s ability to provide some of the freshest food in town. Whether it’s their buns or their meatballs, you are guaranteed a fresh, sumptuous meal.

Carlito’s

Columbia has a wide selection of Latin American food establishments, but Carlito’s stands out from the rest. The family-owned restaurant is tucked into a little corner on Business Loop, but with their colorful signage, you can’t miss it.

Carlito’s is all about feeling at home. Their menu is a journey that transports your taste buds through Latin American countries like Peru, Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina. The restaurant’s Peruvian-inspired Mexican cuisine features mouth-watering dishes like the lomo saltado, a beef dish blended perfectly with caramelized onions, tomatoes, and peppers and tossed with a blend of spices, laid over a bed of French fries, and served with rice.

My pick is a heartwarming quesadilla stuffed with cheddar cheese and chicken, served with beans and rice.

Carlito’s is open until seven in the evening, so if you can’t make it for lunch, grab a quick dinner while surrounded by their pearl white interior and serene paintings of beach shores.

12-A Business Loop 70 E. | 573-443-6370 comocarlitos.com

701 Business Loop 70 W. | 573-449-1919 | subshopinc.com

Living

GOURMET

Big Daddy’s BBQ Big Daddy’s BBQ offers the best of American barbecue, and given the place’s growing reputation, it’s quickly emerging as a huge contender against the beast that is Kansas City barbecue. There is a kind of trust that comes with Big Daddy’s — the crimson red architecture, outside patio sitting area, and the red-and-white checkered greaseproof serving paper are all indications that you can rely on the place to serve nothing but the best.

The restaurant is also seasonal, making an experience there quite exclusive. So, if you’re ever craving a hot dog stuffed with coleslaw or some tender ribs dipped wholly in barbecue sauce, make your way to Big Daddy’s and you won’t be disappointed.

1205 N. Garth Ave. | 573-875-2227 facebook.com/BIGDADDYSBBQCOMO

Dive Bar

Dive Bar has an electric energy to it. From the rustic interior design to the bouncy country music played on the overhead speakers, Dive Bar gives off a kind of unique thrill.

My meal of choice — a full order of the sweet chili BBQ chicken wings and toasted beef ravioli served with marinara sauce. The food’s taste lives up to its presentation. The wings are evenly coated with the sauce, which oozes as I lift each piece of chicken to sink my teeth into it. The toasted ravioli has the perfect texture — not too hard, but also not too soggy — with the beef evenly spread on the inside.

Also notable is the exceptional service. As I sat at the bar, carefully perusing the menu’s pages, I was offered a glass of water to keep me hydrated and prepare my palate for the amazingness that is their food. Dive Bar is definitely worth a try.

1116 Business Loop 70 E. | 573-607-9523 | facebook.com/DiveBarCoMO

Cajun Crab House The craving for seafood can hit you anywhere, so it’s great that Columbia, regardless of its remoteness to any vast body of water, has its own seafood spot to cater to people’s marine cuisine cravings.

Founded by a group of fishermen from the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, Cajun Crab House serves a plethora of seafood delicacies. From blue crabs and fresh gulf shrimp to lobsters and crawfish, the restaurant’s menu is an ode to the richness of Cajun and Creole cuisine.

The place has a colorful exterior, with bright yellow and blue banners and a deep-maroon roof. Combine that with the freshness of their menu and you’ll have no option but to put on your gloves and bibs and stuff your face.

308 Business Loop 70 W. | 573-442-7765 | facebook.com/cajuncrabhouse

JJ’s Café

JJ’s is your quintessential American diner. The café serves a classic hearty American breakfast that’ll leave you well-satisfied and ready to tackle your day’s priorities. Their food is affordable, thereby making it possible for customers to make regular trips so they can fi ll their stomachs with a meat lover’s skillet, a side of fried potatoes, and a hot cup of coffee.

JJ’s has a warm, welcoming feel to it. The soft yellow and deep crimson walls fi lled with nature art evoke a sense of comfort. With this kind of food and environment at your disposal, you won’t want to start your day anywhere else!

600 Business Loop 70 W. | 573-442-4773 46

MARCH 2020

Living

GOURMET

Just Jeff’s Street Food

In a time where fast food cheeseburgers are increasingly becoming unpopular, Just Jeff ’s Street Food proves that you can still enjoy a greasy burger without feeling guilty about it. Their burgers are not your average patty; they come in a variety of styles including the chili and cheese burger made with homemade chili and cheez whiz, or the breakfast cheeseburger, which is topped with a fried egg and bacon.

Among the things Just Jeff ’s serves, they have dishes like Frito pie, which contains Fritos scoops topped with homemade chili, cheez whiz, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, jalapenos, and sour cream.

With this unique assortment of fast-food renditions, Just Jeff ’s shows that fast food can and should evolve to be more enticing. And to top it off, you can enjoy your fare from the comfort of your car or on one of their outdoor picnic tables.

701 Business Loop 70 W. | 573-239-6097 | facebook.com/JustJeffsCOMO

Kojaba Bar

Kojaba Bar is a Korean and Japanese barbecue eatery, so you can expect an array of meat and rice dishes all combined in unique and flavorful ways. The sit-down restaurant offers classic Korean and Japanese delicacies like cashew chicken, which is a breaded, deep-fried white chicken breast doused with light brown sauce and served with fried rice. And if you’re looking for another contrasting flavor, you can add an egg roll to your meal.

If your goal is to have a nice dinner fi lled with vibrant flavors with a friend or loved one, Kojaba should be one of your top options. They also offer lunch specials for as little as $5.00.

601 Business Loop 70 W. #206 | 573-442-8383 facebook.com/kojaba.como COMOMAG.COM

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Make a fashion statement at True/False with this spring’s non-traditional power trio.

Living

ST YLE

WRITTEN AND STYLED

BY TIFFANY SCHMIDT PHOTOS BY KEITH BORGMEYER MODELED BY DANIELLE WINTON HAIR AND MAKEUP BY BLOWOUT FANATIC

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T

hroughout history, religion, and culture, the color red has always held strong significance. In Columbia, red is often associated with True/False Film Fest, a four-day homage to fi lm that takes over our theaters and streets every year.

Between the fully-loaded fi lm schedule, art installations, and parties, is a pillar of the True/ False experience – the fashion.

The eternal query of attending an event: What are you wearing?

While most events come with a predisposed dress code, True/ False does not. Masks, glitter, oversized (and undersized), streetwear, formalwear, you really can’t go wrong.

If an over-the-top costume isn’t your style, never fear. We’ve created a number of looks using a combination of boutique and brick-and-mortar pieces. Paired with black and white, these red looks are both playful and chic, and wearable even after the fi nal fi lm closes.

KELLY FIELDS BOUTIQUE Black and white statement jumpsuit Frayed black jean Black sleeveless sweater Heart T-shirt

FRANCESCA’S White heart earrings Red quilted bag

TARGET White pleated skirt Red turtleneck

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Remembering

The community comes together to honor the fallen off icer’s sacrif ice and legacy.

BY KATIE PERRY HARRIS

Photo by Vicki Winton

I

t’s a part of our city’s history that, if you were living in Columbia on January 10, 2005, you won’t forget. A tragic moment that made us all stop and come together. Columbia Police Officer Molly Bowden was shot while making a routine traffic stop on Nifong and Forum Boulevard. Molly, 26, succumbed to her injuries exactly one month later.

To this day, she is the only officer in the history of the Columbia Police Department to be killed in the line of duty.

People who knew Molly describe her as a beautiful person both inside and out, with a contagious personality and giving spirit. “Molly was just a good person, and that was shown in her work also,” says Columbia Police Department Chief Geoff Jones, who served with Molly on the force for several years. “She could talk to anyone and had a great sense of humor.”

Geoff recounts a credit card fraud case in which they discovered that the card was used to buy gifts for children at Christmas. It was Molly’s idea to buy back the toys and deliver them to the kids.

“We didn’t make a lot of money back then, but we spent a portion of it buying kids’ toys because mom had stolen them in the first place,” he says.

“That’s just who she was. That was her idea.”

Geoff had just transferred to the narcotics unit when Molly was shot, and he tells the story of an informant who had dealt with Molly.

“When he found out it was Molly who got shot, he cried,” Geoff says.

In the aftermath of Molly’s death, the community united, lining the streets for her funeral, with thousands attending the service at Mizzou Arena. “There was a level of support in

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the community not just for police, but for each other, that was bigger than anything I had seen growing up here,” Geoff says. “It shows that a lot of the things we worry about and let get in the way are pretty unimportant, because when it is important, we step up.”

A Community Remembers Fifteen years later, the community continues to come together to honor Molly’s legacy. Molly Bowden Memorial Park, dedicated in 2016, lies on the eastern edge of Boone Hospital’s Nifong Medical Plaza. The park features small waterfalls and a walking path around a pond.

Representatives from Boone Hospital Center and Coil Construction fi rst approached Molly’s husband, Corey, about the idea for the park. Coil built the park, and the City of Columbia’s Parks and Recreation Department maintains it.

Every April, the park is the starting and ending point for Molly’s Miles, a memorial run with a 5K, 10K, and virtual race. The mission of the event is to bring everyone together to honor the memory of fallen law enforcement officers like Molly and the survivors they left behind. All proceeds benefit the Missouri chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors, or COPS. Molly’s Miles board vice president Bryana Larimer fi rst became involved with the race after working for the Columbia Police Department as a civilian public information officer. “I started hearing and collecting the stories about Molly,” she says. “I was in awe of how beautiful this woman was inside and out. I wanted to be a part of something that continued to keep Molly’s

“I wanted to be a part of something that continued to keep Molly’s memory alive and bring the community together, which is something I think Molly was really good at doing.”

– Bryana Larimer, Molly's Miles board VP

memory alive and bring the community together, which is something I think Molly was really good at doing.”

The race continues to grow, with last year’s race attracting almost 1,200 runners from Mid-Missouri and from other parts of the country, including California, New York, and Connecticut. Molly’s parents, Dave and Beverly Thomas, serve on the board and attend the race each year.

“I think when we consider the law enforcement family, sometimes there is a divide. One of the great things about Molly’s Miles is that it’s not just law enforcement that comes to this,” says Bryana. “It’s all parts of the community, and it truly brings people together.”

Inspiring Future Generations Columbia College senior Madison Dechman grew up watching television shows like “Criminal Minds” and “N.C.I.S.” and knew she was interested in a law enforcement career.

A ride-around with a police officer when she was young sparked her interest even more.

Now a criminal justice major at Columbia College, Madison is the 2019 recipient of the Molly S. Thomas Bowden Memorial Scholarship, founded in Molly’s honor by Dr. Joseph Carrier, a Columbia College criminal justice faculty member who had Molly in several classes.

The scholarship is awarded annually to a female student majoring in criminal justice. Students who apply write a short

essay reflecting on the importance of law enforcement as a career and the role of a woman going into law enforcement.

Madison, originally from the Lee’s Summit area, didn’t know Molly personally but did research to learn more about her. “Molly really cared, was compassionate, and loved what she was doing, and that’s something I try to embrace, whether it’s for school or work,” she says.

Madison plans on attending graduate school with the ultimate goal of working in criminal justice at a federal agency. “My dream is to make a change, whether it be in Columbia or the city where I end up,” she says. “What I learned about Molly is that she worked hard to make Columbia a better place.”

Molly’s legacy will also be remembered through the Molly Bowden Neighborhood Policing Center, a new police facility to be located on the south side of International Drive in the Auburn Hills subdivision.

Naming the substation after Molly was unanimously approved by the city council in 2018; construction on the new facility is scheduled to begin this year.

As part of the city’s Percent for Art program, Missouri artist Beth Nybeck was selected to create a sculpture (pictured above) that will be installed outside the new building after its construction. The Percent for Art program allocates 1% of new city construction or renovation project costs to be used for site-specific public art.

The sculpture’s working title is “Indivisible,” and it’s intended to be an

abstract representation of a tiger lily seedpod, with the 10-foot exterior structure representing the police department and a five-foot interior seed representing the community.

“To me, it’s a really beautiful symbol of the police force’s goal, and our community’s, to protect and help shield the community from harm,” Beth says. “It’s a beautiful skeleton structure that is meant to give life and breath to this center seed, which is going to have a community engagement element.”

The seed pod itself will be geared toward Molly’s life and legacy. Th is spring, Beth plans on interviewing Molly’s family, friends, and officers who worked alongside her, with their responses to questions to be incorporated on the surface of the seed pod and illuminated at night. “The center seed pod is going to be a reflection of Molly’s life, her legacy, and her passion,” Beth says.

Molly’s service and giving personality have also inspired other community organizations to recognize her contributions. Each year, the Officer Molly Bowden Memorial Blood Drive, a joint effort between the Collective Emergency Services of Columbia and the American Red Cross, is held at Grace Bible Church. Molly’s love of horses and her membership in 4-H also inspired the Boone County 4-H Foundation to create the annual Molly Bowden Horsemanship Award.

Molly worked to make Columbia a better place — a legacy and a goal our community has shown is well worth remembering. “Molly brought a lot of people together,” Geoff says.

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Living

Rose Hayden & Meichele Foster Rose Hayden and Meichele Foster talk about their passionate and purposeful relationship and everything they love about Columbia.

COUPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW

R: I am a long-time member of Metro Rotary and committed to adult

education at Calvary Episcopal.

WHAT INTERESTS OR EXCITES YOU ABOUT OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY? R: We groove on the prolific art and culture in this town, from concerts at Missouri Theatre to independent films at Ragtag to art exhibits at the Columbia Art League.

M: We are also committed to shopping and eating and giving back locally. We know that the way we spend our money directly impacts the quality of this town — our town.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME? M: Our work lives are very scheduled, so we try to keep our free time a little loose. Saturday morning is usually spent at home with our three dogs.

R: We love meeting friends for happy hour at Top Ten. And we both enjoy reading; we regularly read books out loud to each other.

WHAT IS THE KEY TO A LASTING AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP? M: We are big believers in what we call the “do over.”

R: It takes practice and a commitment to actively forgive — but we will start over as many times as it takes to get a conversation right.

WHAT IS THE BEST QUALITY OF YOUR PARTNER? M: Rose is super courageous.

R: Meichele is a true optimist. She is the kind of person who brings people with her to higher ground. And she is super funny.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP?

HOW DID YOU MEET? Meichele: We met at the St. Thomas More Newman Center on campus

via the efforts of mutual friends.

Rose: Those friends knew we were both starting over and were quite sure we would be a good match. They were right.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST DATE? M: Our first date was at Summit Lake Winery in Holts Summit.

R: Meichele loves to tell the story of my insistence on a “real date” despite the fact that we were both nearly broke at that time. Her little Ford Ranger came with a cassette deck and she made a mixed tape for the occasion. I was smitten.

WHAT KEEPS YOU BUSY DURING THE WEEK? M: We both work full-time at MU; Rose in the School of Health

Professions and I in the Office of Advancement. We do yoga three times a week at Yoga Sol. We are also active members at Calvary Episcopal Church and volunteer for Loaves and Fishes. I serve on two civic boards, Columbia Art League and Ragtag Film Society.

M: Our dearest friends describe us as uniquely bold, optimistic, passionate, and bent on being purposeful.

R: I think our shared faith and involvement at Calvary Episcopal Church really keeps us grounded. People pick up on how steady and yet expansive our shared life is.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN COLUMBIA? R: On date night it is Addison’s or Coley’s, where we will share a burger and some bourbon at the bar. Celebrations usually happen over small plates and good wine with friends at Chris McD’s. Sunday morning after church you’ll generally find us at Coffee Zone. And of course, Ernie’s.

M: Kaldi’s is my place for morning business meet and greets and Shakespeare’s is where I go for slices at lunch.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE PROJECT TO WORK ON TOGETHER? M: We’ve renovated two houses (and lived to tell about it). We love the process of making a house our home.

R: I have loved all the time that Meichele and our former neighbor,

Helen Baker, have spent putting together jigsaw masterpieces one piece at a time.

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Living Your Best Life

When you walk through the doors at The Village of Bedford Walk, you walk into a family. A family full of laughter, fun and support. Bedford Walk is a community built to empower and engage active seniors wanting to live life to the fullest. The team prides themselves on taking care of the details so you can have the fun!

Community Manager, Laura Roeder, has had the pleasure of being a part of this family for four years. “My favorite part of the day, and it happens several times day, is to hear laughter rolling up the stairs from lunch, residents teasing each other in the Bistro while playing cards, a large group in the lobby gearing up for our transportation service to take them to a concert or residents telling a funny joke to a team member.�

These are moments that build a family.

Often seniors who move into Bedford Walk begin to feel young again. There is an energy that comes with meeting new friends, trying different activities and having the support from staff available if needed. While moving into a new community and home is never easy, residents and staff bring welcoming arms.

Current residents will stop by a new resident’s home to invite them to lunch,

social hours or just to grab coffee in our Bistro so they can answer questions and help make it feel like home.

The team at Bedford Walk is a wonderful support not only after you move in but during your transition. They are behind the scenes making sure your move is seamless with support from our Move-In Specialist, Karen Hayes, who has floorplans of your new home completed and quality movers lined up. The Concierge Team has arranged for telephone, cable and internet to be available on your move-in day along with the answers to any questions you have. Our Maintenance Technician goes through each home several times to ensure everything is in top shape before you step into your new home for the first time.

Our team starts each day with the notion that every resident who lives with us is family. Every day we make memories, share laughter, explore new ideas and take pride in the community that we would be honored to have our own family live in. On behalf of Laura and the entire team, we thank our residents for making our lives better and we will continue to enable you to live your best life! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your family.

The Village of Bedford Walk was built to empower seniors to remain active.

Community rooms such as our billiards room, fitness room, physical therapy/ occupational therapy, theater and piano lounge were designed to accommodate multiple activities and interest levels. With over 100 activities every month, there is something for everybody.

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AN ECLECTIC CELEBRATION

PERSON YOU SHOULD KNOW

The Missouri Symphony celebrates 50 years of giving back to the community through classical music.

Meet Frances Fujiko Harvey, lead bartender at Barred Owl Butcher and coconspirator of Fujiko Izakaya Pop Ups.

79 WOMEN TAKE TECH State Tech grows their female student population with a new nursing program and existing curriculum.

CLOSER LOOK

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MARCH 2020

As the founder of Memory Strategies, Danielle’s goal is simple: give people the tools they need to remember better. “Memory is a skill just like any other skill, kind of like going to the gym and working out,” she says. “If you don’t have a personal trainer or if you don’t have any idea of what you’re supposed to do and when, you’re not going to get stronger.”

Opened in May 2018, Memory Strategies works with high schoolers preparing for college, students studying for exams, people in pursuit of certifications, and those learning foreign languages.

573-227-2280 MEMORYSTRATEGIES.INFO@GMAIL.COM MEMORYSTRATEGY.COM

The Whitley Co.

Grade A Plus

In 1999, Dr. Janice Dawson-Th reat and her late husband, Reverend Wesley Th reat, knew they had something special on their hands upon starting a ministry of academic support for local children. Years later, Janice is celebrating the ministry, now called Grade A Plus, becoming a nonprofit agency with the Heart of Missouri United Way. Grade A Plus’s mission has remained the same in its long-established existence: “To provide academic support and cultural enrichment” for kids in the community. A 1:1 tutoring ratio, one college student for every elementary, middle, or high school student is prioritized, along with experiences outside the classroom. Grade A Plus participants partake in anything from dance and yoga to concerts and theater visits. “It’s a way to expand their view of the world and get them involved in the larger community and to un-

derstand why their studies are so important for their futures,” Janice says.

Now in 2020, Janice has high hopes for what the future will bring – a larger space to accommodate more participants, improved transportation services, and simply more time to put their mission into practice.

P.O. BOX 30843 573-268-4372 GRADEAPLUSINC.COM

Memory Strategies

After teaching English in Taiwan for two years and stumbling upon a television show about memory champions, Danielle Winton discovered her next step in life. She began researching memory strategies and approximately six months later, she was able to do what the champions could and took it back to work.

As a 6-year-old living in a Floridian community of retirees, Marissa Whitley made friends with the adults in her life. She wanted to lend them a hand because they were always helping her, so as someone who was known to “make sense of chaos and clutter,” Marissa tried her hand at organizing their homes. She’s now turned that bonding experience into an interior design business, The Whitley Co. “My journey really started then,” she says. There were pit stops along the way, influenced by Marissa’s ambitions and nomadic spirit; however, Columbia came calling.

Having been open since January 2017, The Whitley Co. is dedicated to creating spaces tailored completely to the client, whether that’s through incorporating heirlooms or previously-owned pieces. No matter what, Marissa fi nds the key to success is listening.

As she’s fi rmly settled into Columbia and an official office space, Marissa has plans to continue expanding her employee base and to take on more commercial space designs.

816 E. BROADWAY, #202 518-618-9383 THEWHITLEYCOMPANY.COM

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Briefly in the News M ARCH 2020

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MARCH 2020

ED UCATION

CIS Ranks No. 10 Among Missouri Private High Schools Columbia Independent School, or CIS, was ranked tenth on the 2020 list of best private high schools in Missouri, according to Niche, a Pittsburgh-based provider of information on K-12 schools. The other top-ranking Missouri private schools are based in Kansas City and St. Louis. When compiling their annual list, Niche considers a variety of data, including composite ACT/SAT scores, college enrollment rates, student/teacher ratio, culture and diversity, and feedback from parents and students.

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“100% of our students are accepted to four-year colleges. Our average ACT over the past five years is nearly 30. Last year’s graduates averaged $375,000 in scholarships. Those phenomenal outcomes are a result of years of hard work put forth by our teachers, parents, and students.”

- JASON BRICKER, CIS MIDDLE AND UPPER SCHOOL DIRECTOR ART & CULTUR E

Montminy Gallery’s Newest Exhibit Opens Montminy Gallery is proud to present “Breaking Patterns,” a reflection of female artists related to MU School of Visual Studies. “Breaking Patterns” is the start of the gallery’s 2020 lineup of artists.

The show was co-curated by Montminy’s newly appointed gallery director Joy Wilson and Catherine Armbrust, director of the George Caleb Bingham Gallery and adjunct faculty.

EDU CAT IO N

Missouri Credit Union to Award Scholarships Applications are open until March 20 for Missouri Credit Union’s annual scholarship program. To help member families cope with the rising cost of higher education, MCU will award 16 $2,500 scholarships to graduating seniors who are current members of the credit union, or whose parents or guardians are members. Recipients

are selected based on financial need, scholastic achievement, and extracurricular activities. To apply, go to their website: missouricu.org.

NO NPR OFIT

Welcome Home Inc. Receives Grant Welcome Home Inc. is pleased to announce it has received a $10,000 grant from the Boone Electric Community Trust.

These funds will assist with the sheltering and supportive needs of veterans for one year. The Boone Electric Community Trust provides grants through an application and review process. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and public entities may apply for funding six times per year.

BRIEFLY

ED UCATION

Columbia Metro Rotary Presents Funds Four members from the Columbia Metro Rotary club attended a Hallsville School District Board of Education meeting to present their members a $5,000 Rotary District Simplified Grant. These types of grants fund small-scale, short-term activities that address needs in the communities locally. With assistance from Hallsville High School learning specialist Laura Kabrick, a need was identified to assist with technology for their special education students. With these funds, purchases were made for 12 student chromebooks, two desktop computers, and a secured cart to store the chromebooks.

ENTR EPR ENEUR SHIP

Space Shark Studios Launch Kickstarter Space Shark Studios has launched on Kickstarter for fund development and testing of its collaborative VR learning platform, CoLearn VR. CoLearn VR is a platform for teachers and schools where students can learn, play, and collaborate in virtual reality. The Kickstarter campaign will pay for the development of modules on middle school astronomy and high school cellular biology for use in in-class pilot tests, as well as updates to their existing elementary school Metamorphosis module and Farm Field Trip.

HEALTH CAR E

A Five-Star Honor for Boone Hospital Center Boone Hospital Center was named a fivestar hospital by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS. It is the only hospital in Mid-Missouri to receive this top ranking. CMS looked at more than 57 quality care measures, including patient experience and patient safety, to rank the hospitals. The overall hospital rating shows how well each hospital performed, on average, compared to other hospitals in the U.S. The most common overall hospital rating is three stars.

COMMUNITY

New Book Release by Charity Goodwin To be released this month, Pastor Charity Goodwin has written her first book called “Get Up: Unearthing Your Passion and Taking Brave Action in 50 Days.” The book is written for those desiring to discover their personal passion, take action to live on purpose, and stop playing small. The book also includes a short, seven-week, daily devotional reading.

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MARCH 2020

CARRIE MERTENSMEYER

First State Community Bank is proud to welcome Carrie Mertensmeyer to their team as a senior vice president and fi xedrate mortgage lender. Carrie has more than 20 years of banking experience, including owning and operating a local mortgage company and working with several financial institutions.

She is also an active member of Women’s Council of Realtors of Boone County and Cole County, as well as a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Columbia, Ashland, and Jefferson City.

a number of projects, including the new additions at Hallsville Elementary School and the HVAC replacement at the State of Missouri’s Petroleum Octane Laboratory. Toshia Drebes, PE, has joined the transportation department of Klingner & Associates, P.C. as a project engineer. She brings 15 years of design experience developing interchange, signal, lighting, roundabout, roadway, and bridge designs. Toshia was previously a transportation project designer with the Missouri Department of Transportation.

KIM SIEGENTHALER KLINGNER & A S S O C I AT E S , P.C .

Klingner & Associates, P.C. celebrates employee accomplishments and new hires.

Joshua Hartsock has earned his professional engineer, or PE, license from the Missouri Division of Professional Registration. Josh has been a water and wastewater designer with Klingner since 2015.

He also regularly performs a number of testing, inspection, and construction services.

Jack DeCamp has become a registered engineer intern with the Missouri Division of Professional Registration. Jack joined Klingner’s Columbia office after graduating from MU. Since joining the fi rm, Jack has provided mechanical and electrical design assistance on

Director of Mizzou Online at the University of Missouri, Kim Siegenthaler, PhD, has been elected to the Board of Directors for UPCEA, the leading national organization for online, continuing, and professional education.

PAU L A F L E M I N G

Great Circle’s board of directors has unanimously voted to appoint Paula Fleming, PhD, as their president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Paula’s selection comes after an extensive, nationwide search. She brings more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit behavioral health field in progressively responsible roles in family services, along with a doctorate

in educational and counseling psychology. She has been part of the Great Circle family for almost 14 years in a variety of leadership roles, most recently as acting president and CEO.

MERTENSMEYER

SOCKET

Socket is pleased to announce the addition of new members to their team as well as honors for employee of the year and long-term employees. Claire DeSantis joins Socket as marketing coordinator, with responsibilities for creating and distributing marketing materials, including social media, print, and digital advertising. Brittny Goran serves as digital marketing specialist at Socket. In this position, she will create and curate content and strategies to be used across multiple platforms to increase and improve Socket’s web presence.

Russ Mulkey, a business center supervisor, was honored as the 2019 Socketeer of the Year. The award goes to an employee who represents Socket’s core values and beliefs and exemplifies everything there is to being one of Socket’s best employees.

Socket also recognized two long-time employees, Dave Sill and Scott Stratman, for their years of service to the company.

Dave serves as director of information technology and has been with Socket for 23 years.

Scott is the manager of network operations and has worked at Socket for 20 years.

HARTSOCK

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The State of the State Governor Mike Parson delivers an overview of how Missouri is faring.

BY KRCG 13’S KERMIT MILLER

L

ast year, it was all about erasing the stain left by the Eric Greitens administration. This time, it was all about Mike Parson’s record as governor, with a definite eye toward making the case for another term as Missouri’s chief executive.

Parson delivered his annual State of the State address (and state budget message) to lawmakers on January 15 while brimming with confidence. There was much to crow about.

The growth in the economy topped the list.

Parson’s people say unemployment dropped to a historic low of 3.1% in 2019 as the private and public sectors invested more than $5 billion in the Show-Me State. A significant portion of that investment was the $1.5 billion from General Motors to make over its Wentzville assembly plant and the $1 billion from Uncle Sam to develop a new geospatial intelligence center in St. Louis.

“Our workforce efforts have created over 40,000 new jobs since I took office . . . 40,000 new jobs!,” the governor proclaimed to delighted applause from the chamber.

Parson lauded the pro-business climate in Missouri, spurred by falling taxes and receding regulations. He specifically called on lawmakers to push for new tort law reforms that will further protect deep-pocketed companies from lawsuits. And while the governor did not dwell on that, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry hit the issue hard.

“Greedy plaintiffs’ attorneys are fleecing Missouri’s legal system in a way that kills jobs and scares away potential business investment,” chamber president and CEO Daniel Mehan said in a follow-up release. “If we are going to move forward as a state, we have to start by cleaning up our courtrooms and bringing fairness to our legal system.”

Parson also applauded lawmakers’ investment in transportation. Where voters have rejected new taxes for highway construction, the General Assembly last year committed $50 million from general revenue for that purpose. Matched with local money, Parson says that will generate nearly $150 million in new infrastructure investment. And he called on the legislature to commit another $50 million in fiscal year 2021.

In building a case for re-election, Parson was mindful of policy issues. Even as advocates push forward with an effort to get Medicaid expansion on the fall ballot, Parson threw cold water on the idea. He noted Medicaid already accounts for $10 billion in public spending, a third of the total state budget.

“The reality is that expanding this system comes at the cost of other vital services such as education, workforce development, and improving our aging infrastructure,” Parson warned his legislative audience. “So, make no mistake about it . . . the vague proposal they are not explaining or purposely withholding is a massive tax increase that Missourians cannot afford.”

That opened the door for the Democrats, who have been critical of a new system of evaluating Medicaid eligibility adopted last year by the Department of Social Services.

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade ripped Parson for the 100,000 children who have lost subsidized health care benefits under his watch. “The Parson administration, instead of working to fix the problem, will simply declare that no problem exists,” Quade declared.

State Auditor Nicole Galloway, the Democrat designated as the official respondent to Parson, and who likely will oppose him for governor on the November ballot, used the opportunity to unveil a new campaign-style video featuring two women, one from one of the state’s urban areas and one from a rural area, who had lost health care coverage.

“You shouldn’t have to decide between putting food on the table for your family and getting the health care that you need for you or your kids,” Galloway tells a living room gathering in the video. “Governor Parson . . . he caused this problem.”

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"Another politicallycharged issue is the violence in the state’s population centers."

In a news release, Galloway also attacked the Medicaid renewal systems for “creating unnecessary and potentially unlawful bureaucratic barriers.”

Another politically-charged issue is the violence in the state’s population centers. Parson last year committed state resources, including the highway patrol, to local law enforcement needs. He routinely argues that developing stronger communities through education and job creation is the answer to violence. In his speech, the governor said he wanted to “strengthen our laws to target violent criminals.” Most interpreted that to mean tougher penalties for people who use guns to commit crimes, not legislation to take guns off the street.

“Let me be clear . . . I have never wavered in my support for the Second Amendment,” the former sheriff asserted.

“Missourians know that when Missouri children are dying by the dozens from gun violence, Governor Parson can be counted on to call a special legislative session — to create special tax breaks on automobile sales,” Rep. Quade mockingly countered, referring to the special session Parson called in September.

Parson has proposed spending about a million dollars on witness protection programs and more than $50 million for behavior health programs that could help to stem gun violence. Beyond that, the governor proposes to add $10 million for basic aid to public schools and explore ways to increase the pay for Missouri school teachers. He also wants another 2% pay increase for state workers, on top of the 3% raise they received this year.

And Parson wants to put aside $100 million in a cash operating expense fund to give Missouri “greater flexibility and stronger finances.” In a new release, Galloway applauded that, emphasizing it’s something she has called for in past audits.

It is, after all, an election year.

Kermit Miller anchors the 6 and 10 p.m. news for KRCG 13. You can reach Kermit at kmiller@krcg.com

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An Eclectic Celebration The Missouri Symphony celebrates 50 years of giving back to the community through classical music.

BY HANNAH KUECK

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usband and wife Hugo and Lucy Vianello founded The Missouri Symphony Society — which is now known as The Missouri Symphony, or MOSY for short — in 1970. With this year being the nonprofit’s 50-year anniversary, the staff is reflecting on how they have stayed true to the organization’s mission of educating and inspiring Mid-Missouri residents through classical music.

In 2000, the organization brought in the English maestro Kirk Trevor to be the new and permanent conductor for the symphony. Throughout his time as the music director, Kirk has developed the Symphony of Toys, a charity concert in support of Toys for Tots, and has also reinvented the organization’s summer music festival, Hot Summer Nights.

Something for Everybody

Hot Summer Nights features 15 concerts that offer a wide spectrum of musical styles over a 30-day period. These concerts don’t confine themselves to just the Missouri Theatre, the symphony’s home stage. Ten concerts take place in the theatre while the rest are spread throughout the Mid-Missouri community at senior centers, Stephens Lake Park, Shelter Gardens, and even at the Ozarks Amphitheater.

“If you’re interested in movie music, there will be a concert for you. If you want your children to hear a concert, we have family programs,” Kirk says. “That old cliché that ‘there’s something for everybody’ is really true in this sense.”

CELEBRATIONS

Working

1970

Hugo and Lucy Vianello found The Missouri Symphony Society as a nonprofit organization.

2000

The organization hires Kirk Trevor as the permanent music director.

2010

Hot Summer Nights gets cancelled due to financial reasons.

2011

Maestro Kirk Trevor and the community raise over $100,000 to revive Hot Summer Nights.

2017

The Missouri Symphony Society rebrands and drops “society” from the name.

2020

The Missouri Symphony celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Monica Palmer, the director of development, believes that the best art organizations reflect the community. “Hot Summer Nights is our chance to celebrate the eclectic nature of Columbia. We have such a fantastic, diverse community that doesn’t want to be boxed into a specific genre, and Hot Summer Nights gives them everything,” she says.

Hot Summer Nights did have a significant scare in the summer of 2010, when the MOSY board decided it would be financially best for the organization to cancel the festival. “I felt [cancelling] would be the death of the symphony,” Kirk says.

In 2011, Kirk approached the board and asked if he could have Hot Summer Nights if he raised enough money. Within three weeks, Kirk, a group of volunteers, and other members of the community raised over $100,000. “It’s about preserving an art form,” Kirk says of his instinct of wanting to save the festival.

Community Support

The volunteers and supporters in the community are integral to The Missouri Symphony. The organization’s staff consisted of 11 people, but due to the financial scare of 2010, the organization now has an intimate staff of six people along with “The League,” an entire branch of volunteers. Some volunteers might plan their own fundraisers, while others help with financial processes or hand out pamphlets at the concerts. “It’s a group of really fantastic people who come together to support the organization. It’s volunteer work like [this] that helps keep the organization afloat beyond what the staff does,” says office manager Rachael Norden.

The Missouri Symphony staff admires the community and their support. Trent Rash, executive director, explains, “It’s humbling — every time things have almost gone under, it was brought back up by the people.”

The Missouri Symphony is for everyone. And one way they have taken strides towards this new accessibility is by dropping “society” from their name during a rebrand in 2017. “We are an organization for the community,” Rachael says.

Kirk further explains that this elitism that prevents people from enjoying MOSY also stems from the idea that they can listen to the same music at home “without having to listen to errors.” “[The Symphony has] become relevant because it’s an experience,” Kirk says. “You don’t come to concerts anymore — you come to experiences.”

A Golden Celebration

To celebrate a monumental 50 years, The Missouri Symphony has a variety of plans, some including cake and champagne, Rachael explains. The organization will also be hosting the Golden Gala, a new blacktie event during Hot Summer Nights on June 19 that will further celebrate the golden anniversary. “[The gala] will be elegant and lovely. It will have items for raffle that are very high-dollar,” Trent says.

The gala will also premiere a sneak peek into a documentary Peace Frame Productions has been working on in honor of the 50-year celebration. “We’ll celebrate who we are as an organization, and we’ll celebrate the people and the music — hopefully everyone there will feel invested in this organization,” Monica says.

Moving forward, The Missouri Symphony staff is looking forward to continuing to engage the Columbia community — whether that’s through the volunteers or students. “Our mission is to make music to educate and excite, and we hope that it will change them in some way and they’ll pay it forward,” Trent says.

Reaching Accessibility

A common misconception many people have about The Missouri Symphony is that it’s only for the elite. “That’s the farthest thing from what we want to be,” Trent explains. “We want that word to become ‘accessible.’ We’re here for everyone.”

THE MISSOURI SYMPHONY 203 S. NINTH ST. 573-875-0600 THEMOSY.ORG

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Celebrating the Centennial of the 19th Amendment The League of Women Voters salutes 100 years of women’s rights and promoting people’s right to vote.

League of Women Voters

BY JESSICA JAINCHILL

O

n August 18, 1920, after an almost 80-year struggle, the 19th amendment became part of the United States Constitution and women won the right to vote. But years before, on November 16, 1912, the League of Women Voters, or LWV, in Columbia was born, consisting of only 18 members.

Since then, Columbia’s LWV has worked tirelessly to make sure citizens vote and are informed on the issues that affect their rights and government.

Former LWV president and current member Elaine Blodgett says that LWV’s purpose is still to “encourage voters to go out and find out the information for themselves and vote.”

Marilyn McLeod, current LWV president, concurs, adding, “[LWV’s] main purpose is making sure everyone who can vote is registered to vote.”

Th is year, after decades dedicated to this goal, the LWV is celebrating the centennial year of the 19th amendment along with the long-running success of their organization.

LWV’s Past LWV began with a group of tenacious women like Luella St. Clair Moss, who was deemed “a steam engine in petticoats.” In addition to being a Columbia College administrator and the fi rst woman elected to the Columbia Board of Education, Luella was president of Columbia’s LWV from 1925 to 1927.

Presidents like Luella eventually led the LWV into the World War II era. During this time, the Columbia LWV was instrumental in changing the city’s governance structure to a council-manager model.

They also helped to implement modern garbage collection in Columbia.

Working into the 1960s, the LWV influenced issues such as civil rights, state aid to schools, public accommodations, and fair housing. Today, the LWV still works on many of these issues.

Though the group allowed men into its membership starting in the 1970s, their current membership is still dominated by women who are pertinaciously active in their community’s issues. These women may be both mothers and academics, but whatever

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their backgrounds are, each holds the goal of making sure that all citizens are informed and able to participate in elections.

“We register voters [and] provide public forums.

People can make up their own minds. We don’t tell them who to vote for,” Marilyn explains.

After more than 100 years, this core goal still carries on.

Goals and Community

Important Dates: 1912 LWV in Columbia starts with the goal to “form a working organization of those interested in

Since its founding, LWV’s goals have tended to focus on community issues.

“Civil liberties is a big issue,” Marilyn says. “Immigration issues, protection of the environment — those are the kinds of things we’ve worked on.

We try to encourage our elected officials to support our goals.”

In the past and up to the present, LWV’s goals have also focused on other local issues such as recycling, health care for all, and public school funding. These are goals that hit the Columbia citizenry where it counts on both a local and national scale. However, these goals are not explicitly aimed at right-wing or left-wing views; the organization views itself as non-partisan. As Marilyn puts it, “We’re very middle of the road.”

LWV creates its “middle-of-the-road” goals and policies through study and research. After examination and discussion of these studies, a consensus is reached on what LWV’s policies and goals will be.

Though LWV does take specific stands, they believe that their goals and policies are based on unbiased research and conclusions. In the end, their aim is to give people the information and let Columbia voters make up their own minds about community issues.

equal suffrage.”

Celebration

2020

At the 100-year mark of the 19th amendment, LWV is having a year-long celebration comprised of a variety of events. These events include historical displays and programs that focus on commemorating 100 years of women’s suff rage and LWV’s community involvement.

1919 Missouri becomes the 11th state to ratify the 19th amendment.

1925 Luella St. Clair Moss begins serving as first LWV president.

1990 LWV celebrates 70th anniversary of the 19th amendment at Tiger Kensington Ballroom.

2000s LWV participates in the annual Earth Day and sustainability fairs.

LWV celebrates the centennial anniversary of the 19th amendment.

Working

From the top: An LWV regular candidate and ballot issue forum which is held before any contested election; proclamation for the centennial of the Missouri Presidential Suff rage Bill; living past presidents, left to right: Win Colwill, Elaine Blodgett, Kathryn Allen, Lael Von Holt, Marilyn McLeod, Carol Schreiber, Joni O'Connor, Peggy Placier, and Diane Suhler; ref reshments at an LWV centennial event on December 7, 2019.

But what makes this celebration so important? Marilyn explains that it is a time for women to think about “the time when [women] didn’t have a vote and now they have it. That is a key issue — not to take it for granted. It doesn’t hurt to look back at history and think about it. If you were looking at a class, and the class was half men and half women — say it was 1880 — all of the women in this class don’t have the right to vote. They may not have the right to own property, the right to keep their children if they get divorced, [or] the right to serve on a jury. You have to think about the importance of that vote and not take it for granted. Take the time to vote.”

Part of LWV’s goal with their centennial celebration is to show the community who they are and what they stand for.

“Our name is getting out and people are understanding what we’re doing,” Elaine says. “These are interesting

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

times we’re living in. Getting people to understand issues will probably be a little more important in these elections.”

Ultimately, the league would like their celebration to get citizens involved in politics and understanding the affairs of their community.

Elaine explains, “I’ve always wished that everyone [would] understand that everyone can participate in elections, and that’s your way to participate in government because what you vote on and who you vote for will affect people.”

And after over 100 years, LWV is still affecting people in Columbia.

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS P.O. BOX 239 LWVCBC@GMAIL.COM LWVCBC.ORG

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Working

BUSINESS UPDATE

Women Take Tech State Tech grows their female student population with new nursing program and existing curriculum.

BY KRISTIN BLAKE | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE STATE TECHNICAL SCHOOL OF MISSOURI

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S

omebody had to be the fi rst, but Ryli Jetton didn’t know it would be her. In her last semester at the State Technical College of Missouri in the spring of 2019, Ryli was told she would be the fi rst woman to graduate from the HVAC program. While other women had enrolled, all had either dropped the program or didn’t even shown up. “I was focused on my education and where I was going to go, not what my status was,” Ryli says. “I was focused on getting my degree and getting a job and pursuing the rest of my career, but it was a nice surprise.”

An hour drive from Columbia, the technical college is located in Linn and offers programs ranging from heavy equipment operations to computer application development. Enrollment has been traditionally a male majority, but in the past few years, the gender gap has started to shrink. In fall 2009, State Tech’s student population was 10% female; a decade later, it jumped to 20%.

Along with women like Ryli choosing careers in male-dominated fields like HVAC, part of that increase is due to the school’s new programs in female-dominated occupations like nursing — the school’s registered nurse program launched in January 2019.

NURSING PROGRAM EXPANSION Although the RN program launched just over a year ago, it has been in the works since 2017. Linda Claycomb, director of health sciences and department chair of nursing, wrote part of the curriculum and says students had been asking for a program that helped licensed practical nurses, or LPNs, further their education to become registered nurses.

Linda left retirement to help with the new program and says she was happy to do it. “Consumers need the best health care possible as close to them as possible,” she says. “People don't have resources usually to move where they can get health care.”

There’s a need for associate degree nurses in the field, says Chris Bowser, vice president of student affairs. “State Tech does a tremendous job with the LPN program, and they really crank out highly qualified LPNs,” Chris says.

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“It's wonderful to see males and females working side-by-side. We take care of a lot of diverse patients, and we want that diversity represented in our student body.”

— Linda Claycomb

Working

In August 2019, the second class of students — 19 women and one man — started the RN program. “It's wonderful to see males and females working side-by-side,” Linda says. “We take care of a lot of diverse patients, and we want that diversity represented in our student body.”

TAKING ON MALEDOMINATED FIELDS While career paths such as the new RN program are beginning to bridge the school’s gender gap, more women are taking on male-dominated programs at State Tech.

Emily Unterschutz has always liked to work with her hands. As a kid, she’d help her dad with his lawn mowing business and fi x lawn mowers. And when she saw the big price tag of turtle aquariums, Emily decided to make one herself. She looked up articles online and bought some acrylics, sealant, and wood. A bit of hard work later, her pet had a home.

But it wasn’t until she started working at a restaurant during high school and a couple years after that she found the right career. Emily started taking note of the HVAC workers coming in and out of the restaurant to service the refrigerators. Her interest was piqued, and Emily started asking questions and helping them out. These workers recommended she go to school if she wanted to do HVAC work, and in August 2019, Emily started at State Tech.

She knew the HVAC industry was male-dominated, but Emily assumed that out of State Tech’s class size of 50, around eight or nine would be women.

It wasn’t until she showed up for the fi rst day that Emily discovered she was one of two women.

Historically, the HVAC industry has been assumed to be only for men, but that’s just not the case, says Ben Berhorst, department chair for HVAC and industrial electricity. “The word is finally starting to get out that there's just as much opportunity for females as there is males, and they excel at it just in the same way that a man would,” he says.

And the need for hands-on trades is there. “Demand is going through the roof because for some reason, people have gotten away from the ability to use their hands or the want to make a living using

their hands,” Ben says. “So the people that decide to do it can pretty much pick their price.”

CULTURAL SHIFT With one female graduate and another two on the way, Ben says there seems to be a trend of more women entering the field. When it comes to the HVAC service industry, it takes work ethic and communication skills, not much heavy labor, Ben says. “It doesn't matter if you're male or female,” he says. “If you can talk to customers, you're probably going to be alright.”

And HVAC isn’t the only sector with women entering its workforce. Now on staff with admissions, Ryli says State Tech’s welding, automotive, and diesel programs have attracted female students, and it’s becoming a normal occurrence because women have been stepping up to follow their passions.

“In the next few years, we're going to have a lot more women on campus, and not only because we have the health science building and the classes that are bringing more females to campus,” Ryli says. “Last year we had one girl in HVAC and that was me. Th is year, we have two.

So for the future, we're just gonna keep adding and adding and adding.”

Female students compete right alongside their male classmates for these career opportunities, Chris says. “It's becoming more and more commonplace that female students are applying, being accepted, and being successful in all of our academic programs,” he says, “and we think that's phenomenal.”

“There's been such a progressive cultural shift where it's not as weird to see a woman in construction,” Emily says, “especially with all the scholarships and whatnot coming out recently for women in construction.”

Women have a lot of potential to pursue in trades, Ryli says. “Women can do a whole lot of things that men can do,” she says, “and men can do a whole lot of things that women can do.”

STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE OF MISSOURI 1 TECHNOLOGY DR., LINN, MO, 65051 573-897-5000 STATETECHMO.EDU

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Working

PERSON YOU SHOULD KNOW

Frances Fujiko Harvey Lead bartender at Barred Owl Butcher and co-conspirator of Fujiko Izakaya Pop Ups PHOTO BY KEITH BORGMEYER JOB DESCRIPTION

Crafting a delicious cocktail that suits what you want in the moment!

EDUCATION

Bachelor of arts in human development and family science.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

After graduating from MU, I began bartending at Tropical Liqueurs downtown. If you know anything about Columbia, it’s that our community shows up for the football games, and I learned that quickly. There, I learned how to properly work a volume bar.

HOMETOWN

I don’t know if I can really call any one place my hometown.

I was born in California but moved around a lot growing up.

My mom, little sister, and I lived in Tokyo, Japan, for a couple of years with my grandparents, and shortly after that, I moved to Missouri.

YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA

15 years. The longest I have ever stayed in one place! »

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FAVORITE COLUMBIA HANGOUT

If I’m in the mood for a quick meal, I’m heading to Beet Box. Amanda and Ben have figured out exactly what I want on the daily.

The focaccia sandwich with soft scrambled eggs have my heart!

HOW YOU WANT TO IMPACT THE COLUMBIA COMMUNITY

A bartender impacting the community really means creating a fun place to have a drink and bites with friends and loved ones.

A COLUMBIA BARTENDER YOU ADMIRE AND WHY

Margaux Scott! She is a fellow rose and cocktail lover that is behind the bar at Flyover.

"Bartending takes more than just multitasking — we want every guest to have the best experience they can."

WHY YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT BARRED OWL

I’m passionate about Barred Owl because it is passionate about Columbia. The owners care so much about our community that, as cheesy as it sounds, it’s hard for it not to rub off on you. Their commitment to knowing the farmers and using what’s in season all while still creating amazing food is what keeps me happiest about the company I work for!

WHY YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT BARTENDING

THE NEXT CHALLENGE FACING BARTENDING

Simply keeping up. There are so many new spirits being introduced, more styles of bartending every day, and with social media, the information travels so quickly from place to place. I think the biggest challenge is keeping up with what guests want and being able to provide it.

Bartending has created a space for me to make the guest happy. Whether that’s pouring a vodka soda with bitters or a taste of a Spanish malt whiskey that will confuse and elate you at the same time, I get to facilitate a space for people to relax, chill, party, and have a good time.

PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL MOMENT

WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BARTENDING

NEXT PROFESSIONAL GOAL

It’s harder than it looks. Bartending takes more than just multitasking — we want every guest to have the best experience they can.

That can be very hard on a busy Friday night when it seems like I can barely see past the ice I’m scooping into a tin. Regardless, the end goal is that the guest enjoys their time up at the bar with us and enjoys the sips we created for them!

A BARTENDING TREND YOU’RE WATCHING

Some people may not like this answer, but I’m watching the low-ABV [alcohol by volume] trend. I love drinks that I can have more than two of. Seems like every new drink I add to the menu is easy drinking, perfect for multiples, bubbly, and a little bitter.

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I think it would have to be when my mom and sister saw an article on my pop-ups in a local magazine. My little sister said, “You look so confident!” That really resonated with me. I was always the shy one growing up, so hearing that from my sister was really great.

Adding more and more cocktails to the growing list at Barred Owl. I work with an incredibly talented group of people and getting to make drinks with them day in and day out is a lot of fun and very rewarding.

IF YOU WEREN’T BARTENDING FOR A LIVING, YOU WOULD

Travel the U.S., camping all along the way. I mentioned earlier that Missouri is the longest I’ve ever stayed in one place. Well, Missouri also brought the outdoors to the forefront for me. I never camped growing up, but as many of you probably know, floating and camping is a summer way of life around here. And I’m hooked. If I wasn’t behind a bar slinging drinks, I’d probably be driving from place to place looking for the best waterways and campsites.

BIGGEST LESSON LEARNED

The restaurant and bar industry isn’t the worst! I grew up working in a lot of service industry jobs, and if Barred Owl has taught me anything, it’s that if you’re working with a good group of people that work together and get along, the workplace can be a great environment. This is the first place that I truly feel like a part of a team, and it’s a place that does its best to give back to the community and to its employees.

GREATEST STRENGTH

I hope that my co-workers agree with me. I think my greatest strength is multitasking.

I take pride in the fact that I know that every customer gets taken care of in a timely manner. That’s hard to do when you’re trying to pump out drinks as fast as possible, but hopefully everyone feels like they’re being taken care of when they sit down at the bar.

GREATEST WEAKNESS

I’m horrible with names! I’m surprised at how bad I am with them, but I am constantly trying to get better. I promise!

WHAT YOU DO FOR FUN

Camping, yoga, yoga while camping? And kayaking.

WHAT YOU DO TO RELAX

Journaling is a huge thing for me. It sounds silly, but even if it’s just a couple words about how my day went, it makes me feel a little better about how life is going.

FAVORITE COMMUNITY ACTIVITY

Hands down the farmers market! Corrina Smith has helped create an amazing place for our local farmers to show off their harvest while also creating new things for the guests to look forward to every week.

FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT

Watching the crowd grow for the pop-ups has been amazing. I have had such a good time making Japanese food, Japanese inspired cocktails, and watching people enjoy it all. I never would have thought that I would have a following like I do, and it’s been so much fun to watch it grow over time.

A PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL GOAL FOR 2020

Travel more! I also want to do more pop-ups and be inspired more often.

Working Smarter Making Technology Work for You Our customer wanted both a Smartboard and an LED for a conference room. We chose an interactive Smartboard that is touch sensitive, easily edited with a stylus or a finger, displays changes, and allows all edits to be saved on the computer. Both units feature flexible multiple inputs. Our team ran wire behind walls for aesthetics, mounted the LED and Smartboard, set everything up, tested all connections, and trained their personnel.

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The Women of Excellence awards honor remarkable women in Mid-Missouri who have broken glass ceilings, paved their own way, and brought other women along with them. Join us in celebrating the amazing finalists in each of the eight categories.

BY J E NNI FE R T R U E S DA L E PHOTO S BY A NT HO NY J I NS O N

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AWA RD RECIPIENT

Wendy Reinke, PhD Professor, University of Missouri

“A

woman of excellence uses her best qualities to inspire others to be excellent. She sees the opportunity rather than the problem. She is a problem-solver. She has a genuine interest in creating meaningful contributions to her community and society. She brings passion and commitment to her work and family, all the while enjoying life,” says Wendy Reinke, PhD, professor in the College of Education and School Psychology Program at MU. As an educator who primarily mentors graduate students receiving their doctorate degrees in school psychology and who also codirects the Missouri Prevention Science Institute, Wendy certainly brings those traits to the table as she trains and mentors the next generation of education and prevention scientists.

Wendy says much of her work is in supporting teachers with effective classroom management practices to reduce their stress and improve the academic, behavioral, and emotional outcomes of their students.

In 2019, she received a U.S. Department of Education grant for the National Center for Rural School Mental Health. “This grant will allow us to take the work we’re doing here in Boone County in reducing mental health problems among children and youth to the national level in rural schools,” Wendy says.

She also is active with FACE and the Boone County Schools Mental Health Coalition.

Wendy’s big goal in 2020 is to increase her time with children, teachers, and families, an aspect of her work that has increasingly taken a back burner over the years as her administrative duties have increased.

Wendy defines success as “simply leaving the world a better place.”

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2 02 0

EXCELLENCE

in EDUCATION

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Carla London

Suzanne Rothwell

Carla London is the chief equity officer for Columbia Public Schools.

Her job is to bring comprehensive equity training to CPS staff “around the issues that might impede ensuring that all students receive an excellent education and feel welcomed, loved, and valued in their academic setting.” In the past, Carla has worked as a medical social worker, teacher, and building administrator.

Carla was hired by Beulah Ralph, who worked for the school district for 58 years until her retirement in 2005. “She was the most supportive, no-nonsense, go-to-the-mat-for-you leader I have ever known!” Carla recalls. “I feel so honored to be able to continue her dreams and goals.”

In 2020, Carla looks forward to broadening her team’s reach of equity work in the district and to continue to build her training team.

She stays motivated by remembering that, while the work is difficult, “it is so worth it.”

As the vice president of advancement for Columbia College, Suzanne Rothwell oversees fundraising, public relations, and alumni relations for the private college, which boasts more than 30 satellite campuses around the country. She is also credited with forming the college’s diversity, equity, and inclusion committee. Her long list of professional mentors includes Teresa Maledy, Daisy Grossnickle, Karen Miller, Jan Beckett, and Amy Schneider.

The number of people she has mentored is countless. “I make it a point to know what my employees’ goals are for one year, five years, as well as their ultimate career goal, then I try to find opportunities for them that will help them achieve those goals, even if it means leaving my division or the college. Thinking of people’s potential, not just their current job, is a key to effective mentorship,” she says.

“Focusing on lifting others up” is just one reason Suzanne is a woman of excellence.

Chief Equity Officer, Columbia Public Schools

Vice President of Advancement, Columbia College

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AWA RD RECIPIENT

Cindy Whaley Senior Vice President, Business Banking, Central Bank of Boone County

L

eading the team that handles everything related to business banking, as well as managing the relationship managers who are responsible for handling some of the largest customers, is just part of what Cindy Whaley does as senior vice president of business banking for Central Bank of Boone County. Working the switchboard at Central Bank in Jefferson City right out of high school, Cindy put herself through night school at Lincoln University.

“At every step in my career at the bank, someone has been willing to take a chance on me, and in return, I’ve worked as hard as I possibly could to make them proud,” she says.

When the bank launched a new commercial product five years ago, Cindy led her team in getting it up and running and selling it. She has mentored other employees in selling it, and she has been able to make improvements to onboarding the service, which she believes has made a major impact in this new line of business. Cindy has also participated in the bank's formal mentoring program as a mentor several times. She really enjoys it and says mentoring is all about “listening. A simple concept, but one of the hardest things for most people to do.”

Motivated by a good challenge, Cindy says, “I love it when someone says, ‘Well that can’t be done.’ Really, now? Let’s just see about that.” Cindy loves volunteering at the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, and she and her husband have had season tickets to MU football games for nearly 30 years.

In 2020, Cindy hopes to take the plunge and work for an industry designation she’s been thinking about for a few years. Cindy says she is humbled to be considered a woman of excellence when there are so many great women leaders in our community. She credits her success to “hard work and dedication.”

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EXCELLENCE

in FINANCE

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Sarah Elizabeth Dubbert Executive Vice President and Commercial Banking Division Manager for Central and Southeast Missouri, Commerce Bank

As vice president and commercial banking division manager for Central and Southeast Missouri for Commerce Bank, Sarah Elizabeth Dubbert works with the best bankers in the region to bring innovative banking solutions to their clients, who are business owners.

The former math teacher is proud of recently championing an effort to improve upon business loan approval and documentation processes that resulted in being able to provide a same-day response and closing and funding the account within 48 hours.

The wife and mother of two says her professional motivation is the same as her personal one: “I want to instill confidence in others, help them determine realistic and achievable goals, and then help develop a plan to get them there. Seeing that play out successfully is what motivates me every day.”

To “live your priorities, speak the truth, and lift others up at every turn” is how she defines being a woman of excellence.

Mindy McCubbin

Director of Equity Investments at Shelter Insurance; Owner and Founder of Truman Wealth Advisors Mindy McCubbin is the director of equity investments at Shelter Insurance. She is also the owner and founder of Truman Wealth Advisors, a boutique wealth advisory firm.

Mindy recently completed 18 months of coursework to receive her chartered financial consultant designation, and she helped start COMO W.I.N.E. (Women’s Investment Network for Entrepreneurs), focused on breaking down gender barriers surrounding angel investing.

“My passion in my professional life is to inspire women to compound both their money and their knowledge about their money. I love working one-on-one with clients to help them chart a path to financial freedom and success,” Mindy says.

For Mindy, being a woman of excellence “means being strong and vulnerable at the same time. It means expecting even more of yourself than others do. It is having the persistence to keep going even when you really want to quit. It means falling down seven times and getting up eight.”

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AWA RD RECIPIENT

Verna LaBoy Health Educator, Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Senior Services

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health educator for Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Senior Services, Verna LaBoy has called Columbia home for 30 years. She leads the Live Well by Faith initiative, which addresses health disparities, particularly diabetes and hypertension, in Boone County’s African American communities through their places of worship. The initiative has received both state and national accolades.

Verna was a founding member of the Worley Street Roundtable and has served on the boards of Love INC, FACE, and the Community Foundation of Central Missouri.

Serving on the boards of organizations she feels are making a difference in people’s lives is Verna’s favorite volunteer activity. Verna says she has mentored hundreds of women over the years and is currently mentoring several, which for Verna entails being “a trusted advisor who provides emotional support, accountability, assistance in setting and meeting goals, and who shares motivation and encouragement along the life journey and career path.”

Verna says she is motivated by her “faith in action! It is lived out in my daily decisions.

Making a positive difference in the lives of others. Coaching others into positive life transformations.”

Her big goal for 2020 is increasing her self-care with exercise, healthy eating, more sleep, savoring quiet time — possibly while bird watching at Eagle Bluff — and saying no to more activities and yes to herself.

“I have learned to appreciate the fact that life is both precious and painful,” Verna says.

“I love my life. I am grateful. [A woman of excellence] does life with integrity, character, and honesty, and she is peaceful, passionate, giving, and grateful.”

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EXCELLENCE

in HEALTH CARE

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Jen Wheeler

Dr. Arminta Phelps

Being president and co-founder of Big Tree Medical Home is Jen Wheeler’s second big success after founding City of Refuge in 2010.

Noticing a gap in affordable health care options available to the uninsured prompted Jen and her husband to open Big Tree to provide an option that allowed patients in need to be seen by their primary care doctors the same day, regardless of their insurance status.

In November 2019, the clinic saw its 3,000th patient. Defining success as “making others feel loved and valued,” Jen’s big 2020 goal is to double the number of patients they serve in the year ahead.

Celebrating milestones with her staff keeps her motivated, as do the patients. “I want to be a blessing to them, so I need to do my job really well and think of new ideas in order to be a blessing to as many people as possible,” Jen says.

“I believe the truest desire of the human spirit is to help others. If you want to be happy, do something for someone else,” says Dr. Arminta Phelps, the founding chiropractor at Achieve Balance Chiropractic.

“I lead an amazing team that takes care of Columbia’s spines. We lead the people we serve toward a holistic wellness lifestyle while providing hope and inspiration along the way,” she says.

In addition to her work, Arminta also makes time to be a mentor, especially to those on her team who want to become chiropractors. Being named the recipient of the 2019 Sherman Brown Jr. Award as part of the Missourian Progress Awards is Arminta’s proudest professional accomplishment.

“I believe being a woman of excellence is a character trait: Be the best version of myself every day, stand up for what I believe in, and inspire others around me to do the same.”

President and Co-founder, Big Tree Medical Home

Founder and Chiropractor, Achieve Balance Chiropractic

COMOMAG.COM

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Heather Hargrove General Manager, Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center

A

s general manager of Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center, Heather Hargrove’s job is all about people. “Whether we are talking about our team or our guests, it is my overall responsibility to ensure that all are happy,” to say nothing of overseeing the day-to-day operations of the hotel.

Heather says stepping out of her comfort zone by becoming general manager in 2010 is her proudest professional accomplishment because she was scared she couldn’t do it, but more scared of not growing and remaining stagnant.

Mentoring others seems to be a natural part of the job that Heather embraces. “There is no better feeling than watching, guiding, and advising a young woman who is growing personally and professionally as they’re just beginning their careers in the hotel industry,” Heather says.

Her big goal in 2020 is to invest more one-on–one time with her managers to answer “What is their why? What is your most important thing?” She says that will make everyone better by creating a system of accountability.

Doing a good job in her responsibilities each day keeps Heather motivated, citing that being passionate and invested is what it means to be a woman of excellence, “otherwise, why are you doing it?”

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EXCELLENCE

in HOSPITALIT Y

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Melina Loggia

Marketing Manager, FPC-Live (The Blue Note and Rose Music Hall) “Being a woman of excellence means to work hard at the things you’re passionate about and to work toward continually bettering yourself and your community,” says Melina Loggia, the marketing manager for FPC-Live, where she handles all the marketing for The Blue Note and Rose Music Hall. She and her team coordinated Fortune Fest at Logboat Brewing Co. in August 2019, which celebrates entrepreneurs who are making a difference in Columbia.

She is a supporter of YAAL Rock, an organization that empowers girls and transgender youth to participate in the live music industry. Melina’s passion for live music is readily apparent — she calls it “magic” and says it possesses the power to uplift people and unite them. She says she has revamped her internship program to allow her to mentor interns more.

Melina’s biggest goal for 2020 is to finish her law degree from St. Louis University, where she’s been attending part-time for a few years.

Kimberly Perry

Owner, Ms. Kim’s Fish and Chicken Shack “Family. If you’ve got family, you’re successful,” says Kimberly Perry, founder and owner of Ms. Kim’s Fish and Chicken Shack. This mother and grandmother has lots of family in her customers and employees after 15 years in business. “I have a lot of employees that call me mom,” she says. She employs many previously incarcerated people or those who’ve had a rough start in life and makes an intentional effort to help them identify something positive in their lives every day.

In 2020, Kimberly wants to take the restaurant to a new level by adding vegetarian or vegan options and by possibly opening additional locations. As far as being a Woman of Excellence, Kimberly says, “I don’t define myself as excellent or a woman of excellence because I’m still wanting to be better — I’m not there yet.”

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AWA RD RECIPIENT

Brooke Sydenstricker McCarty Broker Owner, Weichert, Realtors - First Tier

W

eichert, Realtors is a national franchise, yet Brooke Sydenstricker McCarty is the only female owner of the frequently No. 1 franchise location in the country. She also owns McCarty Property Investments with her husband; they own and manage more than 80 residential properties in Columbia.

Brooke has three children and is very involved with activities at their schools, having started an outreach committee to help others, as well as a holiday gift drive for about 10 school families in need each year, a supply closet for teachers who would otherwise have to buy classroom supplies on their own dime, and a program for collecting outgrown school spirit wear that can be passed down to other students.

“My last professional goal has been a very hard one to measure, but it is to have better work-life balance. It is to actually put my children’s needs in front of my work needs.

I have tried to be more a mom and less of a Realtor,” Brooke says. “If we don’t have good work-life balance, we are not doing our family or our clients justice.”

Brooke’s big goal for 2020 is to become more of a minimalist. “I want to buy less and hold on to less,” she says. “I want more experiences and less stuff. I am already working on this by trying to buy experiences for my children’s birthdays and Christmas. I want our life to be more about the moments and less about things.”

Making her family proud and building a successful business with her husband that their children may someday want to be a part of keeps her motivated. Part of making her family proud includes being a woman of excellence who is “always trying to put your best foot forward and lead by example even when no one is watching.”

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EXCELLENCE

in REAL ESTATE

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Megan Meier-Walters

Salesperson, Homes By Megan, House of Brokers Realty Inc. “Success is a choice — it is an attitude, not a medal by your desk,” says Megan Meier-Walters. The Columbia native is a top salesperson and agent at Homes by Megan under House of Brokers Realty. She describes herself as a real estate matchmaker, helping clients find the perfect homes to buy or buyers to sell to. She started Homes by Megan right out of college in 2016.

She and her husband, Jesse, also own Camacho Coffee, which gives 10% of their profit to nonprofits.

For Megan, helping others is a way of life. “For me, my ‘job’ is so much more than what I wake up and get dressed to do every day. It is a true passion of being able to help others in life,” she says.

She enjoys volunteering with For Columbia and mentoring other women who want to open their own businesses, which for Megan is all part of being a woman of excellence: “It’s a woman who not only puts the time and energy into her own business, but also puts that same time and energy into helping other women do the same.”

Rachael Jones

CEO, Iron Gate Real Estate Rachael Jones is the CEO of Iron Gate Real Estate, which celebrated its one-year anniversary in January.

Other than the broker/owner, the entire staff is female, which Rachael says was not intentional. “I hope other women will see that it is possible to be a CEO, achieve career success, and be an engaged mom,” she says. “Of course, it’s hard, but the good things in life usually are.”

She looks up to many mentors in the community, but especially Maureen Dalton of Monarch Title Co., who “truly embodies everything I want to be and accomplish. She owns a thriving company that has consistently seen growth through planning, passion, and perseverance.”

Rachael’s 2020 goal is to roll out Iron Gate’s corporate giving program, IGgives.

“I am motivated most by helping others reach their definition of career success. It’s never easy, as every person is different. But if you share your goals with me and ask for my help — your dreams become mine,” Rachael says.

COMOMAG.COM

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AWA RD RECIPIENT

Marjorie A. Graf President, Graf & Sons Inc.

H

aving been born in 1933 in the midst of the Great Depression on a farm in Illinois as one of six children, Marjorie Graf remembers outdoor plumbing, farming with horses, pumping water by hand, and WWII. She has lived in Mexico, Missouri, for more than 65 years, where she worked at Mexico Refractories — which later became Kaiser Refractories — in customer service, accounting, and purchasing. She left her position there to work at Graf & Sons, an outdoor retailer that her husband and fatherin-law started, of which she is now president.

Her late husband, Bob, introduced her to trap shooting and hunting. She began participating in Amateur Trapshooting Association competitive shooting around 1981, when she was nearly 50. She has a remarkable track record in hunting moose, elk, deer, turkey, and geese. She and Bob were both licensed private pilots who flew their Cessna to Canada to hunt.

“I always like to be helpful to anyone in any aspect,” Marjorie says about mentoring others. Carrying on the family business in her husband’s absence, Marjorie is proud to have kept the business profitable even through lean years.

She credits her parents and upbringing for molding her into a woman of excellence: “I’m fortunate. I was taught by my parents that work is necessary to survive. Always do your best!”

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EXCELLENCE

in RETAIL

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Nicole Morris

Sara El-Toumi

“For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to have my own gift shop because of my love for small shops, unique gifts, and people,” says Nicole Morris, owner and founder of The Tin Roof Monogram & Gift, where she recently tripled her customer base.

Between Nicole and her husband, Jamie, their blended family has seven children. Making her children proud of the business she has worked so hard to create keeps her motivated toward her goal of making her shop a must-visit destination in Columbia.

For Nicole, “A woman of excellence is a continuously growing woman.

A woman who not only advises and supports other women, but who can also easily and openly receive the support and advice from other women. A woman of excellence is not only dependable, honest, and hardworking, but she is positive and vulnerable, allowing her true nature to be seen.”

Growing professional stylists to a new career level through ongoing education in technical skills as well as social and emotional skills is what Sara El-Toumi does as owner of Salon Nefisa.

For Sara, mentoring others means “I am privileged enough to share some of my own experience and walk along with them as they reap the rewards of their own hard work.

To celebrate the wins and help them to look at the roadblocks. Hopefully they feel empowered enough to make choices that feel right for them.”

Through all of her professional successes, which will include opening a second salon location in March, Sara defines success as a feeling more than anything else: feeling confident without being cocky, not feeling the need to control every situation, feeling like you can celebrate the successes of others, and feeling that the rewards of success are genuinely deserved.

Owner and Founder, The Tin Roof Monogram & Gift

Owner, Salon Nefisa

COMOMAG.COM

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AWA RD RECIPIENT

Karen M. Miller Retired District One Commissioner, Boone County Government

K

aren Miller needs little introduction.

The successful restaurateur left her business and went into politics because she believed she could make a difference for the citizens of Boone County.

The retired District One county commissioner served from 1993 to 2017. The last goal she accomplished as commissioner was overseeing the building of the new Boone County 911 Center. “Boone County citizens and our guests can be assured that with the technology, leadership, and staff training, they will receive the help they need in the case of an emergency,” Karen says.

While commissioner, Karen was elected president of the National Association of Counties and served in this role in 2003 and 2004. It is her proudest professional accomplishment, of which she says, “To be able to work on behalf of the needs of counties at the local, state, and federal level was very rewarding.”

Karen says mentoring is an honor and a huge responsibility. “I find the women I have mentored over the last few years struggle with focusing on what they want to accomplish both personally and professionally. Some have been high achievers involved in many things, sometimes to their detriment. Others are not sure where to engage, which path makes the most sense. I have a protocol I follow helping them to focus based on the Jack Canfield book ‘The Power of Focus,’” she says.

Karen says being a woman of excellence means staying involved in the community in retirement and hosting her signature Parties With a Purpose to help integrate young professionals with those who have been involved for many years to share their ideas.

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PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE HONORABLE MENTIONS

Vicki Kemna

Kerri M. Roberts

When Vicki Kemna started at Boone Electric Cooperative as a college intern 27 years ago, she probably could not imagine staying at the company her whole life and rising to her current role as assistant general manager, which she likens to being a COO. “Mentoring to me is all about listening, asking questions, and coaching — in that order,” says Vicki, noting that two women at BEC have recently moved into leadership roles. “Utilities are typically a male-oriented industry, so it’s been exciting and rewarding to me to watch them grow and develop into their supervisory roles.”

Vicki is passionate about the Buddy Pack program of The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri, and enjoys listening to live music at Rose Music Hall in the summer.

Vicki says she is extremely flattered to be nominated as a woman of excellence, and sums her idea of success quite simply: “I’m successful when the people around me are happy, healthy, and successful themselves.”

Kerri Roberts is the chief operating officer of TIG Advisors, where she oversees sales, human resources, marketing, service, and support. She is proud to say she also has worked at Boone Hospital Center, Veterans United Home Loans, and MidwayUSA. She is most proud of her involvement with the Missouri Quality Award and Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award while at MidwayUSA, saying, “That was huge and made a very large impact on the professional I am today.”

She; her husband, Terry; and their young son have been very active with Welcome Home, a nonprofit addressing veteran homelessness.

After a breast cancer scare in 2019, Kerri’s 2020 goal is to make it through the year with a clean bill of health by exercising, eating well, and getting plenty of rest.

“I work hard, I love hard, and I’m serious about my integrity and my faith. To be considered a woman of excellence is what I strive for and dream to be,” she says.

Assistant General Manager, Boone Electric Cooperative

Chief Operating Officer, TIG Advisors

COMOMAG.COM

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AWA RD RECIPIENT

Carrie Gartner Executive Director, The Loop

A

s executive director of The Loop community improvement district, Carrie Gartner is tasked with overseeing the revitalization of the Business Loop. “I do place-based economic development, which means I focus on a wide range of activities designed to enhance the vitality of The Loop. One day it’s building a pop-up park, the next it’s advocating for more crosswalks, and the day after that it’s meeting with a local startup business,” she says.

The Loop recently was named one of five Etsy Maker Cities in the nation, which followed the receipt of a small-scale manufacturing grant that only five other communities in the nation received. “It’s not just about the national recognition for our efforts — it means we’re now able to actively identify and support local makers and producers as a way to enhance the economic vitality of the Business Loop,” Carrie says.

Carrie was a girl scout, which she says taught her to leave a place better than you found it, and knowing that Columbia will be a little better because of her time here keeps her motivated. She believes that if you can change a street, you can change the world.

She’s done it before. Previously, as director of The District, she championed the removal of the awnings on Broadway, which opened the door for the historic renovation of the street, which Carrie says is her proudest professional accomplishment.

One big goal she has for 2020 is to get a shared commercial kitchen open at Mizzou North, which she says will be a game-changer for small food production businesses.

For Carrie, being a woman of excellence means “keeping your eye on the ball, following through on your commitments, and setting goals just beyond what you think you can accomplish.”

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EXCELLENCE

in PUBLIC SERVICE HONORABLE MENTIONS

Caritas Habimana

Jessie Yankee

“Being a woman of excellence is to be a mother of the land, to make sure you don’t raise your own children, but the whole village, and to make the world a better place,” says Caritas Habimana.

A survivor of the Rwandan genocide, Caritas has devoted her life to being an advocate for African refugees in Columbia. She speaks six languages, is a deaconess at Christian Fellowship Church, and works at both MU and Help at Home.

She assists refugees by driving them to appointments, helping them understand the public school and health systems, and navigating the resources that are available to them from organizations like Love INC, Granny’s House, and City of Refuge.

“The seed I planted is growing big. They [the refugees] are good citizens. They are my helpers as well.

We are one,” she says. God is with us.

So much can be done if we put our heart into it.”

Building, and eventually selling, her business, EasyPC, gave Jessie Yankee the insight she needed to become director of the Missouri Women’s Business Center, a program of Central Missouri Community Action, providing business startup and expansion assistance to women entrepreneurs with a focus on those who are economically or socially disadvantaged, including incarcerated women. With her guidance, the MoWBC recently completed its first full year of ASPIRE MO, a 20-week entrepreneurship program inside the women’s correctional facility in Vandalia.

Jessie’s goal for 2020 is to open a business counseling center in the Parkade area to provide accessible services to residents near the Business Loop, because for Jessie, success comes from helping others succeed. “Success, to me, is when someone I have helped succeeds,” she says. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cried over a client finally closing on a startup loan, or opening the door of their business, or landing that first big client.”

Interpreter and Advocate for the Refugee Community

Director, Missouri Women’s Business Center

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Discover all things COMO. April 2, 2020 | 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. | The Crossing

Showcase Schedule 10:45 a.m. Ribbon Cutting 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Speaker Seminar 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch & Networking 1:00 p.m. – 2 p.m. Breakout Session

Presenting sponsor:

Join us for our first-ever Showcase speaker, John Livesay, who will cover how to embrace disruption, how to develop a great elevator pitch, and how to use storytelling as a sales tool. John has spoken in front of mega-companies such as Coca-Cola and Coldwell Banker. Following his lecture, John will lead a breakout session focused on applying these skills to every industry and position.

Showcase speaker and breakout session sponsored by

Engaging Business

for Community Excellence

Grow yourself at Showcase CoMo. For more information and registration contact whitney@columbiamochamber.com

Behavioral Health Treatment for Children. Adolescents. Adults and Senior Adults

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COMOMAG.COM

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It takes more than luck to sell your home.

It takes a Select team. all your residential sales and listing needs.

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MARCH 2020

ALISSA GERKE 573-489-6866 alissagerke@gmail.com

ROZ HAKIMI 573-424-6425 rozhakimi@gmail.com

ASHLEIGH STUNDEBECK 573-268-1001 ashleigh.stundebeck@gmail.com

There is nothing I want more in this life than to help people understand their full, beautiful potential!

- Dr. Arminta Phelps DC, CCWP

Life

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COMOMAG.COM

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If you’re making time for these activities...

March

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You should also be making time to prepare for the future.

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MARCH 7

Missouri Beer Festival Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center 1 to 4 p.m.

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This is a Trust Representative Office.

MAR C H 1

MAR C H 1 -2 2

Joey DeFrancesco Trio + Etienne Charles Creole Soul

“Breaking Patterns” Exhibit

The Blue Note

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

6 p.m., $20-30

Wednesday - Saturday

Montminy Gallery

Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday

2020 MAR C H 5 - 8

MA RCH 14-1 5

True/False Film Fest

“Pirates of Penzance”

Downtown Columbia

Missouri Theatre

Truefalse.org

2 p.m. or 7:30 p.m., $7

MAR C H 6

Spring Book Sale

First Friday

Regional Library

Daniel Boone

North Village Arts District

9 a.m. Saturday,

6 to 9 p.m.

1 p.m. Sunday

MAR C H 7

MA RCH 16

2020 Victory Games

Rhythm of the Dance

CrossFit Aggregate 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., $130/team

Mizzou vs. Alabama Mizzou Arena 1:30 p.m.

MAR C H 1 2

Jesse Auditorium 7 p.m.

MA RCH 19

Women’s Network Luncheon

Columbia College Career Fair

Peachtree Catering

Southwell Gym

Comedian Ron White

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

MAR C H 1 3

True North Gala

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Jesse Auditorium 8 p.m.

Kimball Ballroom

MA RCH 2 8

6 p.m.

Jamie Younkin Quartet

Opening of “Art in Bloom” MU Museum of Art and Archaeology

Missouri United Methodist Church 7 p.m.

7 to 9 p.m.

Jason Aldean Mizzou Arena 7:30 p.m.

Jenny Hayes

MA RCH 2 9

Polly Reynolds

Comedian Ryan Niemiller The Blue Note

MAR C H 1 3-1 4

7 p.m.

Mid-Missouri Home Show

MA RCH 31

Plaza Event Center at Parkade

Gordon Lightfoot

4 to 8 p.m. Friday,

Missouri Theatre

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday

8 p.m., $36-66

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ADV ERTISER INDEX A-1 RENTAL..............................................................................................................................................42 ACCOUNTING PLUS......................................................................................................................... 115 ACHIEVE BALANCE.........................................................................................................................109 ANNE TUCKLEY HOME....................................................................................................................41 ANTHONY JINSON PHOTOGRAPHY....................................................................................... 12 ATHLETICO PHYSICAL THERAPY.............................................................................................26 ATKINS, INC............................................................................................................................................... 11 BAUMGARTNER’S FURNITURE & CARPET........................................................................36 BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES....................................................................... 53 BLOWOUT FANATIC..........................................................................................................................87 BOONE COUNTY LUMBER COMPANY.................................................................................54 BOONE HOSPITAL...............................................................................................................................16 BROCKMEIER FINANCIAL SERVICES....................................................................................68 CARSON & COIL....................................................................................................................................70 CENTERPOINTE HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT........................................................................107 CENTRAL MISSOURI AUTO BODY...........................................................................................68 CHERRY HILL DENTAL.............................................................................................................. 4 & 5 COLUMBIA ART LEAGUE............................................................................................................... 53 COLUMBIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE............................................................................106 COLUMBIA MARKETING GROUP............................................................................................. 73 COMO WELLNESS CONFERENCE..........................................................................................86 CONVERGENCE FINANCIAL...........................................................................................................2 CUSTOM COMPLETE AUTOMOTIVE....................................................................................... 33 D & M SOUND........................................................................................................................................85 DAVE GRIGGS FLOORING AMERICA..................................................................................... 32 DIAMOND SHINE CLEANING...................................................................................................... 53 EVANS & DIXON, LLC........................................................................................................................62 FOCUS ON HEALTH.........................................................................................................................108 HAAS ACCOUNTING..........................................................................................................................72 HAWTHORN BANK........................................................................................................................... 116 HEART OF MISSOURI CASA.........................................................................................................58 JOE MACHENS DEALERSHIPS............................................................................................ 6 & 7 JOE MACHENS FORD/LINCOLN..................................................................................................3 KNORR MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS.........................................................................87 LANDMARK BANK..............................................................................................................................86 MACADOODLES..................................................................................................................................70 MEDIACOM..............................................................................................................................................14 MISSOURI RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION..............................................................................10 MY SISTER’S CIRCUS......................................................................................................................... 22 NATHAN JONES LAW....................................................................................................................... 22 NAUGHT NAUGHT INSURANCE AGENCY..........................................................................70 NEXTHOME PARADIGM.................................................................................................................68 OPTIMIZED CFO & CONTROLLER SERVICES, LLC........................................................85 ORGANIZE THAT SPACE...............................................................................................................109 PARKS AMUSEMENTS (LEVEL UP).........................................................................................82 PROVIDENCE BANK.........................................................................................................................58 SECURE DATA TECHNOLOGIES..........................................................................................8 & 9 SELECT REALTY GROUP - ALISSA GERKE........................................................................108 SHELTER INSURANCE AGENTS.................................................................................................34 SKY ZONE...............................................................................................................................................107 SKYLARK BOOKSHOP....................................................................................................................... 15 SOCKET..................................................................................................................................................... 64 SPA SHIKI................................................................................................................................................. 113 STANGE LAW FIRM........................................................................................................................... 112 STATE FARM - PHYLLIS NICHOLS............................................................................................26 SUPERIOR GARDEN CENTER/ROST LANDSCAPE........................................... 33 & 40 THE BROADWAY HOTEL............................................................................................................... 112 THE TINT GUYS.....................................................................................................................................38 THE TRUST COMPANY......................................................................................................... 110 & 111 THE VILLAGE OF BEDFORD WALK.........................................................................................61 TLC MORTGAGE................................................................................................................................... 37 TRACY AREY REAL ESTATE................................................................................................34 & 39 TRUE FALSE FILM FEST..................................................................................................................20 TRUE NORTH...........................................................................................................................................18 WILLIAMS & ASSOCIATES EYECARE......................................................................................24 WILSON’S FITNESS............................................................................................................................24 WOMEN’S WELLNESS CENTER................................................................................................78

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6. I really love soups and eat them year-round. I can tell you which restaurant has the best champagne mushroom, black bean, or other special soup.

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Traditional

City

Country

Save

Spend

Summer

Winter

Business

5. My family loves to play games, mostly charades or other interactive games.

Chrome

Certain

Optimistic

4. My favorite vacations always include an ocean!

Michael BublĂŠ

Skeptical

Ocean

3. I actually love the suburbs!

Netflix

Planner

Car

2. My friends tease me about sending them late night emails.

Night Owl

Improviser

Take Out

1. I keep the big picture in mind, but really focus on details.

Print

Vanilla

Cat

Retired director of organizational development, MU Extension

Big-Picture

Chocolate

Modern

Julie Middleton, PhD

PC

Dog Sit Down Plane Mountains Realistic Casual

Solo

Team

For Here

To Go

Enneagram Books

StrengthFinders Magazines

Reading

Writing

Creative

Analytical

Introvert

Extrovert

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300 St. James St., Suite 103 Columbia, MO 65201