Columbia Home Magazine - June/July 2015

Meet Mary Ropp + The perfect summer pasta salad to pair with your meal! the katy trail Who’s walking, running and riding by Page 44

backyard bash Tips for your summer get-togethers

Life after the Last Call

Page 50

heading to the pool We’ve got you covered Page 41

Leigh Britt’s story Page 57

step-by-step guide inside june/july 2015

Got Beef ?

The secrets to the ultimate burger have been unlocked Page 34

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14 | june/july 201 5

EDITOR’s note E d i to ri al Audrey Sharp, Editor Audrey@BusinessTimesCompany.com Katrina Tauchen, Copy Editor Katrina@BusinessTimesCompany.com Angie Huhman, Health and Wellness Editor

W We Love Summer

Why summer is my favorite season:

1.When I was in school, I always looked forward to summer because it meant being able to be outside, play in the water and hang out with friends at the pool. Also, lots of popsicles.

2. Summer meant vacation. My family and I still go down to Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, for a week, and there’s just nothing quite like it. It’s a time to relax, reflect and regenerate. My dad seems to be the one who enjoys it the most. He wakes up early, works out, packs up the cooler with Triscuits and Coors, heads down to the beach, plants the umbrella and chair in the sand and doesn’t leave until after the sun goes down.

3. Barbecues! I am a foodie. I’ll eat anything except cucumbers and blue cheese. A perfect summer evening includes backyard games, delicious food and even better company.

For this June/July issue, we wanted to focus on the things that make us happy: food and entertainment. Inside the covers of this issue, we’ve stocked it full of recipes, party ideas, skin care tips and more.

Keith and I worked diligently on this issue to make it one you can pick up and read over and over this summer. We put together some fun Fourth of July party ideas, including backyard games, a hot-dog station, ice-cream bar and more! Tear out some of the recipes, and try them at home. Erica Pefferman, president of the Business Times Co., and her husband, Brad, share their delicious meal of burgers and pasta salad. I speak firsthand when I say it’s absolutely amazing!

I always try to think of the best way to balance our stories in each issue. We typically have a few that are a bit more lighthearted and fun, along with one that takes a little more thought and deep reading. A few months back, I was talking to a contributing writer about women in our community who have stories to tell. She listed off many names, but when she said the name Leigh Britt, I knew we’d found our next story. Leigh is the widow of Lt. Bruce Britt, the Columbia firefighter who died tragically in a building collapse in February 2014. I took this story upon myself, and it was the most difficult story I’ve ever written. Leigh is an amazing woman who volunteers a lot of her time to various organizations, works full time for the City of Columbia and is raising their daughter, Stormy.

We had a wonderful interview that I’ve listened to countless times. This story is emotional, and I hope you’ll take some time to read it on page 57. I want to thank Leigh for opening up to me, telling her story and being willing to have it published in Columbia Home.

I hope you all have a wonderful summer with family and friends. Sun tan (safely!), eat lots of delicious food, have people over, sit around a bonfire, roast marshmallows, go on an adventure, explore Columbia and be thankful we live in a place with four seasons (most years)!

Next up, football season.

Cheers!

Meet Mary Ropp + The perfect summer pasta salad to pair with your meal!

THE KATY TRAIL Who’s walking, running and riding by Page 44

BACKYARD BASH Tips for your summer get-togethers

-A

LIFE after the LAST CALL

Page 50

HEADING TO THE POOL We’ve got you covered Page 41

LEIGH BRITT’S STORY Page 57

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE INSIDE JUNE/JULY 2015

Got Beef ?

The secrets to the ultimate burger have been unlocked Page 34

on the cover The delicious-looking burgers on the cover were cooked to perfection, staged and photographed by our very own Keith Borgmeyer.

He put together a set at his house to make this summer staple look as iconic as possible.

DESIGN Keith Borgmeyer, Editorial Designer Keith@BusinessTimesCompany.com Cre at i v e Servi c es Gillian Tracey, Graphic Designer Gillian@BusinessTimesCompany.com Kate Morrow, Graphic Designer Kate@BusinessTimesCompany.com M A R KETING R EP RESENTATIVES Deb Valvo, Director of Sales Deb@BusinessTimesCompany.com Crystal Richardson, Marketing Consultant Crystal@BusinessTimesCompany.com Tami Turner, Marketing Consultant Tami@BusinessTimesCompany.com Nicole Heislen, Marketing Consultant Nicole@BusinessTimesCompany.com M ANAGEMENT Erica Pefferman, President Erica@BusinessTimesCompany.com Renea Sapp, VP of Finance ReneaS@BusinessTimesCompany.com Amy Ferrari, Operations Manager Amy@BusinessTimesCompany.com CONT R I B U TIN G P HOTO GRAP HE RS Keith Borgmeyer, Casey Buckman, Angelique Hunter, Anthony Jinson, David Owens, Ben Meldrum, Sally Turner Co n t r i but i n g Illus trato rs Tifani Carter, Gillian Tracey CONT R I B U TING WRITE RS Sarah Berger, Beth Bramstedt, Alex George, Brandon Gerau, Nellie Symm Gruender, Shaun Henry, Tim Lehmann, Cale Kliethermes, Jill Orr, Brad Pefferman, Erica Pefferman, Monica Pitts, Torie Ross, Aaron Saeler, Audrey Sharp, Carolyn Sullivan, Michele Towns, Taylor Wanbaugh i n t erns Sarah Bergher, Ben Meldrum, Alisiana Peters, Torie Ross, Taylor Wanbaugh S U B S C RIP TIONS Subscription rate is $12.95 for 6 issues or $18.95 for 12 issues. Call Amy Ferrari at 573-499-1830 ext. 1003 to place an order or to inform us of a change of address.

Columbia Home is published by The Business Times Co., 2001 Corporate Place, Suite 100, Columbia, MO, 65202. 573-499-1830 Copyright The Business Times Co., 2012. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of any editorial or graphic content without the express written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

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about the board

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1. Erica Pefferman: I’m really excited about our summer plans this year. Usually, just surviving summer with five kids loose from school is the goal. This year, we are happening to our summer rather than the other way around. First and foremost on our list is a trip to St. George Island, Florida, with the entire family. When I say entire, I mean my husband and our kids, my sister and her family, my in-laws and my father. We all have an amazing time together and are looking forward to the 14 of us in a beach house for one whole week. We intentionally booked it away from commercial distraction so we can make the most of our time together. Cooking, eating, deep-sea fishing, sunbathing (for me, under an umbrella) and learning to boogie board are the big plans for the week.

2. Michele Towns: Summer brings the smell of hose water, the joy of wearing flip-flops and the warmth of the sun on your back. I know I’ll be super busy as I prepare for my youngest daughter’s last year in high school and my oldest daughter’s wedding in 2016. I’m going to embrace this busy summer as I look forward to creating these great memories with my family. I hope your summer brings you and your family some good times and great memories as well.

3. Kristi McCann: What I’m about to say will surely shock people who know me because I am a very deadline-, timeline-driven individual, but we’re approaching the time of year when, for me, schedules start to go out the window. There’s nothing better than longer days when time is not a factor. Pool days turn into cookouts, which turn into drinks by the bonfire.

Everything during the summer seems to slow down a bit, and my favorite part is appreciating the little things in life.

4. Jill Orr: This summer we are going to the Big Apple for a few days, then taking the train to see Grammy and Papa in Williamsburg, Virginia. I’m looking forward to a good mix of fun and family!

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CH Digital

On the Web Columbia Home Facebook buzz

Strong woman Meet Dr. Kristin Sohl PAGE 106

The Beauty of Motherhood PAGE 38

Mary Ropp Meet Mary Ropp, senior vice president of business development at The Bank of Missouri and this issue’s Strong Woman. Flip to page 98 to read more about Mary, her family, favorite cocktail and defining moment in her life.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

APRIL/MAY 2015

Perfect for Entertaining

Break Your Cabin Fever

Food and wine pairings from the expert

A list of must-do’s in Columbia this spring

PAGE 32

PAGE 45

Columbia Home Thank you Meals on Wheels Columbia, Mo for delivering our delicious Panera Bread Co. lunches today!

Comments:

Meals on Wheels Columbia, Mo: Thank YOU for helping us to continue feeding seniors in Columbia!

Meet Dr. Kristin Sohl PAGE 106

The Beauty of Motherhood PAGE 38

April Showers Bring May Flowers

APRIL/MAY 2015

Perfect for Entertaining

Break Your Cabin Fever

Food and wine pairings from the expert

A list of must-do’s in Columbia this spring

PAGE 32

PAGE 45

Columbia Home A huge congratulations to MFA Inc.’s very own Janice Schuerman, who was awarded the prestigious Athena Leadership Award last night at the 21st Annual Athena International Awards Banquet! Janice was featured as the Strong Woman in our February/March issue.

Contests and submissions For future issues

Visit our blog by going to columbiahomemagazine.com.

Betz winner: Congratulations to Danielle Rackers,

Next up

Our August/September issue will be all about fall trends in Columbia, things to do, back to school and, of course, sports! Jill Orr is writing a hilarious piece about the different types of tailgating you’ll see from lots A to Z. Be sure to submit your favorite tailgating recipes and traditions for a chance to be featured in a special section! Send all submissions to Audrey@BusinessTimesCompany.com. Also, if you’re interested in being a part of this issue as an advertiser, contact Deb Valvo, director of sales, at Deb@BusinessTimesCompany.com.

our Betz Jewelers $500 giveaway winner! Be on the lookout for other contests on our Facebook, Twitter and website for your chance to win more prizes from Columbia Home.

Best tailgating recipes: Submit!: In our August/September issue, we’ll be featuring a compilation of your favorite tailgating recipes. Submit a fan favorite to Audrey@BusinessTimesCompany.com for your chance to be featured!

Corrections - Sumits Hot Yoga class times:

Be sure to check out our blog each week!

Visit columbiahomemagazine.com/category/blog

Monday: 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m.; Tuesday: 5:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m., 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday: 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m., 7:30 p.m.; Thursday: 5:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m., 7:30 p.m.; Friday: 6 a.m., 9 a.m., noon, 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m.; Saturday: 7 a.m., noon; Sunday: 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m.

- Stephanie Rosskopf

Columbia Home @ColumbiaHomeMag

@ColumbiaHomeMag Columbia Home Magazine

Send all submissions to:

Audrey@businesstimescompany.com

co lu m b i a h o m emagazi n e.com | 1 9

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J U N E /J U LY C o n t e n t s

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❖ EDITOR'S NOTE p. 15 ❖ about the BOARD p. 17 ❖ From the Office

Features

19 CH Digital

39 The Dish 41 Style for the Surf and Sand 44 The Trail in Detail 50 4th of July Backyard Bash 57 Life After the Last Call

Around CoMo 23

Agenda and Datebook 30 Day in the Life

Departments 27 Book Worm 29 The Perfect Pair 33 tech

On the Cover 34 got beef?

Home & Garden

Health/Wellness 77 79

Life Coaching From the Local Market…

Strawberries 80 Sunning Safely 81 Aging Gracefully

Advertisers 96 Advertiser Index

Family & Relationships 85

Love and Relationships 87 Engagements 88 Wedding

All-American Day 91 Mommy Chronicles 92 About Town 95 Men We Love 98 Strong Woman

Mary Ropp

62 Home Tour 67 what the pros know 73 The DIY Lady

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agenda

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June/July 2015 Columbia’s must-do events First Fridays in the North Village Arts District What: The first Friday of each month, the North Village Arts District opens its doors and encourages residents, visitors and tourists in Columbia to explore the ever-growing collections of art and entertainment in our community. This event offers free entertainment and light refreshments.

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 5 and Friday, July 3 Info: Call Haley Schwarz at 573-864-6641, or go to visitcolumbiamo.com.

Art in the Park, Stephens Lake Park WHAT: Art in the Park is the oldest and largest fine arts festival in midMissouri. It features more than 100 visual artists from across the U.S., displaying a variety of media including painting, drawing, photography, pottery, jewelry, fibers, sculpture, wood and glass. There are also handson activities and children’s entertainment throughout the festival.

When: Saturday, June 6 to Sunday, June 7 Info: Visit artintheparkcolumbia.org, or call the Columbia Art League at 573-443-8838.

MPIX Coaches for Kids Golf Tournament WHAT: MPIX Coaches for Kids Celebrity Golf Classic is an annual fundraiser benefiting Children’s Hospital-University of Missouri Health Care. The event is held at The Club at Old Hawthorne. Celebrity coaches for this year’s tournament include Andy Hill, Barry Odom, Bob Stull, Brock Olivo, Dave Toub, Dr. Rick McGuire, Gary Link, Gary Pinkel, Josh Henson, Kim Anderson, Pat Ivey and Pat Washington.

When: Friday, June 15 Info: Call Kari Laudano at 573-303-2872, or email her at klaudano@logistiquestudio.com.

Visit Columbia Home online at columbiahomemagazine.com. co lu m b i a h o m emagazi n e.com | 2 3

datebook

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june 3

Wednesday, June 3

Boone County Farmers Market, Columbia Mall, 4-6 p.m., visit boonecountyfarmers.com

W.A. Mozart’s Requiem, Missouri Theatre, 7:30 p.m., visit columbiachorale.com

Sunday, June 7

Les Mis, Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, visit lyceumtheatre.org

2015 Mid-MO Soap Box Derby, 701 E. Broadway, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., call 573881-3471 or visit midmosbd.org

Thursday, June 4

Thursday, June 11-28

Wednesday, June 3-13

Columbia Farmers Market, Forum Christian Church, 3-6 p.m. (every Thursday through October), visit columbiafarmersmarket.org Red Carpet Gala, Kimball Ballroom, Stephens College, call Nick Raines at 573-876-7338 or visit woodhaventeam.org/redcarpetgala

Thursday, June 4-7

Two by Two, Maplewood Barn Theatre, East Nifong Boulevard, 8 p.m., $9 for adults and $1 for kids 10 and under, call Molly Dodge at 573-441-0252 or visit maplewoodbarn.com

Saturday, June 6

Columbia Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon, The ARC and Columbia Mall (every Saturday through October), visit columbiafarmersmarket.org Shred Fest Skateboarding Event, Columbia Skate Park at Cosmo Park, Business Loop 70 West, 4-7 p.m., free, call 573-874-7460 or visit parksideskateboards.com 24 | june/july 201 5

june 20

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Wednesday, June 17

2015 Family Fun Fest, Cosmo Park, 6-8 p.m., visit visitcolumbiamo.com/directory/familyfun-fests

Saturday, June 20

Lucky Stiff, Columbia Entertainment Co., Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2 p.m., call 573474-3699 or visit cectheatre.org/season.html

Olivet Church Chicken and Mutton Barbecue (eat-in or carryout), 1991 S. Olivet Road, 3:30-7 p.m., $12 for adults, free for kids 10 and under, proceeds benefit Woodhaven “aging-in-place" apartments for people with developmental disabilities and the Central Missouri Food Bank Buddy Pack Program

Friday, June 12

Saturday, June 20-28

Movies in the Park: Frozen Sing-Along, Flat Branch Park, 9 p.m., $2, free for kids 8 and under

Friday, June 12-14

Show-Me State Games/Missouri State Senior Games, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., call Emily Lorenz at 573-882-2101 or visit smsg.org

Saturday, June 13

Hello, Baby! Expo, Holiday Inn Select Expo Center, Interstate 70 Drive Southwest, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., call Deborah Marshall at 573-8151903 or visit columbiatribune.com/hellobaby

Monday, June 15

2015 Great Circle Golf Classic for Kids, Columbia Country Club, 2210 N. Country Club Drive, 11 a.m., $150 for single player, $600 for team of four, call 573-442-8331, ext.

210 or email cheryl.unterschutz@greatcircle.org

South Pacific, Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, visit lyceumtheatre.org

Sunday, June 21 Father’s Day

Sunday, June 21

Tyler the Creator, The Blue Note, 8:30 p.m., $30, visit thebluenote.com/events

Monday, June 22

FORE The House Golf Tournament, The Club at Old Hawthorne, 6221 E. Highway WW, 8 a.m. or 1 p.m., $800 for team of four, visit rmhcmidmo.org/page.php?id=23

Friday, June 26

Less Than Jake/Reel Big Fish, The Blue Note, 6 p.m., visit thebluenote.com/events

datebook

july 4

Saturday, July 4

4th of July Fire in the Sky, Flat Branch Park, 6:30 p.m., call Karen Chandler at 573-874-7460 or visit gocolumbiamo. com/ParksandRec/Activities_and_ Programs/4thjuly.php

Wednesday, July 8-18

The Will Rogers Follies, Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, visit lyceumtheatre.org

Wednesday, July 8

Olivet Christian Church Summer Gazebo Concert Series featuring Larry Brown, Storyteller and Musician, 7:30 p.m., Olivet Christian Church, 1991 S. Olivet Road (bring a lawn chair or blanket)

Thursday, July 9

Stephens Lake Park Amphitheater Concert Series Community Band, Stephens Lake Park Amphitheater, 7 p.m., free

Friday, July 10

Movies in the Park: The Sandlot, Flat Branch Park, 9 p.m., $2, free for kids 8 and under

Saturday, July 11

Splat! Jr. Obstacle Course Mud Run, Gans Creek Recreation Area, East Gans Road, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., call Stacey Kulik at 573-874-7460 or visit gocolumbiamo.com/ ParksandRec/Activities_and_Programs/ SPLAT.php

july 11

Wednesday, July 15

Family Fun Fest: Fitness is Fun, Cosmo Park, 6-8 p.m., free, call 573-874-7460 or visit gocolumbiamo.com/CMS/webcal/ event.php?id=3712

july 17-19

Wednesday, July 29

Olivet Christian Church Summer Gazebo Concert Series featuring Mission 5:16, 7:30 p.m., Olivet Christian Church, 1991 S. Olivet Road (bring a lawn chair or blanket)

Wednesday, July 15

Olivet Christian Church Summer Gazebo Concert Series featuring WildHeart, 7:30 p.m., Olivet Christian Church, 1991 S. Olivet Road (bring a lawn chair or blanket)

Friday, July 17-19

Show-Me State Games, all day, call 573882-2101 or visit smsg.org/index.php

Tuesday, July 21-23

Demarre Carroll Next-Level Basketball Skills Camp (for boys and girls ages 8-15), Tolton Catholic High School, $175, call Andrea Hamilton at 404-447-9894 or visit abcsportscamps.com/nextlevel

Wednesday, July 22

Olivet Christian Church Summer Gazebo Concert Series featuring Boonslick Chordbusters, 7:30 p.m., Olivet Christian Church, 1991 S. Olivet Road (bring a lawn chair or blanket)

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Agatha Christie’s Spider’s Web, Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, visit lyceumtheatre.org

Visit Columbia Home online at columbiahomemagazine.com. co lu m b i a h o m e magazi n e.com | 2 5

Special thanks to our homeowners

John & Julie Hickey, Trey & Melissa James, Greg & Rebecca Jones, Jim & Catherine Noel, and Jim & Jessie Yankee

and our sponsors

Kerry Bramon Remodeling & Design Alpine Builders, Clear 99, Columbia Tribune, & Eagle 93.9 Carved in Stone, Debby Cook Interiors, LLC, Missouri Employers Mutual, Pate-Jones Construction, Riback/DKB Kitchen & Bath Showroom Bright City Lights, Carpet One, Commerce Bank, Downtown Appliance, Hockman Interior Design, Johnston Paint & Decorating, and The Plaza Event Center Allen’s Flower Inc., Busch’s Florist, CMSE Giving Gardens, Hy-Vee Floral on Nifong, and Kent’s Floral Gallery

Services for Independent Living assists individuals with disabilities and low income seniors to maximize their independence. If you want to donate, volunteer, or know someone who would benefit from our services, contact: 573-874-1646 or www.silcolumbia.org

B o o k w o rm

L

On Reading

By Alex George

Long before I started writing books, I used to read them, obsessively and passionately. I still do. The good news is that it is an excellent time to be a reader. Now you can carry whole libraries with you on your laptop, tablet, e-reader or even phone. Millions of volumes are available to download at the press of a button. You don’t even have to read anymore; with audiobooks, you can listen while you walk the dog or drive to the supermarket. For those of us who still prefer the old technology — you know, the whole paper and ink thing — independent bookstores are thriving across the country.

There are countless blogs, podcasts and websites where we can discuss books with others and find suggestions for our next read. And, most importantly of all, great writers are still writing wonderful books.

Despite this being something of a golden age for readers, though, a lot of people have confessed to me that they don’t read books anymore. Many reasons are given: there’s already too much to read (newspapers, magazines, a gazillion screens of online content); it’s hard to know what to choose; and (perhaps most of all) there’s just not enough time. I understand all this. But actually, it’s not so hard. So if you haven’t picked up a book in a while, do yourself a favor. Ask your friends what was the best book they read last year, or try this month’s suggestion. Buy it, download it, borrow it — it doesn’t matter. But give it a chance. Make it a priority to find a little time each day to tuck yourself away somewhere quiet, and read a few pages. Before long you’ll be devising schemes to carve out more time. And, oh yes: If you don’t like the book you’ve chosen, for heaven’s sake, stop. You’re an adult. There’s no test and no medals for slogging miserably through to the end. Just pick up another one, and try again.

Good luck, and happy reading!

All the Light We Cannot See

By Anthony Doerr

This mega-selling historical novel and finalist for the National Book Award is set in Northern France toward the end of World War II and tells the intertwined stories of Marie-Laure, a blind French girl, and Werner, a young German soldier. Don’t be put off by the war setting; the story is more about the interior lives of the young protagonists, and it’s both complex and beautiful. This is everything I long for in a novel: a wonderful, intricate story you can escape into for hours, richly drawn characters, and the writing itself is quite exquisite. Highly recommended.

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Believe

creativity

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from the expert

t c e Perf air P The

Aaron Saeler Macadoodles

thinkstock.com

macadoodles.com

Meiomi Pinot Noir The fruit for this wine is sourced from three different areas of California: Santa Barbara, Sonoma and Monterey. The blending of the grapes ensures a consistent flavor profile year after year.

Meiomi is known for its full-bodied, smooth, light, spicy finish. This wine complements an array of foods and can be served for many occasions. It’s one of the easiest drinkable wines that I’ve found under $30. This Pinot Noir bridges the gap between red- and white-wine drinkers due to its drinkability, and it’s also gaining fans because of its low cost to value. You’ll find Meiomi Pinot Noir priced around $20 a bottle at Macadoodles.

Here’s a filet mignon recipe that I find works great for drinking and making with this wine.

Filet Mignon Ingredients: • 2 nice 8-ounce filet mignons • Kosher salt • Ground black pepper • 2 applewood bacon strips • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • 1 pound mushrooms (pick your favorite) • 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic • 2 sprigs of rosemary • 2 cups Meiomi Pinot Noir • 2 tablespoons prepared demi-glace • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (and don’t use the fake “butter”) Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Season filet mignon with salt and pepper, wrap applewood bacon around filets, and use a toothpick to hold the bacon in place. In a large ovenproof skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until almost smoking.

Place filets in the pan, and sear on one side for about 3 minutes. Turn the filets over, add mushrooms, garlic and rosemary. Transfer pan to the oven. Roast 10 to 12 minutes, or until filets are cooked medium rare.

Remove filets, mushrooms and rosemary from the pan. Return pan to stove over medium-high heat. Deglaze with the Meiomi Pinot Noir. Mix in the demi-glace, and whisk to combine. Reduce sauce by half. Place the filets and mushrooms back in the pan. Then finish with 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter to richen the sauce. Plate with mushrooms on top of filets, and dress with the sauce. co lu m b i a h o m e magazi n e.com | 2 9

day i n t h e l i f e

Day in the Life of a Barista Dale Bassham of Shortwave Coffee

by Torie Ross photos by ben meldrum

B

By the time 10 a.m. rolls around, Dale Bassham has already downed more cups of coffee and shots of espresso than most of us consume in a day, but it’s all part of the territory. As owner of Shortwave Coffee in Alley A downtown, Dale likes to think of his coffee bar as a sort of farmers market. From seasonally sourcing his coffee to selecting beans when their flavor will “pop” the most and nurturing each roast to its optimal quality, Dale puts a lot of TLC into every cup he serves.

“There’s nothing I can do to make coffee better than it already is,” Dale says. “My task is to preserve the quality that already exists inherently within it.”

Dale found his knack for management and obsession for coffee when he started managing a Barnes and Noble Café in 2004. After the coffee bug bit, he worked for almost a decade at several different coffee shops, at the bar, as a roaster, as a trainer and every job in between. Finally, he decided to go out on his own, and Shortwave’s doors opened in February of 2014.

The name Shortwave comes from Dale’s father’s and grandfathers’ work as radiomen.

Just as a shortwave signal both receives and transmits radio signals, Dale says he hopes to strengthen and preserve the quality of the coffee beans he serves his customers.

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day i n t h e l i f e

5 a.m.: “I’m a strong believer in old-man time,” Dale says of his morning ritual. He likes to spend the first hour of his day drinking coffee (of course), going over his tasks for the day and relaxing before heading to the shop.

6 a.m.: Before Shortwave opens its doors, Dale gets ready for the morning rush by testing the machines, having a cup — or five — of coffee and getting everything ready for the day.

7 a.m.: As soon as the doors open, Dale and his team prepare for the morning rush. Because Shortwave operates more as a coffee bar than a café, mornings are by far the busiest time.

11 a.m.: During the afternoon lag, Dale catches up on things that most small-business owners have to take care of, such as fixing broken pipes, changing light bulbs and taking out the recycling. “If you’re an entrepreneur, it’s best not to calculate your weekly hours,” Dale jokes, adding that it’s the little things that add up to what owning a business is all about.

3 p.m.: During the week, Shortwave closes its doors at 3 p.m., though Dale says they hope to start closing later in the future. The busy owner uses this time to catch up on bookkeeping, bank runs and balancing drawers.

6:30 p.m.: To get their name out in to the community, Dale and his team can be found doing everything from catering to coffee demonstrations to coffee education and barista training. “My wife and I don’t have children, and right now, Shortwave is our child, so we’re putting everything into it that we can,” Dale says. co lu m b i a h o m emagazi n e.com | 3 1

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DISCOVER US IN THE NORTH VILLAGE ARTS DISTRICT 32 | june/july 201 5

tech

Keeping Kids Safe Online Offense is our best defense to keep kids safe online this summer.

By Monica Pitts

L

Last year in May, I sat eight months pregnant listening to a Rotary program presented by Mid-Missouri Internet Crimes Task Force Detective Andy Anderson. I’ll never forget the stories he shared about children in our community falling victim to criminals all over the United States. They were stories of young boys and girls lured in under false pretenses to start online relationships with dire consequences or parents arranging to sell their own children for terrible purposes.

I left Rotary, I cried and then fought the instinct to pick up my oldest child from preschool and lock us in a room until she turned 25. After a few hours of stewing in the awfulness of those crimes, I remembered I’m an owner of an Internet service provider and have a platform to share my knowledge of how to keep kids safe. I can’t undo the past, but I can tell parents who love their children and want to keep them safe from Internet crime how to make a difference for the future within their own homes.

I challenge you to make a few changes for safety and peace of mind in your home:

1.

Educate children about online dangers.

Having an open and ongoing conversation with your kids about the dangers of visiting unsafe sites is your first task. Teach them the differences between safe and suspicious sites.

Make them aware of the harm that could come from engaging with others online. Remind them not to share personal information, such as their name, phone number or address, with strangers and to beware of online predators.

2. Set parental controls on smartphones.

Restrict the ability to install or delete apps without your permission by setting a password only you know. Many manufacturers’ websites also offer a comprehensive list of apps and features you can utilize on your child’s device to enable restrictions.

3. Restrict social media, or join in the fun. If

you allow your children to use social media, monitor their online activities by being part of their social networks. Teach them the ground rules:

»» No bullying or threatened violence. »» Don’t post emotionally (pause before you post). »» Keep confidential information private. »» Avoid overly specific location check-ins. »» Tell an adult if you are not treated with respect.

4. Check search history. Let your kids know you can see what they’re looking at online.

Consider reviewing their activities randomly to identify risky site visits before they become a problem. If you notice their search thread includes links to inappropriate websites, consider adjusting the DNS settings on your router.

5. Enable Google SafeSearch. Google has a SafeSearch filter you can set as the default browser on your child’s computer or smartphone. SafeSearch helps prevent children from accessing sexually explicit content by removing unsafe images and videos from the search results.

6. Award everyone his or her own login.

Set parental controls on each machine using the administrative account, and then create individual logins with less privileges for your children. This prevents them from changing the settings. You can customize the settings to give yourself more browsing freedom while limiting the content your child accesses.

7.

Limit computer time. As simple as it sounds, the less time your child spends on the

computer, the less time he or she has to get into trouble online.

8. Keep the computer in the open. Set up the computer in an open spot. You’ll have an easier time keeping an eye on their activities if they’re in the living room than in their bedroom with the door locked.

9. Change the DNS settings on your router.

OpenDNS, a free cloud-delivered network security service, can be used to control the sites that can be viewed on your home network by adjusting the DNS settings on your router.

You can use the default list of trouble sites or select a list of safe websites for kids. This locks down the network for all devices using your home Internet connection including PCs, smartphones and tablets. However, if they’re using cellular data to get online, you won’t have the same control.

Ultimately, offense is our best defense.

By educating our children, we can create responsible citizens of the Internet who are aware of the implications and dangers. And by making a few other provisions, we can create a safer environment for our children to engage online.

Monica Pitts Monica is founder of MayeCreate Design.

She and her husband, Mike, have two daughters, Ellis and Aveleen, and two dogs, Maybe and Roxie. Monica considers herself an artist, yogi and Web dork with the ability to speak geek and English.

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Beef, Anyone ?

The Pefferman family likes to entertain, and they’ve created a burger recipe that’s sure to please all who have a seat at your table.

By Brad Pefferman | Photos By Keith Borgmeyer 34 | june/july 201 5

The Burger Master, Brad

i

I built this recipe over the course of time. I would see friends put various ingredients on their burgers, and I’d think: “Mm, that sounds good. I’ll try that.” Eventually, through sweat and tears, they became Brad’s Burgers.

It started out at the golf course. Thursday night was men’s night. After playing nine holes with my dad, we’d buy a steak or burger, and we’d grill outside. It kind of began by watching the golfers make their own sauce. The barbecue sauce came from Richard Schomaker. The japs came from Steve and Terah Washam. Then I thought if the japs are good in there, then onion and garlic would be good, too. The season salt came from the golfers. It’s taken years to perfect this burger — and the recipe could change in five years!

My favorite thing about this burger is that it’s a family favorite. When we all gather at the table to chow down, there’s lots of joking and just having a good time. The kids like these burgers, and any time the family comes over, it’s generally on the menu. Enjoy!

' o h t e c u a s t Tha

Brad pours the barbecue sauce on the burgers while they’re grilling to perfection.

INGREDIENTS: *Ingredients are per burger • ½ pound ground beef • 1 teaspoon finely chopped jalapeno • 1 teaspoon finely chopped onion • ½ teaspoon finely chopped garlic • Seasoned salt • Sliced cheese • Your favorite barbecue sauce • Good hamburger buns

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Step by Step Grill master Brad’s recipe for the best burgers Start by cracking open a beer, preferably a good one, not a cheap watery one.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

CHOP

PREP

BUILD

Like a boss

Push it real good

Build it, they will come

Chop the jalapenos, onion and garlic on a clean cutting board. I like to use the Pampered Chef chopper so they are finely chopped. This will help when you fold them into the meat. But please, don’t be a wuss and skip the jalapenos.

They don’t make the burgers hot, just delicious and flavorful.

Divide the beef into ½-pound portions. Flatten a portion out on a plate, then add the jalapenos, onion and garlic. Do this for each patty. Fold them evenly into the meat. This is usually the point in the prepping process when I longingly gaze at my beer knowing that I can’t touch it with my ground beefcovered hands. So thirsty…But alas, this process goes quick, so the beer does not get warm. Once you get this down to an art, it will be second nature.

Form each of the patties about a ½ inch thick.

Stick the patties in the fridge until you’re ready to cook them. Next, wash your hands, and become reacquainted with your long-lost alcoholic beverage of choice. Ah. Time to relax.

Ignore your wife urging you to start the grill.

Get tired of ignoring wife urging you to start the grill. Outside you go.

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i

I built this recipe over the course of time. I would see friends put various ingredients on their burgers, and I thought: “Mm, that sounds good. I’ll try that.”

Eventually, through sweat and tears, they became Brad’s Burgers.

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

FIRE UP

SLATHER EAT

Low and slow

That smell tho'

Oh, yeah!

After finishing the beer and letting the burgers chill, head to light the grill. Come back in and ask the teenagers where they left the grill lighter. Curse the kids for not putting the grill lighter back where it belongs. Light the grill. Put seasoned salt on both sides of the patties while the grill heats. Grill over medium-low heat.

After the first couple of flips, slather on the barbecue sauce of your choice. Let that stuff cook in. There are lots of options out there when it comes to barbecue sauce. Find your favorite by doing what seems most logical, trying them all. Once you find your favorite and your family’s favorite, stock up! You’ll be making these burgers a lot.

When the sizzling starts to die down, throw some cheese on there, and toast the buns.

Take the goods inside, and let everyone build their own. Enjoy the rare moment of peace and quiet while the family stuffs their faces.

Oh, yeah!

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Brad s' Secret Burger 2

1 Get yourself good hamburger buns, not the teensy little cheap ones. Get fancy! Maybe get the ones with sesame seeds or something.

1

2

Use ½ pound ground beef each.

Don’t shortchange the burgers.

Don’t be afraid! Use 80/20 or 85/15. Don’t buy that 70/30 crap, you cheapskate. You’ll catch fire trying to grill them.

Be sure to add in 1 teaspoon finely chopped jalapeno, 1 teaspoon finely chopped onion, ½ teaspoon finely chopped garlic and seasoned salt.

3 Add sliced cheese, your favorite barbecue sauce (or someone else’s favorite, but forget them! You’re doing all the work!). Lather on the ketchup and mustard while you’re at it.

4 A perfect burger isn’t complete without tomatoes, onions and pickles. Erica (the wife) and I can our own pickles, so we know they’re perfect. We love working as a team; she makes the pasta salad (see recipe to the right!), and I make the burgers. We’re a perfect duo.

5 Don’t forget the lettuce! It adds the perfect amount of crunch and freshness to this burger. And with the lettuce, it’s like you’re basically eating a salad.

Anatomy of the burger

3 4 5

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t he dish

Erica’s Pasta Salad

This is a pasta salad my kids love and ask for every time.

By Erica Pefferm an | Photo by keith borgmeyer Ingredients: • 1 box garden rotini • ½ green pepper • ½ red pepper • ½ red onion • 1 can sliced black olives • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in halves • ½ cup or so real bacon bits • 1 cup feta cheese (or another kind of shredded cheese) • ½ cup of zesty Italian dressing • ½ cup of creamy Italian dressing

Directions: Boil pasta to al dente. While waiting for pasta to boil, chop veggies.

Drain pasta in a colander, and briefly rinse it with warm water.

Put warm pasta in a large bowl, and immediately add both dressings and all other ingredients. Toss all ingredients. Add more dressing in equal amounts to taste (I don’t typically cook by measuring).

Put the pasta salad in the refrigerator to chill. Before serving, toss again with extra zesty dressing as needed.

Enjoy with Brad’s Burgers! co lu m b i a h o m e m agazi n e.com | 3 9

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40 | june/july 201 5

By audrey sharp | photos by keith borgmeyer Illustrati ons by gillian tracey

Whether we’re ready or not, summer is here! Sometimes, shopping for pool or beach attire can be a bit daunting, so Columbia Home visited some local boutiques to help you find your style for the summer. Lo & Behold, Cha Boutique, Girl Boutique and Dillard’s all have great selections for you to choose from depending on your personal style! We’ve put together four outfits, mixing and matching swimwear, accessories and cover-ups to give you some inspiration, whether you’ll be in the water, watching the kids play, reading poolside or taking a stroll on the beach. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

Michael Stars floral cover-up, Girl Boutique, $138 Gianni Bini top, Dillard’s, $57 Gianni Bini bottoms, Dillard’s, $57 Danielle Nicole Namane clutch, Girl Boutique, $68 Chic yellow hat, Girl Boutique, $27

Knot Sisters lace tunic dress, Lo & Behold, $117 Chic yellow hat, Girl Boutique, $27 Gianni Bini tribal bottoms, Dillard’s, $53 Gianni Bini tribal top, Dillard’s, $61

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Pendleton spa towel, Lo & Behold, $49.50 LA Plaza burgundy floppy hat, Lo & Behold, $25 Raga La Boheme dress, Lo & Behold, $114 Kenneth Cole black one-piece, Dillard’s, $107

DKNY bottoms, Dillard’s, $54 DKNY top, Dillard’s, $86 Street Level reversible tote, Cha Boutique, $92 Michael Stars flora hat, Cha Boutique, $54 Joy Joy strapless ruffle jumpsuit, Cha Boutique, $92 The Royal Standard cheetah beach towel, Cha Boutique, $23

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T rail rat e d

the trail in detail

By Jill Orr | Illus trations by Tifani carter Columbia is home to some seriously awesome trails.

Whether you’re craving a scenic bike ride down the MKT, an invigorating jog along Bear Creek or a leisurely stroll on the beautiful Scott’s Branch, there is a trail for everyone in CoMo. As a frequent trail-user, one of my favorite parts of traversing our fantastic trails is the people watching. Once you become a regular, you start to see other regulars, and eventually patterns emerge. For instance, it’s most crowded on Saturday mornings before 10,

weekdays at about 8:30 a.m. you get the stay-athome moms and retirees, and after 6 p.m. the uberserious bikers mix with after-work runners and people walking their dogs.

I’ve been thinking about some of the recurring characters I often see on the trail and had a little fun writing up their profiles. Do you see yourself in any of these archetypes? Or others that I missed?

Share your favorite trail types on our Facebook page, facebook.com/columbiahome.

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t r a i l r at e d

The Guy You’re 78 Percent Sure is a Serial Killer You’re strolling along the MKT Trail and taking in the beautiful sights and sounds of nature when you realize you are suddenly quite alone. At first, you relish this solitude, until you see a figure walking the trail up ahead in the opposite direction. Is he coming right for you? You tell yourself it’s probably just a person like you, out enjoying the scenery. But as the figure gets closer, you check to see if anyone else is around. Any potential witnesses? You try to remember if you told anyone you were coming out to the trail. Do they even issue Amber Alerts for 41-year-old women?

The figure is almost close enough for you to make out his features. Oh, God, he has a mustache. Didn’t you read somewhere that 93 percent of all serial killers have a mustache? Your heartbeat speeds up, and you curse yourself for leaving your dog at home. Mini dachshunds are scary, right?

You mentally calculate the distance from where you are on the trail to the closest house. Would anyone hear you scream? The figure is just feet away by now. You try to remember your moves from kickboxing class. You start thinking of what picture of you they will flash on the 6 p.m. news. You hope it isn’t the one with your left eye closed that makes you look like you’ve just downed three Pinot Noirs. The figure is getting closer and closer…

“Hello! Nice day out, huh?” The figure smiles. He is wearing a Mister Rogers cardigan and an “I Heart Puggles” button. You scream and sprint past him, leaving a puff of white smoke in your wake. Didn’t you read somewhere that 78 percent of people who like puggles are axe murderers?

Middle-aged Women Chasing Their Youth I have a special affinity for this group of women because I am this group of women. We’re 40-plus and trying like hell to fight gravity.

We jog, bike and speed-walk up and down the trail as we chase the fading, elusive glimmer of our younger selves — the selves who didn’t have to work quite so hard to stay fit. And the trail provides the perfect setting for us to kill three birds with one stone (Birdwatchers, please note, I am only speaking metaphorically). We can exercise, enjoy nature and catch up with one another, provided we aren’t too winded to actually talk, which is a distinct possibility, depending on how many glasses of wine we had the night before (age has its compensations, after all). But we lace up and head out there several days a week to fight the good fight against age and diminishing bone density. And usually we feel pretty good about ourselves — until a couple of 22-year-olds whiz past us like gazelles in the savannah, leaving our gasping, wheezing old bones in their dust. This is the exercise equivalent of being called “ma’am.”

And it happens every time.

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t r a i l r at e d

Birdwatchers I used to think bird watching (or “birding,” as the cool kids say) was not a real thing. But then I saw the movie The Great Year, and I realized how wrong I was. I myself have a complicated relationship with the avian species, stemming from some personal “targeting” incidents, so I don’t bird, but Columbia has an active Audubon Society and many ornithological enthusiasts. You’ll see many of them walking the trails, binoculars slung around necks, floppy hats in place, tossing around terms like “cerulean warbler,” “yellow-bellied sapsucker” and “blue-footed booby.” I’m always a little intimidated by these folks and their sciencey, library-quiet approach to the trail and often wonder what treasures they’re spotting through their binoculars off in the trees. Personally, I like to think they’ve spied something cool like a bald eagle or a pterodactyl. Now, that might get me interested in birding.

Dog walkers Every single time I’m out on the trail, I see at least one dog walker being pulled along by a pack of energetic pooches. But she never sees me. Probably because she’s busy monitoring the business ends of anywhere from five to 10 dogs. Watching a dog walker work is like watching King Triton be carried along the sea by a majestic wave, except the wave is a bunch of wriggling, furry bodies, and King Triton is a woman carrying a bag full of dog schnitzel. OK, so it isn’t exactly like King Triton. But still, there is something majestic about being able to control upward of 20 legs, 10 floppy ears, at least five bladders and as many sets of sharp teeth. And usually, the dog walkers I see out there on the trail make it look easy. Until a squirrel darts across the path. That’s when the dog schnitzel can really hit the fan. co lu m b i a h o m e magazi n e.com | 47

t r ail r at e d

The Trail Police There’s one on every trail: some individual who thinks it is his or her job to make sure trail etiquette is being observed. They tell you to slow down. They point out when your dog’s leash is over the allowed 4 feet. They shout, “On your left!” after you pass them without any verbal warning, despite the fact that they are so far over to the right you could drive a Prius next to them without touching. These people are the self-appointed trail police (not to be confused with the actual Park Patrol volunteers who wear the yellow vests and are quite pleasant!).

One day I was out with my daughter, who was 6 years old at the time, and a man stopped to tell her she was being too loud when she fell off her bike and started crying. Yes, that’s right. He stopped and didn’t ask if she was OK. He just said, “Quiet down now, honey, or you’ll disturb everyone out here.” To a 6-year-old who just skinned her knee. The upside of these types, I suppose, is that they also often pick up stray trash, and they’ll jerk a knot in the tail of anyone who dares to flick a cigarette butt, so their cantankerous nature does serve a purpose. These folks are both kindly stewards of our fair trails and grouchy old men (and women) who have had it UP TO HERE with the disrespectful ways of young people today. And don’t even get them started on cellphones. Why would anyone need to talk on a cellphone when they’re out on the trail?!?

The Guy Who Thinks He’s on the Tour De France This guy may be my favorite trail type. Everything from the sleek reflective skin suit to the custom gloves to the alienshaped helmet — and of course the Lance Armstrong-esque Oakleys — makes me giggle when they pass me going roughly 55mph. And they’re always in multiples. “On your left!” “On your left!” “On your left!” “On your left!” I’m never quite sure if there is an actual race going on or just a pack of 15 middleaged men out for a super-intense cycling session, but either way their sincerity is admirable. You can tell they love what they’re doing, and they certainly look the part of a team biking through the French Alps, drafting off one another, using hand signals and shouting things to one another like “Crank!” “Jam!” “Hammer!” and “Full tuck!” They are, as Stephen Colbert once said of Lance Armstrong, in it to Schwinn it. And we love them for it.

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4th of July

Backyard Bash

By Taylor Wanbaugh

| Photos By ANGELIQUE HUNTER

co lu m b i a h o m emagazi n e.com | 51

Trail mix makes the perfect snack for watching fireworks light up the night.

Pour the mix into cute decorative cups so guests can bring their snack with them as they settle down to watch the big show. This patriotic treat can also double as a party favor for your guests. And who doesn’t like party favors? Just grab some popcorn; pretzels; Chex Mix; and some red, white and blue M&Ms, and you’re ready to chow down!

Kick off the summer barbecue season, and pay homage to one of America’s favorite foods with a hot-dog bar.

Lay out a spread of condiments to make an easy self-serve station for your guests. Want to get really creative with the franks? Make a sign with regional hot-dog recipes from around the U.S. for people to try out.

Satisfy that sweet tooth, and embrace your inner kid with a mouthwatering ice-cream bar.

Clear your local candy stores’ shelves, and provide your guests with a variety of topping options from M&Ms and Oreos to Reese’s Pieces.

If you want to give your waffle cones a patriotic flair, dip the rims in melted white chocolate, and add some red and blue sprinkles.

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“

A great Fourth of July celebration has a formulated recipe: a dozen family and friends, a dash of great music and entertainment and, of course, plenty of delicious food and drinks.

“

The Fourth of July brings visions of beautiful fireworks lighting up the night sky while people celebrate America’s birthday with loved ones. A great Fourth of July celebration has a formulated recipe: a dozen family and friends, a dash of great music and entertainment and, of course, plenty of delicious food and drinks.

Fear not! We’re here to help you plan the perfect patriotic bash.

Worried about the kids getting bored? Never fear! Print out fun Fourth of July-themed pictures, and grab a few boxes of crayons so they can get their color on. Throw some white paper tablecloths on the tables, and let the kids have free rein over the blank canvas.

Try one of these patriotic punch recipes! Be sure to have something delicious for adults only.

Born Free (alcoholic) What you need: • 1½ ounces SVEDKA • 1 ounce watermelon schnapps • ½ ounce cranberry juice • ½ ounce lemon juice • ½ ounce simple syrup • ¼ ounce blue curacao • Soda water To make simple syrup, mix equal ounces hot water and sugar until sugar is dissolved. Add watermelon schnapps and cranberry juice over ice.

Carefully add lemon, simple syrup and vodka to create the white layer, then very carefully layer the blue curacao to create the color separation, and gently top with soda. (Recipe courtesy of SVEDKA) For a nonalcoholic version of this drink, try this: Slowly layer ice, cran-apple juice, piña colada-flavored SoBe water and G2 Blueberry-Pomegranate in a glass. Be careful not to stir.

All-American Beauty (alcoholic) What you need: • 1½ ounces SKYY Vodka • 1 ounce lemon juice • ½ ounce simple syrup • 3 lemon peels To make simple syrup, mix equal ounces hot water and sugar until sugar is dissolved. Muddle lemon peels, lemon juice and simple syrup. Add the vodka and ice. Shake, and strain into a glass filled with ice cubes. (Recipe courtesy of SKYY ) For a nonalcoholic version of this drink, try this: What you need: • 2 cups sugar • 1 cup hot water • 2 cups fresh lemon juice • 1 gallon cold water • 1 lemon, sliced • Mint sprigs, for garnish In a 1-gallon container, place sugar and hot water, and stir until sugar dissolves. Add lemon juice and cold water to render 1 gallon. Stir until well mixed. Pour lemonade over glasses of ice, squeeze slice of lemon on top of each, and garnish with a sprig of mint. (Recipe courtesy of Paula Deen). co lu m b i a h o m emagazi n e.com | 53

y o Pegg Head t Pies for Jean’s summer r all you eets! sw

Lawn games to have at your next party: • Bocce ball • Ladder golf • Beanbag toss • Lawn Twister (Just use red, blue and yellow ground-marking spray paint to make the circles!)

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Sandwich Generation Needs “Stress Busters”

One out of every eight Americans aged 40 to 60 is both raising a child and caring for an aging parent, according to the Pew Research Center. This can range from actually having the parent living in one’s home to helping pay an assisted living or nursing home facility. The costs involved in this type of care, added to the expenses of raising your children, and possibly even providing some financial support to them as young adults, make it easy to see that you could potentially face enormous emotional and financial strains.

To help ease this burden, consider these suggestions: • Save. As a Sandwich Generation member, you’re probably within shouting distance of your own retirement — so you need to be saving. This may not be easy.

You don’t know how much financial support you may someday have to provide your elderly parents — and even after your children are grown, they may need some help from you. Unfortunately, in helping these “boomerang” children, many have to raid their savings. So it’s important to try to “pay yourself first” by deferring part of each paycheck into your 401(k) and by automatically moving money, each month, from your checking or savings account into your IRA. • Talk. Many over age 80 have not even prepared a will, so if your parents are in that group, talk to them about taking action. Also, find out if anyone is handling their investments. Ask if your parents understand how Medicare works and if they need to add supplemental health insurance, such as Medigap. Plus, you need to find out if your parents have created a power of attorney or health care directive. It’s best to have these conversations sooner, rather than later.

• Delegate. You eventually may have to take some responsibility for your parents’ care — but you don’t have to do it alone. You could work with a financial services provider that offers trust services, which can be invaluable if your parents are incapacitated, but are useful even if they aren’t. A professional trust officer can help manage your parents’ investments, pay their bills, keep their records and supervise distribution of their assets to beneficiaries. In short, a qualified trust officer can make life a lot easier for you.

Just because you’re in the Sandwich Generation, it doesn’t mean you have to be “squished.”

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573.445.5300 | 1601 Chapel Hill Rd. | Columbia, MO | WillettandPattonDDS.com 56 | june/july 201 5

Life After the Last Call Leigh Britt suddenly lost her husband, Lt. Bruce Britt of the Columbia Fire Department, in a tragic building collapse on Feb. 22, 2014. She opened up to Columbia Home about loss, love and what her life looks like now, more than a year later.

By audrey sharp | photos by keith borgmeyer and anthony Jinson

L

eigh Britt works as the neighborhood services manager for the City of Columbia. Her late husband, Bruce Britt, had been a part of the Columbia Fire Department for nearly 24 years. Of all the things Leigh does for the city, one of her responsibilities includes compiling a long thorough list of unsafe structures within city limits. During the course of Leigh and Bruce’s marriage, they had several conversations about being sure the 911 Call Center and Columbia Fire Department had a current list of those structures. That way, if a call comes into the command center, the dispatchers can alert the Fire Department to proceed with caution.

Building 707, the structure that collapsed on Bruce, wasn’t on that list.

When the alarms at the station went off at 4:46 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014, nobody thought it would be Bruce’s last call. Bruce’s station responded to a call from the University Village Apartment Complex, located on Providence Road. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Bruce was killed while attempting to evacuate residents out of the student housing apartment complex after a reported roof collapse. When the balcony he was walking on collapsed, he fell to the ground, and the concrete walkway fell on top of him. The other first responders started lifesaving measures immediately.

Bruce was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“I’ll never forget when Fire Chief Witt, Randy White, Jerry Jenkins and a member of the Columbia Police Department came to my house and told me that they had lost Bruce, and a part of me had no idea what to do,” Leigh says. “I immediately asked what had happened, and when they told me it was a building collapse, all I could do was panic.”

How it all began Leigh and Bruce met in May 2006 at a City of Columbia volunteer recognition event at the Reichman Pavilion at Stephens Lake Park.

It was an annual event, and the theme this particular year was “Cowboy.” In almost every picture of Bruce where he is not in uniform, he’s wearing his purple and brown cowboy boots, along with his wide-brimmed, wornout black hat.

“Prior to the event, I had a fire marshal tell me about this fireman who’s all into this cowboy stuff and told me that I just had to 58 | june/july 201 5

meet him,” Leigh says. “Bruce had beautiful blue eyes; that would be the most striking thing about him. My first impression was that he was quiet and polite. Soon after meeting him, I had a clear message from God that I needed to love this man. After I had gotten to know him, it really was no question after hearing that message. I needed to love Bruce.”

They dated for about a year and half before getting married in the very spot they first met, the Reichman Pavilion, on Jan. 5, 2008.

Together, they moved to a 12-acre plot of land in Ashland, Missouri, where Leigh; their daughter, Stormy; and Stormy’s horse, Pepper, still live.

Stormy was only 3 years old at the time of Bruce’s tragic accident. Leigh says Bruce and Stormy were like two peas in a pod. Even though Stormy was young, they enjoyed doing the same things: riding horses, watching TV, cuddling and spending time outside. When the accident happened, Leigh wasn’t sure how Stormy would respond or if she would remember her father as she got older.

“I don’t really think she fully understood what was going on the week following the accident,” Leigh says. “She got to see her friends and family and even got a new dress for the memorial service. It really helped me through that week and the weeks to come, I think, because I was living through the tragedy with someone who I had to be strong for. When she saw me crying, she would say things like: ‘Mommy, don’t cry. Babies cry.’ Or I’ll never forget a time we were in the car, and she just said, ‘Don’t be sad for Dad; he’s in heaven with Jesus.’”

Last fall, Leigh and Stormy were heading out the door for the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, Missouri. Out of hundreds of condolence letters, Stormy picked up one of the unopened envelopes off the counter and asked Leigh to read it aloud. “Dear Leigh and Stormy, we are sorry for your loss…” As she finished reading it, Stormy asked, “Mommy, what was our loss?”

“Well, your dad died, and people want to make sure we are happy,” Leigh answered.

“But, we are happy,” Stormy replied.

Those four words provided Leigh with a new perspective.

The way it’s always been

The Fire Department and city building officials have no authority over the construction or maintaining of University of Missouri

buildings. Although Leigh doesn't know the specific law, the city has no jurisdiction in inspecting university buildings and it's been that way since she began working for the city.” The apartment that collapsed on Bruce was on the list of university property, meaning Leigh had no idea that each one of those apartments was unsafe. The complex did receive annual safety inspections and repairs as needed from Residential Life Services.

Annual fire safety inspections focused on life-safety issues in common areas such as laundry rooms. According to NIOSH, when reviewing these records from 2008-2013: “The university did not have an established program to inspect buildings for structural safety hazards or concerns. The university was, and is responsible for their construction plan approval, project management and signoffs. The fire department had not conducted any pre-incident planning or inspections of the complex” (NIOSH report No. F201407, “Career Lieutenant Killed Following a Walkway Collapse While Working to Evacuate a University Student Housing Building – Missouri”). The NIOSH report also says that after the master plan was conducted, it determined the apartment complex was in poor condition. But due to financial difficulties, renovation was not reasonable immediately. The metal decks on 12 of the 14 buildings were deemed a public safety hazard under the plan; the undersides of the decks were uncovered and thus constantly exposed to the environment. The report goes on to say that the “complex that contained Building 707 (that collapsed on top of Bruce) would remain open until renovation projects on two other complexes could be completed, after which the complex containing Building 707 would be vacated and demolished.”

The NIOSH report states that some of the contributing factors that led to Bruce’s death included deterioration of the walkway, no site preplanning and awareness of the building condition not communicated to the Fire Department. If the city found the structure to be unsound, that building may have been on the 911 Call Center’s list of unsafe structures.

Maybe if that had happened, Bruce’s accident could have been avoided.

If you drive down Providence Road and take a look at where those apartments once stood, you’ll notice the complexes are gone.

The university decided to demolish them

After I had gotten to know him, it really was no question after hearing that message. I needed to love Bruce. co lu m b i a h o m emagazi n e.com | 59

in June 2014. The very spot of the accident is now someone’s parking spot. After the accident, the university began conducting regular building inspections for the Columbia campus and its satellite campuses.

Obituary

Community support It’s been more than a year since the accident on that cold Saturday morning. Leigh and Stormy still feel so much love from family, friends and the community. Leigh says she still receives condolences, and it’s a reminder that the Columbia community wrapped its arms around Leigh, Stormy and the Columbia Fire Department. During the funeral procession, Leigh remembers seeing a large group of Hickman High School students standing along the side of Providence Road to honor Bruce.

“I just couldn’t believe that so many people took time out of their busy lives to pay respects for my husband,” Leigh says. “It was something I’ll never forget.”

And the love feels never-ending. Although losing a loved one is tragic and life altering, Leigh and Stormy have found the strength to move on, while remembering the life they had with Bruce.

“I do have a new love, and I am moving on with my life,” Leigh says. “Moving forward is a bit of a challenge because I don’t want to be perceived as disrespectful to Bruce. At the same time, I know there were many people who were praying for me and Stormy, and I know that loving someone new is part of an answer to those prayers.”

Although Stormy might not remember everything about her dad, as she grows older, she’ll always remember his favorite color, purple. And hopefully she’ll pick up that card again in 20 years and say, “Mom, we are still happy.”

And the love feels never-ending...

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Bruce Britt, 48, joined his Father on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014, in the line of duty, having served the Columbia Fire Department for nearly 24 years, rising to the rank of lieutenant.

Born Nov. 23, 1965, to Stormy and Wanda Britt in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and raised in Williamsville, Illinois, Bruce started his firefighting career as a member of the Williamsville Volunteer Fire Department at a young age. Bruce was a cowboy at heart, wearing boots and hat before he could walk.

He enjoyed working with horses, working at the Callaway Sale Barn and raising his daughter, Stormy, to be a true cowgirl.

Bruce was preceded in death by his dad, Stormy.

Survivors include his wife, Leigh; daughter, Stormy Ann; two sons, Paden and Ethan; mother, Wanda (Howard); two sisters, Heidi (Ron) and Kristi (Brian); and nephews: Clay, Kenyon, Avery and Chase.

Bruce was a good man with a kind heart who would help anyone in need, and he stood for the truth.

He had an incredible, gentle spirit behind the rough exterior and was a fierce defender of family and friends.

All kids should be lucky enough to grow up with such a man in their life, and any adult would be blessed to have such a brother or friend.

Our hearts may break; but Bruce knew Jesus as his Savior, and we can all rejoice through the tears knowing that we will see him again.

Truly, Bruce led a blessed life.

Memorial services with full firefighter honors are set for 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014, at The Crossing, 3615 Southland Drive, Columbia, MO 65201.

A memorial service will also be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 8 at Williamsville United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Edward Jones, 3305 E. Clark Lane, Columbia, MO 65202 “Stormy Britt Memorial Fund” (in memo line); or the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Hal Bruno Camp, P.O. Drawer 498, Emmitsburg, MD 21727.

co lu m b i a h o m e magazi n e.com | 61

Building up 6 2 | june/july 201 5

Home Tour

By audrey sharp | photos by Sally Turner

The Lynchard family wanted to create the perfect outdoor living space for their growing family. Their home, tucked back in the Highland’s neighborhood, backs up to a beautiful wooded area. They had worked with Kliethermes Homes & Remodeling before, so when it came time to begin work on their next home project, they knew exactly whom to call.

Columbia Home sat down with Michelle Lynchard to get the answers you want to know about working with Kliethermes on your next project.

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How did you select Kliethermes to do your deck project? We worked with

Kliethermes back in 2012 on a project to renovate my home office. They did an awesome job in helping me design an office that really worked for me, so we decided to use them again on our outdoor project.

Thebuild

When did you start the project?

We started thinking about it in the early summer 2014, probably in June.

Were there any challenges the builders ran into during construction? Yes. The

stairs to the deck did not fit in the allotted space, so they ended up making them turn and go down to patio below, which I love. They turn to the left as you go down. Also we added a hot tub on the far end of the deck, and the only way to get it on the deck was with a giant crane from our neighbors’ driveway that lifted it over our entire house and set it on the deck. Thank you, neighbors!

How would you describe your experience working with Kliethermes?

It was great. They are very reliable.

Did you have a pretty clear idea of what you wanted, or did you work closely with a design team? We had some ideas, but

Cale Kliethermes was able to narrow our options and also to suggest some things we had not thought of for the project.

When was the project completed?

October 2014, so in total, the project only took three to four months.

Anything you would have done differently? So far nothing. I absolutely love it.

Where did you get the furniture and decorations for the deck? We had the

furniture because we moved from San Antonio and had an outdoor area there. But Jana at Studio J really helped me figure out where to put it all and how to make it a useful and comfortable living space. I highly recommend her services as well (getstudioj.com/home). I also had a table that was my parents’ first dining table that I had in storage. Jana recommended that I have it painted with outdoor paint so I could use it out there. I coordinated that with Kelly at Plume, and I love the way it looks.

Would you recommend or use Kliethermes again? Yes. Absolutely.

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Theresult

CHIROPRACTIC CAN ...help with headaches, migraines, sinus headaches, tension headaches.

•••

“Not only has my daughter’s scoliosis stopped progressing, it is getting better!

That’s just the beginning… She no longer has migraines. It’s wonderful to see my 12 year old little girl pain free again!”

-Diane B.

Dr. Amanda Signaigo-Owens, DC co lu m b i a h o m emagazi n e.com | 65

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What the Pros Know Whether it’s home maintenance, style tips or buying advice, this team has you covered.

“Having grown up just south of Columbia, I’ve developed a love for the central Missouri community and the folks who live here. My wife and I built a home for our family just outside of Columbia. I have a good understanding of why there are so many Columbia transplants — it’s just a great community to live in! ” – shaun henry

“When I was younger, my dad let me have free rein over decorating his house. Together we went to auctions and picked out pieces for our home.

In high school, I also started custom framing and was responsible for decorating all of my school’s dances.

It was around then that I realized interior design was something that was always on my mind.”

– Tim Lehmann

“I was born and raised in Columbia. After serving in the Corps for four years, I moved back here to work with my father, Dan. In the near future I plan to take Kliethermes Homes & Remodeling into markets outside of Columbia.”

– Cale Kliethermes

“I was born and raised in Columbia and love nothing more than calling this place home.

Columbia is a great community, and I thoroughly enjoying working in real estate.”

– Brandon Gerau

co lu m b i a h o m emagazi n e.com | 67

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Summer Is Here!

While some of us dream of barbecues, swimming and basking in the sun, others are dreading the heat, humidity and bugs of a mid-Missouri summer.

By shaun henry With summer upon us, I’m one who looks forward to the sunshine and time spent outdoors and with family. I don’t think much of the humidity though. One thing you can count on is that this summer will likely be as unpredictable as any other weather prediction for Missouri. We know we will be hot. We know we will have a drought. And we know our plants and lawns will suffer for it. As you prepare for your summer, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Pest management

Irrigation

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Hopefully you’ve never heard of them because they can devastate a landscape in a hurry. These bronze-winged emerald green beetles appear in late June and feed for about six months before laying eggs for the next season’s crop. They love our roses, linden, grapes, fruit trees and other desirable landscape plants. Many people hang pheromone traps with the intent to capture as many of these hungry beetles as possible, but unfortunately, what typically happens is these hormone-baited traps only draw thousands more beetles into your area from miles away to feed and lay eggs. If you care for your plants and like your neighbors, reconsider the use of pheromone traps for these guys.

During the summer, fleas, ticks and chiggers can make spending time in your lawn agonizing for you and your pets. Some of us treat our pets to keep these pests at bay, and others treat the lawn to reduce the pest populations. We also see a lot of critters such as ants, spiders, pill bugs and millipedes moving inside the house. Treating around the exterior of the home can help protect it from this sort of invasion. We have some images of common pests on our website, but we’re always happy to inspect in person, too.

Keeping up with a Missouri drought can be nearly impossible, and nothing is as good for our plants as natural rainfall, which makes installing an automated sprinkler system a home improvement project worth considering. If you’re fortunate to already have one, now would be a good time to evaluate its effectiveness and look at potential water-saving options from broken sprinkler heads and leaks to rain sensors. During a drought period, it’s often easy to distinguish which areas of your lawn and landscape aren’t receiving proper coverage. Bringing in a professional irrigation service contractor may be necessary to make changes to help save water and your plants.

Turf care

thinkstock.com

Japanese beetles

Disease and insect pressures increase this time of year. A couple of the top issues are brown patch, a soil-borne fungus that thrives in many of our tall fescue lawns, and white grubs, which are a beetle larvae that feed on the root system of your turf.

As the soil temps rise, the fungus can become active, especially when humidity is high and overnight temperatures exceed 65 degrees F. Also as the soil warms, many C-shaped white grub species move closer to the surface to feed on the roots of our turf plants. Proper mowing and watering practices can help to minimize damages.

Remember that coupling either issue with heat and drought stress will only make things worse for your lawn, so water deep and less often, and then mow as high and often as possible.

Shaun Henry

I was born and raised in the Deer Park area south of town, where I was close to lots of cousins, my grandparents and plenty of friends. I don’t think I ever imagined living anywhere else. My wife and I both graduated from the University of Missouri and set roots in rural Columbia with our three boys. Having grown along with Atkins Inc. since June of 2000, I’m proud to be part of an organization that’s so deeply rooted in building relationships throughout the community and developing one of the finest groups of experts in the field. From grounds maintenance to pest management to commercial cleaning, our crews really know their stuff.

We’d love to hear from you at 573-874-5100, or email me at shaun@atkinsinc.com.

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Statement Stones High Point Market’s biggest trend for 2015

By Tim Lehmann

High Point Market highlights the latest trends of the year throughout almost every showroom you enter. Gold and copper, metallic hair on hide and antlers of a thousand varieties are some of the current trends. But colorful stones were definitely the No. 1 hot item this year. The most popular stones used were agate, geode, malachite and quartz.

Unless you’re a geology buff, you might not be familiar with these four popular stones found at Market. Agates are gemstones characterized by their fineness of grain and brightness of color.

Although agates may be found in various kinds of rock, they’re classically associated with volcanic rocks and are common in certain metamorphic rocks.

Geodes are geological secondary structures that occur in certain sedimentary and volcanic rocks. They’re essentially hollow, vaguely spheroid to oblate masses of mineral matter and are the only stone on this list that can be found in abundance right here in Missouri.

Malachite stones are bright green minerals found in veins and in association with copper deposits. They’re most prevalent deep underground, where the water table provides the means for chemical precipitation.

Quartz is made up of a continuous framework of silicon–oxygen tetrahedra. There are many varieties of quartz, almost always clear or white, several of which are semi-precious gemstones.

As far as design, the No. 1 thing these stones are used for is

lighting. Lamps and chandeliers are stunning with the way light makes the colors pop. They’re used in furniture as accents, such as drawer pulls or stone tops, or as entire pieces of furniture, such as solid malachite tables that would need to be moved by forklift.

Fabric is another way designers have brought in stone elements with designs that mimic the lines and shapes of these semi-precious stones. These stones could also easily be incorporated into everyday spaces through accent boxes, mounted on stands, put in display cases or simply placed on any surface as a statement piece.

It was astounding to see all the different applications. As a designer, I can envision how to make these everyday stones into either functional pieces or statement art. Stop by Studio Home to discuss the latest trends in the use of these magnificent stones and how they can fit your lifestyle.

Tim Lehmann I help with a variety of tasks at Studio Home. I run and stage the showroom alongside Jon Trigg and Aaron Dolan. I assist with client deliveries and installations. I also fill some of our custom-framing orders for both clients and walk-ins. And finally, toward the end of an interior design project, I help accessorize a client’s home. I love that every day at Studio Home is different and brings a new challenge.

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21 Questions What to ask when choosing the right contractor

By Cale Kliethermes

Selecting the right contractor will be one of the most important factors in determining whether your next remodeling experience is pleasurable. In fact, 50 percent of homeowners in a recent survey were not satisfied to a point where they would hire that contractor again. We’ve put together a list of 21 questions to ask potential contractors. Any reputable remodeling contractor should be able to answer all of the following questions positively. You would be wise to avoid any contractor who can’t.

1.

Are you properly licensed on the federal, state and city level?

2.

15.

How many projects like mine have you completed in the past year or two?

16.

Do you require all change orders to be in writing to eliminate any misunderstandings and unexpected cost overruns?

How do you plan to reduce dust and protect the rest of my home from the effects of other work?

3. Do you carry general liability and completed

17. How is daily general cleanup handled?

operations insurance?

4. Do you carry workers’ compensation insurance?

5.

Will you provide me with a written lien waiver at the end of the job?

6. Are you a member of NARI or NAHB? Do you subscribe to their code of ethics?

7. Are you certified as a CR or CGR? 8. Are you a member of the local chamber of commerce?

9. Will you pull any necessary permits?

10. Do you offer a written warranty on all workmanship?

11.

Who will be in charge of my job? May I meet this person or persons?

18.

Will the contractor provide a jobsite communication board or other means of communication that is checked daily for questions or concerns I might have thought of after working hours?

19.

Will you provide me with a written contract that clearly spells out exactly what you will do; what your price includes and does not include; and specifies a guaranteed price, payment schedule and a completion date?

20.

Will a professional design my job? (This is only for projects that warrant this level of service.)

21.

Does the contractor provide realistic renderings, sketches and perspectives to allow you to clearly visualize your project early in the planning stages? (This is for projects that warrant this level of service.)

12. Have you been a party in any construction litigation?

13. Will you provide me with references?

14. What percentage of your business is repeat or

referral based?

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Cale Kliethermes I was born and raised in Columbia. In 1996 I moved to Colorado, where I ultimately (after playing for several years) earned a double major in business administration and finance through Regis University. After college, I enlisted in the Marine Corps and served four years, doing three consecutive tours to Iraq. In the Marine Corps I specialized in building and explosives. I got out of the Corps in 2009. Four years ago, I moved back to Columbia to work with my father, Dan, and our business, Kliethermes Homes & Remodeling.

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Making Home Possible The lowdown on the new Home Possible Advantage Program

By Brandon Gerau

The concept behind the Home Possible Advantage Mortgage is to offer mortgages for low- to moderate-income borrowers who might have limited savings. This program also includes first-time homebuyers. In most cases, the biggest obstacle first-time homebuyers face is having the resources for the down payment. The Home Possible Advantage Program only requires 3 percent down.

Here are a few things to know about the Home Possible Advantage Program: • First-time homebuyers must participate in an acceptable borrower education program to qualify for the mortgage.

• The biggest difference between the Home Possible Advantage Program and other programs out there is that the 3 percent can be gifted. Borrowers do not have to have the funds themselves, unlike most conventional loans. The program does not require reserves as well.

• Property has to be a one-unit property the borrower intends to use as their primary residence. The property cannot be a manufactured home.

*

• Borrowers will still have PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance), unless they put down the full 20 percent.

The PMI payment can vary from borrower to borrower. It takes into account the amount you owe, loan-to-value ratio (LTV) and credit scores. Just like all other loans, once you reach 80 percent LTV, you will be able to drop the PMI. • Borrowers may not, as of the Note Date or the Effective Date of Permanent Financing for Construction Conversion and Renovation Mortgages, have any individual or joint ownership interest in any other residential properties.

The new Home Possible Advantage has a few more standards but in the end is able to allow more borrowers to buy a home.

The dream of owning your own home is more feasible than ever!

Brandon Gerau

* “3%” refers to a down payment amount on a mortgage. Applicant must qualify for mortgage under Freddie Mac guidelines. Loan subject to credit approval. Other restrictions may apply.

NMLS# 977618

I have been with Landmark Bank for three years now. I am a mortgage lender at our new office on the corner of Forum and Chapel Hill. I have my undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri and am currently pursing my master’s in financial planning at MU. You can reach me at 573-499-7327 or email me at Brandon.Gerau@landmarkbank.com. co lu m b i a h o m e magazi n e.com | 71

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D o IT Y O U RSE L F

DIY DUO CREATES A+ DELICIOUS ROOM

T

By Michele Towns “Two heads are better than one” certainly is true when it comes to DIY. Kindred spirits best describes the relationship for Jana Gebhardt and me. Having seen each other over the past two years at various garage and estate sales, many times I’d catch Jana eyeballing my pile of goodies. I’m drawn to other people who are treasure hunters, and Jana can hunt with the best of them.

I invited Jana, from Studio J, to work with me on my next DIY project, and we were soon off to meet with Allison and her mom. When we arrived, the bedroom had a fresh coat of Benjamin Moore Galveston Gray paint from Johnston Paint & Decorating, new cream-colored bedding and a chandelier I found for $25 to replace the outdated fan.

The brief from the client was short and sweet: She wanted a modern and glamorous feel, and she loved things monogramed. She had a small piece of fabric in a red violet hue, which was our color cue to incorporate. Other than that, we could do what we wanted, and we had $550 to spend on materials.

First we decided on the furniture arrangement to determine which pieces could stay and which would go. Next, because the room only has one window, we needed to bring in more light, so we chose lots of cream, white and metallic on the furniture to create some brightness along with mirrors and glitter.

With the plan nailed down, the rest was serendipitous and based on whatever thrifty finds and DIY solutions we could hunt down for the space.

Before

Design on a dime Big Score No. 1: I scored this desk at Salvation Army. It had the perfect modern lines the new room style craved and was purchased for a song — $20!

Big Score No. 2: Jana hit a big church garage sale and found two big frames and the perfect-sized ottoman. Each piece cost a whopping $2. Now, we had some DIY art for the walls and a great coffee table for the love seat, which also provides seating when friends come over.

Big Score No. 3: The inspiration color was beautiful but nary to be found in Columbia stores. I found one bolt of feature fabric at JoAnn’s, but the biggest find was a pair of IKEA window panels in a rich, deep version of the color for only $19.99. Now Jana had gobs of yardage to use as fabric for decorative soft furnishings, including pillows, slipcovers and a bed skirt.

co lu m b i a h o m emagazi n e.com | 73

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D o IT Y O U RSE L F

DIY SECRETS 1. Ready-made

drapery panels with a band of contrast fabric created a pop of color and a custom look.

2. The nubby woven fabric of the 9-by-12-foot drop

cloth from Johnston’s made the perfect soft throw for the loveseat. A few strategic tucks of the fabric later, and it was the perfect “slipcover” and an instant facelift for the homely piece.

3. The cottage knotty pine dresser had an attached

mirror that lends itself to a country style, so we removed it. I then primed with Benjamin Moore White Dove multipurpose oil-base primer and followed up with three coats of Modern Master matte metallic paint in Oyster, recommended

by Vicki at Johnston Paint & Decoration. New clean-lined drawer pulls made it look more modern and sophisticated.

4. Wallpaper was adhered to the top of the desk and varnished for durability. This paper design added another modern element to the space.

5. The client had lots of photos of friends on one small bulletin board. To make them a feature in the room, we spray painted two frames and added extra wallpaper and cord to create a pin board. German glass glitter clothespins were added to hang the photos.

6. It’s hard to have too many pillows, and they are

an easy DIY project that adds softness, color and personality to a room.

7. We ran out of funds to purchase a new modern

chair, so Jana decided we should repurpose the old desk chair. She stitched the seat cover out of leftover scraps of fabric, I painted the legs, and Jana created a slipcover for the back to highlight the pretty lines and hide the cottagey cutouts.

Jana also incorporated a monogram (created by my sister Karen) in the chair’s slipcover.

8. The bed needed a skirt, but we were out of the

feature fabrics and funds, so I found a couple drapery panels, which Jana used to create the bed skirt. A $2 roll of ribbon stitched onto the skirt gave it just a hint of color.

Jana’s business, Studio J, creates personal decorating solutions for a well-loved home.

Jana will get inside your head to understand your style and what your room needs so you can fall in love with your home again. I learned so much from her during these past two months. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Contact Studio J at 573-445-5554, or visit getStudioJ.com.

co lu m b i a h o m e magazi n e.com | 75

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L i f e C o achi n g

The Best Medicine

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By Carolyn Sullivan When we let people help us, a magical winwin takes place. Research shows that helping people makes us feel good. It gives us what researchers call a helpers’ high and activates the reward center of our brains. Helping others also extends our lives, increases our feelings of competence and gives us a sense of purpose. It’s one of the world’s best medicines for the giver and taker.

As family and friends showered us with love, Elisa was put on a path to healing — and so was I. By overcoming my own resistance to accepting help, I was unalterably and permanently transformed. With fresh eyes, I appreciate that to say yes is to open my heart to love and the infinite possibilities of human connection.

It isn’t easy to accept or ask for help, but I know the effort I invest in accepting help is something I do not only for myself but also for my tribe, my community and the world around me. So the next time I’m offered help, I hope I’ll reply, “Why, yes, please, and thank you.”

Tips:



1. Identify your obstacle to asking.

What’s stopping you from asking for help? Is it fear of rejection in the event someone can’t help you? Your need to control? Once you increase your selfawareness about your fear of asking, you’ll be able to dismantle the fear with opposing facts.

 

Photo by Anthony Jinson

Last year, two days before Christmas, Elisa, my life partner of 22 years, was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer. Hearing that diagnosis was like being sideswiped in a car. One minute you’re driving along listening to the radio, and the next minute you’re off the road, upside down in a ditch.

After losing both parents to cancer, Elisa would now lose both her breasts. She was shocked and overwhelmed. I was terrified. She is my everything, and it killed me to see her thrust into this nightmare.

“You need to rally your tribe,” one friend said. “You’re going to need them.” Panic surged through my body as I contemplated the prospect of needing and receiving so much help from others. I’ve always been terrible at accepting help — and even worse at asking for it.

It was Elisa’s increasing courage and calm in the face of cancer that inspired me to step up as her caregiver. Whatever fears I had about looking weak I would have to manage so we could get what we needed most: love and support from family and friends to enable Elisa’s full recovery.

As news of Elisa’s diagnosis spread in early January, a miracle began to unfold. People came from everywhere to help. Their help came in the form of prayers and presents, walks and talks. They knocked on our door and rang our phone. A high school friend I hadn’t seen in 37 years who had never met Elisa offered to fly to Columbia to help. Amidst her own treatment for breast cancer, a friend and her partner had us over for dinner to distract Elisa before her surgery. The three young daughters of a colleague befriended and regularly walked our dog, Cleo.

The most curious thing was that people gave to us as though we were doing them a huge favor.

Those we knew and some we didn’t genuinely wanted to help, and when we accepted their offers, their gratitude overflowed. We learned that people didn’t want to be on the sidelines for Elisa’s health crisis; they wanted to be fighting cancer right alongside us.

2. Receive graciously. Speak and show your gratitude to those who’ve blessed you with kindness. Most people are just looking for two simple words — thank you — communicated from the heart.

3. Reciprocate. About three weeks after Elisa’s surgery, I ran into a friend and learned she had stage IV cancer.

She was dying, and I was devastated.

Having benefitted from the generosity of so many for nearly three months, I knew what to do. While others cooked for us, I cooked for Linda. It’s the cycle of giving, and it’s a beautiful thing when we keep it going.

Carolyn sullivan At the height of the recession, Carolyn took her dreams off the back burner and started her own business, New Chapter Coaching. Crazy or confident, she’s never looked back. She’s dedicated to helping nonprofits get results that improve people’s lives and helping others make a difference along the way. Carolyn’s hit what she calls the career trifecta: She gets to do what she loves with clients she respects and earns a living doing it. She wishes the same for everyone.

Carolyn’s challenge: There’s always someone you know in need. This month, identify one person from your circle — a friend, neighbor or someone at work you don’t know well — and commit to doing something nice for them. No act is wrong or too small; it only has to come from the heart to connect with them and make you feel good. co lu m b i a h o m e magazi n e.com | 77

H e alth a n d w e ll n e s s

Health &Wellness By beth bramstedt and columbia Home staff

This month’s pick: Strawberries Strawberries are the perfect summer fruit. They’re juicy, delicious and packed full of antioxidants! Here are 10 reasons you should pick up fresh strawberries at the farmers market this weekend.

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10 Health Benefits of Strawberries 1. Boost your immunity: Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C. 2. Promote eye health: The antioxidants found in strawberries may help to prevent cataracts (clouding of the eye lens), which can lead to blindness. Vitamin C can also help strengthen the eye’s cornea and retina.

3. Prevent wrinkles: The benefit of vitamin C found in strawberries is also vital to the production of collagen, which helps to improve the elasticity and resilience in our skin.

As we age, we lose collagen, but eating foods high in vitamin C could result in healthier, younger-looking skin.

4. Fiber booster: Fiber is necessary for healthy digestion, and strawberries can help with that. With about two grams of fiber per serving, they can help alleviate constipation and diverticulitis.

5. Weight management: Strawberries are naturally a low-calorie food, with just 28 calories per serving. Plus, they’re fat free and low in sodium and sugar. Maintaining a healthy weight is just one of the defenses against type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

6. Fight off bad cholesterol: The acids found in strawberries can help prevent plaque buildup in our arteries. These same acids also act as an anti-inflammatory, which is good for the heart.

7. Reduce inflammation in joints: The antioxidants and phytochemicals found in these powerful red berries may also help reduce inflammation in the joints, which can cause arthritis. A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health shows that women who eat 16 or more strawberries per week are 14 percent more likely to have less inflammation.

8. Help with cancer prevention: Something called ellagic acid, found in strawberries, has been found to yield anticancer properties such as the ability to suppress cancer cell growth. Strawberries also contain antioxidants lutein and zeathancins, which are scavengers to free-radials and neutralize the damage they can do to our cells.

9. Regulate blood pressure: Strawberries are also packed full of potassium, averaging about 134 milligrams per serving. Potassium has many benefits, such as regulating blood pressure.

10. Promote prenatal health: Strawberries are a great source of folate, a B vitamin recommended for women who are pregnant or trying to conceive.

SUMMER EVENINGS OUTSIDE. You deserve to enjoy them, free from the hassle of glasses or contact lenses. That’s where we come in. Restoration Eye Care custom tailors its bladefree Lasik procedure to your eyes, because you deserve to have your best vision possible.

Sources: Reader’s Digest, Best Health

Perfect Summer Salad: Spinach and Strawberry with Feta Recipe adapted from food.com Ingredients: • 7 to 10 cups fresh baby spinach (washed and dried) • 5 cups sliced fresh strawberries • ¼ cup toasted sliced almonds and/or pecans • ½ cup crumbed feta cheese (we also love using goat cheese!)

TRY THIS

recipe at your next gathering

Dressing: • ½ cup vegetable oil • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar • ¼ to 1/3 cup white sugar (or agave syrup) • 1 to 2 tablespoon poppy seeds Directions: In a large bowl, toss desired amount of spinach with the strawberries and almonds/ pecans. In another small bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients. Pour over spinach; toss to combine evenly.

Sprinkle cheese of choice over the top of the salad. Enjoy!

www.RestorationEyeCare.com 573-441-7070 Contact us today to set up your FREE Lasik screening! co lu m b i a h o m e magazi n e.com | 79

H e alth a n d w e ll n e s s

Sunning Safely

S

By Beth Bramstedt

Summertime means warmer weather, longer days and more time in the sun. We often find ourselves sitting out at the pool or ball field, working in the garden or sipping tea with friends on an outdoor patio. How can we take full advantage of summer while keeping our skin healthy? Some local skin care experts weigh in with tips on enjoying summer while staying safe in the sun.

Do I really need sunscreen?

“When it is a joy to spend time outside, wearing the proper sunscreen is a must,” says Rebecca Fitzpatrick, owner of Rebecca’s Day Spa. “I love to run outside daily, and I have made it an absolute habit to put on a sunscreen of SPF 40 every time.”

What would you recommend when shopping for sunscreen?

“There are many sunscreens on the market,” Rebecca says. “It’s important to find one that works best for your skin type. For example, someone who has a tendency toward breakouts would want a sunscreen without oil and irritants. Another important factor to consider is the level of SPF you want to use. Just keep in mind that the higher SPF may contain more chemicals that could actually irritate the skin further.”

Hanna Brethower, a licensed esthetician with DeSpain Cayce Dermatology Center and Medical Spa, suggests using a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30. “Look for physical blocking ingredients like zinc and/or titanium dioxide,” she says. She also suggests looking for noncomedogenic products if you’re prone to sensitivities or acne and a water/sweatresistant product for those participating in high-intensity activities.

Any recommendations for a specific product for you or the family?

“I like Elta MD for the family,” Hanna says. “It is a medical-grade sunscreen line with physical blocking ingredients for every occasion and skin type. Cost runs between $10 and $40. I also personally love Skinceutical’s Tinted Fusion SPF 50 and use it as primer under my makeup every day.”

What does SPF really mean?

“SPF, or sun protection factor, is a measure of a sunscreen’s ability to prevent UVB rays from damaging the skin,” says dermatologist Dr. Kimberly Cayce. “If it takes 20 minutes for your unprotected skin to start turning red, using an SPF 15 sunscreen theoretically prevents reddening 15 times longer, or about five hours.”

Any other tips on sun exposure or using sunscreen?

• Reapply sunscreen every two hours if sweating or swimming.

• Apply a generous amount of sunscreen 30 minutes prior to sun exposure.

• Restock your sunscreen every summer; most expire after a year.

• Wear a broad-rimmed hat rather than a baseball cap.

• Head for the shade when you’re able to, especially during the intense afternoon hours.

• Wear SPF daily; the sun is out year round.

• Look for clothing that has an SPF factor built in.

• Don’t forget about eyes and lips. There is sunscreen available for those specific areas, too.

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H e alth a n d w e ll n e s s

Aging Gracefully

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By Beth Bramstedt

There comes a point for each of us when we realize we’re getting older. It may happen when we turn 40 or when we look in the mirror and discover our first gray hair. Or maybe we’re reminded every time we see our double chin in the family photo. It’s inevitable — we are all aging. The question isn’t whether we will grow older but how we are preparing for it. How can we grow old with grace and class? Here are three helpful tips from local experts.

Baby your skin and body Did you know skin is your body’s largest and fastest-growing organ? Skin is our body’s protection. It keeps the good stuff in and the bad stuff out and requires extreme care if we want to age gracefully.

“Everything we eat and drink directly influences how our skin looks,” says Rebecca Fitzpatrick, owner of Rebecca’s Day Spa. “Environmental aggressors like the sun, smoking and drugs cause 80 percent of skin damage and aging.

In most cases, aging can be minimized by taking care of our bodies.”

Rebecca says eating healthy, drinking water and staying out of the sun are great starts to maintaining young-looking skin.

Scottie Rawlings, a registered dietitian and consultant for Mary Kay Cosmetics, also suggests several ways to baby our skin and bodies as we mature: • Get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

• Increase nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12.

• Choose nutrient-dense foods, those with color such as fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains and lean protein sources.

• Drink six eight-ounce glasses of water each day.

• Stay active.

• Use sunscreen to prevent sun damage.

• Choose a skin care system that can help fight signs of aging by cleansing, exfoliating, freshening, energizing, hydrating, protecting and renewing.

Rebecca also recommends cleaning your face twice a day and removing makeup, dirt and oil from your face before bed. “Your skin does its best healing and repairing overnight,” she says, “so after a deep cleansing, put on your favorite night cream, and get a good night’s rest. You will wake up with softer, healthier skin, guaranteed.”

Develop coping skills for change As we age, we often experience an overload of change and transition. We come face to face with empty nest syndrome, retirement, downsizing our house, new income levels, illness, physical limitations and loss of relationships.

Coping with these changes with grace is the key to our mental health and well-being.

“You might find yourself trying to adjust to a new normal almost every day,” says Linda Fentress, LPC and owner Journeys Christian Counseling.

“These new realities can be very taxing. It is critical that we develop good coping skills to help us through the avalanche of change.”

Linda suggests exploring stress-reduction and relaxation techniques, as well as replacing unhelpful patterns of thinking with helpful ones. She also believes it’s important to understand the process of working through loss and allowing ourselves space to grieve.

“The good news is that old dogs can learn new tricks,” Linda says. “It’s never too late to add or develop good coping skills for change.”

Build strength and flexibility As women get older, we often feel resigned to the telltale signs of the aging process and how they manifest in our bodies. We grow to expect a decreased level of endurance, flexibility, bone density, muscle mass and general fitness.

Although we can’t turn back the clock, numerous studies have shown that remaining active at each stage of life has positive benefits to our health. We know that exercise is an effective tool to counteract the signs of aging and increase longevity.

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“Fitness activities that promote building strength, balance and improved flexibility are a great benefit to our bodies as we advance in years,” says Beth Abernathie, registered nurse and owner of Chapel Hill Pilates and Yoga.

She says as women age, these factors all play key roles in preventing falls and broken bones and that strength training actually helps women regain bone density while also building muscle.

“Studies show that exercises such as Pilates and yoga can actually help slow down some of the ways our bodies experience the aging process,” Beth says.

“They are great alternatives because they’re low impact and place minimal stress on our joints.” co lu m b i a h o m emagazi n e.com | 81

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l o v e and r e lat i o n s hip s

Vacation A period of time devoted to pleasure, rest or relaxation, especially one with pay granted to an employee

I

In our fast-paced lives, vacations are often put on the back burner, and in our “connected” world, many of us who do take a vacation continue to work on the beach or in the mountains. We never seem to really disconnect from the everyday and totally commit to connect emotionally in the present. We’ve come to believe that being responsible doesn’t include self and relationship care.

My daughter-in-law’s doctor offered her some sage advice. He suggested she and my son not consider starting a family until they had gone on at least three significant vacations. Her doctor clearly understands the importance of couples spending time together and bonding.

A study of steelworkers found that 25 percent of respondents felt that after vacations their work efficiency had increased, their jobs were more interesting and they had more interactions and shared activities with their spouses and children.

Bonding time isn’t just for the young relationship. In fact healthy, mature relationships may require more rejuvenation

“

Keep in mind that alone time with your partner is an investment to make you a better partner and parent.

“

By Nellie Symm Gruender

on a regular basis. At an age when many people are retiring, Gene and I own four businesses in two different states. Although we don’t have to be present every day at the businesses, we both have active roles.

Despite the fact that we have the luxury of creating our own schedules, we often struggle to set aside time to fully disconnect and end up in one place at the same time.

On average, U.S. workers relinquish two vacation days per year by not using them.

Couples vacations allow couples the opportunity to reprioritize, rediscover the foundations and strip down barriers in their relationships. They also allow couples to enjoy intimacy in an atmosphere that isn’t fraught with exhaustion, the pressures of work deadlines and child care interruptions.

Gene and I especially enjoy finding allinclusive resorts that take away the pressure of finding a restaurant and entertainment at our destination. With booking sites such as Cheap Caribbean and TripAdvisor, you can find a destination that fits your budget and is exactly what you’re looking for based on

reviews of people who have experienced the resort.

If leaving the children with family or friends simply isn’t an option, look for destinations that are geared to entertaining the kids during the day with family time at night. Keep in mind that alone time with your partner is an investment to make you a better partner and parent.

As a word of caution: Don’t allow the quest for the perfect vacation to be like expecting a Norman Rockwell Christmas.

It might or might not happen. Take every change in plans, whether it’s rain or a travel delay, to use your go-with-the-flow skills.

Don’t allow it to be an opportunity to check work email; instead, make it the opportunity to hold your significant other’s hand and emotionally reconnect. Your partner, kids and boss will all thank you for it.

Sources: wisconsinmedicalsociety.org/_ WMS/publications/wmj/pdf/104/6/20.pdf, expedia.com/p/info-other/vacation_ deprivation.htm, jpost.com/Magazine/ Lifestyle/Why-couples-need-vacations co lu m b i a h o m emagazi n e.com | 85

beautiful moments

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A once-in-a-lifetime relationship deserves a one-of-a-kind ring.

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e n g a g e m e n t Q&A

The Road to ‘I Do’

SPONSO RED BY

By10-19-2013 Sarah berger

Taylor Fredrick and Drake Howell

Stephanie Daly and Justin Secrist

CH: How did you meet? When did you meet?

Stephanie: We met five years ago at the Kansas City Power & Light District through a mutual friend. We immediately fell for each other and flew on a five-day vacation the next day. The rest was history.

CH: What’s the proposal story?

Stephanie: I knew I wanted to marry him from the first time I met him, so it was definitely in my timeline to be engaged and planning the next big step in our lives. We worked with Robert Flynn at LC Betz to design the perfect ring. I was convinced Justin wouldn’t be able to surprise me with a proposal.

Well, I was wrong. On April 19, 2014, Justin surprised with a special proposal in front of our closest family and friends.

Justin: I originally wanted to do a hot air balloon, but it was too windy that day. I had her family, my family and some of her closest friends come to our house to hide and wait for us to return from dinner. When we got back to our house, my nieces and nephew were holding up signs that read, “Will you marry me?”

Justin: This is hard to narrow down to just one, but I would say the countless ways she makes me a better person. I would be lost without her.

CH: What are three must-haves for your wedding day?

Stephanie: Cake (everyone loves cake), a DJ who isn’t afraid to get the party started and a photo booth to capture candid shots of all our favorite people enjoying our special day.

Justin: A great bar for our friends and family, great weather and zero problems!

CH: If you could go anywhere for your honeymoon, where would it be?

Stephanie: Greece!

Justin: Australia or any beach with clear water.

CH: What are you looking forward to most about married life?

CH: What is your favorite quality about the other person?

Stephanie: Relaxing (after wedding planning) and growing old together. I’ve read enough Nicholas Sparks books to believe in the fairytale.

Stephanie: His sense of humor and his ability to always make me happy.

Justin: Spending the rest of my life with my best friend.

CH: How did you meet? When did you meet?

CH: What is your favorite quality about the other person?

Taylor: We met in the ninth grade.

Drake was the new kid at school, and it was the second day when I finally got the courage to talk to him. The next day he wasn’t at school, so I found his profile on MySpace and sent him a message asking where he was. That’s when we started talking. He asked for my phone number, and we talked all weekend.

We’ve been together since.

Taylor: If I had to narrow it down, it would be how hardworking and passionate he is. He’s the hardestworking man I know.

Drake: We met at Oakland Junior High School. She came after me.

Taylor: Beautiful flowers, a cake made

by Edith Hall and a good DJ.

CH: What’s the proposal story?

Drake: Taylor, family, friends.

Taylor: He told me he had a surprise for me on Christmas Day. To be honest, I thought he bought me a four-wheeler or a cow (because I want to start my own herd one day). I woke him up at 5 a.m., and we got ready for our day like normal.

He blindfolded me, and we drove for about five minutes before we stopped, he walked me to a special place and said, “OK, you can take off your blindfold.” He was down on one knee asking me to marry him. He had taken me back to the place we first met, Oakland Junior High School. I started crying with tears of joy.

It was literally the perfect proposal. He asked my dad for permission, and he designed the ring himself at LC Betz, the place I always wanted a ring from.

CH: If you could go anywhere for your honeymoon, where would it be?

Drake: Her loving personality.

CH: What are three must-haves for your wedding day?

Taylor: I don’t have a dream location, just somewhere Drake and I can go and have fun and relax.

Drake: The beach.

CH: What are you looking forward to most about married life?

Taylor: Being able to finally start our lives together, to be able to call someplace home and hopefully start a family.

Drake: Having kids.

If you would like your engagement featured in Columbia Home, email your photo to audrey@businesstimescompany.com co lu m b i a h o m e magazi n e.com | 87

w e dd i n g s

All-American Wedding

Elizabeth and John Fabsits incorporated baseball, reds and whites and Coca-Cola into their special day to set the tone for an all-American wedding.

By Audrey sharp | photos by david owens

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When and how did you meet? We were introduced to each other at an EPIC (Emerging Professionals in Columbia) event by a mutual acquaintance in October 2006. We became friends but didn’t start dating until the fall of 2007.

Was Columbia the obvious choice for a wedding location?

Columbia was the obvious choice for a wedding location for us! John is from St. Louis, and I’m from Shelbina, Missouri, so Columbia was an easy place for everyone to come together.

What are your ties to Columbia? I moved to Columbia to attend college in 2002, and John moved here in 2005 for a job opportunity.

Since then, it has become home for us.

Is there anything that happened on the wedding day that you thought was going to be catastrophic? My motto through the whole wedding-planning process was that if something didn’t go as planned, no one would know but us. Two things happened that I thought would be catastrophic. First, I, on accident, kept focusing on the wedding date, July 21, 2012, so when I went to book the rehearsal dinner space, I gave them the wedding date and not the night before. Oops! We caught this about two weeks before the wedding (luckily) but had to completely change the venue because of Artrageous weekend downtown. Luckily, we found another venue, and it all worked out. Second, about a week before our wedding, we found out there would be about 1,000 of our community members making a red wall around First Baptist Church and Broadway in support of Sterling Wyatt’s funeral. Our wedding was taking place at Sacred Heart Catholic Church about a block from First Baptist. Our first thoughts were parking for our guests, the time it might take guests to make their way through a sea of 1,000 people and how this was going to affect our planning. John and I knew we couldn’t stress over this. We sent an email/Facebook message to our guests explaining what was going on that day. John knew the Wyatt family from Boy

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Scouts, and I, coming from a military family, knew it was important to show our support that day as well. We made the best of the situation and decided to take a few minutes out of our day to walk down and show support for the Wyatts. We could have stressed over it but knew that in life and marriage, it isn’t always easy, but it could always be worse.

How long did the wedding planning take? The weddingplanning process took about one year.

Biggest help before/during the wedding/reception? We had a lot of help from family and friends before and during the wedding/ reception. It wouldn’t have been possible without them. We also got some help from Annabelle Events on great reception décor ideas.

Favorite part of the reception? I would say I have two favorite parts of the reception. First was the amazing food and display of the food by Fresh Ideas at Stephens College. It was exactly what we wanted.

We were able to have stations around the room, allowing people to mingle all night long. Second, instead of a DJ or band, we had an idea of dueling pianos. We knew this could either go very well or be a disaster. It was one of the best decisions we made for the reception.

Best part about planning the wedding? My favorite part of planning the wedding was the time we were able to spend with family and friends. We had a lot of fun and laughter during the process.

Favorite dish or drink by those who attended? This is a tossup I think. The favorite food was definitely the turkey and dressing (which was attached to a Velcro wall). For drinks, John and I have two favorite beers (both of which you can’t get in Missouri), so we made trips to both Tennessee and Wisconsin to bring back some of our favorite beer for the reception. Yuengling and Spotted Cow were served and seemed to be favorites for a lot of attendees.

w e dd i n g s

Classic Americana Small Plates BLT Salad Pancetta, beefsteak tomato, Bibb lettuce

Mozzarella, focaccia, pesto aioli, citrus zest

Craft Mac-tini Station House-made mac and cheese with assorted toppings

Brie and Strawberry Tartlette Garnished with fresh mint

Meat and Potatoes Marinated flank steak, Yukon potato, red wine reduction

Mini Tacos

Chicken on corn tortilla taco shell, beef barbacoa, wonton, fresh salsas and condiments

Turkey and Stuffing Sage stuffing, turkey, gravy, sage crisp

Southern Green Bean and Zucchini and Squash Station (non-sautĂŠ) Guest selection one or both options

Root Beer Floats with Traditional Root Beer

Wedding section sponsored by: fresh ideas food service 573-445-4321 co lu m b i a h o m e m agazi n e.com | 89

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THE COLD SHOULDER

is pretty hot

Letting your shoulders peek out adds a relaxed yet ultra chic look for the office or a night out.

Top by Umgee, $68

Bracelet by Brighton, $78

And this trend Ideal for nearly any occasion and nearly any age!

We suggest pairing this look with a neutral bottom and adding just a few accessories.

At Girl Boutique, we have many pieces that allow women to express their free spirit style. Come in and check out some ultra chic pieces and new lower price points!

Wide-leg pants

by Michael Stars, $178

Carolyn Paris, The Callaway Bank

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573-442-7003 1401 Forum Blvd., Columbia (on Forum next to CC’s City Broiler) ShopAtGirl.com

m o mm y ch r o n icl e s

Oh, Snap! You’re Saying I’m Not Cool?

T

By Jill Orr

The other night, my 13-year-old son told me I wasn’t cool. He didn’t say it in a mean way; it was more like he was just stating the obvious. You are not a platypus. You are not the queen of England.

You are not cool. I was wounded. Here is the conversation that followed: Me: What are you talking about? I’m pretty cool!

(I gesture to my gray Chuck Taylor’s as evidence.)

Son: Well, you’re cool for a mom.

Me: Cool for a mom? What does that even mean?

Son: Like, if you went to a mom party, all the other moms would talk to you and stuff.

Me: And if I went to a “regular” party?

Son: (Pauses, then eyes fill with pity) Well…

(Note: If you do this, you are mothering your friends, and you should seek help immediately.)

They might not know it, but our kids crave limits and boundaries; it makes them feel safe.

In addition, being overly close with your children can be confusing to them when in adolescence they begin the process of individuating from us. Children need to separate a little from their parents to grow and gain a sense of who they are, independent from us. Kids who aren’t able to do this — maybe because they feel guilty or simply don’t want to hurt their friendparents feelings — can struggle in adulthood with decision-making and anxiety.

And is there anything less cool than a 25-year-old who can’t pick out a tie without calling Mom for help?

Now it isn’t that I don’t want my kids to like me. I actually do more than I care to admit. It’s just that that’s not as important to me as churning out a person who will grow up to become a happy, healthy, productive member of society. After all, that’s the job description under the heading “Parent.” And the heartbreaking paradox of the job is that if you do it well, your kids won’t need you anymore. But maybe, hopefully, even though they don’t need you, they will still want to have you around. Even if you’re not cool.

Apparently, a pair of Chuck Taylor’s does not a cool mom make.

As much as my pride demanded an argument, after I thought about it for a moment, I realized he was right. First of all, anyone who thinks about whether he or she is cool is most definitely not. Secondly, if I’m being honest, I never was all that cool to begin with, and I’m sure aging hasn’t done me any favors. Thirdly, and perhaps most telling, is that I’d rather go to a party filled with moms than almost any other kind of party in the whole world.

Embracing my epic uncoolness, however damaging to my ego, has had one unexpected fringe benefit: I think it actually makes me a better parent. I realize I don’t want to be the mom who thinks she’s just one of the gang, like Amy Poehler in Mean Girls. That’s just sad. And more than sad, it’s monumentally unfair. If I’m busy trying to be my children’s friend, then I’m sleeping on the job of being their mother. I know there are people out there who will disagree with me, but I think trying to be friends with your kids, at least while they’re young, does them a huge disservice.

Kids need structure, and friends don’t provide structure. When was the last time you made your friend go to the bathroom before she got in the car for an hour? Or reminded her she would have to pay for her next cracked iPhone screen? Or screeched at her, “Because I said so, that’s why!”

thinkstock.com

J i ll O r r Jill is a stay-at-home mom of two (an odd title because she is rarely ever at home). In her pre-Mommy days, she graduated from the University of Missouri with an undergraduate degree in journalism and a master's in social work, with an emphasis on children and family studies. But she wishes she would have gotten a Ph.D. in What's For Dinner and How to Get Bubblegum Out of the Carpet. That would have served her better.

Read her blog at jillsorr.com • Follow Jill on

@jillsorr

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ab o u t t o w n

Polar Bear Plunge

Polar Plunge This year, 376 mid-Missourians took the plunge and raised more than $78,223 for Special Olympics athletes. The event was held on March 14 at the Bass Pro Shops in Columbia.

Sponsors included Clear 99, the Columbia Missourian, KOMU 8 News, Mid-Missouri The CW, Socket, Y107 and the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.

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ab o u t t o w n

Athena Awards

Anne Williams, Kat Cunningham, Jan Grossman

Cheryl Jarvis, Jan Grossman, Janice Schuerman

Ann Merrifield, Natalie Hardin

Kalynn Ramsey, Krista Kippenberger

Gena Patton, Judy Starr

Kim Chinn, Lisa Gardi, Whitney Coker

Eric Morrison, Jane Scott

Standing: Lynda Baumgartner, Sabrina McDonnell, Cindy Mustard, Susan Gray, Karen Taylor, Vicki Dunscombe, Karen Miller, Pat Hostetler, Vicky Riback Wilson. Sitting: Barbara Hodges, Janice Schuerman, Linda Arnold

21st Annual ATHENA International Awards Banquet The Women’s Network held the 21st Annual ATHENA International Awards Banquet on April 9, presented by Joe Machens Dealerships. They awarded the ATHENA Leadership Award to Janice Schuerman, MFA Inc., and the ATHENA Young Professional Award to Billie Connally, Landmark Bank. The Women’s Network is a division of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce with 500 members.

Matt McCormick, Jan Beckett

Caroline Leemis, Valerie Zumwalt, Lindsey Boudinot, Amanda Tilford

Back row: Shelly DeVore, Kerrie Bloss, Jessica Macy, Lindsey Young Lopez.

Front row: Shatenita Horton, Billie Connally

Elizabeth Tate, Jessica Ellison, Lyndsy Richardson, Stephanie Smith

co lu m b i a h o m e m agazi n e.com | 93

STOP WORKING OUT START WORKING IT. 120 E. Nifong (Peach Tree Plaza) | Columbia, MO 573.823.7600 | jazzercise.com

94 | june/july 201 5

Photo by Ben meldrum

Photo by anthony jinson

menwelove

Jason

Miller

Age:

40

Tom

Age:

Bradley

51

Profession: Director of HR information systems and employee

Profession: Radio host and self-proclaimed governor of midMissouri

scenes tech guru at Peggy Jean’s Pies (my wife’s business)

Age: 51

Age: 40 9-year-old daughter

Family: Dynamite Deb and I have been married for 31 years and are blessed with three incredible kids (Amazing Ashley, SeanBalaya and Princess Jessie) and now two wonderful grandsons (Lil’ Man Bradley and Logan-Balaya).

Childhood dream career: I always wanted to be an

Childhood dream career: Linebacker in the NFL. I ate my Wheaties, but that didn’t seem to help.

Words you live by: Treat others as you would like to be treated.

Advice you’d give your teenage self: Dream bigger. And don’t be afraid to show your true feelings.

relations at University of Missouri Health Care and behind-the-

Family: Wife, Rebecca, and two children: a 12-year-old son and

astronaut.

Also, if you are going to do something, give it 100 percent.

Advice you’d give your teenage self: Do not try to be the most popular kid in school. It doesn’t matter after high school.

Seriously. Focus on enjoying the time you are given.

Advice you give your kids most often: You can do

anything; you just have to try. And no one is perfect the first time.

Next item on your bucket list: A month-long trip across Europe!

Advice you give your kids most often: It’s the same strong advice I received from my parents: Life isn’t fair. Once you learn and accept that, it makes the tough times easier and empowers you to make changes instead of waiting for better times. And you realize life has dealt much worse blows to others, who might desperately need your help. Oh, and play Scrabble every chance you get!

Next item on your bucket list: Adventure motorcycling. It’s when you take all your gear (camping, hunting, fishing) on an offroad bike into the heart of the wilderness and enjoy the audacity of nature.

Submit a man in your life for Men We Love at columbiahomemagazine.com. co lu m b i a h o m emagazi n e.com | 95

ADVERTISER INDEX ADT................................................................................................................................................................................16 Angelique Photography...........................................................................................................................18 Atkins Inc............................................................................................................................................................... 72 Blanc Studio.......................................................................................................................................................14 Boone County National Bank.................................................................................................................9 Boone Hospital...................................................................................................................................................2 Bright City Lights........................................................................................................................................... 76 Budget Blinds.....................................................................................................................................................16 Carpet One......................................................................................................................................................6 & 7 Casey Buckman Photography...............................................................................................................12 Central Dairy and Ice Cream CO. ........................................................................................................84 Cha Boutique..................................................................................................................................................... 40 Commerce Bank...................................................................................................................................................3 Dave Griggs Flooring America.............................................................................................................13 Designer Kitchens & Baths......................................................................................................................65 Edible Arrangements................................................................................................................................ 40 Edward Jones.................................................................................................................................................... 55 GIRL............................................................................................................................................................................ 90 Hockman Interior Design.........................................................................................................................10 Janome Sewing Center...............................................................................................................................28 Jazzercise.............................................................................................................................................................94 Johnston Paint & Decorating Direct............................................................................................. 74 Kliethermes Homes.......................................................................................................................................66 La Belle Cabinetry & Lighting..............................................................................................................96 La Feria.....................................................................................................................................................................14 Landmark Bank................................................................................................................................................99 LC Betz Jewelers.............................................................................................................................................86 Les Bourgeois................................................................................................................................................. 100

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Lifestyles Furniture...................................................................................................................................20 Lincoln University.........................................................................................................................................84 Lo & Behold..........................................................................................................................................................49 Magnolia Med Spa...........................................................................................................................................28 Martellaro Marble & Granite........................................................................................................... 90 Mid-City Lumber Co.........................................................................................................................................86 Missouri Vein Care............................................................................................................................................8 Organize That Space.....................................................................................................................................22 Passions................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Peggy Jean's Pies................................................................................................................................................ 4 Personal Touch Cleaning Service...................................................................................................22 Restoration Eye care................................................................................................................................. 79 Services for Independent Living......................................................................................................26 Shelter Insurance Agents......................................................................................................................20 State Farm Insurance - Stephanie Wilmsmeyer.....................................................................28 Studio Home........................................................................................................................................................32 Superior Garden/Rost Landscape.................................................................................................. 97 Tallulahs..............................................................................................................................................................56 The Village of Bedford Walk............................................................................................................... 74 Tiger Family Chiropractic & Wellness Center........................................................................65 Triple Wonders Photography............................................................................................................ 97 University of Missouri Health Care..................................................................................5, 61 & 83 Willett and Patton Dentistry.............................................................................................................56 Wilson's Fitness...............................................................................................................................................82 Columbia Home magazine is published by The Business Times Co., 2001 Corporate Place, Suite 100, Columbia, Mo., 65202. (573) 499-1830. Copyright The Business Times Co., 2008. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of any editorial or graphic content without the express written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

co lu m b i a h o m e magazi n e.com | 97

S t r o n g w o ma n

Mary Ropp Senior vice president of business development at The Bank of Missouri

A Age: 50

Years in Columbia: Six Original hometown: Oscoda, Michigan

Family: I’m fourth oldest of eight children, so I’m basically a middle child. Six sisters and one brother make for a ton of excitement. I loved my childhood! I met my husband before I graduated from high school. We tried not to fall in love, and it didn’t work. We’ve been married for 31 years and still gaze into each other’s eyes. We have two wonderful children, and they both found their true loves, so we have two additional children. Our son and daughter-in-law had our first grandchild, Sophia Jayne. She has now become the one who has caught our gazing eyes!

What I do for fun: I run, play on the beach of Lake Michigan, play cards with my family, play games and go on adventures with my husband. Our latest was a bison hike.

On a typical weekday night, I am: Well, most nights I’m at community events networking for my bank. If I am home, I’m hopefully reclined either reading or watching some great TV. If it’s nice out, I’ll sit outside and enjoy the evening — hopefully we’ll have a bonfire.

What is most rewarding about my job: Watching my fellow team members succeed.

When they help an entrepreneur fulfill their dreams, they glow. It’s a beautiful thing. And the wave is never fun to ride alone, so they bring one another along. Everyone wins!

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Moment in my life that defined me personally or professionally: April 25, 2014: My beautiful daughter was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

After that week I knew what things mattered in my world, and I set aside the things that didn’t matter.

I thought I knew that before, and maybe I did, but it became crystal clear that day.

Favorite restaurant to frequent in Columbia: Sake. I love sushi!

In a single word, I am: Giving The question I hate getting: Where are you from?

(Some people think I talk funny!)

The person I admire most and why: Hilary, my daughter.

She is stronger than anyone I know.

Favorite flower: Lilac Favorite accessory: Eye shadow and lipstick and mascara and…

Favorite cocktail: Dirty dirty martini. If you'd like to stuff the olives with blue cheese, you can!

Favorite drink to order at a coffee shop: Coffee with very little cream Favorite cocktail Guilty pleasure: Survivor. I haven’t missed a season. I secretly want to be on the show. Please, don’t tell anyone.

Hobbies: Sewing, reading, and I’ve just started writing a blog: maryropp.wordpress.com.

Guilty pleasure

Favorite hobby

co lu m b i a h o m e magazi n e.com | 99

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

Follow us on Facebook for our music schedule!

Be Our Guest!

20

JUNE Join us as we celebrate our 30th birthday on June 20! For more event details, visit our “Upcoming Events” page online at www.MissouriWine.com.

11

JULY Come to our Collector’s Series Wine Release Party and Art Show on July 11. You’ll enjoy tastings of the newly released wine, appetizers by our Chef, live music and art collections by the winning artists featured on the labels.

www.MissouriWine.com | 14020 W. Hwy BB, Rocheport, MO 65279 | 800-690-1830 |

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