Inside Columbia magazine - May/June 2024

The bank of finally finding

Do you ever wonder “Why am I even with this bank?”

It’s too easy to accept a mediocre experience when banking is just a part of life. Before, it seemed like I had to jump through every hoop for my bank. I wanted a bank that would actually work for me.

Look, switching banks is a big decision. I never made the e ort before, because I assumed I’d just get the same thing. After switching to The Bank of Missouri, I’ll never wonder if my bank can do more.

The bank of not settling. The Bank of Missouri.

Switch to better.

bankofmissouri.com/dont-settle

What to expect from a financial advisor

If you know how important it is to invest for your future, but you’re unsure of the road to follow, you may want to get some guidance and direction from a financial professional. But if you’ve never worked with one before, what can you expect? Here are some things to look for:

Assessment – A financial advisor will assess your current financial situation – assets, income, debts and so on – but that’s just the start. These days, advisors recognize the need to view their clients’ lives holistically. Consequently, you will see questions like this: What are your feelings about investing? How would you judge your risk tolerance? What are your individual financial goals? What hopes and dreams do you have for your family?

Recommendations – Only after fully understanding your needs, goals and preferences will a financial advisor recommend any investment moves. There are no “one-size-fits-all” solutions. You may want to steer clear of individuals claiming to be financial advisors who “guarantee” big returns with no risk. In the investment world, there are few guarantees, and every investment carries some type of risk.

Communications – Financial professionals communicate with their clients in different ways, but you should always feel free to reach out to an advisor with any questions or concerns. Most financial advisors will want to meet with clients at least once a year, either in person or through an online platform, to review their investment portfolios. During the review, the financial advisor will help you determine if any changes are needed. But financial advisors won’t wait a full year to contact clients to discuss a particular investment move that might need to be made. Also, depending on the firm you choose, you should be able to go online to review your portfolio at your convenience.

Technology – A financial advisor can employ a variety of software programs to help clients. For example, a financial advisor can determine the rate of return you might need to attain specific goals, helping shape your investment strategy. But there are also a lot of “what ifs” in anyone’s life, so an advisor can use hypothetical illustrations to show you where you might end up if you take different paths, such as retiring earlier (or later) than you had planned or putting in more (or less) money toward a specific goal, such as education for your children. Anyone’s plans can change, so the ability to view different potential scenarios can prove valuable.

Above all, a financial advisor can help you feel more confident as you pursue your goals. Among investors who work with a financial advisor, 84% said that doing so gave them a greater sense of comfort about their finances during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey conducted in 2020 by Age Wave and Edward Jones. And during times of market turbulence, such as we’ve experienced this year, a financial advisor can help you avoid overreacting to downturns. When unexpected events crop up, such as a lapse in employment, a financial advisor can suggest moves that may enable you to avoid major disruptions to your financial strategy. Conversely, when a new opportunity emerges, perhaps from an inheritance or some other windfall, your financial advisor can help you take advantage of it.

Navigating the investment landscape can be challenging – but the journey can be a lot smoother if you’ve got the right guide.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC

from the editors

Settling into Summer

FUN IN THE SUN AND CULINARY CREATIONS AROUND TOWN

Jordan Durham

Co-editor | jdurham@mailzimmer.com

Zola Heck

Co-editor | zcrowder@mailzimmer.com

Green trees! Sunlight! Warm weather! To me, these signal one of my favorite hobbies — gardening. I learn something every year through my garden. Four years ago, it was the summer of the zucchini, where I thought I had planted numerous types of squash, but instead, I just had zucchini. Lots and lots of zucchini. So much, in fact, that they squeezed out my other vegetables. The year before last I had an amazing tomato and pepper year. The salsa was delicious. Last year? Everything died when I tried to start the whole garden from seeds. This year, I’m taking the advice of our experts on pages 58-60, as they give summer gardening tips for both flower and vegetable gardens. If you’d rather see someone create magic from food, check out culinary artists and the food art they create on pages 46-53. Reading, especially reading outside, is my other favorite hobby. On pages 28-29, we talk with author Laura McHugh about her new novel and the changes she’s seen in the publishing industry in the last 10 years. I hope as we enter the days of summer that you are enjoying your hobbies while soaking up the sun, and these pages!

Something I love about the warm weather is getting to spend time in the water. Whether it’s at a pool with friends, in the ocean when visiting home or at a lake here in Missouri, being by the water is my favorite place to be when the season turns to summer. If you also enjoy spending time by the water when it’s warm, we put together a list on pages 54-57 that breaks down which lakes in Columbia are for swimming, where you can bring your dogs, where you can fishand more! If water isn’t your summer jam and you’d prefer to stay dry maybe with some food and drink in hand, we spoke with one of the owners of a local New York style pizza place with Italian flvors downtown that’s moved from being a pop-up to having permanent placement in Columbia. If you want to learn more about how you can get a “pizza” the action, flipto pages 124-125 for all the cheesy details. So, here’s to soaking up the sunshine and savoring the last flvors of spring while welcoming summer with each turn of the page. Enjoy!

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Carla Leible carla@mailzimmer.com

FOUNDERS

Fred & Melody Parry fred@mailzimmer.com

CO- EDITORS

Jordan Durham jdurham@mailzimmer.com

Zola Heck zcrowder@mailzimmer.com

ART DIRECTOR

Tim Flanner tflanner@mailzimme.com

PHOTO EDITOR

L.G. Patterson lg@mailzimmer.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Madelyn Jones mjones@mailzimmer.com

CONTRIBUTORS

John Darkow, Mason Stevens, Sara Fougere, Morgan Wright, Brook Harlan, Ava Kitzi, Wally Pfeffer, John Robinson, Nancy Toalson, Kimberly Blaker

On the cover

Bartender and Chef Frances Fujiko Harvey’s Sunset on Capri preps your tastebuds for summer.

Photo by L.G. Patterson

what’s online...

Enjoy additional digital content on our website and social media.

GET YOUR GOLF ON

In our latest Dueling DJ competition, Carson from Y107 and Trevor from 96.7 KCMQ went head-to-head to see who was more par-fect at miniature golf. See which DJ had the most putt-ential on page 134 and visit insidecolumbia.net or find us on acebook and Instagram to see a full video of the challenge.

CULINARY CANVAS

If you love food and art, we took the two to create an eye-catching, yet delicious combination for this issue. Take a look at several local delicious masterpieces on pages 46-53 or visit us on social media for a video of the different dishes.

#INSIDECOLUMBIA

With the weather getting warmer you might be looking for new spots to enjoy the water. So, for this issue, we put together a list of all the different lakes showing you where you can swim, fish, boat and ven bring your dogs this summer. Check out the full list on pages 54-57, pick your favorite, snap a picture and post it on Instagram using #insidecolumbia by June 15. We’ll pick from the submissions and award the winner a FREE one-year subscription to Inside Columbia!

Inside Columbia Staff

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Misty Culkin mculking@mailzimmer.com

OFFICE MANAGER

Becky James rjames@mailzimmer.com

DISTRIBUTION ASSOCIATE

Steve Leible

INSIDE COLUMBIA MAGAZINE

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Copyright Zimmer Communications, 2024. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of any editorial or graphic content without the express written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Postage paid at Columbia, Mo. Not responsible for omissions or information, which has been misrepresented to the magazine.

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NEWS RELEASES & EVENT NOTICES

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Want to reproduce an article you’ve seen in Inside Columbia? We can provide reprints and customize them on glossy stock for your promotional needs. Minimum quantity is 500 copies. Call Zola Heck at 573-875-1099 or email zcrowder@mailzimmer.com .

SHARP PLACE TO SHOP

The Shops at Sharp End’s goal in downtown Columbia is to honor the past and shop for the future by highlighting retail businesses and reducing barriers to entry for low-to-moderate income individuals. Sharp End was a thriving historic African American district in the mid-20th century, serving as a vibrant hub of Black culture.

Blessed by West

McHugh Mystery

Raising Hell, Mel

MELVIN WEST CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF LIFE AND SERVING OTHERS.

BY JORDAN DURHAM · PHOTOS BY L.G. PATTERSON

Melvin Ezell West, better known as Mel, has always looked for trouble in life. At 100 years old, he has no plans on stopping anytime soon.

As a humanitarian, founder of Mobility Worldwide, retired Methodist minister and an author of seven books, West has dedicated his life to the service of others, both big and small. He has raised money for individuals living in remote villages in Africa, constructed hand-crank Mobility Carts to provide transportation for those most in need, as well as paid the spay and neuter fees for a colony of feral cats who moved into his neighborhood.

These are the troubles he’s found solutions to. So far.

Keeping his “antenna facing out into the world,” Mel has found there is no lack of those in need throughout all countries. Numerous examples color West’s life. As a budding minister, he would knock on apartment doors in his church parish and hand out calling cards. “I would say ‘Hello, I’m Mel West, your nearest Protestant minister. If I could be of any help, day or night, call me.’” And they called.

At the time, he was assigned to his firs church in Dallas with a congregation of 27. He pressed and made sure that the sign placed outside said, “The church that cares.” This statement, along with West’s

calling card introduction, made an impact. The congregation grew to 265 members. His yearly salary was $1200.

West swears he is an optimist because he was born on the east side of his family’s house. “I think when you grow up with windows facing the sunrise, you’re more apt to be optimistic than if they face west. They’re there for the beginning.”

West’s family lived on a farm during the Great Depression, a time that he remembers vividly. Once, his family paid for 50 pounds of ice that his mother turned into strawberry ice cream along with making an angel food cake. They put on their “town clothes” and went to their church where a social was held to raise money for individuals experiencing starvation in China. They dropped off th desserts and then left, unable to afford any other food because of their own contribution. West says his family is how he learned to serve people most in need.

“I believe this so firmy that then no child ever born on this earth had a more idyllic childhood,” West says. “My parents and my grandparents and my neighbors were a package that wrapped their hands and hearts around me, and created in me the realization of the joy of helping others.”

It's hard to say what makes the most impact in one’s life — how important objects, gestures, experiences, mobility depend on each person. Yet, aside from serving others through ministry, perhaps one of the most profound ways West has drastically impacted tens of thousands of lives — 30, 500 to be exact — is by founding Mobility Worldwide in 1994.

The nonprofit organization creates three different types of PETs — personal energy transportation — and sends them to those in need across the world. Today, individuals in 99 countries have received a PET from Mobility Worldwide.

The organization started when a friend called West and told him of the desperate

“

I think when you grow up with windows facing the sunrise, you’re more apt to be optimistic…

need for hand-cranked wheelchairs in Zaire (now Congo) Africa for individuals suffering from injuries casued by polio and landmines. West contacted Earl Miner, a friend and product designer, who designed the prototype. West, at 70, then began building. He originally sent four of PET’s initial prototype to Africa stating, “Put these in the worst places you can find and see i they pass the test.”

The nonprofit has grown exponentially in the past 30 years. In 2020, they built a new distribution center in Columbia. 18 affiliates ve been established in the United States and seven overseas, all building the same vehicle via volunteers. Each PET costs $425 to build and ship. Mobility Worldwide also accepts canes, crutches, walkers and wheelchairs, as individuals need help moving when not in the PET. In 2012, Gary Moreau was hand selected by West to become executive director as West retired.

“Mel’s created so many worthwhile projects, to involve volunteers, the Columbia community,” Moreau says. “He’s created lots of opportunities for people to be active and volunteer at all ages.” Moreau knows that finding indivduals like West is rare, stating that he’s “just one of those guys that doesn’t come around very often.”

West also enlisted at 18 and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. When he was 65, he walked 1,000 miles

with Jimmy Carter to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. West refers to him simply as “Jimmy.”

If you are wondering, yes, West has a cell phone (a Jitterbug “that doesn’t work half the time” so he relies on his home phone), a Netflix accout, emails regularly and has had a Facebook account in the past with close to 5,000 followers. He lives with his cat, Pumpkin, who is probably around 10 years old, but West doesn’t know for sure, as Pumpkin strolled in the open door one day and jumped on his wife, Barbara’s, lap.

“That’s the best thing that cat could’ve done that day,” West says. And the best thing that West believes he’s ever done is marry Barbara. She was also a humanitarian and founded Fun City Youth Academy in Columbia. She passed away in March 2023 at the age of 98. “Barbara had a heart as big as the world,” West says. He tears up while discussing her, but West is comfortable discussing death.

“Why not?” West says. “Death often comes as a friend I think more often than an enemy; it is a part of the rhythm of life that we are called to not interrupt. I’m in amazingly good health for 100 years. If I live to 110, I’ll probably set some kind of record, but I don’t want to unless it is a natural part of the life I live.”

If he were to sum up his first 100 ears in his own words?

“He cared.”

Safe and Sound

LAURA MCHUGH PUBLISHES FIFTH NOVEL, REFLECTS ON CAREER.

BY JORDAN DURHAM · PHOTOS BY L.G. PATTERSON

It’s been 10 years since Laura McHugh’s first bok, The Weight of Blood, became a best seller, international award winner and seen in magazines such as Vogue and Entertainment Weekly. Not only has the publishing landscape changed in this time, but so too has the mystery and thriller genre, as well as society’s appetite for true crime.

Now, McHugh has published her much anticipated fifth work of ction, Safe and Sound, which debuted on April 23. In its pages, young sisters, Amelia and Kylee, are asleep in their beds one night in small-town Beaumont, Missouri while their cousin, Grace, is babysitting. They wake up to fin she has vanished from the house, leaving a horrifying scene in her wake. Six years later, the girls are nearing the end of high school and envisioning the nearly unobtainable dream of life outside of Beaumont when human remains are found.

“I’m always writing about families at the heart of my stories,” McHugh says. “This book is the small-town girls wanting to get out but feeling like it’s a dead end, like how I grew up. But family is there and life and history, and that’s hard.”

With a penchant for disappearances and crimes in small towns, as well as strong female characters, McHugh still finds stoy ideas not hard to come by. Yet, there’s a fin line between sensationalism and interest in a story. With this in mind, McHugh find it important to honor her characters, as inevitably there is someone’s true story likely at its foundation, whether she’s heard about it or not.

“The victim’s point of view is very important,” she says. “When they’re a

fleshed out human being and not just the victim.” And when it comes to women who find themseves drawn to true crime podcasts, such as the successful “Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered” novels and news stories, McHugh sees some of the motives behind the interest. “So many women are murdered, assaulted, stalked. These things happen in real life, and people aren’t talking about it. So, it’s totally understandable that a lot of women follow true crime.”

The nature of digital media has changed readership, and in turn, the publishing industry. Rather than fully relying on a publishing team with marketing, now authors are expected to continuously promote their books, which ends up being easier said than done.

“What worked before might not work now,” McHugh says. “Now, if a TikTok influencer talks about your book then it might hit the best seller list, but you can’t plan for that. Publishers are always trying to figue that out in this new landscape and all the attention for books, just trying to capture that attention in new ways.”

To say that bringing awareness to how frequently women go missing is important to McHugh would be an understatement. Her novels tell fictitious stories with elements of real cases, her social media is where those elements can be discussed and fleshed out. Her TikTok, for instance, may only have four videos, but combined they have a total of almost 2.5 million views.

The videos discuss the case of Cassidy Rainwater, a woman who went missing in the Ozarks in 2021. She was reported missing six weeks after she was last seen. The FBI received a tip in the case with

photos of her in a cage on property outside of Lebanon, Missouri. Ultimately, her remains were found on that same property in a deep freezer. Additional photos obtained showed Rainwater dismembered and disemboweled.

“The sheriff down thee got really angry,” McHugh says in reference to the videos. “He released a statement about people trying to become TikTok famous talking about this. That’s something that really bothers me because these horrible things are happening to women. Women are being put in cages, women are being hung up on cranes and eviscerated. On one hand, I understand they don’t want people interfering with them doing their job. I respect that, but don’t tell people they can’t (talk about it). Not talking about crimes never helped anybody.”

Returning home safe and sound is the best outcome any of these cases can end in, which is why the title of McHugh’s novel, Safe and Sound, resonates with the book’s contents, but also the broader nature of crimes committed on women. The impact when it’s not just that the women don’t return home, but when they don’t return home under the most gruesome circumstances.

“I feel like there’s always an audience for thrillers and mystery novels. There’s room for all different types. I don’t think they’re going to go away. I think there’s always going to be an appetite.”

Luckily readers won’t need to wait long to whet their appetites after Safe and Sound, as her sixth book is already under contract. It is tentatively titled The Way through the Woods.

EVERY HOME NEEDS A ROOF — and every town has a multitude of roofers waiting to do the job. But our goal isn’t just to create a high quality, durable roof — it’s to save you money, too. For every roofing job, we check with your home insurer to see if the service could be partially or fully covered. Our roofing contractor team is skilled at assessing if the damage might be covered and works directly with your insurance company so you don’t have to. And it doesn’t matter what company you use — we work with them all.

Here at Heartland, we're all about top-tier materials and unbeatable variety. From impact and algae

resistant architectural shingles to our stunning Davinci RoofScapes synthetic slate and shake, we've got you covered. But roofing isn't just about shingles, it’s about protecting your home from the decking up. Every roof Heartland replaces gets an extensive inspection to make sure it will withstand the harsh environment for years to come. From proper ventilation to ice and water protection against water damming, we will provide you with peace of mind knowing your roof is and will remain weatherproof.

GIVE US A CALL TODAY. (573) 529-2016

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING

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Recommended by my long time insurance agent, but already do business with Heartland through my employer…so an easy decision. The new roof soffit and facia made a huge improvement! Thanks Anthony and all involved. Love it.

Dancing the Night Away

LOCAL CELEBRITIES COMPETE IN DANCING WITH MISSOURI STARS.

BY JORDAN DURHAM · PHOTO BY MARECK CENTER FOR DANCE

It’s another all-star season for Mareck Center for Dance’s 16th annual Dancing with Missouri Stars. This year’s contestants for the annual fundraiser and flagship evet are a line-up of local celebrities that have been chosen by public nominations and recommendations from the board and community.

Competing for the 2024 title are Dr. Melissa Boldan, Adonica Coleman, Billy Dexheimer, Austin Ilsley, Jentry Mills, Mike Schooley, Ryan Stevens and Brian Wear. Each contestant pairs with a professional dancer from Mareck and trains before the competition.

“The community eagerly anticipates the choreography, costumes, theatrics and overall enjoyable ambiance of the event,” says Jacob Faber, operations manager for Mareck. “With each passing year, there's always something fresh to anticipate, guaranteeing that disappointment is never on the agenda.”

Contestants raise money for Mareck

before the glamorous event by typically hosting one to two events of their own with all proceeds benefiting the nonpofit organization. Yet, whoever gets the most votes — one dollar equals one vote — takes home the title. Audience members continue to vote throughout the night for their favorite dance pairs, keeping the stakes high all night.

Dancing with Missouri Stars 2024 is expecting 500-600 individuals in attendance with the combination of sponsorship tables and general admission tickets. Attendees come dressed to impress with the red carpet rolled out for them. All types of dance routines can be expected by the celebrities and their partners.

"I look forward to witnessing each celebrity performance,” says Mareck’s Artistic and Executive Director Karen Mareck Grundy. “It is amazing to see the final esult of their tireless efforts and dedication in preparing for the competition."

What’s Going On THE EVENTS YOU NEED TO KNOW.

Dates and events are subject to change. Please visit the event website for the most up-to-date information.

MAY 3

May

TRIZOU FOR MS TRIATHLON

STANKOWSKI FIELD, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

Lace up your shoes or plan to watch all-level athletes during the Trizou for MS Triathlon. Numerous events occur throughout the day, including a 5K run, spring triathlon, kids triathlon and many more.

6:30 p.m.; free; trisignup.com/Race/MO/ Columbia/TrizouTriathlon

MAY 4

THE BIG DERBY PARTY 2024

COUNTRY CLUB OF MISSOURI

Cheer on your favorite horse while benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Missouri at The Big Derby Party 2024. Food, drinks, a cigar draw, a wine wall, pageantry and more will be there for you to enjoy during the big event — the Kentucky Derby. 3-6 p.m.; $100/ticket; bigsofcentralmo.ejoinme. org/MyEvents/TheBigDerbyParty2024

MAY 4

COOLFEST 2024

THE ARCADE DISTRICT

Celebrate what is cool in Columbia at CoolFest 2024 brought to you by The Arcade District.

This day is packed with a maker’s market, gaming tournaments, a movie on the jumbotron, face painting, a cosplay contest and more.

1 p.m.; free; allevents.in/columbia/coolfest-2024

MAY 11

THE MANE EVENT: SPRING TRAINING

WARM SPRINGS RANCH

Gallop over and experience the Budweiser Clydesdales like never before as they train for the hitch during The Mane Event: Spring Training. Local food trucks, demonstrations and Q&As will be available throughout the educational and entertaining day.

9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $30; warmspringsranch.com/ tours.html

June

JUNE 1-2

ART IN THE PARK 2024

STEPHENS LAKE PARK

Visit the oldest and largest fine arts festive in midMissouri at Art in the Park. Explore artists’ booths, engage in hands-on activities and enjoy entertainment throughout this annual, creativity-fueled festival.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; free; columbiaartleague.org/artinthepark/

JUNE 1-2

SAFE LIVING

BASS PRO SHOP

Learn more about personal and firearm safety in this interactive, simulation-based introduction by Safe LivinG. All gear will be provided.

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; free; safeliving2.com/event-schedule/

JUNE 9

VOICES OF COLUMBIA

LOGBOAT BREWING COMPANY

Support Heart of Missouri’s Court Appointed Special Advocates at their signature fundraising event of the year. Expect music, activities, lawn games, raffles and more.

3-6 p.m.; free; homcasa.org/events-training/ voice-of-columbia/

JUNE 21-23

WOMEN BUILD 2024

FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH

Create a lasting impact and help Habitat for Humanity build houses for women during Women Build 2024. This event is to fundraise and help continue the trend of female head-of-household homeowners in Columbia.

8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; fundraise or donate $500; showmehabitat.org/womenbuild

SPRING CLEAN

Spring/early summer is the perfect time to deep clean your home, but it can seem overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. Better Homes & Gardens created a checklist for spring cleaning, including eliminating clutter, washing windows, cleaning sliding door tracks, cleaning overlooked surfaces, deep-cleaning carpets, cleaning under large items and more.

Making Moves

TOP 5 MOVEMENTS FOR BUILDING STRENGTH.

One of the most encouraging changes I’ve witnessed in the health and fitness world is a growing emphasis on strength. Twenty years ago, you would walk into a major fitness center and see a room full of treadmills, bikes, ellipticals and every imaginable piece of cardio equipment. In contrast, there might only be one rack of dumbbells and a single squat rack. These days, you’re likely to see almost as many squat racks as treadmills in those same facilities. But, with all this emphasis on weight training, I still see confusion when it comes to the best exercises for building strength.

It has long been said that the squat is king. Now, it’s up for debate whether squats really deserve royalty status, but one thing is certain, squats are an essential tool for building strength. The primary movers of the squat motion are the quadriceps and glutes. We also get help from the hamstrings and the calf muscles. You’re training your entire lower body when you squat, but you’re also using a lot of abdominal and back strength to stabilize your squatting posture.

Simply squatting with your body weight is a great place to begin. Not sure how far to sit? Use a box as a target. Want to add some effort? Hold a weight at your chest for a goblet squat. Eventually, adding a barbell can be a great progression for added core stability and spine strengthening.

BY MASON STEVENS · PHOTOS BY AVA KITZI

QUICK TIPS FOR THE SQUAT:

• Stand with your feet slightly wider than your hips.

• Maintain an upright, neutral spine.

• Initiate the movement by bending your hips.

• Bend your knees as much as you can without pain.

• Keep your knees in line with your feet, and keep your heels on the ground.

If the squat is the king of all lifts, then the hinge is queen. The hinge is a lot like a squat except more of the movement comes from bending at the hips. Here, the muscles of the glutes, hamstrings and lower back are doing more of the work. You’re using a lot of abdominals to stabilize too. Like the squat, this movement can eventually

progress to lifting a barbell from the floor. However, it’s best to start with a dumbbell or kettlebell between the feet to get comfortable with the form.

QUICK TIPS FOR HINGING:

• Breathe down into your belly and contract your abdominals.

• Bend from your hips while pushing your butt back.

• Maintain a neutral spine while your torso leans forward to about 45 degrees.

• Bend your knees slightly.

• Keep your gaze forward throughout the movement.

Muscular balance is key for a strong, functional body. Along with squats and hinging for the lower body, we need to press and pull to work the upper body. A

classic upper body pressing motion is the push-up, working the chest, shoulders and triceps. Another functional upperbody push is the overhead press. With this movement, you are working the deltoids of the shoulders and the triceps of the back of the arm. My favorite pressing exercise is the dumbbell shoulder press.

QUICK TIPS FOR BENT OVER ROWS:

• Begin by hinging from the hips with your torso leaning forward 45 degrees.

• Hold weights directly under the torso, arms straight and perpendicular to the floor.

• Pull the weight into your torso while drawing your shoulder blades together. The final movemet to consider is more of a position than a movement. The plank is an amazing exercise for core strength and stability. Planks are traditionally performed from the elbows and toes, or even a tall plank from the hands. In a tall plank, there are variations with tapping hands to shoulders or kicking legs into the air while planked. The thing that all plank options have in common is a solid, neutral torso.

QUICK TIPS FOR THE PLANK:

• Maintain an activated core by engaging all the muscles around the waist.

• Keep a neutral spine with a straight line from shoulders to hip and hips to knees.

• Be sure to keep breathing while holding the position.

Mason Stevens is owner and exercise physiologist at MET-Fitness in Columbia. He has his bachelor’s in nutrition and fitness, and has more than 10 years o experience in sports conditioning, coaching and fitness

Yard Bargains

FINDING UNEXPECTED ITEMS AT A GARAGE SALE.

It’s a rite of spring. Start with the shoes. Then go through the closets, picking just the right outfits. Add accessories. Then expand your search to the kitchen and the garage where some castaways hide out of sight, but not out of mind.

Call it spring cleaning. Eventually, you reach a fork in the road. Either bag it all for Habitat for Humanity or Upscale Resale or Goodwill. Or roll up your sleeves and have a yard sale.

We choose the first oute, swifter and less complicated. Still, I enjoy wandering through neighborhood yard sales.

You never know what you’ll find at a yard sale. I’m not an expert, since I don’t work the sales religiously. But some people do. They scour newspapers. They search websites. They plan their weekend strategies like Sun Tzu. They rise with the turkey hunters and the milk trucks, and like an army, they do more before breakfast than most people do all day. Not me.

“The bargains are long gone,” I can hear the members of the Serious Yard Sale Society chide me. Still, I sometimes score a few keepers.

Professional yard salers, the ones who show up at 5:30 a.m., aren’t usually after a battered book of Byron. Neither was I, until a recent neighborhood yard sale stopped my bike ride and flipped on my OCD switch labeled “books.”

Every yard saler’s switch is unique. Like a fingerprit. And every yard sale

is a psychological study. The sellers organize clues to their past and spread them on a grid for buyers to pick over like blackbirds. A carny of card tables and cardboard boxes serve up a mix of function and folly, kitsch and utensils.

Yard sales operate on the simple principle that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Over and over, yard sales offer the best proof that Elvis never left the building.

One yard sale stands out in my mind.

My eyes grew wide when I snagged a four-pounder. It may have been my best catch of the day, an 1853 Works of Lord Byron, complete and unabridged, even as it sat without a cover on its back and spine. That’s okay, when I’m 160 years old, I won’t have a cover on my spine either. I held it tight like a new toy, even though I knew that for the rest of my life, I won’t sit still long enough to get through its 1,100 pages.

“Reference,” I whispered to myself, justifying the acquisition.

“Good selection,” the lady said as she accepted my money for books, including a collection of Jack London short stories, and a 719-page story that begins, “Scarlett O'Hara was not beautiful, but...”

“I never read Gone with the Wind,” I blurted. “But I did see the first half of the movie.”

She looked at me with pity.

“The Byron!” I changed the subject, clutching the old book with both hands

BY JOHN DRAKE ROBINSON

like it was the Stanley Cup.

“Yeah,” she sighed. “I’m an English teacher ... ” She explained she was getting ready to act on her life’s goal and launch into serious creative writing. I wasn’t sure why she would want to get rid of these classics. But she is an English teacher. She probably memorized most of this stuff ... sees t in her dreams. Now she’s changing course.

Many of life’s transitions are marked by yard sales.

I thanked her for the treasures, wished her success in her literary career and took off down the steet on my bicycle, two bags of books hanging from my handlebars like the scales of justice.

I smiled to myself as I rolled up to my back door. It was only a split-second impulse that I even stopped at that yard sale. It was late afternoon, so my timing wasn’t good yard sale strategy.

Some day my family will have to dispose of my acquisitions. I hope these books find good homes, here their pages will get a workout and their backs and spines will wear.

Passing on knowledge is the most satisfying form of recycling. That and yard sales.

Excerpt from John’s latest book, Souls Along the Road.

John Drake Robinson is a former director of the Missouri Division of Tourism.More of John's travel stories are available at johndrakerobinson.com.

Underrated TV Treasures

4 SHOWS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW, BUT MUST TRY.

BY TIM TAYLOR

WELCOME TO OUR ULTIMATE LISTS! In each issue, you will find a cuated selection of things to listen to or watch, put together by either an on-air talent from Zimmer Communications or a member of the Inside Columbia staff. For this issue, Tim Taylor from 96.7 KCMQ, shared his ultimate watchlist for underrated shows to watch this season. Scan the QR code on this page to hear the full watchlist. Enjoy!

I’ve come to realize that I’m a big fan of some TV shows that never got the attention they deserve. In some cases, I don’t think the networks the shows were on gave them a fair chance to succeed, and in other cases, the show is on a streaming platform that not many people have yet. Either way, these are all easy to binge shows and perfect for when we get those rainy weekends that keep you inside.

“Happy Endings” – Hulu

This is the show Damon Wayans, Jr. left "New Girl" for. The premise is simple: it follows a friend group as they each navigate relationships. There’s a married couple (Wayans, Jr. and Eliza Coupe, whom you’ll recognize from a lot of things, but you didn’t know her name until now), a couple that recently broke up but are trying to stay friends (Elisha Cuthbert from "24" and Zachary Knighton), and two perennially single people (Adam Pally and Casey Wilson). It ran for three seasons and is a more modern "Friends," or "How I Met Your Mother," and like both of those shows, it is perfect to rewatch over and over.

“Shrinking” – Apple TV+

Harrison Ford and Jason Segel. Honestly, I feel like that’s enough justification o watch the show, but I’ll keep going. Segel plays a therapist who is struggling to move on after his wife died, and one day decides to be brutally honest with his clients. Ford is his boss, who is dealing with his own messy personal life while trying to keep Segel in line. It’s funny, sad, poignant, heartbreaking and uplifting all at once, as most shows from creator Bill Lawrence are ("Scrubs," "Ted Lasso"). Written by Brett Goldstein, whom you may know as Roy Kent in "Ted Lasso, " it’s one of the best shows that almost no one talks about.

“Severance” – Apple TV+

I think that when people rushed to sign up for Apple TV+ for "Ted Lasso" (by the way, "Ted Lasso" is a brilliant show and you should watch it if you haven’t) people overlooked this show. Most episodes are directed by Ben Stiller, and it stars Adam Scott from "Parks and Recreation", but it’s decidedly not a comedy. Imagine if you had your brain surgically altered so that when you went to work you essentially became a different person. You would know absolutely nothing about your life outside of work and vice versa. That’s the show, and it’s incredible. I watched this on an airplane, and I wanted my flight o be longer so I could finish the last episode … thats how good it is. I wanted to sit in the world’s most uncomfortable seat with no leg room for one more hour to keep watching it.

“Chuck” – Max

I loved this show when it was on NBC. It was a show that was always on the brink of being canceled, but a passionate fan base found creative ways to keep it on the air, like picking a day to buy every meal from the show’s biggest sponsor Subway. It’s one part sci-fi, one pat spy show and one part comedy, and the cast have incredible chemistry. An action-comedy with heart that admittedly has a weak final season, but its better when you can binge it to see all the callbacks to the pilot in the final episode.

Decor Do’s and Don’ts

LOCAL DESIGNER SHOWS WHAT’S HOT AND WHAT’S NOT IN 2024.

BY ZOLA HECK · DESIGN BY LYNN DESIGN GROUP · PHOTOS BY BYLER MEDIA

Every decade is defined b design. Whether it’s a fashion item, a hairstyle, a makeup trend or home decor, you know style will change throughout the years. Sometimes that means trends going away for good, other times it means beloved trends are coming back in style. In this issue, Bethany Strodtman, the owner and lead designer at Lynn Design Group, walks us through what decor items and trends are in and out for 2024. So, whether you are starting a DIY project in your home or looking to hire someone to help along the way, it’s time to sit back and get to know what’s hot and what’s not this year!

BLAST FROM THE PAST

As the saying goes, what goes around, comes around — and in the world of home design, that sentiment couldn't be more true. According to Strodtman, this season, she’s witnessing the revival of several trends, like natural materials in bathrooms and kitchens, which includes wood details, handmade tiles and textural plaster. Strodtman also says more enclosed, tucked-away spaces are coming back, curves and archways, and black elements, including windows, metal railings and ceilings. “A seamless shower look has been big, but we are seeing a comeback of enclosed

showers for a rich, cozy feeling with some mystery as to what's around the corner. We are seeing this with pantries also with a doorway vs. a closet feel as an extension of the kitchen,” she says. Along with all these returning trends, Strodtman says warm colors for cabinets, like cream, taupe and mushroom tones, are in style, bringing a cozy, natural feel to the home.

2024 VISION

While many trends are coming back in style, there is one thing Strodtman says is brand new for 2024. “I am seeing deep moody plum hues for the first time an loving it,” she says. While similar colors, like red and burgundy, were in style 20 years ago, Strodtman says this color brings a different vibe into the home.

“This more mauve rendition feels rich yet fresh to me,” Strodtman says.

TIPS FOR REDESIGNING OR REMODELING

• First, set up a consultation.

• Figure out what style you like. If you are unsure, Strodtman says to “figue out what aspects of a home or space you are drawn to as well as your practical needs, so that we can design a space that checks all your boxes and more.”

• Strodtman also says to make sure you think about the big picture. “Clients can get stuck on the small stuff sometimes hich can be crippling and stunting when remodeling or building,” she says.

• Designers also want to help their clients know what's possible to get the most for their money. “It's our job to help our clients know what's possible to get the most design bang for their buck and also achieve their goals in a way the makes the most sense for their lifestyle and resale,” Strodtman says.

GOODBYE FOR NOW

With new trends coming back or saying hello for the first time, othe trends are getting the boot to make room for fresher styles. Strodtman says geometric patterns are out and more floral, botanical patterns are in. “We are also seeing more organic-feeling tiles like Spanish patterns, organic marble veining or concrete look designs.” You’ll also find that singe-purpose rooms, including formal dining rooms or elaborate home office setups, are out this year. Instead, “we are seeing more multi-functional spaces used for a utility that benefits more members in the family, like a mud room/laundry room combination with a place for a desk to pay bills or a playroom/living room combo with built-in storage and seating space.”

Skill and imagination go into creating masterful pieces of art. The definition of at is vast, so too are the vessels in which to invent and devise, including food. Numerous chefs and bartenders in the Columbia restaurant industry cultivate works of art every day, from brilliantly plated foods to the divinity of drinks. So, sit back and enjoy this gallery of local art.

By Jordan Durham | Photos by L.G. Patterson

Chef Art Wuttisak Spring Roll

Chef Ali Ratcliffe Bauer Asparagus in Bloom

Chef Adam Wells-Morgan

Steak and Eggs

Three Orange Whips

Bartender and Chef Frances Fujiko Harvey

Chef Art Wuttisak Yellowtail Sashimi

Chef Ali Ratcliffe Bauer Woodland Marrow & Steak Tartare

Chef Mike Odette Chocolate Lava Cake

Lake it Easy

Find the Right Lake for Your Summer Plans in Columbia.

By Zola Heck | Photos by L.G. Patterson

With the warm weather finally ticking around, it's prime time to step outdoors and enjoy the water. Whether you prefer taking a dip, fishing with friends, letting our dog dive into the water or floating on our boat, Columbia has a lake for you. Enjoy this guide to findin the right lake to make sure you get your fill of fun in the sun y the water this summer.

Splash-tacular Spots

SWIMMING LAKE

Stephens Lake Park

While you may be tempted to take a dip in any of the wonderful lakes in Columbia, there is only one where you can swim. Stephens Lake Park, which is located at 2001 E. Broadway, is known for its 11-acre lake, lush trees and rich historical significance within the community. Tammy Miller, the communications coordinator for Columbia Parks and Recreation, says people can swim at Stephens Lake Park only on the west side of the boardwalk. Whether you seek to explore the nature trail, admire art sculptures, enjoy waterfalls, splash in the spraygrounds, relax at the swimming beach or engage in more activities, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy.

Ree l in the Fun

FISHING LAKES

Twin Lakes Recreation Area

Cosmo-Bethel Park

Lake of the Woods Recreation Area

Cosmo Park

Stephens Lake Park

Philips Park

L. A. Nickell Golf Course

Nifong Park

Smith Park

Vineyards Lake Park

American Legion Park

Grab your tackle box and cast your worries away, because there are plenty of lakes for fishing in Columbia. From the beautiful 40-acre community park near Gentry Middle School to the 140-acre nature oasis at Philips Park with a fishing dock, a 1.4mile nature trail and more, you can’t go wrong with any of these lake options. Fishing is allowed year-round starting at 4:30 a.m. As long as you have a fishin license and are 15-64 years old, you are allowed to fish. The Missouri Department of Conservation stocks the lakes, generally, with channel catfish, crappie and black bass. Visit como.gov to get detailed rules and regulations for each fishing lake.

Paws-itively Perfect Spots

DOG-FRIENDLY LAKES

Garth Nature Area

Twin Lakes Recreation Area

If you’re more in the mood to fetch some quality time in the water with your dog, Columbia has a couple of dogfriendly lakes to choose from. Garth Nature area has 1.6 miles to walk with your furry friend, a three-acre fenced, leash-free dog park with a pond and more. Along with the fishing pond at Twin akes Recreation Area, people can also bring their dogs to the 73-acre community park

in south Columbia to enjoy the splash zone. According to the city of Columbia, all dog owners must clean up after their dogs, not leave their dogs unattended at any off leash area, keep dogs leashed when outside of the fenced area and more. For all the Columbia dog park etiquette, visit como.gov.

Great Sail-ection

LAKES TO BRING A BOAT

Stephens Lake Park

Philips Park

Vineyards Lake Park

Twin Lakes Recreation

For those who are more into floating on the water Columbia has several lakes that allow non-motorized boats. The city of Columbia allows non-motorized boats at Stephens Lake Park on the east side of the boardwalk. At Philips Lake, you can also bring your non-motorized boat and boats with electric/ battery trolling motors. And at Twin Lakes Recreation, nonmotorized boats are allowed, but all boats must be carried in from the parking lot. There is no driving access. So, chart your course and decide which boat-friendly haven you’ll be using this summer. For more information on boating on Columbia lakes, visit como.gov.

Bonus in Boone County

Finger Lakes State Park

If you’re looking to venture a little bit outside of Columbia, the Finger Lakes State Park in Boone County offers a uniqu blend of natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Once a coal strip-mining site, the park now offers more than 90 acres of off-road trails for motorcycles an all-terrain vehicles. Beyond the thrill of off-roading visitors can enjoy activities like swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and scuba diving in the finger-shaped lake formed by the mining company's dams and canals. Picnic and camping areas are also available, offering serene spots to relax i the woods, while hiking and mountain biking trails offer further exploration Visit mostateparks.com to enjoy your family fun in the sun at Finger Lakes State Park.

A green thumb guide for flwer and vegetable gardens.

By Jordan Durham | Photos by L.G. Patterson

As we anticipate the officialrst day of summer and longest day of the year on June 20, be sure to start planting well before to enjoy the spoils of your hard work all summer long!

You also don’t need to wait until Missouri’s 90-degree temperatures — weather that makes anyone want to wilt — greet us to prep and plant. A good rule of thumb is to wait until after the first frost if you aren’t sure or feel nervous about plant survival. The region’s last frost tends to happen around early-to-mid May.

Regardless of when or what you decide to plant, both flower and veetable gardens can be tricky. We’ve talked to local experts to help take your garden into full bloom whether you’re a beginner or a well-acquainted green thumb.

Prepping the ground for your plants is one of the most important keys to the longevity of your garden this summer. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri clay soils dominate the state, meaning when working with this type of soil prepare

for it to be “sticky when wet, form hard lumps when dry, and crack in hot weather. Sandy soils let moisture drain away quickly, taking nutrients with it.” With many nutrients stripped away from the soil before you place plants in, you’re starting off behind

Laying topsoil will help in dealing with Missouri clay and help plants soak up the proper nutrients to grow when combined with organic matter; many times, organic matter will be found in bags of topsoil. If you’re working with a raised garden bed or looking to lift your flowers up fro

the ground, it works as a great filler. Mulch is used to help keep the ground cooler by retaining water for those areas that might be in more direct sunlight and by controlling weeds.

Compost helps fertilize your plants and gives them nutrients they need when working with Missouri’s clay soil. Compost comes from different types of waste leftover food, animal waste, yard trimmings, cardboard and scraps of paper, paper napkins, coffee an tea. The waste has been heated up to break down each matter’s nutri-

ents, creating a combined form that is easy for plants to absorb. Gaining popularity is composting from your home with either a kitchen compost bin or an outdoor compost tumbler. Both have pros and cons.

Kitchen bins are easily accessible and tend to be smaller compared to outdoor tumblers. Yet, they can fill up quickly and create a permeating smell throughout the room. Outdoor tumblers hold more, and if situated in the light, can heat up quickly. You will need to turn it approximately once a week for waste to fully mix, which can be a con for

those who might forget.

BlueBird Composting, located north of Columbia and in Fulton, cultivates organic compost and soils from scratch. Becky Seitz, BlueBird’s office manage recommends mixing topsoil and compost to give your plants the best outcome.

“We sell a lot, a lot of our compost topsoil blend because it’s 40% compost and 60% topsoil, so you can plant right into it,” Seitz says. “You can plant flower seeds, you can plant vegetable seeds or start small plants. And companion planting is yet another step.”

Companion planting places herbs next to vegetables or flowers so tha each plant mutually benefits. The benefits can include keeping weeds out of a bed or protecting certain plants from unwanted bugs.

“Starting small is probably going to be the most successful for people, especially if they’re just starting out,” Seitz says. “Because it’s so easy to build and grow with the imagination when you’ve had a successful planting or garden crop.”

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned vegetable gardener, one way to prep your bed on planting day is by watering thoroughly.

“Water is the most essential ingredient,” says Steven Sapp, coowner of Strawberry Hills Farms. “We recommend digging the hole for your plant, then adding a lot of water before you fill in soil around the roots. Water in the hole promotes root stability and root growth

down and out, not up toward the surface. This makes for a faster growing and healthier plant.”

For beginners, Sapp says they sell tomatoes and peppers the most out of their vegetable options. Both are hearty enough to grow in the summer. Though if salads are what is desired, then lettuce, kale and spinach grow best in cooler season — spring and fall — to fully flourish Raised

beds also don’t have to be the standard. Container growing is also an option for those with not much space and for controlling the plant’s environment, he states.

His three major tips for beginners are “don’t be afraid to try to grow something new, be patient to let the weather warm up before planting things like tomatoes and peppers, and be ready to put in some sweat

and muscle.”

For seasoned vegetable gardeners, attempting their gardening prowess with other vegetables can always be a fun challenge. Especially, as Sapp states, the more vegetables in the garden, the more luck you will have for a successful crop. “Although in vegetable gardening nothing comes as easily as one might hope,” he says. “There is always the potential for

wind, drought, disease and insects, just to name a few of the obstacles that can get in the way.”

Strawberry Hills Farms offer numerous options for vegetable gardeners, so if individuals are looking to diversify their plants outside of staples, they offer option such as sweet potatoes, burpless cucumbers, eggplant, as well as yellow summer squash.

“Even though I know not all of our customers are going to be successful with their gardens each year, it is exciting to see how many want to give it a go and enjoy the process that comes with growing your own food,” Sapp says.

For those gardeners hoping to bring some life to the outside of their homes, flower gardening can be colorful answer. Though, the first question to ask yourself is: will it be annual or perennial?

Annual flowers and shrubs wil grow for one season and one season only. Perennials will come back for multiple seasons.

If individuals are wanting color in their gardens or yards, then annuals are the way to go. An annual produces more seed in its attempt to continue growing past its short-lived time stamp. Helmi Sheely, owner of

Helmi’s Gardens, says, "Perennials have a bloom time and have periods where they are not blooming while storing energy. Most annuals bloom the entire season, they usually provide more color over the season, but annuals need to be replaced every summer."

She recommends annuals such as lantanas or petunias since they will have quite a bit of color while in bloom and are easy to take care of.

For perennials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Plant Hardiness Zone Map serves as a general guide for growing.

According to the USDA’s website, the map is “based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.” Mid-Missouri is in zone 6b. The zone numbers typically are displayed next to a perennial plant’s description.

If you start early enough, a spring bulb like a daffodil will bloom earlie than other perennials, so staggering multiple perennials allows you to have constant color throughout the spring and summer.

Sheely says that a current trend is planting native plants. Many gardeners want to grow them to help the environment, assist differen species of insects, etc. Yet, a native plant to Missouri doesn’t always mean it will work where you want to plant it. For instance, growing butterfly weed a perennial, to help monarch butterflie is popular, yet as Sheely says, “The actual place that it grows in Missouri is really a climatespecific microclimate. Throwing it in your yard is not that microclimate. I think natives are a great idea. I think you have to plant natives in the right spot.”

Some advice she gives gardeners or those looking to plant even one or two plants is, first, to make sure if you’re planting in pots that they are big enough. Second, the internet is not always good advice. Find someone who has experience. And finally, set yourself up for success in what you choose to plant, because when your garden succeeds “you feel brilliant.”

Columbia to Couture

Columbia Native Becomes Successful New York Fashion Designer.

BY ZOLA HECK AND MADELYN JONES | PHOTOS BY ANN STONE AND MADELYN JONES

You never know what the beginning of an amazing career will be. For Ann Stone, the lead designer of the Michael Kors Runway team in New York City, her journey from her roots in Columbia to the bustling world of New York City's fashion started from scrap fabric, glue, doll clothes and presents from her parents. “I remember hot gluing scrap fabric together to make doll clothes and drawing stick figue families where I was more focused on what the outfits looed like than if the faces or heads were drawn,” Stone says. Once in school, Stone says two teachers from the Columbia Independent School and Rock Bridge High School, Anne Jacobson and Abbey Trescott, helped her find he true calling. “Both pushed my traditional art skills, which I feel ultimately made me a better designer. Rather than focusing on sketching and making garments, I explored other mediums and was able to see the potential of art and design.” After a lengthy internship, Stone knew she wanted to study art and design, and thanks to the support of her parents, she was able to pursue her dream at Parsons School of Design in New York City. At Parsons, Stone’s creative process evolved through hands-on experiences and exposure to diverse influenes, ultimately preparing her for the dynamic world of high fashion.

Stone's senior thesis collection at Parsons

“Classic Modernity”

by Ann Stone

Fast forward to today. Stone is living out her childhood dream holding the esteemed position of lead designer, reporting directly to Michael Kors himself. “Michael is entirely self-made, so he values hard work and respects what designers do at all levels,” she says. “Michael made me feel important and seen.” Stone oversees every aspect of design, from the initial concept to the final ruway presentation. Her creative process is a meticulous journey that spans months, from sketching initial ideas to collaborating with a team to bring those visions to life. “We usually sketch about 1,000 ideas, which are then edited down to 100. From there, technical specs for how the garments will be constructed are sent to our factory in Italy for prototyping. Once the prototypes are done, we travel to Milan to review and fit the arments,” Stone says. “This is the point for me where I really see our designs come to life.” Stone says her designs focus more on functionality and purpose over pure aesthetics. Thanks to a saying from her father in college, Stone asks one important question when designing a line. “How can I design in a way that makes someone’s day easier, or how can I assist the customer in achieving their goals through dress practice?”

Michaels Kors (Fall '18)

Young Stone works with clothes on a mannequin.

Stone with her Michael Kors colleagues.

Prototype runway fitting

Michael Kors (Spring '18) Before the runway (Milan, Italy)

Along with runway design, Stone also gets to spend part of her career involved in the Met Gala, where she and her team create show-stopping looks aligned with the event's thematic elements. “The process of designing for Met is much different than Runway and is a bit more fun,” Stone says. “We usually dress about seven celebrities for the carpet, and it is exciting to see how our interpretation is similar or different to that of other designers in the industry.”

Beyond her professional achievements, Stone encourages everyone to embrace their creativity, emphasizing that artistic expression is a universal gift. “If you can let go of the perfection and just have fun with it, you will see just how creative you are,” Stone says. And that creativity can be exactly what you need to reach your dreams, just as Stone went from Columbia to the epicenter of fashion, with a little bit of passion and mentorship along the way.

Ashley Park in Michael Kors ('23)

2024 FACES OF COLUMBIA

Behind every successful business is the “Face” or faces that allow a personal connection to form with every customer and client. Every face has a story as to why they work in the business and industry of choice, whether it’s been passed down generation to generation or something they fell into. We hope that by seeing the faces behind the businesses in the upcoming pages, you hear a piece of their stories and know more about the experts in our community. These are the faces excited to serve you and our community.

2024 FACES

Missouri Furniture is a family business, with the third generation now fully entrenched in the company. Neil Faiferlick saw a lack of furniture stores in the community when he moved to the Lake of the Ozarks in 1977, which motivated him to found Camdenton Furniture. Upon David’s graduation, he joined his father in the business, changed the name to Missouri Furniture, and quickly expanded to other locations in Missouri, including Columbia.

Now, 47 years later, David and Karen Faiferlick oversee Missouri Furniture’s eight locations. Karen strengthened the family business by bringing 27 years of corporate marketing knowledge. Additionally, two of their sons, Connor and Grant, have joined the business and brought new energy and perspective to all aspects of the operation. “Our sons’ commitment to continuing the family business and legacy has been rewarding to watch. Their engagement and leadership development will ensure longevity of the family legacy and Missouri Furniture’s success,” said Karen Faiferlick.

The family focuses on providing the best variety of styles and price options for their furniture showrooms to meet all client needs. They also have a large selection of appliances, mattresses and hot tubs, to provide a one-stop shopping convenience for clients. Customer satisfaction is always a focus for Missouri Furniture, and they are proud to be voted best in the state by their clients five ears in a row.

The goal of Missouri Furniture is for their clients to love their homes, and special orders can be part of the decision process to create something special and unique.

Missouri Furniture offers numerous special-order options with thousands of fabric and leather choices, as well as custom woods and finisheswith Amish and Mennonite craftsmanship. Whether relaxing at home on a weekend, or hosting a family gathering, customers can be assured that the furniture they select will last for many years.

The Missouri Furniture family takes immense pride in the relationships they have established over the years that allowed them to expand to eight locations across Missouri. They are super excited about the current exterior and interior remodel of the Columbia location to further improve client experience. The highly anticipated Grand Re-Opening will be coming soon! In the meantime, they are open and would love to see you.

The Faiferlick Family and Missouri Furniture team members are major contributors to the communities in which they serve. Their team are members of numerous organizations including; Lake Regional Hospital Board, Business Network International, Chambers of Commerce, Young Professional Leaders, Rotary Club, etc., as well as numerous philanthropic opportunities in Columbia and around the state.

“We are proud to have the opportunity to serve our great state and honored to have been voted by our clients as best for furniture, mattresses, and appliances fiveyears in a row,” David Faiferlick says. “Our goal is to continue our client focus and bring the best possible options and service to our customers, who we like to call our friends.”

2024 FACES OF COLUMBIA

At Ai Painting Plus, they know the importance of a good paint job. Because when done well, the right paint can help provide joy through the visual transformation of a cherished space.

“Our mission is to ‘paint joy into people’s homes’ and that’s our favorite part about doing what we do,” says Lacie Ilsley, who owns the business with her husband, Austin. “We are artists by nature, creating joy in the form of a newly painted home exterior, a beautiful fresh coat of paint on your walls inside or a complete transformation of your cabinets.”

As a finalistfor Small Business of the Year through the Chamber of Commerce, Ai Painting Plus stands as a testament to its dedication to excellence and customer satisfaction. Not only do they provide top-notch painting services, but they also prioritize personal growth for their team members with comprehensive training programs. With a focus on enhancing client experiences and fostering professional development, Ai Painting Plus continues to brighten homes and lives through its artistic craftsmanship.

The Terrace Retirement Community is the perfect place for seniors seeking a vibrant and fulfillingretirement experience. With four years of dedicated service, Linette Beaman, director of sales and marketing, embodies the essence of retirement living, enriching the lives of residents with her unwavering commitment to service. Beaman has always been in sales and marketing but says nothing compares to the satisfaction and fulfillmet of working at the Terrace. “The opportunity to work with seniors and their families is a privilege I do not take for

granted. Every day is an opportunity to impact people’s lives for the better,” she says. Beaman’s role at the Terrace allows her to assist seniors and their families in findin the perfect community tailored to their needs. “The Terrace creates opportunities, friendships, security and an independent lifestyle where people love to live.” The Terrace residents and staffhave now become Beaman’s second family, creating a community of support and encouragement in everyday life.

Founded in November 2020 in Columbia, Morpheus IV Hydration & Infusion Center is not just a business but a beacon of hope for those seeking relief from chronic pain, migraines, depression, anxiety, PTSD and more.

Owner Jennifer Clark says her personal journey battling debilitating migraines for over a decade led her to discover the transformative power of ketamine infusion therapy. I found out about ketamine after I had tried so many different things, which failed every time, so I thought it was worth a shot,” Clark says. “So, I tried it, and it changed my life.”

This firsthandexperience drove her to open Morpheus IV, with Annie Fennewald, a partial owner, joining the mission soon after, who also struggled with chronic pain and migraines. “I love being part of the solution to provide care for patients,” Fennewald says.

Their dedication to patient-centric care sets them apart, as they listen to each patient's needs and customize treatments accordingly. “We listen to our patients; we listen to what they have to say; we listen to what they say about their body. Because, you know, patients know their bodies a lot better than we do,” Clark says.

At Morpheus IV, all the drips are made specifically to fiteach patient’s needs. “All of our drips are proprietary to us,” Clark says. “We can customize them for every patient, you know, every patient gets a free vitamin consult.” Clark says the combination of IV hydration with the ketamine, “really allows us to, as a whole, help patients’ bodies feel better, which also makes your mind feel better, and who doesn't want to feel their best?”

Clark and Fennewald’s commitment to excellence is mirrored in their team of certified RNs and anesthesiology staff.“You know, Jennifer and I are trying to steer the ship, but we have a fabulous team as well,” Fennewald says. “We have been very blessed to have the amazing support staff that we do,” Clark echoes

Beyond business success, their legacy lies in changing lives and reshaping the landscape of healthcare in the Columbia community. Clark even spends her free time involved in ketamine advocacy on a national level to inform “specifically insurance companies about what we do and how we do it,” Clark says.

The goal is to continue to provide transformative care for the Columbia community and help change lives one drip at a time.

2024 FACES

Owners of Regeneration Salon & Spa, Samantha Woolridge and Kaitlyn Nolte, are reimagining the salon and spa experience. Walking through their doors, clients immediately understand that collaboration is at the heart of what they do as a full-service salon and spa.

The atmosphere cultivated within their space is one of laughter and relaxation. Utilizing their passions and creativity, Regeneration Salon & Spa ensures their clients come out with exactly what they are looking for, leaving them feeling refreshed and cared for.

“We have a group here that enjoys working together,” Woolridge says. “If I get stuck on a color I can go to Chris (Mears), or if I’m stuck on a haircut, I have Kaitlyn. We’re promoting our differences.”

One thing that sets the business apart is that Woolridge and Nolte know that even though they have an investment in the business, they couldn’t run the business without their employees and clients. They make sure their clients feel at home and safe with the individuals around them.

“It’s the same for everyone, but when I’m not working in a room, I’ll walk around and say hi to everyone, even if I haven’t seen them in a treatment room,” says Madison Stuart, the salon and spa’s massage therapist, who specializes in deep tissue massage.

Understanding their clients and their needs go hand in hand with the helpfulness shown throughout Regeneration. When clients come to them, they want them to know they are in the best hands, and the team’s

experience and knowledge in the industry cannot be understated. Woolridge has been a hair stylist for 20 years and with Regeneration for 10 years, and Nolte has been a stylist for nine years, four with the salon. Stuart has been a massage therapist for fiveyears with three being at the salon.

Chris Mears, a master stylist with over 13 years of experience, is a new addition to the business and focuses on education for other stylists at Regeneration. This comes in the form of staying on top of trends, knowing different techniques with colors and using social media to help clients visualize the style they’re wanting.

“I think that as hair stylists, we’re doing it for so long that we stop educating ourselves on new techniques, new styles, everything,” Mears says. “It’s making sure that we’re saying, ‘Oh hey, let’s learn the new shag technique or let’s learn this wolf cut,’ these things that are popular right now, so we can stay ahead of the trend.”

Supporting and serving their clients to the best of their ability is always top of mind. They’ll work with clients and let them know how to attain the look they’re wanting whether it’s with a hair, nail or permanent makeup style. They also work to make your massage exactly what your body needs at that time. Overall, the team wants individuals to look and feel their best.

“It is where beauty meets laughter,” Mears says. “Once you start taking care of yourself self-care-wise, then you start laughing again and opening up.”

2024 FACES OF COLUMBIA

THE FACE OF TECHNOLOGY

HUBER & ASSOCIATES, INC.

Information technology impacts every facet of our daily lives. At Huber & Associates, Inc. they provide IT support for individuals, businesses and organizations, supporting industries from healthcare and banking to education, energy and more. With the IT industry expanding, complications occur with systems, programs, hosts, etc. This is why Jim and Elizabeth Huber, president and CEO, respectively, founded the company, to make a “hero’s impact” in their community.

“You can really be someone’s hero when you help them handle some of the complicated problems that can emerge when you have to design, select, install, implement, program, host and sometimes even build new technologies,” Elizabeth says.

The Hubers come from entrepreneurial families, so after they met at the University of Missouri in the College of Engineering, they knew their goal was to start a business and to stay in mid-Missouri. Huber & Associates, Inc. was founded in 1986, and the pair’s selfless service to clients, community and co-workers permeated throughout the company culture. Now, the company has expanded with a team of employees with extensive industry experience. Plus, one of their sons, Michael, brings the family company into its second generation by supervising the day-to-day operations as the company’s chief operating officer.

“We have always had the goal of careful, consistent growth which has allowed us to expand over the years to the point where we now employ over 130 people,” Elizabeth says. “By employing them, we help them support

their families and their communities. This careful, consistent growth has ensured that we have been able to be there for our clients and our community as well.”

The team at Huber & Associates, Inc. prides itself on earning over 350 technical certifications combined. Additionally, the company is recognized as a Woman Owned Business Enterprise that is certified nationally and by the state. With these certifications, along with their core values of integrity, service, excellence, teamwork, accountability and fun, they are able to give the best IT services in mid-Missouri.

“By handling IT needs for our clients, we free them up to do what they do best — from delivering healthcare to delivering schoolbooks, from providing government services to providing peace of mind through insurance,” Elizabeth says. “We gain a lot of satisfaction from knowing that we are helping our clients succeed.”

The company supports many local charities and organizations throughout mid-Missouri as well. Their commitment to charitable giving extends to numerous local schools and churches, community theater programs, the Boys and Girls Club, the Boy Scouts of America, the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association, among others.

“By having a hero’s impact on our clients in the Columbia area, we are supporting industries,” Elizabeth says. “By helping them succeed, we help the community succeed and grow.”

2024 FACES OF COLUMBIA

HIGH SCHOOL LEARNING

As a Columbia native since 1997, Dr. Matt Ross, the executive director of Secondary Programs at Columbia Academy for Learning and Enrichment, has been living his dream. “I’ve found my calling in life,” he says. For over 16 years Ross dedicated himself to Columbia Public Schools, serving as a teacher and administrator before findinghis way to CALE to assist in the transformation of the traditional educational model. “My career has been driven by a deep-rooted passion for making a meaningful impact on the lives of students, staffand

the broader community,” he says. And he has found a particular passion in the dynamic environment of sixth through 12th grade. “The teenage years mark a crucial phase in a student's life,” he says. “It is during this time that the potential to inspire and guide becomes exceptionally significant.” Ross draws on his 23 years in education to craft a unique and personalized high school journey for each student. “I am committed to creating an educational experience at CALE that is unparalleled in Columbia and the entire state.”

THE CLIP JOINT

Shelly Bowman and Jenna Sutton, hairstylists at The Clip Joint, are not just crafting hair, they're definin the latest trends in hairstyles for Columbia. With a combined tenure of over a decade at the salon, both stylists have created a community at The Clip Joint, always putting their clients' needs first.“I just want to be known as someone who always tried my hardest to make my guests feel like their best and to be heard,” Sutton says. Bowman agrees, saying it’s her goal to

make her clients feel confidet. “I love the connection with the guest, and the ability to make someone feel even better about themselves,” she says. Both are not just hair experts; they're pillars of community support, with Bowman donating her services to local women's shelters and Sutton actively volunteering at her daughter's school. In every snip and style, Bowman and Sutton show their dedication to their craft and true passion for hairstyling.

2024 FACES OF COLUMBIA

Entering the field of distilled spirits was exciting for Maury and Melissa Allen. The owners of Six-Mile Ordinary say they were attracted to the industry six years ago, eager to take on the opportunity to create high-quality products at a reasonable price, but there’s much more to it than that. “Ultimately, for us, the attraction to the distilled spirits industry lies in the ability to combine creativity, passion, manual get-your-

hands-dirty labor and business acumen to produce a product that brings joy and pleasure to consumers,” Maury Allen says. Operating a distillery allows the Allens the chance to hone new skills while connecting with the community through tastings and tours. And the business is growing, with distribution in six states already and now a fully functioning tasting room/bar.

Boating incidents, such as weather, accidents or stolen items, can happen to any boat owner. State Farm Insurance agent Phyllis Nichols knows this all too well since she’s been in the insurance industry 37 years.

“I’ve seen and learned about many things in that time frame from the ordinary to the extraordinary,” Nichols says. “I have been able to protect many folks from what might have been a disastrous outcome without the protection that was offered by my company.”

As a Columbia native and a graduate of the University of Missouri, Nichols knows the community and loves informing individuals of their options. “I findmyself

enjoying the education that I

while fittingthem with an appropriate policy that matches their needs.”

Many boat owners travel to the Lake of the Ozarks for weekends or longer stays throughout the spring and into the fall. Protection is necessary when beautiful lake days turn to thunderstorms or other events occur. Nichols strives to keep the individuals she insures safe and well taken care of, whether on the water or on land.

“Because we offer so many products from great sources, we are able to almost be a one-stop shop for all of your needs!”

2024 FACES OF COLUMBIA

As a third-generation home builder, Zachary Girard, the owner, and co-founder of Girard Homes LLC, gets to continue his family legacy, building custom homes for the Columbia community. “My grandfather built homes and my mother also built homes. I grew up always being around construction so going into the construction industry was a natural fitfor me.” With nearly a decade of experience, Girard’s fascination with new design trends drives him to create unique, custom homes for each client. “We get to do something new with every project,” he says. “It is always fun to see what

ideas our clients have for their new homes.” Beyond architectural contributions, Girard Homes actively participates in community initiatives, supporting organizations like Mareck Center for Dance. “I was one of the Dancing with Missouri Stars last year,” Girard says. Working with Girard Homes means working with a team that will go above and beyond to make your home dreams come true. “We believe that by incorporating the latest technologies in home automation and energy efficiency, we can provide our customers with a new home that truly enhances the way they live.”

After being in sales for 30 years Joan Wilkerson, a licensed realtor with the Girard Realty Team, says moving into the residential real estate business was an easy transition. “I have always been interested in the real estate industry and am doing what I love,” she says. Realtor Inga Kokic, with Girard Realty, also embodies passion and purpose in her career. With a background in arts and sociology, she found her true calling in real estate. “I love seeing happiness in people.” In just two years, Kokic surpassed $13 million in sales, exceeding goals, and celebrating each client's

success. At the same time, Wilkerson has been using her years of experience in the Columbia community to provide an unwavering commitment to her clients. “Having worked in the Columbia area for over 35 years, I am rooted in the community.” The most rewarding part is watching her clients fall in love with a new home. “When I match people with the right home, it is so rewarding.” Wilkerson hopes to show other women that following a dream has no age. “Having started a new career later in life, it’s never too late to pursue a career that makes you happy.”

2024 FACES OF COLUMBIA

THE FACE OF FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC

RESTORATION CHIROPRACTIC

Restoration Chiropractic is the epitome of familycentered wellness, driven by a legacy of passion and dedication by owner and founder, Dr. Taylor Sirois. From an early age, Dr. Sirois knew he wanted to follow his parent’s and grandfather’s footsteps and join the chiropractic community. “I saw how much they loved what they did and how their patients appreciated how much they cared, and how amazing chiropractic care worked. From there it was clear that in the end, it was all about loving people and helping them achieve better health naturally,” he says.

As one of the largest family-based chiropractic clinics in the country, Restoration Chiropractic focuses on making sure patients know it is important to start care at a young age. “Starting children under care early is so important, to make sure that they grow and develop healthy spines and nervous systems and avoid many of the common issues that we see in adults that could have been avoidable,” Dr. Sirois says. To make sure this care can start early, Restoration Chiropractic provides, “affordable care for entire families to start together and educating patients on how to best utilize chiropractic care.”

If you don’t address a problem before it emerges Dr. Sirois says it’s like waiting for a dental emergency before choosing to brush your teeth. “We often compare this to how individuals brush their teeth for prevention,

chiropractic care was also created as a preventative specialty but not many people know to use it that way.”

In his seven years in the industry, Dr. Sirois says watching how many patients and members of staffhave gone to chiropractic school is a goal he will always be proud of. “Raising up the next generation of chiropractic leaders is something near to our hearts and findin opportunities to speak into the lives of students at the high school and college level is not something we ever pass up.”

Dr. Sirois hopes to leave a lasting imprint on the Columbia community — one definedby compassion, integrity and genuine care. “I would love to be known for how much we cared, how well we listened and how we helped people restore their trust in health care.”

But Restoration Chiropractic’s impact extends beyond the clinic walls, as Dr. Taylor and his team actively engage in community outreach and education, shaping a healthier, more informed society. “We have partnered with many local nonprofitsand organizations to donate time and resources to better serve the needs of this community and its people.”

The hope is for his family business to live on with one of his kids someday taking over the practice. But for now, Dr. Sirois and his team will continue to provide family care and holistic wellness to the Columbia community.

RESTORATION CHIROPRACTIC | 1413 GRINDSTONE PLAZA DRIVE, SUITE 109, COLUMBIA MO 573-476-1000 | CHIRORESTORATION.COM

Dr. Leslie Hamlett, a passionate nephrologist at Nephrology & Hypertension Associates, and Dr. Sean Hamlett, a dedicated endocrinologist at Mid-Missouri Diabetes & Endocrinology, are the dynamic duo leading the charge in nephrology and diabetic care in Columbia. With over 15 years of experience in Joplin, their expertise and commitment have found a new home at Nephrology & Hypertension Associates.

Both found their passion when they were young. Dr. Sean Hamlett found it while watching television shows about physicians, and Dr. Leslie Hamlett found her passion after dealing with her own sickness as a child and her time working alongside a remarkable nephrologist during her residency. “As a sickly kid, I knew from a young age that I wanted to go into medicine,” she says.

“He was the smartest man in the hospital and developed a rapport with patients that was like none I had seen with other medical specialties.”

Their dedication extends beyond medical expertise; they prioritize building relationships with their patients and empowering them to take control of their health.

“I want to be able to help one person at a time to be healthier so that they can live their best life. If we can positively impact one person at a time, eventually that

creates a ripple effect through the community that is tangible,” Dr. Sean Hamlett says. Dr. Leslie Hamlett agrees, explaining her love for her job stems from the relationships built with her patients over the years. “The most rewarding aspect of my profession is the relationships I develop with my patients,” she says.

As new faces in Columbia, they aim to provide quality healthcare, leaving a legacy of advocacy and positive impact in the community. “I hope to provide quality healthcare to those in need and be an advocate for my patients,” Dr. Leslie Hamlett says. “When I can help a patient realize that taking control of their diet leads to better control of their diabetes using less medication, then I have done a good job,” Dr. Sean Hamlett echoes.

While medicine is their passion, family values are at their core. “I am most proud of raising two amazing children while having a successful career,” Dr. Leslie Hamlett says. The husband and wife team are active members of the community, raising two children, one in medical school and the other working towards a career in physical therapy. Together, the Hamletts will continue to help the Columbia community by reshaping the landscape of nephrology and diabetic care, one patient at a time.

2024 FACES OF COLUMBIA

THE FACE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP & START-UPS REDI — REGIONAL

In creating upward economic mobility opportunities for midMissourians, Lesley Sapp and Trish Koetting at REDI bring more entrepreneurs and businesses to the area, benefittin the whole community.

“I love empowering people to make their dreams a reality by coaching and providing support to tackle the steps needed to move their business forward,” says Koetting, an entrepreneurship program specialist and owner of two Columbia businesses of the past 20 years.

REDI is an Accredited Economic Development Organization as designated by the International Economic Development Council. The company’s slogan “Attract, Expand, Grow” encompasses what they do on a day-to-day basis that impacts many lives. REDI’s team works to attract

REDI

businesses and assist individuals who want to create their own start-ups. Then, they can help with expansion and growth through connecting individuals to resources and coordinating logistics in mid-Missouri and internationally.

Sapp is the global entrepreneurship specialist and has worked in international programs and education for over 20 years. For her, the transition to assisting international and refugee community members comes second nature.

“I love making connections with our incredibly diverse and rich international community and sharing all the services REDI has to offer. I want to see Columbia residents from all backgrounds and cultural identities deepen their understanding of other cultures through interactions with customers, clients or peers.”

Alissa Welschmeyer, founder of Olive Tree Design Build, has been transforming spaces into luxurious havens since founding her firmin 2019. “I get immense joy in exploring new options and embracing the ever-evolving nature of interior design,” she says. Welschmeyer approaches each project with an eye for detail, making sure each project checks all her clients’ boxes. “My goal is to create environments that are not just visually stunning but also highly functional, tailored to the needs and desires of my clients.” Welschmeyer not only focuses

on making her clients’ dream homes come to life but also makes sure to support locals along the way. “I prioritize working with local contractors, suppliers and artisans contributing to the growth of Columbia.” Her vision extends beyond individual projects; she aims to leave a lasting legacy in the Columbia community by inspiring future generations of designers. “I believe that through my work, I can contribute to the creation of a more beautiful and harmonious world, one project at a time.”

Designing and building a dream home should be fun, and the team helping your dream become a reality needs to be one you trust. At J Jones Homes, every client becomes part of the family. They take their clients’ ideas and blend them to create homes fit to liestyles, needs and habits.

Owner John Jones has been building homes in Columbia for over 30 years, which has made him one of Boone County’s premier home builders. John’s honesty, attention to detail and open communication are just a few of the qualities that set him apart from other builders

in the area, as he and his team walk clients through the entire process step-by-step.

“Whether you’re building from scratch or renovating your existing home, J Jones Homes will bring quality work, integrity and a keen eye for current trending home designs to the project,” says Jones.

The J Jones Homes team builds custom dream homes along with lifelong connections in the Columbia community as each homeowner becomes part of the J Jones Homes family.

The team at Aurora Medical Spa knows that how you feel about yourself directly impacts how you live your life. Science, beauty, healthcare and experience all combine at Aurora to help clients make the best decisions for their bodies.

“As we age, our inside stays the same, but the outside changes quite a bit,” says Christian Howell, a clinical partner at Aurora and a registered and certified plastic surgery nurse. “I love helping people feel good about the aging process by giving them the most natural and aesthetically pleasing results.”

In addition to Howell, Kirsten Connell, an injector

and wellness DNP, Kim Chappell and Stephanie Maldonado, medical aestheticians, are the team at Aurora Medical Spa, a Top 5 Allergen & SkinMedica account nationwide. The business is a full-service medical spa, providing full facial aesthetics, injectables and medical grade skin care, Biote hormone replacement and weight loss programs.

“Each day I am able to meet amazing people within and around the Columbia area,” Connell says. “My goal is to develop lasting relationships with my patients and help them to feel their best inside and out.”

2024 FACES

THE FACE OF MEDICAL

TRANSPORTATION

UNITED CARE TRANSPORT

For the women-owned and veteran-operated business, United Care Transport focuses on one thing — giving back to the community. The husband-and-wife team of Jordan and Chance Mertgen co-founded the business after Jordan worked in healthcare for over 10 years and Chance served in the military for 12 years. Jordan saw firsthandthrough her experience how equitable access is not always feasible in mid-Missouri. Chance wanted to help others and give back after his time in the service ended.

“United Care Transport was founded with the mission to extend healthcare access to underserved populations and rural communities,” Jordan says. “With each transport we complete, it is our way of positively impacting someone else’s life. We bring about positive change.”

The business has been operating since May 2023 and already has had a major impact. In 2023 alone, they successfully provided 1602 transports for 475 mid-Missouri residents. They also grew the business, offering two wheelchair-accessible vehicles instead of one, and three ambulatory cars. They serve individuals, as well as partner with healthcare organizations.

“With every transport we complete, we are hoping to create a healthier community as a whole,” Jordan says. “It may be a small piece of the puzzle, but the outcome can be exponentially greater for the individuals we serve.”

In the Navy and as a civilian contractor, Chance acquired military logistics experience, which at the time seemed one of the furthest things from healthcare. Yet, unbeknownst to him, the experience prepared him for his future in transportation services. And though healthcare never crossed his mind, the mindset of service never left. “I never imagined myself working in healthcare with my machinist and military background, but I knew I wanted to give back and serve again,” he says. “UCT is my way of serving and giving back to my community every day.”

Access to healthcare is a barrier to many midMissourians, whether it’s due to lack of monetary means, healthcare providers or transportation to and from the pharmacy or an appointment. The list unfortunately goes on. Yet, in getting to know the passengers and their needs, a mutual trust builds, which promotes Jordan and Chance’s goal of assisting the community.

“We not only pride ourselves on the premier transportation services we provide, but also in building relationships with our passengers,” Jordan says. “We also focus on connecting with healthcare organizations in the area to form partnerships in healthcare access to reduce no-show rates and missed follow-up appointments. We take extreme pride in the work that we do.”

Burrell Behavioral Health understands that changing a life is an uphill battle. Going about it alone only adds to the weight a person must carry. Burrell has teams of peer specialists devoted to helping carry some of that weight through understanding and shared experience.

The work of a peer specialist is like none other. Peers work with clients, often in recovery, as they navigate their life's current chapter. These chapters might be some of the darkest times an individual will experience. In the words of Ron Smith, certified peer specialist with Phoenix Programs, peers represent the possibilities in a person's life.

"I help save lives by showing people how they can change their lives," Smith says. "Every time a client receives a small victory is a proud moment for me. I actually feel like I am making a difference in the world."

Peers bring a different level of care to the community. A peer's job centers around relationship building, rapport and support. Peers understand their clients in a way few others can because they have a shared lived experience, and peers have overcome it.

"Being able to relate to a person with a substance use disorder in a way that no textbook or any type of education can teach you is phenomenal," says April Feltrop, certified peer specialist with Phoenix Programs. "This job allows people working with a substance use disorder to know that someone understands them and wants to help them."

Trey Dawson, a certified peer specialist on the ACTTAY (Assertive Community Treatment—Transitional

Aged Youth) team, describes peers as the boots on the ground.

"We are not the clinical team or clipboard therapy you may think of. We're in the mud walking side by side," Dawson says. "Some of these kids I work with don't have a father or mother figue in their life. I can be the peer they need or the peer I needed during my own struggles when I was a 17-year-old."

While most associated with recovery, peers can be like Jason Stringer, employment specialist with the ACT-TAY team, who assists people with developmental disabilities for independent living.

"It's rewarding when the client achieves independence, like gaining employment, furthering education or acquiring independent housing. Especially when the client informs you that you're positively impacting their life,” Stringer says. “I really love being able to assist people to live independently who have mental impairments such as myself."

Burrell’s comprehensive treatment services acknowledge that the process of better looks different for each person. Burrell’s philosophy is to develop the right treatment program that supports each person’s unique recovery efforts. General treatment service, social setting detox, substance use disorder treatments and other services are readily available. Burrell’s “no wrong door” policy guarantees that no matter where you start, you will be connected to the care you need.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988.

THE FACE OF CABINET REFINISHING

GARRETT PAINTING

Shane Garrett (featured photo, left), owner of Garrett Painting, LLC, did not expect painting to be his passion. “Painting just sort of found me,” he says. “This profession suits me and my values perfectly.”

Now, more than 24 years since he founded Garrett Painting, he couldn’t imagine his life any other way.

“The goal was to create a living for myself and my employees that is sustainable and rewarding, and to bring value to our clients by providing consistent and predictable results in high-end painting and refinishing,” he sys.

Garrett's extensive experience in running a service-based business has instilled unwavering confidenc in the quality of his company's work throughout mid-Missouri. “Our expertise in this field of work has made us a go-to company for cabinet refinishingin Boone County and beyond,” Garrett says. “I think we blazed a trail for others to follow in this market.”

Seeing his clients' admiration for his work is an added perk of being in this business. “We bring so much change to our clients’ homes in such a short period of time,” Garrett says. “The look on our clients’ faces when they see the finishedproduct is very rewarding.”

“It's not in too many professions you get to stand back and say, ‘Wow, that looks good, and I did that!’” says Jay Fasching (featured photo, middle), Garrett Painting lead trainer.

Grant Fogle (featured photo, right), Garrett Painting project manager, says he enjoys inspiring his clients. “I love being able to change the way a customer thinks about their home,” he says.

The Garrett Painting team's passion for their work is evident, and many firsttime clients become repeat customers. “We know that when we do a job well, our customers become our best supporters and that their home is our calling card,” Garrett says. “Our customer service professionals make the process friendly and efficient from the initial phone call or website contact to the final wal-through.”

Garrett Painting aspires to sustain top-notch service throughout Columbia for years to come while also motivating the next generation to thrive in the industry. Fogle says he is honored and proud of “being able to inspire the younger generation to strive and work hard.”

“I’ve been given a gift, so it’s my goal to make the next guy better,” Fasching says.

2024 FACES OF COLUMBIA

Dr. Michael Ryan, a cardiovascular surgeon and vein care specialist at Missouri Vein Care, is focused on improving patients' health, supporting their psychological well-being and addressing the stigma associated with unsightly veins. With over 20 years of exclusive vein care experience, his empathetic approach stems from his personal journey with vein conditions, helping him truly understand his patients' struggles. “I have a vein condition and have vein treatments myself; I know exactly what people are going through,” he says.

“I love seeing results soon after treatment, not only in the patient's health but also in how grateful people are

that they no longer are ashamed or embarrassed about the look of their legs,” he says. Dr. Ryan's proudest achievement lies in his commitment to elevating standards in vein treatment, focusing on personalized care and making sure patients know they are more than a number. Dr. Ryan is also very passionate about giving back and hopes to organize a charitable vein care trip to the Bahamas this year, reflecting his dedication to extending quality healthcare beyond borders. Through his clinic, Dr. Ryan does more than just treat veins; he's restoring confidenceand changing lives, one patient at a time.

Working in life insurance means being there for people at every stage of life. Will Garrett, the agency sales manager, and Blaine Chandler, the associate agent for The Will Garrett Agency, say getting to work with people is the best part of the job. “I love the stories, watching families grow, dreams being chased, all of it,” Garrett says. Chandler agrees, saying he loves helping people every day. “You never know what people are going through, but in our job, you always get to be in their corner.” As the face of life insurance, both understand it’s not only

about providing financialsecurity. Life insurance is a valuable asset in one's financialportfolio. “We're here to help you use this benefitto your and your family's full advantage,” Garrett says. The goal is to be “the trusted local insurance agency of Boone County. We know there is no one that cares more about Columbia or its people,” Garrett says. Both Garrett and Chandler bring a wealth of personal and professional experiences, coupled with a strong sense of community, making them trusted allies in times of need.

2024 FACES OF COLUMBIA

THE FACE

For 15 years, Chris Fischer, the president of Site Pro Services LLC, has been helping customers with construction services in Columbia. “I love helping shape their dream, whether we are excavating for a new home site or building their dream lake for their family to enjoy,” Fischer says. Whether you need experts in septic and sewer system repair, emergency services, concrete services, excavating and grading, site work, utilities, lot and land clearing, erosion control and much more,

Fischer says his team will be there for you. “We put the customer first,giving the best customer experience possible along with quality work and timely delivery of our commitments.” As the face of Site Pro, Chris prides himself on exceptional customer service, and hopes to leave a lasting impact on the Columbia community by “helping to provide expert excavating and grading services for property owners throughout mid-Missouri.”

For Jacob Kellett, First Midwest Bank means working closely with the community. As a Missouri chartered bank established in 1964 and owned by local shareholders, First Midwest Bank is committed to providing exceptional customer service and nationallevel tools to the customers of its 19 locations across Southeast Missouri, including the two in Columbia.

Kellett decided to pursue banking after graduating from law school, working as part of a de novo bank and as a chief credit officer at a regional bank. In December 2023, he joined First Midwest Bank as the market president.

“Providing financialeducation and financia assistance to the customers of our community” is what he findsas the most rewarding part of being with the community bank. “Community banking allows a financialorganization to positively impact businesses, individuals and organizations in the community.”

As for the future, Kellett sees growth in himself and the bank by “continuing to provide exceptional customer service and banking tools, while expanding the footprint of First Midwest Bank.”

THE FACE OF EMBRACING

ALL ABILITIES WOODHAVEN

Woodhaven stands as a beacon of inclusivity and empowerment for individuals of all abilities. With a mission deeply rooted in serving others, Dr. Joy Sweeney, chief executive officer, and Greg Bell, chief operations officer, have dedicated their lives to fostering acceptance and inclusion within the community. “My entire life has been dedicated to the service of others as I truly love helping others, especially those with the greatest need,” Dr. Sweeney says. “Originally, I thought I was working on a temporary basis but instantly fell in love with Woodhaven's mission and individuals,” Bell says.

Dr. Sweeney’s compassionate leadership style, coupled with Bell’s unwavering dedication, has taken Woodhaven to new heights of excellence within the Columbia community. “I hope that my compassionate leadership combined with my willingness to strive for excellence will model the behavior that motivates and inspires our team and they in turn will help our individuals thrive,” Sweeney says. “I am committed to our mission of enhancing lives and embracing all abilities,” Bell echoes.

For 41 years, Bell has taken charge of several initiatives aimed at enhancing the lives of those Woodhaven supports, earning national accreditation, and leaving a lasting impact on the community. “I led Woodhaven in obtaining a national accreditation with Commission on Accreditation

of Rehabilitation Facilities in 1994 and have maintained that accreditation for the past 30 years,” Bell says.

While Dr. Sweeney has less than one year under her belt at Woodhaven, her passion for creating an empowering community based on inclusion in Columbia couldn’t be stronger. “I hope to leave a lasting impact on the importance of acceptance and inclusion throughout central Missouri and most importantly Columbia,” she says. “We have the opportunity to provide dignity, access and empowerment to individuals who have historically been deprived of this right. The lasting impact is a community where individuals of all abilities can thrive!”

Beyond their professional lives, both Dr. Sweeney and Bell are deeply involved in community service, serving on various boards and mentoring programs. “Service to my community always has and always will be a priority of mine,” Dr. Sweeney says.

As Woodhaven celebrates 60 years of innovation and dedication, Dr. Sweeney and Bell will continue to guide the organization toward a future of excellence. “I am truly humbled and inspired every day that I have the opportunity to serve as the CEO of Woodhaven,” Dr. Sweeney says. “Woodhaven's services are individualized and have a positive impact on the lives we support,” Bell says.

WOODHAVEN | 1405 HATHMAN PLACE, COLUMBIA, MO (573) 875-6181 | WOODHAVENTEAM.ORG

2024 FACES OF COLUMBIA

Landscape Designers for Rost Landscaping & Design, Inc., Nate Anderson, Jacob Porter and Brendan Rost knew since the beginning what their passion in life was. For Anderson and Porter, that passion was the outdoors. “I always knew I wanted to work outdoors and with plants/ nature,” Anderson says. Rost found his passion by putting pen to paper. “Growing up I always had notebooks full of sketches and loved tinkering with various projects.” Now all three designers get to live their dream helping clients bring their visions to life. “There's a deep satisfaction in watching a concept you've nurtured for months or years take shape how you envisioned it and improve a space,” Rost says. Porter and Anderson agree, saying they enjoy watching their ideas come to life. “Seeing the solutions go from concept to reality is a bonus as our crews can construct the plans that we create,” Porter says. The Rost team prides itself on the reputation it has built throughout Columbia for the last 39 years. The hope is for the next generation to continue this legacy and show every day why Rost has the most passion, pride and expertise. “Our team has built a reputation as the gold standard in Columbia,” Rost says. “As our next generation takes a

larger role, we'd like to be reminiscent of the integrity and quality that built that reputation and use it to continue to beautify our community.” A good reputation and providing quality work is the most important part of the business. “It is my goal to make sure every client goes away feeling good about the experience they had in transforming their property,” Anderson says. “I think the legacy we'd like to be known for is leaving outdoor spaces better than what they were before we arrived,” Porter echoes. While working with family can have its challenges, Rost says there is nothing more rewarding than seeing everyone come together and complete each and every project with pride and passion. “There are so many happy days and headaches that come from working with your parents, uncles, in-laws, cousins and friends, but at the end of the day, it's all worth it to be part of a family where everyone pulls the rope and contributes in their own way,” Rost says.

At the end of the day, Rost wants to make sure every task and every solution is of the best quality, and the goal is to make you feel a part of that family along the way. “We are proud to put our family name on every project and every truck because we know what has gone into each and every one.”

2024 FACES OF COLUMBIA

Ever since high school Celeste Spickert, a team leader and structural engineer at McClure, has had a passion for math and science. “That led me to the architectural and engineering departments in college,” she says. “That’s when I knew structural engineering was the career path for me.” Before findingher way into engineering, Spickert took a few turns through the architecture department in pursuit of her passion. “In college, I struggled in my architectural classes, especially the studios, with aesthetics, proportions and finishes,” she says. “Sometimes it takes us the long way to figue out our true path.”

Spickert has now been in the engineering industry for over 20 years, starting as a design engineer, before moving to project management, and recently changing positions to Team Leader. “I have enjoyed every step of my journey but feel that working with staffis my greatest strength,” she says.

Watching her work make an impact on others, is something Spickert does not take for granted. “As a working professional engineer, wife and mother of two teenagers, I am most proud to be an example to my children and young people that females can not only

enter the engineering field but be a leader amongst their peers.” For Spickert, it’s about leaving behind a legacy that’s fun, caring and inspiring for others. “I am most proud to be the engineer who designed the frame and foundation for the keyway sculpture downtown. Every time I see it, I feel proud to be part of this community and it brings joy to my heart.”

While Spickert grew up in Perryville, Missouri, the Columbia area means everything to her, as her husband grew up in Columbia, she has raised her daughter and son here, and is actively involved in the Columbia community. “Our family attends The Crossing Church in Columbia, and we are actively involved in the Missouri 4-H Center for Youth Development in both Boone and Audrain Counties with our kids.”

Along with taking care of her family, inspiring others, helping create well-known landmarks in Columbia and leading her team, Spickert remembers the small things in life are what matter most. “Humor and hugs are a big part of my life,” Spickert says. “I want to laugh every day if possible and give hugs. Even with life's challenges and ups and downs, we need to enjoy and appreciate all the little things.”

2024 FACES

Tyler and Ashley Perry, the owners of Doug Perry Towing, have deep roots in the towing industry, with Tyler Perry being the third-generation owner who grew up in the family business. “It's in my blood, l can vividly remember riding along with my father on many jobs, I always looked up to him and saw him as a superhero, saving people,” he says.

Both Tyler and Ashley Perry findjoy in helping turn someone’s day around by rescuing them on the side of the road. “Whether you call at 2 a.m. or 2 p.m., your emergency is our emergency. Our prices do not and will not change because of the time you need service!”

DPT provides a wide range of towing services and accident recovery, from roadside assistance and tire changes to lockouts, jump starts and fuel delivery. “If you’re looking for a reliable and efficient towing company in Columbia, Doug Perry Towing is your go-to choice,” he says. DPT has a full team of skilled professionals and state-of-the-art equipment to take care of your assets during a time of crisis. “You can trust that your vehicle or equipment will be handled with the utmost care and attention to detail.”

One of the duo’s proudest accomplishments is rebranding the business into something they felt was

uniquely theirs, while still honoring his grandfather's legacy, who started the business in 1980. “As the new generation we wanted to keep the name the same but re-brand into something we felt was ours. The ‘DPT’ acronym was something I had started long before I even drove a tow truck, so it just seemed like a good fit.We are proud of our label and the way the community has also embraced it,” he says.

While Tyler Perry always wanted to be in the towing business, for Ashley Perry, it was a path she embraced to support her husband. “I knew I had the right skills to help him achieve his goals,” she says.

Tyler Perry and Ashley Perry live in Columbia with their son and love helping local businesses and youth initiatives in their community. “We are passionate about the youth and locally-owned businesses in our community and love to support them in any way we can,” she says.

As they celebrate 44 years of serving mid-Missouri, the husband-and-wife team expresses gratitude to the Columbia community for their trust. “We know this would not be possible without the continued support of our community. Thank you for choosing DPT.”

2024 FACES OF COLUMBIA

Health journeys differ from person to person because every individual’s body is different. To create a life with lasting health and fitness,Jack Harrison and Jared Bischoff,Supplement Superstores’ general manager and district manager, respectively, believe findin support throughout the Columbia community is vital.

“I see myself being the guy to look to when people think of health and fitnessas well as empowering the future generation to start living healthy lifestyles,” Harrison says. “Whether they are in high school, studying at the University of Missouri or just working

in Columbia and want to better themselves.” Harrison and Bischoffwant everyone to feel comfortable when walking into Supplement Superstores, and to leave feeling like their next steps will be the healthiest ones yet.

“Supplement Superstores is here to support any and every individual, no matter the goal,” Bischoffsays. “I have always loved the community of Columbia and how driven everyone is to become the best version of themselves.”

Keeping Columbia a healthy community always has been Nancy Yaeger’s goal. As the owner of Fleet Feet and an avid runner, Yaeger personally understands how important shoes are to how individuals live their lives, whether they are running, walking or on their feet all day.

“I had benefittedyears ago from being fittedfor the right shoes for me after having turf toe,” Yaeger says. “Once I got fittedand changed shoes, my pain went away, so I know how much this process can help people.” While growing up, a teacher encouraged her to explore her passion for running. Yaeger wants to help other

children findtheir passion for athletics as well. “I want all kids to be able to be involved and to not have to worry about the cost of shoes if they do not have the means to get their own.”

Her passion for health is seen throughout the community. Yaeger is a previous cross country coach at Stephens College, as well as a founder of Heart of Missouri Girls on the Run. Last year, Fleet Feet was named one of the Top 50 Running Stores in the country and opened its second location in Jefferson City in December.

2024 FACES OF COLUMBIA

THE FACE OF FARM AND LAND MANAGEMENT

BRANSON FARM AND LAND MANAGEMENT

Cole Branson, the owner and operator of Branson Farm and Land Management LLC, has always had a passion for the outdoors. “I grew up hunting and fishingwhile working and living on a farm.”

Branson’s hands-on experience, coupled with a profound understanding of wildlife management and land improvement techniques sets him apart in this field of work. “I hunt and fishin my free time as well as at a professional level,” Branson says. “While taking people hunting for my job I have a good grasp of how to

manage land to be used for wildlife as well as improving overall appearance.”

With a rich background in community service and a commitment to giving back, Branson’s journey exemplifies a dedication to both professional excellence and community betterment. “From being involved with community service to holding free fishingdays at our family lake I think that giving back to the community is very important.”

BRANSON FARM AND LAND MANAGEMENT

9985 STATE ROAD AE, NEW BLOOMFIELD, MO | 573-999-7315

Local Collection of Bottle Caps Shows Designs from Across the Country.

BY ZOLA HECK | PHOTOS BY L.G. PATTERSON

Fifteen years ago, Tim Flanner, Inside Columbia magazine’s Art Director, started collecting bottlecaps to one day create a bottle cap bar top or coffee table Now, his collection consists of hundreds of caps from all over the United States. “I actually like trying new beers, so it’s been easy to have a variety,” he says. “I try to get good local breweries' caps when I travel.” Over the years, the collection has blossomed with the help of a friend in Kansas City.

“I met a bartender who has collected very unique caps for me, and she will send them my way.” Whether it's the vibrant colors or intricate designs, there's something captivating about these tiny treasures, especially for a graphic designer. The passion for collecting isn't just about the caps themselves; it's about the joy of discovering something new and the memories each cap holds.

care about their safety and health, so learn how well our Assisted Living and Memory Care community truly takes care of them. We offer engaging activities, supportive team members, nourishing food and sincere respect.

Visit CedarhurstColumbia.com or call 573-615-0493 and schedule a visit. Cedarhurst of Columbia 2333 Chapel Hill Road • Columbia, MO 65203 Assisted Living & Memory Care

Gardening with Grandkids

Playing in Dirt Isn’t Just Fun – It’s Healthy, Too!

BY KIMBERLY BLAKER

There’s no question that playing in the dirt tops the list of fun for kids, particularly young children, despite the protests of many wellintended grandparents. If you happen to be one of those worried grandparents, you can put your fears aside.

As it turns out, dirt is beneficial to the long-term health of kids, according

to a Northwestern University article by Clare Milliken, “Germs at four, less inflammation at forty” Studies have found that early exposure to certain germs, like those found in dirt, can help kids’ immune systems learn to regulate inflammation better. In turn this exposure reduces kids’ risk for many diseases throughout their lives.

For that reason, a family garden is a perfect opportunity to build your grandkids’ immune systems. Better still, gardening offers lots of other benets to kids and families.

Through gardening, kids learn to be responsible by caring for their own plants. It’s also a great way to help kids learn about and develop an appreciation

for science. Another health benefit is that gardening encourages healthier eating. Not to mention, it’s an excellent activity for bonding with grandkids.

So gather up your grandkids and gardening supplies, head outdoors and get ready for some dirt-filled fun.

GETTING STARTED

First, decide where to plant your garden. Then allow a small space for your grandchild to have his or her garden, too. This will help build enthusiasm for the garden and encourage him or her to take ownership and responsibility for it. Having their own garden can be exciting and rewarding for kids because they know that they, alone (or with minimal help), grew those little seeds into marvelous plants.

Next, decide what to plant. For young children, consider fast-growing plants they are familiar with. Little kids also love plants that are colorful or have strong scents.

If your grandkids are older, let them choose what they want to grow. But keep in mind your grandchild’s personality. If they tend to be impatient, suggest plants that are easy to care for and grow quickly.

As you proceed in planning and preparation, include your grandchild in it as much as possible. Remember, this stage is as much fun for kids as it is for grandparents and helps build kids’ enthusiasm. Also, let your grandkids help you draw up the garden plan. If they’re old enough, they can also create their own shopping list.

When you go shopping for the supplies, take your grandkids along and let them pick out their own seeds and gardening tools. For the safety of young children, look for kids’ gardening tools made of durable plastic.

PLANTING YOUR GARDEN

When you begin planting, show how to plant the seeds and space them apart correctly. Then have your grandchild water the seeds as directed.

To help your grandchild take responsibility for his or her garden, put a daily gardening task list on the refrigerator.

Also, to help your grandchild maintain enthusiasm, suggest keeping a garden log. Kids can have fun recording the date of plantings, each day’s gardening activities, when each plant sprouts, the amount of growth of the plants and the harvesting.

Finally, after harvesting, have your grandchild help you prepare the vegetables. Try different ways o preparing or cooking them to help your grandkid develop a life-long love for fresh, healthy veggies.

Books on Gardening with Kids

To get your family’s gardening project off on the right oot, consider an age-appropriate book. This will also help build your grandchild’s enthusiasm. To help make your family garden a success, a book for grandparents is included below as well.

The Book of Gardening Projects for Kids: 101 Ways to Get Kids Outside, Dirty and Having Fun by Whitney Cohen (for grandparents)

The Little Gardener by Emily Hughes (ages 3-7)

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate

Messner

(ages 5-8)

Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children by

Sharon Lovejoy

(ages 4-10)

Gardening Lab for Kids: 52 Fun Experiments to Learn, Grow, Harvest, Make, Play and Enjoy Your Garden by Renata

Brown

(ages 8-12)

126

Start Good, Endwell

128 Tzatziki Twist

130 Deviled with Details

133

Sizzling Sips

PERFECT PIZZA

Making a perfect pizza can be tough because it’s really all in the dough. But there is one secret that can make or break your impeccable pie at home. The key is finding the right ater temperature. If the water isn’t hot enough, it won’t wake up the yeast. If it is too hot, it will kill the yeast. If it is in the correct temperature window, it will bubble up just perfectly.

‘All’s Well That Ends Well’

A SLICE OF NEW YORK AND ITALY COMES TO DOWNTOWN

COLUMBIA.

BY ZOLA HECK · PHOTOS BY L.G. PATTERSON AND TED CIANCIOSI

Columbia is no stranger to good food. However, Bryan Maness, co-owner of Endwell Taverna and owner of Ozark Mountain Biscuit Company, notes that there has been a noticeable absence in the culinary landscape in Columbia, particularly in the downtown area. “One thing that is really missing downtown is a full-service Italian restaurant,” he says. “And so, we wanted to bring the New York style pizza and classic Italian flvors to the downtown area.” Maness and his partner Ted Cianciosi have been working

together for 15 years and felt it was time to make their pop-up pizza place permanent. “We've been doing some events at the Columbia farmers market, and I also operated at the Biscuits, Beats, and Brews festival which I am the naming sponsor on,” Maness says. “We also sponsored the True/False Film Fest artist lounge, so all the artists got to sample Endwell pizza there as well.”

Once the flvors were known and loved in the community, Maness and Cianciosi knew it was time to take the famous New York and Italian flvors to the next

level. This meant finaly opening the permanent location downtown at 107 N. Ninth St. in May. “We are just downtown about a block north of The Blue Note,” Maness says. “We've got great feedback from the community, and I think people are excited to try something new.”

And the star of the show is the pizza, which has a 72-hour fermented sourdough crust. “It’s the backbone of this operation. Ted has a real passion for pizza, and his pizza is something really special that you can't find in the Mdwest,” Maness says. That fermentation process

leaves the customer with “a light, flaey, delicate crust on the outside but the base of the pizza remains really firm,” Maness says. “It's really a quality product that we're really proud of and happy to debut it in the Midwest.”

Providing quality products is something Maness and Cianciosi have at the forefront of their new business, and plan to spotlight local products and seasonal items when possible. “We’re defintely focusing on local products with local farmers, local meats and vegetables,” Maness says. “But there are some products that we're going to be sourcing internationally, just because you can't find them at the same qualty that are domestically produced.”

While it seems as if this slice of New York making permanent placement in Columbia is a new adventure, the inspiration for Endwell Taverna started more than three generations ago when Cianciosi’s family moved from Italy to New York, landing in a town called

Endwell. As you may have guessed, that’s the origin of the beloved name, Endwell Taverna. “A lot of these recipes we will be featuring are things Ted’s grandmother and grandfather would put on their table growing up, so we are really bringing the family traditions of Ted Cianciosi’s family into the mix here,” Maness says.

Beyond pizza, Endwell Taverna will offer other Italian lunch classics, such as prime meats off the grill, handmade fesh pasta, homemade antipasti, a curated wine list, local beers and a full cocktail bar. Maness says the plan is to be a café style eatery for lunch, fine dining or dinner and remain open for late-night outings, offering drinks and slices of pizza to settle that late-night craving.

He and Cianciosi believe that the latenight options for adults in downtown Columbia are limited and hope to become the preferred destination for those seeking a place to unwind and enjoy themselves a little later into the evening. “We noticed a lot of late-night

options for adults to stay up past you know, eight or nine o'clock kind of stopped during COVID-19. There's defintely the college bar scene, but you don't see a lot of that for professionals and middle-aged,” Maness says. “We are hoping to provide that late-night bar aspect for our clientele as well.” And what better way to end your night than with a quality pizza and carefully crafted cocktails? You know what they say, all’s well that ends well, especially at Endwell Taverna. “All’s well that ends well. That is actually what the tagline for the restaurant will be,” Maness says.

Endwell Taverna plans to be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for lunch, and 4 p.m. to close for dinner and late-night options Wednesday through Monday. Endwell also offers catering for private events so you can enjoy New York and Italian flvors at every function. To learn more about this exciting addition to the dining scene, and to get all the delicious details, visit endwelltaverna.com

Saucy Summer

EXPERIENCE A CROWD-PLEASING SUMMER CHICKEN BOWL WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE.

BY SARA FOUGERE · PHOTOS BY L.G. PATTERSON

Most of you know that I’m a Missouri girl, born and raised. My family in Richmond still raises some of the best beef you’ll ever taste. My story includes marrying an East Coast boy and together we’ve raised another generation of Missouri boys who are looking to make the most of what Missouri has to offer.

Aside from my family, I’ve happily amassed a friend group of fellow native Missourians and a few transplants. Together we love this location and all it has to offer. Several times each year we make a girl's pilgrimage to “MeeMaw’s house” at the lake for a weekend of laughter, sisterhood and plenty of food and drinks. We have enjoyed this bowl more than once, and each of us revel in our favorite ingredients. Some love the chicken. Others favor the rice and vegetables, and there are a few who would probably only eat the tzatziki sauce. It’s the epitome of a crowd pleaser, and I hope you can cook it for your family and for their broad flvor interests as well. Everyone can mix a custom bowl. Is there really anything better than that? I kind of don’t think so! Let’s eat!

Summer Bowl with Chicken and Tzatziki Sauce

TZATZIKI SAUCE

1 medium English cucumber, the long skinny ones (I don’t peel it, but you can)

2 cups plain Greek yogurt or a combination of Greek yogurt and sour cream

2 cloves of chopped garlic

BOWL TOPPINGS

Rice or quinoa cooked according to package directions

Roasted onions, squash, really any kind of vegetable

DIRECTIONS

1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus some lemon zest, to taste

2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill or 1 teaspoon dried

¹/₂ teaspoon sea salt

¹/₄ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Chopped tomatoes

Olives

Feta cheese

Grilled chicken breasts

Use the cooked rice on quinoa as a base. Top with vegetables and chicken. Finish with the tzatziki sauce and feta cheese.

flvor COOKING WITH BROOK

Devilishly Delicious

GET EGG-CELLENT TIPS FROM BROOK HARLAN FOR PERFECTING DEVILED EGGS.

BY BROOK HARLAN · PHOTOS BY L.G. PATTERSON

Once you lock eyes on deviled eggs at an event, you know you'll have two, three or even a dozen.

Fortunately, exactly how they're counted is somewhat contentious. Technically if you consume a dozen, it is only six eggs. I prefer to go with that math if asked.

The modern version of deviled eggs, with mayonnaise as a binder, dates back to the late 1800s, appearing in the Boston Cooking School Cookbook. This was a few years after the first Amercan recipe had been published in a newspaper in Alabama, albeit without mayonnaise

EGG

While an older egg may peel easier because of the enlarged air sack, that may lead to a misshapen egg that is not as symmetrical. There are several methods to hard-cooked eggs, some add them to hot water, some boil them with the eggs, and some bring them to a boil and let it sit, this is my preferred method. If you limit the amount of time the eggs are at a hot temperature, you can hopefully prevent the green ring around the outside of the yolk. The green is caused when cooking at a high heat. The protein will start to break down and release a sulfur gas, causing the green ring, and sometimes the smell associated with the cooked eggs.

COOK

This method may have to be tweaked some but will become foolproof, use the same pan, the same number of eggs, the same volume and temperature of water to

start, and the same amount of time sitting after coming to a boil. The Cook — one dozen eggs, covered by one inch of cold water, bring to a boil over high heat, once the water has boiled, turn off, cover th pan and let sit for 12 minutes. Gently pour out hot water, and run under cold water for about two minutes until they are just cool enough to handle.

PEEL

It's best to peel the eggs as soon as they are cool enough to handle. I leave the cool water in the pan and crack the egg with several dozen small hits to the counter evenly spread throughout the egg. Then carefully pick at the broken shell, trying to get just under the shell membrane. I dip the egg under water to separate the membrane from the egg. Keep repeating and dipping until the shell comes off i several large pieces. Then place the eggs into ice water to chill and rinse off ay small pieces of the shell.

CUT

While the traditional method involves cutting the egg vertically to create an oval shape, cutting horizontally offers a sturdier circular base, ideal for heavier toppings. This may work better if you are topping with a more substantial item and you need a more sturdy base to grab. While you can cut the egg all the way through, you also can roll the egg as you pull the knife across, leaving the yolk whole, and then pop out the yolk like an avocado pit.

FILLING

I have some suggestions on fillin amounts below. The filling shoud be adjusted to taste, as the moisture content of yolks can vary. Mixing and tasting is going to be your best guide. If it seems a little dry, add more mayonnaise, pickle juice, vinegar or even water. You can swap out the mayo for other items like butter, ranch, relish or avocado depending on what flvor profie you want to go with. You can use a two-spoon method (scoop filling wth one, push onto the egg with the other), or a piping bag (have a dedicated pastry piping bag and tips) or scoop the filling ito a ziplock bag (this method may not be as pretty, but it sure is easy). Fill a bag, cut off a corner an squeeze the mixture onto the egg).

TOPPING

Here is where you can get creative or keep it basic. If you want, just dust it with a little paprika. It will be delicious, and I will probably eat at least five. If ou want to switch it up, pick a theme and break it down. What items would go well mixed into the yolks (avocado, soy sauce, miso, ranch, blue cheese, jalapeno pickle juice), and what items need to go on top (charred corn, crispy bacon, jalapeno slices, Cotija cheese, salmon, shallots, herbs, spices). The sky's the limit, and if you build it, they will come to eat it. Sometimes a swing and a miss is what it takes to come up with a hit the next time (my favorite of the shoot was the elote egg).

BASIC DEVILED EGGS

12 DEVILED EGGS

INGREDIENTS

• 6 eggs

• 2 to 3 tablespoons mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons relish or diced pickles

• 1 to 2 tablespoons pickle juice or cider vinegar

DIRECTIONS

• 1 to 2 teaspoons mustard

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Paprika to dust

Cover eggs with about an inch of cold water, bring to a boil, cover, turn off the heat and let sit for 12 minutes. Pour off hot water, and run cold water over eggs until cool enough to handle. Once cool, gently crack several times and peel, place each in ice water to cool the rest of the way down for 10 to 15 minutes while peeling the rest of the eggs. While the eggs are cooling, gather the rest of your ingredients for classic deviled eggs or your variations.

Cut eggs in half and remove yolks, place into a mixing bowl and crush with a fork, set whites onto a platter or serving vessel. Whisk in other ingredients until the mixture is mostly smooth. Taste and season as needed with salt, pepper, and more pickle juice, mustard, or relish as desired.

Fill egg white halves with the mixture until mounding about ¼ inch above the hole where the yolk came out. Dust with paprika, or top with other ingredients as desired. Serve or store in the refrigerator for one to two days. The best practice is to make mix the day beforehand, not have it unrefrigerated for more than a few hours while serving and dispose of or consume extras within a total of three days of making. If somehow you have leftover deviled eggs, chop them up with a little more mayonnaise and seasoning, they do make a great egg salad. Play around with some ingredients, take a flavor pofile or concept you like, and make it your own. Here are a few suggestions, but feel free to branch out and be creative.

Classic - mayo, mustard, pickles, vinegar, paprika

Bleu and Steak - bleu cheese, caramelized onions, steak, chives

Popper - cream cheese, jalapeno, bacon

Lox - cream cheese, lox, capers, shallots, black sesame seeds

Miso Scallion - miso, scallion, soy sauce, sesame seeds

Elote - avocado, charred corn with butter, cotija cheese, cilantro, tahini, lime juice and zest

Fried Chicken - fried chicken, hot sauce, pickle

Jalapeño Business

SIP ON A SPICY MARGARITA TO CLOSE OUT SPRING.

BY MORGAN WRIGHT · PHOTOS BY L.G. PATTERSON

Ifeel like spring is the perfect time to spice up our menu with a jalapeño margarita, which I love for really hitting all the flvors and staying on your tongue. The spice complements a salty, sour and sweet margarita. Muddling the jalapeños with their seeds really brings the heat, and even unlocks vegetal and umami flvors. The triple sec and simple syrup cool things down, and the fresh lime juice and salt rim balance it all out, hitting all five taste sensatons. I always double strain to keep out the seeds, and finish the drink with an extra jalapeño slice, which I love to eat at the end!

Morgan Wright is the owner of Günter Hans European Pub & Café.

Jalapeño Margarita

INGREDIENTS

2 ounces tequila

¾ ounce lime juice

TO MAKE THE DRINK

½ ounce triple sec

½ ounce simple syrup

3 Jalapeño slices

First muddle jalapeños, then add the tequila, lime, triple sec and simple syrup. Then shake and double strain. Serve in a salt-rimmed rocks glass with ice.

Gina N Mauller CFP® Financial Advisor

BUZZING INTO TOWN

Cicadas are buzzing around town this spring! Two distinct broods of cicadas, one on a 13-year cycle and the other on a 17-year cycle, have emerged at the same time from underground in a rare, simultaneous event that hasn't been witnessed since 1803.

Putting for Par-fection

WHOSE SKILLS WILL HELP THEM PUTT THEIR WAY TO VICTORY?

In each issue, multiple on-air talents from Zimmer Communications’ stations take on a seemingly simple challenge to see who comes out on top. In this issue, Carson from Y107 and Trevor from 96.7 KCMQ played a round of miniature golf with a special chipping challenge to close out the game. Make sure to visit insidecolumbia.net to see a video of the whole challenge!

THE CHALLENGE

Two DJs will play a round of mini golf in the office. Instead of hitting the ball into a hole, the DJs must knock a cup over at each station before making it to the chipping net. The DJ with the least number of strokes at the end wins the game. But here’s the catch, however many points each DJ gets at the chipping net will be subtracted from their total number of strokes. Let the game begin!

THE CONTENDERS

Carson and Trevor both came ready to take on the challenge in their own way. Carson, with two putters in hand, and Trevor, well, with none. Nonetheless, both DJs settled right in, ready to make the shots.

THE OUTCOME

Both DJs grabbed their putters, staring at cup one, with only one goal in mind … to hit the cup. Carson grabbed the fist ball, knowing the angle was too tricky to knock the cup over in one shot. He used the copier as a barrier to land the ball near the cup. Trevor had the same plan. Both DJs knocked the cup over in three shots, moving them to round two. This cup came with an extra challenge — not to disturb General Manager Carla Leible in her meeting by hitting the ball against her door. After a couple of shots, Trevor had an interesting idea to mask the sound of the ball hitting the door by placing his foot behind the cup. Now, at the third cup, Carson was in the lead by one. This one was tricky, as the cup stood at the start of a long hallway. So, if they missed, they risked losing the ball down the dreaded hallway. While both DJs avoided the hallway, ending up near the same spot, Carson knocked the cup over in two shots while Trevor ended up needing the third shot to end the round. Now, Carson was ahead by two as they approached the chipping net. But the tables turned when Trevor scored two points, putting the DJs in a tie. But before Trevor could get too excited, Carson scored two points as well putting him back in the lead. After missing his final shot, revor knew he had lost, but held his head high as he watched Carson score a final wo points, securing the lead.

I knew I was good; I didn’t realize I was that good.

-Carson

" ” " ”I really enjoyed the game; I thought it was a lot of fun. Even though I lost I was pleasantly surprised with my performance. I am not a golfer, so I feel good about how I did even though I lost to a better competitor.

WIN Annual Awards Luncheon

Members and guests had the chance to hear from professional athletes, including some Olympic gold medalists. In the past, this event has recognized more than 200 female athletes. The event fosters relationship building and lets people meet and connect with women who share their passion for physical fitness.

Date

Feb. 20

Location

Columbia College

Southwell Complex

Photos by Ava Kitzi

Alison Schmidt, Tolton XC and Soccer Teams, Macey Hansen, Mitzi Clayton

Mitzi Clayton, Cynthia Metz, Alison Schmidt Mitzi Clayton, Sienna Schrieber, Alison Schmidt

Mitzi Clayton, Athena Peterson, Alison Schmidt Mitzi Clayton, Channing Coslet, Alison Schmidt

Mitzi Clayton, Dr. Oksana Loginova, Alison Schmidt Mitzi Clayton, Samantha Symonds, Alison Schmidt

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri 2023 Red Shoe Gala

The 2024 Red Shoe Gala, presented by Commerce Bank, was held on

Feb. 29 , at The Atrium on Tenth.

The event raised an incredible $210 ,000 for families with sick or injured children.

Date

Feb. 29

Location

The Atrium on Tenth

by

Back row: Matt Smith, Kyle Reynolds, Christina Devine, Mel Zelenak, Brad Roling

Front row: Ryan Ruprecht, Nick Allen, Jacob Rowe, Keri Simon, Beth Alpers, Lindsey Jones, Tom Schwarz

Randy Norfleet andTrish Norflee Ron Kelley and Laura Kelly

Amy Hawkins, Amy Begemann, Beth Alpers, Stephanie Cordray, Maddy Price, Stephanie Hunt, Nikki Carter, Juila Ware

Kathleen Bruegenhemke, Ron Kelley, Terri Grey

Joe Harper and Jill Harper

Back row: Sarah Dubbert, Megan Schawo, Keith Schawo Front row: Joe Dubbert, Rhett Brengarth, Lauren Brengarth, Kelci Burger, Adam Burger, Kyle Reynolds, Amanda Reynolds

Photos

Justin Kelley

The COMO Man Show

Columbia’s manliest event of the year took place at the Northeast Event Center. This gathering offered an array of activities and attractions geared toward men, including hunting, fishing, sports food, beer and power tools.

Attendees were invited to enjoy the ultimate man day with their buddies, exploring dozens of booths and engaging in various activities. Prize drawings added to the excitement, while delicious food and drinks from local Columbia establishments were readily available.

Date

March 9

Location

Northeast Event Center

Photos by L.G. Patterson

Stephen Webber, Kathy Steinhoff, Kip Kendrick

Vicky Riback-Wilson, Kathy Steinhoff Robin Wenneker, Don Waterman

Kristi and Grant Ressell, Kat Lucchesi, Tanner Shelton Jayson Meyer, Morgan Kopitsky

Kris Haaglund, Praveen Edara Kristi and Grant Ressell

Adonica Coleman’s Bar Takeover

Adonica Coleman spent the night bartending at Big Daddy’s BBQ on March 15 . All tips and a portion of the sales went towards her Dancing with the Missouri Stars campaign to benefit Mareck Center for Dance.

Date

March 15 Location

Big Daddy’s BBQ

Photos by Nancy Toalson and Wally Pfeffer, mizzouwally@compuserve.com

Clinton Walker, Deborah Washington, Janice Walker, Mike Ford

Wende Wagner and Stacye Smith

Mark Kelly and Rick Hart

Dean and Amber Klempke

Angela Scott, Jackie Ford, Adonica Coleman

Karen Mareck Grundy and Jacob Faber Ru Battle and Ronecia Duke

72nd Annual Columbia Kiwanis Pancake Day

The three local Kiwanis Clubs hosted their 72 nd annual pancake day on March 23 , at Delaney Hall on the Columbia College campus.

Since 1922 , these clubs have been dedicated to supporting local children in the community.

Date

March 23 Location

Dulany Hall

Photos by Nancy Toalson and Wally Pfeffer, mizzouwally@compuserve.com

Kris Koonse and her students/volunteers from Rock Bridge Elementary

Sherry and Randy Wyatt

Tim and Yvonne McLaughlin

Jeff radley and Brenda Kidwell

Thaddues and Lisa Hamilton Barbara Buffaloe and May Ann McCollum Gary and Dian Pauley

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Jerry Jenkins retirement

Firefigters, police officers, sheriff and highway patrol personnel gathered at the Reichmann Pavilion in Stephens Lake Park to honor Jerry Jenkins, the retiring assistant fie chief with a remarkable 39 -year career. Jenkins concluded his tenure at the Columbia Fire Department after 2 8 years of service, during which he ascended to the role of battalion chief at the Boone County Fire Protection District. To mark the conclusion of his distinguished career, Chief Jenkins made a heartfelt final call t emergency dispatch.

Date

April 1

Location

Riechmann Indoor Pavilion

Photos by

Nancy Toalson and Wally Pfeffer, mizzouwally@compuserve.com

Harry Ward, Jerry Jenkins, Tracy Gray

Jerry Jenkins

John Ambra, John Metz, Jeffey Heidenreich

Chuck Witt, Scott Frandsen, Mark Amsinger Kenneth Ratliff and Jan radley

Andre Cook and Tracy Gray

Brooke Dietz, Jerry Jenkins, Cathy, Mike Hickman

John Baker retirement

John Baker concluded his 12 -year tenure as the executive director of the Community Foundation of Central Missouri, marking a chapter of remarkable productivity. A group of civic, community and charitable leaders gathered on April 3 to celebrate John's leadership.

Date

April 3

Location

Riechmann Indoor Pavilion

Photos by Nancy Toalson and Wally Pfeffer, mizzouwally@compuserve.com

John Baker and Susan Hart

Ann Merrifield and Robet Churchill Monica Guerrant and Jade Poe

Dean Runyan and Adam Saunders

Sarah Dubbert and Bruce Smith

Annelle Whitt and Teri Waldon

John Baker and Barbara Buffalo

A New View

BEING A PHOTOGRAPHER, I HAVE ACCESS TO SOME UNIQUE POINTS OF

Assignment: Cicadas

The Location:

A tree in Boone County

There are a few constants during Boone County summers, and they all involve bugs. June bugs are buzzing around porch lights, lightning bugs are glowing around fields at dusk and the song of the cicadas invites us outside.

I took this photo 13 years ago of a cicada crawling out of her exoskeleton after climbing up a tree. That year I was amazed at the amount of these ugly bugs working their way up trees. It was like the bark on the tree was alive.

I stood still while taking this photo because it took several minutes to get the photo I wanted. After getting the shot, I noticed that my shoes were covered with cicadas as they made their way from underground and tried to crawl up my leg.

It wasn’t long after that moment that I could hear that song of the cicadas.

I am guessing that this summer’s “cicadageddon” will be even more deafening as they were last time, and I can’t wait for it to happen.

After all, cicadas are harmless bugs. They won’t bite you and the only thing they are guilty of is being really big and ugly.

They are much better than mosquitos and ticks (they suck).

L.G. Patterson

VIEW IN THE COMMUNITY

TA Ticking Time Bomb

CITY OFFICIALS TOO COMPLACENT WHEN IT COMES TO HOMELESS.

BY FRED PARRY

he problems surrounding the growing number of homeless people in Columbia seem to be on the brink of becoming untenable. We’ve all noticed the increase in homeless encampments, panhandlers and drifters listlessly wandering the streets of Columbia. While I realize that I’ve already violated many of the rules of political correctness, sensitivity and tolerances in the first two setences, my fear is that our city is about to be overwhelmed by a series of circumstances that will be hard to reverse. It’s time for city officials to step up and take the problem more seriously before we reach that dreaded point of no return.

In recent years, Columbia has gained a reputation for being a city that is resourcerich in its ability to provide services to those who are “unhoused.” If we were living up to that claim, you wouldn’t see scores of people sleeping on public sidewalks and between dumpsters in Columbia’s downtown allies. Not only has our city proven itself incapable of housing the homeless, we’ve dropped the ball in terms of providing the necessary mental health and substance abuse assistance that is closely associated with being chronically homeless.

Despite of the millions of dollars spent annually by our city and county governments and social service agencies on the issue, we have proven ourselves unable to deal with the harsh realities of Columbia’s homeless population in a humane way.

Unfortunately, you won’t read about it in the local newspapers or see it on the evening news, but the number of homeless people who die from exposure and drug overdoses in our community is staggering.

My heart’s desire is to be compassionate about Columbia’s homeless population.

However, I can’t set aside the incompetence of public officials and social service dogooders who seem to ignore the obvious inhumanity and danger associated with the increasing migration of homeless people into our community.

All of us should be concerned by the threats to public safety created when desperate people turn to violence to get the fix they nee, whether it’s food, alcohol or opioids. Beyond just the destruction of private property, you should know that nearly 40% of all police and medical calls in Columbia are related in some way to Columbia’s homeless population. When police officers are dealing with the vagrancy and disorderly conduct of a homeless man in a downtown alley, they can’t respond to calls in your neighborhood. Columbia’s police force is already down by more than 40 uniformed officers. Calls for robbery, vandalism and suspicious vehicles take a very low priority when our law enforcement resources are stretched so thin.

I love the fact that Columbia is a caring and compassionate community, however, I often wonder if we’re doing more harm than good when we fail to provide the necessary resources to this vulnerable population. The competition for public funding among so many social service agencies would surprise the casual observer. There’s so much money being thrown at the problem, but there’s little demand for any level of accountability in regards to how these dollars are spent. If the metric for success is in any way tied to getting people off the steets, Columbia, tragically, deserves a failing grade.

It’s worth repeating that Columbia’s homeless population is not connected in any way to a lack of affordable housing.

You could offer an endless supply of free housing to anyone who wants it, but the problem won’t go away until you address the root causes.

Columbia’s homeless problem feels like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. Those involved with area law enforcement will tell you that authorities in the Kansas City are regularly providing one-way bus tickets to Columbia to homeless individuals on the streets in their community. You can be angry that public officials are responding to a crisis in that manner, but at least they’re doing something. You can’t say the same about Columbia’s elected officials. They’re more worried about climate action and creating a sanctuary city for transgender individuals. What will it take to get the attention of Columbia’s mayor and city council members? Will it come down to a vicious attack on a college student by a deranged assailant who came to Columbia under the false pretenses that he/she might get the help they so desperately needed? The danger is real.

Spending $18 million on the new Opportunity Campus for homeless individuals is only going to exacerbate the problem because it will feed the false belief that Columbia is a good place to be homeless. Rather than sticking their heads in the sand, it’s time for public officials to make this their top priority. While there are no easy answers, their current complacency is completely unacceptable.

Fred Parry Founder & Publisher Emeritus

“Being