Home + Design
Home Base
Home is our grounding. Our base. Our launchpad. It’s where we start and end each day. And while the particulars look different for each of us, the meaning and value it holds for all of us is undeniable.
Author Wendy Wunder said, “The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back.” As we thought about home, we wanted to highlight what makes it special to our readers. That, of course, includes the food and drinks, the aesthetic and design, but most importantly—the people.
Home isn’t just a place—it’s the people, the memories, and the moments that shape us. It’s where you grew up, the familiar streets of your alma mater, the friends who feel like family. It’s the ritual of preparing a morning cup of coffee, frothing oat milk, and adding a sprinkle of Ceylon cinnamon. It’s gathering for laughter, firing up the grill, and sharing a meal. No matter where life takes us, home is the feeling we carry with us—the people who make every place feel like we belong.
In this issue, we celebrate the essence of home with stories that embody luxury, timeless design, and the spaces that bring comfort and beauty into our lives. From Fishel Pools, crafting resort-worthy escapes in your backyard, to timeless home designs by Keystone Creative and Render Flooring, creating interiors that stand the test of time. We also take you on a historic day trip, where the past meets the present in the most charming way.
We feel like the lucky ones as we got to learn more about the businesses and individuals that comprise this city, and we hope this small lens into their lives and work brings people in this community together.
As you flip through the pages of this issue, we hope you’ll feel encouraged and connected to the people around you—in your city, your neighborhood, and most of all, your home.
Every month, we hear from readers who keep this magazine for longer than just the month labeled on the cover. They say they hold onto it for months as coffee table art or an accessory in their home. We feel proud to create a resource that is valued in our community and strive every month to deliver the quality you expect.
Thanks for letting us be a part of your home.
March 2025
PUBLISHER
Donna King | donna.king@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Brian Walker | brian.walker@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Tina Lesniak | tina.lesniak@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Tina Lesniak, Patti Zielenski, Amalia (Amy) Loli
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Tiffany Enowski, Leigh Love, Mountain Pine Studios, Amalia (Amy) Loli
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad
LAYOUT DESIGNER Adam Finley
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle
DONNA KING, PUBLISHER @SPRINGFIELDCITYLIFESTYLE
inside the issue
Beyond the Blue
of Mansfield Featured 12 18 24
How Donna and Craig Fishel Built a 50-Year Legacy of Family, Friendship, and Pools
Timeless Home Designs
Chad Holgerson: The Heart and Craft Behind Keystone Creative
Where Design Meets Lifestyle
The Family-Owned Flooring Boutique Redefining Home Design
Craig and Donna Fishel of Fishel Pools. The company holds multiple national awards for their designs.
Tiffany Enowski
1: Taking in the view of Lake Taneycomo from The Branson Landing. 2 – 3: Full Throttle Distillery opening in Branson. 4 – 7: Jorge’s 2024 ARTEXPO hosted by Jorge Ortiz at Rob & Stacey Real Estate-eXp Realty
business monthly
Hammonds Field Named Professional Baseball Field of the Year
The Sports Field Management Association and Springfield Cardinals have announced that Hammons Field, home of the Springfield Cardinals, has been named the 2024 Professional Baseball Field of the Year. The honor is awarded to the best natural grass field among all 120 teams across all levels of affiliated Minor League Baseball. Frequently decorated since its opening in 2005, this marks the first time that the Springfield Cardinals have won this particular prestigious award.
Groundbreaking for EastSide Veterinary Service
EastSide Veterinary Service officially broke ground on its new Olive Street clinic on Jan. 31, but the new building has been in the works for some time. The new facility will provide state-of-the-art equipment, expanded services and a compassionate team dedicated to pet health and happiness. Scheduled to open in June 2025, the new facility is a dream come true according to its owners.
Full Throttle Distillery Opens in Downtown Branson
Full Throttle Distillery opened in January at 116 E. Main St. in downtown Branson. With a range of offerings for the whole day - from breakfast to whiskey after dinner - the new business promises a great time and great food to its visitors. Owner Michael Ballard, who also owns Full Throttle Saloon and the Full Throttle S’loonshine Distillery in Trimble, Tennessee, has a passion for bringing adventure to his restaurant ventures.
BEYOND
the blue
HOW DONNA AND CRAIG FISHEL
BUILT A 50-YEAR LEGACY OF FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP, AND POOLS
ARTICLE BY PATTI ZIELINSKI PHOTOGRAPHY
BY TIFFANY ENOWSKI
One could say Donna and Craig Fishel’s romance was a match made in a water heaven.
Donna was living in an Atlanta suburb, working as a marketing and public relations professional for BioLab, a swimming pool and spa water care company, when she first met Craig at a dealer meeting in 1988. One of her friends who worked at the company auspiciously told her, “He’s single; you’re single. You need to meet him.”
Donna and Craig encountered each other again a year later, when Donna was producing a newsletter for BioLab’s dealers—one of whom was Craig’s company, Fishel Pools in Springfield. There was an immediate spark, and after a whirlwind six long-distance dates, the couple wed that very fall. Thirty-five years later, they have not only raised a successful family—son Ryan is vice president of Fishel Pools, and daughter, Lyndie, resides in Nashville with her husband—but they have built a community of customers turned friends and a legacy of giving back to the city they hold dear.
At the time of their wedding, Craig had already established Fishel Pools as a leading family-owned and operated luxury custom swimming pool company. Founded in 1976, Fishel Pools is about to mark its milestone 50 years in business. It all began when Craig, who had an engineering background and worked as a lifeguard in college, was offered a job upon his graduation from Missouri State University by the pool’s chemical supplier. “I worked for them for four years, until 1975. In 1976, I started Fishel Pools out of my home garage, designing and building pools,” he says. “I’ve had a policy since day one that the work must be right. We don’t cut corners. This has paid off in the long run.”
Craig says in the early days when he sold a pool and made over $10,000, he would “bring Champagne home.” Today, his legacy has ballooned to over 2,000 pools in Southwest Missouri. That’s a lot of Champagne.
Over the decades, Craig has committed to building pools that are aesthetically beautiful and meet all safety requirements and building codes; the company also holds multiple national awards for their designs, which range from infinity-edge to geometric-shaped pools. The company is known for its innovations — it was the first swimming pool builder in the area to introduce computer water analysis and implement computerized pool design, revolutionizing the industry — and its dedication to its customers, who today are mainly referrals.
Fishel Pools is a true family affair: Ryan has worked alongside his father since he was about 10. “He started out by earning a few bucks here and there, doing odd jobs and chores,” says Donna, who has taken on the financial helm at the company after retiring from her second career as a teacher in the Springfield Public School District. The family prides itself on taking care of customers and employees over the long term. “A lot of friends started as customers,” Craig says. “A pool needs love, care and maintenance. Once we build a pool, we commit to take care of it.”
In addition to a fully stocked retail store offering a wide selection of chemicals, accessories and parts, trained and certified employees provide year-round service to ensure that the pools are in top condition.
“Some employees have been with us for over 20 years,” Donna notes. “Just like we believe in creating relationships with our customers, we value our employees and treat them like family.”
The Fishels take pride in getting to know their customers. “We create high-end custom installations that will be unique and memorable; we get to know the customers and make the pool reflect the families,” Donna says. When asked about one of their most memorable projects, the couple answers immediately: A pool with a handicapped ramp and underwater treadmill designed for a young man who had been in a car accident. “This was the best way for him to exercise. Craig engineered it so that he could easily get into the pool and get physical exercise,” Donna says. “We like to do this work because when we see a family enjoying their pool, and their children are laughing and playing, we know that they’re making memories they’ll
Craig and Ryan Fishel
Craig, Donna and Ryan Fishel
cherish forever. That’s Craig’s — our whole company’s — motivation.”
Giving back to the community that has been so supportive to Fishel Pools is important to the couple. Craig served on the city council from 2013 to 2018, when he won a seat as a state representative, where he served from 2019 to 2022. The company financially supports a number of local organizations and most notably supports Boy Scout Troop 24, where Craig once served as an adult leader, in their annual Christmas tree fundraiser. For the past 30 years, Fishel Pools have turned its retail location on Sunshine Street over to the Scouts to sell trees.
After over three decades in Springfield, Donna cannot imagine living anywhere else. “I like the pace. It was a great area to raise our kids. The family orientation here is strong. You get a chance to really build relationships with the local community, with neighbors and the friends you make with kids who are similar in age to your own,” she says.
As much as they love town, the Fishels also entertain wanderlust, recently returning from a threeweek RV trip in their motor home. “We love to see places and experience cultures in other parts of the world,” Donna says. But if you’re looking for the couple around town, you can find them at Nearly
“We like to do this work because when we see a family enjoying their pool, and their children are laughing and playing, we know that they’re making memories they’ll cherish forever.”
Famous Deli and Pasta House in the Brentwood Center. “We just love their food,” Donna says. “It’s a great restaurant, and we’ve gotten to know the owner really well. She’s a good friend.”
After a half-century in business, the Fishel family certainly has a lot of friends in the area — and is leaving an indelible mark on family life, one of fun and happy memories. Or, as Donna says, “The only thing Craig wants people to worry about when we leave is the kind of beverage they want to enjoy around their pool.”
Pool photo provided.
FISHEL POOLS
Fishel Pools has a complete line of services for every pool need. Trained and certified service technicians can install pumps, heaters, and the like, as well as take care of any issues that arise. The company also offers weekly cleaning and maintenance and complete pool opening and closing services so that families can spend more of their time enjoying the pool and less of their time doing the work of a pool. For the Fishels, it’s just another way to ensure a happy and lifelong customer.
Visit Fishel Pools at www.fishelpools.com.
TIMELESS HOME DESIGNS
ARTICLE BY TINA LESNIAK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEIGH LOVE
Chad Holgerson, a professional building designer with a distinctive mustache, is the driving force behind Keystone Creative. With a deep-rooted passion for craftsmanship and design, he pours his heart and soul into every project, ensuring that each client’s vision is realized in a home that will stand the test of time.
Chad Holgerson: The Heart and Craft Behind Keystone Creative
“This is my art, my craft. I agonize over the details and take personal responsibility in delivering a great result.”
“I want to do what’s best for my clients,” Chad explains. “This is my art, my craft. I agonize over the details and take personal responsibility in delivering a great result.”
Chad’s career began as a carpenter, working his way up through the trades before transitioning into building with a focus on design. Through this hands-on experience, he discovered his true passion—creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also perfectly tailored to his clients’ needs. He thrives on the challenge of solving unique design problems, ensuring that every element works together both visually and functionally.
“Everything has to be addressed,” Chad emphasizes. “I help clients understand the long journey— from initial planning to creating something lasting. It requires careful preparation, decision-making, and attention to detail.”
Chad admits that he sometimes “loses sleep” over making the best decisions for his clients, knowing that many are embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime build. Every choice impacts the overall design, and that weight of responsibility is something he fully embraces.
Last year, Chad worked on a first floor remodel for Scott and Kerri Loveland, a project that included the kitchen, living room, sitting room, powder room and master suite and expanded to also include some work on other bedrooms and bathrooms, exterior remodeling and landscaping.
“He was truly a whole project designer from the beginning to the end,” recalls Scott. “Our experience with Chad began and ended with trust and clear communication. He took the time to listen to our ideas, vision, and needs, while also providing professional guidance and creative suggestions.
He understood our style preferences, budget, and the overall purpose of the space. Chad was collaborative, asked for our input, and adjusted things as needed, which helped us feel involved and valued in the decision-making process.”
Due to the meticulous nature of his work, there is often a months-long wait to begin a project with him. However, his designs are never rushed: They are carefully developed using the highest quality materials and craftsmanship, ensuring homes that endure for generations.
“It’s all about creating something tailored to the client’s desires and needs, not just relying on my design resources,” Chad notes. “I strive to think progressively—designing something that looks good and functions well.”
A THOUGHTFUL AND STRUCTURED PROCESS
At Keystone Creative, Chad has refined a workflow that guides clients from concept to completion.
1. Initial Consultation – Understanding the client’s budget, lifestyle, and existing space.
2. Design Phase – Evolving basic concepts into detailed plans, balancing form, function, and budget.
3. Construction Drawings & Planning – Creating detailed construction documents, coordinating with contractors, and refining scheduling and pricing.
4. Construction Oversight – Conducting site visits, ensuring quality control, and orchestrating every detail to completion.
Although Chad no longer serves as a typical general contractor, he remains deeply involved throughout the process. He focuses on quality control, ensuring that each piece of the puzzle aligns perfectly—like a master chess player strategizing every move for the best possible outcome.
“The goal is to create something of long-term value, something that not only lasts but truly works for the client.”
“He is motivated by creativity, and the desire to achieve an outcome that makes homeowners happy. He organized and managed timelines and contractors efficiently,” explains Kerri. “He consistently kept us updated on progress and was proactive about addressing any potential setbacks or challenges before they become issues. When a problem arose, he was quick to find solutions or offer alternatives that stayed within the vision. Because he was on site frequently, his quality control management was superior.”
Scott and Kerri note that the detailed pricing and 3-D designs allowed them to preview all of the design elements and truly visualize how the renovation would look before any
construction began. Both explain that the renovation was “executed smoothly” with results that exceeded their expectations, with a space that ultimately felt personalized and well-designed, making it clear how “Chad truly cared about making our home functional, stylish, and uniquely ours.”
“The goal is to create something of longterm value,” Chad says. “Not just a home that lasts but one that truly works for the client.” Through Keystone Creative, Chad continues to uphold the principles that define his work— uncompromising quality, thoughtful design, and a commitment to delivering homes that are as functional as they are timeless.
Where Design Meets Lifestyle
THE FAMILY-OWNED FLOORING BOUTIQUE
REDEFINING HOME DESIGN
ARTICLE BY TINA LESNIAK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MOUNTAIN PINE STUDIOS
Taylor and Nicole Hendrick
Render Flooring is not just a place to buy flooring and tile; it’s a space where relationships are nurtured, and every detail of a home’s design is given careful thought. The family-owned boutique flooring store has become a go-to destination for homeowners and builders in the Springfield area, thanks to their approach to customer service.
“We always start by talking to our customers about their goals for their home,” explains Nicole Hendrick, who owns the store with her husband Taylor. “What kind of feel are they going for? We want to know about their lifestyle and needs. Do they have kids or pets? Do they wear shoes inside? All these details help us guide them to the perfect flooring solution.”
For the Hendricks, it’s not just about selling flooring; it’s about creating a space that fits each customer’s unique vibe and lifestyle. “It’s about blending practicality with design,” says Taylor. “We want to give our customers the space they envision but one that also works with their everyday lives.”
The goal is to find a balance between aesthetic appeal and functionality. For example, while some may dream of luxurious hardwood floors, they may also have kids or pets that demand more durable materials.
“We start with the aesthetic—then we move to the practical side, where we talk about maintenance, durability, and budget,” explains Nicole. “We guide them through the whole process, considering everything from natural materials and finishes to the durability of the product.”
One of the most notable trends is a shift away from lighter, grey-toned floors toward more natural, neutral hues. “People are moving away from the modern, grey tones and luxury vinyl plank,” Nicole observes.
“Instead, we’re seeing a return to wood that offers a natural, neutral, timelessness to it.”
Nicole and Taylor have developed a reputation for clear, ongoing communication throughout the process. “Communication is key,” says Nicole. “We text, email, and send pictures back and forth. It makes it easier for people to make decisions in their own time, and nothing gets lost in translation.”
This seamless communication extends to their installation services. Unlike many other flooring companies, Render Flooring handles the entire process, from measuring and selecting materials to coordinating professional installation. “We go the extra mile to ensure our customers know exactly what to expect,” says Taylor. “We explain how to care for the floors and how to prep the space. We want to help people make the most of their investment and make their floors last as long as possible.”
The Hendricks’ commitment to customer care is evident in the thoughtful touches they offer. “We started out offering just flooring and tile, but we quickly started offering services such as design, installation and on site consultations and measurements. The service piece is just as important to homeowners,” says Nicole.
The importance they place on building relationships with homeowners and clients is the same one they put on building relationships with their own children - the reason they began the business in the first place. For Nicole and Taylor, the business side of Render Flooring allows them to have quality time and balance their lives more than they could if they worked for others. Combine that with the community feel of Springfield and it’s truly become a dream come true for the Hendrick family.
“It’s about creating a space that fits each customer’s unique vibe and lifestyle.”
“We
guide them through the whole process, considering everything from natural materials and finishes to the durability of the product.”
A HISTORICAL DAY TRIP
ARTICLE BY TINA LESNIAK
As the weather warms and the days get longer, the need to get back outside and explore our larger home starts to grow. After being inside the same four walls for much of the winter, it’s a great time to venture just a little beyond Springfield - far enough to explore something new but close enough to easily travel in a day. The town of Mansfield beckons. With its small-town charm and historical landmarks, it offers a solid day of exploring and learning about the 19th century.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, 3060 Highway A
For anyone who spent a good portion of their childhood absorbed in the Little House on the Prairie books, Wilder’s home, Rocky Ridge Farm, is a must see. Visitors can explore the home and learn about Wilder’s life, developing an understanding of pioneer life. Visit the beloved original farmhouse and the Rock House, the home their daughter had built for them. Don’t forget to stop by the museum to see artifacts from Wilder’s childhood.
Exploring the Historical Connections of Mansfield
Baker Creek, 2278 Baker Creek Road
After exploring the legacy of Wilder, stop by Baker Creek to explore not just its heirloom seeds but its trial gardens, greenhouses and pioneer village where Jere Gettle started the business as a teenager. Grab a bite at its restaurant with a plantbased menu of “locally sourced and globally inspired” dishes. As much as possible, the ingredients are harvested fresh from the greenhouses and gardens at Baker Creek or purchased from local growers. Take a walk around the boutique, which comes out of its winter slumber in March and carries a collection of Western-inspired clothing for men, women, and children, plus home goods, gourmet coffee and organic teas and spices.
Need more direct contact with nature after the winter? Head out to Rocky Falls in Winona. Just around two hours from Springfield, Rocky Falls offers a place to connect with the beauty and turbulence of nature. The reddish-brown rock here is rhyolite porphyry. It formed as molten rock deep within the earth and flowed onto the surface about 1.5 billion years ago. Since the rhyolite is hard, the stream tends to stay within the cracks it finds, forming “shut in” where the harder rock has “shut in” the stream. Farther downstream, past the constricting rhyolite, the stream valley widens once again. This allows the stream to expand into a pool.
Preserving heritage seeds
A SALAD REC IPE TO LOV E
A GORGEOUS, FRESH AND SIMPLE DISH
PEAR, PROSCIUTTO,
Burrata Salad
INGREDIENTS
• Ripe Pear
• Prosciutto
• Burrata
• Lemon Zest
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Dried Figs
• Red Pepper Flakes
DIRECTIONS
1. Slice the ripe pear into thin slices.
2. Arrange pear slices on a plate, creating a base for the salad.
3. Nestle slices of prosciutto in-between pear slices, a perfect combo of sweet and savory.
4. Tear the burrata into bite-sized pieces and scatter them over the salad adding a velvety creaminess to the ensemble.
5. Grate fresh lemon zest over the entire salad, infusing it with citrus flavor.
6. Top with fresh basil, figs and pepper flakes.
7. Finish by generously drizzling extra virgin olive oil over the salad, creating a silky texture that ties it all together.
events
LOCAL
MARCH 1ST
Springfield Symphony Orchestra “Stormy Weather” Concert
Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, 525 S. John Q. Hammons Pkwy., Springfield | 7:30 PM
The Springfield Symphony performed Beethoven’s ever-popular and dramatic Fifth Symphony at its inaugural concert in 1935. In honor of its 90th year, they play it again. You will also hear Sibelius’s stormy and passionate Violin Concerto and Overture for Orchestra by Polish composer Graznya Bacewich. And there will be one more piece, a surprise for everyone to honor the anniversary.
MARCH 1ST
Joe Gatto: Let’s Get Into It featuring Mark Jigarjian
Gillioz Center for Arts and Entertainment, 325 Park Central E., Springfield | 7:00 PM
Joe Gatto is a comedian known for Impractical Jokers and The Misery Index. He toured globally with his solo show and the Jokers’ live performances. Passionate about anti-bullying and animal rescue, he founded Gatto Pups and Friends. Joe hosts the Two Cool Moms podcast and has authored two books. He values family, dogs and cannolis.
MARCH 4TH
Masquerade for Mutts
St. James Winery, 405 State Hwy 165, Branson | 6:30 PM
Masquerade for Mutts is a Mardi Gras themed fundraiser supporting Branson Humane Society’s low cost spay and neuter clinic and expanded programs for homeless animals in the community. The event will feature live music, delicious food and a silent auction. Founded in 2006, Branson Humane Society works diligently to provide second chances for homeless animals.
MARCH 6TH
Spring Bliss Open House
Little Bluebird Vintage Boutique, 2004 W. Evangel St., Ozark | 11:00 AM
The boutique is a co-op featuring 50 small businesses providing art, home, decor, gifts and attire. Featured at the Open House will be Bake Like a Girl, Blue Sky Coffee, a DIY pen bar, plus new decor, clothing and gifts for spring.
MARCH 7TH
Gesture Drawing
The Art Study Club, 431 South Jefferson, Suite 108, Springfield | 1:00 PM
This free fast-paced drawing class keeps your body and mind moving while practicing the art of gesture drawing. The goal is to practice capturing the movement and energy. If willing and able, students typically take turns holding 10 - 30 second poses. It’s a great activity for drawing as well as stretching your body! No experience is necessary.
MARCH 8TH
Police vs. Fire Charity Ice Hockey Game
Brightspeed Ice Park, 635 E. Trafficway St., Springfield | 5:30 PM
Springfield police and fire departments face off in the 6th annual charity game benefitting the Greene County 100 Club, a nonprofit organization providing financial support to spouses and dependent children of law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty in Greene County. Tickets are $10 and doors open at 4:30 p.m.
