Life + Culture

Meet the Mob

Discover how a local ranch is going viral and changing perceptions of emus through deep care and connection Article by Kayle Nephew | Photography by Parkland City Lifestyle The first impression of The Emu Ranch in Bonne Terre, Missouri, is defined by size and sound. Standing eye-to-eye with a six-foot emu is unforgettable, but it is the deep, resonant drumming that truly captures your attention. The guttural rhythm rolls across emerald pastures, creating an atmosphere that feels almost...

Professional Services

Where Dogs Aren’t Pets – They’re Family

Building a sanctuary where boarding, grooming, and training meet compassionate, family-centered care. Article by Kayle Nephew | Photography by Parkland City Lifestyle When Alicia Miley discusses Countryside Kennels, the word "clients" never surfaces. She speaks exclusively of family. It is a fitting description for a business that has evolved far beyond a place for dogs to stay while their owners travel. Tucked just outside the quiet community of Farmington, Countryside Kennels has become a...

Life + Culture

A Journey to Foster

Jay Corbitt set to cycle across country to raise awareness for foster children, with his adopted son by his side Article by Addison Moore | Photography by Frozen Time Photography “Challenges build strength. Comfort builds nothing.” That belief has guided Jay Corbitt through life—and now it’s carrying him and his adopted son, Cameron “Cam” Corbitt, across the country on bicycles. This summer, the pair will ride from Missouri to North Carolina through the Foster to Family Ride, raising...

Shopping

Wrapped in Love

The Moms Behind Bambear Article by Lena Johnson | Photography by Cheyenne Jordan Photography There’s something special about clothing your children in pieces that become part of their sweetest memories. Lazy Saturday mornings, bedtime stories, family movie nights, and the countless little moments that make childhood unforgettable. For local moms Kaley and Eden, that’s exactly what inspired Bambear. The idea began over two years ago with a simple conversation about buying bamboo pajamas for...

Life + Culture

The Ultimate Parkland Summer Bucket List

Your checklist for a summer well spent in the Parkland Article by Kayle Nephew Summer in the Parkland isn't about checking destinations off a map—it's about making memories. From afternoons on the river and ice cream runs to hidden hiking trails and hometown traditions, some of the best adventures are waiting right here in our own backyard. Whether you're looking to stay close to home or take a short road trip, here are a few ways to make the most of summer in the Parkland. Stay Close to...

Travel

Chasing Horizons

The curiosity that shaped a remarkable life of exploration Article by Kayle Nephew | Photography by Parkland City Lifestyle There are moments in history that seem almost impossible in hindsight. Moments when ordinary people find themselves swept into something extraordinary, when a nation fixes its eyes on the horizon and decides to go farther than anyone ever has before. The Apollo era was one of those moments. For those who lived it, the moon wasn’t history yet.   It was a goal. A...

Travel

River Road Adventure

A scenic road trip from Ste. Genevieve to Grafton, Illinois Article by Kayle Nephew | Photography by Parkland City Lifestyle Let’s take a drive. Or better yet, a ride. Starting in Ste. Genevieve and winding north through southern Illinois, this route rewards travelers who aren’t in a hurry. It’s about slowing down enough to enjoy the small towns, scenic overlooks, local restaurants, and river views that make a road trip memorable in the first place. Crossing the Mississippi near Chester...

Local Services

Built to Serve

From country to community, Matt Crabtree continues a life of service in the Parkland Article by Kayle Nephew | Photography by Parkland City Lifestyle Home has a way of calling certain people back. Not because life elsewhere failed them, but because time has a way of revealing where a person is meant to matter most. Sometimes it takes years of distance, sacrifice, and growth to understand that the place which first shaped you may still be the place where you are most needed. For Matt...

Health + Wellness

The Performance Standard

From elite tactical training to hormone optimization, Erik Polin is helping others in the Parkland perform at their best  Article by Kayle Nephew | Photography by Parkland City Lifestyle There’s a difference between being tired and running on empty. Most people know when something has changed. Their energy is not the same,  recovery takes longer, focus drifts, and motivation fades. Too often, it gets dismissed as stress, age, “normal” hormones, or simply the cost of living a busy life. Erik...

Education

Building Futures at MAC

How Dr. Joseph Gilgour is shaping opportunity across the Parkland through Mineral Area College Article by Kayle Nephew | Photography by Mineral Area College, Parkland City Lifestyle In the Parkland, opportunity doesn’t always arrive with a spotlight. More often, it’s built quietly. One student at a time. And for many, that journey begins at Mineral Area College. For Dr. Joseph Gilgour, that work is personal. Long before he became president, he was a first-generation college student raised...