Travel

Her Future, Her Voice

Girl Scouts Of Eastern Missouri Empowers Girls To Discover Their Strengths And Shape Their Futures Article by Stacey Dixson | Photography by Don Maier For more than a century, the Girl Scouts organization has helped girls develop courage, confidence and character. Today, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri supporters extend that legacy with a forward-looking focus: preparing girls not only to navigate a changing world, but to help shape it. “Girl Scouts today is about preparing girls not simply...

Life + Culture

Packed With Purpose

How Kids Against Hunger Brings Communities Together To Feed Families Near And Far Article by Kristi Sellers For Karl Leiber, the mission to fight hunger began long before Kids Against Hunger started packing meals in St. Peters. In 1991, Karl traveled to Haiti with Jerry Lantz and Terry Estes as part of a team working to build a community center, school and church. Surrounded by extreme poverty and hunger, the men encountered a young boy suffering from severe starvation,  an experience that...

Local Services

Love Is A Four-Legged Word

Yuppy Puppy Forever Has Rehomed 3,000-Plus Dogs Since 2019 Article by Robin Seaton Jefferson Jessica Cooke is known for her love of animals. She owns about 130 of them, and has serviced thousands of others over the years through The Yuppy Puppy Pet Spa. But Jessica’s love for dogs extends beyond grooming them. She and her canine cohorts have found homes for more than 3,000 dogs since 2019.  Jessica is the director for Yuppy Puppies Forever, a nonprofit she designed to give orphaned pets a...

Health + Wellness

Turning Heartbreak Into Hope

Shatterproof’s mission to end addiction stigma, support families and inspire change. Article by Kelley Lamm Addiction can shatter a life and touch an entire family. We know this heartbreak deeply. We lost our son-in-law, Dylan, the father of our grandboys, at only 37. I wish we could have saved him. Sharing Shatterproof’s mission honors his life and offers hope to another family. No one facing addiction, or loving someone who is, should feel ashamed or alone. We hope sharing this story might...

Food + Beverage

Thanksgiving Table

Design Tips And Pairing Picks From Across The Board 314 Article by Mel Boban For a Thanksgiving table that feels curated rather than staged, Chelsea Foulk, owner of Across the Board 314, builds her fall tablescapes around layering, texture and elevation. "Rather than a flat display, I build height using varying candle tapers, sculptural elements and lush floral arrangements that draw the eye up and down the table," Chelsea says. Texture does a lot of the heavy lifting, too, with soft...

Food + Beverage

A Foodie's Gift Guide

Here's A Roundup Of Food-Focused, Edible Gifts For The Holidays Article by Felina Deck Pint of the Month Club Membership Clementine’s holiday cookie exchange collection features festive flavors created with female pastry chefs. Gift the collection with a Clementine’s ice cream scooper, or opt for the Pint of the Month Club. Local Food Gift Basket The Annex offers ready-made food boxes filled with local and specialty goods, plus a wide range of curated food items. Custom boxes also are...

Real Estate

How Strong Bonds Can Affect Your Health

According to the NIH, strong social bonds can significantly boost physical and mental health by lowering risks of heart disease, dementia, depression, and even early death. Yet nearly 1 in 3 U.S. adults report feeling lonely, and 1 in 4 say they lack meaningful support. These effects can be as harmful as smoking or obesity. That’s why Viva Bene St. Peters is more than just a place to live. We are a community built for connection. Through shared spaces, wellness programs, social events...

Real Estate

Give The Gift of Life

Roll up your sleeves and become someone's hero!Viva Bene St. Peters is partnering with ImpactLife. We’re inviting you to make a direct impact within your community. Whether you’re a regular donor or ready to make your first donation, your generosity can help provide lifesaving blood to patients when they need it most.Set aside about an hour and leave knowing you’ve done something that truly matters. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, someone in the United States needs...

Arts + Culture

Popcorn, Hotdogs And Movies

Ratterman Theatres Keeps Classic Movie going Experience Alive, One Ticket At A Time Article by Kristi Sellers | Photography by Ratterman Theatres There are certain combinations that simply belong together: peanut butter and jelly, summer and ice cream and, of course, movies and popcorn. At Ratterman Theatres in O’Fallon, that classic pairing is part of a larger mission. They are bringing back the kind of moviegoing experience many people remember from childhood, while introducing a new...

Entertainment

Food And Frights

Visit Fright Fest During Mid America Adventure' 55th Anniversary Celebration Article by Mel Boban | Photography by Mid America Adventure St. Louis Fun aside, some foodies' dream is the scent of sweet, freshly made waffle cones at the front mall of Mid America Adventure. There's something iconic about taking in the thrills and nostalgia during a day at the park, especially during Fright Fest. The cones aren't the only reason to arrive hungry to the park this fall. Turkey legs remain one of the...