Arts + Culture

Where Handmade Still Matters

For more than 40 years, Bluestem has connected shoppers, local artists and meaningful handmade craftsmanship. Article by Shea Sullivan In downtown Columbia, Bluestem Missouri Crafts is the kind of place where a hand-thrown mug, a carved wooden bowl and a pair of handcrafted earrings each come with a story worth keeping. That story began in October 1983, when five artists—Sandy Litechy, Mary Benjamin, Marilyn Verner, Sue Luger and Cindy Messer—shared a dream of creating a place where...

Life + Culture

Unchained at Last

Giving neglected dogs the freedom every family companion deserves. Article by Shea Sullivan For many dogs, freedom is something most of us never think twice about. It's chasing a tennis ball across the backyard. Curling up on the couch after a long walk. Greeting their family at the front door with an excited tail wag. But for far too many dogs, life has looked very different. When Melody Whitworth moved from South Florida to Missouri, she was shocked by what she saw. Neighborhood after...

Life + Culture

Raising Kids Intentionally

A business runs on mission, vision, and values. So should the most important organization you'll ever lead. Article by Julia Myers The strongest influence on a child usually comes from family. I grew up eating PB&Js in the parking lot of Six Flags, because I'd logged 600 minutes of summer reading to earn the ticket inside. I knew my parents valued two things: reading, and affordable fun we could share as a family. What I didn't know then was that they were teaching me with their actions as...

Travel

The School House

A Historic Stay in Rocheport Where Missouri's Past and Present Meet Article by Shea Sullivan | Photography by The School House The bell that once called students to class now greets visitors arriving at the School House in Rocheport. More than a century after it first opened as a school, the historic building continues welcoming guests, offering a stay rooted in Missouri history, hospitality, and small-town charm. For Andy and Chandrika Hickman the School House wasn't part of a long-term...

Arts + Culture

ART Off the Trail

Where visitors experience the creative process behind Gloria Gaus' landscape paintings. Article by Shea Sullivan | Photography by Sarah Jane Photography On weekends in Rocheport, Missouri, visitors biking the Katy Trail or exploring the historic river town often find Gloria Gaus at work. Sometimes she's at the easel, working on a landscape painting. Other times she's organizing the gallery, greeting visitors, or talking with travelers about the favorite places they've explored. In fact, some...

Professional Services

Built to Last

A man cave project reveals Burns’ approach to building spaces people love Article by Shea Sullivan | Photography by Sarah Jane Photography In Columbia’s tight-knit community, trust is built through relationships, consistency, and quality work. For Garrett Burns, founder of Built By Burns, that foundation was first forged alongside his father on job sites that still stand strong today and strengthened through 10 years at Shindler Homes alongside mentor Phillip Shindler. Now building his own...

Health + Wellness

Men's Health Crisis: A Different Approach

A conversation with Dr. Jeremy Maxwell, Chiropractor, The Wellness Way–Columbia Article by Dr. Jeremy Maxwell | Photography by Sarah Jane Photography Stop Waiting Until You Break Most men don’t wake up one day and suddenly fall apart. It’s gradual. Subtle. Easy to ignore. You start waking up more tired. You don’t recover like you used to. The weight creeps up. Your drive mentally, physically, even in your relationships starts to fade. But you push through. You tell yourself it’s normal...

Shopping

Binghams: Four Decades of Style

A Columbia staple delivering timeless style and service Article by Shea Sullivan | Photography by Sarah Jane Photography Since 1981, Binghams Traditional Clothing has been a staple in Columbia’s retail scene. What began as a small shop on South Ninth Street has grown into a downtown institution, now located at Ninth and Broadway. While the store has evolved over the years, its mission has remained the same: provide the best quality menswear at competitive prices with exceptional personal...

Home Services

Beyond the Blinds

A mother‑daughter duo bringing heart, design, and connection to every Columbia home Article by Shea Sullivan | Photography by Sarah Jane Photography Some businesses are built on strategy. The best ones are built on something deeper. For Terrie and Abbie, that something is each other. A mother and daughter connected by more than family, but by a shared vision to bring elevated, custom window treatments to the Columbia community with a level of personal service rarely found locally. Together...

Style + Beauty

Living Amini

Cierra Porter creates ethical swimwear that honors people and planet. Article by Shea Sullivan | Photography by Cierra Jade Productions What started as a shared dream between childhood friends Cierra Porter and Aubrey Maggard began with sketches and early designs in their homes in Denver and Kansas City. Today, it’s grown into a thoughtful lifestyle brand built on faith, sustainability, and connection. The name Amini means “believe” in Swahili, and for Cierra, that meaning runs deeper than...