Education

A Community of Belonging

Six stories reveal how Christ Community Lutheran School makes God known through serving leadership, forming hearts and character within a community where everyone belongs. Article by Matt Hoehner | Photography by Provided At Christ Community Lutheran School (CCLS) nearly 700 students, from age 6 weeks through 8th grade, and their families experience a community of learning, serving, and belonging. As an association school of four churches at four campuses located in central St. Louis County...

Education

100 Reasons to Love Kirkwood Library

Honoring a century of turned pages, shared stories, and the community that makes Kirkwood Public Library home Article by Mel Lambert & Christa Van Herreweghe | Photography by Provided For 100 years, the Kirkwood Public Library has been a constant presence in the community—and so much more than a place to borrow books. It's where children discover favorite stories, entrepreneurs develop new ideas, neighbors connect, and generations of families return again and again. The story begins in 1922...

Entertainment

The Classic Nutcracker

The Dance Center's 22nd annual Nutcracker returns to KPAC's stage. Article by Katrina Wright | Photography by Jeff Feltmann & Jonathan White Backstage at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center, the air hums with a particular kind of quiet before the storm. Hairpins click into place. Pointe shoes are laced tight. Somewhere down the hall, a bulletin board fills with handwritten notes of encouragement. In a few hours, the house lights will dim, Tchaikovsky's score will swell, and sixty local dancers...

Education

Reading Between the Smiles

How Dougherty Orthodontics is Cultivating Community Literacy Article by Lucy Rogers | Photography by Ruby Collins Standing proudly and painted pink at the front entrance of Dougherty Orthodontics is a charming new addition you might not expect: a custom-built Little Free Library—a vibrant mini house of books designed to spark a love of reading. For Dr. Dougherty, the heart behind the practice, the initiative is deeply personal. Raised by parents who were both dedicated lifelong educators, she...