Entertainment

The Sound of Community

Inside the Lee's Summit Symphony Article by Jamie Segall | Photography by Janie Jones For nearly 25 years, the Lee's Summit Symphony has been bringing people together through live music. What began as a community orchestra has grown into one of the city's signature cultural organizations, drawing sold-out audiences, showcasing exceptional musicians and creating opportunities for local students. As the Symphony prepares for another exciting season, Executive Director Karen Schuler, Music...

Home + Design

Luxury Doesn’t Have to Be Untouchable

How Thoughtful Design Creates Beautiful Spaces for Kids, Pets, and Family Life Article by Jami Meek | Photography by Mathew Anderson Luxury has long been associated with perfection, immaculate fabrics, pristine surfaces, and rooms that feel more like showpieces than spaces meant to be lived in. However, the most beautiful homes aren’t the ones that remain untouched. They’re the homes where children can be children, pets nap in sunlit corners, and families gather to create memories together...

Style + Beauty

More Than a Boutique

Inside The Purple Hippopotamus Photography by Janie Jones The Purple Hippopotamus has become a favorite stop for families in downtown Lee's Summit. More than a children's boutique, it's a place where parents can find thoughtfully chosen products, connect with other families, and feel supported along the way. Owner Andee Carr created the boutique to offer thoughtfully curated children's clothing, gifts, toys, and resources for parents. From newborn essentials to outfits for children up to age...

Local Services

Finding Strength in the Unexpected

Photography by Provided When Jacquie Stenger and her husband moved back to Lee's Summit from Chicago, they were looking for a place to raise their growing family close to loved ones. They found exactly that. Today, they are raising two children, including their son, CJ, whose Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis at age four changed the course of their lives. "Being a mom is truly a gift," Stenger said. "What it has taught me is to count every blessing, especially the tiny ones that get lost in the chaos...

Food + Beverage

Lakeside Dining at Marina 27

Photography by Janie Jones There are restaurants where you simply enjoy a meal, and then there are places that become part of the experience. Tucked along the shores of Lake Lotawana, Marina 27 Steak & Seafood has become just that, a destination where exceptional food, handcrafted cocktails, live music, and unforgettable sunsets come together to create the feeling of a summer getaway. The restaurant's new outdoor bar and expanded patio have quickly become one of the area's favorite gathering...

Professional Services

The Power of Showing Up

Building Stronger Families Through Community Photography by Janie Jones When most people think of foster care, they imagine intervention happening after a crisis has already occurred. What if a simple act of support could open the door to the kind of community that helps prevent crisis in the first place? That's the idea behind CarePortal, a technology platform that connects local churches, businesses, organizations, and individuals with real-time needs in their communities. Founded in 2015...

Finance + Legal Services

Saving for Retirement: Are You Guessing or Planning?

Article and Photography by Let’s say you dream of spending your retirement mornings on a warm beach, coffee in hand, waves rolling in. To get there, you had a simple plan: save $1 million and buy the beach house you always wanted. But when retirement arrives, reality hits. After accounting for keeping your current home, everyday expenses and health care, $1 million doesn't stretch as far as you thought, and the beach house remains a dream. The problem wasn't your discipline – it was that your...

Wellness

Confidence, Inside and Out

How Accurso Aesthetics is helping Lee’s Summit residents look, feel and live their best this summer Article by Lauren Powers | Photography by Janie Jones Summer often brings a renewed focus on confidence. Whether it’s stepping onto the beach, attending weddings and family gatherings, or simply spending more time outdoors, many people want to feel comfortable in their own skin. At Accurso Aesthetics in Lee’s Summit, confidence is about far more than appearance. It’s about helping clients feel...

Food + Beverage

Worth the Drive

Vivilore Article by Allison Swan | Photography by Janie Jones Vivilore combines exceptional food, lush garden spaces, local art, antiques, and a sense of discovery that keeps guests returning to the historic Englewood Arts District from across the metro. From the moment guests approach the ivy-covered entrance in Independence, it's clear that Vivilore is anything but ordinary. Inside, discover an eclectic collection of spaces, each with its own personality, from the elegant dining room and...

Travel

Hey Dude!

Revel in the family summer camp charm of an authentic guest ranch in Quincy Article by Nora Heston Tarte | Photography by Supplied by Greenhorn Ranch Western television may be responsible for the rise of cowboy core themed travel. Whether you fell in love with Rip Wheeler on “Yellowstone,” got sucked into its spinoff “1923,” or found yourself a fan of the book-to-screen adaptation of the Walt Longmire stories, it’s impossible to ignore that western culture has influenced modern travel. And...