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...

Life + Culture

A Spark Worth Gathering Around

How Marla Black and Impact100 are Energizing the Leadbelt Article by Kristi Sellers | Photography by Parkland City Lifestyle There’s something special about the way things come together in the Leadbelt. Sometimes, it starts with a simple conversation. It might be at a youth softball game, a PTO meeting, or at your local coffee shop.  If you’re lucky, those conversations turn into something much bigger. Wheels start turning and ideas begin to form. Ideas that are for the betterment of families...

Health + Wellness

Care Close to Home

How Annette Schnabel and Parkland Health Center Ensure Community Access to Quality Care Article by Kayle Nephew | Photography by Parkland City Lifestyle and Cheyenne Jordan Photography In the Parkland, we often don’t think about hospitals until we need them. But when a situation turns urgent and every minute begins to matter, the importance of having local access to care becomes clear. In many rural communities, those moments now come with a different reality. Since 2010, more than 140 rural...

Entertainment

Her String Cheese Era

How Hannah Harper's story of motherhood reached hearts across America Article by Lena Johnson | Photography by Alli Harper Before the spotlight, before the fame, she was just small-town mother living a story that millions didn’t know they needed to hear. When Hannah Harper stepped on the stage of American Idol she didn’t just perform, she shared something deeply personal; her original song, “String Cheese”. The tune captured a simple yet powerful moment of motherhood, one that resonated with...

Health + Wellness

Editor’s Top Picks for Mother’s Day

Local gifts and experiences she’ll truly appreciate Article by Kayle Nephew Book a Massage If there’s one gift most moms won’t book for themselves, it’s time to truly relax. Local favorites like The Boulevard Salon & Spa provide peaceful escapes designed to help her unwind and feel refreshed. Buy Her Flowers Whether you’re choosing a handcrafted bouquet from Ike’s Revival Florist or seasonal plants from Crystal & Rich’s Produce, these thoughtful gifts will bring beauty that lasts beyond...