Education

Starting Strong

Setting Teens on the Right Financial Track Article by Tina Lesniak Kenny Gott is the author of the book Bottom Line Financial Planning: Manage Risk And Fund The Good Life...Your Whole Life, and president of Piatchek & Associates, a family-owned financial services firm serving Springfield since 1972.   What are the top tips for teenagers as they begin to manage their own money? 1) Educate yourself on financial planning basics, especially budget and debt planning, tax management, and...

Wellness

A Little Dirt, A Lot of Reward

Beth Combs on Why Gardening Is One of the Best Investments You Can Make Article by Hunter Jazz | Photography by Provided Investing in Your Garden: A Beginner’s Guide with Beth Combs of Arlie’s Farm Beth Combs, the passionate gardener behind Arlie’s Farm, believes that gardening is more than just a hobby—it's an investment in your family, your health, and your community. In 2018, Beth and her family purchased Arlie’s Farm with the goal of sharing their love for gardening with others. Named...

Life + Culture

Investing in Culture

The Cherry Blossom Kite and Piñata Festival Celebrates Global Traditions Article by Tina Lesniak | Photography by Provided by Springfield-Greene County Park Board Every spring, the Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park transform into a breathtaking display of color and culture for the annual Cherry Blossom Kite and Pinata Festival. What began as a simple kite festival has blossomed into a celebration of Springfield’s sister city relationships, blending the...

Fitness

Investing in Your Future Self

The Power of Physical Therapy Article by Tina Lesniak | Photography by Tiffany Enowski Terra Gegg didn’t set out to be a business owner. In fact, she never imagined herself in entrepreneurship at all. But looking back, the seeds were always there. Growing up, Terra was an only child until she was 13. Her parents divorced when she was just two, and for much of her early years, it was just her and her mom. Things changed when her stepdad entered the picture around the time she was ten. He owned...