Entertainment

Silver Ball Revival

Retro games, modern competition, and community connection thrive in small-town Missouri Article and Photography by Ashley Grant On a busy side street, located just off of the main road through Willard, Missouri, lights and chimes spill from the Pinball Social Club, hinting at something nostalgic. For owner Matt Darst, the venue is more than a hobby, it is an intentional effort to build community around simple, old-school fun. Matt’s professional life might not immediately suggest an...

Food + Beverage

A Better Start

Helping families and their pets start life together on the right paw Article by Ashley Grant | Photography by Provided Bringing home a new pet is a milestone moment for many families, but owning a pet can come with plenty of questions. At All About Dogs and Cats, Leigh and Dennis Daniels have built their business around helping pet owners start these moments off on the right paw. From guiding owners through a wealth of pet food choices to supporting local rescue adoptions, the couple has...

Life + Culture

The Scout Effect

Building confident kids who are prepared to positively contribute to their communities Article by Ashley Grant | Photography by Provided In a growing city like Springfield, where urban meets small-town values, it doesn’t take long to realize the heart and soul of the community are the people. For Travis Rubelee, Scout Executive serving the Ozarks with the Ozark Trails Council, Scouting America, that realization came quickly after moving into the area. “As a recent transplant, it became clear...

Local Services

Dogs That Serve

How K9s for Camo changes lives one service dog at a time Article by Ashley Grant | Photography by Bailey Hough For nearly a decade, a Springfield-based non-profit has been transforming the lives of veterans, inmates, and rescue dogs through a multi-layered restorative program. Summer Gerhardt, owner of Howliday Pet Resort and vice president of K9s for Camo, has been involved since the beginning alongside her husband who also serves on the board. The nonprofit was officially launched by...

Food + Beverage

Route 66 Eats

Family of Virginia Bowler shares savory memories from "Ginny Lee's" Article by Ashley Grant | Photography by Provided Before dawn on any given morning in 1970s Springfield, the lights at Ginny Lee’s were on. Long before most of the city began to stir, Virginia Bowler, aka “Ginny Lee”, was already in the kitchen of her West College Street restaurant, now the College Street Cafe. As the sun rose, her hands were busy brewing coffee, baking rolls, and cutting potatoes for hand-cut fries. What...

Home + Design

Smooth Sailing

Family cruising makes travel easier, calmer, and more memorable Article and Photography by Ashley Grant Family vacations don't have to be stressful. Cruising offers an easy way to keep everyone happy, with meals, entertainment, lodging, and transportation all in one place. Kids can enjoy pools, youth clubs, games, and activities designed for their age, while parents relax knowing they're having fun in a supervised environment. Each port introduces families to new destinations without the...

Travel

The Slower Keys

Islamorada, Cheeca Lodge, and the art of staying put Article and Photography by Springfield City Lifestyle Some trips invite a full itinerary. Others ask you to put the keys down, look at the water, and let the day decide for itself. Islamorada has always felt like the second kind of place. Near the top of the Florida Keys, it gives you the beauty of island life without asking you to hurry all the way to Key West. Close enough to feel reachable. Far enough to feel like you have truly left...

Auto + Marine

The Long Game of Wealth

Financial advisors Michael Sisney and Duke Carlton explore why patience, emotional discipline and valued guidance matter in today’s fast-moving investment landscape. Article by Springfield City Lifestyle | Photography by Leigh Love In a world where financial headlines move quickly and investment trends shift overnight, many of the principles behind building long term wealth remain surprisingly consistent. Understanding those fundamentals can help investors navigate an ever-changing financial...

Travel

Route 66 Community

How people, not pavement, keep Route 66 alive, and how it has become the longest small town in America Article by Ashley Grant | Photography by Leigh Love If you stay in Springfield long enough, you'll notice something unusual for a Midwest town. Accents from around the world are heard, license plates from across the country can be seen, and conversations often take place in varying languages. On any given day, travelers from Spain, Japan, or even Iceland might pass through, all drawn by the...

Local Services

American-Made Craftsmanship Still Alive in the Ozarks

From handcrafted baits to heirloom woodwork, artisans in the Ozarks are turning passion into legacies Article by Ashley Grant | Photography by Provided Avid fisherman Steve Wallace’s hobby took on a life of its own, growing into a career and allowing him to build a legacy of craftsmanship.  Q: What first drew you to bait-making, and how did it evolve from interest to craft? A: After moving to the Ozarks in 1997, I realized how hard it was to find custom baits. In 2020, I started making...