Columbia Home Magazine - October/November 2014

DIY

Home Tour Page 64

Cyndi Frisby

The Real Me How she took control and changed her life for the better Page 86

Girls’ Club

Inside the city's restaurant scene Page 28

âžť Cyndi Frisby

The Mommy WARS We've had enough

Local

Celebrities 4 Columbia women pursuing their passions Page 40

Page 101

October/November 2014 Women at work Issue

Balance Work-Life Page 56

Michael Ryan, MD Phil Rumbaoa, MD Board Certified Vein Specialists

“I wish there were a bank that believed in me.”

Running a small business takes capital. At Commerce, we’ll help you fund expansions, acquisitions, equipment, vehicle purchases and more. Enjoy predictable repayment terms over a fixed period of time. Call us, and we’ll show you how.

commercebank.com / 573.886.5264

801 Business Loop 70 East, Columbia MO 573-449-2619 or 800-374-1981 www.davegriggsflooringamerica.com

CBP

Casey BuCkman PhotograPhy WWW.CASEYBPHOTO.COM

Have you scheduled your annual mammogram?

It’s the key ingredient to prevention.

A mammogram can detect a lump 2 years before you can even feel one. It only takes 30 minutes and can increase your survival rate by 30 percent.

Schedule your breast cancer screening today!

CALL 882-8511 or VISIT muhealth.org/ellisfischel

PURCHASE CUPCAKES FOR A CURE at any Columbia during the month of October and a portion of the proceeds will help provide mammograms for those in need.

#CupcakesForACureEFCC

12 | October/november 2014

columbiahomemagazine.com | 13

Now offering a

$70

Full Highlight or Ombre with a haircut.

Exclusive to new clients.

Offer ends November 1st, 2014.

VICTORIA ARAUJO Victoria is a hairstylist from Las Vegas, NV with over ten years of experience behind the chair.

Always dedicated and passionate about her profession, Victoria is not only Blanc Studio’s owner and master stylist, but also an independent contractor with the internationally known company WELLA. As an independent contractor for WELLA, Victoria travels to hair schools and salons across five different states, providing trainings related to hair cutting, color application, and retail. Victoria also participates in hair shows presented by WELLA where she has the opportunity to work alongside top artists from the US and Canada.

JENNIFER HOVIS A Columbia native, Jennifer Hovis has been taming the locks of Columbia's beautiful people for over five years. Jennifer is a highly motivated and dedicated hairstylist, who always seeks the next trend or look for the season. As for professional development, Jennifer has participated in several advanced color classes and is certified in seven different color lines. She also specializes in curly hair through Deva Curl and men’s cutting with a high-end barbershop in Los Angeles, CA., where she learned how to perfect the technique of cutting, transitional fading, and clean sharp lines to provide the ultimate men’s cut.

Call today to set up an appointment with Victoria or Jennifer today!

(573) 777-7797 | 918 E Broadway, Columbia, MO | 14 | October/november 2014

Publisher’s note

W

It’s where you finish What do you want to be when you grow up? My 10-year-old answer? A rancher. I wanted to ride my horse and check cows all day every day. Who knows?

Maybe that’s still in the cards for me.

I’m certainly not grown up yet! As we get older, most of us change our answer based on what we like at that period of time in our lives. Some of us are lucky enough to chart the course and become exactly what we wanted to be as kids.

For the rest of us, it changes and grows as we do. But that’s not to fear. No matter where you are, it’s exactly where you are supposed to be, and as my dad always said, “It’s not where you start in life but where you finish.”

Finish big is exactly what Laurie Digges did. After being hit by a motorist and unable to walk, most of us wouldn’t have agreed to do one of the most difficult Ironman triathlons in the world, Ironman Canada. But Laurie sure did. If your goals sound impossible, her incredible story is a must-read on page 50 and sure to inspire!

Celebrities are often sought after, so it’s no wonder most kids will answer, “I want to be like Mark McGuire when I grow up.” I was lucky enough to sit down and interview four of our own local celebrities who are following their lifelong passions and often in the spotlight. Renee Hulshof, Tina Patel, Amanda Barnes and Megan Judy all spent most of their childhoods wanting and developing a passion for what they do. Read their interviews starting on page 40.

New this issue is our health and wellness section starting on page 91. Cyndi Frisby is often seen around town faithfully jogging the streets of Columbia. Read her inspiring story of weight loss and her aha moment that was the deciding factor to make a complete lifestyle change. Not always easy are the goals we set for ourselves, but when we accomplish something we never thought we would do, it becomes life change. Cyndi shares her journey from struggles to success on page 86.

Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege to meet some pretty amazing people who shape our community. Kristi and I often leave our meetings saying, “Wow, we’ve got to step it up.” I’ve also had the opportunity to work alongside a talented staff of photographers, editors, designers and the best creative talent in the industry — and I’d like to think that’s been better than my childhood dream to be a rancher! So as I decide what I want to be when I grow up, I leave Columbia Home in great hands with a staff of talented people as I start another chapter of my life and realize I’m just where I need to be.

A heartfelt thank you to all our readers,

On the cover

DIY

HOME TOUR PAGE 64

Cyndi Frisby

The Real Me How she TOOK CONTROL and changed her life for the better PAGE 86

Girls’ Club

Inside the city's restaurant scene PAGE 28

➻ Cyndi Frisby

THE MOMMY WARS We've had enough

LOCAL

Celebrities 4 COLUMBIA WOMEN pursuing their passions PAGE 40

PAGE 101

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014 WOMEN AT WORK ISSUE

Balance WORK-LIFE PAGE 56

When Cyndi Frisby found herself embarrassed by the way she looked in pictures, she promised then and there to change her life for the better. Find out how she took control and is inspiring others to do the same. Story on page 86. Photo by Anthony Jinson.

E d i torial Angie Huhman, Publisher Angie@BusinessTimesCompany.com Kristi McCann, Managing Editor Kristi@BusinessTimesCompany.com Katrina Tauchen, Copy Editor Katrina@BusinessTimesCompany.com Mitchell Drinkard, Fashion Editor MitchellDrinkardPR@Gmail.com Scott Rowson, Food Editor Scott@ShowMeQ.com DESIGN Kristin Branscom, Art Director Kristin@BusinessTimesCompany.com C reat i v e Se rvices Gillian Tracey, Creative Marketing Assistant Gillian@BusinessTimesCompany.com Whitney Buckner, Creative Marketing Assistant Whitney@BusinessTimesCompany.com Kate Morrow, Creative Marketing Assistant Kate@JeffersonCityMag.com MAR K ETING REPRESENTATIVES Tami Turner, Marketing Consultant Tami@JeffersonCityMag.com MANAGEMENT Erica Pefferman, President Erica@BusinessTimesCompany.com Renea Sapp, Vice President ReneaS@BusinessTimesCompany.com Cindy Pudney, Operations Manager CindyS@BusinessTimesCompany.com CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRA PHERS Casey Buckman, Whitney Buckner, Creative Photo, Julie Everson, Angie Huhman, Angelique Hunter, Anthony Jinson, Kristi McCann, Ben Meldrum, Moonshadow Studio CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jesse Bodine, Crystal Duan, Matt Ford, Cyndi Frisby, Leanne Geiss, Nellie Symm Gruender, Gary Hague, Angie Huhman, Stephanie Kubas, Leighanne Lamb, Kristi Luther, Kristi McCann, Natural Insight Photo, Jill Orr, Aaron Pellish, Monica Pitts, Scott Rowson, Carolyn Sullivan, Jason Thornhill, Michele Towns, Nancy Yang i n t e rns Madison Alcedo, Kaylie Denenberg, Torie Ross S UBS CRIPTIONS Subscription rate is $12.95 for 6 issues or $18.95 for 12 issues. Call Cindy Pudney at 573-499-1830 ext. 1003 to place an order or to inform us of a change of address.

Columbia Home is published by The Business Times Co., 2001 Corporate Place, Suite 100, Columbia, MO, 65202. 573-499-1830 Copyright The Business Times Co., 2012. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of any editorial or graphic content without the express written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 15

Should you get a remote start from Sound Performance? ?

YES

Do you live in a place with cold winters?

Do you own a car?

NO

Then you probably don’t live in Mid MO. Enjoy that sun!

YES

Do you enjoy scraping ice off of your windshield?

NO

You better get some good snow tires on that bike.

NO

YES

Would you rather your car do all the work?

Oh, you’re being sarcastic.

Nobody like scraping ice off their windshield.

YES

You should get a remote start from Sound Performance.

1310 Indiana Ave | Columbia, MO | SoundPerformanceOnline.com

C H D i g i ta l

Connect with Us Strong woman

What people are saying

Steffany Cooper Founder of Because Every Mother Matters Age: I’m 41 years young.

Family: I’m a single momma to six amazing children: Jace, 18; McKayley, 15; Faith, 13; Lukas, 9; Diezel, 8; and Xia, 8. We have three cats, Tyler, Jumpy and Naruto, and one python named Ka. Official title: Mom, said 100 different ways for 100 different reasons more than 100 times every day. And I’m the founder of Because Every Mother Matters, a nonprofit that works with, you guessed it, moms everywhere.

My style: Survival chic, which is the typical style a mom of six adapts. It basically has three components: 1. Is it clean? 2. Will it hide stains (because chances of me wearing it several days in a row are extremely high)? 3. Does it make my butt look big?

Columbia Home Aug. 26, 2014 Susan Hathaway Tantillo: “Go Amanda!”

Megan Sondgerath Hall: “Aren’t photo shoots so much fun?”

Columbia Home Aug. 26, 2014 Amy Sue Potts: “Tina u look amazing!!!!!”

Trina Vincent Horsey: “Work it, girl!”

VIP card Check out page 83 for more details on how you can have your very own VIP pass, good for exclusive deals at some of your favorite Columbia businesses!

Three words that best describe me: I had a really hard time with this question, so I asked my kids: 1. Silly. (This is different from being funny. Apparently, I am not funny at all and lack any timing necessary to pull off a joke. I quickly reminded them I often have an audience of 100 people laughing at my jokes in Africa. This was followed by, “You had a translator.”) 2.Robust. Let’s just leave this one alone. 3.Resilient. What I love about this one is the definition: “The ability to withstand or bounce back into shape after being bent, pulled or compressed.” It’s different from being resistant.

My secret talent: Contortion. I used to be a magician’s assistant in a circus.

Three things I can’t live without: 1. The ability to hope.

Without hope, I would have given up yesterday. 2. The gift of understanding. Without understanding, I wouldn’t have empathy, and without empathy, I wouldn’t know the love I do today. 3. French fries.

Without French fries, life is pointless.

Columbia Home @ColumbiaHomeMag

@ColumbiaHomeMag Columbia Home Magazine

For future issues We all know a man in our lives who deserves a little more recognition for all the hard work he does. At Columbia Home, we like to feature Columbia gentlemen in our community

who are loved by their friends and family.

If you know a guy who always goes the extra mile, let us know!

We’ll feature him in our “Men We Love” section in a future issue.

Send all submissions to Audrey@BusinessTimesCompany.com.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 17

Your home. Your life. Your style.

63 East Broadway • 573-874-1550

www.lifestylescomo.com

18 | October/november 2014

O c t o b e r / no v e m b e r C o n t e n t s

24

40

64

102

❖ publisher's note p. 15 ❖ CH Digital p. 17 ❖ Entertainment

Features

21 Agenda and Datebook 24 Day in the Life Amanda Gibbons, NICU Nurse 27 Tech

Time Management 28 Food

The Girls’ Club 35 The Dish

Abigail’s Sweet Lemon-Pecan Linguine 36 Discover Our Town Rocheport

40 Faces of Columbia Amanda Barnes, Megan Judy, Renee Hulshof and Tina Patel 50 Ironwomen

Laurie Digges Takes on the Challenge of a Lifetime 56 The Balancing Act Finding a Healthy Work-life Balance 86 Taking Control How Cyndi Frisby Changed Her Life for the Better

Home/Garden

Health/Happiness

64 Home Tour

Around Towns 71 Home Trends

Y-O-U Can D-I-Y 75 Real Estate

Talking Transitions 81 DIY #shelves

91 Exercise

No Time for the Gym? 93 Natural Healing Acupuncture 95 Healthy Eating Fettuccine Alfredo 97 Love and Relationships 99 Life Coaching 101 Mommy Chronicles 102 Wedding 105 Welcome to the World 106 Happy Tails 109 About Town 112 Men We Love 114 Strong Woman

36 95

28

86

THROW A TAILGATE EVERYONE WILL TALK ABOUT

WITH THEIR MOUTHS FULL. Beef Brisket • Ribs by the Slab Smoked Pulled Pork • Smoked Turkey Breast

full catering menu online or call 875-1800 Where good friends meet for good times. | 402 E. Broadway | shilohbar.com

20 | October/november 2014

agenda

thinkstock.com

October/November 2014 Columbia’s must-do events

103rd Annual MU Homecoming Game What: The Mizzou Tigers take on the Vanderbilt Commodores at Faurot Field for MU’s 103rd annual homecoming football game. And don’t miss other homecoming festivities in the days leading up to the game, including a blood drive, spirit rally and campus decorations in Greek Town.

When: Saturday, Oct. 25 (time TBA) Where: Memorial Stadium Info: Tickets start at $75.

Missouri River Wine Trail: Bounty of the Harvest What: Chefs from seven local wineries create food and wine pairings featuring products from the mid-Missouri area.

When: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 and Sunday, Nov. 9 Where: Start at one of the seven participating wineries: Cooper’s Oak–Boonville, Westphalia Vineyards, Les Bourgeois Vineyards, Serenity Valley Winery, Bushwacker Bend Winery, Cooper’s Oak– Higbee and Canterbury Hill Winery.

Info: Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at missouririverwinetrail.com.

Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival What: The small town of Hartsburg, Missouri, bursts at the seams for this tradition dating back more than 20 years. The Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival features arts and crafts, musical entertainment, Halloween decorations and thousands of pumpkins. The festival also includes pumpkin carving, pumpkin pie-eating competitions, hayrides in the pumpkin patch, pumpkin painting, apple butter-making and a straw maze. At 6 p.m. Saturday, the spectacular Missouri River Bluffs serve as a backdrop for the Missouri Tourism hot air balloon as it launches from the pumpkin patch.

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11 and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12 Where: Hartsburg, Missouri Info: hartsburgpumpkinfest.com Visit Columbia Home online at columbiahomemagazine.com. columbiahomemagazine.com | 21

datebook

Oct. 3-4

Wednesday, Oct. 1 Assistance League of Mid-Missouri 20th Anniversary Celebration, Upscale Resale Shop, Broadway Shopping Center, 9 a.m., free

Friday, Oct. 3-4 American Family Rodeo, Central Missouri Events Center, all weekend, $8 for adults, $4 for kids 6-12, $3 for kids 5 and under

Saturday, Oct. 4 Harvest Hootenanny, Columbia Urban Farm, 3-8 p.m., free to enter, $10 to access beer garden, donations accepted Crush Festival, Les Bourgeois Winery, Rocheport, 2-6 p.m.

The Red Shoe Ride annual bike ride benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri, Shakespeare’s Pizza South, 7:30-5:30 p.m., for more information or registration, visit redshoeride.com Susan G. Komen 5K, Peace Park, race starts at 8 a.m., register at komenmidmissouri.org Day of the Running Dead: Extreme Zombie 5K, Midway Expo Sandbar behind the Midway Travel Plaza, 10 a.m., $40 ($35 limited time only), register at zombieweekend.org

Sunday, Oct. 5 Night of the Drinking Dead: Zombie Pub Crawl, The District, midnight, $10, visit zombieweekend.org for details and to purchase a wristband 40th Annual Old Wheels Car Show, Historic Nifong Park, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 8 Foster the People, The Blue Note, entrance at the corner of Ninth and Walnut, doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m., $30

22 | October/november 2014

Oct. 11

Oct. 31

October 2014

Thursday, Oct. 9

University Concert Series: Philharmonia Quartet Berlin, Missouri Theatre, 7 p.m., $12-19

Sun

Mon Tues Wed Thur

Kip Moore, The Blue Note, doors open at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m., $25

Friday-Sunday, Oct. 10-12

Artrageous Weekend, downtown Columbia, visit artrageousfridays.com for a complete list of venues, hours and events

Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 11-12

Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival, Hartsburg, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, visit hartsburgpumpkinfest.com for more information 46th Annual Heritage Craft Festival, Arrow Rock State Historic Site, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Rocheport Fall Colors Trail Ride, meet at the MKT Trail at Scott Boulevard Access, 800 W. Stadium Blvd., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., register online at gocolumbiamo.com

Saturday, Oct. 11

MU Football vs. Georgia, Faurot Field, visit mutigers. com for tickets and more info Columbia Farmers Market, 1701 Ash St., 8 a.m. to noon, prices vary

Sunday, Oct. 12

University Concert Series: Willie Nelson and Friends, Missouri Theatre, 7 p.m., $47-77

Tuesday, Oct. 14

Big Muddy Speaker Series, Les Bourgeois Bistro lower level, 7-8 p.m., free

Friday, Oct. 17

Odyssey Chamber Music Series: Romantic Fall, First Baptist Church of Columbia, 7-9 p.m., $20 general admission, $10 for students, free to kids 12 and under

Fri

Sat

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Friday, Oct. 17-26 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Talking Horse Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday to Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday, $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors 65 and up

Saturday, Oct. 18 Bear Creek Run Half Marathon, start and end at AlbertOakland Park, 8 a.m., $40 preregistration, $50 to register on race day, ages 10 and up, visit gocolumbiamo.com

Saturday, Oct. 25 103rd Annual MU Homecoming: Mizzou Tigers vs.

Vanderbilt, Memorial Stadium, time TBA, $75 and up

Tuesday, Oct. 28 Trick or Treat through Missouri History, State Historical Society of Missouri, 5:30-7:30 p.m., free

Thursday, Oct. 30 Twilight Walk: Haunted Buildings, The District, 7-8:15 p.m., free

Friday, Oct. 31 Halloweenie trick-or-treat event for kids, The District, 4-6 p.m., call 573-442-6816 for more info

datebook

Nov. 2

Nov. 8-9

Nov. 27

November 2014

Saturday, Nov. 1

Saturday, Nov. 8

Home Depot Kids Workshop, The Home Depot, 9 a.m. to noon, registration preferred but not required, for kids ages 5-12, free, see workshops.homedepot. com for details and registration

Writers’ Workshop, The Mizzou Store, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., further details TBA

Sunday, Nov. 2

Holiday Shop Hop, The District, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., call 573-442-6816 for more info

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 8-9

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

Cruise the Creeks educational bike/walk along the MKT Trail, 2 p.m., meet at the gazebo at Flat Branch Park, 101 S. Fourth St.

Tuesday, Nov. 4 ATMOSPHERE: North of Hell Tour, The Blue Note, 8 p.m., $20 in advance, $22 day of show Third Annual Whiskers and Wine Gala and Silent Auction benefiting CMHS, The University Club of MU, 6 p.m., $80

Wednesday, Nov. 5 University Concert Series: An Irish Christmas featuring Riverdance starring Ciaran Maguire and Collette Dunne, Missouri Theatre, 7 p.m., $19-32 for adults, $15 for kids, call 573-882-3781 for more info

Thursday, Nov. 6-23

Sun

Mon Tues Wed Thur

Fri

Art Reception: Give a Gift of Art, Columbia Art League, 6-8 p.m., free

Missouri River Wine Trail: Bounty of the Harvest, tickets start at $20 and can be purchased at missouririverwinetrail.com

Sunday, Nov. 9 Access Arts: Visiting Artist Lecture, 1724 McAlester St., 2 p.m., free We Always Swing Jazz Series: New New York Standards Quartet, Murry’s, 3:30 p.m., second show at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 11 Columbia Jazz Jam, The Bridge, 8-11 p.m., free

Wednesday-Sunday, Nov. 12-16

Other Desert Cities, Columbia Entertainment Co., 7:30-9:30 p.m., $8 on opening night, $8-10 on all other nights, visit cectheatre.org for more info

The Orphan Sea, Rhynsburger Theater, MU, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, visit theatre.missouri.edu/onstage for more info

Friday, Nov. 7-9

Thursday, Nov. 13

Citizen Jane Film Festival, 1200 E. Broadway, screening times vary, passes are $60-100, see citizenjanefilmfestival.com for details or to purchase passes

Education Forum: Will Expanding Preschool Solve the Achievement Gap? Columbia Public Library, 7-8:30 p.m., free, refreshments provided at 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 7

Saturday, Nov. 15

Great Circle Diamond Night, Holiday Inn Executive Center, 6-10 p.m., $125 for single tickets, $200 for pair of tickets, call Susan Reeves at 573-442-8331 ext. 209 for more info

Rainbow House Dodgeball Tournament, Armory Sport Center, 1-4 p.m., registration $50 per team, contact April Barnett (573-474-6600 ext. 2114) for more info

Sat 1

30

Wednesday, Nov. 19 An Evening with Terry Bradshaw, Missouri Theatre, doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m., $25-49

Thursday, Nov. 20 University Concert Series: MU Choral Union: Messa da Requiem by Giuseppe Verdi, Battle High School, 7 p.m., $15, call 573-882-3781 for more info

Thursday, Nov. 27 Thanksgiving Day

Saturday, Nov. 29 Children’s Story Time, Barnes & Noble, 11-11:30 a.m., free MU Football vs. Arkansas

Visit Columbia Home online at columbiahomemagazine.com. columbiahomemagazine.com | 23

24 | October/november 2014

d ay i n t h e l if e

A Day in the Life of a NICU Nurse

A

By Crystal Duan Photos by whitney buckner

Amanda Gibbons usually begins her workday when the sun’s about to set. She works as a nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit at University of Missouri Women’s and Children’s Hospital to ensure that sick babies make it through the night, even if it means her own sleep schedule is a bit unusual. Amanda knew she wanted to work as a NICU nurse since she graduated from nursing school in 2009.

“I needed a challenge, and I knew I liked to help people,” she says about her decision to make nursing a career.

Now, between spending time with her three sons and tending to her family’s needs, Amanda works three 12-hour shifts per week at the hospital.

3 p.m.

Wake up in the “morning”: Amanda starts her day as soon as her children come home from school. Working the night shift ensures she can help the boys with their homework first. “The night shift works for my routine, as opposed to the day shift when I wouldn’t get home until [8 p.m.], and that’s too late to help my kids,” she says. “My main goal is helping my children.”

4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Transition time: Amanda cooks dinner and eats with her family. She leaves the house around 6 p.m. because she has to travel 40 minutes to get to the hospital.

7 p.m.

Getting the lowdown: The hospital shift begins with a group huddle including all of the NICU staff. The nurses receive a general report of the unit’s current circumstances and assignments for the individual patient statuses.

7:30 p.m.

Prepping the infants: There are generally two babies in each room, and Amanda checks their heart tones, breath sounds, stomach sounds and pulses every three hours. During this time, she also feeds them and changes their diapers and linens. These assessments take 30 to 45 minutes to perform.

8:15 p.m.

Between shifts: “The clinical supervisor comes around the unit for briefings,” Amanda says. “The resident physicians, neonatal nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, transport team and staff nurses all attend this, and we all voice concerns and needs at this time.” Between direct patient care, Amanda also informs new unit nurses about policies and procedures, cleans the bedsides, stocks the room full of supplies or even holds the baby patients.

Midnight.

Parental involvement: Amanda helps educate parents sitting bedside on how best to care for their babies as they transition to going home. “We do education from the time they’re admitted to the time they’re discharged,” she says. “We’re constantly trying to teach them why their infants are doing what they’re doing and why we do what we do as far as labs or procedures.”

“I needed a challenge, and I knew I liked to help people,” Amanda Gibbons says about her decision to make nursing a career.

4:45 a.m.

Sets of care: After the third set of care, Amanda performs ordered lab draws to assess changes in the infant. “Throughout the shift, we also sometimes need to start IVs as they go bad or if something is changing with the infant,” she says.

7 a.m.

Rotating out: The next shift overlaps with Amanda’s when the other nurse comes in at 7 a.m.

At the bedside, Amanda gives a full report on the infant, and afterward the two do a safety check together to make sure the baby’s syringes, alarm parameters, etc. are all working. Together, they sign a checklist.

8:15 a.m.

All in a day’s work: Amanda usually arrives home, jumps in the shower and goes straight to bed on the days she has shifts, which are Thursday, Friday and Saturday. “I’m part of the weekend program because I like my days in a row,” she says. “That way, I can get them done, and then I switch back to a regular day-shift kind of person.” columbiahomemagazine.com | 25

COLUMBIA’S ORIGINAL

Paint-Your-Own Pottery Studio Since 1998

HANDPRINT ART = GREAT GIFTS!

It’s a keepsake that will last a lifetime!

SPECIAL OFFER:

$15 Hand print plate with custom lettering and border Regularly $35! Call the studio for questions and details. Includes: 1 hand print on an 8” plate with your name, year and dot border. Other designs are available for additional charge. Offer expires Nov. 14, 2014.

1103 E. Walnut | Columbia, MO MudRoomStudio.com | 573-441-1683

26 | October/november 2014

Committed to Our Community.

Here at Personal Touch Cleaning Service we help women simplify their lives every day. So being a part of the Cleaning For A Reason Foundation is a natural fit for our busy cleaning service. We are committed to providing the gift of a clean home to women undergoing treatment for cancer.

We believe responsible businesses look for ways to reach out to their communities. We are committed to be being a leader in our industry by doing our part. We enjoy personal satisfaction that comes from our volunteer efforts and count it a privilege to be able to put a smile on someone’s face.

Payment can take many forms. The personal gratification that comes from helping others is an immeasurable reward.

The Cleaning For a Reason Foundation makes it possible for us to do our part in the way we know best – cleaning homes every day, and making a difference.

Thank you, Columbia!

-Sue Riley, Owner

Does your home need a Personal Touch?

Office: 573.256.1920 www.personaltouchcleaningservicellc.com Like us on Facebook!

tech

Time Management’s Dance Partner

L

7 techy solutions to the elusive work-life balance Like so many others, for me, work-life balance is a delicate dance. Having a family, especially one including small kids, makes each day a time-management tango. I haven’t fully mastered the steps, but my teammates at MayeCreate each seem to have a piece of the puzzle to make the dance smoother.

➊ Daniel Boone Regional Library Overdrive brings books to you.

Because I am an obsessive reader, I experienced withdrawals from my imaginary friends when I had my first daughter — until I discovered audiobooks. I went back and forth to the library for CDs. Then I found a diamond in the rough: the library’s Overdrive Media app.

Using the free app, I rent ebooks and audiobooks, even kids’ ebooks, from the library and download them to my phone. The books do expire and are returned to the library through the app, so I don’t have to take a trip to the library unless I want to.

➋ Mint.com makes dollars make sense.

Ashley Craft uses Mint.com, a free online financial planning software, to budget and track her financial goals. As a college student, she’s on a tight budget; the website itemizes her spending and displays a visual representation of where her money goes. She sorts her expenses into categories to stay organized throughout the school year and stretch her financial aid and internship dollars to the max.

➌ Google Docs and Google Calendar take grocery lists and menus to the cloud.

Stacy Brockmeier uses Google Apps to keep her family’s menu and grocery lists organized. She created a Google Calendar, which she shares with her hubby, and added events with rotating menu items. She cleverly placed the recipes in the event descriptions so when she goes to cook, she just grabs her phone for reference.

Stacy keeps her grocery list in a Google Doc so regardless of who goes to the store, they don’t miss any important items.

➍ Disney Magic Timer reduces the whine at bedtime.

I’m sure my house isn’t the only one in Columbia where every detail of bedtime becomes a negotiation. Brushing your teeth is actually a form of torture. My husband’s discovery of the Disney Magic Timer app has taken some of the pain out of tooth brushing.

The free app has a toothbrush that cleans the screen to reveal a Disney character gradually as the timer counts down to celebrate a task well done.

By Monica Pitts

➐ Sam’s Club Click ‘n’ Pull makes every member a VIP.

➎ Baby Tracker takes the strain out of mom brain.

Mom brain is a real thing. I swear I wander from room to room while clutching an armful of random items only to stop mid-stride and have no idea why I entered the room to begin with. I started tracking my newborn’s activities in a notebook coupled with the timer on my phone, and then I turned to technology for a better solution.

My Baby Tracker app times out feedings, sleep and more. I can even chart, export and sync data about my little one’s routine.

➏ Webcams monitor babies and boats.

Travis Schumacher and Leon Schumacher are the masters of the webcam. Travis uses a nightvision webcam paired with an iPhone app as a baby monitor for his son. After a recent storm left Leon’s boat adrift, he needed a monitoring solution as well.

He installed a webcam and can now keep an eye on his baby snuggled in the dock at Lake Ozark from Columbia.

I’ve always wondered who was special enough to have their stocked cart waiting for them at the door at Sam’s Club. Turns out all club members are special enough! Using the store’s Click ‘n’ Pull service, you can do your Sam’s shopping online. If you place your order before 5 p.m., it will be waiting for you to pick up and pay for in the store the next day. They’ll even email you when it’s ready.

Sometimes we find tailored solutions to add grace to our time-management dance, and sometimes we just get creative with what we have. Regardless of the method, technology is a perfect dance partner for managing our busy lives.

Monica Pitts Monica is founder of MayeCreate Design. She and her husband, Mike, have two daughters, Ellis and Aveleen, and two dogs, Maybe and Roxie. Monica considers herself an artist, yogi and Web dork with the ability to speak geek and English.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 27

28 | October/november 2014

t h e g i r l s ’ c lu b Running a business is hard; ask anyone trying to keep customers happy and employees paid. But women running businesses face additional challenges, and whether it’s not being taken seriously by their boys’ club counterparts or being written off because of their age, these four women aren’t just surviving as female entrepreneurs in Columbia — they’re thriving.

By Scott Rowson Photos by Angelique Hunter columbiahomemagazine.com | 29

Lydia Melton

Günter Hans

“

“This waffle iron cost more than my car,” Lydia Melton says.

She’s explaining the process of cooking Liège waffles, which her restaurant, Günter Hans, specializes in, but she could just as easily be outlining her priorities in life. Quality matters. “We bake bretzels several times a day, just like they do in Germany.

People are willing to wait five or 10 minutes for a fresh-baked bretzel if you tell them it’s going to be five or 10 minutes.”

Lydia knows a thing or two about serving up quality, both in products and customer service. An O’Fallon native, she ran the Thyme Out Café in Cottleville, Missouri, before studying international business and then marketing and business management at the University of Missouri. She lived in Belgium for a time and developed an appreciation for the high-quality foods available in that part of the world Now, Lydia says she relies on a finely tuned sense of customer service to build Günter Hans into a profitable business in just its second year. “I train my staff to think like me,” she says. “I feel like we sell unusual products, and we need staff to be fully ready to answer questions.”

Take the Liège waffles. They’re sweet on their own — no syrup needed — and they’re supposed to be undercooked. Liège waffles are gooey, cakey, sweet and utterly addictive. “If we don’t give people the little spiel, they’re confused,” Lydia says.

The youthful 26-year-old says when it comes to her job, gender is less of a challenge than her age. She’s been underestimated more than once. “People don’t take me seriously,” she says. “At their own peril,” I think to myself.

Lydia scours the world for the best ingredients, but she also shops close to home. Günter Hans now carries brats from venerable Hermann sausage-maker Swiss Meats. Caramelized pear and Gorgonzola bratwurst from Hermann Wurst Haus remains a top seller. Her husband built the tables, and the overall vibe is comfy with a bit of European flair.

As for the future, Lydia says Günter Hans is looking to add wines on tap and expand its offerings of European sports on a drop-down screen. She’s paired with Logboat Brewery for a tap takeover and has an extensive schedule of live music, game nights and specials. Only time will tell if her tucked-away little gem will reach as many Columbia diners as it deserves, but Lydia and Günter Hans are off to a good start.

Connect with Lydia Gunter Hans: Facebook: facebook.com/gunterhanscafe Twitter: @gunterhanscafe • Instagram: @gunterhanscafe

30 | October/november 2014

Rebecca Miller and Jeanne Plumley

Peggy Jean’s Pies

“

“We’re messy,” Rebecca Miller says, sharing a story of an exploding bag of sugar.

“No, you’re messy,” replies her mother and business partner, Jeanne Plumley, with a quick and loving tease that’ll be familiar to customers who remember Peggy Jean’s Pies from its original 1994-2004 run. The mother-daughter team is behind a relaunch of the business, which closed with the declining health and eventual passing of original partner Peggy Day. A Kickstarter campaign netted more than $10,000 to pay for renovations and supplies to get a new facility on Buttonwood Drive in Columbia up and running. They’ve been turning out their beloved pies since just before Easter this year.

The new facility is tailor made for baking, but that doesn’t mean the road back was an easy one. “I had no idea how physically demanding it is,” Rebecca says. “She told me, but until you do it, you don’t know.”

They say the division of labor works for them. Rebecca is the social person, actively pouring heart and soul into a lively blog. Jeanne, the creative introvert, says, “We complement each other well.”

Like any family, being comprised of complementary parts doesn’t mean that sparks don’t fly occasionally. Jeanne is at the shop by 4:15 a.m., and Rebecca arrives at 8:30 a.m., before Jean leaves in the afternoon. And between those early mornings, the long nights and the orders continually flowing in, they have had to be compassionate with each other.

The board at Peggy Jean’s Pies boasts 12 standard pies each day, with others rotating in and out on a schedule. One of the secrets to Peggy Jean’s success has always been the crust: an excellent flakey crust made from little more than flour, shortening and water. No eggs, no butter. This dedication has resulted in a raft of regulars over the years. “We had a customer that wanted to recreate their grandmother’s recipe,” Jeanne says. “I was nervous, but we nailed it.”

What does the future hold for the rebirth of Peggy Jean’s Pies? They’ll build upon their wildly successful monthly pie parties, which draw 30 lucky people each third Thursday to the shop for a blind pie-tasting quiz. They’re also planning to release a selection of savory pies for the fall and might make themselves available for children’s birthday parties. Overall, Rebecca and Jeanne have shown that creativity, hard work and a little patience with your business partner remain hallmarks of a successful business.

Rebecca Miller and Jeanne Plumley

Connect with Rebecca and Jeanne at Peggy Jean Pies, order online and

subscribe to the blog at pjpies.com. Facebook: Facebook.com/peffyjeanspies.com columbiahomemagazine.com | 31

Sarah Cyr

The Wine Cellar and Bistro

t

The Wine Cellar and Bistro’s co-owner and sommelier Sarah Cyr bounced around Missouri growing up, spending many years in Farmington. But while attending college and waiting tables at an Applebee’s in Columbia, she met a young grill cook named Craig. So began a fruitful partnership, in both business and home life.

Theirs is a partnership built on balance. While Craig, who co-owns Wine Cellar with Sarah, focuses on the food, Sarah has built the well-curated wine list for the restaurant. Almost entirely self-taught, Sarah says respect was hard won in the male-dominated wine world.

“I found it hard to be taken seriously as a woman in the wine industry, but I reached a point where I knew more than the salesmen,” she says. “It was a problem for some of them.” The solution was simple: Do business with those who didn’t have the problem.

Today, her wine list routinely receives the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and complements some of the most creative food in town.

Ten years after taking over the restaurant, balance is the name of the game in the couple’s management of their home life as well. They have two young children and have worked out a schedule where one is at home while the other is at the restaurant. Home is now a 15-acre homestead and farm on the west side of Columbia.

Sipping a glass of Côtes du Rhone in the shade of a giant locust tree, Sarah describes their vision for the farm: “It’s a triple philosophy: people, planet, profit. We think we can do all three. And if we raise things ourselves, we know it’s as organic and local as possible.” There’s a half-acre produce garden that now supplies a substantial portion of the restaurant’s vegetables, and a moveable chicken coop provides eggs.

Sarah recommends entrepreneurs shake things up from time to time. The Wine Cellar and Bistro has run a series of garden classes and events on the Cyrs’ farm each of the past two years, allowing the opportunity to connect with customers outside of the restaurant.

“Getting accounting help is big,” she adds. “You need a pro to keep tabs on the books. There are a lot of bills and a lot of taxes. Also, stay humble, and know there’s always room for improvement. How can we be more efficient? How can our training be improved?” Those words of wisdom surely apply to any business.

Sarah and Mae Cyr

Connect with Sarah, and make a reservation online at winecellarbistro.com. Sign up for their newsletter for don’t-miss events.

scott rowson

Scott, blogger and food writer extraordinaire, shares his insights on dishes from Columbia hotspots. Whether it’s a hidden ingredient or special cooking technique, Scott will be able to detect it. You can often find him at Sycamore, his favorite hangout. Check out restaurant openings, food reviews and local eats on his blog, showmeeats.wordpress.com.

32 | October/november 2014

Men have their best friend, and now you have yours.

Made in St. James, MO. 573-443-1500 1414 Rangeline St., Columbia, MO www.AllVaccumCare.net columbiahomemagazine.com | 33

kitchen

tabletop

home

Fall back in love with your kitchen. www.tallulahsstore.com • 812 East Broadway • 442.9550 • Hours: Monday to Saturday:10-6, Sunday: 12-4 •

list. bid. choose.

no hassle.

bidster

Have a home improvement project that

online

trusted local providers live interaction secure posts quick connection top-notch

customer service

competition

needs completed. Tired of searching one business to the next? Dont have

list your project

the the free time to make countless

lack of accountability with providers

phone calls? Don’t wait another

lack of customer service

minute. Sign up for bidsteronline today

slow to contact

and list your project for free. Receive quotes in live time, choose your provider and get your project scheduled today!

www.bidsteronline.com

Jeff City Ad.indd 1

34 | October/november 2014

sign up today at bidsteronline.com 9/5/14 10:36 AM

thedish Ingredients • 3/4 cup pecan halves • kosher salt • 10 to 12 ounces dried linguine • 4 cloves garlic • 2 to 3 lemons • 5 to 6 tablespoons unsalted butter • freshly ground black pepper • 4 to 5 tablespoons sugar • 1/3 cup dry white wine • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, for garnish

Abigail’s Sweet Lemon-Pecan Linguine

I

By Susan and Todd Schapira | Photos by Julie Everson It’s not often that you get the recipe for any one of the homemade dishes that comes from the kitchen at Abigail’s, a quaint restaurant in Rocheport, Missouri. Locals have been begging for the chocolate mocha cake for years now, but the recipes aren’t shared, even between friends.

This dish is all about easy prep. Abigail’s owners Sarah and Todd Schapira had this dish prepared in minutes.

Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the pecan halves on a rimmed baking sheet.

Fill a large Dutch oven with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add a generous pinch of salt, then the pasta. Cook according to the package directions.

Meanwhile, toast the pecans in the oven for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring them halfway through, until they are fragrant and lightly browned.

Cool slightly, then coarsely chop 1/4 cup of them.

Mince the garlic. Use a zester or Microplane grater to zest 2 or 3 lemons (to taste), taking care to avoid the white pith. Squeeze enough juice from the lemons to yield ½ cup.

Drain the pasta, reserving ¾ cup of the pasta cooking water. Return the pasta to the pot (off the heat).

Melt the butter (to taste) in a large skillet over medium heat.

Stir in the garlic, and cook it for 1 minute. Then add the chopped pecans, salt and pepper; cook for 1 minute, stirring to coat, and heat through.

Add the lemon juice and sugar (to taste), stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Cook for about 2 minutes, during which time the sauce should thicken a bit. Stir in the reserved pasta cooking water and the wine, and then immediately pour the sauce over the pasta, and toss to coat. Place over medium-high heat; cook for 1 to 2 minutes or just until heated through.

Divide among individual wide shallow bowls, leaving much of the excess sauce/liquid in the pot.

Top each portion with lemon zest, toasted pecan halves and the cheese. Serve warm. Serves 4 columbiahomemagazine.com | 35

D i s c o v e r in g o u r t o w n Where to stay During our adventures in Rocheport, we visited with as many bed-and-breakfast owners as we could. Most of the owners were transplants from places outside of Missouri who decided to leave their hometown big cities for something a little lower key. Or the female part of the ownership duo had dreamt up the perfect little cottage to host guests in their dream B&B.

Girls Nite Inn

Girls Nite Inn

Girls Nite Inn

Girls Nite Inn Mount Nebo Cottage

Small-town Magic Rocheport’s charm extends far beyond its amazing winery and vineyards.

I

Story and Photos By Kristi McCann and Angela Huhman It’s a shame how many Columbians think Rocheport stops at the entrance to the winery and never venture out to see the eclectic town in our own backyard. Don’t get us wrong; we love the winery. We’ve spent many a night listening to the live bands that play there as we sipped on sweet Les Bourgeois creations. But after or before you relax with a glass of vino in hand, we challenge you to venture down Highway BB and take a left at the dead end to discover the small-town magic waiting in Rocheport. It’s the perfect fall destination to enjoy the beauty of the changing seasons. We encourage you to book your stay and enjoy the slower pace for the perfect close-to-home getaway. A special thanks to Diane Dunn, who treated us to a night at the Girls Nite Inn and acted as our Rocheport tour guide while we were there!

36 | October/november 2014

Although it’s not your traditional B&B setup, we thoroughly enjoyed the retreat atmosphere of the Girls Nite Inn. It’s an ideal location for a group stay, where quarters and common areas are comfy but still close, so you don’t feel completely separated from the rest of the group. Instead of a traditional premade breakfast, Girls Nite Inn owners Diane Dunn and Lisa Mortenson stock the fridge full of essentials to prepare meals. They’ve thought of everything; this is a wellstocked home! We enjoyed our breakfast on the outdoor patio, and we encourage some cooking and wine drinking by night with the fire pit aglow.

Close to the trail, the inn also offers bikes for your pleasure.

Mount Nebo Cottage The spacious, historic cottage hosts up to five guests comfortably in the 1,600-square-foot space.

The original structure was a house of worship until 1967, and if you look closely, the main bedroom is creatively positioned right where services would have taken place. Our favorite touch was the 12-foot harvest table, which was refinished by B&B owners Darrell and Angela Rapp and welcomes large meals and memory-making.

And if you sit at the head of the table, you have a great view of a 1904 world map, which is believed to be from the World’s Fair in St. Louis, that Darrell acquired from his father.

Yates House This B&B boasts affiliation with Select Registry, which confirms that Yates House has been selected among the most comfortable and welcoming cottages as quality alternative lodging. Aside from the beautiful outdoor garden spaces and six luxury staying rooms, the Yates House features fine dining with locally grown foods as well as cooking classes taught by Dixie Yates herself.

The Amber House Steve and Claudia Dodge purchased The Amber House just two short years ago.

Together, the two have built up the B&B and often welcome guests coming in town for University of Missouri football games. “It’s nice to be able to experience Columbia and the game and then come back out here for a little relaxation,” Claudia says. The décor has a little more formal feel than the other lodges, but you can’t miss the building as it’s one of the first things you see when entering Rocheport.

School House Bed & Breakfast Inn and Dormitory As you guessed it, this B&B used to be a school and is now an elegant 11-room inn with all the modern amenities. It offers a multicourse breakfast, laundry for longer stays and bike storage. The adjacent dormitory house features two private rooms that are perfect for groups or families.

The Katy Trail Tunnel A former railroad tunnel constructed in 1892, the Katy Trail Tunnel is located just walking distance from Rocheport and is the only tunnel on the Katy Trail, which makes it a must-do. If you’re looking for amazing views that are worth the climb to the top, just follow the Diana Bend scenic trail and overlook. Make sure to stop and see the alpacas along the trail!

Abigail’s

Katy Trail

On the Rise

Abigail’s

Where to eat

There’s a story behind every place to eat in Rocheport, from the sweet owners of the Mulberry Grill and Bakery who leave fresh-baked bread on the doorsteps of Rocheport locals to the husband-wife team who opened Abigail’s restaurant and were moving Abigail into her college dorm the day we visited. No matter where you go, we promise delicious food, great company and impeccable hospitality.

Rocheport General Store & Café Stop in on a Thursday night, and you’re sure to have a beer next to one of the business owners in town because it’s locals’ night at the General Store. But if you miss out on Thursday night, we recommend snagging a homemade ice-cream cookie sandwich as an afternoon snack. The café also offers breakfast, lunch and dinner made from the freshest ingredients and sinfully delicious desserts and breads (thanks to a local baker). For a lineup of music, check the store’s website, rocheportgeneralstore.com.

Abigail’s

Les Bourgeois Blufftop Winery and Bistro Rent bikes, bring your own or walk, the winery is an easy bike ride (approximately one mile) on the trail.

Just watch for the bike rack to the left of the trail, and walk up the hill to the blufftop winery. Then enjoy the view — and the wine! If easy conversation and amazing views are what you’re after, the A-Frame offers a variety of new menu items for the casual dining experience. If you’re looking for more elegant dining, chefprepared dinners at the Blufftop Bistro are the perfect evening affair or luncheon experience. Plus, don’t forget to pair your meal with a glass of Les Bourgeois wine.

Abigail’s

Mulberry Grill and Bakery This eatery is located right on the Katy Trail, or on the south end of Howard Street. You’ll find the wood-fired outdoor kitchen right off the beautiful patio as the perfect resting spot for lunch. Choose from smoked and grilled meat sandwiches, grilled fruits and vegetables, fresh-baked rolls and desserts. The wood-fired pizza with fresh ingredients and homemade crust is a must try, served on an open patio under the mulberry tree. The Mulberry Grill is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to sunset.

Abigail’s is a family-owned restaurant that features daily menu items. Enjoy open lunch Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner begins at 5 p.m. by reservation only.

Each dining experience is different at Abigail’s with the continually rotating menu, and the restaurant has a homey feel complete with a menu board displayed to you tableside and a choice of desserts handwritten on an envelope. We indulged in fresh spinach risotto ravioli and portobello cap salad.

We wanted to give a special shoutout to our lunchtime friends, Barbara Koirtyohann and Carol Sue Bass, who dined next to us and shared their experiences in Rocheport. columbiahomemagazine.com | 37

D i s c o v e r in g o u r t o w n

Trailside Café and Bike Shop

Shirahaze Gallery Shirahaze Gallery

Trailside Café and Bike Shop If you forgot to bring your own bikes, or your B&B doesn’t provide them for you, Trailside Café and Bike Shop is the place to rent. The shop is located just seconds off the Katy Trail next to the café where bikers, walkers and visitors stop for a quick bite to eat. While we were there, we ran into a hiking group that formed from the Newcomers Group in Columbia.

Book Store

Things to do

Shirahaze Gallery We fell in love with the pottery and delicate, whimsical style of local artist and owner Yukari Kashihara. There are also amazing one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. The gallery is open Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Stop in, and pick up a book on Rocheport written by Timm Siebeneck, the author and owner of the Book Store.

Stocked with a variety of titles from classic children’s books to history and religion, the store has a perfect mix from which to choose.

WJW Sculpture Nationally known sculptor William J. Williams creates pieces in a wide range of styles, scales and media. If you don’t see something that’s perfect for your home, let him know, and he will custom create the perfect piece for you. WJW is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.

Friends Together Antiques This shop specializes in 18th- and 19th-century antiques with original paint and surfaces. Located downtown across from the General Store on Central Street, the shop is open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

38 | October/november 2014

Book Store

Because Every Mother Matters Shop Stop by to explore worldly crafts (100 percent of the proceeds from all merchandise purchased goes directly to her nonprofit) or pick Steffany’s brain. She’s always willing to share her story. For more information about her organization, visit bemm.org.

Richard Saunders

Art and Antiques and Blacksmith Shop Be sure to stop in and see this working blacksmith shop. Find quality antiques, original fine art and jewelry. The store is located at Third and Pike Street and open Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

Behind the Times If you’re looking for vintage pieces or handmade scarves from local artists, this quaint boutique is the place, and it’s located right in the heart of Rocheport on Central Street. (Note: Look for the take-a-book, leave-a-book open library right on the front doorstep.) It’s open Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Because Every Mother Matters

Richard Saunders

Because Every Mother Matters

Stockton Mercantile

Richard Saunders

Stockton Mercantile Bring warmth and comfort to any room by combining your antique furniture with new accent pieces and home décor items. This is the perfect shop to pick up fun gift items, and commemorative benches sit to each side of the front door as a tribute to the long family heritage. Traveling with a pet? Store owner Diane Dunn always leaves a bowl of fresh water and a leash tie. It’s open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Drew’s Guide Service This is a must-do! Drew provides everything you will need to explore the Missouri River. Visit missouriboatworks.com for more information.

Richard Saunders This adorable shop is located in a 175-year-old home and is bursting at the seams with fun collectors’ items, antiques and gifts.

Meandering through the winding shop, we discovered room after room of fun treasures at affordable prices. The shop is complete with an outdoor oasis of master gardening and benches to sit and enjoy some afternoon sunshine. columbiahomemagazine.com | 39

faces of columbia

Amanda Barnes, Megan Judy, Renee Hulshof and Tina Patel on work, life and pursuing their passions No matter the size, every town seems to have its super stars, the folks who make the headlines, are making a difference or have built their own empires in the place they call home. Whether it’s the exercise guru sharing her expertise, the radio personality with an audience of fans, the self-taught cook overflowing with talent or the morning news anchor with charisma to spare, these women put Columbia on the map in more ways than one. They work hard, play hard and continually inspire us to follow our bliss.

By Angela Huhman Photos by Anthony Jinson

columbiahomemagazine.com | 41

Columbia’s Rachael Ray

tina patel

Rachael Ray On Tina: Green silk shirt, Dillard’s, $31.15. Black leather asymmetrical skirt, Dillard’s, $79. Steve Madden Groovi pumps, Dillard’s, $99.99. Gold and orange chevron print cuff, Cha Boutique, $12. Gold solid triangle earrings, Girl Boutique, $12.99. Lastra round platter, Tallulahs, $119.

42 | October/november 2014

t

Tina Patel has been cooking since she was in the fourth grade. With a natural curiosity, she combines flavors and foods that will leave you asking for the recipe, but that’s half the problem — she doesn’t follow one. Without any formal cooking lessons, just her love for cooking and entertaining, she’s worked with Colin Cowie, opened her own restaurant and can whip up a dozen cupcakes on the fly.

Tina Patel is our local Racheal Ray. CH: How many cookbooks do you have, and do you have a favorite?

Tina: I don’t have as many as you would think; I have about 25 to 30. A friend gave me Joy of Cooking, and I love it because it explains things, though I don’t love it because it doesn’t have pictures, and I’m a picture girl. I do a lot of my stuff online, and Pinterest is my friend.

Fifteen minutes before I go to bed, I’ll scroll through and see what’s new and exciting. I don’t really have a favorite cookbook, though recently I’ve fallen in love with the Pioneer Women, mainly because her recipes are so down to earth, homey and yummy. I like to take her recipes and just add my own spin. She has a recipe for sesame noodles that are to die for, and I like to make a big batch of those and then add chicken, beef, shrimp or make it as a side dish.

CH: Healthy cooking and organic ingredients are very important for a lot of people these days. How do you incorporate healthy options into your everyday meal planning?

Tina: If I’m baking, it’s a little hard.

If you health it up too much, it’s likely to change the texture or taste, but I will throw in some zucchini, carrots or healthy additions, and people don’t even know it’s in there. For me, sweet treats are just fun. If I’m cooking, it’s a little easier to throw in fresh ingredients such as sautéed spinach. And I try to use ingredients that are in season.

CH: At what age did you start cooking? Do you remember what your first dish was?

Tina: I’ve been cooking since I was really young. My mom was Indian, so she was always cooking Indian food, and I remember going to the library as a little girl, I’d always come back with a cookbook. My mom was a good cook, and I learned about adding spices and combining different flavors from her. My cooking really started from trial and error and a natural curiosity. Now food is a communal thing for me. It’s how we get together as a family, so I’m always having people over, and there’s always food, wine and fun. Some people are outdoorsy; I’m kitcheny.

CH: How long have you been in Columbia?

Tina: I’ve been in Columbia since 1999. I went to the University of Missouri and studied broadcast journalism. I didn’t really find my way and ended up graduating with a political science and communications degree.

CH: Now you are working at the Country Club of Missouri. How did you get into food service?

Tina: Yes, I’m the director of events at the Country Club of Missouri. I’ve been working in restaurants since I was 16 and got my first job out of college at the Holiday Inn Executive Center doing convention services. I really wanted to do weddings though, so I talked my boss into letting me be a full-fledged wedding planner.

It was stressful, but at the end of the day, you’re doing something amazing for someone, and you’re hoping you can create a memory of a lifetime for them. The food, beverages, ambience and entertainment are the center of the party.

CH: What are some of your favorite ingredients?

Tina: My spice cabinet is huge, and I experiment all the time. I use a lot of yellow curry, dill, basil, Herbes de Provence, fresh ground pepper and sea salt. I love to cook with fresh herbs, so I’m always pulling things from my herb garden like fresh thyme, oregano, mint and basil.

Every season brings new spices to work with.

CH: There’s a lot of creativity that comes with cooking. Would you say you are creative?

Tina: For me cooking is a lot of stress relief, so if I’m having a really bad day, I go home and bake a loaf of zucchini bread. People around me know when it’s been a really stressful week because I come to work with a few dozen cupcakes and batches of whatever’s in my kitchen cabinets.

CH: What would you say to the noncook? How would you get him or her into the kitchen?

Tina: I’d give them a really basic cookbook and tell them to invite some friends, I’ll bring the wine, and let’s just have fun. I think if people really learn the basics of cooking, they are less scared of it. I would actually love to write a cookbook that covers all the questions people have when they start cooking including step-by-step instructions.

Most recipes list ingredients with instructions but lack the explanations for why you should fold something in or what’s going to happen if you don’t. I can see why it’s frustrating for people who haven’t cooked before; the recipe might have an easy star by it but be far from easy.

Follow Tina’s Pinterest board at: pinterest.com/patina1218 columbiahomemagazine.com | 43

Our resident Jillian Michaels

amanda barnes

Jillian Michaels On Amanda: Sports bra tank, Pure Barr, $79. Nike spandex, Dillard’s, $65. Nike Free 5.0 Training Fit shoes, Dillard’s, $100.

44 | October/november 2014

w With a list of certifications a mile long — including certified personal trainer, health coach, fitness instructor, spinning instructor, Zumba instructor, American Heart Association and certified American Red Cross instructor — how does Amanda Barnes find time to continue her learning, do a weekly wellness segment on KOMU 8 and run her business?

CH: You have more than 20 years of experience in fitness. When and how did you start in the fitness industry?

Amanda: I started teaching fitness and doing personal training for my friends when I was a sophomore in college. It wasn’t until I moved back to Columbia in 1994 that it became something I did full time. No matter where I was or what I was doing, I always had myself rooted in fitness. It was the one thing that was consistent in my life.

CH: You’re also a wellness coach for KOMU and write a weekly blog that covers wellness issues, right?

Amanda: I do segments that air every Monday at noon. I write the segment and corresponding blog posts that appear online. I also write a daily exercise tweet that goes out and am very active on social media.

CH: A lot of times if you’re passionate about something, you have a hard time attaching a monetary value to it because you love it and don’t do it for the money.

Was it hard for you to start charging for something you loved doing?

Amanda: If you love what you do, and you recognize that there’s a value from that, then you can turn it into earning an income. For me, I like being accessible. When I was in California, market rate was $200 an hour, and there’s a demographic for that. I’d rather help the 79-year-old lady get around better. Getting access to fitness and health shouldn’t be a luxury, and it should be affordable. I look at my week and determine how many hours I can work and what I need to live, and that’s how I created my structure.

CH: You have created a great personal brand, B by Barnes. Tell me what it’s like to take something you are passionate about and create a business from it?

Amanda: Building a fitness brand really was a no-brainer to me. My background in health and wellness came from my mother and father, who are both RNs and owned home health care businesses.

My brother has cerebral palsy, and I grew up taking care of him. I’ve always taken care of people and understood what was necessary for a healthy lifestyle. It was a natural progression for me.

CH: Speaking of real-life application, you help train the Columbia firefighters?

Amanda: Yes, I helped create the physical training for the academy and then did some on-site training to help reduce injury. The academy program was fun. I created a series of different workouts for them to do on a weekly basis so every day there was a different workout to help build strength, endurance and then work on balance and different application to help with everyday situations. I also work with several police officers.

CH: How did you get into on-the-job physical training?

Amanda: Managing MMA fighters gave me my in. Police, firefighters and military are professions called tactical athletes.

I’ve gone to several different conferences and did research, so I understood what types of on-the-job physical training they need. Most of these professions require you to have to recover very quickly. You’re up on feet, you’re down on the ground, and you have to be able to make quick transitions.

CH: How do you make time for your own workout?

Amanda: I try and build time into my schedule for my own workout. Most of the time, people, especially women, like to work out with a partner so they can mimic your movements, so I do quite a bit every day. My boyfriend also helps me get my time in; he’s big and muscly.

CH: Physical measurement and goals can be easy to measure, but I’m sure there’s a huge emotional transformation that you see from your clients. What’s the biggest impact you’ve made?

Amanda: I had a 9-year-old I was talking with, and he was sad that he was putting a lot of work in and not seeing any physical changes. So I said, “Can you think of anything that’s gotten any easier for you since we’ve started working together?” And he stood there for a minute and looked off and said: “Well, I don’t have to stop on the hill halfway up anymore when riding my bike. I can go all the way up without stopping.” And I said, “Huge success.” For everyone I work with, there’s always an emotional side to reaching health goals, and what that emotional success is will be different for everyone. Those are the stories that mean something to me. It’s changing the way they live their lives. Real-world application is what’s important.

CH: It’s hard changing people’s behavior if it’s not something they grew up around.

How do you get the people you coach to change bad habits?

Amanda: I find that it’s usually an emotional trigger that leads to a lifestyle change; it’s not about a quick fix. Sure I have clients who have a high school reunion and have goals to get into a size 6 in two weeks, but it’s really about making major changes in the way people live. I take stock in what people really want to change, and we create a step-by-step goal list. We then look at the environment and what needs to change so we can offer the support you need, and then we take a look at schedule. Moms have a lot going on, and they tend to put everyone else in front of their needs. It’s like when you’re on an airplane. They tell you to make sure you put your air mask on before you assist anyone else. If you’re not around to help them, how can you be of any help at all?

Connect with Amanda on Facebook and Twitter to stay motived: bebybarnes.com columbiahomemagazine.com | 45

Our own Katie Couric

megan judy

Katie Couric On Megan: Dress, Motherhood Maternity, $75. Earrings, Francesca's, $20. Bracelet, Stella & Dot, $60.

46 | October/november 2014

m Megan Judy is up before the sun each day to anchor the morning news on KOMU 8, and her day job continues as a teacher at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. She’s also a wife, a mom and an active philanthropist. So what’s her secret?

Time management and a heart for everything she does.

CH: You’re a busy girl! Not only do you wake up every day at 3 a.m. to anchor the morning news on KOMU 8, but you also teach at the MU School of Journalism and are involved with many local charities. And you’re also a mom to Cooper. Is keeping up with all of that challenging? How do you do it all?

Megan: Oh my, it’s all about time management and just trying to keep all of the balls in the air. I sometimes joke I hold life together with dental floss and Scotch tape, but we get it all in! My schedule starts early, and it’s crazy, but it affords me a lot of time with my family. Cooper is one of my most favorite people to hang out with, and my schedule (though short on sleep) allows for that. I don’t miss field trips or ball games, which are very important to a third-grade boy. I’m very fortunate.

CH: I’m sure you have many behindthe-scenes blooper moments that we don’t get to see. Tell us a little about what goes on behind the scenes at the TV station.

Megan: Behind the scenes, we aren’t much different from how we are on air. The morning team is really close, so we do lots and lots of chatting the second we get to break. We talk about our families, life events — big and small — and share parenting tips. We crank up the music here and there.

Eric Aldrich, Angie Bailey and I always joke it takes us the full two and a half hours to finish a conversation because we take breaks to do the show.

I’m really lucky; Angie is one of my very best friends, so getting to work with her every day is such a blessing.

CH: You are expecting a baby girl in early December. What’s the excitement level in your house like?

Megan: We are moving from dinosaurs and Star Wars trivia to tea parties and ruffles. Clara Honor Judy will arrive somewhere around the beginning of December. Cliff, Cooper and I are really excited!

When we were waiting to find out if we were having a boy or a girl, our 8-year-old made it clear he didn’t care. Cooper said: "If it’s a boy, I’ll teach him baseball. If it’s a girl, I’ll scare her! It’ll be great!" I always say I’m a good boy mom because I’ll wrestle and throw the football, but my French-braid skills have been largely underutilized. I didn’t dance for 20 years for nothing! Clara Judy is going to get some ballet slippers and tutus if it’s the last thing I do!

CH: I read that you have a real life My Best Friend’s Wedding story; your best friend, or man of honor, was Chance Seales.

Megan: Oh my gosh, Chance is the best friend everyone wishes they had. I’m glad I snagged him! In our wedding, I had a man of honor, Chance, and a matron of honor, Amie Smith. Amie and I grew up together.

She’s been like a sister to me and my third lung since first grade. My former co-anchor Chance and I are completely inseparable, too. Luckily, my husband was fully aware of the package deal he got when he married me! Chance and I anchored the morning show together for a year. He lives in D.C. now, and I just got to visit him. We talk every day. There’s lots of collaboration. You know, dress or skirt? Curl my hair or leave it straight? Is the guy he’s seeing going to make the third-date cut? Chance was very enmeshed in the exhausting analysis when Cliff and I started dating. I know mid-Missouri misses seeing him on KOMU, and I miss him like crazy.

CH: You grew up in St. Louis and are a big Cardinals fan. What’s the most allout sports fanatic thing you’ve done?

Megan: I’m a huge Cardinals fan.

One of my first words was “Willie,” as in Willie McGee. We always have a baseball game on in our house. My husband is just as big of a Royals fan as I am of the Cardinals. Cooper, the little peacekeeper, roots for both teams.

He plays Switzerland when the Cards play the Royals, which luckily doesn’t happen often. The bets are too intense!

We have a baby girl on the way; her first baseball outfit’s fate was decided by which team won the Cards vs.

Royals series this year. To my chagrin, our little girl will be donning Royals blue before she sports Cardinal red.

CH: You recently were married, and now you’re Megan Judy. Tell me about the proposal and how you met.

Megan: Yes, I traded Murphy for Judy.

My husband, Cliff, and I were married in January. He’s the best. I really hit the husband jackpot. Cliff always says he’s not romantic; he just does romantic things.

I totally disagree. He’s very romantic.

Then again, I’m easy to please. He’s helpful around the house with cooking, grocery shopping and laundry. That’s romance in my book! Cliff and I met in journalism school. I graduated in ’04, and he graduated in ’05. We were friendly but didn’t hang out or anything. We didn’t speak again until June of 2011 when we reconnected on — groan — Facebook. It’s so cliché these days, but my goodness, I’m so grateful. We talked on Facebook for a couple of weeks, and then Cliff visited Columbia from Kansas City. When I saw him get out of his car, that was it. I was completely hooked. He proposed during my morning newscast on a Friday in August of 2013. I was speechless, which never happens! I’m a really lucky girl. Cliff brings out the best in everyone.

Connect with Megan Judy on Facebook: facebook.com/komumegan or on Twitter: @Komumegan columbiahomemagazine.com | 47

Columbia’s Laura Ingraham

renee hulshof

Laura Ingraham On Renee: Army green fitted jacket, Cha Boutique, $139. Calvin Klein pink shirt with gold zipper detail, Dillard’s, $69.50. Round gold earrings, Dillard’s, $21.95.

Taupe pleated trouser, Klassy’s Fashion, $45. Steve Madden Gallery pump, Dillard’s, $79.99.

48 | October/november 2014

o Outspoken, smart and incredibly funny, Renee Hulshof is someone you remember. As the mom of two girls, Casey, 15, and Hanna, 11; wife of 19 years to Kenny Hulshof; and conservative voice on KFRU’s The Morning Meeting, she’s also very busy.

In addition to all that, she makes time to volunteer at the girls’ schools and is still an engaged professional. It’s really the best of both worlds. So how does she do it?

CH: Walk me through a typical day.

Renee: School starts at 7:40 a.m. on the west side of town at Our Lady of Lourdes, so we leave every morning at 7:15 to 7:20 and then go all the way south and drop off our oldest at Father Tolten, and I inch my way back through town to have my second cup of coffee.

I then make the beds and sit at the kitchen table and do my radio prep. I look through Twitter and Facebook, the paper. With kids I don’t do much media in the evenings because I’m dealing with dinner, homework and whatever else needs to happen to make it all run smoothly. So after plugging back in to what’s happening around me, I leave the house at 8:45 a.m. and head to the station. I will often walk in when the theme song is playing; I cut it that close.

We do book our own guests. Sometimes people think we have our own producers, but we don’t. We each have different relationships, so we break the work up and decide who’s going to call whom. We do have regularly scheduled programing with guests who come on the show. We do block, record a promo, and by 11:15 a.m., I’m out of there. A long time ago they offered me an office, and I said no. I just couldn’t take care of one more thing. It wasn’t happening!

CH: Your girls are getting older.

How has your parenting style changed from when they were younger?

Renee: Years ago I went to see Yakov Smirnoff (the Branson comedy show), and I was talking to him backstage before he went on stage, and he asked if I had kids. At the time the girls were 5 and 8, and he said to me: “Oh, you’re in the easy phase. Wait until your kids are my age. You go from being their manager to their consultant.”

I looked at him with this look on my face, and he explained that when they are younger, you manage everything, from what they wear to what they eat; you control everything and they are fine with that. Later when they get older, they ask, “What should I do?” and you offer your advice; they’ll consider it and may or may not take it. And I’m looking at this guy that’s a funny comedian who’s come to speak to us, and I’m thinking that’s the smartest thing I’ve ever heard. Being a good consultant, a consultant whom they will listen to and take the advice of, is the key. You don’t want to still be their manager, or they will not even hear you. And you don’t want them living in your basement!

CH: You’re a busy mom, radio talk show host, volunteer and Kenny Hulshof ’s wife. What are your tips for keeping it all together?

Renee: I’m always on the move; we’re in our car all the time! Portable means keeping a first aid kit in the car at all times — my husband, Kenny, is horrified. I keep wipes, towels, scissors…the list goes on.

CH: Managing your time sometimes means saying no. How do you develop the power to say no?

Renee: I had to set the priorities of what’s important to me and put the big rocks in first. I use the old analogy of the jar and the rocks, the sand and the water. What has to go in first? I kept putting the sand and the water in and wondering why the rocks wouldn’t go in. So the big rocks go in first, and for me that’s kids and family. It wasn’t until Kenny went back into Congress that I put a job back in. And it had to be a manageable job. My job requires a lot of reading, and I’ve had to adapt to getting my information much differently from when I was at the J-School. Social media involves who you follow and the way it feeds you information. When you say you’re on Facebook now, it doesn’t mean you’re looking at cat pictures anymore. We live in a wired society.

CH: You’ve been co-hosting with Simon Rose on KFRU’s The Morning Meeting for six years now, but your position is often different from Simon’s. What’s it like working with someone every day who often has opposing views?

Renee: I admire Simon, adore him to pieces. He’s great fun, and generally we like each other and get along very well. We have a different flavor to the show, but my job is to take a position.

We don’t come to the air with a topic to disagree on. Some people say I don’t argue with him enough, and others say I argue too much, so it’s hard to please everyone all of the time.

Connect with and follow Renee on Twitter: @Reneehulshof columbiahomemagazine.com | 49

iron 50 | October/november 2014

Laurie Digges takes on the challenge of a lifetime and forges a remarkable friendship along the way.

E

By Nancy Yang | Photos By Casey Buckman

Early on the morning of July 27, Laurie Digges gazed out at the cool waters of Alta Lake near Whistler, British Columbia, and said to herself, “Let’s do it.” With that, she plunged into the thunderous wake of hundreds of wet-suited athletes and started to swim. So began the moment she had been working toward for nearly a year.

“The water was crystal clear, there was fog coming up over the lake, and the sun was coming up over the glacial peaks,” Laurie says. “It was just magnificent.

We had done all the work. This is what you train for.”

Laurie and her friend Mackenzie Rickman had traveled to B.C. to compete in Ironman Canada, the most difficult Ironman in North America. The oneday event, an extreme triathlon that includes a 2.4-mile swim, 112 miles of mountain cycling and a marathon, would test the bounds of their athleticism, forge a remarkable friendship and put some demons to rest.

A year earlier, Laurie hadn’t been able to walk. On Aug. 7, 2013, she suffered multiple injuries when she was struck by a car and landed under it after the driver failed to stop at a stoplight.

“I heard a crash and never lost consciousness,” Laurie says. “I’m under the car looking up, thinking the back wheel is going to run over my head. But for whatever reason — I think the car hit the curb — the back wheel missed me. I remember looking up and seeing the underneath side of the car.”

Laurie was nearing the end of a training ride for the MS-150, a two-day cycling event that raises money for multiple sclerosis. She, Julia Norregaard and Lisa Rosen were stopped and unclipped in the bike lane on Green Meadows Road at Providence. Two cars were parked alongside them when a third car came from behind and ricocheted off the parked car that was closest to Laurie.

n columbiahomemagazine.com | 51

Laurie had been running competitively for 30 years and had completed seven Half Ironmans, but about a year before the accident, she retired from triathlons. She sold her gear and moved on.

“I knew that even though Laurie may not have admitted it at that time, it was a bucket-list item for her,” Mackenzie says. “And I knew that if she had somebody to do it with, she would do it, and it would be a great motivator to put the accident behind her.”

Mackenzie’s offer was about a whole lot more than the race.

“For the first nine years of doing races, Laurie was always the person who took me under her wing,” Mackenzie says. “No matter what race we did, she’d beat me. I always chased her and hoped some day to catch her. There were many races in which she hung back with me and did things slower for me. So this was my opportunity to help her.”

To Mackenzie’s surprise, Laurie registered for the Ironman in September — just after learning she didn’t need surgery. She was using a walker.

52 | October/november 2014

Top Photo by Casey Buckman. Bottom three Photos by FinisherPix.

“The car hit me, and I went under it,” Laurie says. “Julia flipped up over the car, and it finally came to rest on the pedestrian island. I’m awake, and Julia rushes over and sits next to me, screaming, and calls 911.” Jake Taylor, a friend and the driver of one of the parked cars, rushed over, as did construction workers nearby who were building what’s now Macadoodles.

“The ambulance arrived, the paramedics arrived, and I knew that while it was awful, it wasn’t life altering,” Laurie says. “I could move my fingers and my toes, I could scream, I could see, I could hear. But I knew, obviously, I was not right.”

Laurie’s bike had gone under the car with her, probably on top of her legs. Although the side of her body nearest the road was skinned from top to bottom, the upper side received the greatest impact. She suffered a crushed fibula, shattered cheekbone, sheared ear and lateral knee damage.

Laurie spent most of the evening at University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics Trauma Center and remained in the hospital for two more days.

Julia suffered injuries as well and was treated that evening. “I can’t say enough about the health care that I got that day,” Laurie says.

When she got home, it was unclear whether she’d need to have surgery on her knee. The doctors wouldn’t know for six weeks. Mackenzie, recognizing that six weeks of waiting would be an eternity for Laurie, suggested setting a goal.

When Laurie asked her what she had in mind, she said, “You need to do Ironman Canada.”

Bottom Photo by Casey Buckman. Top three Photos by FinisherPix.

Her rehab involved standing on a mat with her leg in a brace, trying to pick up her foot. Her goal was to walk to the mailbox.

By late October, they began meeting at the pool, and Laurie started getting stronger. The active lifestyle she had led for so many years paid off.

“There’s no question in my mind that conditioning helped,” Laurie says. “I love to be active.

There’s just a level of fitness with regular tennis, yoga, weight training and biking. I knew I had the base to gradually work my way up to Ironman training.”

Training began in January, and Laurie had the good fortune of spending much of the winter in a climate conducive to swimming, cycling and running. She and her husband, Charlie, went to Naples, Florida, in February. Mackenzie came down later that month to accompany her on her first venture back on the bike.

“We chose a scenic route, but it was busier than we thought,” Mackenzie says. “It took us into Fort Meyers Beach, and it was a weekend, so the traffic was unexpectedly heavy.” Along with the congestion, there wasn’t a bike lane for nearly half the ride, forcing the women to ride in a narrow space. Laurie was terrified, but remarkably, she pedaled through her fear and finished the ride. All 40 miles of it.

“If you are as fortunate as I to have a friend that will pick you up from the bottom and take you to the top, may you be so lucky.”

— Laurie Digges “I wasn’t going to let anybody put that fear in me,” she says. “I wasn’t going to let the driver of the car that hit me take away something I loved.

You work your way through it. It took a long time.”

When race day arrived, the women had acclimated themselves to long periods of biking and running. They had learned to push through pain and keep going when they wanted to stop, looking for inspiration along the way.

“The course was everything it was advertised to be,” Laurie says. “The venue was just awe inspiring. It was just glorious: glacial lakes, rivers the colors of the Caribbean. It took your breath away.”

NATURAL ELEMENTS LANDSCAPING

• plants provided by •

PIOTTER NURSERY

Equally incredible was the level of fitness required to complete the race. Eighty miles into the bike ride, the course rose 2,500 feet over 20 miles with 10 more miles to go from the top.

Then there was a marathon to run. The course followed a meandering valley trail and circled around a couple of lakes before doubling back for a second loop.

“A couple of times on the run, we passed some spectators and volunteers in wheelchairs,” Mackenzie says. “You just feel thankful you’re able to move. You find little things like that to remind you why you’re doing this.”

“I wasn’t going to let anybody put that fear in me. I wasn’t going to let the

GREEN THUMB TIP: Want to have trees with beautiful fall foliage in your yard for next year?

October is the perfect time to plant a tree! Stop by Piotter Nursery to find a wide selection of Fall Maple, Flaming Maple, Burning Bushes or Red Bud to add color to your yard.

RESIDENTIAL DESIGN | CUSTOM DESIGN TREES & SHRUBS | FALL LANDSCAPE & RENOVATION OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE 5065 N Clearview Rd., Columbia, MO | 573-673-4716 www.PiotterNursery.com | /PiotterNursery

54 | October/november 2014

driver of the car that hit me take away something I loved.”

— Laurie Digges Laurie and Mackenzie drew on each other’s strengths, which seemed to surface during different parts of the race. By the time they neared the finish line, the sun had set, and the announcer’s calls, once off in the distance, began to grow louder.

“You hear the announcer, you hear the people, you hear the music,” Laurie says. “You know it’s so close. You go down the 2/10-mile finish line, the only downhill of the course, and it’s lined with hundreds of screaming spectators and volunteers.

The announcer calls you by name: “Laurie Digges, you are an Ironman. Mackenzie Rickman, you are an Ironman.”

It was 9:30 p.m., 14 and a half hours after beginning at Alta Lake. The women beat their 15-hour goal by a long shot. Reflecting on the events leading up to that day, Mackenzie recalls the moment she learned Laurie had registered for the race.

“I literally almost fell off my chair,” she says.

“She couldn’t even walk. That’s when I committed that we were going to train together, we were going to race together; we were going to cross the finish line together.”

Laurie grasps Mackenzie’s hand, eyes welling up with tears. “If you are as fortunate as I to have a friend that will pick you up from the bottom and take you to the top, may you be so lucky.”

HAVE YOU

HEARD?

"

is where content meets creativity

Made in Missouri

As a small business owner, you need to make each advertising dollar count. Not only have many more new customers been walking in my door, but the staff at the Business Times Company is always thinking of ways for me to grow my business. The ad design always exceeds my expectations.

Laura Kitzi

"

Columbia Jazzercize Center

Frames Built to Last Deep Comfort Springs Premium Grade Cushioning Handcrafted Tailoring S. Stewart Home is an authorized dealer

S. Stewart affordable fine living...

HOME

1020 E Green Meadows Rd. Suite 112 in the Red Oak Plaza next to KOHL’S®

Open Mon-Sat 9-6 • 573-442-9131 •

New Fall/Winter Styles!

VISIT US

ON THE WEB @ columbiahl.com/advertise

FOR MORE INFO

Interior Design • Home Accents • Wall Art • Rugs Clocks • Seasonal Decor • Justice Furniture columbiahomemagazine.com | 55

thebalancingact

56 | October/november 2014

Developing a healthy work-life balance in a hectic world

By Stephanie Kubas

work hard, and play hard.

It’s one of the oldest sayings in the book, and it sounds simple enough.

But anyone who’s ever been employed knows that, more often than not, there just aren’t enough hours in a day to complete your to-do list. Add to that the responsibility of raising a family, and it’s easy to see the clock doesn’t always cooperate.

With so much on your plate, how do you create a healthier worklife balance?

“It means making sure you prioritize what you value rather than what society deems to be important,” says Rachel Sparks, life coach at Inner Spark Consulting, “to examine what kind of person you want to be and then support those behaviors or activities that will help you achieve it.”

Thankfully, employers are starting to understand. Since the early 1990s, there has been a work-life balance boom, with companies striving to develop new strategies that enhance productivity and quality of life.

“Technology has made it possible for employees to work a more flexible schedule, and that’s becoming an increasingly common practice,” Rachel says. “The idea of needing to take time off for family activities has also become more widely accepted.”

At the same time, 56 percent of working moms say they find it very or somewhat difficult to balance their responsibilities, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.

According to Rachel, that’s because, though work-life balance has improved, the distinction between the two has become increasingly difficult to distinguish. “In the past, home was a place we could escape work,” she says. “But now, it’s on our laptop, on our smartphone; it inevitably comes home with us.”

That’s why it’s more important than ever for working women to determine a strategy that works for them. Rachel suggests assessing your routine and determining where you can outsource to minimize stressors.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 57

“Take a step back to examine what activities drain your energy without adding value,” she says. “Then see how you can delegate those tasks that you spend a significant amount of time on.

For instance, if you can spend a little bit of money each week to have someone clean your house, and it allows you to reallocate even an hour of your time, then it could be worth it.”

Although that process sounds easy enough, Rachel acknowledges it’s not something you can do overnight.

“It takes time,” she says, “but it will allow you to have a laser focus on the aspects that really count with your family and at work. You’ll not only feel better but be able to be a better mother, partner and co-worker in the time that you’re saving.”

After you’ve stripped away stressors, Rachel’s next — and most important — piece of advice is one you likely hear often but don’t implement nearly enough: Take time for yourself.

“As a working mom, I know this sounds almost cliché, but it’s so necessary,” she says. “If we have free time, we feel like we should be spending it on our husband, our kids or our job.

It feels selfish to focus on ourselves. That’s just not the case. We need to set aside the time to relax, to meditate, to work our hobbies or even just to breathe.”

Even with these strategies in place, however, there are times when work and life inevitably overlap. It’s in those instances that you’ll be thankful if you prepare ahead of time.

“Work and life will always blur, so make sure you’ve set boundaries and have a support system in place,” Rachel says. “If you know you have a big project coming up at work, have preliminary conversations with your partner about what to expect and how they can help you through it. Then set boundaries for yourself. For instance, determine that you’ll only answer emails until a certain time of night, and stick to it. It’s all about limiting your commitments and making exceptions only when it’s absolutely necessary.”

In today’s world, busy seems to be the new normal for most families, but that doesn’t mean that stressed has to be your normal mindset.

“Just remember to be cognizant of your time,” Rachel says. “Continuously evaluate your values, and make sure your daily life is a reflection of them. It doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s not a task you’re ever finished with. It’s a process — an ever-evolving process.”

For more advice on achieving success in all areas of your life, visit InnerSparkConsulting.com.

58 | October/november 2014

Women in the Workforce

46%

79 percent of Americans believe it’s silly to assume women should automatically return to “traditional roles”

Of the U.S. labor force is women.

after the birth of a child.

9.1 Million businesses in the United States are women-owned, a number that comprises nearly 40 percent of all businesses.

The number of working moms has increased from 54.4 percent in 1962 to

35%

70.5 percent in 2012.

Of Women occupy management jobs.

Hours worked by moms have doubled since 1960.

$0.77 1 of 4 the amount Women make for every $1 that men earn.

houses is now led by a single mom who earns an average income of just $23,000.

women

are the primary breadwinners in 40 percent of U.S. households today, nearly four times the rate in 1960.

Women who have to respond to work-related phone calls or emails outside of normal work hours feel higher levels of distress than men.

56 percent of working moms say they find it very to somewhat difficult to balance their responsibilities.

5.1 Million

(37 percent) who are the primary breadwinners are married mothers who have a higher income than their husbands, and 8.6 million (63 percent) are single mothers.

Sources: OECD Better Life Index, Pew Research Trends, The New York Times, Forbes, Think Progress

How Real Women Handle Work-Life Balance

Stacy Brockmeier Director of New Business Development, MayeCreate Design

Emily Perkins Stylist, The Clip Joint

“I have an hour commute to work, so I have to be very organized and prioritize.

Planning meals has been a huge timesaver for me. I also use Google Docs for my grocery list so that I can add to it from anywhere (and my husband can, too!).

That way I’m able to run by the store without having to worry about not having my list.”

“I work all day, so when I get home, I want to spend as much time as possible with my family. We all cook together, which is really fun, and my son loves it.

My husband and I also try to coordinate our personal and gym times so that it doesn’t affect our family time. My biggest piece of advice for other moms is to always remember that you are amazing for balancing a career and a family.”

Samantha Myers Co-owner, Scott Patrick Myers Photography

Tammi Bunch medical records specialist, Columbia Family Medical Group

“We actually strive for our work and personal life to intersect because we love building genuine relationships with our clients. But I still try to be very mindful of my time and to be as present as possible in each moment. I also think it’s so important to make time for those things that restore and energize you; it’s really about determining your priorities and being very true and committed to living them.”

“My biggest challenge while raising children and managing our household was getting everything done. I realized early on that a clean house wasn’t as important as spending time with my husband and our children.

Making memories is what it’s all about. Be sure to create fun and loving moments so when they grow up, you can hold onto those sweet memories and continue making new ones when they come home to visit.”

Holly Sandbothe Senior Coding Specialist, Anthelio Healthcare Solutions

Stephanie Baehman Public Relations Coordinator, University of Missouri Health System

“I work from home, and, with my company, I have to both clock in and meet a quota during that time, so it’s very important to focus. That means sometimes I work off the clock to meet my eight-hour quota knowing I stopped six times to change a diaper or met friends for lunch. My biggest piece of advice is, when you return home, shut off work, and be an active part of your family.”

“My family is always first.

There are times when I have to go out of town for work, so technology has become a huge factor for us because I’m able to watch our boys play and do daily activities on FaceTime or Skype. It helps me feel like even though I can’t be there at the moment, I am still taking part in their day, and they know I am always thinking about them.”

Erica Martin Web Developer, MBS Textbooks Exchange Inc.

Jayme Dement Customer Experience Manager, Bob McCosh Chevrolet

“For me, it’s about time management and getting the most out of it to maximize family time. We’ll blast music and dance at 6:30 in the morning, have crawling races down the hallway after work, then continue playing during dinner and bath time.

Time spent with friends is usually reserved for the weekend, and last but not least, I fit in my workouts (aka my personal time) when everyone else is asleep — usually very early in the morning.”

“My biggest challenge for maintaining a worklife balance is when things happen at the same time.

We use an app called Cozi as a shared family calendar that all of us have on our phones. The kids add their schedules and activities so they know what my husband and I have going on, and we can all plan accordingly. I even put my meal plans on there so that whoever gets home first can get started on dinner.”

Laura Kitzi Owner, Columbia Jazzercise Center

“A perfectly balanced family and business life rarely (actually never) occurs in my household. I may even go as far as to say that it’s not a balancing act I’m attempting to achieve.

Instead, I want my kids to see me work hard, struggle, suffer some misses and achieve some big hits both in business and at home.

Through that they learn their own lessons about balance, priorities and work ethic.”

Tracy Holmquest Accountant/Senior Tax Preparer, Accounting Plus

“When my daughter was young, I was her soccer coach, Girl Scout leader and bowling coach while still working a full-time job and running my own side business. My advice for other moms is to make the time to get involved because they really do grow up so fast. Before you know it, they are living life to the fullest on their own. I don’t regret getting involved in my daughter’s life because it provides the closeness and friendship we maintain to this day.”

columbiahomemagazine.com | 59

Passions

Where Lovers Shop Locally Owned Since 1999 BOONVILLE COLUMBIA MARSHALL | | I-70 Exit 103 1108 Bus. Loop 70E I-70 Exit 78B •

HOT LINGERIE FOR COLD NIGHTS Lingerie for lovers of all sizes.

60 | October/november 2014

styleguide

Live on Location Fashion editor Mitchell Drinkard gives his review of who rocked it at Columbia Home’s singles event.

Photos by whitney buck ner Left: On Nickie Davis: Hair by Jennifer Hovis, Blanc Studio (pictured below left). Necklace, Muse. Sky Dress from Cheap Monday, $95, Muse. 22 S. Ninth St., Columbia.

Below: Purse, Hobo International, Muse. Jewelry, Monserat De Lucca, Muse.

22 St. Ninth St., Columbia.

Above and left: On Chrystal Sadler: Shoes by Steve Madden, Dillard’s.

Dress and purse from Klassy’s. klassysfashion.com, 573-228-0834 columbiahomemagazine.com | 61

Styleguide

Right: On Alexis Hildebrand: Ear cuff, Rue 21.

Left: Chelsea Rutherford: Best Boots, Dillard’s.

Right: Pablo and Victoria: Best-dressed Couple.

Below: Adam Jobe, Best Ensemble.

Below left: Carol Gardner, white-onwhite ensemble. Below right: Casey Bond, necklace, Burlington.

Shoes and dress from Klassy’s. klassysfashion.com, 573-228-0834

62 | October/november 2014

excited

breaking ground summer-fall of 2015

WE’RE TO ANNOUNCE the future home of EcoWater Systems’

Columbia location - 2680 Starke Ln, 65202

Water Softeners & Refiners Drinking Water Systems Bottled Water and Salt Delivery Rent - Lease - Purchase

www.ecowater.com

Joel & Pam Mietzner, owners, and Linda Libert, representative

CHIROPRACTIC CAN ...help you be free of neck pain.

•••

DON’T GO EMPTY-HANDED. Bring a Tiger Striped pie to your next tailgate or BBQ. Why you ask? For this simple reason: everyone loves pie.

“When I arrived at Tiger Family Chiropractic after a neck injury over a year ago, I knew I was in a special place. I had never sought chiropractic care before & was somewhat skeptical. The positive energy, knowledge, and truly compassionate staff has kept me coming back. I’m walking taller & pain free as a result. I highly recommend them!”

-Sharon S.

Just be sure to call us 24 hours ahead of time to reserve your Tiger Striped Pie.

www.PJPies.com 3601 Buttonwood Dr., Ste. E Columbia, MO (573) 447-PIES | |

Dr. Amanda Signaigo-Owens, DC columbiahomemagazine.com | 63

64 | October/november 2014

Walk into Michele Towns’ home, and you’ll immediately feel a sense of creativity. Our Chicing It Up star collects a little bit of this and a little bit of that from everywhere including garage sales, estate sales and clearance closing sales. By adding Annie Sloan paint, elbow grease and a punch of Michele, her bargain furniture and accessories come to life.

around towns

By K ri st i McCa n n | P h oto by A n g el i q u e H u n t er

columbiahomemagazine.com | 65

Hunting for treasure

“I just enjoy a good bargain,” Michele says about her Saturday morning garage sale trips and convertible full of old unique finds. “There’s no better feeling than getting $1,000 worth of stuff for only $80.” Her motto is if she can spray it with a can of paint, it better come home with her.

The collector

Everything she repurposes is either something she already owns that she is sick of or something she has picked up along the way. “I sometimes buy stuff just because I like it, and I know I’ll use it one day,” Michele says. “The best is seeing something you’ve wanted for a long time for $5 at a garage sale.”

Tips from Michele

• If you’re thinking of repainting a piece, look at it and live with it for a day or two. Sometimes it takes me a couple days to come up with ideas, especially when painting.

• When I do decide on a color, I always put the paint on a poster board to hold up in front of the wall or furniture to make sure I’m happy with the color and look before I get too far into a project.

• It doesn’t hurt to take some cookies or rum cake to someone who gave you a really great deal or helped you on a project.

• Keep a supply of chalk paint on hand. There’s a cult of chalk painters here in Columbia, so we like to trade colors.

• Don’t forget your 40-percent-off coupon when shopping at Hobby Lobby!

66 | October/november 2014

LEFT: “I’ve started leaving the tops of pieces their original wood color,” Michele says. “If it looks good, why not?” very BOTTOM: One hundred fifty dollars on the piece, plus $50 worth of Annie Sloan chalk paint and wax equals Michele’s first work of art.

The beast

Although she says she’s always been into crafting and creating, Michele’s first personal DIY endeavor was an oversized Mediterranean-style cabinet that is on display in her formal dining room. “Nothing like go big, or go home, right?” Michele jokes. And this is where her obsession with chalk paint was born. “The finish on that was really glossy. That’s what’s so great about this paint. There’s no priming or sanding.

You can paint with no prep work.”

RIGHT: The fun and colorful pop to this room is an Anthropologie rug that Michele got for a steal at a local garage sale. TOP FAR RIGHT: “The box valance is actually a footboard from Itchy’s over on Providence,” Michele says.

“I harassed him enough, so he gave it to me for only $10.”

The last hoorah

“I really love my house,” Michele says, “but my kitchen was the last thing that needed to be done, and we completed the remodel earlier this year. My husband, Kevin; my daughter, Lauren; her boyfriend, Patrick; and my other daughter, Maddy, gutted the whole room. I enjoyed it a lot because I watch way too many people do it on TV.” The whole project went smoothly with contractors coming when they said they would. “Kevin swears it was because they were afraid of me, but I was really nice to them,” Michele says. We’re sure the cookies helped, Michele!

The Towns knew they wanted Bruce hardwood floors because they had held

up for 15 years in the other parts of their home. Kalin Sharkey from Show Me Cabinets was a huge help in everything from the cabinets to the overall design and layout of the space. Michele says she had a wonderful experience with Martellaro Granite, and she couldn’t be happier about her choice to install a gas stove.

The remodel was complete after six short weeks and without a contractor because Michele knew what she wanted and had the connections in town. As much as she loves her new cooking and entertaining space, Michele’s favorite item is still the $15 piece of trim she got off Craigslist because she’s a true bargain girl at heart. columbiahomemagazine.com | 67

Chests For Children

It seems like Michele has in some way recreated or put her personal stamp on everything in her home, but she doesn’t just create pieces for herself.

She got really involved with DIY projects when she donated pieces to Chests For Children, a fundraiser for the nonprofit daycare Mary Lee Johnston Community Learning Center. And when she’s not donating Mod Podged tables or toy boxes, she often has a project waiting in her garage for a friend or family member.

LEFT: This was originally a fruit-patterned cabinet from back in the day that Michele spent $100 on. She had mirrors cut downtown for $15, purchased half-price knobs at Hobby Lobby for $5 each and added $15 to $20 of chalk paint. Voila! BELOW: “I sprayed these lamps with Rustoleum paint,” Michele says. “They have tons of colors, everything from shiny to a hammered look. And those crystals? I got them at The Marketplace when they were closing. I’m pretty sure they’re Christmas ornaments.”

The Towns takeover

“I just got done recreating a master bedroom for one of my friends,” Michele says. “That was a lot of fun. They already had a beautiful SherwinWilliams paint color on the wall and brand new bedding, but I got to add in painted picture frames, a handmade bench and some other fun projects.”

Michele created all new pieces for her daughter Lauren’s place in Kansas City. “I did some really great furniture if I do say so myself,” she says.

Michele’s friends and neighbors are continually asking her for tips and advice on pieces. “You have a project you want to work on?” she asks.

“Come on over, and we’ll get started.”

“At the end of the day, it’s really all just stuff,” Michele says about her continual collecting and bargaining skills. “I do it because I like to have projects going on. Honestly, I can’t sit still.”

For Michele, the whole process is enjoyable: everything from the “hunt and kill,” as she calls her purchasing process, to seeing her friends and family enjoy the completed creations.

68 | October/november 2014

Company coming for the holidays?

TRAIN RIDES RESERVATIONS REQUIRED Princess Lunch Train

Locally Owned • American Made

Next to Bright City Lights 1400 Heriford Road, Columbia, MO 573-777-5999

light

SHED SOME ON YOUR HOLIDAY FEAST

Nov. 8, 2014, 12 p.m.

This train is for your little Princess! She comes dressed up as her favorite Princess while your family enjoys a two hour train ride, lunch, and interactive activities with four big Princesses.

Hobo Halloween Lunch Train Oct. 18th & 25th, 12 p.m.

Enjoy a two hour train ride, lunch and Halloween activities with the “Wacky Witches.” Everyone is enouraged to come in their favorite costume! An Annual Favorite!

Haunted Dinner Train

Oct. 31st, 7-10 p.m.

The ghosts of a famous 1870 local railroad murder haunt the tracks as you enjoy a two hour dinner.

Everyone is encouraged to dress in your favorite costume!

Sunday Family Dinner Train Each & every Sunday, 1-3 p.m.

This train offers a three-course fresh prepared onboard meal while traveling by train through scenic mid-Missouri countryside rolling past your window.

Bright City Lights

1400 Heriford Rd., Columbia, MO Phone: (573) 474-8890

6501 N. Brown Station Rd. Columbia, MO 573-474-2223 www.DinnerTrain.com tickets@dinnertrain.com columbiahomemagazine.com | 69

Photographs that’ll give you warm, fuzzy feelings.

Call Valérie today to set up a photo shoot!

Once you’ve gotten your pet photographed, ask about turning the photo into custom gift cards, canvas prints and more.

Find the perfect accessories for your backyard paradise.

Mention this ad and save 10% off garden decor and wine gift products!

www.PetsAndPalsPhotography.com Valérie Berta (909) 229-8963 Read the blog, Of Pets and Pals /PetsAndPalsPhotography

70 | October/november 2014

2010 Chapel Plaza Ct., Columbia, MO 573-446-5941 www.songbirdstation.com

ho m e t r e n d s

Y-O-U Can D-I-Y

With the popularity of Pinterest and growing trends in refurbished furniture, just about anyone can take accessible and often free materials and turn them into usable organizational pieces that are one of a kind. By Jesse Bodine

I

I think the most important thing to remember when decorating or taking on a DIY project is to be fearless and just go for it. Search for items that you love and that speak to you. Many people want a new look to a room or their home but are paralyzed by the fear that they’ll mess up or not do the right thing. Nothing is permanent when it comes to decorating. Try something out, and if you don’t love it, you can always change it.

Invest in the larger pieces that frequently get used, such as your sofas or sitting chairs. I’m all about sticking to a budget and stretching your dollar, but I love going to Habitat for Humanity Restore. You never know what you’ll find there. Occasionally, you’ll have to do some digging, but I’ve always had good luck with their lighting and old doors.

Craigslist and Goodwill are two other places I often check out if I’m looking for used furniture. If you are looking for used pieces, try to focus on the lines of a piece. Ignore the out-of-date fabric or any small scratches or imperfections in the wood.

You can always sand and paint furniture that isn’t in pristine condition but is otherwise structurally sound. Most of the time recovering a cushion with new fabric is fairly simple, too.

Swapping out the old hardware for new is also an easy fix.

Shop your own home. Don’t be afraid to switch things up.

Something that has been in your office might look great in your living room and will give it a whole new feel. That’s why buying pieces that you’re drawn to and love is so important.

Most importantly, have fun!

Play around, be bold and step outside your comfort zone.

Search Pinterest or online for images that you love. Maybe you can’t do a chevron or rustic wood-paneled accent wall, but you can find a chevron vase or pillow and wood bowls or a small wood accent table that would mimic what you loved in the inspiration image.

It is possible to have a functional home that’s still beautiful and represents your family. If you’re tackling a room makeover, think about how you want this room to function for your household.

Don’t forget to add those special pieces in that represent who lives there. Create a gallery wall, and include artwork from your kids.

Pull out the boxes in the attic, and go through them looking for things that you hold dear or are associated with memories. Frame a memento from your first date, or hang special pieces in shadow boxes to highlight your family’s past. When you travel, be on the lookout for something special to bring back to your home to display.

Yarhouse Fabrics: I love that we have a local store that carries modern and fresh fabrics that are also reasonably priced. There are many sewing blogs that teach you how to sew a pillow cover or drapes, and I think people would actually be surprised that those are things even a novice can do. Pillows are a simple way to pull a new color into a room to give it a fresh feel and can easily be changed out with the seasons.

Paint is powerful.

Simply changing the paint color can make a dramatic difference in the feel and look of a room. Sherwin-Williams and Johnston Paint & Decorating are great options, and they both have knowledgeable staff that can help you find the perfect color to suit your needs.

Johnston now carries Cottage Paint, which is a paint used specifically to paint furniture and requires no sanding or priming.

Jesse Bodine started her blog, Scout & Nimble, in fall 2011 as a way to share her love for interior design and DIY home projects. She has grown Scout & Nimble over the years and recently expanded her brand by launching a new furniture and home décor retail site, where designers from all over the country create and design rooms using products from top manufacturers for you to browse and shop.

She’s passionate about helping others create beautiful, well-designed spaces within their homes that reflect their style and personality and enjoys working one on one with clients. In her free time, she loves being with her husband and two adorable boys.

Website: scoutandnimble.com • Blog: blog.scoutandnimble.com Instagram: @scoutandnimble • Pinterest: pinterest.com/jessebodine Facebook: facebook.com/ scoutandnimble • Twitter: @scoutandnimble

columbiahomemagazine.com | 71

Celebrate

National Karastan Month!

Stop in at Carpet One to see why Karastan carpets and rugs are the perfect choice for your home and family.

72 | October/november 2014

IMAGINE

IN YOUR HOME Only Karastan combines the best manufacturing techniques with the purest New Zealand wool to bring you exceptional carpets and rugs.

It’s no wonder Karastan wools offer numerous advantages for you and your family: EASY TO CLEAN. Natural resilience to dirt and soiling make Karastan wools exceptionally easy to maintain. Non-Allergenic. Karastan wools are safe for your family. Wool is a non-allergenic fiber; it does not promote the growth of bacteria or dust mites, or give off harmful emissions.

STRONG AND DURABLE. Patented woven technology ensures Karastan wools are incredibly durable and strong, creating products that last.

CRUSH RESISTANT. Natural crimp gives Karastan wools built-in resilience to crushing.

Furniture marks disappear when the fiber is gently moistened and allowed to recover naturally.

INHERENTLY FIRE SAFE. Naturally flame retardant, Karastan wools are difficult to ignite, do not melt, and are self-extinguishable.

RESISTANT TO STATIC. Karastan wools do not suffer from static electricity build-up.

COMFORTABLE. Inherent bulk and resilience gives Karastan wools superior sound and heat insulating properties.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY. Karastan practices environmentally responsible, energy efficient, and safe manufacturing procedures that pair well with the natural beauty and sustainability of New Zealand wool.

All of these advantages paired with great style and design make Karastan an ideal choice for your family. Imagine the possibilities; imagine Karastan in your home. Stop in to Carpet One today to talk to a flooring expert to see how Karastan carpets and rugs would best suit your daily life!

CARPET ONE FLOOR AND HOME: The Flooring Experts.

105 Business Loop 70 E. | 573-449-0081 | www.MidMOFloorPros.com columbiahomemagazine.com | 73

It’s possible It’s possib

WHO HAS TIME TO TAKE A BREAK? YOU SURE DON’T.

At Restoration Eye Care, Mid-Missouri’s Home for an all-laser, blade-free custom iLASIK procedure, we get this.

You don’t need to feel dependent on glasses or contacts in order to keep up with your day, and we want to help you realize your best vision possible in a warm and welcoming environment.

You can increase the appraisal of your home when you’re ready to sell.

Gayla Schanbacher and Casey Marsch, professional interior designers at Mid-City Lumber, can help you update your home beautifully and economically.

GAYLA’S TIP:

“

Kari Reicha

rd Photog

raphy

Buyers are looking for tile showers in a new home in 2014.

CASEY’S TIP:

Contact us for your free screening!

www.RestorationEyeCare.com 573-441-7070 201 W. Broadway, Bldg. 4, Columbia MO

74 | October/november 2014

4709 Paris Road • Columbia, MO 573.474.9531 • midcitylumber.com

ard Photog raphy

Mid-City Lumber has four locations in Central Missouri. You can reach Gayla and Casey at their Jefferson City store. Call 573-636-6183 for their expert, on-location help wherever you live.

Kari Reich

“

Quartz countertops in a kitchen today can help increase the appraised value.

r e a l e s tat e

Let’s Talk about Transitions

Whether it’s choosing a house in the right school district or prepping your home for cooler weather, here’s how to be ready for the changing seasons ahead.

Photos by Anthony Jinson and whitney buckner

“I’m a Boone County native and have made Columbia my home since 1988. I’m a dad to a twin boy and girl; husband to my RN wife, Leslie; and a Realtor since 2001 who thoroughly enjoys working in the industry.”

– Jason Thornhill

“I have been working on homes for a large majority of my life.

I got my first handyman job working on a rental property at the age of 12. I have worked on everything including mowing, electrical, painting, roofing, landscaping and carpentry.”

– Matt Ford

“I understand the home loan process. Not only have I originated more than 800 home loans, but I have also purchased three homes myself.”

– Leighanne Lamb

“I am a Boone County native, so I understand our climate. With winter coming, it’s time to think about what makes any home more energy efficient.”

– Gary Hague

columbiahomemagazine.com | 75

r e a l e s tat e

Getting Schooled in Columbia Jason Thornhill refers new buyers to the district website for school recommendations and questions. By Jason Thornhill School District Map Discovery Early 36 Childhood Center-4001 Waco Road

15

23 Parkade Blvd.

N. Garth Ave.

d.

Pa ris R

12

Locust St.

16 Stadium Blv d.

19

Broadway

14

Shepard Blvd.

Audubon Dr.

Stewart Rd .

27

Business 63

18

W. Rollins Rd.

17

5 3 Walnut St.

Broadway

29 I-70

Hitt St.

Russell Blvd.

30

35 Two Mile Prairie Elementary School-5450 N. Route Z

Business Loop 70 E.

S William St

S. Fairview Rd.

24

E. 25 Sexto n Rd. Worley St.

College Ave.

31 7

10

I-70

1 West Blvd. N.

.

Clinkscales Rd.

Bernad ette Dr

Vandiver Dr.

St.

I-70

Alpha Hart Lewis Elementary School--5801 Arbor Pointe Parkway Battle High School-7575 E. St. Charles Road

N. William

20

Facilities and Construction Services-5909 Paris Road

3 y6 Hw

Oakland Gravel Rd.

6

Midway Heights Elementary School--8130 W. Highway 40

34 32

US

13

Blue Ridge Rd.

Brown Station Rd.



11 9

Smiley Ln.

US Hwy 63

Provid ence Rd

.

28

ru Fo m

22

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Bethel St.

21

Sinclair St.

. vd Bl

76 | October/november 2014

Columbia Public School District

e St Rangelin

W

We’ve officially made it through the initial craziness of a new school year. Supply shelves have been emptied, new outfits have been worn in and tears were shed as students of all ages waved goodbye to summer. Last year 17,905 students found their way into one of the Columbia Public School District’s 19 elementary, six intermediate and four high schools. A common question Realtors encounter is what we think of a particular school: an inquiry not to be taken lightly but one that most of us tend to avoid offering strong opinions on. I’ve taken the high road many a time when a buyer asks me for my opinion on a school near a home they are considering for purchase.

My first and most confident recommendation is to refer inquiring buyers to the Columbia Public School District website, cpsk12.org. Newly revamped and now providing myriad information, the website includes thorough breakdowns of student population diversity, achievement data and free- or reduced-lunch recipients. Add to that a school-year calendar and list of activities, newsletters, publications, the comprehensive plan and contact information for the administration, and visitors will find as much information about the district and individual schools within it as they could possibly need. A short visit to the website will help answer questions as buyers begin this factfinding in earnest.

The map you see pictured here helps provide a snapshot about general location of schools with regard to areas of town someone might be considering buying or building in.

Recent and ongoing facility improvements proceed as the community continues to support bond issuances. Rehabilitation and improvement of older buildings, addition of technology, construction of new facilities and elimination of trailers have increased capacity and comfort for many of the students and faculty who call CPS home. The newest of schools, Muriel Battle High School, is located in northeast Columbia off Lake of the Woods Road. As the first new high school in CPS since Rock Bridge High School opened in 1973, the addition of Battle alleviated overcrowding at Rock Bridge and David H. Hickman High School while wreaking havoc on attendance lines. In August 2013, the city saw the elimination of CPS junior highs and a return to the more traditional K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 setting.

Although new school openings create excitement, the reconfiguration of school boundaries creates an equal amount of anxiety. Those purchasing homes to raise children in a particular district found themselves dangling between districts while awaiting word of those changes. Much of that distress has gone away now, but

8 Center of Responsive Education--4600 Bethel Road

Hickman High School Rock Bridge High School Douglass High School Columbia Area Career Center Jefferson Junior High School Oakland Junior High School West Junior High School Gentry Middle School Lange Middle School Smithton Middle School Alpha Hart Lewis Elementary School Benton Elementary School

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Nifong Blvd.

4 2

Hw y1 63

26 33

Blue Ridge Elementary School Cedar Ridge Elementary School Derby Ridge Elementary School Fairview Elementary School Gifted Education Center/Title I Preschool Grant Elementary School Lee Elementary School Midway Heights Elementary School Mill Creek Elementary School New Haven Elementary School Parkade Elementary School Paxton Keeley Elementary School

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

Ridgeway Elementary School Rock Bridge Elementary School Russell Blvd. Elementary School Shepard Blvd. Elementary School Two Mile Prairie Elementary School West Blvd. Elementary School Administration Building Facilities and Construction Services Center of Responsive Education Early Childhood Education Center Battle High School Discovery Early Childhood Center

the importance of finding a district that meets the needs and wants of parents and their children will always be a critical component to deciding where to buy a home.

Jason Thornhill

Jason is a broker-owner at Weichert, Realtors – First Tier. Since 2001, he has closed nearly $100 million in transactions, and he prides himself on sharing honest advice with his homebuyers and sellers.

Jason’s positive reputation was built with hands-on representation and excelling in communication and teamwork with his clients.

r e a l e s tat e

Mortgage Industry Changes Learn about recent changes in the mortgage industry and how they affect you and your home. By Leighanne Lamb

W

We seem to hear a lot in the media about securing mortgage approval and the difficulties plaguing mortgage consumers. What are these changes they are talking about? Below we will discuss some of the changes to the mortgage industry that are a result of the Dodd-Frank Act and the questions consumers are asking.

What is Qualified Mortgage Rule?

On Jan. 10, 2014, the mortgage industry in the United States changed the qualification and requirements in an attempt to minimize the highrisk loans that became very common in the housing boom. These new regulations were designed to protect the consumer. One of the loans that Qualified Mortgage prohibits is the “negative amortization” option where the loan balance grows over time. Some of the other risky loans it limits are balloon loans and interest only.

Lenders are still able to make mortgage loans; the main change the consumer will notice is that the documentation guidelines are a little stricter for all loan purposes.

What is ATR? ATR stands for ability to repay. These new rules are set up in an effort to protect the consumer. The cfpb amended Regulations Z to prohibit a lender from making a higher-priced mortgage loan without consideration of the consumer’s ability to repay.

You as the consumer will be asked to provide reliable documentation to determine eligibility. The typical information lenders consider includes: • Current income and assets • Credit history • Monthly mortgage payment • Monthly mortgage-related expenses (property tax, insurance, homeowner association dues) • Other debts • Monthly debt payments compared to your monthly income • Residual income

What is the cfpb?

Cfpb is Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The cfpb was established in January of 2012 as a part of the Dodd-Frank Act. Cfpb was established by Congress to protect consumers by carrying out federal consumer financial laws. In January 2014 the cfpb set new rules for mortgage servicers, the company that collects for mortgage payments. Below are the servicing rules (taken from files. consumerfinance.gov/f/201301_cfpb_mortgage-servicing-rules_whatit-means-for-consumers.pdf ): 1. Give you billing information in writing; 2. Give you at least two months’ warning if a change in your adjustable rate mortgage interest rate means that your payments are about to change; 3. Promptly credit your payments; 4. Respond quickly when you ask about paying off your loan; 5. Not charge you for insurance you don’t need or overcharge you for force-placed insurance; 6. Quickly resolve complaints and share information; 7. Have and follow good customer service policies and procedures; 8. Contact you to help when you’re having trouble making your payments; 9. Work with you, if you are having trouble paying your mortgage, before starting or continuing foreclosure; 10. Allow you to seek review of the mortgage servicer’s decision about your loan workout request.

Leighanne Lamb

NMLS# 468555

Leighanne is a vice president of real estate lending at Landmark Bank with more than seven years of experience helping all kinds of buyers and homeowners with real estate financing. She has both her MBA and undergraduate degree in business management from William Woods University. Call her at 573-499-7307, or email her at Leighanne.Lamb@LandmarkBank.com. Landmark Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and a Member FDIC.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 77

r e a l e s tat e

It’s Beginning to Look Like Winter Waiting until the first sight of snow is a little late to ensure your home is in tip-top shape.

Mid-City Lumber shows you ways to practically prepare for the colder months. By Gary Hague

W

WINDOWS AND DOORS Over the past 20 years, the efficiency of windows and doors has come a long way. The R value (the resistance of particular material to conductive heat transfer) of windows has at least doubled, but if you notice draftiness in your house, it might be time for a window upgrade. Mid-City Lumber offers a wide range of replacement windows by Andersen, Silverline, Jeldwen, Simington and Ellison in styles and models that fit any home’s architecture and décor. All replacement windows are sized in house to ensure the least intrusive replacement necessary.

Check the weather stripping on your doors: These strips are considered wear items like tires on your car. Elasticity is lost with repetitive opening and closing, which will cause air leakage. These strips are also commonly chewed on by loveable family pets and serve as entertainment to kids who pull them loose. Also, don’t forget about the door sweep at the bottom.

Check the weather stripping on your windows: The most common spots for wear are at the meeting points of the two window sashes. Take a look at all latches on the windows and doors. These latches have adjustments on them to make sure there is the correct amount of tension so they will seal properly.

Hint: Another simple trick is to open your blinds or shades during the sunny part of the day and close them in the evening. This might seem minute, but everything helps.

INSULATION When it comes to defending your pocketbook, insulation is crucial. Insulation is normally installed when the home is being constructed with a minimum R-38 rating, which means it is 10 to 14 inches thick. Most of the time, the insulation is blown in. Over time, it will settle or blow around in storms because most attics are vented.

A quick trip to the attic with a flashlight, and these issues can easily be inspected. During your inspection, if you notice your insulation has settled or shifted, you have a couple of options: 1. Have a contractor add additional insulation.

2. Use batting insulation, and add it yourself (no machine necessary).

Many houses are light on insulation along the outside edge where the ceiling joists and outside walls meet. Over the past few years, this problem has been addressed by installing an energy heel on trusses or an energy rim on conventional framing. The energy rim allows additional insulation where the walls meet the roof system without limiting the ventilation of the roof system.

Hint: When checking your home’s insulation, do not overlook the garage.

Make sure it is adequately insulated where the two attic spaces meet. Insulation is one area where the more you have, the better.

78 | October/november 2014

EXTERIOR PENETRATIONS Exterior penetrations include things such as electrical conduits feeding the panel inside the house, as well as those going out to supply things such as air-conditioning condensers. Another common penetration is around the dryer vent.

A lot of penetrations with imperfections you can fix yourself. Spray foam sealant works great for large holes, and many sealants and caulking come in colors that match your house. There’s also Tamko roofing cement to help seal around flues and chimneys.

HEATING/AIR CONDITION SYSTEMS The HVAC system heats and cools your house and requires a lot of air circulation to work properly. Modern technology has made the newer systems deliver heat and air much more efficiently with a lot less energy consumption.

Do you have an older system?

• Do a simple walk around to make sure no furniture or rugs are blocking the outlet or return air ducts.

• Change the filter often, especially if you have pets, a wood-burning fireplace or live in a dusty area such as near a gravel road.

• Installing a programmable thermostat to change the temperature a few degrees night or day when you’re not at home can be a money saver.

Hint: If you’re not using a room, simply shut the door, and shut off vents to the room. There is no reason to heat unused space.

Safety Checklist Whether your home is old or new, checking for safety is important for a functioning home. Here are some tips and tricks to ensure your family and house are free of winter hazards: • Check all smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors, and change batteries if necessary.

• Check flues and condition of all wood-style heating equipment.

• Read and follow pilot light instructions on gas fireplaces/furnaces.

• Practice family fire drills and other emergency drills.

Gary Hague

Gary has a construction background and has worked for MidCity Lumber for 12 years. He specializes in siding, decking, roofing and insulation. Contact Gary at 573-474-9531.

r e a l e s tat e

From Summer to Fall

These preventive maintenance tips will keep your home in good shape through the changing seasons. By Matt Ford

T

The hottest days of the year are finally behind us, and the kids have gone back to school. Parents are familiar with making the adjustments from summer to school life with their kids, but as a homeowner, have you made the transition from summer to fall?

Homeowners and landlords, if you are interested in doing some preventive maintenance to your properties, here are some fall items I recommend.

Let’s start with your roof and siding: 1. Have you inspected your roof for missing or loose shingles? Are the plumbing boots cracked?

2. Have you checked your chimney for tuck-pointing, waterproofing or chimney caps?

3. Have you scanned your siding for holes due to hail or lawn mower damage?

Although observing the changing colors when driving down scenic Rock Quarry Road is a beautiful sight, it also means leaf cleanup season is upon us. Soon the leaves will begin their descent, and we’ll see them in our yards and on our streets. Several parts of Columbia, such as the Old Southwest, will experience a dumping of leaves. The older your neighborhood is, the more likely it is that you have a large mature tree nearby. These trees may send down an assortment of leaves, nuts, twigs and other debris that will start a gutter clog.

Next, gutters and downspouts: 1. Have you inspected your gutters and downspouts for debris?

2. Do they leak or overflow when it rains?

Each spring, contractors are overwhelmed with deferred maintenance from the years past. Why wait to repair or replace your screens in April when you could do it this fall? And while you have your screens off, it’s an excellent time to clean the inside and outside of each window.

Finally, your windows, inside and out: 1. Have you looked at your windows to see if the caulking is cracked?

2. What is the condition of your screens?

3. Can you see through your windows, or are there spots on them?

Matt Ford

Matt is the owner of Handy-Matt LLC, a company that has seen major growth over the past three and a half years. He works with a staff of six full-time team members as well as a handful of part-time employees. His company is licensed and insured and has an excellent rating on Angie’s List. For home repair assistance, email Matt at mford@weichertft.com.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 79

Which way would you rather spend your money?

A fun day at the game

—OR— your utility bill?

Lower your energy bills with the

Home Performance with Energy Star program

—up to $1200 in rebates —low interest loans to help finance the upgrades

Columbia Water & Light

ColumbiaPowerPartners.com • info@ColumbiaPowerPartners.com • 573-874-7325 80 | October/november 2014

DIY

#shelves

Boring bookshelves are a thing of the past with this modern take on a classic piece.

By Michele Towns | Photos by Joel and Andrea Pauley with Natural Insight Photo

BEFORE

Time for project completion: Five hours Project level: Intermediate Supplies: • 1 double roll Inspired

by Color black and white Easy Change Wallpaper, SherwinWilliams, $67.48 • 1 quart all-surface enamel black trim paint, SherwinWilliams, $22.89 • Leftover white trim paint Extra supplies: • Chess pieces, Hobby Lobby, $5 on sale • Gold art prints, Hobby Lobby, $30 • Deer head, Marshall’s, $18.99 Tools: • Scissors • Ruler • Tape measure • Razorblade • Sponges and rags AFTER

DIY Sponsored by

columbiahomemagazine.com | 81

DIY 1. Remove all items from bookcase.

2. Select your sure-strip completely removable wallpaper from Sherwin-Williams. *Note: I used pattern AP7480 from Sherwin-Williams’ Inspired by Color in black and white. I chose to use a border not only for the look but also for ease of installation; I didn’t have to cut it to fit. The width was 28 inches, and my shelf was 30 inches, so I chose to paint a black border in the remaining space.

Step 2

Step 3

3. Remove the shelves, and paint them with a fresh coat of paint.

Don’t forget to paint the trim of the bookcase with the same color. *Note: I used leftover trim paint from my last project, “Shut the Front Door,” in the August/ September issue of CH. 4. Measure the length of the shelves, and cut the wallpaper to fit, leaving a 1-inch border on all sides and the bottom. A razorblade slid against a straight ruler works great for cutting through the paper.

5. Roll the paper, and place it in a bathtub filled one-third of the way with water. Soak the paper for 30 seconds.

Step 4

Step 5

6. Remove the paper from the water, and book it together, pasting the glue lightly against the glue for five minutes.

7. Place the paper on the back of the bookshelf, and smooth it down with a clean sponge. Press down firmly to remove wrinkles and extra paste from the paper. *Note: Keep a clean sponge and rags handy to clean up the paste that will drip out of the paper.

8. After the paste is dry, add the shelves back into the bookshelf.

For a more modern look, vary the spacing on the bookshelf.

Extras: 9. Spray paint some of the extra knickknacks gold to coordinate with a more modern look.

Step 6

82 | October/november 2014

Step 7

10. Add a few books in with the modern elements.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 83

84 | October/november 2014

columbiahomemagazine.com | 85

takingcontrol

By Cyndi Frisby | Photos by Anthony Jinson

86 | October/november 2014

It was September 1994, and there I was staring in the mirror looking at this image staring back at me. I couldn’t remember the last time I liked the way I looked. Overweight for most of my life, I had tried — and failed at — dozens of weight-loss crash diets. I tried many diets and quick-fix interventions and had lost weight, but the weight always came back with a vengeance.

The change

One day I was looking at pictures of me and couldn’t believe my eyes. “Is that what I look like?” I asked myself. I looked at the pictures very closely, and I cried. The photos were a reality punch in my gut. I was embarrassed that I’d let myself get that large, and I knew right then and there something had to be done. Then it happened. One day a lovely older woman came up to me and said she wanted to give me a present for my “baby” — and I wasn’t pregnant.

Breakthrough moment

Depressed and incredibly sad, I suddenly realized that I, with God’s help, could take control and change. I took to every printed resource I could find that offered tips on losing weight and keeping it off. I made an Excel spreadsheet comparing every diet I had tried, how much I lost and how fast I gained it all back. Then, it suddenly dawned on me that there was one common theme with the diets: They all required foods that were “forbidden.” The minute I would reach my goal, I reverted back to all the foods I deprived myself of for weeks/months and thought I could eat them without restriction. What I needed to learn was how to eat things in moderation and live healthier without gaining more weight than I had lost. This breakthrough moment allowed me to lose close to 80 pounds, get down to a size 6 and become confident that I would never backslide into obesity again.

Yes, there were times when I would jump on the scale, and nothing happened. What I realized was that losing weight is a lot like having faith; every choice that I make might not yield immediate miracles or drastic changes that I can see, but I had to have faith and know that with each and every healthy choice I make, that choice yields results that are unseen (i.e., lowered blood pressure, speedy recovery from surgery and/or illness and lowered stress and feelings of anxiety).

The rewards

Now I have the energy to log six- to eight-mile jogs. I can run up and down stadium stairs, and as most of my friends will tell you, I am anything but camera shy. Now I like what I see in the mirror and in pictures. I’m finally at peace with the way I look.

Fitness is a lifelong journey. Set goals, and go after them. When I reach one goal, I set another one and pursue it just as furiously. I just focus on being better today than I was yesterday.

Staying loyal to my workout isn’t always easy. There are days when my workouts make me sore. Sometimes they may hurt. But the regret from quitting or not working out hurts me so much more. I use the gym and my jogs on Route K as a sanctuary to get away from everything: to think about my research, my students, my family and my relationship with God. Working out does not allow me to let negative thoughts or emotions get the best of me and control me. It’s funny, but working out becomes positive energy and good for my inner soul. I don’t need fancy equipment or nice weather; all I need is the right attitude, the gym or an open road along with the will to make myself look and feel better.

Tips to remember

• Start small: Don’t set large goals like losing 40 pounds in a month or that you are going to work out every day for an hour a day, especially if you are starting from scratch. I started out walking two days a week for 20 minutes and would reward myself when I would meet these goals after a week or two.

• Be consistent: One of the articles I read suggested that if you wake up at 7 a.m., set the alarm to get up 30 minutes early. Start with a short routine. The trainer of the article suggested that doing this for at least 12 weeks makes your workout routine become a habit, and by working out in the morning, you become consistent, and nothing will preclude your workout routine. Some people who work out after work, according to the article, find that life’s little interruptions will come along and distract from getting the workout in. Working out in the morning gets it off of your to-do list and also helps prepare you and put you in a good mood for the upcoming day.

• Add weights. Don’t just do cardio all the time: Lift weights! Replacing fat with muscle means you can burn more calories without even trying.

• Trick your sweet tooth. Eat baked sweet potatoes sprinkled with cinnamon.

• Auto-tune your workout. Listen to up-tempo music at the gym. When you move to the beat, your workout is easier and flies by.

• Change your workout every four to six weeks.

• Speak up when you eat out: When you eat out, ask what the dishes are cooked in. It’s your body; you should be able to decide what you put into it.

• Always be ready. I put everything out the night before: clothes, shoes and my water bottle. Then nothing can get in the way of my workout.

• My go-to snacks: Almonds, almond butter and fresh broccoli • Favorite motivational saying: “I know what I have to do, and I’m going to do whatever it takes. If I do it, I’ll come out a winner, and it doesn’t matter what anyone else does.” — Florence Griffith Joyner • The most listened-to songs on my iPod: “Love Never Felt So Good,” Michael Jackson; “Treasure,” Bruno Mars; “That’s OK” and “She’s Been Good to Me,” Marc Anthony; “Summer Love,” Justin Timberlake; “Just Fine,” Mary J. Blige columbiahomemagazine.com | 87

MY WEEKLY WORKOUT MONDAY 6:15 a.m.: Jogging 4-6 miles 4:45-5:30 p.m.: Gym: Chest, shoulders and triceps • Bench press • Dumbbell bench press • Cable crossover • Machine shoulder press • Lateral raise • Bent-over lateral raise • Dumbbell flyes • Pushups hands close together 5:45-7 p.m.: Teach dance TUESDAY Day starts at 6:30 a.m.

Interval training: Run fast for 20 seconds, walk for 10 (repeat for 35 minutes). I do this high-intensity exercise so I can build muscle and burn fat. This interval training may consist of sprints or Tabatta workouts, which means I’m basically working out as fast as I can and then taking a rest.

3:30 p.m.: Wilson’s Fitness gym: Back and biceps (45-50 minutes max) • Barbell curl • Reverse-grip barbell row • Back extension • Wide-grip lateral pull-down • Chin-up/pull-ups • Incline dumbbell curl • Seated cable row • Bent-over row (Smith Machine) WEDNESDAY Change-up (no gym or weights) 5:45 a.m.: Interval training or brisk walk THURSDAy 6:15 a.m. Jogging 5-8 miles (1 hour, 10 minutes) 2:45 p.m.: Wilson’s Fitness: Chest, shoulders and triceps (45 minutes) • Incline fly • Close-grip bench presses • Skull crushers • Overhead presses • Front raises • Pushups: Drop sets • Dips • Incline front raise • Barbell row • Chest/bench press • Overhead press • Incline chest press • Kickbacks • One-arm triceps extensions 4:30-6:15 p.m.: Teach dance FRIDAY 6:30 a.m.: Jogging 4-8 miles (60-75 minutes) 3 p.m.: Wilson’s Fitness: Back and biceps • Hammer curls • Bent-over dumbbell row • E-Z bar curl • Wide-grip pull-up • Planks • Deadlift • Ab work on the stability ball SATURDAY 7:30 p.m.: Brisk walk or bike ride (45 minutes) SUNDAY Rest day!

88 | October/november 2014

BEFORE

223 lbs After

147 lbs My nutrition tips Eat lots of: meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, high-fat dairy, fats and healthy oils.

I don’t or try not to eat: soft drinks, fruit juices, agave, candy, ice cream, pastas and breads; trans fats, including hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils; and many dairy products, cereals, crackers, etc.

I base my diet on these real, unprocessed, low-carb foods: ➞ Meat: Beef, lamb, pork, chicken and others.

Grass-fed is best. ➞ Fish: Salmon, trout, haddock and many others.

Wild-caught fish is best. ➞ Vegetables: Spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and many others ➞ Fruits: Apples, oranges, pears, blueberries, strawberries ➞ High-fat dairy: Cheese, butter, heavy cream, yogurt ➞ Fats and oils: Coconut oil, olive oil and cod fish liver oil ➞ Nuts and seeds: Almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, etc.

If you need to lose weight, be careful with the cheese and nuts because they’re easy to overeat on. Don’t eat more than one piece of fruit per day.

Wine: Choose red, dry wines with no added sugar or carbs.

Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants and may provide health benefits if you eat it in moderation. However, be aware that both dark chocolate and alcohol will hinder your progress if you eat/drink too much.

Drink lots of water!

The perfect way to say...

“Happy Birthday”

Call Edible Arrangements today, or visit us online, to order. We can even do same-day delivery!

“Just wanted to make you feel special. Have a great birthday, MG!” www.EdibleArrangements.com • 573-445-5858 2200 Forum Blvd., Ste. 107 • Columbia, MO 65203

Celebrating 30 years

of beautiful smiles.

Thank you, Columbia!

Our caring and genuine staff will make you feel right at home. Call now to schedule your appointment, you will even enjoy your trip to the dentist!

573.445.5300 | 1601 Chapel Hill Rd. | Columbia, MO | www.WillettandPattonDDS.com columbiahomemagazine.com | 89

“WOW.”

-AARON DOLAN & JON TRIGG OWNERS, STUDIO HOME

573-445-4122 | www.StudioHomeInteriors.com | 1029 East Walnut Street, Columbia, MO |

/StudioHomeInteriors

SHOP/OFFICE HOURS | TUES. - FRI. 10 A.M. - 5:30 P.M. | SAT. 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. | ADDITIONAL HOURS BY APPOINTMENT

A

Party for any occasion Call and let us help.

Weddings • Wedding receptions Business meetings • Rehearsal dinners Award ceremonies • Holiday parties 90 | October/november 2014

Hannah - Event Manager DJ Drury - Proprietor

www.CanterburyHill.com 573-896-9966 1707 S. Summit Dr., Holts Summit, MO

H e a lt h a nd w e ll n e ss

No Time for the Gym?

by Angela Huhman

New in Town

Experience a kick-butt workout! 9Round, one of the largest fitness chains in the world, incorporates four main principles in a convenient and effective training: ✓ No class times: Through a circuit-training format in which stations begin every three minutes, 9Round allows members to work out on their own schedules. ✓ Different workouts every day: To keep your workouts fresh and incorporate muscle confusion principles, exercises at each 9Round station change daily. ✓ Full-body circuit-training workout: Do 27 exercises in 30 minutes. Enough said! ✓ Trainers included: You’re never alone at 9Round. Trainers will guide you through each day’s workouts, show you the proper technique and keep you motivated — free of charge.

The energy-charged fitness facility is located at 901 E. Nifong Blvd., just below El Maguey. First workouts are always free!

Treat Your Feet Right!

Proper-fitting shoes make all the difference.

1. Get two completely different pairs of shoes to rotate. It’s the easiest and first step to injury prevention. If you vary the stress on your feet, you are less likely to get injured.

2. Most people buy the wrong size of workout shoes. If you are running more than three miles at a time, you want your shoes to be a one-half or a full size larger than your regular shoes. This allows for swelling or just spreading on impact. If you are using them for jazzercise or some other form of exercise, you still probably want them to be one-half size bigger.

3. Most people buy a pair of shoes and don’t realize they can return them. Make sure to shop somewhere you can easily return the shoes if they don’t work for you.

Amy Livesay, owner of Ultramax sports Follow her blog at AmyLivesay.com.

Food IQ: The Banana Instead of an apple a day, how about a banana a day keeps the doctor away? vs.

Banana vs. apple showdown 2 x carbohydrates 5 X Vitamin A 5 X iron 3 X phosphorous

Bananas also: • Are rich in potassium (electrolyte) = promotes circulatory health • Contain tryptophan (serotonin) = helps relax the mind and make you feel happy • Are high in fiber = aids in healthy digestion Don’t throw away the peel!

• Banana peels are a natural remedy for insect bites to reduce itching and swelling.

• Used as compost, peels are ideal for fertilizers for the soil.

• Blended up and used as a paste, peels are great for polishing silver, plant leaves and shoes.

The Pure Barre Collector’s Edition

This set of six DVDs comes with all of the equipment you need to transform your home into your own Pure Barre studio. The 45-minute workouts are fast paced, work the entire body and are great for any experience level.

– Review by Laura M. Amazing set of DVDs and equipment!

“I bought the Collector’s Edition 6 a couple of weeks ago because I wanted to try Pure Barre, but I didn’t have access to a class, and I couldn’t decide which DVD I wanted to get. This is an amazing set.

You have plenty of choice, and I noticed huge results in about 12 days. Officially addicted to Pure Barre. ” Purchase Pure Barre Collector’s Edition 6 for $129.95 (as shown), or purchase an individual series DVD at $24.95 online at purrebarre.com or at the studio at 124 E. Nifong in the Peachtree Shopping Center.

PumpUp App Download the PumpUp app,

free and available on iOS. (PumpUp Pro is also available; various costs apply). Customize your workout by choosing your fitness level, training goal, how long you want to work out, what muscle group you want to work and available fitness equipment (you don’t have to have any). Based on what information you choose, the app will build a fitness plan and walk you through each exercise using pictures and diagrams. It’s like having your own personal trainer! The app also allows users to share photos, track fitness goals and share workouts with a community of other users. PumpUp takes the excuses out of fitness. All you need is a phone.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 91

Capturing Action, Emotion, Life.

Dak Dillon is an award winning photographer who captures a select few weddings each year. Contact him today to reserve your space and to see his photojournalism difference. Classically trained, with an eye for the details, Dak knows how to preserve the memories of your special day.

WEDDINGSBYDAK.COM

92 | October/november 2014

|

57 3 -2 9 8 - 6 0 7 5

H e a lt h a nd w e ll n e ss

Natural Healing

As acupuncture grows in popularity, more Americans have questions. Does it work? Am I a good candidate for this type of therapy? What should I expect from a visit?

And, of course, does it hurt? By Angela Huhman

A

Acupuncture is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine that dates back nearly 2,500 years. All natural and drug free, this therapy encourages the body to promote self-healing by stimulating points located near or on the surface of the skin. Oprah experienced acupuncture on live TV, and being from the Show-Me State, I wanted to experience acupuncture for myself. You don’t have to go far to find a licensed and board-certified practitioner in both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Gina Butler, whose energy is infectious, obviously practices what she preaches.

How acupuncture works Acupuncture is based on the explanation that the body naturally has a constant flow of vital energy, called qi (pronounced chee), which travels throughout the body in vessel systems. According to the Chinese philosophy, the body contains two opposing forces: ying and yang. When they are in balance, the body is functioning as it should. When the energy flow is disrupted, much like a dam in a river, we experience pain and illness. To clear the blockage, hair-thin needles are inserted at a combination of points on the body and, when stimulated, can

Acupuncture in CoMo

sometimes result in immediate pain relief. Needles stimulate the central nervous system, releasing in your brain endorphins and serotonin, both natural chemicals that regulate pain and mood.

What to expect on your first visit Acupuncture is truly a medical art, with various approaches, styles and techniques. During a visit you can expect a tremendous amount of time given to listening to the body and treating the root of the problem, including kindly asking you to stick out your tongue. The traditional Chinese medical system used more than 2,000 years ago wasn’t developed with modern technology. Acupuncturists rely on going through the body and addressing body temperature, your

Gina Butler received her Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree at the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine. She is nationally board certified in both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and is licensed by the State of Missouri to practice acupuncture. After completing her training, she began her practice at the Acupuncture and Wellness Center P.S., which is currently one of the largest Chinese medical clinics in the United States. She has also practiced in Oregon and now Missouri, where she resides with her husband and son.

Gina’s practice, located in Women’s Wellness at 1705 E. Broadway, is founded upon an integrative approach to medicine that recognizes the unique state of each individual’s specific condition.

Learn more about acupuncture at Gina’s website, acupunctureofcolumbia.com.

mood, emotions, strengths and weaknesses within your system and feeling the pulse and looking at the tongue when evaluating your health.

The body has more than 2,000 points that connect with 20 different pathways. Acupuncture points tend to be located in depressions and grooves between muscles and other tissue, which allows easy access to energy flow.

An average of five to 20 FDAapproved stainless-steel needles are inserted into the body and left for approximately 30 to 45 minutes depending on the needs of the individual’s condition.

Many patients report feeling very relaxed during this period. For some, relaxation sustains after treatment, while for others there is a feeling of rejuvenation.

“Food can be your best and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison. Be mindful of what you are putting in your body. Quality sleep, stress management and exercise are all essentials to health and wellness.”

– Gina Butler

Conditions improved by acupuncture The World Health Organization has endorsed acupuncture treatment for more than 40 conditions, which include neurological, gastrointestinal, gynecological, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal pain and respiratory conditions. Gina also uses acupuncture for acute and chronic pain, fertility, relieving anxiety, insomnia, allergies and many other conditions. columbiahomemagazine.com | 93

94 | October/november 2014

H e a lt h a nd w e ll n e ss

Fall Favorite

Fettuccini Alfredo can be a fast, nutritious meal. Try this healthier version, which is lower in fat but still full of flavor.

Low-Fat Fettuccine Alfredo Sauce • 1 tablespoon butter • 1 cup shredded Parmesan • 1 ½ cups fat-free milk • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese • Salt and pepper to taste Directions: Melt butter in pan. Add garlic, and cook for 1 minute.

Stir in flour, then milk, then Parmesan. Add cream cheese.

Cook until thick and creamy. Total cook time: 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts: Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo vs. Calories in Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Olive Garden Serving Size: 1 serving Amount per serving

CFA

CFAOG

Total fat:

16g

25g

Calories:

Saturated fat:

Polyunsaturated fat:

Monounsaturated fat: Cholesterol: Sodium:

Potassium

Total carbohydrates: Dietary fiber: Sugars:

250 11g --

--

35mg

550mg --

9g

0g

6g

509 14g 2g

6g

167mg

724mg

334mg 42g 0g

0g

Your Hy-Vee Dietician Paula Vandelicht, R.D., L.D., is a wife of 15 years; busy working mom of two boys, ages 11 and 6; and a Hy-Vee dietitian focused on your health. Paula grew up in a small town and was very involved in 4-H and FHA, which sparked her love for food and cooking. She was a very overweight child who overcame it and developed a passion for helping others with their health and fitness goals. Now, Paula has more than 13 years of experience as a registered dietitian and holds a bachelor’s degree in dietetics from the University of Missouri.

She’s also a member of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics and the Central Missouri Dietetic Association. She offers private nutrition counseling, luncheon presentations, cooking classes, in-store demonstrations, grocery store tours and is available for wellness fairs.

Healthy Add-Ins Adding protein such as lean chicken will help level your blood sugar and keep you satisfied longer.

Go wild with adding vegetables. Broccoli, eggplant, carrots and peas are all great options.

Opt for whole-wheat pasta.

It contains bran and germ of the grain, which adds more fiber and nutrition to your diet. columbiahomemagazine.com | 95

KLASSY’S fashion

This sister duo specializes in tomorrow’s trends and classic couture.

Shopping isn’t our passion it’s our business!

OUR SERVICES: Special occasion dressing | Personal shopping/wardrobe update Closet Revamping | How to dress your body type OUR VISION: Do you want to look effortlessly stylish everyday? Klassy’s Fashion will help! Whether you choose personal shopping, closet revamping, or special occasion dressing, Klassy’s Fashion will have you stepping into the world in a wardrobe with the right look and perfect fit. www.klassysfashion.com | 573-228-0834 |

Everything you need!

Complete start to finish remodeling & maintenance.

Copeland Construction & Painting is one of Columbia’s preferred residential and commericial contractors who do work for some of Columbia’s biggest names!

573.397.5042 | www.craigcopelandconstruction.com | 200 Old Hwy 63 S | Columbia, MO Kitchen and bathroom remodels | Complete home makeovers | Drywall repairs Interior & Exterior Painting | Small home repairs | Door & window replacements Siding installation | Fire & water restoration

96 | October/november 2014

l o v e a nd r e l at i o n s h i p s

Love: Again

Gene and Nellie Gruender

Again-adverb \ə-ˈgen,-ˈgin,-ˈgān\

for another time : one more time

W

By Nellie Symm Gruender When Gene and I met, he was 47, and I was 42. We weren’t geriatrics, but we weren’t college kids either. We both brought children to the relationship; Gene’s were grown and on their own, but my son, Zach, was only 7. We also brought the experience and, yes, the baggage from previous relationships.

Statistically, we were more likely to remain together at this older age than if we met when we were younger. According to a study completed by the Department of Health and Human Services, the divorce rate drops to 36 percent for those married at age 20 or older. Gene and I were both comfortable in our careers, had a wide range of friends and a good idea of what we wanted in a new partner. So what were the pitfalls we, and others, faced when finding love again after a divorce or the death of our mate?

Age: Love can happen at any age, but what happens when there is more than a 10-year age difference between partners?

Some people emotionally and physically simply don't fit into their chronological age bracket and relate with a far younger (or older) generation. It can also be said that differences in age allow each person to learn from the other’s life experiences. Shared interests and values are the common denominator required for success. It’s important that both people have a realistic understanding that as time

progresses, there might be a wider disparity in life stages, goals and interest in intimacy.

In America, the percentage of relationships with the male partner being 10 to 14 years older is 4.8 percent, while the female being older is only 1 percent, according to the Current Population Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Blending families and friends: Alienation, acting out and divided loyalties can occur when a new relationship is introduced, depending on the age of the children. Statistically, the lack of attention and understanding of the children’s emotions is the greatest pitfall for remarriage and has a much higher effect on the child than the age of the child. However, adult children can show the same level of alienation as those who are in the home on a daily basis.

Sharing friends can be almost as tricky as sharing children with all the same possibilities of alienation. There are often feelings that disloyalty has occurred and the desire to disrupt the romance developing. Although some friends will be supportive and happy that you are happy, not all friends will fit into the culture of the new relationship.

It’s important that there is open discussion about how to handle the friends who become a divisive or a toxic part of the blend.

According to The Bonded Family, 68 percent of remarriages involve children from previous marriage and 70 percent or more of those remarriages end in dissolution within five and a half years.

Blending finances: This can be one of the trickiest and biggest deal breakers of all. It becomes even more difficult when there is not parity in earning, assets or agreement in spending habits.

Honest conversations about joining checking and savings accounts and how the financial responsibilities will be divided has to occur for there to be a smooth transition.

Disputes about finances contribute to divorce in 39 percent of marriages, according to a study conducted

by North Carolina State University.

Navigating around all of these pitfalls is doable but not always easy.

First, blending is a slow process that will require time, excellent communication and the ability to be flexible and understanding. Don’t include your kids in a revolving door of relationships. Only introduce serious love interests.

Allow relationships to be created not demanded. Understand that depending on the child’s age, the new partner cannot walk in and immediately be seen as an authority figure. Respect and relationships have to be earned and created.

Be willing to separate from friends who might cause problems in the relationship because of their allegiance to your former partner or their own personal agendas. Discuss with your new partner the future relationship with difficult friends.

Will it be a no go, or will it be a relationship that will be separate from events with your new partner?

Finances must be a serious sit-down conversation. Firm understanding and boundaries need to be determined about how your new finance structure will look and function. Put it in writing, agree to revisit the term periodically and be sure financial goals are set and agreed upon.

New love is possible, it’s desirable and it can be very rewarding. Gene and I will be celebrating 20 years of love, commitment and marriage this year. We’ve had to deal with each of the pitfalls; some we handled well, and some we struggled with.

In the end, we met, blended and overcame the odds to love again. columbiahomemagazine.com | 97

98 | October/november 2014

Lif e C o a c h i n g

Because You’re Worth It

K

Kate is a 48-year-old mother of two. She’s talents make us uniquely qualified to be good negotiators: worked for her employer for 10 years. She No. 1: Women are relational. We creworks long hours and gets great results. She’s ate close relationships by talking, and that’s loyal and well liked. She’s also underpaid — what negotiation is. Maybe you’ve been and she knows it. She’s been aware of it for afraid to jeopardize your workplace relayears and done nothing about it. She’s afraid tionships by asking for more money or opthat by asking for a raise, she’ll offend her portunities, but your rapport with your coemployer, who has become a friend. But she workers will enable you to negotiate sucknows she’s selling herself short and that it’s cessfully for the compensation you deserve. hurting her and her family.

No. 2: Women are caretakers. We are If this story sounds familiar, it’s because aware of others’ needs and work to meet many of us share Kate’s struggle to have our them. In a negotiation, you need to be able value recognized in the workplace. The bigto see and acknowledge the other party’s gest challenge facing working women is not needs. You’ve got that part down. Now, seeing our own worth but negotiating effecidentify what you need from the negotiatively for it. This is actually great news for tion, and advocate for it as forcefully as you women because we’re better at negotiation do the needs of others. than we’ve been led to believe.

No. 3: Women are collaborative. StudWomen negotiate successfully every day ies show we see common goals where men ofin 100 different ways. Maybe you negotiatten see conflicting goals. Remember, negotiaed with your partner about who was going tion isn’t a battle. When women see negotiato take your child to football practice or with tions as shared problems to be collaborativeyour teenager about cleaning her room or ly solved, we get better results. If you know with your boss to leave work early. All of those your boss will say she can’t afford to give you conversations were negotiations. And some of a raise, brainstorm ways your organization can them might have even been successful! cut costs or raise revenue to make it possible.

Women have everything it takes to be efI know negotiating for yourself is hard. fective negotiators, but we haven’t been usLike many of you, I am more comfortable ading our talents. A meager 7 pervocating for others than I am for cent of us attempt to negotiate Women have myself; it’s why I became a trial our salary compared to 57 per- everything it takes lawyer and why I’m now a coach. to be effective cent of men. We ask for, on averBut I’m working to change that negotiators, but we age, 30 percent — or $7,000 — haven’t been using for myself — and for all of us. less than men. This has real con- our talents. A meager When we speak up to negosequences. We’re not asking for 7 percent of us tiate our worth, we transform attempt to negotiate what we’re worth, which only our self-esteem, regardless of our salary compared exacerbates the gender pay gap. to 57 percent of men. the outcome for our bank acWomen in Missouri are paid counts and careers. We do right 78 cents for $1 paid to men, amounting to a by our families, who depend on our salaries. yearly gap of $9,281 between men and womWe model empowerment for our daughters en who work full time. It’s time to turn this and all the girls who look to us to learn how around, friends. to use their voices on their own behalf. We Women excel in the workplace because of all benefit when we each take that first step – together. So let’s get moving! many distinguishing talents. Several of these

By Carolyn Sullivan

1

Get the facts. The old adage “knowledge is power” is true in negotiations, especially for women. When women get the facts about what they’re worth, they are better able to negotiate for themselves. So what are you waiting for?

Go find out using salary.com, payscale.com and guidestar.com.

2

Know what you want. Once you’ve researched what you’re worth, decide what you want to ask for. Promotion? Change in compensation regarding salary? Flex time? Professional development? Factor in your accomplishments and how difficult it would be for your employer to replace you.

Identify the goal of your negotiations as well as what you’ll do if you don’t get what you ask for.

3 4

Try a family-friendly frame.

Empower yourself by framing your negotiation around what your family needs.

As you gather the courage to ask, think about doing it for your child’s college fund or to enable the next family vacation.

Practice, practice, practice. It takes more than summoning your courage to get great negotiation results. Effective negotiation requires building your skills, and that takes time and practice. Before you go for the big ask, practice on smaller negotiations.

C a r o ly n s u l l i va n

At the height of the recession, Carolyn took her dreams off the back burner and started her own business, New Chapter Coaching.

Crazy or confident, she’s never looked back.

She’s dedicated to helping nonprofits get results that improve people’s lives and helping others make a difference along the way. Carolyn’s hit what she calls the career trifecta: She gets to do what she loves with clients she respects and earns a living doing it. She wishes the same for everyone.

Carolyn’s challenge: Carolyn and New Chapter Coaching are working to close the gender pay gap! In October, Carolyn will provide a complimentary 30-minute coaching session to any woman looking to approach her employer for a raise.

Join her, and take the challenge by contacting her at Carolyn@NewChapterCoach.com and referencing this column.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 99

100 | October/november 2014

mommychronicles

The Mommy Wars? ers, and though we might not have shattered the glass ceiling yet, we have certainly shattered the glass umbilical cord. (Um, wait. No, that’s not a thing. That’s gross. You know what I mean though, right?) We have shattered the theory that women must stay in the home and raise the children while the father goes off to work. In today’s world, the debate of whether to work or stay home is more likely to go on inside a woman’s own mind than play out in any kind of public forum.

Most, if not all, of the women I know feel no animosity toward other mothers because they work outside the home or because they don’t. Over the past 13 years, I’ve talked to hundreds The mommy wars are over; it’s time to hang up the holsters. Jill Orr and her husof mothers, and not a single band, Jimmy, celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary Wild West style on Aug. one has ever said anything 7, 2012, with their kids, Fletcher and Ellie. Photo courtesy of Jill Orr. disparaging about a mom on the “other side” just because she is on the “other When Columbia Home told me this issue was going to be about women at work, I immeside.” We might disagree about sleep schedules, diately thought: I’m not going to write about formula vs. breast milk and the number of acthat. Why, you ask? Well, for starters, I don’t ceptable days in a row one can wear yoga pants, really work. With the exception of this column but these issues have nothing to do with emand the odd freelance article, I haven’t held a ployment status. In the end, I think we all want paying job in 13 years. (Yes, I know that beto feel fulfilled in our daily lives, and no one ing a mother is work. More on that later.) The much cares if you find your bliss in the boardsecond reason, and the more important one, is room or in the playroom. that I am a big fat chicken and really don’t like to write about controversial topics, and I’ve alJill Orr ways thought of working vs. stay-at-home mothers as a controversial topic.

But the truth is that it isn’t really. Not anymore. Like coconut water and Kimye, I think the so-called “mommy wars” have been hyped up by the media and have little to do with real people’s lives. Maybe there was once a rift between the two factions back in the 1980s when the workplace was just opening up to professional women, but we live in a different world today. Thankfully, we have options as moth-

W

By Jill Orr The decision to work or not for moms is often a financial one but not always. Some mothers work because they have to, some because they want to and many because of a complex equation of the two, the product of which is then multiplied to the power of guilt. It can feel like a lose-lose-lose situation. If you stay home, you lose the opportunity to build your career; if you go to work, you miss out on special moments with your child; and if you don’t have a choice, you feel trapped.

So maybe the whole mommy wars discussion should be less about working vs. stay-athome mothers and more about how our culture undervalues the contributions mothers make to not only our economy but also to our society as a whole. We should be talking about the dismal maternity leave policies, lack of affordable child care options and increasing support for mothers in the workplace. We should be talking about introducing public policies that aid women who make the difficult choice to put their working lives on hold to raise children.

We should be talking about how it should be unacceptable that a working woman makes 77 cents on a similarly qualified man’s dollar.

These are subjects I think all mothers, and a good number of other people, would agree are worthy of public debate. This prefab construct of pitting mothers against mothers diverts attention from the real and serious issues facing so many of us as we are busy, you know, proliferating the human race. So maybe what we need instead of the mommy wars is a mommy revolution.

(Oh, look! I guess it wasn’t so hard to write about a controversial subject after all.)

Jill is a stay-at-home mom of two (an odd title because she is rarely ever at home). In her pre-Mommy days, she graduated from the University of Missouri with an undergraduate degree in journalism and a master's in social work, with an emphasis on children and family studies. But she wishes she would have gotten a Ph.D. in What's For Dinner and How to Get Bubblegum Out of the Carpet. That would have served her better.

Read her blog at jillsorr.com • Follow Jill on

@jillsorr

columbiahomemagazine.com | 101

w e ddin g s

Meant to Meet

A

By Kristi McCann | Photos by Moonshadow Studio

Amanda and Jeff Pope will celebrate their one-year anniversary this month after they tied the knot Sept. 28 last year. For anyone who knows the couple, it was a love story long in the making. And we’re not just talking about their courtship, which lasted almost a decade.

Both Amanda and Jeff grew up in Columbia only miles apart from each other.

They attended the same elementary, middle, junior and high schools, but even with so many crossovers, the two never met face to face. It’s ironic that Amanda and Jeff never crossed paths through school, especially because multiple members of the bride and groom’s families had connections in some form or another.

As a young girl, Amanda met Erica Pope, Jeff ’s sister, through Pony Club, which they were both involved in. Jeff met Amanda’s brother, Eric Sterchi, in grade school and even met up with him when the Sterchi family was on vacation in Colorado. Ironically, Amanda’s mom, Tesa Sterchi, also met Jeff on that same trip when he had an accident on his snowboard and smacked his head on a patch of ice. Tesa, a nurse, was called to tend to Jeff after the accident occurred.

“Little did she know, she was meeting her future son-in-law,” Amanda jokes.

The now husband-and-wife couple who dodged meeting each other for most of their lives finally laid eyes on each other at a New Year’s Eve party during Jeff ’s senior year of high school.

“It was just minutes before I had to leave to make my curfew,” Amanda says. “But after that, we kept running into each other. I had my last period of my school day free, and Jeff, who had math as his last period, would often skip it so he could come talk to me. He also started making excuses to come over to our house to hang out with my brother a lot more after we met.”

Although the two became close friends, they ultimately ended up growing apart because Jeff was headed off to college, and

102 | October/november 2014

Amanda was still heavily involved in high school activities. Luckily on Halloween of 2004, Jeff called Amanda on a whim and asked her to dinner. This spooky and sweet holiday was the beginning of their nineyear courtship.

As the years were tacked on to the couple’s history, Amanda started to wonder if Jeff was ever going to pop the question.

“I was definitely getting antsy,” Amanda says. “A lot was going on in both of our lives. We managed to keep our relationship going through my years in law school and me taking the boards, but I was starting to wonder if a proposal would ever happen. Jeff kept ensuring me that the timing wasn’t right.”

On Christmas Day 2012, Jeff proposed to Amanda while they opened gifts with his family. From there, the wedding planning went into full force.

“I have a very Type A personality,” Amanda says, “so I liked to be in control of a lot of the details. But my mom did help me a lot. I tried to stay hands off the day of the wedding so I wouldn’t stress out. I will admit that was a bit difficult for me.”

All of the details that Amanda and her mother worked so diligently on for nine months came together the day of the wedding.

One of the easiest parts of planning was choosing a location. Hosting their ceremony and reception at Columbia Country Club was a no-brainer because both Amanda and Jeff have a special connection to the club. Jeff says it was important for him to get married in a place of worship: the golf course.

“It was also meaningful to me since my grandparents used to be members at Columbia Country Club,” Amanda says. “A lot of my memories growing up included the club.”

And there was no lack of love on the fall afternoon when the bride and groom said their vows. Together with family and friends and a bridal party of 20, the couple was finally announced as husband and wife.

Most Memorable Weddings

By Leanne Geiss In honor of my final article, I thought I would leave you with some of what I think are my most memorable weddings. Enjoy.

Three-ring circus Ah, the circus wedding. Yes, it sounds a little odd to get married under the big top, complete with red and white stripes, but what a blast! This wedding was detailed all the way down to the concessionstyled food stands. We had corn dogs and funnel cake while guests strolled around, clowns serving cocktails and stilt walkers tossing candy. This couple really made their day special by incorporating what they loved most about their childhood. Although I’m not going to lie, at their first meeting I thought they were a little nuts, it turned out to be one of the weddings that will always stick with me.

What a fun and unique couple.

‘Bollywood’ Is there anything more unique at a wedding than a parade with an elephant? I think not. This amazing wedding could have come right out of Hollywood with all the glitz and glamour of any A-list event. With beautiful hand-embroidered linens and authentic cuisine, this wedding was a feast for all your senses. Just when I thought I couldn’t be more amazed by all their ideas, this couple springs an elephant. Um, yeah, I’m not even going to talk about what a challenge that was to arrange. But nothing will beat the sight of the groom riding to the ceremony on top of this huge and might I say rather slow-moving elephant. I had a timeline to keep to, and the elephant was blowing my usually punctual weddings. An elephant. Really?

The now husbandand-wife couple who dodged meeting each other for most of their lives finally laid eyes on each other at a New Year’s Eve party during Jeff ’s senior year of high school.

A royal wedding No, it’s not what you think. I didn’t get to plan Will and Kate’s big day. But I did get to recreate it.

That’s just as close to planning the royal wedding, right? This royal wedding had all of the beauty and class without all the paparazzi and security hassles. The bride arrived to the ceremony in a beautiful horse-drawn carriage, styled from head to toe in the royal Kate dress and topped off with a tiara fit for a queen. The guests indulged in the beautiful five-tiered royal wedding-inspired cake and finished the evening throwing rose petals as the bride and groom departed for the night. Beautiful.

Leanne Geiss is the sales director at The Roof. Although she is in charge of all things sales, her true Wedding section by: lovesponsored is wedding planning. She has 12 years ofClub event-planning Columbia Country experience, and she is your go-to girl when he puts a ring on it. From Pinterest to wedding trends and classic bridal do’s and don’ts, Leanne has a wealth of knowledge to share.

Wedding section sponsored by: Columbia Country Club columbiahomemagazine.com | 103

Sign up FOR THE LATEST & GREATEST OF

why?

Linkside Living is for you

» Behind the scenes photos

and videos » Content not available in the magazine » Ability to win tickets to events » Top rated stories » Early releases of announcements

how?

There’s nothing better than spending time with friends – a morning walk, a casual lunch, sharing a glass of wine and, of course, lots of laughter!

You and your friends will love your new Linkside home - uniquely designed for the carefree lifestyle you deserve.

Check out www.LinksideLiving.com.

You’ll be glad you did!

GO ONLINE TO

www.columbiahomemagazine.com Fill out this form, located in the sidebar of the Columbia Home website.

Sign up for news and updates at www.LinksideLiving.com at

OLD HAWTHORNE

At least one resident must be 55 years of age or older. No residents under 19 years of age.

104 | October/november 2014 October Columbia Home Ad.indd 1

9/9/14 4:45 PM

N e W A r r i v a ls

Welcome to the World

Naia Stoutz

Josey roewe

Josey Lea Roewe Parents: Barry and Jana Roewe

Naia Lupe Iglesias Stoutz Parker Branscom

Birthday: May 2, 2014

Birthday: Jan. 18, 2014 Birth weight: 7 pounds, 5 ounces What surprised you most about being a mother? It surprised me that, for the most part, it really does come naturally.

What do you love most about being a mother? Of course, there isn’t just one thing that I love about being a mom, but some that make the top of the list are hearing their giggles, watching them learn new things and, most importantly, all of the cuddles.

What did you not expect to happen?

You always hear of babies not sleeping, so I definitely expected absolutely no sleep.

Luckily both of our kiddos are and have been good sleepers. Of course, I’ll get the occasional night that they’ll get up or toss and turn, but for the most part, we’ve been super lucky in that department.

Parents: Rafael and Ramona Stoutz

Parker Evan Branscom Parents: Jeff and Kristin Branscom Birthday: July 7, 2014 Birth weight: 7 pounds, 13 ounces What do you love most about being a mother? I love seeing my 3-year-old son, Easton, being a big brother. Every day when he comes home from day care, he immediately runs to Parker and greets him with hugs and kisses. It melts my heart every time.

What did you not expect to happen?

My first son had colic. It was so hard to get him to sleep. I was expecting the same thing to happen with Parker, but he has been quite the opposite. I hardly hear a peep out of him.

He has been a very good baby and has made it easy on me this time around.

Birth weight: 8 pounds, 4 ounces What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you since becoming a mother? We flew with her, and she did wonderfully, but it was funny to watch the relief on the faces of the other travelers when we landed.

What things have surprised you most about being a mother? All the fun we have just watching her and hanging out with her.

What things do you love most about being a mother? I love watching her take in the world around her and seem so amazed by it.

What did you not expect to happen?

I didn’t expect all of the compliments we get from our friends and family — as well as perfect strangers — about how beautiful she is.

If you would like your new baby featured in Columbia Home, email your photo to Audrey@BusinessTimesCompany.com columbiahomemagazine.com | 105

h a pp y ta i l s

CMHS Staff Spotlight Chris Campbell, volunteer program coordinator Chris has been with the Central Missouri Human Society for a little less than a year now, but he has already taken great strides in strengthening the shelter’s volunteer program.

Whether it’s coordinating groups to walk dogs or work special events, Chris helps keep the gears moving in one of the most integral parts of the organization.

How has working at CMHS changed your perspective on how animal shelters work?

CMHS has brought to light what exactly it takes to care for the hundreds of animals that are brought to us monthly, from in-taking the animals, to vaccinating, to feeding and making them feel loved here at the shelter.

The dedication, time and commitment of the staff to the animals make for one of the strongest affiliations I’ve ever seen in a working environment. And the commitment and devotion from the volunteers and community have built one of the strongest bonds that keep our animal shelter moving forward in our mission of “putting pets with people.”

How many volunteers does CMHS currently have in its system? When I started in December of 2013, there were 222 active volunteers. As of today, there are 490 active volunteers in our volunteer tracking system.

What are some of the things that people can do while volunteering their time? There are tons of ways that you can support our mission.

We have some volunteers who have backgrounds in photography, and they help us get our animals adopted by shooting the gorgeous photos that we put on our website. We are always out there in the community at special events, and volunteers play a big part at those. Of course, walking dogs is always a big favorite of volunteers, but any social interaction with the cats, dogs and small animals in our care is extremely helpful.

This Happy Tail is sponsored by

106 | October/november 2014

Fostering a PetFriendly Environment

L

By Aaron Pellish | Photo by Casey Buckman

Leonidas, the loveable 4-year-old German Shepard, can often be spotted running around Rolling Hills Veterinary Hospital. His owner, Amanda (photographed above), decided he was the perfect dog for her because of his temperament, and the employees at Rolling Hills enjoy his company because of how wellmannered he is.

Although the hospital offers overnight boarding, day care and extended-stay kennel services, owner Greg Jagdfeld says the facility is still primarily a hospital.

“Anything you can imagine, we do,” Greg says. “Preventive care, vaccinations, annual checkups.

Our focus is on medicine.”

Greg, who colloquially goes by “Dr. Greg,” says he started off working in human medicine but switched to veterinary medicine because of the diverse range of experiences the field offers.

“By being a veterinarian, you get to do everything,” Greg says. “Surgery, radiology, clinical pathology, everything, and you also work with people and their pets. I work just as much with the people as I do the animals.”

And though the hospital supports all types of pets, animals and furry family members, Greg and his team have always had a soft spot for rescue animals. A number of his employees even foster animals while organizations around Columbia look for permanent homes for them.

3rd Annual Whiskers and Wine

Love at First Sight for Ollie’s Newfound Family

T

By Aaron Pellish | Photo by Casey Buckman

The Nixon family has had two dogs, Gizmo and Snuggles, for a long time. But when Gizmo, who was already 15 years old when the family welcomed him into their home, passed away, they decided to get a new dog. Richard, the family patriarch, agreed to adopt a rescue dog and make what he thought would be a small poodle part of the family.

“When we first saw the dog, he was not the two and a half pounds like I expected,” Richard says. “It was a nine-pound dog. But my daughter Abby got so excited that she said, ‘Yes, let’s keep him!’ So we took him home to the rest of the kids, and they’ve all fallen in love with him.”

That’s how Ollie, a rescue dog with a history of being abandoned and beaten, found a home with the Nixon family. Richard says Ollie, who has been living with their family for more than two years now, still shows signs of being mistreated.

“He does not like to be left alone,” Richard says. “He’s got an attachment issue to where he always feels like someone’s leaving. So he’s always going to be in your lap or be right next to you. Or if we’re not there, he’s going to be lying in my favorite chair. He’s very, very needy.”

Despite the struggles and adjustments, Richard says rescuing Ollie was a great decision.

“I can tell you there’s nothing better than to see an animal like this who’s happy,” Richard says.

What: Support the Central Missouri Humane Society at this gala and silent auction, featuring fine dining, wine and etched Reidel glasses for guests. Dress is business casual.

When: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4 Where: The University Club of MU Cost: $80 (cash bar) Visit: cmhspets.org

This Happy Tail is sponsored by

columbiahomemagazine.com | 107

abouttown

Columbia Home Magazine's Singles Event

Jessica Manjarrez, Eliska Vlachynska

Joel Knoerr, Angela Bruno

Gillian Tracey

Randy Peterson, Annie Lee

Millie Lovett, Dr. Joseph Rich

Rebecca Rademan, Tami Turner, Nicole Heislen, Suzanne Gibson, Kate Morrow

Friday, Aug. 8, 2014 • Photos by Whitney Buckner

Amanda Bruckerhoff, Spencer Ruyle

Ryan Patrick Imming

Columbia Home Magazine hosted a party at Columbia Country Club as an opportunity to meet Columbia’s most eligible singles. The evening featured live music, interactive games and mingling, with proceeds benefitting the American Heart Association.

Kristi McCann, Angie Huhman, Jennifer Wesselman

columbiahomemagazine.com | 109

a b o u t tow n

Countdown to Kickoff

Bill Grace, Cecil Bezoni, Kathy Bezoni

Richard Blankenship, Jolene Schulz

John Thompson, Wally Pfeffer, Gordon Doak

Christina Martinez, Tiffany Oettinger

Fa’tima Miller

Todd Norton, Jack Smith, Janet Smith, Gary Thompson, Julie Thompson

Tuesday, Aug, 19, 2014 • Photos by Ben Meldrum

For the 14th annual benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Missouri, MU Football head coach Gary Pinkel shared his thoughts on the 2014 Cotton Bowl Champion Missouri Tigers' prospects for this football season. Mizzou fans bid on merchandise with silent and live auctions.

Paul Toler, Heather Dimitt

110 | October/november 2014

Dave and Joyce Stepanek

Lydia Melton, Mark Richardson

Coach Gary Pinkel

Derek Vitoux

abouttown

Ronald McDonald House Golf Tournament

Mark Mehle, Patt Stansberry, Jeff Parshall, John Glennon

Jon Ihler, Ed Harper, James Greer, Mark Fenner

Janell Paviolitis, Tamara and Cassandra Lynch

Mark Harrington , Michelle and DJ Nunamaker

Mary Ebert, Sally Silvers, Lindsay DuCharme, Rachel Ellersieck, Angela Huntington, Abby Young, Terri Gray

Monday, June 23, 2014 • Photos by Creative Photo Craig Riordan, Karen and Jeff Hilbrenner, Tanner Blackford

Rusty and Melanie Coats, Mike and Angie Baker

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri hosted its annual 'Fore the House' golf tournament presented by Manor Roofing and Restoration at the Club at Old Hawthorne. More than 200 golfers participated in the outing, which raised $50,000 for the Ronald McDonald House.

Steve Sowers, Lucas Black, Terry Ryan, Drew Smith

columbiahomemagazine.com | 111

Photos by Ben Meldrum

menwelove

Pierce Wade

Age:

29

Rylan Adams

Age:

26

Nickname: Pierce-icle (authorized for use by my girlfriend only)

Nickname: Ryman

Hobbies: Cooking, reading, podcasting

Hobbies: Playing soccer, golfing and staying active

Profession: Ph.D. candidate/teaching assistant, classical studies

Profession: Director of The MAC (Missouri Athletic Center)

If I weren’t at my job now, I would be: Reading comics

If I weren’t at my job now, I would be: An elementary school teacher

Life motto: Some say the glass is half empty: others, half full. I say, “Hey, I ordered a cheeseburger!”

My favorite activity to do to relax: A hammock, a glass of Scotch, a pipe full of tobacco and a stack of books as long as your arm Movie quote I most often incorporate into conversation: “Human sacrifice! Dogs and cats, living together!

Mass hysteria!” — Bill Murray, Ghostbusters The next item on my bucket list to check off: I don’t really like the idea of a bucket list. I’d rather focus on living a good life now than on a list of things to do before I die.

The best thing about my life is: The people in it: my friends, my family and my girlfriend. I’ve been consistently blessed to be surrounded by good people.

Life motto: Life isn’t about finding yourself; life is about creating yourself. Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today.

My favorite activity to do to relax: Going to live concerts and sporting events Movie quote I most often incorporate into conversation: “Did we just become best friends?” — Step Brothers The next item on my bucket list to check off: Skydiving The best thing about my life is: The great friends and family members that I surround myself with who keep my life full of entertainment.

Submit a man in your life for Men We Love at columbiahomemagazine.com.

112 | October/november 2014

ADVERTISER INDEX All Vacuum Care.........................................................................................................33 Angelique Photography...........................................................................................7 Bidster Online..............................................................................................................34 Blanc Studio..................................................................................................................14 Bright City Lights......................................................................................................69 Canterbury Hill Winery........................................................................................90 Carpet One...............................................................................................................72-73 Casey Buckman Photography...............................................................................9 City Of Columbia Water & Light.........................................................................80 The Columbia Mall...................................................................................................... 4 Columbia Star Dinner Train.................................................................................69 Commerce Bank .............................................................................................................3 Copeland Construction And Painting............................................................96 Cumulus........................................................................................................................108 Dave Griggs Flooring America...............................................................................6 Dr. Tim McGarity.......................................................................................................... 74 Ecowater Systems....................................................................................................63 Edible Arrangements..............................................................................................89 Expert Vein Care.........................................................................................................94 Fry-Wagner Moving And Storage...................................................................100 Hub & Spoke...................................................................................................................92 Jazzercise.......................................................................................................................13 Klassy's Fashion Styling And Boutique........................................................96 La Belle Cabinetry & Lighting............................................................................20 Landmark Bank...........................................................................................................115 Les Bourgeios.............................................................................................................116 Lifestyles Furniture............................................................................................... 18 Lincoln University...................................................................................................113 Linkside At Old Hawthorne................................................................................104 Martellaro Marble And Granite...................................................................100 Mary Moss......................................................................................................................69 Mid-City Lumber Co................................................................................................... 74 Missouri Vein Care........................................................................................................2 The Mud Room Studio ...............................................................................................26 Organize That Space.................................................................................................33 Paint The Town.............................................................................................................98 Passions..........................................................................................................................60 Peggy Jean's Pies........................................................................................................63 Personal Touch Cleaning Service...................................................................26 Pets And Pals................................................................................................................70 Piotter Nursery.........................................................................................................54 PS Gallery........................................................................................................................ 8 S. Stewart & Co. LLc...................................................................................................55 Shelter Insurance Agent-Mike Messer........................................................80 Shiloh Bar And Grill.................................................................................................20 Socket...............................................................................................................................12 Songbird Station........................................................................................................70 Sound Performance..................................................................................................16 State Farm Insurance - Brian Hazelrigg ....................................................94 State Farm Insurance - Jennifer Wesselman...........................................33 State Farm Insurance - Stephanie Wilmsmeyer......................................70 Studio Home...................................................................................................................90 Superior Garden Center/ Rost Landscape................................................. 18 Tallulahs.......................................................................................................................34 The Trust Company...................................................................................................98 Tiger Family Chiropractic & Wellness Center.........................................63 University Of Missouri Health Care............................................................5,10 Willett And Patton Dentistry............................................................................89 Wilson's Fitness.......................................................................................................... 11 Columbia Home magazine is published by The Business Times Co., 2001 Corporate Place, Suite 100, Columbia, Mo., 65202. (573) 499-1830. Copyright The Business Times Co., 2008. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of any editorial or graphic content without the express written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

columbiahomemagazine.com | 113

S t r on g w o m a n

Laura Pinkstaff Board member for Columbia Adoption Project and a foster mom Years lived in Columbia: Five Original hometown: St. Louis Family: My amazing husband and best friend, Matt, and I have three children by birth: Sophia, Hannah and Ivy. We also have the blessing and honor of fostering three boys who we all love to pieces. We are a crazy mess of a joy-filled family on an adventure!

My go-to cocktail: No cocktails, just a lot of coffee!

What I do for fun: I have the most amazing running buddies.

There is such amazing joy in heading out early in the morning and pounding the ground with precious friends. We laugh together, support one another and just run together through life. It truly is cheaper than therapy.

Most people don’t know that I: Love dancing to ’80s pop alone in the kitchen.

On a typical weekday night, I am: Making dinner to music that I am trying to hear over the noise of children either laughing or crying — sometimes I’m not sure which. This is usually interrupted by my husband, Matt, coming through the door and a herd running to greet him.

What’s the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to me?

There isn’t enough time or space to write the daily embarrassments I supply to the world.

114 | October/november 2014

In a single word, I am: Passionate. Foster care is a huge passion of mine. I want people to be educated on the needs and opportunities that exist in our community concerning these children. There is a desperate need for more foster families in our community. I also want people to understand that there are so many ways to support, contribute and improve foster care, and it is not limited to becoming a foster parent.

The questions I hate getting: Are all those kids yours? Are you crazy?

The businessperson I admire and why: I can’t really think of a specific businessperson, but I admire those in business who care, support, encourage and value their workers well.

A favorite recent project: The iBelong Backpacks. Generous volunteers donate backpacks filled with gifts and necessities, which are then given to children who have just been removed from their homes and placed with a foster family. Each pack has been filled specifically for the age and gender of the child who has come into care. Many children come with nothing or just a few items they were able to bring when they were taken into custody, and these packs mean so much to each child.

If I were a crayon in a box of Crayolas, I would be: The color would have to depend on the day, hour, minute and sometimes second.

Photo by Anthony Jinson

A Age: 37

My guilty pleasure

What I do for fun

Favorite project

columbiahomemagazine.com | 115

Columbia home | 2001 Corporate Place, Ste. 100 | Columbia, MO 65202

Celebrate the season WITH

Sunsets & Wine Come to Les Bourgeois Vineyards to enjoy a beautiful autumn sunset at the A-Frame before it closes for the winter.

www.MissouriWine.com 14020 W. Hwy BB, Rocheport, MO 65279 800-690-1830 |

|

|

PRST STD U.S. Postage paid Fulton, MO Permit #38