OUR CONTRIBUTORS

September/October 2021 CONTRIBUTORS

Taylor Mislevich

Taylor has resided in the Lake area for a majority of her life. She is a 6th grade science teacher at the Eldon RI School District, along with owning Soul Centered Yoga Studio a few minutes from Bagnell Dam.

Taylor met her husband, Michael, as freshman in high school and have now been married for seven years.

Together, they enjoy the gorgeous Lake sunsets, riding scenic trails, and the small town camaraderie. Throughout her travels, Taylor continues to emphasize that the Lake area is the most beautiful place in the world. Marie Krolikowski

Marie, her husband Stan, and their two children have been coming to the Ozarks every summer for the past 28 years. The family made their dreams come true recently when they purchased a lakefront home in the Four Seasons neighborhood. Marie not only gets to continue enjoying this life with her husband and children, but also with her granddaughters Layla and Harper.

Marie has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Public Relations. She headed the public relations department in a Chicago area hospital for five years. She spent many years working as a freelance writer.

Residing part-time here allows Marie the opportunity to fulfill three pastimes she is passionate about: writing, enjoying Lake Life with her family and friends, and now experiencing the Lake with her granddaughters. Judy Goppert

Writing is a way of life for Judy Goppert. She began her career as a radio jingle writer, then upon graduation from college with a degree in Writing from Missouri State University, worked as copywriter for a variety of advertising agencies in Springfield and Kansas City. She had the opportunity to write for some high-profile clients, including Tyson, Helzberg Diamonds and Lodge of Four Seasons. As reporter and editor of a local small-town newspaper, she spent over 15 years interviewing and telling the stories of unique people in all walks of life.

She is a published author of two gift books and is currently a freelance writer for a wide variety of magazines, including HERLIFE New York, SIMPLYkc and Lee’s Summit Lifestyle.

Spending time at the Lake with her husband is a frequent, favorite pastime. Al and Connye Griffin

Al and Connye Griffin retired to do what they enjoy, taking photos of their new home and writing about the people and places at Lake of the Ozarks. Al was a forensic photographer for more than a decade before moving to Missouri where he’s had the opportunity to focus on art and commercial photography.

His varied work can be found at www.algriffinphotography.com. Connye likes to knit words together and does so daily. She spent 37 years teaching and still loves to learn and teach. She does both through Al and Connye’s collaboration www.oureyesuponmissouri.com. Karen Thornton

Karen and her husband, Steve, love to travel. She has visited many countries since their first adventure when they backpacked through Europe for 21 days with no reservations. She has a wild collection of travel stories, and keeps journals to highlight those experiences.

Karen owns Karen’s Secretarial Service with her husband of more than 40 years. They live in Sunrise Beach, and have five children, 14 grandchildren and 13 greatgrandchildren.

She writes religious columns for the Lake Leader, and will continue to share her stories in Lake Lifestyles’ travel section where she often writes about her many experiences in foreign countries.