
EXPLORE
HOME + DESIGN
ELEVATE OUTDOORS HELPING HOMEOWNERS LOVE YARDS
FARMER’S MARKET FRENZY POOLS WITH PURPOSE
ARTS + CULTURE



Original, yet timeless.
Edgy, yet sophisticated. Modern, yet classic.








HOME + DESIGN
ELEVATE OUTDOORS HELPING HOMEOWNERS LOVE YARDS
FARMER’S MARKET FRENZY POOLS WITH PURPOSE
ARTS + CULTURE
Original, yet timeless.
Edgy, yet sophisticated. Modern, yet classic.
We live in a world that rewards productivity and prizes efficiency where every moment feels accounted for and perfectly planned. I’ll admit, I sometimes get caught up in that mindset too, believing that only the measurable moments matter. But lately, I’ve been reminded of something essential: the most meaningful parts of life often come when we simply give ourselves space to explore.
Exploration doesn’t always mean boarding a plane or heading off on a big trip. Sometimes it’s found right at home in a backyard transformed by a beautiful pool or a new trail just around the corner. In this issue, we feature Trinity Pools, a company creating spaces that bring joy to families and communities alike. Their custom pools do more than just cool you off they become places where memories are made, laughter flows, and connection deepens.
If you're looking for new ways to wander close to home, don’t miss our Summer Markets Bucket List. From fresh produce to one-of-a-kind artisan finds, these community gems are perfect for a spontaneous Saturday stroll.
We also introduce you to Dr. Beth Templin, a trailblazer in wellness who believes in helping people Regenerate. Relieve. Regenerate. Through her innovative approach, she’s changing the way we care for aging adults eliminating chronic pain and helping people return to the active, vibrant lives they deserve.
At home, I’ve found that our family’s best memories don’t come from perfectly curated moments, but from the unexpected ones getting lost on a new trail, stumbling upon a charming café, or playing a board game as the sun sets. It’s in those unscripted moments that real connection happens.
This issue is your invitation to explore, to try something new, embrace the spontaneous, and make space for joy, healing, and discovery in your everyday life.
Here’s to happy exploring,
July 2025
PUBLISHER
Gordon Montgomery gordon.montgomery@citylifestyle.com
CO-PUBLISHER
Kelley Lamm | kelley.lamm@citylifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Julie Brown Patton | julie.patton@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Casey Pierce | casey.pierce@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Christina Iris Schmidt christina.schmidt@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Julie Brown Patton, Stacey Collins Bibb, Robin Seaton Jefferson, Mel Boban, Casey Weber
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
John Lore, Mel Boban
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick
Our Promise: You will be cared for by attentive, experienced individuals who are committed to your personal well being.
At McKnight Place Extended Care we provide individualized skilled nursing care in an elegant, residential style. Our staff of medically trained professionals is available around the clock to provide you or your loved one with the highest level of service. Our community serves individuals who need long-term skilled nursing care or short-term recovery assistance after hospitalization.
*We accept Medicare Part A for skilled nursing rehab services.
For more information or to schedule a tour, call (314) 993-2221
1-4: Good News Brewing Company celebrates Wildwood opening serving wood-fired pizza and craft beer. 5: Good News Brewing owners Dan
and
Fair pictured with Wildwood Mayor Joe
6: Owner of French Crêperie, Natacha Douglas pitched her authentic crêpe mix to ABC’s Shark Tank. 7: Owners at Work & Leisure were the first guests on the new KLIS LouInfo.com station.
At The Kaiser Law Firm, P.C., the father and son team of Phil and Andy Kaiser, with over 60 years of combined experience in the estate planning, asset protection, elder law and business law fields, along with their dedicated support staff, are here in Chesterfield to meet the needs of your family and those of your business. As a family owned firm, we understand what matters to your family and your business.
Local And Bucket List Markets For Summer Shopping
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEL BOBAN
This market is small but mighty, just across from Galleria in Richmond Heights. Stroll The Boulevard on Sunday mornings for picks from local butchers, candle makers farmers and even basket weavers.
Rotating locations biweekly between Maypop Shop and Big Bend Boulevard on Sundays, shoppers can find everything from fresh plants to cake pops and other locally made goodies. If visiting at Maypop, stay for a bite to eat and a coffee inside.
On Saturday mornings, Wildwood pops up with local eggs, oils, meats, honeys, flowers, plants, soaps and even jewelry and handmade crafts. Plan to meet friends, family or neighbors to support local, snack on baked goods or enjoy a freshly prepared smoothie.
5. PIKE’S PLACE MARKET, SEATTLE
For a domestic bucket list market, the Pike’s Place Market in Seattle is a must. Just across from the very first Starbucks, shoppers will find aisles of fresh seafood, flower bunches and even local lavender.
4. THE SAINT CHARLES MARKET
Spend Saturday morning on Main Street. Shop while listening to music and enjoying their rotating themed days like the special Ice Cream Market, Coffee Market and even an Apple Market. In the fall, the Chili Market and Pumpkin Market make an appearance.
6. MARCHÉ AUX FLEURS, COURS SALEYA, NICE FRANCE
For those whose international travel dream includes the beautiful blue coast of France, also known as the Côte d’Azur, add this stop to the itinerary. The fragrant flowers and delicious fresh pastries will consume your senses as you stroll for local souvenirs such as soap and oils. This iconic French market is just steps from the beautiful pebbled beach.
4
CHILDREN’S BOOK REMINDS OF SIMPLE JOYS FROM NATURE
ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON
Noticing little things in life spurs imagination and hope. Just ask St. Louis resident Katie Lerwick, who says Forest Park has been an important part of her routine for years. During walks with her dog, Carl, in the park, she states they both enjoyed finding turtles. She began to take and frequently share photos of those turtles with friends. One day, when she witnessed the innocent curiosity of preschoolers exploring nature in the park, the experience inspired her to formulate a story.
Katie's story resulted in the children's book Where Did the Turtles Go? for ages 3- to 5-years. The 10-by-10-inch hardcover book spans 32 pages, and was published Dec 25, 2023. It also contains 38 full-color illustrations by Caroline Kraus, a photographer and filmmaker who lives in Northern California.
Following is more of the backstory.
WHY CHOOSE FOREST PARK FOR YOUR BOOK'S PLOT/FOCAL POINT?
"We live across the street from Forest Park. A walk there with Carl is a part of my daily routine. Urban parks are so important for the respite they provide from fast-paced environments of cities. Parks provide an opportunity to slow down and engage all your senses to the sights, sounds and smells of surrounding naturescapes. Children are especially good at using their senses to tap into their surroundings. On my walks, I often saw groups of children hopping from rock to rock, collecting leaves and sticks to show to their teacher, parent,
or caregiver, and screaming with delight when they spotted all kinds of animals, especially turtles."
YOU'VE WRITTEN STORIES FOR YOUR OWN CHILDREN WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG. WHY WRITE ABOUT TURTLES NOW AND THE CHANGING SEASONS?
"This story came about during COVID. I had plenty of time for walks in Forest Park, and would take countless pictures of the turtles. As spring turned into summer and then fall, a story had formed in my head, and there was little excuse to not do something with it."
WHAT WERE THE MOST CHALLENGING DECISIONS YOU FACED WHEN WRITING THE STORY?
"The biggest challenge for me was trying to figure out the best style of illustration to bring my story to life. I was familiar with Caroline Kraus through her Instagram and was an admirer of her work. It has a beautiful, dream-like quality I thought would be a perfect complement to my story. Luckily, Caroline's cousin is a good friend and connected us. We clicked immediately, and had so much fun working together."
HOW DID READERS REACT TO THE BOOK?
"I've had the opportunity to read Where Did the Turtles Go? on several occasions to different groups of children. What I loved most about their reactions was how the story really served as a catalyst for a discussion of the different things they've seen and done in the park."
FROM WHERE CAN YOUR BOOK BE PURCHASED?
"Copies may be available locally in St. Louis at Spine Indie Bookstore & Cafe, The Novel Neighbor, Left Bank Books, Missouri History Museum's Sold on St. Louis gift shop, Holliday, Dot Dot Dash Boutique or PenAndPublish.com. Retail list price is $20."
KatieLerwick.com
“’Where Did The Turtles Go?’ is meant to encourage children to use their senses to notice the natural world around them and how that world changes from season to season.”
ARTICLE BY DR. BETH TEMPLIN,
HOUSEFIT PHYSICAL THERAPY & FITNESS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LENTINI PRODUCTIONS
CHRONIC PAIN SHOULDN'T STEAL YOUR SUMMER
Chronic pain has a way of quietly shrinking one's world. What once were joyful summer pastimes -- traveling with family, tending to a garden or spending hours on the golf course -begin to feel impossible. Stiff joints, aching backs and persistent pain turn simple pleasures into sources of frustration or fear. Rather than looking forward to the season, many aging adults start to dread the physical toll of their favorite activities. Instead of planning vacations or tee times, they plan around their pain. With the introduction of Regenerative Therapy, it doesn’t have to be this way.
GROUNDBREAKING ALTERNATIVE HELPS
AGING ADULTS
ELIMINATE CHRONIC PAIN RETURN TO ACTIVE, FULFILLING LIVES
“REGENERATIVE THERAPY IS CHANGING HOW WE APPROACH CHRONIC PAIN, OFFERING REAL RELIEF WITHOUT RELYING ON ENDLESS MEDICATIONS OR INVASIVE SURGERIES.”
Regenerative Therapy is changing how chronic pain is approached, offering real relief without relying on endless medications or invasive surgeries. This innovative treatment taps into your body’s own ability to heal, repairing damaged tissues and reducing inflammation at the source. Unlike temporary fixes that only mask pain, Regenerative Therapy addresses the underlying cause, helping restore mobility, strength and function.
For aging adults, this means renewed freedom to embrace the active lifestyle they’ve always loved. Imagine booking that bucket-list trip without hesitation, spending a day gardening without stiffness or playing 18 holes without worrying about your back. With Regenerative Therapy, those visions can become reality.
At HouseFit, we offer the full scope of Regenerative Therapy: Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT), Radial and Focused Shockwave. We are the only clinic in St. Louis to offer all three forms of Regenerative Therapy. This allows us to provide next level healing. Regenerative Therapy is perfect for anyone looking to manage their pain without use of medications or surgery, or those who have tried Physical Therapy in the past, but not gotten the results they were looking for.
Shockwave Therapy has a proven track rate of significant pain relief for more than 82% of clients. When layering in EMTT, the results are even better. Clients can start to feel benefits after two to three sessions with maximum results after the full six-week protocol.
This summer, don’t let pain be the reason to sit on the sidelines. Explore a solution that helps you move with confidence, feel more energized and live fully again. Let Regenerative Therapy help you reclaim the summer, and your life.
Free pain consultations can be requested from HouseFit Physical Therapy & Fitness at 314.939-1377.
ARTICLE BY STACEY COLLINS BIBB | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN LORE
When the team at Trinity Pools offers their take on what constitutes “success,” it would be wise to consider what they have to say. Stephanie, a master’s-degreed graduate of Washington University, and Chris, a business owner for more than 40 years, are a husband-and-wife team committed to their family, clients and community. Chris and the couple’s son-in-law, Joey Elliott, run Trinity Pools, a luxury pool company serving St. Charles and St. Louis counties. Stephanie works with them and runs Helping Hand-Me-Downs, a nonprofit whose mission is to help single mothers and their children by providing car seats, diapers, clothing and baby gear to those in need.
“Helping Hand-Me-Downs works with social workers to fill orders. We have a warehouse similar to nonprofit thrift stores, but at no cost,” Stephanie says with excitement.
Stephanie started Helping Hand-Me-Downs after working in the corporate world. She works at the nonprofit six days a week. On weekends, she and Chris do outreach in St. Louis City. “God has blessed us greatly, so we give back,” Chris says.
Giving back is a pledge the Suljaks take seriously — Helping Hand-Me-Downs has been providing necessities to St. Louis children for almost 15 years.
When she’s not at Helping Hand-Me-Downs, Stephanie can be found on job sites and behind a desk helping Chris, Joey and their family plan and install entire outdoor living scapes at Trinity Pools.
“Stephanie keeps us going; without her, we couldn’t do what we do,” Chris laughs. “When we got married, business tripled because of her. She keeps me in line.”
At Trinity Pools, the Suljaks and their son-in-law Joey are with their clients every step of the way from planning, to digging, to installation and hardscape. What sets Trinity apart from other pool companies is that clients do not need to deal with multiple sub-contractors; at Trinity, they do every step of the process themselves.
“There’s one contact, and that’s us,” Stephanie says, “we do it all.”
Chris began working in the outdoor living space at age 12, mowing the lawns of Taylor-Morley properties. As a teen, Chris built retaining walls after school until he made it a business of his own, eventually becoming the largest union retaining wall company in the Midwest. It was after that achievement, however, that Chris says he decided that he wanted to serve residential clients rather than commercial ones.
“With commercial projects, you have less control; I wanted to control my projects,” Chris explained. “When I started working in the residential space, I saw so many homeowners who were scammed by pool companies. They had a giant hole in their yard and no pool. I knew we could do better.”
Trinity Pools made one client so happy, in fact, that he now wants to sell pools for them. This client-turned-friend had a hole in his yard for more than four years. The couple had all but given up on their outdoor space; they had a yard that was ruined, they lost tens of thousands of dollars, and there was still no pool to show for it. Finally, Trinity Pools made the homeowners’ dreams a reality. They now have a beautiful swimming pool and outdoor space they love.
"We build everyone’s dream outdoor space but without making them find multiple contractors,” Chris states proudly. “We work with our kids, and we’re setting our family up for future success. We love working with our family, we know we are the best out there, and because everyone has a stake in the company, we each go the extra mile.”
Joey and the rest of the family laugh about various “Chris-isms,” as they like to call it. One such “Chris-ism” is “Build your own dream! Why build someone else’s dream?” Although the family finds humor in it, that particular “Chris-ism” seems to be exactly what Joey Elliott and the Suljaks are doing, but with the ultimate purpose of giving back.
“At the end of the day,“ Chris says, “we just want to be a light to people. It’s about faith. You can preach, but it’s actions that really show people who God is. Actions are what people remember, because it’s not about what you say. It’s about what you do.”
So how exactly does the team at Trinity Pools measure success? Chris states, “in Proverbs, it states a good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children. By running successful businesses, we achieve that, but that passage isn’t really about money. It’s about the relationship with God. That’s the real prosperity, the real inheritance and legacy we’re leaving behind. That’s success in my book.”
At e3 Wealth, we take the stance that our clients’ interests always come first. This is something we are proud to share with the world because it truly reflects our core value of Win-Win-Win, and it illustrates the level of service we provide and what clients can expect from a relationship with e3 Wealth. In the U.S. legal system, a person acting in a fiduciary capacity is legally obligated to act in the best interest of the other party. This is a much higher standard to uphold, and it sets us apart from status quo firms. As an independent firm, we have the ability to choose our relationships with sponsor companies and custodians to ensure the very best choice for each client’s needs. Contact Steve Perrmann sperrmann@e3wealth.com
WE SET OURSELVES APART BY SERVING AS AN
Perrmann Senior Partner
Elevate Outdoor: Exceptional Spaces, Extraordinary Memories
ARTICLE BY ROBIN SEATON JEFFERSON
“Our message is: ‘Exceptional spaces, extraordinary memories.’ We take care of your property like we own it.”
Tony Meyer, chief sales and marketing officer of Elevate Outdoor in St. Louis, says the outdoor design, build and maintenance company wants its clientele to “imagine what their
“Our message is: ‘Exceptional spaces, extraordinary memories.’ We take care of your property like we own it.”
lives could be like. We lay the foundation for families to lead fulfilling lives. The home is the space where the family resides, the space where the family makes memories,” he says. “Our role in that is to help make sure they aren’t worried about what the space looks like, feels like or how it’s maintained.”
For more than 25 years, Elevate Outdoor has helped homeowners love their yard, entertain their friends and family and reduce their stress in upkeep. The entire team shares a unified purpose: to elevate the quality of life for their customers and coworkers and enhance the growth of their own character.
Chief Executive Officer Kohl Fitzmaurice founded his business in 1997. Over the years, he built a strong customer base with fierce loyalty and creative vision.
“Family is at the heart of our workmanship,” he says, adding that he has had the privilege of growing his business from scratch, and while the trends are constantly changing, his mission does not.
“We strive to elevate the quality of life for our customers, and because of that investment, it has enhanced the growth of my character along with the character of our Elevate Outdoor team.”
Tony welcomes clients to partner with the Elevate Outdoor team for their next outdoor landscape project to “level up their yards.”
Elevate Outdoor offers the full package of services for their clients’ outdoor design, build and maintenance. “We use the term flywheel,” Tony says. “It’s like a holistic approach with concierge-level
services for everything you need for the design of your outdoor spaces and maintaining them.”
Tony says people know their own spaces. “They are their castle grounds. We make sure they are taken care of properly.”
Many of Elevate Outdoor’s customers travel frequently or work out of town and/or entertain a lot. The company guides them through a non-stressful construction. “It’s a seamless integration with maintenance over time,” Tony says. “We’re removing the anxiety of designing, building and maintaining their outdoor spaces. We’re sifting the chaff. We’re worrying about managing the property so they don’t have to. They just get to make memories.”
Clients can give direction to the Elevate Outdoor team or let them do it all. “We want to fuel their imaginations,” Tony says. “They can have all the input that they want or none at all. We will come to you with the strategy and the plan.”
Elevate Outdoor is rooted in family. The company is a family- and friend-owned business with a united purpose that drives it each day. “We are on mission to serve you and your family,” Tony says. “Our passion is to enhance the house that you’ve made into a home by transforming your outdoor living space. Not only will our services add value to your home, we promise it will add value to your life. After all, the memories are what make us, and that’s an invaluable gift.”
Elevate Outdoor is based in St. Louis, but also has locations in Kansas City and the Adirondack Mountain Region. The company also has a pool division, Elevate Pools.
ARTICLE BY CASEY WEBER, TALL GRASS MEAT COMPANY
Nothing describes summer better than a good cookout! And what is a cookout without a good, quality steak and the perfect grilling recipe?
1. Thaw and acclimate the steak. For searing to occur, the proteins in steak need to be heated to at least 310°F. Tossing cold meat onto a hot grill lowers the temperature and can prevent a crust from forming, so it’s important that any frozen steaks are thawed completely before cooking.
2. Salt your steak 30-45 minutes before grilling. This causes the salt to draw moisture from within the steak up to the surface, where it dissolves the salt and creates a brine that gets reabsorbed into the steak where it breaks down tough connective tissues.
3. Oil the grate on the grill, not the steak. Use tongs and a paper towel dipped in vegetable oil to lube your grates.
4. Manage your heat well. Remember that your grill needs to be hot for your steak to get a good sear. But if it’s hot enough to cause your oil to smoke, it’s too hot.
5. Use the 60/40 rule. The best-tasting steaks are seared on both sides and cooked evenly in the middle. The simplest way to do that is to only flip your steak once. The 60/40 rule suggests that 60% of your cook time should be spent on one side, and 40% on the other.
6. Keep the lid closed. It may be tempting to peek, but trust the experts and keep it shut! Opening the lid makes your grill lose heat, which makes steaks cook unevenly.
7. Check for doneness. A meat thermometer will give you the most accurate temperature reading:
• Rare: 120°F
• Medium Rare: 130°F
• Medium: 140°F
• Medium Well: 150°F
• Well: 160°F
8. Let your steak rest. Pull your steaks from the grill once they’re cooked to 5-10 degrees below your target temperature and rest for 10-15 minutes.
By: Dr. Beth Templin
I recently attended an event and was talking to a friend of mine, Bob, who is retired He made a comment to me that many of his friends have shown a significant decline in their memory since retiring and he wanted to know if I had seen a similar trend in my work
JULY 9TH
Movies Under The Stars:
Dr. Seuss' The Grinch
We spoke about how without routine in your life and demands that are mentally challenging, it’s easy to lose some of that mental sharpness. However, this is not necessarily a “normal” part of aging, but rather an example of “use it or lose it”.
So what can be done? The good news is the brain has the ability to grow and learn well into old age This is especially true for people who engage in regular exercise and who experience new challenges and learning environments. You can delay the progression and onset of dementia by building up your brain, just like yo u would a muscle.
The brain is able to learn and grow by forming new connections and creating new pathways in the brain, a phenomenon which is known as neuroplasticity.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are 6 Pillars of Brain Health: Get Moving, Rest Well, Keep Sharp, Eat Well, Control Risks and Stay Connected. At HouseFit we offer services to help support our clients in meeting all 6 Pillars.
Peopl e living with memory issues often have a hard time finding an exercise class that is designed with them in mind, which is why we developed our Memory Class , which was created specifically for our clients with mild to moderate memory issues. We have structured the class to allow for participants to be successful, while delivering a high intensity workout to maintain independence long-term and improve brain health.
If you or a loved one is concerned about memory loss with age, we can help Call to schedule a Free Consultation to learn more about our services at 314939-1377.
Chesterfield Amphitheater | 6:30 PM
See The Grinch for free. Using laser projection technology, the movie will be projected on the roof of the amphitheater for a unique viewing experience! Pack a blanket, and bring drinks and snacks. Movie begins on the roof of the The ChAmp at dusk. Food trucks scheduled include Ray Ray's Kettle Corn; Cluck, Oink, Moo Sliders; and Kona Ice.
JULY 18TH
Dr. Zhivegas Concert:
The Last Dance With DRZ
Chesterfield Amphitheater | 6:00 PM
Dr. Zhivegas celebrates their 30th anniversary. From STL to Las Vegas, this band has reigned supreme as one of the hardest-working U.S. dance bands. This limited run of Dr. Zhivegas 30th Anniversary shows will be last chance to celebrate with the St. Louis disco dance icons as they bring back the big band disco funk revue that started it all.
JULY 19TH
Chesterfield Amphitheater | 5:30 PM
The Sounds of Summer Concert Series is free to the community. No ticket is required; however, all guests will still go through the security checkpoint. Guests are welcome to bring in snacks (no full meals) and alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages (no glass). Slated food trucks are Cluck Oink Moo Sliders; Doughboys Wood Fired Pizza; and Wok-O Taco.
CONTINUED
JULY 25TH
Chesterfield Amphitheater | 6:00 PM
Since making history in 2011 as both the first country artist and youngest male artist of any genre to debut his first studio album, Scotty had Platinum-certified Clear as Day at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. In Rise & Fall album, he explores heartbreak, rowdy nights, nostalgia, faith, newfound joy, fatherhood and enduring love.
JULY 25TH
Chesterfield Family Aquatic Center | 7:30 PM
Enjoy a movie while swimming in the leisure pool and receive a snow cone. Disney's Frozen movie starts at approximately 8 p.m. This event is being hosted in partnership with the Monarch Fire Protection District. Cost: $2 off CFAC admission-pay at gate (season passes not valid).
JULY 27TH
The Factory In Chesterfield | 5:30 PM
Enjoy a tailgate-style party and tunes with music, sports and giving back via a one-of-a-kind charity event for all ages, featuring baseball legend-turned-country singer Adam Wainwright, vocal powerhouse Joanna Cotten and up-and-coming artist Austin Bohannon. Special appearances by pitcher Ryan Helsley and other St. Louis Cardinals players, a visit from Fredbird, a DJ, a silent auction, raffle, games and prizes.