For the Love of Kids & Pets
August has a way of slowing us down just enough to appreciate what matters most. Longer days, family adventures, backyard games, wagging tails and the little moments that often become our biggest memories.
This month, we're celebrating the people, places and organizations that help shape our families and our community.
In this issue, you'll meet Dr. Julia Myers, who shares why the most important organization you'll ever lead is your own family. Her thoughtful perspective reminds us that the values we intentionally pass down today become the legacy our children carry tomorrow.
You'll also step inside Bluestem Missouri Crafts, a downtown Columbia staple where every handcrafted piece tells a story. For more than four decades, Bluestem has connected talented artists with our community, proving that the most meaningful gifts are often the ones made with heart.
And because no Kids & Pets issue would be complete without celebrating our four-legged family members, we're honored to feature Unchained Melodies. Their mission of giving neglected dogs a second chance is a powerful reminder of the difference compassion, patience and love can make—not just in the lives of animals, but in the people who welcome them home.
Whether you're spending these last weeks of summer making memories with your children, exploring Columbia with your family or simply enjoying a walk with your favorite furry companion, we hope this issue inspires you to slow down and appreciate the connections that matter most.
Wishing you a wonderful August filled with sunshine, family time and plenty of tail wags.
Warmly,
LEANNE SULLIVAN, PUBLISHER
SHEA SULLIVAN, EDITOR @COLUMBIACITYLIFESTYLE
August 2026
PUBLISHER
Leanne Sullivan | leanne.sullivan@citylifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Sarah Shorthose | sarah.shorthose@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Shea Sullivan | shea.sullivan@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Julia Myers | hello@juliamyers.com
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Josh Govero
LAYOUT DESIGNER Liz Nixon
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick
We offer Home Roof Coverage Full Replacement Cost for life of Policy. Here at B Young Insurance Agency, we strive to provide top notch customer service ensuring you understand your insurance. Ask about our Multipolicy Discount- Couple that with additional discounts for safe driving, Drivewise, no claims, new roof, smart student, student away for school and many more discounts to offer.
With City Lifestyle’s co-branded print + digital packages, your business captures attention wherever our community is looking. Build unmatched local credibility on the page, and drive immediate action online.
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1-14: From June 22–30, 2026, Marching Mizzou, the Mizzou Golden Girls, the Feature Twirlers, and Color Guard traveled to London to participate in London Band Week. The group performed at Potters Fields Park overlooking Tower Bridge and the River Thames, appeared in the renowned London Tattoo at ExCeL London, and participated in Drumline London at Horse Guards Parade in St. James’s Park. The historic trip marked 50 years since Marching Mizzou’s last performance in England.
DUSTIN BENNETT PHOTOGRAPHY
KOLDEN LAM & MADELEINE CERNEKA
MARCHING MIZZOU MEDIA
MARCHING MIZZOU MEDIA
SAM MOHLER
MARCHING MIZZOU MEDIA
MARCHING MIZZOU MEDIA
KOLDEN LAM & MADELEINE CERNEKA
MARCHING MIZZOU MEDIA
KOLDEN LAM
KOLDEN LAM & MADELEINE CERNEKA
MARCHING MIZZOU MEDIA
KOLDEN LAM
DUSTIN BENNETT PHOTOGRAPHY
business monthly
Ronald McDonald House Charities Brunch & Blingo Raises Over $90,000
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri hosted its annual Brunch & Blingo fundraiser on June 6 at the Country Club of Missouri, bringing the community together in support of families with seriously ill or injured children. The event raised more than $90,000, with proceeds helping provide lodging, meals, and essential support for families receiving medical care away from home. Learn more about RMHC Mid-Missouri and how you can get involved at rmhcmidmo.org
Connection Exchange Announces New Ownership
After 11 years of serving the Mid-Missouri business community, founders Cara Owings and Jennifer Schenck have transitioned ownership of The Connection Exchange to Nick Balser, owner of Lifetime Realty Group, and his wife, Dr. Tina Balser, owner of Feel Good Forever. Nick and Tina are committed to continuing the organization’s mission of connecting local businesses with new homeowners while building on the trusted relationships and strong foundation Cara and Jennifer established over the past decade.
Columbia Chamber Welcomes New President & CEO
The Columbia Chamber of Commerce has named Abdul-Kaba Abdullah as its new President & CEO, as of July 1. Abdullah brings more than 20 years of experience in economic development and community revitalization. Most recently, he served as Executive Director of Park Central Development in St. Louis, helping facilitate more than $1.3 billion in investment. He looks forward to building on the Chamber's strong foundation and supporting Columbia's continued growth.
ARTICLE BY SHEA SULLIVAN
UNCHAINED at LAST
Giving neglected dogs the freedom every
family companion deserves
For many dogs, freedom is something most of us never think twice about.
It’s chasing a tennis ball across the backyard. Curling up on the couch after a long walk. Greeting their family at the front door with an excited tail wag.
But for far too many dogs, life has looked very different.
When Melody Whitworth moved from South Florida to Missouri, she was shocked by what she saw. Neighborhood after neighborhood, dogs spent their days tethered to trees, fences and other immovable objects. Some had little or no shelter. Others had no companionship beyond the length of a chain.
“I couldn’t understand it,” Whitworth says. “These dogs spent their lives at the end of a chain, day after day, no matter the weather.”
That realization led her to found Unchained Melodies in 2015, a Columbia-based nonprofit dedicated to rescuing dogs from lives of isolation, neglect and long-term tethering.
But the organization’s mission extends far beyond removing chains.
“We want people to understand that dogs need much more than food, water and shelter,” Whitworth says. “They have emotional, physical and social needs. They deserve to live—not simply exist.”
Every dog that arrives at Unchained Melodies begins a journey of healing. Veterinary care, vaccinations, parasite treatment and rehabilitation come first, followed by time to simply decompress. From there, trainers begin teaching basic obedience, leash walking and helping each dog build confidence.
Many rescued dogs have never walked across hardwood floors, climbed stairs or even stepped through a doorway. Everyday
sounds like a vacuum cleaner, an ice maker or a television can be completely unfamiliar. Before they’re ready for adoption, they first have to learn what it means to simply be a dog.
Eventually, each dog moves into a foster home, where they experience family life for the very first time. Foster families continue training, help dogs adjust to everyday routines and learn each dog’s personality, preferences and quirks. By the time a dog is ready for adoption, Unchained Melodies knows how to make the right match—the right dog for the right family.
For Whitworth, that’s what freedom truly means.
Freedom means a life without restraints. It means sleeping indoors, playing fetch, receiving affection and finally becoming a beloved member of a family instead of spending life at the end of a chain.
Few stories capture Unchained Melodies’ mission better than Gator’s.
When volunteers first met him, it was pouring rain. Gator lived at the end of a four-foot chain with nothing more than a cardboard box covered by a plastic bag for shelter. Every time he tried to run toward them, the chain around his neck pulled him back.
Years without socialization left him reactive toward other dogs, fearful of confinement and overwhelmed by everyday life.
Even after entering rescue, Gator wasn’t an easy dog.
He escaped crates, chewed carpets, knocked down doors and tested everyone trying to help him. Some of the emotional wounds left by years spent on a chain never fully disappeared.
Then one family looked beyond the behavior.
"Dogs deserve to live... not simply exist. They have emotional, physical and social needs just like we do."
- Melody Whitworth
They understood Gator wasn’t difficult because he was bad. He was responding to a lifetime of isolation.
Despite broken antiques, destroyed crates and countless challenges, they loved him completely until he passed away last year.
To Whitworth, Gator’s story is proof that every dog deserves someone willing to see beyond the past.
That same philosophy guides every adoption at Unchained Melodies.
For children especially, growing up with a rescue dog teaches lessons that reach far beyond pet ownership. They learn empathy, patience and responsibility while watching an animal slowly learn to trust again. They discover that healing doesn’t happen overnight, but that love and consistency can truly change a life.
Rescue dogs aren’t broken.
They carry physical and emotional battle scars, but with kindness, patience and love, they can learn to trust again.
Today, Unchained Melodies does far more than rescue dogs.
The nonprofit provides training, connects families with affordable resources, offers community outreach and works to keep dogs in the loving homes they already have whenever possible. Sometimes families simply need guidance with behavior issues, help finding affordable veterinary care or temporary assistance with pet food during a difficult financial season. Supporting people often means keeping beloved dogs with the families who already love them.
Education has become just as important as rescue itself. Through community outreach, Unchained Melodies helps families better understand responsible pet ownership while encouraging compassion for animals that have experienced neglect. Whitworth believes that giving owners the tools they need can prevent many dogs from ever entering the rescue system.
She is especially proud of the progress she’s witnessed since founding the organization. Today, she sees far fewer dogs living on chains than she did a decade ago, thanks in part to stronger local ordinances and growing public awareness about humane care.
"Children learn some of life's greatest lessons by watching a rescue dog heal, trust and embrace a second chance at life."
- Melody Whitworth
Looking ahead, Whitworth hopes to help more communities establish humane tethering laws, expand affordable training programs and create a spay-and-neuter initiative that reduces unwanted litters before they ever enter shelters and rescues. She also hopes to see stronger enforcement of existing animal abuse and neglect laws while continuing to educate communities across Missouri and beyond.
For Whitworth, every rescued dog represents another life transformed—and another step toward a future where no dog spends its life at the end of a chain.
Learn More & Get Involved
Whether you’re looking to adopt, foster, volunteer or support their mission, Unchained Melodies welcomes community involvement. To learn more about available dogs, training programs, donation opportunities or upcoming events, visit unchainedmelodies.org or contact the rescue below.
Donations & Training 4107 White Tiger Ln. Columbia, MO 65202
Phone: (573) 814-8073
Email: info@unchainedmelodies.org
Wende before her rescue
Wende thriving in her new life
Just a short drive from Columbia, Southern Provisions invites you to explore a unique collection of heritage goods, home decor, and local finds. Whether you’re spending a day on the Katy Trail or looking for the perfect gift, step inside and discover something truly special this summer.
RAISING KIDS Intentionally
A BUSINESS RUNS ON MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES. SO SHOULD THE MOST IMPORTANT ORGANIZATION
YOU'LL EVER LEAD.
ARTICLE BY JULIA MYERS
The strongest influence on a child usually comes from family. I grew up eating PB&Js in the parking lot of Six Flags, because I’d logged 600 minutes of summer reading to earn the ticket inside. I knew my parents valued two things: reading, and affordable fun we could share as a family. What I didn’t know then was that they were teaching me with their actions as much as their words. “That’s just who we are, Julia,” my dad would say.
You can recite your company’s mission, vision, and values from memory. You spent a weekend offsite refining them, printing them, hanging them in the lobby. Then you drive home to the most important organization you will ever lead, and it runs on none of that. No mission. No stated values. Just habits, defaults, and whatever everyone happened to absorb along the way.
We design our careers. We design our portfolios. We design the kitchen down to the cabinet pulls. The one thing we often leave to chance is the family living inside it.
EVERY FAMILY IS BUILT. FEW ARE DESIGNED.
“Hey, what’s for dinner?” It’s the question a parent hears at least once a day. As parents we know an intentional meal plan leads to healthier choices and less stress at dinnertime. Same goes with raising kids. Default is normal. A family with no stated values still has a culture. It is just an accidental one, assembled from leftover assumptions, tired yeses, and whatever the neighbors are doing. Your kids are absorbing a value system this week whether or not anyone chose it. They’ll find something to eat if you don’t put dinner on the table. They’ll find their values the same way, from whoever fills the silence.
Values that aren’t named don’t transfer. They stay in your head, obvious to you and invisible to them. And the space you leave empty does not stay empty for long. Comparison fills it. Screens fill it. The loudest voice in the carpool fills it. If you don’t define what your family stands for, something else will.
THE SECRET TO A LASTING LEGACY
A company has a mission, a vision, and a set of values. Your family deserves the same three things, in plain language.
Mission is why your family exists. Vision is where you are headed. Values are the three to five standards you actually live by, specific enough a ten-year-old could repeat them. “We are generous” is a poster. “One out of every ten dollars goes to someone else, starting young” is a value your kids can live by.
“A trust controls the money. A constitution controls the meaning.” Dr. Julia Myers
I call the finished product a family constitution. It’s not a binder on a shelf. It’s a living document you can reference at the dinner table tonight. And it does something quietly powerful for a child. It tells them they belong here on purpose. Every member has a role and a reason, a Very Important Purpose. Kids who know they’re part of something designed don’t go looking for identity somewhere else. And like the US Constitution, the amendments let the design grow as your family does.
I felt that shift on our first family trip to an amusement park. I packed our lunch, the way my parents once packed mine, and
framed it simply: we spend on experiences, not on overpriced park snacks. By the end of the day, the kids had decided on their own to put their saved money toward one big meal out together. The value didn’t just transfer. They made it their own.
NOT INFORMATION. INTEGRATION.
Most parents already have the information. You know what you believe. The gap is integration, turning what you believe into how your family operates day to day. For us, that meant driving Crusty Dusty, our gray Honda van, until the wheels nearly fell off. Not because we couldn’t afford something nicer, but because our money goes toward learning and experiences first. The van was never the point.
A constitution earns its keep the moment it becomes a filter. I teach families a tool I call the Discernment Quadrant, a way to run a decision through your values before emotion runs it for you. Picture goalposts. If a choice fits inside what your family stands for, it’s a yes. If it falls outside, it’s a no, and everyone knows why. Not “because I said so.” Because this is who we are. The conversations I wrote about in the April Issue “Wealth Needs Wisdom“
get easier here too, because you’re no longer arguing every request from scratch.
THE CALENDAR TELLS THE TRUTH.
You can say your family values rest, generosity, or time together. Your calendar will tell on you.
Integration shows up in the unglamorous places. The third activity you turn down to protect a shared dinner. The line you hold on a Tuesday night when you are tired and a yes would be so much easier.
Last summer, my daughter noticed an English countryside shop that opened late and closed by four. “That’s so cool,” she said. “They work so they can have a full life. Not a full schedule.”
Values you put on the calendar are values your kids believe. Values you only talk about are values they quietly learn to discount.
So pull up your week. Then pull up your constitution. Where they match, you are living by design. Where they don’t, you have found your next conversation.
“You’ll always feel pressure when it’s defined by someone else. You’ll feel purpose when it’s defined by you.” Dr. Julia Myers
WHO THEY BECOME
The payoff isn’t a household that looks good from the outside. It’s a person. Kids raised inside a designed family know who they are, what they stand for, and what it means to belong to your family and no other. That clarity travels with them. The 16-year-old
“You’ll always feel pressure when it’s defined by someone else. You’ll feel purpose when it’s defined by you.”
Dr. Julia Myers
who once hunted for the fast pass line at the DMV called a few years later about a fender bender. No panic. She’d already taken down the information, confirmed the damage was under our deductible, and covered it from her own emergency savings. She just wanted me to know.
This isn’t about control, and it isn’t about a perfect family. It’s about direction. You already built the life. This is how you build the people who will carry it.
Your children will inherit your house. They will also inherit your habits, your defaults, and the culture you either chose or didn’t. Choose it. Design it. Enjoy every moment of it.
DR. JULIA MYERS
Dr. Julia Myers is a TEDx Speaker and Founder of Generational Wisdom® and mom to five, ages 10 to 22. For a free template to start your own family constitution, visit www.juliamyers.com/constitution.
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Homemade Dog Food
ARTICLE BY AMY TINNIN PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
My two pugs are more than pets—they’re part of the family. That’s why I started making their food at home, and it’s been one of the most popular posts on my blog. You may be surprised just how easy this recipe is. I add all the ingredients to my slow-cooker to cook, and my dogs love it. If you decide to try this recipe for your pet, please consult your veterinarian. Every dog has different needs based on age, weight, and any health issues. You can even share this recipe with your vet to see if any changes are needed. The ingredients are flexible and can be easily swapped to substitute the turkey for chicken or beef, and even try different dog-safe vegetables. Making dog food at home isn’t hard—it just takes a little planning, and my dogs love it.
Slow Cooker
Homemade Dog Food
INGREDIENTS:
• 3 lbs ground turkey (85% lean)
• 1¼ cups frozen sweet potatoes
• 1½ cups frozen peas and carrots
• 1 cup frozen spinach
• 1½ cups uncooked brown or white rice
• 4 cups water
DIRECTIONS:
1. Add all ingredients to a slow cooker.
2. Break up the ground turkey and mix all the ingredients.
3. Cover and cook on High for 3–4 hours or Low for 6 hours, stirring occasionally.
Note: My dog food was ready in 3½ hours on High. Let cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freeze for later use.
Recipe from Amy Tinnin - A Cup Full of Sass
WHERE Handmade STILL Matters
For more than 40 years, Bluestem has connected shoppers, local artists and meaningful handmade craftsmanship.
ARTICLE BY SHEA SULLIVAN
In downtown Columbia, Bluestem Missouri Crafts is the kind of place where a hand-thrown mug, a carved wooden bowl and a pair of handcrafted earrings each come with a story worth keeping.
That story began in October 1983, when five artists—Sandy Litechy, Mary Benjamin, Marilyn Verner, Sue Luger and Cindy Messer—shared a dream of creating a place where Missouri-made art and fine crafts could flourish. Their goal was simple: give talented artists a home where they could connect with the community through authentic, handmade work.
More than 40 years later, that vision remains at the heart of Bluestem.
Today, the downtown gallery represents more than 200 artists from Missouri and neighboring states, featuring everything from pottery and woodworking to jewelry, glass, fiber art and painting. While technology has modernized the gallery’s day-to-day operations, its mission has never changed: celebrating handcrafted artistry and the people behind it.
Every purchase includes a bio card introducing the artist who created the piece, giving customers the opportunity to take home not only beautiful artwork, but also the story behind it. That connection between maker and collector is what has made Bluestem a Columbia destination for generations.
Every artist represented at Bluestem is selected with intention. Quality comes first, followed by originality and the story behind the work. Owners look for pieces that make people stop, take a second look and discover something they’ve never seen before.
The result is a thoughtfully curated collection where every visitor can find something that feels personal—whether it’s a meaningful gift, a statement piece or something they’ll treasure for years.
That philosophy is also what sets Bluestem apart in an age of online shopping and mass-produced products.
As owner Stephen McBee likes to say, “If you can find it at Target, we don’t have it.”
Instead, every shelf is filled with one-of-akind pieces created by artists who pour time, talent and heart into their work. Customers aren’t simply purchasing a mug, a pair of earrings or a decorative bowl—they’re bringing home craftsmanship, creativity and a story they’ll remember every time they use it.
Among the gallery’s most popular pieces are handcrafted earrings and functional
ceramics. While beautiful enough to display, they’re also designed to become part of everyday life. Stephen describes sipping coffee from a handmade mug as “giving yourself an emotional hug.”
Bluestem believes every visitor walks through its doors with a different story, which is why the gallery intentionally showcases such a wide variety of artistic disciplines. Whether someone is drawn to wood, clay, metal, glass or fiber, there’s an opportunity to discover work that resonates on a personal level.
Over the years, the gallery has also witnessed the impact art can have on the people who create it. One artist represented by Bluestem is a retired Special Forces soldier who found healing and peace through faith and artistic expression after military service. Stories like his remind the Bluestem team that the true value of handmade art extends far beyond the finished piece.
Looking ahead, Stephen and Julie McBee are excited to continue traveling, discovering new artists and sharing their stories with central Missouri. As Stephen puts it, “Our widget is art, but really the currency we deal in is heartwork.” It’s a philosophy that has guided Bluestem for decades—and one that continues to connect artists, shoppers and the Columbia community through creativity, craftsmanship and genuine human connection.
Bluestem Missouri Crafts
13 S. 9th St. Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: (573) 442-0211
Email: office@bluestemcrafts.com Website: bluestemcrafts.com
Meet the McBees
For Stephen and Julie McBee, taking ownership of Bluestem Missouri Crafts meant becoming stewards of one of downtown Columbia’s most cherished small businesses.
When the longtime owners announced their retirement, the couple saw an opportunity to preserve the gallery’s legacy while carrying its mission into the future. Rather than reinventing Bluestem, they’ve focused on building upon the foundation established by its founders—continuing to represent talented artists from Missouri and neighboring states while welcoming new makers along the way.
One of their favorite parts of ownership is traveling to meet artists, hearing the stories behind their work and sharing those stories with customers who value authentic, handmade craftsmanship.
TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
ON MARRIAGE, KIDS, AND THE COMEDY OF REAL LIFE
Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.
Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.
Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”
Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.
After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”
The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.
FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.
Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.
HAIR & MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
AUGUST 1ST
Dog Days Sidewalk Sale
The District, Downtown Columbia | 8:00 AM
The District's annual Dog Days Sidewalk Sale returns July 30–August 2, featuring sidewalk sales from downtown retailers, adoptable pets from local shelters, and plenty of opportunities to eat, shop, and explore.
AUGUST 1ST
Pony Rides with Blair's Barn
Cooper's Landing, 11505 Smith Hatchery Road | 9:00 AM
Bring the family to Cooper's Landing for a Kid's Day featuring pony rides in partnership with Blair's Barn. It's a fun morning for children to meet and ride friendly ponies while enjoying the scenic riverfront.
AUGUST 6TH
Heart of Missouri United Way 80th Anniversary Celebration
The Kitchen Grill & Games, 3711 Discovery Parkway | 5:00 PM
Celebrate 80 years of Heart of Missouri United Way during this free, family-friendly '80s-themed celebration featuring live music, signature drinks, a ribbon cutting, a cornhole tournament, and more.
The event runs from 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Explore
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AUGUST 12TH
PROSP{HER} Women's Wealth Experience
The PARA Project, 205 Portland St. | 5:00 PM
Join Aligned Wealth Group for PROSP{HER}, a thoughtfully curated evening designed to help women feel confident about their financial future. Connect with other women, gain practical financial insights in a relaxed, pressure-free environment, and enjoy an inspiring evening at The PARA Project. Tickets are $20. Learn more at alignedwealthgroup.com
AUGUST 13TH
Missouri State Fair
2503 W. 16th St., Sedalia, MO | 7:30 AM
Celebrate one of Missouri's biggest annual traditions at the Missouri State Fair, running August 13–23. Enjoy 11 days of livestock shows, carnival rides, grandstand concerts, rodeos, motorsports, agricultural exhibits, and family-friendly entertainment. For tickets, schedules, and more information, visit mostatefair.com
AUGUST 22ND
Columbia Taco King Taco Fest
Rose Music Hall, 1013 Park Ave | 11:00 AM
Experience one of the Midwest's biggest taco festivals August 22–23. Enjoy live music, local vendors, a taco eating contest, the Hot Sauce Showdown, and the Best Taco Spot competition during this family-friendly weekend celebration. Festival hours are Saturday, 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., and Sunday, 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
CINNAMON MONKEY BREAD IS A FUN DESSERT FOR CHILDREN TO MAKE AND SHARE!
ARTICLE BY PAULI REEP
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
There is little more satisfying to your sweet tooth than ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls. Here is an easy and fun way to make this tearable, shareable treat!
aroun d
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 3 (12 oz.) cans of buttermilk biscuits
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Generously coat the inside of a bundt pan with cooking spray or butter. Melt the butter in a pot or bowl. Mix the sugars and cinnamon in a separate bowl.
Open one can of biscuits, separate, and cut each into four sections. Next, roll each quarter into a ball and then put each one into the sugar mixture to coat. Place the balls in the bundt pan in a single layer and drizzle a little melted butter evenly over the top. Repeat with the other two cans of biscuits. Sprinkle the remaining sugar mixture over the top and bake for 30-35 minutes.
Be sure to let cool for a minute or two before turning the bread onto a plate and carefully removing the pan. If you leave the monkey bread in the pan much longer, it will stick and be hard to remove.
I sometimes make icing, a few tablespoons of milk, to about 1/2 cup of powdered sugar with a splash of vanilla.
Drizzle over the top while warm and enjoy!
Beautiful Moments: Natalie & Grant
Natalie knew Grant was her person ever since becoming high school sweethearts, and she had dreamed of a one-of-a-kind ring. After attending Mizzou together and establishing their careers, the next adventure awaiting was a proposal! Natalie worked with her sister - Betz team member Rachel Grant - to completely custom design the ring. She’s a girl who gets what she wants! The stunning pear-shaped center stone is complemented by a gorgeous white gold and diamond setting. And in a moment that truly felt lifted out of a film, Natalie & Grant eloped at Coromandel Peak in New Zealand - a location only accessible by helicopter. Talk about romantic! In keeping with tradition, Natalie’s “something blue” was a sapphire ring gifted by her sister, also from Betz Jewelers. We can’t wait to watch what’s next in store for this wonderful couple. Congratulations, Natalie & Grant!
