CARING WOUNDS UNLIMITED
WHERE YOUR PATH TO HEALING BEGINS.
We know healing isn’t just about closing a wound — it’s about restoring health, preventing complications, and helping you get back to living fully. Our compassionate team combines advanced treatment methods with personalized, patient-centered care designed specifically for you.
Rooted in trust and guided by experience, we take the time to understand your needs, history, and goals for healing. Whether you’re recovering from surgery, managing a chronic wound, or facing complex conditions, we’re here every step of the way.
Because at Caring Wounds Unlimited, your healing is our mission.
PERSONAL. PROFESSIONAL. PROVEN.
Pictured is Sarah Hull FNP, WCC,DWC and Zachary Naeger
Doing what the other guys have forgotten,
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Locally Owned & Family Operated
Reliable & Dependable Service
Commercial and residential waste removal at affordable prices.
Follow the
to learn more of his
Jackson’s Journey Foundation started in 2022 when Daniel Wood learned of his son’s Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia diagnosis.
This 100% non-for-profit organization aims to support all children affected by cancer and also provide financial support to our local families fighting this battle. The Woods family donates thousands of toys to St. Louis Children’s hospital to help put a smile on these brave little faces. You can help too, by donating toys to this amazing cause.
“Jackson’s Journey” Facebook page
amazing story.
Thankful
In this season of gratitude, we often find ourselves reflecting on the many blessings in our lives. Thanksgiving encourages us to slow down, embrace the present, and appreciate the people and moments that bring us joy.
This month, I’ve been especially grateful for the small, everyday moments that make life beautiful: the laughter of loved ones, quiet mornings with a cup of coffee, and the chance to be part of such a vibrant community here in The Parkland. I can recall the gratitude I felt while watching the Farmington homecoming parade last month. As you’ll recall, last year’s parade was cancelled due to rain, devastating the seniors who’d worked so hard on their floats. This year, the students did not take the beautiful weather for granted and showed up, beaming with pride for their school and the excitement could be felt by the whole town.
Our November issue is dedicated to stories of gathering, giving back, and celebrating the people and organizations that make The Parkland such a special place. We’re endlessly thankful for our advertising partners, whose support allows us to bring inspiring stories to your doorstep each month, and for the readers who make it all worthwhile.
As we prepare to gather with loved ones, let’s take a moment to reflect on what truly brings meaning to our lives. This holiday season, may we find contentment not in possessions or accolades but in the connections we nurture and the good we do for others.
Wishing you and your family a season of gratitude and grace,
LENA JOHNSON, PUBLISHER @PARKLANDCITYLIFESTYLE
November 2025
PUBLISHER
Lena Johnson | Lena.Johnson@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Kayle Nephew | kayle.nephew@citylifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Stephanie Zaricor | stephaniezaricor@gmail.com
STAFF WRITER
Amy Tinnin | amy@acupfullofsass.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Ashley Turner
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Josh Govero
LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle
Proverbs 3:5-6
JESSE BEARD, DO
THOMAS BERKBIGLER, DO
FARMINGTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SFC DEMOCRAT CLUB
business monthly
Save the Date: Krekeler Jewelers Annual Christmas Parade
The Farmington Regional Chamber of Commerce is excited to present the theme for this year’s Krekeler Jewelers Christmas Parade: “A Very Dickens Christmas.” Save the date for Friday, December 5 at 6 p.m. along Columbia Street in downtown Farmington. Get ready for a festive evening filled with Victorianinspired floats, twinkling lights, and holiday cheer!
Scan to read more
CASA of the Parkland's 6th Annual Festival of Trees
CASA of the Parkland’s Festival of Trees will transform the First State Community Center into a winter wonderland November 28–29. Experience breathtaking, one-of-a-kind trees and wreaths styled by local schools, businesses, and organizations. Place your bids on these curated holiday treasures and take home a stunning piece of the season. All proceeds stay local, supporting CASA’s work— and every bid, raffle ticket, and joyful moment helps brighten the holidays for children in our community.
Help The Hungry Bake Sale Returns for its 20th Year
The Help the Hungry Bake Sale returns to the St. Joe Gymnasium in Farmington, raising funds that directly support our local food pantries. With a 26% increase in families seeking assistance each month, the need has never been greater. Just this September, the Help the Hungry team raised $20,000 during their annual BBQ — proof of what this community can accomplish together. Mark your calendars and join in supporting this vital cause.
Columbia Street Carriage House
Do you have family visiting the Parkland area? Are you looking for something more private and serene than a hotel? Try out Columbia Street Carriage House- your home away from home. Our beautifully curated guest house offers 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a full kitchen and ample outdoor space. Our location is central to downtown Farmington, making it ideal for enjoying the best shopping and dining options. Reserve your dates now!
ashleymichelephotography60.mypixieset.com
YOUR LOCAL ROOFING COMPANY
BASED OUT OF HERCULANEUM, MISSOURI.
Residential & Commercial Roofing
We also have expertise in managing the totality of insurance claims, which means less of a headache for the homeowners!
Eric has been in the roofing/construction industry his entire life, with both sons (Luke and Jake) following suit. Mandy serves as the main point of contact and with her 20+ years of experience within the industry, is always willing to assist our customers with questions concerning each step of our work.
Greenstreet Roofing & Exteriors takes pride in being a “true” local company. Not just as business owners but also as a family we enjoy supporting our community by sponsoring school activities/sport teams, eating/shopping local and referring local businesses when given the opportunity. We know that the first line of defense between your home and the harsh elements is your roof. We look forward to helping you protect your biggest investment.
HOW UNITED WAY OF ST. FRANCOIS COUNTY IS TRANSFORMING COMPASSION INTO ACTION ACROSS THE PARKLAND
MORE Than a MISSION
In Saint Francois County, needs often look similar to anywhere else in the country – an empty pantry, a past-due bill, a senior choosing between medicine and groceries. The United Way of St. Francois County exists to meet those basic human needs right here at home. Board president Mark Toti puts it simply: “Our goal is to help with the basic human needs of people in the Parkland. Families are hungry, some are without housing, and kids are going home to houses without food or medical care. That’s where we step in.”
What makes United Way unique is its hyper-local focus. Dollars raised here stay here, invested back into the lives of our community and neighbors. Each year, nonprofits across the county apply for grants, and the board carefully reviews applications to ensure funds go where they’ll make the most impact. Local food pantries, senior centers, CASA of the Parkland, and Caring Communities in our schools rely on this support. Other organizations like Rocky Creek Youth Ranch and Parkland Foster/Adopt have seen firsthand how United Way strengthens their mission.
That commitment is put on display every summer at United Way’s annual grant ceremony. It’s a day of celebration and impact, when the organization announces thousands of dollars in funding to local agencies.
ARTICLE BY KAYLE NEPHEW PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHANIE ZARICOR
In 2022, more than $160,000 was distributed to 26 organizations. This past June, another six-figure sum was reinvested into critical services like food, shelter, healthcare, and youth programs. For agencies, it’s a lifeline; for donors, it’s a chance to see exactly how their contributions ripple through the community. The grant ceremony is a powerful reminder that when generosity is channeled locally, it multiplies.
Of course, those dollars don’t appear out of thin air. They come from hardworking volunteers and everyday people who choose to give back. United Way is powered by a board of directors made up entirely of volunteers— neighbors who dedicate their time and passion to serving others. Surrounding them is a community that rallies in creative and heartfelt ways.
Each Thursday in the fall, local restaurants turn meals into missions through Dine Out for United Way, donating a portion of their sales to support the cause. During the holiday season, bell-ringers bundled in scarves and gloves stand outside storefronts, turning pocket change into life-changing resources. Entire groups commit to helping—the Farmington Elks set aside Sunday slots for their members, school clubs and sports teams join in, and even churches and civic organizations take shifts. Friendly rivalries make
it even more fun, with the “Battle of the Bells” pitting Farmington against North County to see which school can raise the most.
For Toti, the real joy comes in small, unscripted moments. He recalls one afternoon of bell-ringing when a child approached with a small donation. “I handed him the bell and let him ring it,” Totti says. “The smile on his face—that’s enough to keep me going.” It’s a simple snapshot that captures the heart of United Way’s work: everyone, no matter their age or means, has the power to contribute to something bigger than themselves.
Over the past thirty years, those contributions have added up in an extraordinary way. United Way estimates that roughly three million dollars have been reinvested into Saint Francois County. That figure represents full shelves at food pantries, safe spaces for youth, seniors who remain connected and cared for, and families who find support in moments of crisis. More than numbers,
it’s a generational commitment—an organization built in the 1990s that has continued to grow because neighbors kept showing up.
As the needs of the county evolve, United Way is adapting too. The board is leaning into technology to expand its online presence and connect with younger donors. Plans are in motion for larger fundraisers to reach even more people, while longtime traditions like Dine Out Thursdays and the bell-ringing campaign remain cornerstones of support. Through it all, the mission never wavers. “We don’t do this for recognition,” Toti says. “We do it because there are needs, and we want to meet them. We can’t do it without the community. None of the money stays with us—every dollar goes right back to helping people here at home.”
In the Parkland, hope takes many forms. It’s the check presented at a grant ceremony, the family welcomed at a pantry, the senior who finds companionship at a center, or the smile of a child ringing a bell on a December afternoon. United Way of St. Francois County proves what’s possible when neighbors come together to lift one another up.
Now the invitation is extended to each of us. Eat at a Thursday Dine Out. Drop a dollar in a kettle. Volunteer an afternoon of your time. Set up a recurring gift. However you give, know that it matters—because here in the Parkland, every act of generosity becomes part of a larger story. It’s a story where food finds its way to an empty table, where a senior is cared for with dignity, and where a child knows they are not forgotten. United Way is not a luxury in our community—it is a lifeline. And together, through even the smallest acts of kindness, we can ensure that hope, compassion, and support remain within reach for every neighbor who calls the Parkland home.
Contact The United Way of Saint Francois County to get involved – you can reach them by phone at 573-760-8929, online at unitedwayofsfc.org, or on Facebook www.facebook.com/ unitedwayofsfc
Call us to schedule your appointment for a FREE demo.
Hearing is Believing
The latest EDGE AI technology Featuring Fall Detectionhearing aids that detect falls and alerts family or friends. Along with Smart Adaptation, It can tell the difference between noise and speech, even with multiple people talking, and reduce the noise.
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Why Choose
Dr. Anton Beffa
Dr. Fitz and staff- Thank you for the great care and compassion you gave. Dr. Fitz and everyone made me feel comfortable, with the certain knowledge that I was in excellent hands.” - Medford
Dr. John Fitz Dr. Logan England
Precision Eye Care has been serving the Parkland area with quality eye care and cataract surgery for over 30 years.
We also provide glaucoma treatment, diabetic eye exams, macular degeneration and dry eye treatment. Drs. Anton Beffa and John Fitz are certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and are fellows of The American College of Surgeons. Our physicians strive to listen to you, carefully.
We provide a thorough, personalized examination with kindness and respect. Doctors Beffa, Fitz, England and their staff are committed to this mission, and we continually strive to improve all facets of our patient’s experience. We hope to provide compassion with a small town feel, maintaining our patient’s dignity, during every visit. We can address all of your optic needs, right here in Farmington.
PUMPKIN
DUMP CAKE
Another Recipe from Amy Tinnin - A Cup Full of Sass
ARTICLE BY AMY TINNIN ACUPFULLOFSASS.COM
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHLEY MICHELE PHOTOGRAPHY
Pumpkin pie remains a seasonal favorite, but if you’re looking for a twist on this holiday musthave, try this easy Pumpkin Dump Cake. It makes an appearance at our Thanksgiving table every year. With the same comforting flavors but with a buttery, crisp topping, this dessert comes together effortlessly using pantry staples. We love to serve it warm with ice cream and caramel or add a dollop of cool-whip. You won’t regret adding this to your menu this year!
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin purée
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 box (15.25 oz) spice cake mix, dry
• 2 sticks of butter, cut into small cubes
• Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• Top with ice cream or Cool Whip, and drizzle with caramel
DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin purée, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, and cinnamon until smooth.
3. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
4. Sprinkle the dry spice cake mix over the pumpkin layer. Don’t stir.
5. Cut the cold butter into cubes and spread them evenly over the surface, spacing them so that most of the dry mix is covered.
*optional- add chopped nuts on top
6. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crunchy and the pumpkin layer is firm around the edges with a soft jiggle in the middle.
7. Cool for one hour to set before serving.
8. Store covered in refrigerator for up to 4 days.
HUNGER HIDES AT HOME
HOW FARMINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT FIGHTS FOOD INSECURITY, ONE BACKPACK AT A TIME
ARTICLE BY KAYLE NEPHEW
On Friday afternoons, as the Farmington R-7 buses pull away, most children are already dreaming of sleepovers, family dinners, or lazy weekends at home. But for nearly 200 students in the Farmington School District, the weekend doesn’t promise joy. It promises hunger. These are the children who wonder if there will be anything to eat before Monday morning, who count the hours until school reopens -- not for academics, but for breakfast.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHANIE ZARICOR
The Farmington CTA Cares Backpack Program was built for those children—for the ones whose need is often invisible, whose stories are rarely told. What began years ago with one man’s vision is today a quiet, steadfast promise: no child should ever face a weekend without food.
CTA president Sheri Whitener has seen the need firsthand. Entering her third year as president, she and her team of board
members have worked tirelessly to ensure students are not forgotten, especially those in middle and high school who often slip through the cracks. Their mission is as straightforward as it is profound: to provide as much as they can, for as many as they can.
Each week begins the same way. On Monday evenings, Chrissy and Perry Cooper deliver boxes of food to the schools, stocking
“THE
GENEROSITY OF STRANGERS BECOMES THE NOURISHMENT A CHILD
the shelves so staff can pack bags throughout the week. What once was handled by Dayse Baker students has now shifted to each building, allowing teachers and staff to prepare bags directly for their own students. It's quiet work, unnoticed by most, but for the children who will carry those bags home on Friday, it means everything.
Right now, 197 children receive these bags. Some belong to families fighting to get back on their feet. Some belong to children who don’t even realize the bag they carry home means survival for the weekend.
The reality is sobering: food insecurity within our community does not wear a
CARRIES HOME.”
single face. It is not just families in poverty. It is also the middle-class neighbor who never imagined needing help, and the hardworking parent whose paycheck runs dry before the month does. “Our students don’t even realize their classmates may be in this position,” she says.
Keeping the shelves filled requires endless creativity. Businesses host drives and fundraisers, churches step in with donations, and schools collect what they can. And still, the need outpaces the resources. The greatest challenge remains not only finding enough food, but finding food that is healthy, shelf-stable, and individually packaged.
The holidays are especially heavy. During Christmas and spring break, the program builds larger bags—bags intended to last every single day away from school. Volunteers know those bags may be the only meals a child eats until school starts again.
And yet, despite the constant struggle, gratitude shines through every corner of this story. Gratitude for the businesses who give, for the churches who rally, for the volunteers who spend Monday nights hauling boxes, and for the teachers and counselors—the boots on the ground— who see the need and quietly make the referrals. It is the Parkland community at its very best, working hand in hand to meet a need that could easily be overlooked.
The CTA Cares Backpack Program is not just about food. It is about dignity and compassion in action. “The hope is that one day, this program will be so sustainable we won’t have to ask who can help or if we have enough. We’ll just know every child in need will be cared for.”
This Thanksgiving season, may we pause not just to be thankful for the food on our own tables, but to consider the child down the street who might not have any. May we choose to give in whatever way we can— donating, volunteering, advocating—so that no student ever has to go to bed hungry. Every can, every dollar, and every bag packed is proof of what it means to love our neighbors.
And every Friday afternoon, when a child quietly carries home a bag of food, that proof goes with them.
H O P E
with YOU
The holidays have a way of calling us back to what matters most—faith, family, compassion, and the quiet but powerful act of giving. As lights go up and calendars fill, there are still many who sit in silence, carrying burdens too heavy to bear alone. But what if this season, you could be the spark that changes everything for someone else?
The founders of City Lifestyle, through their private foundation, are once again launching its annual Christmas Giving Campaign—a heartfelt effort to seek out and support individuals and families who have quietly fallen through the cracks. The mission is simple: to bring light, dignity, and hope to those who need it most.
Since its beginning just four years ago, this initiative has grown from a humble idea into a life-changing movement. Last Christmas alone, more than 200 families across the country received unexpected support—financial relief, but also something even more powerful.
“We don’t just send checks,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
Together with City Lifestyle President Matthew Perry, Steven has helped shape this into a tradition that goes far beyond charity. “This is about community,” Matthew adds. “We believe we’ve been blessed, so now we get to be a blessing.”
Every story begins with a nomination. Often, it’s a neighbor, coworker, friend, or teacher—someone who’s been quietly carrying too much for too long. One past recipient, after receiving unexpected support during a time of deep personal struggle, wrote:
SCAN TO NOMINATE
“We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
“Beyond the very practical solution of receiving funds to fix my car, this thing you guys worked together to do is bigger than that. I carry the Christmas card you sent in my purse. When things get really hard, I pull it out and remember what it felt like to be seen. That card represents hope— that change for the better is possible. I’m not sure how many people get to carry hope around in their purse. But I do.”
Another wrote in after her husband was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer and unable to work:
“This support has blessed our family not only financially, but emotionally and spiritually as we trust God to meet our needs throughout this difficult time. Thank you to our anonymous friend and to your foundation. What a joy and gift to be part of God’s family!”
Each year brings countless stories like these—real lives touched by simple acts of kindness. Some use the funds to pay overdue bills, others to afford groceries, medication, or repairs. But no matter the circumstance, the impact is the same: hope is restored.
This season, you have the opportunity to be part of that. The campaign is now open to nominations—completely confidential and prayerfully considered. Whether it’s someone battling illness, facing unemployment, or just in need of a helping hand, you can bring them a moment of grace that will ripple far beyond Christmas morning.
“Knowing my mom was chosen filled my heart with indescribable joy,” said another past recipient. “Your generosity doesn’t just brighten her life; it inspires hope and faith in all of us. It enables her to stay in her home and get back on her feet.”
Nominations are open from November 1st to December 5th, 2025. To submit someone you know, simply scan the QR code or visit @CityLifestyle on Instagram, where you’ll find the nomination form in the bio.
This holiday season, let’s give more than gifts. Let’s give each other the gift of being seen. Because sometimes, the smallest gesture becomes someone’s greatest miracle.
To nominate someone in need, visit: KingdomBuildingFoundation.org or scan the QR code.
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 26TH - NOVEMBER 25TH
Battle of the Badges : Backpack Program
Saint Francois County, MO | 8:00 AM
Now through November 25th, drop non-perishable food donations at your nearest first responder agency to support the BackPack Program, which helps families during school breaks. Agencies across St. Francois County are going head-to-head in a friendly battle of the badges to see who can collect the most food. Every item counts—and every donation makes a difference!
NOVEMBER 1ST
2nd Annual
Craft Fair
Bollinger Farms - Bonne Terre, MO | 10:00 AM
Join Bollinger Farms on Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 10 AM–4 PM for their 2nd Annual Craft Fair. Browse unique outdoor craft booths, explore new seasonal items inside the store, and enjoy a full day of local creativity. This family-friendly, rain-or-shine event offers something for everyone—come support local makers and kick off the holiday season!
NOVEMBER 5TH
Joseph Habedank: Running To Me Fall Tour
First Free Will Baptist Church - Farmington, MO | 6:00 PM
Catch acclaimed gospel artist Joseph Habedank in concert at First Free Will Baptist Church in Farmington on Wednesday, November 5, at 6:00 PM. Part of his nationwide Running To Me Fall Tour, this uplifting evening of worship and music promises favorites old and new. Don’t miss this inspiring night!
NOVEMBER 7TH
Habitat for Humanity's Annual Food, Wine and Beverage Tasting Fundraiser
The White Magnolia Reception Hall - Leadington, MO | 5:00 PM
Join the Habitat for Humanity Food, Wine & Beverage Tasting on November 7th, from 6–11 PM at White Magnolia Reception Hall in Leadington. Enjoy tastings from local wineries and restaurants, a dessert auction, a silent auction, and a wine pull. Proceeds support housing initiatives in St. Francois County.
NOVEMBER 8TH
Veteran's Day 5K
Four Towns Brewing Company - Park Hills, MO | 9:00 AM
Join Four Towns Brewing Company on Veterans Day for their 2nd Annual 5K! Registration is $35, with check-in at 9 AM and race start at 10 AM. Prizes will be awarded to top finishers. All proceeds benefit the Our American Hero Foundation Class of 2026 Scholarship Fund.
NOVEMBER 29TH
Shop Small Saturday
All Small Businesses in Saint Francois County | 8:00 AM
On Saturday, November 29, we join together to celebrate Small Business Saturday. It’s the perfect time to show appreciation for the local shops, restaurants, and boutiques that make our community unique. Whether you’re picking out holiday gifts, enjoying a meal, or exploring a favorite spot, every purchase makes an impact. Support local, shop small, and help keep our community thriving!
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3 Bed | 4 Bath | 3,157 Sqft. | 191 Acres | Pool | 4-Bay Workshop
Just minutes from Farmington and Ste. Genevieve - and only an hour from St. Louis - this one-of-a-kind Missouri estate pairs refined living with 191 acres of pastoral beauty. Anchored by a custom four-bedroom home with open living spaces, a resort-style pool, and sweeping views, the property also features a finished four-bay shop, a spacious pole barn, and turnkey facilities for cattle or equine pursuits. A private retreat and lasting homestead.
