Issuu

FITNESS BE FERAL. PLAY ROLLER DERBY. Her

LIFE + CULTURE

GITZELL FAIR TRADE

HEALTH + WELLNESS

WELLNESS WITHIN REACH

Her Story

There is something profoundly meaningful about pausing to recognize the women who shape our lives in ways both seen and unseen.

Mothers, daughters, friends and colleagues, each one a quiet force, adding depth, beauty and strength to the world around us.

With Mother’s Day upon us, we are reminded of the women who have guided us, lifted us and loved us through every season. Not only the mothers who gave us life, but the women who have shown up as mentors, teachers, neighbors and friends, offering wisdom, encouragement and unwavering support.

As a mother and nana, I often reflect on the legacy we leave behind. I can only hope it is one of love, of shared moments, and of memories that continue to guide and uplift long after we are gone.

This month, we also celebrate the incredible women in our community who are building, creating and leading with purpose. Supporting women-owned businesses is more than a transaction, it is an investment in passion, resilience and the future of our cities.

Because every woman we celebrate this month is living her story—one of strength, love, resilience and impact.

Take a moment to reach out to the women who have made a difference in your life. A simple message, a call or a shared moment can mean more than you know.

Here’s to the women who inspire us, strengthen us and remind us of what truly matters.

Happy Mother’s Day.

Christina Schmidt Photography

May 2026

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

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Stacey Dixson, Mel Boban, Julie Brown Patton, Kristi Sellers, Kali Kasorzyk

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jeff Huser, Empowering Portraits, Images by Sandra, Zellpah Githui

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall

LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick Learn

Proverbs 3:5-6

Experience the Care You Deserve

Our Mission In senior living, the quality of life is just as essential as the care provided. At Hampton Manor, we are committed to offering the same compassionate care we would extend to our own family members. We understand that this transition can be challenging, and we’re here to guide you through every step, helping you explore the best options for your loved one.

1-2: Friends of the St. Charles Animal Shelter hosted Tricks and Flicks Trivia Night for shelter-support. 3: C.V. Betzold celebrated the release of The Poison King, signing books at Main Street Books. 4: The Birner Group–Renewal by Andersen announced in-kind $235,000 “Renewal Cares” partnership with Veterans Community Project. 5: OFHS senior Reed Statler honored at STEM Awards for achievements in biomedical science and engineering.

The Eye Shoppe is a boutique optometry practice located in the heart of St. Charles, Missouri, on historic Main Street.

Experience the art of eyecare with a personalized exam, unique frames, and creative accessories.

Check Us Out... and Make an Exclamation!

CITY OF ST. CHARLES, MISSOURI

RENEWAL BY ANDERSEN OF ST. LOUIS

ORCHARD FARM SCHOOL DISTRICT

MAIN STREET BOOKS

6: Carson King finished 13th in MotoAmerica Supersport debut; Windows Depot USA of St. Louis sponsored. 7: STL Mahjong Club hosts Mahjong Nights at Frankie Martin’s Garden, launching “Mahjong Monday” for players. 8: Mrs. Robben’s second graders showcased whale and shark research at the Academy’s Little Glimpses event. 9: Residents enjoyed a fun outing to Steff’s Pizza, sharing food, laughter, and quality time together. 10: Ft. Zumwalt East football players visited Hampton Manor, bringing smiles, energy and community connection.

Celebrating 23 Years of Business

HAMPTON MANOR OF ST. PETERS

FRANKIE MARTIN’S GARDEN

HAMPTON MANOR OF ST. PETERS

ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART, ST. CHARLES

WINDOW DEPOT USA OF ST. LOUIS

11: Allison Laupp taught painting “values” at Women’s Painting Group, offering techniques for all skill levels. 12: Little Black Book of Women in Business enjoying BECOME WOMEN’S SUMMIT 2026 13: Kelley Lamm, Angel Magasano, Special Guest, Mary Engelbreit and Jeanne Strickland at BECOME WOMEN’S SUMMIT. 14-15: Cheers to Little Black Book of Women enjoying BECOME WOMEN’s SUMMIT 2026 16-17: A Night for Hope and Healing, Lydia’s House’s Big Top Theme hosts 400 attendees.

IMAGES BY SANDRA

ALLISON LAUPP

IMAGES BY SANDRA

JULIA MILLER

GREG NATION

JULIA MILLER

WELLNESS WITHIN REACH

Small Daily Shifts To Move Out Of Survival Mode Into Sustainable Wellbeing

ARTICLE BY STACEY DIXSON

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF HUSER

In a culture that often rewards exhaustion, Lauren Pronger advances a different paradigm: wellness as a deliberate and sustainable practice. The founder of SUPERWELL and author of the international bestselling book SUPERWELL: Your Blueprint for Wellness & Wellbeing, published in September 2025, Lauren has developed a framework intended to help individuals cultivate health within the demands of modern life.

SUPERWELL:

International Best Selling

Author Lauren Pronger

Her approach is not constructed around trends or restrictive regimens. Rather, Lauren describes SUPERWELL as a “timeless blueprint," an adaptable system grounded in daily practices that support physical, emotional and neurological wellbeing.

“I am the well, striving to be SUPERWELL,” she says, framing wellness not as perfection but as a continual commitment to becoming a healthier version of oneself.

Lauren’s philosophy emerged from a period of profound personal and familial challenge. Her husband, Chris Pronger— who captained the St. Louis Blues and played in the National Hockey League for two decades—underwent numerous surgeries and suffered multiple concussions before sustaining a career-ending injury in 2011. During those years, the family navigated relocations, the responsibilities of raising three young children, and concurrent health crises when Lauren’s father experienced a stroke and her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The cumulative strain eventually manifested physiologically. Like many individuals experiencing chronic stress, Lauren relied heavily on caffeine to maintain daily functioning while struggling with disrupted sleep and inadequate nutrition. Over time, her health deteriorated to the point that her thyroid function showed significant decline due to burnout. Bloodwork confirmed what she already sensed: burnout had become a measurable biological reality.

Determined to restore her health, Lauren began studying the mechanisms underlying human wellbeing, earning certifications in integrative nutrition, hormone health, gut-brain science, breathwork, contrast therapy, Pilates and

Wednesday, May 20 | 11am-5pm

Come enjoy an afternoon of sunshine, a refreshment bar, and great company while experiencing the vibrant lifestyle at our 55+ community. Relax poolside, meet our wonderful residents, team members, and take a guided tour of our beautiful community.

“You don’t wait for life to slow down; you build wellness within it, one habit at a time.”

sound therapy. What began as a personal recovery process gradually evolved into the SUPERWELL methodology.

At the center of her framework are eight pillars of wellbeing supported by what she calls “SUPERWELL stacks.” The pillars represent foundational domains of health, while the stacks are small, time-efficient habits that allow individuals to integrate those principles into daily life. Even brief engagement with each pillar throughout the day, Lauren explains, constitutes a SUPERWELL success.

Among these pillars, she identifies sleep as the most critical— and most frequently neglected—dimension of health. “We live in a society of constant cortisol drip,” Lauren observes. Without restorative sleep, many individuals become trapped in a cycle of fatigue sustained by caffeine and chronic overstimulation.

To counter this pattern, Lauren emphasizes circadian rhythm regulation through exposure to natural light in the morning and evening, which helps recalibrate the body’s internal clock and promote restorative sleep. Her own evening routine includes disengaging from technology and allowing the body time to transition into a restorative state through calming practices.

While the wellness industry often promotes sweeping lifestyle transformations, Lauren advocates incremental behavioral change

supported by measurable habits. One such practice is 20 minutes of movement after meals. She describes muscle activity as a metabolic “glucose garbage disposal,” helping regulate circulating glucose levels and support metabolic stability. She also promotes an 80/20 lifestyle balance that allows flexibility while preserving overall health priorities.

Travel also has shaped her philosophy of wellbeing. In 2018, she founded Well Inspired Travels, a company that curates journeys designed to restore physical and emotional health through cultural immersion.

The concept, she explains, was partly inspired by her husband’s demanding athletic career. “Chris spent a lot of time in the penalty box,” she laughs. “I used to tell him, ‘You need to travel with me this summer and calm your central nervous system.’”

Today, her wellness journeys connect participants with global specialists and traditions, helping them integrate practices that support lasting health.

Ultimately, Lauren's work reframes wellness as both a practical discipline and a philosophical orientation. Health, she argues, is not something postponed until life becomes less demanding. Rather, it is cultivated, habit by habit, within the complexity of everyday living.

Lauren Pronger with family and Chris Pronger, Hockey Hall of Fame 100 Greatest Players

THE DOLLHOUSE PROJECT

After two decades in the nonprofit trenches, Tracie Hulbert is building something different to make a positive impact in the St. Louis community. She uprooted her own modern financial services firm that puts family protection, financial literacy and real results at the center of everything it does.

Tracie, founder of The Dollhouse Project, hit the ground running with her passion to help women. With experience running organizations that served women and children facing domestic abuse, homelessness and food insecurity across hundreds of miles throughout Missouri, Tracie says she saw exactly what the system gets wrong. Now, she’s channeling everything she learned into something built to last.

“Every single case I ever touched could've been made better by money,” she says, indicating that realization is what gave birth to The Dollhouse Project. Her modern financial services firm is built on three pillars: family protection, financial literacy and scalable leadership development.

A Community Movement Redefining Financial Safety, Power And Legacy For Women

ARTICLE BY MEL BOBAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMPOWERING PORTRAITS

AND PROVIDED

Tracey Hulbert

Photo by Empowering Portraits

Hot pink and red branding. A name that makes people ask questions. And behind it, a clear philosophy: impact over noise, results over hype.

The Dollhouse Project operates with the structure of a financial firm. At its core, it's insurance and retirement planning, but with a commitment wrapped around the business to power a volunteer-based ecosystem. This addresses every dimension of financial wellness, or "doors" that those in need can open for help. Her network spans therapists who discuss the mental impact of money stress, a dietician who teaches families how to stretch $25 into five meals, a tax strategist explaining how a W-4 may be filled out wrong, lenders, attorneys, victim’s advocates and even a veteran network.

“You could come to The Dollhouse Project and maybe the only door you want to use is the A-plus program for your kids’ school,” Tracie says. “That door is there. But so is every other one.”

These pieces are all woven together because, as Tracie puts it, “the things people need already exist, they just don’t know about them.”

The leadership development pillar of The Dollhouse Project is what Tracie believes will make this firm last. She isn’t just building a business, she's building a team of people who understand the mission.

“I want everyone at the table; I don’t care how long it has to get," she says.

Tracie says the goal is a firm where anyone can find someone who speaks their language and leave with a plan. She assures that she wants to help people, and take as many good people with her as she can.

“What if somebody copies the Dollhouse Project?” she asks. “I hope to God they do.”

TheDollhouseProject.me

BE FERAL. PLAY Roller Derby

ST. CHUX DERBY CREW TEAM COMPETES FROM ST. CHARLES

ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Roller derby skaters can excel at the sport regardless of body shape or size, declares Deb Janik, president of St. Chux Derby Crew. "You can come with no skating skills, and with practice, become a great player."

She says team members are committed to authenticity on and off the track. "If we had to pick between winning or having fun at every game, we'd pick fun."

Being part of a roller derby community is empowering, Deb says, because skaters constantly learn to do things for which they never guessed they're capable. "Your team's your support system, lifting you up. You really learn to feel confident in your body and abilities; that confidence becomes apparent to everyone around you."

The group typically holds an open-gender skater boot camp over four weeks each summer for ages 18 or older; no prior skating experience required.

Because the game is so nuanced, Deb says they prepare for various scenarios and drill the basics.

Their fans are all ages, with bouts being family-friendly. Deb says because they have mothers on the team, kids attend along with parents of teammates.

SCDC is a registered nonprofit managed by skaters, officials and volunteers. Most funding comes from membership dues, with skaters purchasing their own skates, pads, mouth guards, helmets and jerseys. Deb says they host fundraising events, such as trivia nights and book/ craft fairs, to help cover venue rentals and operational costs.

SCDC holds practices weekly at Great Skate in St. Peters, and holds most games and events at the Steelshop Athletics Center in St. Charles Frenchtown.

StChuxDerbyCrew.com

A Classic Concept With a Modern Twist

Finally

Shop with intention… then stay

Gitzell Fair Trade:

In a world where so much of what is bought feels disconnected from its origin, Zellipah Githui is building something intentional and rooted in pure tradition. As the founder of Gitzell Fair Trade, she has transformed a deeply personal journey into a global movement, one that begins with a single thread and stretches across the world.

Zellipah’s story starts in Kenya, where she learned to weave baskets long before she learned to read or write. This specialized skill was passed down from her mother, a smallholder farmer. Years later, after immigrating to the United States with less than a suitcase of handmade goods, she found herself exploring a new world while holding tightly to the traditions of home. What began as selling those items to connect with others soon revealed something bigger: an opportunity to create real income for women just like her mother.

According to Zellilpah, “When I moved to the United States in 1998 with a suitcase full of souvenirs from my family, I had a hard time settling in. With my love of community engagement, I requested the school if I could showcase my souvenirs to the students and staff. I started selling them and the idea sparked on how I could support artisans back home.”

ARTICLE BY KRISTI SELLERS

That idea later transformed into Gitzell Fair Trade.

Today, the brand works directly with hundreds of women artisans across multiple African countries, including Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Senegal and Rwanda.

“Everything is handmade and sourced from African makers,” says Zellipah.

The baskets, bags and home goods they create are more than beautiful objects; they are essential sources of income for these smallholder farmers and strengthen entire communities.

There is a distinct aesthetic to Gitzell Fair Trade. Zellipah says they use natural textures, sculptural forms and vibrant yet earthy tones. Thereal beauty lies within its purpose. Each piece reflects generations of craftsmanship, shaped by tradition and refined by hand. No piece is rushed. Nothing is mass-produced. Instead, the brand embraces a slower, more meaningful approach to design and one that values the maker as much as the finished product.

Zellipah Githui of Gitzell Fair trade

Zellipah Githui Presents Style With Substance, Woven By Hand And Driven By Purpose

That philosophy extends beyond the product itself. As a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation, Zellipah says the company is committed to ethical sourcing, transparency and long-term partnerships that prioritize dignity and fair wages. It’s a model that challenges the conventional supply chain, proving that business can be both profitable and deeply human.

At the center of it all is Zellipah, whose background and experience informs every decision she makes. But perhaps her greatest strength is her ability to connect to people, to

their stories and to the broader impact of the work she does so well. She doesn’t just sell goods. She creates a bridge between two very different parts of the world.

In an era increasingly defined by the next TikTok trend, Gitzell Fair Trade offers a compelling reminder: what we bring into our homes can carry meaning far beyond aesthetics. It can empower others and tell an important story.

Zellipah says they do custom orders, special orders. "From product development to handoff, I involve customers all the way. We offer tours and team-building activities at our warehouse. Clients are also welcome to visit the makers in Africa as well.”

Thanks to Zellipah, that story of connectivity is still being told through one African basket or woven purse at a time.

GitzellFairTrade.com

Photo by Zellipah Githui

ash1818.org | 636-946-6127 | admissions@ash1818.org 619 N. Second St. | St. Charles, MO 63301

ARTICLE BY KALI KASORZYK

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

BECKY HILLYARD

From Side Hustle to Style Empire

The power of taste, trust, and the courage to “just start.”

She didn’t have a business plan, a media budget, or even a name anyone could pronounce. What Becky Hillyard had was taste, a young family, and the instinct to just start. Today, her lifestyle brand Cella Jane commands an audience the size of Vogue’s , she’s nine collections strong with Splendid, and she’s built it all while raising three kids — refusing to sacrifice one for the other. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Becky shares what it really takes to build a brand, a career, and a life you love. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full conversation.

Q: WHEN DID YOU KNOW CELLA JANE WAS MORE THAN A HOBBY?

A: Two moments. Women started emailing me saying they bought something I recommended and felt amazing — asking me to help them find a dress for a wedding. That felt incredible. Then I looked at my affiliate numbers for one month and realized I could cover our mortgage. I thought, I can actually do this. I never set out to build a business. I started it because I genuinely loved it.

Q: WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST RISK YOU EVER TOOK WITH THE BRAND?

A: Designing my own collection. It’s easy to point at items on a website and say I love these. But to create something from scratch, put your name on it, and wait to see if people connect with it — that’s terrifying. I had an incredible partner in Splendid, and women loved the pieces. It was the biggest risk and the biggest accomplishment.

Q: HOW HAS INFLUENCER MARKETING CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED?

A: When I started, brands didn’t know whether to take it seriously. Now it’s a legitimate line item in their marketing budgets — sometimes bigger than TV. Because what we’ve built is trust. People trust a real recommendation from someone they follow far more than a commercial. There’s no question about it now.

Q: YOU’RE A MOM OF THREE RUNNING A FULL BRAND. WHAT DOES YOUR DAY ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE?

A: I try to get up at five and not hit snooze — that first hour before the house wakes up is the most productive, most peaceful hour of my day. Then it’s all hands on deck with the kids and school drop-off. After that I work — planning content, connecting with my team, editing. After pickup, the day shifts completely and it’s all about them. I’ve learned to protect both halves fiercely, because both matter.

Q: WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO BUILD SOMETHING OF THEIR OWN BUT KEEPS WAITING?

A: Don’t wait. Don’t wait for the perfect camera, the right strategy, or enough followers. We find every excuse to stay comfortable. Just start, be consistent, and be authentically yourself. The right people will find you — and they’ll stay.

This conversation is just the beginning. Becky goes deeper on the risks that almost stopped her, the design process behind her latest Splendid collection, and what she’d tell her 2012 self today. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle podcast.

“Trust is the only metric that actually compounds.”

— Becky Hillyard

FEATURING BECKY HILLYARD

MAY 2ND

Derby After Dark

Gala & Auction

Ameristar | 4:00 PM

This is Boone Center Inc.'s signature fundraiser inspired by the excitement of the Kentucky Derby and supported by Cottleville and Weldon Spring Chamber of Commerce. Derby After Dark is an evening of festive food, drinks, entertainment and friendly competition, all supporting BCI's mission to create meaningful employment and training opportunities for adults with disabilities. The event concludes at 9:30 p.m.

MAY 9TH

Midwest Maifest

New Town at St. Charles Amphitheater | 2:00 PM

Midwest Maifest is a 4-hour (ends at 6 p.m.) festival to celebrate the arrival of spring and the rich German heritage in St. Charles County. The festivities will include beer, wine and spirit samples, food, local craft vendors and live German entertainment. Events and activities provided for all ages to participate. Tickets only required for sampling.

MAY 15TH

5th Annual Sporting Clay Classic

Black Hawk Valley Hunting Preserve | 8:30 AM

A limited number of teams are available at $300 each for this event in Old Monroe. It's sponsored by FabickCat. Registration includes 56 targets, 14 shooting stations, additional flurry, a golf cart, breakfast, lunch and snack provided.

Bring Home the Beauty of Spring

Shop Premium Blooms - Mother's Day favorites are here

CONTINUED

MAY 15TH, 16TH, 17H Wentzville Days Fair & Music Festival

Hisoric Downtown Wentzville, Allen and Main Streets | 6:00 PM

This three-day festival includes food, drink and craft vendors, live music, a carnival and kids activities. Carnival times are 6-10:30 p.m. on Friday, 1210:30 p.m. on Saturday, and 12-6 p.m. on Sunday. Wristbands can be used at certain times each day. This is not a dog-friendly event. Coolers are not allowed at the festival.

MAY 16TH Brew Fest

Daniel Boone Home At Lindenwood Park | 1:00 PM

With ticketed admission, guests 21 years/older can sample beverages from local homebrewers and breweries. Price: $20 in advance, $25 at door. Visit with homebrew clubs to learn about making beer and importance of fermentation as a preservative before refrigeration. Concessions on-site and live music will be playing. Free designated driver tickets available, including a ticket to tour the Boone Home.

MAY 18TH

Driving Hope: First Annual Golf Tournament

Bogey Hills Country Club | 11:30 AM Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County is hosting the organization's first golf tournament to raise funds to support the group's Haven Pointe project in Wentzville, where they're building a 46-home subdivision. Registration fees range from $50 to $5,000. Register online at: Give.HabitatStCharles.org/ge/golf. For questions, email jacquie@habitatstcharles.org or call 636.978.5712.

UNFRINGEDMidwestern

HAT CO.

Female Founded.

Fearless Style.

Unfringed reinvents Western style

wi th a focus on intention, craf tsmanship, and individuality

Each item star ts as a foundational piece and transforms into something uniquely personal, craf ted through collaboration, ref ined by intricate details, and completed with signif icance

Walk In. Create Something Unrepeatable.

We’re more than just a stop we’re an experience.

From intimate private appointments to lively group bookings at our studio, we create moments that feel just as special as the pieces you leave with And if you want to bring the magic to you, our Hat Bar travels pop-ups on location that turn any gathering into something unforgettable Perfect for wedding festivities, graduation par ties, bir thdays, and ever y celebration in between, we style customize and create right alongside you and your guests It s not just an accessor y it’s the moment ever yone remembers

Our Western hats will always be our pride and joy, the piece that star ted it all and the one that tells your stor y best But we couldn’t stop there because what about the rest of the outf it?

Enter our Denim Bar: a curated mix of custom jean jackets, totes, and purses designed to carr y that same Unfringed spirit from head to toe And for the days you ’ re not feeling a full brim, we ’ ve got you, our elevated trucker hats are the perfect “hat for when you don’t want to wear a hat

www.unfringedmidwestern.com. @unfringedmidwestern. St. Charles, MO