Have you ever stood outside, closed your eyes, and smelled the air? What did it smell like? Today, it smells like fall in Missouri. The sun is shining, and the leaves on the trees are turning glorious hues of yellow, red, and orange. I have lived in a few places that had distinct smells. About sixteen years ago, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, smelled like Cap’n Crunch cereal. Still does, assuming that the Quaker Oats plant is still cranking out Crunch. ...... Read more >
The International Regional Magazine Association’s (IRMA) 28th annual conference was held at Halifax and Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, from October 2 through 8, hosted this year by Saltscapes magazine, and introduced the attendees to the sights, sounds, and tastes of the region. At the conference, Missouri Life was named Magazine of the Year and received gold for Best Overall Art Direction, along with six other awards for writing, photograph…... Read more >
There are still spots in Missouri that can be considered "the middle of no where." Over Labor Day weekend, I had a brush with just such a spot. For the better part of thirty years, I have frequented Bull Shoals Lake, which straddles the Missouri and Arkansas border. As a teenager, my friends and I often spent summer days around Theodosia, and now my family makes several trips a year to a spot just around the corner from there,...... Read more >
The Beijing Olympics have been a real nail-biter this year, but the United States has proved a strong force in the pool, women’s all-around gymnastics, and women’s fencing to name a few. We’ve talked about some of the Missouri athletes that strived at the Trials to make the team and compete in Beijing—Patrick Stroupe and Leah Pierce, but one Missourian made it and claimed silver on Friday. Christian Cantwell of Eldon, Missouri, finished seco…... Read more >
Vast and varied, Missouri is home to people, places, events, and topics that make the state surprising and unique. This space, like our magazine, is a place for those things to be revealed, either by us or you. Feel free, come on in.

Rebecca French Smith has written for Missouri Life since 2005. She has been an editor with the magazine since 2006, appointed managing editor that year.
As a native Missourian with roots that run five generations deep in the Ozarks, Rebecca is passionate about Missouri. She is always looking for interesting places, people, and events to share with Missouri Life readers.
She lives in central Missouri with her husband, David, and their four boys.
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Festival of Lights on November 21, 2008 - December 31, 2008
Annie on November 21, 2008 - November 30, 2008
27th Annual Candlelight Homes Tour on November 21, 2008 - November 22, 2008
Missouri State Hockey on November 21, 2008 - November 22, 2008