St. Joseph is home to iconic places, including Jesse James’s home, the Pony Express birthplace, and the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp. History flows through this town where museums tell the stories of this westward jumping-off point and where new stories are beginning.

A good cinnamon roll is not only evocative of the globe; it’s rooted in a spice that has traveled the world and delighted bakery customers for centuries.

Since the first Stars and Stripes was printed in Bloomfield in 1861, the Department of Defense designated Bloomfield as the birthplace of the Stars and Stripes newspaper. The Missouri Stars and Stripes was printed only once during the Civil War. It wouldn’t see publication again until World War I, when it was an eight-page weekly. Publication stopped after WWI, then for the first nine months of World War II, it was restarted.

Bloomsdale is a small town of about five hundred. It’s thirty minutes northeast of Farmington, but The Kozy, 710 Highway 61, and its sister restaurant, ninety-five-year-old Dew Drop Inn serve around fourteen thousand customers a month.

On this date in Missouri history: St. Louis Mayor Kiel signed an ordinance establishing a zoo in St. Louis in Forest Park. The idea was almost killed because of a lawn-mowing dispute.

This date in Missouri history: A new town with 25 houses was springing up in Taney County. The town called Camp Glover was for workers on the new hydro-electric dam.

This date in Missouri history. Henry T. Smith was crushed while quarrying stone for the new Missouri Capitol Building. 

This date in Missouri history: They had a pie supper at the Perkins School in Manes, Mo. The 21-year-old teacher, Joe Todd, was shot clean through. There was no suspect; the teacher recovered.

Since the first Stars and Stripes was printed in Bloomfield in 1861, the Department of Defense designated Bloomfield as the birthplace of the Stars and Stripes newspaper. The Missouri Stars and Stripes was printed only once during the Civil War. It wouldn’t see publication again until World War I, when it was an eight-page weekly. Publication stopped after WWI, then for the first nine months of World War II, it was restarted.

In the stories told about them during their careers the Youngers were often cast in the classic Robin Hood mold. It was an image they worked hard to cultivate, but it was only half true. They did steal from the rich but, as biographer T.J. Stiles wrote, “There is no evidence that they did anything with their loot except spend it on themselves.”

Our statues help us understand our history, and ourselves.

Very little remains of the once massive cottonwood tree Walter Elias Disney called his “Dreaming Tree.” The coarse, woody debris is an anchor tying a small town in Missouri to the pioneer of the American entertainment industry.

A Beaufort distiller makes French-style island spirits from raw sugarcane.

A St. Louis company reimagines the bottle opener.

Here’s how The Billy Goat Chip Company makes their mouthwatering snack.

A hint of heat and tradition create award-winning salsas and bloody mary mix.

Bloomsdale is a small town of about five hundred. It’s thirty minutes northeast of Farmington, but The Kozy, 710 Highway 61, and its sister restaurant, ninety-five-year-old Dew Drop Inn serve around fourteen thousand customers a month.

Part native fruit and part pioneer weather forecaster, the American persimmon ripens this month around the state.

Regional pride is real; I share it. I take perverse pleasure in correcting people who assume that I live in some coastal wine mecca. I often mention my experiences when I give talks around the world about the wine market.

Dia de los Muertos, a traditional Mexican holiday typically celebrated November 2, is the day souls of the dead, as the tradition goes, return to visit their living family members. The holiday has deep roots running back to Aztec and Mayan cultures more than three thousand years ago, with modern branches throughout Latino, Hispanic, and other cultures worldwide.

I drive down a rural country road in Callaway County toward the home and studio of artist Jane Mudd. Jane lives with her husband Tom in a log home deep in the woods, about seven miles from Fulton. I turn up the driveway to the Mudd’s home and notice that the recent rain has left the countryside lush and beautiful. “You caught us dancing!” Jane laughs as I approach, stepping into their outdoor room with a million-dollar view of a verdant valley surrounded by Callaway County’s wooded hills.

The 2021 Mayor's Christmas Tree ornament, "Festive Friends," was designed by Hallmark Artist Crista Couch. The laser-cut, bell-shaped design features three penguins, a snowman, and a cardinal decorating a Christmas tree with lights.

St. Joseph is home to iconic places, including Jesse James’s home, the Pony Express birthplace, and the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp. History flows through this town where museums tell the stories of this westward jumping-off point and where new stories are beginning.

The 2021 Missouri Life readers' choice awards are here!