Missouri’s North Star

Explore nature, visit art galleries and museums, and eat plenty of pancakes in Kirksville.


Maple & Main: Music for Buffalo’s boom

By the time Jacquelyn Strickland takes the stage at the back to introduce the evening’s featured musicians—two singer-songwriters, one from Massachusetts, one from Wisconsin–she has already greeted everyone who walked in the front door. And when the lights go down and spotlights shine on Jaquelyn’s son, singer-songwriter and guitarist Lyal Strickland, then on visiting artists Grace Morrison and Camela Widad, the audience is rapt, listening for almost two hours to every note and word.


City Scout: Holiday Festivities in K.C.

An abundance of decorative, tasty, and educational festivities are on top in Kansas City during this holiday season.


Fishing memories: Perfection on the water

“Fishing’s not just about catching, it’s about getting out and enjoying the outdoors. Catching fish is a bonus.” Granddad had many sayings like these that helped form a foundation that directly influenced my path in life. I’ve often wondered who—or what—would’ve come of me without that influence so early on. Fishing and life are one in the same if you asked me. The lessons learned on the water most definitely last a lifetime.


St. Joseph: More than just a stop on the Pony Express

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 first edition of the Stars and Stripes newspaper

Relics: Stars and Stripes Museum and Library

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.


The Wild Horses of Shannon County

Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Famer captures the wild horses of the Ozarks.


The glasses of red wine with a colorful autumn surrounding.

WINE DOG: Take pride in Missouri’s wine

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.


The Butterfield stagecoach

BONESHAKER: The Saga of the Butterfield Overland Mail

The Butterfield Overland Mail route traversed prairies, mountains, deserts, and valleys on its way from St. Louis to San Francisco.


The County That Almost Left

A haven for summer tourism, McDonald County boasts beautiful Ozark scenery.