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Articles by Stephanie Zeilenga
9 Haunted Trails in Missouri and Illinois to Visit (If You Dare)
Time outdoors can lower stress and quiet an overactive mind. But Mother Nature occasionally has other plans. Dark shadows, snapping twigs, lonely bridges, or a sudden unease can make even the most rational hiker glance over their shoulder. Whether you believe in ghosts or simply appreciate local legends, these supposedly haunted natural landmarks in Missouri and Illinois may be chilling enough to make you pick up the pace before dark.
This Missouri Park Is One Of The Best Places To View Summer Wildflowers
Posted in Missouri Nature When was the last time you took a leisurely stroll and literally stopped and smelled the flowers? Sometimes we all need to slow down the pace in a life that moves at breakneck speed. Stroll past beautiful wildflowers in Marshfield, Missouri when you visit this cozy park that’s brimming with natural beauty. Have you seen these wildflowers in Marshfield, Missouri? What did you think of them and the park?
Stargaze In Dark Skies At Knob Noster State Park In Missouri This Summer
Posted in Missouri Events Summer evenings in Missouri hold so much promise, whether we’re enjoying a backyard barbecue or indulging in delicious treats at a local fair. A summer night is also ideal for stargazing. Join other enthusiastic visitors for an evening of stargazing at Knob Noster State Park in Knob Noster, Missouri, which is hosting two stargazing events this summer. Have you gone stargazing at Knob Noster State Park in Knob Noster, Missouri?
Bennett Spring State Park Is Hosting An Array Of Events In July - Here Are The Ones You Can't Miss
Posted in Missouri Events Summer in Missouri means we’re busier than ever. From soaking up every sweet moment – and goody – at our favorite local festivals to floating down a natural lazy river, we work hard to make every summer moment count. Even if your calendar is already starting to fill up, make sure you carve out some time to check out a few – or all – of these epic summer events at Bennett Spring State Park in Lebanon, Missouri.
The Small Town Lake In Missouri That's An Idyllic Summer Day Trip
Posted in Missouri On The Water Time at the lake just might be the most relaxing way to spend a summer day in Missouri. While we can go to one of the lakes with a sandy shore, perfect for sunbathing, sometimes we need a break from those beach days. When you prefer a laidback adventure without jumping into the water, make your way to this small town lake in Rolla, Missouri. Have you been to this small town lake in Missouri? What did you think?
Visit Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary, One Of Missouri's Most Underrated Natural Areas And A Great Summer Destination
Posted in Missouri Nature A summer day is meant to be spent outdoors, especially in Missouri. While we could probably spend just about every day floating, swimming, or by the water, sometimes we want something a little different. Even if you only have an hour or two, you’ll quickly discover this nature sanctuary in Columbia, Missouri, is an idyllic place to explore on a summer day. Have you been to Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary in Columbia, Missouri? What did you think?
You’ll Have Loads Of Fun At This Pick-Your-Own Fruit Farm In Missouri
Posted in Missouri Farms & Wildlife Summer brings with it so much fun – from lazily wandering on the river in a tube to camping out under the stars. We have so much to do that, inevitably, the summer passes by, and we’ve missed a few things on our must-do list. Make sure a trip to this u-pick farm in Republic, Missouri, isn’t one of them. Have you been to Missouri Berries, a u-pick farm in Republic, Missouri? What did you think?
The Scenic Drive To Ted Shanks Conservation Area Is Almost As Beautiful As The Destination Itself
Posted in Missouri Nature A scenic drive in Missouri is sometimes just what we need to clear our heads, let the stress wash away, and soak up the landscape as it passes by. While some scenic drives in Missouri span much of the state – like Route 66 – others are short, sweet, and just what we need for a daylong adventure. That’s just what you’ll find along Little Dixie Highway of Great River Road. Another great vantage point for stellar views is Riverview Cemetery.
Dine Surrounded By Art & Antiques At This One-Of-A-Kind Restaurant In Missouri
Posted in Missouri Unique Dining Dining out should be a memorable experience. Sure, there are times when we want a quick bite to eat at our favorite big-name fast food joint or other Missouri restaurant. However, when we crave something different, we have no shortage of choices, no matter where in Missouri we live. As soon as you walk through the front door of Vivilore, you’ll realize it’s a one-of-a-kind restaurant in Independence, Missouri, and it just might become your new favorite.
Paddling Through The Jacks Fork River Is A Magical Missouri Adventure That Will Light Up Your Soul
Posted in Missouri Nature, On The Water A good, old-fashioned hike gives us just what we need when we want to spend time exploring Missouri’s forests, hills, and mountains. But what about when we’re yearning for some time on the water? We can go on a leisurely float or set off on one of the many water trails for an epic Missouri adventure. This paddling route, for example, boasts a ton of beautiful scenery and even a few surprises. The Jacks Fork River is also popular for tubing in the summer.
You'll Reach Speeds Of More Than 25 MPH On Missouri's Epic Mountain Coaster
Posted in Missouri Attractions, Fun Adventures Fast-paced thrills don’t have to pause just because the seasons change – at least when you climb aboard this Missouri mountain coaster. It’s just as much fun during the hottest days of summer as it is on a chilly winter afternoon. During the Halloween season, it transforms into a haunted destination that’s sure to leave you spooked. No matter in what season you visit, prepare for an epic adventure. Have you been on this Missouri mountain coaster?
It Was So Cold In Missouri In 1977-78, Temperatures Averaged 24.3 Degrees All Winter Long
Winter in Missouri can certainly be a mixed bag, but there’s one thing of which we can usually be assured. We’ll experience some downright frigid days that keep us counting down the days until spring. Missouri generally experiences an average of 110 days of temperatures that dip below 32 degrees. However, two winters were so cold that it barely made it to freezing all winter, tying for the coldest winter in Missouri. Do you remember the coldest winter in Missouri?
Missouri’s Mina Sauk Falls Looks Even More Spectacular In the Winter
Posted in Missouri Nature, Waterfalls Wintertime, whether we love it or loathe it, is absolutely beautiful in Missouri, especially after a fresh snowfall when the snow glitters in the sunlight. We can all probably agree on that, right? It’s also the perfect time to set off on a unique Missouri adventure – exploring a state park or marveling at the pristine beauty of a waterfall. Missouri’s Mina Sauk Falls, for example, is simply spellbinding in the winter, making it worthy of a snowy day adventure.
You've Got To Take This Ghost Town Road Trip In Missouri ASAP
MO Posted in Missouri May 10, 2021 by Stephanie Zeilenga Missouri offers tons of great road trip options, but none offer creepy thrills quite like a jaunt on I-44 to walk through ghost towns where time has utterly stopped. You’ll start in either St. Louis or Springfield, stopping along the way at eight deader-than-dead abandoned spots. This ghost town road trip in Missouri is sure to spook and thrill. We're aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life.
How Craig Miller Helps Pioneer Digital Fitness
During the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak, Planet Fitness was forced to temporarily shut down more than two thousand gyms. Luckily, the brand was well positioned to keep its members engaged at home, thanks to Chief Digital Officer Craig Miller, who had spent the past two years preparing the brand for a digital transformation. When Miller first came on board in early 2017, Planet Fitness was in a rapid growth phase and had become one of the largest fitness brands in terms of membership.
Virtual Reach | Town&Style
Virtual Reach February 9, 2021By: Stephanie Zeilenga Leisure Features As a kid, Matt Raithel dreamed of one day making video games. He eventually made that dream come true, starting out animating 3D models and environments and eventually becoming founder and studio director of Graphite Lab, an independent video game developer based in Maryland Heights.
Michelle Morcos Smith Has Mentors in Her Corner
As a first-generation Egyptian American, Michelle Morcos Smith started her career wanting to make her parents proud. “They placed a huge emphasis on education, as so many immigrant families do,” she says. “I always knew I would continue my education beyond my undergraduate program.” Smith’s parents also emphasized the power of hard work. Their lessons, combined with the power of strong mentors, paid off.
Highmark’s Olga Ziegler Believes Automation Is Key to Better Healthcare
Olga Ziegler grew up in Moscow, Russia, during a time when the quality of healthcare was subpar and preventive healthcare was nonexistent. She witnessed family members delay care, which resulted in late diagnoses and limited treatment options. “The good news is healthcare has improved in Russia, but my past experiences continue to motivate me to be part of something even better,” she says.
Amanda Wiles Creates Digital Platforms for People with Enspire
Amanda Wiles founded Enspire, a custom-branded employer application and communications platform, on the belief that people should come first. The company, founded in 2015, has this people-centric philosophy baked into its very name: Enspire means to “inspire everyone.” “Investing in people is not often talked about in the tech industry—too often the focus moves to what a technology can ‘do’ at the expense of the people who build it or ignoring the people who would use it,” Wiles says.
For Flavio Martins Ferreira, Bold Action Has Led to Global Influence
When Flavio Martins Ferreira was fourteen and looking for a seasonal temp job, someone gave him advice that still sticks with him to this day: “If you want the job, ask for it—there’s no shame in asking.” Martins Ferreira has followed that advice throughout his career. By simply asking for the jobs he’s wanted, he’s found global success at a young age and has built a reputation as the go-to leader for creating integrated compliance initiatives at international firms.
Teaching the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Legacy New Tricks
Old legacy companies are kind of like big, creaky ships. You can shift their direction to catch a new wind, but it takes a lot of work and smart strategy. That makes Derek Reisinger, executive director of HR operations at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, an expert sailor with a long track record of service-based HR success.
Chris Fox Bets on Sports Betting
In 2018, Kambi, an international sports betting company, took the first legal sports bet in the United States after the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PAPSA) of 1992. Chris Fox, Kambi’s chief legal officer, leads the team instrumental to the historic moment. “The repeal of PAPSA allowed states to independently choose whether to legalize and regulate sports betting,” he says.
Get to Know: Laura Sawyier
Get to Know: Laura Sawyier July 14, 2020By: Stephanie Zeilenga Style Features0 Comments Laura Katherine Sawyier approaches her work as a personal and wardrobe stylist as a way to help women in St. Louis, New York City and beyond not only refine their style, but also improve their lives—she believes that the right clothing can change everything, giving the wearer confidence and a powerful means of self-expression.
May Huneidi Leads Transformation Without Turbulence
May Huneidi excels at bringing calm to chaos. After two decades in the IT world orchestrating transformational change, she’s earned the reputation. May Huneidi, Hollander Sleep ProductsPhoto by Michael B. Lloyd Huneidi’s career includes stints as chief information officer and other top IT roles for several global organizations with revenues up to $3 billion. She’s currently chief information officer at Hollander Sleep Products, the largest pillow manufacturer in North America.
Reba Phillips Makes Evergreen Benefits for Every Employee
“Healthcare is by its nature fast-paced and high risk. The changes we’re seeing in the industry today force us to innovate, reevaluate our practices, and look for ways to improve. Nimble thought and quick action are key competencies,” says Reba Phillips, director of compensation and benefits for BJC Healthcare in St. Louis. Phillips has been with BJC, one of the largest nonprofit healthcare organizations in the United States, since 2014, but her expertise in HR predates that by fifteen years.
Christina Dewey Builds Trust to Transform Culture
Christina Dewey isn’t afraid of an HR challenge. When she came on board as vice president of human resources at Plastic Omnium, she was tasked with transforming the company’s outdated culture and cultivating a progressive HR team. Christina Dewey, Plastic OmniumPhoto by Robert Bruce As a global leader in automotive equipment, Plastic Omnium has traditionally been male dominated. Driving change from within a male-centric environment wasn’t a new challenge for Dewey, however.
Monika Dudek Has Helped Grow a Top Patent Portfolio
Monika Dudek has spent the past seventeen years building and protecting Trading Technologies’ patent portfolio, one of the largest in the financial trading space. When she came on board at the company in 2002, the electronic trading software firm had only a handful of patent applications on file. Today, it has more than nine hundred patents.
Angelina Colombo Turns a Practical Choice into a Winning Career
As a product of hardworking immigrants, Angelina Colombo was always encouraged to stay focused, work hard, and be practical. This upbringing is what initially led her to a career in public accounting and management consulting at what was then a Big 6 firm. She ended up finding a niche in financial services—which she loved—and, with the help and guidance of great mentors, eventually landing at her current role as chief operating officer of Citizens Bank’s legal department.
Mark Levine Thrives in the Gray Zone
With fewer rules and regulations than medicines, dietary supplements pose distinctive challenges. Mark Levine brings years of experience in the industry to Reckitt Benckiser’s health division, RB Health, where he’s ensuring the team operates within a gray zone ethically and successfully. “Dietary supplements are regulated with foods within the FDA,” he says. “They operate somewhat on the honor system; you can put your product out there without preapprovals or registrations.
Zivra Shifts Focus to DevSecOps
“As companies automate more and more, they need more security. It’s like riding a motorcycle—the faster you go, the more specialized your safety equipment you have to be,” says JJ Alvarez, managing director of Zivra. JJ Alvarez, ZivraPhoto: Courtesy of Zivra These days, data breaches are a matter of when, not if, for companies large and small.
Pedro Pavón Navigates the New Frontier of Data Privacy
“Today, data is like oil in the early twentieth century, when entire economies were built around discovering and monetizing a newly discovered resource,” says Pedro Pavón, director and senior corporate counsel at Salesforce. “Computer systems have always generated data, but due to the wide availability of the internet and the proliferation of the internet of things, data is now being generated 24/7 at an incredible scale.
Elizabeth Soroka Forecasts Great Culture at AccuWeather
A business case could easily be made for why Elizabeth Soroka owns more running shoes than heels. As vice president of human resources for AccuWeather, Soroka is tasked with solving a number of complex challenges for the global company, and she often finds solutions mid-run. Elizabeth (Tringali) Soroka, AccuweatherPhoto: Amy Beauton “I get into a stride where I can take a problem and dissect it,” says Soroka, who has completed more than fifty-five marathons.
Ben Prevost Went from Litigation to Negotiation
After spending fifteen years practicing complex commercial litigation, Ben Prevost did a career 180 in early 2019. At the time, he was senior litigation counsel at NCR Corporation, which provides enterprise technology for restaurants, retailers, and banks. When approached with the opportunity to become chief counsel for NCR’s retail segment and sink his teeth into a whole new area of law, he eagerly accepted. Now, Prevost supports the legal needs of NCR’s retail business.
Candace Shaffer Makes Better Healthcare Through Better Benefits
“I love benefits,” says Candace Shaffer, senior director of benefits at Purdue University. Her foray into human resources came somewhat as a surprise, after she spent more than a decade in early child development and education.
Christopher Aluotto Stays Flexible
“I often heard the phrase ‘flexibility is key to airpower’ while serving in the United States Air Force, and that appreciation for flexibility has been an asset outside the military as well. Anyone who has worked with me knows that I never turn down a challenge,” says Christopher Aluotto, senior counsel for Google. The nine years Aluotto spent in the Air Force imparted more than flexibility and discipline.
Smile Maker | Town&Style
Smile Maker March 10, 2020By: Stephanie Zeilenga Cover Stories Heidi’s mouth drops open when she first sees her basement. It has been transformed by the Make-A-Wish Foundation into a kid’s dream of a rec room and arts and crafts studio. The 10-year-old covers her heart with her hand and runs to a teal beanbag, pretending to faint into it with delight. That scene portrays the big reveal in November 2019. “I was so happy when I saw it,” Heidi recalls.
Mariela Ure Brings Magic to Universal Studios
Being intellectually curious is a fantastic way to launch a career. Just ask Mariela Ure, chief marketing officer at Universal Studios Hollywood. She began her career as an entry-level intern at Disney World nearly thirty years ago where she quickly learned she had access to one of the top entertainment marketing teams in the world—and she wasn’t shy about asking them questions. “I’d talk to the marketing manager to understand how they made marketing decisions,” Ure says.
Marna Killian Crafts a Crazy Good Employee Experience
Turnover is notoriously high in the food industry. Marna Killian looks to reverse the trend at Checkers and Rally’s restaurants with innovative, research-based initiatives aimed at attracting, developing, and retaining employees. Her overarching goal in her role as senior vice president of people is to create a “crazy good experience” for employees that will translate to a positive guest experience.
Get to Know: Style Edition
Get to Know: Style Edition February 24, 2020By: Stephanie Zeilenga Fashion daphne benzaquen of daph. As an MBA student at Washington University, Daphne Benzaquen wanted to invest in a high-quality leather backpack. She had a specific vision in mind, but was unable to find anything on the market to match. With a need often comes an unexpected solution. Having zero design experience, Benzaquen decided to bring her idea to life on her own.
Rob Negron Steers His Own Ship
“You have to grab the reins early,” Rob Negron says. “If you don’t steer yourself, you’ll end up wherever the wind blows. It’s up to you to make sure you’re on the path you want to be on.” Negron has relied on this philosophy as he’s guided his career exactly where he wants it to go, unafraid to shift directions or take on responsibilities outside his comfort zone.
Review: Pop in Lafayette Square
Review: Pop in Lafayette Square By Stephanie Zeilenga // February 12, 2020 Pop in Lafayette Square is Dave and Kara Bailey’s love letter to bubbles. All dark wood, low lighting and touches of gold, the space is at once cozy and seductive. It invites settling in and savoring, appropriate for the effervescent elixir to which Pop is dedicated. The space includes two rooms and a back patio for warmer weather celebrations.
How Kristi Abundis Looks After Her Colleagues
After two decades of working in human resources in the acute care hospital industry, Kristi Abundis craved a change. She wanted to be part of an organization that helps prevent the health problems she witnessed every day. She wanted to step away from the highly regulated, unionized hospital industry and land somewhere she could truly make a difference in guiding and supporting employees.
Rob Negron Steers His Own Ship
“You have to grab the reins early,” Rob Negron says. “If you don’t steer yourself, you’ll end up wherever the wind blows. It’s up to you to make sure you’re on the path you want to be on.” Photo: Gillian Fry Negron has relied on this philosophy as he’s guided his career exactly where he wants it to go, unafraid to shift directions or take on responsibilities outside his comfort zone.
Jeanne O’Connor Puts the “Trust” in Billtrust
Jeanne O’Connor was double majoring in psychology and business at Montclair State University when it occurred to her that human resources sits at the intersection of her two degrees (she graduated with both a BA and a BS). Photo: Marc Spiron “I realized I could apply what I enjoyed from psychology into a business setting,” she says.
Kimie Porter Takes Expanded Consciousness Corporate
“Mindfulness is part of our environment now—it’s no longer the alternative,” says Kimie Porter. Her official title at Liberty Tax is vice president of human resources, but at heart she’s a corporate mindfulness Sherpa, guiding her colleagues toward transformational leadership.
Nick Williams's Greatness Philosophy
Nick Williams carries copies of his leadership philosophy with him everywhere he goes. He has a copy framed in his office, and he references it when he interviews prospective employees. It’s a living document, revisited and revised at each year’s end.
Jennifer Judge Finds Balance at Caliber Home Loans
As a law firm litigator, Jennifer Judge used to think one thing when she heard about lawyers who went in-house after an opportunity just fell out of the sky: “Yeah, right.” But then it happened to her. One of her former coworkers—a mentor from when she was a summer associate—had recently gone in-house at Caliber Home Loans, and called her up on a Friday to tell her about a new position for labor and employment work: Judge’s specialty.
Review: Koreana Karaoke in Chesterfield
Review: Koreana Karaoke in Chesterfield By Stephanie Zeilenga // December 12, 2019 Located in a nondescript strip mall in Chesterfield, Koreana Karaoke doesn’t look like much from the street. Brave the long, dim hallway of closed doors upon entering, however, and you’ll find a strange but charming karaoke bar. The first thing you should notice at Koreana is the owner, June Krohr, who goes by Mama June. Instantly familiar and endlessly helpful, she will be your karaoke guide.
Review: Up-Down in Central West End
Review: Up-Down in Central West End By Stephanie Zeilenga // November 25, 2019 Up-Down in the Central West End is a fun assault on your senses. The fifth location of the Iowa-based concept, this arcade bar goes big on everything that matters – the games, the beer list and the size of its pizza slices. The 21-plus bar is insanely popular on weekends. Crowds flock to the spot to play pinball, skee-ball and dozens of other arcade games, from Dance Dance Revolution to Paper Boy.
Eat local year-round with winter produce in St. Louis
Eat local year-round with winter produce in St. Louis By Stephanie Zeilenga // November 23, 2019 We’ve bid farewell to #tomatoseason until next year, but just because the delights of summer have disappeared from farmers markets doesn’t mean you should take a hiatus from enjoying local produce. Think of it like swapping out your closet at the end of the summer, trading breezy sundresses for warm sweaters.
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