Lifestyle

Club Car Wash

Best of Columbia 2023

Photos by L.G. Patterson The results are finally in! After thousands (and thousands!) of nominations and votes, we are ready to present the very Best of Columbia. Below, you’ll find the winners in a wide variety of categories, from Best Burger to Best Festival or Annual Event. This year, thanks to readers like you, we received […]

coopers landing

23 Things to do in Summer ’23

Photos by L.G Patterson & Ava Kitzi The summer sun is out and it’s time to enjoy all the perks that come with this beloved season. So, we’ve rounded up 23 essential summer activities to do before fall arrives.Whether you’re a lifelong Columbia resident or a new transplant to our community, we’re sure you’ll find […]

bookshelf author

Local Teacher, Author Pens Fiction Inspired By Husband’s Stroke

Photos by L.G Patterson When a loved one is suddenly hit with a medical crisis, it can upend everything. But for local author Elaine Strawn, such a crisis also helped inspire a new novel. Strawn’s latest novel, Strokewaves, was inspired by her own experience after her husband suffered a catastrophic stroke two years ago, shaking […]

Rock climbing

The Thrill Seekers Guide to Mid-Missouri

Photos by Ava Kitzi There’s nothing quite like getting your adrenaline pumping. Suddenly, you’re completely in the moment as a mix of fear and anticipation takes over. For some people, this particular rush is beyond addicting. So they seek it out in a variety of ways, from scary movies to thrill-seeking activities designed to get your […]

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel - courtesy of Prime Video and Philippe Antonello

A Laugh Riot: 5 Shows That Are Sure to Make You Smile

Photo courtesy of Prime Video and Philippe Antonello WELCOME TO OUR ULTIMATE LISTS! In each issue, you will find a curated selection of things to listen to or watch, put together by either an on-air talent from Zimmer Communications or a member of the Inside Columbia staff. For this issue, Editor Madeleine Leroux has shared […]

organize clutter

Get Organized with these Five Steps to Clear the Clutter

Having an organized space can make or break your productivity, stress level and overall well-being. But knowing where to start can be a challenge. Bonnie Hudson, founder of Beyond Organized MO, LLC, says organizing a space not only creates balance, but it allows people to regain control of their lives. “You will be more focused […]

DiningOut Belly market

Local Market and Rotisserie Takes Over Columbia Staple

Photo by L.G. Patterson Food is part of so many traditions. It helps us celebrate love and loss, and fills your belly with comfort after a long day. That’s the goal of Belly Market & Rotisserie in south Columbia. Benjamin Hamrah and Amanda Elliot, co-owners of Belly Market, created a one-stop-shop for people to enjoy […]

Sherie Rodekohr makes a floral arrangement.

Creating Your Own Floral Arrangement

Photos by L.G. Patterson Nothing freshens up a space quite like fresh flowers. Whether it’s a centerpiece meant to grab attention or a simple tableside arrangement to add a pop of color, flowers can make all the difference in any room. Sherie Rodekohr has spent her entire career in horticulture, with more than 30 years teaching […]

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Local Author Tackles Ancient Vietnam Legend In New Book

Photo by L.G. Patterson  Phong Nguyen has known for a long time that he wanted to tell the story of the Trung sisters. Well, at least a version of it. The story of the Trung sisters is well known in Vietnamese culture. It tells the true tale of ancient warrior sisters, Trung Trac and Trung […]

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Stephanie Lanham Turns Passion For Animals Into a Career

Photo by L.G. Patterson  While her love for animals has always been there, Stephanie Lanham did not always plan to work at an animal shelter. Now the operations manager at the Central Missouri Humane Society, Lanham stumbled upon her dream job just after graduating from the University ofMissouri in 2008. “I was looking for a […]

A Trek Through The Coffee Scene

Photos by L.G. Patterson Some days, we all could use an extra boost. For those of us who crave caffeine, there are moments where nothing can beat that perfect cup, whether it’s coffee, espresso or tea. And there’s plenty of options when it comes to where to enjoy that satisfying sip, each with its own […]

Cutest Pet Winner Loki

Meet Columbia’s Cutest Pets

Photos by L.G. Patterson Meet four of Columbia’s cutest pets. How do we know? You helped us pick! We sought out the most adorable animals to feature in our pages and received hundreds of entries of dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets and even one zebu. (Unfamiliar? So were we. It’s a form of cattle.) Suffice to […]

Nicole Schroeder

Local Author to Self-Publish First Book

Photo by L.G. Patterson Nicole Schroeder is not shy about describing herself as a bookworm. Surrounded by books since she could read, it’s no surprise the 24-year-old Columbia native has never had any doubt about the career she would one day pursue. “I don’t even remember when it was I first decided I wanted to be […]

Auto,Mechanic,Working,In,Garage.,Repair,Service.

Hard Rockin’ Work: 5 Songs to Help you be Productive

WELCOME TO OUR ULTIMATE LISTS! In each issue, you will find a curated selection of things to listen to or watch, put together by either an on-air talent from Zimmer Communications or a member of the Inside Columbia staff. For this issue, Trevor Morgan shared his ultimate playlist for working in his garage. Click this […]

Encounters Angela Pottery

Local Artist Talks About Journey to Pottery and Faith

Photos by L.G. Patterson For Angela Johnson, work is an opportunity to exercise her passion. Passion for pottery, that is. Always interested in the arts, Johnson studied fine arts at the University of Missouri, earning her bachelor’s degree in 1995. By her late 20s, Johnson found herself living a life that was unhealthy and wound […]

Watch TV

Sit Back and Stream: 5 Entertaining Shows That Are Sure to Suck You In

Photos by L.G. Patterson WELCOME TO OUR ULTIMATE LISTS! In each issue, you will find a curated selection of things to listen to or watch, put together by either an on-air talent from Zimmer Communications or a member of the Inside Columbia staff. For this issue, Josh Ryan has shared his ultimate watchlist for enjoyable […]

The Big Tree in McBaine

A Truly Columbian Bucket List: Local Author Details 100 Things to do in New Book

If you’ve ever struggled to figure out the best things to do in Columbia on a Friday or Saturday night, there’s a new book for you. 100 Things to Do in Columbia, Missouri, Before You Die by local author Stephen Paul Sayers provides a bucket list of activities, sights and iconic traditions to explore in […]

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Columbia’s Winter Bucket List: 10 Things to Do During Our Cold, Snowy Season

Photos by L.G. Patterson Winter in Columbia has arrived, whether you’re ready for it or not. And while spending the season hibernating inside can sound particularly tantalizing, there’s so much to do in our community during these cold, snowy months. To make sure you don’t miss out on anything this season, we’ve put together 10 […]

The Gray Lady at Columbia College

Haunted History: A Peek into Columbia’s Ghostly Past

Photos by L.G. Patterson Fans of fall know one of the perks of the season is the heightened interest in haunted history. There’s a chill in the air, it’s getting darker earlier, the dried leaves rustle as they hit the ground and it all combines to give you a feeling of something … other worldly. […]

Enns Entomology Museum staff

Bugging Out: 5 Unique Species Found at the Enns Entomology Museum

Photos by L.G. Patterson  While most people usually take whatever preventative measures possible to keep insects away, Kristin Simpson spends much of her time surrounded by them. As manager of the Enns Entomology Museum at the University of Missouri, bugs are simply a part of her life. “I was not one of the nerdy kids […]