Lakaisha McCaleb earns ‘Women Who Own It’ Entrepreneur of the Year Award for her work with Joy & Gladness Children’s Academy and the community Story by Samantha Pogue • Photos by Julie Smith “Never give up on yourself.” St. Louis native Lakaisha McCaleb gives...
Organization strengthens women in careers and self-esteem Story and photos by Sally Ince Racheal Balke, a Lincoln University softball team member and marketing major, heard about Dreams to Reality through Lincoln’s career services where she was then submitted into the referral process. “I feel...
Meet the Jolly Rogers Grub & Grog Polar Plunge team, who have raised $98,000-plus for Special Olympics Missouri Story by Samantha Pogue Every pirate has a code they live by. Often it was outlined with rules for discipline, division of stolen goods, compensation for injured pirates and other...
Louise Whitworth teaches visually impaired students in JC, leads volunteer efforts at Wolfner Library with Calvary Lutheran HS Braille Club Story by Samantha Pogue While waiting for her daughter and Calvary Lutheran High School senior Elizabeth’s after school practice to begin, Louise Whitworth...
Holts Summit Soup Kitchen offers delicious community meals and fellowship for everyone Story by Samantha Pogue • Photos by Julie Smith Someone walking into the Holts Summit Civic Center on a Tuesday or Thursday afternoon will first smell the savory aromas of roast beef, ribs, chicken or another main...
Longtime foster mom Leslie DeWesplore aims to help families with The Cooper Foundation of Missouri Story by Samantha Pogue Leslie DeWesplore sees the importance of a strong family unit. The Jefferson City native and her husband of seven years, Mike, have built that for his two children and Leslie’s...
Diane and Mark Struemph have collectively lost 430-plus pounds in less than three years Story by Samantha Pogue • Photos by Julie Smith At Diane and Mark Struemph’s front door lies a welcome mat sporting their last name that also states: “The love of a family is life’s greatest blessing.”...
Story by Samantha Pogue Six months before her scheduled mammogram in 2001, Nancy K. Gratz felt God was with her. At that time, she had mastitis, an inflammation of breast tissue that sometimes involves an infection. Then she discovered a lump. “I was very busy and I did think about canceling...
A recurring theme Lori Hoelscher heard throughout her battle with breast cancer is “You’re going to be OK.” Her husband Delbert, her family, her friends and loved ones who had been through the same battle often said those words, but they said it with conviction. This simple, powerful declaration...
Liz Morrow knew soon after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was not going to let it win. After going in for a routine mammogram Nov. 28, 2017, shortly after finishing her doctorate degree classes, she was called back for a biopsy on Dec. 4. Her mother Bertha Armstead was with her when...
