Southeast Missouri: space to think, to make art, to know each other. Where people live the day to day and work hard to do, create and shape good things. Where we come together to help each other. Where natural and womanmade beauty abound. Where we have a place to be home.
We love our region and the funky, quaint, lovely spaces throughout it. Some of our favorite places throughout this region are out of the way, worn-in, hidden gems locals know about that we want you to experience, too. So, with this photo shoot, we’re sending you on a scavenger hunt: do you know where each of these places are?
When you solve these mini mysteries, drive to each spot and take your own version of a photo in the place. Be sure to tag @my_flourish when you post to Instagram or Facebook. We’ll reveal each location on Instagram in the following months and in the Fall 2020 issue of flourish.
Now don your regional pride, get out there and make some art.
Here’s your clue:
Although everyday is a winding road, this little shop is situated right off the straight main drag, and you can bet we’re gonna soak up the sun while grabbing a fresh round circle of joy with a bubble milk tea here at everyone’s favorite local shop. Hey, if it makes you happy.
Our recommendation: the kolaches and blended coffee.
Meet Elysia
Resides in: Cape Girardeau
What are your three favorite places in Southeast Missouri?
1. I grew up on 11 acres of woods and farmland at the edge of Jackson and Oak Ridge. My mom still lives there, and that country property is easily my favorite place in Southeast Missouri.
2 & 3: The Saturday Farmer’s Market in Cape is another favorite of mine, which ties with my third favorite place: Red Banner Coffee Roasters. One of my family’s favorite summer activities involves grabbing a coffee from Red Banner and shopping the farmer’s market on a Saturday morning.
Tell us about a specific memory you have at a specific place in Southeast Missouri.
A couple years ago, my husband and I moved back to Jackson after living in St. Louis for more than 10 years. We were taking our first walk to the Jackson Park, and a car pulled up next to us. Then a couple of our childhood friends jumped out of the car and gave us the biggest hugs. We had only been in Jackson for a few days, but that chance meeting was so welcoming and wonderful for us. It made us feel right at home.
Tell us about a smell that will always take you back to somewhere in Southeast Missouri.
The smell of honeysuckle will always take me back to growing up in the country. It’s probably one of my favorite smells in the world.
How do you know you’re home?
Home for me is country air, my boys laughing, my husband playing guitar, my brothers and sisters riffing some ridiculous joke, my mom’s blackberry cobbler. Might sound corny, but my home isn’t a specific location. It’s that feeling of utter contentment and joy that I feel when I’m surrounded by the people I love.
What are three places you want to go to in Southeast Missouri that you haven’t been to yet?
- I want to go camping at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park.
- I want to visit the Cave Vineyard at Ste. Genevieve.
- I want to eat outside at Top of the Marq.
Tell us about Rad Nurse.
I founded a nonprofit called Rad Nurse to show love and appreciation for nurses. Rad Nurse update: we are distributing COVID care packages to nurses on the frontlines all over the U.S. We are also providing meals for nurses in St. Louis who have been furloughed and whose families have been impacted by COVID. It’s a wild ride, but our mission stays the same throughout: we take care of the people who take care of us.
Tell us about your art.
Art has always been a hobby of mine, so it’s crazy to me that it’s growing into a legitimate business! I’ve kept busy with everything from giant custom paintings to tattoo designs, and I love every minute of it. I always set art goals each year, and this year my goal is to paint on-site at a wedding! I think a painting would be a great way to commemorate that day, ya know? I’ve got a few other goals, as well: apprentice with an oil painter in St. Louis, paint another mural and design more details for my tattoo. This year has been interesting to say the least, but hopefully I can check off a couple of these goals.
Dress and shoes: Peachy Keen Boutique in Dexter, Missouri
