All posts of Amanda Flinn

Artist Spotlight: Bunny Boughamer

Bunny Boughamer began drawing as soon as she was old enough to hold a crayon. Growing up in small-town Ste. Genevieve, Mo., Boughamer says being right on the river, running around the woods and being close to nature are some of her favorite memories from childhood. Today, Boughamer is in her senior year at Southeast […]
3 weeks ago

meet along the way: Rev. Ellen Gurnon

This story was first published as “Faces of Southeast Missouri: Rev. Ellen Gurnon” in the November 2024 issue of The Best Years. Rev. Ellen Gurnon says faith informs every part of her life. From a young child attending Sunday school and summer camps, to being elected to be a ruling elder in her 20s, to […]
4 weeks ago

Artist Spotlight: Mitzi Quintas-Cruz

Mitzi Quintas-Cruz is a young artist and entrepreneur on a mission to expand her Mexican-American culture in Cape Girardeau while making connections with people along the way. A senior at Cape Central High School, Quintas-Cruz says her art — homemade candles she pours in imported pottery from Mexico — helps her stay grounded, a reminder […]
3 months ago

meet along the way: Nancy Bishop and Molly Brown

By Amanda Flinn Editor’s Note: This story was first published as “Community Cookbook: Make cinnamon rolls with Nancy Bishop and Molly Brown” in the July 2024 issue of The Best Years. Nancy Bishop was born and raised in Galesburg, Ill., during the 1950s, a time when life felt simple. Her mother made their food from […]
8 months ago

meet along the way: Theresa Taylor

By Amanda Flinn Editor’s Note: This story was first published as “Faces of Southeast Missouri: Theresa Taylor” in the July 2024 issue of The Best Years. Theresa Taylor’s experiences with food insecurity started at a young age. Growing up in Bernie, Mo., she remembers her family getting assistance from local food banks and churches. Her […]
8 months ago

Artist Spotlight: Ash Durrance

Intro and interview by Amanda Flinn Ash Durrance is an artist who comes from a long line of creative women. Raised in Orlando, Fla., Durrance’s moth- er worked as a costume manager at Disney, crafting her own party invitations and painting mermaids in her spare time. Durrance’s grandmother created miniature bears — Teddy Roosevelt was […]
10 months ago

Artist Spotlight: Phyllis Johnson

Phyllis Johnson, originally from Caruthersville, Mo., now lives the retired life in Cape Girardeau making quilts and watching Hallmark Movies & Mysteries on television. If it was possible, she would quilt around the clock, designing patterns, piecing patches and hand stitching it all together with her lap frame. With four children, 13 grandchildren and 21 […]
1 year ago

Have a Yes Day With Your Kids

A few weeks ago, my kids and I watched a movie on Netflix called “Yes Day.” In the movie, the mom, played by Jennifer Garner, has become accustomed to saying no and is challenged to a 24-hour day of saying yes to her children’s wildest dreams come true. After setting some ground rules — they […]
4 years ago

Art for You

The water closes in, threatening to take me down.  Overwhelmed by salt and sand, I find myself Splashing. Gasping. Fighting.   Struggling to survive.  Waves of self-doubt crash over my head.  Anxiety and fear swirl around my feet. What if I’m not enough?  What if I’m too much?    My eyes dart left, then right. […]
4 years ago

Try Something New: Tips for watercolor

Watercolor is the process of painting with pigments that are mixed with water. With just a little water, the colors can be bright and vibrant. Add more water, and the colors become subtle and opaque. Mix when wet, and your colors will bleed. Wait until dry, and the colors won’t mix. It’s a simple form […]
4 years ago