All posts of flourish

meet along the way: Laura Irvan

This story first published as “Survivor Stories: Surviving Breast Cancer” in the 2025 issue of Survivor Stories, inserted into the Southeast Missourian Oct. 9, 2025. While laying in bed one night reading at age 34, Laura Irvan felt a lump in her breast. Although she didn’t think much of it at the time, she called […]
5 days ago

meet along the way: Val Grant

This story was first published as “Community Cookbook: Make Cornbread with Val Grant from Sikeston, Mo.” in the September 2024 issue of The Best Years.  Violet “Val” Grant grew up in a large family in Sikeston, Mo. Her mother, Hattie, birthed 18 children, with Grant coming close to the end at No. 16. Her dad […]
5 days ago

meet along the way: Jayne Ervan

This story was first published in the September 2024 issue of The Best Years. Jayne Ervin, owner of Jayson Jewelers, grew up in Cape Girardeau with a city grandmother and a country grandmother. She says her city grandmother, Grace Erlbacher Dace, was a classy lady, always well-dressed, with hair and nails to match. As a […]
5 days ago

Sponsored Content: Teen Challenge Extends Ministry to Women Through New Deborah’s House

For 55 years, Adult & Teen Challenge Mid-America has transformed men’s lives in Southeast Missouri, helping to free them from addiction and reintegrate into society through spiritual, vocational, academic and transitional residential services. Now, the Bible-based recovery program is expanding its ministry to women. “It’s like God’s bringing it full-circle — we’re going to be […]
2 months ago

Funny Women: SEMO improv group provides space for comedians to shine

By Lily Niebrugge In Southeast Missouri State University’s (SEMO) Dramatically Incorrect Comedy Club (DICC), students like freshman musical theater major Brea Johnson take center stage in their comedy. Johnson says she auditioned for DICC, an improv troupe on SEMO’s River Campus that produces shows often comparable to the early 2000s TV show “Whose Line Is […]
2 months ago

Halfway to Somewhere: A collection of reasons I love gas stations

By Jennifer Goodman There is something about gas stations that is chaotic and strangely comforting in its own eccentric way. A beautiful liminal space, the threshold from where you were and where you are going. It can feel almost otherworldly, like time slips beneath the flicker of fluorescent lights. The glow shows everything in an […]
2 months ago

The Curated Collection: Johniqua Fort, Main Key Realty

Sponsored Content Named the Rising Star by the Southeast Missouri REALTORS Board in 2024, Main Key Realty realtor Johniqua Fort works with people at every step of the homebuying or selling process to help them accomplish their dream. It’s an honor she doesn’t take lightly. “Coming from humble beginnings, I’ve always adored houses and homes,” […]
2 months ago

Things to Love: Cape Chamber

Sponsored Content Join the Cape Chamber for the third annual Women in Business: At the Heart of It All Celebration, honoring American Business Women’s Day. Celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of businesswomen across the nation and in our region at the largest and most-anticipated Women’s Network event of the year! You will hear inspirational stories filled […]
2 months ago

The Curated Collection: Jayson Jewelers

Sponsored Content Jayson Jewelers is proud to serve our community and surrounding areas since 1984. Being locally owned and operated, we truly treasure relationships with our clients and enjoy celebrating the special moments in their lives. We have a variety of hand- selected engagement rings offering laboratory or earth-mined diamonds. We specialize in custom-made colored […]
2 months ago

The Curated Collection: For-Te Tea Lounge and Eventeur

Sponsored Content At For-Té Tea Lounge and Eventeur, you can have afternoon tea for two … or for 20. Steps from the Mississippi River, our tea lounge is the perfect venue for bridal showers, birthdays and business meetings. All deluxe packages include a three-tier tea tray, a pot of premium loose leaf tea and three […]
2 months ago