Archives of Community

Give Your Time to Something You Care About: Shut Up & Write!

Michelle Jenson, co-host of the Cape Girardeau chapter of Shut Up & Write!, remembers the first story she ever wrote: on three pages of notebook paper, a cat got trapped in a trash bin, and a rat rescued him. She wrote it while in the fourth grade, and it started her lifelong love for writing. […]

Give Your Time to Something You Care About: It Takes a Village

According to World Population Review, the state of Missouri is 31st in the nation for infant mortality, where No. 1 is best and No. 50 is worst. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, from 2017 to 2021, Missouri had 32.2 pregnancy-related deaths for every 100,000 live births, barely avoiding the category […]

Give Your Time to Something You Care About: Runnin’ Wild Trail Running Club

Anna Nordwald, naturalist at Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, started running in high school. Raised in Central Missouri, she often ran on her family’s farm or on the surrounding county roads, enjoying that the pastime allowed her to be outside. As a volleyball and softball player, she wanted to try something new, so she quit […]

Sponsored Content: Supporting Mental Health in Southeast Missouri with the Community Counseling Center Foundation

SPONSORED CONTENT The Community Counseling Center Foundation (CCCF) plays a vital role in providing essential mental health services across Southeast Missouri, ensuring individuals in Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Madison, Perry and Ste. Genevieve Counties can access the support they need. In 2023 alone, nearly 7,000 clients benefited from CCC’s mental health programs, underscoring the significant demand […]

Jaycees ToyBox: A Christmas tradition of giving

The Jaycees ToyBox is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing toys to children who otherwise would not have a Christmas. Throughout the year, the Cape Jaycees host events to raise money for the annual ToyBox event. Tiffany Brosey, chairperson of the Jaycee ToyBox, coordinates the process from the initial application through delivery night, ensuring the […]

meet along the way: Dr. Loretta Prater and Her Sisters

This story was first published as “Finding Family: Loretta Prater, who grew up an only child, connects with her 15 siblings through DNA testing in her 70s” in the October 2024 issue of The Best Years. Hello, my name is Cynthia Simmons Logan. I’m calling to speak with Dr. Prater. I’m responding to an Ancestry […]

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 […]

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 […]