Think you’ve got what it takes to track down one of North America’s most famous cryptids? The third annual Weston Bigfoot Search is your chance to bring home the glory—and perhaps a special trophy. Pro tip: Start practicing your Bigfoot call now. Bigfoot hunters are invited to Weston, Missouri, for the town’s third annual sasquatch scavenger hunt. The winner gets to take the sasquatch home. Photo courtesy of Weston Missouri Chamber of Commerce By Caroline Dohack The search is on for one of North America’s most famous cryptids. The Weston Missouri Chamber of Commerce will host its third annual ..read more

For fiber artist Bella Erakko, the craft of weaving altar cloths is a vehicle for sending well-wishes into the world. With each order for a commissioned piece, she asks three questions: What do you want to wrap yourself in—peace, courage, love? “Weaving is about 200 little steps, each of no consequence. But when you put them all together, you get something beautiful,” Bella Errako says. Photo courtesy of Ashley Szatala By Ashley Szatala Bella Erakko has a rare, unobstructed view in Hannibal, Missouri, of the city’s downtown, the Mississippi River, and the Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse. Her on ..read more

You never know what’s going to happen in Missouri. In this week’s headline roundup, we have a tornado wedding, a lottery winner with a lifelong prize payout, and a fascinating new museum exhibit. There’s always something exciting happening in our fair state. Here’s a roundup of a few of our favorite recent headlines. Spot a story you’d like to share? Send it to newsletter editor Caroline Dohack for possible inclusion in a future issue. 120 Years Later, a Look Back at the World’s Fair The New York Times highlights an expansive exhibition at the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis exp ..read more

Steve McQueen in the Great St. Louis Bank Robbery • Public Domain A lethal heist gone wrong took place on this date in 1953. At the corner of Kingshighway and Arensal a crew led by 60-year-old Fred William Bowerman entered Southwest Bank and attempted to carry out a robbery. At the time to robbery got underway, Bowerman was #46 on the FBI’s most wanted list for his previous exploits, which included a bank robbery in South Bend, Indiana. Employees who noticed what was happening were able to trigger a silent alarm as well as phone the police without being detected. The criminals began loading up ..read more

The American Natya Festival, now in its fifteenth year, is a three-day celebration of Indian artistic tradition. Performers from around the United States and India will dazzle audiences with spirited song and dance and elaborate costumes. Part of the Soorya Dance Company’s mission is to make traditional Indian art forms accessible to American audiences. With this in mind, Artistic Director Prasanna Kasthuri chose to place English dialogue over classical Indian melodies. By Caroline Dohack The 15th American Natya Festival, a three-day festival celebrating classical dance from India and South As ..read more

The richly diverse Current River State Park features almost two miles of beautiful river frontage, offering ample opportunity for swimming, floating, and fishing as well as hiking, backcountry camping, and interpretive programming. The intact Alton Club Lodge and about twenty buildings were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005 as a rare example of private retreats once common along the Current River. Photo courtesy of Susan Flader When Gov. Arthur Hyde and his new game and fish commissioner Frank Wielandy began searching in 1924 for sites to purchase for Missouri’s first ..read more

Rock climbing devotees pride themselves on inclusivity and positivity. No one is too old, too big, or too small to try the sport, and there’s no shortage of opportunities for those seeking a fresh perspective on some of Missouri’s most-loved places. Outdoor climbing provides opportunities to enjoy nature while getting in a workout that challenges mind and body. Writer Mary Andino reaches the top. Photo by Morgan Miller By Mary Andino To fully appreciate a familiar, well-trodden place, sometimes we need to look at it from a fresh perspective and see it from a new point of view. If you’ve visite ..read more

They say the house always wins, but community takes the jackpot at Vintage Vegas Casino Night. Sponsored by Vision Carthage, the event features food, drink, and plenty of casino-style fun. Proceeds benefit local charitable initiatives. By Kim Hill Those lucky to be in the vicinity of Carthage, Missouri, can enjoy live casino gaming without traveling to Las Vegas when Vision Carthage sponsors its first Vintage Vegas Casino Night on Saturday, April 27.  “We really have nothing like this fundraiser with a casino-night theme in our community,” says Vision Carthage Executive Director Leanna C ..read more

These two Cape Girardeau painters write and illustrate children’s books in an unconventionally collaborative way. Their method is a fast-paced give-and-take that requires absolute trust, open minds, and a willingness to pick up and pivot. Barb Bailey began painting with Aaron Horrell shortly after approaching him about displaying her art in his Cape Girardeau gallery, the Painted Wren. By Kelsie Schrader Barb Bailey has been working on a painting for two hours. Sitting at a table in the middle of a quiet art gallery, she adds stroke after stroke to her painting. This painting is of a goat in a ..read more

Big things are always happening in Missouri. In this week’s headline roundup, we’ve got big bugs, big fish, big money, and your big chance to land on national TV. There’s always something exciting happening in our fair state. Here’s a roundup of a few of our favorite recent headlines. Spot a story you’d like to share? Send it to newsletter editor Caroline Dohack for possible inclusion in a future issue. How the moon brought the bucks to Missouri As part of its “Eventful Economy” series, Mastercard released data showing how credit card sales increased along the path of totality during the solar ..read more