Boom Magazine

While businesses that last generations are rare, Columbia is host to a number of companies that have served mid-Missouri throughout the ages. They have survived the ups and downs of business cycles, but they keep their doors open and…

Our antique furniture has a story to tell. Are you open to “listening” to their stories? All you have to do is study the clues and you’ll know some of what they’ve been through. For example, I own an early dry sink in its original…

This tornado went right through the streets of Columbia, devastating several stores and residences. According to the Missouri Climate Center, Missouri recorded a total of 65 tornadoes in 2010, the eighth highest on record since 1950. On…

Oatmeal, twigs, rocks and pieces of shoe. These are the type of inanimate objects that talk to Kaye Gray-Manolov. And she gladly keeps the conversation going. She collects an odd assortment of these objects, storing them in her dining…

Photos by L.G. Patterson Like many other retirees who woke up on a balmy June morning this year, Bob Jones went for a swim. He had been preparing for this particular swim for more than a year, and he had flown from Hartsburg, Mo. to…

There’s no denying that brunch is a popular favorite, but you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home to enjoy a delicious spread with family and friends. Enjoy this weekend luxury every day and bring brunch home with premium…

For most of us, our county fairs happen in the summer. But in our house, they’re year around affairs. You see, my husband, Bob, spends all winter and spring testing recipes for cookies, so that he can win baking competitions. So far, he’s…

Photos by L.G. Patterson After 86 years of experiencing life, most of those spent as a Ph.D. entomologist, Richard has developed an extensive understanding of monarch butterflies and a commitment to making a place for them in the world. At…

“I’m either really stupid or I’m really smart,” she says. Her name is Becky. She’s one of several retired women of a certain age at the table. “My life was planned. Now it just happens.” Women who decided, for reasons of their own, it…

A couple months ago, I started dating a man I met at a local coffee shop. The problem is my family and friends do not really like him, especially my daughters. Everyone thinks I am too accepting of his behavior because I haven’t dated much…

Estate planning is a task that many individuals approach with absolute dread – like going to the dentist. However, putting a comprehensive estate plan in place can be both a relieving and painless process. Estate planning is an invaluable…

Photos by L.G. Patterson On top of the papers stacked semi-neatly on MU Director Emeritus of Admissions and Registrar Gary Smith’s desk at his office in the General Services Building lies a columnar schedule sheet, filled out by hand.…

This is a photo taken of 7th Street between Walnut and Broadway, looking north toward Broadway. The photo was taken around 1960. The building in the background on the left is Boone Tavern & Hotel. The original Daniel Boone Tavern opened…

Not all Missouri roads lead to Columbia, and not all the streets of Columbia lead to the University of Missouri. Except in the world that Lynne and Lanny Geary have created together. Lanny is a retired physician; Lynne, a retired nurse. The…

When the scent of fresh blooms begins to fill the air, it’s a sure sign that spring has sprung. It’s the perfect time of year to gather loved ones for a leisurely meal, then linger over dessert as you enjoy this season of refreshment. No…

Norm and Connie Ruebling Date: June 10, 1989 Location: Union, Mo Interesting tidbit: Norm proposed to Connie at Boccardi’s Restaurant. The waitress brought out the ring on a silver platter as Connie’s dessert. While Norm is in a…

Photos by L.G. Patterson If Rocheport were a jigsaw puzzle, John Zondca and Diane Dunn would be a pair of pieces that fit exactly in its center. Having dropped out from the 21st Century's stressful pace of life, they've made a place for…

WITH ANGEL DONNETTE ROBERTSON My mother often makes jokes at my husband’s expense – about his job, his political views, his relationship with our children, his hobbies. She doesn’t really mean anything, it’s just her way. After our last…

Known for his trademark salutation, “Hello Dere,” his bug-eyed comic stare and wild Brillo-pad hair, veteran comedian Marty Allen is still making audiences laugh. “I get up in the morning and the only thing that doesn’t hurt is my…

Photos by L.G. Patterson Natalie “Nikki” and Aaron Krawitz’s Columbia home has the same feel as others in its neighborhood — manicured yard and a nice front porch on a quiet cul de sac. It’s what’s inside that changes the view when you…