Small Town Socialite

09/10/2026

Who else is counting the minutes until the weekend starts? We've got so many fall festivals happening this weekend, but my top 3 picks for foodies are WingFest in Union (Friday & Saturday), WashMo Jaycees' Brewfest (Saturday night), and STL Garlic Fest in Bourbon (Saturday). I'll be at two out of the three. How many are you attending?

09/10/2026

Do you love YouTube podcasts? In case you missed it, I started a podcast on YouTube called Community Chat with The Socialite. As I’ve met more people and shared their stories, I’ve realized that some people’s stories are just better captured through conversations. And that's what the podcast is about, sharing the stories of people that are making an impact in their local communities, in big and small ways. You can find the episodes here https://www.youtube.com/

09/07/2026

Fall festival season has arrived! Over the next two weeks, there are numerous music festivals, food and drink festivals, harvest and seasonal festivals, as well as rodeos, car shows, markets, live music events, and much more. Take a look at all the events happening in the area, and check out the new event format on the website. Everything is now grouped by geographic location and in chronological order in each section, hopefully making it easier to scan each event roundup post to find events in whatever area you're looking for!
https://smalltownsocialite.net/2026/09/07/whats-happening-in-east-central-missouri-sept-7-sept-20-2026/

09/07/2026

It may be a holiday, but it's still a Monday. Treated myself to the biggest iced PSL I could get my hands on so I can spend the day writing and putting website content together!

09/06/2026

It's been a minute, but there's a new episode of Community Chat with The Socialite over on YouTube! In this episode Jessyca from Digital Designs by Jessyca talks about the importance of businesses having consistent branding that customers can recognize visually, how the colors, icons, and fonts used by brands have layers of meaning woven into them, and what she loves about the Franklin County community. I hope you'll watch 👇

In this episode Jessyca from Digital Designs by Jessyca talks about...

09/03/2026

This morning I drove into the city for a laid back, coffee networking event hosted by the St. Louis chapter of AMA. I love what I'm building with Small Town Socialite in East Central MO and in my hometown region with Small Town Socialite So.IL, but working for yourself, and by yourself, can get lonely! What was so great about this morning (besides the coffee and hanging outside among plants!) was realizing, through the conversations I had, that although I may do solo work, I'm not alone in the things I struggle with, maybe I'm not in an industry "doomed to be replaced by AI," and maybe, just maybe, my idea to start a digital media brand that focuses on small towns isn't so crazy afterall!

09/03/2026

To know me is to know I love coffee and books, so of course I had to write an article about Sugar and Spice Book Cafe in Sullivan! The cafe portion features coffee, tea, and energy drinks, plus baked goods, and breakfast and lunch options. There's also a bookstore right inside the cafe, and lots of cozy spots to curl up with a good book. Check out the article to find out more about this new locally-owned business! https://smalltownsocialite.net/2026/09/03/get-your-coffee-and-book-fix-at-sugar-spice-book-cafe-in-sullivan/

09/02/2026

I'm so excited for you to hear the full conversation with Jessyca this Sunday! She started her new business Digital Designs by Jessyca with a "pay what you can" model as a cost-effective alternative to local businesses using generative AI. Jessyca is really passionate about community and supporting local and I'm so happy she and her family recently relocated to WashMo from Texas! Watch the interview here https://youtu.be/Lgzg--tsNb0?is=CUUpr32ojDgNpcb4

08/31/2026

Check out some of the events happening beginning tomorrow like the Back to School with the Gilmore Girls crafting event, the Harry Potter cookie class, Music on Main, and more!

Get all the details at https://smalltownsocialite.net/2026/08/24/whats-happening-in-east-central-missouri-aug-24-sept-6-2026/

08/28/2026

There's lots of opportunities for music, dancing, outdoor movies, and more this weekend!

On Friday you can get in some line dancing at The Office in WashMo, or hear live music at the ECC Music Festival.

There's also the Market off Main in downtown Union on Friday evening, featuring music performed by Zero Gravity, Hot Tamales Love at First Bite Food Truck and Box Car Express.

And if you're looking for family events, take your lawn chairs to Pacific and catch an outdoor showing of the Pixar film "Cars 3."

Spend your Saturday at the 6th Annual Celtic Fest at the Washington VFW, featuring music, food, beer, Irish dancers, Highland Games, and more.

Find out more at https://smalltownsocialite.net/2026/08/24/whats-happening-in-east-central-missouri-aug-24-sept-6-2026/