It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in downtown Union, thanks to the work of two local artists. Eileen Wade and Donna Huellinghoff are the duo behind the festive paintings that grace the windows of various businesses as well as Union City Hall during the holiday season.
What started a few years ago at one business, has quickly grown to a fun and jolly way for downtown businesses to get into the holiday spirit.
Each window’s design varies, but the scenes are always colorful, festive, and often feature a bit of whimsy.
On a chilly Tuesday morning, I sat down with Eileen and Donna at White Rose Cafe in Union, and over a delicious cup of hot chocolate, the artists shared the story of how they started painting windows in downtown.
Both artists have been creating art in one way or another for most of their adult lives, but started creating together in 2016 at a studio Eileen had at that time. Donna taught various art techniques at the studio, like creating barn quilt designs.
Eileen (left), and Donna (right), putting the finishing touches on the window designs at White Rose Cafe on a chilly November morning.
Although Eileen ended up closing her studio due to personal reasons, a few years later in 2022, the artists decorated their first set of windows on a business in Union, at the White Rose Cafe. After that first holiday season, it grew from there.
“It’s all word of mouth,” Donna says of the process. “We’d be out there painting and someone at another business would come up to us and ask us to paint their windows.”
The windows at Union City Hall are decorated with colorful holiday characters.
In addition to the Christmas season designs, Eileen and Donna also paint windows in the downtown area for other holidays, like Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, and for the Union Homecoming celebration.
“It’s fun to share our art and challenge ourselves and think, ‘what could we fit in this window’s space?'” Eileen shares.
The process takes anywhere from two to six hours, depending on the number of windows and the design, among other factors.
“It depends on how many people stop and chat with us,” Eileen says with a laugh. “But that’s what’s fun and that’s why I laugh about it.”
The window decor at Sip on Main depict Santa and Rudolph after they’ve enjoyed a few too many “sips,” along with beautiful holiday cocktails.
Along with the painted windows, there’s also some permanent art installations that Eileen and Donna have created in Union. Together, they’ve painted eight murals that can be found throughout town, including the scene that runs along the wall inside Hansen Park, a mural along the wall at the MU Extension Center near the Pasta House, and several others.
The artists have also painted several murals around Union, including this one that is along the exterior wall of the Franklin County Historical Society in downtown Union.
See more photos of the holiday window paintings on Facebook. And be sure to take a stroll through downtown Union to look at the designs first-hand, they’re sure to make you smile and put you in the holiday spirit!
Today’s post is a bit of a departure from my usual content, but I believe there’s power in sharing our personal experiences – both our triumphs and setbacks. So, if you’ll allow me some vulnerability, I’d love to share how I recently overcame a few struggles.
For roughly five years I worked out at least five days a week without fail. Most of those workouts consisted of HIIT running, light resistance training, dancing, and hiking. However, numerous life changes began to compound about two years ago and I let my work outs slip, and my nutrition followed suit.
Before I knew it, I’d gained weight. Although I would still workout during this period, I wasn’t consistent and when it comes to being in fit, I’ve found consistency is the key. I thought if I just “started” my old routine again, I’d bounce right back, but the saying “what got you here won’t get you there” is popular for a reason.
Trying to force my way into prior rhythms and plans just wasn’t working, which made me feel like a failure, which made me give up, which made my progress stall. It was a vicious cycle and I spent about 18 months spinning my wheels. I felt as though I’d lost an essential part of myself and I wasn’t sure how to find me again.
After those starts and stops with trying to get back into shape, I realized I needed a different approach. And part of that approach meant that I couldn’t do this all on my own. In late summer I made the decision to work with an accountability coach to help me get back on track with my fitness and nutrition. From late July through late October, I worked with Sam Hyndrich owner of Your Accountability Bestie.Â
I feel like I have my “sparkle” back again!
Although it wasn’t clear exactly how, when, or where I’d lost me, during my first client meeting with Sam, I knew I’d made the right decision because through her words and demeanor in that initial meeting, it was clear that she saw the real me. The version of me that had gotten buried somewhere along the line and believed my dreams and goals should come second, third, or even dead last, to every day life stuff (laundry, house, taking care of others).
I chose to work with Sam because of how she made me feel seen from the very beginning, and because I just had a gut feeling that she’d be able to help me find the hole in my plans that were keeping me stuck.
I also knew going into the three month block of working with her that I’d be challenged to give up my excuses, to put in work, and to stay committed to myself. She created workout and meal plans that worked with my lifestyle and interests, since much of my movement centered around things I love to do like dance classes and going on HIIT runs. Sam also challenged me to increase my protein intake, which helped me to maintain a higher level of energy daily and not get cranky in the afternoons (if I’m hangry you better watch out!)
I’m not at my goal weight yet, but I enjoy getting dressed up again and like what I see in the mirror (and yes, I know I should’ve closed the closet door before taking this selfie *facepalm*)
After one month of working with her, I lost close to ten pounds and several inches, but there was something even greater that I lost: my desire to put other people’s needs above my own. That’s not to say I stopped caring for others, but rather, I made sure I filled my cup first.Â
As our relationship grew, during our regular client check-ins, Sam would ask me to look a bit deeper within, encouraging me to share not only my wins with her, but also what I was struggling with. During these moments I started to look at other aspects of my life, like personal and professional goals that I’d been toying with but for one reason or another, they kept making their way to the backburner.Â
One of those goals was related to my writing career and I’m happy to report that I’m working on some creative goals I abandoned years ago, as well as refining my focus on this website, which will go into effect in January!
I still have a ways to go toward reaching my fitness and personal/professional goals. Because she’s a coach that works with clients across a broad spectrum of goals – from personal, fitness, business, relationship, and more – I am continuing to work with Sam in a professional capacity to help me stay accountable, reach for bigger goals, and refine plans when needed.
On a recent trip to Idaho, my husband and I hiked up Mineral Ridge, a 3 mile loop with a pretty significant elevation gain. It was challenging since I hadn’t done a hike like this in over five years. When I got to the top I was so proud of myself, and the first person I wanted to share my achievement with was Sam, so of course I texted her this selfie 🙂
If you’re ready to make changes, consider working with Sam to help you get where you want to go faster. And, I know cost can be a barrier for many, however, without giving away the exact pricing structure, I will say that the three-month cost for working with her breaks down to being roughly the same as going out for a latte and sweet treat a few times a week and my friend, ain’t no coffee shop treat gonna make you feel as good as investing in YOU.
Make your life a little sweeter with a visit to Good News Blooms, Sips, and Sweets in St. Clair. The business opened this past spring and is a shop that sells fresh floral arrangements, as well as plants on one side of the building, and crafted sodas, teas, lemonades, and bulk candies and various sweets on the other side.
I recently stopped into Good News and got a few drinks and candies. Jars of bulk candies line both sides of the cute and cozy area of the shop where customers can find the sweets and sips.
Bulk jelly beans and gummy candies. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz
In terms of the bulk candies, guests can find a variety of flavors of jelly beans, licorice bites, and gummy candies, as well as chocolate candies like M&Ms, chocolate covered peanuts, malt balls, and sugar free chocolate selections. Additional sweet treats include fudge by Missouri made Mimi’s Fudge, Murph’s Nuts, and a variety of packaged candies.
Packaged candies and merchandise at Good News. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz
On my visit, I ordered a few drinks. I ordered The Bulldog, a staple on the specialty soda menu that is a Coke flavored with cherry and marshmallow. This was a yummy take on a classic cherry cola beverage, with the marshmallow adding an extra layer of flavor that’s subtly sweet and to me it was reminiscent of the flavor of a soda float, but without the ice cream. This was really tasty!
I also ordered a soda from the shop’s seasonal fall flavors. I chose a Dr. Autumn, which is a Dr. Pepper with caramel, butter pecan, and marshmallow flavors, and oh my word, this so amazing! I’m a sucker for the warm and buttery fall flavors and this soda tasted like a butterscotch candy in liquid form. Amazing!
I also chose a lemonade for my hubby, who wasn’t able to make it into the shop with me. I opted for a peach lemonade, which is a lemonade with the addition of peach puree, making it a sweet and refreshing drink that transports you to the height of summer flavors, no matter what time of year you enjoy it.
A few floral arrangements at Good News. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz
And if you want a little something else to go with the sweets, or are looking for a gift for a special occasion, the floral side of the shop has several types of plants and floral arrangements.
Although I went to the shop during homecoming time, so most of the flower inventory had been sold, the couple remaining arrangements in the cooler looked beautiful.
Succulents and other potted plants. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz
There’s also a variety of potted plants, perfect for gift giving situations like housewarming gifts, birthdays, other celebrations, or just for the plant-lover in your life.
The Socialite recommends Good News Blooms, Sips, and Sweets!
While authors release novels every day, it is not every day that a local author publishes a book that’s inspired by the charm of a small Franklin County river town. But on Sept. 2 that’s just what happened when “More than Fiction,” a contemporary romance novel written by Washington author Juniper Nicole, was released.
Although the book only officially entered the world a month ago, readers can’t get enough of the story. The novel has earned a 4.75 star review average on the reader-centric website Goodreads, numerous five-star ratings on Amazon, and has left readers on TikTok craving more.
Author Juniper Nicole signing copies of her debut novel. Photo credit: Juniper Nicole
Juniper started writing in 2018, but has been an avid reader since 2009. Although she wrote for years before publishing, a lot of that time was spent honing her craft and finding her writing voice. Those days looked like exploring genres, with her first story in the young adult urban fantasy genre, but as she learned more about writing and as her taste changed as a reader as well as a writer, she felt pulled toward love stories.
“Romance felt more natural to me (than fantasy) because I can see the beauty in love and the quiet magic that surrounds us in everyday life,” Juniper explains. “I married my high school sweetheart, and after 20 years together, it still feels new and exciting. I still get butterflies, he still surprises me, and I get the benefit of living out a real-life romance every day—minus the meet-cute.”
The idea for her current release came to her out of the blue, in some ways. Juniper says the characters and scenes from the novel came to her at unexpected times and recalls how she’d wake in the middle of the night to scenes from the book playing in her mind like a movie. Although the scenes would show up at different points, when it came time to write everything down, Juniper stuck to a set schedule in order to make her dream of writing a novel a reality.
Committing to her craft while also balancing a busy life as a working mom to two kids meant a writing schedule of waking at 4:30 a.m. to write for a couple hours before she got her kids ready for school and started her work day at her full-time job.
“I made myself a morning person,” she jokes about the early morning writing routine.
The entire project took two years from start to finish, and Juniper doesn’t plan on stopping the writing routine any time soon, as she has plans to write three more books set in the fictional small town world she created in “More than Fiction.” The future books will feature the love stories of characters readers meet in the first book in the series.
“There’s a cast of supporting characters in the novel. I’ve always been a fan of shows like “Friends” and “New Girl” and I knew I wanted those friendship elements to be integrated into the story, because I love having a village.”
The sense of community she wove throughout her book is something she’s experienced herself, as a lifelong resident of Franklin County. Juniper grew up in Union and went to Union High School, but she and her husband moved their family from Union to Washington in 2020.Â
“I love the riverfront, and getting ice cream with my kids on Main Street. I love that John G’s Bierdeck is dog and kid friendly, and that I can have a girls night at the winery on Front Street,” she shares.
Her love of the WashMO community has been reflected right back to her, since Juniper has garnered much support with the release of the novel. In September The Novel Nook in Washington hosted an author signing, and other area businesses have shown their support, with coffee shop underGROUNDS on Front Street creating a drink called ”the Sophia,” which is a special latte inspired by the book.
Learn more about the book
More than Fiction cover. Photo credit: Juniper Nicole
The sharp-edged executive sees this branch as his final test before claiming the CEO title. He’s spent years shutting out distractions, and Sophia is nothing if not a distraction. She’s bold, unpredictable, and far too tempting for a man who thrives on control.
Boundaries blur, lines shift, and the more their paths intertwine, the harder it is to deny what’s building between them. With everything on the line, will they risk it all for the one thing that might be worth it?
Small Town Socialite 