Category: Updates

Posted in Updates

What’s Happening in Franklin County June 9 – June 15, 2025

Posted on by Amanda

Summer’s here, and that means families are looking for things to do with kids. Luckily, there’s lots of fun in the air right now with outdoor events like fairs, concerts, and community movie nights, plus summer is always a perfect time for car shows, or to hop in the car take a little day trip to explore things to do in other small towns near Franklin County.

Tuesday, June 10
What could be better than a good summer read? Making it sparkle! Bring your favorite book, or choose from the selection the Washington Public Library provides, and spend the evening adding a little bling to your book. All bedazzle supplies provided (while supplies last). Fun for ages 12 & Up.
Learn more.

Thursday, June 12
Cinema 1 Plus in Washington continues its free drive-in movies with a showing of the classic “Grease.” The movie will start 30 minutes after sunset. Parking is first come, first serve for these free events.
Learn more.

Friday, June 13
On Friday afternoon from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., attendees of the family-friendly Summer Dance Party will rock out to some catchy tunes using shaky eggs, scarves, and bean bags. And since it’s hosted by the Washington Public Library, you’ll take a “Book Break” during the hour-long party!
More details.

Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14
Hot Rods for Heroes, a 501-C3 organization with the goal of funding heroes through sharing the love of automobiles, is hosting a two day event in Pacific. Whether you want to show up for the car cruise on Friday or participate in the car show Saturday, there is something for everyone at this event. All proceeds for this event benefit the Pacific Police Department, Pacific Fire Department, and the Veterans Community Project.
Find out more.

Friday, June 13
Head to Gerald for a special Movie Night at Legion Park hosted by the Chief Mason Griffith Foundation! Enjoy family fun with a 50/50 drawing, raffle tickets, and a free will offering benefiting Firefighter Via Family. Food will be available for purchase and attendees can choose from nachos, hot dogs, and popcorn.
Get all the details.

Friday, June 13
Pacific is hosting an evening of live music by Twist of Fate at the Sunset on the Rails event. Guests are encouraged to bring their blankets and coolers and settle in for an evening of fun, family-friendly music and yard games, plus Case & Bucks Food Truck “Patty Wagon” will be on site.
Get more info.

Saturday, June 14
This restorative yoga class focuses on gentle poses, deep breathing, and mindful meditation to help you release tension and find inner balance. It’s perfect for individuals of all skill levels, whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a complete beginner. The class is happening at Red, White, and Brew Coffee Company in Union, and the cost is $10.
Find out more and get tickets.

Saturday, June 14
Stop by and check out DeAnn’s Dazzling Designs’ new sewing space on Main Street in St. Clair Drawings for giveaways and more for those who attend the Open House.
Find the event on Facebook.

Sunday, June 15
Orchard Park in St. Clair will be the site of a Father’s Day car show.
Visit the City of St. Clair’s Facebook for further details.

Road Trippin’

Take a little road trip to some of these events happening within a short drive of Franklin County.

Friday, June 13
Owensville is hosting a series of free, family-friendly movies this summer, with the kick-off event happening on Friday, June 13 with a showing of the film “Moana.” The movies will be shown at Buschman Park in Owensville, and Moana will start at 8:30 p.m.
Find the full list of days and times of each film.

Friday, June 13
The City of Eureka is hosting a Concert on Central event, featuring family fun, live music by That 80s Band, plus food and drink from area restaurants located on Central Ave. 
Find out more.

Friday, June 13 – Saturday, June 14
The Jefferson County Fairgrounds will host the Jefferson County Rodeo, a two-day event that will feature live music, mechanical bull riding, kids activities, and much more.
Learn more.

Saturday, June 14
Shop vendors, enjoy food, and take in the sights and sounds of a car show at the Belle Swap Meet & Extravaganza, happening from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Belle City Park. *UPDATE* as of June 9, this event has been canceled.

Saturday, June 14
Take a short drive to Bourbon for its annual BBQ Fest, featuring live music, vendors, BBQ competitions, and lots of family fun!
Find out more on the Facebook event page.

Posted in Events, Updates

What’s Happening in Franklin County March 3 – March 8, 2025

Posted on by Amanda

There’s a lot happening this week around Franklin County, Missouri.

Tuesday, March 4
Bad Beats Dance Class is a fun way to get fit. This hour-long class will feature a blend of music genres and decades such as music from the 90s to present day, with dance moves that encompass Latin, jive, country, hip-hop, and more. Register for the class.

Wednesday, March 5
Explore your creative side and choose from making a St. Patrick’s themed Highland cow or a Mardi Gras painting at a paint night held at Sip on Main in Union. Included in the ticket price is a pre-traced canvas, plus $5 off food/drink at Sip on Main for that evening. 
Find out more and register.

Photo via Brushin’ Whimsy’s Constant Contact Signup Link

Thursday, March 6
Stop by The Tipsy Keg from 6 to 9 p.m. to line dance, or just relax and take in the music and dancing with your favorite drink in hand, if that’s more your style. 
Find out more.

Ad purchased by Freelance Services – residential architecture and design services.
“My goal is to make your home your castle.”

Saturday, March 8
The third annual Shamwalk & Run event in Pacific will benefit MVR-III Bridge Foundation and Back to School Backpack Program. This St. Paddy’s Day themed run and walk will feature vendors you can visit before or after the race, as well as a Most Spirited Contest, 4 Leaf Clover Run, and Pot of Gold.
Find out more and sign up. 

Saturday, March 8
The Denim & Diamonds event in St. Clair will feature a Dolly Parton lookalike contest, exclusive offers from small businesses in the area, and giveaways. 
Get the full list of participating vendors. 

Photo via Denim & Diamonds’ Facebook Event

Saturday, March 8
Happening at Winehouse 66 in Pacific, Nibbles & Sips is a thoughtfully curated appetizer and wine pairing class designed for both discovery and enjoyment. The first half of the experience will feature a guided tasting of four expertly selected wines, each paired with a small bite to enhance its flavors.
In the second half, relax and enjoy a social grazing session—grab a glass or bottle of your favorite wine to share, savor the appetizer pairings, and enjoy great company in a welcoming atmosphere.
Register for this event.

Saturday, March 8
Tickets to the Washington pub crawl include a coolie cup and a participant shirt, which allows ticket holders to access  specials at the 15 area participating pubs, free shuttle service and scavenger hunt.
Find out more.

Saturday, March 8
Ladies, Littles, & Lattes + GRPC is a group that aims create a welcoming, safe, and clean environment for children to play alongside their caregiver and peers in the community. The Garden Gala fundraiser is set in a stunning garden backdrop and guests will enjoy dinner, entertainment, and four-hour open bar. Don’t miss this opportunity to mingle, engage in meaningful conversations about the organization, bid on exclusive items in the silent auction and learn how your support can make a difference.
Purchase tickets and find out more.

Photo via Garden Gala’s Facebook Event
Posted in News and Features, Updates

Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner: Find it All at Dahlia Cafe in Union

Posted on by Amanda

If you’re looking for a place that has it all: breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, without having to make a drive to Washington, you should stop by Dahlia Cafe in Union. I like to think of this establishment as a hidden gem that’s a bit under the radar, but I’m probably wrong about that. One trip to the cafe and you’ll find that it’s almost always bustling, and for good reason: because the food and the service are simply that good.

For starters, Dahlia Cafe has a diner-style feeling when you walk in, but with a diverse menu offering. There’s regular drip coffee as well as the iced variety, and you can even opt for Irish Coffee. In addition to those drinks, there’s juice, soft drinks, and a large selection of brunch-style cocktails to choose from.

Iced coffee. Photo via Dahlia Cafe’s Facebook

Breakfast and brunch selections range from skillets and omelets, to French toast and fluffy pancakes to eggs benedict (my favorite!) and crepes, (which I still haven’t tried because I love their eggs benny that much). I always order the eggs benedict with crispy hash browns, and the menu has two variations on the benedict, and both feature a generous amount of velvety Hollandaise. The classic version features Canadian bacon, while the vegetarian offering is loaded with spinach, tomato and mushrooms, but for me, it doesn’t get much better than the traditional benny.

Veggie benedict. Photo via Dahlia Cafe’s Facebook

Lunch includes tried and true favorites like burgers, try the patty melt! There’s also a large selection of wraps and sandwiches, like the chipotle chicken wrap, another favorite around here. The lunch menu also features hearty sandwiches like a pork tenderloin, ribeye, French dip, and Cordon Bleu, with sides that range from side salad or steamed broccoli to fries, or opt for fresh fruit or onion rings for a small upcharge.

Berry Bacon Spinach Salad. Photo via Dahlia Cafe’s Facebook

Dinner selections include tacos, build-your-own bowls, steaks and chops, chicken and seafood. There’s also a number of starters like shrimp scampi or spinach artichoke dip. Dinner side selections range from comforting options like mashed potatoes, to squash, steamed veggies or rice.

The Socialite recommends Dahlia Cafe!

The details:
1595 Denmark Road, Union, MO.
Visit their website
Follow Dahlia Cafe on Facebook
Find them on Instagram

Posted in Updates

What’s a Small Town Socialite, Anyway?

Posted on by Amanda

I can’t wait to share the full website experience once it launches on January 20, but in the meantime, this post will provide readers with a background on the site’s creator and why I created it.

First, who is the writer behind Small Town Socialite? It’s me, Amanda Bretz, and I’ve been a journalist for almost 20 years. I’ve written for print newspapers and magazines, as well as web-only news sites. I got my start in community journalism, writing about local businesses and doing profile pieces on interesting members of the community.

Over the past seven years or so, my writing has shifted to focus on food and beverage writing, along with some travel and lifestyle pieces. In 2022 I moved to Franklin County and started looking for lifestyle magazines or food-focused publications that I could freelance for. I was disappointed to find there weren’t any.

What I did find is that there are newspapers in the area, and while they share dining features and some lifestyle articles, that’s not their sole focus. There’s also lifestyle magazines in St. Louis and Jefferson City, and those publications will occasionally write about Washington, but they don’t often cover events or the small, locally owned restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops in towns like Union, St. Clair, Villa Ridge, or Sullivan.

That’s the gap I hope Small Town Socialite can fill. I envision sharing roundup articles about the different events happening throughout Franklin County, as well as focusing on short reviews and features about the many wonderful locally-owned restaurants in the area. I believe in spending your money where you live and supporting the small business owners who live in your own community.

Often when we want to have a celebratory dinner or get out of the house, we think of those bigger restaurants and events that happen in the city, and there’s nothing wrong with heading into the city to do things. But sometimes we all need to be reminded of how much there is to see, do, eat, and drink, right here in Franklin County.

And, that’s why I named my website Small Town Socialite. In almost every friend group I’ve had since my teen years, there’s always been that one friend who just knows what’s happening. She’s telling us what we should do that weekend, the best spot to grab coffee on the way, and where to eat dinner afterwards.

Somehow, she’s always in the know. And with this website, I hope I can keep you in the know.