Summertime is peak ice cream consumption time and a few weeks ago I chose to treat my sister to a fun ice cream experience. We enjoyed scoops at the old-fashioned soda fountain shop called The Soda Fountain Emporium in Steelville.
Although I’d seen pictures of the establishment on Facebook, it was a totally different experience witnessing it first hand. Walking into this place is like stepping back in time.
Just a few of the aesthetic details include a classic red and white theme that’s a tribute to old-timey soda fountain shops, tin ceiling tiles, wood flooring, vintage furniture, an antique cash register, and authentic soda fountain equipment and order counter. You’ve really got to see it for yourself.
The ice cream at The Soda Fountain Emporium in Steelville is homemade. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz
The ice cream at the shop is all homemade, which I wasn’t expecting! I ordered the fudge brownie, which was absolutely amazing. The vanilla portion of the ice cream was velvety and slightly sweet, while the brownie pieces were fudgy and decadent. In addition the brownie pieces, there were also chocolate chips, making this a really rich, delicious treat.
My sister got a kiddie sized scoop of the cookies and cream flavor, and it disappeared before I could snap a photo, so I think she liked it!
I was thinking I’d grab a shake or float to go that I could sip on while we strolled downtown Steelville, but the individual ice cream scoop really satisfied my sweet tooth, so that’s a task for my next visit.
The Socialite recommends The Soda Fountain Emporium!
This week is the Crawford County Fair, the free drive-in movie series continues in Washington, plus there’s a local farmers market, barbecue events, an outdoor yoga experience, and a lot more happening.
Thursday, July 17 Cinema 1 Plus in Washington continues its free drive-in showings this week with a screening of “Mamma Mia.” Weather permitting, the show will begin after sunset in the parking lot. Parking spaces are first come, first serve, with concessions available for purchase. Follow the theater on Facebook to stay updated.
Friday, July 18 Teens can gather at the Washington Public Library for the Teen Paint and Pizza Party. Create an original masterpiece under the guidance of a paint instructor. Materials will be supplied. Registration required. Call 636-390-1070 to register. Ages 12 & Up. Find out more.
Friday, July 18 On the third Friday of each month, The Washington Coffee Shop hosts an Open Mic Night. Singers, musicians, poets, and spoken word artists are welcome to share their talents with the crowd. Learn more at The Washington Coffee Shop’s Facebook page.
Saturday, July 19 Rennick Pavilion at the Missouri Riverfront in Washington will be the site of Blessings Are Miracles’ free BBQ. Learn more.
Saturday, July 19 The St. Clair Farmers Market happens every on the first and third Saturdays in the Elks parking lot. Find local produce, meat from Bardot Farms, cottage baked goods, and more. Get more details on Facebook.
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Saturday, July 19 Head to the Union American Legion for the 3rd Saturday BBQ, beginning at 11 a.m. until sold out! Menu includes full slab of ribs, 1/2 slab ribs, chicken, brats, pork steaks, and more. Learn more.
Road Trippin’
Take a little road trip to some of these events happening within a short drive of Franklin County.
Tuesday, July 15 – Saturday, July 19 Hood Park in Cuba is the site of the Crawford County Fair! Kicking off on Tuesday, July 15 and running through Saturday, July 19, the fair will include food vendors, agricultural and live stock shows, entertainment, and carnival rides. The fun gets started with a fair parade on July 15, at 6 p.m. Find the full schedule of events on Facebook.
Friday, July 18 – Sunday, July 20 Where can you find antique tractors, steam engines, a flea market, food, music, and fun activities like a cast iron skillet throwing contest and a bale throw? In Rosebud at the Steam Engine & Antique Tractor Show. Find the full schedule.
Ad purchased by Soul Refresh. Healing mind, body, and soul in WashMO.
Saturday, July 19 Flow at the Spring at Maramec Spring Park in St. James. Stretch, breathe, and flow in a natural environment at this outdoor morning yoga class. Bring yoga mat, towel, and water to class. $15 fee to attend class. Sign up details found here.
Saturday, July 19 Watch truck and tractor pulls at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Hillsboro. Find more info on Facebook.
Saturday, July 19 Head to St. James Winery for a stunning summer evening in the heart of the Meramec Highlands! Settle in at the Taproom for a four-course dining experience showcasing seasonal flavors, local ingredients, and expertly crafted pairings from St. James Winery and Public House Brewing Company. Limited seating available! Get more info and tickets.
Charcuterie, or grazing boards and boxes full of cold meats, cheeses, fruits and more, have become increasingly popular over the past several years, due to the often beautiful presentation of the boards and yummy combinations of ready-to-eat finger foods. While you can often find charcuterie options on the menu at some area wineries, breweries, wine bars, and cafes and restaurants, there’s also a new business that is bringing charcuterie selections to you.
Earlier this year, Devon Shaw launched a mobile charcuterie business called Shawcuterie Gourmet Grazing. The grazing board menu features several custom options, such as boards that feed groups from two up to 15 people.
Larger groups or anyone hosting a private party like bridal or baby showers, weddings, and even corporate events, may also opt for the mobile charcuterie cart, which provides an interactive experience, allowing guests to customize their own personal charcuterie box with items like cheeses, fruits, nuts, olives, and meats.
Although Devon does a lot of private events, she and her mobile charcuterie cart have also made appearances at public gatherings, like Sunset on the Riverfront in Washington. I had the pleasure of meeting Devon and trying her charcuterie at the most recent Sunset on the Riverfront.
I selected items I wanted for my custom charcuterie box, like fresh fruit, cheese, meat, and dark chocolate covered caramel for a sweet finish. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz
Of course there’s always food vendors at these public events, but on the hot, late June evening of Sunset on the Riverfront, seeing the charcuterie cart, with its selection of chilled items, was a very welcome site.
The custom charcuterie box I had was a feast for the eyes as well as the belly thanks to the way Devon artfully arranged my selections. Everything I ate was also delicious, but as a true cheese and chocolate lover, those were my favorite items – and if it had been a possibility, I could’ve just had a girl dinner with a box full of those two items. But, alas, a girl can’t live on cheese and chocolate alone! The turkey, salami, crackers and fresh fruit were also filling and refreshing.
You can catch Shawcuterie Gourmet Grazing in Washington next week at Sage Bee Prep Academy’s First Bee Day Bash on Tuesday, July 15 at 6 p.m. The event will feature other food and drink vendors, a bounce house, face painting, and other kid-friendly activities.
The Socialite recommends Shawcuterie Gourmet Grazing!
The details: Find Shawcuterie on Facebook or Instagram to stay updated on events. Visit the business’s website to learn more or to order.
Although it may be hard to believe considering the amount of food reviews I share, I am actually quite into health and wellness. And earlier this year, I was excited to see a new business called Soul Refresh open its doors in downtown Washington, at 11 W. Main St.
The health and wellness-based business focuses on a number of services that are designed to help people feel their best by aiding the body in a variety of ways, from improving the immune system and easing pain to reducing inflammation and toxins that have accumulated in the body.
Soul Refresh is owned by Ryann and Jordan Greenhoff. After the couple spent time at a similar business owned by their brother and sister-in-law in Marshall, MN., it made them realize that there was an opportunity to bring some of those same beneficial wellness therapies to the Washington community.
Although her prior professional background was in accounting, Jordan has always had an interest in pursuing alternative ways of treating the body.
“I’ve always been health conscious and interested in other means of health and healing.” Jordan says.
Jordan’s natural interest in alternative means of maintaining health and wellness can be seen in the four services offered at Soul Refresh – cold plunge, ionic foot detox, infrared sauna, and red light therapy. Over the past several years the internet, and social media in particular, has showcased the benefits of these types of wellness treatments. And now, residents in Washington as well as those living in its surrounding communities, can have access to these cutting edge services, simply by taking a visit to a small, locally-owned business.
Services
Since cold is something many people tend to actively avoid, it may seem counterintuitive to pay to put yourself into a tub of cold water. If you’re not familiar with the experience, some of the benefits of briefly submerging your body in a cold plunge tub include resetting your nervous system, improving your mental focus, and supporting the immune system.
Cold plunge tub. Photo credit: Soul Refresh
An ionic foot detox service at Soul Refresh consists of the guest sitting in a comfortable chair, which comes with a massage function, and placing your feet in a small tub of water that contains Celtic sea salt. The salt works with the foot tub’s ionic function to create positive and negative ions that work together to remove impurities and toxins from the body through the feet. Although the process starts with clear water, it will change color and consistency throughout the session, depending on the type of toxins that are pulled from the body.
Ionic foot detox. Photo credit: Soul Refresh
Typically when you think of a sauna experience, you may envision a very hot environment that’s either dry or steamy, and designed to make you sweat out impurities during your time in the sauna. However, an infrared sauna provides a different experience, by using infrared light to directly heat the body. This method is more comfortable and effective since the light allows the heat to penetrate deeper into tissues, muscles, and joints. A few of the benefits of using an infrared sauna include improved circulation, easing pain in sore joints and muscles, and helping the body to flush toxins through sweating.
Infrared sauna. Photo credit: Soul Refresh
Additionally, there’s a Himalayan salt sauna at the business. When Himalayan salt is used in a sauna, it can improve respiratory conditions by breaking up congestion, help draw out toxins, balance the skin’s pH, and reduce stress through the release of negative ions from the salt.
Himalayan salt sauna. Photo credit: Soul Refresh
With its ability to improve your skin, hair, cognitive health, and reduce inflammation, red light therapy sessions at Soul Refresh are completely non-invasive and consist of guests relaxing and laying down for up to 20 minutes. The full-body red light therapy session delivers gentle, low-level wavelengths of red and near-infrared light that promote cellular regeneration, reduce pain, and restore the skin’s natural glow.
Red light therapy. Photo credit: Soul Refresh
Of course, all the wellness therapies at Soul Refresh are most effective when used regularly, and the business’s pricing model is reflective of that, with single session prices as well as package pricing offered at discounted rates, ranging from packages that include three or up to 20 sessions. And all of the packages are “mix and match” meaning guests can choose which services they wish to receive at each visit.
If interested in learning more, visit the business’s website, or book a service online.
Small Town Socialite 