Posted in Events

What’s Happening in Franklin County Feb. 3 – Feb 16, 2025

Normally I only share a week’s worth of events each week, but with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, this post featuring Franklin County events will run for about two weeks, through the holiday weekend.

And, as a reminder, if you want to know what events are coming up in advance, be sure to check out the calendar here on the website. It’s located on the right side of the home page when viewing on desktop, or scroll to the bottom of the home page to find the calendar when viewing the website on your mobile device.

Tuesday, Feb. 4
Drop in to The Washington Coffee Shop from 8 to 9 a.m. for Coffee With a Cop. The event offers a chance to get to the know officers in your neighborhood, ask questions, or voice concerns.
More details.

Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

Thursday, Feb. 6
Regan Caruthers, author of Tragic Magic, will speak about the transformative power of cultivating an inner life at Liberty Hall in Washington. Drawing from her personal journey and themes in her memoir, Regan will share insights on connecting with higher wisdom, embracing divine love, and fostering profound healing.
Learn more and grab your ticket.

Thursday, Feb. 6
Dine to Donate, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Johnny’s Restaurant in Union. The eatery will donate a percentage of sales towards assisting Union Police Officer Kevin Williams, who was involved in an on-duty accident, and the Williams Family, at no extra cost to guests. 
Find out more.

Thursday, Feb. 6
The Tipsy Keg will rearrange the tables in its dining area to make room for a dance floor. From 6 to 9 p.m. stop in to line dance, or just sit back with your drink of choice and watch others boogie. 
Find out more.

Photo credit: via The Tipsy Keg’s Facebook

Friday, Feb. 7
Scenic Regional Library’s Pacific Branch is hosting a local art show. This hour long evening event is free to attend and is co-hosted with amazing local artist Rex Batson.
Find out more.

Saturday, Feb. 8
Held at The Historic John B Busch Brewery Event Center in Washington, the Chicken & Beer Dance promises an evening of good music, dancing, and tasty food! Shotgun Creek will perform live, while the venue will provide some fried chicken. Guests should bring sides for their table to enjoy. No outside drinks are allowed, but the bar will be open. Get all the details and tickets.

Saturday, Feb. 8 
Support a local American Legion while having fun playing bingo! Win prizes during the game and join in a glow dance party after bingo. All proceeds from this ticketed event benefit the Union American Legion Post 297 and local community causes. 
Find out more and get tickets.

Saturday, Feb. 8
Create an adorable planter that will include a vining succulent plant growing into a heart shape. A staff member will lead this class and help you with planting and care tips. 
Find out more and reserve your place.

Photo credit: via Hoffmann Hillermann Nursery & Florist’s Facebook

Sunday, Feb. 9
Cheer on your favorite team at a Super Bowl BBQ event! Enjoy pork steaks, half-chickens, and wings prepared by area grill masters and side makers at Washington Lions Club.
Find more information and ticket pricing.

Wednesday, Feb. 12
Blondie’s Breezeway in St. Clair is offering a mid-week Valentine’s Dinner. The four-course menu features an appetizer, soup, entree, and dessert selection, along with a cocktail made by your sweetie! Two seatings are offered, at 5 and 7 p.m. Reservations are required.
Find out more.

Photo credit: via Blondie’s Breezeway Kitchen & Cocktail’s Facebook

Thursday, Feb. 13
The St. Clair Elks Lodge is hosting an Artmazing Valentine’s Paint Nite event. Receive step-by-step guidance during the entire painting process and go home with a finished painting. 
Get tickets and find out more.

Thursday, Feb. 13 – Saturday, Feb. 15
Oak & Front Kitchen + Bar is hosting a multi-course prix fixe menu just in time for Valentine’s Day. The special menus are perfect for couples or friends celebrating Galentine’s, and are taking place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with two seatings each day. 
Space is limited, reserve your spot.

Friday, Feb. 14
The Tipsy Keg is hosting a special Valentine’s Dinner from 5:30 to 9 p.m., as well as an Anti-Valentine’s Party Night beginning at 9 p.m.
Find out more details about each event.

Saturday, Feb. 15
Liberty Hall’s Cultural Center will be the site for a fun, Valentine’s weekend themed movie event.  Guests can take in a private showing of the movie “50 First Dates” on the big screen while enjoying drinks and a four-course meal inspired by cuisine in the film. Food provided by The Nest Cafe. 
Learn more and grab tickets

Sunday, Feb. 16
Don your most festive, Wonderland-inspired attire and attend the Mad Hatter’s High Tea at Stacked Coffeehouse in Villa Ridge. The ticketed event includes a four-course tea service, a grazing table, activities, and a prize for best dressed. 
Get tickets.

Posted in News and Features

Grab a Burger and a Beer at This Sullivan Brewery

When hunger (and thirst) strikes, those that know me well know that I’m a burger and a beer kind of gal. Nothing can hit the spot quite like a well-seasoned patty or two and a pint of craft beer. One of my favorite places to satisfy both cravings is Muddy Banks Brewing in Sullivan.

With a name like Muddy Banks, it should be no surprise that the interior vibe focuses on the outdoor recreation in the area, with Meramac State Park just a couple miles away, and the food menu boasts burgers, salads, sandwiches, and appetizers.

Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

Drinks include house brewed beers, with around eight on tap at any given time, cocktails and wine, plus items like nitro lemonade, coffee, and a variety of soft drinks.

On a recent visit, I ordered the Bacon Jam burger, which is topped with American cheese, bacon, bacon jam, lettuce, onion, and the house made burger sauce. It’s a big and wonderfully messy burger that will have you licking your fingers and savoring every single bite.

Bacon Jam burger and fries. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

My husband ordered the wings, which are one of his favorite menu items. A true wing connoisseur, he can’t get enough of the way they’re made at Muddy Banks: smoked, then flash fried and tossed in a generous amount of sauce. There are comforting sides like mac and cheese, potato salad, and baked beans to choose from, but we both love the crispy, yummy fries.

Wings and fries. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

The Socialite recommends Muddy Banks Brewing!

The details:
725 Acid Mine Rd., Sullivan, MO.
muddybanksbrewery.com
Like the brewery on Facebook
Follow them on Instagram

Posted in Events

What’s Happening in Franklin County Jan. 27 – Feb. 2, 2025

Here’s what’s happening around Franklin County, Missouri this week.

Friday, Jan. 31
Enjoy the music of Ben Peters, as well as a meal or drinks at 1869 Draft Room in downtown Washington.
Learn more.

Saturday, Feb. 1
To celebrate National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, Silver Spoon Ice Cream & Sweets will open all of its locations at 8 a.m. Guests are welcome to wear their PJs to the scoop shop!
Learn more and get the address of the Franklin County storefront.

Saturday, Feb. 1
Nothing can cure the chill of winter like a bowl of chili or a dark beer, and luckily, Paddle Stop Brewery is hosting a Stoutfest and Chili Cookoff event. Ticket holders will receive a commemorative glass, six pours and samples of chili.
Find out more and buy tickets.

Photo via Paddle Stop Brewery’s Stoutfest and Chili Cookoff Facebook event

Sunday, Feb. 2
Artmazing Event Co. is hosting a painting event at Muddy Banks Brewing Co. in Sullivan. Attendees will receive step-by-step instruction on how to create a painting. This event is  open to all ages. Paint and supplies included in ticket price. Find out more and reserve your spot by purchasing tickets

 

 

Posted in News and Features

Downtown Washington Has a New Ice Cream Shop

Who wants ice cream in the middle of winter? Me! And, lots of other people, too. On Friday, January 17, 2025, Silver Spoon Ice Cream & Sweets opened its fourth shop in Washington and the grand opening festivities continued throughout the weekend.

The scoop shop features 24 delicious flavors available just about any way you want: in a cone, cup, shake, sundae, flight, or atop crumbled waffle cone chips served as ice cream nachos.

Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

During our visit, myself and my husband each had two scoops of the oh-so-yummy and creamy ice cream in waffle cones. Like the ice cream, the cones were also amazing. They’re freshly made and just right: not too sweet, not overly crispy, not too soft.

The Socialite recommends Silver Spoon Ice Cream & Sweets!

The details:
110 W. Main St, Washington, MO.
eatbettericecream.org
Find them on Facebook
Follow them on Instagram

*There are two types of dining articles on this website, the Socialite recommends and the Socialite suggests. I recommend/review places I’ve visited and liked. I’ll share about places I suggest, meaning they’re on my radar, but haven’t tried yet. If I haven’t tried the establishment, I won’t review the food/drink.