Posted in News and Features

Franklin County Sports Club Brings Elite Level Coaching to Franklin County Youth

Posted on by Amanda

Started by Alex Moraes, Franklin County Sports Club provides a high-quality, competitive soccer experience to the youth of Franklin County, ensuring that every player reaches their full potential both on and off the field. The organization provides elite training and coaching opportunities for players of all backgrounds.

Its focus is on youth athletes ages four to 18 in Franklin County and the surrounding areas, it has been well received by families in the area, and its programs are growing. FCSC has partnered with local organizations, schools, and soccer professionals to provide an environment where young athletes can grow their skills, build character, and compete at the highest levels.

Players in the FCSC programs come from schools across the county, with athletes playing alongside each other although they may not attend the same school. Photo via Franklin County Sports Club on Facebook.

“The goal is to elevate Franklin County athletes and to be more competitive,” Alex shares.

Currently Franklin County Sports Club has a number of programs, including competitive soccer, a high-level training and game environment for dedicated players looking to challenge themselves and grow in the game, MLS Go Rec Soccer, which is a program that prepares players to go from recreational play to the pros. There are also programs built around specific skillsets like ball mastery and goalkeeping, as well as improving overall athletic performance, and soccer camps.

The club operates under the guidance of four core values – community, integrity, excellence, and respect. 

“Our four values reflect the organization’s leadership,” he says.

Alex is the current president, executive director, and head coach at FCSC. There are three other board members – Scott Alberson, vice president and treasurer, David Pope, secretary, goalkeeping coach, and assistant coach, and Jason Schmelz, advisor, goalkeeping trainer, and head coach.

Getting the organization started

Organizations with a big vision and strong leadership like FCSC’s don’t just form overnight, but Alex shares that once he had the idea for the club, things came together quickly – in about one year. Taking a leap of faith and encouraged by his wife Maria to do something for the youth of Franklin County, Alex created a business plan and marketing strategy to ensure the organization’s success.

“We knew we wanted to do a nonprofit because we didn’t want anybody to own Franklin County Sports Club,” he explains.

Another area of importance was to integrate elements of Franklin County history and the value of community into every aspect of the organization, right down to its badge. The three curved lines at the bottom represent the three rivers present in Franklin County, the Meramec, Missouri, and Bourbeuse, and the badge itself features a minimalist design that is reminiscent of historic German soccer badges, to honor the German settlers in Franklin County.

Elements from Franklin County are represented in the FCSC badge, such as the three rivers represented at the bottom. Photo via Franklin County Sports Club on Facebook.

Once the plans were in place on paper, the organization gained momentum quickly, and received the necessary licensing needed, as well as recruiting board members and sponsors. Franklin County Sports Club obtained its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 2024 and launched its first spring league in 2025.

Alex points to numerous people and organizations within the Franklin County community with helping FCSC gain its footing so quickly – from Brenda Kleinheider, original developer and former owner of N-Sports Rec Center in Washington, to gaining sponsors like Bank of Washington.

Educational and sports background

Alex was born and raised in Honduras, and soccer was a major part of the culture he grew up in. He is a former semi-professional goalkeeper as well as a former member of the Honduras U-17 Youth Men’s National Team. Prior to launching FCSC, he coached with St. Louis Scott Gallagher SC and Lou Fusz Athletic, leading teams to regional playoffs and tournament titles.

Alex Moraes poses with youth athletes at the club’s Golden Goal Night event. Photo via Franklin County Sports Club on Facebook.

Alex attended Lindenwood University and was a triple undergraduate major in political science and government, public administration, and economics. He also holds an MBA in international business from Lindenwood. 

In February 2025, after nearly a decade and a half of living in the U.S. under a student visa and later an H-1B visa, Alex became an official American citizen.

“I always wanted to study abroad and I came here to change my family tree,” he shares. 

With his drive to help others succeed, his commitment to building a sports club that will change the lives of the youth in Franklin County, and leading an organization that’s fostering community, Alex is a living embodiment of what it means to chase the American Dream in today’s world.

To find out more about Franklin County Sports Club, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or visit its website. 

Posted in Advertorial Feature

Do You Struggle with Vertigo or Dizziness? Gateway Upper Cervical Institute in Pacific Can Help

Posted on by Amanda

With the goal of helping people in Pacific and beyond get the proper upper cervical care, Gateway Upper Cervical Institute led by Dr. Max Orris focuses on providing care in several practice areas, including treating vertigo and dizziness.

While many people may be familiar with the sensation of vertigo or dizziness, it’s a condition that can cause major disruptions to daily life since it can impact a person’s ability to drive, and how they see and sense the world around them. Although the experience of vertigo and dizziness may be used interchangeably, they typically have different causes and varying symptoms. 

A person with vertigo often feels like the room is spinning and this condition has different causes, terminology, and diagnoses associated with it, while dizziness tends to be more of a balance issue and is best described as feeling as if you’re on a boat. Vertigo can also impact a person’s vision causing blurry sight or seeing double. Other visual impairments associated with vertigo can include feeling like objects are bouncing, having sensitivity to light, having problems with spatial orientation, and difficulty focusing on an object. 

While anyone can have vertigo or dizziness, Dr. Max shares that women experience the issue more than men. Photo credit: Gateway Upper Cervical Institute.

Since vertigo can affect vision and dizziness impacts balance, a common focus area for both health practitioners and people experiencing vertigo and dizziness is to first rule out that the problem isn’t being caused by an inner ear or vision issue. Since there are three main areas of the body that create a vertigo or dizziness response, the ears and eyes are often the areas people tend to have checked out as possible causes first. 

“People find our office most often after they’ve seen their primary doctor, they’ve been to physical therapy, they’ve been to an ENT, or have tried different treatments without results or they’ve not gotten answers,” Dr. Max explains.

Because about 70% of the input into the vestibular nuclei, which is the area of the brain that integrates from the eyes, ears and neck, comes from the muscles in your upper neck, upper cervical care practitioners can often get results where traditional medicine hasn’t produced an outcome. Since these muscles have such a high sensory input into the brain, when there’s a misalignment in the upper neck muscles, the body can receive incorrect information causing a person to experience a sensation like they’re on a boat or the room is spinning.

Common types of vertigo

While more traditional medical treatments from primary doctors and ENTs along with certain therapeutic methods performed by PTs have their place when treating vertigo or dizziness, often they’re meant for specific conditions, and vertigo can take on a few different forms. 

For instance, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a positional form of vertigo meaning that a person will feel a sudden spinning sensation with certain head movements, such as after rolling over in bed. 

Another type of vertigo is caused by a Vestibular Migraine which is dizziness or motion sensitivity that can be accompanied by a headache, but not always. Sometimes dizziness can stem from experiencing head or neck trauma, such as after a concussion, and in the case of Cervicogenic Dizziness, a person may experience an unsteady, floating, or off-balance sensation that is linked to neck tension or posture.

Dr. Max shares that when clients come to the Institute for treatment of dizziness and vertigo, they’ll often see results within the first few visits since he utilizes various tools and equipment not used elsewhere in the region, like a specialized chiropractic instrument called a stylus that uses high-frequency sound wave technology. 

By utilizing sound wave technology through the stylus tool pictured here, Dr. Max can achieve a high success rate for patients struggling with vertigo and dizziness. Photo credit: Gateway Upper Cervical Institute.

“We have around an 85% success rate,” he shares. 

Another the reason for the high success rate is due to a screening tool that dials into what is causing the symptoms. There’s a short quiz available on the Institute’s website that potential patients can take prior to visiting the office. After filling it out, the office will reach out and set up a time to be seen. Or, if the in-office screening results indicate that a different form of treatment is better for an individual’s conditions, the Institute has a number of referral partners that they can refer a patient to, and those referral partners also have high success rates treating vertigo and dizziness. 

If you or someone you know experiences vertigo or dizziness, take Gateway Upper Cervical Institute’s online quiz. Or contact the business by phone at 636-271-2960, or visit Gateway Upper Cervical Institute online to find out more. Gateway Upper Cervical Institute is located at 409 West Osage in Pacific.

Posted in Events

What’s Happening in East Central Missouri April 20 – April 26, 2026

Posted on by Amanda

It’s a big week for events around Franklin County, there’s community wide yard sales, flea market, and a vintage pop up market, plus farmers markets in Union and Pacific. The first Sunset on the Riverfront of the season happens this Thursday in Washington, plus annual events are happening this weekend like the WashMo BBQ & Bluesfest, and the P-Town Pub Crawl in Pacific.

There’s also line dancing, black light bingo, fundraising events, and the Franklin County Humane Society’s Strut Your Mutt event featuring a dog parade, contests, and more. Find out all the information about the events happening in Franklin County and nearby communities this week below.

Just a heads up! April is prime spring shower weather in Missouri, so it might be a good idea to double check with event venues before heading out just in case an event gets canceled or rescheduled due to weather!

Did I miss an event? Tag me on Facebook or Instagram and I can share the event in my stories.

Tuesday, April 21
The Washington Library is hosting a Mini Introduction to the Akashic Records event at 6 p.m. This 45-minute mini class starts with a brief overview of the Akashic Records, what they are, how they work, and how they can be used for soul-level insight, clarity, and self-understanding.
Learn more.

Wednesday, April 22
Celebrate National Library Week with a book-related craft event at the Washington Public Library. The event is from 4-5 p.m.
Find out more.

Thursday, April 23
The Power of the Purse fundraising event is a way to have a fun night out that raises funds for Franklin County United Way.
Get tickets.

Thursday, April 23
Kick up your heels with line dance lessons with instructor Jessica Blankis at Tri-County Community Senior Center in Pacific. It’s free, but donations are graciously accepted.
Get details.

Thursday, April 23
The first Sunset on the Riverfront event is happening in downtown Washington from 5-8 p.m. Get ready for an evening of fun, food, drinks, and music. Please note that the April Sunset on the Riverfront event is taking place at the Farmers Market due to construction happening at the riverfront park.
Find out more.

Friday, April 24 – Sunday, April 26
Get ready for a weekend full of delicious barbecue and toe-tapping music. The annual WashMo BBQ & Bluesfest is happening from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon.
Find pricing and more info.

Friday, April 24
Grace United Methodist Church in Sullivan is having its annual barbecue. The menu will include a choice of brats or pork steaks, with sides including potato salad, baked beans, cole slaw, and a dessert. The event runs from 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. and drive-through or all you can eat dine-in options are available.
Learn more.

Friday, April 24
The Annual David Arand Memorial Golf Tournament is happening at 1 p.m. at Birch Creek Golf Club in Union. The final day for signing up for the event is Thursday, April 23.
Get more info.

Friday, April 24
The first Union farmers market of the year starts at 4 p.m. The Market off Main is happening at the intersection of Oak & Main Street, adjacent to Hansen Park. Expect to find goods from local vendors, crafters, and growers, along with delicious eats from regional food trucks.
Get all the info on Facebook.

Friday, April 24
Head to The Office Bar & Grill in Washington to take part in line dancing lessons by Glittering Grapevine beginning at 7 p.m.
Learn more.

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Saturday, April 25 & Sunday, April 26
A two-day treasure hunt is happening at Terror on Route 66. Find goods from a variety of vendors at this spring flea market.
Find out more.

Saturday, April 25
Do you love vintage items like books, antiques, and collectibles? Then you’ll want to drop by the American Legion in Union for the Vintage Pop Up Market held from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Be sure to grab a bite of something yummy at one of the on-site food trucks.
Get more details.

Saturday, April 25
The 4th Annual P-Town Pub Crawl kicks off at 11 a.m. The crawl begins and ends at the same location and attendees will be shuttled around to various watering holes in Pacific including Brown Jerry’s BBQ, Pacific Brewhaus, Pacific Eagles, and American Legion, and more. Cost is $35 per person.
Find tickets.

Saturday, April 25
St. Bridget Kildare Catholic School is hosting a mother/daughter dance with an 80s theme. The event is from 6-8 p.m. and cost is $20 per person.
Find out more.

Saturday, April 25
Get ready for an evening of glow in the dark music themed bingo for a worthy cause. The St. Clair Elks Lodge is hosting the event, with proceeds from the bingo night benefiting St. Clair High School Baseball. Doors open at 5 p.m., with bingo beginning at 6 p.m. and tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the door, and $240 for a table of 8.
Get more details.

Saturday, April 25
The Washington Fairgrounds Pavilion is the site of the Franklin County Humane Society’s Strut Your Mutt event, happening from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. This fun-filled afternoon will be feature contests, activities, and dog demonstrations. Enjoy a short dog parade around the park, watch exciting demos, browse vendor booths featuring pet-related items, and take part in contests and other activities throughout the event.
Learn more.

Saturday, April 25
Frisco Farmhouse in Pacific is hosting a farmers market that will feature meat, sourdough, eggs, produce, and more.
Get more info.

Saturday, April 25
Eagle Ridge Estates is hosting a community-wide yard sale. The sales kick off at 7 a.m. and go until 1 p.m.
Find out more.

Sunday, April 26
The Club House Play Cafe in Sullivan is having a closet clean out. Stop by the establishment from 7 a.m. – 12 p.m. for an indoor yard sale and play day.
Get the details.

Sunday, April 26
The St. Clair VFW will have a black light bingo event beginning at 2 p.m.
Find out more.

Road Trippin’

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

Friday, April 24
Brookdale Farms in Eureka is hosting a laid-back spring night of instructor-led line dancing, music, and good company.
Get more info.

Saturday, April 25
Head to Rolla’s historic downtown for the 5th Annual Spring Craft Festival. Discover original and handmade creations such as jewelry, furniture, clothing, home accessories, paintings and prints, books, wooden crafts, toys and much more.
Find out more.

Saturday, April 25
Join representatives from Missouri State Parks and Edward Jones in celebrating Founders Day on the Katy Trail at the Treloar Trailhead. Enjoy live music, visit with team members from Missouri State Parks and Edward Jones, mulch trees in the Burkhardt Grove, take a tram ride to Peers, or assist in a honeysuckle hack to remove invasive species along the trail.
Get more info.

Saturday, April 25
Ownesville is hosting its first ever strongman games event called O-Town Showdown. This free event will feature tremendous displays of strength like pressing logs and car lifting. The fun kicks off at 9 a.m.
Learn more.

Saturday, April 25 & Sunday, April 26
Heartland Farms in Bourbon is having Baby Animal Days at the farm. This family-friendly outdoor event will feature 4H groups showing off their baby animals. The animals will vary by day, but should include chicks, goats, bunnies, bottle calf, and ponies. Other attractions will be open as well as a concession stand.
Find out more.

Have a public event coming up? Submit your event details like time, location, and cost to attend. Be sure to include your website and social media details so I can help spread the word about your event!

Posted in Advertorial Feature

Professional Development and Networking Group in Pacific Helps its Partners Build Knowledge, Business Connections

Posted on by Amanda

There’s a new networking group made up of a diverse set of entrepreneurs that’s challenging the way traditional networking meetings operate. That group is called Businesses 4 Businesses, and its weekly meetings bring together business owners and professionals who are focused on building knowledge, making connections, and exchanging resources. Facilitated by Sam Hyndrich, Pacific resident and accountability coach behind the business Your Accountability Bestie, the group is bringing a fresh perspective on networking to the Franklin County area. 

Building a unique networking experience, while providing members with value, professional development, and business growth is what’s behind the Businesses 4 Businesses philosophy. The group is not affiliated with any larger networking organizations or specific industries, and has a membership that includes professionals you might expect to see at a more traditional networking group, like contractors, realtors, and insurance agents, as well as people with creative businesses, those in hospitality, and the medical field. There’s also diversity of experience, with members who are just beginning to build their business as well as those who are much further along in their entrepreneurial journey.

“There’s lots of networking opportunities in the area, but it feels like you’re attending the same meeting over and over,” Sam says.

Striving to create an atmosphere that doesn’t feel like members are attending the same meeting each week, the meetings follow a rotating schedule – speed networking one week, a member or visitor presenting a problem for the “hot seat” the next, a presentation that teaches a specific business-related skill the following week, and a presentation from a member on their business the last week of each month. 

Dr. Max Orris giving a professional development presentation on marketing. Photo via Businesses 4 Businesses on Facebook.

Yet, networking is a core part of what they do, and the group, often referred to as B4B by its members, has been implemented with an accountability piece built in, and members set individual goals, plus an action plan to meet them. 

“It has helped me get honest perspectives from other entrepreneurs. I am more persistent now because I listened to advice that was given and it has paid dividends. I have already surpassed an annual goal thanks to the accountability [and support],” one member shares. 

There are opportunities to collaborate with other professionals in the group through informal open networking before and after the meetings, as well as discussions during the meetings. There’s also an educational component built into B4B.

Learning new things and challenging beliefs 

Being a business owner means finding solutions and that’s best done through an expanded knowledge base. Although the internet has plenty of information, it can present content that confirms your doubts and biases, or that isn’t always applicable. At least once a month a member will present on a topic like marketing or using AI. Learning during these presentations is two fold: members can see how to integrate the information into their own businesses and ask the presenter questions about their process for an even deeper dive.

Challenging existing beliefs can be one of the best ways to grow as an individual and as a professional, and a core part of attending B4B meetings centers around challenging beliefs. 

“B4B has helped me gain new insights on my business that I wouldn’t have seen within the echo chamber of my own company. I’ve gained new knowledge and ideas that I don’t think I would have without it,” explains member Tyler Catt, who owns Sip on Main.

One way this is achieved is through the opportunity for members and visitors alike to spend time in the hot seat. While the name might sound a little intimidating, the hot seat offers a chance to present a current business struggle, while every person in the room has the opportunity to offer possible solutions. Through this collective effort, the person in the hot seat leaves with new insights, fresh perspectives, and a viable path to solve their problem. 

Dr. Justin Mann, a visitor at a recent B4B meeting, jumped into the hot seat for advice on a business problem. Photo credit: Amanda Bretz_The Socialite.

But members and visitors alike can gain insights without spending time in the hot seat, since the structure of the meetings naturally leads to organic conversations. As member Alex Edwards, who is in the insurance industry shares, “When I go in and vent about the challenges of my business, I get immediate solutions on how to fix the problems.”

Speed networking

On the first Wednesday of each month the group has a speed networking session. The six minute mini networking sessions work similar to a speed dating event. People sit across from each other and each person has three minutes to speak, but rather than everyone in attendance giving their business’s “elevator pitch” over and over, attendees draw questions from a jar to help guide the conversation. The questions are thought-provoking and scenario based, with topics such as sharing a recent business struggle and how they dealt with it. 

While three minutes may not seem like a long time to talk to someone, connections are made as members and visitors alike share their experiences, with the questions presenting a chance for business owners to share what has helped them in their entrepreneurial journey. 

The monthly speed networking meetings offer a chance for visitors and members to connect one-on-one. Photo via Businesses 4 Businesses on Facebook.

Visitors are encouraged to attend any meeting, but the speed networking events offer the opportunity for visitors to present their business to members and other visitors in a one-on-one experience. No matter when a visitor attends, they’re always met with enthusiasm and a group who wants to help. 

“You can expect to be welcomed and to walk into a room full of people that want to know about you and how we can help you,” Sam says.

Giving back

Although the room is full of busy entrepreneurs juggling their businesses, family life, and other commitments, during any given meeting you can expect to hear about upcoming community fundraisers or other philanthropic opportunities.  

“A lot of our members are on boards and lead foundations, and they’re allowed to talk about those things in our meetings because other people in the group like giving back individually and we give back as a group,” Sam describes.

During the holidays the group will use some of its leftover funds provided by membership dues to support community causes like Angel Tree donations and adopting a family in need in the community. 

If you’re interested in attending a meeting or you would like to know more about Businesses for Businesses, you can find out more on Facebook, or call/text 636-306-5636. The group meets each Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 228 E. Union St. in Pacific. Visitors are always welcome, but are encouraged to DM on Facebook or reach out by phone to ensure there’s an accurate head count for the meeting’s lunch order.