Posted in Events

What’s Happening in East Central Missouri Aug. 25 – Aug. 31, 2025

It’s Labor Day Weekend this week, and if you’re staying close to home during this final holiday of the summer, then rest assured that there’s plenty of things to do!

Wednesday, Aug. 27
The Franklin County Silent Book Club is hosting its monthly meeting at underGROUNDS Espresso Bar in Washington. Bring your book of choice, order a beverage, and sit and read in companionable silence, followed by a short period dedication to conversation, or continued reading.
Learn more.

Wednesday, Aug. 27
Brushin’ Whimsy is hosting a paint night at Sip on Main in Union from 6-8 p.m.
Find out more and register.

Photo via Sunset on the Riverfront Facebook event

Thursday, Aug. 28
Head to downtown Washington for the Sunset on the Riverfront, held at Rennick Riverfront Park on the fourth Thursday of each month from 5 – 8 p.m. This family-friendly and free event features local bands, food vendors, beer, wine, and children’s activities.

Friday, Aug. 29
Do some stargazing at Cedar Creek Hotel & Event Venue in New Haven. From 7-9 p.m., take in the dazzling night sky by gazing through a 30 inch telescope, and learn how to use a camera on a telescope to take pictures with an astrophotography center adjacent to the main telescope. Attendees will have to climb a ladder to reach the large scope. The event will be cancelled if there is cloud cover or inclement weather.
Learn more.

Ad purchased by Your Accountability Bestie.
Empowering you to reach your fullest potential through unwavering support, guidance, and accountability.

Friday, Aug. 29
Stop in to Pickneybend Distilling in New Haven to take part in the establishment’s monthly cocktail class. Attendees will receive three cocktails they’ve made themselves, plus receive a discount on bottled spirit purchases. Cost is $30 per person.
Find out more and sign up.

Saturday, Aug. 30
Make and learn how to care for a hanging moss ball planter at Hoffmann Hillermann Nursery in Washington. The cost to attend is $35 per person, and registration is required.
Get registered.

Road Trippin’

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

Monday, Aug. 25
Head to Brookdale Farms in Eureka for Art After Hours Paint & Sip event, happening from 6-9 p.m. The theme for the event is camping, the fee is $40 and admission price includes supplies.
Get tickets and more info.

Wednesday, Aug. 27
There’s free line dancing starting at 6 p.m. this, and every, Wednesday night at The Outfield Bar & Grill in Marthasville.
Learn more.

Thursday, Aug. 28 – Sunday, Aug. 31
Autumn Glow Festival is lighting up Eureka Thursdays-Sundays this fall at Brookdale Farms. This enchanting night walk, inspired by traditional Chinese lantern festivals, is the perfect autumn outing for friends and families. Explore 100s of intricately crafted lanterns, enjoy live acrobatic shows, tuck into tasty local food, and discover a world of festive fun for all ages.
Learn more.

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

Saturday, Aug. 30
Celebrate the start of the grape harvest at Stone Hill Winery’s free Harvest Festival. Head to the Hermann winery for festivities such as a grape stomping photo op, a behind the scenes tour, games and a scavenger hunt, live music, plus wine, slushies, and beer by the glass, and a lot more.
Get more details.

Saturday, Aug. 30
Bring your classic car, truck, sports car, Jeep, anything with wheels you love, to Prairie Barn Winery in St. James. This is a non-judged, no-prizes event—just a great time with fellow car and truck enthusiasts!
Get more details.

Saturday, Aug. 30
Enjoy a concert at Music in the Park, at Maramec Spring Park in St. James. Forrest McCurren will perform from 6-8 p.m., admission is $20 per car.
Find out more.

Saturday, Aug. 30
There’s a free women’s medicinal drum circle happening in Marthasville. This monthly meetup aims to foster mindfulness and community among women in the area.
Learn more on Facebook.

Saturday, Aug. 30
The Homemade Exchange is a monthly meetup at the Owensville branch of Scenic Regional Library. This free event is a meeting of people who exchange homemade items, from homemade baked goods and canned items, to soaps, crafts, and more.
Find out more.

Posted in Advertorial Feature

Get the Support You Need to Reach Your Goals With Your Accountability Bestie

Raise your hand if you’ve been here before, you want to make a change in your life, so you set a goal. Maybe it’s to eat more protein, or move your body more, or maybe it’s a professional goal, like increasing the sales in your small business by 50%.

You come up with a plan to do the thing, but that plan only includes meeting that goal in a best-case scenario and it doesn’t account for the inevitable setbacks and challenges unique to your lifestyle or schedule, setting you up for failure. Goal, forgotten. Confidence, diminished. 

Yet, sometimes all you need to attain your goals is a killer plan, guidance, plenty of support, and someone to hold you accountable to make sure you follow through. If you don’t have a superwoman, or superman, in your life to help you do this, don’t worry, there is someone like this that exists, and you may be able to work with her.

Meet your new coach bestie 

Sam Hyndrich is the woman behind Your Accountability Bestie, a coaching business she created to help people reach their fullest potential. Although that’s a succinct summary of her business, it doesn’t give the full picture of who Sam is, what she does, and the kind of impact she has on her clients.

Sam Hyndrich owns the coaching business Your Accountability Bestie. Photo credit: Sam Hyndrich

In terms of her coaching style, the  self-described chameleon is like a caring family-member, no nonsense, empowering coach, enthusiastic cheerleader, and a badass bestie, all in one woman. 

When someone decides to work with Sam, they’re getting more than a person believing in them, they’re getting her expertise as well. Also a personal trainer, she can create exercise and meal plans, as well as provide advice, pep-talks, and actionable steps clients need to take to achieve their personal and business goals. Beyond that, her clients receive unwavering support, which is something that can really push them forward, especially in the initial stages of chasing a goal.

Now in its fifth year, Your Accountability Bestie is helping people transform their lives, one day and one goal at a time. Although she mainly works with women, Sam has also helped male clients work on everything from growing their business to achieving fitness goals. 

“I feel like I bring something to the table when it comes to understanding transitions or seasons of life,” she explains. “I feel like I’ve lived through many seasons, so I can relate.” 

Working with women in particular is something that she understands, and her client base tends to be women who are in a season of transition in their life. Many times a woman will seek out her coaching services because she’s tired of fad diets or viral workout trends that don’t work, and is seeking to make a lasting, effective change in her life. 

Identifying the real issue

“I’m not just giving people meal plans, I am truly trying to help them through every part of their life. It always come down to the deeper issue,” she says. 

That deeper issue of why someone can’t follow through with a plan usually boils down to something within a person’s lifestyle, like a schedule mismatch. So when Sam’s crafting plans to help clients reach their goals, those plans will be tailored so they’re achievable in addition to maintaining things like work and family commitments, take into consideration a person’s schedule, and even their preferred forms of movement. 

Sam helps her clients reach their goals through support, encouragement, and sometimes, tough love. Photo credit: Brittany Reed Photography

Through her initial consultation process and continued contact with her clients, there’s a relationship that gets fostered. The support, encouragement, and strategy all come from a place of not just wanting to see a client succeed, but also the belief that they’re worthy of more. And, there’s a reason the word “bestie” is part of her business. 

While she’s technically a coach and personal trainer, in actuality, Sam is much more than that. She’s there for her clients providing whatever kind of guidance they need on any given day, sometimes, that means uplifting words and sometimes it’s tough love, just like what you’d expect from a close, trusted friend.  

“Sometimes they need a hype woman, sometimes they need me to be the sargeant giving tough love.”

No matter if it’s encouragement or tough love, it all comes from a place of knowing what’s it’s like to walk in her clients’ shoes, since several years ago Sam changed who she was from the inside out. Her business was born from that experience, along with her passion for helping others reach their fullest potential.

A bigger impact

Just as there’s deeper issues that hold a client back when they’ve failed on their own, often the goal itself can be highly personal and connected to a bigger why beyond the scale. One recent client set a goal for weight loss – and that goal wasn’t only about fitting into smaller clothes, but rather fitting comfortably on amusement park rides for a family trip. 

Although her client was pleasantly surprised to be able to fit on those rides in comfort, “she was texting me from the parks like ‘Sam, you’re never going to believe this’,” Sam recalls.

But Sam says she wasn’t surprised, because her client remained committed to showing up for herself and executing the meal and exercise plans, which is what it takes to create a change.

“The plans I put together have a 100% chance of working, if you do it,” she explains. “It’s going to work because I’m going off science, not a cleanse or fad diet. If you move more than the amount of calories you take in, then the number on the scale will get smaller.”

The future of Your Accountability Bestie

Yet another way Sam plans to grow relationships with her clients is by bonding through movement. Currently, she’s working on building a gym in her home garage, and once it’s complete, she envisions it as a judgement-free workout space where she’ll hold small group fitness classes for her female clients. 

Through building the garage gym, Sam hopes to create a judgement-free gym space for her female clients. Photo credit: Sam Hyndrich

Her vision also includes those clients forming friendships, while they sweat together, vibe out to an inspiring playlist, and “do stuff that reminds them that they’re a bad bitch.”

Interested in working with Sam or learning more about her business? Find her on Facebook and Instagram, or visit her website to get started on crushing your goals.

Posted in Events

What’s Happening in East Central Missouri, July 14 – July 20, 2025

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.

Photo via Blessings Are Miracles’ Facebook post.

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

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.

Posted in Events

What’s Happening in Franklin County April 14 – April 20

Have breakfast with the Easter bunny, try your hand at wine bingo, or hear live music performed by local bands, plus more events happening around Franklin County this week.

Wednesday, April 16
Take a rejuvenating break in the middle of the work day with a floating nidra yoga session at Present Moment Yoga in Washington. Attendees will rest in the trapeze while being guided through a meditation. The class is limited to six attendees.
Learn more and get the ticket link.

Thursday, April 17
Break up the week with a round of wine bingo at Triple 3 Vineyard in Washington. There’s no need to register for the event, just grab your friends and head to the winery for some fun. 
Learn more

Friday, April 18
The Jaycee Pavilion in Union will host breakfast with the Easter Bunny at 9 a.m. and an egg hunt to follow immediately after at 9:45am. Have breakfast and get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny. Please bring your own camera and basket. Egg hunt is for children ages 1 to 7 years old.
Get the details.

Photo via Union Parks & Recreation Department’s Facebook page.

Friday, April 18
Stop by Blondie’s Breezeway in St. Clair for live music on the patio, performed by Danny & Lloyd. Blondie’s Breezeway serves food and cocktails, and often shares its menu specials on its Facebook page.
Visit their Facebook page to find out more.

Friday, April 18
Soul Refresh, a new health, wellness, and beauty-based business located in downtown Washington, is having a two-day grand opening celebration. There will be discounts and door prizes, including free sessions.
Find out more.

Saturday, April 19
Day two of Soul Refresh’s two-day grand opening celebration continues with discounts and door prizes, including free sessions.
Find out more.

Saturday, April 19
Main Street in Sullivan will be filled with a variety of merchants, vendors, and food.. This will be the first flea market of the year, and the event will run from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Get all the details.

Saturday, April 19
Head to N-Sports Rec Center in Washington for crafts and a photo with the Easter bunny from 1 – 3 p.m.
Learn more.

Saturday, April 19
First Baptist Church in Sullivan is hosting an Easter Egg hunt at 10:30 a.m. The fun is taking place behind the church at the elementary school. 
Find out more at the Facebook event.

Saturday, April 19
Barbecue and music just go together! Stop by Brown Jerry’s Blues, Brews, & Barbecue in Pacific to hear Jeremiah Johnson perform live, beginning at 7 p.m. 
Learn more at the Facebook event.