Thomas J. Elpel is a wilderness educator, author, and founder of Green University in Montana. He completed a five-month, self-supported expedition down the Missouri River. His work focuses on plant identification, survival skills, and sustainable living, blending hands-on experience with ecological awareness. Q. What inspired you to start learning and teaching wilderness survival skills? My grandmother mentored me in learning edible and … [Read more...]
Missouri: Gateway to Adventure and Sports Travel
Missouri ranks as one of the most exciting and well-rounded destinations in the U.S., offering a unique blend of outdoor exploration, rich cultural landmarks, and high-energy sports environments. From the banks of the Mississippi River to the rolling beauty of the Ozarks, this is a state that never relies on one dimension to impress. Sports fans, nature lovers, and history buffs can all find experiences built for them across Missouri’s vibrant … [Read more...]
On the Border: Missouri vs. Neighboring States for Sports Fans and Gamers
With Missouri's official launch into legal sports wagering in 2025, the Midwest’s entertainment map has shifted. The Show-Me State’s arrival in the regulated gaming arena puts it shoulder to shoulder with neighboring heavyweights like Illinois, Kansas, and Iowa. But legality is only part of the story. For sports fans, weekend travelers, and casual gamers alike, it's about the full experience, convenience, pricing, culture, and game-day energy. … [Read more...]
Brent Huff, Award-Winning Actor, Writer and Director
Brent Huff is an award-winning actor, writer, and director best known for his recurring roles in Shameless, The Rookie, The Rookie: Feds, Pensacola: Wings of Gold, and Black Scorpion. His early career took off in the 1980s when he starred in the French cult classic The Perils of Gwendoline. Over the years, Brent has been recognized with several honors, including awards from the Stony Brook Film Festival, the International Family Film Festival, … [Read more...]
Discover Branson: The Ultimate Family Adventure Awaits at WonderWorks and Beyond!
Explore Exciting Attractions, Outdoor Adventures, and Unforgettable Memories in the Heart of Missouri BRANSON, Mo. – (March, 2025) – Branson, Mo. consistently ranks as one of the top family-friendly destinations in America. Besides being filled with fun and memorable things for families to do, it is also considered to be within a day's drive for nearly half of the country. Those who want to take a road trip must look no further than Branson … [Read more...]
At 40, SATW Foundation Announces 2024 Recipients of the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards
November 2024 – Choosing among 1,371 entries, the 27 judges at the University of Missouri School of Journalism conferred 120 awards on editors, writers, photographers, podcasters, social media experts and videographers in the 2024 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition. The awards were announced today at the SATW annual convention in Istanbul, Turkey. Professor Jennifer Rowe and Carol J. Loomis, faculty fellow, along with Professor … [Read more...]
Exploring the Midwest of the United States of America
I stopped in Chicago, one of my favorite food and wine towns in the entire country. I enjoyed some exceptional wine and food at the Greek Restaurant Avli on the Park on top of a tall building just up from the waterfront. I headed south that evening, arriving in South Chicago. It was very dark. I arrived on a street filled with people running around, yelling, drinking and cars double parked. I felt out of my element. My desired space for the night … [Read more...]
Lake of the Ozarks sets its Sights on Breaking the World Record for the Largest Boat Parade
LAKE OF THE OZARKS, MO - It was announced during a press conference that the Lake of the Ozarks will make a second attempt at breaking the current record for the largest official boat parade in the world on Saturday, June 11, 2022. The current record, according to Guinness World Records, stands at 1,180 vessels and was set in Terengganu, Malaysia in September 2014. Over the years, there have been many attempts to break the record by different … [Read more...]
Mark Twain Country, Missouri – October 2021
One of the world's greatest travelers, Mark Twain once said, (we won't reference the common Twain quote here) "...nothing so liberalizes a man and expands the kindly instincts that nature put in him as travel and contact with many kinds of people." During our International travels we sometimes come across Mark Twain monuments indicating his prior visit. The man got around. Mark Twain was born in what is still very rural Missouri. When you … [Read more...]
The Spirit of Columbia
COLUMBIA, MO - Columbia has a reputation for world-class festivals, big-time collegiate sporting events and outstanding outdoor recreation. There's always a palpable feeling of excitement as the city does everything in style. And, that's no different for Columbia's burgeoning hand-crafted beverage industry, which includes acclaimed microbreweries, distilleries, a cidery and an award-winning large-scale winery. "Like many destinations, … [Read more...]