From trips to camps and days spent enjoying the sunshine, summer is the best time of year for kids. We asked the third-graders at Reed Elementary in Ladue what they’re doing this summer, and here are some of their responses. Good times ahead!

With hit TV show, The Biggest Loser, bestselling books and 1.6 million people visiting her weight loss website each month, Jillian Michaels has become one of the nation’s most popular experts on healthy eating, exercise and leading an exceptional life. Now, she is sharing her success secrets with audiences across the country through her Maximize Your Life tour, a live show coming May 11 to the Fox Theatre. LN recently spoke with Michaels about her personal health journey and her upcoming show, which aims to help people kickstart their life and fitness goals and achieve health and happiness.

Ethan Eric & Eva Diane Phillips

It started as an innocent question one year ago to a long-time friend. Andrew Rehfeld knew the Jewish Federation of St. Louis had been looking for a replacement for the retiring president and CEO, Barry Rosenberg, and he was curious about the progress of the search. As his friend detailed the profile of the Federation’s ideal candidate, the associate professor of political science at Washington University was intrigued. “It sounded exactly like the sort of thing I was really interested in doing," he says. "The building of community—trying to inspire and move a community to a healthy and robust place where they are helping themselves and one another—was inspirational for me.”

When Mark Cusumano walks through the dining room of Kemoll’s, he often pauses under a portrait of his grandmother, Doris. Eighty-six years ago, Doris and Joe Kemoll opened a restaurant that would become one of St. Louis’ most renowned fine dining establishments, and Cusumano understands the importance of carrying on his grandparents’ legacy. “Whenever I walk by, I can’t help but think, How am I doing, Grandma?”

It’s a true garden oasis with a brick-and-mortar backdrop at 4605 Olive St., the urban home of Bowood Farms. And amidst the lush vegetation of a nursery and gift shop and two abundant gardens, diners can enjoy seasonal fare at Café Osage. 

Mimi Fonseca was presented at the Fleur de Lis Ball in 1980, and what she remembers more than anything is the family atmosphere. “My whole family was there: my grandparents, aunts and uncles, sister and brother.”

Julie Elizabeth Meyers and Jason Andrew Shanker first said “I do” during the Sadie Hawkins dance at Camp Sabra in Rocky Mount, Mo., when Julie was 12 and Jason was 14. Unfortunately, as young love can be unpredictable, they went their separate ways after camp was over. But as fate would have it, the two reunited in their late teen years back at Camp Sabra, this time as camp counselors.

Trieste Lynn Signorino and Patrick Adams Bowe met in high school; and even then, Trieste knew she had found the one she would spend her life with. “I realized he would support me in following my dreams, even if it meant being apart while we both went to college,” she explained. Patrick popped the question over a simple dinner at Trieste’s apartment, not realizing it was April Fool’s Day when he proposed. Luckily for both, it was not a prank.

Timing was just right for Lauren Paige Macheca and Michael Anthony Ambersley when they met at Bar Louie in Kirkwood through a mutual friend. They discovered that their paths had intertwined for years, but it wasn’t until that January night that they officially had their first conversation – which was the beginning of a whirlwind long-distance relationship as Mike began his professional soccer career in upstate New York.

I’m not going to lie to you: We are in for a strange month of movies. December is typically peppered with Oscar favorites and holiday family fun, but this year is anything but usual.

Grandpas and grandmas need extra-special love during the holidays. Show them you care with these gifts from the heart.   

Clark Nicholas Azar

To sleep, perchance to dream…not a problem in these two well-designed boudoirs! Holly Blumeyer, owner of Holly Blumeyer Interior Design Group, and her husband, Jeff Demerath, are in the process of remodeling a charming home.

The Details

The time that grandparents and great-grandparents spend with their progeny creates memories that last a lifetime. Here, we present photos of time well-spent—together.

Erica and David met through JDate. They embarked on their first date in January of 2009 at a speakeasy in Manhattan. There, they sipped on cocktails served in tea cups while getting to know each other.

Congratulations to all the young and not-so-young brides-to-be out there. This beautiful day is one of the most important in your life so you will want to look your best and feel fantastic.

Soothing artwork, Jacuzzi tubs, room service and Wi-Fi are typical high-end hotel amenities. But these days, those modern luxuries also can be found in area maternity wards. See local hospitals’ options for welcoming your newborn—all in the comfort of a private labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum suite.

Sarah Maria CEPEDA