Brittany Meiling

Riverside Inn Park: A local Ozark swimming hole Hidden swimming hole on the Finley River in Ozark, with rope swings, wading spots, and clear, cold water just minutes from Springfield.

Back-to-school stress can be washed off. Take your kids to the river this weekend before the upcoming cooldown next week! Here's a swimming hole near Springfield MO
dearspringfieldmama.com/2025/08/17/r...

And all God's people said? AMEN.

The daycare fence and the silence beyond Kids are not in public spaces during the day, making for lonely neighborhoods

For two years, my son and I have wandered the city like lone wolves. Empty parks. Quiet playgrounds. And a whole lot of "where is everybody?"

I wrote about the eerie stillness of modern childhood:
The daycare fence and the silence beyond

open.substack.com/pub/brittany...

One of the most unique waterfalls in the Ozarks hides inside this bluff - Springfield Daily Citizen A rare Ozarks waterfall pours through stone at the end of a photo-worthy hiking trail

Tucked within the Ozark National Forest, Glory Hole Falls is a marvel where Dismal Creek pierces through rock, creating a 30-foot waterfall inside a cavern. A hidden gem for adventurers and photographers alike.​

sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...

How a 150-year-old Missouri farm became a community hub - Springfield Daily Citizen Cassidy Station at Estes Farms blends history and charm with a mercantile, event space, concerts and more on a 150-year farm.

I've driven past this place many times on the way to Nixa. It was fun to read about it's origins!
sgfcitizen.org/government/c...

Burning the Ozarks back to life - Springfield Daily Citizen A new prescribed burn group will help Ozarks landowners restore prairies and improve wildlife habitats.

This was a fascinating read about restoring prairie lands through fire in the Ozarks. (But not today, of course. CRAZY wind out there.)
sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...

I can't tell you how many times ChatGPT has told me to "soften my tone" after it reviews a piece of my writing. 😅

Fire in Otay Mountain area explodes to 4,250 acres; evacuation orders, warnings issued The evacuation area for the Border 2 fire stretches east to state Route 94 and west to Lower Otay Lake, warnings issued for southwest side of lake.

No, no, no…. 😭😭 My former colleagues are posting pictures of the fire from Chula Vista. After the destruction in LA, my heart is sinking.

I think Neil deGrasse Tyson overestimated how much I would know about astrophysics in his astrophysics for dummies book. 🫠

Ex-Avanzare chef to open new Mexican-Italian restaurant in Springfield - Springfield Daily Citizen Show Me Chuy brings Mexican-Italian fusion to Springfield, offering fresh, inventive dishes in a space that feels like home.

Mexican and Italian fusion is something I would never have guessed I needed, but now I must try.

The history of ‘Old’ St. John’s and how it became affordable housing - Springfield Daily Citizen Learn about the evolution of Springfield’s iconic red-brick hospital, from a center of healing to the Franciscan Villa serving those in need.

If you haven't discovered it yet, @sgfcitizen.bsky.social publishes a once-a-month history deep dive called Ozarks Echoes. Author Kaitlyn McConnell is a rare treasure — the brain of a historian, the heart and soul of a writer.

Let's get out! Free and indoor nature fun for kids this winter - Springfield Daily Citizen Looking for free things to do with kids in Springfield? Stay warm with these nature-inspired ideas for outdoor lovers.

Was this story a result of my own cabin fever? Why yes. Yes it was. @sgfcitizen.bsky.social
sgfcitizen.org/schools/chil...

This is so depressing. The school libraries — and librarians in them — shaped me as a human and a writer. Sad to see this position undervalued.

ChatGPT has officially replaced Google Search for me - here's why If you want to get answers to questions easily and quickly, ChatGPT Search may be for you.

I continue to wonder what AI use will do to news sites that rely heavily on referral traffic from Google. I'd love to see local news stop relying on referral sites for reader awareness and instead show up PHYSICALLY in our town.

I love that cabin picture. 😍

Gorgeous! I have one outside my window who keeps making that pretty vibrato call. I don’t know when it happened, but I suddenly became a bird person

This book recruited me over to the winter lovers club. It was the perfect thing to read in January. Now I’m marveling in winter walks and fireplaces and all the hygge I can muster.

"The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep..."

Matt Johnson and his sons (from left) Ethan, Owen and Pierson go sledding at Lake Springfield Park after a January snow. (Photo by Sony Hocklander)

Whether you're young or young at heart, there are plenty of ways to get outdoors and have some fun on a snow day. Sony Hocklander has five suggestions for you.

Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...

Game nights are a great way to get friends together this winter and have fun. Ask guests to bring their favorite game, too. (Photo by Juliana Goodwin)

Easy Indian food mixes, sauces and dishes are readily available and make for a simple Indian food night. It’s a good way to try new fare, too. (Photo by Juliana Goodwin)

Barbecue Shrimp has nothing to do with barbecue but is delectable. It's a famous dish from Mr. B’s Bistro in New Orleans. (Photo by Juliana Goodwin)

Fight off the winter blues and cozy up your home with a get-together. Juliana Goodwin has five easy suggestions, including a "clean out the pantry/freezer" party and a Mardi Gras celebration.

Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...

Sometimes to say something true, to say something helpful, it might come at the cost of your likability. But sometimes it won’t. In a world full of people pleasers, I value more and more people who don’t filter what they think just because they imagine I might disagree. Tell me what you THINK.

Using AI is kind of like getting your hands on a cheat code, exuberantly using it and then completely losing interest in the game.

Oldfield Opry sounds amazing — free every Saturday and I can bring my kiddo without it being weird. :)

Walks and hikes in Springfield are SO MUCH BETTER during the winter. No poison ivy, no bugs, and you can actually see the wildlife through the trees. I'm obsessed with Sony's suggestions.