Winners of the BTS Giveaway

The winners have been drawn - yeah!

Super duper big thank you to the sponsoring businesses! Be sure to visit them soon - SHOP LOCAL to support your community.

- Union Nails: (3) basic pedicures - Vicki Slabodzian-Harrison
- Mi Amor Photography: 2 hour photo shoot and CD of edited images - Eliza Thornton
- Sweet Designs by Mandi: 1 dz. cupcakes and $30 gift certificate - Regina Close
- Union Hair Station: $40 Walmart gift card and basket of goodies - Michelle Widau-Vondera
- GAME OVER: $25 gift certificate and (3) DVDs - Heather Diesel
- Salon De Novo (Cindy): cut, shampoo, and style - Vicki Tate
- Heather's Paparazzi~Independent Consultant #4464: new piece of jewelry every month for a year (surprise piece) - Justina White
- White Rose Cafe: Dinner for 2 ($25 gift certificate) - Rhonda Bailey Stephanie Platt
- Scoops N' More: Ice cream party ($15 gift certificate) - Dawn Larmi
- MK Designs Photography / Fine Art and Portrait: surprise prize package - Kassidy Forbus

All winners must email me at experienceunionmo@gmail.com before 9 am on Monday, August 12th. Any prizes not claimed by then will have a new winner drawn.

Thank you for participating and see you around town!

Tyann Marcink

Back to School Giveaway

I can't believe the summer is nearly over! Area schools begin in just 3 weeks or less...sigh...

Let's do a special giveaway to chase away those BTS blues then. :)

Use the widget below to "LIKE" all of the local business sponsors - every page you "LIKE" is an entry for a prize. Woo hoo!

And, don't forget to share the special giveaway graphic on the Experience Union Facebook page for another entry. Bonus - you can do this EVERY DAY for another entry.

Have fun!

Note: If the widget doesn't load right away, refresh your browser and give it a little bit of time. :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Put A Little Gravel In Your Travel!

Often I hear people say living in Union is great because of how easy of a day trip it is to St. Louis. I am a bit different in that I feel living in Union is great because how easy it is for a day trip to MANY beautiful areas of Missouri that don't necessarily fit "city" mode.

Water Shoes, Minnow/Critter Catching Net, and
cool clear water - THANK YOU MISSOURI! :)

Just 35 miles away is Blue Springs Creek Conservation Area. Hop down I-44 to Bourbon then hit N - beautiful cool clear waters await you. 98 degress out? Who cares!?!?! Sit and chill in the waters, watch your kiddo catch crawdads or find fossils. It's just a wonderful experience.

Crawdad Time! June 2013 at Blue Springs Creek.

Recently I decided to explore another spot. Just 10 miles further (45 miles from Union) is Huzzah Conservation Area. Go on I-44, Onodoga Exit  - go past the park, cross the Meramec, and put a little gravel in your travel to find this gem! Water may not be as chilly as Blue Springs, but it's wider and still can trick your brain into realizing that it's not in the 90's... nature's airconditioning at its best!

Huzzah Conservation Area - July 2013 Cliffs to the right and
woods/creek to the left. Lovely road just like out
of a fairy tale or novel... and right here in Missouri.

Don't get me wrong, St. Louis has great things for day trips, but just as close are two amazing places to create some great memories with family. Some of my fondest memories growing up in the Ozarks are of the Big Piney River and of Paddy Creek in the Mark Twain National Forest.

I call myself the "creek-side gourmet" - she says it's not
"fancy at all" - but she eats and and enjoys it regardless!
Huzzah Creek bank July 2013.

I want my kiddo to have similar experiences and not spend EVERY DAY of Summer break sitting in front of the television. It's amazing how sometimes just an afternoon away and OUTSIDE can improve attitudes and spirits.

More information about Huzzah Conservation Area: ttp://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Applications/MOATLAS/AreaSummaryPage.aspx?txtAreaID=5702
and about Blue Springs Creek Conservation Area: http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/AreaSummaryPage.aspx?txtAreaID=8405

For more information about my photography see my webpage: http://mkdesignsphoto.weebly.com/
and you can visit my blog at: http://mkdesignsphoto.blogspot.com/

Until next time, ~ michelle of Experience Union :)

Where In Union July 14 2013

This week's Where in Union winner gets the above painting by Olive and Ash - see her blog for more information about what she does: http://oliveandashstudio.blogspot.com/

So, Where in Union is this? Let us know!