This weekend I read a commencement speech by David Bahnsen and it made me consider how the same insights impact a neighborhood or a community. Most neighborhoods are not transformed by large grants, major developments, or government programs. They are shaped every day by ordinary people making ordinary choices. Over time, those choices tend to fall into one of two categories: building or destroying. The difference is not always dramatic. Builders are not necessarily wealthy, influential, or elected to leadership positions. Destroyers are not always villains. In fact, many people move between the two categories without realizing it. The question is simple: Are our actions adding something valuable to the community, or are they taking something away? Builders create connection.  They learn names. They welcome new residents. They introduce neighbors to one another. They organize gatherings, share information, and help people feel that they belong. Destroyers create division....

  Mural by Hector Garcia (age 14) in Princeton, Missouri When people talk about the value of art, the conversation often centers on creativity, self-expression, or aesthetics. Those things matter. But responses from participants and visitors involved in Missouri's Show Me Neighborhood Art Month suggest that community art may be doing something even more important. It is helping people feel connected. As part of the 2026 People's Choice voting process for Show Me Neighborhood Art Month, participants were asked a simple question: "As an artist or member of the public, how does this art project make you feel about your community? Does it impact your sense of belonging and connection?" The answers reveal a powerful story. The most common emotions expressed were pride, happiness, love, and appreciation. Many respondents used words such as "proud," "happy," "beautiful," "wonderful," and "encouraging." Others spoke about how...

  Some community projects begin with a large grant, a formal plan, or a major public investment. Others begin with something much simpler: a few flowers, a little imagination, and neighbors willing to work together. In Washington, Missouri, one of the community’s most unique and beloved destinations began exactly that way. Artsy Alley, located behind 1104 E. 1st Street, started in 2023 as a residential flower planting project. What was once an ordinary alley has gradually transformed into a colorful outdoor gallery where art and nature blend together in a way that feels both whimsical and welcoming. Today, visitors strolling through the alley are greeted by an explosion of color. Gardens lining both sides of the alley feature waves of zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, poppies, hollyhocks, and countless other seasonal blooms. Throughout the growing season, the landscape changes constantly, offering something new with every visit. But the flowers are only part of the story. As the project...

One of the joys of Show Me Neighborhood Art Month is discovering how each community puts its own unique stamp on the celebration. In Marble Hill, Missouri, that stamp comes in red, white, and blue. Led by local artist and community champion Becky Trehy, Marble Hill's participation in this year's Show Me Neighborhood Art Month transformed downtown storefronts, businesses, homes, and rural landscapes into a community-wide art trail that celebrates both local creativity and hometown pride. As visitors travel through Marble Hill, they quickly notice a recurring theme. Patriotic colors appear throughout the displays. Hand-painted chairs, decorative benches, planters, storefront exhibits, and public art pieces feature stars, stripes, flags, and Americana-inspired designs. The artwork feels right at home in a community where small-town values, local businesses, and community pride remain strong. But there is another theme that appears again and again throughout the displays: dinosaurs...

A recent article from the research organization More in Common explored a troubling reality: many men have very few people they can call when life gets difficult. Some men reported having no one at all. Others could name only a spouse or family member. The article highlights what many researchers have been documenting for years: a growing crisis of male friendship and social connection . As I read the article, I could not help but think about neighborhoods. For years, neighboring advocates have focused on reducing loneliness, increasing belonging, and helping people build stronger local connections. While those efforts benefit everyone, the research suggests there may be a special opportunity (and need) to engage men. Many men do not build friendships the same way women often do. Research has found that men frequently connect through shared activities, common projects, and experiences rather than lengthy emotional conversations. In other words, men often talk shoulder-to-shoulder rat...

  There’s something special about Northwest Missouri. It’s in the familiar faces at the local coffee shop, the conversations that happen at Friday night games, the volunteers who show up when help is needed, and the neighbors who know your name. These everyday connections are part of what makes our communities feel like home. That spirit is at the heart of Maximize NWMO’s new “Make It Home: Live Local. Love Local. ” campaign. The initiative encourages residents across the region to take simple, intentional steps toward building stronger communities and deeper relationships with the people around them. In a world where many people feel increasingly disconnected, the campaign offers a refreshing reminder: thriving communities don’t happen by accident. They are created through small acts of engagement, kindness, and participation. The Power of Local Connections Research consistently shows that communities are stronger when people know and trust one another. Social connections contribu...