Dees first laid eyes on the truck in 2015 — and he knew he had to have it. He made an offer on the spot, but the owner wasn’t ready to let it go. Dees waited. Five years later, in 2020, his patience finally paid off when he was able to track down the same owner and seal the deal.
Being crowned Miss Missouri is an honor many girls dream of from a young age, and for Courtney Rowe, crowned Miss Missouri 2025, it marks the opportunity to serve the state while representing Missouri at the Miss America pageant. Crowned Miss Missouri 2025 2019 graduate of Liberty North High School 2023 graduate of Northwest Missouri […]
For many Missouri families, a visit to a food bank is the moment between fear and relief. Governor Mike Kehoe understands that feeling. Raised by a single mother and the youngest of six children, he remembers the days when money was tight, and kindness from others made all the difference. His support for food banks comes from that place, wanting every child to feel secure and every family to know help is there.
L•O PROFILE is proud to spotlight the United States Marine Corps on its 250th birthday, a milestone honoring courage, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion to duty. Born in revolution, tested in wars at home and abroad, and revered for their discipline, the Marines’ journey through history is as enduring as our nation itself. Birth of the […]
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to honor young warriors and shine a light on the urgent need for research, funding, and support. This month, we remember Vivian Robinson, a bold and beautiful soul whose life was touched by one of the most devastating pediatric diagnoses: Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).Vivian’s journey began with a subtle symptom—a drifting eye. Initially suspected to be a concussion, it soon became clear that something far more serious was happening. After a series of scans and hospital visits, the Robinson family received the heartbreaking news: Vivian had DIPG.
Nestled near Rocky Mount, Wonderland Camp has long provided a retreat for individuals with differing abilities. Since breaking ground in 1969 and welcoming its first campers in 1971, the camp has grown into a renowned facility—comparable to Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Wonderland Camp serves participants as young as six, and they never “age out”; some campers have returned for 40 consecutive years. Today, 80% of campers are repeat visitors, traveling from 23 states to experience the camp and providing respite for caregivers. In May 2025, Wonderland Camp completed a transformative renovation of Miller Hall, its main dining and activity center.
Lake Area Industries (LAI), a nonprofit employing individuals with differing abilities in Camdenton, launched its dock foam recycling program in 2013 after the Missouri Department of Natural Resources approached them to tackle the problem of waterlogged foam degrading and filtering back into waterways and eventually the Lake from neglected dump sites. At the time, no
In life, some people choose to avoid what can be difficult, different, or special, and then there are those extraordinary people who run toward it!
Osage Beach Police Sergeant Travis Morley is one of those extraordinary people. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and later Reed City, Michigan, where he graduated in 2003, he joined the U.S. Army and served in the 1st Infantry Division. His service took him to Ft. Benning,Georgia, Iraq, and two tours in Germany. When his time of service came to an end, he was left wondering where his skills and experiences from the past years could best be applied He landed in St. Louis, Missouri in 2006, where he attended the Police Academy. After graduating in 2007, his path led him to Lake of the Ozarks and a position on the Osage Beach Police Force. It was there that he found his next calling of service when he was introduced to the world of special needs and disabilities through the LETR (Law Enforcement Torch Run) and Special Olympics.
VIP Spotlight would like to acknowledge Lake area businesses and professionals who strive to make our area a better place. These honorees work diligently to help the commerce community flourish. Each Chamber organization from the surrounding communities has awarded these members for their commitment to making Lake of the Ozarks one of the top places to live and visit.
In all 50 states of our beautiful America, remarkable people have made or are making a difference. They give of themselves to accomplish positive change, improve communities, promote education, develop helpful pro-grams, and simply put, Make an Impact! In Missouri, one of these extraordinary individuals is Lieutenant General (LTG) United States Army (retired) Professional Engineer […]
