Jessica Vaughn Martin

14 Articles Published | Follow:
Flowers in front of a home at Linkside at Old Hawthorne in Columbia, MO

A Life of Luxury and Community

According to Wayne McCoy, living at Linkside by Old Hawthorne is akin to driving a…

A crumpled brown paper bag on a dark textured surface contains compostable food scraps like eggshells, vegetable peels, and plant roots. Scattered around are additional vegetable remnants and eggshell pieces.

Sustainable Scraps

Three local restaurateurs discuss the different ways they use their food scraps to make new items for customers and the community.

Two women stand smiling in a lush field on a sunny day. One wears a maroon top, the other a green one. A house and trees with autumn foliage are in the background under a clear blue sky.

A Budding Family Business

Two sisters embrace an adventure to grow lavender and other lovely plants in the small river town of Rocheport.

Assorted pendant necklaces featuring miniature landscape paintings on a textured gray background. Designs include scenic views with mountains, fields, and colorful skies in rectangular and round bezels.

Art in the Pause

How local artists are faring in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic — and how you can support their work.

A smiling person wearing a white t-shirt and a black cap sits outdoors in front of a leafy green background. They are also wearing a red apron.

Farm to Table, Student to Chef

A local young man gets his culinary start at the Columbia Area Career Center

Close-up of a row of vintage brass mailboxes numbered 103 to 107. Below the row, the words U.S. MAIL are engraved on a larger brass door. The mailboxes feature small ventilation holes near the bottom.

Rooms on Cherry

Explore the history of the newest and oldest bed and breakfast in town.

A dining table set for a meal, featuring colorful striped table runners, two candlesticks, plates, and a decorative bowl. A gray cat sits on a chair by the table. Shelves with dishes and plants are in the background, softly lit by natural light.

What Chefs Eat

A look inside the home kitchens of Amanda Elliott, Shelly LaFata, and Gaby Weir Vera, three of Columbia’s prized chefs.

A diverse group of women are preparing food in a kitchen. They are wearing hair coverings and gloves while arranging food on trays. Various kitchen equipment and trays are visible in the background.

A Connective Energy

Columbia refugees share their stories and their fare at Café Berlin’s pop-up event.

Close-up of a person’s hands holding a cigar and cigar cutter. The hands appear aged and are adorned with rings and a watch. The image is in black and white, highlighting the texture and details of the skin and objects.

Not Just Any Cigar

George Liggett was just a boy when he rolled his first cigarette. He keeps tobacconist traditions alive at The Nostalgia Shop.

Close-up of an active barbecue grill with bright orange flames and sparks flying against a dark background. The metal grill grates are visible at the bottom.

A Black and Gold Tradition

It’s an American tradition, beloved by many. David Smith, Dave Griggs, Sarah Dubbert, Jeff Windett, and Paul Showers dish about their tailgating obsessions.

Park Restaurant Shrimp

Adventures in Dining

Tempt your taste buds with these local exotic flavors. There’s a time for comfort food,…

Strange Brew

The ancient art of fermentation finds its way into modern kitchens. I wasn’t a kombucha…