LOOKING BACK to 2026
- Thomas Smugala
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
In the radioactive glow of numerous deadlines, holiday parties that left us questioning life choices, last-minute shopping, family gatherings, and overeating, there emerges the elusive New Year’s resolution.
Yup, it’s that magical time when we sit down, solemnly evaluate our lives, fire off a barrage of existential questions to our favorite AI, and craft a bulletproof plan to make the coming year the absolute pinnacle of human achievement.
Instead of that, what about looking at all the great things you did last year? Truth be told, for most of us, tallying up what we accomplished in 2025 is the single best weather gauge for what we will actually do in the coming year. So, yeah, we meant to say looking back to 2026, because it's looking back that helps you understand your future.
Armed with my freshly minted, slightly unhinged New Year vibe, we at 573 decided to flip the script and celebrate all the epic things, passionate people, and unforgettable places we stumbled into this year. 2025 was an absolute kick-butt rollercoaster of a year, and 2026—it’s gonna be even better. It will be better because I’ve already declared it so, and the universe knows better than to argue with 573 at this point. Happy New Year from all of us at 573—now, Get Out There! I command you! -Supreme Leader of 573 Magazine, Thomas Smugala.
In 2025, we held the 573 Chalk Festival in Marquand.
We met a young talented Jazz singer—Sarah Politte.
We met the Cupcake Queen of Hoeckele's Bakery in Perryville.
We began shooting a TV Show Pilot for the Unstoppable Beverly Brown.
We met federal attorney Cira Duffe and her ban of faithful interns in Farmington.
We met the man behind the Huey helicopter at the Vietnam Memorial in Perryville.
We shot lovely Ophelia's Women's dresses at Matthews Flower Farm in Chaffee.
We toured a WW2 Landing Ship Tank (LST) in Cape Girardeau.
We produced a super cool short promo film for Mary Jane Burgers & Brew and our friend Carisa Stark in Perryville.
We watched some Skyhounds fly in Ste. Genevieve.
We went on a chilly hike at Pink Rock Shut-ins near Fredericktown.
We went riding with our friends at The Stables equine-assisted therapeutic horseback.
We hiked Hawn State Park with the Women of Wellness gang.
We hung out with realitor Denny Ward at S-K Ranch near Marble Hill.
We sipped award-winning wines at Edg-Clif Vineyard & Winery with a dynamic sister team in Potosi.
We met Chef Houston Sutton at the Century Casino's Beacon 53 fine dinning restaurant in Cape Girardeau.
AND so as we look back to all the wonderful places we've been, the people we've met, and the tasty food & drinks we had, we are overwhelmed with gratitude, not just for those of you who have supported us in 2025, but for all the support we have received since we opened our doors back in 2006. We are truly amazed at the passion and talent of those who open themselves to be in the 573 spotlight, and equally important are all of you who open the 573 Update, share a post, and make a comment. And, without our sponsors, none of this would be the least bit possible. Thank you for believing, for supporting, for showing up, and for making the 573 what it is today. A growing, thriving, interactive platform that is intertwined into each and every community we cover. Keep your story ideas coming and, baby, you ain't seen nothing yet! What A Wonderful Life it truly is. THANK YOU! -Denelle Smugala, Publisher.
