Tag Archives: local

10 Fun Things to Do in Missouri This Fall

Fall in Missouri is a magical time, with vibrant foliage, crisp air, and a plethora of activities to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or family-friendly fun, the Show-Me State has something for everyone. Plus, with [BANK]’s credit cards and savings accounts, you can make the most of your autumn adventures without breaking the bank. Here are ten fun things to do in Missouri this fall.

1. Explore the Ozark National Scenic Riverways

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways offer stunning fall foliage and a variety of outdoor activities. Kayak down the Current River, hike through scenic trails, or simply enjoy a picnic by the water. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the breathtaking views.

River Activities: There are two main ways to float down the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers: renting equipment or bringing your own—this includes everything needed to float such as watercraft (canoes, kayaks, rafts, or tubes), paddles, and life jackets. There are several outfitters you can rent from. Make sure to check river levels to stay safe!

2. Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin patches are a quintessential fall activity. Head to Beggs Family Farm for a day of fun, including hayrides, corn mazes, and pumpkin picking. It’s a great way to spend time with family and friends.

Eagle Fork Farms: This farm, located in Moscow Mills, MO, is perfect for families and those with children. They offer tons of family-friendly activities, from their corn maze to the playground, facepainting, hayrides, gem mining and much more! Learn more about Eagle Fork Farms on their website.

3. Attend a Fall Festival

Missouri hosts numerous fall festivals that celebrate the season with food, music, and crafts. The Hermann Oktoberfest is a must-visit, offering German food, wine tastings, and live entertainment. Use your [BANK] credit card to enjoy all the festivities.

4. Take a Scenic Drive

Missouri’s countryside is beautiful in the fall. Take a scenic drive through the Mark Twain National Forest or along the Great River Road to see the vibrant fall colors. It’s a relaxing way to enjoy the season. Here’s what you’ll find on the route:

Mark Twain Cave Complex: This cave is described in five of Mark Twain’s books, including The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Bankhead Candies: Bankhead Chocolates in Bowling Green has been producing hand-dipped chocolates since 1919!
Cuivre River State Park: Located east of Troy, this park provides over 38 miles of hiking, backpacking and equestrian trails. You can plan a camping trip or go fishing and swimming!
Chaumette Vineyards and Winery: If you get thirsty on your route, stop here to enjoy award-winning wines and farm-to-fork dining. This elegant villa has a view of the rolling countryside for you to enjoy.
Mastodon State Historic Site: Home to the Kimmswick Bone Bed – this important archaeological and paleontological area was where Paleo Indians hunted mastodons during the ice age. Check out ancient artifacts and fossils as well as a full-size replica of a mastodon skeleton.
Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum: Located in Cape Girardeau, this museum offers rotating exhibits and educational programs.
Broussard’s Cajun Cuisine: Feeling hungry after all that exploring? Grab some authentic Cajun specialties as well as steaks, burgers, chicken and seafood plates.

5. Go Apple Picking

Apple picking is a fun and delicious fall activity. Visit an orchard like Liberty Apple Orchard to pick your own apples and enjoy fresh apple cider or delicious apple cider donuts, slushies and more. It’s a great way to support local farmers and enjoy the fruits of the season.

6. Explore a Haunted House

For those who love a good scare, Missouri has plenty of haunted houses to explore. The Darkness in St. Louis is one of the best, offering spine-chilling thrills and spooky fun. Use your savings account to budget for tickets and treats. Other haunted houses include:

The Lemp Mansion: This restaurant and inn offers haunted tours and was chosen as one of the unusual attractions to visit in the Midwest by chicagohotels.org.
Creepyworld: Visit this haunted scream park that features a haunted hayride, monster mansion, and more. You can even get a combo ticket with Lemp Haunted House.

7. Hike in a State Park

Missouri’s state parks are perfect for fall hiking. Weston Bend State Park offers stunning views of the Missouri River and beautiful fall foliage. Pack a picnic and enjoy a day in nature. Other beautiful state parks include:

8. Visit a Winery

Missouri’s wine country is beautiful in the fall. Visit a winery like Stone Hill Winery in Hermann for a wine tasting and tour. It’s a relaxing way to spend a fall afternoon. Other options include:

9. Attend a Football Game

Fall is football season, and Missouri has plenty of games to enjoy. Cheer on the Missouri Tigers or the Kansas City Chiefs. Use your [BANK] credit card to buy tickets and gear up for game day.

10. Enjoy a Fall Concert

Many artists tour in the fall, and Missouri has a variety of concert venues to choose from. Check out the lineup at the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City or the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis. Use your credit card to secure your tickets and enjoy a night of music.

With so many fun things to do in Missouri this fall, you’ll want to make sure you’re financially prepared. We offer credit cards with great rewards and savings accounts to help you budget for all your autumn adventures. Visit Exchange Bank of Northeast Missouri to learn more and start planning your fall activities today!

The Heart of Our Community: The Role of Local Banks

In the heartland of America, local banks are more than just financial institutions; they are the lifeblood of our communities. As we gearhead into the vibrant month of July, filled with county fairs and community gatherings, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the role of local banks in enriching our lives.

Community Growth and Prosperity

Local banks like us play a crucial role in fostering economic growth and stability:

By providing loans and financial services tailored to the needs of local residents and businesses, these banks help to stimulate local economies and create jobs.
They understand the unique challenges and opportunities within our communities and make decisions with the local economy’s best interest at heart.

Personalized Service and Relationships

At Peoples Bank & Trust, customers are not just account numbers; they are neighbors and friends. The bank’s commitment to personalized service means understanding and meeting the financial needs of individuals and local businesses. This relationship-based banking approach ensures that financial decisions, such as granting loans, are made by considering the character and qualifications of clients, not just their credit scores.

Community Involvement and Support

Beyond financial services, local banks are deeply involved in community life. Peoples Bank & Trust actively participates in local events, such as the county fairs in July, contributing to the cultural and social fabric of our towns. Our involvement goes beyond sponsorships; employees volunteer their time and effort to support various causes and organizations, helping to make our communities better places to live.

Boosting Local Economy

By reinvesting in the community, local banks ensure that money stays within the local economy, multiplying its positive impact. This collaborative lending approach allows more businesses to thrive, which in turn supports community members and contributes to a robust local economy.

Our Commitment to You

As we partake in the joyous celebrations of the county fairs this July, we at Peoples Bank & Trust feel privileged to be a part of this wonderful community. Our involvement in local events and initiatives is not just a commitment but a heartfelt expression of our dedication to the place we call home.

So, as we enjoy the laughter and camaraderie at the fairs, let’s remember that it’s the collective spirit of our community that makes us strong. We’re here not just as your bank but as your neighbors, friends, and family, working hand in hand to create a thriving community for generations to come.

Why Choose a Local Bank?

local

Whether in bustling cities or the rural Midwest, community banks improve lives in the communities they serve. This seems to be a popular notion across the nation, as can be seen by their large local support. According to the ICBA, community banks make up 96 percent of all banking institutions in the country. They are successful because they work and are a positive light in the community.

You take great care when it comes to choosing a financial institution that you trust. If you haven’t made the switch to a local bank yet, here are just a few reasons why you may want to make the switch.

They support community organizations.

While we can’t speak for every community bank, we make it a priority to give back to the area. We realize the importance of donating to local charities and even encourage employees to volunteer to local regions of need. Every individual at every level of service in the bank is personally connected to the community and wants to see it thrive.

They have the same state of the art resources of big banks.

Some may think that community banks are still in the Stone Age when it comes to technology. This could not be further from the truth. We know that the future of banking is online and we have made it a priority to meet our customers in a way that is easiest for them.

Customers can access their account information, make deposits or withdrawals when the office is closed or if they are traveling out of the area. Although, we still love to see your smiling face in person when you have a chance to come into one of our locations.

In addition to being technologically up-to-date, we have competitive individual and business services that a big bank has to offer, but likely at a better rate.

They have a personal approach to lending.

Unlike big banks, we know our customers. Our kids might play baseball with yours or we may have even gone to high school together. Whatever the case, our approach to lending is more personal, because it is personal. We take a more rounded approach to lending instead of simply seeing you as a credit number like a large bank might do. We are here to serve the average Joe and play no favorites.

They maintain great customer service.

Community banking is about relationships. With that comes a customer service approach that is caring and helpful. You will likely see the same people working there every time you need assistance and can develop relationships. You are able to really feel like your bank is looking out for you because they know you and have your family’s best interests at heart.

They invest in the community.

Because they are a small business themselves, community banks value local businesses and understand the benefit they have on the economy. When you invest locally, the entire community prospers. We aren’t interested in siphoning out investments to Wall Street. Right here is where we want to be and see the area grow.

We can’t wait to meet you. Stop by our bank to see all the benefits our products can offer you!

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

10 Ways to Shop Local

Community

Supporting our community is one of the most impactful ways we can help it grow. By shopping with local vendors and utilizing area service providers you and your family can help ensure that our community prospers and grows each year. If you want to shop local, but don’t know where to start, our team at Peoples Bank & Trust has come up with some creative ideas you may not have considered yet.

Get produce at your local farmers market.
Purchase floral arrangements from your neighborhood florist instead of online vendors.
Work with local providers for your insurance and wealth management.
Venture out for the night and tour area dining and entertainment establishments.
Bank with a community bank.
Buy groceries from a regional company compared to the large national chains.
Like your favorite area businesses on Facebook and other social media.
Shop for birthdays and holidays at your community’s downtown storefront.
If you have received great service or products from a local business, recommend them to a friend or relative.
Stay local when planning weddings or other milestone events and avoid online alternatives.

Owning and managing a small business may be more difficult than you think. We believe that opportunity is everywhere. Whether you’d like to open a business of your own, or simply want to support the ones you enjoy, it’s great to learn what small businesses are all about. That’s why People’s Bank & Trust is excited to share some compelling and surprising facts surrounding the small businesses in our neck of the woods.

A company is considered a small business if they have less than 500 employees according to the Small Business Administration.
7 percent of all active companies in the United States are classified as small businesses.
If your favorite retailer has been in business over ten years, they have officially beat the odds. According to the Bureau of Labor, two out of three small businesses are still operating after two years in business, and only half of small businesses have survived after being open for five years. Approximately one-third of small businesses last ten years or longer.
Cash flow is cited as the more common issue regarding a business’s failure. Associated tasks such as invoicing, timed billing, and record keeping are often the most commonly linked culprits.

If your business needs to gain capital for an expansion or start-up, Peoples Bank & Trust is here to help. Our experienced commercial lenders can help you determine your ideal capital amount while also setting up valuable cash flow services Send us your information or stop in today to learn more about this convenient and affordable service.