The Hilltop Monitor sat down with Patti Stark, owner of Serenity on the Square, to discuss her lifestyle in the health and wellness sector, the best part of owning and operating a business on the Liberty Square and her love for all things yoga and meditation. 

Stark fondly recalled her journey to her current holistic lifestyle in a warm yoga studio on a Friday afternoon. She credits high stress levels as what led her to this new lifestyle thirty years prior. 

“I worked in a nonprofit at the time and one of my friends was a therapist… we were talking one day and she said, ‘ you don’t necessarily need therapy, you need meditation,’” Stark said. “She got me hooked up with some classes, and the first class I went to [I thought] ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve been missing this my whole life.’ I was supposed to be doing this.”

Stark noted that after meditation sessions, she felt her anxiety and heart palpitations decrease. 

“It seemed like every three or four months something else would be introduced that was different from what I was doing, it was more natural or holistic,” Stark said. “Every time something new came in and I did it and it worked, I was like, ‘I have to share that,” 

After Stark’s epiphany, she began leading meditation, life coaching and energy balancing. The previous owner of Serenity on the Square invited her to teach classes and, shortly after, decided to sell the business. It seemed only natural that Stark take over. 

“[Everything] happened too easy… I felt like it was my calling, you know, to create a place where people could come and really discover who they are,” Stark said. 

After taking charge of Serenity on the Square eleven and a half years ago, Stark noted that her favorite aspect of her business is still teaching and helping others. 

“I still love to teach a meditation or a yoga class or do a life coaching session with someone,” Stark said. “I love teaching because then I can really see people, the lightbulbs go on and I remember what that felt like.” 

Serenity on the Square offers a plethora of health and wellness services available to Jewell students accompanied by a Jewell-specific student discount. Additionally, Stark revealed that a collaboration between Serenity on the Square with yoga and coffee is in the works. Updates are available on their Facebook page.

The William Jewell College Ballroom Dancers hosted the Spring Ball at the Mabee Center April 8 from 7-10 p.m. Open to both Jewell students and the public, the Ballroom Dance Team, along with members from One Step At A Time dance studio, showcased different dance routines throughout the night.

Ballroom Dance Team members Sam Person and Tim Wise took turns DJ-ing the event, which music ranged from Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber to Glenn Miller. Attendees were invited to different dance types with each changing song.

Junior Nick LaDue, member of the Ballroom Dance Team, reflected on his time spent on the team the past year.

“I am not in any way musically inclined, but I really enjoyed getting to learn all the different types of dance there are. I found out that I am a fan of rumba,” Ladue said.

LaDue particularly enjoyed learning dance etiquette as well.

“There are set guideline for ways to behave and carry oneself during a ball, and I found it fascinating that these practices are still in use today. Contrary to popular belief, ballroom dance is not archaic and is timeless in nature,” said Ladue.

Be sure to keep an eye out for any upcoming events from the Ballroom Dancers on their Facebook page.

Metcalfe first started her venture into the confectionary world in 2005, watching the Food Network with her husband on Valentine’s Day.

“They were [showing] chocolate covered strawberries and different things like that, and [Metcalfe’s husband] said, ‘you have done that for years, you should have your own shop.’ At first I thought he was crazy,” Metcalfe said.

After consulting with friends, Metcalfe and her husband were able to obtain equipment fit for confectionary work from an old restaurant. Soon after, she contacted the owner of an end building on the Liberty Historic Square in search of a physical location.

“We [Metcalfe and her husband] chose the Square because people walk around,” Metcalfe said.

In addition to opening up shop with her husband, Metcalfe’s family has been integrated into every aspect of the business. Oftentimes when her children come home from college on their different breaks, they will work a shift and even know how to make every chocolate good Classy Chocolate has to offer.

Metcalfe noted that a huge part of being in business in Liberty is the daily positive interactions and community she has built over the years. During our interview, a family stopped by to pick up treats for their young children and spoke with Metcalfe, complimenting the shop’s new paint job.

Commonly out in public, Metcalfe mentioned that multiple times she has heard herself being referred to as the “Chocolate Lady.”

“When I go to the grocery store, little kids are pulling on their mom’s shirts [saying], ‘hey, its the Chocolate Lady!’ I don’t know their name and they don’t know my name… but I feel like I know them [through seeing them at the shop],” said Metcalfe.

Ultimately, Metcalfe’s favorite part of owning Classy Chocolate is the freedom that accompanies every self-employed business.

“I get to do what I want, really,” Metcalfe stated.  

Classy Chocolate offers a variety of chocolate goods, different cookies, cakes and cinnamon rolls on select days. I was fortunate enough to snag a chocolate chip cookie, which has always been one of my favorite items at the shop.

Be sure to stop by Classy Chocolate for a friendly conversation with Metcalfe herself or for the variety of sweets found in shop.

Photo courtesy of Classy Chocolate