Creating Connections

by Barb Byerly

The community's mega-excitement about the Great Harvest Bread Co's approaching opening day celebration is matched only by the thrill being felt by owners Tom and Judy Honigfort. Conveniently located across the street from the historic train station, the transition of the space from a print shop into a beautifully designed bread store is amazing. The curbside view highlights the huge front, awning-free, windows allowing sunlight to flood the inside; pet drinking receptacles and lovely greenery planted in specially designed and crafted window boxes. The beautifully appointed inside, featuring a number of tables and chairs creates a relaxed setting. Freshly painted walls, glass blocks on the west side brightening every corner with natural light; the welcoming counter, the ovens and warmers in full view and, oh my, the aroma of freshly baked bread, cookies, and more permeate the store. And dog-lovers, rejoice, gourmet dog biscuits are sure to become a fav for your pooch. A his/her, accessible, baby changeable restroom, and free wi-fi are also available. So get ready - Great Harvest is baaack and will open Friday, May 20. In the meantime, keep those visions of warm, buttered bread, yum cookies, muffins, rolls, sandwiches and more dancing in your head!

Kristina Binder-Koob and David Koob not only linked their lives in wedding bliss last fall, they became engaged and even had the ceremony on the links of Whitmoor Country Club, followed by a beautiful reception in the clubhouse. Thanks to Kristina's best friend, the two even met there. Both are avid golfers, a great and often relaxing sport, making it perfect for Kristina's ultra busy pro life as Biz Development Manager at Office Depot's Biz Division. Hole #4 holds a special place in the couple's hearts because it was there Kristina asked David for a ball marker to mark her ball position on the green. "I asked him if he had a ball marker I could use. He reached into his pocket and threw one to me which actually turned out to be my engagement ring! He then got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Unbeknownst to me, he had champagne chilling in the golf cart's cooler." So no surprise the marriage ceremony was held on the very green where he had proposed to her. The happy couple arrived at the reception via a golf cart decorated with white ribbons and wedding bells. Along with Kristina's and David's families and friends, we're "fore - casting" many years of happiness for this fun loving duo!

If that non-stop grin on Tom Riggs' face is any indication, he's going to adapt very well to retirement. In fact, he can hardly wait. "I'll finally be able to get caught up on a long list of personal projects plus I'll be free to spend more time with my grandchildren. And of course, there's a lot of fishing I want to do, but I won't completely step away - I plan to continue doing the architectural drawings for the company," says Tom. The biz was founded by Tom's dad in 1959, more than 50 years ago, Tom took over as prez in 1985 and now in 2011, Tom's daughter, Amie Riggs Swarts and his son Bill, as the third generation, will take the helm. They're both experienced, having learned their craft on the job, as well as all the administrative expertise needed to operate Riggs Construction & Design. With the advent of more free time, Tom also plans to become more actively involved with the Kirkwood Rotary Club and it's a good thing because he was recently elected treasurer of the organization. Congrats to Tom on the fine job he's done at Riggs and good luck to Amie and Bill on continuing the firm's tradition of success!