Melissa Mason
Advertising Director

A big Smooch to all Lipstik readers! We have so much fun putting together this magazine for you! I am originally from a small town in Missouri, two hours Southwest of St. Louis. I've been in Advertising Sales for 20 years, starting my Freshman Year at Mizzou. I've spent almost all of that time working for newspapers - I must have ink in my veins! I've lived in Palm Springs, Des Moines, Chicago and spent the last 10 years in the Metro St. Louis area, which is coming home after living in California. I love being close enough to my parents, brother, niece and extended family to see them often. I couldn't survive without my girlfriends - we shop, see movies and just hang out. Please give us your feedback and story ideas - and don't forget your Lipstik! Contact mmason@bnd.com.

Patti Klepac
Advertising Manager/Editor

Hello, I'm a lifelong resident of the area and have worked at the News-Democrat for almost 30 years. My husband and I have been married for 32 years and we have a daughter who is the light of our life. I have witnessed many changes in the newspaper business and the introduction of the internet with lipstikmag.com is very exciting. I'm always looking for colorful story ideas on gals in our area. If you are an artist or poet send your work to lipstikmag@bnd.com. Who knows you may just be in the next issue of Lipstik Magazine. All the best to you! Contact Patti at pklepac@bnd.com or send your ideas to lipstikmag@bnd.com.

Teresa Hessel
Advertising Sales/Writer

Hello! I was born and raised in the mountains of Colorado and came to Belleville in 2006 courtesy of the Air Force. We couldn't have chosen a more perfect place, and plan on calling this area home for many years. My husband and I have been married for more years than either one of us can count and we are blessed with two beautiful daughters. Our eldest is through college and, I might add, gainfully employed. Our youngest is 6 and in the first grade. How's that for crazy? But crazy is right up my alley and that is why I love Lipstik. I come to work everyday with a smile on my face knowing that I will spend the day with incredible co-workers and get to know the fantastic businesses that advertise in the magazine and at lipstikmag.com. So...whether logged on or curled up with a copy, enjoy Lipstik! Contact Teresa at thessel@bnd.com.

Paige Baumgartner
Art & Design

I knew in 4th grade that I wanted art to be my job. I was lucky enough to have teachers that encouraged me to pursue it and not be too hard on me for wanting art class to be all day and just skip all those other subjects. After I graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1997, I was hired at The Belleville News-Democrat. I am grateful that they took a chance on me when I didn't have much design experience other than my coursework.I was excited to be approached with the Lipstik project and I am inspired by the enthusiasm, dedication and hard work of my fellow Lipstik staffers. I am truly proud to be in their company.We hope you find something in every issue that brightens your day, inspires you & makes you laugh out loud.

Beth Wiesemann
Writer/AKA The Fat Chick

I have worked at the Belleville News Democrat as a graphic designer for 15 years. In that time, my sanity has slowly slipped away, allowing me to be in a state of mind to write Musings From A Fat Chick. However, I am blessed with co-workers who inspire me each and every day, especially my friend, who I'll call "Nicole". In addition to graphic design, I dabble in photography and animal dentistry. If you've ever attended a Belleville News Democrat function, you may have seen me walking around with a camera and a small hand mirror. Be sure to look for your photo in our Spotted on the Scene section. (I try not to take pictures of people in the middle of chewing.( If you would like to read previous Fat Chick articles or see some of my photos, please check out my websites: www.musingsfromafatchick.com and www.bethwphotography.com.

Renee Jansen
Web Designer

Hello Lipstik Readers! My name is Renee and I am the face behind the website. I always had an interest in art from the time I could pick up a crayon and a piece of paper, but for me computer graphics allowed me to find that precision that I always strived for in hand-built art. I graduated from SIUE with a bachelor's degree in studio art/computer graphics. After graduation, I started at the Belleville News-Democrat as a graphic designer. Once I decided to go back to school and dive into web design, I became the lead designer behind the majority of the online ads seen on lipstikmag.com as well as BND.com. The Lipstik website is a learning experience that will continue to evolve with each issue so check back often for updates!

Mary Berger Adams
Contributing Writer

My writing inspirations, and providers of satire, are my daughter, 4, and one very loud miniature schnauzer, 8. I grew up in Belleville, and though I've since moved to my husband's smaller neck of the woods, I still set up shop at least three days a week in my favorite WiFi hotspot on Main Street in order to write, grade papers, and listen to the trains. Weird, I know, but I love them. Before a Belleville West writing teacher inspired me, I contemplated making "slacker" my career, but went on to graduate with an English degree from McKendree University in 2000. With the help of yet another beloved professor (detecting a theme here?), I dabbled in writing throughout my college years. In the process, I fell in love with teaching teenagers, and have been a writing and communications instructor in the Columbia School District since 2001. When my students write, I write, and they, too, inspire me to continue working on my craft.

Angela Roewe
Contributing Writer

Greetings, Lipstik readers! I am a lifelong resident of Belleville, and have been married for nine years to one of the most patient and wonderful men I have ever met. We have two sons, ages 5 and 2, who put a sparkle in my eye, and chaos in my life. They never stop moving, a trait they inherited from me. I am a proud graduate of Cathedral grade School, Belleville East High School and McKendree College. I have been writing for newspapers since my freshman year of high school. Let's just say that this extra-curricular activity stuck, and well, here I am with a career. I have written professionally for newspapers for the past 13 years, now as a freelancer so I can stay home with my children. I write for several Belleville News-Democrat publications, including the Thursday Home Builder, Adult Lifestyle, West Ender, Sunday Real Estate feature, and more, as well as an independent real estate photographer for local agents. I look forward to working with all of the wonderful women who make Lipstik magazine what it is, and helping you, the readers, laugh, relate, and relax when you have one of those days that keeps your head spinning.

Elizabeth Schreckenberg
Contributing Writer

I'm always looking for a story…a new fitness fad, a strong woman, a fun ladies' night out, or how to be the world's greatest mom (I'm still doing investigative research on that one). I earned my Bachelor's in English from Webster University in 1998, married my high school sweet heart and we established our home in Columbia. I dabbled in technical writing and marketing communications until the birth of my first son, and since then have been fortunate enough to stay home with my boys, now 5 and 3. Writing is the perfect job for me because it allows me to work around school and nap schedules, and to do something that requires more brainpower than it does to make peanut butter and jelly. I am so happy to be a member of the Lipstik team and look forward to each upcoming issue.

Bonnie Reding
Contributing Writer

I am a feisty girl who grew up in Northern Minnesota. Yes, it was cold and we all talked funny. If you have seen the movie "Fargo" you know what I am talking about. After living in a few different places (and somehow losing my accent), I moved to Belleville six years ago when my husband found a job here. We like living in this area, it has the small town charm we loved growing up, yet all of the conveniences of being near a big city. This year has been a big year for me. I turned 30, graduated from SIUE, and added another baby to our family this summer. Now I have the amazing opportunity to write for Lipstik. Whoever said "Change is good" was right.