With each Off the Cuff, we try to share some insight into notable people who have made their mark on St. Louis, but unfortunately, it’s impossible for us to include it all. So this issue we’ve decided to share some of the awesome answers that we couldn’t the first time around.
bob lattinville
How do you find balance in your life?
To be candid, I don’t think my life is all that balanced. I don’t have a lot of hobbies—if you heard me play the guitar, it would sound like I had a baseball glove on. Most of my closest friends come from sports, and we’re all together because we’re involved in the same industry. From the outside it may seem like I’m having a working dinner, but it isn’t really because my best friends are there. I don’t have a blanched life, but I try to spend quality time with my people.
dr. michele koo
Where is your favorite place to travel for food?
South Africa. They take such pride in their family-run vineyards. The meals that they treat you to are multicourse, and each one is just gorgeously prepared with vibrant colors and swirls of sauce. The setting and ambiance were so lovely. Peru also is a favorite. In the Sacred Valley, there are some amazing restaurants, including ones with Michelin stars.
yolanda lankford
Who helps motivate and inspire you?
I always say it takes a village. When I grew up, there was no one on television who looked like me. Even though I loved sharing good news and talking to people, there was never even the idea that I could be on TV. However, my aunt became the first person in our family to travel the world, and I learned there is more out there. From that I went to Grambling State University and got to see another part of the country. It’s a historically Black university, and I had never had a Black instructor until college. Once I got to St. Louis, a family literally took me in to show me around, and I’m still so grateful.
chip caray
Fill in the blank. I bet you didn’t know that Chip Caray really likes to …
Play the guitar, but not very well. I also love being outside. I enjoy planting things and cutting grass or even raking leaves. I’m definitely an outdoor person. That’s my solitude, and it gets me away from the insanity of living in a box six months out of the year.
steve schankman
What’s still on your bucket list?
I want to grow Contemporary Productions to how it was in the old days. There are a lot of niches in live entertainment we can cover. We just did a show with Brad Paisley for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Hospital. I want to do more live concerts, more big events and just nurture the people working in the industry here in St. Louis.
