10 Most-Beautiful Finalist: Diane Gelner

Age: 30

Occupation: homemaker

Background: Diane has lived in 417-land for all but five years of her life. She lives in Springfield with her husband, Mark Gelner.

Tell us why you love 417-land.

Springfield is an ideal place to live. Growing up here, I thought everywhere else was just the same. It was not until I lived in several other cities that I realized how special Springfield is. The people here are amazing. We are friendly and kind to others, and we take good care of our town. Springfield is the perfect place to raise a family. We have great public schools, beautiful parks and access to almost any outdoor activity. I look forward to weekends at Table Rock Lake in the summer. We are lucky to have great restaurants—and so many locally owned. 417-land is growing into quite the metropolitan area with something to offer everyone. Most importantly, we are not too big and still have a beautiful place to call home.

Tell us about your community involvement and volunteering. (Please tell us what organizations you’re involved in, what you do to participate and how long you’ve been doing it.)

Habitat For Humanity: Volunteer for six years, board member for four years, board secretary for two years and special events chair for four years. As
Habitat For Humanity board secretary, I am on the Executive Committee and help in overseeing the operations of the organization. As special events chair, I help to plan and carryout Tool Belts & Bow Ties, our annual fundraising event.

Children’s Leader for Bible Study Fellowship International: This is my fourth year for doing the study and my fist year as a Children’s Leader. I lead a small group of children in Biblical teaching and training.

Special Events Leader for King’s Way United Methodist Church: Three years. I coordinate my church’s special events, such as the Chili Cook-Off, Ice Cream Social, and other all-church celebrations.

Leadership Nominating Committee King’s Way United Methodist Church: Two years. I meet with a group that nominates church members for leadership positions within the church.

Caring/Sharing Committee Chair King’s Way United Methodist Church: First year. I help to coordinate different membership ministries.

What makes your community involvement worthwhile?

I believe that with great faith should come great deeds. I am not claiming that my deeds are great, but they are top priority for me. I am blessed with the opportunity to have the time to give back to the community.

Hobbies (Go ahead; list them all! And tell us why you love them.)

Reading.

Studying the Bible: I want to continue growing my faith.

Cooking.

Spending time with my dog, Uma.

Organizing: I love order.

Golf: A great thing my husband and I can do together, sometimes I even let him win.

Yoga.

Gardening.

What’s something that might surprise us about you? (Or a story you love to tell.)

I love modern design. While living in East Hampton, New York, I worked for a furniture designer and builder. I spent time learning about a few furniture designers and artists that struck an interest with me. I also worked for a couple that does interior design and flips houses. I learned so much from them. In January 2007, my husband and I purchased a 1967-built modern home in Brentwood South. The first six months, we did major renovations. I enjoy applying my experience from New York to create a home my husband and I are both proud of. No remodel is ever complete, but for now we are taking one project at a time.