The Official Quarterly Publication of the City of O’Fallon, Missouri
Winter 2023 • www.ofallon.mo.us
Excitements elevate as temperatures drop!
F
or many of our O’Fallon families the winter season is an exciting time of year. It is a time for friends and families to come together to share traditions and reconnect after a busy year. If you are new to our wonderful community, you will find that O’Fallon offers great winter events that will soon become unforgettable traditions. One of my favorite holiday traditions is baking with my family, and this year we wanted to share it with residents! You'll find our favorite holiday recipe on page 12!
O'Fallon 360 Video Series Completed The O’Fallon Communications Department completed their O'Fallon 360 series this fall. The O'Fallon 360 series is a collection of videos covering departments or divisions within the City of O'Fallon. Each video provides a brief explanation of what the department or division does, what services they provide to the City, and how residents benefit from their efforts. The completion of this three-year-long project is another great accomplishment by the City of O'Fallon employees. See how O'Fallon's many departments and divisions make our City one of America's best places to live. Watch them online at: www.ofallon.mo.us/departments or www.youtube.com/OFallonTV.
In this issue 3
Winter Weather
4
Celebration of Lights
5
Upcoming Events
6
Patriotic Events & Volunteer Opportunities
7
Roscoe's Den
8
Police Bulletins
9
Holiday Shopping Safety
The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 15th at City Hall. As the thousands of sparkling lights brighten up the winter darkness, you and your family can stay and make holiday memories with tons of family-friendly activities. Once again, this year, the Hennessy family will be among the first to visit the wonderful Celebration of Lights at Fort Zumwalt Park. The display is open nightly through December 30th, except on Christmas Day. We are excited to expand our traditional OldFashioned Holiday Stroll to three nights this year! Come walk with us on December 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Of course, there is always the holiday shopping to keep us busy! No matter if you are a Black Friday enthusiast or a last-minute shopper, you can find what your loved one wants right here in O’Fallon. By shopping local and keeping it “in the O,” you help our local businesses succeed. This holiday season is also about giving. Whether it is a monetary donation to your favorite charity or a donation of your time to those less fortunate, every little bit helps. Each year I am proud of how our O’Fallon community comes together and brightens up the smiles on our neighbor’s faces. There is no better time to share goodwill than by helping the Cornucopia of Care Food Drive. By doing so, you can help restock pantry shelves with essential food items. Learn more about this food drive on page 2. O’Fallon staff stays prepared for all types of weather events, and right now they are gearing up for snow removal so they can keep traffic moving. But they need your help, and page 3 details what you can do to help our crews work safely and efficiently. The more we all do, the faster they can get the job done! I want to wish everyone a happy, healthy, and joyous holiday season. As we wrap up another year, I look forward to another successful new year. From my family to yours, Happy Holidays! Sincerely,
Bill Hennessy, Mayor
10 Renaud Center 20th 12 Mayor's Kitchen
Visit page 10 to learn about the Renaud Center 20th Anniversary
Elected Officials
Mayor Bill Hennessy 636-379-5500 bhennessy@ofallon.mo.us
Ward 1 Councilmembers Deana Smith
636-379-5582 dsmith@ofallon.mo.us
Ron Epps
636-379-5581 repps@ofallon.mo.us
Ward 2 Councilmembers Tom “Duke” Herweck 636-379-5583 therweck@ofallon.mo.us
Lisa Thompson
636-379-5591 lthompson@ofallon.mo.us
Ward 3 Councilmembers Nathan Bibb
636-379-5585 nbibb@ofallon.mo.us
Steve Koskela
636-379-5586 skoskela@ofallon.mo.us
Ward 4 Councilmembers Jeff Kuehn
23rd Annual Cornucopia of Care Food Drive November 1 – December 8, 2023 - Multiple Drop-off Sites Join Volunteer O’Fallon as we collect items for donation to local food pantries. With holidays around the corner, there is no better time to share goodwill with those less fortunate within our community. You can help restock pantry shelves with canned and boxed food items such as cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix, peanut butter, instant potatoes, and rice. Or you can contribute quick meals like pasta, beef stew, or chicken & dumplings. Learn more at www.ofallon.mo.us/ cornucopia-of-care. Donation collection locations include: • O’Fallon Municipal Centre, 100 N Main St. • Renaud Center, 2650 Tri Sports Circle • Krekeler Jewelers, 2938 Highway K You can choose to host a collection for public donations, or spearhead a focused private drive that engages your friends, neighbors, business, church, or civic group. Contact Volunteer Services to register your site at volunteer@ofallon.mo.us.
Thinking about giving a holiday gift to an O’Fallon employee? Staff members across every City department take a great deal of pride in serving the O’Fallon community with courtesy and professionalism. City employees never expect a gift for performing their duties, and will never solicit gifts from residents. However, if residents do wish to give a holiday gift to an employee, please keep this in mind: •
City staff may not accept gifts over $25 in value.
•
Employees may not accept alcohol of any kind.
636-379-5587 jkuehn@ofallon.mo.us
Jim Ottomeyer
636-379-5580 jottomeyer@ofallon.mo.us
Ward 5 Councilmembers Debbie Cook
636-379-5588 dcook@ofallon.mo.us
Linda Ragsdale
Helpful Numbers
636-409-0863 lragsdale@ofallon.mo.us City Council Meetings are typically held on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at City Hall. Council Workshop begins at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. Visit the City's Website Calendar for updates.
Citizens First Center 636-379-5553
City Hall
636-240-2000
Police (Non-emergency) 636-240-3200
O’Fallon Water & Sewer 636-281-2858
Get your hometown delivered right to your inbox! Upcoming events, important updates, and news about your community are all inside O'Fallon's weekly e-newsletter! Register in seconds at www.ofallon.mo.us/news, and stay up-to-date about everything happening around O'Fallon.
This Newsletter was brought to you by the City of O'Fallon Communications Department
Director of Communications
Tony Michalka
Communications Specialist
Katelyn Mitchell
Communications Specialist
Lauren Borgmeyer
Winter Weather How you can help keep O’Fallon roads clear this winter
When winter weather hits, O’Fallon’s crews work 24/7 to clear more than 700 “lane miles” of pavement and get traffic moving. As a resident, the top things you can do to assist snow crews is never park on the street when winter weather is in the forecast. Keeping vehicles off the streets allows City snow plows free access to clear the roads safely and efficiently. Additionally, when clearing your driveway we ask that you do not push snow into the street. Following these guidelines will help get residents back on the road in no time. Please remember to always stay clear of plows.
Frequently Asked Questions Can I call to report an area that needs plowing? Yes, O’Fallon’s Winter Weather Control Hotline is put into action when the forecast calls for eight or more inches of snow and snow has begun to accumulate. At that time, you can call 636-379-3826 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. for snow or ice removal questions or concerns. Please note that the purpose of the City’s winter weather control program is to provide safe access, not 100% clear pavement. For questions at other times, please call the City’s Streets Division at 636-379-3807. Which roads are cleared by O’Fallon’s crews? The City of O’Fallon is responsible for clearing most streets within O’Fallon City limits, but not all. To keep traffic moving, the City emphasizes first clearing major thoroughfares for which it has responsibility, including Mexico Rd., Feise Rd., Bryan Rd., and Winghaven Blvd. Snow removal crews are dispatched to residential areas when snow begins to accumulate. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is responsible for clearing the following federal and state roads: I-70, I-64, Highways 364, K, N, 79, DD, South 364 Outer Rd., Technology Dr., East and West Terra Lanes, Drennan Pkwy., and sections of Veterans Memorial Pkwy. The City of O’Fallon cannot clear these areas. If you have questions or concerns about these roads, contact MoDOT at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (1888-275-6636).
I live on a cul-de-sac. How will the City deal with the snow on my street? During light snow events (typically 4” or less): Crews will clear a 20’ path around the perimeter of the cul-de-sac with the blade of the plow angled toward the middle. This will allow easy access to driveways. During heavier snowfalls (typically, more than 4”): Because a substantial amount of snow can build up in cul-de-sacs during heavy snowfalls, additional snow removal efforts will be put into place when heavy snow hits. Initially, plows will create a passable lane through the cul-de-sac so residents can drive in and out of the street. Then, as other snow removal efforts wind down, crews will return to move snow into available green space. This allows crews to focus on clearing O’Fallon’s streets as quickly and efficiently as possible and avoid inadvertently creating large snow windrows in cul-de-sacs. Is the City responsible for damage to my mailbox, decorative landscaping, or basketball hoop? If your mailbox or landscaping is damaged by a City-operated snow plow, please call the City’s Streets Division at 636-3793807 to request repairs or replacements. Or visit www.ofallon. mo.us/citizens-first-center. Landscape replacement is not fully guaranteed; however, staff will work with you to ensure a satisfactory outcome. Please note, O’Fallon’s municipal code prohibits putting basketball hoops and other obstructions in the City’s public right-of-way (mid-street to about 10 feet behind the curb). The City will not pay for damage to those items. Can I get a ticket if I park on the street? Yes. According to City ordinance, during any winter weather event when there has been accumulation of snow, ice or other frozen precipitation, a parking prohibition goes into effect on all City streets to allow safer and more efficient travel for residents, the public, snow plows, and emergency response vehicles. Tickets may be issued to vehicles in violation. For more information on O’Fallon’s winter weather control program, please call the Streets Division at 636-379-3807 or visit www.ofallon.mo.us/snow.
www.ofallon.mo.us Winter 2023
3
Holiday Lights! O’Fallon has everything your family needs to get into the holiday spirit. Celebration of Lights is a holiday light display held at Fort Zumwalt Park. Each scene is designed and funded by local organizations, churches, and businesses. Started in 1991, the holiday event attracts more than 13,000 vehicles each year and more than 15,000 individuals during the Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll.
Celebration of Lights at Fort Zumwalt Park Drive-Through – Advance tickets required
Nightly November 24 – December 30 (except December 25) 6 – 9 p.m. With more than a million twinkling lights and sparkling holiday scenes designed and funded by local organizations, this festive one-mile route will put everyone in the holiday spirit. Drive through the park in your own vehicle and experience the display with your family. Celebration of Lights is open from 6–9 p.m. nightly! Tickets are $15 per vehicle and must be purchased in advance online at www.ofallon. mo.us/COL, via phone at 636-474-2732, or in person at the Renaud Center. Once purchased, tickets are good for any night of the festival, no reservations needed! *Park is closed to vehicles on the following dates: Nov 27, Dec 3, 4 , 5, and 11.
Don’t forget the Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll! Advance tickets required December 3, 4, and 5 6 – 8:30 p.m. The lights are most beautiful when you can take your time and soak them in! You’ll see whimsical holiday scenes, visit with Santa and experience beautiful fireworks over the lake at 7 and 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $6 per person (ages 2 and under are free) and must be purchased in advance at www.ofallon.mo.us/COL, via phone at 636-474-2732, or in person at the Renaud Center.
Parking with free shuttle service is only available at: Fort Zumwalt West High School, 1251 Turtle Creek Drive.
www.ofallon.mo.us/COL
4
O’Fallon Update
City of O’Fallon Newsletter
Upcoming Events Snowball Blizzard Blitz • Ages 5-12
Mom’s Prom • Ages 2-12
Friday, December 15 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., Renaud Center
Friday, February 16 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., O’Day Lodge
Tired of being stuck at home? Come to the Renaud Center on December 15 for our annual Snowball Blizzard Blitz! Participants will have a blast with snowball fights and winter games! Must pre-register by December 6.
Get dressed up and dance the night away with your favorite wild child! Enjoy a fun jungle-themed evening of music, dinner, dancing, and memories! Formal dress is required. There is no admission at the door, and tickets will be available through January 30, or until the event is full. Cost is per couple; add $25/$28 for each additional child. A professional photographer will be available for an additional fee.
310202-A
Sa
6:00-7:00P
Dec 15
RC
$15/18
Nerf Warz • Ages 4-14
310103-B
Friday, January 12 6 p.m. – 8:15 p.m., Renaud Center Join us for this family-friendly Nerf Warz event! Enjoy constant shooting in our inflatable Nerf Field, along with a few games between matches. Each player will be supplied with a pair of safety glasses and an armory of foam darts, but participants must bring their own Nerf Gun capable of shooting 7.2cm foam darts. No outside darts will be allowed. Pre-registration is required by Wednesday, Jan 3.
Session 1 • Ages 4-8 310111-A
F
6:00-7:00P
Jan 12
RC
$16/18
Jan 12
RC
$16/18
Session 2 • Ages 9-14 310111-B
F
7:15-8:15P
F
6:00-8:00P
Feb 16
ODAY
$50/56
The Wedding Expo at O’Day Sunday, February 18 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., O’Day Lodge Get started planning your fairytale wedding at O’Day Lodge! Brides and grooms are invited to come chat with wedding planners, florists, DJs, rental companies, caterers, photographers, and everyone else who can help make your special day unforgettable. Plus, enjoy giveaways, food samplings, music, and more — all in O’Fallon’s most beautiful wedding venue.
Through the Decades Trivia Night Friday, March 8 7 p.m., O’Day Lodge
An Enchanted Evening • Ages 2-12 Friday, February 9 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., O’Day Lodge Treat your special date to a “Bejeweled” evening filled with fun, music, dinner, dancing, and memories! Formal dress is required. There is no admission at the door, and tickets will be available through January 30, or until the event is full. Cost is per couple; add $25/$28 for each additional child. A professional photographer will be available for an additional fee.
310103-A
F
6:00-8:00P
Feb 9
ODAY
We’re taking it back to the 1900’s with our Through the Decades Trivia Night! Each round of trivia will be themed to a specific 20th century decade. From political leaders to pop sensations, historical moments and pop culture fads, this night of trivia will cover events, music, fashion, and more. Registration is open to tables of up to 8. Groups may bring their own food and beverages to enjoy. Dress to impress!
310222-A
F
7:00P
Mar 8
O’Day
$85
$50/56
www.ofallon.mo.us Winter 2023
5
Patriotic Events & Volunteer Opportunities
Underwater Egg Hunt • Ages 1-12 Friday, March 22 Times vary, Renaud Center Kids will have an egg-citing time searching the Renaud Center’s indoor pool for Easter eggs! Eggs will be placed in parts of the pool to accommodate all age groups. Make sure you keep an eye out for the golden egg, which will get you a special prize at the end! Bring goggles and a waterproof basket or container for gathering eggs. Would you like to swim, but aren’t interested in taking part in the Underwater Egg Hunt? We have a special discounted admission rate for parents and siblings. With no registration at the door, parents should register kids by March 18.
Jr. Underwater Egg Hunt • Ages 1-5 410104-E 410104-F
F F
11:00-12:00P 12:30-1:30P
Mar 22 Mar 22
RC RC
$12/14 $12/14
Mar 22 Mar 22
RC RC
$16/18 $16/18
Mar 22 Mar 22
RC RC
$6 $6
Underwater Egg Hunt • Ages 4-12 410104-A 410104-B
F F
5:30-6:30P 7:00-8:00P
Non-Participant Swimmer 410104-C 410104-D
F F
5:30-6:30P 7:00-8:00P
Save the date for these fun events! Fiesta at O'Day Park • May 3 O'DAY PARK • TICKETED EVENT
Whiskers & Wags • May 19 CIVIC PARK • PET EXPO & ADOPTION DRIVE
For more information or to register for an event, visit www.ofallon. mo.us/volunteer.
Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony Sunday, December 3 | 1 p.m., Krekel Civic Center Join the O’Fallon Veterans Commission in memory of the victims and survivors of the bombing of the U.S. Pacific Fleet at a special Pearl Harbor Day ceremony at O’Fallon’s Krekel Civic Center. The ceremony begins at 1 p.m., and the entire community is invited to attend.
Cornucopia of Care Food Drive November 1 through December 8 | Multiple Drop-off Sites With the holiday season upon us, there is no better time to share goodwill with those less fortunate in our community. Join Volunteer O’Fallon to help restock the shelves of area food pantries with nonperishable items such as cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix, peanut butter, instant potatoes, and rice. Donation collection sites can be found at: www.ofallon.mo.us/cornucopia-of-care
Winter Blood Drive Friday, January 12 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., O’Fallon Municipal Centre Winter activities and hazards increase the need for blood donations, and volunteer donors like you can help as many as four people survive a life-threatening trauma or health condition. To donate blood at the Winter Blood Drive, schedule an appointment at www.ofallon.mo.us/volunteer.
MLK Day of Service Monday, January 15 | 10 a.m. – noon, Krekel Civic Center Build on Dr. King’s life and teachings with service projects that create a sense of community and shared responsibility. Join us as we work together to promote kindness by creating flowers and cards for residents living in senior care facilities. Pre-registration is required at www.ofallon.mo.us/volunteer.
Paws for a Cause Saturday, March 23 | 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Krekel Civic Center
Become a volunteer! Call 636-379-5417, visit www.ofallon.mo.us/volunteer or email volunteer@ofallon.mo.us.
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Do you have a love for four-legged friends? Are you crafty? Then join Volunteer O’Fallon as we make t-shirt rope toys for shelter animals to play with! Toys are a great way to help reduce stress, support oral health, and provide mental stimulation in a shelter environment. Created toys will be donated to area shelters. Please note: This is a humans only event. Pre-registration is required at www.ofallon.mo.us/ volunteer.
Roscoe’s Den Trash, recycling and yard waste announcements Winter yard waste pick-up schedule
Winter trash and recycling holiday schedule
Weekly yard waste collection stops December 8 and resumes March 12, 2024. There will be monthly yard waste pick-up throughout the winter. For residents who have yard waste service on their account, yard waste will be picked up on your regular yard waste day during the weeks of:
For the full schedule visit: www.ofallon.mo.us/holiday-schedule
•
Thanksgiving, Thursday & Friday, November 23-24 Service moves to the following day.
•
Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24 No change in service
•
Christmas Day, Monday, December 25 No change in service
•
New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1 No change in service
•
O’Fallon’s bi-monthly Electronics & Appliance Recycling Events
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 15 No change in service
•
Presidents Day, Monday, February 19 No change in service
Saturday, January 13 and March 2 8 a.m. – 11 a.m., parking lot southwest of CarShield Field
After the holidays, recycle your evergreen tree
•
Jan. 9–12 • Feb. 13–16
Residents who do not have yard waste service on their account can call to schedule a free yard waste pick up, which is offered twice per calendar year. Call Environmental Services at 636-272-0477 to schedule a pick-up.
You can bring outdated or broken electronics and appliances to O’Fallon’s Electronics & Appliance Recycling Event from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The drop-off will be held in the parking lot at the southwest corner of T.R. Hughes Blvd. and Tom Ginnever Ave., adjacent to CarShield Field. For a detailed list of recycling fees, items that can be recycled, and future event dates, visit www. ofallon.mo.us/electronics-recycling.
Free bulk waste drop-off Saturday, February 10 and April 13 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., Environmental Services Transfer Station During this event, O’Fallon trash customers can drop off certain items that are too large to fit in trash containers at the City’s waste transfer station. The transfer station is located at 1572 Progress West Lane. Visit www.ofallon.mo.us/bulk-waste for a list of rules and acceptable items.
Helpful trash and recycling service reminders
Free drop-off options O’Fallon residents can drop off live Christmas trees, free, between December 26 and January 21 at parking lots in Ozzie Smith Sports Complex (890 T.R. Hughes Blvd.) and Sports Park (3589 Highway K). The parks will be open dawn to dusk. Only live evergreen trees without decorations can be dropped off, so please remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights, string, and wire. No artificial trees, wreaths, shrubs, plastic bags, or yard waste is allowed.
Curbside Christmas tree pick-up option For a fee of $10 per tree, O’Fallon trash customers can have their live holiday trees picked up at the curb. Schedule your pick-up by calling 636-272-0477. The cost will be added to your next bill. Trees will be scheduled for pick up on Thursdays, starting December 28 through January 18. Only live evergreen trees will be picked up, and all decorations must be removed before setting the tree at the curb. Please do not place trees in plastic bags.
•
Drivers can only service city-provided carts. Personal carts or containers will not be serviced for trash or recycling.
Recycle unwanted light strands
•
Drivers will only service one cart per residence unless the resident is paying for extra service.
•
Drivers will not service carts that have been reloaded after the cart has already been serviced on your pickup day.
•
All waste must be inside of your cart with the lid closed. Nothing outside of the cart can be collected.
•
Only trash carts with gray lids will be serviced on trash day. Recycling carts with blue lids may not be used for trash.
Recycle light strands free of charge through January 19. Simply remove the lights from the trees and drop them off at the Renaud Center or the O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall). Miniature and LED light strands can be dropped into recycling receptacles “as is.” To avoid injury from bulb breakage, remove larger light bulbs from C-7 and C-9 strands before dropping off the light strands. Please do not tie or bag the light strands; simply drop the loose strands into the receptacle.
7
Police Bulletins www.ofallon.mo.us/pd Protection from social media scams Social media has become an integral part of our lives, connecting us with friends and family, entertainment, and fast communication. Unfortunately, it has also become a playground for scammers and cybercriminals. We've compiled a list of tips to keep yourself safe on social media.
• Think before you click
Be skeptical of unsolicited messages or links, especially if they ask for personal information. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
• Guard your personal information
Never share personal information on social media, through posts or in private messages.
• Identify fake accounts Verify the authenticity of profiles you're engaging with. Many fake accounts have no history of posts, likes, interactions, and their photos can be found on Google Images. If you suspect an account is impersonating someone, notify the person, and encourage them to report the account. Social media pages managed by the City of O'Fallon will never ask for your personal information. City Employees will never use their personal accounts to correspond with residents. Do not engage with personal profiles that claim to be affiliated with the City.
Have a question or concern for City of O’Fallon staff? If so, visit the Citizens First Center at www.ofallon.mo.us
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O’Fallon Update
City of O’Fallon Newsletter
Night (Watch) Lights & Festive Fridays! We're excited to announce this exciting new program! During the month of December, night shift officers will keep an eye out for holiday decorations that really stand out while patrolling. Each week, officers will nominate their favorite decorated houses, and the winner will be presented with a prize, and their decorations will be featured on our social media on Fridays.
Cocoa with a Cop Saturday, December 9 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., McDonald's, 101 McDonald Ln Sip on delicious hot cocoa while having casual conversations with police officers at a local restaurant. Meet Officer Klaus and get pictures with Santa in a blue suit! This is a great chance to get to know the officers who work to keep our great community safe.
Support Team O’Fallon for the Polar Plunge Saturday, February 3 10 a.m. (plunge at noon), 100 Cognac Court, Lake Saint Louis During the annual Polar Plunge fundraiser, costume-wearing teams plunge bravely, if briefly, into the frigid waters of Lake Ste. Louise while onlookers cheer them on. Proceeds from the Plunge benefit Special Olympics Missouri’s year-round program of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. For more information, including how to support O’Fallon’s team, visit www.somo.org.
Register for the Citizens Police Academy February 27 – April 4 7–9 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays O’Fallon Justice Center Residents who are age 18+ are invited to apply for the O’Fallon Citizens Police Academy. The six-week program offers hands-on training and a chance to ride along on patrol, plus discussions of police investigations, less-lethal weapon use, drug awareness, K9 demonstrations, departmental drone usage, and more. Applications will be available after January 1 at www.ofallon.mo.us/citizens-police-academy, or they can be picked up at the O’Fallon Justice Center.
Holiday Shopping Safety The holiday season brings joy and cheer but also brings unique challenges, including an increased risk of theft and fraud while shopping. The O'Fallon Police Department is committed to our resident's safety, and we've put together a guide to help you navigate the holiday shopping season securely.
Shopping Online Beware of scams
Be cautious of unsolicited texts & emails, pop-up ads, or suspicious links on social media. A full list of social media safety tips can be found on Page 8. Never give
Before You Shop Plan ahead and inform others
There are many reasons to plan ahead when shopping, but it's important to tell someone where you're going, and what time to expect your return. Make sure to keep that individual updated if your plans change.
out your personal or bank information.
Secure connection
Always ensure that the website you are shopping on is secure. Look for "https://" at the beginning of the web address and a padlock symbol in the address bar. Only buy from trusted online retailers, and avoid using public wifi to make online purchases.
Protect against porch piracy
We recommend coordinating with neighbors to keep an eye out for suspicious vehicles or people. You can also ask a trusted neighbor to grab your package if you're away from home, or install a package lockbox.
While Shopping Keep valuables hidden
Conceal your purchases in the trunk or under a cover to
Security cameras are also an effective way to protect against porch pirates. Thieves tend to be discouraged by security measures. They may see your camera and think twice about stealing your package.
prevent potential thieves from seeing your belongings. Don't leave shopping bags, purses, or items in plain sight inside your vehicle.
Lock before you leave
Register your home security camera with the O'Fallon Police Department. To learn more visit: www.ofallon.mo.us/pd
Never leave your car unlocked, or the keys inside. The cold weather makes it tempting to leave your car on while you make a quick purchase, but unattended vehicles left running are an easy target for car theft.
www.ofallon.mo.us Winter 2023
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y r a s r e v i n n A 20th
Join us in 2024 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Renaud Center!
Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence The Renaud Center has dedicated itself to the health and wellness of O'Fallon residents for two decades, and will continue for decades to come. The Renaud Center provides members with a dedicated space to pursue their fitness goals and embrace a healthy lifestyle. Over these 20 years, the Renaud Center has continued to evolve with the ever-changing needs of members. New programs, state-of-the-art equipment, and skilled instructors are always being introduced as proof of their unwavering committment to O'Fallon's health and wellness. The Renaud Center has undergone numerous enhancements from facility upgrades and improvements, to new programs and events that keep up with a growing community.
Mayor Paul Renaud at the Ground Breaking Ceremony
As the center commemorates its 20th anniversary, it's an opportune moment to reflect on its journey, and the promising future that lies ahead.
A true community space The Renaud Center, opened in 2004, was an initiative to provide O'Fallon residents with a dedicated community wellness space. Named after former Mayor Paul Renaud, the facility has become the community's hub for all things health and fitness. One of the Renaud Center's standout attributes is its active involvement in the O'Fallon community. It hosts various events, workshops, and outreach programs that extend its reach beyond the walls of the facility. This community-centric approach has made it more than just a gym; it's a cornerstone for residents to connect, interact, and grow together.
The future of the Renaud Center The Renaud Center's 20th anniversary is not just a milestone; it's a celebration of the commitment to a healthier and more vibrant O'Fallon. As it continues to inspire and empower residents, the center will undoubtedly shine for decades to come. New programs, equipment, and talented instructors are introduced regularly, ensuring that members have access to the latest trends in fitness and well-being. With an eye on the future, it is well-positioned to keep serving the community and evolving to meet its ever-changing needs. Stay tuned to the Renaud Center social media to learn more about the upcoming celebrations. Happy 20th Anniversary to the Renaud Center!
www.ofallon.mo.us Winter 2023
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Layered Chocolate Dessert From the Mayor's Kitchen Ingredients
Prep. Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 3 hrs 10 mins
Total Time: 3.5 hrs
• 1/2 cup of chopped nuts * (pecans or walnuts) • 1 cup of flour • 1 stick of melted butter • 8oz of cream cheese • 1 cup of powdered sugar • 12oz Cool Whip • 2 packages of instant chocolate pudding mix (3.5oz) • 3 cups of milk
Directions To make the crust layer, mix flour, butter and chopped nuts. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9 X 13-inch dish or pan. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees, take out and cool completely. For the next layer, mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and tub of Cool Whip with an electric mixer. Spread the mixture over the crust layer, and refridgerate for 1-2 hours.
Toppings: • 4oz Cool Whip • Pecans or Walnuts *
* For a nut-free version substitute the nuts for
Next, take your instant pudding mix and combine it with 3 cups of milk. Beat for two minutes. Refridgerate mixture for 1 hour. Spread the pudding mixture on top of the other layers. Refridgerate for 1 hour to allow pudding to set. Finally, take remaining 4oz of Cool Whip and spread across the top layer, sprinkle with nuts, and enjoy!
crushed graham crackers.
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Happy Holidays! From The City of O'Fallon!