Thankful
LOCAL SERVICES
THANKFUL FOR RECOVERY
ARTS + CULTURE
HELPING HAND-ME-DOWNS
OPERATION SHOWER
Gratitude
In this season of giving thanks, we often find ourselves reflecting on the many blessings in our lives. The true spirit of Thanksgiving encourages the conscious expression of gratitude. Its focus is spending time with those that you love and encourages giving back in a meaningful way. While ambition, competition and slaying goals can be very healthy, forgetting to place importance on being present, enjoying the ride and appreciating those around us that have helped us along in our journey, can leave us missing out on what truly matters. We’ll never be content if we look outside ourselves and at our possessions or titles to determine if we are fulfilled. True contentment comes from within and from fulfilling who we were made to be.
We're so thankful as publishers and the owners of these three beautiful publications for the people we meet daily, the friends in our lives who have become family. We will never forget our first edition July 2017 "Starry Night." It was such a beautiful blessing, and now with 200-plus editions, it has given us the ability to support the growth and prosperity of our cities, organizations and local businesses, fostering connections that bring people together and strengthen our communities.
Our November edition is dedicated to stories of gathering, gratefulness and giving back to our community. We're so thankful for the residents and businesses in our community who support so many wonderful organizations and help make our city the vibrant community that it is. We're especially thankful for our advertising partners who help bring this magazine to your doorsteps each month. They are part of our vision and purpose of bringing inspiring stories and the good news of the community directly to you.
This holiday season as we prepare to gather with our loved ones, and in the true spirit of thanksgiving, let’s set time aside to consider what truly makes life meaningful and stop to reflect on those blessings.
Thank you for allowing us to share our stories in your home and business. We wish you and yours endless blessings.
With Gratitude,
November 2024
PUBLISHERS
Gordon Montgomery
gordon.montgomery@citylifestyle.com
Kelley Lamm kelley.lamm@citylifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Julie Brown Patton | julie.patton@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Casey Pierce | casey.pierce@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Christina Schmidt | christina.schmidt@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Julie Brown Patton, Mel Boban, Robin Seaton Jefferson, Beth Templin, Chelsea Haynes, Amalia (Amy) Loli, Tia Tricamo
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Katie Lentini
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray
Left: Medical Director Dr. Lenise Cummings-Vaughn, Administrator Kathy Kelley, and Medical Advisor Dr. David Carr meet with a resident.
St. Louis' #1 Real Estate Company
city scene
1: Shear Studio now open in Chesterfield, 17057 Baxter Road; salon manager Jessica; owner Sherri Anderson. 2: Passiglia Landscape, Nursery & Garden Center Fall Festival in Wildwood. 3: Passiglia Landscape, Nursery & Garden Center Fall Festival in Wildwood. 4: Kelley Lamm Montgomery reads OH OLIVE! to children at Passiglia’s Fall Festival. 5-7: Passiglia Landscape, Nursery & Garden Center Fall Festival in Wildwood.
8: The Passiglia team received the Jeanie Hood Achievement Award at Celebrate Wildwood. 9: Chesterfield Police Community Engagement Officer Michael Clymer read to Kehrs Mill Elementary School third graders. 10: Missouri Department of Economic Development representatives celebrated opening of ZEISS Group’s new facility in Chesterfield. 11: The Passiglia team also received first place in the Celebrate Wildwood annual parade. 12: Chesterfield POPs with COPs event: Riverbend Elementary, Highcroft Elementary and Kehrs Mill Elementary schools. 13: Chesterfield’s Special Enforcement Unit team was given an award for their outstanding and exemplary work. 14: Gnocchi recently had a wonderful lunch at the French Crêperie in Chesterfield.
CHESTERFIELD
CHESTERFIELD
15: Ribbon cutting celebration at the newly opened generator Supercenter grand opening in Chesterfield. 16: First graduating class from Logan University’s Master of Science in Chiropractic Pediatric (MS-CP) program. 17: MICDS congratulates Caroline Birkel ’25, representing Team-USA in the FIFA-U-20 Women’s-World-Cup in Colombia, South America.
business monthly
A ROUNDUP OF NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES
TNMOT 'Holiday Happiness Always On Track' Runs
Nov. 28–Dec. 30
The National Museum of Transportation 'ALL Aboard Program' provides admission and miniature train rides for underserved children in the community, those in foster care and kids facing ongoing medical challenges. For $10 per child, donors can select the charity of their choice from ALL Aboard partner agencies. The museum staff will send a holiday card to that agency from donors with the tickets enclosed. An agency list is available on the museum’s website at TNMOT.org
T.E.A.C.H. National Center Appoints Beth Ann Lang to Advisory Committee
Beth Ann Lang, chief program officer at Child Care Aware of Missouri (CCAMO), was appointed to the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood National Advisory Committee. Her three-year term involves advising the center on policy and protocol recommendations. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood National Center focuses on developing, implementing, and sustaining programs that ensure a well-educated, compensated, and stable early childhood workforce to ensure the long-term success of the nation’s children in school and in life.
Logan University To Welcome New President
Logan University’s board of trustees announced that Garrett Thompson, DC, Ph.D., will be the eighth president of the University. The announcement concludes a nationwide search that began in February of 2024 upon the news of the upcoming retirement of Clay McDonald, DC, MBA, JD. Garrett currently serves as vice president for academic affairs/chief academic officer at Sonoran University of Health Sciences in Tempe, Arizona. He will begin his term with Logan on March 1, 2025.
Photography Courtesy of TNMOT
Photography by Logan University
Photography by CCAMO
The Art Of Better Balance:
Learn The Best Ways To Regain Your Stability.
By: Dr. Beth Templin
If you've noticed you aren't as steady on your feet as you used to be, it's tempting to think that it's just a normal part of aging. You may not know when it was that you started to lose your confidence and when you started to worry about every step you take, but now it's starting to limit what you're able to do. If this is happening to you, you're not alone. We h ear this all the time In fact, Balance Issues are the most common problem we see at HouseFit. Most people realize their balance won't magically get better on its own, but they still don't take action. It might be because they don't know what steps to take to make their balance better OR they don't truly believe balance can be improved "at their age". Fortunately, there are several options to get you back on your feet again
Inside this special guide, I share detailed information, such as:
Top 3 factors that cause falls and how to minimize your risk in each area.
The 4 parts of balance that work together to keep us steady and how to find areas of improvement.
How to “Test Yourself” to find out if you're at risk for a fall
Simple exercises you can do at home to start improving your balance AND much more!
I want to make this guide available to you free of charge! To claim your copy, simply call us at (314) 9391377 or visit the website housefitstl.com/balanceissues to download the report.
Over the last 20 years, I’ve worked with hundreds of clients who’ve had a fall (or several), and I’ve been able to help them get their lives back. In working with so many clients, I’ve been able to put together a very helpful Guide “How To Decrease Falls: Helpful Tips To Keep You Steady On Your Feet”.
If you’re ready to start taking positive steps toward regaining your balance and an active lifestyle, this free guide will let you to start this process with confidence!
St. Louis Cardinal Mike Matheny shares his experience with Kaiser Law Firm who helped him put a plan together to ensure things
my family
Mike Matheny, St. Louis Cardinals
Helping HandMe-Downs
FOSTER MOM HELPS FAMILIES
GO FROM SURVIVING TO THRIVING
ARTICLE BY ROBIN SEATON JEFFERSON
Thirteen years ago, Stephanie Suljak says she saw a need, well, another need. She already had been serving as a foster parent for several years, and had adopted two children.
But then she started talking to social workers to find out where gaps in services to families existed, and what she could do to fill them. What she discovered turned into her founding her own social service agency that today serves more than 5,000 kids a year. She and her family, along with a few hundred volunteers a year, do it all out of an Ellisville-based warehouse that’s less than 2,000-square-feet in size.
“We aren’t just working for babies. With ‘Helping Hand-Me-Downs,’ we’re working for their siblings and their families,” Stephanie says. She learned the gap existed when moms and babies in need left the hospital. Now she provides car seats, cribs, diapers and coats, all gently used, among other things, to families in need.
“It is stuff we would give to, or put on, or own children,” she says.
Stephanie says becoming a foster mom changed everything for her and her husband and two children. “That’s what made me want to give back.”
Today she has four children, ages 25, 22, 14 and 11.
Her husband, whom she says is her “largest funder and biggest fan,” owns and operates two construction companies, Trinity Pools and Sealing St. Louis. “He even drives our shuttle.”
Last year, Helping Hand-Me-Downs joined forces with Dear MAMA to serve families in North St. Louis and North St. Louis County. “What an amazing way to love your neighbor. Throughout the year, we packed the shuttle to the gills with toys, books, clothing and baby gear and headed
to various places to pass items out directly to families in need," Stephanie states.
More partnerships were formed with other agencies. “We went from getting a few referrals a year to pages and pages of requests. One teacher came into the office and got clothing for every child in her class, while a principal sent us a request for 60 coats.”
She says the need increased dramatically from 2022 to 2023, so much so that Helping HandMe-Downs served nearly 1,000 more children. “Although we're excited to be able to meet the need, we're saddened that the need increased that much. Families who've never had to ask for help were finding themselves needing clothing and other necessities,” she says. “The community showed up for sure. Each time we needed clothing to fill an order, the bins would overflow for weeks.”
She says she couldn’t do any of it without her volunteers. “They tirelessly empty bins and sort clothing, toys and other random items with such kindness and compassion. It can be very overwhelming and unrewarding at times, but these wonderful people show up week after week to help serve the community.”
In addition to immediate needs of clothing, food and household items, Helping Hand-MeDowns assists families with finding housing and securing jobs. They also have a coaching program that supports families by giving them tools to navigate life in a healthier manner and offers a safe place to engage in transformative conversations.
“The program’s intention is for families to go from surviving to thriving as stability is created,” Stephanie states.
HelpingHandMeDowns.org
“We went from getting a few referrals a year to pages and pages of requests.
One teacher got clothing for every child in her class.”
Escape
BACKYARD
THANKFUL FOR RECOVERY
Celebrating Gratitude As Recovery Tool In Women’s Sober-Living Homes
This Thanksgiving season highlights the powerful stories of women in sober-living homes, where gratitude serves as a cornerstone of healing. Within these safe havens, women on their journeys toward sobriety turn inward, relying on gratitude as a vital tool in their recovery. One such resident, 22-year-old Michelle, stands out as a beacon of courage. Having survived unimaginable childhood hardships, she vowed to rewrite the story of
addiction that had plagued her family for generations. As one of the youngest in her sober-living home, Michelle's bravery and vulnerability have become defining aspects of her recovery.
Michelle speaks candidly about the transformative impact of gratitude in her life: “I can finally formulate and manage real friendships and relationships,” she explains. “I have power over my life again, and I can feel my
ARTICLE BY TIA TRICAMO
emotions without running away from them. That’s the biggest sense of gratitude I get.” For Michelle, gratitude is not a fleeting emotion but a life-altering mindset that has helped her reclaim control over her life.
Dawn, another resident of the safe haven, shares a similarly uplifting story. At 38, Dawn has battled addiction and emerged victorious, now serving as a manager of her sober-living home. Her goal is to inspire the next generation of women fighting similar battles. “I’m grateful for every 24 hours that me or anybody in my recovery home stays sober. It’s a war that we conquer every day,” she says. “I appreciate having my sober house and my girls. They let me in with open arms, and they know every goal and accomplishment that I’ve made.” For Dawn, gratitude is an essential part of maintaining a positive outlook as she continues to navigate the challenges of recovery.
These stories of survival illustrate the importance of gratitude as a tool for overcoming adversity. In women’s sober-living homes, thankfulness extends beyond the traditional Thanksgiving celebration; it is embedded in the daily routines and mindsets of the residents. These women, who once felt broken by addiction, now find joy in the simplest of things, from warm meals to clean bedsheets. Gratitude becomes a lifestyle of optimism and resilience, transforming their perspectives and helping them find inner peace.
For those who encounter these stories, the message is clear: gratitude is not confined to moments of celebration or material abundance. It is a force that sustains people in their darkest moments and guides them toward healing and hope. While not everyone may face the same struggles as these women, their resilience serves as a reminder that it is never too late to change one’s life and embrace gratitude.
The survivors’ stories inspire a renewed understanding of what it means to be grateful. Their resilience is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, demonstrating that every moment offers an opportunity for transformation. Rather than dwelling on past hardships, these women teach us the value of being thankful for who we are becoming, and their experiences encourage us to approach life with a heart full of gratitude, not just once a year, but every day.
The Center for Life Solutions
Sharing stories of recovery can spread awareness and save lives. For women seeking mental health support or shelter in recovery homes, numerous resources are available. The Center for Life Solutions provides a 24-hour crisis hotline for those struggling with substance abuse at 314.302.6728. For local recovery support, contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness at their St. Louis contact number: 314.962.4670. Additionally, the 988 Suicide & Crisis hotline offers 24-hour confidential mental health support. Embracing gratitude is a powerful step in recovery, and resources are available to support those journeys.
“I’m grateful for every 24 hours that me or anybody in my recovery home stays sober. It’s a war that we conquer every day,” she says. “I appreciate having my sober house and my girls. They let me in with open arms, and they know every goal and accomplishment that I’ve made.”
Making spirits bright all season.
Author, Kelley Lamm & Olive the Bulldog
ARTICLE BY ROBIN SEATON JEFFERSON
ORGANIZATION HAS SHOWERED MORE THAN 9,000 MILITARY MOMS AND MOMSTO-BE ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES IN ITS 17-YEAR HISTORY
OPERATION SHOWER
It all started 17 years ago, when it was time for LeAnn Morrissey to send her son off to kindergarten. The former lawyer-turned-stay-at-home-mom says she was looking for a way to “be of help” to other moms. “I was looking for something that would matter,” LeAnn says.
Soon individual box showers became group showers. The first one showered 17 moms at Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty) in North Carolina. “I wanted to bring them together with other moms. A lot of people related to being away from their spouses and could under-
“I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THAT WOULD MATTER.”
~LEANN MORRISSEY
At the time, LeAnn was sending care packages to her uncle, who was deployed overseas in the U.S. Army. “My uncle said he had four men under his command who had wives back in the U.S. who were expecting,” LeAnn says. “He suggested instead of sending him care packages, maybe I could send cards to acknowledge them. ‘Recognize those moms’ was his advice to me. That was my spark.”
So, LeAnn gathered friends and family to assemble a “shower in a box” for each of those expectant families. “And because it also gave the husbands, those serving overseas, peace of mind, it really felt like it made a difference,” LeAnn says.
Those four showers in a box quickly morphed into “Operation Shower,” a service that has since served more than 9,000 American families.
stand that was really challenging,” LeAnn says.
Now, “Chief Shower Officer” LeAnn and the Operation Shower team and volunteers shower military moms and moms-to-be all over the United States while recognizing all that expectant military families do for their country.
“Military families need to be celebrated and appreciated. We understand that military families are often separated during milestone events in their lives–like having a baby. Operation Shower works to be there for these families and show them they are not alone,” she says.
And that’s no small task.
With individual donors, foundations, corporations, and loyal sponsors such as Pepsi and the St. Louis Blues, locally, all coordinated by Chief Product Officer Lindsey Fletcher, each family receives a
full baby shower, with a diaper bag, sleep and feeding time items, toys, books and one or two large items, like a stroller, car seat or crib. Volunteers are pooled locally and in each state they serve (Operation Shower just reached Alaska) to help with organizing and carrying out the showers. Her team also coordinates knitters and crocheters who handmake blankets as part of shower gifts.
Amy Belle Isle works from Massachusetts coordinating companies and individuals, including graphic designers, bakers, decorators, florists and photographers, from coast to coast to personalize each shower.
Each shower requires at least 20 volunteers, as well as Operation Shower staff, who help with the showers, LeAnn says. “It’s a lot of work, times 30, for each shower.”
To help reach as many military moms as possible, Operation Shower also created the “B is for Baby” Box (BIBB) program to honor military moms it cannot reach with a group baby shower. And the “Welcome, Baby” Boxes-to-Bases program meets military moms where they are by sending sets of boxes to military bases across the country.
There’s even a private Facebook group wherein moms and volunteers stay connected after the showers, sharing experiences and photos of their babies as they grow.
“It’s all super lovely,” LeAnn says.
For information on volunteering, giving monthly, sponsoring a shower, or donating through their registry, visit OperationShower.org
ARTICLE BY DR. BETH TEMPLIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE LENTINI
For Seniors KEY TO INDEPENDENCE
ADVICE EDITORIAL: HOW CUSTOM EXERCISE PROGRAM FROM TEAM OF AGING SPECIALISTS HELPS SENIORS LIVE IN HOMES LONGER
What are people most thankful for as they age?
"In my experience, people are most thankful for their health and independence as they age. Many people want to live in their homes as long as possible. When people start to lose their independence, this can be harder to achieve."
“With normal aging, people lose 3% of their muscle strength every year. This can show up in many ways: having more trouble taking care of the home, getting out in the community or enjoying hobbies.”
Why do people lose their independence with age?
"One of the biggest complaints of aging is trouble with walking and stairs. This happens due to loss of strength as you get older. With normal aging, you lose 3% of your muscle strength every year. This can show up in many ways: having more trouble taking care of your home, getting out in the community or enjoying your hobbies."
Is there anything people can do to be proactive?
"Yes. A strength training program can help to minimize strength loss as you age. The key is it must be progressive, meaning it gets more challenging with time. I find the biggest problem with exercise programs for aging adults is they are not challenging enough to build strength."
What if you have multiple health issues?
"Strength training is safe for adults of any age, with any medical issue. If you have concerns about strength training because of a medical concern or pain issues, a physical therapist is the perfect person to help you create a custom program for you."
What's the key to staying independent?
"The key to staying independent is participating in exercises that cover your strength, balance and endurance on a weekly basis. Oftentimes people have one area covered, but not all three of these effectively, leading to declines. This is one of the things we specialize in at HouseFit, creating custom exercise programs to help aging adults age in place and enjoy life."
HouseFit provides free, in-home fitness consultations; sign up by calling 314.939.1377.
St. Charles County Library 50th anniversary celebration
THANK GOODNESS FOR DECADES OF LITERACY, INFORMATION, INSPIRATION, COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Local Libraries Are Page-Turners Themselves
ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON
Libraries provide access to the world, knowledge, digital resources, community engagement, learning opportunities and the love of reading.
More than half a million people have St. Louis County Library cards. Library cards these days get cardholders more than just items to read and watch. Organizations across the state, including the Missouri Department of Conservation and St. Louis Astronomical Society, provided the libraries with outdoor equipment, musical instruments and technology that patrons can check out for two-week periods.
SOME 'LIBRARY OF THINGS' NONTRADITIONAL
ITEMS THAT CAN BE BORROWED INCLUDE:
• Binoculars, telescopes
• Fishing poles, tackle boxes
• Disc golf, pickleball kits
• Guitars, banjos, ukuleles, keyboards, xylophones, hand drums
• Chromebook laptops
• Projectors
• Wi-Fi hotspots
• VR headsets
• Blood pressure kits
• Tabletop games, puzzles
• Fort-building kits
Local libraries also host beneficial workshops, classes, guest speakers, festivals and special events. Some locations provide job training and access to social workers.
Additionally, library locations provide computers; Wi-Fi services; document services for copying, faxing, printing and scanning; meeting rooms; study rooms; and notary services.
Kristen Sorth is the director/CEO of the St. Louis County Library. SLCL is governed by a five-member board of trustees, which is responsible for selecting and appointing the library director. These board members are appointed by St. Louis County councilmembers based on a recommendation from St. Louis County's county executive.
SLCL is reportedly the busiest library system in Missouri, and one of the largest circulating libraries in the United States. It was established in 1947, and is primarily supported by property taxes from district residents.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY LOCATIONS:
• Bridgeton Trails Branch, Bridgeton
• Clark Family Branch, St. Louis, 63131-3598
• Cliff Cave Branch, St. Louis, 63129-3556
• Daniel Boone Branch, Ellisville
• Eureka Hills Branch, Eureka
• Florissant Valley Branch, Florissant
• Grand Glaize Branch, Manchester
• Grant's View Branch, St. Louis, 63123-3935
• Jamestown Bluffs Branch, Florissant
• Lewis & Clark Branch, St. Louis, 63136-5322
• Meramec Valley Branch, Fenton
• Mid-County Branch, St. Louis, 63105-3875
• Natural Bridge Branch, St. Louis, 63121-4905
• Oak Bend Branch, St. Louis, 63122-6507
• Parkview Branch, St. Louis, 63114-5904
• Prairie Commons Branch, Hazelwood
• Rock Road Branch, St. Ann
• Samuel C. Sachs Branch, Chesterfield
• Thornhill Branch, St. Louis, 63146-3771
• Weber Road Branch, St. Louis, 63123-6744
St. Louis Public Library and St. Louis County Library merged catalogs during March 2022 and now offer at least 5 million books, periodicals, movies and items for library members across 37 branches in St. Louis city and county. Library members can reserve items and have them delivered to their branch of choice. SLPL items can be returned at all SLCL branches.
August 1, 2023, marked the 50th anniversary of the St. Charles City-County Library, whose Library District was established on that date in 1973 when the Kathryn Linnemann Library of St. Charles merged with the St. Charles County Library District. It's governed by a board of trustees and funded primarily through property taxes. A limited edition 50th anniversary library card was issued in commemoration of the milestone.
TODAY, 14 LIBRARY BRANCHES SERVE ST. CHARLES COUNTY RESIDENTS:
• Central Services, St. Peters
• Augusta
• Boone's Trail, Wentvzille
• Cliff View, Wentvzille
• Corporate Parkway, Wentzville
• Deer Run, O'Fallon
• Kathryn Linnemann, St. Charles
• Kisker Road, St. Charles
• Library to You Bookmobile
• McClay, St. Charles
• Mid Rivers Mall, St. Peters
• Middendorf-Kredell, O'Fallon [closed for renovations; reopen early 2025]
• Spencer Road, St. Peters
• WingHaven, O'Fallon
St. Charles City-County Library staffers indicate more than 2 million visitors enjoy their branch locations each year.
ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON
ANNIE’S HOPE
ASSISTING THOSE GRIEVING VIA NONJUDGMENTAL ATMOSPHERE FILLED WITH COMPASSION AND GRATITUDE
The Annie’s Hope organization is a legacy to a former patient of pediatric oncology nurse Becky Byrne, founder/executive director of the nonprofit. Becky says Annie was a young lady who never lost hope for her future, despite the health challenges imposed upon her by acute leukemia at the age of 12. When Annie eventually passed on during 1991, Becky says she knew she had to do something helpful to those forced to
“If given a safe, trusting place surrounded by care and support, every child has the ability to heal and live a productive, joyful life.”
deal with life-ending grief. So, by 1998, she had five volunteers in place. There now are 12 employees and one volunteer staffer who function as a bereavement center focused solely on the needs of mourning children, adolescents and their families in the St. Louis region.
"We believe grief is a universal, normal, natural response to loss, and that there's no single path toward healing," explains Becky. "Grief is a lifelong process whereby the goal is not to 'get over it' but to discover new relationships not based on physical presences but on the love and memories which live on."
She says there are no costs to individuals or families who participate in the Glendale-headquartered program, which is not affiliated with religious groups, health care systems or other entities. Grief referral service offerings include group and school-based support for children (ages 3-12), teens (ages 13-18) and adults. They also provide overnight camps for youths, teen retreats and family social outings and hope/healing gatherings.
Annie’s Hope programs are funded solely through private donations, grants, sponsorships and special events. In fact, the group is scheduled to host a trivia night on Nov. 2 at International Institute of St. Louis from 6:30-10 p.m.
"Helping grieving families discover their own courage, strength and hope for the future is what Annie’s Hope is all about," summarizes Becky. 314.965.5015
ARTICLE BY MEL BOBAN
Unique Gifting
ADVICE EDITORIAL: ALTERNATE GIFT IDEAS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON
The holiday season is officially on, and gifting is top of mind. We’re all used to scrolling online, browsing the malls or hitting the local boutiques, but sometimes it’s fun and unexpected to switch it up. If looking to surprise and delight recipients this year and to bring a new tradition to the season, offbeat gifting can be a great way to turn a new leaf on stale routines.
1. Pre-holiday surprise. For those traveling, send gifts early, such as cheeses, fruit or pies. | 2. Future fun. Browse winter or spring events; snag tickets to enjoy with recipients. | 3. Generosity. Donations make heartfelt, thoughtful ideas. | 4. Travel. Gift a loved one with a trip. | 5. Time. Is a recipient busy, overloaded and overworked? Treat them to a whole home cleaning before or after the holiday. | 6. Love of learning. If a loved one is planning international travel, grab them a gift card for a language learning app. | 7. Thoughtful messages. Ask friends and family to record loving messages on cellphones; combine recordings using a video app for meaningful holiday greeting. | 8. Bon Appétit. Sign up special someone for cooking class regarding favorite cuisine, or cuisine they struggle to make. | 9. Recipe book. Gather traditional family recipes and create printed books for guests as priceless keepsakes.
PODCAST HOST
Cynthia
Kirkpatrick, CPA, CFP
She Lift Project
Podcast Regarding Stories, Struggles, Survival Tips From Successful Professional Women
ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON
“I WANTED TO HELP TALENTED WOMEN REACH THE TOP OF THEIR FIELDS”
Podcast host Cynthia Kirkpatrick, CPA, CFP, hoped to put a microphone in front of positive-minded people to infuse the world with more wisdom, empathy and support, so she started the podcast 'She Lift Project' during July 2023.
"I wanted to help talented women reach the top of their fields," she recalls. "If a ski lift takes people to the top of the mountain, then maybe a 'She Lift' would take women to the top of the mountain in their careers. We added 'project' to the name because this is a work in progress, evolving as the needs of our community evolve."
In male-dominated industries, Cynthia says she found it challenging to find female perspectives on how to best achieve career goals. So, she decided the concept of a robust, supportive network was key and set out to create a hearty, vigorous one.
She reminds that there's more than one way to do things. "The more we can learn from each other, the better off we all are.”
As a senior financial advisor at Moneta Group, St. Louis-based Cynthia broadcasts the podcast on the first and third Tuesday of each month with assistance from her husband, JJ Kirkpatrick. Visit SheLiftProject. com/podcast-episodes
All Hail, Vail
Vail is vibrant, vast and versatile. Here are five reasons to make Vail a last-minute holiday getaway:
HEROIC HISTORY
First inhabited by the Ute Tribe of Native Americans long before settlers moved West, the native inhabitants referred to Vail as ‘The Shining Mountains.’ By the 1870s, Colorado began attracting gold miners who later depleted resources but led to plans for a ski resort and first-ever US gondola. Today, Vail is known as a world-class ski destination.
Take a historic, walking tour of Vail during your visit.
VIBRANT VILLAGES
Vail is home to three villages: Vail, Lionshead and Cascade. Each town is lined with pedestrian streets and resembles European architecture. With world-class restaurants, Bavarian-inspiration, and outdoor adventures these quaint villages will make guests feel as if they're on the set of a RomCom based in Europe.
MAGNIFICENT MEALS
Did someone say Michelin?
Two restaurants in Vail received Michelin recognition by landing on the Michelin Recommended list. Osaki’s, a classic sushi bar, and Sweet Basil, an eclectic and whimsical restaurant, are both worth a visit. Pop in to experience these incredible restaurants or the many cozy cafes, booming bistros or family-friendly finds for good food when visiting Vail.
AMAZING ADVENTURES
Vail, Colorado, is an adventure-lovers playground, no matter the season. From hiking and biking in the summertime to skiing and snowboarding during the winter, Vail will never disappoint. Plan a scenic gondola ride with aerial views of the Rockies or book a Vail Ranch experience for a complete, Western rodeo.
SENSIBLE SUSTAINABILITY
Vail prides itself on sustainability. From curbside recycling, electric buses and a composting pilot program, a ‘Sole Power’ initiative that encourages citizens to track their miles through green commuting through summer months and ‘Restore the Gore,’ an educational program about protecting Vail’s delicate Gore Creek ecosystem and many more.
ARTICLE BY CHELSEA HAYNES
Rizogalo (Rice Pudding)
ARTICLE BY AMALIA (AMY) PAPPAS LOLI PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMALIA PAPPAS LOLI
Amalia Culinary Art Recipe: A Dish That’s Comfort In A Bowl
ingredients (serves 6):
• 3/4 cup Arborio rice
• 1-2 cups of water
• Pinch of salt
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Zest of an orange or lemon, optional
• Ground cinnamon
instructions:
Step 1. Combine rice, water and salt in a pot and boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook (stirring often) for about 20 minutes or until the rice has softened. Add more water if needed.
Step 2. Add milk, cream and sugar, and cook over medium heat (stirring often) for about 25 minutes or until the rice is very soft. Add zest if using.
Step 3. Cook until the rice pudding thickens.
Step 4. Remove from the heat and add vanilla extract.
Step 5. Transfer pudding into serving bowls and dust with cinnamon. Set aside to cool.
Step 6. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
For more culinary ideas, visit: AmaliaCulnaryArt.com
giving dip -
ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD I PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
Fall is synonymous with gathering with friends and family and enjoying time together. Whether it is for Thanksgiving, a football watch party or a simple fall gathering, these easy appetizer dips are the perfect shareable snack to share.
fig & honey brie
The perfect cheesy fall dip that is both savory and sweet. The chopped pecans add a subtle crunch that makes this irresistible.
ingredients:
• 8 ounce brie wheel
• 1/3 cup fig spread or jam
• ¼ cup pecans
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh parsley
directions: Place brie in a baking dish. Spread the fig spread on top of brie and sprinkle with chopped pecans. Drizzle with honey. Add fresh herbs, and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Serve with pita chips or crackers.
garlic herb
feta dip
This savory dip is quick and easy to assemble and is perfect to serve with fresh veggies or crackers of any kind.
ingredients:
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 whole garlic bulb, roasted
• 1 ¼ cup feta cheese
• 3 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon dill
• 1 teaspoon parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste
directions:
First, cut the head off of the top of the garlic bulb, and drizzle olive oil on top. Wrap in foil, and place it in an oven heated to 425 degrees. Roast for 30 minutes or until soft. Squeeze roasted garlic into a bowl, and set aside. Next, add the yogurt, feta, lemon juice, salt, pepper and water in a blender and lightly blend. Add the roasted garlic and blend until smooth. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with fresh herbs. Serve with crackers or fresh vegetables. Enjoy!
ingredients:
• 8 ounces softened cream cheese
• 1 can pumpkin puree
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
directions: Place cream cheese in a microwave safe bowl, and soften for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar and blend with a hand mixer until smooth. Add in pumpkin and blend until combined. Mix in heavy whipping cream and mix on high for 2 minutes. Next, stir in pumpkin pie spice. Serve with sliced apples, pretzels, graham crackers or vanilla wafers.
creamy pumpkin cheesecake dip
Nothing screams fall quite like the flavor of pumpkin. This lightly sweet dip takes just a few minutes to make and is perfect for any fall get-together.
SCARED OF NOT HAVING STRAIGHT TEETH?
NOVEMBER 2024
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
NOVEMBER 2ND
Blackout For Babies Gala
Hilton Frontenac | 6:00 PM
This fundraiser will be hosted by Helping Hand-Me-Downs, which meets needs of families by providing clothing, car seats, diapers and necessities, then connects them with life-changing resources that foster financial independence. Since its inception in 2011, 40,000-plus children and their families were served throughout the St. Louis region. Tickets are $250, or $2,500 per table of 10 guests, at HelpingHandMeDowns.org.
NOVEMBER 8TH
Comedy 4 The Paws
Westborough Country Club | 6:00 PM
Save pet lives through prevention by attending the Carol House Quick Fix Pet Clinic fall gala. Tickets include a sitdown dinner, open bar, silent and live auctions, local radio personality Tim Convy (106.5 The Arch) and NY comedian Brendan Eyre. For further details, visit CarolHousePetClinic.org/Comedy.
NOVEMBER 10TH
St. Louis Jazz Club Concert
Moolah Shrine Center | 2:00 PM
St. Louis Jazz Club will host a performance: Miss Jubilee and the Yas Yas Boys. This performance concludes at 4:30 p.m. The mission of the Club is to preserve, support and encourage traditional jazz while cooperating with other groups and agencies to broaden the appreciation and understanding of traditional jazz in its various forms.
NOVEMBER 12TH
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Live at the Pulitzer | Outside In Pulitzer Arts Foundation | 7:30 PM
Strings and percussion unite to bring the outside world into the Pulitzer Arts Foundation galleries. Kaija Saariaho invokes the Japanese gardens of Kyoto with field recordings of nature and ritual singing. Windy, high-altitude string harmonics soar in music by John Luther Adams, and Samuel Adams’ new quintet for strings and percussion radiates with light and shadow. Tickets start at $25.
NOVEMBER 14TH
Puzzlepalooza Party
Chesterfield Court & City Hall | 1:00 PM
Join a 2-hour, fun afternoon of puzzles. Register a team of two people for $25 and race to finish the same 500-piece puzzle. The first team to assemble their puzzle will win a prize. Feel free to bring your own drinks and snacks. Puzzle will go home with each team. Register online at Chesterfield.MO.US
NOVEMBER 14TH-16TH
Flyover Comedy Festival (Invasion)
Multiple
This three-day comedy invasion of St. Louis features a mix of stand-up, improv, sketch and variety shows for those 18 years old or older. This year's announced venues are The Sheldon, The Improv Shop, Hot Java Bar, Dogwood in the Grove and Handlebar. Organizers offer three-day wristbands for access to all shows. Secure tickets at FlyoverComedyFest.com/tickets
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CONTINUED
NOVEMBER 17TH
Annual Favorite Things Holiday Market
Foundry Art Centre | 11:00 AM
This open house fundraiser showcases juried artists, pop-up style boutiques, regional designers and authors while also supporting military families. The event is hosted by Operation Shower, a St. Louis-based, nationally serving NPO whose supporters conduct joyous, awesome baby showers, in-person and delivered to doorsteps, for military families to ease the stresses of deployment and separation. The group's assisted since 2007.
NOVEMBER 22ND-24TH
2024 Gateway Outdoor Expo + Summit
St. Charles Convention Center | 1:00 PM
Walk in for free and walk out with new gear and information on the top outdoor programs, services, and resources in the Midwest. Produced by Terrain Magazine and River City Foundation, the family-friendly event will feature more than 200 exhibit booths from the regional outdoor industry, fun kids’ activities, product demos, show specials, food and drinks, and other attractions.
NOVEMBER 28TH
Chesterfield Turkey Trot
Chesterfield Valley Athletic Complex | 8:30 AM
2024 marks the 25th year for the Annual Turkey Trot 5K & Fun Run/Walk. $40 race day. Shirts guaranteed if registered by Nov. 10. Awards given for top overall male, top overall female and top three in each age group. Kids Fun Run at 9:30 a.m.; $15 through race day. Kids Fun Run participants receive medal upon finishing.
