February 28, 2018
Finding ‘Renewal’ in Florissant
Around Town Community Voices By Kaylan Goldstein. Pg. 2 Letter from the Editor – Learn a little about our “new look.” Pg. 3 City of Florissant presents ‘Clementine,’ final show of the St. Louis Family Theatre Series Season. Pg. 5
Food
A wholesome, hearty dish to take the chill off winter days. Pg. F-1
Movie Photo by Charlotte Beard
Pallottine Renewal Center offers retreat space for the mind, the body and the spirit By Charlotte Beard St. Louis is rich in history as is its towns. However, a lot of the city’s treasures are tucked away in areas where many of its residents are unaware. One such treasure is found in Florissant close to Old Jamestown – Pallottine Renewal Center. This retreat space sits on an 85-acre tract of land at 15270 Old Halls Ferry Road. “Here, you’re in the country, but there’s Walmart and Walgreen’s right down the street,” spoke Marillyn Webb, Executive Director, of the center’s location. The property which when seen from sky view resembles an angel with the chapel forming its head, has hosted various events not limited to retreats. Not to be confused with a hotel or conference center, Pallottine houses a self-serve business center, main conference room that can hold up to 100 people, a variety of smaller conference rooms, 15 break-out rooms for private
discussions and a board room. The center is equipped with audio/visual equipment for meeting needs. Additionally, this elevatorequipped center has 55 single occupancy bedrooms, 48 double occupancy bedrooms, a fireplace equipped solarium, an in-door heated swimming pool, gymnasium, small fitness room, staffed kitchen and large dining area, and a host of other amenities that can be discovered on a scheduled tour. “We tell people that you can pray in a chapel, play in a gym, meet in the meeting rooms,” stated Webb. “We’re Catholic in identity but we’re open to all faiths…our tag line is, ‘Hospitality is our mission.’ We’re open to corporate retreats, strategic planning.” The center is run by seven full-time and four part-time staff consisting of housekeeping, cooks, and administration. It is important to note that though Pallottine has Wi-Fi, it does not have televisions in any of its rooms. This
standard follows one of the renewal center’s original purposes to – refresh your spirit, reflect with God and renew your faith. The balance of mind, body, and spirit in a person’s life is a very important component to the functioning of the renewal center. The ‘body’ component is manifested in the center’s offering of aquacise and group Zumba and fitness classes. Currently the center makes the heated pool available during specific hours to people who want to come on site for aquacise, but the hope is to further the benefits of the pool. “I’ve met with the president of Christian Hospital,” shared Webb, “to take the pool to the next level, by really incorporating aquacise for Parkinson’s, fibromyalgia…all of those joint mobility [issues] that the heated pool would benefit. Some women, or men, See ‘RENEWAL page 2
Serving North & Northwest St. Louis County | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 97 No. 9 | 636-379-1775
Oscar Watch 2018: Greta Gerwig’s superb ‘Lady Bird.’ Pg. F-1
Weather FRIDAY Sunny 51/32 SATURDAY Sunny 57/35 SUNDAY Sunny 61/47 FirstWarn Weather
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