CN: March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

Welcoming new neighbors

Welcome Neighbor STL hosts Big Supper Club event where refugee chefs cook dishes from their home countries

By Wendy Todd

Iman Alkrad fled the war in Syria and landed in St. Louis along with other refugees. Currently, her daughter is still in Syria and Alkrad hasn’t seen her in 12 years. But in spite of the longing she feels for her daughter every day, she’s still done her best to create a life here – with the help of Welcome Neighbor STL.

The nonprofit began in 2016 by Jessica Bueler after she created a call-to-action when learning that some Syrian boys had been attacked in North St. Louis. The marketing and public relations professional used the NextDoor platform to ask for assistance for the boys and received an overwhelming response.

This show of community support prompted Bueler to initiate a more formal avenue to help immigrants in need of resources. The organization partners with refugee and immigrant families to connect them with people and opportunities to empower them to build their lives in St. Louis.

One way the nonprofit provides resources is with the annual Big Supper Club event, happening on March 29, which features refugee chefs from multiple countries including Afghanistan, Syria, India and countries in West Africa. They cook 11 dishes from their countries and also desserts to be served at the fundraiser. Since 2017 there have been 218 Big Supper Club events that have served 15,930 people and raised $426,898.

Proceeds from the supper go back to the chefs. Alkrad is one of the chefs who will be participating in the upcoming supper on March 29.

“Since my childhood, I loved to cook

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Summer Program Guide. Pg. 4

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Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1

CLA SSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3

Moore On Life, Lifestyle & Crossword Puzzle. Pg. F-4

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a variety of dishes and share my culture with other people,” she said. “Welcome Neighbor STL helped me to let people know more about my delicious cooking and teach me how to work with people in the United States.”

Along with food, music and conversation, attendees three families will be sharing about their experiences as refugees in St. Louis and working with Welcome Neighbor STL via video.

Alkrad received vital assistance when transitioning to the United States, of which now, five years after her application, she and her family have received citizenship.

“When I arrived to America, the International Institute found a house for me,” she said. “After a while, my husband and my sons found a job and started working. And I got to know Jessica. She was the first

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The annual Big Supper Club event features refugee chefs from multiple countries including Afghanistan, Syria, India and countries in West Africa.

‘NEIGHBOR’ from cover

person I met when I arrived, and she helped me a lot. After that, I started cooking through Welcome Neighbor STL.”

Participating in the dinner will be another part of her St. Louis experience that makes her feel embraced.

“Yes, so many people welcomed us upon my arrival and helped us in different ways and made me not feel like I was in a strange

place,” she said “I felt safe for both me and my family. War always made me think scary things, but the people here made me feel at home and safe.”

13th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition chooses 14 high school acts for final event

On Feb. 26, 49 metro area high school acts competed in the semi-final round of the 13th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition. The acts were divided into four categories (vocal, instrumental, dance and specialty) and adjudicated by nine St. Louis performing arts professionals, each representing the respective categories. The judges narrowed the field to 14 acts (22 students) who will move on to the finals at the Fabulous Fox Theatre on April 8 at 7:30 p.m.

The final competition is a professionally produced production the foundation is grateful to provide as a gift to the community that is free and open to the public. General Admission tickets are required and are available now at no charge through Metrotix online at metrotix.com and the Fox Box Office. The following finalists include a variety of singers, musicians, dancers and acrobats:

• Rayquan Strickland / Singer, Songwriter / Senior at Centra VPA

• Ava Hettenhausen / Singer / Junior at O'Fallon Township High School

• Ariana Kroegger / Singer / Senior at Clayton High School

• Noah Van Ess / Singer, Pianist / Senior at Lindbergh High School

• Cortland English / Singer / Junior at O’Fallon Township High School

• Kyla Gerhardt / Singer / Senior at Granite City High School

• Anna Layher / Circus Arts / Senior at Nerinx Hall High School

• Kyleigh McCourt / Baton Twirler / Junior at Mehlville High School

• Saisha Bhutani / Traditional Indian Dancer / Junior at Clayton High School

• Avery Payne / Dancer / Sophomore at Orchard Farm High School

• Cats Jazz Collective / Jazz Band/ Sophomore, Juniors, and Seniors at Webster Groves High School

• Cindy Yan / Pianist / Junior at Ladue Horton Watkins High School

• Yrwin Batan / Pianist / Junior at St. Louis Priory High School

• Drum Warriors Ensemble / Drummers / Junior at Grand Center Arts Academy; Junior at Collegiate School of Medicine and Bio Science; Sophomore at Clayton High School; Junior at Carnahan High School

“We’ve got a fantastic group of students this year! I’m looking forward to seeing these talented teens on the Fox stage! The students seem to get better and better each year,” exclaimed Mary Strauss, Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation Board President.

In addition to the excitement of performing on the Fox Stage, contestants are eligible to win scholarships, prizes, and performance opportunities. Nearly $50,000 in prizes, cash awards and college scholarships will be distributed among the top competitors. A full list of prizes along with official event information can be found on the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation’s (FPACF) website.

The finals production will be directed by St. Louisan Lee Anne Mathews, a veteran Equity actor of international stages, longtime director, COCA educator and current artistic director with Westport Playhouse. Mathews will work with choreographer Yvonne Meyer Hare and music director Steve Neale to prepare performers for the Fox Stage.

Finalist acts will be judged on technical ability, interpretation, stage presence, and originality. Judges for the finals have careers spanning music, dance, and Broadway. A complete list of final round judges is available on the FoxPACF website.

The community response to this event has been significant as the program has grown over the past thirteen years. Annually viewers have watched the Nine PBS featured program on the final competition. FoxPACF is grateful for the continued partnership with Nine PBS, which will film the 2023 Finals in front of a live audience for a special broadcast to air later this spring.

The 2022 co-winners, Aubory Bugg, a homeschooled vocalist and guitarist and “Trifecta,” the circus tumbling troupe, will return this year for special performances. A complete list of winners and finalists from the past eleven years can be found on the FoxPACF website.

All seating is general admission. There is a limit of 10 tickets per transaction. Seating is first-come-first-seated and is not guaranteed. The theater will be over-sold to ensure a full house. Please, arrive early.

The annual Big Supper Club event features refugee chefs from multiple countries including Afghanistan, Syria, India and countries in West Africa.

Submitted photos

for all the right reasons Still In This Together: By

Ihave to admit, I was sort of mesmerized at first.

I honestly never thought a washing machine could make that kind of noise. It had started acting up the week before, just kind of bumping its way through the wash cycle, and I thought it was my fault for not balancing the small load well enough.

The washing machine was just purchased in October, and is a fancy one that welcomes a variety of types of fabrics and extra-large family-sized loads of clothes, supposedly laughing at owners’ worries about overloading it or needing to treat it as if it were anywhere near as touchy as the old relics we buyers had been subjected to in the past.

I was sold.

But now, aside from the fact that the new washer was terrifically entertaining with its grotesque squeals and bumping noises, it was no longer charming, revolutionary nor useful. After a half hour of elevator music and listening to John getting increasingly irritated having to wait to speak to someone in the service department, we finally gave in to the smooth recorded voice that suggested the wait may be long and online appointments may be preferable, and attempted to set up a service appointment online.

To their credit, it was a simple process, but unfortunately, there was no appointment available until after our move. Which wasn’t ideal, which meant one more distraction for the sorting and packing and staying focused on the job at hand, and which necessitated a trip to a laundromat for the first time in forever. And which turned out to be absolutely the best thing that could possibly have happened to me at this point, because it forced me to breathe, to relax and to simply sit for thirty minutes and do nothing but remember my first days as a bride.

One of the huge steps in becoming an out-of-town Navy wife was going to the laundromat, learning to carry the proper change and use the rolling laundry cart. And being advised by the older woman who ran the laundromat who instantly became a surrogate mom to all the service wives, as she taught us to

a

remove stains and wash clothes properly and how to use the adjustable rod on the end of the folding table to hold the edge of the bedsheets so you could maneuver a perfect fold without someone to help you.

She was a wealth of information about a lot of things, Miss Wanda, and if you were in her good graces, she would share her favorite recipes, advice on getting through the long nights when your service husband was working odd shifts, and the latest romance novel she was reading. Miss Wanda was all business, but there was a soft spot for us new young wives far from home, and her hugs were wonderful.

I smiled at the memories as I looked for a close laundromat to get me through until the service appointment. The pictures showed a clean place, not all that different from the laundromats of old, and I could almost smell the clean, fresh, soapy establishment Miss Wanda commandeered 50 years ago. But I had no idea if the new machines still take coins (they do, but a LOT of them), if I could use a credit card (you can), if there would be a way to turn paper money into coins (there is), and there’s also an ATM and a machine that sells everything from Fig Newtons to laundry detergent, to cute bags to hold everything together. I know I’ve been to a laundromat a few times over the years, but it’s definitely been a while and I most definitely felt uncomfortably unknowledgeable.

Everyone else seemed to know where things were and how to put pods vs detergent into the machines, which washers were appropriate for different sized loads and where to hang clothes on the end of the rolling carts. I watched as young men came in and talked on cell phones as they deftly folded their family’s clothes fresh from the dryer, a lady juggled a huge aqua bag embroidered with the word “ LAUNDRY” on it, and popped quarters into a washer with her other hand, all the while laughing into a cell phone propped under her chin.

And then I saw the modern Miss Wanda, smiling as she “shined” (her words) the front of each washer and pulled the long lint filters out of the dryers to

Panattoni, city of Hazelwood celebrate Aviator Business Park build out

Panattoni Development Company and the city of Hazelwood hosted a special event on Feb. 16 celebrating the completion of Aviator Business Park. Located at the former Ford Motor Company site, Aviator Business Park is a 155-acre infill development.

Panattoni Development acquired the site in 2008 and has since constructed over 5,000,000 square feet of high quality industrial and logistics space. The site now boasts globally recognized tenants such as Amazon, Silgan Plastics, Weekends Only and International Food Products.

“This is a celebration of perseverance and vision,” stated Mark Branstetter, Partner with Panattoni. “Our team took the challenge of redeveloping this site at the beginning of a severe economic collapse and created one of the most dynamic locations in the greater St. Louis metropolitan region.”

“We recognized the potential of Aviator Business

Park because of its immediate access to Interstates 270, 70 and US-67 (Lindbergh Blvd). With rail service by Norfolk Southern Railroad along with its proximity to St. Louis Lambert International Airport; Panattoni understood this was a project that could set the standard for the region. These inherent assets, coupled with Panattoni’s vision and our partnership with Hazelwood, created the results you see today,” Branstetter added.

Mayor Matt Robinson stated Hazelwood is better because of the effort to create Aviator Business Park.

“This is the quintessential story of when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Hazelwood and Panattoni formed a great partnership to turn loss into growth and success.” Robinson added, “Because of Aviator Business Park, along with our other outstanding developments, Hazelwood has become the epicenter of logistics and manufacturing for the region.”

Vicki Bahr

vacuum thick layers of fuzz off them, mopped the floors and walked gracefully over to hold the door for a man whose arms were full, and gave him directions with a lilting Caribbean accent as he maneuvered the machines for the first time.

I saw her twice again when I returned a couple of times, and I thanked her for working so hard to keep everything so spotless and tidy and taking such pride in her work.

She beamed at the few words of praise I offered and simply said, “It’s my job, ma’am.”

Miss Wanda would be so proud!

Vicki Bahr is an inveterate word lover and story sharer, a published author in magazine, newspaper and blog forms. As a mom of four, grandma of nine, and wife of one for 50 years, she finds that inspiration and wonder are everywhere.

The opinions expressed in this column are the columnist’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News

I needed

laundromat

Summer Program Guide

Ways parents can encourage social emotional learning in children

Most parents would agree the quality of their children’s education plays a key role in their overall development. While parents are optimistic about the future of education, they also recognize children have educational needs beyond what is considered the standard.

A Harris Poll survey on behalf of KinderCare found 83% of parents believe it’s important for children to be raised with social emotional skills, 84% believe it’s important children learn to treat others the way they want to be treated and 83% believe kindness should be a core value in the way children are educated. Now, parents want a focus on social emotional skills, mental health, kindness and understanding differences. Consider these three ways parents can encourage social and emotional learning in their children:

• Practice Emotional Literacy at Home: Disagreements among parents and siblings are almost inevitable at home. While this can seem challenging to handle, it can serve as an opportunity for children to practice emotional literacy by identifying their feelings and the feelings of others. It also gives children the opportunity to practice their listening skills and put themselves in the other person’s shoes.

• Practice Mindfulness with a Relaxing Activity: Mindfulness can help children understand and regulate their emotions, especially when it becomes a regular habit. Parents can instill this habit in their kids by picking a set time to do activities in a calm space at home every day such as reading a book, listening to calm music or something as simple as deep breathing.

• Provide Unplugged Opportunities to Connect with Other Children: Activities that don’t revolve around a screen and encourage in-person socialization with peers can provide opportunities for children to practice building their social emotional skills. Programs like KinderCare’s Champ Camp include indoor and outdoor group activities as well as field trips designed to help children use their natural creativity and curiosity to learn and develop important social skills.

To learn more about social emotional learning, visit kindercare. com.

EVENTS

March 28: Long-term care planning seminar

Long-Term Care Planning event, presented by Ellen M. Lutzow, Attorney at Law, takes place at 10 a.m. at Steve Robbins’ Conference Center at 325 Rue St. Francois in Florissant. The event is free but registration is required. To RSVP call Joan at 314-8394600, email: Joan@SteveRobbinsOnline.com or register online at www.SteveRobbinsOnline.com.

April 27: Shred event

Shred Day! Drive, Drop and Donate takes place from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at Steve Robbins’ Office Parking Lot at 325 Rue St. Francois in Florissant. Help us support T.E.A.M. Food Pantry while cleaning out your old documents. If you are able, please bring a minimum of one canned food item for each bag or box you would like to shred. If you are unable to make it during this time, you are welcome to drop off your documents and canned items throughout that morning.

RECURRING EVENTS

Weekdays: Food pantry volunteers needed

The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry is in need of ongoing adult volunteers to sort food, stock shelves and shop with clients. Two-to-four hour shifts are available, Monday-Friday 8:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m.

To learn more or to join this fun group, contact Chelsey Banaskavich at 314-513-1674 or cbanaskavich@jfcs-stl.org.

Mondays: Choral Arts Group meetings

Choral Arts Group practices every Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Connection Christian Church at 1332 Feise Rd. in O’Fallon. Auditions not required. Ages high school and older are invited to join. There will be spring and fall public concerts. For more information call Marty at 636-5799227, or email concertartsa@ gmail.com.

Mondays: City council meetings

City of Pine Lawn holds regular city council meetings at city hall at 6250 Steve Marre Ave. in Pine Lawn on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The meetings are open to the public.

Mondays: Workshop meetings

City of Pine Lawn holds regular workshop meetings at city

hall at 6250 Steve Marre Ave. in Pine Lawn on the fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The meetings are open to the public.

Mondays: A cappella singers

All men who like to sing are invited to come sing with us, The Men of Harmony. We practice every Monday night at 7 p.m. at 5500 Parker Raoad which is the first house on Uthe Lane. We sing four-part harmony a capella (without accompaniment). We sing some traditional songs, as well as show tunes and more contemporary music. We do perform for the public at various functions. Persons interested can come right on in or for more information call Al at 314-993-6134.

Mondays-Thursdays: Volunteers needed

Community Action Agency of St. Louis County is in need of volunteers to stock shelves, sort food shipments and pack bags for Food Pantry Clients Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Two to four hour shifts are avail-

able. If you are interested, please contact Cheryl Piece at 314-446-4440 or cpiece@ caastlc.org for additional information.

Tuesdays: Bingo

Florissant Elks Bingo takes place at 16400 New Halls Ferry every Tuesday. Doors open at 4 p.m., bingo starts at 6 p.m. No outside food or drinks allowed per St. Louis County. Food and drinks

available for purchase. Maximum 150 players. Must wear mask to enter. Social distancing followed.

Tuesdays: A cappella singers

The Gentlemen of Sound are looking for men who like to sing or want to learn. They practice Tuesdays at Lady of the Pillar school at 401 S. Lindbergh from 7 – 9 p.m. They try to do public events

monthly. Always looking for new members. Come by or call Kirk at 314-954-7920 .

Tuesdays: Chair Zumba

Chair Zumba every Tuesday from 2:15 – 3 p.m. at The Bridge At Florissant at 1101 Garden Plaza Dr. (Parker @ Arlington). For more information call 314-831-0988.

Tuesdays: Celebrate Re-

covery

Celebrate Recovery Tuesday meetings take place at 6 p.m. with a Saturday Bible Study at 9 a.m. at LifePoint Church at 424 Graham Rd. in Florissant. For more information visit www.lifepointministries. church/celebrate-recovery or call (men) Steve D. at 636634-6582 or (women) Denise W. at 530-417-6151.

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

Sports you see with Gary B...

Hoots sign two players for the 2023 season

The O’Fallon Hoots, proud members of the Prospect League, play their home games at the CarShield Field in O’Fallon.

The O’Fallon squad announced the signing of outfielder Nick Harms for the 2023 summer season. Harms comes as a sophomore from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleveland, Ohio.

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound outfielder attended Parkway West High School, where he served as the Longhorns team captain his senior year and was named to the All-Conference Second Team, contributing time on the mound with a 5-1 record his final season.

The sophomore went on to play for the CWRU Spartans, where he was named the University Athletic Association’s Rookie of the Year his freshman season, leading the team with nine home runs and posting a .295 AVG with 24 runs scored, 33 H, and 23 RBIs in his 32 games played. Harms started in 25 of the 32 games in the outfield, finishing his freshman debut with a 1.000 FPCT. This 2023 season, the Ballwin -native has put up a .324 AVG, .415 OBP, and .559 SLG in his first nine games.

Pitcher Braden Barnard comes to the Hoots as a redshirt sophomore from Maryville University.

The 5-foot-11, right-handed hurler attended Marquette High School, where he posted a 5-2 record in 39 ⅓ innings pitched with a 1.78 ERA and 46 strikeouts his senior year. The redshirt sophomore went on to play two seasons with the St. Charles Community College (SCC) Cougars, pitching a total of 40 innings in 12 appearances on the mound, averaging 8.33 strikeouts per game. Following his two seasons with the Cougars, Barnard committed to play for

Maryville University for the 2023 season.

The Ballwin native has appeared in three games for the Saints, putting up five strikeouts in two innings pitched in his most recent appearance, helping the Saints to a 4-0 win over Principia on March 8.

The Hoots start the season on May 31 at home against the Cape Girardeau club.

Go to www.OFallonHoots.com for the complete schedule.

*More heroics to come from these stellar athletes

Ambush give hometown fans a win in final home game in the regular season

On Fan Appreciation Day at The Family Arena, the St. Louis Ambush gave their fans much to appreciate when they pulled off a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory over the second-place Florida Tropics Sunday afternoon.

St. Louis scored the lone goal of the first quarter when Will Eskay outran an opposing defender and beat Florida goalkeeper Jorge Navarrete in the eleventh minute.

Florida took a 2-1 lead in the third minute of the third quarter.

As the clock raced toward the end of regulation play, Eskay scored his second of the match with 34.4 seconds left on the clock, sending the contest into overtime.

James Thomas, playing in only his third game after coming back from injury, would play the hero role when he headed the game winner into the net one-minute into the extra period.

*Exciting finish

Gary Baute, a St. Louis native, may be educated in business but he lives and breathes sports. As a fan or an athlete, Gary is all sports all the time. He hosted a radio sports program on KFNS, emceed the River City Rascals’ inaugural season, among many other activities. I am currently hosting a Health show on 97.1 FM, ‘Prime Time Health’ www.PrimeTimeSTL.com. It broadcasts Saturday nights at 8 and Sunday mornings at 9.

Recipe: Fuel for the future with good nutrition

Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon garlic, minced

1 pound ground turkey

1.5 tablespoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons chili powder

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

1 cup onion, diced

DIRECTIONS:

1 yellow bell pepper, diced

3 small or 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced small (about 3 1/2 cups)

¾ cup chicken broth

½ cup mozzarella, shredded

½ cup cheddar, shredded

¼ cup cilantro, chopped

In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Then add the ground turkey. Cook turkey until browned.

Add cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Stir

well to incorporate.

Add onion and bell pepper, and cook for 3-4 minutes.

Add diced sweet potatoes and broth. Stir and cover with a lid for approximately 6-8

minutes until the sweet potatoes soften. Remove lid and add additional salt and pepper if desired. Top with shredded cheese. Remove skillet from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Formoreinformationondairy’sbenefits,visitwww.stldairycouncil.org

Movie:

By Steve Bryan

Born and raised in South St. Louis, Steve Bryan is now based in Anaheim, California, and has been allowed access to movie and television sets to see actors and directors at work. Though his writing has taken him far from St. Louis, Steve is, at heart, still the same wide-eyed kid who spent countless hours watching classic movies at neighborhood theaters.

In the 1970’s, local television stations broadcast reruns of “The Little Rascals,” a popular series of short films originally shown in movie theaters. Also known as the “Our Gang” comedies, the main characters were children who often got into trouble or unusual circumstances.

Young performers such as George “Spanky” McFarland, Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer and Darla Hood were big draws until they became too old for the series and “aged out.” To fill the void, Michael James Vijencio “Mickey” Gubitosi and other fresh faces were hired to continue the series until it ended in 1944.

Gubitosi, better known as Robert Blake, passed away on March 9. Unlike many of his colleagues, he transitioned to adult movie roles and later played an undercover detective in “Baretta.” He also played Father Noah on the NBC series “Hell Town.”

On April 18, 2002, Blake was arrested and charged with the murder of Bonny Lee Bakley, a woman with whom he had a relationship. Blake was later found liable for her wrongful death and ordered to pay $30 million to Bakley’s children, but that amount was reportedly lowered. In later

years, he had his own “YouTube” channel and was selling memorabilia online. Was there a curse on “The Little Rascals?” Robert Blake’s later years were certainly filled with controversy, but other members died tragically. After Carl Switzer “aged out” of child roles, he had trouble getting adult parts in films. He did appear in small roles in “State of the Union,” “My Favorite Blond” as well as “The Gas House Kids” series that included “Our Gang” alum Tommy “Butch” Bond. In “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Switzer had a wonderful cameo playing a prank on George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart). In 1959, he died after being shot over a small debt and passed away at age 31.

Reportedly, Carl Switzer was replaced by William Robert Laughlin. Where Alfalfa was known for his “crooning,” Laughlin could make his voice sound like a frog and was nicknamed “Froggy.” He appeared in the final “Our Gang” comedies and had the lead role in “Dancing Romeo.” In that short, Froggy fell in love with a girl who only had eyes for a handsome dancer. William Laughlin sadly passed away at the age of 16 on Aug. 31, 1948. Laughlin was using his motor scooter to deliver newspapers when he was hit by a truck.

Former child star William “Billie” Thomas, Jr. reentered popular culture when “Saturday Night Live” star Eddie Murphy appeared in character as Buckwheat, one of the most beloved members of the “Our Gang” comedies. Thomas made his debut as Buckwheat in 1935, but he played the role as female. Thomas’ character later became male as the series continued. As an adult, Thomas had a great career as a film lab technician with the Technicolor corporation and also learned film editing and cutting. He had a heart attack on Oct. 10, 1980, and passed away at age 49.

Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that every row, column and 3-by-3 box includes all the digits 1 through 9.

Robert Blake and the curse of ‘The Little Rascals’

“Our Gang’ photo courtesy MGM

Moore on Life: The year of the cat

It was International Women’s Day this month. I informed my cats of the event. They were of course thrilled to know that their owner had a day specified to honor someone they esteemed and revered so deeply.

It started out this way on that day:

“Hey kitties, it’s my special day reserved just to honor yours truly. How should you celebrate me?”

Right away they conspired to do good deeds. The fat one spoke up first:

“I insist you take a long leisurely catnap, but first how about brushing out this fur coat of mine? It has a few snags and snarls and if you don’t get them under control, I’ll be forced to lick them out myself and we all know how that ends. Last time, I experienced a dreadful hacking fit at 2 a.m. and deposited a giant furball at the foot of your bed. You then stepped in it and repeated some shocking words that curled the whiskers on my sensitive brow.”

I remembered staying awake for the rest of that night. I dutifully grabbed a brush and meticulously worked over his pelt after first retrieving a plate of his favorite snacks which he demanded.

Afterwards, I cornered the skinny cat and reminded her that it was my special day and a chance to pamper me instead of her.

“Sure thing,” she meowed. “But first be a good pet person and wrestle up a few flies to put in the windowsill. You know how much I love those little flying peanuts and it gives you such joy to see me swat and eat

By Cindy Moore CROSSWORD:

those nasty menaces.”

For the next hour I ran around the house with an empty pickle jar trying to snag a fly to please the little fur ball. After stumbling over the couch and banging my shin on the coffee table, I captured one of the disease-covered insects and presented it to her highness. She promptly turned up her nose and waved me off informing me that the fly-catching mood had passed.

Irately, I informed them both that the day had gone by without any attention to me.

The fat one responded, “You’ve had an entire day off from indulging us, so get up all the earlier tomorrow morning because I declare it the start of, Celebrate Your Cat Year!”

Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder.

The opinions expressed in this column are Cindy Moore’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.

LIFESTYLE: Tips for selecting the perfect home

F or those beginning the process of home buying, there are many factors to consider. Keep these ideas in mind as you conduct your search – whether it’s online or at a series of open houses.

Consider future needs

Because life is always evolving, it’s important to move into a home that has enough space for your family’s anticipated changes. While features and space are always prime considerations, don’t forget to, look into the area schools, day care options, parks and other kid-friendly amenities if you plan to grow your family in your next home.

Look for flexible spaces

Seek homes that offer rooms with multiple func-

THE 2010s

tions. For example, an office area may be suitable for a small child’s room, or a sunroom may be converted to a laundry area down the road. Unfinished basements are also blank canvases that can be customized to meet your family’s wants and needs.

Get to know the area

The purchase of a home goes well beyond the property line. Be sure to examine the neighborhood in which the house is situated. From the condition of the neighbors’ houses to highway access and the proximity of necessities like grocery stores and gas stations, be sure to take every factor into account to help ensure you’re selecting the right location. Find more tips to aid you in your home search at eLivingtoday.com.

ACROSS

1. Necktie alternative

6. Finish line

9. Show of appreciation

13. Biotic community

14. Hula dancer’s necklace

15. House duty

16. Sofia Costanza Brigida Villani Scicolone’s stage last name

17. International distress signal

18. Hogwarts professor, part werewolf

19. *”Avengers: ____,” secondhighest grossing movie of all time

21. *Annexed Black Sea peninsula

23. Santa ____, Orange County

24. Multicolored horse

25. *Rand Paul’s title, abbr.

28. Youngster

30. *Type of spinner popular in the late 2010s

35. Between duet and quartet

37. Newspaper piece

39. Pope’s court

40. Bohemian

41. *Tonya and Harley Quinn to Margot Robbie, e.g.

43. *Like Millie Bobby Brown and friends in “Stranger Things”

44. Prows

46. Vaulting prop

47. Fencer’s blade

48. *Animated story of Elsa and Anna

50. Greek salad ingredient

52. Make #26 Down

53. Look through a book

55. Good times

57. *Global surveillance whistle-blower

61. *Swedish audio streamer

65. BBQ spot

66. Words at the altar (2 words) 68. Beneficiary 69. Anti-seniors sentiment 70. Ides mo. 71. Bone hollow 72. Prepare potatoes

DOWN

1. Having the means

2. Land of Israel

3. *____-cutting, broadcast TV phenomenon

4. Opposite of alpha

5. Not owner

6. Something ____

7. Opposite of paleo

8. “Saturday Night Fever” music

9. Pal

10. Between trot and gallop 11. Operatic solo

12. Actor Sean 15. Healthcare facility 20. *Bill de Blasio, e.g.

22. England’s airforce

24. Recite rapidly (2 words)

25. Walking stick

26. Fielding mistake

27. Part of TNT

29. *BTS’ genre

31. *Home to Blue Devils, 2015 NCAA winners

32. Complain

33. Downy duck

34. Policeman’s shocker

36. Court of law opener

38. Mark for omission

42. Frame job

45. Not often

49. *Amal Clooney ____ Alamuddin

51. Naturally footless

54. Japanese cartoon art

56. Expressionless

57. Junk e-mail

58. Hindu serpent deity 59. Singer-songwriter Redding 60. Item on Santa’s list 61. Acidic kind of apple

62. A fan of 63. *Plant in Zach Galifianakis’ 2019 movie

64. Those not opposed 67. *Popular meme move

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