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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