CN: April 13, 2022

April 13, 2022

A journey of hope

Around Town The Valley of Flowers Clean Up, Spruce Up and Fix Up Campaign has kicked off. Pg. 2 A SENIOR MOMENT. Pg. 4 START VOTING NOW! for Best of Northwest County.

Let your favorite businesses know. Pg. 9

Special Section HAPPY EASTER. Pg. 5

SUMMER CAMP GUIDE. Pgs. 6-7

Features

Andy Bass (right) stands with Zahra Nazari in a women’s market in Afghanistan.

Submitted photo

Three Afghan women narrowly escape the Taliban to start a new life in St. Louis thanks to a local Good Samaritan

By Wendy Todd Millions of Americans have seen footage of Afghans attempting to escape their country after the removal of American troops in 2021. The harrowing scenes of crowds at airports and even people hanging off of planes as they take off were difficult to watch. Three Afghan women lived through that distressing experience and were able to make it all the way to St. Louis for a new life, thanks to St. Charles resident and local hero, Andy Bass.

Bass met Bilqis Reza and her daughters, Zahra Nazari and Fatima Nazari in a Bamyan women’s market. He’d traveled to Afghanistan to participate in a marathon.

He and a fellow runner went to Bayman to look around and discovered a women’s market, where he met and befriended Reza and her daughters.

“We went in there,” says Bass, “and were immediately greeted by this delightful young girl named Zahra. She was 16 then.

She spoke some English that she learned off a dictionary on her phone.”

Bass and the ladies became fast friends and kept in touch through Facebook messenger.

When troops began evacuating Afghanistan and the Taliban began terrorizing the community, Zahra sent her mother and sister, Fatima to the mountains to hide in a cave. They were all on a “kill list”, meaning the Taliban were hunting for them because they were female leaders. She stayed behind and tried to find a way out for her See ‘JOURNEY’ page 2

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Around Town

April 13, 2022 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

‘JOURNEY’ from cover and her family.

Zahra held on to her faith and reached out to several contacts for help. She finally got a response from Bass, who simply replied, “I can help you.” Bass, able to utilize his contacts and logistical skills, coordinated to help them escape Afghanistan.

He got Reza and her daughters visas to use once they got to Kabul. An Afghan soldier, who gave them use of a car and burqas for disguises. Even with this aid in place getting to Kabul and past the Taliban was the ultimate challenge.

“It was something right out of an action movie,” Bass says. “They were in that car and as they were approaching the city of Kabul, the Taliban were behind them shooting over them at the army and the army was shooting over them back at the Taliban.”

Huneke Publications, Inc. When they reached 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. the Kabul airport, it was O’Fallon, MO 63366 complete chaos. ThouPH: 636-379-1775 sands of Afghans were FX: 636-379-1632 trying to board planes Published weekly since 1921. and the Taliban was terServing St. Louis, St. Charles rorizing them with flashand Lincoln Counties. bangs and tear gas. The ladies hid in a sewage Publisher/ ditch for three days until Editor-in-Chief Mathew DeKinder

Publisher Emeritus/ General Manager Robert J. Huneke Production Manager Rebecca Brockmann Production Assistant Melissa Nordmann Copy Editor Donna Huneke Staff Writers Brett Auten, Wendy Todd, Laurie Simon Columnists Gary Baute, Steve Bryan, Cindy Moore Cartoonist John Hanna Social Media Lori North Classiied Advertising Brooke Tolle Display Advertising Heather Deatz, Bob Huneke, Norm Merchant, Laurie Simon Circulation Dominion Distribution, Papers Unlimited Community News is a Registered Trademark of Huneke Publications, Inc: Neither the advertiser nor the publisher is responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, typographical errors, etc., herein contained. Huneke Publications, Inc. reserves the right to accept or reject all news and advertising copy which in the sole judgement and discretion of the publisher/editor is not suitable or deemed appropriate for publication. Copyright 2021 Huneke Publications, Inc. with all rights reserved. No part of the publications may be repr duced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher/editor.

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a Marine helped them out. Bass, through messaging, directed them to another gate at the airport where they could enter and get on a plane.

After finally boarding a plane, the refugees landed in Washington DC. Then they were flown to Indiana and placed at Camp Atterbury where they stayed for three months before uniting with Bass.

“We lived in a room with a lot of people and a lot of noise,” Zahra says. “We had a shortage of food and clothes. We had a long process and a lot of stress. We did not know what our future was and what would happen.”

When Bass finally united with Reza and her daughters, emotions were high.

It was just joyous, a lot of tears,” Bass says. “They were so happy. They started feeling safe because they all just had three months to sit there and dwell on what had just happened to him.”

The girls and their mom had experienced an immediate connection with Bass and even after their horrifying experience fleeing the Taliban, felt safe in his presence.

Bass got them back to St. Louis safely and helped them find housing and also jobs in a grocery store.

As he, his finance, Chris, and the ladies got acquainted, Bass learned that Zahra had been identified as entrepreneur of the year in Afghanistan by the Startup Grind conference that was sponsored by Google, and had been interviewed at the event.

Bass got in touch with the organizers of the confer-

ence who had been trying to locate her. When they found out Zahra was in the states, they extended an all-expense paid invitation to the conference this month in San Francisco. Bass got her a suit and accompanied her to the conference.

With this opportunity, housing, jobs and the generous support of Bass, these three survivors have a chance at a happy and stable life, the complete opposite of their experience in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover.

Currently, the women are taking English classes at St. Charles Community College. They’ve also recently gotten their social security cards and Federal Worker Authorization.

Reza and her daughters lovingly refer to “Mr. Andy” as a superhero and are grateful and hopeful for a future.

“I want to live in the U.S. forever and be a U.S. citizen.” Zahra says. “I want to continue my education, buy a house and achieve my dreams and goals in the U.S. I want to start my own handicraft business in the U.S. and advocate for Afghan women’s rights. I want to fight for peace, so that no girl in the future is hit like me, a blow that I feel has no cure. I want to fight for peace, the future and my desires and to show the world that people like my friend Mr. Andy are saving the world.”

Bass set up a gofundme page so the ladies can continue to meet expenses like food, rent and utilities.

The link to the page is https://www.gofundme.com/f/ please-help-3-real-life-wonder-women.

The annual Valley of Flowers Clean Up, Spruce Up and Fix Up Campaign has kicked off The annual kick-off initiative to clean up Florissant city streets and public areas is underway. The “Valley of Flowers Spring Cleaning” effort will run through May 6, which will be the start of the city’s annual Valley of Flowers festival.

“As we get ready for 60th Annual Valley of Flowers Festivities May 5, 6, 7 and 8, I am asking all residents and business owners to participate in this year’s Clean Up, Spruce Up and Fix It Campaign. We encourage our residents to join the city administration to recapture the spirit of the original Valley of Flowers festival,” said Florissant Mayor Tim Lowery. “That first festival in 1963 had as one of its goals to clean up, spruce up and fix up Florissant, culminating in what has become the

Valley of Flowers festival.”

Organizations throughout the city as well as individual residents are urged to join in this effort to participate in Florissant’s “spring cleaning” initiative.

“We hope that this effort will take a page from our past to help us now and into the future,” said Lowery. “Our goal is to generate positive momentum for the rest of the year, resulting in better property maintenance overall and improved property values for residents and businesses alike.”

Some other spring time clean up events are upcoming are the 11th Annual “Free Document Shredding Day” will be on April 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Ferdinand Park and the annual Garage Sell Event is on April 30 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the James J. Eagan Center. The Electronic Recycling event took place on April 2.

In addition to the Spring Clean Up Campaign, Florissant also has an Adopt-A-Street Program which will provide a great opportunity for volunteer groups, residents and businesses to personally participate in litter pickup events along city streets and rights-of-way.

Folks will have the opportunity to adopt a city street or a portion thereof. The city will provide safety vests, gloves and trash bags to the adopters for pickup events.

Once the adopter has performed a litter pickup event the city will install street signs to recognize the adopter’s efforts to help keep the city clean. Program guidelines and application forms can be found on the city’s website: www.florissantmo.com or contact City Engineer Tom Goldkamp at 314-839-7643.

Also, there are still plenty of “Feed the Cans, Not the Land” anti-litter campaign signs. If interested please call 314-839-7601.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • April 13, 2022

Around Town

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Pond-O-Rama Tour returns in 2022 The St. Louis Water Garden Society (SLWGS) is celebrating 32 years as a society sharing information about fish, ponds, and gardens.

This year, the Society's 22nd annual water garden and pond tour, 2022 Pond-O-Rama, takes place June 25 and June 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

The 2022 tour will feature 30 private gardens owned and maintained by society members.

Tickets covering both days of the tour are $15 each (18 and older) and will be available at local retail shops and garden centers throughout the metropolitan area or on the group’s website.

The gardens are located throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. This self-guided tour is arranged each day by geographic location. Even during the pandemic, members have been outside gardening and making their spaces quite spectacular.

There are always so many varieties of water gardens, bubbling rocks, small ponds to massive ones. Regardless of size, all members love to share their ideas and projects with the visitors who come to their gardens each year. There is something for everyone to enjoy safely outside and social distancing.

This event provides funds for the St Louis Water

Garden Society to continue their civic project to plant and maintain the reflecting pools at the Jewel Box in Forest Park. Society members for 32 years work each Saturday at the ponds from May-October to keep the lily ponds looking beautiful.

The tour ticket booklet provides location addresses, descriptions and driving directions.

For more information on where to purchase tickets or by mail order from the society’s website in May, www.slwgs.org, and at many of our retailers and garden centers.

Missouri American Water invests $7.5 million in Florissant water main upgrades Missouri American Water has started a $7.5 million project to replace nearly 15,000 feet (2.8 miles) of water main in Florissant along Harrison Street, Washington Street and St. Catherine Street near New Florissant Road.

“Since acquiring the system in 2002, Missouri American Water has consistently invested in North County to enhance service and reliability, and we’re glad to see them continue their commitment to our residents and local businesses by replacing aging water mains that have been prone to breaks,” said Florissant Mayor Tim Lowery.

The three water main projects include upgrading existing two-, four-, six- and eight-inch cast iron mains from the 1940s-1970s with 12-inch and 20-inch ductile iron mains:

• 3,400 feet of main along Harrison Street, between St. Pierre and the New Florissant tank Site (1060 St. Catherine Street, Florissant). Construction began April 1.

• 9,300 feet of main along Washington Street, between St. Pierre Street and Lynn Meadows Lane. Construction begins April 22.

• 2,100 feet of main along St. Catherine Street, between New Florissant Road and St. Eugene Lane. Construction is expected to begin in June following the completion of the Harrison Street replacement project.

“Making proactive investments supports the reliability and resiliency of our water system,” said Missouri American Water Senior Director of Operations Brian Eisenloeffel. “Replacing aging pipe also supports the

important work of our local firefighters, such as the Florissant Valley Fire Protection District, by improving water flow.”

Work will take place Monday - Friday from 7 a.m.

- 4 p.m. Weather dependent, service line transfers are expected to be completed by the end of the year and restoration next Spring.

Motorists should use caution when driving in the construction areas and obey traffic signs, detour routes and flaggers. Missouri American Water will provide continuous updates as work occurs. Customers may receive updates via door hangers and/or the company’s notification system that contacts customers via phone, text or email based on customer preferences. Visit missouriamwater.com for emergency alerts and create or update a MyWater account to sign up for notifications.

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Around Town

April 13, 2022 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

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Hall of fame wide receiver Isaac Bruce hosts free football clinic for kids More than 500 youth from the St. Louis area will have the opportunity to join former St. Louis Rams wide receiver and Pro Football Hall of Famer Isaac Bruce for a free football clinic at the former Rams Park on June 4.

This free, non-contact clinic provides youth the opportunity to work on their football skills, sportsmanship, and teamwork skills, while building self-esteem both on and off the field.

Each participant will receive a T-shirt and refreshments as well as have the opportunity to meet Bruce.

Registration is open to the public. Space is limited to the first 250 youth in each of the two sessions (8-10 years from 9-11 a.m. and 11-13 years from 12-2 p.m.). To register, visit www.

IsaacBruce.org.

The Isaac Bruce Foundation Football Clinics are sponsored by Ameren, Mercy, Performance Chiropractic & Medicine, Homer Sedighi D.M.D, P.C., Lou Fusz Football, and the Isaac Bruce Foundation.

Between the lines, the Hall of Fame wide receiver gained more than 15,000 receiving yards, more than 1,000 receptions, and scored 91 touchdowns during his 14 seasons with the Rams and two seasons with the 49ers. He retired as No. 2 all-time on the NFL Receiving Yards list and No. 5 on the NFL Receptions list. His

Submitted photo

number 80 was retired by the Rams in 2010 and he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020. He launched the Isaac Bruce Foundation in 2006 which focuses on health, wellness, nutrition, fitness and education. Through the Foundation, Bruce reaches out to youth and teaches them at an early age the importance of a healthy lifestyle with a focus on education.

More than 8,000 kids have participated in the IBF’s free football clinics since 2007.

City of Florissant to host 11th Annual Free Document Shredding Day

www.stlcc.edu/apply

The 11th Annual “Free Document Shredding Day” will be held on April 23 at St. Ferdinand Park and traffic will be directed accordingly. The event is from 9:30 a.m. to noon (or until trucks reach their capacity).

Bring your sensitive tax, bank or financial records from home to be shredded right in front of you. Shred-It will professionally shred your information. All information will be destroyed in a manner to which it cannot be recognized or recreated. All paper will then be recycled.

What to bring to be shredded, bank statements, tax records, credit card statements, invoices, anything with your name & address on it and no need to remove paper clips, binder clips or staples.

You may bring up to five bags or boxes. Types of boxes include copy paper boxes, banker boxes & shoe boxes. Types of bags include shopping bags, grocery bags and trash bags. No three ring binders, hanging file folders, CD’s, DVD’s or hard bound books.

The event is also open to the public. A special thanks to Gateway Disposal STL for donating the cardboard recycle dumpsters for this event.

THIS WEEK’S PICK • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Annual City-Wide Florissant Garage Sale set for end of April

F

lorissant residents can haul down the clutter and treasures from their attics and garages and organize accumulations from their barns for the 11th Annual City-Wide Florissant Garage Sale.

The Garage Sale will be held at the James J. Eagan Ice Rink area on April 30 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. All of the usual garage sale items can be found throughout the sale as well as some unusual items. There is sure to be a treasure with your name on it. Each applicant will only receive one space. The event is open to Florissant residents and non-residents to receive a space to sell.

Applications will be available at the JJE and JFK Center and on www.florissantmo.com.

Space is limited. The fee is $20 per table.

The Florissant Garage sale is free to attend.

For additional information call 314-921-4250 or 314 921-4466.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • April 13, 2022

Northwest News

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Ladue Schools Board of Education Appoints new assistant superintendent and director The Ladue Schools Board of Education approved the appointment of Dr. Derrick Wallace as the Assistant Superintendent for Student and Community Services and the promotion of Dr. Tiffany Taylor-Johnson to assume the role of Director of Student Services.

Dr. Derrick Wallace Wallace has served in the Ladue School District for the last 25 years in various positions with increased levels of responsibility. In his most recent role as Director of Student Services & Title IX Coordinator, Wallace has myriad responsibilities.

In his new position, Wallace will lead the strategic planning efforts to improve Ladue Schools’ connection to community engagement through student and parent programs. His office will continue the district’s work in expanding summer school and enrichment opportunities. In this role, he will also spearhead parent education programs, community/educational programs, and sports and activities for children in our community. He will also serve as the district’s Title IX Coordinator and Office of Civil Rights Coordinator.

Wallace has an impressive resume with Ladue Schools and has served in various district-level executive leadership positions during his tenure.

He is a St. Louis native, having graduated from Jennings High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, a master’s degree in education administration from Lindenwood University and a doctorate in educational leadership from Maryville University.

He and his wife Karin have three wonderful daughters. He enjoys spending quality time with family, traveling, playing golf, and outdoors. Wallace is a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In her new role, Taylor-Johnson will Dr. Tiffany Taylor-Johnson be responsible for providing leadership Photos courtesy Ladue School District for efficient student services and community education and outreach efforts.

Taylor-Johnson has served in the Ladue School District for 22 years, all at Ladue Middle School. She has led the day-to-day operations as the building principal for the last five years. Before joining Ladue Schools, Dr. Taylor-Johnson served as a seventh- and eighth-grade communications arts teacher at Margaret Buerkle Middle School in the Mehlville School District for four years.

Taylor-Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in language arts education from the University of Oklahoma. She also has a master’s degree in educational leadership from Maryville University. She earned her doctorate in educational leadership from Saint Louis University.

She and her husband Edward are the proud parents of a fifth-grader. Tiffany enjoys spending time with family and watching her son compete in sports in her spare time. She also enjoys supporting her beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Wallace will continue to serve on the Leadership Cabinet, reporting to the superintendent. Tay-

lor-Johnson will report to the assistant superintendent of student and community services.

Wallace and Taylor-Johnson will officially begin in their new roles on July 1.

“Dr. Wallace and Dr. Taylor-Johnson both bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their new roles and are so deserving,” said Ladue Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke. “I am excited about the work ahead, as they will champion our students and parents and help bring community partners in alignment with our district’s Future-Ready Strategic Plan.”

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Summer Camp

April 13, 2022 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

www.umsl.edu/precollegiate

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • April 13, 2022

Safe and fun summer camp experiences await for kids and teens LOCATIONS: Adams Park Club

(4317 Vista Ave.) June 13 – Aug. 5 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Ages 6-16 $275 (Plus $25 Membership Fee)

Bethalto Boys & Girls Club

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) is excited to be able to bring area kids and teens another summer of friends, activities and exploration, the way only Boys & Girls Clubs can.

BGCSTL offers one of the most afSubmitted photos fordable, safe, high quality summer day camp programs in the bi-state region. Summer campers, ages 6-18, participate in educational, recreational, and social activities including opportunities for creativity, sports and recreation, swimming, teen and STEM programs, music studio, and Esports, an organized form of competitive tournaments with video games where players face teams. Or, most commonly, a multiplayer online video game competition). Camps also includes a nutritious breakfast and lunch.

Summer campers who are interested in writing, producing or singing will enjoy the Music Studio program where they will be fully engaged in the songwriting/ recording process and create a song from start to finish. While youth who aspire to become coders, graphic designers, 3D animators or game developers will have access to the Best Buy Teen Tech Center at our Herbert Hoover Club. The center is an interactive and innovative fully equipped space with everything needed to engage youth ages 12-18 with STEAM activities including a music studio, 3D printer, t-shirt press maker, coding stations, state of the art computers, monitors and virtual reality headsets.

Transportation will be provided for select Hazelwood locations.

Until camp begins, our Boys & Girls Club locations across the bi-state region continue to be open offering after school programs, virtual mentoring, sports activities and more. To find the club nearest you, visit www.bgcstl.org or call 314-335-8000. If you’re looking for a chance to impact the lives of kids and teens, Boys & Girls Club is also hiring. Visit bgcstl.org for more information.

(324 E. Central St. Bethalto, Illinois) June 6 – July 29 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Ages 6-16 $580/month session ($25 Membership Fee)

BE GREAT at Normandy High School at Teen Center of Excellence

(9200 West Florissant) June 13 – Aug. 5 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Ages 13-18 (Entering grades 9th-12th) No fees

Teen Center of Excellence

(9200 West Florissant) June 13 – Aug. 5 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Ages 12-18 $275 (Plus $25 Membership Fee)

Herbert Hoover Club

(2901 N. Grand Ave.) June 13 – Aug. 5 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Ages 6-16 $275 (Plus $25 Membership Fee)

O’Fallon Park Club

(4343 West Florissant) June 13 – Aug. 5 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Ages 6-16 $275 (Plus $25 Membership Fee)

Mathews-Dickey Club

(4245 N Kingshighway) June 13 – Aug. 5 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Ages 6-16 $275 (Plus $25 Membership Fee)

Hazelwood Elementary School Club at Larimore Elementary School

(2324 Redman Rd.) June 13 – July 24 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Ages 6-12 (Grades first-through-fifth) $250 (Plus $25 Membership Fee)

Riverview Gardens Club at Highland Elementary School

(174 Shepley Drive) TBD 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Ages 6-12 (Grades first-through-fifth) $0 (Plus $25 Membership Fee)

Hazelwood East High School at Teen Center of Excellence

(9200 West Florissant) June 13 – Aug. 5 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m Ages 13-18 (Entering grades 9th -12th) $0 (Plus $25 Membership Fee)

Southeast Middle School Club at Teen Center of Excellence (9200 West Florissant) June 13 – Aug. 5 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Ages 11-15 (Grades fifth-through-eighth) $250 (Plus $25 Membership Fee)

www.bgcstl.org

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What’s Happening

April 13, 2022 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Send your event to editor@mycnews.com and we'll print it!

Take notice . . .

The events listed in this section are the latest updates as of press time, please check with individual sites for the most up to date cancellations and reschedule info.

EVENTS

scholarship, will also be granted during the event. To learn more about this event, visit bgcstl.org/tableforfour.

April 14: Maundy Thursday service

Calvary United Church of Christ invites the community to join them for a Maundy Thursday service. The service will be at 6 p.m. and will include communion. All are welcome to participate. Questions? Call 314-429-7464.

April 14: luncheon

www.treesbywood.net

April 16: Easter egg hunt

John Knox Presbyterian Church invites community to egg hunt for children ages one-to-11. This outdoor event begins at 10:30 a.m. at 13200 New Halls Ferry Rd in Florissant. Drive-thru distribution of eggs will occur in case of inclement weather. Call 314921-5833 with questions.

Fundraiser

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis will hold its annual Table for Four event from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Ritz Carlton. Proceeds from this event, themed, Women Leading the Way, support activities and experiences designed to help girls develop healthy lifestyles, positive self-esteem and make good decisions. The inaugural Joan Ellyn Silber Award for Volunteerism and Leadership, which includes a $1,000

April 30: Trivia night

The Greater North County Chamber of Commerce will host “Movies & TV” Music Trivia Night at the James J. Eagan Center at 1 James J Eagan Drive in Florissant.

Doors open at 6 p.m., with Music Trivia starting at 7 p.m. Cost is $200 for a table of eight, which includes beer and soft drinks. Attendees are welcome to bring their own food and drinks. The

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Chamber will also be collecting packs of children’s diapers and formula in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month and will be donating the items to the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery. Reservations can be made online at www. gnccstl.com or by phone at 314-831-3500.

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-tofour 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 314513-1674 or cbanaskavich@ jfcs-stl.org.

Mondays: Choral Arts Group meetings

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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 available. 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.

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 636579-9227, or email concertartsa@gmail.com.

Tuesdays: singers

Mondays: City council meetings

Tuesdays: Chair Zumba

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: meetings

Workshop

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: singers Managed IT services for small and medium sized businesses.

for more information call Al at 314-993-6134.

A

cappella

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 Road 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

A

cappella

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 Charlie at 314-954-1121.

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 Recovery

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 636-634-6582 or (women) Denise W. at 530-417-6151.

Tuesdays: Choir rehearsals

The St. Louis Chordinals, a women’s a cappella chorus, rehearse every Tuesday evening from 7 - 9:30 p.m. at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church at 12397 Natural Bridge Rd. in Bridgeton (next to the Bridgeton Government Center). For more information call Linda at 314-839-3495 or visit stlouischordinals.org.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • April 13, 2022 Tuesdays: TOPS (Take off pounds sensibly)

From 9:15 - 10:30 a.m. located at John F. Kennedy Center/ Henry Koch Ctr., Howdershell Rd. at Charbonier Rd., Florissant. For more info contact Paul McConnell, 314-831-5476.

2nd Tuesday Sept.-June: Show-me Stitchers: Show-me Stitchers is the local chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America. We meet on the second Tuesday, Sept.June at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 14088 Clay-

ton Road, Chesterfield, MO. Learn needlepoint, embroidery, cross stitch, and more.

Wednesdays: Bingo

Bingo takes place every Wednesday at American Legion Post 338 at 9655 Midland Blvd. in Overland. Doors open at 5 p.m. For more information contact Chairman Ed Hilleman at 314-660-1813.

Wednesdays: Bingo

Life Care Center of Bridgeton, at 12145 Bridgeton Square in Bridgeton, welcome all to

Community Bingo every last Wednesday of the month at 2:30 p.m. Light refreshment will be served. Please RVSP at 314-298-7444 with the month you will attend and number of people attending.

What’s Happening

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

Wednesdays: TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrews United Methodist Church at 3975 N. Hwy 67 in Florissant. For more information contact Norma at 314-306-4731.

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Weekly voting begins April 4, and ends May 27, 2022.

Winners will be listed along with congratulatory ads in a special section of the paper on June 29. Winners will also receive a certificate and window decal.

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Senior Living

April 13, 2022 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

St. Louis County Library named finalist for National Medal for Museum and Library Service The St. Louis County Library (SLCL) has been named a finalist for the 2022 Institute of Museum and Library Services National Medal for Museum and Library Service.

St. Louis County is among 15 library finalists for the award and the only institution in Missouri to be selected. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that provide significant impact in their communities.

“Libraries make our communities better places to live and work. They offer vital resources to help Missourians succeed,” said Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft.

“Our office is extremely proud of the positive impact the St. Louis County Library has throughout their area. Congratulations to Library Director Kristen Sorth and her staff.”

“SLCL was innovative and responsive to the needs of their community before the pandemic and they

proactively thought outside the box, which made the transition to serving their community during the pandemic seamless,” State Librarian Robin Westphal said. “They are a shining example for not only other Missouri libraries, but also those across the nation.”

National Medal winners will be announced in early June and will be honored during a virtual ceremony this summer.

Still In This Together:

By Vicki Bahr

Easter egg hunts both new and old

https://archwellhealth.com/locations/st-louis

Okay, please don’t judge me, but last month when I was scrounging around behind the living room couch for the front door wreath that’s sort of “springish” so I could replace the one on the door that was definitely looking too “winterish,” I found a green plastic Easter egg that I guess I hid last year when the littlest grandkids came over and we staged an Easter egg hunt.

In my defense, we rarely use the living room. It’s a walk-through room for anyone who comes into our house, on their way to the family room, where the TV, comfortable furniture and easy kitchen access make the real living possible. I clean the living room, really I do, but it’s always been more of an overflow room for whenever we had birthday parties or holiday gatherings, and there haven’t been many of those for a few years.

Great place for hiding plastic Easter eggs, though.

And I’m guessing one of the twins pushed that green one farther under the couch than he intended, and it was forgotten. I’m just happy it wasn’t the olden days, before the invention of plastic Easter eggs, when we hid real dyed hard-boiled eggs for Easter.

“Yes, kids, there was a time we dyed our hardboiled eggs solid colors and left them in a bowl on the kitchen table. We never worried about potato salad being refrigerated on picnic days, either. We lived on the edge, blissfully unaware of the danger of unrefrigerated foods that could become problematic.

But back to the Easter egg hunts. Our house in the city was small, the yard also tiny, but there were lots of great hiding spots for the Easter Bunny to take advantage of.

The weeping willow tree had low-hanging branches with perfect crooks for an egg to fit, Mom’s phlox garden at the back of the yard just before it sloped down to the fence was luxuriantly overgrown

and hid eggs beautifully. The sandbox and swing set and even the flowerpots were wonderful spots to search on a sunny Easter morning in our frilly Easter dresses, lacy white socks and patent leather shoes.

Then we moved to the far away land of North County, where the subdivision was so new that we could hear cows mooing and roosters crowing at the neighboring farm in the wee hours of the morning. The yards were flat, sparsely grassed and treeless the first year we lived on Mockingbird Lane.

On Easter, we had 18 eggs to hunt, which had to be an impressive job for the Easter Bunny to hide, given there was so little greenery and so few man-made hiding places. I noticed a few additions to the back patio, and purposely stayed behind my little sisters so their chances to find the yellow, orange, purple and one ugly chartreuse egg we’d colored would be better.

Our woven baskets were empty, our hearts were happy, and the hunt was on. But we were having trouble.

Found one in the empty bird bath, a couple in the covered sand box, one in the corner of the carport where the walls met. And one in the barbecue pit. But then we walked aimlessly around the perimeter of the fenced yard, not noticing the panicked look on Mom’s face.

She had just solved the mystery.

And then we saw our dachschund, Duchess, the newest member of our family, lazily sauntering from the back of the yard toward us with a smile on her face and pink and purple egg shells hanging from her mouth.

“Bob,” my mom shouted, “how did the dog get out here?”

Of course, the answer really didn’t matter at that point. The dog had happily eaten her way through a dozen eggs, shells and all. Two of us three sisters were in tears; I adopted the more mature look of shock that my mother’s face wore.

The next Easter, and every one she was with us to celebrate after that, Duchess was securely harbored inside the house, with only her little puppy heart to remember that very first North County Easter bounty.

Plastic Easter eggs are just so much easier!

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 nearly fifty 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.

www.mycnews.com • Community News • April 13, 2022

Recipe: Easter dip goodness

E

aster is about coming together with loved ones, enjoying beautiful spring weather and eating your family’s favorite foods.

The kids will be playing, adults will be chatting and all will be patiently waiting for the table to be set.

This dish is made for a crowd, served warm and full of cheesy goodness. You can watch as your family dips into the spinach and one-by-one, before you know it, the rolls will have disappeared and the dip will be devoured.

Ingredients: 16 ounces frozen spinach, thawed 8 ounces cream cheese 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon chili powder 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided 2 crescent roll tubes (8 ounces each)

Feature

F-1

– SUDOKU –

Easter Bunny Rolls with Spinach Dip

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.

Serves: 24

Directions:

each rope into 12 pieces for 24 total.

Heat oven to 375 F.

On baking sheet with parchment paper, form bunny head by placing one piece of dough in middle then surrounding it with six more pieces. Use 13 pieces to form round body. Use remaining pieces to form ears on top of head.

In skillet, over medium heat, cook spinach, cream cheese and garlic 3-4 minutes until cream cheese is melted. Stir in mayonnaise, salt, onion powder, chili powder, pepper and Italian seasoning. Stir in Parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Cook until cheese is melted. Keep skillet on burner over low heat.

Remove dough from tubes. Leaving dough intact, roll and stretch into 18-inch ropes. Cut

Scoop hot spinach dip into center. Spoon small portions on each ear. Sprinkle ears and belly with remaining mozzarella cheese.

Bake 18 minutes, or until crescent dough is golden brown and thoroughly cooked.

Find more Easter recipes at Culinary.net

SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9

Don’t forget that Will Smith made great movies

N

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.

o one is perfect, not even Will Smith. A 90s sensation with his television series “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” the actor parlayed his small screen success into a series of lucrative movies, some of which opened over July 4 weekends.

After the recent “Smack Heard Around the World,” however, Smith’s cinematic career may be in jeopardy. He rightly earned “Best Actor” honors for his work in “King Richard,” but after he hit presenter Chris Rock for tongue-in-cheek remarks, that achievement and his future career looked tarnished.

What happens now? Do we all stop streaming Smith’s movies and throw his DVDs into a roaring fire? That would be exceptionally stupid. Although some want to bury him, the man made some great movies. Back in the 1990’s, I worked for “Suncoast Motion Picture Company,” a chain of stores devoted to movies and memorabilia. In 1996, Will Smith crushed it in “Independence Day” as Captain Steven Hiller, a pilot who wanted to join NASA but was rejected. “Independence Day” became one of our best sellers at the store.

Aliens also contributed to the plot of “Men in Black,” a 1997 science fiction comedy about extraterrestrials who immigrated to Earth.

Will Smith played a young, eager police officer

Laskas was published and inspired the movie “Concussion.” Will Smith played Dr. Bennet Omalu, a real-life neuropathologist who discovered and published materials on CTE. The NFL, however, originally dismissed the possibility of brain injuries in football players.

Long before the Oscar night dustup, Will Smith landed the lead role in “King Richard.” The actor portrayed Richard Williams, a father living in Compton, California with his wife and daughters and stepdaughters. He focused his efforts on daughters Venus and Serena, who would both go on to make their mark on the tennis circuit.

“Hancock” photo courtesy Columbia Pictures Smith’s performance showed how Wilgiven a chance to join “Men in Black,” a secre- liams worked tirelessly with Venus and Serena tive government organization overseeing the while he alienated professional coaches and alien immigration. Smith was perfectly paired other people who wanted to guide their careers.

Some studios indicated that Will Smith projwith the dour Tommy Lee Jones, who played his partner and mentor. The sequels that fol- ects may be put on hold at this time. I was lowed, however, weren’t quite up to standards looking forward to Smith reprising his breakthrough superhero role in “Hancock 2.” In a set by the first film.

When Kurt Warner led the Rams in St. Lou- world filled with Marvel Cinematic Universe is, I’m not sure that fans were fully aware that characters, Hancock was a breath of fresh air repeated concussions on the field could cause and the sequel really should be made. Will Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). In Smith deserves a chance to move past this ina 2009 issue of GQ magazine, an article enti- cident and look toward the future. Nobody’s tled “Game Brain” by journalist Jeanne Marie perfect.

F-2

Feature

COLLECTIBLES

April 13, 2022 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

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PRAYER TO ST. JUDE May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world, now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. St. Jude, Worker of Miracles, Pray for us. St. Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, Pray for us.

Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days, then publish. Your prayers will be answered.

It has never been known to fail.

Thank you, St. Jude. K.S.

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www.mycnews.com • Community News • April 13, 2022

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Feature

April 13, 2022 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

Yeggs

John Hanna

Crossword: Which Sport?

‘Yeggs’ is a comic series about Robert and Bill, two rabbits who have opened their own egg franchise in the Midwest (St. Louis area). We follow their day to day lives, watching as they go about the hectic task of preparing for their one big day every year. Along the way they have adventures filled with fun, comic doings and pathos.

Moore on Life I’ve found the perfect way to lose weight. Forget those tedious programs that cost gazillions.

Say arrivederci to plans which take out happiness-sustaining things such as donuts and buttercream frosting only to be replaced with platefuls of plasticky kale and dry lentils.

Say adios to diets labeled with strange and mysterious names like paleo and keto that sound more like irritating skin diseases. And hasta la vista to special diet foods that cost as much as a used car. (Have you seen the price of used cars?!)

Yes, say au revoir to the doorstep deliveries of those food requirements; things so vile even porch pirates return them demanding a full refund.

And as a bonus, you won’t have to learn how to say goodbye in twelve different languages.

I testify that my diet is a 100% guaranteed weight loss. Furthermore, my program will not cost a bucket of money…only a bucket is required.

Of course, any diet worth its weight entails exercise. This one is no exception. A fair amount of leg work is required. Well, that’s not quite accurate, more like jogging or sprinting? No again.

Okay, full on mad dashing like a herd of rabid buffalo are in pursuit. (Think running of the bulls in Spain) The steps are simple.

First: Invite your older kids and their many children of unknown disease-carrying backgrounds over to your house.

Second: Be certain it’s extremely cold outside so no one leaves the house. In this way you have

By Cindy Moore created a nice, airtight containment area.

T h i rd : Make sure all participants freely touch surrounding areas to include silverware, cups, handrails, door knobs, chair backs, table tops or any other visible surface that can be freely handled, licked, sneezed or drooled upon.

Fourth (and this is key to the program): Ensure there are plenty of bathrooms available with no unlocked…repeat unlocked or restrictive barriers of any kind blocking the entryways. Oh, and rolls of extra toilet tissue readily available are essential.

Now simply wait for the diet bug to hit and watch as the pounds melt away. I call it the 24hour diet plan, but critics refer to it as stomach flu. Such haters.

I’m five-pounds down. No regrets.

Diet begins with ‘Die’

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.

ACROSS 1. Synagogue read 6. One in King’s sematary 9. Cabinet div.

13. Grind down 14. Aloha State’s welcome 15. Soup server 16. Bikini ____, Marshall Islands 17. Final, abbr.

18. Donor’s loss 19. *Vonn and Miller Olympic sport 21. *Ovechkin and Gretzky sport 23. Alternative to trade 24. Secret disclosure 25. Computer-generated imagery, acr.

28. Wise Men 30. Remnant of the past 35. Egg-layers 37. Urban dwelling 39. Printer contents 40. Volcano in Sicily 41. Poetic although 43. Paella pot 44. Dictation taker 46. Like April 1st target 47. Locker room supply 48. Dirty or sleazy 50. Fuddy-duddies, for short 52. Stir fry pan

53. Bread portion 55. Mad King George’s number 57. *Pelé and Ronaldo sport 60. *Sampras and Williams sport 63. Luau greeting 64. “____ my party, and I’ll cry if I want to...”

66. Sack fabric 68. Cheat or trick 69. Davy Jones’ Locker locale 70. Bert’s buddy 71. Coral barrier 72. Poetic “ever” 73. “The defense ____” DOWN 1. Oolong, e.g.

2. Crumbs 3. *#25 Down piece 4. Off-the-cuff 5. Mylar filling 6. Socket insert 7. Adult elver 8. Tax of one tenth 9. Like Darth Vader’s side 10. Drop-off spot 11. Eugene O’Neill’s piece 12. One less than jack 15. Hair holder 20. African antelope

22. Boat propeller 24. Depart from the ground (2 words) 25. *Fischer and Kasparov sport 26. Reach a goal (2 words) 27. Private 29. *Palmer and Nicklaus sport 31. Dirty money 32. Wife’s dad, e.g.

33. Large violin family member 34. *Bolt and Owens sport 36. *A trap in #29 down 38. Biblical pronoun 42. Blast from the past 45. Tin Man’s prop 49. Bambi’s mom 51. Sewing machine brand 54. Do like phoenix 56. Accustom 57. Like gin in fiz 58. Do like goo 59. Kitchen head 60. Russian autocrat 61. Overnight lodgings 62. Hissy fit 63. What acronym and acrylic have in common 65. *#29 Down prop 67. Oui in English SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9