CN: April 20, 2022

April 20, 2022

Up, up and away

Around Town Apr. 29-May 5: 15th Annual QFest St. Louis at the Galleria 6 Cinemas. Pg. 3 A SENIOR MOMENT. Pg. 4 START VOTING NOW! for Best of Northwest County.

Let your favorite businesses know. Pg. 9

Northwest News NORTHWEST VIEWS We must advocate for more public transportation options, not fewer. Pg. 5

Senior Living STILL IN THIS TOGETHER Creative concoctions. Pg. 6

Features (FLIP)

Submitted photo Members of the Greater St. Louis Ninety-Nines participate in several community service projects, including painting a compass rose on the tarmac of the airport in Carbondale, Illinois.

The Greater St. Louis Ninety-Nines celebrate and support the underrepresented impact of female aviators

By Wendy Todd For young girls and women with dreams of navigating the great blue skies, the Ninety-Nines, a nonprofit organization that supports women pilots, can help them fly.

The Ninety-Nines was formed in 1929 in Long Island, New York, in an effort to provide support for women aviators. The name reflects the 99 inaugural members.

The first president of the organization was Amelia Earhart in 1931. And since then, the group has amassed thousands of members all over the country with chap-

ters across the U.S. including St. Louis where one was established in 1941.

From that time the Greater St. Louis Ninety-Nines began offering educational opportunities to the community, specifically youth. In 1947 the chapter began its educational offerings by creating a high school essay contest where the winner won 10 hours of aviation training. That was just the beginning of the many projects and events to support burgeoning pilots.

Members of the Ninety-Nines provided presentations on women in aviation to local organizations and groups in an effort

Recipe, Movie & Sudoku.

Pg. F-1 CLASSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3

to raise awareness about the underrepresented impact women have had in the pilot profession. And today, the group’s engagement with the community continues.

Scholarships are also awarded to women pursuing degrees in aviation and related fields. Recipients are awarded $1,000.

The organization offers additional memorial scholarships and awards that assist licensed pilots with costs associated with continued professional development. One way the scholarships and awards are funded is by hosting events.

See ‘UP’ page 2

Serving North & Northwest St. Louis County | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 101 No. 16 | 636-379-1775

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

Weather FRIDAY Partly Cloudy 83/64 SATURDAY Partly Cloudy 82/62 SUNDAY Scattered Showers 79/56

2

Around Town

April 20, 2022 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

‘UP’ from cover On April 23, the Ninety-Nines will present a banquet event at the Holiday Inn Airport West featuring Caroline Jensen otherwise known as “Blaze”, the first reserve officer to fly for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds. She will speak on her experience as a combat veteran.

Jensen always knew she wanted to be a pilot.

“I saw a movie with a biplane flying around the clouds and was mesmerized instantly,” Jensen says.

“Later on in life I saw an airshow with F-16s flying overhead with the Thunderbirds. I set my goals on becoming a fighter pilot before it was legally allowed for women to fly and combat aircraft. But I use the example of the World War II Women Airforce Service Pilots to motivate me to follow my dreams and the year before I entered the Air Force Huneke Publications, Inc. Academy the laws had 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. changed.”

O’Fallon, MO 63366 Women pilots and PH: 636-379-1775 their achievement are FX: 636-379-1632 often underrepresentPublished weekly since 1921. ed and overlooked. The Serving St. Louis, St. Charles Ninety-Nines hope its and Lincoln Counties. continued efforts inspire more females to Publisher/ consider joining the leEditor-in-Chief Mathew DeKinder gion of women pilots.

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.

Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns are the opinion of the writers and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Entire Contents Copyrighted.

Robertson Fire Protection District announces proposal to reduce tax rate The Robertson Fire Protection District (RFPD) announced it is proposing to voluntarily reduce its residential tax rate by 58.75% at the Hazelwood City Council meeting on April 6.

This is expected to reduce the cost of emergency services to residents of the district and the city of Hazelwood, which pays for Robertson’s services for thousands of its residents by more than half a million dollars. Bridgeton homeowners are expected to save up to hundreds of dollars per year.

“Through the years, the city of Hazelwood has given away millions of taxpayer dollars in corporate welfare through commercial TIFs, tax abatements and more.

The majority of the property in our fire protection district is commercial property, so these tax breaks directly impact our ability to operate. Now that some of these initiatives are expiring, specifically the Missouri Bottom/370 tax abatement, we can take a substantial tax burden off our residents and the city of Hazelwood while continuing to provide quality emergency services,” says RFPD Board Chair Joan Noel.

The RFPD Board of Directors is proposing a voluntary rollback of the residential tax rate from $2.40 to .99-cents, a $1.41 decrease for the 2023 calendar year.

The rate will be set in September of 2022. This residential tax rate will be one of the lowest fire protection district tax rates in St. Louis County. It will result in an

estimated $638,000 savings to the city of Hazelwood and the residents of the district. The commercial rate of $2.47, agricultural rate of $2.57 and personal property rate of $2.63 are planned to stay at their current levels.

In December 2017, the city of Hazelwood’s City Council passed a resolution that attempted to terminate the 1995 Fire Service Agreement between RFPD and city. Under the terms of the agreement, RFPD provides fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to Hazelwood residents who live within the district and the city of Hazelwood provides payment for these services. The city pays for these services with tax revenue paid by the residents who live within the fire district and through other taxes and fees they collect. Approximately half of the RFPD is within the city of Hazelwood, and the city provides the district with nearly 50% of its funding as part of the Fire Service Agreement.

In 2021 the courts ruled that the city must continue to provide monthly payments to RFPD as described in the 1995 Fire Services Agreement, but a final decision on the case is still pending. A 2021 Missouri Supreme Court decision involving the Affton Fire Protection District and the city of Crestwood ruled in favor of the Affton Fire Protection District. The court said the city voluntarily annexed the land in the fire district, and the city must pay the district the current fire district tax rate that district residents voted on.

THEATER REVIEW: Don’t throw away your shot to see ‘Hamilton’ There’s not much to say about “Hamilton” that hasn’t already been said. The musical phenomenon has reached peak cultural saturation to the point that more people can recognize Lin-Manuel Miranda than the guy on the $10 bill.

It’s as well-known as a musical can get without becoming a movie (and no, the recorded performance on Disney+ doesn’t count), and yet it’s easy to forget that at the center of all of the hype is an actual show.

That’s why it’s a joy to get reacquainted (or just plain acquainted if you haven’t seen it yet) with the stage production now showing at the Fox Theatre through May 1.

What struck me the most this time around is the degree to which Act 1 is a masterpiece.

Musical theater gets no better than the first hour-plus of this show which is vibrant, thrilling and packed with songs destined to stay stuck in your head for days afterwards.

In case you’ve been living under a rock or slept through U.S. history in high school, “Hamilton” is the story of the life of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton (Pierre Jean Gonzalez) and his political rival/eventual murderer Aaron Burr (Jared Dixon).

Told with a hip-hop flair, “Hamilton” gives us a fresh and fun look at historical heavyweights like George Washington (Marcus Choi), Thomas Jefferson (Warren Egypt Franklin) and James Madison (Con-

By Mathew DeKinder Submitted photo

roe Brooks) while shining a light on lesser-known figures like Hamilton’s wife Eliza (Stephanie Jae Park) and her sister Angelica (Ta’Rea Campbell).

There’s even the palate-cleansing, recurring appearance of King George (scene-stealer Neil Haskell) to provide a little comic relief and different takes on the crazy-catchy tune “You’ll Be Back.”

The show tours exceptionally well, as the ever-present true stars of the show are the rapid-fire musical numbers (“Hamilton” has to boast the most words-per-capita of any

Broadway show in history), innovative choreography and simple set design.

If you want to criticize anything, you could make the case that Act 2 takes a halfstep back as it deals with more serious subject matter and slower pacing, but at that point you’re just splitting hairs.

Don’t throw away your shot to see the best musical of the 21st century and catch it before it hits the road again.

“Hamilton” is now playing at the Fox Theatre through May 1. For tickets call 314-5341111 or go to metrotix.com.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • April 20, 2022

Around Town

3

Ascension Charity Classic to support Nicklaus and Normandie Golf Course renovation project The Ascension Charity Classic presented by Emerson, an official PGA TOUR Champions event held annually in North St. Louis County at historic Norwood Hills Country Club, has announced a long-term partnership with the Normandie Golf Course renovation project, led by the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association and Beyond Housing, in conjunction with Nicklaus Design.

The partnership will include financial support, charitable and tournament alignment, and investments to help make golf more diverse and inclusive in North St. Louis County and beyond.

An additional component of the new relationship includes a significant investment in the effort to restore and revitalize Normandie Golf Course, one of the oldest public golf courses west of the Mississippi River and located in North St. Louis County in the city of Bel-Nor. The option to purchase the real estate from the University of Missouri System (UMSL) has been exercised and the project is expected to break ground in the fall of 2022.

In April 2021 it was announced that Nicklaus Design would lead the renovation effort and Normandie would become a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.

Moreover, Normandie Golf Course will be included as a potential qualifying site for both the Ascension Charity Classic and the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour’s new Ascension Classic presented by Daugherty Business Solutions, with potential for eventually hosting the APGA Tour Ascension Classic in the future as well as hosting additional Ascension Charity Classic Pro-Am outings.

“It made perfect sense for the Ascension Charity

Classic to get involved in this effort to restore and revitalize Normandie Golf Course given our long-term commitment to North St. Louis County through our PGA TOUR Champions and APGA Tour events, as well as our commitment to making golf more diverse and inclusive,” said Nick Ragone, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Ascension.

“We believe that a redesigned and revitalized Normandie Golf Course can play a major role in both the Ascension Charity Classic and the APGA Tour’s Ascension Classic once the design work has been completed.”

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have the Ascension Charity Classic involved in our effort to restore Normandie and make the game of golf more diverse and inclusive,” said Tom O’Toole Jr., past USGA President and founder of the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association. “In a short period of time, the Ascension Charity Classic has made an immense and positive impact on North St. Louis County, as well as for the game of golf in that region and throughout our community. This financial, charitable and tournament alignment will support and accelerate our plans.”

“We appreciate the Ascension Charity Classic’s long-term investments in North St. Louis County, and this partnership with the Normandie Golf project will only further our efforts to encourage investments in our community that reinforce and accelerate social change,” said Missouri State Senator Brian Williams.

The 2022 Ascension Charity Classic presented by Emerson will take place the week of Sept. 6-11 at historic Norwood Hills Country Club in North St.

Louis County. All proceeds from the tournament will again be distributed among area charities, including Marygrove, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.

www.cateringtoyou.com

15th Annual QFest St. Louis runs April 29-May 5 at the Galleria 6 Cinemas Get ready to get your Q on!

The 15th Annual QFest St. Louis — presented by Cinema St. Louis (CSL) — will take place from April 29-May 5 at the Galleria 6 Cinemas, with a selection of programs also available online. The online programs can be streamed at any time during the festival’s dates.

The St. Louis-based LGBTQ film festival, QFest will present an eclectic array of 35 films from 13 countries (20 shorts, nine narrative features, and six documentary features). The participating filmmakers represent a wide variety of voices in contemporary queer world cinema. The mission of the film festival is to use the art of contemporary gay cinema to spotlight the lives of LGBTQ people and to celebrate queer culture.

The fest is especially pleased to host the St. Louis premiere of “The Depths,” a rarely seen 2001 work by internationally acclaimed filmmaker Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, and a reprise from SLIFF of Sebastian Meiser’s prison drama “Great Freedom.” Another highlight is this year’s Q Classic, Todd Hayne’s 1991 “Poison,” which was a part of the dawn of the New Queer Cinema movement of the early ’90s.

A special event, a two-film mini-festival and a panel discussion focused on Harvey Milk, takes place before QFest on the weekend of April 22-23 at Webster University. The event is presented in part-

nership with Opera Theatre of St. Louis in conjunction with its upcoming premiere of “Milk” in June.

In addition, QFest features a “Poison”-themed dance party at Handlebar on April 30.

QFest St. Louis begins on April 29, and runs through May 5. Tickets are $15 general, $12 for Cinema St. Louis members and students with valid and current IDs. Passes are also available: Five-Film Passes are $65, and All-Access Passes are $200 ($50 and $150 for CSL members). Virtual screenings — limited to residents of Missouri and Illinois — will be offered through Eventive, CSL’s online presentation partner. Direct ticket links are available on the QFest website.

QFest St. Louis is sponsored by AARP St. Louis, Arts & Education Council, Grizzell & Co., Missouri Arts Council, Bob Pohrer & Donnie Engle, CALOP, Just John Nightclub, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Regional Arts Commission, Deb Salls, St. Louis LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, St. Louis Public Radio, Cindy Walker, Webster U. Film Series, and Ted Wight.

For the full schedule of screenings, including trailers and descriptions of the films, visit the festival website at www.cinemastlouis.org/qfest. Advance digital screeners of the features and some of the shorts are available for press review on request. Please inquire with QFest St. Louis artistic director Chris Clark.

www.stlcc.edu/apply

4

Around Town

April 20, 2022 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Applications for the Arts and Education Council’s Operating Support Grants are now open

Proposition R for Reform passes for more accountability and transparency in St. Louis City government

The Arts and Education Council’s applications for Operating Support Grants are now open. The Arts and Education Council’s Operating Support Grant Program provides ongoing, unrestricted support to arts organizations whose programming supports the goal of the Arts and Education Council to drive community impact.

Made possible by contributions from thousands of individuals, corporate and foundation donors to the Arts and Education Council’s annual fund, these grants provide unrestricted funding to help strengthen infrastructure, build sustainability and grow outreach programs.

“We’re excited to open this grant application to a larger pool of arts organizations in our region than ever before.

This year, arts nonprofits within our 16-county bi-state region with annual operating budgets of $250,000 or more are eligible to apply,” shared Arts and Education Council Manager of Grants and Programs Jessireé Jenkins. “Emerging from a two-year pandemic, arts organizations of all sizes need unrestricted funds to grow and thrive, creating a vibrant arts community. We’re grateful to our donors who make this support possible.”

Proposition R for Reform passed in the April 5, city of St. Louis municipal election. The citizen-initiated Proposition R cleared the 60% threshold needed for passage and will be added to the city charter.

“The voters of St. Louis City have spoken; they want accountability and transparency at the board of alderpersons,” said LaShana Lewis, Board Chair of Show Me Integrity Education Fund. “On behalf of Show Me Integrity, thank you to our dedicated coalition partners who made this possible.

We look forward to building more cross-partisan coalitions for transfor-

To be eligible for an Operating Support Grant organizations must have a primary mission to provide programs or activities in areas directly concerned with arts, arts education or cultural heritage for the public with active programming for most of the year, operate within the Arts and Education Council’s 16-county bi-state region, have a 501c3 tax status for three or more years and operate under board-approved annual budgets of $250,000 or more. Additionally, organizations should meet all other criteria and requirements as outlined in the Operating Support Guidelines.

Applications for Operating Support Grants are due May 5 at 5 p.m. A volunteer grant panel comprised of the Grants and Programs Committee of the Arts and Education Council’s Board of Directors determines grant awards. Awardees will be notified and announced in June.

For specific criteria and application information, visit KeepArtHappening. org/OperatingSupport. For additional information contact Jessireé Jenkins, Manager of Grants and Programs at Jessiree-J@KeepArtHappening.org or 314289-4015, or Eli Wennstrom, Grants and Programs Specialist at Eli-W@KeepArtHappening.org or 314-289-4012.

mative change in our region, and we invite partners to join us in that conversation.”

Proposition R was written by St. Louisans in an open, community-driven process in consultation with national experts. It has been endorsed by the League of Women Voters, SLACO, Show Me Integrity, Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice, Missouri Faith Voices, St. Louis Young Democrats, and many other organizations and leaders.

To learn more about Proposition R for Reform, visit https://reformstlouis.com.

THIS WEEK’S PICK

St. Louis Metro Money Smart Month hosting dozens of local events in April

U

nited Way of Greater St. Louis and the St. Louis Regional Financial Empowerment Coalition are partnering together for St. Louis Metro Money Smart Month, offering more than 65 free events and classes on financial education and money management throughout April. This year, there will be in-person and virtual events for participants of all ages including pre-k to seniors.

“Money Smart Month is a great opportunity for people to learn better money management and saving habits, and what steps to take to secure a better financial future,” said Debbie Irwin, community economic development director at United Way of Greater St. Louis. “United Way is grateful to be able to work with our partners to help people in our community increase their knowledge of personal finance and reach their financial dreams.”

Celebrating its 10th year in the St. Louis region, Money Smart Month is a community education program sponsored by the St. Louis Regional Financial Empowerment Coalition in partnership with United Way of Greater St. Louis, area libraries, community organizations and fi-

nancial institutions. Money Smart Month classes and events will be held throughout April to help individuals and families learn about money management, goal setting, saving for retirement or college, building credit, reducing debt, estate planning, and more.

“It’s critical to have a collaborative group of nonprofits, businesses, and organizations willing to provide financial education to support the varied life stages and financial goals for residents in the communities we serve,” said Jacqueline Buck-Horton, Money Smart co-chair and vice president of community development specialist at Sterling Bank.

“These classes are about empowering our neighbors and their families to better understand and improve upon their overall financial wellness starting today and well into the future.”

For more information and a complete list of the month’s activities, visit MoneySmartStLouis.org. Information on additional classes offered year-round by nonprofit partners, aimed at promoting successful personal finance management, is also available on the site.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • April 20, 2022

Northwest News

The Muny, Shakespeare Festival, Midnight Company are major winners of St. Louis Theater Circle Awards The Muny, the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival and The Midnight Company, with nine, eight and six awards, respectively, led the way at the 2022 St. Louis Theater Circle Awards, which were held in a virtual, streaming ceremony on HEC Media on March 28.

The Muny’s 2021 production of “Chicago,” which returns to open its 2022 season, took top honors for an individual show with seven awards. Denis Jones, director and choreographer of “Chicago,” and Joe Hanrahan, artistic director of The Midnight Company, each was honored with two individual awards to lead all honorees.

Nominees in more than 30 categories vied for honors covering comedies, dramas, musicals and operas produced by local professional theater and opera companies in the combined calendar years of 2020 and 2021.

Because the coronavirus pandemic brought about the cancellation of so many productions by nearly all local professional theater companies, approximately 75 productions were considered for nominations for the combined years of 2020 and 2021. This compares to roughly 120 to 130 productions normally considered in one year alone.

The eighth annual award ceremony, which was to have been held “live” at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the campus of Webster University, was canceled in February 2020 due to the escalating number of cases of COVID-19. Instead, that event was held virtually in a

Northwest Views:

highly polished presentation produced by HEC Media and streamed on HEC’s YouTube channel, Facebook page and web site, as was this ninth annual event. There was no ceremony of any type by the Theater Circle in 2021.

For the ninth annual ceremony, members of the St. Louis Theater Circle considered nominees from shows produced in the first three months of 2020 and the last eight months of 2021 combined. In addition, a few shows produced between April 2020 and May 2021 were included.

In addition, arts philanthropists Nancy and Ken Kranzberg were honored with a special award which was originally presented at the 2020 in-person ceremony. Michael Hamilton and Jack Lane, co-founders of Stages St. Louis and the troupe’s recently retired artistic director and executive producer, respectively, were honored as well for their body of work. The Kranzbergs and Lane each gave a recorded acceptance speech during the virtual ceremony.

The mission of the St. Louis Theater Circle is simple: To honor outstanding achievement in St. Louis professional theater. Other cities around the country, such as Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., pay tribute to their own local theatrical productions with similar awards programs.

www.hoodsauto.com

By Michael P. McMillan

We must advocate for more public transportation options, not fewer For too many in our community – and throughout the state – public transportation is the sole means by which they can get where they need to go. In rural Missouri, where access to healthcare continues to be challenging, public transportation is an absolute necessity and without it, we will continue to see health inequities grow. In the urban core, thousands of St. Louisans rely on public transportation every day to get to work, school, the grocery store, doctor appointments and more. This truth is underscored by a new report released by the Alliance for a Just Society, the Labor Network for Sustainability and TransitCenter, stating that minority groups across the country are more likely to count on public transit as their primary transportation option and are more likely to use public transportation to get to work.

As President and CEO of the Urban League, I see the toll that lack of access to reliable public transportation has on the families we serve; including, missed doctor’s appointments, sporadic mental wellness visits and long rides just to get to a grocery store. Residents of North City and North County who rely on transit for job access, have in many cases a two-plus hour, multi-transfer, one-way trip to work. We must advocate for more public transportation options, not fewer.

The 2018 Northside-Southside Corridor Alternative Analysis determined that light rail was the locally preferred alternative in that corridor and the current study will be examining new technological options for light rail possibilities in St. Louis City and St. Louis County. Greater access to public transit translates to greater accessibility for residents, re-

sulting in resiliency, economics, equality, improved health and environmental outcomes, and the ability to attract and retain business. Investments in public transit contribute to economic opportunity for all working people.

In fact, The Forward through Ferguson Report also identified light rail expansion as one strategy to foster this economic opportunity and to improve equity in the region.

North St. Louis County has been disinvested in for decades and a large-scale, public works investment like MetroLink would go a long way in jumpstarting development, jobs and increased accessibility for the area. Light rail is a proven catalyst for development. We can see the impact of public transit in the central corridor – areas like the Central West End and Midtown St. Louis are booming with the help of MetroLink. Plus, millions in investments are underway next to the Forest Park-DeBaliviere Transit Center. Yet, not everybody is celebrating that success.

We must invest in robust public transit if we want to build an economically resilient and racially equitable region. And now is the time. The availability of federal funding through the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provides $91 billion in funding for transit, presents a unique opportunity that didn’t exist previously. Now is the time to seize the opportunity.

Michael P. McMillan is President & CEO of The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. 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.TheSarahCommunity.com

5

6

Senior Living

April 20, 2022 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

www.MYCNEWS.com

Still In This Together:

By Vicki Bahr

Creative concoctions John laughed as he took both the mint chocolate chip and regular chocolate ice cream cartons out of the freezer and sat them on the kitchen counter for me.

“Well, you asked what I was in the mood for tonight,” I said.

“What type of concoction are you dreaming up now?” he murmured, thinking I couldn’t hear him. But it is actually amazing how well I hear snide remarks, even though my general hearing leaves a lot to be desired.

“I’m still thinking about it,” I answered immediately, just so he would know I’d picked up on his question.

“I may go with a scoop of mint chocolate ice cream smooshed into the middle of a bed of chocolate ice cream, then heat up a spoonful of the chocolate cake frosting that’s in the refrigerator and drape it over the top. And then, maybe a couple of chocolate chips embedded on the top…

He just shook his head and laughed. He is simply not a connoisseur of imaginative combinations. Vanilla ice cream is his idea of a wild and crazy choice at the ice cream shoppe, in a plain cone.

Such a shame. The man doesn’t know what he’s missing.

He also tells everyone we know that he’s never known me to order straight off the menu at a restaurant, without tweaking the typical way something is prepared or asking for an addition or deletion to the ingredients.

Part of it has to be that I was the eldest child and first grandchild on both sides of the family, and I was actually asked what I would like for dinner by a mother and grandmothers who really liked to cook, and might have spoiled me just a little.

But the ice cream combinations came from a totally different source. We lived for six years or so right at the edge of St. Louis City and Jennings, because my dad was a St. Louis City fireman and it was a requirement

that he live within city boundaries. Our street was a short one, and dead-ended at the fenced entrance to a park-like area. We neighborhood kids played baseball in the street and roller skated to our hearts’ desire up and down the sidewalks under the watchful eyes of older neighbors who sat on their front porches from morning to night, nursing mugs of coffee and smoking cigarettes.

We were just a couple of blocks away from what would ultimately become Highway 70, and I still remember playing in the clay when they were beginning the process of grading for the highway.

At the other end of the block was an alleyway, and after you crossed the alley, there was an ice cream shop that fortuitously just happened to be owned by a high school classmate of my mother’s. I was still very young, so I don’t remember all the details, but I do know that we were privileged customers and walked up there many evenings to stand under the buzzing yellow-orange lights swatting at mosquitoes as we waited our turn to get to the order window.

And I remember being allowed to try every flavor of ice cream, every type of malt and sundae, every wonderful item offered on the basic menu. It was a small place; I don’t remember that there were even any tables or benches on the edges of the parking lot.

My younger sister would have been in the stroller, and Mom held my hand as we crossed the alley just to be safe. I think my dad was often working nights, and it was probably a way for Mom to get out of the house and help keep us occupied of an evening. She hadn’t learned how to drive yet, and society was neighbors with coffee mugs on their porches carrying on conversations that echoed on the breeze as we walked along.

I can’t remember the owner’s name, but we were great buddies, and when I began asking for unusual combinations that weren’t on the menu, he always obliged me. I couldn’t read the menu anyway, but I’m pretty sure he added a few things to it because of my unorthodox requests. Nowadays, any self-respecting ice cream shoppe has dozens of named delights, but things were simpler then.

I remember one night specifically, when I asked if he could make me a hot fudge malt. He laughed out loud and said, “Vicki Lee, if you get sick from this, I’m not to blame.” And he put the ingredients into the metal cup, attached it to the machine and whirred it until it was done, poured it into a cardboard cup and ceremoniously added a circus-striped straw as he handed me my very original creation.

It was delicious, and a hot fudge malt can actually be ordered from a menu these days. But who needed a menu when creating was so much fun? I wouldn’t change that memory for the world.

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.

www.VillageNorthRetirement.org

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 – St. Louis County • April 20, 2022

Business

Dowd Bennett LLP helps feed the hungry with $100,000 donation to St. Louis Attorneys Against Hunger initiative Thanks to the generosity of the law firm Dowd Bennett LLP, $100,000 was distributed during the first quarter of 2022 to several area organizations that feed the hungry. Dowd Bennett donated the funds to The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis’ (BAMSL) and the Saint Louis Bar Foundation’s St. Louis Attorneys Against Hunger (STLAAH) initiative. The money was distributed to: • Meals on Wheels of Greater St. Louis • BAMSL member Beth Boggs’ Step It Up program • St. Louis Area Foodbank • St. Patrick Center • Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis

Photo courtesy Tom Paule Presentation of the check to the St. Louis Area Foodbank included (from left) STLAAH founder Ed Dowd, STLAAH Committee member Hon. Dianna Bartels, Jim Bennett, BAMSL Executive Director Susan McCourt Baltz, St. Louis Area Foodbank President and CEO Meredith Knopp, BAMSL President Bob Tomaso, STLAAH Committee member Eisha Ahmed-Petersen and STLAAH staff liaison Susan Sagarra.

Ed Dowd, partner at Dowd Bennett, founded BAMSL’s STLAAH initiative when he was president of BAMSL from May 1, 2017, to April 30, 2018. His mother volunteered at Meals on Wheels for 40 years,

which is how he learned about the issue of food insecurity in the region.

McCluer High School football team and Pommies featured at Hazelwood McDonald’s grand reopening McDonald’s owner/operator Francis Ruiz wanted the grand reopening of his Hazelwood store to be a community-wide celebration. As a former high school and college football player, Ruiz he used the celebration to support a local high school football team and dance squad.

Ruiz donated $1,500 to the McCluer High School football team and an additional $500 to the McCluer Pommies, the school’s dance team. He said football taught him life lessons that he uses every day in his role as an owner/operator.

“To sum it up, it’s taught me the importance of teamwork, the importance of family, the importance Submitted photo of hard work,” Ruiz said. “You really (From left) Al-Mani Jimerson stands with McCluer Coach Howard Brown and McDonald’s Owner Francis don’t think you make an impact, but Ruiz. people look up to you.” appreciative of their support over the years. This McMcCluer’s football coach and several of his players Donald’s is a place where people can come to eat, felattended the event. lowship, and relax. We realize that our customers and “It’s major help,” Al-Mani Jimerson, a McCluer Dethe communities we serve our part of the extended fensive lineman said in response to the Ruiz donation.

McDonald’s family, and we take that relationship seri“It helps young kids in the community and lets them ously,” Ruiz said. know we are here, here to help.”

The state-of-the-art McDonald’s, located at Pershall The Hazelwood grand reopening also featured prizand Hanley Roads near I-270, includes new pick-up es for those in attendance. A 55-inch television, Ninstations, digital kiosks, easy to read digital boards and tendo Switch, and an adult bicycle were given to lucky an extra drive-thru window from improved customer customers who won a drawing. Ruiz wanted to send a service. These upgrades were months in the making. message that his restaurant is more than a place to eat.

“Hazelwood is a tight-knit community, and I’m very

www.hoodsauto.com

7

What’s Happening

8

April 20, 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

April 22: Food Truck Knight

www.SeniorsHelpingSeniors.com/StLouisCentral

The Knights of Columbus Duchesne Council #2951 and the city of Florissant will be co-sponsoring the first Food Truck Knight of the year from 5 to 8 p.m. on the lot near the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine located at 50 rue St. Francois. The trucks will serve until 7 p.m. and performing until 8 p.m. is the band Wheelhouse. Proceeds will benefit local nonprofit charities including the TEAM Food Pantry. Patrons are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for collection barrels that will be on site.

April 30: Trivia night

Securing the IT health of your business by minimizing your risk and oppmizing produccvity.   

Remote and On-Site Support Cybersecurity Network Mngmt

  

Hardware Repair and Replacement HIPAA Compliance Vendor Liaison

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 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.

May 20: Trivia night

Managed IT services for small and medium sized businesses.

Contact us for a FREE Disaster Recovery Assessment!

636-332-1335 bill.dickherber@computerparamedic.net computerparamediconline.com Problems with your personal PC? Visit us at our Repair Shop 115 W. Pearce Blvd Wentzville, MO 63385

Youth In Need’s Young Professionals Group will hold its annual trivia night to benefit Youth In Need at the Bridgeton Recreation Center at 4201 Fee Fee Road in Bridgeton.

Doors open at 6 p.m., and trivia begins at 7 p.m. Registration is $185 for tables of eight or $25 for a single seat and includes beer, wine and light snacks. Outside food and drinks are permitted; just no glass, please. Register or secure your sponsorship online at https://www. youthinneed.org/giving-volunteering/young-professionals-group/. For more information about the event and sponsorship opportunities or to make an auction dona-

tion, contact Emily Birgenheier, Development Services Manager, at ebirgenheier@ youthinneed.org.

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

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 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 636-579-9227, 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

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

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.

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

Every 4th Tuesday of the month: Fort Bellefontaine Memorial American Legion Post 335 meeting

6:30pm, Fort Bellefontaine Memorial American Legion Post 335, at the Bellefontaine Neighbors Community Center at 9669 Bellefontaine Rd. Those interested in membership are invited to attend.

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 314298-7444 with the month you will attend and number of people attending.

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.

Every Wednesday: Bingo Morning at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316

Florissant Elks Lodge #2316, 16400 New Halls Ferry Rd. in Florissant. Doors at 7:30 a.m., games begin at 9:30 a.m. For more information, call 314-921-2316.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • April 20, 2022 Bridgeton Trails Library Branch Programs:

3455 McKelvey Rd., St. Louis, 314-994-3300. Story Time: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. 9 months to 2 yrs. Room 1 (Lap Time); Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. Ages 3–5. Room 2; Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Ages 3–5. Room 1.

Florissant Senior Citizens’ Bingo Clubs: 314-839-7604.

Every 1st Wednesday of the Month: Stroke Support Group

3-4 p.m., Center for Senior Renewal, Detrick Building 1st floor, 11133 Dunn Rd. For more information, contact Jamie Stevens at 314-653-5331.

Thursdays: Bingo

Community Bingo at the Bridge At Florissant, at 1101 Garden Plaza Drive (intersection of Parker and Arlington) takes place on the third Thursday of each month starts at 2 p.m. There will be snacks and prizes. For more information call 314-831-0988.

Thursdays: Quilting guild

What’s Happening

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

Every third Thursday of the month the Flower Valley Quilting Guild meets at 7 p.m. in the old school at the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine, 1 Rue St. Francois, Florissant.

Thursdays: Blood pressure checks

Free blood pressure checks monthly at Life Care Center of Florissant at 1201 Garden Plaza Dr. (off Parker Rd.) in Florissant every third Thursday of the month. Call 831-3752 for more information.

Presented by

Vote for your favorite business in these Northwest County zip codes 63044, 63045, 63074, 63114, 63121, 63133 63124, 63130, 63132, 63043, 63141 and 63146 (Only businesses operating in the zip codes listed above are eligible to win)

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.

You can vote online at

www.mycnews.com

or you can clip this and mail to: Community News 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366 You can only submit one ballot per week.

Accounting/Bookkeeping

Advertising/Marketing

Apartments/Condos

Associations/Non-Profits

Attorney

Automobile Dealers / New

Automobile Dealers / Used

Automobile Repair

Bakery

Bank

Banquet Center/Event Venue

Car Wash

Catering

Child Care Services

Chiropractor

Computer Services

Construction

Credit Union

Dentist

Disaster Restoration

Donuts

Electrical Contractors

Florist

Funeral Services

General Contractor

Golf Course

Gym/Fitness Center

Healthcare Clinic/Hosp Affiliation

Heating & Cooling (HVAC)

Home Health Care Svcs (CDS)

Home Improvement/Remodeling

Ins Agent/with Agency Name

Jeweler

Landscaping/Lawn Care Svcs

Nursing Homes/Extended Care

Office Equipment/Furniture

Optical/Eye Care

Real Estate Agts & Agcy Name

Restaurant - Dine In

Tax Preparation

Towing & Roadside Assistance

Invest Srvcs/Financial Planner

9

Photography

Physical Therapy

Physician/Hosp Affiliation

Printing/Copy Service

Retirement Communities

Roofing Contractors

Salon/Barber Shop

Skilled Nursing/Rehab

Sports Bar & Grill

Travel Agent

Urgent Care

Veterinarian

Wellness/Spa

Write-In

10

Sports

April 20, 2022 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

WWW.MYCNEWS.COM

www.treesbywood.net

Sports you see with Gary B...

Ambush soccer end season The St. Louis Ambush play professional indoor soccer in the MASL with their home games at the Family Arena in St. Charles.

Despite a gallant effort by the St. Louis Ambush, they were eliminated from the Major Arena Soccer League’s quarterfinals by the Florida Tropics in Lakeland, Florida recently. The final score was 6-4 in a match that saw both teams battle down to the final buzzer. Florida, the number two seed in the playoffs, now moves on to the semifinal round.

St. Louis took an early lead, scoring the first two goals of the contest within the first six minutes. Robert Kristo found the back of the net in the sixth minute, followed by Marcel Berry just over a minute later. Tony Walls assisted on both tallies. The Ambush held a 2-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The home team put a few goals on the board and the Ambush added one and then neither team scored again in the period, the Ambush enjoyed a 3-2 lead at halftime.

Florida knotted the score again late in the third frame when Ricardo Carvalho caught St. Louis goalkeeper Pollo Cortes out of the goal and put the ball in it to make it a 3-3 game. The Tropics took their first lead of the match when Taylor Walter Bond nailed a shot from the corner with just under a minute and a half remaining in the quarter. Florida added to the lead when Zach Reget unleashed a hard shot from the corner with under a minute remaining in the period to give the home team a 5-3 lead with one quarter remaining.

The Ambush shaved the lead when William Eskay got off a shot that eluded Tropics goalkeeper Jorge Navarrete in the seventh minute of the fourth quarter for a 5-4 score. With 3:18 left in the game, the Ambush pulled Cortes and went with the sixth attacker. Unfortunately for the Ambush, that strategy

backfired when Florida’s Junior Alencar put the ball in the empty net with just over a minute left on the clock to give the Tropics a 6-4 lead that held until the final buzzer. * Exciting season UMSL women’s softball pitchers tally two no hitters The University of Missouri-St. Louis senior Mimi Bradley tossed her first career no-hitter while striking out six on Saturday in a 2-0 victory against Maryville to set the tone for a dominant weekend by UMSL. The Tritons also won 2-0 in the second game of their doubleheader, and they outscored Missouri S&T 23-4 in another doubleheader sweep on Sunday in Rolla, Missouri, to run their winning streak to seven games.

Bradley’s no-hitter was the second in as many weeks for UMSL after Annie Scaramuzzi tossed a no-hitter last weekend against Southwest Baptist.

Megan Brown drove in three runs to back Bradley (7-2) to another win, 12-4 against the Miners. Catcher Riley Schultz homered and drove in four runs in an 11-0 victory to complete the sweep.

UMSL (26-13, 15-5 Great Lakes Valley Conference) travels to Indianapolis for a doubleheader in the upcoming days. * Great combo 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.

www.mycnews.com • Community News • April 20, 2022

Recipe: A perfectly dreamy dessert ome desserts deliver sweet taste that satisfies taste buds while others provide a rich flavor that lingers long after you’ve finished that last delicious bite. When you’re pondering which type of dessert you’d like to make at home, it may be difficult to decide which direction to take.

Instead of making that nearly impossible decision, keep in mind you can have the best of both worlds with this Chocolate Caramel Peanut Butter Pie. On top of the hardto-beat flavor, this recipe requires a short list of ingredients and limited time in the kitchen for an easy-tomake treat to satisfy your loved ones’ dessert desires.

Just mix together cream cheese, powdered sugar, peanut butter, milk and whipped topping before layering together in a graham cracker crust that adds just enough crunch to the creamy texture. Top with chocolate chips and drizzle with chocolate and caramel syrups before freezing, serving and putting smiles on all the faces in the room.

F-1

– SUDOKU –

Chocolate Caramel Peanut Butter Pie

S

Feature

Ingredients: 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 1 cup powdered sugar 1 cup peanut butter 1/2 cup milk 1 container (8 ounces) whipped topping 1 graham cracker crust chocolate chips chocolate syrup caramel syrup

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.

Directions: In bowl of stand mixer, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and peanut butter; mix until blended.

Add milk; mix until blended. Fold in whipped topping.

Pour into crust. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Drizzle with chocolate syrup and caramel syrup. Freeze until set.

Find more dessert recipes at Culinary.net.

SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9

China requests edits to ‘Fantastic Beasts’ sequel

A

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.

ccording to “The Independent,” the Florida Senate’s Education Committee passed legislation that would restrict schools from teaching students about sexual orientation. Known informally as the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill, the legislation meant teachers could become the target of lawsuits. Additionally, if a school determines that a student was deemed “not straight,” the school will report that directly to the child’s parents.

Sexual orientation also became a hot topic over in the magical world of “Harry Potter.” After the original seven novels by J.K. Rowling were complete and subsequently made into movies, the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise came to life. The first film focused on Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), a “Magizoologist” who studied magical creatures. Newt arrived in the United States to free a magical creature from bondage and met new friends including a potential love interest.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” found an audience which led to the sequel, “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,” a film much darker in tone compared to the original. Banned from international travel, Newt Scamander earned a reprieve after agreeing to seek out Creedence Barebones (Ezra

The third film in the franchise, “The Secrets of Dumbledore” became a sticking point for the Chinese government. (Spoiler Alert) Grindelwald, now played by Mads Mikkelsen, assembled an army of wizards and witches to take over the world. Grindelwald sent Credence to kill Dumbledore and, in the process, the young wizard learned more about his true heritage. Newt also teamed up with American witch Eulalie “Lally” Hicks (Jessica Williams), a professor who taught at another school of witchcraft and wizardry.

So what exactly was offensive about this film? According to Fox News, at “Hancock” photo courtesy Columbia Pictures the request of the Chinese government, Miller), an abused man hosting a magical force Warner Bros. removed six seconds of the film. called an Obscurus. Newt also wanted to seek That snippet reportedly contained references to out Tina (Katherine Waterson), an Auror that the gay relationship between Dumbledore and he fell in love with on his first trip.

Grindelwald. Warner Bros. released a state“The Crimes of Grindelwald “explored the ment stating they made “nuanced cuts” to the complicated relationship between Dumble- print to appease sensitive markets. It’s interestdore and dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald ing that same-sex relationships have become a (Johnny Depp). Dumbledore himself had said huge part of many movies, but evidently not in that he and Grindelwald had become “closer the magical world of “Harry Potter.” than brothers.” As children, the two men made a “blood pact” with each other that prevented “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumblethem from dueling. The events of the second dore,” rated PG-13, currently is playing in themovie prompted Dumbledore to find a way to aters. break that pact.

F-2

Feature

COLLECTIBLES

April 20, 2022 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

HELP WANTED

NOVENA

SINGERS WANTED

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.

FOR SALE

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. R.H.

SERVICES PET CEMETERY

over 4,000 pet burials; over 6 acres; over 60 yrs old. 314-576-3030 www.memoryparkpetcemetery.info www.memoryparkpetcemetery.info www.concertarts.org

HELP WANTED

LIKE US TODAY! facebook.com/ mycnews

Call Brooke at

636-379-1775 STATEWIDE CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIED SPECIAL! For Garage Sales, Moving Sales, Yard Sales, or Sale of Items

45

$

for the first week (1.5” x 1” ad)

$15 each additional week after that. $30 for a 1.5” x 2” CALL

636-379-1775

Check it Out!

om c .

S W E N C Y M . w ww

www.mycnews.com • Community News • April 20, 2022

Feature

F-3

CLASSIFIEDS

Dannegger Brothers Contracting, Inc • Foundation & Basement Repairs • Waterproofing • Piering • Mudjacking • Stress Bracing • Concrete Flatwork

314-993-1833

www.treesbywoody.net

www.semopest.com

www.scrubbydutch.com

Published Every Week Since 1921 Family-Owned & Operated

AREAS OF CIRCULATION Our FREE publications are available in over 39 convenient supermarket locations, including every Schnucks and Dierbergs

www.DanneggerBrothers.com www.danneggerbrothers.com Insured | Experienced | Local | Quality

CHECK US OUT AT

WWW .MYCNEWS. COM

F-4

Feature

April 20, 2022 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

Yeggs

John Hanna

Crossword: BEATLEMANIA

‘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.

By Cindy Moore

Moore on Life I’m looking out my window right now and it’s snowing. Not a light little smattering afterthought left over from winter – no! This is a full on PMS’ing of Mother Nature--a blizzardous whiteout.

Who’s made her mad this time? Did someone toss a plastic bag in the duck pond; forget to turn the sun off past daylight savings time or perhaps emit some smelly greenhouse gasses and forget to close the lid?

Whatever it was, spring has sprung…right out of here.

It looked as if the chilblains and the cold affecting my knee pain had finished for the season. The temperatures started to inch up; the buds started budding; the daffodils donned their little yellow bonnets and started bobbing in the breeze and the birds started merrily chittering away. But then…dun, dun, du-u-un!

Things took a nasty turn. The evil weather guy gave us the dreaded news – snow! The news was as unwelcome as my mother-in-law when she unexpectedly shows up on pajama day combined with leave-the-dirty-dishes-in-the-sink day.

She’ll sashay in and take a disgusted look around then roll her eyes and mutter under her breath to my husband in a sing-songy voice, “Should have married Becky…”

Yesterday we had six, yes SIX different types of weather…all in one day!

First came the snow then the temps rose up a few degrees, which turned the snow to sleet then up a notch more turning the sleet to rain. Cue the impish weather gods who had tons of leftovers

The end is near

from winter.

Instead of putting them in Tupperware bowls and saving them for next year, they obviously ran short on fridge space and tossed them out all

at once.

The change in temperature created freakish squalls then hail started shooting down from the sky like an overstuffed popcorn machine aimed at the earth.

And if that wasn’t enough, graupel followed closely behind. All I’m saying is if so many types of weather occur that I have to start Googling the definition of them then the end of the world is not far off.

It was a total freak show.

But a few good things came out of this pandemonium: One: I didn’t waste time shaving my feet and cutting my toenails for flip flop weather.

Two: I learned a new word for Scrabble—graupel. (Quick, look it up on the Googler…before the meteors hit.)

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 meet-

ACROSS 1. In the Queen of Hearts’ oven?

6. Indiana Jones’ quest 9. Dance with leis 13. Sheikh, alt. sp.

14. Opposite of paleo 15. Hedgehog of movies and video games 16. Toilet, to a toddler 17. Pilot’s estimate acronym 18. One deserving of respect?

19. *Like submarine 21. *Abbey Road location 23. Lobe location 24. Per person 25. To the ____ degree 28. *”Twist and Shout” endearment 30. English confection 35. Wraths 37. Swarm like bees 39. Not taken and taken 40. Skiing helmet manufacturer 41. Homework assignment 43. Kamakawiwo’ole’s strings, pl.

44. Thermonuclear weapon 46. Type of list 47. Frost residue 48. “God, We Praise You” (2

words) 50. Redecorate, e.g.

52. What Carl Lewis did 53. Doctor’s order 55. December 31st, e.g.

57. *”Whisper words of ____” 60. *”Please ____ Me,” 1st album 63. Amusement 64. Rage 66. Scary movie consequence 68. ____ del Carmen, Mexico 69. Corn spot 70. Reach a goal (2 words) 71. Unit of heredity 72. Cry of alarm 73. Wipe out DOWN 1. Cough syrup amt.

2. Greeting at sea 3. Blood vessel network 4. Ownership document 5. NASA’s first space station 6. All over again 7. Retired, abbr.

8. Aussie bear 9. *”I want to ____ your hand” 10. Editing arrow 11. Bank holding

12. Acronym, abbr.

15. Mister in Brazil 20. Speak from a podium 22. Month X 24. Hideous sight 25. *”It’s been a hard day’s ____” 26. Social group 27. Roman king of Judea 29. *Starr’s predecessor 31. *Fabulous number 32. Faquir, alt.sp.

33. Swelling 34. Ruhr’s industrial center 36. Not all 38. Like a full-fledged Mafia man 42. Cry of the Alps 45. The enlightened one 49. Barn sound 51. Nervous (2 words) 54. Inflict a blow 56. Truth or Dare player?

57. ____ E. Coyote 58. Persian Gulf country 59. Eye infection 60. Peephole glance 61. ____ ____ good example 62. Chows down 63. Frugal driver’s acronym 65. Fish eggs 67. Unidentified Jane SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9