CN: May 12, 2021

May 12, 2021

Climbing together

Around Town

COMMUNITY VOICES

By Maida J. Coleman. Pg. 2

Special Section Senior Living. Pg. 5

Special Section

Summer Camp Guide. Pg. 7 Submitted photos

Participants in the 2020 Fight For Air Climb posted photos of themselves climbing stairs wherever they could find them. This year the event will take place at Busch Stadium.

Features

The American Lung Association’s annual Fight For Air Climb will take place at Busch Stadium after virtual participation in the event in 2020

By Charlotte Beard The American Lung Association was all geared up for its annual Fight For Air Climb to take place last year at 1 Metropolitan Square on April 4. Unfortunately, their original plans were halted when the shutdown occurred in March.

With the coronavirus added to the list of lung battles, the American Lung Association is taking this fundraiser outdoors to the stairs at Busch Stadium for ages 10 and older.

The Fight For Air Climb, traditionally held in skyscrapers around the country on the same day and at the same time to bring awareness and simulate breathing challenges of lung diseases, will take place June 19 beginning at 7 a.m.

Money raised by the Fight For Air Climb of 1,000 steps will fund the Lung Association’s efforts to end lung cancer and lung disease, as well as support the Lung Asso-

ciation’s COVID-19 Action Initiative, a $25 million investment to address COVID-19 and protect against future respiratory virus pandemics.

Last year the climb was forced to go virtual when shutdowns were announced.

“We asked our participants to post pictures of themselves being active on April 4, 2020 holding ‘we are still in the fight’ signs to their social media, using the hashtag VirtualClimbSTL, and tagging us @LungMissouri,” stated James Martinez, Senior Director of Communications/Western Division for the American Lung Association.

“We were able to raise just over $274,000.”

This year the event has a goal of $200,000.

Many participants have made the fundraiser event their personal annual event.

Among those participants is Jake Newman, a firefighter for the St. Louis Fire Department (STLFD) with his team of firefighters

that have increased to 36 participants over the past two years.

“Our mission with the stair climb is to raise awareness of physical fitness and lung related illness,” Newman stated. “The stair climb is a great way to do both.”

Two years ago, the team raised $1,500, however this year the participants hope to raise $10,000. The last update indicated this year’s team has raised $8,820.

Newman states, “The STLFD is excited to raise money for the Lung Association on the big day.”

According to sources for the American Lung Association, some of Newman’s team members go to the Metropolitan Square building on weekends to climb in preparation for the event.

“Being on duty and climbing stairs in gear See ‘CLIMBING’ page 2

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Around Town

May 12, 2021 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

‘CLIMBING’ from cover is a great way to train as well,” Newman stated. “Everyone enjoys training and is looking forward to climb day. Climbing at Busch Stadium will be a great change of scenery.”

Water stations are located throughout Busch Stadium on the concourse level. In addition, medical personnel will be located throughout Busch Stadium, as well as volunteers throughout the route and at water stations, in case assistance is required.

For people who cannot join other participants for the climb at Busch Stadium, the American Lung Association is suggesting the Climb Your Way option that allows people to register their own challenge (visit https://www.lung.org/get-involved/events/fightfor-air-climb and click on option for St. Louis, MO). In addition to providing a free Climb app to help track fundraising, activity and steps, this option offers ideas not limited to goruck—walking, running, sauntering, or sashaying with weight (usually in a backpack).

Registration for the Fight For Air Climb is $35 and includes a $100 fundraising minimum. For more information, and to register visit fightforairclimb.org/stlouis.

Submitted photos Participants in the 2020 Fight For Air Climb posted photos of themselves climbing stairs wherever they could find them. This year the event will take place at Busch Stadium.

COMMUNITY VOICES

By Maida J. Coleman

Consider budget billing as a budgeting tool Tax season is an excellent time to review your budget. Utilities are an essential expense that most people can’t avoid, but fortunately there are options for managing utility costs. Budget billing is one option that may work for you.

Budget billing means that your utility company will offer you a set amount that is due each month for that particular utility. The amount is calculated by adding your bills for the last twelve months and dividing the total by twelve to determine the fixed amount for your bill for the next twelve months.

For example, let’s say that you added all of your gas bills for the year 2020 and the total was $1,200. Dividing this by 12 means that your budget billing amount would be $100 each month in 2021.

At the end of the year, the amount of energy for which you were billed is compared to the cost of energy you used. If you paid for more energy than was consumed, you receive a credit. If you consumed more energy than was estimated for your energy usage, you will have to pay for the overage. Some

utilities allow you to choose between a onetime payment to settle overages or dividing the amount due into equal payments over a twelve month period.

For example, using our gas utility budget billing example, if your total amount of energy usage for the year 2021 ends up being $1,250, you would owe $50. Depending on the utility company, you would have the option to pay the entire $50 at one time or you would pay $4.16 over twelve months.

Most residential and many commercial utility customers are eligible for budget billing. Check with each of your utility companies for their budget billing eligibility and program requirements. It is important to make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the budget billing program so be sure to ask questions and obtain the program details in writing so that you can refer to them as needed.

Budget billing can make it easier for you to manage your overall budget because it may help you avoid fluctuations in your utility costs. However, it is still important to be mindful of your energy consumption and

identify ways to conserve energy. Your utility company can advise you on ways to monitor and manage your energy consumption.

Commissioner Maida Coleman was appointed to the Missouri Public Service Commission

by Governor Jay Nixon, effective Aug.10, 2015.

She was unanimously confirmed by the Missouri State Senate on Jan. 21. Prior to her appointment, Commissioner Coleman was the Director of the Office of Community Engagement. From 2001 until 2009, Commissioner Coleman served first as a State Representative and then as State Senator from St. Louis, becoming the first African-American woman in state history to serve as Senate Minority Leader. Coleman has a B.A. in Journalism from Lincoln University in Jefferson City and was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis in 2008. A native of Sikeston, Missouri, Coleman lives in St. Louis.

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 • May 12, 2021

Around Town

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St. Louis-area health systems conduct community health needs assessment BJC HealthCare, Mercy, SSM Health, St. Luke’s Hospital and Shriners Hospitals for Children are joining forces to conduct a survey as part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Area Health Systems Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). All residents in our community are encouraged to participate.

The community health needs assessment is conducted every three years to identify strategies to address our region’s top health and social needs. Results will

be used by the area health systems to guide efforts to address our most critical needs.

The anonymous online survey contains questions about health challenges, access to health care, and social determinants of health including financial status, neighborhood environment and social support networks. Questions are based primarily on the perception and opinion of the public.

The survey will take no more than 10 minutes to

complete and will be available through June 30, 2021.

All community members are welcomed and encouraged to complete the survey electronically. To fill out the survey, follow this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CHNAstl.

The timeframe for publication of the results of this CHNA will vary by hospital, ranging between 6-20 months.

The city of Florissant along with Midwest Recycling Center to host electronics recycling event The City of Florissant along with Midwest Recycling Center (MRC) will host an electronics recycling collection event on May 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until trucks reach their capacity) in St. Ferdinand Park … rain or shine.

Signs will be posted at park entrances to direct the people on where to go. The event is open to the public. Social distancing guidelines will be in effect and the wearing of masks will be required.

Acceptable items: working or not, basically anything that has a cord or battery; computers and all of their accessories, networking and telecommunications equipment, phones (home and cell), clocks, TVs, VCRs, DVD players, stereos, A/V equipment including cable and satellite boxes, home electronics, rechargeable batteries, fax machines, adapters/ chargers, household appliances and lawn and garden equipment (lawn and garden equipment must have oil and gas removed).

Below are the fees that MRC has put into place to recycle these items:

Recycling conserves our natural resources, saves money, creates jobs, eliminates waste in landfills and reduces harm to the environment.

If you need additional information feel free to contact the Florissant Health Department at 314-839-7655 or visit Midwest Recycling Center’s website at www.midwrc.net.

• CRT Monitors - $5 each • CRT TVs 26” or less - $30 each • CRT TVs 27” or greater $50 each • Wood Console and True Big Screen/Projection TVs - $50 each • LED/LCD/Plasma TVs - $20 each • Any Freon containing unit $10 each Payment can be made either by check or cash Midwest Recycling Center will have equipment and employees on hand to assist in the drop off process. This drive has been highly successful in the past.

www.ChristianHospital.org/Cares

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Aound Town

May 12, 2021 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

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11th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition finals will be broadcast by Nine PBS The Fabulous Fox Theatre opened their stage door to welcome the 14 Finalist Acts (21 students) in the 11th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition produced by the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation (FoxPACF). Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the competition finals were filmed for a special broadcast airing on Nine PBS on May 24 at 7 p.m.

The finalists performed on the Fox stage in front of a small group of their closest family and friends with a minimal film and stage crew working behind the scenes. The acts were directed by Tony Parise, Broadway actor, dancer, director, and choreographer, with choreographer Yvonne Meyer Hare and music director Steve Neale to prepare the young performers for competition and filming.

“Nothing can stop our St. Louis talented teens!

This year’s finalists have once again conquered the odds and I have to say that it’s quite an impressive group with quite a lot of variety,” said Parise.

The finalists include singers, musicians, dancers, a poet, and an acrobat.

In addition to the excitement of performing on the Fox Stage, contestants are eligible to win scholarships, prizes, and performance opportunities. Nearly $50,000 in prizes, cash awards and

college scholarships will be distributed among the top competitors.

The finalists are judged by St. Louis area arts professionals with careers spanning music, dance, and Broadway. This year’s judges are Audrey Kwong (Operations Manager at the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra), Antonio Douthit-Boyd (Co-Artistic Director of Dance at COCA), Carl Nappa (Grammy nominated Executive Music Producer), Taylor Louderman (Television and Broadway Actress and a 2018 Tony Nominee), Ken Page (Award-winning Actor, Director and Singer) and Denise Thimes (Award-winning Jazz Vocalist and Recording Artist). Students will be judged on technical ability, stage presence, interpretation, and originality.

The first, second and third-place winners will be announced on May 24 at the conclusion of the Nine PBS program. Following the initial broadcast, viewers are encouraged to join emcee Ben Nordstrom and last year’s winner DemBari Taneh, a hip-hop dancer and Kirkwood High School Senior, for an online celebration live on the Nine PBS Facebook Page. The online celebration will feature a special performance by Taneh and additional prizes and scholarships will be announced including voting for the $1,000 cash prize for the Audience Choice Award.

Market posts big return The Creve Coeur Farmers Market summer season began May 1 and looks to put 2020 in the rearview mirror

By Charlotte Beard

www.essehealth.com

The Creve Coeur Farmers Market summer season began May 1 and will run through October 2 on Saturdays on the parking lot of the American Legion Post 397 located at 934 E. Rue De La Banque. The market will operate from 9 a.m. to noon.

This year the market’s summer season will have a better start than it did last year when the market was only allowed essential farmers and food items for the first three weeks it was in operation.

“We are trying to build up from 2020,” stated Sarah Smith, Market Manager. “We still have all of our precautions in place per St. Louis County guidelines. We are still trying to grow our vendors with local produce, meats, eggs, and local honey.

We have spice vendors and baked goods—including low and gluten-free. All our artists and craft vendors can come back this year as well. We will have live music weekly beginning at 10 a.m. until noon. This season the American Legion will be doing their barbeque at the same time – a lot of people look forward to that.”

Smith states Creve Coeur is hoping for 15 vendors each week. Odehler Farms, their main produce vendor, will be part of Creve Coeur Farmers Market for the summer as well as Sugar Creek Piedmontese and Pohl Farms – their meat vendors. Smith also noted their spice vendor will provide hot foods this year, such as hand-pies and breakfast items.

“Reconstruction Coffee Roasters will have free

coffee and coffee to purchase,” Smith added. “(The market) will be more interactive this year—getting back to a little bit (normality) where we’ll have some food options, coffee, and (such).”

Last year the market had to create more space to allow for social distancing and spacing for lines to accommodate standing six-feet apart. The market also implemented one-way foot traffic.

“Depending on how many vendors we get we will use most of the parameter so that we can keep that one-way,” stated Smith, “but it will be a wide enough aisle so that we can have people coming up and down. But there will be 20 feet between those aisles. We will have plenty of social-distancing in place.”

According to Smith, Creve Coeur Farmers Market welcomes additional vendors for its summer season.

“Our attendees are the people who are really looking for fresh produce, the meats and (those) types of things,” stated Smith. “So, we are always looking for more fruit and vegetable vendors. We would love to get dairy vendors back – we have had cheese and dairy in the past. Also, plants and flowers – those seem to be good things that we currently need.”

To participate as a vendor or for more information about Creve Coeur Farmers Market email marketmanager@crevecoeurmo.gov or visit facebook.com\crevecoeurmarket.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • May 12, 2021

Around Town

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The School District of University City awarded $95,000 grant for student mental health and wellness support The global pandemic has presented specific mental health and wellness challenges for The School District of University City’s children, particularly among African-American students. Many black students are dealing not only with a disproportionate number of COVID-19 cases in their social networks, but the ongoing crisis of racism, which has left them more vulnerable to job, housing and food insecurity in disenfranchised areas of University City.

The district saw the stress and trauma in its students and families firsthand this school year, and recognized the need for more intensive mental health and wellness services as students return to school and catch up on learning. The need was essential under the district’s vision of Learning Reimagined which puts racial equity and well-being at the center of its daily work to educate students.

Given that lens, the St. Louis Children’s Service Fund Board of Directors has awarded the School District of University City $95,000 in emergency grant funding to support student mental health and wellness that will be used from now through the 2021-22 school year.

SDUC was one of 17 agencies/groups to receive the emergency funding from an overall pool of $1.4 million.

University City Schools is one of three public school districts to receive the grant funding. The other districts are Parkway and Valley Park.

This was the first time SDUC has received funding from the Children’s Service Fund. Superintendent Sharonica Hardin-Bartley said the district’s embedded vision of Learning Reimagined has created an established framework to provide resources for student wellness and joy, and that the funding would be easily converted into high-impact, equitable programming free of racial

Still In This Together: There was a tree I semi-woke in the night and could have sworn I heard the scritch-scratch of the limb from the tree in the front yard making music as it scraped across the gutter in the wind.

It was a comforting sound, a familiar sound, until I realized that it couldn’t be real. The tree has been gone for over two years now. And oh, how I miss it!

We bought the tree as a tiny sapling, planted it in the front yard with the help of our two young sons who pointed out the exact spot it should go and then promptly began asking when they could climb it.

We honestly weren’t sure it would make it through the first winter, an unforgiving, windy season, even though we’d staked the tree and tied it as securely as we could. It swayed and froze, yet valiantly budded in the spring. It was a survivor.

Year after year, through storms and drought, it grew, providing us with four seasons of awe, a home for birds and shade for peanut butter and jelly picnics after we would walk Adam home from kindergarten with baby Katie in her stroller.

It was the canopy for wrestling matches and Barbie runway shows, the backdrop for first day of school pictures and Easter egg hunts, and finally, after many patient years of waiting, a wonderful climbing tree.

Storms shook the tree, but never fazed it. Homework seemed more easily accomplished under its branches, and when it grew tall enough, it became a Halloween tree, with ghosts made of white trash bags flying from its branches. From year to year, we found remnants of the fishing line that were left from previous Halloweens served, and as the leaves turned brilliant colors and fell each year, we grew to love the tree even more.

When Katie inherited her brother Adam’s bedroom, she requested a desk be placed in front of the bedroom window that would give her a view of the Halloween tree as she did her schoolwork, because she was a weather watcher and the moods of the tree were an endless fascination to her.

Scritch-scratching the gutter, it lulled her to sleep or warned her of impending storms so she wouldn’t miss a minute of the excitement.

As the tree aged, we noticed there was less foliage in the springs, and the skeletal branches brought a Halloween look earlier each autumn. It was still beautiful in the eyes of our family, as the boys went off to college and the girls insisted on desks in both front bedroom windows. I read or wrote at my best on the porch or in the yard, with the tree as the perfect backdrop.

There were wedding pictures and snapshots of the grandkids climbing in the tree.

Ultimately, though, the tree was too dangerous to the gutter and the roof to keep it, but even its demise was a production worth neighborhood awe, as the tree removal company gently lowered the trunk clear across the street into the neighbor’s yard.

The tiny sapling was an inspiration to our lives, and it often still appears in my favorite dreams, scritch-scratching across the gutter, Halloween ghosts flying from its branches, little ones’ laughter echoing down the years.

There was a tree, and it lives still in our memories.

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 49 years, she finds that inspiration and wonder are everywhere.

bias that directly supports the District’s students. District service partners will include Alive and Well Communities, Khaos Inc. and The Collective STL. “We are so very grateful to the Children’s Service Fund for recognizing the double pandemic of COVID-19 and racism and its profound impact on so many of our students,” she said. “We feel strong and confident in our ability to deliver vital mental health services and wellness programs to our students and their families so they can succeed in school and life despite the many profound obstacles put in their path this past year.”

The funding awards were announced on April 22.

“We were thoroughly impressed with the innovative programming of these organizations and are proud to help fund their efforts to address the stress and trauma caused by the pandemic,” said Dr. Randall Sterkel, Children’s Service Fund Board Chairman.

By Vicki Bahr 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.TheVillaAtRiverwood.com

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School

May 12, 2021 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Musical theatre educator is the 2021 Ferguson-Florissant School District Teacher of the Year James Young, a sixth-grade musical theatre teacher at Johnson-Wabash Sixth Grade Center, has been named Ferguson-Florissant School District’s 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year.

Completely caught off guard during his lunch period, district leaders entered his classroom with balloons and sweet treats to surprise him with the award. He also received a check to use towards any professional development of his choosing. Young was selected from other FFSD teachers who had been named building-level Teachers of the Year.

“Anyone who spends any time in the presence of Mr. Young can feel his passion for music and his eagerness to pass on the passion to the young people he teaches,” said Dr. Ben Eye, assistant principal of Johnson-Wabash.

“Mr. Young exemplifies what a teacher is and should be.

He is not afraid to educate the whole student, and he ignites the fire of his student’s creativity.”

Young has been teaching in FFSD for nearly 14 years.

After three years in the United States Army, Young

Photo courtesy Ferguson-Florissant School District

took the opportunity afforded to him by the G.I. Bill to go back to school and study music education. His grandmother, Elizabeth Hutcherson-Rucks, a retired music educator, instilled the idea of teaching at a young age.

“Being the oldest of eight siblings, my parents taught me the importance of responsibility and being an example for others to follow,” says Young.

Throughout his career, building collaborative partnerships have been an integral part of his teaching experience. In addition, he is also committed to creating an environment of learning that is culturally relevant.

“In the first few years of teaching, I began to see my calling more clearly. I had the opportunity to reach students who were like me culturally. I felt called to help students learn the enjoyment and appreciation of music in a relevant way,” says Young. “In addition to creating an environment of learning that is culturally relevant, I have also strived to create a strong community of learners.”

Over the last two years working alongside Judy Brown, a theater teacher at Johnson-Wabash, Young has seen collaborative partnerships work first-hand. Together, they have guided students through a sampling of the arts to highlight each student’s strengths. This collaboration included performances of more virtual showcase projects like the “Lion King.”

“Young embodies a calm, steady, and

consistent presence to every student that comes in our classroom,” says Brown. “He embraces the true meaning of collaborative partnerships when we are co-teaching together, and he is consistently persevering in learning new tools and strategies to find the best practices for students’ education.”

Young admits that in this COVID-19 era, maintaining high levels of interaction with students can be challenging. What is the best way to build those interactions?

“Calling them by name,” said Young. “The best way to facilitate a high or complex level response from all learners is to start with making connections to them as individuals. I believe that each student can learn and achieve, and it is a matter of letting them know that I believe this to be true. Once students are confident in their ability to try, they will grow in ways that may have at first seemed difficult.”

Young earned a bachelor’s in music education from the University of Missouri — St. Louis. As FFSD’s Teacher of the Year, Young, will now be in the running for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Regional Teacher of the Year award, which will be announced later this spring.

McCluer High School senior receives Gates Millennium Scholarship

www.stlcc.edu/summer

Aldo Estrada, a senior at McCluer High School, is a Class of 2021 Gates Millennium Scholar. He will attend Washington University-St. Louis and major in engineering on a full-ride scholarship in the fall. The goal of the GMS program is to promote academic excellence and to provide an opportunity for outstanding minority students with significant financial needs to reach their highest potential.

“We are so proud of Aldo,” said Dr. Cedric Gerald, principal of McCluer. “His academic awards will ensure that he has scholarships that will fund his education beyond his bachelor’s degree.”

The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program is funded by a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant. The program was established in 1999 to provide outstanding African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in any discipline area of interest.

Photo courtesy Ferguson-Florissant School District

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • May 12, 2021

Register today for a positive, healthy and fun summer camp experience Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) is excited to be able to bring area kids and teens another summer of Adams Park Club Southeast Middle School Club Hazelwood East High School Club 4317 Vista Avenue 918 Prigge Road friends, activities and explora11300 Dunn Road 314-633-7900 314-335-8300 tion, the way only Boys & Girls 314-335-8360 Ages 6-16 Ages 10-15 Clubs can. You can be assured June 14 – Aug. 6 Dates: June 14 – Aug. 6 Dates: June 14 – Aug. 6 that the club is operating in 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. accordance with all health and Ages 13-18 safety protocols and will conBoys & Girls Club of Bethalto Hazelwood Elementary tinue to do whatever it takes to Herbert Hoover Club 324 E. Central St. School Club at Larimore give your child the best sum2901 North Grand Blvd.

Bethalto, IL 62010 1025 Trampe Ave. mer experience possible.

Dates June 14 – Aug. 6 Phone 618-377-6030 Dates: June 14 – Aug. 6 BGCSTL offers one of the 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Dates: June 14 – Aug. 6 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Ages 6-16 Times: TBD Ages: 6-12, elementary students most affordable, comprehen314-335-8350 314-335-8000 sive, extended, high quality summer day camp programs in the St. Louis region. Summer campers, ages 6-18, are Submitted photo exposed to a variety of learning and participate in educational, recreational and social activities as well as field trips, social recreation and cultural activities on-site and in the community. Camps also includes a nutritious breakfast and lunch.

Campers will find trained and professional camp staff who will listen and guide them throughout the summer plus opportunities for creativity, sports and recreation, swimming, teen and STEM programs, music studio, and new this year (Esports, an organized form of competitive tournaments with video games where players face teams. Or, most commonly, a multiplayer online video ties including a music studio, 3D printer, t-shirt press maker, coding stations, state of the art game competition).

Summer campers who are interested in writ- computers, monitors and virtual reality heading, producing or singing will enjoy the Music sets.

New to the BGCSTL family of Clubs is the Studio program led by Grammy Award-winning producer/songwriter Alonzo ”Zo” Lee. Mathews-Dickey Club as well as Boys & Girls Students will be fully engaged in the songwrit- Club of Bethalto. Many of the Boys & Girls ing/ recording process and create a song from Clubs are also open and offering daytime support (in person/virtual), virtual learning hubs, start to finish.

While youth who aspire to become coders, after school programs, virtual mentoring and graphic designers, 3D animators or game devel- more. Basketball programs have also started opers will have access to the newly-opened Best at the Herbert Hoover and Mathews-Dickey Buy Teen Tech Center at our Herbert Hoover Clubs. To find the club nearest you, visit www.

Club. The center is an interactive and innovative bgcstl.org or call 314-335-8000. Limited spots fully equipped space with everything needed to available. engage youth ages 12-18 with STEAM activi-

CAMP LOCATIONS: Mathews-Dickey Club 4245 N Kingshighway Blvd June 14 – Aug. 6 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Ages 6-18 314-382-5952

Riverview Gardens Club 174 Shepley Drive 314-335-8276 June 14 – Aug. 6 Ages 6-12 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

O’Fallon Park Club June 14 – Aug. 6 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

4343 West Florissant 314-932-1371

Teen Center of Excellence 9200 West Florissant 314-335-8240 June 14 – Aug. 6 Ages 10-18 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

www.stlzoo.org

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What’s Happening

May 12, 2021 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

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

RECURRING EVENTS

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 Sept. 11: Fundraiser

Operation Food Search (OFS), a nonprofit hunger relief organization, will host Feast for Change at 5:30 p.m.

The fundraiser, which commemorates OFS’s 40th anniversary, will be held at Kuhs Estate & Farm located at 13080 Spanish Pond Rd. in Spanish Lake. The farm-to-fork experience

includes fresh, locally sourced food, fine wine, and a live auction. Proceeds from the evening benefit OFS’s services that focus on finding solutions in response to the region’s food systems challenges. Tickets are $150 per person and $1,500 for a table of 10. For ticket details or to become a sponsor, call 314-726-5355.

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: TOPS meeting

Come, join and take off those extra pounds. T.O.P.S.=Take Off Pounds Sensibly has meetings on Monday nights at 7 p.m. (weigh in begins at 6:35 p.m.) 9135 Shelley Avenue, Overland, MO 63114. (Entrance is in the back on East Milton). TOPS is a very inexpensive way to lose weight.

You may visit a meeting for free. Any questions please call Dan Agee at 314-540-5223.

Mondays: Choral Arts Singers practice

the Chapter will pay for one (1) year membership for new members.

Rd., Florissant. For more info contact Paul McConnell, 314-831-5476.

Mondays-Thursdays: Volunteers needed

2nd Tuesday Sept.-June: Showme Stitchers:

Tuesdays: Bingo

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

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.

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

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

Tuesdays: A cappella singers

Choral Arts Singers resume practice on Mondays, at 7 p.m. at Transfiguration Episcopal Church, 1860 Lake St. Louis Blvd. in Lake St. Louis. New singers are welcome. Auditions are not required. See www.concertarts.org.

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.

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: Workshop meetings

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

Mondays: A cappella singers

All men who like to sing are invited to come sing with us, The Men of Harmony. We practice every Monday night at 7 p.m. at 5500 Parker 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 for more information call Al at 314-993-6134.

Mondays: Korean War Veterans Association meeting

If you had military service in Korea between Sept. 3, 1945 and the present you are cordially invited to a meeting of Chapter 4, North County Korean War Veterans Association.

Meetings take place at the VFW Post 4105 at 410 St. Francois in Florissant on the second Monday of the month, starting at 7 p.m. For more information contact Walter Kaiser at 314-921-2132. For a limited period

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 w w w.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: Vietnam Veterans Association meeting

Chapter 794 Vietnam Veterans Association meets on the third Tuesday of each month at VFW Post 4105 at 410 St. Francois in Florissant. Meetings start at 7 p.m. For more information contact Walter Kaiser at 314-9212132. Chapter will pay for one (1) year membership for new members.

Tuesdays: TOPS pounds sensibly)

(Take

off

From 9:15 - 10:30 a.m. located at John F. Kennedy Center/Henry Koch Ctr., Howdershell Rd. at Charbonier

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.

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 314-298-7444 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.

Bridgeton Trails Library Branch Programs:

3455 McKelvey Rd., St. Louis, 314994-3300. 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 314-6535331.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • May 12, 2021 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 314-8310988.

Thursdays: Quilting guild

Every third Thursday of the month the Flower Valley Quilting Guild meets at 7 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church at 123 Carson Road in Ferguson.

Thursdays: checks

Blood

pressure

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.

Thursdays: meeting

Women’s

chorus

Every Thursday City Voices Chorus, a women’s chorus singing four-part a cappella harmony, meets at Church of the Good Shepherd at 1166 S. Mason Rd. in St. Louis. Members come from the entire bi-state region. Call Marcia at 636-274-0723 for more information or visit www.cityvoiceschorus.org.

Fridays: Fish fry

A fish fry takes place every Friday at American Legion Post 338 at 9655

Midland Blvd. in Overland from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information contact Chairman Ed Hilleman at 314-660-1813.

Every Friday: Our Lady of Fatima #4429 Knights of Columbus Bingo

6:45 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 1216 Teson Rd. in Hazelwood.

For more information call 314-7319330.

Every 3rd Friday of the month: Bingo 2 p.m., Life Care Center of Florissant, 1201 Garden Plaza Dr. For more information, call 314-831-3752.

Saturdays: Yoga

Yoga returns to Calvary UCC at 2501 Hartland Avenue, on Saturdays from 10:30-11:30. Masks and social distancing are required in the building and participants should bring hand sanitizer with them. For further information call Angela at 314-8018594.

Saturdays: Toastmasters meeting

Everyone is welcome to attend Toastmasters Saturdays 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Normandy United Methodist Church at 8001 Natural Bridge Road (across from UMSL). For more info call 314-402-7025.

Saturdays: Free walk-in clinic

Salam Clinic at St. Peter’s United

Church of Christ at 1425 Stein Road at West Florissant in Ferguson is a free walk-in clinic open Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The clinic is jointly sponsored by the Muslim Community of St. Louis (MCSL) and St. Peter’s United Church of Christ to provide basic adult medical screening, treatment and referrals free of charge for the uninsured. For more information or if you would be interested in volunteering, please call 314521-5694 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday or visit www.stpeterschurch. org

Saturdays: Clothing sale

On the second Saturday of each month Bethany-Peace UCC at 11952 Bellefontaine Rd. in St. Louis County hosts a clothing sale from 9 - 11 a.m.

For sale are used clothing and shoes, some household items, books and toys. Fill your bag for $1.

What’s Happening

at 8448 Church Rd. For more information call 314-388-2400.

Sundays: Meat shoot

Come and enjoy the meat shoots at American Legion Post 4445 located on 17090 Old Jamestown Rd. between Sinks Rd. and Lindbergh starting noon Sept. 15 thru Nov. 17; and in the spring, Feb. 2 thru March 8 rain or shine. Great meat prizes awarded.

Sundays: AMVETS meat shoot

Sundays in September through April, AMVETS Post 55, located on 8842 Natural Bridge Rd. in Bel-Ridge will be hosting meat shoots with practice beginning at 11 a.m. and rounds starting at noon. Shooters must be 18 or older and will shoot #9’s with no bull barrels or scopes and 675 minimum chokes.

The shooting area is indoors and food and drink

Saturdays: Grief support

On the fourth Saturday of each month, grief support meeting “A Way With Words Ministry” meets at 12:30 p.m. at Community Christ Fellowship, rear, at 121 Williams Blvd. in Hazelwood, 1/4 mile south of Hwy 270 off Florissant Rd. There are a variety of topics monthly. You are not alone. Come help your heart heal with others. For more information call 314-605-3949.

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

9

are available in the club room. For more information, contact 314-6302671 or 314-330-7269.

Sundays: meeting

Jennings

Do-Dads

The Jennings Do-Dads hold meetings every third Sunday of the month (except June which is the second Sunday and no meeting in December) at 1 p.m. at Classics Bar & Grill at 11601 West Florissant Avenue. Those interested in membership are invited to attend. For more information visit www.jenningsdodads.org.

CHURCH Tuesdays & Thursdays: Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church GriefShare Support Group

Tuesdays from 2 - 4pm and Thursday from 6:30 - 8:30pm, 11645 Benham Rd., 314-741-3737

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

Every Fourth Saturday’s Writer’s Workshop 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Baden Library,

www.stloasis.org

10

Sports

May 12, 2021 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Sports you see with Gary B...

UMSL drops last baseball games of season to Lindenwood The University of Missouri-St. Louis baseball team saw its season come to an end last Saturday playing at No. 13 ranked Lindenwood University.

The Tritons lost a narrow 3-2 decision in the opener before suffering a 15-1 defeat in the finale.

UMSL ends the season with a record of 12-27 while Lindenwood was 29-7.

In game one, the Tritons tied the game in the fifth on an RBI single from Leighton Keller, but the Lions countered in the bottom of the frame for the eventual game-winner.

UMSL got on the board in the second inning with an RBI single from Bryce Burton after Lindenwood crossed home twice in the first inning.

The Lions out-hit UMSL, 8-6. Mitch Green recorded a double for the Tritons.

Blake Jones tossed the complete game.

He also struck out three and walked one.

In game 2 the Tritons were plagued by four errors and were out-hit, 14-4.

Matt DiMemmo recorded a double, while Clayton Stephens added an RBI single to score Keller for the UMSL run in the third inning. * Hang up the spikes until next year

WHERE CAN YOU GET Pick up a at all 35 Dierbergs & Schnucks stores in St. Charles County and North and Northwest St. Louis County

OR READ US ONLINE AT MYCNEWS.COM

?

Collegiate league in O’Fallon add coaches to teams The CarShield Collegiate League (CCL) will enter their second season and announced the managers and assistant coaches for their four teams T-Ravs, Rubber Chickens, Shredded Cheese and Adidas Athletics in 2021.

“We have assembled a high caliber of coaches for our second season of baseball,” General Manager David Schmoll said. “Each is going to help mentor and teach our players this summer as they progress in their baseball careers.”

CJ Bilbrey joins the CCL as Head Coach of the T-Ravs in 2021 and will be joined by assistant coach David Estes.

The Rubber Chickens coaching staff is led by head coach Tyler Huffstickler with assistant coaches Weston Baker and Adam Jahnsen.

The Shredded Cheese will be coached by head coach Jim Foster with Fernando Villegas as assistant coach.

The Adidas Athletics will be led by head

coach PJ Roberts and assistant coach Luke Miller.

The CarShield Collegiate League rosters will be announced shortly on the Hoots and CarShield Collegiate League social media channels.

Much thanks to Tyler Merkle (tickets@ofallonhoots.com) who set up the ‘Terri’s Networking Group’ from Cottleville for an August double header party to see a double header. If you want to see a game at the stadium, send him an email!

Go to www.OfallonHoots.com to get more details. * Many talented athletes Hoots have a few players from Lindenwood The O’Fallon Hoots are members of the Prospect League, playing in the West-Prairie Land division and began play in O’Fallon in May 2020 after relocating from Hannibal, Missouri following the 2019 season.

Two players from Lindenwood University are freshmen pitchers Eli Stoops and Bryce Wear who have signed contracts and will take the mound for the Hoots when the home season starts on May 27.

Stoops throws and bats right-handed and stands 5’10” at 175 pounds and is from Willard, Missouri.

Wear also throws and bats right-handed and he stands 6’3” and weighs 180 pounds and is from Arnold, Missouri.

Go to www.OfallonHoots.com to get more details. * Local talent 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 • May 12, 2021

Recipe:

A mouthwatering wrap with an avocado addition

T

he possibilities are nearly endless when it comes to midday food choices. If you desire crunch and texture, but also something light, you’re

likely seeking food that is filling and going to give you enough energy to make it until dinner time.

This BLT Wrap with Avocado

Spread is a perfect lunchtime pick-me-up that can leave you feeling full and ready to conquer the rest of the day’s work.

Feature

F-1

– SUDOKU –

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.

BLT Wrap with Avocado Spread

Ingredients:

8 slices cooked bacon

Servings: 4

1 avocado, peeled and pitted 1/4 cup sour cream 1 lime, juice only 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/4 teaspoon salt 4 flour tortillas 4 large red leaf lettuce leaves 2 large tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch slices Spanish rice (optional) banana peppers (optional) Directions: In large skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Drain on plate lined with paper towels. Set aside.

cream, lime juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce and salt with fork until combined and smooth.

In medium bowl, mash avocado, sour

Spread thin layer of avocado mixture over

tortillas. Layer with lettuce leaves, tomatoes and bacon. Fold sides up and roll.

Serve with Spanish rice and banana peppers, if desired.

Find more lunch recipes at Culinary.net

SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9

Frances McDormand hits the road in ‘Nomadland’

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.

The website workamper. com defines a “workamper” as a “person working as an employee, operating a business, or donating their time as a volunteer while sleeping in an RV or on-site housing.” Author Jessica Bruder’s novel “Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century” examines the lives of individuals who take on seasonal work in Amazon fulfillment centers or restaurants located in tourist spots. Instead of enjoying retirement, many seniors became workampers after the devastating 2008 financial crash.

Director Chloé Zhao adapted Bruder’s work for the screen, skillfully blending Hollywood scriptwriting with harsh reality. Although Frances McDormand and David Strathairn play fictional characters in the film, the supporting cast is filled with real-life workampers who share their lives in front of the camera.

Bob Wells, who maintains the website www. cheaprvliving.com, appears in several scenes teaching such skills as how to change a tire.

The line between fiction and reality is hard to determine at times.

In “Nomadland,” Frances McDormand’s Fern needs all the help she can get. She worked for years at US Gypsum in the company town

Director Chloé Zhao also gives Fern an opportunity for a relationship in the person of David Strathairn’s Dave. He really likes Fern, but she keeps her distance until a health crisis puts him the hospital. Like her other friends, Dave actually could offer her a stable life, but she only seems comfortable inside the panel walls of her van. Life on the road, it seems, has gotten good to her.

“Nomadland” also earned well-deserved Best Director and Best Picture “Nomadland” photo courtesy Cor Cordium Productions Photo courtesy Bigstock honors for Zhao and the cast. Much of Empire, Nevada, but both the city and the credit for that goes to the “non-professional company were shut down in 2011. Her hus- cast” who could teach Hollywood celebrities band’s death prompts Fern to travel in her van a few things. The charming Charlene Swankto various seasonal gigs throughout the year. ie, for instance, serves as friend and mentor to Friends and acquaintances express concern Fern and gets frustrated when Fern shows how about her situation and offer lodging, but Fern ill-prepared she is for life on the road. Another scene shows the importance of using the rightprefers the life she leads.

Eye-opening and thought-provoking, sized bucket for a toilet inside a van.

“Nomadland” may make the audience reex“Nomadland” looks at hard-working people amine their own lives and how quickly things whose home is wherever they can park their vans or campers. McDormand, who won the can change. For others who crave life on the Best Actress Award at the recent 93rd Acad- road, this might be an introduction to new way emy Awards, is solid as Fern, a woman who of living. In either case, it’s a film that will stay makes her home on the road. Her journey with the viewer long after the closing credits.

“Nomadland,” rated R, is making post-Ostakes her to beautiful surrounding one day, but she may be sleeping in freezing conditions car appearances in theaters and also is available for streaming on Hulu. down the road.

F-2

Feature

ACTIVE BUYER

May 12, 2021 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

HELP WANTED

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NOVENA 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, Pray for us. St. Jude, Worker of Miracles, Pray for us. St. Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, Pray for us.

HELP WANTED

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.

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Feature

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F-3

F-4

Feature

May 12, 2021 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

Yeggs

John Hanna

Crossword: Fictional Fathers

‘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 It’s Mother’s Month. And no, that’s not a typo. Who says moms only get one measly day out of 365?! That’s the least humanity can do for us after what we’ve been through to bring about civilization.

I well recall the day I became a mother and yes, earned an entire month of recognition.

There I was sitting on the couch hugging one of the cushions tightly and feeling as if my mid-section was as inflated as an over-filled water balloon. I felt certain I was carrying a full grown horse inside and it was at full gallop.

I moaned to my husband, “I’m so fat and bloated. I can barely make room for air in my lungs…I need a bowl of ice cream.”

“If you’re feeling bloated and already can’t breathe I don’t think that’s such a good idea…”

After removing a couch cushion from his mouth he hurried off to the kitchen. He returned with the entire carton and a soup ladle – such a quick learner.

Later that evening we rushed to the hospital. I checked in at the front desk where I was required to leave all belongings along with any personal dignity I had planned on retaining.

Soon I was stripped down and told to squeeze into a tiny little nightgown no bigger than a surgical mask.

“Where’s the rest of it?” I asked a nurse.

“Oh honey, you aren’t going to need that thing for long. I’m surprised you even got one.”

“Huh?” I whimpered. I turned to my husband, “I need ice cream…stat!”

But it was too late. Doctors and nurses and various unknowns entered my room checking my vitals and other assorted body parts non-stop

By Cindy Moore

Fruits of labor without even closing the door. I remember one particular man came in carrying some type of weird apparatus.

“What does that thing do?” I asked.

“It tests the moisture level,” he said.

Just as I was about to unsheathe myself and make ready for a humidity exam he walked past me and began watering the ficus tree.

Thirty-six hours of strong labor and one C-section later, I became a mother.

And for all that I only get a lousy month of appreciation?!

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. Like Annapolis Academy 6. Pine juice 9. One in a manger 13. Like a good athlete 14. Modern address 15. Printer cartridge contents 16. Cate Blanchett’s movie “____ on a Scandal” 17. 2nd largest living bird in world 18. U in UV 19. *Honoré de Balzac’s “Le Père ____” 21. *Nemo’s dad, named after a sport fish 23. “____ of the morning!”

24. Seaside bird 25. Tax accounting specialist, acr.

28. Back of the neck 30. Chew the fat 35. Country dance formation 37. Greek goddess of fertility 39. Waterwheel 40. *Drunk and, incidentally, Huck Finn’s Pap 41. Metallic sounding 43. Quite a stretch 44. Place to dry out 46. Like the White Rabbit 47. Dr. Robert Bruce Banner’s green alter ego 48. Sun-____ 50. Toothy wheel 52. Bad-mouth

53. Made a rug 55. Low-____ image 57. *Simba’s father in “The Lion King” 60. *Luke’s and Leia’s father 63. Golfer’s sun protection 64. Romanian monetary unit 66. Introverted one 68. Follow as a consequence 69. Pooh’s wise friend 70. Territory in China known as Las Vegas of Asia 71. Young woman 72. *”That ‘70s Show” dad 73. One-room school house “notebook” DOWN 1. A Bobbsey twin 2. Awestruck 3. *The Godfather’s given name 4. Heads-up 5. Wound 6. Cooking grease 7. Hammer holder?

8. D’Artagnan’s hat decoration 9. Weevil’s target 10. Not in favor of 11. Capital of Switzerland 12. Chapter in history 15. As opposed to turn-off 20. 1960s abstractionism 22. Rainbow shape 24. Like ones between 13 and 19 years old

25. *Griswold family patriarch 26. Mushroom caps 27. Egyptian symbol of life, pl.

29. *Jay is to Claire as ____ is to Haley 31. Flood survivor 32. Father of psychoanalysis Sigmund 33. Garlicky mayonnaise 34. *Both father in “Mary Poppins” and father in “Father of the Bride” 36. Unfledged hawk 38. Casino chip 42. Pine 45. ____ of dog!

49. “I ____” at the altar 51. Middle Earth and Kingdom of the North, e.g.

54. Courage in the face of danger 56. Smokeless tobacco brand 57. Short skirt 58. It was Brezhnev’s domain 59. Unplayable baseball 60. Old in Scottish 61. Cuzco valley empire 62. Straight pour from the bottle 63. Chill in front of TV, with ‘out’ 65. Ovine mom 67. Beluga yield SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9