CN: May 24, 2023

Mental health heroes

By Wendy Todd

Since 1949, May has been observed in the United States as Mental Health Awareness Month to raise awareness about mental and behavioral health issues and decrease the surrounding stigma. In observance, the nonprofit, St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund (CSF), the largest service provider of its kind in Missouri, has been hosting a series of lunch and learns regarding well-being for youth this month.

“We hope these events will provide an excellent platform for parents, educators and community members to learn from one another. Mental Health Awareness Month presents us with a great opportunity to better highlight and address our community’s mental health needs,” said Emily Koenig, executive director of CSF.

Attendance has been good and has allowed participants to not only gain information about youth and mental health, but also

what CSF offers communities.

“We have been thrilled to see many of our local educators and school-based mental and behavioral health providers attend these lunch and learns,” Koenig said. “With the series continuing throughout the month, we’re excited to be able to offer local educators, providers, parents and interested parties several opportunities to join us for one or more of the webinars.

The nonprofit began in 2008 when a group of St. Louis County voters created the nonprofit and governmental entities to provide mental and behavioral health services to children and families. CSF has invested more than $450 million in organizations throughout the community using the “Putting Kids First” sales tax, which allocates a quarter-cent of every dollar spent in St. Louis County to its funding for services that include crisis intervention, counseling, child advocacy, education, prevention.

Starting in 2005 funding for behavioral

health and substance abuse services were reduced due to budget cuts at the state and federal levels. A coalition of over 50 nonprofits paired with community members, recognized the need for more mental health resources for youth. After an independent assessment provided data to support an initiative, the St. Louis County Putting Kids First Campaign, also known as Proposition 1, was launched and passed on Nov. 4, 2008. Since its inception, CSF has experienced significant growth, nearly doubling the number of organizations it funds. This year, the organization made its largest allocation ever, providing $150 million to 70 local organizations over a three-year period. In another example of growth, the organization has partnered with the St. Louis County Library system and will provide social workers in five branches.

Children’s Service Fund not only funds

Around Town

‘HEROS’ from cover

Florissant’s Performing Arts Center hosted the 34th Annual 2023 Ms. Missouri Senior America Pageant

On April 30, Christy Wilson-Smith was crowned Ms. Missouri Senior America at the 2023 Ms. Missouri Senior America Pageant at the Florissant’s Performing Arts Center.

Marilyn Callicott was the first runner-up and Peggy Janis was the second runner-up. Sally Faith, a former mayor of St. Charles, was named Ms. Congeniality. She was voted by her peers as Ms. Congeniality.

organization that provide mental health and behavioral services but also works to inform St. Louis County about low-cost services.

“We want St. Louis County residents to know that mental and behavioral health services are available at low or no cost,” said Koenig. “Our Find A Service tool, an interactive map of local providers, is a great resource for those looking for community or school-based services.”

The link to the service finder is on their website. The organization also wants people to know about 988, a national mental health hotline.

The final two virtual lunch and learn events are on May 24, which centers on Strategies to Cope with Emotional Hardship, and May 31 which focuses on A Supportive Home Environment. Both Zoom events take place from 12 - 12:30 p.m.

For more information on Children’s Service Fund and how to register for the events, go to www.stlcsf.org.

The pageant, held annually in the St. Louis Area, exemplifies the elegance of senior women over the age of 60. The ladies compete in four categories: Personal interview with judges before the pageant starts; poise in evening gown; recitation of a 35 second philosophy of life; and a two and a one half-minute talent presentation.

Wilson-Smith is a resident of O’Fallon. She graduated from William Woods University with a degree in vocal music and completing graduate work at Phillips Theological Seminary. She Fulfilled her dream of becoming a music educator. Wilson-Smith received Teacher of the Year Award seven times. She presently is retired after

COMMUNITY VOICES:

40 years. For her talent she performed Que Sera, Sera.

Wilson-Smith will represent Missouri in the Ms. Senior America Pageant, held in Atlantic City at the Tropicana Casino & Resort on Oct. 15 through Oct. 19.

For more information on the Ms. Missouri Senior America Pageant visit their website at www.msmissourisenior.org.

By Dr. Larry A. Brown

Shooting is a result; we must attack the cause

Sometimes shooting becomes the ultimate and finite result of frustration. Often, a person has tried to get resolution to a situation in all the ways they may know how, but either their efforts have gone unnoticed, or they have been unsuccessful.

They have become more and more agitated because they have been unable to solve the problem or at least reduce it. The individuals may feel that they are being ignored or that no one else cares.

Often, there may be others around who are feeling and experiencing the same kind of discomfort, but they are able to factor it in with their other pressures and continue to handle it. (Their cup is not running over yet).

Often, shooting is done spontaneously, without regards to the outcome. The brain has told the individual that this is the way to handle the situation now and completely. Of course, in a civilized society which ours is supposed to be, there should be other ways available, including self-restraint and changing environments.

If a person reaches the point where they feel alone in the situation, that no one cares

about them or cares for a cure for the situation, and it is up to them to handle the situation immediately, is when shootings and other bizarre solutions occur.

I, personally, find it difficult to dwell on this kind of subject matter too long, without wanting to take some kind of action to eliminate part of the stress that it creates.

We may say that the blame lies with COVID stress, competition for the American dream, lack of finances, defamation, or the many, many other reasons that cause one to resort to shooting. I feel very strongly that the primary cause is a lack of respect for human life.

If we are taught again, as we were when we were kids, to believe that the worst thing that you can do is to take another person’s life, then, we might find other ways to resolve or deal with undesirable situations.

Our culture of permissiveness, and freedoms of many kinds, has resulted in confusion about right and wrong.

The longer we let this kind type of demonstration occur, the worse it is going to get.

Even now, people are afraid to venture out, even to get gas, or attend desirable events.

Many are even afraid to go to church!

Gun restrictions are not the real answer. Stronger sentences are not the real answer. Curfews won’t do it. New laws won’t do it. The answer lies in our ability as a nation and as a people to return to the principle of respect for life!

We all must become involved in some way in this process. Visit www.gracechapelministries.org to see how you can help. The time is now!

Dr. Larry A. Brown is a retired Chairman of the Board and co-founder of Worknet, Inc., which has a national ten-year contract with the Social Security Administration to find jobs for people with disabilities who are interested and qualified to enter the traditional workforce. He is also co-founder and president of Grace Chapel Ministries, former president of National Cable Training Centers, and president of Woodstock Industrial Products Group. 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.

(From left) At the 2023 Ms. Missouri Senior America Pageant, First Runner Up Marilyn Callicott stands next to Ms. Missouri Senior America Christy Wilson-Smith and Second Runner Up Peggy Janis.

Photo courtesy city of Florissant

A booth at a Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day event from May 2022.

Submitted photo

A school of fish

By Wendy Todd

Missouri Department of Conservation is offering Discover Nature Fishing workshops for teachers in the St. Louis region

Education at its best is often a holistic venture. From that perspective, the Missouri Department of Conservation is offering four Discover Nature Fishing workshops for teachers in the St. Louis region. The workshops are geared to help their students discover and connect with the outdoors.

Dan Zarlenga, media specialist at the MDC, explained the intended benefits of the program.

“Spending time outdoors and in nature is essential for our health and the development of our children,” he said. “Fishing is an excellent way to introduce young people to the outdoors because it’s fun, accessible and kids tend to love doing it, even if they’re not always wild about putting worms on hooks. As managing Missouri’s fisheries resources and engaging the public in fishing is part of MDC’s mission, it’s also a good way to welcome the new anglers of the future. Fishing provides an activity that promotes bonding among friends and family,” he said.

The program includes four progressive lessons that move newcomers through all the basics of the sport. The workshops teach students about fishing equipment, casting, rigging a fishing rod, baiting a hook and how to properly handle a fish. Fish education including identification, fish habitat and stocking a tackle box is also a part of the lessons.

Participants in the workshop will be eligible to obtain DNF teaching kits, including fishing poles and equipment used in the four lessons. By the end of the

program, students should have all the skills needed to fish on their own.

Lesson outlines are as follows:

• Lesson one: Equipment, casting, and proper fish handling

• Lesson two: How to tie a knot and bait a hook

• Lesson three: Five common Missouri fish - their anatomy, habitat and life cycle

• Lesson four: Fishing with lures and fishing regulations

The free workshops, that run through June, are also a great way to recognize May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month, as fishing can help with emotional health.

“Learning to fish for students is acquiring a life skill that people can do at any age and almost any physical condition,” Zarlenga said. “There are also innumerable places to pursue fishing close to home in the St. Louis area, or across the state, so it’s a very accessible activity. Spending time in nature with activities like fishing has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, encourage creativity and self-reliance.”

The Discover Nature Fishing workshops take place through June. Equipment and bait are provided. For more information go to www.short.mdc.mo.gov/Zty Teachers under 65 must have a fishing permit to participate in the workshop.

THEATER REVIEW:

‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ gets redeemed

“Jesus Christ Superstar” is out on the road celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic rock opera with a lean, mean production that played at the Fox Theatre through May 21.

There is a glitz and gloss to the full-on Broadway production that always struck me as a little silly, especially considering how edgy and controversial the show was originally; existing first only as a double-album before it was ever staged.

This version of “Superstar” reclaims that gritty origin, running 90 minutes with no intermission and with a stripped-down set design that plays more to the rock-concert vibe than a full-on theatrical production. The story, for those of you who were truant from Sunday school, is ripped right out of the Gospels and traces the story of Jesus (Jack Hopewell) from his entry into Jerusalem to his crucifixion.

While Jesus is the superstar of the show, the heart of the musical is Judas (Elvie Ellis) whose inner conflict about the direction of Jesus’ ministry eventually leads to his betrayal. Lin-Manuel Miranda borrowed the dynamic of Jesus and Judas for “Hamilton” as the part of Aaron Burr is as prominent if not more so than Alexander Hamilton.

Rounding out the cast is Mary Magdalene (Faith

By Mathew DeKinder

Jones), high priest Caiaphas (Grant Hodges, who belts out the bass) and Roman governor Pilate (Nicholas Hambruch).

Because the production moves quickly from song to song, there is an urgency and energy to the show that’s also reflected in the choreography. And while some of the interpretive dance feels distractingly extra at times, the show gives you as much to look at as it does to listen to.

This is the best production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” that I have ever seen and its shorter presentation only makes it stronger and more impactful. If you want to see an iconic show at its best, this is your chance.

“Jesus Christ Superstar” played at the Fox Threatre through May 21. For tickets call 314-534-1111 or go to metrotix.com.

Photos courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation

Submitted photo

Around Town

St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund sponsors youth mental health first aid training

St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund (CSF) has partnered with the Saint Louis Mental Health Board (MHB) and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Missouri to provide Youth Mental Health First Aid training sessions on April 15, for school staff in St. Louis City and St. Louis County.

Through its partnership with the Saint Louis MHB and Mental Health First Aid Missouri — and following a successful collaboration to offer this training in 2022 — CSF hopes to equip school staff with the tools and knowledge necessary to support the mental health of the youth in their care.

“As we continue to navigate the ongoing mental health crisis among our youth, we are excited to provide these courses at no cost to St. Louis City and County school staff members,” said Emily Koenig, executive director of CSF. “We believe that equipping educators with the knowledge and tools to support

Still In This Together:

the mental health needs of their students is essential to building a healthier community for all of us.”

With 17.1 million youth diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder under 18, the CSF-sponsored trainings addressed the growing need for mental health awareness and resources. The 6.5-hour course covered common challenges faced by adolescents ages 12-18. This includes anxiety, depression, substance use, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders. It also provided participants with a five-step action plan that walks through how to help in crisis and non-crisis situations. Teachers, school staff, coaches, and counselors throughout St. Louis City and St. Louis County were invited to participate in the training.

The Youth Mental Health First Aid course is offered online or in person at the MU Extension St. Louis Metro Area Office. It also offers participants a

Why ‘Camelot?’

Margie, my hairdresser since before Becca was born and a wonderful friend who doesn’t just ask questions but actually listens to the answers, was asking me how everything’s been going the past few months.

I told her how we’re doing in the new house, new city, new surroundings, with new neighbors and in the sometimes-unenviable position of being the new kids in town, when progress is often less preferred than you might expect and new homeowners have to prove themselves.

I explained I’m feeling up to the task, waving at passersby indiscriminately, smiling at everyone in the mar-

ket, shamelessly trying to charm the townspeople into realizing we’re worthy additions to the population and intend to be the best of neighbors.

I was telling Margie how much I enjoy the sound of trains that pass by regularly, and how soothing the rumble is even at night. She agreed, remembering having trains near her home when she was little and loving being able to fall asleep to the clanking of the wheels on the tracks.

That conversation started my brain on its predictably wayward trip from one subject to another, as I talked about the trees down the hill from us filling in last month and making it harder to see the train cars unless they’re brightly colored yellow or orange and I’m going to be wishing for autumn more than ever this year so the trees won’t be hiding or muffling the sound of the trains.

Then, I started thinking about where I’m going to put all the Halloween decorations in the new house, and the cute little pumpkin lawn flag I bought, how much we’re loving having a garage for the first time and how nice having a garage was when the weather was cold in our first weeks in the new home. And then I laughed.

Margie knows me and my meanderings so well. She just waited, and then said, “What are you thinking about now?”

“Well, I was thinking about having a garage for the first time and that led me to how much I’m enjoying having a dishwasher for the first time, too, although I swore it was a good thing not having one when the kids were younger because I fully intended to use them as our dishwashers. That never seemed to work out very well, though. Homework, you know. And I could never figure out a way to give up enough cabinet space to put in a dishwasher before we moved.

So many people asked if I thought I would really use a dishwasher now that it’s mostly just the two of us, but I’m loving it. I adore popping that little pod into the dispenser and pushing the start button. And I was laughing about ‘Camelot.’”

“Okay, you lost me on that one,” Margie laughed. And I began to explain, as I watched her working her magic and my excess hair was falling to the floor.

$150-$250 stipend as well as contact hours or CEUs for those continuing their education for professional licensure.

Other free training opportunities are available for those interested in completing mental health training. The Missouri Department of Mental Health offers individual courses through the link: http://mhfamissouri.org/home/events/. MHFA Missouri also provides training for public school groups of 15 or more individuals. More information can be found by visiting: http://mhfamissouri.org/home/host-a-course/.

CSF wishes to continue to provide this training to community members and encourages those interested in future mental health training opportunities to follow them on social media for updates. More resources for children and families throughout St. Louis County, including an interactive map of providers, can be found by visiting stlcsf.org.

By Vicki Bahr

“I really didn’t think about it much at first, then one morning I caught myself humming the tune to “Camelot”, the movie version with Vanessa Redgrave and Richard Harris, with his piercingly emotional eyes. My best friend and I argued over who was more handsome, King Arthur or Sir Lancelot and in my estimation, it was always Richard Harris. Lynda could have Lancelot.

Anyway, I found myself humming it so often that I had to go to Google and look up all the lyrics of the song so I could belt it out as I was working in the kitchen. Don’t even get me started on all the enormous benefits of Google.”

But I digress. Margie had stopped cutting my hair and was just looking at me in the mirror. “Why ‘Camelot?’”

“Turns out when I open the door to the dishwasher, it makes a three-note chime of sorts and I swear it’s the first notes to the song ‘Camelot,’” I said. “It took me a while to figure it out, but now every time I start to load or unload the dishwasher, I laugh. And then I sing.”

“Oh, my gosh!” Margie laughed. “Only you!”

I took that as the compliment I presume it was, and went on to tell her how much I always wished I could have been in the room when they were working on the other song that’s particularly meaningful at this time of year, and I have to look up the words to it every May so I can sing it appropriately.

The lyrics are so clever, so quick, so perfect, that it would have been wonderful to be a part of its creation. “It’s May, it’s May, the lusty month of May.”

Get to Google and see if you don’t agree…

And there is still enough plenty of time to sing along before the month is over.

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

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

Northwest Views: Bringing hope to children and families across the region

When I started my first job in the early 80s as a young social worker at ECH, we were still known primarily as an orphanage — the Evangelical Children’s Home. Those 24/7 on-call days were crazy and wonderful, and we were just starting to dream big about how we saw the home’s potential for growth. The first major change had already happened with the addition of treatment programs in 1978. A lot more has evolved since then, all with a constant eye toward providing services children and families in our community need.

Over the next 30 years, we took a good look at the areas where we felt we could make the most difference in the lives of families and children. The first thing we saw was a need to help older youth who were aging out of residential and foster care, so in 1986 we established the Steppingstone program to help these young people transition to adulthood with life skills and hope for the future.

In 2008, we added child outpatient psychiatric services, and in 2009, we changed our name to better reflect the work we do: Every Child’s Hope (ECH). In

2015, we added Head Start programs to further our mission of helping families in need. We also offer foster care case management that focuses on working to strengthen families and keep them together whenever possible.

Today, we are a 200-strong workforce with locations all over the state, offering healing and hope to 1,400 clients yearly. And while our menu of services has changed, caring for vulnerable children has remained at the heart of what we do.

We are stepping into our future as we transform our model of care for youth and families to include trauma-sensitive prevention, treatment and follow-up care. I joke sometimes that our ultimate goal is to put ourselves out of business, but in all seriousness, our ongoing mission is to help people earlier so they don’t need our most intensive treatments.

However, for children and families in crisis, the new William N. Dill Youth Development Center, opening later this summer, will serve as a hub where youth can get the treatment and services they need in a single location – a hub of healing and hope for the future.

By Michael P. Brennan

I am so grateful for the wonderful support from so many people who have helped make this vision become a reality.

Building ECH has been my life’s work – it is the only career I’ve ever had. I am now preparing to retire, but I know I leave this organization in good hands. Our board of directors, staff, and leadership teams are the reason why ECH has been so successful in carrying out our mission. Our succession plan has been a thoughtful process, and I look forward to seeing what happens when the energy from new leaders combines with the legacy knowledge of the existing team. Many capable hands are ready to take up the reins and move ECH to the next level.

Michael P. Brennan is Chief Executive Officer of Every Child’s Hope.

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

What’s Happening

EVENTS

June 8: Hazelwood School District to host recruitment fair

The HSDt is hosting a Support Staff Recruitment Fair

from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. at the Galactic Multipurpose Room. The district is seeking bus drivers, counselors, nurses, custodial staff, food nutrition workers, and more for the 2023-2024 school

year. Interested applicants are encouraged to register for the fair by visiting bit. ly/WorkWithHSD and submitting a recruitment fair application. Walk-ins welcome, and there will be onsite application stations. Participants are encouraged to bring copies of resumes, credentials, and other professional documentation.

RECURRING EVENTS

Weekdays: Food pantry volunteers needed The Harvey Kornblum Jew-

ish Food Pantry is in need of ongoing adult volunteers to sort food, stock shelves and shop with clients. Two-tofour hour shifts are available, Monday-Friday 8:45 a.m.3:45 p.m. To learn more or to join this fun group, contact Chelsey Banaskavich at 314513-1674 or cbanaskavich@ jfcs-stl.org.

Mondays: City council meetings

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

ings are open to the public.

Mondays: Choral Arts Group meetings

Choral Arts Group practices every Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Connection Christian Church at 1332 Feise Rd. in O’Fallon. Auditions not required. Ages high school and older are invited to join. There will be spring and fall public concerts. For more information call Marty at 636-579-9227, or email concertartsa@gmail.com.

Mondays: Workshop meetings

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

Mondays: A cappella singers

All men who like to sing are invited to come sing with us, The Men of Harmony. We practice every Monday night at 7 p.m. at 5500 Parker Raoad which is the first house on Uthe Lane. We sing four-part harmony a capella (without accompaniment). We sing some traditional songs, as well as show tunes and more contempor-

ary 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.

Tuesdays: TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets from 10 – 11 a.m. at Expansion Church at 11150 Old Saint Charles Rd. in St. Ann. For more info, contact Pat Pinson 314-4281168 or 314-435-5898.

Tuesdays: A cappella singers

The Gentlemen of Sound are looking for men who like to sing or want to learn. They practice Tuesdays at Lady of the Pillar school at 401 S. Lindbergh from 7 – 9 p.m. They try to do public events monthly. Always looking for new members. Come by or call Kirk at 314-954-7920 .

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

Tuesdays: Celebrate 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.

Sports you see with Gary B...

Lindenwood excel in track and field event

On Sunday, Lindenwood University was in the final day of competition at the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Outdoor Championships.

The Lindenwood track and field teams placed fifth on the men’s side and seventh on the women’s side. The Lions had multiple winners and several individuals place in their respective events, as well as individuals setting new personal records and school records. The Lions also placed third in women’s 4x400 relay race.

Below are some of the notable performances from the OVC Championships.

Top Women’s Performances:

• Discus –Kimberly Lugg (Freshman), placed first

• Hammer –Ashley Shoemake (Junior), placed third

• 400m –Gabby Russina (Junior), placed second, set new personal record and school record

• 400m Hurdles –Martina Martinez, placed second

Top Men’s Performances:

• Decathlon –Jake Casey (Senior), placed second

• Javelin –William Stemler (Freshman), placed third

• 110m Hurdles –Biel Salas (Sophomore)

* Excellent day for accomplishments

UMSL athletes receive Sportsman of the Year Award

University of Missouri-St. Louis junior Karli Dean of the volleyball team and senior Nick Hedberg of the men’s golf team have been named as the Tritons’ James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2022-23 year. The award is named after the former Bellarmine director of athletics and multi-sport coach who is considered one of the pioneers of the GLVC. The duo were two of 26 student-athletes, one male and one female from each of the league’s 13 schools, formally recognized after learning of their honors during their respective All-Conference process this past year. Each institution – through the head coach – names one award honoree in each sport sponsored. These individual sport honorees became candidates for the James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Individual Award. Each institution then selects one male and

one female student-athlete from its season-long list of honorees to be named as James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Individual Award winners.

Also, during the initial nomination process, each institution’s coach ranks the top-three teams within the sport that best displayed good sportsmanship throughout the season. The team with the highest point total is then named that sport’s James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Team Award winner. At the conclusion of the academic year, the institution that accumulated the highest point total across all sports is named the James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Overall Award winner. This year’s winner is Southwest Baptist.

The GLVC renamed its annual sportsmanship award in 2016 after Spalding for his longtime service at Bellarmine. Spalding was first a basketball student-athlete at Bellarmine, who later returned to serve his alma mater as a coach and later the AD. During his tenure as AD, Spalding played a prominent role in both the formation of the GLVC and the sponsorship expansion of women’s athletics within the league. He died in 2012 at the age of 79 following a lengthy illness.

* A great accomplishment

Hoots season around the corner

The O’Fallon Hoots play their home games at CarShield Field in O’Fallon and play in the Prospect League.

David Schmoll, General Manager, is excited to get the season started to provide some great talent collected for the 2023 season.

Manager Ryan Bailey, will lead the club this year and is excited on showing off the expert athletes.

The season starts at CarShield Field in O’Fallon on Wednesday, May 31 at 6:35 p.m. against Cape Girardeau.

* Baseball in O’Fallon finally back

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

Recipe: Dish out a new take on dessert

Summertime means plenty of grilling, giving you an opportunity to try this Grilled Banana Pound Cake Kabobs dessert recipe alongside your favorite entrees.

INGREDIENTS:

1 loaf (10 3/4 ounces)

frozen pound cake, thawed and cubed

2 large bananas, cut into 1-inch slices

metal or soaked wooden skewers

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon ice cream

desired toppings

Grilled Banana Pound Cake Kabobs Grilled Banana Pound Cake Kabobs

DIRECTIONS:

Heat grill to medium heat.

Alternately thread cake and bananas on skewers. In small bowl, mix butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract and cinnamon. Brush mixture over kabobs.

Place kabobs on greased rack and grill for up to 1 minute, turning once.

Serve with ice cream and desired toppings.

FindmoregrillingrecipesatCulinary.net.

Movie:

By Steve Bryan

In1989, Walt Disney Studios released “The Little Mermaid,” an animated film that found its audience amongst both children and adults. Thanks to its success, animated features such as “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin” soon followed and marked the beginning of what was called “The Disney Renaissance.”

On May 26, Melissa McCarthy will play Ursula in the live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid.” The late Pat Carroll was the original voice of the sea witch and, in the remake, McCarthy took over the role and will sing “Poor Unfortunate Souls.”

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

In addition to “Little Mermaid,” Melissa McCarthy showed she could tackle comedies and serious roles that highlighted her talents. McCarthy received her first Oscar nomination for 2011’s “Bridesmaids,” a wildly outrageous comedy about an upcoming wedding. “Saturday Night Live” alum Kristin Wiig played Annie Walker, a baker who lost both her shop and her boyfriend. After her best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph) asked Annie to be her maid of honor, she accepted. Things don’t go as expected after food poisoning affected the bridal party. McCarthy was outrageous in this Oscar-nominated role, especially when she searched for an unoccupied bathroom stall in a bridal shop.

In 2014, Bill Murray and McCarthy starred in Theodore Melfi’s “St. Vincent.” Murray played Vincent MacKenna, a Vietnam War veteran whose car was damaged by new neighbor Maggie Bronstein (McCarthy). She

had a son named Oliver who was a bright, friendly child that Vincent volunteered to watch for a fee while Maggie was at work. Surprisingly, Vincent got along well together with Oliver and taught him to defend himself against bullies. “St. Vincent” was an interesting film enhanced by Murray and McCarthy’s performances.

Directed by Paul Feig, 2016’s “Ghostbusters” attempted to reboot the popular franchise with a core cast of female characters. Melissa McCarthy played Dr. Abigail L. “Abby” Yates, a particle physicist who, with her friend Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig), co-wrote a book called “Ghosts from Our Past.” Leslie Jones came on board as Patty Jenkins, a Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) staff member who found a ghost in a subway terminal. Patty also knew her way around New York City and obtained a hearse from her mortician uncle. This reboot had some good moments, especially the cameos from Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver and Annie Potts.

Ben Falcone directed wife Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Bell in “The Boss,” the story of a wealthy woman who lost her fortune. McCarthy was Michelle Darnell, the CEO of multiple Fortune 500 companies and author of self-help books. Arrested for insider trading, she was released after serving 5 months in prison. To rebuild her fortunes, Michelle, along with her former personal assistant Claire Rawlings (Kristen Bell) and her daughter Rachel (Ella Anderson), created a homemade brownie empire.

Melissa McCarthy is a great actress and I definitely am looking forward to her upcoming performance in the live-action version of “The Little Mermaid.”

“The Little Mermaid,” rated PG, debuts in theaters on May 26.

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.

SEE ANSWERS ON CN PG. 8 & STC PG. 9

Melissa McCarthy will play Ursula in “The Little Mermaid”

‘The Little Mermaid’ photo courtesy Walt Disney Pictures

John Hanna Yeggs

CROSSWORD: THE 1990'S

‘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:

Operator: “911, what is your emergency?”

Me: “Yes, I’m…huff, huff… in serious threat of…huff…my life!”

“Can you be more specific? Is there someone threatening you?”

“Yes! Yes there is. I need help; the police… no, send a SWAT team! Cancel that, send the National Guard…with tanks, lots of tanks… and tell them to pack along some of those super explody missiles too.”

“Okay ma’am. Is the perpetrator there now?”

“Yes, the perp is standing five feet from me.”

“Does the perpetrator have any weapons?”

“Yes. Sharp knives and he’s got ten of them!”

“Ten knives! How can he hold ten knives? This sounds grim. Is there any way you can disarm him?”

“Oh no, if I get any closer he’s going to shred my face into coleslaw.”

“Then can you describe him to me?”

“He’s really fat, long whiskers, big ears, green eyes and he’s got a really snooty condescending attitude and is very entitled. He thinks the world owes him a living, but at the same time he’s soo adorable.”

“Wow, you are a good judge of character, but seem to get sidetracked by a pretty face. This guy is dangerous so can you distract him or do something to throw him off guard?”

“Good idea. Okay, I just threw a jingly ball at him, the kind with a little bell in the middle.”

“Ma’am, I really don’t think that’s going to deter a raging savage. You’ll need something else.”

“You’re right. I’m going for the big guns.”

“Now you’re talking. A gun may be what’s needed.”

“Huh? I’m talking about catnip. I’m going to toss a bag of it over his shoulder. That may divert his attention long enough until you get someone over here, but please hurry.”

By Cindy Moore

Bloodbath

ACROSS

1. Deep cavity

6. Weasel-related onomatopoeia

9. Supernatural life force

13. French treat

14. Snake-like fish

15. Major Italian city

“Hey, wait a minute. Are we talking about… your cat?”

“Of course we are. What were you thinking?”

“I thought you were facing a murderous, psychopathic lunatic bent on your destruction.”

“Correct. And I was attempting to give him a bath.”

“A bath? A cat? Why didn’t you say so? I’ll send the National Guard over ASAP!”

“Don’t forget the tanks.”

“Plenty of tanks…and missiles…the super explody kind!”

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.

16. Ring around the sun, pl.

17. Pitcher's stat

18. Donated part

19. *Russian President

21. *"Nevermind" band

23. *"Walkin' on the ____" by Smash Mouth

24. Google search tool

25. Took the bait

28. Between larva and adult

30. Data input device

35. U in I.C.U.

37. Dems' opponents

39. One of Florida Keys

40. Be furious

41. *Canada/Mexico/U.S. trade agreement acronym

43. Agitate

44. Between free and freest

46. Molokai party

47. *Telephone Tammy or Sky Dancer

48. Unquestioning ones

50. Greek muse's strings

52. Slightly insane

53. Messy substances

55. Santa ____ winds, CA

57. *TV show with Central Perk

61. *Popular Disney movie with a genie

65. Caterpillar precursor

66. Accompanies wisdom?

68. *Pinky or The Brain

69. Architectural projection

70. Crème de cassis plus wine

71. Un-written exams

72. ____pool or ____pit

73. One or some or all

74. Find new tenant

DOWN

1. *"____ Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus

2. Highlands hillside

3. Raise the roof

4. Leopard marks

5. Bungle (2 words)

6. Part of a hammer

7. "____ the land of the free..."

8. Heathrow craft

9. Type of missile, accr.

10. Aquarium organism

11. Indian bread

12. "____ Kerenina" by Tolstoy

15. Breadcrumb, e.g.

20. Contain the ashes

22. Pen juice

24. Amount in one's lap, pl.

25. *The Vampire Slayer

26. Accustom

27. *"A ____ to Kill" and "Nick of ____"

29. Bell sound

31. Front or back one

32. Factual evidence

33. Quick and nimble

34. *First cloned mammal's name

36. Swarm like bees

38. Don't go

42. Pertaining to the ear

45. Pertaining to reign

49. Motion of assent

51. Bewitch

54. Port city in Japan

56. *Christian Dior's "J'____"

57. Mass of particles

58. Of low density

59. Pupil controller

60. December 24 and 31

61. Bald eagle's nest

62. Two-fold

63. Same as island

64. *TV show "Empty ____"

67. *"____ and Juice" by Snoop Dogg