CN: October 26, 2022

Dressed for success

Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ Save our Sons program distributes free suits to high school students participating in career day at St. Louis Community College

By Wendy Todd

When job hunting, putting one’s best foot forward is essential to success in landing a position. Along with an effective resume and the ability to articulate one’s skills, pre sentation is critically important.

High school students in the Black Male Achievers Academy at St. Louis Community College were given the opportunity earlier this month to get “suited up” for the college’s career day, receiving free suits from the Ur ban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ Save our Sons program.

The BMA Academy was created in 2021

by retired STLCC-Forest Park president, Franklyn Taylor to replace the African American Male Initiative after its federal funding ended. It is designed to increase enrollment, retention and graduation of underprepared students, both male and fe male. The free six-week Bridge program is offered at the STLCC Forest Park and Flo rissant Valley campuses to help participants with the transition to higher education.

The BMAA helped prepare participants for the college career fair which featured over 50 companies looking for new recruits. Partnering with the Urban League’s Save our Sons program to provide professional

apparel for participants is a significant piece of success.

“With the professional attire donations, the Save Our Sons program hopes to pro vide clients with the confidence they need to do well in their interviews, the spirit to know they are as powerful as they look and the knowledge to know that we care and are here to support them on the journey of suc cess,” said Jamille Mitchell, senior job devel oper for the Save Our Sons initiative.

Mysha Clincy, coordinator of student re tention programs at SLCC, leads the BMA Academy and was thrilled to learn of the

‘SUCCESS’

COMMUNITY VOICES

By Steve Miller. Pg. 2

Home Builders Charitable Foundation commemorates 25 years of giving. Pg. 3

A SENIOR MOMENT. Pg. 4

Around Town Northwest News

Home Builders Association donates to Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis. Pg. 5

Creve Coeur accepting applications for domestic violence shelter funds. Pg. 5

Features

Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1

CLA SSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3

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

Weather

Cloudy 62/45

Partly Cloudy 64/48

Cloudy

Mysha

leads the Black Male Achievers Academy, stands with high school students in the BMA Academy who were presented with

Submitted photo

Around Town

‘SUCCESS’ from cover

Urban League’s generous donation. She also recognizes the importance of young Black males being able to create their own financial stability and how looking the part plays a role in getting a job.

“Having professional attire is a mind changer,” Clincy said. “It allows them to not only think about the next level, but actual ly see themselves at the next level. This is a life-changing moment for them. They can now confidently visualize themselves fitting into any environment. Some of these students have never owned a suit, so the way they feel and look is a game changer.”

Coupled with the provision of suits, the BMA Academy participants also receive ed ucational resources, mentoring and profes sional guidance including how to succeed in an interview. The initiative aims to provide the critical support to help prepare high school students academically for the transition into college and offer life skills.

“The BMA program is important because it

is a student-support program that meets the students where they are to eliminate any bar riers that will hinder their academic success, Clincy said. “Our goal is to increase the ma triculation and graduation of underrepresent ed and underprepared students. BMA creates

COMMUNITY VOICES:

an environment of success and empowers them to be the best. Our motto says, ‘academic excellence is no accident,’ so we look individu ally and holistically at what the students need in order to be successful.”

By Steve Miller

Pallottine Center and Team Rubicon Form Unlikely Alliance

Team Rubicon, a national veteran-led di saster-relief organization, dispatched one of its North Branch teams to St. Louis on Aug. 1, and the group’s home base was at Pallottine Renewal Center. For 16 days, the team’s Op erations Center coordinated St. Louis metro area recovery efforts from the St. Vincent’s Conference Room at the retreat center’s cam pus. The team included 24 people from 11 states including Kansas, Oklahoma, Tennes see, California, New Jersey, Florida and Mas sachusetts.

“Our recon team heard about this place from a local YMCA so we reached out to see if we could make it work,” said Carol McCoy, Team Rubicon incident management staff. “And it was amazing. Once we saw the place and the accommodations available to us, honestly our only concern was spoiling the team for the next op. This is the Taj Mahal compared to where our teams typically stay.”

St. Louis area residents in communities such as Ellenwood, University City and Fer guson received help from Team Rubicon; during their time in St. Louis, Team Rubicon served more than 60 area homes and fami lies. In flooding conditions like many in the region suffered, the main task is “mucking out” the damaged and saturated materials from the residence.

“St. Louis proper has done an incredible job in helping us get stuff done,” said Carl Adams, Incident Commander from Indi ana. “They’ve provided dumpsters and heavy equipment to haul off materials, and that makes the job go faster. That, in turn, allows us to help more people and that’s why we’re here. It’s all about hope. People just don’t know what to do next.”

According to Pallottine Executive Director Marillyn Webb, this unique opportunity to house Team Rubicon’s veteran-led teams is exactly what PRC wants to be for the military community in North St. Louis County.

“One of our goals is to be a veterans’ hub in North County,” said Webb. “The experience we had hosting Team Rubicon is a perfect ex ample of how we want to be available to serve our veterans as well as the community. It was a win-win-win all around.”

A major side benefit to the recovery work TR did while it was dispatched to St. Louis was the relationship built with the PRC team. In addition to working side by side and es sentially co-habitating for the better part of three weeks, there was an unmistakable bond build between not just the organizations but the people involved.

Due to that close connection, some mem bers of Team Rubicon known as ‘Sawyers’ – basically hard charging chainsaw experts

– volunteered to remove some dead trees on the Pallottine campus. This work saved the center thousands of dollars. In addition, TR team members will be returning to Pallottine later this year to provide the necessary labor to complete PRC’s low-ropes course.

“It cannot be overstated how blown away we have been by Team Rubicon, its people, their hearts for service and how they have blessed us here at Pallottine,” said Webb. “Their willingness to return and give their time to help us finish the low-ropes course is a Godsend. That service is helping us reach our vision of providing this challenge course for North County.”

Team Rubicon, started in 2010 after the 7.0 earthquake in Haiti, recognizes veterans’ unique combination of training, spirit and experience to serve communities large and small across the globe before, during and after natural disasters. That heart to serve dovetails perfectly with the Pallottine Retreat & Conference Center’s mission to be a place of hope and renewal.

Pallottine Retreat and Conference Center, set on 83 picturesque acres in North St. Louis County, offers guests a wide variety of meet ing spaces, overnight accommodations, a heated pool, a gymnasium, low ropes course and two private retreat houses. The center is a Catholic-owned non-profit organization, but it is ecumenical in nature. All are welcome at Pallottine.

Steve Miller is the Assistant Director at Pallot tine Retreat and Conference Center.

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.

Submitted photo

Team Rubicon, a national veteran-led disaster-relief organiza tion, dispatched one of its North Branch teams to St. Louis on Aug. 1, and the group’s home base was at Pallottine Renewal Center.

Submitted photo

High school students in the BMA Academy were presented with suits to participate in career day at SLCC.

MDC educators train 154 St. Louis teachers in new preschool unit of science curriculum

Children are never too young to learn about nature and gain an appreciation of the outdoor world. Tomor row’s conservationists are being forged in the schools of today. That, and learning by doing, are two of the guiding principles behind the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Discover Nature Schools (DNS) program.

MDC has worked with teachers and conservation educators to create DNS, a statewide conservation sci ence education curriculum designed around Missouri Learning Standards. DNS emphasizes hands-on learn ing, teaches problem-solving, and provides authentic and local contexts for learning. DNS is designed to ed ucate students from pre-K through high school about Missouri’s native plants, animals, and habitats and in the process, connect them with nature where they live. It features a progressive set of units customized and age-appropriate for each grade level. DNS even pro vides grant funding to help cover equipment costs and field trips.

MDC educators conducted a teacher training session for St. Louis City Public School teachers Aug. 11-12 at Vashon High School in the city of St. Louis. 154 teach ers attended the workshop as professional development and were certified in the Nature Revealed unit—the earliest unit, created for pre-kindergarten students.

MDC Conservation Educators Dennis Cooke, Scott Sarantakis, Nicki Wheaton, David Bruns, and Natural ist Rebecca Rodriguez conducted the training.

“Each teacher attended one of the two days, and they rotated through four separate stations,” said Cooke. Cooke explained that the stations ranged from famil iarizing the participants with the DNS unit’s Teacher Guide, to using cutouts in the back of unit book called “manipulatives” that adhere to felt boards or magnetic surfaces to help convey the stories in the lesson plans. The training included outdoor experiences which took teachers into the courtyard and showed how the unit’s practical activities can be done on school grounds.

Dr. Samantha March, Interim Director of Early Ed ucation for St. Louis City Public Schools, also attended the training.

“There was a full staff that facilitated each breakout session. The MDC staff really catered to the group and provided individual experiences. They were fantastic to work with and put on an incredible workshop,” said March.

Of the Nature Revealed DNS unit itself, March ob served “It’s a well-planned, well thought-out, and thor ough curriculum that’s hands-on and provides excel lent leaning experiences for young students. It also gives teachers the resources they need to increase stu

Home Builders Charitable Foundation commemorates 25 years of giving

On Sept. 28, at Bellerive Country Club in Ladue, the Home Builders Charitable Foundation (HBCF) celebrated its 25th anniversary with a dinner program honoring the foundation’s greatest sup porters. Since 1997, HBCF has donated nearly $3.9 million in donations, mate rials and labor to almost 90 local char ities.

Jim Brennan, President of McKel vey Homes and the HBCF Board, em ceed the program. Representatives and beneficiary families from Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis and Rebuilding Together St. Louis also addressed at tendees.

“Over the past 25 years of partnership with Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis, you invested over $245,000 and helped us as an organization construct over 425 affordable housing units and wel come home more than 450 families …. Your investment provided unmatchable good starts as well as a stronghold to a life well lived. Thank you all for your support, and congratulations on 25 years effecting real change in our shared com munity,” said Harper Zielonko, director of resource development for Habitat for Hu manity Saint Louis.

HBCF is a nonprofit organization ded icated to providing housing assistance to people or organizations with special shelter needs and the charitable arm of the Home Builders Asso

dent achievement in the sciences.”

MDC offers many services to support Missouri teach ers through its online Teacher Portal at mdc.mo.gov/ education. These include all DNS curricula, informa tion on field trip opportunities, education grants, and other teacher workshops.

“It always surprises me that teachers are unaware of our teacher portal and all the training and curricula that can be found there,” said Cooke. “We want to open their eyes to this great resource.”

Submitted photo Teachers from St. Louis City Public Schools hold up MDC’s Discover Nature Schools Nature Revealed units during trainings conducted by MDC Conser vation Educations in August at Vashon High School in St. Louis.

ciation of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri, a local trade association of nearly 600 member firms representing the residential construction industry.

(From left) Current and founding HBCF Board Members Jim Brennan (McKelvey Homes), Pat Sullivan (Retired HBA Executive Director), Ken Stricker (Consort Homes), John Eilermann (Mc Bride Homes), Harold Burkemper (1st Capitol Construction), 2022 HBA President Jeremy Roth (Elite Development Services/McBride Homes), John Fischer (Fischer & Frichtel Homes), Rick Sullivan (Strategic Advisors LLC), Lee Allen (Allen Roofing & Siding), Craig McPartlin (Con-Tech Carpentry LLC), David Griege (Paramount Bank) and Randy Mayer (Mayer Management).

Submitted photo

We’re all kids on HalloweenStill In This Together:

We had to be two of the first customers through the door of our neighborhood Halloween store. We al ways are. You know by now that I’m a fanatic about this time of year and the holiday itself, and at the first inkling that there will be a temporary Halloween store set up, I’m skulking around the area, watching for signs of activity, lights on inside whatever repurposed store in the area has been lucky enough to be chosen for this year’s official Halloween setup.

John and I were getting ready for our September Florida week, and he knew I really wanted to visit the Halloween store before we left. So, in the middle of doctor appointments and last-minute housecleaning, first packings of shoes and nonessentials, visits to the grandkids and getting the car in for a once-over before we left, shopping for the food box of nonperishables we take along, and the ordering of new sunscreen and washing of beach towels, and starting to worry there wasn’t enough time to get everything done, John drove past the turn-off to our house one morning and into the parking lot of the Halloween store. The man is wonderful; he always knows when I need a smile and a break.

His timing was perfect. Not too early to be in the middle of the set-up, but not too late that things were

picked over. The store was ready and so was I. I stepped on every display “foot” to make the skeleton screech and the werewolf howl, the crazed clown rise to its full ten-foot splendor and laugh, and the toddler vampire swing maniacally on its tree swing.

I walked over the bridge that warned “Enter If You Dare” and saw the flying bat animatronic display and the graveyard of skulls, the cackling witch stirring her cauldron and the alien monster stalking the area. Then I meandered, touching everything that lit, screamed or growled, and then did it all over again. Oh, and there was a great monster-sized monkey clanging cymbals and screeching in a very unexpected corner where you go to try on costumes, too, and scary mu sic being blasted over the sound system everywhere in the store, which was very LOUD because we were the only people there. It was perfection.

I had a coupon, but that wasn’t the day to use it; that was a day for exploration and appreciation, staring fear in its bloodshot eye and leaving to tell about it. A nighttime visit, preferably during a thunderstorm, is still on the agenda.

I felt just a tinge of uneasiness, though, and it had nothing to do with “the scaries.” It just seemed that the adult costumes being offered for sale outnum

By Vicki Bahr

bered the kids’ costumes, and that bothered me. What happened to the days when Halloween was for kids, and we created our own costumes out of whatever we had at home, then walked around the neighborhood with our siblings and friends, dressed as the ever-pop ular cowboy, hobo, princess, clown or ghost? Even the store-bought costumes from the dime store were pretty basic, but they did come with a plastic mask with a rubber band that never held it on.

There was no Pinterest pressure to create the perfect outfit, no eBay costumes that cost a fortune so that everyone can dress as authentic Disney characters. The word “simpler” just seems so old-fashioned, but so much more fun.

Vicki Bahr is an inveterate word lover and story sharer, a pub lished author in magazine, news paper 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 every where.

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

The 2022 Florissant Veterans’ Day Parade will be held on Nov. 6

The 2022 Florissant Veterans’ Day Parade will be held on Nov. 6 beginning at 1 p.m. The parade will begin at Bangert Park and precede North on Florissant Road and then turn left on St. Francois, ending at the VFW hall where there will be a festival atmosphere with food trucks, music and the award for the 2022 Veteran of the Year.

The emcee for the event this year is Marc Cox from 97.1 Talk Radio. The grand marshall is last year’s Vet eran of the Year John Daab.

The St. Louis County Veterans Coalition has worked hard and this event will have new partici pants and a larger parade and festival this year.

At the conclusion of the parade, the event will honor the 2022 Florissant Veteran of the Year Ron Scanlon, a US Navy Desert Storm Veteran and the current Commander of Florissant Valley Memorial VFW Post 4105.

After graduating from Jennings High School, Scanlon began his Navy career in Great Lakes, Illi nois then travelled to Orlando, Florida eventually ending up in Norfolk, Virginia. While in Virgin ia, Scanlon was stationed onboard the USS Puget Sound AD38, a Destroyer Tender.

Along with a variety of Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and North Atlantic cruises, Scanlon was de ployed to Bahrain during Desert Storm. In addition, Scanlon earned the National Defense Service Med

al, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

Scanlon is a Gold Legacy Life Member of VFW Post 4105 where he has been a member since 2000. The VFW Post has achieved All American twice and All State three times during his tenure. Scanlon serves as the VFW Department of MO 12th District Sr. Vice Commander and a member of the VFW Honor Degree-Military Order of the Cooties Pup Tent 5.

Scanlon was the chairman assisting the city in be coming a POW MIA City and currently is the chair man as the city of Florissant becomes a Purple Heart City.

Scanlon has been involved in CYC Sports over ten years and is currently a board member of North County District. Scanlon is currently the Director of Loss Prevention & Health-Safety for Mers Goodwill. His wife, Jennifer, works for Hazelwood School Dis trict Early Childhood. They have three sons and a daughter who is an Auxiliary Member of VFW Post 4105.

Ron and Jennifer are proud grandparents of two granddaughters, Emilia Leigh and Evelyn Harper.

In addition, the VFW Veteran Service Officers will be at VFW Post 4105, Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to assist veterans with service-related claims

THIS WEEK’S PICK

Home Builders Association donates $7,276 to Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis

(Elite Development Services/McBride Homes) (left) and HBA Executive Vice President Celeste Rueter (right) presented a $7,276 donation to Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis’ development director Jan Wacker.

The donation will be used to install drain tiles and a sump pump in the organization’s girls’ home basement to address plumbing issues and keep the space functional. One of 18 affiliates across the Unit ed States and Latin America, Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis helps academically motivated middle and high school students rise above disadvantaged backgrounds and become successful in college and beyond. Its goal is to graduate young people who are physically, emotionally and academically prepared for post-secondary education and a productive life, breaking the cycle of poverty.

The HBA is a local trade association of nearly 600

Creve Coeur to accept applications to distribute annual domestic violence shelter funds

Beginning Oct. 14, qualified Missouri domestic violence shel ters can apply for funding from the city of Creve Coeur Domestic Violence Shelter Municipal Court Cost Fund. The deadline to submit applications is Nov. 4. City of Creve Coeur Missouri

Northwest Views:

Ordinance 5404, passed in Novem ber 2014, authorizes the Municipal Court to assess a fee of three dol lars to each defendant who pleads guilty or is found guilty, on all or dinance violations for the purpose of providing operating expenses for shelters for battered persons.

The importance of developing resilience

Unexpected challenges and setbacks have impact ed many of us in extraordinary ways this year. From unprecedented flash flooding impacting much of the region this summer to the general fatigue brought on by illnesses and life challenges, it can be hard to remain resilient. But, building resistance is some thing we should all strive for, as this quality helps aid in our personal growth and is good for our overall wellbeing.

Resilience is a process that involves the willingness to face, adapt to and overcome adversity and setbacks in life to become a more stable, stronger person and is a quality we should all work on improving. Here are some key things you can do to build your resil ience when you are feeling overwhelmed:

Connect with yourself and others. When faced with a challenge or setback, it might be first instinct to isolate yourself and wallow in self-pity or feelings of defeat. Instead, nurture your relationship with yourself and learn how to self-soothe during stress ful times, or nurture your connections with friends and family by reaching out for support. This will strengthen your connection with others, and by be ing vulnerable, it shows others they can also reach out to you when they need support.

Balance your overall health and wellness. Eating healthy foods, incorporating exercise into your daily routine, getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated and limiting alcohol consumption are simple tips that can help improve your health. Taking care of your

member firms representing the residential construc tion industry. The Home Builders Charitable Foun dation, the HBA’s charitable arm, is a non-profit or ganization dedicated to providing housing assistance to people or organizations with special shelter needs.

Since its inception, more than $342,861.72 has been distributed to area organizations including, but not limited to, The Salvation Army, Lydia’s House, ALIVE, the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery, Inter national Crisis Aid, and The Wom en’s Safe House.

By Jessica Denham

body benefits your mind and strengthens your abili ty to adapt and manage your emotions when life gets challenging.

Practice mindfulness. It’s important to be en couraging and uplifting when talking to yourself. Negative thoughts can greatly impact mood and self-confidence. Being kind to yourself, validating your feelings – whether positive or negative – and noticing that you’ve had a certain thought without letting it define you will help to direct your attention back to the facts. This will help you navigate stressful life situations, stay balanced and minimize stress.

By defining your purpose and working toward both small and big goals, you will be on the path to developing perseverance and ultimately, resiliency. Working on ways to improve your resiliency will help unexpected challenges feel manageable.

Jessica Denham is current ly Public Relations Manager for WGU Missouri. In this role, Jes sica promotes the university and its 50-plus undergraduate and graduate degree programs to the media, employers, educators, prospective students and the community at-large.

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

On behalf of the Home Builders Charitable Foun dation (HBCF), 2022 HBA President Jeremy Roth

Submitted photo

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

Oct. 30: Trunk or treat

Trunk and Treat takes place from 3 – 5 p.m. at Florissant Presbyterian Church at 660 Charbonier.

Nov. 5: Rummage sale

The Rummage Sale at Cal vary UCC at 2501 Hartland Avenue, one block from Ritenour Middle School is on from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. It is a “Your Price Is Right” sale. For more information call 314-429-7464. Workers will be masking.

Nov. 5: Fundraiser gala

Assistance League of St. Louis will host Imagine!

Puttin’ On The Glitz Gala at the Doubletree by Hil ton Chesterfield. The gala is the largest single fundrais er for Assistance League St. Louis, an all-volunteer or ganization whose mission is to provide programs and services to the underserved in the St. Louis metropol

itan area. Event timeline: 6 p.m. – Registration, 6:15 p.m. – Cocktails and Silent Auction, 7:30 p.m. – Dinner and 8:15 p.m. - Live Auction. If interested in attending, please call Assistance League at 636-227-6200.

Nov. 5: Senior resource fair

A senior resource fair hosted by Spanish Lake Community and Old Jamestown Associ ations takes place from 9 –11 a.m. at STL Zoo WildCare Park at 12385 Larimore Rd.

Nov 6: Quilt Bingo

St. Ferdinand Ladies Sodal ity Quilt Bingo, doors open 11a.m., games begin at 1 p.m. in School Gym at 1735 Char bonier Rd. in Florissant.

Twelve beautiful hand-quilt ed quilts, cash prizes, raffle, pull tabs and refreshments available. Cash only and no one under 16 years of age.

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: Choral Arts Group meetings

Choral Arts Group practi ces every Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Connection Chris tian 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 con certartsa@gmail.com.

Mondays: City council meetings

City of Pine Lawn holds regular city council meet ings 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: 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 Par ker Raoad which is the first house on Uthe Lane. We sing four-part harmony a capella (without accompani ment). We sing some trad itional songs, as well as show tunes and more contempor ary music. We do perform for the public at various functions. Persons interest ed 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 cor dially invited to a meeting of Chapter 4, North County Korean War Veterans Asso ciation. 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 314-9212132. For a limited period the Chapter will pay for one (1) year membership for new members.

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 Pan try Clients Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Two to four hour shifts are available. If you are inter ested, please contact Cheryl Piece at 314-446-4440 or cpiece@caastlc.org for addi tional 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. Max imum 150 players. Must wear mask to enter. Social distancing followed.

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 infor mation call 314-831-0988.

Tuesdays: Celebrate Re covery

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 Floris sant. For more information visit www.lifepointminis tries.church/celebrate-re covery or call (men) Steve D. at 636-634-6582 or (women) Denise W. at 530-417-6151.

Tuesdays: Choir rehears als

The St. Louis Chordinals, a women’s a cappella chor us, rehearse every Tuesday evening from 7 - 9:30 p.m. at Beautiful Savior Luther an Church at 12397 Natur al Bridge Rd. in Bridgeton (next to the Bridgeton Gov ernment Center). For more information call Linda at 314-839-3495 or visit stloui schordinals.org.

Tuesdays: TOPS (Take off pounds sensibly)

From 9:15 - 10:30 a.m. lo cated at John F. Kennedy Center/Henry Koch Ctr., Howdershell Rd. at Char bonier Rd., Florissant. For more info contact Paul Mc Connell, 314-831-5476.

2nd Tuesday Sept.-June: Show-me Stitchers: Show-me Stitchers is the lo cal chapter of the Embroid erers’ Guild of America. We meet on the second Tuesday, Sept.-June at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 14088 Clayton Road, Ches terfield, MO. Learn needle point, embroidery, cross stitch, and more.

Every 4th Tuesday of the month: Fort Bellefon taine Memorial Amer ican Legion Post 335 meeting 6:30pm, Fort Bellefontaine Memorial American Legion Post 335, at the Bellefontaine Neighbors Community Cen ter at 9669 Bellefontaine Rd. Those interested in member ship 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 Bridge ton, at 12145 Bridgeton Square in Bridgeton, wel come all to Community Bingo every last Wednesday of the month at 2:30 p.m.

Light refreshment will be served. Please RVSP at 314298-7444 with the month you will attend and number of people attending.

Wednesdays: TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sens ibly)

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 Floris

sant. For more information contact Norma at 314-3064731.

Every Wednesday: Bingo Morning at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316

Florissant Elks Lodge #2316, 16400 New Halls Ferry Rd. in Florissant. Doors at 8:00 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, 314-994-3300. Story

Time: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. 9 months to 2 yrs. Room 1 (Lap Time); Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. Ages 3–5. Room 2; Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Ages 3–5. Room 1.

Florissant Senior Cit izens’ Bingo Clubs: 314839-7604.

Every 1st Wednesday of the Month: Stroke Sup port 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.

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

Thursdays: Quilting guild

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

Thursdays: Blood pres sure checks

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

Thursdays: Women’s chorus meeting

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. Mem bers come from the entire bistate region. Call Marcia at 636-274-0723 for more infor

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mation or visit www.cityvoic eschorus.org.

Fridays: Fish fry

St. Ferdinand Fish Fry at 1765 Charbonier Rd. in Florissant, has resumed every Friday from 3 - 7 p.m.

Fridays: Fish fry

A fish fry takes place every Fri day 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 314660-1813.

Every Friday: Our Lady of Fatima #4429 Knights of Columbus Bingo 6:45 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 1216 Teson Rd. in Hazel wood. For more information call 314-731-9330.

Every 3rd Friday of the month: Bingo 2 p.m., Life Care Center of Floris sant, 1201 Garden Plaza Dr. For more information, call 314-8313752.

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 314801-8594.

Saturdays: Toastmasters meeting

Everyone is welcome to attend Toastmasters Saturdays 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Normandy United Methodist Church at 8001 Natu ral Bridge Road (across from UMSL). For more info call 314402-7025.

Saturdays: Free walk-in clinic

Salam Clinic at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ at 1425 Stein Road at West Florissant in Fer guson is a free walk-in clinic open Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The clinic is jointly spon sored by the Muslim Commu nity of St. Louis (MCSL) and St. Peter’s United Church of Christ to provide basic adult medical screening, treatment and refer rals free of charge for the un insured. For more information or if you would be interested in volunteering, please call 314-5215694 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday –Friday or visit www.stpetersch urch.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.

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 Commun ity Christ Fellowship, rear, at 121 Williams Blvd. in Hazelwood, 1/4 mile south of Hwy 270 off Florissant Rd. There are a var iety of topics monthly. You are not alone. Come help your heart heal with others. For more infor mation call 314-605-3949.

Every Fourth Saturday’s Writer’s Workshop

10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Baden Li brary, at 8448 Church Rd. For more information call 314-3882400.

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 shoot ing area is indoors and food and drink are available in the club room. For more information, contact 314-630-2671 or 314-3307269.

Sundays: Jennings DoDads meeting

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 in formation visit www.jennings dodads.org.

CHURCH

Tuesdays & Thursdays: Chapel of the Cross Lu theran Church GriefShare Support Group Tuesdays from 2 - 4pm and Thursday from 6:30 - 8:30pm, 11645 Benham Rd., 314-741-3737.

HEALTH

Every Mon. & Tues.: Healthy Meal Replace ment (HMR) Program Orientation

Mondays: 6–7pm Tuesdays: Noon–1pm SSM DePaul Well ness Center. Attend a free orien tation to learn: the Five Success

Variables needed to lose weight, different diet options available and how important physical activity really is. Please call to register at 1-877-477-6954.

1st Tuesday of Every Month: Alzheimer’s As sociation Caregiver Sup port Group Meeting Meeting to be held at Sarah Care of Bridgeton Adult Day Center 11977 St. Charles Rock Road, Suite 121-124, Bridgeton, MO 63044. Join our Support Group for Mutual, Emotional Support and Education. You are not alone. For information, contact Deborah Mabrie at 314-291-5210 or Ferd Fetsch at 314-291-3021 Email: dbland@sarahcare.com ferdfetsch@sbcglobal.net.

Every third Tuesday of every month: Grief Sup port Group sponsored by DePaul Hospital 11:30am-1pm, Maryland Hgts. Comm. Ctr., 2300 McKelvey Rd. For more information, call 314344-6873.

Wednesdays: ACES Schizophrenia Support Group 6:30 - 7:30pm, 314-839-3171.

Sundays: Alcoholics An onymous Group 109 11th floor conference room at Christian Hospital, 10am, 11133 Dunn Road.

Diabetes Basics: 314-344-7024 for info or 314344-7220 to enroll.

Crisis Nursery: Committed to preventing child abuse and neglect, the Crisis Nursery provides short-term, safe havens to children, birth through age 12, whose fam ilies are faced with an emer gency or crisis. Care is available year-round and serves fam ilies throughout the greater St. Charles region. 24-hour helpline: 314-768-3201. Or 636-947-0600, www.crisisnurserykids.org.

Center for Senior Renew al:

Day treatment programs for older adults dealing with anx iety, depression, grief, loss and early signs of dementia, 314-6535123.

Nutrition Education: SSM DePaul registered diet icians can help you make sure your diet is right for you, 314344-6157.

Christian Hospital Recov ery Center: Outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment for adults, 314-953-8100.

Volunteers Needed at Christian Hospital: Call 314-653-5032.

Nicotine Anonymous

Nicotine Anonymous is a 12 Step Program, free and available to all seeking recovery from nicotine addiction based on principals of AA. Only requirement is a desire to stop using nicotine. Voluntary contributions are accepted. For further info call 314-822-2066 or visit www.Nicotine-Anonym ous.org.

Look Good…Feel Better: SSM Cancer Care at DePaul Health Center, 12303 DePaul Drive. Radiation Oncology Bridgeton. Attend a great make up session sponsored by the American Cancer Society. A licensed cosmetologist teaches a session of scarf tying, shows a parade of hats, and provides each participant with a makeup kit. Light refreshments are served. Info: 314-344-6090.

Smoking Cessation Class

es:

Free ongoing 8-week sessions, 866-SSM-DOCS to register or for more information.

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

Sports you see with Gary B...

The St. Louis Ambush inked Scharf to a two-year deal.

Women and men’s swim team at Lindenwood pickup wins

Lindenwood University’s squad had a strong week end for swimming and diving.

They wrapped up the double’s duals against Kansas and South Dakota with the men picking up a domi nant win over the South Dakota Coyotes.

- Vincent Jaworski placed first in the 1,000-yard freestyle with a time of 9:47.69, 10 seconds ahead of the second place finisher Adam Sczerba.

- Radostin Krastev and Patryk Winiatowski took first and second in the 200 yard freestyle.

- Elliott Irwin compiled a time of 51.74 in the 100 yard backstroke good for first place.

- Mattia Giurgevich took first in the 100 yard breast stroke with a time of 57.36

- Irwin took first in the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 20.89

- David Molina Fregenal took home the 1 meter and 3 meter diving crown for the second week in a row.

- Irwin set the Robinson Natatorium record in the 100 yard butterfly with a time of 48.47.

The women’s squad performed just as well

- Elle Christie tied for first in the 1 meter diving competition with a score of 281.55.

- Christie finished second in the 3 meter diving competition.

- Stephanie Marks finished second in the 100 yard backstroke as well as the 200 yard medley relay.

For moor information, go to www.LindwoodLions. com

*Enjoying the pool

Ambush sign home-town player to a professional soccer contract

Local product Mike Scharf is coming home to the St. Louis Ambush, the team announced.

Scharf’s professional indoor soccer career began with the Cedar Rapids Rampage, where he earned a roster spot late in the 2017-18 season. He was signed by the Tacoma Stars on Oct. 22, 2018 and came to the Ambush in a Feb. 21, 2019 trade. He finished the 2019-20 season with the Ambush and played with the team again during the 2021 season.

Mike jumped to the Memphis Americans (NISL) last season. He has played both defense and midfield during his pro career. In 36 career professional indoor soccer games, Scharf has tallied 18 goals and 10 as sists.

Scharf is a St. Louis native who grew up in Wildwood and played prep soccer at Lafayette High School. His college career was split between Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee and Maryville University in St. Louis and Missouri University of Science and Tech nology in Rolla. He was team captain at Maryville and his Missouri S&T team reached the national rank of 16 in the NCAA Division II.

Ambush Head Coach Jeff Locker said, “In his young career, Mike Scharf has seen time with four teams in two leagues under five different coaches. We saw po tential in Mike during his first stint with the Ambush and are counting on his diverse experience to help propel him to the next level going forward.”

The upcoming 2022-23 season is the tenth for the Ambush. Their home opener is slated for Black Fri day, Nov. 25 at 5:05 p.m. at The Family Arena in St. Charles.

*It will be here before you know it

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 activi ties. 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: Scare up a sweet, thrilling treat Ghostly Graveyard Cake

– SUDOKU –

Directions: Prepare cake mix according to package instructions in three 6-inch baking pans. Once baked, allow to completely cool outside of pans.

In zip-top bag, using rolling pin, crush chocolate creme cookies; set aside.

In separate small bowls, add black melting chips and red melting chips.

In microwave, heat heavy whipping cream 1 1/2 minutes. Pour half the mixture into one bowl of chips and other half into other bowl of chips. Stir until chips are completely melted; set aside.

After cakes cool, on cake board, add small amount of buttercream icing so cake sticks. Using bread knife, level cakes.

Place one cake on cake board and add thin layer of icing on top. Place second layer of cake on top and add thin layer of icing on top. Place final layer of cake on top and add thin layer of icing on top. Add thin layer of icing to entire cake. Freeze 15 minutes.

In small bowl, mix two parts purple food coloring

to one part black food coloring. Ice cake with deep purple icing. Using grooved scraper, scrape along sides of cake. Using angled spatula, smooth top of cake.

Add skull sprinkles around edges of cake. Using piping bag with small opening at tip, drip black drip mixture around top edges of cake. Repeat using red drip mixture.

FindmoredeliciouslydeviousdessertsatCulinary.net.

Remembering the incredible Robbie Coltrane

Movie:

By Steve Bryan

On a business trip years ago, I found a copy of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” the first book in that literary fran chise, in an airport shop.

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.

Knowing little about the characters and fac ing a long flight home, I took my chances on Mr. Potter. While in flight, I soon became a fan of author J.K. Rowling’s sto rytelling ability. Harry, Hermione and Ron were the main characters and their friend Hagrid was al ways watching out for them. When the first “Harry Potter” movie was released, it was no surprise when Robbie Coltrane played that gentle giant.

Born Anthony Robert McMillan in 1950, Coltrane passed away recently at age 72. No matter what role he tackled, his talent always came through. In the years before Hogwarts and Professor Dumbledore, Col trane amassed a long list of credits, includ ing a 1979 appearance on the British TV se ries “Play for Today.” No stranger to broad comedy, Coltrane and “Monty Python” alum Eric Idle starred in the outrageous 1990 comedy “Nuns on the Run.” They were crooks who stole money from their crime boss and disguised themselves as nuns.

Robbie Coltrane even crossed paths with Ian Fleming’s famous literary British Secret Service agent. In 1995’s “GoldenEye,” the 17th film in the franchise, James Bond, then played by Pierce Brosnan, investigated an electromagnetic pulse space weapon known as “Golden Eye.” Robbie Coltrane was Val entin Zukovsky, a KGB intelligence officer whom Bond shot in the leg. Coltrane’s char acter reappeared four years later in 1999’s “The World is Not Enough,” but he still held a grudge against Bond for his wounded ap pendage.

One of his more interesting roles was in “Cracker,” a 1990’s British crime drama. Coltrane starred as Eddie ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald, a criminal psychologist who admitted he

“drank, smoked and gam bled too much.” Over the course of three sea sons, however, he helped the Manchester, England police capture killers. In later years, Coltrane took roles in other projects, including 2012’s “Brave.” In that Pixar release, he lent his voice to Lord Dingwall, a feisty charac ter who solved problems physically. He could oc casionally be nice to fam ily and friends, though.

In the world of Har ry Potter, Robbie Coltrane stood out Rubeus Hagrid, a funny, com passionate giant who bought exotic items from strangers at local pubs. Hagrid’s love of magical creatures was legendary, which explained why he was terribly upset when he wasn’t allowed to keep the dragon he hatched from an egg. In “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” a young Hagrid was falsely accused of releasing a dangerous creature by Tom Riddle, the boy who would become the evil Lord Voldemort.

No matter if the role called for comedy, violence or a wee bit of magic, Robbie Col trane was a pleasure to watch on screen. He made us laugh, cry and have a good time. Coltrane was a rare talent and he will be greatly missed by his fans.

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 STL PAGE 7

Photo courtesy Warner Bros.

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, have mercy on us. St. Jude, Worker of Miracles, Pray for us. St. Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, Pray for us.

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

It has never been known to fail.

Thank you, St. Jude. R.H.

SERVICES

PET CEMETERY

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

www.memoryparkpetcemetery.info

Moore on Life

It’s so nice to take my grandkiddies out and not worry about COVID or showering in Purell because of weird contagions and cooties. Or should I worry?

My little grandboys and I ventured out to our favorite pump kin patch which was closed the year be fore. We saw lots of smiling faces and not just the toothy ones on the carved-out pumpkins, but on the human faces too. Of course, there were those who still wore masks, but that was just Franken stein and the occasional bloody Dracula.

Corn-gregation

By Cindy Moore

corn crib. This mas sive wooden box was filled to the brim with a truckload of hard corn and another truckload of children.

They were all digging and diving under the pile of dried seeds and doing what can only be described as “corn snorkeling”.

Soon I heard these mom-reprimands: “Jenny, do not shove the corn up your nose!” “Grover, the corn does not be long down your pants. Dig it out right now!”

“Conroy, we do not put the corn in our ears!”

CROSSWORD: Halloween

Soon the kids were running around like they had caffeine in their bloodstreams. They zipped down the zip line; climbed the haybale hill; slid down the tube slides then road the tractor train. Afterwards we walked through the pumpkin patch to find the most perfect ones to bring home.

They lifted up their choices; both squashed flat on their sides, covered in mud and more green than orange in color.

“Hey,” I said pointing to my finds, “why not these beautiful, perfectly round, clean orange ones?”

“No,” they insisted on the verge of tears, “these are the bestest most perfectest.”

I bit my lip and paid big bucks for their lop sided, dirty, squashed squashes. If these were my kids back in the day, I would have tossed the re jects back and threatened to deduct them from their allowance if they didn’t agree on the good ones.

Being a grandkid has its privileges.

Afterwards, we then went to the finale – the

I bent down to the boys and whispered, “Boys, this stuff has been up Jenny’s nose and down Grover’s pants and in Conroy’s ears and between everyone’s toes. You know what that means?”

They sheepishly answered, “We should have spit it out before we ate it?”

And this is how kids’ build up their resis tance…or end up in the ICU.

Cindy Moore is the moth er of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nif ty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hi larity in strange and unusu al places including public restrooms, the lint fil ter, and church meet ings. 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.

John Hanna

Yeggs