CNSTC: January 2, 2019

January 2, 2019

A look back at 2018

The Community News reviews the year that was for St. Charles County

Area seniors help stock local food pantries. Pg. 5

School

Looking back, 2018 was an eventful year here in St. Charles County. As we flip the calendar to 2019, we at the Community News thought it would be a good time to look back at what transpired over the past 12 months.

We have collected the highlights and remember all of the difference-makers in our community in 2018.

FHSD named to AP District Honor Roll. Pg. 6

JANUARY Warmth for homeless vets

Kathy Frecks summed it up the best, “They’re cold and need some help.”

Frecks, a St. Charles resident, helped kickstart a unique community project in conjunction with the annual Vietnam Veterans Mid Rivers Chapter 458 Boot and Helmet fundraiser.

The idea to make sleeping mats out of plastic bags for the homeless started around Thanksgiving when the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 458 learned – through the St Joachim and Ann Care Service – of homeless veterans living in wooded areas around St. Charles County.

The VVA 459 members were already donating 24 bags of supplies to the homeless veterans over Christmas. Those bags were filled with scarves, hats, gloves, flashlights, bug spray, and baby wipes among other essentials. Frecks went online to see what other items she could donate to help keep them warm and stumbled upon a project that helped keep their bedding dry.

Around Town

Features

Recipe, Movie & Sudoku.

Pg. F-1 CLASSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3 Photo courtesy Marvin Dillon Noah Elliott, a 20-year-old St. Charles native, medaled in both of the men’s snowboarding events, grabbing bronze cross and gold in the men’s banked slalom at the 2018 Paralympics.

FEBRUARY St. Charles officers mount up

The Mounted Patrol Unit is a small but versatile component to the St. Charles City Police Department. There are just three officers in the unit with its patrol focused main-

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

Weather ly on areas in and around Main Street, New Towne, and all of the region’s multiple festivals and parades.

The Mounted Patrol Unit started part-time in 1984 and became a full-time unit in 1988, and Ted Holland was the driving force. The unit is currently headed by Tim Wandling.

“It’s the best PR tool (the department) has,” Wandling said. “People come up and talk to us who would never ever approach a police officer in a car. They are drawn to us and the animal out of either love or curiosity.”

See ’A look back’ page 2

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January 2, 2019 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

‘A look back’ from cover MARCH Amazon coming to St. Peters

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Huneke Publications, Inc. 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366 PH: 636-379-1775 | FX: 636-379-1632 Published weekly since 1921.

Serving St. Louis, St. Charles and Lincoln Counties.

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Mathew DeKinder Publisher Emeritus/General Manager Robert J. Huneke Production Manager Rebecca Brockmann Production Assistant Melissa Nordmann Copy Editor Donna Huneke Staff Writers Brett Auten, Charlotte Beard Columnists Gary Baute, Steve Bryan, Cindy Moore, Nick Palisch Cartoonist John Hanna Social Media Lori North

Days later, St. Peters Mayor Len Pagano was still walking on air.

In one of the more significant weeks in his tenure – that began back in 1983 – Pagano helped announce that Amazon.com, Inc. plans for a Missouri fulfillment center to be located in St. Peters, creating more than 1,500 full-time jobs. The buzz from the March 9 morning press conference carried over the following day at a St. Louis Metro-area mayor’s conference where colleagues from multiple other area cities were both complimentary and envious.

“Quite frankly, it hasn’t stopped,” Pagano said. “E-mail, Facebook, it’s a dream come true, and I’m here.”

Employees at the 800,000-plus square foot fulfillment center – to be located at Premier 370 Business Park – will pick, pack and ship small items to customers such as books, electronics and toys. The new Amazon facility will be completed in the fall of 2019.

APRIL Puppy partnership

Classiied Advertising Brooke Tolle Display Advertising Heather Deatz, Susan Faust, Doug Garbs, Bob Huneke, Norm Merchant, Christy Parks, Christy Weber Circulation Dominion Distribution, Papers Unlimited Community News is a Registered Trademark of Huneke Publications, Inc: Neither the advertiser nor the publisher is responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, typographical errors, etc., herein contained. Huneke Publications, Inc. reserves the right to accept or reject all news and advertising copy which in the sole judgement and discretion of the publisher/ed itor is not suitable or deemed appropriate for publication. Copyright 2017 Huneke Publications, Inc. with all rights reserved. No part of the publications may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher/editor. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns are the opinion of the writers and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Entire Contents Copyrighted.

It is a partnership that is paying dividends for those who need it most.

Becky Flannagan, of O’Fallon, is a service dog trainer for Canine Companions for Inde-

pendence, a California-based nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people throughout the country with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships.

Dr. Marcy Hammerle, who operates The Pet Doctor, located at 2301 Technology Drive in O’Fallon, answered Flannagan’s call for assistance when she launched this rewarding adventure.

“Before I got my first dog I sent out letters to every vet in this area, probably 40 total, saying that I am about to raise a dog, the first in this area, for the oldest and biggest organization that trains service dogs, would you like to partner with me, meaning this is expensive for me, would you be willing to give me a discount,” Flannagan said. “(Hammerle) stepped up and said sure. The other vets were either, ‘no,’ or there was no response and she said absolutely, I will help any way I can.”

MAY Going for gold Inspiring is the tip of the iceberg when you get to know Noah Elliott.

The 20-year-old St. Charles native packed a lifetime of emotions, complications, accomplishments, and jubilation’s in a four-year window. Elliott’s journey from the hospital bed to atop the Paralympic medal stand and eventually to the White House (with a Hersey bar commercial along the way) has left the St. Charles High School grad practically shaking his head in disbelief.

At the 2018 Paralympics, Elliott medaled in both of the men’s snowboarding events, grabbing bronze cross and gold in the men’s banked slalom.

But to get to that point, it took a scare of a lifetime and then steely determination.

“When I came across the last bank, I heard this loud noise, and it was the crowd,” he said. “I crossed the finish line. I looked up and I felt this amazing feeling. I looked over and I was still in first and that’s when I realized I won a gold medal and from that moment on it’s just been insane.”

JUNE Library reaches out

south through the city of Cottleville to enter Dardenne Creek 3.9 miles north-northwest of Weldon Spring.

AUGUST Growing hope in Wentzville Heights

Mindy Schmidt confessed that she was pretty anxious the first time she walked into 1700 S. River Road in St. Charles.

As part of the St. Charles City-County Library District’s Outreach service, Schmidt was on the maiden voyage to bring programs into a serious situation, the St. Charles County Juvenile Justice Center which houses teenagers who have violated the law.

With a credo of “if the young people at the Justice Center can’t make it to the library for instruction, the library will come to them,” twice a month either Schmidt or Elizabeth Lippoldt, both youth paraprofessionals with the SCCLD, bring in a program to the facility.

“I was a little nervous. I didn’t know what to expect,” Schmidt said. “I was thinking more harder shell kids, more of ‘who are you?’ and it’s not like that.

It’s more like average kids who come into the library.”

JULY Honoring the past

However possible and by all means necessary, St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlman wants Archer Alexander’s name to be remembered for generations.

An obscure creek in St. Charles County formerly known as Tributary B was officially was named Archer Alexander Creek after approval from the Missouri and U.S. boards on Geographic Names. Alexander was a slave and Civil War hero who lived in the area of the creek in the mid19th century.

Archer Alexander Creek is 2.5 miles long with its head in O’Fallon. It flows generally

In an effort to provide healthy food and an opportunity for the education and the strengthening of the Wentzville Heights community, a community garden is growing.

The community garden at Memorial Park in the Wentzville Heights community, located at 1419 Kathleen Dr., is the result of a partnership between Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County, Wentzville United Methodist Church and Boone Country Garden Club.

Reverend Mark Dumas, Pastor of Wentzville United Methodist Church, stated, “You really can’t set a price on the cost of… your own vegetables being fresh and the satisfaction of raising your own food… to sit down and say, ‘I raised that’, that’s pretty cool.”

SEPTEMBER Hunting for hunger

The fact that there are people in the area who are going hungry doesn’t sit well with David Neier. The New Melle resident is an avid hunter.

“We live deep in the country,” he said. “(Hunting) is pretty much what we do.”

And soon he put two and two together. What if he donated his See ’A look back’ page 3

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • January 2, 2019

‘A look back’ from page 2 deer to help prevent hunger?

And maybe others in the area would be willing to do the same.

From that spark, Hunt for Hunger was launched. The then nine-year-old Neier went door to door to spread awareness and to seek assistance.

This program was made possible by working in cooperation with Share the Harvest and Operation Food Search of St. Charles. Dan’s Country Meats received and processed the deer free of charge. Through the support of those agencies and area hunters, Hunt for Hunger was able to deliver 1,500 pounds of venison in 2017.

OCTOBER Veterans Tribute Park debuts

A sun-drenched day set the scene for the launch of Veterans Tribute Park.

The St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department debuted its newest park in October with a ribbon cutting and opening. The 120-acre park is located at 1031 Kisker Road in Weldon Spring. St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann said Veterans Tribute Park is unique in many ways and will be a destination for families in St. Charles County and throughout the region.

“It is the only county park of its kind surrounded by residential development in a suburban setting, and there are numerous amenities to enjoy – there is something for everyone,” Ehlmann said.

NOVEMBER Special Thanksgiving delivery

With a lot of help, Scott Ellinger reached his lofty goal of making Thanksgiving Day a little more special for families in need.

Ellinger is the owner and of the Brass Rail, located at 4601 State Highway K in O’Fallon.

Ellinger and the Brass Rail Team have set a goal to deliver 10,000 dinners to needy families on Thanksgiving Day. “It has been insane,” Ellinger said. “Our first year, we fed 105 people, then it was 1,300 and now we are going for 10,000.”

over 700,000 memorial wreaths at 1,000 locations in the United States and beyond, including ceremonies at the Pearl Harbor Memorial, as well as Bunker Hill, Valley Forge and the sites of the Sept. 11 tragedies.

And in the St. Charles and St. Louis area, it was no different.

The Caroline Close Stuart Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution laid holiday wreaths on veterans’ graves in the St. Charles County area.

“We want to make sure these men and women’s role in our country is never forgotten and we can insure this by placing wreaths on the graves during the holidays,” Marilyn Hartnett, regent of the Caroline C. Stuart Chapter, said.

Around Town

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DECEMBER A holiday tribute to veterans

On Dec. 15, 2018, Wreaths Across America and its national network of volunteers laid

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Around Town

January 2, 2019 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

New August A. Busch Shooting Range in Defiance hosts over 44,000 visitors during its first year The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) August A. Busch Shooting Range opened to the public at the end of October last year. Looking at the new range’s attendance numbers reveals that a total of 44,419 people visited the range during its first year of operation.

The new Busch Shooting Range is the result of a complete and extensive redesign and was built from the ground up utilizing best practices in safety, convenience and environmental considerations for modern shooting ranges. It opened to the public on Oct. 28, 2017.

The new shooting range features a 20 position 100yard shooting range, and a 15 position 50-yard range for rifle and pistol use. Shotgun shooters can appreciate five trap/skeet overlay ranges with electronic controls, and two shotgun patterning ranges. The new range includes archery facilities on site, including a static archery range with an elevated shooting tower and broadhead range.

The new education building at the shooting range offers an 80-person classroom to host onsite educational programs.

Breaking down attendance numbers offers additional insight into the range’s use. According to Busch Range Outdoor Education Center Manager Bryant Hertel, the most popular activity at the range is rifle and pistol shooting. 30,927 shooters used the rifle/pistol ranges during the range’s inaugural year. Of those, visitor survey results indicate rifle shooting was the largest use, followed by handguns. A smaller percentage of muzzleloaders were also represented.

The shooting range experienced a surge of first-time users in the months leading up to the November portion of the 2018 Firearms Deer Season.

“With deer season, we saw a lot of new shooters who had not visited the range since we reopened,” Hertel said.

A large number of shotgun shooters made use of the new facility, too, noted Hertel, with a total of 11,289 taking to the trap and skeet fields. Among shotgun shooters, trap was the most popular use, followed closely by skeet. However, user surveys show some visitors also took advantage of the patterning boards.

Another 2,200 people attended the range through its educational programs or other special uses.

“All and all, it was a good first year. Thanks to all our visitors for making use of the new range,” said Hertel.

“We have a great facility with a very bright future.”

Usage fees for the range are $3 per hour or round of trap or skeet and includes paper targets or 25 clay targets and basic ear protection. The new range’s hours of operation are: Sept. 1—March 31 • Wednesday – Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

April 1—Aug. 31 • Wednesday and Friday – Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Thursday: 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The shooting range is located at 3550 Route D in Defiance, approximately five miles west of Highway 94.

Shooters can keep informed about range happenings by texting “MDC Busch” to 468311 and signing up for text alerts. Or call 636-300-0258.

Inspiration Corner: There is purpose in personally poignant pain

www.stpetersmo.net/rec-plex

Have you ever felt like your life was worthless? Did you cry and no one noticed? Did you carve meaning into your leg in order to release the pain? Did you eat or drink or take a drug to numb the throbbing invisible wound?

I listened to a friend recently share with me about the voices in her head. They say, “I’m not good enough. Nobody cares about me. I’m not special or important. Nothing I do matters. I can’t win so I may as well not try.”

She received a diagnosis of anxiety and is not able to work due to high blood pressure.

She tries to focus on her blessings but her pain is personally poignant. Every failure she experiences is a grim reminder of all the things she has given up. She rises from bed each morning and wonders how she’s going to make it. Physically. Financially. Emotionally.

She is tired. Have you ever felt that way?

Sometimes our friends or acquaintances offer a pat rebuke.

“Pull yourself together. Put on your big-girl/boy britches and get over it.” They may not know how to weep with those who weep. They may shove us to the side, unable or unwilling

to assist, but we are not defined by their response. We are beautiful, precious, and yes – dearly loved.

I have recently been following the story of a heroic mother. Natalie Weaver fights an important battle against people who say her medically fragile daughter is a waste of medical resources, and worse – that she should die. Sophia, has extreme facial deformities and Rhett Syndrome which impairs cognitive function.

But even with all of their difficulties, Natalie says with confidence, “We have to deal with so many challenges, but because of her my life is better.

I know what true happiness is.”

Natalie speaks for a child who cannot. She shouts from the rooftops, “My daughter is beautiful and I love her.”

But maybe you have never known love like that. Maybe your parents stole your innocence. Maybe they gave you away. Maybe you have even committed crimes that lock you away from human touch.

In that dark place your heart aches for someone to know and love you just as you are. Today I want to reassure you that your life does have value regardless of your circumstances. You are

a sacred soul and were created with a purpose in mind, even though right now you endure incredible pain.

God gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

He knows the number of your days and calls out to you by name. Pain is often the instrument he uses to draw us to himself. He does this because He loves you—and not in that trite way that people use as a mask for ambivalence. He decidedly cares for you and will make himself known to you if you cry out to him. For more inspiration, follow me at www. destinationdiscipline.com.

Margaret Wolfinbarger is a wife and mother of three peculiar children. She lives in St. Charles and likes to shine light into dark places.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • January 2, 2019

St. Charles County seniors ‘Fill the Ambulance with Food’

For thousands of families across our community, the holidays are a happy time; filled with parties, pageants and packages. Others, however, have a difficult time getting into the holiday spirit, because they’re among the millions of Americans facing hunger.

Residents at area retirement communities partnered with St. Charles County Ambulance District (SCCAD) Paramedics to ensure that local food pantries supported by Operation Food Search (OFS) are fully stocked for those in need.

The initiative is called Fill the Ambulance with Food, and it’s been going strong for nine years in St. Charles County. On Dec. 18, SCCAD Paramedics and OFS representatives canvassed the county, traveling to the 10 participating retirement communities to collect the donations seniors had stockpiled over the last month. In total, the initiative has provided over 30,000 pounds of food to families in need since its inception.

For many of those contributing, the cause is one close to the heart.

“Many of our residents are from a generation that experienced hunger firsthand as children,” said Lake St. Charles Retirement Community Ex-

ecutive Director Samantha Davis. “This is a program that they’ve taken on as their own and feel very strongly about – it’s heartwarming to watch our donation barrels fill throughout the holiday season.”

2017’s record-setting ‘Fill the Ambulance’ drive netted 4,250 pounds of donations. 2018 topped even that with 5,200 pounds of food collected. According to PFS, most-needed items include soups, chili, canned fruit in natural juices, tomato paste/sauce, breakfast cereals, ziplock bags and toiletry items.

Though the name suggests that donations were loaded into an advanced life support unit, seniors’ support of this initiative outgrew a single ambulance years ago. Thankfully, partner pantries were armed with a fleet of vans and trucks to help get the donations back to their shelves, and ultimately, into the homes of individuals and families.

“There’s no age limit when it comes to helping others in a meaningful way. What our St. Charles County seniors have done over the years to help our most fragile families in the area has been remarkable,” said Operation Food Search Executive Director Sunny Schaefer.

“We are deeply grateful for their continued commitment to healing the hurt of hunger in their community.”

Retirement communities that participated in Fill the Ambulance with Food include: Twin Oaks at Heritage Pointe, Twin Oaks at Stone Ridge, Lakeridge Senior Apartments, Park Place Senior Living, Garden Villas of O’Fallon, Breeze Park, Lake St. Charles, Fairwinds River’s Edge, The Boulevard St. Charles and Brookdale St. Peters.

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Submitted photo Residents at area retirement communities partnered with St. Charles County Ambulance District Paramedics to ensure that local food pantries supported by Operation Food Search are fully stocked for those in need.

Around Town

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School

January 2, 2019 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

FHSD named to the AP District Honor Roll Francis Howell has been honored by the College Board with placement on the Ninth Annual AP District Honor Roll. FHSD is one of only five school districts in Missouri and one of only 363 in North America to achieve this distinction.

To be included on the Ninth Annual Honor Roll, the district had to increase the number of students participating in Advanced Placement classes while also maintaining or increasing the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on an AP Exam. Reaching these goals indicates that FHSD is successfully identifying motivated, academically prepared students who are

ready for Advanced Placement. This is the fifth time that FHSD has been named to the prestigious list.

“We are always looking for ways to identify more students to take rigorous courses, and being recognized by the College Board is a testament to our steady increase in AP offerings and student achievement,” said FHSD Superintendent Dr. Mary Hendricks-Harris.

“Student success is always our primary focus, and our continuing efforts to expand the AP program will help to ensure that students are college and career ready when they graduate.”

For the 2017-18 school year, 266 FHSD students were

named AP Scholars, the most in district history.

“In Francis Howell, we believe that any student considering college should experience college-level instruction before they graduate,” said Dr. Lucas Lammers, FHSD Director of Secondary Education. “We have used several measures to identify students with college potential, many of whom were not initially planning to take AP courses. Through our relationships, we helped students believe that they could thrive in the AP environment. Their level of success is a testament to their ability and work ethic.

It highlights the quality of the comprehensive education they have received in Francis Howell.”

In 2018, more than 4,000 colleges and universities

Photo courtesy Francis Howell School District Francis Howell has been honored by the College Board with placement on the Ninth Annual AP District Honor Roll. FHSD is one of only five school districts in Missouri and one of only 363 in North America to achieve this distinction.

around the world received AP scores for college credit, advanced placement, or both, and/or consideration in the admissions process. Inclusion in the Ninth Annual AP Dis-

trict Honor Roll is based on a review of three years of AP data, from 2016 to 2018, looking at 38 AP Exams, including world language and culture.

All Saints cheerleaders help raise funds and awareness for Angelman Syndrome

Photo courtesy All Saints School

The junior high cheerleaders from All Saints School in St. Peters wanted to increase awareness of Angelman Syndrome and help support the ongoing research. They designed and implemented their service project, which took place during November Angelman Awareness Month, which included presentations to students as well as to parishioners. The girls made information-

al posters to be hung throughout the school and parish center and planned daily announcements to promote student understanding. They made bracelets to sell the weekend of Nov. 2. Through their hard work and dedication, the girls raised awareness and contributed $1,800 toward future research.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • January 2, 2019

School

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Wentzville musicians selected for state honor Drew Schulz, a senior at Timberland High School, has been selected as third in the state on French horn in the Missouri All-State Band, and Timberland sophomore Ben Turley was selected as the only bass clarinet in the Missouri All-State Orchestra. On Dec. 1, over 1,350 students from across Missouri met at Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri, to audition for the honor of participating in the top honor bands in the state.

Only 108 students are accepted into the All-State Band and 104 students are accepted into the All-State Orchestra.

“I am extremely excited to be able to rehearse with the best high school musicians in the state,” shared Schulz. “It is such

an honor to be accepted to this ensemble.”

Schulz plans to major in music education at Truman State University or the University of Illinois following graduation.

Musicians selected for the AllState Band who play woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments are given the choice of playing in the All-State Orchestra, which is what Turley chose to do.

“I was overjoyed to be selected, and can’t wait for my trip to Tan-Tar-A,” said Turley.

Holt senior Cameron Turner was selected as second chair alternate in the French horn section of the All-State Band.

Four additional WSD musicians were selected for the All-State Honorable Mention

Band. From Holt High School, senior Tyrome Jenkins was named first chair honorable mention on bass clarinet and first chair honorable mention on contra alto clarinet, senior Logan Arellanes was named second chair honorable mention on bass clarinet, and senior Hayden Miller is second chair honorable mention on trumpet. Timberland junior Lily Fisher was named 15th chair honorable mention on clarinet in the All-State Band.

The All-State Band and AllState Orchestra will meet, rehearse, and perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference on Jan. 26, 2019, at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Missouri. The conductor and clinician for the

Timberland senior selected for National High School/ Collegiate Honor Choir and statewide honor choir Timberland High School senior Ashton Rogers has been selected as a tenor for two prestigious ensembles – the National High School/Collegiate Honor Choir and the Missouri Choral Directors Association (MCDA) All-State Honor Choir.

Rogers was selected for the elite choirs based on recorded auditions. He will perform with the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Honor Choir at the ACDA National Conference on March 2, 2019, at the Kaufmann Center in Kansas City, Missouri. The MCDA AllState Honor Choir will meet, rehearse, and perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) Conference on Jan. 26, 2019, at TanTar-A Resort, in Osage Beach, Missouri.

In addition, Rogers has also earned the distinction of being the best sight-reader in the St. Louis All-Suburban District, and will compete in a sight-reading bee at the MMEA Conference to determine the best sight-reader in the state.

“I am ecstatic to be in Missouri All-State Honor Choir and in National High School/Collegiate Honor Choir,” Rogers said. “I’m really happy and proud that all of my hard work and preparation have paid off.”

Rogers got an early start to his music career, learning the violin at age nine. After moving to the Wentzville School District during middle school, he switched his focus to choral music.

“It was a pretty easy switch, I just had to correlate solfege to the notes of the scale,” he said.

Rogers also uses online resources to help him excel as a sight-reader.

Rogers is in Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, and Color Guard (as well as Winter Guard) at Timberland, so music has certainly become a big part of his life, and it’s something he plans to continue following graduation.

Photos courtesy Wentzville School District (Left) Drew Schulz, a senior at Timberland High School, has been selected as third in the state on French horn in the Missouri All-State Band. (Right) Timberland sophomore Ben Turley was selected as the only bass clarinet in the Missouri All-State Orchestra.

2018-2019 Missouri All-State Band is Dr. J. Eric Wilson, Professor of Ensembles and Conducting Director of Bands at Baylor University. The conductor and clinician for the

2018-2019 All-State Orchestra is Sharon Lavery, Resident Conductor of the University of Southern California Thornton Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble.

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Photo courtesy Wentzville School District Timberland High School senior Ashton Rogers has been selected as a tenor for two prestigious ensembles – the National High School/ Collegiate Honor Choir and the Missouri Choral Directors Association All-State Honor Choir.

“I’m looking to go to the University of Missouri - Kansas City, to be a part of their conservatory and major in music education (vocal).”

Liberty High School junior Wesley Nichols was selected as second alternate bass in the All-State Choir as well. The conductor and clinician for the 2018-2019 Missouri All-State Choir is Dr. Anton Armstrong, Conductor of the St. Olaf Choir and Tosdal Professor of Music and Voice at St. Olaf College in Minnesota.

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What’s Happening

January 2, 2019 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

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

EVENTS Jan. 4: State of the City address

O’Fallon Mayor Bill Hennessy, will deliver his annual State of the City address at 10 a.m. in the City Council chambers at the O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall) at 100 North Main Street in O’Fallon. The address will be broadcast live on O’FallonTV at www. ofallon.mo.us.

Jan. 11: Bunco Bash

Bunco Bash is hosted by K Of C William Pezold #7198 Ladies Auxiliary.

Doors open at 6 p.m., bunco begins at 7 p.m. at the Pezold Banquet Center at 5701 Highway N in St. Charles. Cost is $20 per person and includes appetizers, snacks, desserts, soda and tea along with two complimentary drink tickets. There will be prizes, basket raffles and 50/50. Net proceeds donated to local charity. Contact Mary at 636240-6078 for more information.

Jan. 12: A day in the life of frontier women

Women of the American frontier worked hard, were strong-willed, and had to be tough in order to face and survive daily challenges. Join the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department to celebrate and experience the lives of these women during “A Day in the Life: Frontier Women,” a new program offered from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Historic Daniel Boone Home near Defiance. During this oneday event, women ages 16 and older will learn the skills frontier women had to have to survive during the early 1800s. A few of the skills include fire starting, tallow candle making, black powder rifle firing and wool carding.

This exclusive, educational, handson activity is perfect for a Girl Scout troop, club or organization, or for a mother and her daughter to attend together. Space is limited. The program cost is $20 per person and registration is required by calling the Parks Department at 636-949-7535 or by signing up online at http://bit.ly/ADayInTheLifeOfFrontierWomen. Guests should dress appropriately and be prepared for cold weather. The program is subject to change if registration needs are not met.

Jan. 15: Parent speaker series

Parent Speaker Series – First Impact; Preparing Drivers for the Road Ahead takes place from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at Francis Howell School District at 4545 Central School Road in St. Charles.

Parents, you are invited and encouraged to bring your teen drivers with you. First Impact is a 90 – minute evidence-based traffic safety program that educates parents about Missouri’s GDL law. The goal of First Impact is to reduce new driver crashes, resulting injuries and fatalities, by increasing parental awareness and enforcement of Missouri’s Graduated Driver License law. The program is delivered by trained GDL Coaches who coach parents by presenting key facts and proven strategies to help parents lower their teens’ crash risk by utilizing the Missouri GDL law. The statewide program is available free of charge. Speakers will be SGT Tom Mozelewski, St. Peters Police Department and Mark Hollander, VISION St. Charles County Leadership.

Jan. 27-28: Theater auditions

Wentzville Christian Church will hold

auditions for “Hello Dolly”, Jan, 27 from 1 to 5 p.m. and Jan. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the church. Roles are available for ages 14 and up. Production dates are May 3-5. The church is located at 1507 Highway Z in Wentzville. For more information and audition forms go to wentzvillecc.org.

Feb. 9: Scrapbooking day

Fort Zumwalt East Scrapbooking Day For Grad Night takes place from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. at Harvester Church of the Nazarene at 3115 McClay Rd. in St. Peters. The event is held to meet other crafters, work on projects and raise money for a safe drug and alcohol free graduation celebration for the Zumwalt East Class of 2019. Sign up at https://goo.gl/forms/32MDlys5fHGU6zco1.

Feb. 16: Crazy Bowl

The Tri County Advisory Board invites you to the 20th Annual Crazy Bowl at O’Fallon Bowling Lane at 420 Sonderen St. in O’Fallon. Registration is at 5:30 p.m. and bowling begins at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $20 per bowler and includes three games of bowling, bowling shoe rental and prizes. There will be a cash bar available. Only16 lanes reserved so R. S. V. P. early. To reserve your place now, call: Esther Angelos at 636-441-0329 or Melinda Oliver at 636-940-3333 x240. 90 percent of your contribution is tax deductible as allowed by law.

ONGOING EVENTS Mondays: Take off Pounds Sensibly

Take off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets every Monday from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Weigh-ins begin at 8:30 a.m. We meet at Memorial Hall in Blanchette Park at 1900 Randolph St. in St. Charles. For more information contact Joyce at 636-206-5306.

Mondays: Take off Pounds Sensibly

TOPS meet every Monday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 8945 Veterans Memorial Hwy in O’Fallon.

Meetings at 9:30 a.m. with weigh in beginning at 8:30 a.m. For more information please call Linda Wilcox at 636-447-9056.

Mondays: Parent support group

Because I Love You, (BILY), Gateway parent support group meets every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church at 801 First Capitol Dr. in St. Charles. For information and directions, please contact the helpline at 314-993-7550 or email gateway_parent_help@yahoo.com.

BILY is a program of self-help for parents of troubled children (all ages). We are not professionals, but parents helping each other. The meetings are free to attend.

www.friendshipbrewco.com

Mondays: mous

Alcoholics

Anony-

If you want to drink, that’s your business. If you want to stop, we can help.

Call Alcoholics Anonymous at 636970-0013.

prevent falls. For more information call 636-949-3372.

Mondays: Choral Arts Singers practice

Tuesdays: Cribbage Club

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

Mondays: St.Charles County Council of the Blind meetings

Business meetings are held on the first Monday of each month (second Monday in September due to Labor Day) unless otherwise specified. No meetings are held in June, July, or December. Meetings are held in the Community Council Building (Second floor of the Spencer Branch Library) from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. For more information contact Beverly Kaskadden (Treasurer) at 636-561-6947.

Mondays: St. Peters Rotary Club

Noon at St. Peters City Hall, One St. Peters Centre Blvd. www.stpetersrotary.org.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: Fitness First Exercise Class

9:30-10:30 a.m., American Legion Hall, 504 Luetkenhaus Blvd., Wentzville. 314-369-6521.

Mondays and Thursdays: Bridge

St. Peters Senior Center plays bridge from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday and Thursdays, and would love to have any player, regardless of skill level, to join in. Call Mary Ann at 636-397-0866 if you are interested in playing on Monday or Thursday morning.

Mondays: American Legion Post 388 Meets

Meets the fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at American Legion Hall, 607 Westridge Dr., O’Fallon, 636-2190553.

Mondays: Measurement Mondays:

10 a.m. - 12 noon at the ST. Charles Health Deparment in the Upper Level Conference room. Measurement Mondays is a family-friendly breastfeeding support group. We are open to all moms and moms-to-be who are breastfeeding or interested in breastfeeding. The group is supported by the St Charles County WIC program so there will be information about the program available at each meeting.

Each meeting will be a little different than the last. There will be baby weigh-ins, introductions, games, interactive education, group conversation, and even snacks.

Mondays and Wednesdays: Tai Chi for arthritis class

Every Monday and Wednesday a Tai Chi for arthritis class, sponsored by the city of St. Charles Parks and Recreation, takes place from 9:15 - 10 a.m. at Webster Park across from the Family Arena. This is a class that is taught nationally to manage arthritis and to

Meets every Tuesday, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. at The Falls Golf Course Clubhouse.

Relaxed, friendly play and is open to all. Call 636-561-2970 for more information.

Tuesdays: Seniors group

Please join us on the third Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. for a gathering for senior adults. There will be lunch (no charge), cards and bingo (no charge), community program referrals, occasional health and wellness presentations and clergy available upon request. The event takes place at Church of the Transfiguration at1860 Lake St. Louis Blvd. in Lake Saint Louis. For more information call 636-5618951.

Tuesdays: Gateway Chorus Rehearsal

Spotlight

Gateway Spotlight is a women’s a capella chorus that meets at First United Methodist Church at 801 First Capitol Dr. in St. Charles every Tuesday evening beginning at 7 p.m. Call 636-2566823 for more details.

Tuesdays: Optimist Club meeting The St. Charles Optimist Club meets each Tuesday at noon at Pio’s Restaurant. For more information contact Jack Ross at 314-287-0569 or jackross@att.net.

Tuesdays: Cribbage

Looking for an evening out? Come and play cribbage Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Rookies at 15358 Veterans Memorial Pkwy in Wentzville. Win prizes and awards with semiannual tournaments.

ACC sanctioned. For more information contact Dee at 636-233-8032.

Tuesdays: Cottleville Spring Kiwanis Club

Weldon

Cottleville Weldon Spring Kiwanis Club meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. and the third Tuesday of the month at 11 a.m. Both meetings are at Rack House Kitchen Wine Whiskey. New club looking for new members who want to better our community. Contact Christy at 314583-0538.

Tuesdays: Kiwanis Club of St. Charles

12:05 p.m. at Bogey Hills Country Club in St. Charles. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. The group is looking for new members who want to better our community and help its youth. If you are interested in making a positive impact in St. Charles for generations to come, please come for lunch. For more information call 636448-4277. You can also visit http://stcharleskiwanis.com.

Tuesdays: Quilting Guild at the O’Fallon Family YMCA 1-4 p.m. Free. Quilt for local charities.

No sewing experience required.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • January 2, 2019 Tuesdays: Toastmasters Meeting

7 p.m. at the Midwest Bank Centre Board Room at 2299 Technology Blvd., O’Fallon, MO 63368. Info: 636-379-2505.

Tuesdays: St. Louis Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association Male Caregiver Experience

The group meets on third Tuesday of every month from 10-11:30 a.m. at theAlzheimer’s Chapter Office at 9370 Olive Blvd. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, support, or the Male Caregiver Experience, please call the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 or visit www.alz.org/stl. Registration is requested before the first meeting.

Tuesdays: Social club for widows and widowers On the first and third Tuesday of each month a social club for widows and widowers meets at 7 p.m. at St. John’s United Church of Christ at Fifth and Jackson Streets in St. Charles. On the first Tuesday there are refreshments and on the third Tuesday there is either a speaker or entertainment. The group also goes to breakfast, lunch and dinner monthly, and has a pot luck dinner each month.

Tuesdays: Monthly veterans coffee

Veterans from all branches of service are invited to the Wentzville Green Lantern Senior Center at 506 S. Linn Ave. in Wentzville on the second Tuesday of each month from 9 – 10:30 a.m. for coffee, pastries and camaraderie. Come meet with fellow veterans who served our country and share your experience.

Tuesdays: Dardenne Presbyterian Church Basketball

8-9:30 p.m., in the Christian Life Center, 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie. Open to high school and adult men.

Tuesdays: Central Missouri Railroad Association meeting

This unique organization is for railroad modelers, railfans, photographers and railroad retirees with layouts in O, HO, N hoping to add G scales. Meetings are on second Tuesdays of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Warrenton Masonic Lodge. For more info call 636-279-5522 or 636456-0776 or visit our Facebook page.

Tuesdays: Cancer support group

Cancer Companions Support Group is a support group for any cancer patient in treatment or post treatment, their caregiver and their loved ones that meets on the second Tuesday of each month at Dardenne Presbyterian Church at 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie at 7 p.m. in the parlor. Registration is not required.

Tuesdays: Show-me Stitchers Embroiderer’s Guild of America Meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at the Ladue Chapel.

Info: www.showmestitchers.com.

Tuesdays: O’Fallon Garden Club

Meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month at Sunrise Methodist Church, 7116 Twin Chimney Blvd.

Info: Barb at 636.978.5930. Club does not meet in August or November.

Tuesdays: St. Charles American Legion Post 312 spaghetti dinner.

5pm, St. Charles American Legion Post 312, 2500 Raymond Drive in St. Charles on the last Tuesday of the month. $6 per person. For more information call Post 312 at 636.947.7666.

Tuesdays and Thursdays: Tai Chi at the St. Charles County Family YMCA 10:15-11:15 a.m. No experience necessary. 636-928-1928.

Tuesdays and Thursdays: Get Fit Exercise Classes 9-10 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Hall, New Melle. 314369-6521.

Wednesdays: Food pantry

Food pantry open Wednesdays to the public from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Cornerstone UMC at 1151 Tom Ginnever Ave. in O’Fallon. Bread, canned goods other necessities.

Wednesdays: Veterans Coffee Talk

Veterans from all branches of the service are invited to attend “Coffee Talk” every Wednesday at. 9 a.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 3601 Ehlmann Rd. in St. Charles (Take I-70 to the Cave Springs exit). We will have applications for VA health care, applications for the honor flight, reports from local American Legion and VFW halls and lots of good comradery. Come join us for free coffee and donuts and enjoy an hour with your fellow veterans.

Wednesdays: Marine League meeting

Corp

On the first Wednesday of each month the St. Charles County Marine Corps League meets at the American Legion 313 old town St. Peters at 7:30 p.m. All Marines and FMF Corpsmen are welcome. For more information visit www.stcharlesmarine.org.

Wednesdays: Women’s fishing club

Gateway Bass ‘n Gals all women’s bass club has monthly meetings the first Wednesday of every month at Rookies Bar and Grill at 3721 New Town Rd. in St. Charles at 7 p.m. Women of any fishing level please come and check out our women-only fishing club.

Wednesdays: Crossroads Cribbage Club 12 noon. Meets at 1380 Boone St., Troy, MO 63379. 636.528.8379.

Wednesdays: Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS)

Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the United Methodist Church at 725 N. Wall

St. in Wentzville. TOPS is a national non-profit weight-loss organization that supports its members in attaining their goal weight. There is no cost for the first meeting. All are welcome.

What’s Happening

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

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SUDOKU answers from page F-1

Wednesdays: Men’s Golf League

Wednesdays, April - October. 5 p.m., tee off at 5:30 p.m. at Heritage of Hawk Ridge. For more information, contact the Lake St. Louis Community Association at (636)625-8276.

Wednesdays: Charity Bingo

6:45pm, Doors open at 5 p.m. VFW Post 5077 sponsors, at VFW Hall, 8500 Veterans Mem. Pkwy., O’Fallon.

636-272-1945 or www.vfwpost5077. org.

Wednesdays: Yoga at The St. Charles County Family YMCA 6-6:55pm Any 636.928.1928.

level.

Info:

Wednesdays: Hope & Healing

5-6pm, Dardenne Presbyterian Rock Church, 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie on the first Wednesday of the month. Unique service of music, worship, and prayer for those in need of hope and healing.

Wednesdays: St. Charles Area Wood Carvers

Get your event or good news published in Community News: email your information in calendar and article formats to editor@mycnews.com. ville, 725 Wall Street. Weigh ins at 9:30, meetings begin at 10 a.m. For more information call 314-650-1014.

7:30am, The Rendezvous Café at 217 South Main St. in O’Fallon. We welThursdays: Optimist Club meet- come existing and potential members to visit and have breakfast with us. ingswww.proactiveprintservices.com The O’Fallon Optimist Club meets on www.ofallonmo.rotary-clubs.org the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Bank of Old Every Thursday: Active Older Monroe T.R. Hughes Blvd. in O’Fal- Adults Game Day at the O’Fallon. For more information, contact lon Family YMCA CyndySchwab at (636)544-0102.

10a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Family Hall.

7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Meetings are held at the Hollenbeck Middle School at 4555 Central School Road, St. Charles, Missouri on the first and third Wednesday of the month. Visitors are always welcome! For more information check the club web site: www.stcharlesareawoodcarvers.com/ or contact Charles Sapp.

Thursdays: Lions Club meetings

Wednesdays: Take Off Pounds Sensibly

Meets first Tuesday of the month, 6:30 pm at the McC;lay Library in St. Charles. Info: www.fleurdelisgardensociety.org;

Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets every Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the parish hall of Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church at 907 Jungermann Rd. in St. Peters. TOPS is a national non-profit weight-loss organization that supports its members in attaining their goal weight. There is no cost for the first meeting. All are welcome.

Weigh-ins begin at 9 a.m. Contact Judy Bauer at 636-541-2263 for further information.

Thursdays: meeting

American

Legion

On the first Thursday of each month, American Legion Post 323 meets at 7:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall at 504 Luetkenhaus Blvd. in Wentzville. For more information call 636327-6060.

Thursdays: Lions Club meeting

Wentzville Outreach Lions Club meets the second Thursday of the month at Schnucks at 1960 Wentzville Pkwy in Wentzville at 6 p.m. Contact Jimmy Butler at 314-780-5629 or Lisa Alexander at 314-258-1069 for more information.

Thursdays: TOPS meeting

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Club 661 Wentzville holds meetings every Thursday in room 21 at The United Methodist Church of Wentz-

Every Thursday: Rotary Club meeting

St. Charles Lions Club meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at 1144 S Benton Street in St. Charles. Contact Art for more info at 636-441-1831. New members are welcome.

3rd Thursday: Fleur de Lis Garden Society

3rd Thursdays: Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 458 Meeting

7pm, Amvets Post 106, 360 Brown Rd in St. Peters.

Those who served in any branch between 1962 and 1975 are welcome.

Every Thursday: Dardenne Presbyterian Church Quilters

9am-2pm, Dardenne Presbyterian Church, 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie.

Members do hand quilting to quilts of any size for donation that is given to various church supported charities.

No experience is necessary to join the group. For more information, contact Brenda Kenny at 636.240.3753.

Every Thursday: Kiwanis Club of St. Peters

6:30am at IHOP (3851 Veteran’s Memorial Pkwy St. Peters).

Every Thursday: Kiwanis Club of O’Fallon

Meets at JJ’s Restaurant in O’Fallon at 12 noon, except third Thursday the group meets at 6 p.m. Info: www.ofkiwanis.com.

Free for members. Bring a favorite snack to share. Anybody welcome.

2nd and 4th Thursdays: Alexander Chapter #242 Order of the Eastern Star Meetings

7:30pm, St. Charles Masonic Lodge, 2051 Collier Corporate Parkway in St. Charles.

3rd Thursday of each month: Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 458 meetings

7pm, Amvets Post 106, 360 Brown Rd in St. Peters.

2nd and 4th Thursdays: Lions Club meetings

St. Charles County Lions Club meets second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at 1144 S Benton in St. Charles. New members welcome.

Every Friday: Moms Play Group

10am at LSL Community Association, 100 Cognac Ct., Lake Saint Louis, MO 63367. 314.479.0306, andreacrislip@ gmail.com or www.lslmothersclub. com.

Every Friday: VFW Fish Fry

3-8pm VFW Post 2866. 66 VFW Lane. Call Bill Sams, 636.724.9612.

Fridays: Bingo

The American Legion Post 312, located at 2500 Raymond Dr. in St. Charles hosts bingo, every Friday night. This is a non-smoking hall with games starting at 6:15 p.m. and includes two progressive bingo games per night.

See more at www.alpost312mo.org

Every Saturday: Chess

9-12 at Middendor-Kredell Library on Hwy K.

10

Sports

January 2, 2019 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Sports you see with Gary B...

Think baseball to start the year The River City Rascals are your professional baseball team that plays their home games at CarShield Field in O’Fallon.

The preseason games start on May 3 in O’Fallon.

For more information go to www.RiverCityRascals.com *Mark your calendar

pinterest.com/mycnews

Lindenwood was thinking swimming at Christmas The lions swimming and diving teams finished strong in the fourth day of the Delta State Christmas Invite.

The Lion women were victorious defeating Delta State while the men ended second to Delta State.

Standouts included: • Ashley Holloway, who won women’s diver of the meet.

• Simone de Rijcke winning the women’s swimmer of the meet.

• Jan Hanzal, who won men’s swimmer of the meet.

Categories included the freestyle, backstroke, breastroke, diving and butterfly.

The New South Intercollegiate Swimming Championships will be held on Feb. 20-23 and will be a rematch of sorts and the final time the Lions will be present in the meet as they transition into the GLVC in 2019-2020. *Great performances by all University of Missouri-St. Louis player stands out Recently in Indianapolis, UMSL sophomore forward Alex LaPorta was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week in women’s basketball.

LaPorta is majoring in business but on the court she was a major contributor to the 86-38 win over Oakland City.

Here are a few of the contributions: • Recorded fifth double-double of the season in 26 minutes of action.

• Scored 15 points on 7-of-12 (.580) shooting.

www.LASERLIPOANDVEINS.COM

www.midwestbankcentre.com

•

Grabbed 11 rebounds with seven on defensive end.

• Added five steals.

This was the first career Player of the Week award that she has attained. The last Triton’s Player to be chosen for this major award was Jordan Fletcher back in February of 2018. *Great accomplishment Indoor football tryouts Beginning in 2019, the National Gridiron League (NGL) will enter its debut season. One difference in this league from the past indoor leagues is that the league owns all the teams.

Founded in 2017, the NGL is will be used as a minor league alternative to the National Football League.

The St. Louis Stampede will be one of 12 teams divided into two divisions scattered around the Midwestern part of the USA. The team will play their home games at the Family Arena starting on April 6.

The team already has signed many players for the squad but will be holding open tryouts on Jan. 12 from 7 – 11 a.m. at Olympia Athletic at 49 Lawrence Street in St. Charles.

Kallie Klein is the president of the Stampede and is in the process looking for sponsors and advertisers to build the fan base and excitement of the league.

For more information contact klein@STLStampede.com or go to www.STLStampede.com. *I hear the rumbling coming over the hill 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, and co-hosted SportsRadioSTL.com, among many other activities.

www.mycnews.com • Community News • January 2, 2019

Recipe:

Feature

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– SUDOKU –

Fight the cold with better-for-you comfort foods

Creamy Tomato and Roasted Pepper Soup with Cheddar Cracker Melts

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.

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes | Servings: 6

Creamy Tomato and Roasted Pepper Soup: Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 carrot, chopped 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1 teaspoon salt, divided 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 pinch chili flakes 4 cups organic no- salt-added vegetable broth 1 can (28 ounces) no- salt-added diced tomatoes 1 cup chopped prepared roasted red peppers

2 bay leaves 1/3 cup 35 percent heavy cream 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives, divided 1 teaspoon cider vinegar

Cheddar Cracker Melts:

Ingredients: 24 Crunchmaster Tuscan Peasant Fire Roasted Tomato Basil Crackers

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions: In Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium heat, heat oil. Cook onion, carrot, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, paprika and chili flakes about 5 minutes, or until vegetables are slightly softened.

Stir in broth, tomatoes, roasted red peppers and bay leaves; bring to boil.

Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 15-20 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Discard bay leaves. Let cool slightly. Transfer to blender; puree in batches until smooth. Stir in cream, remaining salt, 1 tablespoon chives and vinegar.

To make Cheddar Cracker Melts: Heat broiler to high and position rack in center of oven. Arrange crackers on parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Sprinkle with cheese. Broil 1-2 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Divide soup among six bowls. Sprinkle with remaining chives and serve with Cheddar Cracker Melts.

Tip: Use mild, medium or aged cheddar cheese. Smoked mozzarella can be substituted, if desired.

Nutrition information per serving: 250 calories; 15 g fat; 7 g saturated fat; 30 mg cholesterol; 730 mg sodium; 22 g carbohydrates; 2 g fiber; 11 g sugar; 6 g protein.

SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9

‘Men in Black: International’ revives the franchise

M O V I E

Coming off the television sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” Will Smith quickly became a bankable film star. For a few years, Smith owned the 4th of July box office with backto-back blockbusters “Independence Day” and “Men in Black.” The actor inadvertently caused a commotion, though, when he recently appeared as the Genie from the upcoming live-action adaptation of “Aladdin” on an “Entertainment Weekly” cover. No worries, though, because he will be blue on screen.

Smith leaves a rather large footprint in his films, making him very hard to replace. He was noticeably absent from “Independence Day: Resurgence,” the sequel to one of his biggest crowd pleasers. His character, Colonel Steven Hiller, was killed off prior to the beginning of the second movie. In 2016, “Business Insider” quoted director Roland Emmerich as saying Smith was “too expensive” and a “marquee name.” The sequel was, unfortunately, a box-office failure.

This leads us back to “Men in Black: International,” the upcoming fourth film in the popular franchise. The original move and its sequel were, arguably, the journey of Smith’s character, Agent J. As a young police officer, he unknowingly chased down and captured a runaway alien. That action introduced him to Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) of the Men in Black (MIB). K trains J as his replacement before leaving MIB, but K is brought back into the fold in the second film.

Photo courtesy Columbia Pictures

The relationship between K and J was the heart and soul of three movies. The recently-dropped trailer for “Men in Black: International” shows no sign of Smith or Jones, but that may not be a bad thing. The incredible Tessa Thompson from “Creed” plays Agent M, a woman who has been trying to find and join the Men in Black for 20 years. Agent O (Emma Thompson), head of MIB, brings her onboard and sends her to work with the London branch.

Chris Hemsworth, who worked with Thompson in “Thor: Ragnarök,” plays Agent H, who is reportedly one of the best to wear the black suit. The dynamic between Thompson and

By Steve Bryan

Hemsworth is highly visible in the extended trailer. She is an incredibly-driven agent and he has the cockiness that Agent J brought to the table decades ago. Will Smith and Linda Fiorentino displayed the same chemistry when she briefly played Agent L in the original “Men in Black.”

Director F. Gary Gray (“The Fate of the Furious”) rounds out his cast with the inimitable Liam Neeson as the head of the U.K. Men in Black office. Kumail Nanjiani, who was solid in “The Big Sick,” provides the voice for Pawny, a tiny alien who also packs his own weapon.

As was the case with the Noisy Cricket, size means nothing in the world of MIB. With this cast, “Men in Black: International” could be an international sensation.

“Men in Black: International” is scheduled to open in the United States on June 14.

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.

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Feature

January 2, 2019 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

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Feature

January 2, 2019 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

Yeggs

John Hanna

Crossword: Winter Fun

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

By Cindy Moore

Moore On Life My body has been winterized. This took place in October. It was easy to do. I know when it’s too cold to risk going into the outdoors.

When I take a lungful of air and my nose holes freeze together, that’s a definite indicator that I shouldn’t venture outside again until spring.

So I locked myself inside and wrapped up in electric blankets turned on high. Finally, I knew I would need to fatten up for the long dismal days ahead. But how? Easy, the holidays ahead would take care of that detail.

But now the holidays are over and I’m in a panic. The non-stop buffets have come to an end. The food spigot has dried up and New Year’s with all its demands of making resolutions has come around. I’d like to pass on making a resolution this year, but FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) always sets in. I’ve just got to make a resolution like everyone else or there will be nothing for me and everyone else to break in a few weeks.

What resolution should I make to break?

I unwrapped from my thick layers of blankets and realized I couldn’t move. The extra poundage from holiday eating had taken its toll. I needed to exercise. That’s it – my resolution!

Of course I consulted Google. I wasn’t about to jump into any old workout. It had to be custom-made for my lifestyle and incentive level.

How about a sport? I discovered that something like skiing resulted in broken legs, fatalities from tree collisions and being buried alive in avalanches. Nope.

Jogging sound interesting. Research into this activity alerted me to the fact that many runners

have developed injuries such as: runner’s knee, ankle sprains, shin splints and meniscus tears. I’m not sure where my meniscus is, but I’d rather keep it intact just the same. Pass.

Walking posed the problem of getting bitten by dogs… possibly rabid dogs.

Then there are the tree branches, which have fallen and taken out many an unsuspecting walker. Some have been squashed by rogue cars.

Negative.

I needed to keep my activities safely indoors.

But I soon found out that some exercises when done improperly can strain the back or shoulders and tear hamstrings or blow out ACL’s – ouch!

Wow, physical activity is a painful and dangerous undertaking. So I resolve to start out the New Year by making no resolutions and thus breaking no resolutions – JOMO (Joy Of Missing Out).

Painful Decisions

Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband.

Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder.

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

ACROSS 1. Most populous continent 5. Mayan language 8. *Bumpy winter transport 12. Spiritual leader 13. Ledger entry 14. In a cold manner 15. Deodorant’s target 16. African chieftain 17. Asiatic wild dog 18. *Used in fun winter fights 20. Overnight lodgings 21. *Whoville’s ____ beast 22. Tropical constrictor 23. E.B. White’s Little 26. What siren does 29. Not a thing 30. Bear the expenses of 33. Between larva and adult 35. In a fitting way 37. Neighbor of Ger. 38. Up and about 39. Unadulterated 40. Excessive protection 42. Middle-earth creature 43. No balance due 45. *Winter Gathering spot 47. Resident uncle?

48. Diarist Anne 50. *Christmas pudding raisin 52. *Done with #8 Across 55. “Fahrenheit 9/11” filmmaker 56. *”The stump of a ____ he held tight in his teeth...”

57. Pout 59. Machu Picchu mountains 60. Snaky swimmers 61. Wild swine 62. Words from Wordsworth 63. Kind of humor 64. Southern stew staple DOWN 1. Gone by 2. Wash froth 3. Fe 4. Light display 5. Cass Elliot and Michelle Phillips 6. Like a crooked kilt?

7. Lime-rich soil 8. *Hot chocolate add-on 9. One with biggest share 10. Olden-day elbow-related measurement, pl.

11. Do after tie 13. Formal discussion 14. “Bite the bullet,” e.g.

19. Verbose 22. Beyoncé, a.k.a.

Queen ____ 23. Finger move 24. *Angler’s accessory 25. U in UV 26. Uber alternative 27. Your own teacher 28. Sudden stream 31. Box office failure 32. *Hot Buttered ____ 34. St. Louis monument 36. Time for relaxation, pl.

38. Change, as in U.S. Constitution 40. “____’s the word” 41. Grey’s fifty 44. Female sirs 46. Hands on hips 48. Marketing give-away 49. Email option 50. *Hockey turf 51. Ore deposit 52. Expel 53. E-reader brand 54. ____ gum on a list of ingredients 55. Zedong of China 58. Major time period

SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9