CNSTC: January 19, 2022

January 19, 2022

Soar into Eagle Days

Around Town

Wentzville awards 2021 Citizen of the Year Award.

Pg. 3

Healthy Living Understanding diabetes.

Pg. 5

School Timberland High School Cheer wins Missouri State Championship title. Pg. 7 WSD student selected to Missouri All-State Orchestra. Pg. 7

Flip for Features

Submitted photos Clarksville’s Eagle Days will run on Jan. 29 and 30 on the Clarksville Riverfront. The Apple Shed will host programs beginning from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Clarksville will host its Eagle Days where participants come to see bald eagles make their way down the Mississippi River

By Brett Auten Bundle up, grab your camera and with a little luck you will see a national treasure in its natural habitat.

What has become an annual tradition for multiple decades, Clarksville will host its Eagle Days on Jan. 29 and 30.

Spotting scopes, exhibits, children’s activities, and live eagle shows are all part of the plan as community organizations and restaurants provide food and beverages while the shops in town are open for visitors to peruse.

The Apple Shed is the place to be for the programs. It is located at 702 S. 2nd Street (on Hwy 79) and is the venue for a live

eagle show and movies about eagles. The Apple Shed will host programs beginning from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sunday. After each hourly program with live birds, a 20-minute film is also shown to give more information about

the eagle and its habitat and habits. Eagle Days is hosted this year by the Raintree Arts Council.

This year’s options of vendors and programming is a step up.

“We are trying to build Eagle Days but build it slowly,” Linda Blakey, of Raintree Arts Council, said. “It is a difficult time of year with it being cold, but does generate some interest and brings people to the damn” Eagles like to sit in the sunshine in the mornings along the riverbanks and the number of birds available depends on the weather. Be sure to either set your alarm See ‘EAGLE’ page 2

Serving St. Louis, St. Charles and Lincoln Counties | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 24 No. 3 | 636-379-1775

Recipe, Movie & Sudoku.

Pg. F-1 CLASSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3 Moore On Life, Yeggs & Crossword. Pg. F-4

Weather FRIDAY Sunny 28/15 SATURDAY Partly Cloudy 39/20 SUNDAY Partly Cloudy 35/21

2

Around Town

January 19, 2022 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Get your event or good news published in Community News: email your information in calendar and article formats to editor@mycnews. com.

‘EAGLE’ from cover clock as the best time is the early part of the morning or the later part of the afternoon. When it’s cold and not comfortable to us, that is when the eagles like to move about.

Clarksville’s Riverfront Park offers excellent viewing from the Lock and Dam to several miles south on the river. A few bald eagles are seen in Missouri by mid-fall but most arrive in December.

In some cases, a bird will return to the same location each winter to find

food in unfrozen lakes and rivers.

“Just look up,” Blakey said. “Many do not get to see wildlife this close.

They’re like, ‘whoa.’ They are huge, amazing birds.”

The Missouri Department of Conservation has recognized Clarksville as the state’s most outstanding local site for eagle watching.

Why is Clarksville such a hot spot?

More than 2,000 bald eagles are reported in Missouri regularly during winter, making

Submitted photos The eagle has a wing span up to seven-and-a-half-feet, lives for 20 years in the wild, dive for fish at over 75 miles-perhour. and talons capable of exerting a force of 1,000 pounds of pressure per square inch.

Missouri one of the leaders in the lower 48 states.

The Mississippi River is a migratory flight corridor for many birds like herons, geese, white pel-

icans, ducks, fresh water gulls and especially the bald eagle. After the river freezes up, the open waters below Lock and Dam 24 allow the eagles

to hunt fish, which is their main food.

The eagle is a majestic bird that has a wing span up to seven-and-a-halffeet, lives for 20 years in the wild, and dive for fish at over 75 miles-perhour and talons capable of exerting a force of 1,000 pounds of pressure per square inch.

The bald eagle was formally adopted as our national emblem in 1782.

In the 200 years since, its numbers suffered a great decline. However the bald eagle has recovered and it is reported that more than 7,000 nesting pairs are found in the lower 48 states. In 1995, the federal government downgraded the bald eagle’s status from endangered to threatened throughout its range.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • January 19, 2022

Around Town

3

25th year brings new logo, new tagline for St. Charles County Parks The St. Charles County Parks Department is starting off its 25th Anniversary by unveiling a new logo and tagline that better illustrates the energy and growth of the parks system. The county has acquired 21 parks – 17 which are open and four in reserve – since the system began in 1997 with voter approval of a local use tax on out-of-state purchases used exclusively for parks.

The new logo reflects the transformation St. Charles County Parks have made over the years. The graphics, typography and colors bring a fresh new look and feel as more and more people are visiting St. Charles County parks.

“In only four years, our parks attendance has grown by almost three million,” says Parks Director Ryan Graham. “We want to celebrate the success of our

Image courtesy St. Charles County

parks with a new image that reflects not only who we are, but what we provide to county residents.” Graham says attendance for 2018 was approximately 1.5 million and topped 4.4 million in 2021.

The logo uses vibrant orange, teal, and green colors to represent adventure, water, and natural area – all

Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County holds January event While many people may dream of owning a home but feel they may not meet the criteria or qualifications necessary to achieve that goal, Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County provides tools, resources and support for the potential path to homeownership. The nonprofit organization is accepting new homeowner applications Feb. 1 through Feb. 28.

A free, informational meeting on Habitat homeownership is scheduled on Thursday, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. at Spencer Road Library, 427 Spencer Road in St. Peters. Members of the Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County Homeowner Selection Committee and Habitat St. Charles staff will be on hand to field questions about the Homeownership program and application process. To RSVP, contact Shana Eu-

banks at shana@habitatstcharles.org or call 636-9785712, extension 118.

To review the qualifications for Habitat homeownership, visit habitatstcharles.org “The long, cold days of winter offer the reminder that a safe, warm and comfortable home may be attainable through the Homeownership program,” said Michelle Woods, executive director, Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County. “Through our programs, we are excited to lead our neighbors into financial independence for affordable, stable housing that supports our mission to enhance lives, foster relationships and build the community one home at a time.”

New highway engineer appointed for St. Charles County St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann has appointed John Lyons as the County Engineer for the St. Charles County Highway Department. Lyons was confirmed by the St. Charles County Council at the Jan. 10 meeting, and will begin his duties immediately. He replaces Craig Tajkowski who is retiring after 26 years working for the county.

Lyons has worked for St. Charles County Government since 2014, first as highway construction engineer, and most recently as highway superintendent. He has been responsible for supervising 100 employees at four regional district facilities and directing all maintenance projects. His experience includes maintaining the department’s annual budget, onsite inspections of road and bridge construction projects, and supervising infrastructure repairs and

maintenance. Prior to joining the county, Lyons was a civil engineer with the city of Urbana, Illinois.

“We are extremely fortunate to have John and the experience and expertise he brings in this role,” Ehlmann says. “His knowledge of engineering technology and understanding of infrastructure is a vital asset as our county continues to grow, as well as his established experience overseeing projects and highway personnel.”

Lyons has a bachelor of science degree in agricultural engineering with a concentration in soil and water conservation from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in both Missouri and Illinois and is certified though the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in National Incident Management System (NIMS). Lyons is a resi-

Photo courtesy St. Charles County John Lyons has been appointed as the County Engineer for the St. Charles County Highway Department.

dent of St. Charles County and is active in his community.

of which are abundant in St. Charles County Parks.

These colors match the county’s new Kinetic Park logo, a rebranding that occurred with the renaming of the Youth Activity Park in May 2021.

The new tagline “built by nature. rooted in history. made for play.”embodies the rich landscapes and natural beauty, the historic sites and scenery, and the activities and amenities of St. Charles County Parks.

These three phrases epitomize the department’s unique parks, diverse facilities and broad range of programs and special events for all ages to enjoy, in addition to features that enhance the region’s historical and natural environmental heritage.

To learn more about St. Charles County Parks amenities, activities, and programs, visit stccparks. org.

Around Town

4

January 19, 2022 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Public invited to virtual meeting about Dardenne Greenway Trail Extension Project Great Rivers Greenway and the city of St. Peters have partnered with a consultant team to develop a plan to extend Dardenne Greenway north of Mexico Road to St. Peters Golf Club and across Interstate 70. This trail extension was identified through the St. Charles County Greenway Master Plan as a high priority project by St. Charles County residents and project stakeholders.

The public is invited to a virtual meeting on Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. to kick off the planning study, learn more about the project, and share ideas for the extension of Dardenne Greenway. Instructions for accessing the virtual meeting will be posted online at www.st-

petersmo.net/Trails on the day of the meeting.

Greenways are trails that provide a safe way for people to walk, run, bike, push a stroller, or use a wheelchair. They connect to parks, creeks, conservation areas, destinations, and businesses. This greenway will provide a safe way to cross I-70 and ultimately connect Jack Gettemeyer Park (near Rabbit Run Park) to Brown Road Park, Sports Center Park, Old Town St. Peters, and the existing trails within 370 Lakeside Park.

For more information and updates about this project, visit www.stpetersmo.net/Trails.

Wentzville awards 2021 Citizen of the Year Award

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

Remote and On-Site Support Cybersecurity Network Mngmt

  

Hardware Repair and Replacement HIPAA Compliance Vendor Liaison

Managed IT services for small and medium sized businesses.

Contact us for a FREE Disaster Recovery Assessment!

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

At the Jan. 12 Board of Aldermen meeting, the Wentzville Board of Aldermen presented community leader and Wentzville resident, Bill Brunner, with the 2021 Citizen of the Year award. This award recognizes outstanding community members whose actions and accomplishments make life better for others.

“It’s always exciting to present the Citizen of the Year award. It’s humbling to know there are so many amazing people, like Bill, who love and support the Wentzville community,” says Mayor Nick Guccione.

Brunner selflessly volunteers his time and efforts to whoever is in need and is an active leader for many organizations. He is the founder and co-president of the Wentzville chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, which provides beds to children who are sleeping on the floor.

Brunner also serves on the Board of Wentzville’s Senior Citizens Corporation, where he recruits volunteers to build wheelchair ramps, porches and sidewalks.

In his spare time, Brunner organizes quarterly blood drives and participates in Op-

Photo courtesy city of Wentzville Bill Brunner (left) receives the 2021 Citizen of the Year award from Wentzville Mayor Nick Guccione (right).

eration Backpack to ensure children have meals when they are not attending school. Brunner is a youth leader, activity organizer and an Eagle Scout. He has truly made an outstanding impact on anyone he meets and strives to help kids reach high levels of achievement.

With tears in his eyes during the board meeting, Brunner thanked everyone for the honor, “Thank you very much!

I give all the glory to God.” The city of Wentzville

recognizes Brunner’s incredible efforts and acknowledges his great contribution to the city.

The Citizen Recognition Program was created by the Citizen Recognition Award Committee of Wentzville to acknowledge outstanding individuals and groups that make a significant contribution, a positive impact or improve the quality of life for citizens in the community. In 2021, residents, Wentzville business owners and employees of Wentzville

businesses were invited to submit nominations for the Citizen of the Year award. The nominations were reviewed, and the final selection was made by the Citizen Recognition Award Committee.

Applications are accepted year-round.

Don’t wait to nominate your favorite Wentzville resident or business owner for the 2022 Citizen of the Year award.

Applications are available online at www. wentzvillemo.gov/coty.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • January 19, 2022

Healthy Living

5

www.BJC StCharlesCounty.org/Events

Understanding diabetes

By Dr. Alissa Ballard autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the pancreas, causing it to stop making insulin. This type is commonly diagnosed in childhood, though it can occur in adulthood as well. Most common of the types, type 2 diabetes is when the body slowly stops responding to insulin or making enough.

While genetics plays an important role, it often occurs in people who have had a long history of a high carbohydrate diet.

Bigstock

Over one in 10 Americans live with diabetes. Despite how commonly diagnosed it is, many people don’t fully understand what diabetes is. Alissa Ballard, MD, a BJC Medical Group family medicine physician, breaks down the disease and provides some helpful insight on the different types, available treatments and ways you can prevent a diagnosis.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which the body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t know how to use the insulin it does make. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps the body absorb and process sugar. Without it, blood sugar rises, which can cause serious health problems.

What are the different types of diabetes?

There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is an

How is diabetes treated?

Both types of diabetes can be treated with insulin, although type 2 diabetes is often treated with an oral medication first. Most people with type 1 diabetes will be cared for by an endocrinologist, or a doctor who specializes in treating hormone-related diseases. While someone with type 2 diabetes can also see an endocrinologist, many are managed by their primary care provider, who can prescribe the necessary medication, order routine blood work and help manage complications from the disease.

How can you prevent diabetes?

Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes. However, a healthy diet and regular exercise can lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This includes cutting down on a high carbohydrate diet and losing weight if you are overweight or obese. Visiting your primary care provider regularly also plays a vital role in prevention as they can identify your risk factors and determine if screening for diabetes is right for you. If screening identifies a condition called prediabetes, where blood sugar is elevated, don’t worry. Through early intervention and by making positive lifestyle changes, you can help prevent diabetes from developing and improve your overall health and wellness.

Alissa Ballard, MD, is a family medicine physician with BJC Medical Group at O’Fallon. You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Ballard by calling 636-928WELL.

CCRB grants $19.2 million for youth mental health services In December 2021, the Community & Children’s Resource Board (CCRB) granted $19.2 million for youth mental health and substance use treatment services in St. Charles County for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. This is the largest amount of money granted in the CCRB history, which comes at a time when mental health concerns are rising among youth.

Beginning in 2022, current agency partners will receive a two-year grant contract for services. New partners will receive a one-year contract with the option for renewal in 2023.

Providers and local educators report an increasing number of students who are experiencing anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Demands for counseling, prevention services, and psychological assessments has been steadily increasing over the years, leading to longer wait times for youth seeking help.

With the increased funding, providers can support more than 70,000 youth annually with direct and prevention-based services. The CCRB added four new programs and one new service partner, Resolutions for People/Good Days

Journey Mental Health Service. New programs include a transitional living program for teens, self-defense, a video project to prevent human trafficking, and additional counseling, psychological assessments, and psychiatry services.

In total, the CCRB will provide funding for 33 nonprofit partners with 54 programs geared to improving mental health stability, abuse prevention, and mental health awareness in our community.

Services are available to youth age 18 and under, along with their families, and professionals who serve youth in the

community. A local 1/8 cent sales tax is the source for the Children’s Services Fund. The CCRB funds ten youth mental health service categories: counseling, crisis intervention, home and community-based services, outpatient psychiatric, outpatient substance use treatment, respite, school-based prevention, teen parents, temporary shelter for runaway youth, and transitional living services.

Programs are generally free of cost to residents, regardless of income or insurance status. For a complete list of funded services and a printable brochure, visit www.stcharlescountykids.org

6

Business

January 19, 2022 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Compass Health Network unveils new scholarship opportunity for employees furthering their education Compass Health Network is striving to meet the needs in communities and invest in its employees.

Compass has a new opportunity for employees currently pursuing, or interested in pursuing, a graduate degree in the areas of counseling, psychology, or social work.

The company is partnering with local colleges and universities across Missouri, such as Lindenwood University, University of Missouri – Columbia/St. Louis, and the University of Central Missouri, to provide an enhanced tuition benefit exclusively for Compass team members. Compass Health Network is working to establish additional educational partnerships in the future.

The scholarship program will pay up to $5,000 of tuition costs per academic year for Compass employees at the start of the semester. Students awarded the tuition scholarship must take a minimum of two courses per year. Additionally, students will need to continue to work for Compass for at least one year for each $5,000 received as part of the Tuition Scholarship Program. Upon completion of their degree program, Compass will further invest in the graduate by providing licensure supervision and covering associated licensure costs as they work toward becoming a licensed clinician.

St. Johns Bank Excellence Scholarship applications due April 15 Applications for the St. Johns Bank Excellence Scholarship Program are now available. The application deadline is April 15. The application is available on the Scholarship Central site: https://stlouisgraduates.academicworks.com/opportunities/4276.

Copies of the application are also available on the St. Johns Bank website: stjohnsbank.com, or at any branch.

Graduating seniors living in the Ritenour, McCluer, Pattonville, St. Charles, Fort Zumwalt, Orchard Farm, Hazelwood, Wentzville or Francis Howell school districts are eligible for this scholarship.

Guidance counselors at each high school also have application forms.

Three eligible applicants will each be awarded a $1,000 scholarship to help further their education.

Other qualifications for the scholarship program include continuing their education full-time at a community college, four-year college or university in Missouri, Illinois or Kansas, and planning to major in banking, finance or business.

For more information about the St. Johns Bank Excellence Scholarship Program visit the College Center page at stjohnsbank.com or call Laurie Sybert at 314-428-1000. The College Center page also contains other information about financing a college education.

Travelers Protective Association awards $11,850 in financial aid to deaf and hard of hearing Travelers Protective Association (TPA) Hearing Trust issued 18 grants, totaling $11,850, to applicants requesting assistance during the fourth quarter of 2021.

Established by TPA in 1975, the mission of the TPA Hearing Trust is to provide aid to individuals that are deaf or hard of hearing for resources that will allow them to achieve their full potential.

To date, the trust has distributed over $2.3 million, benefiting more than 6,000 individuals.

For this quarter, recipients plan to utilize their funding to obtain hearing aids, batteries, FM system, school tuition, doctor visits, ear molds, hearing aid repairs, cochlear implant upgrades, a vibrating alarm clock and much more.

“The goal of the Trust is to aid and assist people. With the help of our generous donors and members of our communities, we

know that we will continue increasing the number of individuals we can offer support to,” said Albert Shoemaker, TPA’s chief administrative officer.

Grants this quarter varied in size from $350 through $900, benefiting recipients from 12 states and ranging in age between five months and 93 years old, including five-month-old grant recipient Jace Campbell from South Carolina.

An independent 501(c)(3) organization, the TPA Hearing Trust accepts tax deductible donations from TPA members, posts and divisions, nonmembers, businesses, foundations and all other legal entities. To learn more, make a contribution to the TPA Hearing Trust or to apply for aid, please visit www.tpahq.org/tpahearing-trust/.

Submitted photo Grants this quarter varied in size from $350 through $900, benefiting recipients from 12 states and ranging in age between five months and 93 years old, including five-month-old grant recipient Jace Campbell from South Carolina.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • January 19, 2022

School

Timberland High School Cheer wins Missouri State Championship title

New principal named for Fort Zumwalt North High

The Timberland High School Varsity Cheer Squad captured first place in the Large Co-Ed Division in the Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association (MCCA) State Championship.

Timberland has remained undefeated this season, winning the Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association Regional Championship, the UCA Missouri Regional, and the State Championship.

The Wolves Cheer Squad will continue on and compete at the UCA High School National Championship this February in Orlando, Florida.

In addition to taking state, the Timberland Cheer Squad celebrated six athletes earning

Dr. Ronald “Buddy” Entwistle has been appointed the new principal at Fort Zumwalt North High School, effective July 1, 2022. Entwistle, who has served as an assistant principal at North from 20142018, has been the principal at South Middle School since the 20182019 school year.

In 2019 he was named St. Louis Region Exemplary New Principal of the Year by the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals. He returns to North High, which is a growing community where new home construction has been on the rise the past five years. The school is consistently named among the top high schools in the state and has been recognized by US News and World Report and Project Lead the Way as a top high school in the nation.

“I am most looking forward to developing positive relationships with the students, staff and parents of the North High community,” says Entwistle, himself a Zumwalt South High alum.

He understands the traditions at North High and its unique place in the Fort Zumwalt community as it

Photo courtesy Wentzville School District The Timberland High School Varsity Cheer Squad captured first place in the Large Co-Ed Division in the Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association (MCCA) State Championship.

All-State honors: Victoria Lewis - base, Tommy Thach - base, Jadyn Schmidt - flyer/tumbling, Jenna Woijeck - flyer, Will Tischler - tumbling, and Ava

Christian - back spot.

Additionally, in the WSD, the Liberty School Varsity Cheer Squad took third place in the Superlarge Division in the competi-

tion. All-State athletes include Rylee Gobble back spot and Bre Wray - base. Liberty will compete at the UCA Nationals in February.

WSD student selected to Missouri All-State Orchestra All-State band auditions recently concluded and over 1,300 students from across Missouri auditioned for the prestigious 108-member Missouri All-State Band. Over 300 students auditioned for the All-State Orchestra; of those, nearly 160 were violinists.

The Wentzville School District saw success with students who auditioned. Timberland High School sophomore, Kaya McNurlen auditioned for the AllState Orchestra and was selected as a First Violin member, McNurlen will audition again for seating in late January.

McNurlen said, “I have always loved playing in full orchestras, so I am very much looking forward to making beautiful music with wonderful musicians.

I’d like to thank my

Image courtesy Wentzville School District

teacher Kirby Kay for her guidance and support throughout the last five years.”

The orchestra ensemble will include over 65 musicians and will rehearse and perform at the Annual Missouri Music Educators Association Conference, Jan. 26-29 at Tan-Tar-A Resort.

Liberty High School junior Benjamin Young

auditioned and was awarded first chair alternate for the All-State Band on the baritone saxophone. Only two baritone saxophone students were selected for the ensemble and two were selected as alternates.

Holt High School senior Andrew Frecks was selected for the AllState Honorable Mention Band as first chair

tenor saxophone. Caleb Gee, senior from Holt High School, was also selected to the All-State Honorable Mention Band as fourth chair alto saxophone.

The All-State Band will give its only performance at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference at Tan-Tar-A in January 2022.

7

Photo courtesy Fort Zumwalt School District Dr. Ronald “Buddy” Entwistle has been appointed the new principal at Fort Zumwalt North High School, effective July 1, 2022.

once served as the district’s only high school.

He says he’ll be focused on continuing to grow the academic and extracurricular excellence at FZN, as well as the community’s Panther Pride.

Before joining Fort Zumwalt as an assistant principal, Entwistle taught communication arts in the Wentzville and Lincoln County school districts. He also served as an assistant principal at Troy Middle School. He and his wife have three schoolage children. When he’s not at school, he says, he’s with family, playing music, or learning something new.

“Impactful instruction, team building, golf and woodworking are my current topics of study,” he said.

FACEBOOK.COM/MYCNEWS NEW CUSTOMER SPECIAL!

$25 Off orders of $50 or more

Fliers Flipbooks Booklets/Calendars Custom Note Cards Letterhead/Envelopes Custom Folders

from $2.00 each

Full-color copies

from $0.05 each

8

What’s Happening

January 19, 2022 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

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 Jan. 19: Grief support group

Griefshare offers help, encouragement and support after the death of a spouse, child, family member or friend. This is a 13-week program that begins Jan. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Grace Community Chapel at 7661 Mexico Rd. in St. Peters.

You may go to www.Griefshare.org or call Grace Chapel at 636 970-1311, for more information and to register.

Must register by Jan. 16.

Feb. 26: education

Gardening

Gardening for Pollinators for the backyard gardener at the 11th annual Dig-In Gardening Event hosted by the St. Charles County Master Gardeners starting at 8 a.m. The event will be virtual this year but still includes the great classes and topics that attendees have come to expect. All sessions will be recorded to

allow for later access by registrants. For more details go to: https://www.stcharlescountymastergardeners.com/.

Feb. 26: Quilt social

Quilt social a.k.a. bingo takes place at Sts. Joachim and Ann School Cafeteria at 4110 McClay Road in St. Charles.

Doors open at 9:30 a.m., games begin at 11 a.m. No registration required. Only 16 and older allowed. All proceeds will benefit the work of St. Ann Ladies Club, Sts. Joachim and Ann Parish School, Parish School of Religion and Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service. For more information call or email Laura Free at 314-369-7631 or LauraLFree@att.net.

ONGOING EVENTS Mondays: Optimist Club meetings

The Wentzville/Lake St. Louis Optimist Club meets on the

second and fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Wentzville IHOP, 10 Layla Lane, Wentzville, MO.. For more information contact Ed Jurotich at 314-560-1868.

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.

Mondays: NAMI St. Louis Connection Recovery Support Group If you have mental health concerns and need support, please come on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at Friedens United Church of Christ at 1703 Old Highway 94 South in St. Charles.

Mondays: Anonymous

Alcoholics

If you want to drink, that’s your business. If you want to stop, we can help. Call Alcoholics Anonymous at 636970-0013.

Mondays: Cottleville Weldon Spring Kiwanis Club

Cottleville Weldon Spring Kiwanis Club meets the first Monday of the month at noon at The Breakfast Club, 991 Waterbury Falls Dr., O’Fallon, MO 63368. New club looking for new members who want to better our community. Contact Christy at 314583-0538.

Mondays: Seasoned eye carvers meeting

Meetings are held from 9 to 11 a.m. at the St. Charles Senior Citizens Center at 1455 Fairgrounds (near the Bass Pro Shop). Visitors are always welcome. For more information visit http://www. stcharlesareawoodcarvers. com/ or contact Charles Sapp at cwsapp@charter.net.

Mondays: Choral Arts Singers practice

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 unless otherwise specified. Currently, during the COVID pandemic, meetings are held via conference call, starting at 6:45 pm. For more information, contact Beverly Kaskadden 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. 314-3696521.

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, 636219-0553.

Mondays: Mondays:

Measurement

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

Tuesdays: Women’s AA weekly meeting

Candlelighters Women in Recovery meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Dardenne Prairie Presbyterian Church (enter at Adam Lamb pre-School, turn left) at 7400 South Outer 364 at the corner with Bryan Road.

Tuesdays: Cribbage Club

Meets every Tuesday, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. at The Falls Golf Course Clubhouse. Relaxed, friendly play and is open to all. Call 314-954-3364 for info.

Tuesdays: Optimist Club meeting

The St. Charles Optimist Club meets Tuesdays at noon at Pio’s Restaurant. For more information contact Jack Ross at 314-287-0569 or jack-ross@ 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: Diabetes support group

A diabetes support group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month except November and December from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at 400 Medical Plaza, Suite 102 in Lake St. Louis.

A new speaker each month.

Questions? Call Amanda Meyer at 636-625-5447.

Tuesdays: Kiwanis Club of St. Charles

12:05 p.m. at Ginghams Homestyle Restaurant, 1566 Country Clcub Plaza Drive, 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 636-206-2483. 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.

Tuesdays: Meeting

Toastmasters

7 p.m. at the Midwest Bank Centre Board Room at 2299 Technology Blvd., O’Fallon, MO 63368. Info: 636-3792505.

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 the Alzheimer’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 800272-3900 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 from 1:00 - 3:30 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: NAMI St. Louis Connection Recovery Support Group

If you have mental health concerns and need support, please come on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Grace United Church of Christ at 8326 Mexico Rd. in St. Peters.

Tuesdays: NAMI St. Louis Family Support Group

If you have a family member or friend who is having mental health concerns there is a support group for you. It meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Grace United Church of Christ at 8326 Mexico Rd. in St. Peters.

Tuesdays: Dardenne Presbyterian Church Basketball

8-9:30 p.m., in the Christian

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • January 19, 2022 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 636-456-0776 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: 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 May 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. 636-9281928.

Tuesdays and Thursdays: Get Fit Exercise Classes

9-10 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Hall, New Melle. 314-369-6521.

Wednesdays: TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Club

TOPS 502 Wright City meets every Wednesday morning at First Baptist Church at 104 Hedeman Ave. in Wright City. Weigh-in 7 - 8:30 a.m.

Meeting starts at 9 a.m. For more information call 314504-5202

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: St. Charles Area Wood Carvers

Meetings are held from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Hollenbeck Middle School at 4555 Central School Road in St. Charles. Visitors are always welcome. For more information visit http://www.stcharl e s are awo o d c ar ve rs . com/ or contact Charles Sapp at cwsapp@charter.net.

Wednesdays: Quilt guild

Every Fourth Wednesday from January to October, the Loose Threads Quilt Guild meets at 6:45 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Centre at the St. Peters City Hall on Mexico Road in St. Peters.

Wednesdays: Marine Corps League meeting

odist Church at 725 N. Wall St. in Wentzville. TOPS is a national non-profit weightloss organization that supports its members in attaining their goal weight. There is no cost for the first meeting.

All are welcome.

Pkwy. In St Charles. Members and guests are welcome for lunch, leadership development and to gain a better insight into our community. www.stcharlesrotary.org.

Wednesdays: Men’s Golf League

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 636-327-6060.

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 636-6258276.

Wednesdays: Bingo

Charity

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 level. Info: 636-928-1928.

On the first Wednesday of each month the St. Charles County Marine Corps League meets at Pezold Banquet Center, 5701 Hwy N, in Cottleville at 7:00 p.m. All Marines and FMF Corpsmen are welcome. For more information visit www.stcharlesmarine.org.

Wednesdays: Healing

Wednesdays: fishing club

Wednesdays: St. Charles Area Wood Carvers

Women’s

Gateway Bass ‘n Gals all women’s bass club has monthly meetings the first Wednesday of every month at JJ’s Restaurant at 1215 S. Duchesne Dr. in St. Charles at 7 p.m. Women of any fishing level please come and check out our women-only fishing club.

Wednesdays: 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 and fourth Wednesday 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.

Hope &

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.

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.

Wednesdays: Take Off Pounds Sensibly

Meets at 1380 Boone St., at 12 p.m. in Troy. 636-528-8379.

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 weightloss 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.

Wednesdays: Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS)

Thursdays: St. Charles Rotary Club Meeting

Wednesdays: Crossroads Cribbage Club

Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the United Meth-

St. Charles Rotary Club meets at noon at The Moose Lodge at 2705 Veterans Memorial

Thursdays: American Legion meeting

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 314780-5629 or Lisa Alexander at 314-258-1069 for more information.

What’s Happening

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 Club

2nd and 4th Thursdays: Lions Club meetings

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

1st and 3rd Thursday: Kiwanis Club of O’Fallon

The O’Fallon Optimist Club meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Bank of Old Monroe T.R. Hughes Blvd. in O’Fallon. For more information, contact CyndySchwab at 636-544-0102.

Thursdays: Lions Club meetings

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

3rd Thursdays: Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 458 Meeting

Thursdays: O’Fallon Rotary Club meetings

Thursdays: Optimist Club meetings

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

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

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Club 661 Wentzville holds meetings every Thursday in room 21 at The United Methodist Church of Wentzville, 725 Wall Street. Weigh ins at 9:30, meetings begin at 10 a.m. For more information call 314-650-1014.

O’Fallon Rotary Club meets from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. at Rendezvous Café & Wine Bar at 217 S. Main St. in O’Fallon every Thursday. Visitors are always welcome. For more information, call President, Lisa Muncy at 636-240-0912.

share. Anybody welcome.

Meets third Thursday of the month, 6:30 pm at the McClay Library in St. Charles.

Info: www.fleurdelisgardenclub.org;

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.

Thursdays: TOPS meeting

9

Meets at JJ’s Restaurant, 200 Fort Zumwalt Square in O’Fallon at 12 noon Info: www.ofkiwanis.com.

Every Thursday: Rotary Club meeting

7:30am, The Rendezvous Café at 217 South Main St. in O’Fallon. We welcome existing and potential members to visit and have breakfast with us. www.ofallonmo.rotary-clubs.org

Every Thursday: Active Older Adults Game Day at the O’Fallon Family YMCA

10a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Family Hall. Free for members.

Bring a favorite snack to

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

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

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.

Fridays: Frühschoppen Stammtisch Verein (FSV)

The last Friday of every month the Frühschoppen Stammtisch Verein (FSV) meets at 11 a.m. at a designated location within St Charles County. Wir treffen uns auf ein Bier (und vielleicht spät Frühstück oder früh Mittagessen) und geniessen ein Gespräch auf Deutsch.

At present we do not have a specific Stammlokal. The FSV Month meeting location can be found on Facebook at (https://www.facebook.com/ groups/472022532983525) alternately it can be requested from the FSV coordinator at (d.yarolimek@sbcglobal.net).

Hoffenlich sehen wir uns irgendwann. Bis dann, bleib gesund.! Alles gute!

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.

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

Sports

10

January 19, 2022 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Sports you see with Gary B . . .

Spotlight on O’Fallon Plaza:

T

he Hair & Nail Nook, or “The Nook” as we call it, has been turning heads since we opened our doors on April 30, 2015. Stephanie and Nikki met back in 2010 when Nikki went to work at a salon with Stephanie as a nail tech. After becoming great friends and working together for over several years, we had the opportunity to re-open the location as our own. It took six months to do a complete remodel. Stephanie’s dad is a contractor and helped and guided us through the project. Along with the help of family and friends (and a few band-aids) we turned four walls into our dream workspace!

Built with love and managed by experienced beauty professionals,“The Nook” is now home to two additional operators, Katie and Dana.

Together we offer all of your beauty needs, from cuts & color to nails & waxing. We love what we do and where we do it!

The Hair and Nail Nook

We invite you to stop by sometime and check it out!

The Hair & Nail Nook 145 O’Fallon Plaza O’Fallon, MO 63366 636-355-6665

Ambush hands team first loss of season The St. Louis Ambush play professional indoor soccer in the MASL with their home games at the Family Arena in St. Charles.

The Ambush handed the top team in the league the Kansas City Comets, their first loss of the season when they pulled off a 6-5 nail-biter of a win recently in front of their hometown fans.

They improved their record to 4-5, while Kansas City leaves town at 6-1.

St. Louis got off to a quick start when Mohamed Ndiaye scored 1:17 into the match.

After that, his teammates added five more goals: • JT Thomas scored on a restart off a pass from Ndiaye • Ndiaye sent a pass across the goal to a waiting Thomas who pounded it into the net • Ado Jahic sent a long pass to Vadim Cojocov who scored • Ndiaye scored again • Tony Walls scored the game-winner at 13:32 The Ambush play three on the road, visiting the Harrisburg Heat on Jan. 28, the Florida Tropics on Jan. 30 and the Milwaukee Wave on Feb. 6 before returning to The Family Arena to host The Savage on Feb. 11. *Keep the victories going Leaders of the Ambush As of last week, the team’s scoring power consisted of: • No. 9 Mohamed Ndiaye with 13 points with 9 goals and 4 assists • No. 8 Vadim Cojocov with 10 points with 8 goals and 2 assists • No. 97 Ado Jahic with 7 points with 6 goals and 1 assist • No. 20 JT Thomas with 7 points with 5 goals and 2 assists *Many more to come

More soccer coming The United Soccer League (USL) announced recently that the St. Louis Lions SC as the latest club to join the W League for its inaugural season in 2022. In addition, the Missouri-based club will return to play in League Two’s Heartland Division for the upcoming season.

“We are very excited about joining the USL W League in its first year,” said Tony Glavin, President and Head Technical Director of the St. Louis Lions SC. “We are proud to be part of the USL organization and look forward to competing and helping to make this league a great platform for our players to move on to the next level.”

Founded in 2005, the St. Louis Lions SC was formed as a part of the long-standing TG Lions Academy to support players looking to pursue pre-professional careers in soccer in the greater St. Louis area. The club prides itself on its inclusive nature, providing opportunities for all players and helping to develop those players to their highest aspirations within the game. Through hard work and dedication, the club strives to build on its long-standing history in the sport of soccer to continually improve and seek to be a destination club for elite athletes in Missouri. *A kicking good time

Lions have a soccer tryout camp The team will hold the event at the Crusaders field in O’Fallon on Feb. 19 and 20.

For all the details go to www.STLLions.com *Show off your moves

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, and is currently hosting a Health show on 97.1 FM, ‘Prime Time Health’ www.PrimeTimeSTL.com It broadcasts Saturday nights at 8 and Sunday mornings at 9.

www.mycnews.com • Community News • January 19, 2022

Recipe: Nutrition and wellness to help us into 2022

F-1

– SUDOKU –

Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that every row, column and 3-by-3 box includes all the digits 1 through 9.

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Around the New Year, people begin setting resolutions to improve their wellness. We are redefining comfort without sacrificing your health and wellness goals with this warm and savory soup!

Use low fat milk and cheese to put a healthy twist on this soup to get all the powerful nutrients that dairy delivers without sacrificing any of the taste. The protein and fiber provided from the combination of milk, cheese, and vegetables, will be sure to keep you fueled to your next meal. Serve it with a crusty bread and glass of milk to make this meal a family favorite!

Feature

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 50 minutes | Servings: 8

Ingredients: 1 Tbs butter ½ onion, chopped ¼ cup melted butter

Directions:

¼ cup flour

Melt 1 Tbs butter in a skillet over mediumhigh heat. Sauté onion in hot butter until translucent.

2 cups low-fat milk 2 cups chicken stock

1 stalk celery, thinly sliced

Whisk ¼ cup melted butter and flour together in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Continue to whisk and cook, adding more 1 to 2 Tbs milk more.

2 ½ cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Pour the remaining milk into the flour mixture,

1½ cups coarsely chopped broccoli florets 1 cup matchstick-cut carrots

whisking constantly. Stir in chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Cook for about 20 minutes until the mixture thickens.

Add broccoli, carrots, sautéed onion, and celery to the broth mix. Simmer for 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Stir cheddar cheese into soup until the cheese melts. Season with salt and pepper to taste and enjoy.

For more information on the health benefits of dairy, visit www.stldairycouncil.org.

SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9

Honoring the incredible Sidney Poitier

H

Movie:

By Steve Bryan

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

ollywood writers have revisited classic movies with an eye on rebooting them with a new cast.

Such was the case with “Guess Who,” a 2005 overly comedic remake of the 1967 classic “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” Zoe Saldana (“Avatar”) played Theresa Jones, a woman who had a demanding and opinionated father named Percy (the late Bernie Mac). Theresa brought her boyfriend Simon (Ashton Kutcher from “That ‘70s Show”) home for her parents’ 25th Wedding Anniversary, but Theresa unfortunately neglected to tell her folks that her boyfriend was white.

“Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” was a groundbreaking classic and a broadly comic remake didn’t make sense, even with the race/ gender roles reversed. In the original film, director Stanley Kramer tackled race relations and interracial marriages while those topics were still making headlines. Sidney Poitier, who passed away recently on Jan. 6, delivered such a solid performance as Dr. John Wade Prentice that there was no need to remake a classic. Poitier’s performance and on-screen interactions with Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn were amazing to watch.

“Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” earned multiple accolades, nominations and awards, but Poitier only received one nomination for his role. Years earlier, though, he broke new

Photo courtesy Bigstock: Sidney Poitier

ground in 1963’s “Lilies of the Field. Poitier played Homer Smith, a handyman who kindly stopped to help a group of nuns fix a roof.

Homer soon found himself saddled with new chores and tasks because the nuns believed God sent him to help them build a chapel.

Thanks to this fine performance, Poitier became the first African American to win an Academy Award for Best Actor.

Over the years, the actor’s roles covered a variety of genres, especially action/adventure.

In “The Defiant Ones,” director Stanley Kramer directed Poitier and Tony Curtis in a story about two convicts who were shackled together and relied on each other when they escaped.

1967’s “In the Heat of the Night” saw Poitier play Virgil Tibbs, a Philadelphia police detective mistakenly accused of murder in Mississippi. After he was cleared of the charges, Tibbs, still dealing with overt racism, helped solve a murder case before leaving town.

Poitier reprised that role in the appropriately titled 1970 sequel “They Call Me Mister Tibbs!,” a phrase the character uttered to remind people of who he was and that he demanded respect.

A few years earlier, Poitier’s Mark Thackery also sought respect as he taught high-spirited London students in 1967’s “To Sir with Love,” a film noted for its catchy theme song sung by Scottish performer Lulu. In the 1996 TV sequel, Thackery travelled to Chicago for another teaching job and learned surprising things about his past.

Sidney Poitier was the consummate actor who could play virtually any role with skill and professionalism. No matter if he portrayed a teacher, detective, thief or just an all-around good man, he was a strong presence on-screen.

Thank you, Mr. Poitier, for your inspiring life and the incredible body of work you left for us.

F-2

Feature

COLLECTIBLES

January 19, 2022 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

HELP WANTED

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. M.W.

www.dawcstl.com

www.facebook.com/mycnews SINGERS WANTED

Check it Out! www.MYCNEWS.com

CLASSIFIED SPECIAL! Garage Sales

45

$

Moving Sales for the first week Yard Sales Sale of Items LIKE US TODAY! facebook.com/mycnews

CALL

(1.5” x 1” ad) $15 each additional week after that. $30 for a 1.5” x 2”

636-697-2414

Check it Out! www.MYCNEWS.com

www.mycnews.com • Community News • January 19, 2022

Feature

F-3

CLASSIFIEDS

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

314-993-1833

www.scrubbydutch.com

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

Published Every Week Since 1921 Family-Owned & Operated www.treesbywoody.net

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

www.semopest.com

F-4

Feature

January 19, 2022 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

Yeggs

John Hanna

CROSSWORD: Grammy Awards

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

Moore on Life

Last meal?

We’re barely into 2022 and while I hope for a better year, I have a sneaking suspicion there’s something brewing ahead. Why else would I get multiple flyers in the mail pushing affordable funeral plans?

Do they know something I don’t know? Was it that enchilada I ate the other day? It was in the back of the fridge and had been there for who knows how long, but I was starving. I convinced myself that the fuzzy stuff growing on top was green salsa.

So, I possibly tainted my organs, but how could the funeral people know? Are they in cahoots with the Grim Reaper? I don’t know, but I do know they’re after me.

The first advertisement came in the mail shortly after the food incident. It read: “Feeling a bit queasy? Are your insides feeling like they want to be outside? Maybe you’ve eaten something well past its expiration date or maybe you’re just well past your expiration date. If it’s tomb to kick the oxygen habit then come over to Dickey’s Dearly Departed funeral home and check out our digs – literally! We put the fun back in fun-eral! Out last rites can’t be wrong!”

I tossed that one immediately. I don’t want my memorial service people to be stand-up comedians.

The second flyer was no better: “Hey old person, yeah that’s you! Face it sweetie, your days of being a plump juicy grape are long gone. The sad raisin days are here and running out quicker than the batteries in your hearing aid. We here at The Dirt Sandwich Café know burials are expensive and are offering a

By Cindy Moore great money-saving option on pre-owned coffins. Bring in the attached coupon for a 10% off discount on gently used models. Get ‘em before they’re gone or before you’re gone.”

Hmph! I should’ve kept the comedian’s

flyer.

The final shocker came just days ago. It was an unbelievable invitation and if I’m lying, I’m dying…err…scratch that choice of words.

The postcard announced a presentation at a nearby mortuary. Now I’m all for gimmicks, but these guys were offering their pre-planned memorial discussions along with…wait for it… pizza! Yes, catchy cuisine and caskets!

Seriously?!

Just then I checked into the refrigerator. It was lunchtime and not a morsel to be found. I grabbed my husband and we loaded up in the car.

“Where are we going?” he wanted to know.

“Out to lunch. Free lunch!”

I only hoped they weren’t using the crematorium for the pizzas.

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. Chunk of land 6. Sail alternative 9. Female sheep, pl.

13. Oak, in Spanish 14. Nucleic acid acronym 15. “____ under fire” 16. Permeate 17. Internet meme move 18. *Number of 2022 Grammy nominations for Doja Cat or H.E.R. 19. *Justin Bieber’s stuff from Georgia 21. *Gaga’s partner 23. Mauna ____, Hawaii 24. Cartoon Coyote’s first name 25. Lawyers’ grp.

28. Marine eagle 30. Like Roger Rabbit 35. Boisterous play 37. Ore deposit 39. Davy Crockett’s last stand 40. U.S. city and lake 41. Tossed starter 43. F.B.I. operative 44. Group of nine singers, e.g.

46. Gardner’s gear 47. In the middle of 48. Arctic-wear 50. Porcini mushrooms 52. In the manner of, in French

53. *Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, a.k.a. ____ Sonic 55. Decimal system base 57. *2022 Grammy nominations leader 61. *”Bad Habits” performer 65. Lacking sense 66. Unit of electrical resistance 68. Low landform 69. Grassy mound 70. Recent or new, prefix 71. Los ____, CA 72. Peasy precursor 73. .0000001 joule 74. Earp of the Wild West DOWN 1. LSD consequence?

2. City on the Tiber 3. *Swedish band with one 2022 Grammy nomination 4. Exclamation from a coop 5. Tittering laugh sound 6. Bookie’s quote 7. Registered nurses’ org.

8. Torah expert 9. Female name or a name for Ireland 10. Worker’s reward 11. Not counterfeit 12. Cobblestone 15. Genus, pl.

20. British peers

22. Will Ferrell holiday movie 24. Matrimony 25. *2022 Grammy event venue, Crypto.com ____ 26. B on Mendeleev’s table 27. Type of acid 29. *Grammy host’s last name 31. Aquarium dweller 32. #3 Down’s 1975 hit “____ Mia” 33. Means of communication 34. *Kanye’s album 36. Source of pressure?

38. Facilitate 42. Profoundness 45. Tip of lion’s tail 49. First aid one 51. Up and down playground attraction 54. Sergio of westerns 56. Very recently 57. Triathlon ride 58. Tolstoy’s Karenina 59. New Mexico art colony 60. Inwardly 61. Dirty air 62. Common “pro” follower 63. Loads 64. Egg storage 67. *”Fight for You” performer

SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9