CNSTC: February 1, 2017

February 1, 2017

A Rec-Plex facelift

Around Town The Breakfast Club Inc. recieves $35,000 grant for breast cancer screening and awareness program. P.2

Residents invited to learn about the Centennial Greenway Expansion Project. P.3

Local author spotlight: Jean Walters P.7

Moore on Life Moving the goal line P.6 Improvements to the entrance of the St. Peters Rec-Plex include new landscaping and improved parking and accessibility.

Submitted photos

St. Peters recreation center gets improved entrance while preparing for new outdoor aquatic center

Business West Community Credit Union celebrates groundbreaking. P.9

Movie

By Brett Auten January has long been the month when people look turn over a new leaf and start anew. Out with the bad and in with the good, as they said.

There are few better places in St. Charles County to begin that new lease on life than the St. Peters Rec-Plex. For those who have been away for a while, when returning to the Rec-Plex this month they were greeted with a slew of improvements and a facelift to its entrance.

Built 22 years ago, the St. Peters Rec-Plex located at 5200 Mexico Road, next to St. Peters City Hall at the corner of Mexico Road and St. Peters Centre Boulevard - was due for some improvements. Backed by Proposition P, when voters approved a four-tenths of a cent sales tax increase for parks, trails and storm water management projects, the project broke ground over the summer and was wrapped up just before the holiday season.

The bulk of the project consisted of better accessibility including; more parking and parking closer to the main doors, more

handicapped-accessible parking (five extra spots to make it 12 total) larger, and more convenient areas for pick-up/drop-offs.

Rick Oloteo, who serves as Group Manager for Recreation & Cultural Services for the city of St. Peters, said fulfilling the need was an obvious one.

“In 2019 we will celebrate 25 years and we are just as modern and updated now as we were then.”

- Rick Oloteo, Group Manager for Recreation & Cultural Services “We have been busier and busier over the years with youth sports and parents want to be able to wait for their children and do so in a safe location,” Oloteo said. “We also have

a lot of seniors who come here. We needed more parking that was on the same level as the front door. Previously, it was a pretty steep hill to walk from the parking into the building. So we wanted more handicapped parking and more spaces in general closer to the door.”

The new construction also added a smoother flow of traffic in and out of the facility, especially those looking to access Rec-Plex South.

In the coming weeks, once inside, visitors will be able to take advantage of a plethora of new cardio machines that will come in and replace some of the older equipment.

“These are going to be great additions,” Oloteo added. “Other than that, this year is going to be pretty quiet.”

It won’t be silent for long as the construction crews will fire up the machinery again thanks to another recent proposition.

Passed on Aug. 2, Proposition Q was $12 million bond issue with no tax increase to pay for an outdoor aquatic center (also a St. Peters Golf Course club house and banquet/ community center) that will be near and See REC-PLEX page 2

Serving St. Louis, St. Charles, and Lincoln Counties | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 19 No. 5 | 636-379-1775

Gibson, Garfield go for Oscar gold with ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ P.16

Weather FRIDAY Partly Sunny 36/22 SATURDAY Chance of Rain/ Snow 38/27 SUNDAY Chance of Rain/ Snow 40/27 FirstWarn Weather

prepared by meteorologist Nick Palisch. For the latest updates visit www.facebook.com/nickswx.

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Around Town

February 1, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

O’Fallon earns high marks for safety, affordability as one of the nation’s ‘Top 10 Cities for Families 2017’

REC-PLEX Continued from cover

Submitted photo St. Peters Mayor Len Pagano gestures toward the improvements at the St. Peters Rec-Plex during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

will share the parking lot with Rec-Plex South.

The aquatic center will be located right next to Rec-Plex South (along the existing park trail) and will feature a lazy river, deck slides, “zero entry” beach, shade structures, spray grounds, and eight-lane competition pool, lap swimming, and a party pavilion. A new access road from RecPlex & Aquatic Center to Boone Hills Drive.

“We have closed down two pools due to age and the cost it would take to put into them to keep them open,” Oloteo said. “It was time to open a modern, centrally-located pool.”

Few places have all the facilities that the RecPlex has to offer, from a world-class natatorium for swimming and diving to NHL-size ice rinks

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Publisher Robert J. Huneke Editor Mathew DeKinder Production Manager Rebecca Brockmann Production Assistants Lisa Moran, Melissa Nordmann Staff Writers Brett Auten, Nicholas Elmes Columnists Gary Baute, Steve Bryan, Cindy Moore Cartoonist John Hanna Staff Photographer Ray Rockwell Social Media Lori North Classified Advertising Brooke Tolle Display Advertising Randy Davies, Heather Deatz, Susan Faust, Doug Garbs, Bob Huneke, Norm Merchant, Tony Mooney, Christy Parks, Laurie Simon, Ty Taylor, Christy Weber Circulation: Distributech, Dominion Distribution, Papers Unlimited, Josh Blasingame 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/editor is not suitable or deemed appropriate for publication. Copyright 2016 Huneke Publica tions, 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

to state-of-the-art fitness machines and an indoor track.

Built in 1994, the Rec-Plex opened to the U.S. Olympic Festival’s aquatic events. For its 10-year anniversary, the Rec-Plex played host to the 2004 U.S. Olympic Diving Trials. In 2007, the Rec-Plex nearly doubled in size to 236,000 square feet with an expansion that added the Rec-Plex South facility and tripled the space for workout facilities in the original Rec-Plex building.

“The Rec-Plex is always moving forward, Oloteo said. “In 2019 we will celebrate 25 years and we are just as modern and updated now as we were then.”

For its safe neighborhoods, affordable housing, good schools and child-friendliness, the City of O’Fallon, Missouri, was given an A+ rating and named one of the country’s “Top 10 Cities for Families 2017.”

The annual list is compiled by ApartmentList.com, which recently assessed 500 cities nationwide, ranking O’Fallon as eighth best overall. O’Fallon is the only Missouri city on the Top 10 list. ApartmentList. com is the second website to recently list O’Fallon as one of America’s Top 10 Cities, joining 24/7WallStreet.com.

“This is yet another great honor bestowed upon our city,” said O’Fallon Mayor Bill Hennessy.

“It has been a community effort to build and maintain this wonderful city. It all begins with a safe environment provided by our residents and the O’Fallon Police Department. But it’s also the fantastic schools, dedicated businesses and concerned residents who make O’Fallon such a great place to live.”

In comparing cities, ApartmentList.com relied on federal data. City safety (35 percent of the total score), was derived from 2015 F.B.I. crime statistics. U.S. Census data provided insight on housing affordability (30 percent of the score), showing O’Fallon as exceptionally affordable as judged by comparing median gross rental costs to household income. Census data also supplied population percentages for children under 18 for a determination of childfriendliness (10 percent of the score), since communities with a high percentage of kids tend to have more family and child-centered activities and amenities. Finally, U.S. Department of Education high school graduation rates were indicative of a city’s quality of education (25 percent of the score). Read the article at www.apartmentlist.com/ rentonomics/2017-best-citiesfor-families.

The Breakfast Club Inc. receives $35,000 grant for breast cancer screening and awareness program The Avon Breast Health Outreach Program has awarded a $35,000 one-year grant to The Breakfast Club Inc. to increase awareness of the life-saving benefits of early detection of breast cancer and mammography screening among underserved women in the St. Louis Community. It is the ninth year that the program has received funding from the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade to support its work on this important health issue and in recognition of the program’s excellence.

The breast health program, EARS (Education, Awareness, Resources and Support) at The Breakfast Club Inc. will educate St. Louis area women and refer them to low-cost or free mammograms and clinical breast exams in their own communities. This vital program will also provide health navigation and support to those women in the community with abnormal screening results. This service is very important to the St. Louis community since many women still neglect to get regular mammography screening and present with late stage breast cancer when diagnosed.

Since January 2009 the EARS Program at The Breakfast Club Inc. has reached more 16,000 women with information about the importance of early detection of breast cancer and has referred

almost 3,700 women for mammograms and clinical breast exams.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, 4610 new cases of breast cancer will be detected in Missouri this year and 910 lives will be lost. While advances have been made in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure, early detection still affords the best opportunity for successful treatment. Programs such as the EARS Program help ensure that all women have access to early detection information and options, even poor and medically underserved women.

“We are proud that the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade shares our mission and has chosen to support our program. With these funds we will be able to provide breast health education to over 2,000 women and mammography screening to over 350 underserved, low-income, uninsured and underinsured women at their local churches and other community venues. These funds allow us to overcome the barriers of distance, lack of transportation and lack of familiarity with the large screening centers” said Sherrill Jackson, President of The Breakfast Club Inc.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • Febraury 1, 2017

Around Town

Residents invited to open house to learn the latest details about the Centennial Greenway Expansion Project

w w w. s en i orshelpi ng s en i ors . com / stcharl es w w w. s en i orshelpi ng s en i ors . com / st l ou is cent r a l

This artist’s rendering shows a rest stop landscaped with native plants that will be part of the greenway expansion.

Great Rivers Greenway is inviting area residents to a community open house on Thursday, Feb. 9, to learn the latest details about the soonto-be constructed bicycle and pedestrian bridges over Highways 364 and 94 in the city of St. Charles. This phase of the project involves extending the existing Centennial Greenway that links Heritage Park and the Katy Trail State Park to connect thousands of residents on both sides of the community.

The open house will be held at the St. Charles County Heritage Museum at Heritage Park at 1630 Heritage Landing in St. Peters from 5 – 7 p.m.

Area residents are invited to stop by anytime during that timeframe to ask questions, review maps and learn more about the expanded greenway.

Duplicate 30-minute presentations will be held at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.

The plans call for a one-mile extension of the existing 2.2mile Centennial Greenway just east of the Heritage Museum.

The paved greenway will head north and cross both Highways 364 and 94 where it will connect to Old Highway 94 near Muegge Road. The new route will enable onstreet connections to nearby Laurel Park, Schaefer Park, Wapelhorst Park, the Laurel Park Trail, the McClay Branch of the St. Charles City-County Library, Francis Howell North High School and Henderson Elementary School – all of which are less than two miles from the bridges.

“This is a game-changing connection for people in the city of St. Charles, St. Charles

Submitted images

SEE OUR CAREER OPPORTUNITY IN CLASSIFIEDS, PAGES 14 - 15

This artist’s rendering shows what the completed pedestrian bridge over Highway 364 would look like. www.treesbywoody.net

This map shows the proposed route for the one-mile extension of the existing 2.2-mile Centennial Greenway.

County and beyond,” says St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann. “By bridging these two highways, thousands of people who live, work and go to school in this area will now be able to safely walk or ride a bike to get where they need to go. It will also connect them to the Katy Trail and St. Louis County via the existing Centennial Greenway.”

In addition to a paved trail and bridges, the greenway expansion will also feature a rest stop landscaped with native plants. The interpretive signage will highlight the unique features of the Centennial Greenway and its connections to the region’s

rivers, parks and communities.

“We are grateful for our partners at the city of St. Charles, St. Charles County, and Missouri Department of Transportation whose input and support helped make this project a reality,” says Susan Trautman, Executive Director Great Rivers Greenway. “We have been working together for a long time to expand the Centennial Greenway over these two highways. We are eager to eliminate this barrier and open up a new route so people can walk or ride bikes to get to work and school, run errands or just enjoy some fresh air.”

www.dschuster.com

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Healthy Living

February 1, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

www.AskTheBJCExpert.org

Symptoms of gall bladder issues include nausea, reflux and back pain

By Jennifer Etling, MD

What is the gall bladder?

What does it do?

The gall bladder is a small, hollow organ that sits next to the liver and is part of the digestive system. It stores bile made by the liver and after a meal, releases bile to help digest fat.

What are some of the symptoms of gall bladder issues?

The most common symptom people have when the gall bladder is causing a problem is abdominal pain after eating a meal, usually in the right, upper part of the abdomen. There

are a lot of other symptoms that could be mistaken for other problems, but could actually be related to the gall bladder. Those include nausea, vomiting, indigestion, bloating, reflux, heartburn and upper back pain.

their gall bladder. The test will also show if there is any inflammation around the gall bladder. If the ultrasound is normal and symptoms persist, we sometimes do a HIDA scan to see how the gall bladder is working.

Are there tests people can do to see if there’s a problem with the gall bladder?

If you have symptoms that suggest gall bladder disease, your doctor will most likely order an ultrasound. That test will look for gall stones, which is the most common reason people have problems with

What are some of the treatment options?

Once you start having symptoms, surgery is the standard treatment.

We do surgery to prevent complications from gall bladder disease like pancreatitis or gall stones getting out of the gall bladder and into the bile duct tubes. In the meantime, while waiting for surgery or waiting to see your doctor, we recommend a low-fat diet and

pain medication can also be used.

What is non-invasive surgery?

Most of the time, gall bladder surgery is done laparoscopically.

Usually, it’s outpatient surgery so the patient can go home the same day and recover in the comfort their own home. The recovery time is much shorter than it used to be when we had to do bigger incisions. Most people are back to normal activities one-to-two weeks after surgery.

Should people contact you or first go see their primary care physician?

Typically, patients see their primary care physician.

Occasionally, people end up in

the emergency room if their symptoms are severe.

The primary care doctor will order appropriate tests including an ultrasound and blood work, if necessary. If things still suggest gall bladder disease, typically people are referred to a surgeon at that point.

Dr. Jennifer Etling is a boardcertified general surgeon with Benrus Surgical. She has offices at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital and Progress West Hospital. She can be reached at 636-441-2122. Don’t have a primary care physician? Find a physician who meets your needs by calling the BJC Physician Referral Service at 636-928WELL.

Paramedics, BJC Healthcare to kick off Heart Month with Lifesaver CPR event

www.stpetersmo.net/rec-plex

The phrase “shop till you drop” has been around for ages, but according to the American Heart Association (AHA), an overwhelming number of Americans would feel “helpless” to act if someone near them in a mall, grocery store or other public venue were to collapse following a sudden cardiac arrest.

On Saturday, Feb. 4, St. Charles County Ambulance District (SCCAD) paramedics and the team at BJC Healthcare will kick off Heart Month with Lifesaver CPR at Mid Rivers Mall a free, family-friendly training event aimed at helping individuals throughout the metro area learn the skills needed to help a victim of sudden cardiac arrest or choking. Training will be offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and typically takes about 20 minutes to complete.

Also at the event, BJC invites attendees to utilize the “Know Your Numbers” kiosk - a unique device designed to measure blood pressure, body mass index, pulse rate and other key metrics that may point to increased cardiac risks.

“Bystanders are a vital link in the chain of survival, and our goal with Lifesaver CPR is to give residents of our community the knowledge and confidence to intervene during a cardiac emergency,” said SCCAD Deputy Chief Medical Director John Romeo, Just last year, 12-year-old Kyle Prater of Cottleville had the opportunity to put the skills he learned at a Lifesaver CPR session to use when his sister, Camden, choked on a piece of ice cream cone. Kyle quickly performed the abdominal

thrusts as he’d been taught, clearing his sister’s airway.

Paramedics encourage families with children of all ages to attend the training - though young children may not have the strength to perform chest compressions, they’re still learning proper rate, rhythm and technique that they could pass along to another rescuer in the event of an emergency.

Around Town

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • February 1, 2017

Call for entries for ‘Lovely as a Tree’ art show and competition at St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre All artists are invited to be a part of St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre’s “Lovely as a Tree” art show and competition from March 9 - May 7. All works submitted must contain an element of a tree.

The show is open to everyone--youth and adult, amateur and professional artists. Prizes will be awarded. The cost to enter as an Arts Centre member is $15 for up to four pieces. Non-members can submit up to three pieces for $20. The youth entry fee is $5 per piece.

Artwork will be received on March 6, 9 a.m.

- 8:30 p.m. Go online to www.stpetersmo.net to download copies of the entry form and cards to accompany your entries. The opening reception will take place on March 9 from 6 - 8 p.m.

For more information on this show, call 636397-6903, ext. 1624 or visit www.stpetersmo.net.

The St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre is located inside St. Peters City Hall, One St. Peters Centre Blvd. in St. Peters.

Weather from Nick’s Window

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www.accents-salon.com

by Nick Palisch

Morning java can predict your weather In the morning when you pour your first cup of coffee you may or may not pay attention to the formation of the bubbles on the surface of your freshly brewed, hot and black coffee. You will start today observing the bubbles of your cup of java.

Your cup of coffee serves as a natural barometer that tells all about the pressure of the atmosphere. The pressure essentially tells us what conditions will prevail over the next several hours.

So grab your cup of coffee and before you fill it with sugar, creamer or shots of expresso and watch the bubbles. Where do they go?

Did they move slowly or quickly to the side of the cup or move to the center?

Each of these movements of the bubbles can tell you what the weather will be within the next 12 hours.

Looking at your cup of coffee if you see the bubbles moving quickly to the edge of the cup – you can expect high pressure which brings sunshine. If those bubbles want to hang around in the center of the cup – weather is changing and rain storms, or even snow is on the way (low pressure is on the way). Slower moving bubbles that are heading toward the edge of the cup is a sign that your current weather is changing – it could be storming or cloudy now, but change is on the way.

So why does this happen? Here is a bit of physics.

Bubbles are filled with air and are light.

Since they are light they will mitigate towards the highest point on the surface of the

coffee. When low pressure (precipitation is often part of low pressure systems) is near the surface of the coffee would experience a slight upwards pull. This creates the pull to the center for the bubbles.

When we have a high pressure system over us the weather is typically sunny and dry. Looking at your coffee cup, the highest points would be the edge of the cup and so the bubbles would mitigate to the highest point.

Of course this is science and thus never 100 percent accurate, but fun nonetheless.

Next time you pour your hot cup of morning brew take a gander and see what the bubbles do, then watch the weather outside your window over the next 12 hours and see what happens.

If you don’t drink coffee don’t worry, you can also use hot tea or hot chocolate to test the barometric pressure.

Until next time, enjoy the weather outside your window.

Nick Palisch is a meteorologist and Missouri native who understands the weather here in our area. He currently resides in Lake Saint Louis and can be reached at nick-wx@sbcglobal.net and you can always get the most up-to-date forecast from the FirstWarn Weather page at www.facebook.com/nickswx The opinions expressed in this column are the columnist’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.

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Diverting THOUSANDS of TONS of waste from local landdlls!

1SDS partners the ReStore with other non-profit organizations so that items get where they need to be to best serve our community.

186 Mid Rivers Center St. Peters, MO 63367 donations@ habitatstcharles.org Wednesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Instead of what we do take, here is what we don’t take:  Used carpeting and pad  Hazardous chemicals of any kind  Unframed glass/mirrors  Anything damaged or dirty beyond use Because old TV’s don’t sell, we recycle them and pass the $15 fee onto the donor.

(636)978-5712

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Around Town

February 1, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Call for artists/venues in Turning Point looking to recruit volunteers St. Louis area to get involved Turning Point will host a vol- ed to work at least two four-hour Missouri Driver’s License and unteer training for women in- shifts per month. Volunteers are insurance. with Celebrating Art for In addition, all volunteers must terested in volunteering in the always in the company of a paid women’s shelter in Warrenton. and trained staff member. be able to maintain confidential Senior Engagement festival Training will be held from 6 to 9 Direct Services Volunteers information, and they must be Be involved in the largest art project for seniors across St. Louis. Celebrating Art for Senior Engagement festival is planning to bring art to every nook and cranny of St. Louis April 2030. Presented by Maturity and Its Muse, the local nonprofit that’s dedicated to improving the life of seniors through the arts, Celebrating Art for Senior Engagement, or CASEfest, is working with dozens of venues and artists across the St. Louis region to bring events and shows highlighting the power and importance that art has in improving the aging experience. If you’re an artist or have a venue and want to learn more, contact Lynn at Maturity and Its Muse at lynn@maturityanditsmuse.org.

In the spring of 2016, more

than 60 venues and 80 art programs spread throughout the region took place. Dozens of venues have already teamed up to take part in 2017.

“The great thing is, there’s no cost to the venue or artists to take part in the event,” said Maturity and Its Muse Founder Lynn Friedman Hamilton. “We believe art should be accessible to everyone and want to bring it to as many people, especially seniors, as we can. The more venues and artists we have participating will only serve to highlight all the wonderful creativity we have in St. Louis.”

Hamilton continued, “Art is universal and imperative to keeping a vibrant lifestyle, especially as we age.”

p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays beginning Feb. 13.

Two types of volunteers are needed: 1) Donation Services Volunteers who record and sort donated items, and 2) Direct Service Volunteers who work directly with the women and children by covering shelter and responding to hotline calls.

Donation Services Volunteers complete six hours of training and help organize donated items so they can be easily accessed.

Work hours are flexible and varied.

Direct Services Volunteers provide double coverage of the shelter from 5 to 9 p.m. each evening helping with dinner, evening chores, playtime and story -time, child-care and bedtime activities.

Those who volunteer are expect-

complete 48 contact hours of training that satisfy training standards set by the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Once completed, the 48 hour training is transferable to other domestic and sexual violence programs in Missouri.

Working directly with victims can be a rewarding and interesting means of investing in the community Volunteers must be able to talk on the phone, walk through the shelter and manage steps, be sensitive to the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence, be able to remain calm and patient under stressful conditions, have strong interpersonal skills, be comfortable with email and computers and possess a valid and current

Moore On Life

open to working with people from a variety of ethnic, racial, religious and socio-economic backgrounds and LGBT identities.

They must be nonjudgmental and supportive around the impact of trauma and the complicating influence of addiction, mental illness and poverty.

Interested individuals should email Ellen Reed, Executive Director, at executive.director@ turningpointdvs.com.

By Cindy Moore

MOVING THE GOAL LINE

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www.MastersGCR.com

www.stcharlesrestore.org

ell it’s come and gone.

Yes, New Year’s, and double yes – my resolutions.

Let’s be clear on something.

Instead of labeling them resolutions, they should be called by a more accurate term – big fat lies. In this way there is no confusion and we succeed with our goals! My original pledges disappeared faster than the pound of bacon I devoured after resolving to only eat kale crackers for the remainder of 2017.

So instead of facing more failure this year, I resolve to succeed by lying like a boneless chicken on the kitchen counter. I will do it in a big fat way, which will coincidentally be the appearance of my thighs after devouring all that bacon.

For ethical purposes I will not identify it as “lying,” but rather “truth manipulation.” After all, I’ve been paying close attention to politics lo these past months.

Thus I intend to:

Drink healthier. In a somewhat loud and obnoxious voice I will request a diet drink at the food court then fill up with regular Dr. Sugarblast soda at the self-serve fountain.

Surround myself with better people. I better surround myself with old, fleshy, corpulent-type people so I can instantly appear younger and skinnier.

Think more positively. I think I’ll order the stack of butterfluff, chocolate chip pancakes instead of the egg white and parsley plate, and I positively want a chocolate milkshake instead of an avocado smoothie.

Go after my dreams. This sounds like an invitation for more sleep. So to pursue my dreams, I resolve to sleep in, take frequent naps in between, go to bed earlier and squeeze in supplemental snoozes as needed.

Get in better shape. I will go from a circle to a figure eight,

which is a much better shape.

To achieve this I will get a belt three sizes smaller than my waist. Oh sure, I may pass out, but then there’s another opportunity to dream. Win win!

Yes, 2017 is shaping up to be quite successful in terms of achievement. And to celebrate, I believe I’ll have another tasty bowl of kale crackers. I can hear them sizzling in the pan right now!

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.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • February 1, 2017

Vision St. Charles County Leadership collecting 28,000 pairs of shoes in 28 days for Shoes & Hope The Vision St. Charles County Leadership Class of 2017 needs your unwanted shoes. The program is asking the St. Charles County community to donate 28,000 pairs of shoes in 28 days to Shoes & Hope, an area nonprofit that collects and sells used shoes to fund clean water projects for countries in need, primarily communities in Guatemala and Haiti. The shoe drive is in progress and will conclude Feb. 28.

The Vision program, this year, comprised of 27 participants with varying vocations in St. Charles County, selected Shoes & Hope as its class project beneficiary because of the organization’s locality in Cottleville and its connections to Community Living, Inc., based in St. Peters. Community Living’s adult services day program participants sort shoes collected for Shoes & Hope, providing a job and activity with impact and purpose. Community Living offers services and opportunities for people with disabilities so they can achieve their highest potential.

“By collecting shoes for Shoes & Hope, we are benefitting county organizations but also creating a global impact,” said Sheri Wiltse, Community Living chief program officer and member of Vision Class of 2017.

Shoes & Hope needs 20,000 pairs of used shoes to fill a container that can then be sold for funds to benefit Shoes & Hope’s clean-water projects.

New shoes, cleats and athletic shoes and slippers are also accepted and will be separated for other local donations. Vision is continuing to arrange shoe drop-off sites with organizations and businesses, but include: • Community Living Administration Office at 1040 St. Peters Howell Road in St.

Peters (Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday) • Community Living Day Habilitation Sites: Wilson and Clever Centers at 1056 and 1058 Rondale Court in Dardenne Prairie; Lonning and Mahon Centers at 100 and 102 Lee Ann Court in St. Charles (Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday–Friday) • Farmers Insurance – Ed Akers at 1417 North Second Street in St. Charles (Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday–Friday) • Habitat for Humanity Restore at 186 Mid Rivers Center in St. Peters (Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday–Saturday) • Providence Bank at 460 Hawk Ridge Trail in Lake Saint Louis (Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday) Shoes & Hope’s 2017 project goals include the completion of 96 latrines in Quebrada de Agua, Guatemala; water system repair in El Maguey, Guatemala; a third water project in Guatemala; water pump repair at an orphanage in Montrouis, Haiti, and some other development and microenterprise opportunities in Haiti.

For more information and updates about the 28,000 Shoes in 28 Days project, including additional drop-off locations, please visit the Vision St. Charles County Leadership Facebook Page at http://facebook.com/visionstrong or search for “Vision Leadership.”

To participate as a shoe drop-off site, please contact Christy Weber, Shoes & Hope founder, at 314-594-7463, or christy@shoesandhope. org. Learn more about Shoes & Hope at http:// shoesandhope.org.

Around Town

Local Author Spotlight: Jean Walters Jean Walters is an internationally-known teacher, transformational coach and Akashic Record reader (psychic) who designs and presents classes and workshops in empowerment, meditation, building communication skills, universal laws, dreams interpretation, strengthening intuition, and creating spiritual connection for many organizations including colleges, universities, spiritual groups and businesses. She writes for numerous major newspapers and publications and hosts a nationally syndicated radio show called “Positive Moments.” She is a favorite featured guest on other radio and television programs. Her books include “Be Outrageous: Do the Impossible, Set Yourself Free: Live the life YOU were meant to Live” and “Dreams and the Symbology of Life.” Jean lives in St. Louis.

“Be Outrageous: Do the Impossible” is a book about believing in yourself. It contains instructions and exercises all geared toward helping you find and listen to your inner voice of truth and passion that will guide you to a life of magnificence. Everyone has a voice like this; it’s time to discover or turn up the volume on yours.

“Be Outrageous” contains numerous stories of real-life people who have conquered their fears and followed their dreams.

Spaying/neutering help control cat population in St. Charles County If left unaltered, it is possible for one female cat and her offspring to generate more than 400,000 kittens in just a few years — a great deal more than could ever be placed in loving homes. By spaying or neutering animals, responsible owners and caregivers do their part to control overpopulation.

“A cat will reach sexual maturity at around six months of age, and a female cat can produce up to three litters of kittens each year,” says Katie Willis, Director of St. Charles County’s Division of Humane Services. “While spaying and neutering are major surgeries, the commonly performed procedures have a low incidence of complications and animals usually heal within a few days. Studies also show that this alteration has a positive impact on the animal’s behavior, health and quality of life.”

All animals adopted through the St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center are spayed or neutered. This service can be performed on other unaltered pets by local veterinarians. To help qualifying families in need of the service on their pet, the division offers a low-cost spay/neuter program on the first Thursday of each month from Feb. 2 through Nov. 2 (by appointment only). The program includes a rabies vaccination and costs $30 per cat or $55 per dog.

To qualify for the low-cost spay/neuter program, pet owners must: • Make an advanced appointment on one of the program dates by calling 636-9497387.

• Show proof of residency in St. Charles County (government-issued identification or utility bill).

• •

Show proof of need.

Show proof of current rabies vaccination for each animal covered or update the animal’s shot record at the time of registration. Rabies tags are provided for an additional $5 charge.

In addition to pets, feral cats that live in large colonies and breed rapidly have become a problem in many communities. While these wild cats are not socialized to humans and therefore, are not adoptable, they do play an important role in vermin control.

“Physically removing feral cats from these colonies or euthanizing animals only offers a temporary solution,” Willis notes. “Eventually, new cats will return to the area and start breeding again. However, studies have shown that spaying and neutering is the most effective method for controlling the existing population.”

Introduced in 2003, St. Charles County’s Operation Sterile Feral program stopped the breeding cycle through the treatment of thousands of feral cats. The program is operated by the county’s Pet Adoption Center and a team of volunteers from Metro Animal and is limited to St. Charles County residents. One Sunday each month, homeowners can bring feral/barn cats (no pets) from their property to take advantage of the $20 service. The fee includes the alteration, vaccination for rabies, and treatment for parasites. Appointments are required for participation and can be arranged by calling 314-995-9266.

WWW.HABITATSTCHARLES.ORG

www.wentzville-mo.minutemanpress.com

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8

School

February 1, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Fort Zumwalt to begin kindergarten registration in March Kindergarten registration for Fort Zumwalt class of 2030 will take place 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 2 for Fort Zumwalt families whose child be five years old on or before July 31, 2017 To register you will need your child’s birth certificate and your child’s immunization records. You also will need one document from each of the lists below.

One of the following documents: • Current, unpaid gas or electric bill • Current rental agreement with deposit receipt must be supplied if renting • Recent Closing Document/Settlement Statement • Current Mortgage Statement • Current Real Estate Tax Statement www.krekeler.com

One of the following documents: • Current bank statement • Current credit card or loan statement • Current personal property tax receipt • Current voter registration card • Welfare, Social Security or other official mail from federal or state agency

You will receive a registration packet for your completion, information on bus routes and transportation, additional kindergarten information and information to schedule a screening at Early Childhood, 636-474-8445.

For assistance determining which elementary school will be your child’s school, please call one of the school offices during office hours. Please Note: Lewis & Clark and Forest Park elementaries house third through fifth grades and so do not host kindergarten registration.

Francis Howell conducting annual communications survey Effective communication is a vital component of the relationship between a school district, its schools, its parents, and its community. As part of the continuous community engagement efforts of FHSD, the communications department is conducting the annual FHSD Communications Survey and asking our stakeholders to provide feedback in the following areas: • Where do people get their information about FHSD and their individual schools?

• What information do people want from different communication channels?

• Is the district using communication resources in a manner that best meets the needs of the community?

• How can district and building level communications be improved?

The survey asks for patron input on both district and building level communication efforts. Please visit the district website at www. fhsdschools.org to take part in this survey and providing your valuable feedback.

Missouri Gaming Association’s Project 21 Scholarship deadline is March 1

www.ShoesandHope.org

www.sunrisefamily.org

The entry deadline for the Missouri Gaming Association’s 21st annual Project 21 scholarship is March 1. The Missouri Gaming Association, the statewide professional association

of the Missouri casino industry, invites Missouri high school seniors to compete for two $1,500 first prize scholarships and four $1,000 second prize scholarships. The scholarship application and guidelines is available for download at www.missouricasinos.org or bit.ly/MGA_ Project21_2017.

The Project 21 scholarship program encourages students to educate their peers on the illegality, dangers and consequences of underage gambling.

Students must write and publish an original essay or article in the school newspaper, or create a poster or video. Entries must be published or displayed at the student’s high school for at least one full week between Dec. 1, 2016 and Feb. 15.

Entries will be judged for originality, content, style and educational value. The article, poster or video must focus on the issues and ramifications of underage gambling.

“We want students to know it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to gamble in a Missouri casino,” said Mike Winter, executive director of the Missouri Gaming Association. “We

also want them to understand the dangers and consequences of other types of underage gambling, such as card games and sports betting.”

The Project 21 Scholarship competition is open to all Missouri high school seniors planning to attend an institution of higher education in the United States within four years of graduation.

All Missouri high school seniors, including those whose parents are casino employees, are eligible for the Project 21 scholarships, provided their parent is not a Missouri Gaming Association officer or a Project 21 Executive Committee member. High school seniors employed part-time (less than 32 hours per week) by a Missouri casino also are eligible.

The Project 21 scholarship application is available at www. missouricasinos.org or by calling 573-634-4001. Written requests for applications can be sent to PO Box 305, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Winners will be announced by March 31 and scholarships will be awarded by April 15.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • February 1, 2017

Business

West Community Credit Union celebrates groundbreaking

www.MidwestbankCentre.com Submitted photo

West Community Credit Union recently celebrated a groundbreaking event. In attendance were officials from the city of Lake Saint Louis, members of the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce and other dignitaries. Also in attendance were West Community Credition Union CEO, CFO, members of the senior leadership team and board members.

St. Charles County real estate sets new records in 2016 The St. Charles County real estate market set new records in 2016. Homes are selling in record numbers and for record amounts throughout the county.

“Great homes in great neighborhoods, and improving economy and low interest rates have combined to benefit St. Charles County homeowners,” commented Michelle Walker, 2017 President of the St. Charles Realtors.

In 2016, the median home in the county sold for a record $200,000, which is an increase of 5.82 percent or $11,000 over 2015. Plus, a record 7,287 homes changed hands in 2016, which in an increase of 8.32 percent or 560 homes over 2015. In more good news for St. Charles homeowners the median home sold in just 13 days in 2016; that is a drop of 10 days from 2015.

“All signs point to the year ahead being a great time to buy or sell a home in St. Charles County,” added Walker.

Why do you read the Community News?

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Sports

February 1, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Sports you see with Gary B...

Top score of season by women gymnasts At Lindenwood The Lindenwood gymnastics team had a seasonbest score on Saturday afternoon in Hyland Arena, and the Lady Lions earned two victories over Wisconsin-La Crosse and Winona State.

Lindenwood finished with the team’s highest score of the season. The Lady Lions also had their best team scores of 2017 on the bars and floor.

The Lady Lions swept all the individual titles in the four events. Katey Oswalt won two titles on the vault and on the floor. Katie Bailey won on the bars and Andavea Alexander and Breanna Franklin tied for first on the beam.

Aubree Horn was runner-up in both the vault and bars. Ryan Henry matched Horn’s mark on the bars and on the floor, Alexander placed second overall.

Lindenwood moves to 4-4 on the season with the two victories.

For more information, go to www.LindenwoodLions.com ~~~ Thanks to Andrew P. Morris of Lindenwood Sports Information for the information Run for the Helmet in Cottleville The ninth annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade activities start with a 7K (4.3 miles) competitive run with a two mile Fun Run following it up.

Run Director Tom Smoot suggests to register early for discounts and you can register online.

Go to www.StPatParade.org for all the details. ~~~Start stretching

www.byerlyrv.com

www.CenterPointeHospital.com

UMSL swimmers close out season on a high note Freshman Mike Trefler recorded a pair of first place finishes recently as the University of Missouri-St. Louis men’s swimming team ended the regular season in a tri-meet at NCAA DI Saint Louis University.

Trefler won the 100-yard breaststroke and swam the second leg on the winning 200-yard freestyle relay with seniors Mladen Senicar and Fernando Robledo and freshman Gabriel Jimenez.

UMSL returns to the pool February 9-11 for the GLVC Championships in Crawfordsville, Indiana. ~~~Nice thought in the pool

Rascal’s offer Senior Slugger Program for 2017 The River City baseball team is offering fans over 50-years old the opportunity to get into the stadium to watch the “boys of the summer” with a special promotion.

The membership gives you a ticket for each Tuesday home game and a soda or water at that game.

You also get 10 percent off at the Rascal’s team store.

Tell them Gary B sent you.

Go to www.RiverCityRascals.com for all the details. ~~~What a great deal Ambush search for the winning way The St. Louis Ambush play professional soccer with their home games on the turf at the Family Arena in St. Charles.

The season has been pretty rough for head coach Tony Glavin during his first 14 games with only one win.

He will try to change the direction of the team this Friday as the Cedar Rapids Rampage comes to town.

Go to www.STLAmbush.com for more details. ~~~Get the crowd into it Frontier League looking for baseball players The River City Rascals play professional baseball in the independent Frontier League in O’Fallon at CarShield Field.

The annual Frontier League tryout camp and draft will be held on April 24 and April 25 at GCS Ballpark in Sauget, Illinois, home of the crosstown rivals Gateway Grizzlies.

To get more details go to www.FrontierLeague. com ~~~Start practicing

I will be broadcasting the “STL Health and Wellness LIVE” show every Saturday from 9-11 am on 590 The Fan and 590TheFan.com 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 - St. Charles County • February 1, 2017

I

dients.

Examine the benefits beyond bone health. It’s widely known that dairy products provide calcium to build strong bones, but milk, cheese and yogurt actually provide a unique package of nine nutrients, including high-quality protein to support muscle health.

Explore its versatility. Dairy can be easily incorporated into meals and snacks to help make healthy and clean eating simple. Getting the recommended three servings of dairy every day is a cinch once you discover the possibilities.

Resolve to get three servings of milk, cheese and yogurt every day by pledging Dairy 3 for Me. You may be surprised how easy it is to create a healthier menu all day long. Try these ideas to get started:

Raspberry-Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie Recipe courtesy of Midwest Dairy Association Prep time: 5 minutes | Servings: 4

11

SUDOKU: Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that

Eat your way to better health t seems like every week there is a new product claiming to promise nutrition and improve your health. However, there are some foods you likely already have on hand that can improve your diet quality and support cleaneating efforts.

Skip the total diet overhaul or the latest fad, and keep it simple by focusing on small but powerful changes to help you clean up your diet. Dairy products have always been cost-effective and nutrient-packed. These three tips can help you make the most of dairy’s health benefits.

Inspect the ingredient label.

With just three ingredients, milk is the original clean and clear food, unlike trendy milk alternatives, which may contain up to 10 ingre-

Learn & Play

every row, column and 3-by-3 box includes all the digits 1 through 9.

• Make milk your mealtime beverage. White, chocolate, strawberry; no matter the flavor, all milk provides the same nine nutrients.

• Build a breakfast parfait with your favorite yogurt, fruit and whole grain cereal, or mix things up with milk or yogurt by blending a smoothie.

• Sneak in healthier eating by pairing cheese with fresh fruit or vegetables. Research shows when cheese is coupled with these foods, it helps kids eat more of all of them.

• After a workout, recover with a tall glass of chocolate milk, which studies have proven to be effective in aiding tired muscles.

• Boost nutrition and flavor by adding shredded cheese to casseroles, soups and pasta dishes, or sprinkle on top of tacos and chili.

To find more delicious recipes to support your nutrition goals and to pledge Dairy 3 for Me, visit MidwestDairy.com.

See solution on page 13

Crossword Puzzle – Theme: The Grammys

Ingredients: 1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt 1 cup unsweetened frozen raspberries 1 cup unsweetened frozen strawberries 3/4 cup low-fat milk 1 cup ice (about 12 cubes)

Directions: Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth. Serve immediately.

Pulled Pork Soft Tacos Recipe courtesy of Midwest Dairy Association Prep time: 8 hours, 35 minutes | Servings: 6

Ingredients for pork: 2 pounds boneless pork loin roast 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon ground ginger 2 garlic cloves, smashed 1 small white onion, coarsely chopped 1/2 cup orange juice 2 limes, cut in half Ingredients for tacos: 1/2 cup nonfat sour cream 1 teaspoon cumin 2 scallions, trimmed and chopped 12 soft corn tortillas (6 inches each) 1 1/2 cups shredded reduced-fat Colby Jack 1 bag (8 ounces) shredded red cabbage 3/4 cup fresh salsa Directions: Trim excess fat off roast. In small bowl, com-

bine brown sugar and ginger; rub generously over roast. Place in slow cooker with garlic, onion and orange juice; cook on low heat 8 hours (or high 4-6 hours.)

Transfer pork to large bowl and shred with forks. Strain pork liquid from slow cooker and pour over pulled pork to moisten. Squeeze lime juice on top and mix well. Divide into 12 servings.

In small bowl, mix together sour cream, cumin and scallions.

Cover each corn tortilla with 2 tablespoons cheese; microwave 20 seconds. Top with pulled pork, 2 teaspoons sour cream mix, 1 1/2 tablespoons shredded cabbage and 1 tablespoon salsa. Fold and serve immediately.

ACROSS 1. Bars on guitars 6. Olden-day aerosol can propellant 9. Invitation request 13. Chinese fruit 14. “Say what?”

15. Kind of space 16. *8-time Grammy winner and “Climax” (2012) performer 17. Victorian time, e.g.

18. Mickey Mouse’s pet 19. *2017 Grammy host 21. *Beyoncé’s nominated rap song 23. Listening device 24. British comedy’s Mr. ____ 25. Baryshnikov’s step 28. Red gemstone 30. Good guy 35. Amy Winehouse’s voice, e.g.

37. Same as pleaded 39. Chinese silk plant 40. Film ____ 41. Rode in a tube 43. Insolence 44. Dished out 46. Observer 47. Seed cover 48. Like flotsam 50. Red-encased cheese 52. Chinese “way” 53. *Prince’s 1986 Grammy winner 55. Spanish sea 57. *Justin Bieber’s Grammy nominated album 61. *Best Rap Song nominee (2017) 64. Apathetic 65. Ante up 67. Reflective thinker 69. Ringworm 70. Rub the wrong way 71. Open-mouthed 72. Perching place 73. *1995 Grammy nominee, ____ of Base 74. ____ and rights DOWN 1. Work stopper?

2. Reduced Instruction Set Computer 3. Amazon’s smart speaker 4. Not here 5. India VIP 6. ____ Zhen, played by Bruce Lee and Jet Li 7. Hudson’s Bay Company’s original ware 8. Irritate by rubbing

9. *4-time Grammy nominated Ja ____ 10. Part of house frame 11. U.S. President’s special power 12. “Pretty in Pink” formal 15. “Once upon a time...,” e.g.

20. Do like a volcano 22. Popular pickup 24. Sayonaras 25. *Desiigner’s nominated hit 26. Cool & distant 27. Motionless 29. *”____ Aint Your Color” 31. Hindu serpent deity 32. Like TV with browsing capabilities 33. Locomotive hair 34. *Adele’s multi-nominated hit See solution on page 13 36. Dunking treat

38. Ownership document 42. Golden Globes’ category 45. One of Fanning sisters 49. “____ the season ...”

51. Hairy vertebrate 54. Photo tint 56. Moulin ____, Paris 57. Bread pocket 58. Inch, e.g.

59. Late Attorney General Janet 60. A secondary school 61. Type of fish net 62. Sky defender 63. Autumn mo.

66. Parabola, e.g.

68. Hi-____

See solution on page 13

12

What’s Happening

February 1, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

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

EVENTS Feb. 3. Trivia night

Friends of SSM Auxiliary is having a trivia night at 7 p.m. at the St. Peter’s Parish Center in St. Charles. Cash and attendance prizes. Cost is $20 per person. To register, call 636-947-5466.

Feb. 4: Scrapbooking day

Scrapbooking Day for Fort Zumwalt East High School Grad Night 2017 takes place at Harvester Church of the Nazarene at 3115 McClay Rd. in St. Peters from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Half-day price is available. Electric is available; bring extension cords. There will be a goodie bag, attendance prizes, games and snacks. Pre-cut FZE items for sale to benefit Grad Night, plus: Creative Memories Advisor Cindy Lawrence will have supplies on hand. A portion of the Creative Memories sales goes to Grad Night. Questions? Contact Laura Wagner at laura.wag1017@gmail.com.

Feb. 4: Daddy-daughter sweetheart dance

Dads, grandpas and uncles, treat your special little girl (age 2 -12) to a lovely evening filled with games, music, dinner and dancing at the Daddy-Daughter Sweetheart Dance. The event will be held from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at the O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall) at 100 North Main Street in O’Fallon. Formal attire is required and each young lady will receive a long-stemmed bouquet. Tickets can be purchased through Jan. 19, or until the dance fills, whichever comes first; tickets will not be available at the gate.

The cost per couple is $40 for O’Fallon residents and $45 for non-residents; add $20 for an additional child. A professional photographer will be available to take photos for an additional fee. Daddy-Daughter Sweetheart Dance registration is available at www.ofallon.mo.us/Parks&Rec; enter course number 310103-A. Or, register in person at the Renaud Spirit Center at 2650 Tri Sports Circle or the Parks and Recreation Administration Office at 400 Civic Park Drive. For assistance in registering call staff at 636-4742732 during regular business hours.

For more information, please contact Recreation Specialist Danielle Reecht at 636-474-8111.

Feb. 4: Free electronics recycling event

Drop off unwanted appliances and electronics for recycling in the west parking lot at CarShield Field from 8 a.m. to noon. The parking lot is located at the southwest corner of Tom Ginnever Ave. and T.R. Hughes Blvd. in O’Fallon. The items will be recycled.

Basically anything that has an electric cord or takes a battery can be dropped off. The drop-off is available to all, including schools, churches and businesses as well as individuals, and the cost is free except for CRT (cathode ray tube) televisions and computer monitors. Please, do not bring smoke detectors, glass lamps, light bulbs, VHS tapes or alkaline batteries. Additional information about which items can be dropped off is posted at www. ofallon.mo.us/electronics-recycling.

Or contact Environmental Services at 636-272-0477 or ofallonrecycles@ ofallon.mo.us.

Feb. 4: Winter Trails Day

Get out and enjoy the brisk air at 1 p.m. during Broemmelsiek Park’s Winter Trails Day. The park is located near the heart of Wine Country at 1795 Highway DD near Defiance.

Depending on the weather that day, grab your favorite hiking boots, cross country skis, or snow shoes and join the St. Charles County Parks and Rec-

reation Department for a 1 p.m. guided tour through the park. This fun, family-friendly, event introduces all ages to outdoor winter activities and offers a unique outdoor experience.

Pre-registration is encouraged. After the hike, warm-up with hot chocolate in the Broemmelsiek Visitors Center and enter to win one-night of cabin camping and two nights of tent camping at St. Charles County’s Klondike Park near Augusta. Participants must be present to win. For more information about the Winter Trails Day Program, to pre-register, or to learn more about the 50-plus miles of trails in the regional parks system, call the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department at 636-949-7535 or visit www.stccparks.org.

Feb. 18: Bowling fundraiser

The Tri County Citizens Advisory Board invites you to the 18th Annual Crazy Bowl at O’Fallon Bowling Lane at 420 Sonderen St. in O’Fallon. Registration is at 5:30 p.m., bowling begins at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $20 per bowler and includes three games of bowling, bowling shoe rental and prizes. Cash bar is available. To reserve your place call Esther Angelos at 636-441-0329 or Melinda Oliver at 636-940-3333 ext. 240. Ninety percent of your contribution is tax deductible as allowed by law.

Feb. 19: Organ recital

St. John’s own organist, Travis Evans, will present a recital featuring a variety of music on the organ, known as the “king of all instruments” at 3 p.m. at St. John United Church of Christ at 405 S Fifth St. in St. Charles.

Feb. 19: Smoked sausage supper

Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County is holding a homeownership information meeting at 6 p.m. at Calvary Church at 3998 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in St. Peters to learn about how to partner with Habitat to purchase a safe, decent and affordable home.

Find more information at www.habitatstcharles.org. To apply for a Habitat home, submit an application by Feb. 15.

Don’t miss out on Zion’s annual allyou-can-eat Sausage Supper featuring delicious whole-hog smoked pork sausage, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, applesauce and desserts. Dine-in and carry-out meals are served from 11:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $4 for children six through 12; ages five and under are free. Zion Lutheran Church is located at 3866 S. Old Highway 94 in St. Charles, just East of Hwy 364 (Page Extension) at the Woodstone Drive exit. For more information call 636-441-7425.

Feb. 11: Bulk waste drop-off

Feb. 19-20: Theater auditions

Feb. 6: Homeownership information meeting

Open and free to city residents enrolled in O’Fallon’s trash collection service, items that are too large to fit into the city’s curbside trash containers can be brought to the O’Fallon waste transfer station, free, from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. To use the drop-off, customers need a current photo ID with their O’Fallon address and must unload their own items. For directions to the site and information about what can be dropped off, such as furniture and carpeting, and what cannot, such as yard waste and tires, visit www.ofallon.mo.us/bulk-waste. Or contact Environmental Services at 636-272-0477 or ofallonrecycles@ofallon.mo.us.

Feb. 12: Concert

St. Louisan singer-songwriter Erin Bode is scheduled to perform at Zion Lutheran Church in St. Charles at 3866 S. Old Highway 94 in St. Charles at 3 p.m. Music from her latest album, “Here and Now,” will be featured at this concert. Tickets may be purchased at iTickets.com. Tickets are also available at the church office prior to the concert and at the door on the day of the performance. Ticket prices are $10 general admission, $5 students (grade eight and under). For more information and directions, log on to www.zionharvester.org or contact Mark Thoelke, Minister of Music at 636-441-7425.

Feb. 14: Time for Tea speaker series

The Time for Tea speaker series returns to the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre from 1-3 p.m. with EmmyAward winning voice talent and professional actor, Mary Saputo. Mary will bring back great memories of a bygone era with a presentation on America’s Sweetheart, Shirley Temple.

Those attending are encouraged to bring along any Shirley Temple memorabilia you have to share with the group. The cost is $10 per person and includes dessert, tea and/or coffee. St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre members receive $1 off admission. Register in person at the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre or by phone at 636-397-6903, ext. 1624. When registering, be sure to let us know if you have any dietary restrictions. The St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre is located inside St. Peters City Hall at One St. Peters Centre Blvd. in St. Peters.

Wentzville Christian Church announces auditions for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” on Feb. 19 from 1- 2 p.m. for ages 11-14 and 2 – 6 p.m. for ages 15 and older; and on Feb. 20 from 5 – 6 p.m. for ages 11-14 and 6 – 9 p.m. for ages 15 and older. Those auditioning should come prepared to sing 16-32 measures of a Broadway style song. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring your own sheet music in the correct key.

Actors will also be asked to learn and perform a short dance. Please check the church website (www.wentzvillecc.org) for additional information.

Production dates are May 5 -7. Wentzville Christian Church is located at 1507 Highway Z in Wentzville. If you have any questions, please call Tammy Rodenbaugh at 636-219-3238.

Feb. 24: Trivia night

Donna Boxx Architects and The Agency Real Estate Reinvented present the Fifth Annual Trivia Night benefiting ShowMe Aquatics and Fitness and individuals with developmental disabilities at Immanuel Lutheran Fellowship Hall at 115 South 6th Street in St. Charles. Doors open at 6 p.m., games begin at 7 p.m. Cost is $160 per team of eight or $20 per person (individuals and teams less than eight will be combined). Beer, soda and water are included. Snacks permitted. Make reservations early, space is limited. For reservations, contact Kathleen at 636896-0999.

Feb. 24: Trivia night

The St. Charles Community College Employee Sponsored Program will host its annual Trivia Night to raise funds for SCC scholarships, campus enhancements and employee support initiatives. Doors open at 6 p.m. and trivia starts at 7 p.m. The event will be held in the Daniel J. Conoyer Social Sciences Building auditorium on the St. Charles Community College campus in Cottleville. Tickets cost $25 per person or $200 per table of eight. Beer, wine, soda and water are included, and teams are welcome to bring snacks.

The theme is the 1990s and there will be a prize for best decorated table, and costumes are encouraged. For more information and to register, visit stchas.edu/trivia. For accommodations information, email dss@stchas.edu.

Feb. 25: Tasting event fundraiser

Celebrate Life, Celebrate Local – a tasting event benefitting SSM Health Hospice and Home Health Foundation takes place from 5 – 8 p.m. at the Foundry Art Centre at 520 N Main Center in St. Charles. Cost is $35 in advance; $45 at the door. Dress is casual/ business casual. This event is sure to please the palette with a combination of some of Missouri’s finest wine, beer and spirit makers, food and sweets. Sip and savor a wide range of wines, spirits and delectable goodies – all while supporting a wonderful cause. For more information or to purchase tickets call Heather Selsor 314-682-1053 or visit: http://www.ssmhealthathome.com/ celebrate-life-celebrate-local.

March 2: Financial series for women

A Women’s Financial Education Series to be offered this spring is designed to help individuals, especially women, increase their current level of financial knowledge, develop confidence in their decision-making ability, and gain control of their lives through informed money management. This five-session series will be held from 6:30-9 p.m.

Thursdays, March 2 through March 30. The location is St. Charles Community College at 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville. The sessions will focus on financial management, credit, insurance, planning for retirement, investing and estate planning.

The cost of the program is $49; scholarships are available. Each participant will receive a financial workbook and many other resources. This financial program is sponsored by University of Missouri Extension, St. Charles Community College and other local coalition members. For information, contact Suzanne Gellman at 636-9703000 or email gellmans@missouri.edu.

To register, call 636-922-8233 or register online at www.stchas.edu/coned.

Visit http://extension.missouri.edu/ wfes for more information. University of Missouri Extension programs are open to all.

March 3: Trivia night

Fort Zumwalt South marching band will host its annual trivia night at the O’Fallon Elks Lodge 1163 Tom Ginnever Ave. in O’Fallon. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., trivia starts at 7 p.m.

Cost is $200 for tables of eight or $25 a person. Cash prizes for first and second place. There will be a basket raffle 50/50 and other games. Outside food allowed; however, no outside beverages allowed. Must be 21 years of age to attend. Any questions call Anna 314-591-1448 or email Annaalles73@ gmail.com.

March 4: Trivia night

United Services for Children invites you to “In Cahoots,” its ninth annual trivia night. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at the Pezold Banquet Center (KC Hall) in Cottleville, located at 5701 State Highway N. Trivia will begin at 6 p.m. STL Trivia Guy will be back by popular demand, posing the questions in this highly interactive, entertaining event. Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place winning teams. Create your team identity with costumes and table decorations. Bring your own food and snacks. Draft beer and soda are included in the ticket price. Mixed drinks and wine will be available for a minimal charge. (No outside liquor allowed.) Reservations are required. Tickets available at www. unitedservicesforchildren.org.

March 24: Country music concert

Country artists Leona and Ron Williams will appear at the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre Performing Arts Theatre at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets for $13.99 (plus service fee of 3.5 percent) by calling 1-800-838-3006 or online at brownpapertickets.com. Any seats still available will be $20 at the door. The St. Peters Cultural Arts Cen-

tre is located at One St. Peters Centre Blvd. in St. Peters.

ONGOING EVENTS Sundays and Tuesdays: Central Missouri Railroad Association meeting

The Central Missouri Railroad Association meets at Suite 20 in the Warrenton Outlet Mall. 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 Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. and Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. For more info call 636-2795522 or 636-456-0776.

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 Blanchette Park at 1900 Randolph Street in St. Charles. For more information contact Grace at 636-9464687.

Mondays: Take Off Pounds Sensibly

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

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

1st Monday: Gardeners of St. Charles County Monthly Meeting

6:30pm. Location varies. 314.304.7480.

1st Monday: 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 (2nd floor of the Spencer Branch Library) from 6:30 - 9 p.m. For more information contact Beverly Kaskadden (President) at 636561-6947.

2nd Monday: Winghaven Civil War Round Table

6:30pm, Midwest BankCentre board room, 2299 Technology Dr. O’Fallon.

For more informaiton call Mike at 314.276.5018.

4th Monday: American Legion Post 388 Meets

6:30 pm at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 8945 Vets. Mem. Pkwy.

636.219.0553.

Mondays: St. Peters Rotary Club

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

Mondays: Seasoned Eye Carvers Meeting

The Seasoned Eye Carvers meet every Monday from 9am to noon at the St. Charles Senior Citizens Center, 1455 Fairgrounds (near the Bass Pro Shop).

Visitors are always welcome! For more information check the club web site: www.stcharlesareawoodcarvers.com/ or contact Charles Sapp.

Mondays, Wednesday and Friday: Fitness First Exercise Classes 9:30-10:30am, American Legion Hall, 504 Luetkenhaus Blvd., Wentzville.

314.369.6521.

Mondays: Chronic pain support group

American Chronic Pain Association is a support group for and by people experiencing chronic pain. Group meets 2nd and 4th Mondays of every month at 3 – 5 p.m. at the Spencer Road Library in St Peters. Important: This is an anonymous group (first names only).

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • February 1, 2017 3rd Monday of Each Month: Life After Loss support group

Support group for families who have lost a loved one to heroin/opiate addiction. 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Barnes Jewish St. Peters Hospital Campus in Room 212 of Professional Building 1. Contact: geevigna@charter.net. No registration required

Every Tuesday: Cribbage Club

1 – 4 p.m. at The Falls Golf Course Clubhouse. Relaxed, friendly play and is open to all. Call 636-561-2970 for more information.

Tuesdays: Lions Club meeting

St. Peters Lions Club meets the first and third Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. in Old Town St. Peters on Park Street.

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.

1st Tuesday: Fleur de Lis Garden Society

6:30pm at various locations. Info: www.fleurdelisgardensociety.org; Jeanne at 314.605.8563.

2nd Tuesday: Show-me Stitchers Embroiderer’s Guild of America

nity Commons, 427 Spencer Rd. 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.

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: Cribbage

Looking for an evening out? Come and play cribbage Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at the IHOP at 3851 Veterans Memorial Dr. in St. Peters. Win prizes and awards with semiannual tournaments.

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

Every Tuesday & Thursday: Tai Chi at the St. Charles County Family YMCA 8-9am & 10:15-11:15am. No experience necessary. 636-928-1928.

Tuesdays & Thursdays: Get Fit Exercise Classes

9-10am and 5:30-6:30pm at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Hall, New Melle. 314.369.6521.

Wednesdays: Talk

Veterans

Coffee

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

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.

4th Tuesday: O’Fallon Garden Club

Every Wednesday: Dardenne Presbyterian Church Basketball

7pm at the Ladue Chapel. Info: www. showmestitchers.com.

Last Tuesday of every month, St. Charles American Legion Post 312 spaghetti dinner.

6:30pm at Sunrise Methodist Church, 7116 Twin Chimney Blvd. Info: Barb at 636.978.5930.

Every Tuesday: Kiwanis Club of St. Charles

Noon-1 p.m. at Bogey Hills Country Club at 1120 Country Club Rd. in St. Charles. Membership in Kiwanis offers you the opportunity to benefit your community and its youth by serving with like-minded people. If you are interested in making a positive impact for generations to come, please join us. For more information please call 636-448-4277. You can also find us at http://stcharleskiwanis.com

Every Tuesday: St. Charles Optimist Club Noon-1pm at Pio’s Restaurant.

Every Tuesday: Quilting Guild at the O’Fallon Family YMCA

1-4pm Free. Quilt for local charities.

No sewing experience required.

Every Tuesday: Meeting

Toastmasters

8-9:30pm, Dardenne Presbyterian Christian Life Center, 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie. Open to 6th grade and up. Bring a light and dark shirt for different teams.

1st Wednesday: Hope & Healing

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

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.

Every Wednesday: Crossroads Cribbage Club

10am Meets at 1380 Boone St., Troy, MO 63379. 636.528.8379.

Every Wednesday: Men’s Golf League

7pm at the Renaud Spirit Center, 2650 Tri Sports Circle, O’Fallon. Info: 636.379.2505.

5pm, tee off at 5:30 pm at Heritage of Hawk Ridge. www.lakesaintlouis.com, under the parks and recreation section.

Every Tuesday: Gateway Spotlight ChorUS

Every Wednesday: Charity Bingo

7:15-9:45pm at First United Methodist Church, 801 First Capitol Drive in St. Charles. Info: www.gatewayspotlight. org or 636.256.6823.

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

The group meets on fourth Tuesday of every month from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Spencer Road Library at the Commu-

6:45pm VFW Post 5077 sponsors, at VFW Hall, 8500 Veterans Mem. Pkwy., O’Fallon. 636.272.1945 or www.vfwpost5077.org.

Every Wednesday. Kiwanis Club of Harvester monthly meeting.

Noon, Fratelli’s Restorante, 2061 Zumbehl Road in St Charles.

For more information, please contact kellenj@ATT.net

Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday: Winfield Foley Firefighters Association Bingo.

Doors open at 5:00 pm, bingo at 6:30 pm. Bingo hall is next door to County Market in the Winfield Plaza on Hwy 47. For more information, call 636566-6621 or 636-566-8406.

1st and 3rd Wednesday Each: St. Charles Area Wood Carvers

7pm – 9pm. Meetings are held at the Hollenbeck Middle School at 4555 Central School Road, St. Charles, Missouri. Visitors are always welcome! For more information check the club web site: www.stcharlesareawoodcarvers. com/ or contact Charles Sapp.

2nd Wednesday: Free Financial Education- Money Matters

6:30pm at the O’Fallon Family YMCA. PNC Bank and The O’Fallon Family YMCA have partnered to provide monthly free financial education courses for members of the community. Info (including a list of topics): call PNC Bank at 636.272.2449.

Wednesdays: Take Off Pounds Sensibly

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: Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS)

Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets every Thursday at 6 p.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. For more information call Mary Stassi at 636-357-1387.

Thursdays: Optimist Club meetings

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.

Thursdays: Lions Club meetings

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 Thursdays: Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 458 Meeting

What’s Happening

Every Thursday: Kiwanis Club of St. Peters 6:30am at IHOP (3851 Veteran’s Memorial Pkwy St. Peters). 636.328.4941.

Every Thursday: Kiwanis Club of O’Fallon

11:45am Meets at JJ’s Restaurant in O’Fallon. Info: www.ofkiwanis.com.

Every Thursday: Rotary Club meeting

8-11am or later in the food court at Mid Rivers Mall in St. Peters.

Every Saturday: Veterans Learn guitar for FREE 9:30am in Historic St. Charles. Info: Bill Dennis at 314.479.5750.

Every Thursday: Yoga at The St. Charles County Family YMCA

Second and Fourth Saturday of the month: Charitable bingo

7-7:55pm Any 636.928.1928.

level.

Info:

Every Thursday: Active Older Adults Game Day at the O’Fallon Family YMCA 10am Free. 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.

3rd Thursday of the month, Ladies Night Out

Cottleville Crafts, Etc..., 5335 Highway N in Cottleville. Vinyl design class. For more information, call 636.441.2700 or visit www.cottlevillecrafts.com.

2nd & 4th Thursday: Alexander Chapter 242/Eastern Star St. Charles Masonic Lodge, 2051 Collier Corporate Parkway, St. Charles.

636.577.0056.

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.

3rd Thursday of each month: Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 458 Meeting 7pm, Amvets Post 106, 360 Brown Rd. in St. Peters. Veterans who served in any branch of service between 1962 and 1975 are welcome.

Every Friday: Moms Play Group

Every Thursday: Dardenne Presbyterian Church Quilters

Every Friday: VFW Fish Fry

Every Thursday at 7:30 a.m., except the last Thursday of the month, the O’Fallon Rotary Club meets for breakfast at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church Gym at 8945 Veterans Memorial Parkway in O’Fallon. We are a fraternal group that does good in the community and worldwide while having fun.

Every Saturday: Chess

Every Saturday: Peaceful Puppy Mill Protest

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

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

Thursdays: Rotary Club breakfast

Charles. For more information call Post 312 at 636.947.7666.

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

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

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 Vickie Young at 636.928.7348, or Brenda Kenny at 636.240.3753.

13

3-8pm VFW Post 2866. 66 VFW Lane.

Call Bill Sams, 636.724.9612.

Every Friday, St. Charles American Legion Post 312 Charity bingo

6:30pm, St. Charles American Legion Post 312, 2500 Raymond Drive in St. SUDOKU answers from page 11

11am - 12:30pm at Petland, 6131 Ronald Reagan Drive, Lake St. Louis. banmo.puppymills@yahoo.com.

Bingo starts at 6:30 p.m., doors open at 4 p.m. at the Wentzville Community Club located at 500 West Main in Wentzville. For more information visit www.wentzvillecommunityclub.com or www.facebook.com/wentzvillecommunity-club

Saturdays: Bosom Buddies

The St Charles County WIC Clinic is working to become a breastfeeding friendly clinic. As part of this effort, we have formed a breastfeeding support group for our area. What is great about “Bosom Buddies” is that we are not just open to WIC clients!

Bosom Buddies 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 introductions, games, interactive education, group conversation, and even snacks. Meetings will be held at the Middenorf-Kredell Branch Library in O’Fallon. We will continue to meet, at the same time and place, on the fourth Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. No registration required.

Saturdays: Fruehschoppen Sam-

stag Verein (FSV)

Last Saturday of every month Fruehschoppen Samstag Verein (FSV) meets at 11 a.m. at 2865 Brew House Restaurant in St. Charles on Veteran’s Memorial Parkway across the parking lot from Sam’s Warehouse. Wir treffen uns auf ein Bier (und vielleicht Mittagessen), und geniessen ein Gespräch auf deutsch. We’re meeting for a beer (and maybe lunch), and enjoying a conversation in German. April, June and September meetings are held at different locations. See https://www.facebook.com/groups/472022532983525/

1st & 3rd Saturday: St Peters Square Dance Club Dances 6:30pm. 1st United Methodist Church, 801 First Capital Dr. www.squaredancestcharles.com.

3rd Saturdays: Restore Charles Work Day.

St.

8am, Dardenne Presbyterian Church, 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie. Volunteer labor needed to provide the needy in our community with adequate living accommodations.

Continental breakfast, safety instructions, and job assignments provided before work begins.

CROSSWORD answers from page 11

February 1, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

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www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • February 1, 2017

NOVENA

15

SERVICES

PRAYER TO ST. JUDE May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world, now and forever.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pray for us. St. Jude, Worker of Miracles, Pray for us.

St. Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, Pray for us.

PET CEMETERY

over 2,500 pet burials; over 6 acres; over 40 yrs old. 314-576-3030 www.memoryparkpetcemetery.info www.memoryparkpetcemetery.info

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

It has never been known to fail.

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P.S. Thank you St. Jude, R.H.

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February 1, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Movie

“Hacksaw Ridge”

By Steve Bryan

Gibson, Garfield go for Oscar gold with ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ Immediately after the Oscar nominations were announced on Jan. 24, controversy and debate erupted over the nominees and obvious snubs. “La La Land” earned an impressive 14 nominations while the worthwhile “Sully” received only a single nod for sound editing. Those pushing for more diversity seemed somewhat pleased, but pointed out that Hollywood still has to become more inclusive.

Mel Gibson’s “Hacksaw Ridge” deservedly landed six nominations, with Gibson getting a Best Director nod and star Andrew Garfield now in the running for Best Actor. Yet, some writers and pundits cannot forgive the controversial Gibson for his remarks and behavior in years past. One writer for the Refinery29 website, for instance, called his nomination “appalling.”

Putting all the personal issues, multi-colored ribbons and political agendas aside, “Hacksaw Ridge,” taken on its own merits, is an incredible film about a truly extraordinary human being. During World War II, Desmond T. Doss, a conscientious objector, wanted to fight for his country, but refused to carry a weapon of any kind into battle.

Branded a coward and a danger to other soldiers, he was intimidated, beaten and threatened with court martial. Once overseas; however, Doss showed everyone how dedicated he was by saving their lives. As a medic, he put himself in the line of fire countless times, pulling and carrying wounded soldiers to safety.

Arguably, Mel Gibson is the best person to bring Doss’ amazing story to the big screen. Behind the camera, Gibson pulls absolutely no punches. The combat scenes are brutally realistic, almost cringe-worthy.

The camera shows bullets ripping through bodies, grenades turning soldiers into piles of severed body parts.

This film is not for the faint of heart.

“Hacksaw Ridge” also serves as a showcase for Andrew Garfield’s talents. In 2010, the actor played Eduardo Saverin in “The Social Network,” a film documenting the rise of Facebook. Garfield was a great addition to the cast and subsequently played the title role in the reboot of “The Amazing Spider-Man” franchise.

As Desmond Doss; however, Garfield gives the character and the audience his absolute best. The real-life medic was a complex human being, unwilling to carry

a gun but ready to stand with his fellow soldiers. Garfield captures this complexity and humanity, showing the bravery and courage that were essential parts of the real Desmond Doss.

As of this writing, it looks like “La La Land” might just sweep the major awards, with Casey Affleck of “Manchester By The Sea” fighting Ryan Gosling for the Best Actor honors. Still, Andrew Garfield, like Doss himself, cannot be ignored. “Hacksaw Ridge” is being rereleased by some theater chains in the weeks leading up to the Oscars and it definitely is worth the price of admission.

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.

Photos courtesy Cross Creek Pictures

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