CNSTC: February 8, 2023

Frenchtown fun

Frenchtown in St. Charles will host its family-friendly Mardi Gras Parade for the second straight year

By Brett Auten

Bask in the purple in the most aptly-named place to celebrate the holiday as Frenchtown will roll out its family-friendly Mardi Gras Parade for the second straight year.

Marsha Adams is part of the Historic Frenchtown Association, who did a joint entry with Good News Brewing last year, and were winners of the People’s Choice entry.

“It’s a holiday that should be celebrated here,” Adams said. “There was definitely a community feel to it and the attendance was a lot higher than we expected. We ran out of beads and candy. The crowd seemed to really enjoy it.”

The second-annual Mardi Gras Parade begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 18. This family-friendly parade kicks off at Eco Park (1802 N. 2nd Street), and marches south down Second Street. Each colorful entrant is competing for your cheers and a variety of prizes, and a panel of judges will select winners for the Most Creative and Most Festive floats.

“It’s a holiday that should be celebrated here,” Adams said. “So come party on our end of the street.”

Featured parade entries include imaginative floats and displays from the Bike Stop Café, Frenchtown Heritage Museum and Good News Brewing, Red the Fire Truck from Complete Car & RV Repair Center, St. Charles Golf Car Community, Robert T. Wheatley D.D.S, and so much more!

“Our first parade was an incredible success, and this year’s Mardi Gras celebration will be bigger than ever,” St. Charles City Mayor Dan Borgmeyer said. “I hope fam-

ilies come out to cheer on all the amazing floats, and make sure to stick around for the After Party following the parade.”

Following the parade, families are invited to join the Mardi Gras After Party beginning at noon in the Foundry Art Centre parking lot, located at 520 N. Main Center, where

you can sample authentic Mardi Gras delights from food vendors like Cajun Seduction, Crooked Boot, and the Bike Stop Café, and wash your meal down with some of the best on tap from Good News Brewing.

See ‘FRENCHTOWN’ page 2

THS students elected as Presiding Officers at Youth and Government conference. Pg. 3

MDC is holding programs catering to increasing number of adult women hunters. Pg. 4

St. Charles County Assessor mails 2023 personal property assessment forms. Pg. 4

Features

Weather

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SATURDAY Partly Cloudy 41/28

SUNDAY Cloudy 54/40

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Submitted photos

Frenchtown will host its second-annual Mardi Gras Parade on Feb. 18, beginning at 11 a.m. Things kick off at Eco Park and march south.

Around Town

The Southside Creole Playboys will keep the party going with live music throughout the event and you can visit www.stcharlescitymo.gov/mardigras to learn more.

In other Frenchtown news, beginning on the day of the parade, storefronts will host a walk-up exhibition of the works from students and alumni from the University of Missouri School of Visual Studies for the entire month.

This multi-storefront exhibit, a part of the Art in Storefronts initiative, is a walk-up exhibit designed to connect art works with communities throughout the state while reinvigorating commercial spaces affected by the economic downturn of the pandemic.

This exhibit is made possible by a University of Missouri program called Art on the Move through the School of Visual Studies in the College of Arts & Science. It provides real-life experiences for students and alumni, providing hands-on professional career building opportunities by returning them to their Missouri hometowns or other Missouri communities to share their art and art careers. Art on the Move also plays an

Seven file for three seats on FZSD Board

On April 4, voters in Fort Zumwalt School District will choose three members for the Board of Education.

There are nine candidates running for three seats, each a three-year term. Voters will vote for three.

Candidates are listed in order they will appear on the ballot: Arnie C. AC “Arn” Dienoff, Gregg Steven Sartorius, Marc Pratte, Erica Powers, Michael A. Smith, Matthew Richard Graham and Kathryn “Kat” Byrd.

WSD Students Selected to Missouri All-State Band

instrumental role in recruiting the next generation of students.

This Art on the Move event is supported by a strategic partnership between MU’s School of Visual Studies, University of Missouri Extension, La Belle Vie / The Café at Frenchtown, Roses & Mint, Fierce Creative Agency, The Frenchtown Heritage Museum, the Bev Roy Hope Foundation, and Bike Stop Cafe. The School of Visual Studies brings the academic resources of the University to communities across the state through collaborative engagements such as the Art on the Move Community Outreach Program that include MU students, faculty and alumni creating mutually beneficial learning outcomes with Missouri communities.

Established in 2017, the MU School of Visual Studies merges: art, art history, film studies, graphic design, and digital storytelling. This dynamic program aims to graduate future generations of outstanding critical thinkers, inventive problem solvers, and makers of conscientious, well-crafted art while preparing them for professional careers in the contemporary art world.

Holt High School junior Bryce Herin auditioned for the All-State Band and was selected as a First Chair tuba member. Holt High School sophomore Riley Dreyer was selected as 16th chair clarinet. All-State band auditions recently concluded and over 1,200 students from across Missouri auditioned for the prestigious 105-member Missouri All-State Band.

Liberty High School senior, Jordon Brown, was named to the first ever Missouri Music Educators All-State “The Collective’’ ensemble in the category of Producer/Beatmaker. Jordon is one of just 15 students from across the state to be named to the group this year.

“The Collective” will come together to work with an industry professional to compose and create original songs over three days for a concert at the upcoming Missouri Music Educators Association Conference in January.

Liberty’s Ben Young also received honorable mention in baritone saxophone.

The All-State Band will rehearse and perform under the direction of Dr. Jamie Nix, director of bands at Columbus State University. The band gave its only performance at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference held at Tan-Tar-A in January.

Photo courtesy Wentzville School District Holt High School junior Bryce Herin (right) auditioned for the All-State Band and was selected as a First Chair tuba member. Holt High School sophomore Riley Dreyer was selected as 16th chair clarinet.

Submitted photos

At Frenchtown Mardi Gras Parade, each entrant is competing for a variety of prizes and judges will pick Most Creative and Most Festive floats.

THS students elected as Presiding Officers at Youth and Government conference

Three Timberland High School (THS) students have been elected to serve as Presiding Officers in 2023 after participating in the 74th Annual Youth and Government (YAG) Conference on Dec. 1-3 in Jefferson City.

Additionally, two students served as Presiding Officers, six served in non-elected leadership roles, three won top awards and two had bills signed into YAG law. This year, 17 students were part of the Timberland delegation.

The YAG program, in its eighth year at THS, is designed to give students hands-on experience in government through legislative, media, and executive branches.

Junior Ayiana Baynes was elected Secretary of State, junior Trinity Kiner was elected Lieutenant Governor, and junior Jade Wilson was elected Speaker of the House. Students will develop these positions throughout the year, culminating as they

serve as Presiding Officers at the 2023 YAG Clark Convention.

During this year’s convention, senior Kaylie Lineback served as Youth Governor and senior Bella Lutfiyya served as Speaker of the House, positions they were elected to at the 2021 convention.

Junior Trinity Kiner and senior Justin Miller served as clerks for the Senate and House, respectively, and junior Danny Wilson served as House Floor Leader.

Junior Mason Hayes, junior Ayiana Baynes,

and sophomore Sabrene Lutfiyya were each awarded “Outstanding Statesperson” due to their well-thought-out speeches and ability to speak strongly both for and against bills, as well as ask informed questions. This is the top legislative award at the conference.

Senior Aidan Grimes and sophomore Sabrene Lutfiyya had their bills signed into YAG law after much lively debate on the floor.

Youth and Government is a YMCA-sponsored program based

on the motto, “Democracy Must Be Learned by Each Generation,” which involves over 1,000 Missouri youth in grades eight-through-12 in two student-driven conventions traditionally held in Jefferson City. Student participants emulate the roles of house representatives and senators, as well as fill the roles of reporters, lawyers, judges, and members of the executive branch. For more information, visit www. moYAG.org.

Sara’s Boxes and Boards celebrates new location with ribbon cutting

Sara’s Boxes and Boards celebrated the opening of their new location at 8803 Veterans Memorial Parkway in O’Fallon. To commemorate the celebration, the company held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 18, with the Cottleville Weldon Spring Chamber and O’Fallon Chambers of Commerce.

Members of the Cottleville Weldon-Spring and O’Fallon Chambers of Commerce, along with members of Little Black Book and other community leaders were in attendance.

“We are excited to help families gather and make memories with my charcuterie and experience boxes,” says owner Sara Chinnock.

Sara’s Boxes and Boards is a charcuterie and experience box business located in O’Fallon. They

are here to help families make memories by creating charcuterie and experience boxes.

Submitted photo

Photo courtesy Wentzville School District

Women on the hunt

Reasons vary from the physical to the familial, but whatever it is, female hunters are becoming more of an everyday occurrence.

For some it’s a sense of independence that comes from learning the skills to hunt or having the ability to provide food without relying on others. For others, it was growing up in hunting families where they learned from a young age.

According to a 2020 report issued by National Geographic, the proportion of women who hunt has risen 25% since 2006. Women are finding that hunting gives them a chance to connect more closely to the food chain and to nature, says the report, “to eat food that is more ‘natural’ so that they understand where their meat comes from.”

Currently, an increasing number of adult women are becoming hunters through friends who hunt and by enrolling in programs that help teach women the skills to hunt and process their wild game.

The staff at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s August A. Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center in Defiance is hosting a sold-out beginning upland bird hunting clinic and mentored hunt for women in February.

The Women’s Upland Hunt and Clinic for beginners will have women, aged 16 years and over, who want to learn to hunt and have never purchased a small game permit. Attendees will have been hunter education certified and comfortable handling a shotgun. The program will focus on the basics of upland hunting with emphasis on ringneck pheasants. It will address some biology basics, firearm handling safety, and how to clean the birds, as well as recipes to prepare them for the table. During the hunt, each hunter will have their own mentor in the field. They will start with shooting clay birds to warm up, then go to the field for a controlled hunt. Afterwards, participants will clean their harvest.

“The program is set up in a very controlled environment,” Bryant Hertel, MDC Busch Outdoor Education Center Manager, said. “We start in the classroom with a

- By Brett Auten

clinic covering safety, equipment, clothing, hunting techniques, and where to hunt. Then, the day of the hunt we start with clay bird shooting in order to make sure the attendees are comfortable with a shotgun. Then head out to field. Each hunter will have a mentor we provide. After the field, they will head to a cleaning station where they will learn how to clean their harvest.”

The MDC has hosted women-focused hunts for five years, including a women’s duck hunt. It also conducts introduction programs in deer hunting, duck hunting, turkey hunting and predator hunting. These hunts are open to all of the public who want to attend. It also conducts an adult deer and turkey hunt for those that have never harvested one before. Other programs, which further information can be found

at, mdc.mo.gov, include an Introduction to Deer Hunting program that starts off a series discussing safety, clothing, equipment, and hunting techniques. Then on to Field to Freezer, that shows, with a harvested deer, how to field dress it and butcher your own deer for the freezer. This is followed by a program called Venison Burger and Sausage Making that goes through the steps to make sausage and burger. These are open to all of the public.

“We are seeing more women who want to learn how to hunt,” Hertel said. “The challenge is once they attend one of the programs, or multiple programs, how do we keep them active in hunting.”

Some of those challenges include access to property, continued mentoring, and firearm access.

YOUTH HUNT AND CLINIC

The Missouri Department of Conservation will host a Youth Upland Hunt on Feb. 25 with a mandatory clinic Feb.21. The clinic is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the August A. Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center in Defiance and the hunt will be at Missouri Gun and Quail in Wright City. The clinic will cover safety, clothing, equipment, hunting techniques, and more. This is for 11-to-15-yearsold interested in learning how to hunt. This is a very controlled hunt and is a good way for the youth to learn to hunt who may be nervous or do not know how to get started in hunting. The clinic is mandatory in order to participate in the hunt and they must be hunter education certified and must be comfortable handling a shotgun. They must not have participated in this program before. For more information and to register, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website, mdc. mo.gov.

Missouri Department of Conservation is holding programs that cater to the increasing number of adult women who are becoming hunters

Photos courtesy the Missouri Department of Conservation According to a 2020 report According to a report issued by National Geographic, the proportion of women who hunt has risen 25 percent since 2006.

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

Feb. 10: Trivia night

Join the Kiwanis Clubs of Cottleville-Weldon Spring and O’Fallon for an evening of trivia and fun to raise funds that support Youth Leadership Programs in our local schools. Doors open at 6 p.m. at Harvester Lion’s Club at 4835 Central School Road in St. Charles. Cost is $25/person, $200/table. Beer and light snacks provided. Register online at https:// k05443.site.kiwanis.org/trivia-night-2023/. For more information, email kiwanised@ gmail.com or call 636-3573060.

Feb. 18: Dance

St. Charles Dance Club is hosting their monthly dance at Dardenne Prairie Hall at 2199 Post Road in O’Fallon. Dance to the band Trilogy. Free dance lessons from 6:15 to 7 p.m. Bring your own snacks. For details email dinamaria1@outlook.com.

March 11: Trivia night

Saint Charles Daughters of the American Revolution and Fernando de Leyba Sons of the American Revolution are hosting a trivia night at St. Peter’s Catholic Church Parish Center at 221 First Capitol Drive in St. Charles. Doors open at 6 p.m. The event starts at 7 p.m. A table of eight is $160. Contact Jan Radcliff at 314-578-4242 or Bernadette Hall at bhall63376@gmail. com to reserve your table or for more information.

March 25: Trivia night

Hop on over to the Pezold Banquet Center at 5701 Highway N in Cottleville to

support United Services for Children at their annual trivia night. Teams of eight are $200 per table. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the action starts at 7 p.m. This is a 21 and older event. Register at www.usfctrivia.org.

May 24: Theater auditions

Registration is open now for auditions for St. John UCC summer show for Performing Arts Camp, “Matilda the Musical Jr!” for grades sixthrough-12. Call Anna DiVesta at 636-946-0961 or visit stjohnucc.org/PAC-audition.

March 31: Fundraiser gala

Resonating Hope’s Starry Night Spring Gala is at 7 p.m. at Water’s Edge Banquet Center at 200 Salt Lick Road – St. Peters Golf Course. Enjoy a date night or evening with your friends with a formal three course catered dinner, dessert, dancing with live music by The Magnifikats, silent auction and raffles. Proceeds go to support arts and education for St. Louis’ inner-city kids. Tickets are $45/person or $425 for a table of 10. Tickets online at ResonatingHope.org or Eventbrite.com.

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 Leogene Weber. 636-3993124.

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: Alcoholics Anonymous

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

Mondays: Kiwanis Club meeting

Cottleville-Weldon Spring Kiwanis Club meets the first Monday of the month at noon at Bandana’s at 3446 Pheasant Meadows Dr. in O’Fallon. Contact Mary Vaughan at 314-581-0497 or Karen Grant at 773-914-4900 for more information.

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: St. Peters Rotary Club

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

Mondays: Choral Arts Singers practice

Choral Arts Singers practice on Mondays, from 7-9 p.m. at Connection ChristianChurch, 1332 Feise Road in Dardenne Prairie. New singers (high school and older) 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, Wednesdays and Fridays: Fitness First Exercise Class 9:30-10:30 a.m., American Legion Hall, 504 Luetkenhaus Blvd., Wentzville. 314369-6521.

Mondays: American Legion Post 388 Meets

Meets the fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at American Legion Hall, 607 Westridge Dr., O’Fallon, 636-219-0553

Mondays: Measurement

Mondays: 10 a.m. - 12 noon at the ST. Charles Health Deparment in the Upper Level Conference room. Measurement Mondays is a family-friendly breastfeeding support group. We are open to all moms and moms-to-be who are breastfeeding or interested in breastfeeding. The group is supported by the St Charles County WIC program so there will be information about the program available at each meeting. Each meeting will be a little different than the last. There will be baby weigh-ins, introductions, games, interactive education, group conversation, and even snacks.

Mondays and Wednesdays: Tai Chi for arthritis class

Every Monday and Wednes-

day 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: Seniors luncheon

On the third Tuesday every month a luncheon for seniors takes place from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Transfiguration Episcopal Church at 1860 Lake St. Louis Blvd. For more information call 636-561-8951. Free bingo and cards are available.

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.

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

Sports you see with Gary B . . .

Lindenwood basketball team wins first game in new league

Lindenwood University’s women’s basketball team secured their first Division I victory in program history on Saturday afternoon by defeating UT Martin 84-75.

“This win feels amazing,” said Head Coach Katie Falco. “We have continued to believe that our time would come! We have responded so gracefully to the endless adversity we have faced. This D1 win represents more than words can describe. I am so proud of our players and coaches. We are going to enjoy this one!”

Things were back and forth throughout the first quarter of play, with both teams remaining within a few points of one another for the majority of the time. The Lions started off their shooting hot, compiling a first-quarter shooting percentage of 54.5% from the floor as a team. Lindenwood also hit 3-6 of their three pointers for a 50% team percentage outside the arc.

Lindenwood had a 10-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, up 71-61, and that lead would stand throughout the entirety of the fourth quarter. Each time UT Martin would attempt to close in on the Lions, they held them off with ease, creating more distance offensively as the clock ran out.

Along with Masyn McWilliams’ milestone performance with 25 points, Mary McGrath reached the double-double mark for the third time this season and second game in a row with her 16 points and 10 rebounds. The sophomore had arguably her most well-rounded stat line of the season so far with her two assists, four steals and three blocks as well, being a key piece in the Lions’ success this game. Devin Fuhring also contributed in multiple categories with her 16-point, eight-assist game.

Striverson and Emily Benzschawel also scored in double figures today for the Lions, also being key parts of Lindenwood’s offensive dominance all game long.

For more details go to www.LindenwoodLions.com

*First of many

Hoots sign local talent

The O’Fallon Hoots, proud members of the Prospect League who play their home games at CarShield field in O’Fallon, announced the signing of infielder Chase Beattie for the 2023 summer season. Beattie comes to O’Fallon as a freshman from Saint Louis University (SLU).

The 5-foot-11, right-handed corner infielder attended Wentzville Holt High School, where he was named to the All-Conference First Team, as well as the All-District Team his senior year. Beattie represented the heart of Holt’s 2021 lineup batting for a .388 average while slugging .709 and totaling 34 RBIs and six home runs.

The Lake St. Louis native participated in the 2021 Future Games and was named a top 20-player in the state of Illinois by Prep Baseball Report (PBR). The freshman is a biomedical engineering major at SLU and will make his collegiate baseball debut for the Billikens this spring.

For more details, go to www.OFallonHoots.com

*Great future for this young man

Gary Baute, aka Gary B, a St. Louis native, maybe educated in business but he lives and breathes sports. As a fan and 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 broadcasted for several indoor football teams since 1999.

Recipe: Red velvet for your valentine

Onthe sweetest day of the year, a day full of flowers, love and sweets, Valentine’s Day is the ultimate opportunity to try a different dessert meant for two.

It’s hard to resist a perfectly blended, rose-red, luscious Red Velvet Mug Cake.

It’s the perfect size, with just a handful of instructions, and it’s easily cooked before your eyes in the microwave.

Ingredients:

6 tablespoons flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup milk

2 tablespoons butter, melted

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

30 drops red food coloring

3 tablespoons powdered sugar

1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened

Directions: In 12-ounce mug, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Add milk, butter, vanilla and food coloring; mix until blended.

In small bowl, mix powdered sugar and cream cheese until smooth.

Drop cream cheese mixture into cake batter. Press into batter until covered.

Servings: 1

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.

Microwave up to 3 minutes until cake is done.

Remembering ‘James at 15/16’ star Lance Kerwin

Asa young actor, Lance Kerwin racked up impressive TV credits, including appearances on “Emergency!”, “Police Story,” “Little House on the Prairie” and “Wonder Woman.” In the “Bionic Woman” episode entitled “Jaime and the Prince,” Kerwin played Prince Ishmael, a royal whose new tutor was Jaime Sommers (Lindsey Wagner), the Bionic Woman. She had been sent to Monte Carlo to tutor the prince while also protecting the Shah from assassination.

Kerwin passed away in San Clemente, California on Jan. 24, at the age of 62.

Kerwin starred in “The Loneliest Runner,” a film inspired by the childhood of “Little House on the Prairie” star Michael Landon.

Kerwin played John Curtis, a 12-year-old boy struggling to stop wetting his bed. His domineering mother shamed her son daily by hanging his soiled sheet out in the backyard for everyone to see. Each afternoon, he would race home from school to take down that sheet. His father was more understanding and admitted that he too had been a bedwetter. Landon, who played the adult John Curtis, said that his real-life mother did hang his sheets outside the bedroom window

while he was at school.

Created by Dan Wakefield, author of “Going All the Way,” “James at 15,” a 1977 coming-of-age series, appeared on NBC. My high school classmates and I were old enough to appreciate Kerwin’s character, James Hunter. A dreamer and amateur photographer, James balked when his father (Linden Chiles) moved his family across the country to take a teaching job in Boston. A frustrated James then ran away to be with his girlfriend (Melissa Sue Anderson), but she had moved on to another boyfriend. New friends Marlene (Susan Myers) and Ludwig “Sly” Hazeltine (David Raynr) helped him navigate

his new world. James was sometimes led astray, however, by new acquaintances, in particular a rich student who took James on an unsupervised California trip.

“James at 15” hit home for students who were coming of age at the time and dealing with young adult issues. In one episode, James befriended Pam (Terri Nunn), a girl who reportedly had a bad reputation. James also felt a strong bond with his pregnant teacher in the “Mrs. Carson” episode. Midway through the season, the title changed to “James at 16” to reflect the character’s birthday. He also fell in love with a Swedish exchange student played by Kirsten Baker. A young Rosanna Arquette also appeared on the series as Karen Waller, James’ school newspaper colleague who had a drinking problem.

For me and my friends, this coming-of-age drama arrived at the right time. There were things I hadn’t experienced in high school, in particular underage drinking and physical love. When I saw the character of James stumbling through the same teenage mistakes and awkwardness, I felt that I wasn’t alone. Thank you, Lance Kerwin, for bringing James Hunter to life. You will be missed.

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.

‘‘James at 15’ photo courtesy 20th Century Fox Television

Red Velvet Mug Cake

FindmorerecipesanddessertideasforeverycelebrationatCulinary.net.

Moore on Life: It’s a gas

Icalled my husband from the store the other day to see what brand of ice cream he wanted, only to hear clattering in the background.

“What’s going on there?” I asked.

“Oh, nothing much. Just cooking up a little dinner.”

Huh? Totally out of the norm! Highly suspish! Hmm, something was up besides the price of eggs! He’d never do a chore he doesn’t like to do without a threat or a bribe. That is unless he broke something or totaled the car or ran over one of my cats or…?!

“I knew it! I knew it,” I yowled! “You’re having an affair with the neighbor lady!”

“What the heck are you yammering about?! Can’t a guy barbeque a few cheeseburgers without being accused of criminal conduct. Besides I’d choose your sister over that old shrew and you know how I dislike your sister.”

It all made sense. He was grilling. There’s no way he’d cook over a hot stove with a frying pan, but give him a meat fork and a hunk of beef and he was in heaven.

“Oh sorry,” I said. “It’s just so unlike you to make dinner without threat of physical harm.”

“Now you’re being mean. I’m just preparing us for the inevitable. Haven’t you heard?”

“Heard what?”

“The government is going to outlaw gas stoves. I’ll have to grill from now on,” he snickered gleefully.

“Yes, I heard. Along with gas-powered vehicles. I guess they want us back with the Flinstones pushing

our cars along with our bare feet.”

By Cindy Moore CROSSWORD: SUPER BOWL

“Well, your feet are already calloused enough. We’ve got some really good brake pads when that happens.”

Not funny. Just for that sassy remark I decided I’d get a carton of peach mango ice cream – my favorite and his least favorite.

“Hey, while you’re at the store, get a big bottle of barbeque sauce, maybe a six-pack. We’re gonna need it for the future,” he said.

I didn’t want to rain on his parade, but I felt he needed to know. Besides, his foot joke was still boiling my behind.

“Ok. Well, gotta go. Oh…you do know that you’re still cooking with gas, right? Propane is a gas. It’ll be next on the list to be banned.”

I quickly hung up. I hate to hear grown men cry.

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.

LIFESTYLE: Easy ways to say ‘I love you’

If gift-giving isn’t your strong suit, occasions like Valentine’s Day are likely to bring on stress and worry, but procrastinating will only serve to elevate your unease.

Follow these steps to simplify your shopping, and while you may not come to love the task of finding the perfect gift, your loved one will undoubtedly appreciate your effort.

Browse for ideas online. Many retailers offer special promotions and gift idea sections on their websites, so finding inspiration can be as easy as visiting the sites of your loved one’s favorite stores. There are also dozens of articles online to help get the ideas flowing. Searches such as “gifts for horse lovers” or “Valentine’s gifts for a new boyfriend” will reveal a long list of ideas to peruse.

Keep it simple. Although the advertising industry works hard to convince consumers otherwise, Valentine’s Day isn’t really all about the bling. Sure, a pretty bauble is a welcome gift, but there are plenty of ways to show your affection that don’t require spending a month’s salary. A heartfelt card paired with a memento of a meaningful event or place in your relationship sends the same loving sentiment.

Make it a (different) date. For many couples, navigating the demands of work, kids and life make spend-

ing time together a luxury. Instead of fighting crowds at busy restaurants on the official date, celebrate your love on a day of your own choosing, when you can relax and enjoy the time together without the pressure to rush through dessert so your table can be flipped for the next waiting couple.

Give blooms a boost. A dozen long-stem red roses is a beautiful gesture, but unless your intended rose receiver is a strictly traditional type, try adding a little spice to your floral arrangement. Go for a bouquet in her favorite color, or have the flowers arranged in a practical vessel she can reuse to remember the occasion, such as a cocktail shaker or a watering can.

Go ahead, gift yourself. It may seem counter-intuitive, but finding a gift you’ll enjoy may inspire an idea for your loved one. The trick is finding something you can share together, whether it’s tickets to a show or his and hers mugs for enjoying your favorite brew. Just be sure the item is something your intended will share your enthusiasm for, or you may as well go buy a blender.

Find more ideas to simplify every occasion at eLivingToday.com.

ACROSS

1. COVID tester

5. Pep rally syllable

8. To overlay with thin gold coating

12. Sky bear

13. Abundant

14. Worrier’s worry?

15. Fishing spot

16. Blackhearted

17. Full of coral

18. *2023 Super Bowl stadium sponsor

20. Research facil.

21. Egg cell

22. King Charles to Prince Harry

23. Thief’s target

26. *2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show

star

30. Mozart’s “L’____ del Cairo”

31. Bob Marley’s music

34. Yarn spinner

35. “The Poky Little ____”

37. Skedaddle

38. 18-wheelers

39. “Guilty,” e.g.

40. Fabric inset

42. One of the sibs

43. *Super Bowl advertiser’s purchase

45. Anatolian language

47. Decay

48. “There it is,” à Paris

50. “Hold on!”

52. *Home of the Ravens, for both Super Bowl appearances

56. Cuckoo for these puffs!

57. Curved molding

58. Medicinal plant

59. Court orders, e.g.

60. Sonny & Cher and Abbott &Costello

61. Talk like a drunk

62. Actor Danson and character Lasso

63. “Owner of a Lonely Heart” band

64. *Star of the most-watched Super Bowl Halftime Show

DOWN

1. Paddleboarding acronym

2. Court order

3. Between ports

4. Hungarian composer Bela

5. *Either one of the opposing Super Bowl teams

6. Flambé

7. Position of leadership

8. *2023 Super Bowl AZ location

9. Frosts, as a cake

10. Hit the road

11. Like certain humor

13. Disprove

14. Dickens’s Heep

19. Each and all

22. One of a set of dice

23. Father, colloquially

24. Round openings

25. Pickled garnish

26. *Last year’s Super Bowl winners

27. Nimbus, pl.

28. Nigerian money

29. Torcher’s crime

32. Elmer’s, e.g.

33. Found at the pump

36. *Team with most Super Bowl appearances

38. Signing tool at the cash register

40. Greenwich-related acronym

41. Superior ones

44. Itsy-bitsy bits

46. Patterned table linen

48. Lacking clarity

49. Bread spreads

50. Donned

51. As opposed to base in chemistry

52. Snatchers’ quest

53. Cantina pot

54. *Overwhelming Super Bowl defeat

55. Fear-inspiring

56. 100 lbs.