CNSTC: February 24, 2021

February 24, 2021

Baseball for all

Around Town

St. Charles County Parks reschedules maple syrup event. Pg.3 St. Charles City-County Library offers 24-hour holds pickup. Pg.4 O’Fallon waiving city fees for some liquor licenses. Pg. 4

School County executive presents 100-days milestone proclamation to Fort Zumwalt. Pg. 7

Features

Submitted photo The Alternative Baseball Organization, a league that provides an authentic baseball experience for teens and adults who have special needs, is looking for a volunteer coach/manager to help us start a new program serving those in O’Fallon and the surrounding areas. For more information, visit www.alternativebaseball.org.

The Alternative Baseball Organization, a league for teens and adults with autism and other disabilities, looks to found a team in St. Charles County

By Brett Auten The spectrum of special needs is vast and wide.

People who are diagnosed as such cover a wide-range of functionality, yet are often lumped together when it comes to recreational programming. During their schoolaged years, programs and activities, often provided through the public school system, are ample.

Taylor Duncan is the commissioner/director for the Alternative Baseball Organization. It’s a national league that provides an authentic baseball experience for teens and adults with autism and other disabili-

ties. The goal is simple; to gain social and physical skills for success in life and while they are at it, have a little fun on the ball diamond.

Duncan is wanting to bring Alternative Baseball to St. Charles County. He is looking for a volunteer coach/manager, volunteers, and players to help us start new programs serving those in O’Fallon and the surrounding area.

“Baseball experience and disability experience is a huge plus as is all-around patience,” Duncan said. “We take them from where they start out at (whether they re-

quire to be pitched to slow overhand or hit off the tee), and help develop their physical and social skills and help them be the best they can be on and off the diamond.”

The O’Fallon club would be in addition to its other Midwest programs in Ohio, Minnesota, and Indiana.

“We are different from other programs in that teams travel to other areas, play on traditional high school size fields, and play using the same rule-set as the pros on television,” Duncan said. “I call it an experience rather than a league. In sports, you have See ‘BASEBALL’ page 2

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February 24, 2021 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

‘BASEBALL’ from cover good and not-so-good days.

It’s a great way to learn from those situations in a way that’s beyond wins and losses. It’s character development above anything else.”

It can take up to six months to fill a full team due to the lack of catered services available in most areas for teens and adults with disabilities and in spite of the pandemic, recruitment for 2021 has begun virtually.

The organization will provide equipment and resources.

Duncan found that as many with autism graduate from high school in many areas, services plateau and he realized a lack of opportunities “In a lot of suburban and rural areas, there are no services for those to continue their path toward independence,” Duncan said. “Many travel to find the limited services which may or may not be available to their specific needs.

“I started the organization to give others on the spectrum/ special needs the opportunity to be accepted for who they are and to be encouraged to be the best they can be.”

The program follows Major League Baseball rules (wood bats, base stealing, dropped third strike, you name it), and is a true typical team experience for others on the autism spectrum and special needs to help develop social skills for later in life.

Alternative Baseball has clubs in 30-plus states. For more information, visit www. alternativebaseball.org.

Submitted photos The Alternative Baseball Organization, a league that provides an authentic baseball experience for teens and adults who have special needs, is looking for a volunteer coach/manager to help us start a new program serving those in O’Fallon and the surrounding areas. For more information, visit www.alternativebaseball.org.

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www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • February 24, 2021

St. Charles County Parks reschedules making maple syrup event due to extreme cold

Around Town

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Submitted photo The St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department has postponed “Hands-On Heritage: Making Maple Syrup” until March 13, at The Historic Daniel Boone Home at 1868 Highway F in Defiance.

For everyone’s safety, and due to the hazardous weather conditions, the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department has postponed “Hands-On Heritage: Making Maple Syrup” until March 13, at The Historic Daniel Boone Home at 1868 Highway F in Defiance. Everyone is invited to join in the fun of making maple syrup from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. next month. Admission is free, and guests will be able to sample and purchase local syrup at the event.

You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to turn gallons of raw sap tapped from park trees into edible sweet syrup. Demonstrations of this 19th century, historic process will take place throughout the day at the historic park listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At the event, guests will have the opportunity to ask questions of the frontiersmen and women leading the program. Then, ev-

eryone can enjoy pre-packaged samples of hot maple syrup and cornbread! Masks must be worn inside park buildings, including the Boone Home and gift shop. Sanitizer will be available and social distancing is required at the event.

But that’s not all! Guests also will learn the modern-day method of making maple syrup with Vieth Valley Farms of Marthasville, Missouri. The farm’s staff will showcase how they use present-day equipment to turn 40 gallons of sap taken from their 130-year-old sugar maples into one gallon of edible maple syrup. After each demonstration, delicious Grade A, Amber syrup will be available for purchase.

This event is sure to be a crowd pleaser and an educational experience for all ages. Registration is not needed. For more information, call The Historic Daniel Boone Home at 636-798-2005.

www.treesbywoodys.net

Applications now being accepted for 2021 Cuivre River scholarship program Cuivre River Electric Cooperative is once again accepting scholarship applications from graduating high school seniors and current college students.

Students are eligible to be considered if they live in the Cuivre River Electric service area and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 while attending undergraduate courses at an accredited college, university or technical school. Applicants are required to provide an official transcript and two letters of recommendation, a complete copy of their Student Aid Report (SAR), write a narrative to highlight their academic achievements and community service, state their career goals and demonstrate a financial need. The scholarship may also be used for adult continuing education courses in an applicant’s career field.

The deadline to apply is April 21. Scholarships will be awarded in June.

Applications can be downloaded at cuivre.com.

They are also available at CREC offices in Troy at 1112 E. Cherry St., and Lake Saint Louis at 8757 Highway N. In 2020, a total of $74,000 was awarded, with 75 students receiving a scholarship. The Trust board has awarded 2,313 scholarships totaling $1.3 million since 1997.

Scholarship funds are donated by Cuivre River Electric members who participate in Operation Round Up by rounding up their electric bill payments each month to the next highest dollar. The funds, administered by a seven-member volunteer board, are available to help individuals, families and organizations.

For more information contact Tim Schmidt, Operation Round Up coordinator, at tschmidt@ cuivre.com or 636-695-4837.

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Around Town

February 24, 2021 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

W W W. M YC N E W S . C O M

St. Charles City-County Library offers 24-hour holds pickup In an effort to accommodate customers with busy schedules or those who are following a no-contact quarantine protocol, the St. Charles City-County Library has unveiled Holds Hoppers at select branch locations. Holds Hoppers are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Customers can place holds online and pick them up from these secure lockers at the Kisker Road Branch (1000 Kisker Rd. in St Charles) or the Corporate Parkway Branch (1200 Corporate Pkwy. in Wentzville) at any time of the day or night.

Once customers receive notification that their holds are available, they can enter the vestibule of the branch to access the Holds Hopper and use the library card scanner or touchscreen to open a locker that is

holding their materials. Items are automatically checked out once they are removed from the locker. Book drops are also available on site, so unwanted materials or items that are due can be returned at the same time.

“With schedules that sometimes outpace regular library hours, our customers can access the materials that we offer on their own time, whether that is at 11 p.m. or 4 a.m. These Holds Hoppers allow the Library to be available to the community at their convenience,” says Library Director Jason Kuhl.

The library received a $50,000 CARES grant to finance this project. The grant was made available through funds from the Library Services and Technology Act, appropriated by Congress and administered by

Submitted photo

the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Missouri Secretary of State.

To use a Holds Hopper, customers must have an eligible library card in good standing.

Get details by visiting myLibrary.org/holds-hopper.

O'Fallon helps business community by waiving city fees for some liquor licenses

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In order to assist restaurants, bars and other hospitality businesses in the city of O’Fallon who have been hit hard by COVID-19, the O’Fallon City Council passed an ordinance temporarily suspending city fees from “bythe-drink” liquor license renewals for the 2021-2022 license year.

The suspension of fees applies to any business that has a valid O’Fallon “by-the-drink” liquor license as of Feb. 11, and properly applies for their 2021 renewal no later than May 1. Applicants must still pay any applica-

ble state or county fees as part of the renewal process.

“We know these businesses have been especially hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we hope this encourages and assists our businesses as they continue to operate in O'Fallon in 2021 and beyond,” said O’Fallon Mayor Bill Hennessy.

Any business with questions about this ordinance may contact the O’Fallon City Clerk’s office at 636-379-5555.

Severe Weather Preparedness Week statewide tornado drill on March 2 The National Weather Service holds Severe Weather Preparedness Week every year to encourage citizens to be prepared for severe weather emergencies year-round. St. Peters encourages residents to participate in Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 1-5 to learn more about severe weather safety including how to prepare for tornadoes, lightning, floods and more.

There will be a statewide tornado drill on Tuesday, March 2, at 10 a.m., weather permitting. Everyone is encouraged to participate in this test – whether at home, school, or work, it’s important to practice seeking secure, safe shelter from severe weather. Residents are also encouraged to review their severe weather safety plans during Severe Weather Preparedness Week and talk about what path they would take during severe weather.

The city of St. Peters will move its normal monthly test of the outdoor warning system in

includes

March to coincide with the statewide tornado drill. The city’s Office of Emergency Management will test outdoor sirens on Tuesday, March 2, at 10 a.m. (This test would normally take place at 9 a.m. on the first Monday of the month). If the tornado drill is canceled due to weather, the backup date will be March 4, also at 10 a.m.

Severe Weather Preparedness Week will focus on the following topics: • Monday – Receiving weather information • Tuesday – Tornado safety • Wednesday – Lightning safety • Thursday – Hail/wind safety • Friday – Flood safety Useful resources concerning weather emergencies include Missouri Storm Aware at stormaware. mo.gov and the Missouri State Emergency Management at https://sema.dps.mo.gov/.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • February 24, 2021

Around Town

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Operation Food Search to host Youth Tour program remains open for 2021 28h annual golf tournament The 53rd annual Missouri Youth Tour pro- and will attend the final competition scheduled Operation Food Search (OFS), a nonprofit hunger relief organization, will host its 28th annual Swing to Heal Hunger golf tournament on Oct. 4 with registration beginning at 10 a.m. and a shotgun start at 11 a.m.

The tournament will be held at WingHaven Country Club, St. Louis’ only Nicklaus-designed course, located at 7777 Winghaven Blvd. in O’Fallon.

Tickets – which are $350 per golfer or $1,400 per team of four golfers – include 18 holes with a golf cart, golf goodie bag, lunch, dinner and an auction.

Proceeds will go toward ending childhood hunger and family food insecurity in the St. Louis bi-state region.

Founded in 1981, Operation Food Search (OFS) is a hunger relief organization located at 1644 Lotsie Blvd. that provides free food, nutrition education and innovative programs proven

to reduce food insecurity. With a strategic focus aimed at ending childhood hunger, OFS empowers families and increases access to healthy and affordable food.

The agency provides food and services to 200,000 individuals on a monthly basis – one-third of whom are children – through a network of 330 community partners in 27 Missouri and Illinois counties and the city of St. Louis.

For ticket details or to become a sponsor, call (314) 726-5355 or visit Operation Food Search’s website

gram will continue to be held this summer and entries are now being accepted for this year’s program.

Normally, CREC sends six delegates who are among thousands from across the nation to spend a week in Washington, D.C. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the trip has been cancelled. State organizers are working on plans to hold a three-day in-person/virtual conference June 16-18.

The annual Youth Tour consists of an essay contest open only to high school juniors who live and attend school in Cuivre River Electric’s general service area, or who have Cuivre River electric service in their homes.

The 2021 essay theme is “My Favorite Cooperative Principle.” Entry forms are available at local high schools or cuivre.com. The deadline to enter is March 12.

Entries remain anonymous during preliminary judging by Cuivre River Electric staff. The 12 top-scoring essays are selected as finalists

for April 14.

The top six finalists will be selected as Youth Tour delegates and receive a $1,000 scholarship and laptop. The other six finalists will receive $500 scholarships.

Cuivre River Electric fully funds the Youth Tour program. There is no cost to students or families.

Teachers who support the Youth Tour program and submit at least 10 student entries receive a $50 classroom grant from CREC. Since 1964, Cuivre River Electric has sponsored over 200 Youth Tour delegates for visits to Washington, D.C. More than 53,000 high school students sponsored by the nation’s electric cooperatives have participated in the Youth Tour since the educational leadership program began.

For more information on the Youth Tour program, contact Tim Schmidt at 636-695-4837 or tschmidt@cuivre.com.

Park pavilion and athletic field reservations in St. Peters for 2021 season begin in March Reservations will begin in March for the city of St. Peters’ park pavilions and athletic fields for the 2021 season.

Pavilion Reservations Open March 1 • Online reservations begin: midnight on March 1 • Walk-in/phone reservations at the Rec-Plex begin: 9 a.m. on March 1 • Period when pavilions are available: April 1 - Oct. 31 Athletic Field Reservations Open March 29 • Online reservations begin: midnight on March 29 • Walk-in reservations at the Rec-Plex begin: 9 a.m. on March 29 • No phone reservations will be taken for athletic fields • Period when athletic fields are available: April 1-Nov. 30 Pavilions and athletic fields can be reserved online at www.stpetersmo.net/rec-connect. Phone reservations are available for pavilions only at 636-939-2386, ext. 1400. To register in person, visit the St. Peters Rec-Plex at 5200 Mexico Road.

Reservations for the pavilions at 370 Lakeside Park are available year-round by contacting 370 Lakeside Park at 636-387-5283.

Reservations also are available year-round for the City Centre Gazebo (for use between April 1-Oct. 31). The gazebo is a popular venue for weddings. Folding chairs are available to rent. Contact the Cultural Arts Centre at 636-397-6903 to learn more. To reserve the City Centre Gazebo, go to www.stpetersmo.net/rec-connect or call 636-397-6903 ext. 1624.

A guaranteed reservation fee is required at time of reservation.

To qualify for resident rates, a St. Peters Resident Privilege Card is required.

Visit www.stpetersmo.net/rentals or call 636-939-2386, ext. 1400, for more information on fees and policies, including COVID regulations.

www.lakestcharlesretirement.com

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Business

February 24, 2021 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Ameren Missouri looks to cleaner energy and more reliable service with newly updated Smart Energy Plan Ameren Missouri, a subsidiary of Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE), filed an updated Smart Energy Plan and budget with the Missouri Public Service Commission today. The $8.4 billion plan supports grid modernization efforts over the next five years, including installation of more than one million smart meters, more renewable generation, programs to stimulate economic growth for communities across Missouri and infrastructure upgrades that bolster reliability while enabling clean energy generation.

"The Smart Energy Plan is preparing our region for the future while making energy more reliable for families and businesses today," said Marty Lyons, president of Ameren Missouri. “We have made great progress in the first two years of this plan. These upgrades provide state-of-the-art technology and support our commitment to maintaining reliability as

we transition to cleaner energy, including our ambitious goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050."

Ameren Missouri recently completed the purchase of its first two wind facilities and is now the largest operator of wind generation in the state. The company has plans to significantly expand its wind and solar generation over the coming years.

Smarter and more reliable energy for Missouri customers As homes now double as workplaces and schools, even a short outage is critical. Currently in its third year of implementation, the Smart Energy Plan progress includes smart technology that can rapidly detect outages and restore service in seconds, as well as new storm-resilient utility poles, power lines and

underground cables designed to protect customers from outages during severe weather.

These investments have already provided customers with more dependability throughout challenging conditions, such as the derecho wind storm that swept through parts of the Midwest this past summer, resulting in 78,000 Ameren Missouri customers without power in St. Louis County and other communities. Despite the extensive damage from the storm, new smart technology enabled Ameren Missouri to rapidly detect which areas faced an outage and reroute power to 50,000 customers that night.

Ameren Missouri also is installing smart electric meters for all customers. The new meters provide customers with more convenience, choice and control to choose rates that fit their lifestyles and potentially save on their energy bills. The smart meter rollout began in St. Charles County during the summer of 2020, and the company will upgrade approximately 1.2 million electric meters by 2024.

Smart Energy Plan projects are supporting Missouri’s economy by creating jobs and using local suppliers. For example, in Washington, Missouri, a new state-of-the-art substation includes transformers built by local manufacturer WEG Transformers.

These transformers, built in Missouri, by Missourians, for the benefit of Ameren Missouri customers, will increase energy capacity for the area, allowing more businesses to grow and have reliable power. In total, 57 percent of Smart Energy Plan vendors are Missouri based.

While upgrading the electric grid, Ameren Missouri has been able to keep rates stable and affordable for customers, with customer rates more than 20 percent below the average electric rates in the Midwest, according to the Edison Electric Institute's “Typical Bills and Average Rates Report.”

Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan by the numbers Ameren Missouri has completed thousands of projects statewide to transform the grid and bring increased benefits to customers. This included, in 2020, the installation of: • 200-plus smart equipment switches to reduce outages from hours to minutes and even seconds. This technology has improved reliability up to 40 percent.

• 14 new or upgraded substations to better serve communities.

• 133,000 smart meters to deliver more precise energy use information to customers and offer flexibility to pay less when demand for energy is lower.

Last year's investments in infrastructure will result in an estimated $10 million in increased tax revenue for local communities in 2021.

“The Smart Energy Plan is about building a better energy grid that will serve our customers for many decades,” said Lyons. “It’s an important step on our path to leading the way to a more sustainable energy future.”

To learn more, visit AmerenMissouri.com/Plan.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • February 24, 2021

County executive presents 100-days milestone proclamation to Fort Zumwalt At the St. Charles County Council meeting on Feb. 8, County Executive Steve Ehlmann presented Dr. Bernard DuBray, Superintendent of the Fort Zumwalt School District, with a proclamation congratulating the district on their 100days milestone for the 20202021 school year. Traditionally, the 100th day of school is celebrated by the district’s youngest students as a way for elementary school teachers to celebrate the various mathematical concepts that can be taught using the number 100.

But with the challenges presented by the pandemic, the entire Fort Zumwalt School District found it appropriate to celebrate. The district reached the milestone on Feb. 16.

“Last summer, county government and the department of public health took the position that we were going to educate our school districts about the pandemic and precautions and leave the decision for how schools should handle opening in the fall with each school and their school board,” says Ehlmann. “As a former teacher, I was very, very pleased to see every one of them give students the chance for in-person learning. I want to thank and congratulate the boards and staff of all our school districts for their extraordinary efforts this school year.”

In addition to recognizing the school district, the proclamation recognizes the entire community for playing a role in the district’s success, and that these efforts “were the result of a strong relationship between the schools, parents and the community.” Because of these combined efforts, more than 15,000 students have been at school with teachers and peers since Aug. 31, 2020, and another 2,500 students

School

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Holt High School Theatre Department presents ‘Frankenstein - The Radio Play’ The Holt High School Theatre Department will present Philip Grecian’s “Frankenstein - The Radio Play” on March 4 and 5 via a streamed video recording. The play is based on Philip Grecian’s stage play and on the novel by Mary Wollstencraft Shelley and will be performed by an all-school cast and crew.

Set in the sound studio of a radio station in the 1940’s, the story of Frankenstein comes to life with music and old-fashioned live sound effects as the actors retell the famous tale. Cast members include Greg Mose (Victor Frankenstein), Caleb Gee (Henry Clerval), Mitchell Reed (Captain Robert Walton), Brandon Beames (Professor Waldman), Aleah Adams (Catherine Frankenstein), Morgan Dunn (Baroness Frankenstein), Madison Kastner (Justine Moritz), Paris Heaver (Elizabeth Heaver), Zach Hinds (Creature), and Isabella Weiler (the Announcer).

The play is under the stage management of Grace Bancroft, assisted by Alison Robertson. “Frankenstein - The Radio Play” is presented by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois. Due to the pandemic, the performance has been recorded and will be accessible online for $3 to view each evening at 7 p.m.

Timberland High School Theatre Department presents ‘Help Desk: A Stay-At-Home Play’

Photo courtesy St. Charles County St. Charles County presented Dr. Bernard DuBray, Superintendent of the Fort Zumwalt School District, with a proclamation congratulating the district on their 100-days milestone for the 2020-2021 school year.

have been learning online with teachers.

DuBray thanked Ehlmann and the county council for recognizing the district and explained how staff were nervous when COVID-19 cases went up over the summer as the first day of class approached.

“But our parents wanted their kids in school,” said DuBray. “Eighty percent of them wanted their kids in school.

And I’m here to tell you tonight it was the right decision.”

DuBray recognized all the “outstanding” school districts in St. Charles County for

working together.

“We hung in there and we did what was right because these kids need to be in school,” he said.

All school districts in the county have worked closely and diligently with the St. Charles County Department of Public Health before and during the school year to prepare for and manage the pandemic. Department staff communicate frequently with schools to answer questions and concerns, and to follow up on positive cases and contacts.

The Timberland High School Theatre Department will present Don Zolidis’ “Help Desk: A Stay-At-Home Play” on Feb. 27 and 28. This comedy will be performed by an all-school cast and crew.

When you call the help desk, you’re looking for a solution – but your problems might just be beginning. Whether you’re getting shamed about your inability to log in, giving your credit card information to a scammer, or having serious conversations with a clown, customer service calls spiral into absurdity for the customers and employees alike. Cast members include Cecil Bailes, Mikah Beck, Anna Kimball, Tabitha Schacht, Lucas Sweeney, Josh Talluto, Bella Volkman, Jacob Windham and Carter Winston.

The play is under the stage management of Katelyn Rushing, assisted by Brittany Miller and technical director Brenna Richards. “Help Desk: A Stay-At-Home Play” is produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. Due to the pandemic, the performance will be available by video-on-demand on Feb. 27 and 28.

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online.

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What’s Happening

February 24, 2021 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com prevent falls. For more information call 636-949-3372.

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.

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 314560-1868.

Mondays: Take off Pounds Sensibly

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

Mondays: Take off Pounds Sensibly

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

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

Mondays: Parent support group

Because I Love You, (BILY), Gateway parent support group meets every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church at 801 First Capitol Dr. in St. Charles. For information and directions, please contact the helpline at 314-993-7550 or email gateway_parent_help@yahoo.com. BILY is a program of self-help for parents of troubled children (all ages). We are not professionals, but parents helping each other. The meetings are free to attend.

Mondays: NAMI St. Louis Con nection 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: mous

Alcoholics

Anony-

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

Call Alcoholics Anonymous at 636970-0013.

Mondays: Seasoned eye carvers meeting

Meetings are held from 9 to 11 a.m. at the St. Charles Senior Citizens Center at 1455 Fairgrounds (near the Bass Pro Shop). Visitors are always welcome.

For more information visit http:// www.stcharlesareawoodcarvers.com/ or contact Charles Sapp at cwsapp@ charter.net.

Mondays: Choral Arts Singers practice

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

Mondays: St. Charles County Council of the Blind meetings

Business meetings are held on the first Monday of each month unless otherwise specified. Currently, during the COVID pandemic, meetings are held via conference call, starting at 6:45 pm.

For more information, contact Beverly Kaskadden at 636-561-6947.

Mondays: St. Peters Rotary Club

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

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: Fitness First Exercise Class

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

Mondays and Thursdays: Bridge

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

Mondays: American Legion Post 388 Meets

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

Mondays: Measurement Mondays:

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

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

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

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 314-779-6892 for more information.

Tuesdays: Seniors group

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

Tuesdays: Optimist Club meeting

The St. Charles Optimist Club meets Tuesdays at noon at Pio’s Restaurant.

For more information contact Jack Ross at 314-287-0569 or jack-ross@ att.net.

Tuesdays: Cribbage

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

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

Tuesdays: Cottleville Spring Kiwanis Club

Weldon

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

Tuesdays: group

Diabetes

support

A diabetes support group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month except November and December from 6:30 7:30 p.m. at 400 Medical Plaza, Suite 102 in Lake St. Louis. A new speaker each month. Questions? Call Amanda Meyer at 636-625-5447.

Tuesdays: Kiwanis Club of St. Charles

12:05 p.m. at Ginghams Homestyle Restaurant, 1566 Country Clcub Plaza Drive, in St. Charles. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. The group is looking for new members who want to better our community and help its youth. If you are interested in making a positive impact in St. Charles for

generations to come, please come for lunch. For more information call 636206-2483. You can also visit http://stcharleskiwanis.com.

Tuesdays: Quilting Guild at the O’Fallon Family YMCA

1-4 p.m. Free. Quilt for local charities.

No sewing experience required.

Tuesdays: Toastmasters Meeting

7 p.m. at the Midwest Bank Centre Board Room at 2299 Technology Blvd., O’Fallon, MO 63368. Info: 636379-2505.

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

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

Tuesdays: Social club for widows and widowers

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

Tuesdays: Monthly veterans coffee

Veterans from all branches of service are invited to the Wentzville Green Lantern Senior Center at 506 S. Linn Ave. in Wentzville on the second Tuesday of each month from 9 – 10:30 a.m. for coffee, pastries and camaraderie.

Come meet with fellow veterans who served our country and share your experience.

Tuesdays: NAMI St. Louis Connection Recovery Support Group

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

Tuesdays: NAMI St. Louis Family Support Group

Tuesdays: Central Missouri Railroad Association meeting

This unique organization is for railroad modelers, railfans, photographers and railroad retirees with layouts in O, HO, N hoping to add G scales. Meetings are on second Tuesdays of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Warrenton Masonic Lodge. For more info call 636-279-5522 or 636-456-0776 or visit our Facebook page.

Tuesdays: Cancer support group

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

Tuesdays: Show-me Stitchers Embroiderer’s Guild of America

Meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at the Trinity Church.

Info: www.showmestitchers.com.

Tuesdays: O’Fallon Garden Club

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

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

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

5pm, St. Charles American Legion Post 312, 2500 Raymond Drive in St. Charles on the last Tuesday of the month. $6 per person. For more information call Post 312 at 636-947-7666.

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

Tuesdays and Thursdays: Get Fit Exercise Classes 9-10 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Hall, New Melle. 314-3696521.

Wednesdays: Food pantry

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

Wednesdays: St. Charles Area Wood Carvers

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

Meetings are held from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Hollenbeck Middle School at 4555 Central School Road in St. Charles. Visitors are always welcome.

For more information visit http:// www.stcharlesareawoodcarvers.com/ or contact Charles Sapp at cwsapp@ charter.net.

Tuesdays: Dardenne Presbyterian Church Basketball

Wednesdays: Marine League meeting

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

Corp

On the first Wednesday of each month the St. Charles County Marine Corps League meets at the American Legion 313 old town St. Peters at 7:30 p.m.

All Marines and FMF Corpsmen are welcome. For more information visit www.stcharlesmarine.org.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • February 24, 2021 Wednesdays: club

Women’s

fishing

more information call 636-327-6060.

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

Thursdays: Lions Club meeting

Wednesdays: Crossroads Cribbage Club

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

Wednesdays: Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS)

Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the United Methodist Church at 725 N. Wall St. in Wentzville. TOPS is a national non-profit weight-loss organization that supports its members in attaining their goal weight. There is no cost for the first meeting. All are welcome.

Wednesdays: Men’s Golf League

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

Wednesdays: Charity Bingo

6:45pm, Doors open at 5 p.m. VFW Post 5077 sponsors, at VFW Hall, 8500 Veterans Mem. Pkwy., O’Fallon. 636272-1945 or www.vfwpost5077.org.

Wednesdays: Yoga at The St. Charles County Family YMCA

6-6:55pm Any level. Info: 636-9281928.

Wednesdays: Hope & Healing

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

Wednesdays: St. Charles Area Wood Carvers

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

Wednesdays: Take Off Pounds Sensibly

Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets every Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the parish hall of Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church at 907 Jungermann Rd. in St. Peters.

TOPS is a national non-profit weightloss organization that supports its members in attaining their goal weight.

There is no cost for the first meeting. All are welcome. Weigh-ins begin at 9 a.m.

Contact Judy Bauer at 636-541-2263 for further information.

Thursdays: meeting

American

Legion

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

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

Thursdays: TOPS meeting

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

Thursdays: O’Fallon Rotary Club meetings

O’Fallon Rotary Club meets from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. at Rendezvous Café & Wine Bar at 217 S. Main St. in O’Fallon every Thursday. Visitors are always welcome.

For more information, call President, Lisa Muncy at 636-240-0912.

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.

For more information, contact CyndySchwab at 636-544-0102.

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 Thursday: Fleur de Lis Garden Society Meets third Thursday of the month, 6:30 pm at the McClay Library in St. Charles. Info: www.fleurdelisgardensociety.org;

3rd Thursdays: Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 458 Meeting

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

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

Every Thursday: Dardenne Presbyterian Church Quilters

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

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

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

Every Thursday: Kiwanis Club of St. Peters

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

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

Every Thursday: Rotary Club meeting

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

Every Thursday: Active Older Adults Game Day at the O’Fallon Family YMCA 10a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Family Hall. Free for members. Bring a favorite snack to share. Anybody welcome.

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

What’s Happening

Saturdays: Fruehschoppen Samstag Verein (FSV)

Last Saturday of every month Fruehschoppen Samstag Verein (FSV) meets at 11 a.m. at Bar Louie in St. Charles. 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

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

Pre ropund dance fom 7 - 7:30 p.m., dancing from 7:30 - 10 p.m. 1st United Methodist Church, 801 First Capital Dr. www.squaredancemissouri.com/ Missouri/St.Louis

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

3rd Saturdays: Restore St. Charles Work Day.

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

2nd and 4th Thursdays: Lions Club meetings St. Charles County Lions Club meets second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at 1144 S Benton in St. Charles. New members welcome.

Every Friday: Moms Play Group

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

Every Friday: VFW Fish Fry

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

Call Bill Sams, 636.724.9612.

Fridays: Bingo

The American Legion Post 312, located at 2500 Raymond Dr. in St. Charles hosts bingo, every Friday night. This is a non-smoking hall with games starting at 6:15 p.m. and includes two progressive bingo games per night. See more at www.alpost312mo.org

Every Saturday: Chess

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

Every Saturday: Veterans Learn guitar for FREE

9:30am in Historic St. Charles. Info: Bill Dennis at 314.479.5750.

Every Saturday: Peaceful Puppy Mill Protest

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.

Every Sunday: Wentzville Community Club Flea Market

5:30 a.m.-1pm, 500 West Main St. in Wentzville. For more information, call 636.357.4328.

Sundays: group

Alzheimer’s support

The group meets the third Sunday of the month (unless it’s a holiday, then they meet the following Sunday) from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

This is a Church of the Shepherd support group and meets at the McClay Adult Day Center at 3821 McClay Road in St. Peters (upstairs). For more information, please call Nancy Young at 636-875-3457.

Sundays: Overeaters Anonymous

Do you eat when you’re not hungry?

Do you go on eating binges for no apparent reason? Is your weight affecting the way you live your life? Contact Overeaters Anonymous. No dues. No fees. No weigh-ins. No diets. There are meetings every day of the week. Please call 314-638-6070 or email bistateoal@ prodigy.net.

2nd Sunday: Moscow Mills Lions Breakfast

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

7am - noon, September - April. Moscow Community Center, Hwy C. $7/ adult, $4/child, under 6 free. www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/moscowmills.

Second and Fourth Saturday of the month: Charitable bingo

2nd Sunday: The Wheelers and Dealers Square Dance

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/wentzville-community-club

7-9:30 p.m. at Memorial Hall at Blanchette Park, 1900 W Randolph St. Participants must have taken dance lessons before attending. For more information, visit www.squaredancestcharles.com or call Lucy at (636)3913822.

9

Sundays: Meat shoot

Wentzville VFW Post 5317 at 1414 Hwy Z in Wentzville hosts shotgun meat shoots every Sunday at noon.

Fourteen rounds consist of seven meat rounds and seven money rounds. First Sunday of the month is open shoot.

Other Sundays are .680 minimum choke. House gun available and shells supplied. For more information, please call 636-639-1648.

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

10

Sports

February 24, 2021 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Sports you see with Gary B . . .

High-ranking lacrosse team starts season with big win The Lindenwood University w o m e n’s lacrosse squad is ranked No. 2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) and picked up a blowout win over Northern Michigan by a final score of 23-2.

The Lions were in control from the opening whistle of

the game, leading 10-1 after the first 30 minutes of play.

Lindenwood got off to a quick start, scoring the first five goals of the game. Lexy Biller scored three of her four goals in the opening half.

The second half was more of the same as Lindenwood outscored Northern Michigan 101. Lindewood had 10 players record a point in the contest, led by Erin McGuire who recorded 10 (2 goals-8 assists).

The 10 points are the third

most in a single-game in program history.

Paige Sutton chipped in six goals, setting a new career-high.

The Lions out shot the Wildcats 35-18, scooped up 22 ground balls and caused 12 turnovers on the way to a dominant win.

Other highlights included: • Six different Lions scored two or more goals • Sutton’s six goals are tied for fifth most in a game in program history • Carly Fedorowski scooped up a team-high four ground balls • Cam Holley made 10 saves and earned the win in her first-career start *Great start to the season

Think baseball with the upcoming season with the Hoots The O’Fallon Hoots began play in O’Fallon in May 2020 after relocating from Hannibal, Missouri following the 2019 season.

The Hoots, members of the Prospect League, announced the signing of Maryville University pitcher Sam Stewart for the 2021 summer season.

The six-foot right-hander

threw for 17 innings for the Hoots in the CarShield Collegiate League last summer.

Stewart collected 15 strikeouts with four starts and six total games and ended the season with a 2.47 earned run average.

Visit www.OFallonHoots. com for more details. *Smell the hotdogs and popcorn UMSL outlasts Lindenwood in women’s basketball The University of Missouri-St. Louis played an aggressive game recently with Junior McKenzie Lathrom equaling a season-high 25 points to help lead the Triton’s women’s squad to a 74-70 win at Lindenwood.

Lathrom, who made her first eight field goals, finished 10of-14 from the field, including five-of-six from three-point range. It was just the third time she scored in double figures this season.

Other facts of the game: • Senior Alex LaPorta finished with 16 points, four rebounds, four steals and four assists • UMSL shot 50.9 percent, while Lindenwood shot 48.1 percent and held a 30-28 rebounding advantage • The Tritons forced 18 turnovers, including eight in the fourth quarter • Junior Kiara Stewart pulled down seven rebounds to go with nine points

UMSL improved to 11-7 while Lindenwood dropped to 8-9. *Good team effort

Ambush look to improve in standings The St. Louis Ambush play their home games at the Family Arena in St. Charles in the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL).

The team looks to improve on their fifth place in the standings with home games at Axius Field this Friday at 7:35 p.m. and Sunday at 3:05 p.m. when the Ambush host the San Diego Shockers.

Visit www.STLAmbush.com for more details. *Chasing the Shockers Gary Baute, a St. Louis native, may be educated in business but he lives and breathes sports. As a fan or an athlete, Gary is all sports all the time.

He hosted a radio sports program on KFNS, emceed the River City Rascals’ inaugural season, and co-hosted SportsRadioSTL.com, and is currently hosting a Health show on 97.1 FM, ‘Prime Time Health’ www.PrimeTimeSTL.com It broadcasts Saturday nights at 8 and Sunday mornings at 9.

www.mycnews.com • Community News • February 24, 2021

Recipe:

A fresh twist on fajitas to support family nutrition

Feature

F-1

– SUDOKU –

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

Sheet Pan Mushroom Fajitas Total time: 30 minutes | Yield: 6 fajitas Between the time it takes to plan healthy meals and the actual minutes spent in the kitchen, it can be easy for some families to let nutrition fall by the wayside. However, a little twist on your favorite meals frees up valuable moments while taking health into account.

These Sheet Pan Mushroom Fajitas offer a meatless version of an ethnic meal many families love.

Ingredients: 2 large portobello mushroom caps, sliced into 1/4-inch strips 2 medium yellow onions, sliced into 1/4-inch strips 2 large red bell peppers, sliced into 1/4-inch strips 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 1/4 teaspoons taco seasoning 6 flour tortillas (6 inches), warmed 1/4 cup roughly chopped cilantro avocado (optional) salsa (optional) hot sauce (optional) lime (optional)

Directions: Preheat oven to 400 F. Line large 18-by-13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

In large bowl, toss mushrooms, onions and peppers with oil and taco seasoning.

Distribute on baking sheet. Roast 25 minutes, tossing halfway through, until veggies are fork tender and edges are slightly browned.

Serve with warmed tortillas and garnish with cilantro. Top with avocado, salsa, hot sauce or lime, if desired.

Find more ways to add mushrooms to the menu at mushroomcouncil.com.

SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9

Early social distancing evident in ‘Apollo 11: Quarantine’

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.

In the last year, words and phrases such as “social distancing” and “isolation” have been frequently used in conversation.

Over 50 years ago, the Apollo 11 astronauts dealt with another word when they came back to Earth: “quarantine.”

Todd Douglas Miller, the director of the amazing feature-length documentary about the first lunar landing, and his crew returned with “Apollo 11: Quarantine.”

This short film covered the 21-day period beginning with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin leaving the surface of the Moon and reuniting with Michael Collins in the Apollo command module.

On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy committed the United States to sending astronauts to the lunar surface and returning them safely to Earth before the decade was out.

That was a tall order: Alan Shepard had just become the first American to travel into space, albeit briefly. NASA began working in earnest on space capsules that could stay in outer space for long periods of time. St. Louis companies also supplied 10 Gemini capsules that helped

infected and placed in a mobile isolation unit with minimal exposure to specific personnel. At least one birthday was celebrated while the crew was under quarantine and their families had to speak to their loved ones via phone. When the isolation unit was being transferred to a new location, onlookers gathered by the road to watch the crew go by.

“Apollo 11: Quarantine” also “Apollo 11: Quarantine” photo courtesy NEON/CNN Films showed how doctors and scientists dealt with issues of potenprove how long humans could safely stay in tial lunar contamination, which was somespace. thing new. No one knew if organisms from The combination of Kennedy’s promise and the Moon would prove deadly if exposed to hard-working engineers culminated in Apollo the atmosphere. The opposite was also true 11, the spacecraft that put Armstrong, Aldrin because scientists did not want to accidentally and Collins into lunar orbit and carried the destroy any living organism that hitched a ride lunar lander. “Quarantine” focused on the 21- in Apollo. day period after the astronauts left the Moon “Apollo 11” and “Apollo 11: Quarantine” and returned to Earth. As he did with “Apollo turned me into a big fan of Todd Douglas Mill11,” director Miller let the footage tell the story er and his work. He has the right touch and with very little embellishment. Miller’s work creates a storyline that takes the viewer from has been like a beautiful, full-color time cap- the beauty of space to the drudgeries of isolasule of our world in 1969. tion. The short documentary also is a potential During the pandemic, families had to find contender for an Oscar nomination. diversions such as streaming movies, baking and board games. After leaving their small “Apollo 11: Quarantine” is available to Apollo capsule, the astronauts had to be dis- stream on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

Feature

F-2

ACTIVE BUYER

February 24, 2021 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

HELP WANTED

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NOW CONTRACTING CDL CLASS A OR B DRIVERS TO DELIVER TRUCKS ACROSS THE US AND CANADA.

PRAYER TO ST. JUDE

NO FREIGHT, NO SLEEPING IN TRUCKS. NO WAITING ON RUNS!

We deliver trucks of all types & sizes from manufacturers and installers to their destinations.

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS are available for both full and part time.

ENDORSEMENTS and a PASSPORT are a plus, BUT NOT REQUIRED! No MANUAL TRANSMISSION RESTRICTION ON CDL.

COLLECTIBLES

7+ years of verifiable experience utilizing your CDL Class A or B and possess a clean license are required. Former firemen, OTR drivers, garbage truck drivers, recent retirees are welcome!!!

SINGERS WANTED

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.

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

It has never been known to fail.

Thank you, St. Jude. R.H.

SERVICES PET CEMETERY

HELP WANTED

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

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Feature

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Feature

February 24, 2021 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

Yeggs

John Hanna

Crossword: MATH 101

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

By Cindy Moore

Moore On Life

2020 – The Sequel

Just when you thought it was safe to go out into the new year and leave the chaos and pandemonium of 2020 behind, 2021 looked in the rearview mirror and said, “Amateurs! Buckle up. That was only the coming attractions for my stint!”

So far we’ve had a strange impeachment, which has accomplished a whole lotta nada and divided the country even more. I have an idea: How about we impeach all of those Washington goobers and instead govern ourselves by electing cats.

Pro: Cats are excellent at getting rid of vermin and there’s plenty to be had in DC. Con: Cats always seem to be in a constant state of slumber and accomplish next to nothing. At times they’ll even pretend to be your best buddy and snuggle up when they’re after something. But as soon as they get their goodies, they’ll turn their back on you and toss a giant hairball onto your new carpet.

Nothing’s changed there. Hmm, we’ll need a tie breaker.

Pro: They’d work for kibble and we’d save tons of money. Cats it is!

In other 2021 news…someone left the door opened to the North Pole!

The white stuff fell on the Acropolis in Greece, which caused the Greeks to Google the word, “snow.”

Meanwhile, Texas turned into a Popsicle. The state typically shuts down when January arrives just as a precaution in fear of temperature levels

reaching the 60’s. But this winter a frigid 0-degree polar blast came around, which caused Texans to Google the word, “coat.”

On the positive side, the vaccine arrived in record time. The negative side is that the Corona cooties are still lingering around. So now we’re being told to mask up with double or even triple layers. What?!

I have an idea, instead of multiple layers of masks how about I just push a big fat pillow onto my face and cinch it with the tightest notch in a belt. If air can’t get through that barrier I know those Ronas aren’t going to make it through either.

I have a feeling 2021 is going to end up like a bad rerun of the movie “Groundhog’s Day.” Hmm, groundhogs? Vermin? We need cats in charge STAT! Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings.

Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder.

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

ACROSS 1. À la mode 5. Westminster broadcaster 8. Lamb’s momma 11. Depression drifter 12. Alternative to truth 13. Like a Druid, e.g.

15. Verify 16. Flair 17. Avoid paying taxes 18. *Same as power in math 20. Surrender territory 21. Mini, midi or maxi 22. Longnosed fish 23. *Round #23 Down 26. Adverb derived from zone 30. Miner’s bounty 31. Curved like a foot 34. Mother Earth to Ancient Greeks 35. Truck amounts 37. “____ the land of the free...”

38. Hitler’s Third 39. Capri, e.g.

40. Walked 42. Grande, e.g.

43. Remove scales 45. Accustomed, two words 47. Like arctic air 48. More capable

50. Tibetan priest 52. *Part of a whole number 55. Grinding tooth 56. Stare amorously 57. Hoofbeat sound 59. Garlic mayo 60. Kick out 61. Gossamer 62. *Pi’s second digit 63. High ____ 64. “Brave New World” drug DOWN 1. Half a particular dance 2. Past tense of heave 3. Type of mountain goat 4. Body six feet under 5. Harvest helper 6. Small goose 7. Abe’s coin 8. Exclamation of surprise, archaic 9. Do like fly fisherman 10. Between northeast and east 12. One who denies 13. Popular pie nut 14. *Sum divided by count 19. Southern cuisine pods 22. Apollo to ancient Greeks

23. *Three-dimensional object 24. Not poetry 25. Mends 26. *Whole number between -1 and 1 27. Scottish landowner 28. In accordance with law 29. Search engine pioneer 32. Pigeon’s home 33. H in British HMS 36. *Kind of point 38. Set to zero 40. Cunning 41. Pleasing to the ear 44. Ticks and mites, taxonomically speaking 46. Short for Fredericas 48. Lock horns 49. Popular craft wood 50. Under a fig leaf?

51. Gel producing plant 52. *0.3048 meters 53. Pasta with ____ and alio 54. “Cheers” regular 55. Cultural Revolution leader 58. Money in Myanmar

SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9