CNSTC: April 26, 2017

April 26, 2017

Connecting parents and kids

Around Town

SAR presents award to St. Charles Fire Dept. P.3 Expanded guidlines qualify more families for WIC. P.3

Golden Years Seniors Helping Seniors provides opportunities for service and companionship P.5

School

SCSD student and employee connect through lost hat. P.8 Come and experience all of the fun activities and booths at this year’s 11th Annual Baby Kid Expo at the St. Charles Center on Saturday, May 6 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Submitted photos

Bring the family to the 2017 Baby Kid Expo

By Nicholas Elmes What if you could plan a fun day with the kids, and connect with businesses and nonprofits focused on helping kids in the area as well?

The 11th Annual Baby Kid Expo, set for Saturday, May 6, at the St. Charles Convention Center, from 9 a.m. until 3p.m., will provide all of that and more.

The free expo is the largest annual event held in the metro St. Louis area that’s specially designed to provide parents with a fun trade show atmosphere, while their kids enjoy an awesome day of fun and entertainment while parents get to learn about resources available in the community that they might not be familiar with otherwise.

“It is a way for people to meet face to face and learn about those opportunities,” said Baby Kid Expo Owner/Event Manager Heather Deatz. “It is designed to connect businesses and families directly.”

Over one hundred businesses will have information on recreation, education, health, camps, finance, home improvement and many unique products will be available

for purchase.

“We focus on kids from birth through middle school,” said Deatz. “We have a lot of things for babies, toddlers and elementary school kids; but we also get into things like tutoring and recreational activities for older kids as well.”

Deatz said that while the expo is located in St. Charles, the event has a large regional draw.

“It’s a very central location,” she said.

“There are not any other events like this in the whole metropolitan area, so we draw from Illinois as well as from way out west.”

This year’s expo features a wide variety of new educational and entertaining events for all ages.

The expo’s presenting sponsor, BJC St. Charles County, will be unveiling their brand new Mobile Health Fair at the expo.

“It is an interactive experience with games, activities and giveaways focused on health and wellness,” said Deatz. “There’s skeeball, Zoltar the fortune teller and more.

Everything will tie into some health offering in this brand new exhibit.”

Also, new this year is the American Diamonds pageant, which will give girls and

WSD HOSA students advance in international competition. P.8

Business

boys ages one to 15 a chance to compete in varying age groups and clothing styles.

“There will be two different dress divisions,” said Deatz. “They can choose to participate in either Bling Bling Wear, which is a traditional pageant type dress category, or Diamond in the Rough, which will be more basic clothing when they model on stage. There will be one winner per age division who will get a crown and sash and trophy and the overall winner will get a free entrance fee to a bigger pageant happening in the fall.”

More information and registration can be found at www.babykidexpo.com.

For the more science oriented, another new attraction, Mad Science, will be amazing the kids with their Fire and Ice Show on the main stage.

“Kids will be dazzled and entertained as they interact with our Mad Scientists,” said Deatz. “There will be foggy dry ice storms, giant beach balls floating in the air and even a special Mad Science ‘burp’ potion.

Don’t miss this at 10:45 am.”

Deatz said a returning event, the Diaper See EXPO page 2

Serving St. Louis, St. Charles, and Lincoln Counties | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 19 No. 17 | 636-379-1775

SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital - Lake St. Louis opens first section of tower expansion P.9

Movie Are VIP movies wortth the price? P.16

Weather FRIDAY Scattered Storms 73/62 SATURDAY Showers/ Storms Likely 80/65 SUNDAY Chance of Storms 75/48 FirstWarn Weather

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

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April 26, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

EXPO Continued from cover Derby, is always a crowd favorite.

“We have five different heats and the parents do everything they can to get their kids to race across the stage to see who is the fastest,” she said. “A lot of them get distracted by the crowd or the music so it is really funny. It is fun for the parents, the kids and the crowd to watch.”

Parents can register their nine to 14-month-old children to participate in the Diaper Derby at www.babykidexpo. com and the race will kick off at 10 a.m.

Also returning this year will be St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s Safety Street.

“This is a very large, interactive exhibit where the kids actually get to walk through streets and learn about safety,” said Deatz, noting that the exhibit features railroad crossings, barking dogs and a police officer. “People will take them through the exhibit and explain all of the different aspects of being safe when out in the world. It is a great way for parents to safely start those conversations with their kids when they are young about dangers and watching out for cars.”

Another great safety exhibit, MoChip, will provide parents with a free CD with their child’s vital information on it.

“If anything ever happens, parents can

take the CD to authorities and it will go straight into the Amber Alert system,” said Deatz. “In these situations, time is of the essence so stop by their area and go through the process to gather this important information.”

The expo will also feature a variety of performances including favorite princesses and mascots from Once Upon an Occasion.

The expo will also highlight this year’s Ameren Zone Spotlight Charity, The Sparrow’s Nest Maternity Home.

“Every year we look around the community for people we think are making a difference,” said Deatz. “This year we learned about The Sparrow’s Nest Maternity Home and how they help so many young teenagers that don’t have the support to support them during this very important time of their lives. Teenage girls get to come there and live in the home and get to stay there for a period of time after their baby is born. It gives everybody a good start to their lives.”

Other events at the expo include: • The St. Charles County Ambulance District will be teaching CPR for infants and children on site.

This life saving skill is so important for all parents to know how

to perform. There is no charge for this and it will be taught from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• The Activity Zone sponsored by Brain Skinz • A petting zoo.

• Pony rides.

• Face painting.

• A climbing wall.

• Abra-Kid-Abra magic show.

• Serengeti Steve’s reptile show.

• Cutest Baby Contest sponsored by American Diamonds.

Visit www.BabyKidsExpo.com for details of how to enter your 0-3 year old in the contest to win a prize pack that includes St. Louis Cardinals tickets, a photography session and more.

Deatz said that, in addition to all of the great entertainment and activities, parents would also have access to a lot of free giveaways at the expo.

“There will be formula giveaways, lots of diapers will be given away, we will be giving away a car seat, and you can even to register for a trip to Mexico,” she said.

“Coming through this event you will receive a lot of free samples, advice and coupons.”

Deatz said parents should plan for at least an hour to visit all of the booths

at the event and then additional time to catch some of the performances and other fun exhibits.

“My favorite part of it is when someone comes up to me and they have met somebody that is really going to make a change in their lives,” she added. “Please come by and meet with these local companies that are here and have so much to offer. Whether it is a local store down the street that you did not know about or nonprofit or facilities, just come and connect and have fun at the same time.”

Deatz said there are still several vendor spaces open for the event as well.

Sponsors include: Barnes Jewish St. Peters Hospital, Children’s at Progress West Hospital, Brunswick Zone XL, Ameren, Metro PCS, Primrose Academy, Academy of the Sacred Heart, British Swim School, St. Charles County Ambulance District, St. Charles City County Library District, Proctor & Gamble, Upper Limits, Brainskinz, Promotions Pronto, Community News, My Cottleville, Sprout and About, Kids Out and About, Fun 4 Kids Stl. For more information about the Baby Kid Expo, please visit www.babykidexpo.com or call 1-866-654-EXPO (3976).

St. Peters/Cottleville residents are invited to shred it and forget it

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

Published weekly since 1921.

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

Publisher Robert J. Huneke Editor Mathew DeKinder

St. Peters and Cottleville residents will have an opportunity to securely destroy unneeded documents on May 6, from 9 a.m. - noon. A large mobile shredder will be at St. Peters’ Health and Environmental Operations Building at 135 Ecology Drive, in St. Peters.

This service is free for St. Peters and Cottleville resident households only.

A Resident Privilege Card is required.

Resident Privilege Cards can be obtained at city hall, the Rec-Plex and Recycle City.

Simply place the documents you want to destroy in cardboard boxes and bring

them to the Health and Environmental Operations Building. Please make sure that the banker-size boxes are not too heavy to lift. There is a limit of five banker-size boxes per vehicle. All of the shredded material will be recycled, including the cardboard boxes if they are not needed back.

Do not bring computer discs or hanging file rods. If you can tear it, then you can shred it using this service. The documents may contain staples or paper clips.

People who do not live in St. Peters or Cottleville can participate; however, there will be a fee of $5 per box, cash only for

Production Manager Rebecca Brockmann Production Assistants Lisa Moran, Melissa Nordmann Staff Writers Brett Auten, Nicholas Elmes Columnists Gary Baute, Steve Bryan, Cindy Moore, Nick Palisch Cartoonist John Hanna Staff Photographer Ray Rockwell Social Media Lori North Classified Advertising Brooke Tolle Display Advertising Diane Cooper, Randy Davies, Heather Deatz, Susan Faust, Doug Garbs, Bob Huneke, David McFarland, Norm Merchant, Christy Parks, Christy Weber Circulation: Distributech, Dominion Distribution, Papers Unlimited Community News is a Registered Trademark of Huneke Publications, Inc. Neither the advertiser nor the publisher is responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, typographical errors, etc., herein contained. Huneke Publications, Inc. reserves the right to accept or reject all news and advertising copy which in the sole judgement and discretion of the publisher/editor is not suitable or deemed appropriate for publication. Copyright 2016 Huneke Publica tions, Inc. with all rights reserved. No part of the publications may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher/editor. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns are the opinion of the writers and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Entire Contents Copyrighted

www.centerpointehospital.com

non-residents. The five-box limit applies.

After dropping off your paper for shredding, pick up a tree seedling to plant.

The city’s Parks, Recreation & Arts Advisory Board will once again be participating in this annual Arbor Day activity. This year flowering dogwood, redbud and swamp white oak seedlings will be available while they last.

The trees will be available from 9 - 10 a.m. for St. Peters residents with a Resident Privilege Card. After 10 a.m., the trees will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • April 26, 2017

Around Town

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Expanded income guidelines Sons of the American Revolution present qualify more families for WIC awards to city of St. Charles Fire Department To provide more assistance to growing families, the St. Charles County Department of Public Health’s Division of Health Services — in partnership with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) — announces the expansion of income eligibility guidelines for participation in the Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC). The new guidelines are effective through March 31, 2018.

WIC provides specific nutritious supplemental foods and nutrition education at no cost to nearly 2,000 qualifying pregnant and breastfeeding women, postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five each month in St. Charles County. To qualify for this program, participants must meet income guidelines, live in Missouri and be individually determined to be at “nutrition risk” by a health professional. Persons interested in applying for WIC services in St. Charles County should make an appointment by phone at 636 949-7402.

“WIC gives growing families a healthy start, with the program tailored to the specific nutritional needs of each family member,” Program Manager Eva Obirek notes. “It is important for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers and their children receive proper nutrition and guidance during these crucial developmental periods. These expansions in the participation requirements will allow more families to receive the help they desire.”

Studies confirm that women who participate in WIC have fewer low birth-weight babies, experience fewer infant deaths, see the doctor earlier in pregnancy, and eat healthier. The primary services provided through this no-cost program are health screening, risk assessment, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding promotion and referrals to additional health care.

By participating, eligible families will receive supplies designed to improve their health and aid in development.

For these guidelines, pregnant women are counted as two family members: Family Size

Annual

Monthly

Weekly

2

$30,044 $2,504 $578

3

$37,777 $3,149 $727

4

$45,510 $3,793 $876

5

$53,243 $4,437 $1,024

Submitted photo (From left) Chapter Members Bill Grote and Rick Morton stand with chapter vice president and St. Peters Alderman Michael Shea, Captain Dan Casey, Deputy Chief Mike Grzyb, firefighter Michael McCarthy, chapter president Marvin Koechig, Captain Jamie Young and Missouri SAR Society President Dale Schmidt.

At a recent meeting of the Fernando de Leyba (St. Charles County) Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution the chapter presented the society’s Fire Safety Commendation Medal and Certificate to city of St. Charles Fire Department Captain Jamie Young and firefighter Michael McCarthy.

The St. Charles City Fire Department is part of a team which is called out in the case of sudden emergencies which would fall under the purview of the Swift Water Task Force. During recent flooding, the St. Charles City Fire Department was one of at least five departments and approximately sixteen personnel who participated in this effort because of quickly rising flood waters.

Young and McCarthy were the two representatives of the city fire department who were assisting that night. The tasks included performing command functions to ensure safety/ accountability and coordination between the different resources. The shore division was to assist with launching and landing of the boats while the boat operators had their specific tasks. The

rescue swimmers had specific tasks and EMS was present for both victim(s) and rescue personnel.

Personnel are often operators and swimmers, as was the case with Young and McCarthy. Young and McCarthy were specifically tasked with this assignment because of their expertise in swiftwater rescues.

On this evening the nighttime temperature was less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. A person can survive in 41 degree water for 10 to 20 minutes before the muscles get weak and one loses coordination and strength. These things occur as blood moves away from the extremities and toward the center or core of the body.

Young and McCarthy had been on the St. Charles Fire Department boat which stalled.

They then jumped onto a boat belonging to the Monarch Fire Protection District that was running the operation. While on this boat, and because of Young and McCarthy’s quick action, they were able to rescue a man who was trapped in his vehicle which was stuck between two trees and in swift water.

www.babykidexpo.com

WWW.CLEANSPA.COM

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April 26, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

DAR honors Hickory County Historical Society with preservation award

www.communitylivingmo.org/work-with-us/

1:00 - 3:00 PM

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On April 8 the Caroline Close Stuart Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution presented the Hickory County Historical Society with the DAR National Preservation Award. This award recognizes and honors an individual or group that has done remarkable volunteer work at the community level in preservation.

Ginger Donohue accepted the award on behalf of the society for their work in preserving the John Siddle Williams House.

Located in the community of Hermitage, Missouri, it was built in 1855 and is on the National Register of Historic sites.

Along with the award the chapter also presented Donohue with a check to help with the upcoming painting needs of the house.

“Helping preserve historic

Submitted photo Ginger Donohue accepted the DAR National Preservation Award from the Caroline Close Stuart Chapter on behalf of the Hickory County Historical Society.

homes throughout nation is just one of the ways the DAR insures our heritage is honored,” says Chapter Regent, Helene Reece.

“We are pleased to help in this small way a community deserving.”

SCC Public Health to recognize MRC Member of the Year and welcome new members

www.ofallon.mo.us

A Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a volunteer-based unit formed to assist in a large-scale disaster or community-wide public health emergency. At an orientation meeting at 5:30 p.m. on May 2, the St. Charles County Department of Public Health will recognize Faye Otto as its MRC Member of the Year and welcome new members to the group.

“Faye’s positive attitude makes her a vital contributor to our program,” St. Charles County Public Health Emergency Planner Nick Kohlberg notes. “She is dedicated to our team, eager to learn, and an active participant in our trainings and operations. Faye is the ideal candidate to recognize as our 2017 St. Charles County MRC Member of the Year and sets a high standard for all future recipients.”

The orientation meeting will

introduce new and prospective members to the MRC program, cover various roles in St. Charles County’s Emergency Response Plan and outline training. The orientation will take place at the Department of Public Health office, located at 1650 Boones Lick Road in St. Charles. If you are 18 or older and interested in joining the program, please call Public Health Emergency Planner Nick Kohlberg at 636-9497554 or visit www.sccmo.org/ MRC for more information.

Medically trained and nonmedical professionals alike can put their knowledge and skills to use in helping the community as a MRC volunteer. In an emergency response, these volunteers may be called upon to perform roles such as: • Dispensing medication • Illness investigation • Logistics and transportation

www.westcommunity.org

www.dschuster.com

Submitted photo The St. Charles County Department of Public Health will recognize Faye Otto as its MRC Member of the Year.

• • •

Public information and social media communication Mental health and spiritual support Pet sheltering

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • April 26, 2017

Giving to the next generation From self-expression to selfdirection, there are countless ways to age out loud. Some of the most rewarding ways for older adults involve passing on experiences, wisdom and skills to others.

Everyone has something to share, and these ideas from the Administration of Community Living can help you get started.

Mentor. Use professional or personal experiences to guide a child, young adult or peer. Example: Visit Senior Corps at nationalservice.gov to learn about becoming a foster grandparent.

Volunteer. Put skills to use while giving back to your community. Example: Sign up to collect food or clothing donations, serve meals at a local soup kitchen or help older adults with daily tasks at home, such as paying bills.

Teach. Impart expertise via formal or informal education and tutoring opportunities. Example: Check with local schools that may need reading, math or science tutors.

Speak. Sign up for speaking engagements, paid or unpaid, as well as storytelling events.

Example: Open-mic events, often at theaters and libraries, welcome speakers of all ages.

Engage. Visit a senior center or organize a gathering focused on connecting with others. Example: Book clubs attract par-

www.

Around Town

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mycnews.com

www.SENIORSHELPINGSENIORS.COM/STCHARLES www.seniorshelpingseniors.com/stcharles

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

ticipants of all ages and encourage the exchange of ideas.

Write. Pen an article, op-ed or even a book to communicate wisdom and lessons learned.

Example: Start with something you know the most about, such as a career, hobby or historical event, and submit a column to your local newspaper.

Create. Pick a medium and use art to express yourself and share your perspective. Example: Paint, draw, sculpt, play music, dance, make crafts – whatever suits you.

These ideas and many others can help amplify the voices of older Americans and raise awareness of vital aging issues in communities across the nation. Find more ideas at oam.

ACL.gov.

www.meridiansenior.com www.MERIDIANSENIOR.com

Seniors Helping Seniors provides opportunities for service and companionship Mary and Michael Kierath have owned Seniors Helping Seniors for three years. During this time their business has expanded to include the St Charles County Area. Because of their love for seniors and their personal experience, it was an easy choice to open a SHS in the St Louis/St. Charles area.

“Seniors Helping Seniors gives me the best of both worlds. I am able to employ seniors who want to ‘give back’ and in turn help seniors who want to remain in their homes or communities, safely, but need some help.” said Mary Kierath. “There is a definite shortage of quality employment for seniors in the area. Our seniors become friends with their seniors and understand the reality of aging.”

“Many of our client’s families

live out of town or out of the area. To have someone close to their parent’s age come and visit and help them is peace of mind,” Mary said.

Recently Mary received a text from the daughter of a client that read, “I have to tell you that my mother adores you. I have never heard her rave about anyone like you. I just had to tell you how kind and helpful she thinks you are. Bless you for making a difference in her life.”

SHS provides non-medical service that includes, but is not limited to, companionship, transportation, dementia/Alzheimer’s care, 24/7 care, respite care, post-operative care, meal prep and personal grooming.

For more information or to schedule a visit please call 636294-3012.

www.CEDARHURSTLIVING.COM www.cedarhurstliving.com

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Around Town

April 26, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

FACEBOOK.COM/MYCNEWS

www.636Cars.com

“Community News hits all areas for all ages.”

-Reader ’s comment, 2016

Boys & Girls Club members get hands-on lesson on water conservation The Wayland Foundation sponsored a visit on April 11 to the Boys & Girls Club located in St. Charles of their Water Ambassador from their Mississippi River Outreach Tour. The Mobile Learning Center, a 1,000 sq. ft. learning exhibition on wheels arrived at the club allowing its members the opportunity to engage in the many way of water preservation. The foundation focuses on conservation and awareness of our oceans and waterways with 2017 giving special attention to watershed quality on the Mississippi River.

Instructors were on board to explain the importance of protecting our rivers and water sources through healthy watersheds.

Submitted photo

Why do you read the Community News?

Pick up your copy at a newsstand today or check us out online, www.mycnews.com

Weather from Nick’s Window

by Nick Palisch

Understanding the many colors of severe weather risk

www.stpetersmo.net/rec-plex

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma is responsible for monitoring severe weather across the entire United States. They are the folks who issue all our severe thunderstorm and tornado watches. They also issue daily convective storm outlooks which highlight areas of potential thunderstorms (severe and non-severe).

The convective outlooks are issued for up to eight days. The day one (current day) is updated five times throughout the day, with the day two (next day) being updated twice. The day three through eight are issued once a day.

When the storm prediction center issues daily convective outlooks they do so with categories, non-severe (light green), marginal (dark green), slight (yellow), enhanced (orange), moderate (red), and high risk (magenta) level. Each of these risk categories must meet certain criteria in order for the particular risk to be issued. The colors associated with them help to easily identify the risk.

Before we jump into the risk categories, let’s quickly define what is severe weather? Severe storms are those that produce wind gusts to at least 58 mph, one inch diameter hail, and/ or a tornado.

The non-severe risk (light green) is indicative that while thunderstorms are forecast for a particular area, the potential for severe storms is limited. All thunderstorms produce lightning and the potential for flooding, but severe criteria is not expected in a non-severe risk. In this risk, winds to 40 mph and small hail may still exist within stronger storms.

Marginal risk (dark green) indicates that isolated severe storms are possible. In a marginal risk, severe storms are limited in duration, coverage and intensity. Winds between 40-60 mph are possible with some hail events up to one inch and a low tornado risk exists.

It is important to know that not all the severe criteria will be present with all storms.

A slight risk (yellow) means that scattered severe storms are possible, with short-lived storms that are not widespread. However, a

few storms may be intense which could produce one or two tornadoes. In addition, strong winds with potential damage is possible and hail of one inch with isolated larger hail.

The enhanced risk (orange) is a bit more telling in the fact that numerous severe storms are possible with more widespread and persistent.

A few of these storms could be intense. A few tornadoes, damaging winds, and hail between one to two inches in diameter can be expected.

A moderate risk (red) is often considered a severe weather outbreak. Widespread severe storms are likely with some long-lived, widespread and intense storms. Strong tornadoes are possible. In addition, widespread wind damage and potentially destructive hail of at least two inches in diameter and greater are expected. This risk is usually issued when several supercells are expected or an intense squall line develops.

The last risk, which is rare, and reserved for high confidence severe weather outbreaks is the high risk (magenta). This risk, while similar to the moderate risk, is indicative of widespread severe storms with long-lived storms that could be intense producing strong tornadoes or derechos.

Each risk alerts meteorologists and weather services across the country on what can be expected during the forecasted timeframe. By knowing and understanding these risk categories can help you prepare for potential severe weather for your area.

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

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • April 26, 2017

Yeggs

Around Town

John Hanna

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

Moore On Life

By Cindy Moore

High crimes In yet another example of “the customer’s always right” a well-known airline (rhymes with, soon-tobe-indicted) tossed out a cash-paying customer somewhere over Dubuque with only a parachute and a stale pack of peanuts.

As the drama high in the sky unfurls, a new low has been reached by those people transporters.

Now I’ll confess there have been many times I have tested the patience of the gestapo (a.k.a., flight attendants) to the limit and probably deserved a pummeling.

For instance, there was the time I didn’t push my bag underneath the chair in front of me sufficiently.

The strap happened to be hanging out further than FAA regulations permitted. That major infraction cost me my ration of pretzels during snack time.

Instead, I was handed an empty regurgitation bag and told to think about my impudence.

Once I forgot to raise my chair to its original position before takeoff. I was severely reprimanded over the intercom and told how I had put the entire crew and passengers at risk. Had the unfortunate plane lifted off with my chair reclined back that full inch, it would have disrupted the strategic balance of the fuselage and caused the wings to rip off at two minutes into flight! My impertinence took away my complimentary soda privileges.

Then there was that unbuckled belt incident. Turbulence had begun and the seatbelt light came on. I was in a deep sleep and missed it. But not the keen eyes of the snark-patrol who had become bored from pacing up the aisle for the twentieth time asking for trash items. The steward went on a “click it or ticket” patrol. He roughly roused me from my

death sleep and tossed me a warrant instructing me when to appear in court then placed me on a no-fly list for the next three months.

But the all-time violation came when I made the capital offense of strolling out of coach…you know down in the windy cavern where the cargo and cattle are kept. Both potty portals were taken. I spied the bathroom at the front unoccupied and listened as the seams of my bladder began to rupture. I made the snap decision to wander up to first class and use the mysterious bathroom of the favored clients. I entered it to find an extensive spa complete with a personal masseuse serving icy drinks with tiny umbrellas and fruit kabobs. Ni-i-i-ice!

No sooner had I seated myself than an infrared device scanned my bum print and detected that I was not a first class customer. The air marshal was summoned and immediately tossed me out the emergency exit along with a parachute.

But, lucky me, I got a “fresh” packet of peanuts!

www.treesbywoody.net

Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two selfindulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation?

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

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

www.GSTCC.com

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School

April 26, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

SCSD student and employee connect through a lost hat: a story 50 years in the making Being a historical area, the city of St. Charles is full of houses that have survived for generations. Not only do these quaint homes provide the city with character and small town charm, but they can also connect its residents and bridge the generation gap.

Back in September, David Eckhoff, a substitute bus driver for the City of St. Charles School District, was riding on the #24 bus in order to get a feel for the route he would one day cover, when it pulled up to a house with which he was quite familiar. As the bus lurched to a halt, eighth grader Joe Joersz hopped up the two sizable steps onto the bus and sat across from Eckhoff. Before the bus pulled away to its prescribed destination, Eckhoff got Joe’s attention.

“If I had to guess, I’d say that window is yours,” Eckhoff said, pointing to one of the glass panes on the home’s front facade.

“Yeah, it is,” Joe said perplexed. “How do you know that?”

“Because my parents gave me the same room when I lived there as a kid.”

Not only is Eckhoff an employee of the City of St. Charles School District, he was also a student, having graduated from St. Charles High in 1975 and had previously lived in the house where the Joerszs presently reside.

Amused, Joe asked Eckhoff a few questions about his time at the house before heading into Hardin Middle School to start his day. And that’s where the story ended; two people five decades removed

created a bond through a shared space.

Until February.

Five months later, Eckhoff filled in on the afternoon route for the #24 bus. As he approached the last stop for the day, he noticed the familiar scene from his childhood. When the buses squealing brakes stopped, Joe shuffled through the aisle, making his way to the door. Before exiting the bus, Joe posed a question.

“Is your name David Eckhoff?” Joe asked.

“Yes, it is,” Eckhoff replied. “How do you know that?”

“Hold on a sec, I have something for you.”

Joe bolted towards the house and came out a minute later. In his hand was a Cub Scout hat. Joe handed Eckhoff the hat and he flipped it over. On the underside of the crown, against a mustard colored fabric, written with fine red pen in his mother’s script was the name “David Eckhoff.”

The Joersz family uncovered the hat while in the attic of their home pulling out Halloween decorations. The hat was under some leaves and insulation which, apparently, helped preserve it, because other than some fraying around the edges, the hat was in fantastic shape.

“The hat fell out of the attic opening when we were moving boxes,” Joe said.

“When I saw there was a name in it, I remembered he (Eckhoff) told me about living there.”

Since Eckhoff is a substitute bus driver, Joe wasn’t sure if he’d see him again,

Photo courtesy City of St. Charles School District David Eckhoff (right), a substitute bus driver for the City of St. Charles School District, stands with Hardin Middle School eighth grader Joe Joersz and Eckhoff’s Cub Scout hat that Joersz discovered 50 years after Eckhoff had lost it.

but held onto the hat just in case. Eckhoff is glad that he did.

“Seeing the hat brought back so many memories,” said Eckhoff, who estimated the hat was 50 years old. “I really enjoyed my time in the Cub Scouts so it’s nice to have something from then.”

Eckhoff commends Joe on returning the hat to him, saying that most kids would have not remembered or cared

Wentzville School District buses score high on state inspection The Wentzville School District Transportation bus fleet was inspected by the Missouri State Highway Patrol

www.ShoesANDHope.org

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on March 22 and 23 and was found to have an approval rate of 97 percent for first-time presentations. For reference, the statewide average last year was 89.9 percent.

Of the 153 buses presented for inspection, only four minor defects were identified, and repairs, re-inspections and approvals were all received while the MSHP inspection team was still on site.

The 97 percent first-time approval rate should qualify the WSD Transportation Department fleet for the Missouri State Highway Patrol “Certificate of Fleet Excellence” award which is announced each summer following the conclusion of all state-wide school bus inspections.

“The inspection results are a true representation of the pride and commitment our fleet maintenance team and driver team put into their jobs each and every day,” said David Wilson, Director of Transportation for the district.

Last year, WSD buses traveled over 1,936,000 miles and safely transported over 10,500 students every school day.

enough to do so. For Joe, it seemed like the right thing to do.

“I would hope someone would do the same for me if they found something of mine,” Joe said.

And who knows, perhaps 50 years from now, one of St. Charles’ brick abodes will relinquish a childhood memory of Joe’s.

WSD HOSA students advance to international competition Students in the Holt, Liberty and Timberland high school HOSA (Future Healthcare Professionals) chapters competed in the Missouri State Convention in Rolla, Missouri on March 27 and 28.

Twenty five students brought home an award and qualified to move on to the International Leadership Conference which will be held in Orlando, Florida on June 20-24.

Liberty junior Daryn Adler was named Missouri HOSA President and Liberty junior Alexis Guffey was named Missouri HOSA Historian for the 2017-18 school year. In addition, Holt seniors Ben Meyer and Triston Welch and Timberland sophomore Alexis Hohenshell received the Barbara James Service Award for completing over 100 hours of community service.

HOSA is sponsored by Holt teacher Nathan Jones, Liberty teacher Jennifer Strathman and Timberland teacher James Craghead, and students must be enrolled in one of the district’s Project Lead the Way biomedical classes in order to be a member of the chapter.

Congratulations to the following students who placed and will be advancing to compete at the international level: Holt High School • Morgan Edwards and Drashti Topiwala, First Place – Career Health Display • Abby Sondker, Amy Smith, Rachel Nelson, and Ben Meyer, Second Place – Creative Problem Solving • Mikaela Morgan, Savannah Sneed, and Abby Hunt, Third Place – Community Awareness • Carley Bartrum and Megan Thornburgh – HOSA Reflections, qualified to compete at International Conference Liberty High School • Daryn Adler, Second Place – Biomedical Laboratory Science • Alexis Guffey, Second Place – Healthy Lifestyle • Madison McGuire, Second Place – Medical Reading • Katelyn Bindbeutel and Cameron Graham, Third Place in Medical Innovation Timberland High School • Margret Roberts, Grace Cooper, Taylor Whitehead, and Dawsyn Young, First Place - HOSA Bowl • Jessica Dorrough and Kollette Hoffman, HOSA Reflections, qualified to compete at International Conference

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • April 26, 2017

Tru by Hilton Celebrates new location with ground breaking ceremony

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Ben Kinseth, Director of Operations, along with representatives with Kinseth Hospitality and Cullinan Properties, celebrated the new site of Tru by Hilton hotel at a ground breaking ceremony on March 23. On hand was city of St. Charles Mayor Sally Faith and representatives with the city of St. Charles, board members and ambassadors with the Greater St. Charles County

Chamber of Commerce.

When completed, Tru by Hilton Hotel will be located at 333 Camelback Road at the Streets of St. Charles. Tru by Hilton will be a five-story, 87room hotel brand geared toward Millennials and cross-generational clientele.

For more information on Tru by Hilton, visit their website at www.tru3.hilton.com.

www.MastersGCR.com

SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – Lake Saint Louis opens first section of tower expansion SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – Lake Saint Louis opened the first section of their tower expansion to patients – the first step in a process that will expand the hospital and improve access for patients in the growing population of western St. Charles, Warren and Lincoln counties. The project adds 84 beds for a new total of 199 allprivate beds in the medical facility.

The 35-room fourth floor opened March 13, and was developed for a more modern approach to patient care. It features floor-to-ceiling windows, a private window to the hallway for caregivers to conveniently observe patients, and peaceful family lounges. In addition, the floor has removed centralized nursing stations and placed one outside each patient room, creating a space for each patient’s care team to collaborate with not only each other, but the patient and family.

“Our goal is to provide safe and exceptional, personalized care,” said Lisle Wescott, SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital president. “The updates we are making to our campus position us to achieve that goal.”

The tower’s third floor mirrors the fourth and will begin seeing patients in April 2017 while a fifth floor will become home to the SSM Health Rehabilitation Hospital in July of 2017. A new centralized registration center, housing financial counselor and cashier will also open on March 27.

Other upgrades include a new, larger lab, pharmacy, endoscopy suite, parking deck and a new outpatient services center including an outpatient lab, nuclear medicine, neurology and cardiology.

www.wentzville-mo.minutemanpress.com

Keough Chiropractic celebrates new location with ribbon cutting Dr. Felicity Keough celebrated the new location of her business, Keough Chiropractic, with a ribbon cutting on March 27. On hand were employees, family and patients, city of St. Charles Mayor Sally Faith, board members and ambassadors with the Greater St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce.

Keough Chiropractic is located at 2440 Executive Drive and has a passion for creating health and wellness in people of all ages, especially with children and women who are pregnant, and is making a difference in the lives of people throughout the St. Charles and

Submitted photo

St. Louis region For more information on Keough Chiropractic, please

call 636-244-4994 or visit the website at www.keoughchiropractic.com.

Forrest Keeling Nursery 800-356-2401 www.forrestkeeling.com forrestkeeling.com

10

Sports

April 26, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

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Women’s Lacrosse team at Lindenwood celebrate big for senior day The Lindenwood University team extended its winning streak to 17 games with a 26-3 senior day victory over Oklahoma Baptist this past Saturday afternoon. The game was Lindenwood’s 31st consecutive victory at Hunter Stadium in St. Charles.

The Lady Lions started all nine seniors who were honored earlier in the afternoon during a pregame ceremony.

The ladies rattled off the first three scores of the half, building a 3-0 lead. Morgan Judd, Cassie Stucklen and Rachel Benzing tallied the scores for Lindenwood.

Before the half, Lindenwood hit the back of the net 10 consecutive times.

Jenna Battaglini and Sarah Goetz each tallied two goals during the run. Hannah Doughty, Carly Fedorowski, Garland Fiser, Allison Hurley, Cassie Stucklen and Hunter Waldau each scored once for Lindenwood in the first half. The hometown team headed into the locker room at halftime with a 13-1 lead.

The last 30 minutes of play saw the Lady Lions score 13 points with Xenia Du Mont scoring three goals to lead all second-half scorers, while Delaney Solomon and Molly Beckham each scored their first goals of the season. Solomon played goalie at the first of the game for Lindenwood making five saves before shifting to the offensive end of the field.

Savannah Phillips and Erin Abbott scored the final two goals of the afternoon for Lindenwood, as all nine seniors found the back of the cage at least once during the victory.

Solomon picked up her fifth win of the season in net for the Lady Lions.

Following the victory, Lindenwood improves to 17-0 and 7-0 from within the RMAC. *Impressive Seniors

17 days to Rascals home opener The River City Rascals play professional baseball in the West Division of the Frontier League

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with home games at Car Shield Field in O’Fallon.

The new RAM turf is just about done completed at the stadium getting ready for the home opener in less than two weeks. Also the food and drink menu has been revised to compliment the game experience.

The Rascals start the 2017 campaign against the Normal CornBelters with a 6:35 p.m. start time on May 12.

All the hoopla will start late in the afternoon with many surprises by different celebrities.

Go to www.RiverCityRascals.com for more information. *New year, new turf

Indoor Raiders football drops second contest The River City Raiders are a member of the Arena Pro Football (APF) league with home games at the Family Arena.

The team will take on the Savannah Coastal Outlaws for their next home contest this Saturday, April 29.

So far in the young season the team has won and lost one game in the league standings.

Head Coach Greg Moore is confident in his staff to get positive results. His staff includes John J. Johnson, and assistant coaches Demoine Smith, Justin Kutz and Jeff Hunt.

Go to www.IndoorRaiders.com for more information. *Hard working group

Gary B. will be broadcasting the “STL Health and Wellness LIVE” show every Saturday from 9-11 am on 590 The Fan and 590TheFan.com Gary Baute, a St. Louis native, may be educated in business but he lives and breathes sports. As a fan or an athlete, Gary is all sports all the time. He hosted a radio sports program on KFNS, emceed the River City Rascals’ inaugural season, and co-hosted SportsRadioSTL.com, among many other activities.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • April 26, 2017

Learn & Play

11

Unleash the power of dairy If you’re trying to boost the nutrition of your meals and snacks, look no further than your refrigerator. Dairy products provide a powerful nutrition package that can help you meet your nutrient needs and achieve better health.

The most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans affirm dairy’s important place in the diet with a recommendation that people ages 9 and older consume three servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy foods every day. With nine essential nutrients, milk, cheese and yogurt deliver a unique nutrition package superior to milk alternatives, such as almond or rice beverages, which are often fortified or fall short on these important nutrients.

During the hot summer months, when you don’t feel like spending much time in the kitchen, dairy products offer ease and convenience, as many are ready to use in recipes or round out a meal or snack.

For a quick, easy and healthy snack this summer, put a fresh take on traditional pizza with this recipe that uses crescent rolls topped with cheeses and fresh seasonal veggies. Or turn up the heat on a classic beef burrito by adding warm pepper jack cheese and black beans.

Visit MidwestDairy.com to pledge Dairy 3 for Me, find additional recipes and learn more about how to unleash the power of dairy nutrition.

Beef Burrito with Pepper Jack Cheese & Black Beans

Summer Pizza Snack Total time: 22 minutes | Servings: 12 Recipe courtesy of Cindy Heins, Heins Family Farms

Total time: 9 minutes | Servings: 6

Ingredients: 1/2 2 1 2

pound ground beef sirloin teaspoons minced garlic cup chunky salsa, divided cups cooked brown or white rice 6 whole-wheat tortillas (9 inches each)

1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed 1 can (11 ounces) corn kernels, drained 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese sliced green onion, including green tops

Ingredients:

1 tube (8 ounces) crescent rolls 1 tub (8 ounces) low-fat cream cheese 1/4 cup light mayonnaise 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

– 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.

1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese 3/4 cup sliced cherry tomatoes 1/2 cup sliced black olives 1/2 cup chopped broccoli florets 1/2 cup chopped cucumber

Directions:

In medium, nonstick skillet, brown ground beef and garlic over medium heat (break beef mixture up into smaller chunks with spatula).

Drain fat and stir in 1/2 cup salsa; set aside.

Spread 1/3 cup rice on center of tortilla, leaving 1/2-inch border. Scatter about 2 tablespoons beans and 1 1/2 tablespoons corn over rice.

Spread 1/3 cup beef mixture and 1/4 cup cheese over corn. Top with 2 teaspoons salsa and a few slices green onion. Fold in two opposite edges of tortilla 1 inch each and roll up. Place seam-side down on microwave-safe dish.

Repeat with remaining tortillas. Place burritos in microwave oven and heat 1 minute, or until heated through. Serve with remaining salsa.

Directions:

Heat oven to 375 F. In 9-by-13-inch baking pan, spread out crescent roll dough. Seal seams together to form one large rectangle across bottom of pan. Bake 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool on rack.

In small bowl, mix together cream cheese, mayonnaise and garlic powder. Spread evenly over entire cooled crust. Top with mozzarella, tomatoes, olives, broccoli and cucumber. Cut into 12 squares and serve.

See solution on page 13

Crossword Puzzle: ALL ABOUT SPACE ACROSS 1. What gridlock does 6. Portfolio acronym 9. Winglike 13. Ancient 14. The Godfather, e.g.

15. Exclude or omit 16. Distinctive spirit of a culture 17. #3 Down welcome 18. One with no permanent abode 19. *Challenger or Atlantis 21. *Type of shower 23. “He had” 24. Audition tape 25. “On the ____,” as in a fugitive 28. A pout or grimace 30. Complete shadow, pl.

35. Mosque V.I.P. 37. Attention-getting sound 39. Plants and animals 40. *Last man to walk on the moon 41. Colorado skiing destination 43. Like Roman god Janus 44. Temporary tattoo ink 46. Steak choice 47. Auction off 48. ER forerunner 50. Mischievous fairies 52. Foxlike

53. Hofbäuhaus offering 55. Hole in one 57. *Hanks in “Apollo 13” 60. *Space Coast state 64. Crew member 65. *First to land man on the moon 67. Tree juice 68. Not odds 69. Failed Molotov cocktail 70. “Bravo! Bravo!”

71. One third of a three-piece suit 72. Between E and NE 73. Rosetta Stone, e.g.

DOWN 1. “____ So Fine” 2. Reluctant 3. Pearl Harbor locale 4. Angry 5. *Solar ____ 6. Not in use 7. Wade’s opponent 8. Japanese cartoon 9. Burn soother 10. Fancy ride 11. Month of Purim 12. *The ____ Planet 15. Put six feet under 20. Parkinson’s disease drug

22. Australia’s flightless bird 24. State of les misérables 25. *____-year 26. Independent African ruler 27. Edible biblical rain 29. *Home to first man in space 31. Auction exclamations 32. Don Giovanni and such 33. The least bit 34. *First American woman in space 36. Carte du jour 38. One of FDR’s three 42. Himalayan country 45. Model Valletta and actress Tamblyn 49. Be indisposed 51. ESPN.com menu selection 54. Dodge 56. Not slouching 57. Cobain’s love 58. Has a mortgage 59. Let out steam 60. Grow dim 61. Catalina, e.g.

62. Radio tuner 63. Initial stake 64. King’s title, abbr.

66. *Solar System center

12

What’s Happening

April 26, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

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

EVENTS

concerned community members. Attendees will learn to identify the signs and symptoms of dementia, discover ways to help congregants through the journey of Alzheimer’s, an overview of Alzheimer’s disease and learn ways to support Alzheimer’s families in their congregation facing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. This event is free but registration is required. To RSVP, contact Rev. Regina Lowe at rlowe@ alz.org or call 800-272-3900.

April 19-30: Augusta Plein Air Art Festival

Early Registration and Welcome Reception at Augusta Winery, April 19 at 8 a.m.; Workshop – Sketching with Josh Been (I), April 19 at 9 a.m.; Augusta Shores Paint Out, April 20 at 6 a.m.; Daily Registration, April 20 at 8 a.m.; Montelle Winery Paint Out, April 21 at 8 a.m.; Pop-Up-Gallery – Augusta Visitor Center, April 21 at 9 a.m.; Workshop – Oil and Acrylic with Patrick Saunders (I), April 21 at 9 a.m.; Noboleis Quick Paint, April 21 at 4:30 p.m.; Morning at the Park, April 22 at 6 a.m.; Workshop – Pastel with Michele Wells, April 22 at 9 a.m.; Best of Show Paint Out, April 22 at 12 p.m.; Dinner, Night Music, and Art, April 22 at 5:30 p.m.; Morning in Washington Paintout, April 23 at 6 a.m.; Workshop – Oil and Acrylic with Patrick Saunders (II), April 23 at 9 a.m.; Lake Creek Paintout, April 23 at 1 p.m.; Workshop – Sketching with Josh Been (II), April 24 at 9 a.m.; Private Estate Paint Out, April 24 at 10 a.m.; A Day in New Melle, April 25 at 11 a.m.; Workshop – Watercolor with Spencer Meagher, April 26 at 9 a.m.; Daniel Boone Home Paint Out, April 26 at 10 a.m.; Chandler Hill Winery Premier Artist Paint Out, April 26 at 4 p.m.; A Valley View from the Vineyard, April 27 at 8 a.m.; Washington “Trees” Paintout, April 27 at 3 p.m.; Frisella Sunrise Paint Out, April 28 at 6 a.m.; Workshop – Oil and Acrylic – Joan Parker & Zak Barnes, April 28 at 9 a.m.; An Afternoon in the Wine Garden, April 28 at 12 p.m.; Sunset Paint Out at Balducci Winery. April 28 at 4 p.m.; Festival in Augusta – Artist’s Choice, People’s Choice, Theme Paint, Nocturne Paint and 15 year Celebration Dance, April 29; Final Sale from Easel and Awards, April 30 at 11 a.m.; Youth Paint Out at Mount Pleasant Estates, April 30 at 1 p.m.

April 28: Trivia night

Girlfriends for Good will hold its seventh annual trivia night to benefit Youth In Need at the Machinists’ Hall in Bridgeton at 12365 St. Charles Rock Road. Tables of eight are $200 and include beer, soda and snacks. Doors open at 6 p.m., trivia begins at 7 p.m.

Sponsor a round for $50. All proceeds benefit Youth In Need. For more information, contact Cody Finan, Community Engagement Coordinator, at cfinan@youthinneed.org or 636-7579334.

April 28: Trivia night

Second annual trivia night to benefit Powell Terrace Food Pantry takes place at First Baptist Church of Harvester at 4075 S. Old Hwy 94 in St. Charles. Doors open at 6 p.m., trivia begins at 7 p.m. Cost is $160 per table (max. of eight per table) There will be a live auction, silent auction and mulligans. Bring your own snacks and drinks (no alcohol permitted). Coffee, lemonade and tea will be available at no charge. Table space is limited so reserve your table today by calling 636724-3036 or by sending an email to bogeyhillsbaptist@sbcglobal.net.

April 28: Food Truck Frenzy

Get a taste of springtime fun right off the bat at O’Fallon’s Food Truck Frenzy & Rascals Fan Fest from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at CarShield Field. Located at 900 T.R. Hughes Boulevard in O’Fallon, the ballpark is the home of the River City Rascals. The Rascals will sell adult beverages, and Doughboys Wood Fired Pizza, Russo’s Trucktoria, Twisted Taco, Wingnut and Sarah’s Cake Stop will sell food truck fare. (Food truck service is subject to change without notice.) The rally features free parking, admission and free activities that include a speed pitch booth, the Bubble Bus and inflatables for kids.

The Original Boneheads Trombone Quartet will play rock, swing, march-

April 27: Alzheimer’s awareness breakfast

Church of the Shepherd in St. Charles is hosting the Alzheimer’s Association’s Shedding Light on Alzheimer’s breakfast to raise awareness of the sixth leading cause of death. The faith community is invited to attend the educational event from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Shedding Light is a breakfast for faith leaders, clergy, Stephen Ministers, lay stewards, parish nurses, ministerial alliance members, chaplains and

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es, jazz, doo-wop, Broadway tunes and Americana music. Details and dates for O’Fallon’s Food Truck Frenzy events are posted online at www. ofallon.mo.us/food-truck-frenzy. For weather-related event information, call 636-379-5614.

April 29: German cultural group meeting

Fruehschoppen Samstag Verein (FSV) meets the last Saturday of every month. Attendees are predominantly German born/raised people who get together at 11 a.m. in St Charles to speak German, eat a late breakfast or early lunch and sip a cool drink or two.

Wir treffen uns auf ein Bier (und vielleicht Mittagessen), und geniessen ein Gespräch auf deutsch. Over 50 percent of attendees were born or raised in Germany and over 50 percent live in St Charles County. April meeting location will be at the Traffic Jam Bar at 6 Westbury Dr. in St Charles (north side of I-70 behind Pundmann Ford).

Meeting this month is a pot luck. Attendees are asked to bring a covered dish to share.

April 29: Benefit shrimp boil

Friedens UCC, at 1703 Old Hwy 94 S in St. Charles, is hosting its annual Benefit Shrimp Boil at 6 p.m. 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi. Call 636-724-1918 to get your reservations, seating is limited. For more information go to www.friedens-ucc. org.

April 29: Motorcycle rally

St. Charles H.O.G. Chapter #2527 presents Hot Hogs Spring Rally 2017.

Register from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Saint Charles Harley-Davidson. Ride starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m.

Event includes scenic ride, hot dogs, live band, attendance prizes and a blessing of the bikes. This is an open ride, all bikes are welcome. There will be a $150 first prize, $100 second prize and $50 third prize. Rain date will be May 6. For more information Contact Gene Manning at gman151@centurylink.net.

April 29: That ‘80s Run

That ‘80s Run and its coordinating wellness expo – Exporama – is set on the St. Charles Community College campus, Great River Greenway trails and the streets of Cottleville. Once again featured at the annual run event will be the popular 10K Race (6.2 miles), 5K Race (3.1 miles) and Radical Mile. The 5K/10K will start at 7:30 a.m. in front of the SCC Student Center in the Green Parking Lot and finish in the same location. The Radical Mile will start at 9:15 a.m. near the entrances to the Red and Green parking lots on campus and will finish in the same location. Participants are encouraged to dress in ‘80s clothes or as their favorite ‘80s pop icon. Music from the era will be played by Precision Health Group and other ‘80s fun includes a photo booth, custom throwback finisher medals, dry-tec T-shirts (guaranteed for registrations received by April 8) and special surprise awards.

The entry fee for the Radical Mile is $20, late registration (April 1-21) is $25 and race-week registration (April 22-29, including day-of) is $30. Entry for the 10K and 5K is $30, late registration (April 1-21) is $35 and race-week registration (April 22-29, including day-of) is $40. The entry fee includes a dry-tec T-shirt (guaranteed for registrations received by April 8), refreshments and tickets into the prize basket drawings. For more information or to register, please visit the event website, that80srun.org.

April 29: Trivia night

St. Charles Kiwanis invites you to trivia night for an evening of friendship, fun and games at the Boys & Girls Club at 1211 Lindenwood Avenue in St. Charles. Doors open at 6 p.m., game starts at 7 p.m. Tables of eight are $200, but individuals are welcome

at $25/person. Beer and soda are included, but you are welcome to bring your own drinks and food. In addition to trivia prizes there will be a silent auction, 50/50 drawing and more.

This event benefits: Care to Learn, Boys & Girls Club, Project Eliminate and many other children’s charities.

For registration or more information please contact Marie at 314-566-4284 or visit stcharleskiwanis.com.

visit stchas.edu/jobfair.

April 30: All-you-can-eat breakfast

May 5-7: Theater performance

April 30: St. Peters Choral Society Spring Concert

May 6: Pancake breakfast

The Knights of Columbus at St. Robert Bellarmine Church at 1424 First Capitol Drive South in St. Charles will hold an all-you-can-eat breakfast from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Breakfast includes: madeto-order omelets, pancakes, sausages, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, juice, milk and coffee (cost for adults is $7, children six to 11 are $4, children five and under are free). In addition a blood drive will be held at the same time as the breakfast. Those who donate blood that day will receive a free breakfast. For additional information please call 636-946-6799”

St. Peters Choral Society under the direction of John H. Smith, will present its 26th annual Spring Concert; “America! United We Stand” at 2 p.m. at the Fort Zumwalt South High School Auditorium at 8050 Mexico Road in St. Peters. Tickets are available from members: $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. Tickets also available at the door until sold out. Go to www.stpeterschoralsociety.org for further information or call 636-4475341.

May 1: Card party

St. Robert Bellarmine Ladies Council is hosting their annual card party.

Doors open at 10:30 a.m. with lunch being served at 11:30 a.m. Price is $12 (lunch included). There will be attendance prizes. For reservations contact Cathy at 636-723-0436. St. Robert Bellarmine is located at 1424 South First Capitol Dr. in St. Charles (at corner of S. Hwy 94 and Sherman Dr.).

May 3: Mercy Hospice new volunteer training

Mercy Hospice is currently seeking volunteers to offer support and comfort to patients and families in your community. Volunteers are matched with opportunities to serve according to their schedules, skills, comfort levels and geographic areas. Volunteer opportunities include: caregiver relief, companionship, bereavement support, administrative assistance, and other opportunities. The next free four week training at the St. Louis office will be Tuesdays – May 2, 9, 16, and 23, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The next free three week training at the Washington office will be Wednesdays – May 3, 10, 17, and 24, 1 – 5 p.m. To register or ask any questions please contact Mercy Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, Paula Minogue, at 314-729-4415 or Paula.Minogue@mercy.net.

May 5: Job fair

St. Charles Community College will host Job Fair 2017 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the College Center, located at 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville.

Admission is free to all job seekers.

This fair provides opportunities for job seekers to find job leads, job training and job search information and networking opportunities. Job seekers are encouraged to bring copies of their résumé. Employers already registered to attend the event include: Ameristar Casino, Brinton Vision, Central Bank of St. Louis, Charter Spectrum, Delmar Gardens of O’Fallon, Dierbergs, Easterseals Midwest, Enterprise Fleet Management, First Bank, Lowe’s, Mercy, Midwest Petroleum Company, SSM Health, St. Charles Parks Department, St. Charles Police Department, True Manufacturing and UPS. For a full listing of registered employers,

May 5: Movie night

Mid Rivers Christian Church at 828 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in St. Peters, will be showing “Moana” on May 5. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Hang out for a free indoor movie night. Bring blankets or lawn chairs, and popcorn, lemonade and water will be provided. For more information visit midriverscc.org.

Wentzville Christian Church proudly presents a community theater production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” The church will offer four performances of the musical: May 5 at 7 p.m.; May 6 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and a special matinee on May 7 at 2 p.m. Admission to the performances is free and open to the public. Seating is first come, first served. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance. Wentzville Christian Church is located at 1507 Hwy. Z (1 mile south of I-70). For more information call 636-327-6622 or visit the church website at wentzvillecc.org.

Wentzville Rainbow Assembly #114 for Girls is sponsoring an all-you-caneat pancake fundraiser breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. at Troy Masonic Lodge at 611 Main St. in Troy. Advance tickets are $5 or $7 at the door. Children under three are free. Contact angie. dodson96@gmail.com for tickets or takeout orders.

May 6: Market on Main opening day

Market on Main opening day will take place at 210 E. Main Street in Winfield (at the intersection of Elm and Hwy 79/Main Street) from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Farmers and artisans market vendors include Penrod’s Meat, Argentville Dairy, J&L Farms, Brushy Creek Farms, Forever & Always Sweets and Treats and much more. If interested in being a vendor or sponsor, please email winfieldmarketonmain@gmail. com or call 636-668-8100. The market will operate on Saturday through October 28.

May 6: Baby Kid Expo

The 11th Annual Baby Kid Expo will take place at the St. Charles Convention Center, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free admission. The Baby Kid Expo is the largest annual event held in the metro St. Louis area that’s specially designed to provide parents with a fun trade show atmosphere, while their kids enjoy an awesome day of fun and entertainment! The Baby Kid Expo is a place for parents to learn about things available in the community that they might not be familiar with otherwise.

Over one hundred businesses will have information on recreation, education, health, camps, finance, home improvement and many unique products will be available for purchase. For more information about the Baby Kid Expo, please visit www.babykidexpo. com or call 1-866-654-EXPO (3976).

May 7: Art exhibition

St. Charles Community College will display artwork by selected students from the SCC visual arts program chosen by this year’s visiting juror, Michael Quintero, associate professor and general fine arts program coordinator at St. Louis Community College, Florissant Valley. The SCC Juried Student Art Exhibition runs until May 7.

The exhibition is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Friday and 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday.

The gallery is located in the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building. Parking for patrons is free in the campus Blue and Yellow lots.

May 7: Community Speaking Event

Suicide

Every year in the United States alone, half a million people try to take their

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • April 26, 2017 own lives. The community is invited to come to this public speaking event and hear from a parent who has recently had this tragedy strike. Learn how a strong faith foundation can be important in the healing process of grieving in a healthy way. The event will take place at SunRise Church at 7116 Twin Chimneys Blvd. in O’Fallon at 6 p.m. Parents and teenagers are both encouraged to attend. You do not need to reserve a spot, but if you would like more information about this event, please contact the SunRise Youth Director, BJ Filla at bfilla@sunrisefamily.org or at 636-9782727.

May 13: Pancake breakfast

The Knights of Columbus council 7198 Ladies Auxiliary will host a Chris Cakes Pancake Breakfast at Knights of Columbus Pezold Banquet Center at 5701 Highway N in Cottleville from 8 to 11 a.m. The price is $7 for adults and $4 for kids which includes all-you-caneat pancakes, sausage, orange drink and coffee. There will also be specialty cakes for sale for Mother’s Day.

May 13: Trivia night

St. Charles American Legion Post 312 at 2500 Raymond Dr. in St. Charles will host its Third Annual Trivia Night.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and trivia starts at 7 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winner, but other ways to win include 50/50s, raffle baskets and games between the rounds. Only $160 per table or $20 per person includes beer and soda. Cash bar available, no outside alcohol permitted. Bring snacks for your table. Proceeds to benefit veteran’s projects and community charities supported by the post. To reserve your table, contact Kevin 314393-8225.

May 19: Bunco bash

The Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary Council 7198 will host their Second Annual Bunco Bash at the Pezold Banquet Center at 5701 Highway N in Cottleville. Cost is $15 paid reservation by May 11 and $20 after May 12.

Doors open at 6 p.m. with dice rolling at 7 p.m. For more information contact Mary at 636-240-6078.

May 19: Food truck, music and film festival

CHOMP Regional Food Truck and Music Festival will be held at St. Charles Community College. The festival kicks off the 2017 series of Food Truck Frolic and Family Movie Nights to be held on Fridays, June 23, July 21, Aug. 25 and Sept. 22. CHOMP will be held from 5-10 p.m., featuring up to 30 food trucks competing for prizes. Guests will also enjoy live music, arts and other vendors, all on SCC’s Blue Parking Lot. There is no cover charge for CHOMP. The proceeds from the events will benefit the SCC Foundation, supporting much-needed scholarships as well as academic and program enhancements for the college, and the Cottleville-Weldon Spring Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on CHOMP and the Food Truck Frolic and Family Movie Night events, including the food truck lineup, vendors, sponsors and movies, visit foodtruckfrolic.com or contact Wendy Berry at wendy@cwschamber.com or Betsy Schneider, SCC development director, at 636-922-8473 or bschneider@stchas.edu.

May 20: Outdoor summer concert and movie

Each summer, the city of Dardenne Prairie Parks and Recreation Department proudly presents the Summer Concert & Movie Series. Featuring the band The Davis Twins and the movie “Sing,” the event takes place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at City Hall Park, located at 2032 Hanley Road in Dardenne Prairie. Movies begin at dusk (approximately 8:30 p.m.). Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Concessions will be available for purchase.

May 22: Golf tournament fundraiser

Friends of Kids with Cancer hosts the 19th Annual Golf Tournament & Auction at Whitmoor Country Club at 1100 Whitmoor Dr. in St. Charles from8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Registration and breakfast beginning at 8:30 a.m., shotgun start at 10:30 a.m. This scramble includes a gourmet breakfast provided

by Russo’s Catering, lunch provided by Weber Grill Restaurant, snacks and refreshments on the course throughout the day, premium open bar, filet mignon dinner and huge silent auction.

This is a great venue to entertain clients.

This tournament will sell out quickly.

Assure your foursome through one of the many sponsorship opportunities available. To register visit https://www. friendsofkids.com/golf_tournament. html. For more information call 314275-7440.

May 23-24: Theater auditions

Center Stage Theatre will hold open auditions for “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” at 7 p.m. May 23-24.

Auditions will be held in the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building theater on the St. Charles Community College campus. Callbacks will be at 7 p.m.

May 25. Six roles are available: Charlie Brown, Lucy Van Pelt, Linus Van Pelt, Snoopy, Sally Brown and Schroeder. The audition will consist of singing 16 bars of a traditional show tune and a cold reading from the script.

Please bring your own sheet music.

Monologues are encouraged but not required. The show will be performed at 7:30 p.m. July 26-29 and 2 p.m. July 29-30. Tickets are free to SCC students with ID, or $8 general admission and $6 seniors, veterans and students. The campus is located at 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville. For more information, contact Lynne Snyder, director, at lsnyder@stchas.edu or 636922-8352.

May 29: Gypsy Caravan

On Memorial Day, the St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association (SVA) will present Gypsy Caravan for its 45th straight year, a St. Louis holiday tradition. A city within a city is created for upwards of 10,000 shoppers eager to find bargains and unique treasures galore as one of the largest vintage, craft and antique markets in the Midwest.

This shopper’s paradise will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, at The Family Arena in St. Charles.

Gypsy Caravan shoppers will have access to more than 2,500 free parking spaces adjacent to the event site. Due to the success the past two years, two off-site locations will be available for additional free parking with round trip transportation in luxury air-conditioned motor coach shuttles. If shoppers plan to arrive after 9 a.m., The SVA encourages shoppers to use the off-site parking and shuttles for transportation. The event will run more motor coaches during peak hours to ensure travel times are even smoother.

Travel time to the event is approximately 15 minutes from off-site shuttle locations. Early Bird admission from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. is $20, while General Admission from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. is $10.

Discounted Admission wristbands will be available at a 10 percent discount when purchased at any local Dierbergs Market beginning May 1: Early Bird $18; General Admission $9. Children under 13 are free. No pets allowed. A Shopper’s Guide will be available for the first 10,000 shoppers. Both merchandise vendor and food vendor registration for Gypsy Caravan 2017 are still available. Please visit the website for more information https://www.stlsymphony.org/gypsycaravan/.

June 7-8: Flower show

The Mid Central District of the FGCM is presenting a standard flower show, “Summer Time” on June 7 from 2 - 7 p.m. and on June 8 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Fellowship Hall at 632 East Highway N in Wentzville. Admission is free. There will be

both a design and a horticulture division using the theme of summer activities. Educational exhibits will also be included. Participants are members of garden clubs from the Mid Central District which include the clubs from St. Charles County.

June 9-10: Tractor pull

American Legion Post 313 will be sponsoring an ITPA, MSTPA and XCALIBER sanctioned truck and tractor pull on June 9 at Lone Wolf Park in Old Town St. Peters. 5800# Modified, 6000# Extreme Super Stock, 8500# and 9500 # Pro Stock, 6200 Pro Stock 4x4, 7400 #Multi-Engine, Street Stocks - gas or diesel (15) will be featured.

Gates open at 3 p.m. and close at 11:30 p.m. Opening ceremony is at 6:30 p.m.

Tractor pull starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $17 per person, 12 and under are free.

There will be food and beer garden tents. There will also be an Amateur Level Garden Tractor Pull on June 10. Gates open at 3 p.m. and the pull starts at 6 p.m. Admission is free. No outside containers or coolers will be allowed.

June 17: Outdoor summer concert and movie

Each summer, the city of Dardenne Prairie Parks and Recreation Department proudly presents the Summer Concert & Movie Series. Featuring the band Butch Wax and the Hollywood’s, the event takes place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at City Hall Park, located at 2032 Hanley Road in Dardenne Prairie.

Movies begin at dusk (approximately 8:30 p.m.). Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Concessions will be available for purchase.

What’s Happening

Sept. 23: Prairie Day

Fireworks, music, inflatables, and a variety of other attractions are some highlights of the Dardenne Prairie’s Annual Prairie Day celebration from 12 – 10 p.m. The event will be located at Dardenne Prairie City Hall Park.

This celebration will feature food, entertainment, crafts, superheroes and many fun activities for children and adults to take part in. Vendor booths will be on display from 12 – 5 p.m. with St. Louis’ ultimate party band Contagious taking the main stage at 6 p.m. Admission to the event is free for all ages.

ONGOING EVENTS Sundays and Tuesdays: Central Missouri Railroad Association meeting

The Central Missouri Railroad Association meets at Suite 20 in the Warrenton Outlet Mall. This unique organization is for railroad modelers, railfans, photographers and railroad retirees with layouts in O, HO, N hoping to add G scales. Meetings are on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. and Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. For more info call 636-2795522 or 636-456-0776.

SUDOKU answers from page 11

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Mondays: Take off Pounds Sensibly

Take off pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets every Monday from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Weigh-ins begin at 8:30 a.m. We meet at Blanchette Park at 1900 Randolph Street in St. Charles. For more information contact Grace at 636-9464687.

Mondays: Take Off Pounds Sensibly

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

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

Mondays: Parent support group

Because I love you, B.I.L.Y., Gateway parent support group meets every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church at 801 First Capitol Drive in St. Charles. For information and directions, please contact the helpline at314 993 7550 or email gateway_parent_help@yahoo.com. B.I.L.Y 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.

CROSSWORD answers from page 11

July 15: Outdoor summer concert and movie

Each summer, the city of Dardenne Prairie Parks and Recreation Department proudly presents the Summer Concert & Movie Series. Featuring the band FanFare and the movie “Finding Dory,” the event takes place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at City Hall Park, located at 2032 Hanley Road in Dardenne Prairie. Movies begin at dusk (approximately 8:30 p.m.). Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Concessions will be available for purchase.

June 17: Charity golf tournament

Dardenne Presbyterian’s Annual Charity Golf Tournament will begin with an 8 a.m. shotgun start with lunch to follow at the Bear Creek Golf Club in Wentzville. This year’s charity event will benefit 3rd Presbyterian’s “Flourish” Summer Youth Program and the “Joy in Haiti” Orphanage for young Haitian girls. The entry fee is $75 or $300 for a foursome. To qualify for the “Early Bird Special” of $65 per golfer or $260 for a foursome registration must occur before May 30. The deadline for registration is June 10. Call the church office 636-561-4347 or email Mark Bass (mdbass85@outlook.com) to make your reservation.

Aug. 19: Outdoor summer concert and movie

Each summer, the city of Dardenne Prairie Parks and Recreation Department proudly presents the Summer Concert & Movie Series. Featuring the band Borderline, the event takes place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at City Hall Park, located at 2032 Hanley Road in Dardenne Prairie. Movies begin at dusk (approximately 8:30 p.m.). Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Concessions will be available for purchase.

Sept. 9: Craft fair

Tri County Advisory Board to Probation and Parole, Probation and Parole District 17, Missouri Department of Correction invites you to their Fifth Annual Christmas in September Craft Fair at Calvary Church at 3998 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in St. Peters from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Join us for

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April 26, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

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April 26, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Are VIP movie lounges worth the price?

M O V I E

By Steve Bryan

E

arlier this year, I had a heated discussion with a manager at the Edwards 21 Theater in Irvine, California. In 2015 the management converted smaller auditoriums into “VIP lounges,” complete with ultra-comfy recliners as well as food and booze served at your seat. Dinner and a movie in these auditoriums can cost well over $100 for two to four people, though.

Evidently, the VIP lounges at this theater aren’t doing too well. To entice guests to try them, the management then placed high-profile films exclusively in the premium areas. That decision included “Hidden Figures,” an Oscarnominated film which I think is one of 2017’s most relevant films. It tells the story of brilliant women who helped NASA get their astronauts safely off the ground and back to Earth.

The problem with these VIP lounges is the number of available seats. I was willing to spend about $20 to see “Hidden Figures,” but all the shows quickly sold out. My argument may or may not have swayed them to put the film in a larger auditorium, but I was happy to see more than 400 people filling the seats the next night.

In St. Louis I imagine the problem is the same. A spot check of the Marcus Wehrenberg St. Charles 18 VIP lounges show they accommodate less than 70 guests. Their website has plenty of positive comments about the food, service and overall experience, though.

So, are the VIP lounges really worth it? I was desperate to see “Manchester by the Sea” before Oscar weekend and paid my money for a VIP seat; it was not showing in the regular auditoriums. The loungers were rather nice, but I balked at paying sit-down restaurant prices for service inside the theater. Granted, the extra

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legroom is nice, but theaters shouldn’t hold a movie hostage in the VIP area.

The folks operating the Alamo Drafthouse chain in Texas seem to have the secret formula, though. Their auditoriums are comfortable, but not extravagant, with a long counter running across each row of seats. Ordering is done by writing on a white card and placing it where the servers can see it (you can also “white card” a noisy or texting guest this way).

The ArcLight Cinema chain also does things right without breaking your wallet. All seats are reserved and the snack bar offers quality edibles which are reasonably priced. The auditoriums are clean and comfortable and a staff member stays inside the door for a few minutes to ensure the sound and picture quality are acceptable.

Before I left St. Louis, I also was impressed with the folks at STL Cinemas, who operate the Moolah Theater and the Chase Park Plaza Cinema among others. Food prices are rea-

sonable and quality is well above the norm. I did get shut out back in 2002 when I tried to see “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” but I have nothing but love for this chain.

ArcLight, STL Cinemas and Alamo do things right. They never force anyone to pay more than they need to for nominated, important and mainstream films. A theater doesn’t have to create a VIP Lounge if they make the overall experience friendly, accommodating and reasonably priced.

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.