CNSTC: April 26, 2023

Good to grow

Community

in

By Brett Auten

Gardening as a practice has been around since the dawn of time and has allowed people to grow plants for a plethora of purposes.

According to the Mayo Clinic, gardening has been shown to lighten mood and lower levels of stress and anxiety. It’s very gratifying to plant, tend, harvest and share your own food. Routines provide structure to our day and are linked to improved mental health. Gardening routines, like watering and weeding, can create a soothing rhythm to ease stress. AARP list five benefits of gardening, one being Vitamin D exposure and the other being combating loneliness. The latter is definitely where a community garden can help out.

Community gardens are far from a new concept. They have been organized and cultivated in cities and neighborhoods worldwide for years.

Community gardens are usually open, public spaces created and managed by community members instead of a separate entity. In a community garden, people are empowered to develop an agricultural/botanical area and build stronger relationships with one another.

And St. Charles County has plenty of opportunities.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church located at 8945 Veterans Memorial Parkway, just across from Zumwalt Park, has 10-foot by 12-foot garden plots available for interested gardeners.

You may plant whatever you like and are

responsible for weeding, watering, harvesting and cleaning up at the end of the season. If you are interested in a plot or have questions, contact David Schlesselman by email at daschlesselman@gmail.com or by phone at 636-578-1766.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church started with just six plots just under 10 years ago. It

branched to 12 before setting out 18 this year. Most of those plots are spoken for by people outside the congregation, which really brings the community aspect of it to light.

“It has worked well in that aspect in that we are being a service of people in our community. Four are brand new gardeners,” Schlessel-

See ’GROW’ page 2

Around Town

SCC Assessor hosting community Q&A sessions about reassessments.

Select lakes at Busch CA now open to hand-launched canoes and kayaks. Pg. 3

Healthy Living

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Photo by Brett Auten

Prem Mera, of Lake St. Louis, tends to the soil at Holy Cross Lutheran Church located at 8945 Veterans Memorial Parkway over the weekend. Mera and his family enjoy the benefits of a community garden.

gardens

St. Charles County empower people to develop an agricultural/botanical area and build stronger relationships with one another

Understanding cardiothoracic surgery. Pg. 4

‘GROW’ from cover

man said. “You learn from each other. You see one person using grass clippings. Someone else is using cardboard (to keep away weeds).”

One elderly grower, who also documented her bounty thoroughly, got plenty of bang for her buck last year.

“Twenty-six peppers off two pepper plants, 65 cucumbers off two cucumber plants, and 139 tomatoes from six tomato plants,” Schlesselman said.

Prem Mera, of Lake St. Louis, started gardening about four years ago at Holy Cross Lutheran Church

“The soil is very fertile and organic,” Mera said. “The kids enjoy coming. She enjoys the seeding and she knows where the food on her plate comes from and that’s amazing. She was like, when are we going to start this year and she is a kindergarten

MoDOT closes the Muegge Road bridge over Route 94/364

Crews have closed the Muegge Road bridge over Route 94/364.

The bridge is being closed as part of the conversion of the bridge into a partial Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI). The closure is expected to last until mid-summer.

modate peak daily commuter traffic, the interchange lacks access for the following traffic movements:

• east and westbound Route 94 to northbound Muegge Road

student.”

And to a gardener, they all say, there is just something about the taste of homegrown “When you are sitting in your backyard, eating vegetables that you have grown yourself, it gives you a different feeling compared to store-bought,” Mera said. “I can’t put it into words.”

During construction, Muegge drivers wishing to access eastbound Route 364 can detour west on South Old Highway 94 to Heritage Crossing and proceed east on South St. Peters Parkway to the eastbound Route 364 exit entrance ramp. Westbound Route 364 drivers wishing to access Muegge Road can instead detour to Exit 12 for Heritage Crossing, turn right on Old Highway 94 at the traffic signal and proceed on Old Highway 94 to Muegge Road.

Because Route 364 was originally envisioned to primarily accom-

Conservation Corner: Spreading the gospel of spring

ests and often at the bottoms of bluffs. They typically unfurl in April along with many of spring’s early ephemeral flowers.

The Jack-in-the-pulpit flower takes the form of tiny, upright club called a spadix. A modified leaf, that can sometimes have white and brown lengthwise markings, forms a shelter for the spadix. The bottom of the leaf is cylinder-shaped and holds the small flower vertically within it, with the canopy forming a gracefully curved cover for the top. The spadix peeks out from the opening, like a minute preacher delivering a sermon from a miniature green pulpit. The arrangement forms an unusual and striking sight on the forest bottom.

It turns out that there are both male and female versions of Jack-in-the-pulpit, so an astute observer catching one of these in the springtime woods might actually be seeing a Jill-in-the-pulpit.

• southbound Muegge Road to east and westbound Route 94

When completed, newly constructed ramps will provide full access to these roadways that did not exist previously, and there will be a signal located at the north end of the Muegge Road bridge over Route 94 for the redesigned traffic movements at the interchange.

This bridge closure is part of the Route 94/364/Muegge Road improvements. For more on the interchange improvements, visit the project website: https://www. modot.org/interchangeimprovements

By Dan Zarlenga

This ensures that female flowers must be pollinated by the male flowers of another plant, which increases genetic diversity in the species.

April is the time of year to spread the good word of nature. A visit to a nearby forest might seem to some like a religious experience. The miracle of life erupts from the trees and ground as leaf buds burst open and early spring flowers resurrect themselves after three months of winter’s lifelessness. Amidst psalms of migrating warblers and crooning amphibians, an unusual preacher emerges from the forest floor. His name is Jack-in-the-pulpit.

Jack-in-the-pulpits are curious little plants. They grow in moist upland and bottomland for-

Some of Jack-in-the-pulpit’s most loyal missionaries are the fungus gnats, who are responsible for pollinating the plant. These insects are encouraged to attend Jack’s sermon by a unique scent emitted by the plant, where they become trapped within the flower. The bugs can manage to escape from Jack’s pulpit, but not without acquiring a tithe of pollen. When they find their way into a Jill’s pulpit, they deposit their donations and help expand the flock, so to speak.

Interestingly, Jack-in-the-pulpits avoid self-pollination because the male flowers on the plant mature and die before the female flowers of that same plant mature.

Jack-in-the-pulpit has a devilish side, however. The plants are toxic to eat, and even cause a skin rash if some people touch them. Despite their toxicity, Native Americans found a way to utilize the plants by drying the rootstock and grinding it into a kind of flour. Cooking and processing the correct way will make them edible. In fact, an alternate name for the plant is “Indian turnip.” It’s said though that the Fox Indians would sometimes mix the chopped raw plant with meat and leave it for their enemies to find, which could result in a last supper for the unfortunate diners. If you feel inspired to carefully explore the floor of a woodland or forest near you, you might find the distinctive Jack-in-thepulpit for yourself. When it comes time to spread the gospel of spring, these small preachers are ready.

Dan Zarlenga is the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Media Specialist for the St. Louis Region, where he’s served since 2008. He likes to dabble in nature photography, hiking, exploring Missouri and its night skies, and occasionally backpacking and kayaking.

Submitted photo Jack-in-the-pulpits grow in moist upland and bottomland forests and often at the bottoms of bluffs. They typically unfurl in April along with many of spring’s early ephemeral flowers.

Submitted photo The bounty from one of last year’s community garden plots.

St. Charles County Assessor hosting community Q&A sessions about reassessments

St. Charles County Assessor Scott Shipman and Assessor-Elect Travis Welge are hosting community question-and-answer sessions to give the public an opportunity to discuss real estate reassessments. The reassessment process occurs every odd year to revalue properties within the county for purposes of equalization.

“Reassessment is important to maintain current market values for real estate property and accurately reflect those values to equitably distribute the tax burden established by each taxing district,” Shipman says. “General economic conditions such as interest rates, inflation rates, supply and demand, and changes in tax laws influence the value of real estate, and as property values change in the marketplace, those changes must be reflected on assessments.”

The effective date is from the last reassessment – Jan. 1, 2021 – until Jan. 1, 2023. Notices of Real Estate Assessment will be mailed to property owners starting around April 14. Taxpayers have 10 days from the mailed date on the notice to schedule an informal hearing with a staff member from the assessor’s office to discuss the property value or classification by calling 636-949-7431, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Scheduled informal hearings will be conducted beginning the last week of April through early June. If an agreement is not reached after the informal hearing, the property owner would then file an appeal with the Board of Equalization.

Shipman says the community Q&A sessions are an effort to help further explain the reassessment pro-

cess and provide property owners the ability to have their questions answered without the need to schedule a hearing. Community Q&As will be held on the following dates and times at St. Charles City-County Library branches:

• 3-6 p.m., Wednesday, April 26 at the Kathryn Linnemann Branch in St. Charles

• 3-6 p.m., May 3 at the Spencer Road Branch in St. Peters

• 3-6 p.m., May 10 at the Middendorf-Kredell Branch in O’Fallon

• 3-6 p.m., May 17 at the Corporate Parkway Branch in Wentzville

The assessor is responsible for establishing the fair market value of both real estate and personal property within St. Charles County to assure taxes are distributed fairly among those responsible for payment. Real estate and personal property values are adjusted as necessary to reflect current market and economic conditions such as interest rates, inflation rates, supply and demand, and changes in tax laws.

Political subdivisions, which include school, city and fire districts, establish property tax rates/levies based on budgetary requirements needed to appropriately fund services provided within their jurisdiction. The collector of revenue receives these rates annually by Oct. 31 and is charged with issuing property tax bills and the collection and disbursement of taxes to the political subdivisions.

For more information, visit sccmo.org/Assessor or call 636-949-7428.

Select lakes at Busch Conservation Area now open to hand-launched canoes and kayaks

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has created a new opportunity for personal canoes and kayaks to be used on designated lakes on the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in St. Charles.

Visitors are allowed to use their own handlaunched canoes or kayaks on Lakes 6, 34, 35, 36, and 38.

From April 1 through Sept. 30, users will be required to register their canoe or kayak and obtain a boating tag at the onsite concessioner, All In Bait and Tackle Shop. The concessioner is adjacent to the MDC St. Louis Regional Office located near the area’s entrance.

Area boating tags will be issued for a specific canoe or kayak and are valid only for the specific lake designated on the tag. The tag must be returned to the concessioner immediately upon leaving the water during the concessioner’s daily operating hours from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. If users exit the water after the concessioner has closed for the day, the daily boating tag should be deposited in the afterhours drop box.

There will be no charge for a daily boating tag, but the number of tags is limited and available on a first come, first-served basis only. The number of daily boating tags issued varies depending on the size of each lake.

From Oct. 1-March 31, a daily boating tag will not be required to use canoes and kayaks launched by

hand on Lakes 6, 34, 35, 36, and 38.

For those who do not have their own canoe or kayak, MDC will continue to provide aluminum boats for rent via its onsite concessioner for 11 lakes on the Busch Conservation Area. Rental boats will be available April 1-Sept. 30 for a $5 rental fee.

The August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area is located at 2360 Highway D, two miles west of Highway 94.

Submitted photo Personal canoes and kayaks can now be used on designated lakes on MDC’s August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in St. Charles.

Delta Dental of Missouri invites applications for a new $500,000 workforce development grant program

To address the urgent need for minority representation in dental health professions and access to dental care in rural and minority communities, Delta Dental of Missouri – the state’s leading dental benefits provider – is allocating $500,000 to a new Workforce Development Grant Program in Missouri and South Carolina, where it also does business. Organizations with innovative programs that expose, prepare, promote, or progress high school or college students and/or working age adults from underrepresented racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic backgrounds to career paths in dental health professions are encouraged to apply.

The goal of the grant program is to address three key dental workforce challenges:

• lack of access to care in low-income and rural communities designated as Dental Health Professional shortage areas;

• the decline in the dental workforce which raises concerns about the adequacy to address oral health care needs statewide, and

• lack of diversity in the dental workforce and access to care in minority communities.

The funding aims to support students pursing a dental health profession, including dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants with a focus on underrepresented minority communities and individuals living in a rural, dental Health Professional Shortage Areas.

“A report from the Oral Health Workforce Research Center found

that improving racial and ethnic diversity among the nation’s dental health professionals is crucial in efforts to reduce the disparity in access to care and health outcomes and to better address the oral health needs of an increasingly diverse population,” said Rob Goren, president and chief executive officer at Delta Dental of Missouri. “We hope our targeted investments will inspire students of all ages to pursue a career in oral health to help address these issues.”

This new grant funding initiative augments Delta Dental of Missouri’s existing Dental Student Loan Repayment Program for dentists in Missouri and South Carolina, through which it has been working to address dental care provider shortages by encouraging dentists to treat patients in an underserved area for loan repayment assistance. Since 2018, the company has provided $400,000 to help participating dentists in both states repay their student loans.

Delta Dental of Missouri invites applications for the new grant program from eligible 501c3 charities, academic institutions, governmental bodies, and career centers in Missouri or South Carolina. The deadline to apply is July 3, 2023. Visit deltadentalmo. com/AboutUs/workforce-development-grant-program for additional information and details on how to apply.

The new grant initiative is being launched as part of a broader national commitment by the Delta Dental Institute, through which additional funding will be available.

Photo courtesy Bigstock

Take Notice . . .

The events listed in this section are the latest updates as of press time, please check with individual sites for the most up to date cancellations and reschedule info.

EVENTS

April 29: Writers’ meeting

Saturday Writers April Meeting takes place from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Spencer Road Library, Room 240. Writers encouraging writers. Special guest speaker George Sirois. For more information, visit www.saturdaywriters.org. $5 for visitors, free to members.

April 30: Bunco Bash

The KC Ladies Auxiliary, Council 7198, is sponsoring a Bunco Bash fundraiser. Doors open at 1 p.m., bar opens at 1:30 p.m., dice roll at 2 p.m. Cost is $25 per person and includes snacks, appetizers, desserts, soda and tea plus two complimentary adult drink tickets. Donations made to Mary Queen of Angels and Our Lady’s Inn. To reserve a seat or for more information, email ladiesauxbunco@gmail.com.

April 30: All-you-can-eat breakfast

The Knights of Columbus at St. Robert Bellarmine Church at 1424 First Capitol Drive South in St. Charles will host their all-you-can-eat breakfast from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Breakfast includes: made to order omelets, pancakes, sausages, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, juice, milk and coffee. Cost for adults is $12, children six to 11 are $6 and children five and under are free. For additional information please call 636946-6799.

May 17: Senior fair FasterHouse and Guide4SeniorLiving.com have joined together to host a Senior Fair & Wellness Expo At The Waterbury from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Waterbury Meeting Center located at 830 Waterbury Falls Drive in O’Fallon. To reserve a vendor table please contact missy@fasterhouse.com. There will be free food, giveaways, raffles and prizes.

May 24: Theater auditions

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

stjohnucc.org/PAC-audition.

May 31: Book launch and signing event

Saturday Writers presents a book launch and signing event for “Anthology #16 A World of Writing,” the group’ sixteenth anthology, filled with award-winning prose and poetry, which will take place at Spencer Branch Library Room L (Room 240) from 6 – 8 p.m. There will be free admission, books available for purchase, refreshments, panel discussion by contributors and door prizes.

ONGOING EVENTS

Mondays: Optimist Club meetings

The Wentzville/Lake St. Louis Optimist Club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Wentzville IHOP, 10 Layla Lane, Wentzville, MO.. For more information contact Ed Jurotich at 314-560-1868.

Mondays: Alcoholics Anonymous

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

Mondays: Take off Pounds Sensibly TOPS meet every Monday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 8945 Veterans Memorial Hwy in O’Fallon. Meetings at 9:30 a.m. with weigh in beginning at 8:30 a.m. For more information please call Leogene Weber. 636-3993124.

Mondays: NAMI St. Louis Connection Recovery Support Group

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

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

Mondays: Seasoned eye carvers meeting

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

Mondays: St. Peters Rotary Club

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

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: Fitness First Exercise Class 9:30-10:30 a.m., American Legion Hall, 504 Luetken-

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

haus Blvd., Wentzville. 314369-6521.

Mondays: Choral Arts Singers practice Choral Arts Singers practice on Mondays, from 7-9 p.m. at Connection ChristianChurch, 1332 Feise Road in Dardenne Prairie. New singers (high school and older) are welcome. Auditions are not required. See www.concertarts.org.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: Fitness First Exercise Class 9:30-10:30 a.m., American Legion Hall, 504 Luetkenhaus Blvd., Wentzville. 314369-6521.

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: American Legion Post 388 Meets Meets the fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at American Legion Hall, 607 Westridge Dr., O’Fallon, 636-219-0553

Mondays: Measurement

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

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

ucation, group conversation, and even snacks.

Mondays and Wednesdays: Tai Chi for arthritis class

Every Monday and Wednesday a Tai Chi for arthritis class, sponsored by the city

of St. Charles Parks and Recreation, takes place from 9:15 - 10 a.m. at Webster Park across from the Family Arena. This is a class that is taught nationally to manage arthritis and to prevent falls. For more information call 636-949-3372.

Sports you see with Gary B . . .

O’Fallon baseball club sign another pitcher

The O’Fallon Hoots play their home games at CarShield Field in O’Fallon and play in the Prospect League.

The Hoots announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Gavin Johnston for the 2023 summer season. Johnston comes to O’Fallon as a freshman from Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO).

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound right hander attended Seckman High School in Imperial, Missouri where, as a junior, he put together a 3-1 record on the mound with 36 strikeouts in 28 innings over six appearances and five starts.

Johnston went 6-1 with a 1.34 ERA in ten appearances and nine starts on the mound his senior season, finishing with 68 strikeouts in 52 ⅓ innings and four complete games thrown for the Jaguars.

The Arnold, Missouri-native also registered a .403 BA, .526 OBP, .792 SLG in 2022, with 31 hits, 27 RBI, and 33 runs scored, earning him All-Conference honors and Player of the Year at Seckman. The freshman has made three appearances on the mound for the SEMO Redhawks this 2023 season, notching six strikeouts in 4 ⅓ total innings pitched.

For more details go to www.OFallonHoots.com to get all the details.

*Young prospect heading to the bigs…

Lindenwood makes a major announcement

On Tuesday, Lindenwood University’s Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Jason Coomer named Amy

Eagan the next head coach of the women’s basketball program.

“I want to thank Lindenwood University President Dr. Porter and VP of Athletics Jason Coomer for trusting me with this amazing opportunity,” said Eagan. “I also want to give a very special thank you to Drury University, the community, and all the coaches and players that I have coached in the past. None of this is possible without you.”

Eagan arrives in St. Charles after spending three seasons as the head coach of Drury University women’s basketball. Eagan completed her 14th season as a collegiate head coach, as she had stops at Truman State, Ashford, and St. Ambrose.

“Today is an exciting day for our institution, department and women’s basketball program,” said Coomer. “After an extensive search that featured tremendous interest in the position, it was clear that the right and best candidate was only a few hours away. Coach Eagan is a proven winner as demonstrated throughout her career as a student-athlete, coach and mentor. We are thrilled that she will be bringing her exciting style of play to St. Charles as this will certainly be intriguing to players and fans alike.”

Eagan brings a career mark of 274-151 (.645) to Lindenwood, including four-straight seasons of 23 or more wins. Eagan has led three schools to the NCAA Division II tournament for a total of five appearances, as well as one NAIA tournament appearance. Eagan has claimed five conference titles in her 14 years, including three-straight.

“From my first contact with Dr. Porter and Mr. Coomer, it was very apparent that there is a commitment to excellence, a commitment to winning, and a commitment to the student-athletes and their graduation,” added Eagan. “Words cannot express my sincere gratitude and excitement to lead this program into this new era! I am committed to ensuring that these young women are champions on the floor, in the community, and in the classroom.”

*Great addition to the organization

Gary Baute, aka Gary B, a St. Louis native, maybe educated in business but he lives and breathes sports. As a fan and an athlete, Gary is all sports all the time. He hosted a radio sports program on KFNS, emceed the River City Rascals’ inaugural season and broadcasted for several indoor football teams since 1999.

Recipe: Peanut butter perfection

Ifyou’ve ever taken a bite of something and the only word that came to mind was “yum,” you know what it’s like to experience this dessert. It’s fluffy, sweet, perfectly crumbly and tastes delicious. It’s rich but light. It’s a dessert that will likely never go out of style.

You can stop guessing what it may be: this treat is a scrumptious bite of Fluffy Peanut Butter Pie drizzled with chocolate syrup. You will understand the craze once you sink your fork into the chilled triangle resting on your plate. With a chocolate cookie crust and a thick, delicious peanut butter filling, this pie is everything many people want in a dessert.

This dessert is perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth. House guests, birthday parties or even just a simple treat after a meal; it’s an any-occasion kind of pie.

INGREDIENTS:

20 chocolate cream-filled cookies

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1 cup smooth peanut butter

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup whipping cream chocolate syrup

DIRECTIONS:

Remove cream filling from chocolate cookies; set aside. With rolling pin, finely crush chocolate cookies.

Fluffy Peanut Butter Pie

Servings: 6-8

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 medium bowl, combine finely crushed cookies with melted butter.

Press crumb mixture firmly into bottom and sides of 9-inch pie plate; chill while preparing filling. In large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add reserved cookie cream filling, peanut butter and sweetened condensed milk; beat until smooth. Stir in lemon juice

FindmoredessertrecipesatCulinary.net.

and vanilla extract.

In medium bowl, beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream into peanut butter mixture. Mix until combined.

Pour into crust. Chill 4 hours, or until set. Drizzle chocolate syrup over pie before serving.

Cover leftovers and store in refrigerator.

Movies that became short-lived TV shows

In1999, “Galaxy Quest,” a science fiction comedy, debuted in theaters. A funny and charming homage to the classic TV series “Star Trek,” it focused on actors who starred in the fictional TV series, “Galaxy Quest.” Actor Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen) starred as Commander Peter Quincy Taggart, the commander of the NSEA Protector. While attending a fan convention, Jason had a true close encounter with aliens who believed that “Galaxy Quest” was actually broadcasting historical records. The actors soon found themselves in outer space and way over their heads.

“Variety” recently reported that the “Galaxy Quest” movie might be adapted for a television series. Science fiction fans could make that film a success, but other movies didn’t transition as well to the small screen. In 2002, director Joel Zwick directed “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” a sweet romantic comedy written by Nia Vardalos. She played Toula, a young Greek woman who wanted more out of life than working in the family’s restaurant. The film was a big success and led to the short-lived TV series “My Big Fat Greek Life.” The movie franchise continued, though, with “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” and the upcoming “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3.”

Jeff Bridges played the lead role in “Starman,” a 1984 science fiction film. An alien species came across the Voyager 2 space probe and sent a scout vessel to the probe’s planet of origin. Its occupant cloned himself to look like the deceased husband of housewife Jenny Hayden (Karen Allen). She slowly learned to trust the alien and, after the two of them slept together, she became pregnant. Jenny also helped him find his way to Arizona’s Barringer Crater for a rendezvous with his people. ABC’s “Starman” TV series continued the movie’s storyline, with Robert Hays replacing Jeff Bridges for its one-and-only season. 1987’s “Dirty Dancing” quickly became a hit. Jennifer Grey played Frances “Baby” Houseman, a teenager vacationing with her

family at Kellerman’s resort. Baby quickly fell in love with dance instructor Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze) much to her father’s (Jerry Orbach) dislike. “I’ve Had the Time of My Life,” a song performed by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes on the soundtrack, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. For 1988’s “Dirty Dancing” television series, Patrick Cassidy played Johnny while Melora Hardin was Baby, daughter of resort owner Max Kellerman. Unfortunately, the series didn’t capture the magic of the film and ended after 11 episodes.

Based on John Hughes hit summertime film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” the TV version starred Charlie Schlatter as Ferris and a pre-“Friends” Jennifer Aniston as his sister, Jeannie. Although the film was set in Chicago, this series was set in Santa Monica. The “Ferris Bueller” TV series lasted only 13 episodes, but, in contrast, “Parker Lewis Can’t Lose,” a similar-themed Fox show, ran for three seasons. Schlatter’s character sometimes referred to the “Ferris Bueller” movie and Mathew Broderick’s performance.

Adapting a popular movie for TV can be tricky, but with the help of Grabthar’s Hammer and the Sons of Warvan, “Galaxy Quest” could become a series.

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.

‘Galaxy Quest’ photo courtesy of Dreamworks Pictures

Moore on Life: Sneaky Peeper

I’m a peeper. I’ll admit it’s weird, but there it is. And no, not the pervy creeper peeper type, that’s sick. I’m the curious peeper type.

The other day I sat in the waiting room at the dentist office waiting to be drilled and filled and over-billed when a fellow waitee pulled out a book and started to read. Since I’m an avid consumer of books myself, right away I got this weird compulsion – I had to know what book she was reading. It was a physical need; like an itch that needed scratching.

The situation raised urgent questions: Was it a new book I should be reading and add to my list? Was it something wonderful I’d already read and could form an immediate connection with her? Or was it a slog of a book, which would change my opinion of her and put an end to what could have been a nice friendship?

I strained my eyes, but couldn’t get a bead on the title page. I then pretended to scratch my ankle which gave me an excuse to stretch my neck further in her direction to get a better look. Of course, she looked up and our eyes met. Busted. She scootched back into her chair and gave me a “back-off” look. I hurriedly stifled a fake cough and quickly looked the other direction.

I still I had to know what she was reading. I need a different vantage point. I got up and went to chat with the receptionist.

Receptionist: “Yes, may I help you?”

I couldn’t think of anything right off which present-

By Cindy Moore CROSSWORD: FILL-IN-THE-BLANK

ed an awkward moment.

“Hi, umm yes, well I was just wondering if I should brush my teeth every day or if that’s just a myth?” Her eyes bugged out, which meant I should probably leave.

I went back and took a seat next to the book reader. I stretched my arms and fake yawned which allowed me to sneakily lean over her shoulder and get a look at the page she was on; I could then scan the title on top. She caught me. My eyeballs were two inches from her eyeballs.

She snapped her book shut, grabbed her purse and moved to the opposite side of the room.

I noticed the title as she walked away, “Cat People the Growing Menace.”

We could never be friends anyway. Her loss.

Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder.

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

LIFESTYLE: Ways to creatively display favorite photos

Family photos, vacation pictures, candid snapshots of friends and family – they’re often visual representations of some of your most treasured moments, so it’s likely you’ll want to give them some special treatment.

Consider these easy and affordable ways to showcase some of your favorite photos.

Variations on a theme

– You don’t have to have a whole set of matching frames to create a unified look. Gather frames of different sizes, shapes and textures then paint them all the same color. White, cream or black are colors that let the eye focus on the photograph. Then when you group them together, you’ve got a cohesive display without everything being the same.

Location, location, location – Photos don’t always need to be on a wall or shelf. Try hanging a series of related photos on the back of a door or between windows.

A new use for old frames – Take a large frame with no back and paint it. Then take two pieces of ribbon or wire and attach them to the back of the frame, divid-

ing it into three sections. Attach small photos to the ribbon or wire with mini clothes pins or other small clips.

New frames out of old windows – Fit a photo mat inside each pane of an old window. Attach photos to the backs of the mats and you have a vintage frame.

Map it out – Showcase favorite travel photos by covering a mat with a map from one of your vacation spots. Just trim the map to fit your mat, tape it to the back and insert your picture.

Get it on canvas – Treat your photos like the works of art they are by having them printed on artist canvas. There are a variety of online vendors that let you choose the size and photo treatment to create a unique piece for your personal gallery.

Put it all on the table –Add to your stylish decor and protect your furniture all at the same time by making your own photo coasters. Find more ideas for creatively displaying your favorite photos at eLivingtoday.com.

ACROSS

1. Centrally localized

6. Tube in old TV

9. Precedes drab

13. Giraffe's cousin

14. Big Island flower necklace

15. Icelandic currency

16. Grating sounds

17. Software program, for short

18. Tool with toothed wheel

19. *Mellow ____ or ____ ribbon

21. Butter____ or ____ tape

23. a.k.a. Common Market

24. Printer cartridge color

25. Toothy fish

28. *Battle ____ or ____ tissue 30. *Ninja ____ or ____ dove 35. Oil group 37. *Drug ____ or ____ friendly

39. Old TV episode

40. Nobel Peace Prize capital

41. *Amazon ____ or ____ valley

43. Ages and ages

44. Earth shaking

46. Hokkaido language

47. *Odd ____ or ____ soup

48. Stay clear of 50. Vegetative state

52. Olden day "your"

53. Olden day "you"

55. Sib

57. Park bench friend?

60. *Rose ____ or ____ variety

63. LDS missionary 64. Cacophony

66. Goodbye, to amiga 68. Gaelic-speaking Celts 69. Mozart's "L'____ del Cairo"

DOWN

1. On behalf of

2. "Fine by me"

3. *Basket ____ or ____ study

4. *Adam's ____ or ____ pie

5. Finely-spun cotton threads

6. Eagle's foot

7. Workout unit

8. Slightly drunk 9. "Doggone it!" 10. College drilling org.

1/36th of a yard 12. "____, humbug!" 15. #15 Down, pl.

Come to pass

22. Feline

24. Fissure

25. *Silly ____ or ____ down

26. Church part, pl.

27. Antiquity of the past

29. *Southwest ____ or ____ Minor

31. Lou of The Velvet Underground

32. Rainbow swimmer

33. *Free ____ or ____ hour

34. Glorify

36. Weighted weapon

38. Nevada Wolf Pack's home

42. Cuban dance

45. 1.094 of a yard, pl.

49. *Doctor ____ or ____ knows?

51. Description of a fool

54. Give qualities or money

More eccentric

Theatrical performance

Previously mentioned, acr.

Hair styling products

Annoying biter 61. Irish name of Ireland 62. Very bright star

*Easter ____ or ____ salad

*Dry ____ or ____ cream

Photo courtesy of Unsplash