CNSTC: May 3, 2023

An Irish connection

Business Features

Missouri River Irish Festival, put on by the St. Charles Sister Cities-Irish Chapter, celebrates the link between St. Charles and Inishowen, Ireland

By Brett Auten

If you are looking for a “craicing” time, you can always expect a brilliant weekend when the Missouri River Irish Festival unfurls.

More than 10,000 visitors come through the festival, making it one of the biggest free Irish festivals in the Midwest. The threeday extravaganza is aptly presented by the St. Charles Sister Cities-Irish Chapter and funds made by the festival support student exchanges.

This year, the group is sending three St. Charles-area students at a cost of approximately $1,400 each plus additional travel expenses once they have landed on the Green Island. This rotating exchange, odd years, Ireland comes to the States and even years, the States goes to Ireland. Students (from either

St. Charles High or St. Charles West) stay with host families, go on excursions, attend school and discover the diverse world around them.

The festival will be held at Lewis & Clark Boathouse parking lot on May 26-28. Expect plenty of live music, food and adult beverage vendors. The Shamrock’s Stage will feature plenty of live music around the clock and the ‘Wee Folk’ Village will be the perfect location for the kids. An on-site Irish Pub will feature whiskey tastings, fun pub contests, a Guinness perfect pour, and more.

Inishowen and its schools is a rural area and money is much more scarce thus the Irish Chapter has collected books for its high school libraries, collected baseball equipment and sent it over, donated to restore a damaged park, purchased a defibrillator, sent a sports

team to the national finals, and raised money to help pay for a new gymnasium floor.

“Our mission is to encourage and implement high quality programs that will foster mutual understanding, friendship and goodwill through cultural, social, business and educational exchanges between us,” Carla O’Day, a longtime Irish Chapter member, said.

Inishowen is a peninsula in the north of County Donegal in Ireland and is the largest peninsula on the island. It’s arguably best known as the entry point for Malin Head –the most northerly point in Ireland – and the starting point for Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. The peninsula measures at a staggering 550 square miles.

St. Charles County AdoptA-County-Road program promotes environmental stewardship. Pg. 3

The

Electrical Connection donates to St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway. Pg. 6

The 17th annual Missouri River Irish Festival will be held at Lewis & Clark Boathouse parking lot on May 26-28. Expect plenty of live music, food and adult beverage vendors, a ‘Wee Folk’ Village, along with a cultural exhibit and an Irish pub. The festival is put on by the Irish Chapter of the St. Charles Sister Cities program.

The science of crimefighting. Pg. 5

‘IRISH’ from cover

The goal is always to build a bigger and better festival, but looking ahead, the club hopes to increase its St. Charles exchanges with community workers (first responders and healthcare workers), raise money to help its new high school partnership in Buncrana, and partner with businesses on Main Street to sell paintings and crafts from Inishowen and vice versa.

“We would love to bring in more dancers and singers from Ireland,” Kim Naumann, St. Charles Sister Cities - Irish Chapter President and Missouri River Irish Festival Chair, said. “But we have consistently used local, St. Louis bands who love coming back.”

In addition to the festival and student exchanges, the club has regular meetings, fun activities, learning opportunities and special outings that increase our own awareness of the local Irish community. They are hoping to do adult exchanges in the future. For more information, visit scscirish.com or for more about the festival, see mrifsc.com.

Chillax Tap & Company celebrates grand opening with ribbon cutting

Chillax Tap & Company opened its new location at 1320 Triad Center in St. Peters. To commemorate the opening, the company held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 31.

Members of the Cottleville Weldon-Spring Chamber of Commerce, St. Peters Mayor Len Pagano and other community leaders were in attendance.

“We are excited to bring the Chillax Tap & Co. experience to the St. Peters area. Great people, incredible beer,” said Owner Ashley Harmon.

Chillax Tap & Co. is a destination craft beer and beverage taproom located in Wentzville and St. Peters (2023). With weekly 30 rotating taps and stocked to-go bottle shop they are creating a community for everyone to enjoy craft beer. In addition to the taprooms, they also have the Chillax Mobile Unit with eight rotating taps of craft beer and beverages that can elevate any event. For more information on Chillax Tap &Company, follow them at www.chillaxstl.com.

Local Author Spotlight: Pat Wahler

Pat Wahler is winner of Western Fictioneers’ Best First Novel of 2018 and the winner of Author Circle Awards Novel of Excellence in Historical Fiction for her novel, “I am Mrs. Jesse James.” A frequent contributor to the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” anthologies, Pat is an avid reader with a passion for historical fiction and stories with heart.

Her latest book is “The Rose of Washington Square.” In 1893, Rose O’Neill leaves her family in the Midwest for New York to forge a career as an illustrator in a field dominated by men. Despite the obstacles facing her,

she defies the odds and eventually designs a new character, the Kewpie. Her creation explodes into a world-wide phenomenon, but Rose’s disenchantment with the status quo fosters new ambitions. She must decide whether to remain within the boundaries dictated for her, or risk everything she’s gained to pursue the creative and personal passions that ignite her soul.

“The Rose of Washington Square” is based on the true story of a remarkable artist, writer, suffragist and philanthropist whose talents lifted her from obscurity into one of the most famous and influential women of her era.

Submitted photos

The 17th annual Missouri River Irish Festival will be held at Lewis & Clark Boathouse parking lot on May 26-28. Expect plenty of live music, food and adult beverage vendors, a ‘Wee Folk’ Village, along with a cultural exhibit and an Irish pub. The festival is put on by the Irish Chapter of the St. Charles Sister Cities program.

Submitted photo

Henges and Busch Shooting Ranges host five-stand shooting

begin hosting five-stand shotgun shooting opportunities starting in April.

The days and times of the week Five Stand will be offered are as follows:

August A. Busch Shooting Range—Thursday from 1-7:30 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Jay Henges Shooting Range—Wednesday from 1-7:30 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Five-stand shooting at both ranges will be offered through Aug. 31.

Targets in five-stand imitate the flight patterns of some of Missouri’s most popular game birds. Shooters rotate through five stations where they will see clay targets flying left and right, toward and away from them at different angles and speeds. This discipline is an excellent preparation for beginning shooters looking to get into game bird hunting.

now through Aug. 31

ance. The Jay Henges Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center, is at 1100 Antire Road, just off I-44, exit 269 in Eureka.

Five-stand is a discipline of clay bird shooting that simulates realistic scenarios to help prepare hunters for going afield. Both Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) staffed shooting ranges and outdoor education centers in the St. Louis area, August A. Busch in Defiance and Jay Henges in Eureka, will

Five-stand shooting use fees are $4 per round, which includes clay birds. Both shooting ranges offer eye and ear protection if shooters don’t have their own.

The August A. Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center is located at 3550 Route D, approximately five miles west of Highway 94 in Defi-

St. Charles County Adopt-A-County-Road program promotes environmental stewardship

The St. Charles County Highway Department’s Adopt-A-County-Road program offers an opportunity for organizations or individuals to adopt a section of county-maintained roadways and conduct periodic litter clean-ups to help protect the environment and keep roads welcoming and safe.

“The program is a great opportunity for the public to get involved in their community,” says John Lyons, County Engineer. “Adopting a county road helps reduce the impact of littering in our environment, protects drivers and our roadways and helps preserve wildlife habitats.”

County roads are a vital piece of the St. Charles County transportation network, connecting the places where residents live, work and play. While development, construction and weather treatment are the most critical aspects of road

maintenance, it is also important to maintain the areas around county roadways.

“Clean roadways are safer roadways,” Lyons says. “Litter clean-ups allow the removal of trash and debris from areas near roads that could otherwise enter roadways and pose a potential danger to motorists.”

Civic and nonprofit organizations, commercial and private enterprises, and individuals are invited to apply for the program. Participants, who must be at least 10 years old and accompanied by an adult if under the age of 18, may adopt at least two miles of roadways in rural areas or at least one-half mile of roadway in urban areas for a minimum of three years. Litter clean-ups along the adopted section of roadway must occur at least four times per year, and participants must abide by the Highway Department’s

safety requirements.

The Highway Department provides participants with safety trainings, safety vests and equipment and litter bags for clean-ups. The department also removes and disposes of filled litter bags, and places two roadway signs – one at each end of the road section –identifying the adopting group or individual.

The Highway Department is responsible for improving and maintaining existing public county roads, constructing new roads, and providing snow removal and oversight of the public right-of-way. County roads are any public road located outside the jurisdiction of the various cities in the county and that are not part of the state system. Streets within cities are typically maintained by that city, except for smaller municipalities that contract with the County Highway Department to have their

streets maintained. The department is comprised of approximately 123 employees, including laborers, equipment operators, technicians, engineers and administrative staff.

For more information and to apply to participate in the Adopt-ACounty-Road program, visit sccmo.org/Highway or call 636-9497305.

Submitted photo

Both MDC staffed shooting ranges in the St. Louis area are hosting fivestand shotgun shooting opportunities this spring and summer.

MDC urges public to leave wildlife wild this spring

As you head outdoors this spring to enjoy the warmer weather, it’s likely you’ll encounter a variety of newborn animals. Young wildlife can pull on our heartstrings as they appear to be abandoned, but that’s rarely the case. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds the public that interfering with wildlife does more harm than good.

According to MDC State Wildlife Veterinarian Sherri Russell, young animals are rarely orphaned.

“When we see newborn wildlife alone, that means the parents are likely out searching for food and will return,” Russell explained.

A common newborn species people can come across in the spring season is young birds.

“If you see a chick with feathers hopping on the ground, leave it alone because it’s a fledgling and the parents are nearby keeping watch,” said Russell. “Fledglings can spend up to 10 days hopping on the ground learning to fly. If you find one that has no feathers, you can return it to the nesting area if possible, as it likely fell out of its nest.”

Russell also warned against “rescuing” newborn rabbits.

“Rabbits seldom survive in captivity and can die of fright from being handled,” she said. “Even if the animal is injured, it’s best to return it to the nest because the mother will most likely return.”

Human scent does not cause wild mothers to reject their young, and most newborn animals do not survive in captivity.

“It takes a lot of knowledge to care for and rehabilitate wild animals,” stressed Russell. “It requires

special training, permits and facilities. Not to mention, it’s illegal to possess many wild animals without a valid state or federal permit.”

Russell also noted wildlife can become dangerous as they mature, and can carry disease, parasites and cause property damage.

“We know people have good intentions, and it can be tempting to take these cute, young animals in our homes, but the best thing we can do for wild animals is to leave them be,” she said.

To learn more about Missouri’s native wildlife, visit the MDC online Field Guide at https://nature. mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/search.

Inspiration Corner: When the news is not good

Sometimes tears are the answer to life's hardest questions. We cry into the darkness of our circumstances and wonder if anyone hears. We may be surrounded by friends, but the echo of our pain is like a gong in our ears. We bleed but it feels like there is no one to bind up the wound. We grieve, and there is no salve for the burn in our heart.

A good friend of mine recently rushed her daughter to the emergency room with chest pain. After scans and blood tests they discovered her 21-year-old has lymphoma – a type of blood cancer. Everything changed in that moment. Hopes and dreams were atomized in a blaze of terror as they tried to grasp foreign concepts like treatment plans and odds for survival. The world as they knew it was no more. They had entered a new reality – one where children may not outlive their parents.

Our lives are skewed by adversity. Some of us expect the worst and are rarely disappointed. Life becomes a jumble of dreary days where we trudge through the motions of our withered lives. We are like half-dead dandelions beneath the weight of chemical compositions designed to destroy our soul. How can we lift our head when the toxins race through our veins?

But hope can be found in unexpected places. We just need to know where to look.

Heaven is not a place on earth

I often hear the popular Belinda Carlisle 1980's song, "Heaven is a place on earth" and think, "No, it's not." Certainly, we have beautiful sights to see and

there are a lot of wonderful experiences to be had –but Heaven, this is not. The bible says heaven is the dwelling place of God. It is described as a city where the river of life flows from under the throne of God. That river is crystal clear and flows past the tree of life which is for the healing of the nations.

When the prophet Isaiah wrote about the Messiah, he said he would “swallow up death forever and wipe away tears from all faces.” The dark world in which we live now will eventually pass away and all the people in it. But our true hope lies in the one who put death to death forever when he rose from the dead. One day we will be with Him, and we will weep no more.

Today, if you are experiencing a grievous physical or emotional wound, know that God loves you. He sees your suffering and has provided a way to have peace with Him. The apostle Paul said, “nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.” I can think of no better hope in the universe; a hope that will make even a withered dandelion rejoice.

Margaret Wolfinbarger is a wife and mother of three peculiar children. She lives in St. Charles and likes to shine light into dark places.

Submitted photo

You may encounter a variety of newborn animals this spring, such as cottontail rabbits (pictured). MDC encourages the public to leave wildlife alone as attempting to help them can do more harm than good.

The science of crimefighting

- By Brett Auten

The St. Charles County Police Department Criminalistics Laboratory uses cuttingedge technology to examine DNA and solve cold cases

With a proven track record in benefiting both efficiency and effectiveness, a new DNA software will help assist in catching criminals.

ArmedXpert is the latest option in the St. Charles County Police Department Criminalistics Laboratory crime-solving toolbelt. Officials say the software will enhance the reliability and validity of complex DNA samples. The Crime Lab will identify DNA profiles that involve multiple contributors. While the lab’s accredited DNA analysis staff can do this now, the software assesses the DNA components much faster and even more accurately than by human review.

“From a performance standpoint, this will definitely help the bottleneck,” Bryan Hampton, Crime Lab Director, said. “When there is a mixture of DNA in a sample, it is a tedious process to analyze and accurately glean a usable profile to identify which DNA belongs to which individual. We have the capability to do that already, but the complexity and length of time of the process is greatly reduced with this software – from hours down to minutes.”

Hampton said the software conducts a deconvolution process, taking information from complex DNA mixtures and parses it out to organize the sample into identifiable profiles at a much higher speed than the lab can currently. It allows us to extract more information from the data, and garner more usable profiles from complex samples that have multiple contributors, or subjects. You can expect the technology to play an important role in cases like burglaries, stolen vehicles and homicides.

In general, with a workload of more than 2,500 cases each year, including 300 DNA cases, this software allows the Crime Lab to process more forensic evidence. Any link from evidence to existing data, or addition of new data, helps cut down the time it takes to charge and prosecute suspects, and fairly and expeditiously aid the judicial process.

Hampton said that it is just a matter of not only training ana-

lysts on the new software but also making sure the software itself is functioning on all cylinders.

“There will be a whole validation process,” he said.

Regionally, DNA profiles, fingerprints and ballistic evidence uploaded by the department to investigative databases have provided links between cases.

In 2022 alone, 162 DNA profiles uploaded by the lab to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database “hit” to prior offenders, arrestees and crime scene samples from across the country. This valuable information has an impact on current cases, but also has helped the lab solve cold cases, such as the 1993 kidnapping and murder of Angie Housman, the 1984 murder of Eleonora Knoernschild, and the

1990-1991 “package killer” murders of five women.

“This new software will potentially allow the lab to upload more DNA profiles into CODIS that otherwise may not be eligible,” Hampton said. “With that, there could be more database hits and we could make more contributions to solving crime regionally as well as nationally.”

The St. Charles County Crime Lab is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) National Accreditation Board (ANAB) and has been continuously since 2007. The lab is staffed by six full-time scientists, a part-time firearm examiner and a part-time evidence clerk with nearly 120 years of combined forensic science experience.

Submitted photos

(Top) Mihaela Sfiroudis of the St. Charles County Police Department Criminalistics Laboratory sorts through newly arrived DNA tests. (Bottom)) A new DNA analysis software, called ArmedXpert, will allow the St. Charles County Police Department to more efficiently and effectively identify DNA profiles that involve multiple contributors.

Miss Augusta Cruises celebrates grand opening with ribbon cutting

Miss Augusta Cruises, part of the Hoffman Family of Companies, celebrated their grand opening on April 14. To commemorate the opening, the company held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Cottleville Weldon Spring, O’Fallon, Western St. Charles and Washington Chambers of Commerce.

Members of each of the chambers and many other community leaders were in attendance.

“Miss Augusta is the premiere luxury yacht in Missouri! Come cruise with us and enjoy a relaxing time on the Missouri River. Follow us on social media or check our website for upcoming specialty cruises, “said Molly Dempsey, Marketing & Customer Events Director.

Sail with them aboard Miss Augusta in luxury and comfort. Cruising the Missouri River, they offer daily public cruises for guests of all ages, as well private events. Whether you are celebrating something special, having a date night, planning an outing for a small group or just yourself, they are excited to serve you. Onboard you will find two full-service bars and meals prepared fresh daily by their talented culinary team. Truly a first-class experience.

For more information on the Miss Augusta, follow them at www.MissAugustaBoat.com.

Electrical Connection donates services and materials for the 2023 St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway

A very special home is emerging in Dardenne Prairie, and once again, the IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection is donating resources to build it. When completed later this year, the sale of the 14th St. Jude Dream Home in St. Louis will benefit children served by the renowned St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The Electrical Connection is a partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1 and the St. Louis Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association. It is donating all electrical services to build the 2,711-squarefoot, two-story home, which carries an estimated value of $711,000. The home is being built by Fischer Homes. NECA contractor Grasser Electric and IBEW Local 1 are performing the electrical work.

In June of this year, a total of 16,000 tickets will be available for a chance to win the home and other prizes at $100 each. Last year, tickets to win the home sold out in 10 days. The drawing to give away the home will be carried live on FOX 2 on Aug. 17. For more information, visit www.stjude.org/give/ dream-home/st-louis.html.

Located at 209 Kerry Downs Drive, the groundbreaking for this year’s St. Jude Dream Home was held on Feb. 10. The Grasser Electric/IBEW 1 team are currently roughing in electrical infrastructure.

“This year’s St. Louis Dream Home would not be possible without our incredible trade partners and vendors like IBEW Local 1/ Grasser Electric,” said Carrie Rogiers, marketing manager at Fischer Homes. “We are grateful for their support of the lifesaving research being done at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”

The home features four bedrooms and two and a half baths; a spacious owner’s suite and bathroom; 17-foot ceilings in the family room with open concept living; a gourmet kitchen with an expansive island; a private study with French doors; flexible main-floor space for a casual living room, dining room, recreation room or an extra study space; a convenient second-floor laundry room; a three-car garage. It also includes all of the Inverness subdivision amenities, including lakes, parks, open green space and walking trails. It is located next to the Lake Forest County Club.

“Our membership is inspired to serve this very worthy cause,” said Frank Jacobs, IBEW business manager. “Countless families have relied on St. Jude’s critical research and treatment of childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”

The home is built with the generosity and support of sponsors, trade partners, and the local community. Every dollar raised goes straight to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for funding research and providing care.

“Our NECA contractors, like Grasser, excel at proficiently installing home electrical infrastructure and fixtures while ensuring everything is built to code,” noted Kyle McKenna, Executive Vice Presidentof St. Louis NECA.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org.

The Electrical Connection IBEW/NECA partnership represents more than 5,000 highly skilled and safe IBEW Local 1 electricians and the more than 150 electrical contractors who employ them. Learn more at www.electricalconnection.org.

Submitted photo

Submitted photo

The sale of the 14th St. Jude Dream Home in St. Louis will benefit children served by the renowned St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Four WSD students earn MASC Distinguished Student Leader Award

Layla has been a member of Timberland Student Council for three years and currently serves as one of the vice presidents in charge of commissioners. In this position, she guides and assists other students to ensure success in their student council responsibilities. In addition to her participation in student council, Layla is a member of NHS and Link Crew. She plans to attend Missouri University of Science & Technology and pursue a major in environmental science.

“Layla has been one of my hardest working and devoted members since she walked in the door,” shared Jim Andrzejewski, Timberland Student Council sponsor.

Wentzville School District names new principal of Green Tree Elementary

Holt High School senior Taylor Peterson and Timberland High School seniors Layla Marks, Liv Nash and Addie Plumb have each received a Distinguished Student Leader Award from the Missouri Association of Student Councils (MASC).

This award recognizes Missouri students who demonstrate superior student council leadership skills and knowledge based on MASC criteria and evaluation procedures.

Taylor has been a member of Holt Student Council for three years and currently serves as vice president of her council. In this position, she assists the president in writing leadership lessons, assists council commissioners, and keeps track of member participation. In addition to this role, Taylor is a member of Holt’s National Honor Society (NHS) and HOSA. She plans to attend St. Charles Community College and pursue a major in nursing.

“Taylor is an admirable young woman who works hard in everything she does,” shared Erin Chase, Holt Student Council sponsor. “It has been such a pleasure to watch her develop her leadership skills and discover her passions over these years.”

Liv has been a member of the Timberland Student Council for three years and currently serves as one of the vice presidents in charge of commissioners. In this position, she guides and assists other students to ensure success in their student council responsibilities. In addition to her participation in student council, Liv is involved in NHS, DECA, and Link Crew. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a major in culinary sciences.

“Liv’s groundedness, selflessness and maturity have set a great example for her peers,” shared Jim Andrzejewski, Timberland Student Council sponsor.

Addie has been a member of the Timberland Student Council for three years and currently serves as one of the photo historians. In addition to her participation in student council, Addie has been involved in Timberland’s drumline for four years, and serves as the Youth and Government media director. She plans to attend the University of Central Missouri and major in speech-language pathology.

“Addie’s devotion is admirable, but her strongest trait is the size of her heart for anyone,” shared Jim Andrzejewski, Timberland Student Council sponsor. “She is always selfless and caring in any walk of life.”

18 Fort Zumwalt artists among top 100 at Picture the Music

This year, 18 Fort Zumwalt students were recognized among the top 100 at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Volunteer Association’s Picture the Music program, including kindergartener Meera Singh, who earned the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Award, the second highest award in her category for her piece “The Red Cart.”

SLSO receives thousands of submissions each year, this year from students inspired by “Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity” from Gustav Holst’s The Planets.

Each year, Fort Zumwalt School District’s young artists shine. From the thousands of submissions, SLSO selects the Top 100. These students and their work are celebrated at a reception at Powell Hall and some receive special recognition within the top 100.

Their artwork is part of a traveling exhibit that was on display at the St. Louis Science Center earlier this month and was also on display at the St. Louis Art Museum until April 28. The St. Louis Art Museum will also hold a special reception in honor of the artists.

You can see the Top 100 works and link to a complete list of winners at slso.org/picture

FORT ZUMWALT’S PICTURE THE MUSIC TOP 100

• Dardenne Elementary: Nerlin Mejia - Kindergarten; Garrett Schmucker - 3rd Grade

• Emge Elementary: Riley Mader - Kindergarten; Adalyn Sieges - 1st Grade; Declan Dames - 2nd Grade (Blue Ribbon); Callie Bowlin - 4th Grade; Ryan Wilson - 4th Grade

• Flint Hill Elementary: Hayden Harpe - Kindergarten. William Hossa - 1st Grade (Blue Ribbon), Grant Livingston - 2nd Grade; Charli Lewis - 3rd Grade; Laiah Brooks - 4th Grade; Audrey Anderson - 4th Grade

• Hawthorn Elementary: Maya Fletcher - 5th Grade

• Ostmann Elementary: Meera Singh K (St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Award); Ethan Arokoyo2nd grade

• Progress South Elementary: Sarah Morman4th grade; Chase Stamper - 1st grade

The Wentzville School District Board of Education approved hiring Dr. Dannah Steele as the principal of Green Tree Elementary, effective July 1.

Steele currently serves as the principal of Delores Moye Elementary in the O’Fallon District 90 in O’Fallon, Illinois, where she also acts as the District Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Coordinator.

Prior to that, she served as a principal in the Hazelwood School District. She has seven years of administrative experience in the O’Fallon, Hazelwood, and Normandy school districts combined.

She has also previously been a classroom teacher, curriculum coordinator, and assistant principal. She prioritizes family engagement; she has led a trauma-informed schools initiative and has a track record of improving student achievement and attendance.

“I am proud and honored to join such an incredible team of educators who place students at the forefront of everything they do,” said Steele. “I am excited to combine my experience, child-centered approach, and love for learning to support the Green Tree community.”

She holds a doctorate in educational leadership and an education specialist degree in educational leadership from the University of Arkansas, a master’s in educational leadership from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and a bachelor’s in elementary education from St. Louis University.

Photo courtesy Wentzville School District

Photo courtesy Wentzville School District Holt High School senior Taylor Peterson and Timberland High School seniors Layla Marks, Liv Nash and Addie Plumb have each received a Distinguished Student Leader Award from the Missouri Association of Student Councils.

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

May 5-7: Theater production

Wentzville Christian Church presents a community theater production of “7 Brides for 7 Brothers” on Friday, May 5 at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 6 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and on Sunday, May 7 at 2 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Seating is first come, first served; and the doors open 30 minutes prior to each performance. This year’s production features a talented cast of 29 drawn from the church and surrounding area, along with a 24-piece orchestra (featuring several members of the St. Charles Municipal Band). As part of the community outreach, the church will be accepting donations for “Our Lady’s Inn” at all performances. Wentzville Christian Church is located at 1507 Hwy. Z (1 mile south of I-70). For more information call 636-327-6622 or visit wentzvillecc.org.

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 Luetkenhaus 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 education, group conversation, and even snacks.

Mondays and Wednesdays: Tai Chi for arthritis class

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

Tuesdays: Toastmasters Meeting

7 p.m. at the Midwest Bank Centre Board Room at 2299 Technology Blvd., O’Fallon, MO 63368. Info: 636-3792505.

Tuesdays: Cribbage Club

Meets every Tuesday, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. at The Falls Golf Course Clubhouse. Relaxed, friendly play and is open to all. Call 314-954-3364 for info.

Tuesdays: Women’s AA weekly meeting

Candlelighters Women in Recovery meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Dardenne Prairie Presbyterian Church (enter at Adam Lamb pre-School, turn left) at 7400 South Outer 364 at the corner with Bryan Road.

Tuesdays: Seniors luncheon

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

Tuesdays: Optimist Club meeting

The St. Charles Optimist Club meets Tuesdays at noon at Pio’s Restaurant. For more information contact Jack Ross at 314-287-0569 or jackross@att.net.

Tuesdays: Cribbage

Looking for an evening out? Come and play cribbage Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Rookies at 15358 Veterans Memori-

al Pkwy in Wentzville. Win prizes and awards with semiannual tournaments. ACC sanctioned. For more information contact Dee at 636233-8032.

Tuesdays: Diabetes support group

A diabetes support group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month except November and December from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at 400 Medical Plaza, Suite 102 in Lake St. Louis. A new speaker each month. Questions? Call Amanda Meyer at 636-6255447.

Tuesdays: Kiwanis Club of St. Charles

12:05 p.m. at Ginghams Homestyle Restaurant, 1566 Country Clcub Plaza Drive, in St. Charles. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. The group is looking for new members who want to better our community and help its youth. If you are interested in making a positive impact in St. Charles for generations to come, please come for lunch. For more information call 636-206-2483. You can also visit http://stcharleskiwanis. com

Tuesdays: Quilting Guild at the O’Fallon Family YMCA

1-4 p.m. Free. Quilt for local charities. No sewing experience required.

Tuesdays: NAMI St. Louis Connection Recovery Support Group

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

Tuesdays: Mended Hearts

This heart patient support group provides hospital visitation support for people with any type of heart issues. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Spencer Road St. Charles Library, at the corner of Boone Hills Dr. and Spencer Rd. For additional information please call 636639-0875.

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

The group meets on third Tuesday of every month from

10-11:30 a.m. at the Alzheimer’s Chapter Office at 9370 Olive Blvd. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, support, or the Male Caregiver Experience, please call the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 Helpline at 800272-3900 or visit www.alz. org/stl. Registration is requested before the first meeting.

Tuesdays: Social club for widows and widowers

On the first and third Tuesday of each month a social club for widows and widowers meets from 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. at St. John’s United Church of Christ at Fifth and Jackson Streets in St. Charles. On the first Tuesday there are refreshments and on the third Tuesday there is either a speaker or entertainment. The group also goes to breakfast, lunch and dinner monthly, and has a pot luck dinner each month.

Tuesdays: NAMI St. Louis Connection Recovery Support Group

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

Tuesdays: NAMI St. Louis Family Support Group

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

Tuesdays: Dardenne Presbyterian Church Basketball

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

Tuesdays: Central Missouri Railroad Association meeting

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

Tuesdays: Cancer support group Cancer Companions Support Group is a support group for any cancer patient in treat-

ment or post treatment, their caregiver and their loved ones that meets on the second Tuesday of each month at Dardenne Presbyterian Church at 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie at 7 p.m. in the parlor. Registration is not required.

Tuesdays: O’Fallon Garden Club

On the fourth Tuesday of the month, the O’Fallon Garden Club meets at 6:30 p.m. at Sunrise United Methodist Church at 2116 Twin Chimney’s Blvd. in O’Fallon. Open to anyone interested in learning more about gardening and beautifying our community. For more information contact Barb at 314-324-3666 or visit www. ofallonmogarden.com.

Tuesdays and Thursdays: Tai Chi at the St. Charles County Family YMCA

10:15-11:15 a.m. No experience necessary. 636-928-1928.

Tuesdays and Thursdays: Get Fit Exercise Classes

9-10 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Hall, New Melle. 314-369-6521.

Third Tuesday: Luncheon for seniors

On the third Tuesday of every month there is a luncheon for seniors from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Transfiguration Episcopal Church at 1860 Lake St. Louis Blvd. For more information call 636-561-8951.

Wednesdays: Toastmasters Club

The Cavesprings Toastmasters Club will transform your speaking ability and offers in person and online meetings every Wednesday from 8 – 9 a.m. at the St. Charles Ambulance District at 2000 Salt River Road in St. Peters. RSVP at cavespringstoastmasters@ gmail.com as guests are free.

Wednesdays: TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Club

TOPS 502 Wright City meets every Wednesday morning at First Baptist Church at 104 Hedeman Ave. in Wright City. Weigh-in 7 - 8:30 a.m. Meeting starts at 9 a.m. For more information call 314-504-5202

Wednesdays: Food pantry

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

Wednesdays: St. Charles Area Woodcarvers meeting St. Charles Area Woodcarvers meet on Wednesday at the

Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center; 7295 S Highway 94; St. Charles, MO. Doors open at 6pm with carving from 6:30-8:30pm. Visitors are always welcome. For more information visit www. StCharlesAreaWoodcarvers. com or contact Charles Sapp at cwsapp@charter.net.

Wednesdays: Senior citizen luncheon

Every first Wednesday of the month (except January and July), St. Robert Bellarmine Church at 1424 First Capitol Drive, South in St. Charles will hold a luncheon for men and women 55 and up. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Lunch served 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Games (activities) held 12:30 -2 p.m. Cost is $10 per person. Reservations required by the Friday prior to the luncheon by calling 636-946-6799. All are welcome.

Wednesdays: Quilt guild

Every Fourth Wednesday from January to October, the Loose Threads Quilt Guild meets at 6:45 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Centre at the St. Peters City Hall on Mexico Road in St. Peters.

Wednesdays: Marine Corps League meeting

On the first Wednesday of each month the St. Charles County Marine Corps League meets at Pezold Banquet Center, 5701 Hwy N, in Cottleville at 7:00 p.m. All Marines and FMF Corpsmen are welcome. For more information visit www. stcharlesmarine.org.

Wednesdays: Women’s fishing club

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

Wednesdays: Monthly veterans coffee

Veterans from all branches of service are invited to the Wentzville Senior Center at 500 Great Oaks Blvd. in Wentzville on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 9 – 10:30 a.m. for coffee, pastries and camaraderie. Come meet with fellow veterans who served our country and share your experience.

Wednesdays: Crossroads Cribbage Club Meets at 1380 Boone St., at 12 p.m. in Troy. 636-528-8379.

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

Wednesdays: Men’s Golf League

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

Wednesdays: Charity Bingo

6:45pm, Doors open at 5 p.m. VFW Post 5077 sponsors, at VFW Hall, 8500 Veterans Mem. Pkwy., O’Fallon. 636-272-1945 or www.vfwpost5077.org.

Wednesdays: Yoga at The St. Charles County Family YMCA

6-6:55pm Any level. Info: 636928-1928.

Wednesdays: Hope & Healing

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

Wednesdays: Take Off Pounds Sensibly Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets every Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the parish hall of Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church at 907 Jungermann Rd. in St. Peters. TOPS is a national non-profit weight-loss organization that supports its members in attaining their goal weight. There is no cost for the first meeting. All are welcome. Weigh-ins begin at 9 a.m. Contact Judy Bauer at 636-541-2263 for further information.

Thursdays: St. Charles Rotary Club Meeting

St. Charles Rotary Club meets at noon at The Moose Lodge at 2705 Veterans Memorial Pkwy. In St Charles. Members and guests are welcome for lunch, leadership development and to gain a better insight into our community. www.stcharlesrotary.org.

Thursdays: American Legion meeting

On the first Thursday of each month, American Legion Post 323 meets at 7:30 p.m. at the

American Legion Hall at 504 Luetkenhaus Blvd. in Wentzville. For more information call 636-327-6060.

Thursdays: Lions Club meeting

Wentzville Outreach Lions

Club meets the second Thursday of the month at Schnucks at 1960 Wentzville Pkwy in Wentzville at 6 p.m. Contact Jimmy Butler at 314-780-5629 or Lisa Alexander at 314-2581069 for more information.

Thursdays: TOPS meeting

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Club 661 Wentzville holds meetings every Thursday in room 21 at The United Methodist Church of Wentzville, 725 Wall Street. Weigh ins at 9:30, meetings begin at 10 a.m. For more information call 314650-1014.

Thursdays: O’Fallon Rotary Club meetings

O’Fallon Rotary Club meets from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. at Rendezvous Café & Wine Bar at

217 S. Main St. in O’Fallon every Thursday. Visitors are always welcome. For more information, call President, Lisa Muncy at 636-240-0912.

Thursdays: Optimist Club meetings

The O’Fallon Optimist Club meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Bank of Old Monroe T.R. Hughes Blvd. in O’Fallon. For more information, contact CyndySchwab at 636-544-0102.

Thursdays: Lions Club meetings

St. Charles Lions Club meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at 1144 S Benton Street in St. Charles. Contact Art for more info at 636-441-1831. New members are welcome.

3rd Thursday: Fleur de Lis Garden Club Meets third Thursday of the month, 10:100 a.m. at the Mc-

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

Clay Library in St. Charles. Club does not meet in December. Info: www.fleurdelisgardenclub.org;

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

Every Thursday: Dardenne Presbyterian Church Quilters

9am-2pm, Dardenne Presbyterian Church, 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie. Members do hand quilting to quilts of any size for donation that is given to various church supported charities. No experience is necessary to join the group. For more information, contact Brenda Kenny at 636.240.3753.

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

Sports you see with Gary B . . .

Local player signs with the Hoots for the 2023 season

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

Recently they announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Sam Feltz for the 2023 summer season. Feltz comes to O’Fallon as a junior from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC).

The 6-foot-1, 225-pound right-hander attended Francis Howell Central High School in Cottleville where he started in six of his ten appearances his senior season, posting 29 strikeouts across 31 ⅔ innings pitched for the Spartans.

Feltz went on to play two seasons with the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) St. Louis Community College – Meramec Archers, where he went 5-2 his freshman season, while locking in 61 strikeouts across 45 innings pitched in 15 appearances.

The St. Charles-native transferred to TAMU-CC to play for the Division I Islanders during their 2023 season. The junior has pitched in nine innings, allowing only 13 hits and locking in 9 strikeouts among his 46 batters faced so far for the Islanders.

The O’Fallon team also signed a right-handed infielder Tucker Platt for the summer season.

Platt comes to O’Fallon as a redshirt sophomore from Indiana University Kokomo (IU Kokomo).

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound infielder attended Logansport High School in Logansport, Indiana where he helped lead the Berries baseball team to a sectional championship his senior season. Platt was a four-year starter for the Berries, registering a career .464 BA with four home runs, 85 RBIs, and 107 runs scored in 353 at-bats.

The Logansport, Indiana-native finished his high school senior season with a .486 BA, earning him a spot on the Indiana North All Star Team, as well as

All-State and All-Conference honors. The redshirt sophomore went on to play at Olney Central College in Olney, Illinois, where he hit .545 with one home run, 3 RBI, and five runs scored in 16 plate appearances for the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association (NJCAA) Blue Knights. Platt transferred to IU Kokomo following the 2020-2021 season, where he has hit for a career .314 BA, .418 OBP, and .461 SLG with 64 hits, 29 RBI, and 41 runs scored in 74 games played so far for the Cougars.

The Hoots start their home season on Wednesday May 31st against the Cape Girardeau club at 6:35 p.m.

*Local talent is always good

UMSL golf team head to postseason play again

With the 2023 NCAA Division II Men's Golf Championships field announcement on Friday, the 22nd ranked University of Missouri-St. Louis men's golf team is set to make the program's 17th postseason trip, including its 10th straight and its 11th in the last 12 years.

Under the direction of 15th-year head coach Troy Halterman, the Tritons will be one of 20 teams competing in the Midwest/Central Regional May 11-13 in Winona, Minn., at the Bridges Golf Course.

UMSL is led by fifth-year senior Joel Sylven who owns a scoring average of 71.30. Sylven has finished in the top 10 nine times this season.

Senior Juan Antonio Padilla follows with a scoring average of 72.85 while sophomore Cyril Henault has a scoring average of 73.73.

*Best of luck on the links

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: Entertain in style with a savory appetizer

Welcoming friends, family and neighbors for celebrations of all kinds demands delicious hors d’oeuvres for making guests feel right at home. Next time you invite loved ones for a special get-together, you can beef up the menu with a tasty appetizer that’s as easy to make as it is to enjoy.

Loaded with savory flavor and perfect for feeding a crowd, these Beef and Blue Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms from Beef Loving Texans offer a simple yet mouthwatering way to entertain in style. Just prepare button mushrooms by removing the stems then fill the caps with a ground beef-based mixture of minced mushroom stems, blue cheese, breadcrumbs, green onions and steak seasoning for a party-worthy platter.

Beef and Blue Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms

Recipe courtesy of Beef Loving Texans

Total time: 50 minutes | Servings: 40

Ingredients:

2 packages (8 ounces each) button mushrooms

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 pound ground beef

1/3 cup blue cheese

1/4 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs

3 tablespoons green onions

1/2 teaspoon steak seasoning blend chives (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 F. Remove stems from mushrooms; reserve. Season mushroom caps with salt; set aside. Mince stems to yield 1/2 cup; discard remaining stems.

Combine ground beef, minced stems, blue cheese, breadcrumbs, green onions and steak seasoning. Spoon beef mixture evenly into mushrooms.

Place stuffed mushrooms on rack in broiler pan. Bake 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle with chives, if desired.

VisitBeefLovingTexans.comtofindmorerecipesforhomeentertainingandbeyond.

‘crummy’ roles of Nicolas Cage

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.

On a recent edition of the news program “60 Minutes,” actor Nicolas Cage said he was over-invested in real estate when the market crashed during the 2008 financial crisis. The prolific actor, who won an Oscar for his work in 1995’s “Leaving Las Vegas,” said he wasn’t going to file for bankruptcy and began working on “crummy” movies to repay $6 million in debt. He also moved to Las Vegas because it is a “taxfree city” and has been working “nonstop.”

Was Cage too hard on the roles he took to pay his debts? “Knowing,” a 2009 film released after the financial crisis, had an intriguing premise. After her teacher asked her students to draw their version of the future, a student named Lucinda Embry (Lara Robinson) filled her sheet with numerical sequences. All the papers were placed in a time capsule and opened 50 years later. Lucinda’s paper ended up in the hands of astrophysics professor John Koestler (Cage) who determined that the sequences referred to major disasters and that three events had yet to occur. “Knowing” started out well but the plotline ran out of steam before the credits rolled.

Based on the comic book of the same name, Matthew Vaughn’s “Kick-Ass” offered a different take on superheroes. Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson) was a teenager who wanted to become a superhero. His first costumed adventure was a complete disaster, however. Cage played Big Daddy, a police officer turned vigilante who trained his daughter Mindy (Chloë Grace Moretz) to become the ruthless Hit-Girl. Nicolas Cage did a nice job playing a protective father who wanted to stop a ruthless crime boss (Mark Strong).

In 2010, Jon Turteltaub directed a live-action version of “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.”

Nicolas Cage was Balthazar Blake, a sorcerer living in Manhattan who sought the “Prime Merlinean,” the heir apparent to Merlin’s legendary powers. Physics student Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel) turned out to be the chosen one. Blake made Dave his

protégé to help in the battle against evil sorcerer Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina). “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” was an interesting mix of science and sorcery, but it wasn’t as engaging as it should have been.

Prior to the start of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Mark Steven Johnson directed 2007’s “Ghost Rider,” a character based on a Marvel character. Nicolas Cage played Johnny Blaze, a motorcycle stuntman who sold his soul to the devil to save his father’s life, but the demon double-crossed him. Years later, Blaze was a motorcycle stunt rider who was offered a chance to regain his soul. After starring in the 2011 sequel, “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance,” Cage said he was finished with that Marvel franchise.

Although 2022’s “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” was a fictitious look at the actor, the film referenced Nicolas Cage’s roles in “Leaving Las Vegas,” “Con Air” and other movies. Cage also avoided bankruptcy while still giving his all as an actor. I look forward to what he does next.

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.

The

(Left) ‘Knowing’ photo courtesy Summit Entertainment. (Right) ‘Kick-Ass’ photo courtesy Marv Films.

Moore on Life: Picture perfect

My phone is overflowing with 5,632 photos. I’d say that makes me a semi-professional photographer. Nope, according to the news that makes me a digital hoarder.

That information shocked and horrified me. I never considered myself a hoarder. In fact, I purposely watch episodes of “Hoarders” just to motivate myself to clean and declutter the house. And now I had to face the ugly fact that I was one.

It was time to get serious and clean out my phone.

I found about 100 pictures I’d taken of meals from places my husband and I had dined at. That food had long ago passed through my digestive system. I could delete them. But I reconsidered because the food looked so tasty and brought back fond memories of restaurants I couldn’t remember the names of. I’d get back to those later.

About 50 were screenshots of recipes I intended to cook one day. Ha! Who was I fooling? I hate to cook so away they must go. But then, I could pass them on to my daughters. They like to cook. Keep going.

I needed to get serious. I found several hundred pictures of flowers. They must go. But they were so pretty and some had bumblebees or butterflies on them. Next.

I pulled up thousands of the grandkids. They were all keepers. But I did find one of my cute grandbaby with half my big pink thumb across the lens. That could go. But wait! If I cropped out the thumb then

By Cindy Moore CROSSWORD: U.S. STATES

the picture could be saved. Move on.

Aha! I found one of a grocery shopping list I took a snappie of. Hmm, eggs, butter, cheese, bread, milk. That’s a good list. I think I’ll use it next time and save myself the hassle of writing a new one.

Finally, a group that needed some thinning: 1,714 pictures of my cats. I definitely saw a problem there. I went through them and deleted one that was blurry. The rest must stay. If they ever found out I was deleting pictures of them things would get ugly. And you don’t want to cause already grumpy cats to become grumpier. That’s just asking to become an episode on “Dateline.”

I made a mental note to contact an Apple guy and increase my storage gigaboops. Problem solved.

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: Budget-friendly gardening hacks

Gardening can be a simple way to beautify your yard, relieve stress and save money on your grocery bill, but like any hobby, you can get carried away buying necessary equipment.

Fun, frugal and environmentally friendly, these tricks can help you create a cost-effective garden:

1. Use a yardstick and permanent marker to mark inches and feet on the handle of your rake, shovel or hoe. The next time you plant, simply lay the marked handle along the row to create perfectly spaced holes for seeds.

2. Line the bottom of a clay pot with a coffee filter to keep soil from leaking out the bottom.

3. Use empty plastic water bottles or clear milk jugs to fill the bottom of large pots. They reduce the weight of the pot and require less soil to fill.

4. To test your seeds to see if they’re still viable for this planting season, place a wet paper towel inside a zip-top bag, drop in 3-4 seeds and wait a week to see if anything grows.

5. One way to help prevent weeds is lining your garden with a layer of newspaper. Just top two or three sheets of newsprint with a layer of pine needles, grass clippings or dried leaves for an eco-friendly and inexpensive weed barrier.

6. Keep gardening twine handy. Nail a funnel to your potting bench with the spout pointing downward, feed the twine through and your string will never go missing. For a more portable solution, place a ball of twine inside a canning jar, make a hole in the lid and feed the end of the twine through the hole. Now, you can take twine anywhere, tangle-free.

7. There is no need to buy expensive potting systems for starting seedlings. Place several cardboard toilet paper rolls inside a clean plastic clamshell, like those used for premade salads. Fill each cardboard tube with potting soil and plant. Once your seedlings grow too tall for the clamshell, simply tear off the top lid.

Find more ideas for creating a garden without spending a bundle at eLivingtoday.com.

ACROSS

1. Attired

5. *Alabama, for short

8. Type of pit, at a concert

12. *Nevada's "biggest little city in the world"

13. October birthstone

14. Don't do this to words?

15. Elusive Himalayan

16. Poet Sandburg

17. Come to pass

18. *Home of the Bourbon Trail

20. Not us

21. Winds to a ship captain

22. *Dish popular in the 50th state

23. *Largest state, by area

26. Dick ____ of "Bewitched"

30. Tombstone acronym

31. Spews

34. Succulent medicinal plant

35. Cast member

37. Greek "t"

Gibson garnish

Evade payment

Like certain pentameter

Lenon's wife

down

DOWN

1. Have a bawl

2. Potato's soup partner

3. Initial stake

4. Happenings

5. Lickety-split

6. Shenanigans

7. Friend in war

8. *State with longest freshwater shoreline

9. It's enough?

10. Pond gunk

11. Joaquin Phoenix 2013 movie

13. Relating to eye

14. *Michigan's "____ City"

19. Selfish one 22. Pavlova's step 23. Middle East natives 24. Permissible 25. In a fitting way 26. Half a ticket 27. Sober Ness

28. Not a soul (2 words)

29. Operatic voice

32. *Home to Arches National Park 33. Tucker of "Modern Family" 36. *State with panhandle 38. Round openings 40. School of thought suffix 41. Google search category 44. Often-missed humor

Hide craftsman

Little one

Lowest deck on a ship

Timeline divisions

His was a merry old soul 52. Tiny bottle 53. *"Field of Dreams" movie setting

Photo courtesy of Unsplash