CNSTC: May 17, 2023

Growing the ‘Garden’

Frankie Martin’s Garden has become a picturesque gathering space in Cottleville featuring food, entertainment and community

By Brett Auten

As the guffaws and cheers fill the air, somewhere, Frank Martin is smiling.

With nearly a year under its belt, Frankie Martin’s Garden, located at 5372 St. Charles Place in Cottleville, has fit right in and has become to no one’s surprise, an enticing location in the heart of Cottleville to socialize.

Frank K. Martin was a longtime Cottleville resident known for his giving nature and fun disposition. He was employed for more than 50 years in maintenance by St. Joseph Church and School where he was also a member.

Martin was also a knight in the Knights of Columbus, and was a frequent customer at local haunt, Bemo’s and Joe’s. Martin passed

away in 2020 at the age of 74 and he’s been honored with this social nerve center, built right where he used to live.

“We revived his former home and made it our centerpiece, The House,” Darin Heisler, General Manager of Frankie Martin’s, said. “Our vision for the garden, which lies on his previous property and farm, is to foster a place where the whole community can come together and celebrate daily.”

Frankie Martin’s Garden is the place for and about the community with a picturesque neighborhood garden that provides award-winning food trucks, 60-plus curated wines, a library of over 200 whiskeys, and showcases the best breweries in Missouri. No outside food or drink are allowed at Frankie Martin’s Garden (but kids and

dogs are), including coolers as there are plenty of options at the slew of food trucks, beer pavilions and Whiskey House.

Cottleville declared June 2, Frankie Martin Day, which of course, is a big day at the Garden. It is open Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 12 a.m. and features a bevy of food trucks, entertainment, and drink options. The food trucks serve lunch at the dog-friendly location from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and dinner from 5 – 9 p.m., seven days per week.

Frankie Martin’s Garden, along with 9 Mile Garden, is a collaboration between local chef and restaurateur Brian Hardesty and Seneca Commercial Real Estate. Their

See ’GARDEN’ page 2

Zumwalt School District names new principals . Pg. 5

Congratulations to the winners. Pg. 6

Submitted photos

Frankie Martin’s Garden, located at 5372 St. Charles Place in Cottleville, is open Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 12 a.m. and features a bevy of food trucks, entertainment, and drink options. The food trucks serve lunch at the dog-friendly location from 11 – 2 p.m. and dinner from 5 – 9 p.m., seven days per week.

Around Town

Wentzville-Lake St. Louis Optimist Club to host the 2023 EMO Jr. Golf Qualifier Tournament

One of the top premier Junior Golf Tournaments in the world, the Optimist tournament offers a unique opportunity for junior golfers from around the globe. Junior golfers and their families enjoy golf, a parent-child tournament, off-course ac-

tivities, meals and housing all on one property.

Through more than 50 qualifying tournaments, Optimists reach out into their own communities to involve children in the game of golf. Each year 5,000 junior golfers, ages 10-18, participate in Optimist sponsored events. The top 700 junior golfers advance to the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship each summer.

The Eastern Missouri Qualifier will be held on June 9 at St. Genevieve Golf Club. Qualifier information is available at https://oi-emo.org/jrgolf. Winners advance to the International Tournament to be held at Doral Resort and Spa in Miami, Florida in July. Visit https://www. optimist.org/golf/ for more information.

The Wentzville - Lake St. Louis Optimist Club has been serving the community since 1986.

Reformed in 2017, our mission is “Helping kid’s dreams come true.” The club inspires kids to be active community members through service by hosting the annual Turkey Trot race, benefiting Holt Cross-Country Team, and offering annual scholarship opportunities.

Working in partnership with both the Wentzville and Lake St. Louis Police Departments, the club supports community outreach programs such as: Wentzville Junior Police Academy, Health and Fitness Fair, Lake St. Louis Open House, Polar Plunge, and Holiday Trim a Tree. The club also supports two lending libraries within the community as well as initiating the Parents as Students baby supply drive.

Learn more about the Wentzville-Lake St. Louis Club at wlsloc. wixsite.com/wlsl30562.

‘GARDEN’ from cover

shared vision is to create destinations where people from around St. Louis and beyond come together to enjoy food, entertainment, and community in a family-friendly environment. An emphasis on supporting the community means you’ll find local businesses such as food trucks, entertainers, wine and whiskey lovers, brewers, farmers and more.

“One motivation behind Frankie Martin’s Garden came from the success of 9 Mile Garden in Affton,” Heisler said. “9 Mile Garden launched in 2020, and quickly became a fixture of the South County community.

When Jeff Kolb of Kolb Grading, who was involved with that project, approached Larry Chapman and Tom Mohan of Seneca CRE (owners at 9 Mile Garden) and Mike Reiter of Cottleville Ventures – the Kolbs and the Reiters are both deeply rooted in the community – they saw the partnership opportunity to both honor an old friend and create a welcome gathering place in the heart of Cottleville.”

The grand opening was held in July of 2022, and they couldn’t be more excited with the response.

“From families dining al fresco with our amazing food truck partners, to sharing a conversation and some fine spirits in the Whiskey House, to live music with local acts three times a week, we look forward to spending time and growing with our neighbors,” Heisler said.

Not including the regular food truck visits, Frankie Martin’s Garden weekly schedule includes challenging trivia in the Beer Barn, pickle ball and sand volleyball action, local and regional live music, and St. Louis sports on the outdoor big screen.

“We are also happy to announce our inaugural Frankie Fest on Sunday, May 28, featuring Wildfire, The Shawn Egan Band, and Trixie Delight,” Heisler said. “We are partnering with Building Change, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans. We love working with nonprofit organizations in our community; any chance to give back to the community that has welcomed us into their lives is a chance to deepen our roots here.”

For more information, visit frankiemartinsgarden.com.

Submitted photo

Frankie Martin’s Garden, located at 5372 St. Charles Place in Cottleville, is open Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 12 a.m. and features a bevy of food trucks, entertainment, and drink options. The food trucks serve lunch at the dogfriendly location from 11 – 2 p.m. and dinner from 5 – 9 p.m., seven days per week.

St. Louis Kolache celebrates grand opening with ribbon cutting

St. Charles County Public Health one of few clinics in region to offer yellow fever vaccine

The St. Charles County Department of Public Health now offers vaccination for yellow fever as part of its Travel Health Clinic, a program designed to assist residents with health-related plans for domestic or international travel. Due to a limited supply of yellow fever vaccine doses nationwide, the St. Charles clinic is one of few in the region that offer this vaccination.

The clinic began offering yellow fever vaccinations in March, after receiving approval from state regulators, according to Samantha VanNatta, Director of the Department of Public Health’s Health Services Division.

Yellow fever is a potentially serious virus spread by mosquitos in parts of Africa and South America. Severe cases can cause liver, kidney, or other organ failure. Vaccination is recommended for anyone traveling to countries where yellow fever is present, and many countries require proof of vaccination in order to gain entry.

St. Louis Kolache opened its new location at 4506 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville. To commemorate the opening, the company held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 11.

Members of the Cottleville Weldon-Spring Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Bob Ronkowski, and other community leaders were in attendance.

St. Louis Kolache is a family-owned bakery that prides itself in providing top notch quality kolaches for breakfast and lunch.

“We are thrilled to be a part of Cottleville,” said owner Rod Cagide.

For more information on St. Louis Kolache, follow them at www.stlkolache.com.

VanNatta explained that yellow fever vaccination was added to the Travel Health Clinic’s offerings in response to requests from St. Charles County residents traveling internationally for humanitarian work or other purposes.

“We have a lot of travelers in St. Charles County, so it was important to us to offer this service that isn’t being offered in many places in the region,” VanNatta says.

The yellow fever vaccine is given as a single shot, with one dose providing lifelong protection for most people.

Vaccinations are by appointment only. Vaccine recipients will be asked to provide several documents and fill out a medical questionnaire. To schedule a vaccination and other Travel Health consultation, call 636-949-1857.

The cost of a yellow fever vaccination and vaccine consultation through the Travel Health Clinic is $267. The clinic is not currently able to accept health insurance payments for the vaccinations, meaning the cost for patients is out-of-pocket.

In addition to recommending any necessary vaccinations, the Travel Health Clinic also can help visitors plan for other potential health risks, medical needs, or travel documents that they may need to consider for their trip.

Submitted photo

Fort Zumwalt School District names new principals

Dr. Kevin Grawer, who will assume duties as Principal at Fort Zumwalt South High School on July 1, brings a long list of varied experiences to the role. Grawer has spent the past 14 years as Principal at Maplewood-Richmond Heights High School, which he guided to national recognition by several organizations.

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) named the school a 2012 National Model High School and a 2014 Met Life National Breakthrough High School. The National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST) awarded MRH HS its top honor as a “Gold Level National Urban School of Excellence” calling it the “best urban high school in the nation” in 2015.

Additionally, Pete Johnson will join the Fort Zumwalt School District administrative team as the new principal at Lewis & Clark Elementary School in St. Peters, effective July 1.

Johnson, who has served as an assistant principal in the Wentzville School District at both Duello and Lakeview elementary schools, also has worked as a special education teacher in the Winfield and the City of St. Charles school districts.

A former AP Spanish teacher and varsity basketball coach, Grawer has worked in eight different schools in three different countries. He strives to create an academic culture built on positive relationships and has taken many lessons from the teachings of Hall-of-Fame basketball coach John Wooden and the philosophy of growth mindset.

“It’s important to love your students and coworkers –meaning you have a ‘genuine concern for their well-be-

ing and have their best interest at heart,’” Grawer says.

He looks forward to bringing his 27 years in a variety of educational roles to the principal’s office at South High.

“I will focus on building trust, setting a clear vision for our building and deepening my understanding of the school and greater community,” Grawer says. “I can’t wait to spend time with the kids and staff and get to know them and hear their stories! I am eager to connect personally and globally with all members of the community.”

Outside of school, he loves working out, reading for pleasure, watching sports and visiting new places and people.

“I am always interested in learning about history and other cultures. I am fascinated by historical nonfiction,” he said.

Grawer replaces Dr. Kevin Keltner as Principal at South, under whose leadership the high school has been recognized Among America’s Best by US News and World Report since 2015. Grawer assumes the role July 1.

Johnson is looking forward to bringing his experience to Lewis & Clark Elementary.

“My first goal is to learn about the Lewis & Clark community,” Johnson says. “I’ll be listening to and engaging with stakeholders, affirming the great things that are going on daily, and discovering all I can about my new school home.”

He has had the chance to meet the staff, but is looking forward to the new school year.

“I am excited about meeting the students and fami-

lies and getting to know the staff better,” he says. “I am also looking forward to learning all about the amazing things going on at LCE, and learning how I can support the community in taking our next steps together.”

Lewis & Clark serves grades three-to-five and is a sister school to St. Peters Elementary, which serves grades K-to-two. The schools share a campus and Johnson plans to be a part of both schools by working closely with the leadership at St. Peters.

Much of his spare time has been dedicated to the puppy that recently became a part of his family. When it comes to lifelong learning, his interests range from continued growth as an educational leader to mastering the barbecue pit.

“It’s amazing what some time, some patience and the right spice blend can do!” he said.

Photos courtesy Fort Zumwalt School District

(Left) Dr. Kevin Grawer, will assume duties as Principal at Fort Zumwalt South High School on July 1. (Right) Pete Johnson will join the Fort Zumwalt School District administrative team as the new principal at Lewis & Clark Elementary School in St. Peters, effective July 1.

Saint Louis Science Center’s STEAM Camps provide a summer of fun-filled exploration

The Saint Louis Science Center’s Summer STEAM Camps offer children ages five-to-11 hands-on fun with a focus on the fields of life science, agriculture, paleontology, chemistry, astronomy, computer science and more. Each week around the Science Center campus, campers will experience STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) education through a variety of programs.

The Summer STEAM Camp links the

past with our future through sessions that run from 9 a.m. to noon, Mondays through Fridays from June 5 through July 28 (except the week of July 3-7). Camp tuition is $175 for a one-week session, which includes a camp T-shirt. Science Center members receive a 10% savings off all camp sessions.

During weekly programs that change throughout the summer, attendees will create experiments, discover the solar

system, learn about dinosaurs, create nature-focused art projects, and enjoy exclusive access to exhibits around the facility.

Individuals will be grouped according to their age and may attend one or all the sessions, based upon their interests.

For a full description of the available sessions and to register for one or more weeks, visit slsc.org/programs/summersteam-camps/ or call 636-286-4696 if you have questions.

Featured Events . . .

Saturay, June 10: Stella’s Wish Foundation 5th Annual Golf Tournament

Attention Golfers! Join the Stella’s Wish Foundation at our 5th Annual Golf Tournament at St. Peters Golf Club on Saturday, June 10th! Visit www.stellaswish.org or call Don at 314-9389474 for information and to sign up!

EVENTS

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 636-970-0013.

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. 636-399-3124.

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. 314-3696521.

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. 314-3696521.

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

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.

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

KTLaundry has been cleaning O’Fallon laundry for over 17 years and is still cleaning strong!

Started in 2002 by Kevin and Tammy (that is where the KT comes from); right after Tammy lost her job with TWA after 17 years of being a flight attendant, we had a clean take-off in the laundry business.

Being local, and family owned, we try our best to provide a clean and comfortable experience while doing your wash. We offer music and internet and provide a comfortable place where you can meet and talk with other

locals. As of this year, we have had three couples meet while doing their laundry, and were later married.

We have some of the biggest washers in St. Charles County. They will do up to three king size comforters at one time. We’ve recenlty added new dryers and will continue to add equipment ot keep that fresh new look.

We take credit/debit cards (also google and apple pay) right at the washers and dryers so you don’t have to raid any piggy banks for quarters!

Stop by in the winter, spring, summer or fall, to do all your laundry big and

small! Boat covers, comforters, tents and sleeping bags, it does not hurt our washing machines, but please remember to read washing tags.

Spotlight on O’Fallon Plaza: KT Laundry

May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month! Research shows that dairy foods are integral for building and maintaining a lifetime of healthy bones because they contain nutrients like calcium, protein, vitamin D, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. “Getting these key nutrients in with three servings of dairy a day is important at every stage of life,” said Jessica Kassel, registered dietitian with St. Louis District Dairy Council.

For tips on dairy and bone health, go to www.stldairycouncil.org and download “Bone Health, As Easy as 1-23.”

Start your day the bone-healthy way with this simple and easy overnight oat recipe. Preparing the recipe ahead of time will ensure a quick dose of dairy during busy mornings.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup low-fat strawberry yogurt

1/4 cup 1% milk, or fat-free milk

1/2 up frozen unsweetened berries

1/3 cup cooking oats, dry

DIRECTIONS:

Combine all ingredients in a cup or jar. Stir to mix thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight.

Top with vanilla yogurt and your favorite fresh berries.

Berry overnight oats

Recipe courtesy STL Dairy Council

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.

Formoredairyrecipes,visitstldairycouncil.org

TheDC Extended Universe (DCEU) featured such iconic characters as Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman and Shazam! Those characters were great but there’s something truly special about the Flash. College student Jason Peter Garrick made his debut in “Flash Comics #1” and became the “Fastest Man Alive” after a laboratory accident granted him superspeed and fast reflexes. Garrick joined the Justice Society of America (JSA), a group of superheroes that were later investigated by the House Un-American Activities Committee. His costume consisted of a red shirt and metal helmet reminiscent of Mercury, the Messenger of the Gods. Garrick’s adventures continued in different comic book titles until they were ultimately cancelled.

In the 1950’s, however, a new Flash appeared in the pages of DC’s “Showcase #4.” Bartholomew Henry “Barry” Allen was a dedicated forensic chemist who was always late. While working in his lab, a lightning bolt struck unknown chemicals that splashed all over Allen. He quickly discovered that he could run at incredible speeds and wore a specially treated red jumpsuit while fighting

crime. Being the scientist that he was, Barry created a “Cosmic Treadmill” that allowed him to travel in time. Allen became friends with Hal Jordan, a test pilot who also was the Green Lantern. In “The Flash #123: Flash of Two Worlds,” Barry landed in a parallel universe where a retired Jay Garrick wanted to return to crime fighting.

In 1990, actor John Wesley Shipp played the title role in CBS’s “The Flash.” Shipp was Barry Allen, a forensic scientist assigned to the Central City Police Department. Amanda Pays played Tina McGee, a scientist from “S.T.A.R. Labs” who helped him adjust to his new abilities. In one episode, Mark Hamill played James Montgomery Jesse, a murderer with multiple personalities who clashed with

the Flash. CBS’s version of “The Flash” had a promising start, but it only lasted for a single season. Years later, Shipp portrayed Henry Allen, father of Barry Allen, on the CW series “The Flash.” Shipp even did double duty for the CW as Jay Garrick, the original Flash.

On June 16, 2023, Ezra Miller will reprise the dual roles of Barry Allen and the Flash in an upcoming summertime release. To prevent his mother’s murder, Barry travelled back in time to save her life, but his actions had serious repercussions. The impressive cast included Sasha Calle as Kara Zor-El, a Kryptonian with powers like Superman. Michael Shannon also will return as General Zod from 2013’s “Man of Steel.” Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck will appear as two different versions of Batman and Gal Gadot, star of “Wonder Woman,” will be part of the cast. The Flash has been an intriguing character for decades. With a solid cast behind him, Ezra Miller’s first solo film as “The Fastest Man Alive” should have a great run.

“The Flash,” rated PG-13, opens in theaters on June 16.

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.

ANSWERS ON CN PG. 8 & STC PG. 9

‘The Flash’ will be running to theaters in June

Recipe: Bone health is as easy as 1-2-3

‘The Flash’ photo courtesy DC Comics.

Moore on Life: Up-to-date

Ladies, are you looking for a date? Studies show online dating is at an all-time high as a means to find a mate. But that method might have already become outdated. Move over relic because the latest dating craze is here!

What is it? Single women are heading to the big box lumber stores for more than just building material. They’re now shopping for husband material as well. Of course, what better place to find a mate than a place where mates hang out?

Yes, instead of approaching the salesperson with an embarrassingly awkward question such as, “Could you tell me which aisle the toilet tank floaty ball thingies are on?” which produces nothing but a glaze-eyed look. Now you ladies can show confidence by properly asking direct, knowledgeable questions: “Excuse me, but which aisle are the handsome, preferably rich, eligible bachelors on?”

Times have certainly changed. Back in my day, we ladies had to wait around for a boy to get up the nerve and make the first move to ask one of us girls on a date. We’d be hovering around the rotary phone on a Friday night just hoping it would ring. It never crossed our minds that we could actually do the asking ourselves.

Now women are more assertive and taking measures…tape measures, to be exact, into their own hands.

So, all you single gals out there waiting for the phone to ring, here’s some advice: If a man is going to actually call you on the phone, he’s probably in his

LIFESTYLE: Shoe Storage Solutions

Under the couch, near the entry of almost every door and randomly scattered throughout your home, shoes can be one of the most difficult wardrobe staples to keep organized.

After assessing your space and the number of shoes you own, consider these storage tips to make containing your favorite footwear a breeze.

Chic shelving

An old bookshelf is a perfect shoe organizer for those who have homes with walk-in closets or enjoy displaying their favorite pairs out in the open. Bookshelves with varying depths make it easy to group by height of shoe type – tall boots on one level, short flats and low-top sneakers on the next and so on.

Baby shoe solutions

A visit to your local hobby store can solve your baby and toddler shoe storage woes. The pegs on a simple, wooden thread rack make for easy, space-saving places to hang adorable little shoes. These wall-mounted racks are also easy to paint to match any toddler room’s decor.

By Cindy Moore CROSSWORD: AT THE AIRPORT

90’s. Seriously, they’re the only type that still knows how to operate a landline. Give it up.

Instead, head on over to the lumberyard to scout out a good deal on a hardware honey. Make sure you get a decent one too and not one of those discontinued models or anything from the clearance rack.

And who knows, you just may strike a love connection.

Her: “Hi, what brings you here?”

Him: “Well, my toilet is broken and I was looking for one of those whatchamacallits…oh, what’s the word…?”

Her: “Toilet tank floaty ball thingies?!”

Him: “Yes! That’s it exactly! Say, are you busy tonight?”

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.

Rustic and repurposed

For those with an admiration for a rustic look, find a warehouse pallet. The large wooden frames have slots spaced for various types of footwear. Rest it against the wall for a simple worn-in organizer.

Climbing shoes

A brightly painted ladder resting on the wall is a unique way to show off some of your prettiest pumps and peep-toes. Simply let the heels dangle off each rung of the ladder for a storage solution that doubles as artwork.

Basic storage makeover

If you have a basic, two-tiered shoe rack, step out of the norm and turn that white or wooden rack into a colorful display that complements your decor. With just a brush and a can of your favorite paint hue, simple racks can be transformed into vibrant pieces of furniture.

For more organization tips to help avoid a heaping pile of sneakers at the bottom of the closet or a mismatched mess of shoes under the bed, visit eLivingtoday.com.

ACROSS

1. Foundation

6. Dashboard acronym

9. Bonny one

13. Pleasant smell

14. Metal-bearing mineral

15. Salk's nemesis

16. Kidney-related

17. Christopher Lloyd's ____ Brown

18. Investigative report

19. *Something to claim

21. *Declaration station

23. Argonaut's propeller

24. C in TLC

25. Scot's woolen cap

28. Sushi restaurant soup

30. *Exclusive accommodation

35. Was in the hole

37. Highest volcano in Europe

39. Angry growl

40. Dry riverbed

41. "____ go!"

43. Adored one

44. *Jong of "Fear of Flying" fame

46. Lowly laborer

47. Cone-shaped quarters

48. Time between classes 50. Dirty air 52. Hi-____

53. Skiers' ride

55. Scheduled to arrive 57. *"____ for takeoff"

61. *Frost removal 65. Luxurious sheet fabric 66. It would 68. Synagogue scroll 69. Barely sufficient 70. General Services Administration 71. Movie "Home ____" 72. Reason to cram 73. Negative vote 74. Washer setting

DOWN

1. Prickle on a fence

2. Equal to pi times r squared

3. Cheap form of payment?

4. Insect in adult stage

5. Dar es ____, Tanzania

6. Traveled on a horse

7. Not amateur

8. Hajj destination

9. Like kittens' mittens

10. "The Sun ____ Rises" by Hemingway

11. Thailand, once

12. Tofu bean, pl. 15. Walkways

20. "Peer Gynt" composer Edvard ____ 22. Dot-com address

Wrestling match, e.g. 25. *Air traffic control feature

Fully informed

Army doctor

Traffic sign

____ of measurement 32. Rock bottom

Search blindly

Island off Manhattan

Vegas cube 38. H or O in H2O, e.g. 42. Opposite of cathode 45. Obliquely 49. Knightly title 51. Slash's instrument 54. Make believe 56. Cause for food recall 57. Attention-getting sound 58. Gym class test?

59. *Captain's announcement, plural acronym

60. Porter order

61. June 6, 1944

62. Type of #14 Across

63. Grannies, in UK

64. Clarified butter

67. *PreCheck org.

Photo courtesy Bigstock