CNSTC: May 31, 2023

Around

Town

First responders from throughout the region take part in an intense, immersive training exercise to become certified Disaster Medical Specialists

By Brett Auten

That was the scenario last week in St. Peters as paramedics, firefighters, and first responders from throughout the region came to take part in a unique and challenging environment to provide care to those who are injured.

Last week in St. Charles County, first responders from throughout the region took part in an intense, immersive training exercise to become certified Disaster Medical Specialists charged with operating in these high-acuity scenarios if the need arises.

The Medical Specialist training was facilitated by Disaster Medical Solutions, and it included some classroom work. But the fun part came at the skill stations where paramedics and firefighters put their experience to the test amid adverse conditions hosted at St. Charles County Ambulance District’s headquarters facility in St. Peters, where St. Louis Metro Task Force 1 Leaders stacked shipping containers, twisted metal, concrete slabs, and cement sewer tubes to create a realistic environment for attendees to hone the skills being taught.

“They’re astonished by what they’re learning and what they are able to do now,” SCCAD Deputy Chief Jeremey Hollrah said. “I was talking to one earlier and he said, it’s the same (training) that we do, it’s just in a bad place. I know I can start an IV in a living room. Now I know I can do it upside down, leaning through rebar on somebody that I can’t even see.”

The structures were reconfigured through-

out the week-long training to represent both man made and natural disasters.

“The inclusion of real-world debris such as rebar, concrete, building components, and furniture, along with the addition of smoke, add to the realism of these exercises.” Hollrah, who also serves as one of the Task Force Leaders for the Urban Search & Rescue Team, said. “Throughout the exercises, paramedics and firefighters will train

Photo by Brett Auten

on confined space maneuvers, airway access, blast injuries, field amputations, hemorrhage control and much more.”

The four-day training culminated in a full field night exercise which included live patient volunteers with simulated injuries.

“All week they keep building up to different skills and then tonight they bring it all

See ’PREPARING’ page 2

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AAUW St. Charles presents 2023 local scholarships. Pg. 3

Preparing for the worst

Last week in St. Charles County, first responders from throughout the region took part in an intense, immersive training exercise to become certified Disaster Medical Specialists charged with operating in these high-acuity scenarios if the need arises.

MoDOT restricts section of Veterans Memorial Parkway during construction. Pg. 4

Hollrah said. “While we hope there is never an occasion to put the lessons learned during the Medical Specialist training into practice, the fact is we must be prepared to act swiftly in the event of natural or manmade disaster in our region.”

A total of 25 first responders were slated to complete the Medical Spe-

Optimist Club of St. Charles recognizes essay contest winners

cialist training course. The class was funded via grant from the St. Louis Area Regional Response System and Urban Areas Security Initiative.

“This is training that we don’t get in this area very often,” Hollrah said. “Across the country there are only a few agencies that even offer it. For us to get it has been great for this region.”

The Optimist Club of St. Charles recognized the winners of the club’s 2023 Essay Contest. Following the club’s weekly luncheon on April 18, the three top winners read their winning essay to the club. Family members and school administrators were in attendance. All three students attend Hardin Middle School in the City of St. Charles School District.

This year’s essay topic asks the question – “Who is an Everyday Hero that Brings Out the Optimism in You?”

The 2023 Optimist Essay Contest winners are: First Place, Evan Mitchell; Second Place, Carson Harris and Third Place, Aedan McFadden.

The Optimist Club of St. Charles meets weekly on Tuesdays at noon at Pio’s Restaurant in St. Charles. Persons interested in learning more about the club are encouraged to view the club’s website https:// scoptimists.weebly.com.

Local Author Spotlight: Matthew Oelkers

Matthew Oelkers is a 30-yearold writer living in St. Peters. Oelkers attended Truman State University for their creative writing program.

“My life is split between writing and navigating corporate America. I have lived in the greater St. Louis area my entire life at various addresses. As a child I would write small stories and make rules for games to play with friends. All documented in piles of spiral notebooks,” Oelkers said. “The older I got, the more complex my ideas became. Making the commitment to write a complete novel was the best way to find a home for those ideas, and I have pushed forward at full tilt ever since I started.”

Oelkers new book is called “Spellseeker.” Owen is a Raul-

stone. Born from a family with connections, he travels to Arnstead, meeting new friends and getting prepared for an exciting life, fulfilling his duties like those before him. When he arrives, however, he will see that he has not been stationed where he previously would have wanted, finding himself in the Department of Lost and Stolen, among heaps of paperwork. But he will soon find that there is more to his job than meets the eye.

Will his name prove to hinder rather than help him in his new surroundings? Just how big a part will the Flow play in his journey? And is the Department of Lost and Stolen not so bad after all?

“Spellseeker” is an enthralling tale of fantasy, showing the importance of relationships in the drive we all must find ourselves.

Photo by Brett Auten

A week-long training session took place at St. Charles County Ambulance District’s headquarters facility in St. Peters, where St. Louis Metro Task Force leaders stacked shipping containers, twisted metal, concrete slabs, and cement sewer tubes to create a realistic environment for attendees to hone the skills being taught.

‘ PREPARING ’ from cover together.”

Submitted photo

The Optimist Club of St. Charles recognized the winners of the club’s 2023 Essay Contest. Pictured (from left) are Gerry Prinster (Club President), Evan Mitchell (first place), Aedan McFadden (third place), Carson Harris (second place) and Bob Beckman (Contest Chairman).

Fleur de Lis Garden Club presents Garden of the Month award for May

Susanne Watkins thought a lot about her garden when she started it. Which plants are deer resistant? Which plants are edible for humans? Which flowers grow well in shade and which in sun? She has been working out these questions for the last 15 years as she discovers what thrives in her front yard garden.

Watkins is the winner of the Fleur de Lis Garden Club Garden of the Month Award. She has received a gift card for El Mel, a garden supply store. Also, she’ll proudly display our Garden of the Month sign for the month of May in her garden at 109 Fort Sumpter Way in Heritage Landing.

Watkins enjoys using her edible herbs and flowers in salads and has discovered the flow-

er petals of bee balm are delicious in pound cake. Among her herbs are lemon and regular thyme, chives, Russian tarragon, and sage.

Her choice of flowers include salvia, iris, butterfly bush, lily of the valley, yarrow, and Lenten rose. Her garden is bordered by rocks she and her kids have collected over the years.

She credits her mother for her interest in using edible plants and home-

AAUW St. Charles presents 2023 local scholarships

grown herbs. Watkins loves to garden with birdsong in her ears and the earth between her fingers.

If you, too, have a love of gardening, check our website at www.fleurdeslisgardenclub.org, or come to a meeting. Meetings occur on the third Thursday of the month at McClay library. Report your own or another prize worthy garden to Joan, Chairperson, at joanielou26@gmail.com.

Since 1938, AAUW St. Charles Branch (American Association of University Women) has awarded scholarships to senior high school women. This spring, 38 applications from high schools throughout St. Charles County met qualifications and were reviewed by the committee for the annual local scholarships. In addition to educational excellence, applications are reviewed for extra-curricular activities and school involvement.

Two recipients were selected and invited to attend the May AAUW meeting along with parents and teachers.

Committee chair Rose Ann Weeks presented scholarships to Arthi Kondapaneni from Liberty High School in Wentzville and Alyssa Corbett from Francis Howell High School. Alyssa was also a recipient of the AAUW Science Award presented in March. Both will attend universities on the West Coast.

Submitted photo

Committee Members and Honorees of the AAUW St. Charles Branch pictures are Joyce Rothermich, Teri Brecht, Alyssa Corbett, Arthi Kondapaneni, Rose Ann Weeks, Barb Olive, and Linda Dencker. (Not pictured: Jo Ann Viewig).

Submitted photo

Optimist Club of St. Charles awards scholarships

The Optimist Club of St. Charles awarded scholarships to four high school seniors at the Annual Awards Ceremony on May 2. One of the winners was unable to attend - Laraya Duncan from St. Charles West High School. The awardees in attendance and their parents were guests at the regular Optimist Club noon meeting.

This year’s awardees are: Lauren Lesinski (Duchesne), Jessica Ruffing (Orchard Farm), Addison Kersting (St. Charles High) and Laraya Duncan (St. Charles West).

Mike Ebert (Event Chairman), introduced each student, shared their high school/community accomplishments, plans for college and intended field of study.

Club president, Gerry Prinster, expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the students, parents and the educational programs offered by the local schools (Duchesne High School, Lutheran High School-St. Charles, Orchard Farm High School, St. Charles High School, and St. Charles West High School).

MoDOT restricts section of Veterans Memorial Parkway to temporary one-way traffic during construction

The Missouri Department of Transportation has temporarily restricted Westbound Veterans Memorial Parkway between Cave Springs Boulevard and Mexico Road to one-way traffic. The temporary conversion began May 10.

A new overpass is being constructed to allow traffic on Veterans Memorial Parkway to go under Cave Springs Road without stopping at a traffic signal. This temporary configuration is expected to last for the majority of 2023.

“This is a temporary situation, not a planned permanent conversion from two-way to one-way outer road traffic,” said Nick Gibbons, MoDOT Project Director. “This temporary conversion allows our contractor to construct the new segment of Veterans Memorial Parkway that will go under Cave Springs Road, which will restore connectivity to this portion of the outer road system and improve traffic operations and safety of the overall corridor. We urge motorists to consider alter-

nate routes or allow for extra time to get to their destination during this outer road work.”

During construction, Veterans Memorial Parkway traffic can only go in the eastbound direction (no westbound traffic) between Cave Springs Boulevard and Mexico Road.

Once construction is completed, this section of Veterans Memorial Parkway will be returned back to the normal two-way traffic configuration.

This construction is part of the I-70 Cave Springs to Fairgrounds Design-Build Project.

The Cave Springs and Zumbehl interchanges are being converted into single point urban interchanges (SPUI) for the I-70 Cave Springs to Fairgrounds Design-Build Project. As construction on this project progresses, both interchanges will remain open to drivers. For more information, visit www.i70csfg.com for project updates.

Submitted photo

The Optimist Club of St. Charles awarded scholarships to high school seniors at the Annual Awards Ceremony on May 2. (From left) Mike Ebert (Event Chairman) stands next to Addison Kersting (St. Charles West), Lauren Lesinski (Duchesne), Jessica Ruffing (Orchard Farm) and Gerry Prinster (Club President).

COUNTRY Financial Supports JL Mudd Elementary School with $1,500 Operation Helping Heroes donation

COUNTRY Financial Insurance Agent Robin Ruhmann supported JL Mudd Elementary School with a $1,500 donation as part of the Operation Helping Heroes program. The funds will be used for under privileged students to purchase books at the annual book fair.

“We appreciate the teachers at JL Mudd Elementary and want to support their efforts to encourage children to read and enjoy books. This donation is made in the name of a former teacher, Amy Habercorn, who dedicated herself to teaching and died in 2021,” said Ruhmann, who lives and works in the Lake St. Louis area.

COUNTRY Financial, an insurance and financial services company, has donated more than $5 million since 2020 to organizations and programs that support teachers, first responders, active-duty service members and veterans, supporting the company’s vision to “enrich lives in the communities we serve.”

The Operation Helping Heroes program was created in 2015 to support non-profit events and programs that benefit active-duty service members, veterans and their families. Later, the program expanded to include first responders and teachers.

Wentzville high school student wins new Ford Mustang for academic achievement from Clement Ford

Trenton Stuerman, a junior at Liberty High School in Wentzville, was the lucky winner of a new Ford Mustang on April 29 at the first annual Clement Ford Drive For Excellence Program ceremony honoring 20 local high school students for their academic achievements during the 2022-2023 school year. The 20 students earned the highest grades out of hundreds of high school students that submitted their report cards to the Drive For Excellence Program at Clement Ford during the current school year.

The honor ceremony was attended by more than 100 students, parents, and community leaders from across the St. Louis region. Each of the 20 finalist students drew an anonymous car key at the event, and Trenton’s key opened the door to his new Ford Mustang.

“The Clement Ford Drive For Excellence Program was established to encourage excellence in education among high school juniors and seniors across the region,” said Penuel ‘Raj’ Clement, President of Clement Auto Group. “We want to give back to the community, and the best way to do that is through its students. They are our future.”

“This is a unique opportunity for a deserving student to win a new car based on their grades,” said Katie Lyczak, Secretary of the Wentzville School District Board of Education. “Six of the 20 student finalists were from the Wentzville School District, and this program is already building excitement among our

students to participate next year.”

“This program is a good motivator for students to improve their academics and prepare themselves for future success.” said Bill Hennessey, Mayor of O’Fallon, Missouri. “I look forward to seeing it continued again next year.”

“I am grateful to Clement Ford for offering this outstanding program for the students in our community,” said Wentzville Mayor Nick Guccione. “It is a highly motivational program, and I applaud all 20 of the finalists for their academic achievements.”

More information on the Clement Ford Drive for Excellence Program can be found at www.clementford.com/driveforexcellence.

Cora Physical Therapy celebrates grand opening with ribbon cutting

Cora Physical Therapy opened its new location at 2046 Queens Brooke Blvd. in St. Peters. To commemorate the opening, the company held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 20.

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

CORA in St. Peters offers extensive orthopedic and neurological physical therapy. Areas of specialty include spine and joint pain, vestibular and concussion therapy, Graston therapy for soft tissue injuries, athletic KT taping and work comp treatment.

Photo courtesy Clement Ford Trenton Stuerman, a junior at Liberty High School in Wentzville, was the lucky winner of a new Ford Mustang on April 29 at the first annual Clement Ford Drive For Excellence Program ceremony honoring 20 local high school students for their academic achievements during the 2022-2023 school year.

Submitted photo

COUNTRY Financial Insurance Agent Robin Ruhmann supported JL Mudd Elementary School with a $1,500 donation as part of the Operation Helping Heroes program.

Fort Zumwalt winter drumline wins world title

Modulation Z, the winter drumline comprising musicians from each of the four comprehensive Fort Zumwalt high schools, won its second world championship last month in Dayton, Ohio.

Led by East High music teacher and assistant band director Ryan Treasure, the group of 41 students earned the trip to the (Winter Guard International) WGI World Competition after competing and winning their class at the WGI Chicago Regional.

“We have kids of all types from four high schools who come together for a common goal,” Treasure says. “We have percussionists, non-percussionists, star athletes, star students, you name it. They are all determined, hardworking and prepared to give that extra something that it takes to compete at this level. They are unified in achieving something greater than the norm.”

Beginning in October, the students practice three times a week for about 12 hours, mastering music and choreography. Costuming and lighting are also important

components of the brigade’s performance.

“Modulation Z drew the audience into a thriller, last-manstanding movie with their production, entitled ‘Survivor.’” says WGI.org. “Performers began the show laying on a grassy tarp, looking scared and discouraged. As the show progressed, the battery ran, hit the ground, and interacted with one another using pole props that glowed blue.”

Fort Zumwalt seniors honored among state’s Top 100 Scholars

Seven Fort Zumwalt seniors, East High’s Camille Dutt; North High’s Alan Meyer and Elyse Davis; South High’s Chavi Khanna and Meghana Sivabalan and West High’s Ava Baker and Pranav Palaniappan, have been named to the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals Missouri Scholars 100.

The selection is based primarily on a formula using the student’s grade point average and ACT or SAT score.

Mod Z outscored the second-place finisher by more than two full points in a competition that measures down to the thousandths. The group has taken on the international competition, which includes college and private competitive brigades, for more than five years.

This is Mod Z’s second world title. The group also won the WGI World Competition in 2017.

WSD students advance to HOSA International Competition

Students in the Holt, Liberty, North Point, and Timberland high school HOSA (Future Healthcare Professionals) chapters competed in the Missouri HOSA State Leadership Conference in Rolla, Missouri, on March 27 and 28.

Seventeen students brought home an award and qualified to move on to the International Leadership Conference (ILC), which will be held in Dallas, Texas, this June.

In addition, Emma Thomas (Liberty), Katelyn Anderson (North Point), and Oyinloluwa Ganiyu (Timberland) received the Barbara James Service Award for completing over 100 hours of community service.

The WSD HOSA chapters received HOSA Service Project Recognition; Holt received a Certificate of Merit, Liberty received Silver National Recognition, North Point received a State Certificate of Recognition, and Timberland received Local Chapter Recognition.

HOSA is sponsored by Holt teacher Destiny Politte, Liberty teachers Jennifer Strathman and Sheena Beierman, North Point teachers James Craghead and Laura Willams, and Timberland teachers Theresa Cordonier and Amanda Petersmeyer. Students must be enrolled in one of the District’s Project Lead the Way Biomedical classes in order to be a member of the chapter.

The following students placed in the top three and will be advancing to compete at the international level:

Liberty High School

• Leah Dudley - First place, Cultural Diversities and Disparities

• Fiona Do, Sophia Fiorino, Amelia Huebbe, Ian Widlacki, and Julia Wiley, Second place – Parliamentary Procedure

North Point High School

• Isabel Ghafoori, Third place - Clinical Specialty (North Point’s first-ever ILC qualifier)

Timberland High School

• Lindsey Hackworth, Second place – Extemporaneous Writing

• Nhi Nguyen and Bailey Simmons, Second place - Forensic Science

• Aneesh Dahuja, Makenzie Woods, Oyinloluwa Ganiyu, and Eshal Janjua, Third place –HOSA Bowl

Each student nominated had to first meet criteria of an “Academic Decathlon,” which included 10 “events” designed to assure the academic strength of the student. To meet the decathlon requirements, the student must have a minimum GPA of 3.750, a minimum ACT score of 29 or a minimum SAT score of 1,600, be ranked in the upper 10 percent of the class, and have taken upper-level courses in mathematics, science, English, and foreign language.

The student must also have excellent attendance, be an exemplary school citizen, and be involved in the school activity program. Baker and Meyer have also been named National Merit Scholarship finalists. Khanna and Sivabalan were named National Merit Commended Scholars.

Photo courtesy Wentzville School District

Photo courtesy Fort Zumwalt School District

Modulation Z, the winter drumline comprising musicians from each of the four comprehensive Fort Zumwalt high schools, won its second world championship last month in Dayton, Ohio.

What’s Happening

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 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.

June 4: Free concert

Free concert at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary at St. John UCC at 405 South Fifth Street in St. Charles featuring scholarship recipients, Meredith Kessler and Heather Martin. Donations to benefit the scholarship fund.

June 10: Golf tournament

Join the Stella’s Wish Foundation at the 5th Annual Golf Tournament at St. Peters Golf Club. Visit www.stellaswish. org or call Don at 314-9389474 for information and to sign up.

June 11: Free concert

Free concert at 3 p.m. featuring the Tremble Clefs, a music therapy choir for persons with Parkinson’s and their caregivers at St. John UCC at 405 S Fifth Street in St. Charles.

June 12-15 Vacation Bible school

Vacation Bible school, “St. John’s Wizarding School” takes place June 12-15 from 9 a.m. –12 p.m. for children ages three years old through grade five at St. John UCC at 405 S Fifth Street in St. Charles. Register at stjohnucc.org/vbs.

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.

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, 636219-0553

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 momsto-be who are breastfeeding or interested in breastfeeding. The group is supported by the St Charles County WIC program so there will be informa-

tion 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 314287-0569 or jack-ross@att.net.

Tuesdays: Cribbage

Looking for an evening out? Come and play cribbage Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Rookies at 15358 Veterans Memorial Pkwy in Wentzville. Win prizes and awards with semiannual tournaments. ACC sanctioned. For more information contact Dee at 636-233-8032.

Tuesdays: 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 636-625-5447.

Tuesdays: Kiwanis Club of St. Charles

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

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: Quilting Guild at the O’Fallon Family YMCA

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

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

Sports you see with Gary B . . .

Cardinals will be part of a home run derby event sponsored by the Hoots

Former

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

The Hoots announced that former Cardinals infielder and World Series Champion Scott Spiezio, Mike Matheny, Andruw Jones and Bo Hart will participate at CarShield Field for the 3rd Annual MLB Alumni Home Run Derby presented by Complete Auto Body & Repair on Saturday, June 3. The alumni will be joined by members of the CarShield Collegiate League and on-air personalities from 101 ESPN and 105.7 The Point.

“Scott Spiezio is a great Cardinal alum and we are excited to have him in O’Fallon for this signature event,” Hoots General Manager David Schmoll said. “Scott had a tremendously successful Major League career and won at the highest levels, including here in St. Louis. We can’t wait to see him in June!”

Former Cardinal infielder Bo Hart famously broke Kirby Puckett’s rookie batting average record in his first ten big league games

“Bo Hart provided Cardinals fans with one of the most exciting starts to a Major League career,” Hoots General Manager David Schmoll said. “Bo is not only a great story in Cardinals history, but he is a great ambassador for the Cardinals today. I cannot wait to have him back at CarShield field with our other MLB alums!”

Gold Glove catcher Mike Matheny played five seasons with the Cardinals before managing them to the World Series in 2013.

“Mike Matheny is a part of Cardinals history, leading the team to a World Series appearance as both a

player and as a manager,” Hoots General Manager David Schmoll said. “We are excited to welcome him back to the St. Louis-area for this event.”

Hall of Fame candidate Andruw Jones headlines 2023 event

“This event has become a staple of our ballpark and we are excited to bring it back for the third year,” General Manager David Schmoll said. “To be able to bring someone with the pedigree of Andruw Jones, a potential Hall of Famer, to our fans in O’Fallon, makes for a phenomenal event and I cannot wait to see him in action.”

Andruw Jones enjoyed a 17-year MLB career, primarily with the Atlanta Braves before stops with the Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox and Yankees. The fivetime All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove outfielder began his Major League career at 19-years-old with the Braves in 1996 and earned Rookie of the Year Honors in his first full season in 1997. The Willemstad, Curacao-native led the majors in home runs (51) and RBI (128) in 2005 when he finished second in MVP voting. He played his final MLB game in 2012, finishing with a lifetime .254 average, .823 OPS and 434 home runs. Earlier this month, Jones finished sixth in Hall of Fame voting, receiving 58.1% of votes.

Season starts at CarShield Field in O’Fallon on Wednesday, May 31 at 6:35 p.m. against Cape Girardeau.

~~~This will be an incredible event

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: Mini morsels for a kid-friendly snack

Mini Corn Dog Bites

Recipe adapted from Wilton.

INGREDIENTS:

Nonstick cooking spray

1 package all-beef bun-length hot dogs

1 cup flour

1 cup yellow cornmeal

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 stick butter, melted

1 cup milk

1/4 cup sour cream

2 eggs

Dipping Sauce:

2/3 cup sour cream

3 tablespoons Dijon Mustard

2 tablespoons honey

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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.

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven 375°F.

Prepare muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Cut each hot dog into six pieces.

In large bowl, whisk flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt and baking powder.

In medium bowl, whisk melted butter, milk, sour

In 1974, Martin Davidson and Stephen F. Verona directed “The Lords of Flatbush,” a coming-of-age drama set in the 1950’s. Sylvester Stallone played Stanley Rosiello, a teenager from Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood who, along with Wimpy Murgalo (Paul Mace), Butchey Weinstein (Henry Winkler) and Chico Tyrell (Perry King), were part of a gang that wore leather jackets, chased girls, got into fights and hung out at the malt shop.

Believing he had impregnated his girlfriend Frannie (Maria Smith), Stanley agreed to marry her even after he learned she wasn’t pregnant. By the end of the film, the boys from Flatbush left their leather jackets at home and wore dress suits to Frannie and Stanley’s wedding.

“The Lords of Flatbush” became part of a nostalgia wave that included the Broadway and movie versions of “Grease,” George Lucas’ “American Graffiti” and, of course, television’s “Happy Days.” On that iconic series, Henry Winkler played Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli, a motorcycle rider who became a great friend to Richie Cunningham (Ron Howard). The series ran 11 seasons before ending in 1984 and created such spin-offs as “Laverne & Shirley” and “Mork & Mindy.”

cream and eggs. Combine butter mixture with flour mixture.

Fill each muffin cavity halfway with batter. Place one hot dog piece in center of each cavity. Bake 14-16 minutes. Cool completely.

To make dipping sauce: In small bowl, stir sour cream, mustard and honey. Serve with corn dogs.

During his years on “Happy Days,” Henry Winkler also took movie roles that were intriguing and different. Directed by Jeremy Paul Kagan, 1977’s “Heroes” had Winkler playing Jack Dunne, a Vietnam veteran suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). After escaping from a VA hospital, he planned to become a worm farmer in California. Along the way, he met Carol Bell (Sally Field), a woman who joined him on his trek to California. Henry Winkler’s performance in “Heroes” earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Drama film. Winkler brought a lot to the table in 1982’s “Night Shift.” He played Charles “Chuck” Lumley, a former stockbroker who quit his Wall Street job to work at a New York City morgue. Bill “Blaze” Blazejowski (Michael Keaton), Chuck’s new co-worker, was a fasttalking guy with such great “ideas” as edible paper to eliminate garbage. For his work

in “Night Shift,” Henry Winkler was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor (Motion Picture Musical or Comedy) while Keaton won the Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor.

1998’s “The Waterboy” focused on Bobby Boucher (Adam Sandler), a 31-year-old man who became the water boy for the South-Central Louisiana University Mud Dogs. After being taunted by the team for being a water boy, Coach Klein (Winkler) encouraged Booby to fight back, which helped him become a force to be reckoned with on the football field. Unfortunately, Bobby’s mother Helen (Kathy Bates) didn’t want her son playing that “foosball.” Henry Winkler’s Coach Klein had some great moments trying to convince Helen to let Bobby join his team.

Currently Henry Winkler is part of the cast of HBO’s “Barry,” a series where Bill Hader plays the title role of Barry Berkman, a former U.S. Marine turned hitman. Winkler plays Gene Cousineau, an acting teacher who becomes a mentor to Barry. This popular HBO show is in its final season, so it will be interesting to see what Henry Winkler 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.

Henry Winkler: From ‘The Lords of Flatbush’ to ‘Barry’

more family-friendly recipes at culinary.net.

(Left) “The Waterboy” photo courtesy Touchstone Pictures. (Right) “Barry” photo courtesy Alec Berg Productions

Moore on Life: Chicken out

Someone’s in the doghouse – my husband! I gave him one job…one teensy, little basic job – change the bathroom hand towels.

I ran into the house the other day and needed to step into the bathroom to do what people do when they need to go into the bathroom only what I needed to do was of an urgent nature. Okay, TMI, but it has to do with the story so get that visual out of your mind and let’s move on.

So instead of using the bathroom in our bedroom, I made a rush to the nearest one which happened to be the guest bathroom. That’s when the horror hit me.

I had just finished washing my hands and reached up to grab the towel when the shocking sight smacked me square in the eyeballs. What could cause such a reaction you ask? Well, I’m not going to ask for moral support from you men out there because I suspect you’re all in cahoots over this and will fall in lockstep with my husband who is a dedicated member of your Man Club. But the ladies will understand the jolt I felt.

Now, as I reached for the towel, I discovered that it was red checkered and covered with chickens… CHICKENS I say! Do you know what that means people? It was a kitchen towel…not a bathroom towel! A dingy, frayed kitchen towel used to dry pots and pans and mop up spilled gravy!

And this first world problem could only be made worse by the realization that the night before we had company over and of course, one half of that compa-

By Cindy Moore CROSSWORD: OUTDOOR FUN

ny was none other than my neighbor, the annoying Mrs. Pilkinson.

And yes, she did excuse herself in the middle of playing dominoes to use my guest bathroom and no doubt she was confronted by that very same checkered chicken towel to wipe her paws. And further, you can bet your sweet dose of judgmental criticism that she took a catty little picture of it and sent it to everyone in the neighborhood announcing that I stocked my bathrooms with nasty gravy mop up towels like some uncouth baboon. Arrgh!

My husband just came in the door. Boy, is he going to get it!

“Hey, who's been using my best screwdriver to dig up weeds?!” he yelled.

Oopsie. I guess we’re even.

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: Ensure your boat is ready for the water with this checklist

No matter how much experience you have on the water, prepping your boat – and your passengers –before leaving the dock can make for a more enjoyable experience.

To prepare for a safe and comfortable trip, review this pre-departure checklist to ensure your vessel is in good working order and wellstocked for the adventure:

• Documentation – Have all required documentation for planned activities, including boat registration, fishing permits and boater education cards readily accessible.

• Float plan – File a float plan with a responsible party who will remain on land. Provide contact info, explain where you’re going, when you intend to return and what to do in case he or she doesn’t hear from you.

• Weather forecast – Always check the forecast before you head out on the water. To regularly monitor any changes, keep a handheld radio onboard.

• Fuel – Before leaving, check that your fuel level is adequate for the trip and that other fluids, like oil and coolant, are at the proper levels.

• Batteries – Check to make sure the boat’s battery, as well as battery-operated items like flashlights and handheld radios, are fully charged and operational.

• Lights – Check to make sure you have properly functioning navigation and instrument lights and pack a flashlight, as well.

• Life jackets – Ensure you have at least one U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device per passenger with a minimum of two onboard. If your boat is longer than 16 feet, you’ll also need a throwable device.

• Anchor – Keep at least one anchor, attached to an anchor line, and at least two fenders for docking onboard.

• Bilge – Before launching your boat, ensure the bilge is dry, clear of waste and has a properly functioning pump.

• Fire extinguisher – Keep a U.S. Coast Guard-approved fire extinguisher securely mounted in an accessible place.

• Distress signals – Store flares and day signals in a dry, accessible location and ensure all passengers onboard know how to use them. Also have a noise-making device, such as an air horn, bell or whistle, capable of producing a 4-second blast audible for at least 1/2 mile readily available.

• Tools – Keep a basic toolbox onboard with commonly used tools and spare parts like wrenches, screwdrivers, batteries, fuel filters, hull plugs and light bulbs.

• First-aid kit – Keep a well-stocked first-aid kit –and extra sunscreen – in an accessible location in case of accidents.

Find more tips for safely enjoying time on the water at eLivingtoday.com.

ACROSS

1. Bryan of "Summer Of '69" fame

6. Lake in Provence

9. ____ ____ good example

13. Hypotenuse/opposite side

14. Fuss, to Shakespeare

15. Pine

16. Filthy dough

17. Marxism or Taoism, e.g.

18. Skylit lobbies

19. *Outdoor repast

21. *Two-wheeling

23. Agreement word

24. *Climbing turf

25. "I wish I ____, I wish I might..."

28. Cracked by yegg

30. Cowardly color

35. Slightly (2 words)

37. Matterhorn location

39. Charles III's ex

40. She played Carla on "Cheers"

41. Nev.'s neighbor

43. Rotisserie skewer

44. Indianapolis team

46. Underwater "nose"

47. Color of a bruise

48. Trying experience

50. "The Breakfast ____"

52. p in mph

53. Ranee's husband

55. ____ de plume

57. *Gather berries, e.g.

60. *Water slaloming

63. Soft single in baseball

64. *Sun "kiss"

66. Beau's and Jeff's acting dad

68. Cut-down sailing sheep

69. How many "if by sea?"

70. Have effect

71. Gibbons, e.g. 72. Coniferous tree 73. Rejuvenate or renovate

DOWN

1. Knee-related acronym

2. Make pretty (2 words)

3. Mushroom spore sacs

4. Shawn Mendes' 2016 hit

5. Parts of a play

6. Secular

7. Commercial break clips

8. Fast food option

9. Looking for aliens org.

10. Get bacon?

11. H.S. math class

12. All Nippon Airways, acr.

15. Rattled on

20. Writer Asimov

22. Like icee

24. Not an original

25. *Call to Polo

26. Opposite of adore

27. Triangular road sign

29. *Capture it!

31. Speech defect

32. Drink like a cat (2 words)

33. Chilled (2 words)

34. *Balloon filler

36. U.K. art gallery

38. Place for a house plant

42. Get an F

45. Serape, alt. sp.

49. Jet follower

51. Water-heating apparatus

54. Bulwark

56. Hundred Acre Wood creator

57. Wing motion

58. Exude

59. Fish eggs, pl.

60. Winter precipitation

61. Person, place or thing

62. Swirling vortex

*Part of a bikini

Leave speechless

Morning condensation

Photo courtesy Getty Images