CNSTC: June 28, 2023

Broadening the Blueway

Around Town

Home Builders Association donates to St. Peters Senior Village. Pg. 4

Features

Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1

CLA SSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3

Moore On Life, Lifestyle & Crossword. Pg. F-4

Weather

Phase 2 of the Dardenne Creek Blueway opens a 5.2-mile expansion in St. Peters that visitors can navigate by kayak or canoe

By Brett Auten

St. Charles County residents and visitors can add another water adventure to their list for this summer with today’s opening of a 5.2-mile expansion of the Dardenne Creek Blueway. The St. Charles County Parks Department is opening Phase 2 of the Blueway, connecting the city of St. Peters’ Lone Wolff Park to St. Peters’ 370 Lakeside Park. The 3.5-mile trek from 370 Lakeside Park to St. Charles County’s Riverside Landing Park opened in May 2022. Thanks to the hard work of county parks staff, this section of Dardenne Creek is clear of debris and can be navigated by kayak or canoe.

Visitors can now enjoy a journey across northern St. Charles County’s scenic farmlands and wooded areas from just north of Interstate 70, to the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers – an 8.7-mile jaunt one way.

You don’t need to own a boat to enjoy the Dardenne Creek Blueway. Self-serve watercraft rentals allow guests to reserve a kayak or tandem kayak online and pick them up from automated storage units at participating parks.

The cost to rent a kayak or paddleboard for a two-hour session is $20, or $30 for a tandem kayak. Each comes with paddles and life jackets to ensure a safe and fun time on the water. Guests must rent a wa-

tercraft in advance and can do so at sccmo. org/PaddleShare.

Kayaks are available for rent at Riverside Landing Park and 370 Lakeside Park. They are not currently available at Lone Wolff Park. Watercraft must be returned to the park where they were checked out.

Before each phase of the Dardenne Creek Blueway is opened, the creek is cleared of fallen trees, natural debris, and a significant amount of trash. Before Phase 1 opened, four dumpsters of trash were removed from that section of the creek, and additional trash and debris removal was completed for Phase 2 of the Blueway,

FRIDAY Partly Cloudy 100/72

SATURDAY Scattered Showers 87/67

SUNDAY Partly Cloudy 89/67 READ

Eleven WSD students selected for Missouri Scholars Academy. Pg. 4

Submitted photo

Members of the St. Charles County Parks Department staff clear debris at the Dardenne Creek Blueway.

Around Town

‘ BLUEWAY’ from cover

“Shane Creasy and the rest of our Natural Resource Aquatics Team really put in a lot of labor and a lot of love to get things open,” St. Charles County Parks Director Ryan Graham said. “We have been trying to reverse decades if not centuries of neglect. Thousands of people drive over the Dardenne every day and don’t think of it. We want to change that and make them more aware and appreciative of it.”

As each section of the Blueway is cleared of litter and debris, Graham said the Parks Department is pursuing plans to restore and maintain natural habitats, foster wildlife, and protect the quality of the water.

Because Dardenne Creek receives stormwater runoff from nearby streets and subdivisions, Graham said the creek remains at risk of being polluted by litter that hasn’t been disposed of properly.

“We hope that as more people take advantage of the Blueway as a recreational opportunity, they will see how great it is to have this natural feature in our community and will take steps to help protect it from pollution,” Graham said.

Future expansions will eventually connect the Dardenne Creek Blueway to three more parks in St. Peters, O’Fallon and Dardenne Prairie, with a final length of nearly 19 miles.

“It’s not crystal blue (water) like in the Ozarks, but it is right in our backyard,” Graham said. “There are some pretty areas out here.”

St. Charles County plans to continue expanding the Dardenne Creek Blueway in three additional phases. Phase 3 (3.2 miles) will connect St. Peters’ Jack Gettemeyer Park

to Lone Wolff Park; Phase 4 (5.6 miles) will connect the O’Fallon Sports Park to Jack Gettemeyer Park; and Phase 5 (1.3 miles) will connect Dardenne Prairie’s Bluebird Meadow Park to the O’Fallon Sports Park.

In addition, the St. Charles County Parks Department is developing plans in partnership with the city of Wentzville to create a second Blueway along Big Creek and the Cuivre River. The 12.3-mile Big Creek Blueway will connect Indian Camp Creek Park to Flatwoods Park, both of which are owned and maintained by St. Charles County.

“We’re grateful for the support of the city of St. Peters in establishing the initial phases

of the Blueway, and we look forward to partnerships with the cities of O’Fallon and Dardenne Prairie,” County Executive Steve Ehlmann said. “I am proud of the effort that has been put into opening this expansion and I hope residents and visitors will take advantage of the new and growing way to enjoy the outdoors in St. Charles County.”

For more information on St. Charles County Parks, visit stccparks.org or visit the St. Charles County Parks page on Facebook. For more information about how to help keep local waterways clean, visit sccmo.org/ StreamCareGuide.

Liberty High School student places in the DECA International Career Development Competition

Liberty High School (LHS) student Arthi Kondapaneni placed first in the Community Giving Project category of the DECA International Career Development Competition this April in Orlando, Florida. She faced 164 competitors before taking home the gold.

Liberty DECA was the only school from the entire state of Missouri to bring home a first-place trophy.

Also from the Wentzville School District, Madalyn Breckenridge and Brooke Suftko, from LHS, finished in the top 10 at internationals in the Sales Project category. Austin Schulte and Luca Davito, from Timberland High School (THS), were finalists at internationals in the Business Operations Research category.

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. There were 22,000 students who competed in internationals from America, Canada,

Spain, Germany, Guam, China, and other countries.

Breckenridge, Davito, Kondapaneni,

Schulte, and Suftko were invited to the Governor's Mansion to be recognized for their accomplishments.

Submitted Image

Photo courtesy Wentzville School District

Conservation Corner:

By Dan Zarlenga

The northern watersnake and a forked tongue that speaks true

The term “speaking with a forked tongue” usually refers to someone who tells lies. Yet for a reptile like the northern watersnake, it is precisely a forked tongue that reveals the truth about its surroundings.

The northern watersnake is a common resident throughout Missouri. As one might imagine by its name, this snake is often found near water: wet places like creeks, rivers, sloughs, ponds, lakes, and swamps. You might see one secluded under rocks or other objects on the water’s edge, or perhaps even on a gravel road that runs to a lake or river access. As people head out to rivers and streams for summertime floating, an encounter with a northern watersnake is certainly possible.

Northern watersnakes are gray to reddish-brown with a number of dark brown, reddish-brown, or blackish crossbands along the front third of the body. The bands morph into blotches in the latter part of the body. The belly is cream-colored or yellowish and decorated with black and reddish half-moon markings or spots. These snakes are about two feet to 50 inches long.

People often mistake northern watersnake markings for the Hershey kiss- or teardrop-shaped patterns of the venomous copperhead. Unfortunately, this can result in the death of the northern watersnake due to miss-association. Maybe resembling a venomous snake carries some protection in the wild, but not so much when humans figure into the equation.

Now, it is true that northern watersnakes will bite if threatened, and can be very aggressive when doing so, though their chomps are merely blanks that carry no venom. They do however emit a nasty smelling musk from a gland at the end of their tail that is sure to discourage further interactions. Of course, the best way to avoid conflict is always to avoid contact!

The northern watersnake is a predator of some fish, frogs, tadpoles, toads, and salamanders. There are those who believe that these snakes compete with anglers by eating popular gamefish, but that rumor was surely start-

ed by someone speaking with forked tongue. Most gamefish can easily outswim the snakes and get away – except for diseased fish which an angler would not want anyway.

Speaking of that forked tongue, northern watersnakes, like all snake species, make good use of it to learn the truth of what’s around them. Each fork has its own set of chemical sensors that enable the snake to smell stereophonically, the same way our two eyes or a pair of ears enables us to see and hear in stereo. Since each tip of the tongue picks up odors slightly offset from the other, the snake can detect the direction of the source by identifying which side registers the odor the most. The chemical particles are passed from the tongue to a unique sensory organ in the snake’s head behind the nose called the omeronasal, or Jacobson’s, organ. Decoded through the omeronasal organ and processed through the snake’s reptilian brain, this information paints a 3-D picture of the environment in smell.

So, you might say that when a snake like the northern watersnake wants to learn more about what’s around them, the answer is literally on the tip of its tongue.

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

Wentzville graduating seniors awarded over $136,000 in community scholarships

The Wentzville School District Class of 2023 has been awarded over $136,000 worth of local scholarships this year.

These scholarships are in addition to the many awarded to students by their future institutions, including an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy for Timberland senior Tyler Bryant, which is valued at $416,000.

These deserving students from Holt, Liberty, North Point, and Timberland high schools received their diplomas on June 4, before they continue on with their post-secondary education. Individual amounts of these awards range from $500 to $6,000.

“Congratulations to these hard-

working students for their many achievements,” said Dr. Danielle Tormala, WSD superintendent. “I know they will go on to do great things and continue to reflect the outstanding work that happens here in the Wentzville School District. Thank you to all of our scholarship providers who were so generous to support our Wentzville community.”

The scholarships were awarded at the WSD Community Scholarship Awards Ceremony, which was held on May 9 at North Point High School. The event was the district’s second joint awards ceremony, and the first for the first graduating class of North Point High School.

Submitted photo

The northern watersnake is a common resident throughout Missouri.

Photo courtesy Wentzville School District

Scholarships were awarded to members of the Wentzville School District Class of 2023 at the WSD Community Scholarship Awards Ceremony, which was held on May 9 at North Point High School.

Home Builders Association donates $19,074 to St. Peters Senior Village

On behalf of the Home Builders Charitable Foundation (HBCF), 2023 HBA President Jeremy Roth (Elite Development Services/McBride Homes) (left) presented a $19,074 donation to St. Peters Senior Village advancement chairperson Frances Kern.

The donation will be used to replace aging sidewalks and curbs that have become tripping hazards at St. Peters Senior Village, an independent living facility which offers a homelike community of 52 apartments. St. Peters Senior Village was established in 1973 to offer fair and affordable housing for low-income senior citizens.

The HBA is a local trade association of nearly 600 member firms representing the residential construction industry. The Home Builders Charitable Foundation, the HBA’s charitable arm, is a non-profit orga-

nization dedicated to providing housing assistance to people or organizations with special shelter needs.

Eleven Wentzville School District students selected for Missouri Scholars Academy

Eleven high school students from the Wentzville School District have been selected to participate in the Missouri Scholars Academy (MSA), a three-week residential program to be held June 11 - July 1 on the campus of the University of Missouri - Columbia.

Hunter Adams and Riddik Steibel from Holt; Pranad Balla, Ashley Kercher, and Margot Revelle from Liberty; Elle Bampton, Raeven Wilcox, and Ashlyn Mahoney from North Point; and Kathryn Farrow, Maddox Riley, and Liam Townes from Timberland are among 330 of Missouri’s top rising high school juniors se-

lected for the program.

Founded in 1985, MSA celebrates its 38th season this year.

The goals of the academy are to help gifted students achieve their full potential and motivate them to use their abilities to attain high standards of achievement, to encourage local schools to improve and expand gifted education programs, and to assist in providing the state with experienced faculty and specialized curriculum for such students.

The 2023 Academy is supported by funds provided by MSA alumni, the University of Missouri, and the Missouri Legislature, and is free to scholars this year. Academ-

ically, students represent the top one-half of 1% of their class in the state of Missouri.

No grades or credits are awarded through the program, but students attending MSA are exposed to a wide range of activities as well as intensive instruction in their chosen area of specialization. The faculty is composed of outstanding teachers from high schools throughout the state.

Guest speakers, performers, discussions, and career education will be combined with extracurricular and social activities to round out the curriculum. More than 11,000 Missouri high school students and teachers have participated in MSA

Submitted photo

Photo courtesy Wentzville School District

Familiar faces take on new administrative roles in Fort Zumwalt School District

The Fort Zumwalt School District Board of Education has named Dr. Paul Myers as Superintendent of Schools, effective July 1. The announcement was first shared with the community in the fall of 2021 when longtime superintendent Dr. Bernard DuBray announced his retirement, which will be effective June 30.

The current school year has been a transition period, during which Myers has served as Superintendent-Elect.

Dr. Henry St. Pierre has been named Deputy Superintendent of the Fort Zumwalt School District, effective July 1. The announcement was also shared with the community in the fall of 2021 when DuBray announced his retirement.

St. Pierre replaces Myers as Deputy Superintendent.

Myers, who joined the district in 1999, is now in his 24th year with Fort Zumwalt. He first served at South Middle School as a School Psychologist and Educational Diagnostician before becoming an Assistant Principal at West Middle School.

In 2005, he was named Principal at South Mid-

dle School, a position he held until moving into district level administration, where he has served in multiple roles and overseen Special Education, Health and Early Childhood Services, Student Personnel Services and Administrative Services, which includes Transportation, Student Nutrition and Custodial Services.

His background in mental health services has informed much of his work with the district, including the launch of what has grown to be the Mike Clemens Center for Adaptive Learning.

The leadership transition has come at a unique time for Fort Zumwalt, as the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has assigned the district the task of researching, writing and implementing a new Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP), due to DESE this summer.

The CSIP maps the district’s goals for the next three to five years.

“In some places CSIP and strategic plan are used somewhat interchangeably,” Myers says. “But that’s not the case here. The CSIP is at the center, but as we move

forward, there are other components to a strategic plan that we will have to work on, like facilities planning, for example.”

Expect the CSIP to be presented to the board of education this summer. Once approved by the board, it will be submitted to the state and, next year, will be a component in how the school district is scored for its Annual Performance Report.

“The most important, and rewarding, part of the CSIP process has been the opportunity to hear from our community. The process brings in input from faculty and staff, students and families, and our other community stakeholders,” Myers says. “We certainly recognize the value in listening to feedback to understand priorities and also areas where we can continue to improve.”

St. Pierre has been a part of the Fort Zumwalt team for 27 years. He joined the district as an English Language Arts teacher at North High School in 1996.

“I’m from a small town in Northeast, Missouri, but I remember I sat in Memorial Union (on the University of Missouri

campus) and talked with a representative from Fort Zumwalt,” St. Pierre says. “I was an eager college graduate and was selected to meet with (FZN Principal) Dave Hoekel for an open English position.”

Since that interview at North High School, St. Pierre has been a fixture in the district.

“The things that keep me here are the same things that keep a lot of people here, I think. Tradition. Stability. Excellence. Opportunities for advancement.”

After four years teaching at North, St. Pierre went on to serve as an Assistant Principal at West High. He is the founding Principal at Fort Zumwalt East High School, where he helped oversee construction of the building, which opened in 2007.

In 2014 he moved to District Administrative Office as the Assistant Superintendent for Special Services, overseeing Special Education, Health and Early Childhood Services. For the past four years he has served as the Assistant Superintendent for Personnel Services.

“I have had many different roles,” he says,

“But it’s how they are the same that is important to me. They have all centered on supporting people, whether they are students, teachers or our community members. From teacher to assistant superintendent, my job has been to help everybody else be successful.”

As his role transitions again, St. Pierre will have new responsibilities as deputy superintendent, but will also remain an integral part of recruiting and retaining those who work in all of the other roles in Fort Zumwalt School District. He has served this past year as a member of the district’s CSIP steering committee.

“I am hoping as we complete this process and implement our plan that we are able to cele-

WSD buses have another year of high-scoring state inspection

The Wentzville School District Transportation Department bus fleet was inspected by the Missouri State Highway Patrol on April 24-25 and was found to have an approval rating of 98.9%.

The WSD Transportation fleet of 186 buses was inspected by the Missouri State Highway Patrol in an annual performance inspection for the state. Thanks to the tireless and meticulous efforts of Fleet Manager Dan Duncan and his team of mechanics, all buses were cleared by inspectors with an excellent rating of 98.9%.

The WSD Transportation Department prides itself in assuring that all students are transported safely to and from school each and every day. This excellent inspection rating is one of the top reasons they are able to do so successfully.

brate the history we have and the work that has been done by so many to get us where we are,” St. Pierre says. “But, as we have been working on the CSIP, we can see there are always areas where we can continue to improve, always areas for growth. I am looking forward to embracing the talents of the people I work with now so we can continue to move forward and create a destination district for our students, their families and for our employees.”

Families and community members will also have plenty of opportunities to meet the new administrators of Fort Zumwalt School District. Watch the calendar at fz.k12.mo.us as the new school year begins in August.

Photos courtesy Fort Zumwalt School District

(Left) The Fort Zumwalt School District Board of Education has named Dr. Paul Myers as Superintendent of Schools, effective July 1. (Right) Dr. Henry St. Pierre has been named Deputy Superintendent of the Fort Zumwalt School District, effective July 1.

Photo courtesy Wentzville School District

The Wentzville School District Transportation Department bus fleet was inspected by the Missouri State Highway Patrol on April 24-25 and was found to have an approval rating of 98.9%.

Fort Zumwalt welcomes new elementary school principals

Fort Zumwalt Mount Hope Elementary School will welcome a new principal this fall. Whittney Carter joins the staff from the DeSoto School District, where she has served the past two years as principal at Athena Elementary.

Jessica Hanks will join Fort Zumwalt School District as the Principal at Emge Elementary. Hanks, who comes to Fort Zumwalt from the Wentzville School District, has had the chance to meet with staff and is looking forward to getting to know them, their students, and the Emge community better.

Carter, in her 14th year in education, also has served as an elementary school assistant principal. As a teacher she worked with fourth graders and first graders. She is looking forward to her new role with Mount Hope.

“I am looking forward to being part of the Fort Zumwalt district, with its high accolades, and collaborating, learning, and growing with some of the best,” she says. “My main goal this first year is to get to know the staff, students and families that make up the Mount Hope community and work together to strengthen the pack.”

An avid reader, Carter says there are too many good books to name just one as her

favorite. When she’s focused on reading to learn, she has been taking in a lot about the brain.

“I love learning about how the brain works and how that affects students’ responses, as well as their ability to retain information,” Carter says.

When she’s not at school, Carter likes to spend time with family, usually playing board games or crafting. Students might try striking up a conversation by asking her about SkipBo, one of her favorite games, or water beads, a craft project she and her family keep coming back to. A quote she keeps coming back to helps Carter stay focused on her personal mission.

“My favorite quote comes from Ghandi,” she says. “‘Be the change you wish to see in the world.’ We can’t just talk about changes that we want to see, we have to model with our own behaviors, take action, and make the changes we want to see.”

It is a patch of common ground she shares with students and staff that will serve as her starting point as she joins Mount Hope, one of Fort Zumwalt’s 10 Leader In Me schools. The Huskies started their Leader In Me journey, rooted in the 7 Habits of Happy Kids, last school year. Carter is eager to em-

brace the power of common language and setting goals.

“I have used the 7 Habits of Happy Kids book with my fourth-graders during our morning meeting time,” Carter says. “And, a commonly used phrase in my home is ‘first things first,’ so I am looking forward to learning more about this growth mindset model along with the Mount Hope family.”

Hanks has served as the building principal at Wentzville Heritage Intermediate for the past year. Before that, she served as an assistant principal for two years and taught fifth grade for nine years.

“My biggest goal is to begin building positive relationships with students, staff and community members,” she says. “I am eager to learn more about Emge, their traditions and how I can best support them through this transition.”

She is excited about joining Fort Zumwalt and, more specifically, Emge. “I am extremely honored and excited to join the Fort Zumwalt School District and to begin this new role at Emge Elementary,” she says. “I am eager to meet the students, staff and community members and to begin forming partnerships that center on build-

ing a positive school climate and academic excellence and maximizing the potential of every student.”

When she’s not at school, Hanks spends as much time outdoors as she can with her family.

“Preferably, near the water,” she says. “It’s always important to take care of yourself so that you can take care of others. By keeping yourself mentally sharp you can pass that on to students and help them do the same.”

Making time to connect and rejuvenate is a big part of The Leader In Me’s 7 Habits for Happy Kids. It is, in fact, Habit 7. Emge started the Leader In Me journey last year. Hanks is ready to em-

brace the power of common language, setting goals and building skills to help all students meet their individual goals.

“When I talk with students about taking care of themselves, I tell them, ‘It can help you to build a positive mindset for your day’” Hanks says. “With older students, I can tell them, ‘It helps you eliminate stress.’ or ‘It helps you to ease your worries.’ When you spend time doing the things you love, it helps you get centered so you can prioritize better and focus on your work, in the classroom or when doing other activities outside of your school day.”

WSD Foundation awards $14,500 in 2023 Teacher and Building Mini Grants

The Wentzville School District Foundation has announced the winners of the 2023 Teacher and Building Mini Grants. Last month, members of the foundation awarded grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 to 12 educators, totaling $6,500.

In addition, the foundation awarded 12 educators with grants totaling $8,000 thanks to a Community Grant from GM to fund Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) initiatives in WSD schools. GM has provided $50,000 over the last five years to the WSD Foundation to support STEM initiatives in the Wentzville School District.

Between all of the grants awarded,

$14,500 was awarded to 22 educators in 13 buildings and schools.

This year, the WSD Foundation raised funds through its trivia night event held in March for the Mini Grant Program, and the foundation has awarded more than $130,500 to district teachers since 2004.

The selection committee, which is composed of Wentzville School District Foundation Board members, utilizes the grants to reward educators for their resourceful and innovative ideas and strategies that benefit the education of district students.

Photos courtesy Fort Zumwalt School District

(Left)Whittney Carter joins the staff of Fort Zumwalt Mount Hope Elementary School as principal this fall. (Right)Jessica Hanks will join Fort Zumwalt School District as the Principal at Emge Elementary.

Photo courtesy Wentzville School District

Last month, members of the Wentzville School District Foundation awarded grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 to 12 educators, totaling $6,500.

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.

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 wel-

come. 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 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 informa-

tion 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.

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 636-639-0875.

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 800-272-3900 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 636279-5522 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 treatment 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 314-5045202

Wednesdays: Food pantry

Food pantry open Wednesdays to the public from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Cornerstone UMC at 1151 Tom Ginne-

ver 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 636-9466799. 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 weightloss 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: Bereaved parents meeting Bereaved Parents of the USA meets at Knights of Columbus Hall at 5701 Highway N in Cottleville from 7 – 9 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Facilitators are

Mike and Jeanne Francisco-636-233-8490 (mikejean@ hotmail.com). For more information visit www.bpusastl. org.

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 314-650-1014.

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

Sports you see with Gary B . . .

Lindenwood women’s hockey team pick up some hardware

Lindenwood University’s association with the College Hockey America (CHA) announced recently that 22 student-athletes from the Lindenwood women's hockey team earned All-Academic honors. Lindenwood led the conference with six individuals receiving student-athlete of the year recognition.

The CHA All-Academic Team honors those student-athletes who posted a GPA of 3.0 or above for both semesters of the 2022-23 academic year.

2022-23 CHA Student-Athletes of the Year (7): Sarah Davies, Olivia Grabianowski, Molly Henderson, Emma Hoen, Sydney McAsh, Quinn McLaren, Brooke Pioske

2022-23 CHA All-Academic Team (22): Chloe Corbin, Sarah Davies, Sarah Dravis , Natalie Ferenc, Kaitlin Finnegan, Rachel Goff, Olivia Grabianowski, Teagan Heaslip, Molly Henderson, Madilynn Hickey, Emma Hoen, Thea Jorgensen, Julia Maguire, Sydney McAsh, Quinn McLaren, Morgan Neitzke, Brooke Pioske, Gigi Pora, Sydney Rarick, Meara Ryan, Karolina Sykorova, Sena Takenaka

About College Hockey America:

College Hockey America marked its 21st season of competition in 2022-23. The five-team NCAA Division I conference consists of Lindenwood University (Lions), Mercyhurst University (Lakers), Pennsylvania State University (Nittany Lions), Rochester Institute of Technology (Tigers) and Syracuse University (Orange). The CHA will grow to six teams with the return of Robert Morris University (Colonials) for the 2023-24 season. For more information, visit chawomenshockey.com.

*Great accomplishments, congrats… Hoots drop just second game since June 10

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

On the road following a pair of home wins, the O’Fallon Hoots (10-9) paid a visit to the Quincy Gems (10-12) on Friday night. For the first time this season, Quincy emerged victorious, using an eight run fourth inning to run-rule the Hoots in seven innings.

Inside the Box Score:

• Chase Beattie recorded the lone hit for the Hoots.

• Braedon Stoakes and Tucker Platt both snagged a stolen base.

How it happened:

With the bases loaded in the first, Gem Jack Zebig flew out to center to score Joe Siervo and give Quincy a 1-0 lead.

In the third inning, Cam Suto scored himself and Kyle Hvidsten with a home run to increase the Gems’s lead to 3-0.

The floodgates really opened in the bottom of the fourth. Zebig added to his RBI total on the day with an RBI single while the bags were filled, making it 4-0. Luke Jessen then walked to drive another run in and put the score at 5-0. Otto Jones added two more runs with a base knock, upping the score to 7-0. Following two strikeouts, Jimmy Koza capped off the big inning with a grand slam, setting the score at 11-0, where it would stand until the end of the game.

*Keep the line moving

Ambush sign top rookie

The St. Louis Ambush signed rookie goalkeeper Liam Gibbs, the team announced recently.

Gibbs is a native of Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England. He played collegiate soccer at St. Louis Community College and Columbia College (Missouri). He earned All Conference First Team honors four times and holds the all-time record for shutouts at Columbia. He also spent time with the St. Louis Lions (USL League Two).

Ambush co-owner, General Manager and Head Coach Jeff Locker said, “Liam Gibbs is a promising rookie who had a standout collegiate career. We look forward to his development as a pro and to him contributing to our success.”

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 : A luscious lime smoothie for hot summer days

During summer months, it’s common for many people to want to spend as much time outside enjoying the weather as possible. From the minute they wake up to when the sun goes down (and beyond), nearly everyone wants to take advantage of the warm summer heat. Especially kids, who often want to enjoy their break from school for the year.

From beach towels and sunglasses to swimsuits and flip flops, almost everything you need to enjoy some fun in the sun is likely already on-hand. However, summer can be so much sweeter with a fresh and fruity drink in your hand. Made with fresh ingredients, this drink is a perfect addition to any poolside party.

Next time you are looking to relax outdoors all day, try this Tart Lime Smoothie, which is filled with fresh fruit and cool enough to wash away that summer warmth. This chilled, tart drink will have everyone in the family ready to go for round two down the water slide.

To make this smoothie, in a blender, blend two kiwis, two ripe bananas, some fresh mint, lime juice, orange juice and 2 cups of crushed ice until all the ingredients are incorporated.

Light, fresh and a little bit frothy, this smoothie has a unique texture that may leave you wishing for a second cup the moment you take your first sip. Find more fun summer recipes at Culinary.net.

If you made this recipe at home, use #MyCulinaryConnection on your favorite social network to share your work.

Tart Lime Smoothie

Yield: 1 1/2 cups

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.

INGREDIENTS:

2 kiwis, peeled and halved

2 ripe bananas

3 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped

2 limes, juice only

1 cup orange juice

2 cups ice, crushed

In 1978, Christopher Reeve played dual roles in “Superman,” an epic adventure that arrived in time for the Christmas holidays. Directed by Richard Donner, the film had a great ensemble cast featuring Marlon Brando as Jor-El, a scientist on the planet Krypton who warned citizens that their planet was doomed. As time ran out, Jor-El sent his son Kal-El to Earth in a rocket ship where he would grow up and gain amazing powers. Reeve was the perfect choice to play both reporter Clark Kent and his heroic alter ego. 1981’s “Superman II” showed Kryptonian criminals arriving on Earth where they learned that Superman was the son of Jor-El, the man who imprisoned them in the Phantom Zone.

The first two “Superman” movies were crowd-pleasers and can be considered the predecessors of both the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). During the 2007 San Diego Comic-Con, director Jon Favreau teased the audience with old Marvel cartoon footage from the 1960’s before unveiling exciting scenes from “Iron Man,” the 2008 film that initiated a storyline that

DIRECTIONS: In blender, blend kiwis, bananas, mint, lime juice, orange juice and ice until smooth.

Pour into glasses to serve.

“The Flash” photo courtesy DC Entertainment.

culminated in “Avengers: Endgame.” After intergalactic bad guy Thanos used the Infinity Stones to wipe out half of all life in the universe, the remaining heroes used time travel to acquire the stones and defeat Thanos once and for all.

While talking about these characters and references to time travel, however, it’s easy to feel “Superhero/Villain Fatigue,” especially with an anticipated release like the DCEU’s “The Flash.” Ezra Miller played Barry Allen, a police scientist and Justice League member who could run at super speed. His attempts at time travel, however, had unintended side effects. In the film, Miller also portrayed versions of his younger and older self. Actress Sasha Cal-

le joined the cast as Kara ZorEl, a Kryptonian and Superman’s cousin while Michael Shannon reprised his General Zod role from 2013’s “Man of Steel.” Michael Keaton, who starred in 1989’s “Batman” as well as 1992’s “Batman Returns,” also appeared in “The Flash.”

With the robust cast of characters referenced above, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with all the heroes, villains and their respective powers and loyalties. After helping to stop a bank robbery in “The Flash,” Barry Allen revisited his childhood home and inadvertently used the “Speed Force” that gave him his powers to go back in time. However, he had been warned that time travel had serious consequences. When talking about his character, Miller described Barry Allen as “multi-dimensional with human flaws.” Although “The Flash” brought in $55.1 million at the domestic box office, Ezra Miller’s behavior off the set raised some eyebrows. On the “Rotten Tomatoes” website, the film had a 66% rating “Fresh” rating.

As of this writing, the Writer’s Strike is still under way, which means production dates for both MCU and DCEU movies will most likely be pushed back.

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.

NOVENA

PRAYER TO ST. JUDE

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world, now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. St. Jude, Worker of Miracles, Pray for us. St. Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, Pray for us.

Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days, then publish. Your prayers will be answered. It has never been known to fail.

Thank you, St. Jude. J.S.

PRAYER TO ST. JUDE

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world, now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. St. Jude, Worker of Miracles, Pray for us. St. Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, Pray for us.

Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days, then publish. Your prayers will be answered. It has never been known to fail.

Thank you, St. Jude. L.M.

SINGERS WANTED

Moore on Life: Not getting any younger

There’s a saying, If the music’s too loud, you’re too old. I think my husband and I have reached the “too old” point. All the indications are there.

For instance, the other day we went into a restaurant. The music was really loud and obnoxious. We generally don’t say a lot when we’re dining together, but this time it was so noisy we could hardly hear each other not speaking to one another.

“Looks like it might rain,” I finally said.

“My mother is NOT a pain,” he barked. “Your mother is the one with issues.”

I handed him a napkin.

“What’s this for?” he asked.

“You said you wanted a tissue.”

“I can’t hear what you’re saying,” he said.

“Well, I can’t hear what you can’t hear that I’m not saying so let’s just get out of here.”

“But I haven’t got my milkshake yet.”

“Don’t be silly, there’s not going to be an earthquake! Now let’s go.”

We headed out the door just as a couple of teenagers came in. My husband was putting the money for his milkshake back into his wallet, but instead he handed it over to the girls. They looked at the money and then him and then each other and shook their heads in disbelief.

“What the heck are you handing out money to total strangers for?” I asked.

“Didn’t you see the condition of their clothes? Their jeans had holes in the pant legs big enough to drive a semi through. They’re probably going into the restaurant to scrounge for leftovers from tabletops.”

LIFESTYLE: Garage safety tips

When you throw open the windows, you’ll likely be spending more time with the garage door open, too. Make access to your outdoor equipment safer with these tips to get your garage ready for the warmer months.

Organizing clutter is part of the process, but warmer weather can also serve as a reminder to make sure your garage equipment and features are secure and functioning properly.

Your garage floor tends to capture grime and grit from the outdoors, especially where your car sits. Take time to thoroughly sweep and mop, but also take stock of the floor’s condition for any chips or other damage that may grow worse over time and pose a risk for tripping or other safety issues.

• Check your garage door performance. Ensure doors are rolling smoothly with no hitches. If you do happen to notice any abnormalities, it’s a good time to investigate. In some cases, a little grease or a minor adjustment is all you need to get things back on track.

By Cindy Moore CROSSWORD: THE 1970S

“Sweetie, I think those are fashionable now. They pay big bucks for those holes.”

“Nice try, but nobody’s dumb enough to pay for holes.”

Just then his phone alarm went off.

“Now what?” I asked.

“It’s time for my pills. We need to go back into the restaurant.”

“We just left, why would we need to go back?”

“Because I need some water to take my pills. I left a full glass on our table.”

“That’s ridiculous. We can buy a bottle from the drugstore here.”

He laughed, “Number one, I gave my last dollars to those homeless orphans and number two, why would I buy water when I can get it for free?”

We’re either old…or senile…or both. All the indications are there.

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.

• Don’t forget to check your garage door sensors, too. Warmer weather means animals and children (and their toys) are more likely to find themselves in an automated door’s path when it begins to lower. Ensure sensors are operating properly to prevent injury or property damage.

• Verify all outlets, lights and other electrical features are in proper operating condition and all wires are intact and free of damage or fraying.

• Ensure any poisonous materials, such as paint, garden pesticides, cleaners and automotive fluids, are safely stored out of reach of pets and children that may have increased access to the garage during warmer months. Also check for spills or leaks of any potentially hazardous or flammable materials.

Taking time to safety-proof your garage can provide your family months of stress-free use. Find more tips for getting your garage in order at eLivingtoday.com.

ACROSS

1. Aardvark's repast

5. Game official, colloquially speaking

8. In alignment

12. Tiny bottle

13. Big rig

14. ____ Apso

15. Fairy-tale opener

16. Arabian chieftain

17. Peter Pumpkin ____

18. *White House Plumbers' affair

20. Arrival times, acr.

21. *Gerald R. Ford and Nelson A. Rockefeller

22. Tolkien's Ogre-like creature

23. *Charlie's TV detectives

26. At sea but close to shore

30. Always, poetically speaking

31. Adjust

34. Cupid, to the Greeks

35. High

37. 9 to 5, e.g.

38. Bow-like structure

39. Hippocrates' promise

40. Struck in certain way, in baseball

42. Paleontologist's estimate

43. Like a kilt

45. English county

47. Boiling blood

48. ____, Stinky and Stretch

50. Shade of beige

52. *"Rainy Day People" singer Gordon

56. Things on a list

57. Rod of a hot rod

58. *Bee Gees or The Supremes, e.g.

59. Saintly glows

60. Never, poetically speaking

61. Pre-Easter period

62. Demeanor

63. *Banned insecticide, acr.

64. Oxen connector

1. Assert

2. *"Black Gold" singer Nina ____

3. Diplomat's asset

4. *Popular bell-shaped part of garment

5. Gerrymander

6. Gives off

7. *Earth and Wind partner 8. *First female British prime minister 9. Pro ____ 10. Operates 11. Head canal locale

Wisest

Unfriendly looks

Track event

Buck 23. Famous fable-maker 24. *Kathmandu location and Hippie Trail stop 25. Heating outlet cover

Research facil. 27. Shamu and such 28. *Khmer ____ 29. English county 32. Sound of impact

33. Coffee holder 36. *Mao's honorific 38. Sunbaked, archaically speaking 40. Busy flyer

41. *____ Rolle of "Good Times" 44. Corbel 46. *"Killing Me ____ with His Song" 48. Spayed 49. End of a shoelace 50. Evening purse

51. Wrap in waxy cloth

52. It "was made for you and me"

53. Black and white cookie 54. Piglet sound 55. Carrying container

56. *Helen Reddy's "____ ____ Woman"