CNSTC: September 8, 2021

September 8, 2021

A booming St. Charles County

Around Town Lake Saint Louis Police Department giving back with Red Cross Blood Drive.

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CREC joins Missouri linemen to help with Hurricane Ida relief. Pg. 4

Celebrate canines at free ‘Paws in the Park’ festival.

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Features

Submitted photo The 2020 U.S. Census shows St. Charles County’s population at 405,262, an increase of 12.4% in the past 10 years. This places St. Charles County as the third largest county in Missouri behind St. Louis and Jackson counties. More than half of the nation’s 3,143 counties or equivalents lost population from 2010-2020.

2020 Census data shows St. Charles County’s population grew by a whopping 12.4% in the past 10 years

By Brett Auten Facts and figures from the latest United States Census show that St. Charles County continues to be a place where people want to hang one’s hat.

Data from the 2020 Census puts St. Charles County’s population at 405,262, an increase of 12.4% in the past 10 years.

In comparison, St. Louis County grew 0.5% in total population (1,004,125), St. Louis City lost 5.5% (301,578), and Missouri overall grew 2.8% (6,154,913). St. Charles County’s growth is even more remarkable

considering more than half of the nation’s 3,143 counties or equivalents lost population from 2010-2020.

County Executive Steve Ehlmann attributed the steady growth to the county’s low crime rates, low unemployment and business development, among the leading factors.

“The growth isn’t stopping, either,” Ehlmann said. “Already our statistics show that commercial building permits have grown 17% over 2020, and single-family new construction is outpacing 2020 numbers by 5%.”

Regarding the 17% growth in commercial building permits, Mike Hurlbert, St. Charles County’s Director of Community Development, said the growth in commercial permits is synonymous with the county’s growth and availability of ground on which to build.

“A number of companies, because of or in spite of COVID, are in expansion mode,” Hurlbert said. “This is especially true in the logistics sector and a good example is Amazon. Amazon has hired three times as many See ‘CENSUS’ page 2

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Around Town

September 8, 2021 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Other notable Census facts: •

St. Charles County continues to become more diverse. The percentage of Black (+1%), Asian (+0.5%), and Hispanic (+2.8%) residents increased, and the percentage of White residents decreased (-6.2%) over 10 years.

Comparatively, the most prevalent racial or ethnic group in the U.S. is the White, non-Hispanic population at 57.8%, but which decreased from 63.7% in 2010. Overall, the racial and ethnic diversity of the U.S. has increased since 2010.

•

St. Charles County’s population of “over-18-years-old” rose from 74.2% in 2010 to 76.6% in 2020, while the “under-18years-old” population declined from 25.8% to 23.4%. The U.S.’s adult population over 18 years of age increased faster than the under-age-18 population.

•

The number of housing units in St. Charles County grew 14.3% in 10 years from 141,016 to 161,144, with a housing vacancy rate of 3.9% in 2020. Housing units across the country grew 6.7% in 10 years to 140,498,736.

The country’s housing vacancy rate declined from 11.4% in 2010 to 9.7% in 2020.

•

The average number of people occupying a home in St. Charles County rose slightly over 10 years from 2.4 to 2.5%. The percentage of two-person occupied housing units declined slightly to 36% from 37%, and the percentage of single-person occupied housing units remained steady at 28%.

Submitted photo In St. Charles County, commercial building permits have grown 17% over 2020, and single-family new construction is outpacing 2020 numbers by 5%.

Huneke Publications, Inc. 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366 PH: 636-379-1775 | FX: 636-379-1632 Published weekly since 1921.

Serving St. Louis, St. Charles and Lincoln Counties.

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Mathew DeKinder Publisher Emeritus/General Manager Robert J. Huneke Production Manager Rebecca Brockmann Production Assistant Melissa Nordmann Copy Editor Donna Huneke Staff Writers Brett Auten, Wendy Todd Columnists Gary Baute, Steve Bryan, Cindy Moore Cartoonist John Hanna Social Media Lori North Classiied Advertising Brooke Tolle

‘CENSUS’ from cover county in Missouri behind St. Louis and Jackson counties, a position held since the 2010 Census.

The Census population data will be used in redistricting, or redrawing of congressional and state legislative district boundaries.

St. Charles County’s Redistricting Commission will take the data to re-establish the seven County Council districts, making certain that each district does not vary more 1:00 - 3:00 PM than five percent VETERINARY Foristell Fastlane from the average MOBILE CLINIC 3166 Vet Mem Pkwy | Foristell population for all Rabies (1 Year) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12 Wed. September 15 the districts. The Rabies (3 Year) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20 The Coop plan will then go St. Charles Co. License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6 5055 Hwy 94 | Orchard Farm (Not Neutered or Spayed) . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12 Thurs. September 16 before the County DHPP (Dog Vacc) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20 Council at a public Farm & Home RCP (Cat Vacc) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20 Charlies 1583 W. Pearce Blvd | Wentzville hearing for approvHeartworm Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $28 Fri. & Sat. September 17 & 18 al before Dec. 31 of Pete Pratte DVM - Lake St. Louis Animal Care - 636.625.4647 this year. www.vetmobileclinic.com

employees as they first planned when they opened their fulfillment center in 2019, and have almost completed a second building in the same 370 area corridor.”

Scott J. Drachnik, President & CEO EDC of St. Charles County, provided a mid-year chart showing major developments that have opened this year or are either under construc-

tion or in pre-construction phase. Among those include, Medline Industries (the largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies), Panattoni (an international real estate developer specializing in industrial real estate and warehouses), Amazon, and FedEx, among many others.

And once again, the county is the third largest

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www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • September 8, 2021

Around Town

St. Charles City-County Library and area school districts partner to offer students expanded access to learning tools For many public school students, access to free books, magazines, DVDs, and homework help just got easier. The St. Charles City-County Library and area school districts have forged an agreement that provides library accounts for over 40,000 school-age students in St. Charles County.

St. Charles County School Districts that have committed to participating in the Student Accounts Partnership include Fort Zumwalt, Francis Howell, Orchard Farm, Wentzville and St. Charles.

This partnership creates the opportunity for area public school students to have automatic access to the full suite of library materials, including online resources. Private schools are not included at this time, but the library hopes to expand the program in the future.

“Although many students in St. Charles County have library cards, thousands do not. We want to remove the barriers that keep children from accessing everything the St. Charles City-County Library has to offer,” says the library’s School Services Coordinator, Ryan Tullock. “These student accounts will give kids and teens online access to

books, study materials, and live tutoring, even on days when their parents are working or they can’t get to a library building.”

Through the Student Accounts Partnership, kids can access digital resources such as curated eBook collections for children and teens; research databases and online encyclopedias; on-demand tutoring; language learning tools; and even graphic novels and comics. Account holders can also check out up to five physical items from any Library branch. Teachers and school staff living outside of St. Charles County will also be eligible for a student account.

“At a time when students have access to an overwhelming amount of content on the internet, it is more important than ever that they also have easy access to their local public library,” says Tullock. “The connections kids can make with library staff and the educational support that we can offer them through Library materials make the program invaluable.”

Find more information about online resources and support for students at myLibrary.org.

www.alz.org/walk

Lake Saint Louis Police Department giving back to the community with Red Cross Blood Drive The Lake Saint Louis Police Department will host a community blood drive with the American Red Cross on Sept. 23 from 1 to 6 p.m., at the Lake Saint Louis Civic Center at 200 Civic Center Drive.

“We are committed to strengthening our community and helping meet hospital and patient needs through blood donations,” said Officer Susie Ochs, Community Resource Officer. “This blood drive is our way of giving staff, colleagues and neighbors an opportunity to help save lives.”

The American Red Cross continues to have an ongoing, critical need for lifesaving blood as blood product distributions to hospitals remain higher than anticipated. In recent months, the Red Cross has sent 12% more blood products to help hospital patients in need, including higher distributions to hospitals in areas where the pandemic continues to disrupt normal blood collection operations.

“We urge community members to donate blood and help ensure that patients in local hospitals have a supply of blood ready and waiting before an emergency occurs. There’s no better feeling than knowing that your blood donation may give someone a second chance at life.”

When you help the Red Cross tackle the need by donating blood Sept. 13-30, you’ll receive a limited-edition college football T-shirt, while supplies last, and a coupon via email for a free haircut from Sports Clips.

The Red Cross has extra precautions in place to protect donors, volunteers and staff. In order to limit the number of people in the room you must make an appointment. No walk-ins will be accepted and we are unable to accommodate guests. A face covering or mask are also required when presenting to donate.

To make an appointment go to redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: LSLPD or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-7332767). Complete your pre-donation reading and health history at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass or with the Blood Donor App before your appointment.

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Around Town

September 8, 2021 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

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Cuivre River Electric Cooperative joins Missouri linemen from 30 state co-ops to help with Hurricane Ida relief Hurricane Ida left a trail of damage and destruction along the Gulf Coast following its landfall on Aug. 29. In response, Missouri’s electric cooperatives, including Cuivre River Electric Cooperative (CREC), have mobilized to answer a call for help.

At the request of DEMCO Electric Cooperative, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, CREC crews join more than 150 Missouri line workers from 30 of the state’s electric cooperatives are traveling to Louisiana to assist in the cleanup. Missouri is sending both construction and service crews to help with the power restoration efforts at the co-op just east of Baton Rouge. Eight CREC linemen left early Aug. 31 to help with the restoration efforts.

DEMCO is the largest electric cooperative in Louisiana, serving more than 112,000 members. As of Monday morning, more than 77,000 DEMCO members, 68%, were without electricity.

Submitted photo Hurricane Ida left a trail of damage and destruction along the Gulf Coast following its landfall on Aug. 29. In response, Missouri’s electric cooperatives, including Cuivre River Electric Cooperative (CREC), have mobilized to answer a call for help.

Missouri’s electric cooperatives have a long history of lending a helping hand to their cooperative peers in trying times.

Missouri crews first helped with hurricane relief efforts in 2004 when the Gulf Coast was hit by Hurricane Ivan and have been doing so since. Their most recent deployments were in 2020 when crews traveled to Louisiana twice for hurricanes Delta and Zeta.

The favor has been returned, as Missouri co-ops received assistance restoring power following devastating ice storms in 2007 and 2009.

Missouri’s restoration efforts are being spearheaded by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. The Jefferson City-based association represents all 47 of Missouri’s electric cooperatives.

Timberland High School student named to Federal Reserve Bank Student Board of Directors

www.midwestbankcentre.com/auto

Timberland High School senior Nora Pryor was named to the Student Board of Directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis for the 2021-22 school year. The Student Board of Directors help guide and promote economic education and personal finance with programs throughout the 8th district; this is part of an internationally recognized program as a resource for helping people understand economics and how it relates to all.

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis is entering its 10th year of having a Student Board of Directors. This year the board is the largest it’s been, composed of a diverse group of 28 high school seniors from across the greater St. Louis area. According to the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank website, over the last decade, 82% of former student board members have launched careers in banking, finance or

related industries. Two-thirds of board alumni are women and/ or minorities who have pursued banking, finance or related careers.

Pryor’s initiative helped her earn a spot on the board of directors, as the application process is highly competitive and consists of essays, letters of recommendation and a final selection. As a part of the board, Pryor will meet with other members monthly to gain a greater understanding of the Federal Reserve’s role in the U.S. economy and its partnerships with banks, businesses and the community.

Pryor said, “Being a part of the Federal Reserve Student Board is something that I never expected. It would not have been possible without my AP United States History teacher, Mr. Kaiman, who also teaches AP Macro and Microeconomics here at Timberland. He saw potential in me and asked me if I wanted

Photo courtesy Wentzville School District Timberland High School senior Nora Pryor was named to the Student Board of Directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis for the 2021-22 school year.

to embrace this opportunity, for which I am ever grateful. He has set me up for success in so many ways and is constantly looking to help take his students to new heights, pushing them past previous notions of their abilities. I work as a liaison for the Federal Reserve and my school by being a face and advocate of the bank to the public.”

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • September 8, 2021

Around Town

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Celebrate canines at free ‘Paws in the Park’ festival with contests, demos, raffles and more Get ready for some doggone fun with the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department. Dog lovers and their pets from across the region are invited to the 17th annual Paws in the Park dog festival from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 11, at Broemmelsiek Park in Defiance. The event, which supports local animal shelters, is a regional favorite and takes place at the park’s Off-Leash Dog Area, 1795 Highway DD. Bring your pooch to the park for an exciting lineup of contests, prizes, business exhibitors/vendors and sponsor giveaways, as well as K9 obedience skills demonstrations. Admission is free, but those who bring a pet supply donation will receive a special gift. Donations benefit the St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center and Five Acres Animal Shelter. Monetary donations also will be accepted. Additionally, a limited number of pets will be available for adoption from the St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center. A special thanks to this year’s corporate sponsor, 3 Raw Hounds, Wildwood; and event sponsor, Crossroads Veterinary Hospital, Wentzville, for supporting this exciting community event.

The day’s festivities are as follows: 10 a.m., Vendor Booths Open: Participating businesses, including the corporate and event sponsors, will offer giveaways and product samples at their booths throughout the day.

10:30 a.m., Dog Contests: Best Costume, Best Trick, Best Dog/Owner Look-Alike, and Best Kisser will be judged by the corporate sponsor and parks staff under the pavilion in the dog park. Winners will re-

ceive a commemorative certificate and a prize to take home.

11:30 a.m., St. Charles County Police K9 Units and Guest K9 Teams Perform: Police officers and their canine partners will conduct a series of drug search demonstrations using a seized car and demonstrate obedience skills, including lost child and fugitive tracking; narcotics detection; and fugitive apprehension. Those performing include: • Officer Mark Thomas and K9 Charlie • Officer Courtney Spiess and K9 Tank • Officer Tony Hojsik and K9 Fleck • Officer Jake Garner and K9 Rico • Officer Brigid Oldani and K9 Bonnie 12:30 p.m., Tick Talk: With more than 100 varieties of ticks in the United States and thousands of species in the world, preventing tick-borne illness is something everyone needs to be aware of. Don’t let ticks make you sick! Park Ranger Rachael Meara will discuss where ticks camp out and the diseases they spread, as well as how to protect your family and pets.

12:45 p.m., Watch Dog Volunteer Presentation: If you and your furry friends are frequent visitors of St. Charles County dog parks, you won’t want to miss this short presentation about this important volunteer program. Park Ranger Ashley Maue will explain the importance of having Watch Dog Volunteers in our dog parks and discuss how easy it is to join.

Submitted photo Dog lovers and their pets from across the region are invited to the 17th annual Paws in the Park dog festival from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 11, at Broemmelsiek Park in Defiance.

1 p.m., Raffle Winners Announced: During the event, guests will have a chance to win a one-hour photo session with Starseed Family Productions and an MVP Club Car Wash voucher. Tickets are $1 each and all proceeds benefit local animal shelters.

For more information about the Paws in the Park celebration or to become an exhibitor/vendor at the event, call the Parks Department at 636-949-7535.

The Broemmelsiek Park Off-Leash Dog Area is a popular place for dogs to play year-round. The fiveacre, beautifully manicured fenced site has a large pond with dock and a pavilion with benches, making it the perfect location to host this exciting community event.

Learn more about all of St. Charles County Parks’ OffLeash Dog Areas at sccmo.org/DogParks.

www.ofallon.mo.us/fall-arts

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What’s Happening

September 8, 2021 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

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 Sept. 11: 9/11 remembrance celebration Celebrate Winfield-9/11 We Remember takes place from 4 – 9 p.m. in Winfield. Live Music by Shangri-La, food, vendors, games and kids area

Sept 11: Charity walk/run

5K Charity Walk/Run to take place from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. in Winfield.

All proceeds go to first responders.

Visit winfieldmo.org/events for registration.

Sept. 11: Social dance

www.treesbywoodys.net

Celebrate America Social Dance sponsored by Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary #2273 takes place from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at Dardenne Prairie Hall (K.C. Hall) at 2199 Post

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 Linda Wilcox at 636-447-9056.

Mondays: Parent support group Road in Dardenne Prairie. For tickets contact Shirley Boyer at 314-795-5577 or Lisa Newman at 314-566-0725.

Sept. 18: Open house

Join the St. Charles County Police Department for its annual Open House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 101 Sheriff Dierker Court in O’Fallon. The public is invited to participate in behindthe-scenes tours, technology demonstrations, K9 appearances, an SCCPD vehicle and equipment gallery, safety presentations, children’s activities, special guest appearances, giveaways, a Kona Ice and Moving Munchies benefit for The Backstoppers, and more! Stop by and get to know your SCCPD. For more information, visit sccmo.org/Police or call 636-9493057.

Sept. 25: Craft fair

Tri County Citizens Advisory Board to Probation and Parole, Probation and Parole District 17, Missouri Department of Correction invites you to their eighth annual Christmas in September Craft Fair at Calvary Church at 3998 Mid Rivers Mall Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Crafters are needed for more information please contact Esther Angelos at marlofan@charter. net or 636-441-0329 or 314-477-5096.

Sept. 25 Walk To End Alzheimer’s St Charles County

Walk To End Alzheimer’s St Charles County registration begins at 8 a.m. at St Charles Community College. Register earlier at alz.org/sccwalk.

Sept. 25: Craft fair

The Eighth Annual Christmas in September Craft Fair takes place from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Calvary Church at 3998 Mid Rivers Mall Drive.

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 314560-1868.

Mondays: Take off Pounds Sensibly

Take off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets every Monday from 9:30 10:30 a.m. Weigh-ins begin at 8:30 a.m. We meet at Memorial Hall in Blanchette Park at 1900 Randolph St. in St. Charles. For more information contact Joyce at 636-206-5306.

Mondays: Take off Pounds Sensibly

TOPS meet every Monday at Holy

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: NAMI St. Louis Con nection 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: mous

Alcoholics

Anony-

If you want to drink, that’s your business. If you want to stop, we can help.

Call Alcoholics Anonymous at 636970-0013.

Mondays: Cottleville Weldon Spring Kiwanis Club

Cottleville Weldon Spring Kiwanis Club meets the first Monday of the month at noon at The Breakfast Club, 991 Waterbury Falls Dr., O’Fallon, MO 63368. New club looking for new members who want to better our community. Contact Christy at 314583-0538.

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: Choral Arts Singers practice

Choral Arts Singers resume practice on Mondays, at 7 p.m. at Transfiguration Episcopal Church, 1860 Lake St. Louis Blvd. in Lake St. Louis. New singers are welcome. Auditions are not required. See www.concertarts. org.

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: St. Peters Rotary Club

Noon at St. Peters City Hall, One St.

8www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • September 8 , 2021 Tuesdays: Quilting Guild at the O’Fallon Family YMCA

1-4 p.m. Free. Quilt for local charities.

No sewing experience required.

Tuesdays: Toastmasters Meeting

7 p.m. at the Midwest Bank Centre Board Room at 2299 Technology Blvd., O’Fallon, MO 63368. Info: 636379-2505.

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 Ol-

ive 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.

What’s Happening

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

Tuesdays: Monthly veterans coffee

Veterans from all branches of service are invited to the Wentzville Green Lantern Senior Center at 506 S. Linn Ave. in Wentzville on the second Tuesday 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.

Get your event or good news published in Community News: email your information in calendar and article formats to editor@mycnews.com.

www.mostopsvocid.com

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Sports

September 8, 2021 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Sports you see with Gary B . . .

Ambush holding tryouts for the Bombshells The St. Louis Ambush play in the MASL with their home games at the Family Arena in St. Charles starting in November.

The team presently has a professional sports dance team that will place additional members to the team.

The St. Louis Bombshells will be using the Club Fitness facility in Creve Coeur for the in-person auditions.

To get more details on the tryout, go to www.

STLAmbush.com *Great opportunity Player in the Hoots League makes it to the Majors The O’Fallon Hoots are members of the Prospect Baseball League, playing in the West-Prairie Land division and play in O’Fallon at CarShield Field.

The Danville Dans play in the league and one of their former players played his first game in Major League Baseball recently.

The wholesale roster changes for the Chicago Cubs this summer created an opportunity for Alfonso Rivas. The 2016 Danville Dan has been playing at Triple-A Iowa, but on Sunday, Rivas lined a base hit on the first pitch he saw as a major leaguer.

He added a double in the 5th to go 2 for 3 in his first MLB game, starting at first base for the Cubs.

Rivas was selected in the Fourth Round of the 2018 MLB draft by the Oakland A’s as a junior out of Arizona. He is one of six members of the 2016 Dans that have been drafted or signed a professional contract. The Cubs acquired him in a trade with the A’s in January 2020.

Although the 2020 season was wiped out by COVID protocols, Rivas has been hitting .284 in 58 games for the Iowa Cubs this year.

Rivas is Danville manager Eric Coleman’s second player to make it to the Majors. He becomes the 30th Dan overall to play in the big leagues.

This call-up was special for Dans managing partner Jeanie Cooke, herself a Cubs fan. While

other Dans have played on the north side of Chicago, Rivas is the first Dan to make his MLB debut with the Cubs.

“It is special to see one of our players in a Cubs major league uniform,” Cooke said. “This is why the Dans work so hard every summer, to help the college players improve their baseball skills so they can develop into professional ball players if that’s in their future.”

A founding member of the Prospect League, one of the premier summer college leagues, the Dans recently completed their 33rd season of wood-bat baseball. *A diamond in the ruff Women’s team at Lindenwood ranked No. 4 Lindendwood University’s women’s soccer team was selected fourth in the GLVC Preseason Poll receiving 148 points in the poll, eight ahead of fifth place Rockhurst.

The team had a strong season in 2020, finishing with a record of 9-3-3, including a 5-2-1 mark from Hunter Stadium in St. Charles. The Lions made their first-ever appearance in the GLVC Championship Tournament, after finishing fourth in the conference. The Lions finished the season ranked 20th in the United Soccer Coaches National Poll. *The pressure is on

Gary Baute, a St. Louis native, may be educated in business but he lives and breathes sports. As a fan or an athlete, Gary is all sports all the time. He hosted a radio sports program on KFNS, emceed the River City Rascals’ inaugural season, among many other activities. I am currently hosting a Health show on 97.1 FM, ‘Prime Time Health’ www.PrimeTimeSTL. com. It broadcasts Saturday nights at 8 and Sunday mornings at 9.

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www.mycnews.com • Community News • September 8, 2021

Recipe: Family food that fits your fall schedule

Feature

F-1

– SUDOKU –

Build-Your-Own Sausage Foil Packet Dinner

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.

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4 Finding time for a family meal during fall means navigating busy schedules. Squeezing in dinner together calls for an easy dish that takes less than an hour so you can catch up with loved ones.

Let your oven do the work with this Build-Your-Own Sausage Foil Packet Dinner recipe that requires just 10 minutes of prep before 30 minutes of baking, leaving you plenty of time to help little ones with homework.

Ingredients: 1 package Coleman Natural Uncured Polish Kielbasa, sliced 1/2-inch thick 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 ears corn, each cut crosswise into four pieces 2 large tomatoes, chopped 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, chopped into 1-inch pieces 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil salt, to taste pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped

Directions: Preheat oven to 425 F. Cut foil into four sheets about 12 inches long.

Divide kielbasa, garlic, corn, tomatoes, onion and potatoes evenly over foil sheets. Drizzle with oil then season with salt and pepper, to taste. Toss gently to combine.

Top each packet with parsley and fold crosswise over kielbasa and vegetable mixture to completely cover food. Roll top and bottom edges to seal.

Place foil packets on baking sheet and bake 30 minutes.

Variations: Customize ingredients for personal preferences. Use broccoli in place of corn or substitute peppers for onions.

Visit ColemanNatural.com/Recipes to find more fall meal inspiration.

SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9

‘‘The Rocketeer’ will get a new life on Disney+

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.

Seth MacFarlane’s “Family Guy” uses rapid-fire sight gags and pop culture references in its storylines.

MacFarlane once took aim at “The Rocketeer,” a 1991 adventure movie based on a wonderful comic book series from artist Dave Stevens. The story focused on Cliff Secord (Billy Campbell), a 1930’s era stunt pilot who found a working jetpack inside his plane. Cliff ’s actress girlfriend Jenny (Jennifer Connelly) was modeled after the legendary pin-up girl Bettie Page.

The “Family Guy” clip suggested that only people of low intelligence would rent the video version of “The Rocketeer.” In truth, Stevens, a gifted artist, possessed an incredible eye for detail and infused his stories with nostalgia and great characters. Director Joe Johnston, who directed 2011’s “Captain America: The First Avenger,” embraced Stevens’ work and brought it to life on the big screen. Billy Campbell does a nice job playing Cliff Secord, a brash pilot who has a few mishaps when using the jetpack. In the film, Howard Hughes (Terry O’Quinn) was the actual creator of the device and really wants it back.

These days, “The Rocketeer” has a loyal fanbase thanks to that awesome jetpack. The story stirs up so much nostalgia for a simpler time that Stevens’ characters were given a new life over at the House of Mouse. A few years ago, Disney Junior unveiled “The Rocketeer,” an animated adventure series with seven-year-old Kit Secord receiving a jetpack. She takes up the mantle of the legendary hero while Grand-

“The Rocketeer” photo courtesy Walt Disney Pictures

pa Ambrose, a skilled mechanic, and her best friend, Tesh, help her fulfill her destiny.

Disney+ also has plans for a live-action reboot of “The Rocketeer,” with David and Jessica Oyelowo set to produce it. Rumor has it that Mr. Oyelowo also is under consideration for the title role, a retired Tuskegee Airman who becomes the Rocketeer. The press releases are fairly vague right now but there are so many possibilities here. “Star Wars” creator George Lucas was very hands-on with “Red Tails,” his 2011 take on the Tuskegee Airman and showed how great and honorable these men were.

The series most likely will take place in the

post-World War II era prior to the Korean War. David Oyelowo, who played Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in “Selma,” seems like the perfect fit for the lead character. After retiring from flying, the character will be given the jet pack and have to learn how to use it properly.

Depending on the period setting, this flying hero may even be doing counterintelligence for the United States government.

Seth MacFarlane obviously has no real love for the work of Dave Stevens and his enduring four-color creation. In the hands of Disney+ and the Oyelowo’s, however, this incarnation of the Rocketeer has limitless potential.

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September 8, 2021 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

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September 8, 2021 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

Yeggs

John Hanna

Crossword: SOCIAL MEDIA

‘Yeggs’ is a comic series about Robert and Bill, two rabbits who have opened their own egg franchise in the Midwest (St. Louis area). We follow their day to day lives, watching as they go about the hectic task of preparing for their one big day every year. Along the way they have adventures filled with fun, comic doings and pathos.

By Cindy Moore

Moore on Life My husband is not a shopper. I repeat: Not. A. Shopper!

He doesn’t like crowds – he calls them super spreaders. He doesn’t like aisles of unnecessary merchandise beckoning him to take a look – I call that crazy. He doesn’t like to get dressed up to go out – he calls that, putting on pants. And he doesn’t like to find parking or deal with unhelpful clerks.

Example: I recently dragged him with me to my favorite department store. He only came along because he actually needed an item. But after ten minutes of following me around and questioning my every purchase, I had had enough.

“Quit bothering me,” I said. “Go off on your own and look for man stuff.”

He wandered down the aisle aimlessly then ran into a store clerk.

“Can you help me find lug nuts?” he asked.

She said, “Oh, I’m so sorry sir, this is a department store. We don’t carry food items. Try the supermarket. But perhaps I could interest you in some lovely lingerie for that special someone in your life.”

She held up a lacy bra and panties for him to examine.

He gasped and turned twelve shades of purple then stormed back to me.

“What kind of weirdoes work at this place. That lady thinks lug nuts are some kind of cashew and then she flashed her undershorts at me!”

“Calm down, Sweetie. Why on earth did I bring

you? Now quit following me or I’ll call security.”

We parted ways, but I soon heard an announcement over the intercom.

“Will the lady that owns a balding man who is extremely distressed and irritable please come to the service desk and claim your property.”

I wheeled my cart towards the service desk only to find a long line.

“What’s with the line today?” I asked the woman in front of me.

“Beats me, I’m just here to claim my husband they called for over the intercom.”

The five ladies ahead of us turned and said, “Me too!”

We each retrieved our balding, irritable husbands and headed out the door.

Note to self: Next time, leave husband at home in his PJ bottoms to order lug nuts online.

Buyer’s remorse

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.

ACROSS 1. The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical 5. Hallucinogenic drug 8. Some special effects, acr.

11. Chip in Vegas 12. Cordelia’s father in Shakespeare play 13. One in squirrel’s stash 15. Dissenting clique 16. Tangerine/grapefruit hybrid 17. Type of lemur 18. *Popular messenger 20. Mosque prayer leader 21. Down Under marsupial 22. Thanksgiving serving 23. *100 days of snapping, e.g.

26. Military’s inactive force 30. Repeated Cuban dance step 31. The Kinks’ lead singer, a.k.a. godfather of Britpop 34. Late December season 35. Rough, as in voice 37. Chop off 38. Stephen King’s “The ____” 39. “Do ____ others...”

40. Strep throat organ 42. File a suit 43. Sewing pearls on a wedding gown, e.g.

45. One with authority 47. Army bed

48. Space path 50. Law school test acronym 52. *Unique social media identifier 55. Latin dance 56. “Place” in French 57. Sacred Hindu writings 59. Post-mortem bios 60. Actress Campbell 61. African chieftain 62. Recipe amt.

63. Nirvana’s “Come as You ____” 64. Badger’s den DOWN 1. Current tense of “had” 2. All over again 3. Eczema symptom 4. Second shot 5. Corporate department 6. Salpae, sing.

7. Type of coffee maker 8. Elizabeth McGovern’s “Downton Abbey” role 9. Inspiring horror 10. As opposed to outs 12. Capital of Zambia 13. Bruce Wayne’s ____ was Batman 14. *Message under a post 19. Bootlicker 22. Da, to a Russian 23. *Done to social media past before applying for

job?

24. Feudal lord 25. Haile Selassie’s disciple 26. Gym exercises 27. Comedy Central’s “critique” 28. Dolby Theatre to Oscars 29. Often considered wise 32. *Video blog 33. Charge carrier 36. *Audio series 38. Killed, like dragon 40. Big bang maker 41. Permeate 44. I to Greeks, pl.

46. Sheet music line, pl.

48. Basketry stick 49. Clark Kent actor Christopher 50. Black, yellow and chocolate dogs 51. Parking spot for a boat 52. Bone in human forearm 53. *Bernie wearing mittens, e.g.

54. *Do this before posting?

55. Chronic drinker 58. It’s open to interpretation

SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9