CNSTC: November 11, 2020

November 11, 2020

Sober servings

Around Town

Wentzville firefighters provide coats for WSD students. Pg. 3 St. Charles AAUW announces scholarships.

Pg. 4

School St. Dominic High School breaks ground on Center for the Sciences. Pg. 6

Special Section HealthyLiving. Pg. 5 Veterans Day. Pg. 7

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Photo by Brett Auten Brandi Schmidt, owner of the Mocktail Lounge, a new sober lounge on Main Street, displays two of her popular concoctions, Ol’ Blue Eyes and The Love Happy, along with a slice of dessert. The Mocktail Lounge offers tasty non-alcoholic drinks and music and in a swanky and safe sober environment.

The Mocktail Lounge in St. Charles is an alcohol-free establishment that provides a space for patrons to be social and sober

By Brett Auten Brandi Schmidt wasn’t dissuaded by uncertainty.

She saw a need, felt the passion and went after it. She opened a new business in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But the Mocktail Lounge isn’t your typical watering hole.

Located at 335 North Main in St. Charles, the Mocktail Lounge is a 1940s themed sober lounge.

Owned and operated by Schmidt, who is in recovery, the Mocktail Lounge offers

Mocktails, charcuterie platters, and desserts along with lots of entertainment.

Whereas other alcohol-free establishments sell and allow Kratom, CDB, and other legal substances, Schmidt calls the lounge the first of its kind in the state of Missouri.

“I just knew it was the right thing to do,” Schmidt said. “The sober community is very excited and word has spread like wildfire.

I’m so happy to provide a safe, fun joint to hang out, be sober, and have a good time.”

Along with the décor, the drinks are all aptly named. Among the 13 offerings are

“The Rosebud,” “The Judy Garland” and “The Casablanca.” The charcuterie platters are served with an assortment of meats, cheeses, fruit, dates, nuts and a pepper jam that is a fan favorite. The charcuterie platter and most drinks can be made vegan upon request.

Every Thursday is free sober trivia, beginning at 7 p.m., and hosted by Questionable Pursuits. It is free to join with winners earning gift cards. Free coffee and popcorn for players, Mocktails, charcuterie platters, See SOBER’ page 2

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November 11, 2020 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

‘SOBER’ from cover and desserts (provided by O’Fallon’s Piece of Cake Bakery) are available for purchase. Friday and Saturday nights are for live entertainment, with a 1940s upright grand piano taking center stage in the Peony Ballroom. There is plenty of coffee and come Christmas time, hot peppermint cocoa will be among the menu choices.

“I started out simple, just the drinks and charcuterie platters, but I kept adding,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt, who lives in New Town, took over the former Funke’s Bar and Grill location and called it the perfect setup.

“We redid everything,” Schmidt said. “I wanted the ambiance to feel like old Hollywood. It can look fancy, but you can still come in your jeans.”

The Mocktail Lounge is open Wed-Friday 4 – 10 p.m., Saturday 2 – 10 p.m., and Sunday 12 – 5 p.m.

“It’s for young or old and anyone in between,” Schmidt said.

“It was cute, we had four pregnant women here the other day.”

“People can still enjoy the same aspects of live music except you don’t wake up with a hangover,” Schmidt added.

The Peony Ballroom is available for renting for weddings, Birthday parties, and other gatherings. It is alcohol free and limited to 50 people per St. Charles County COVID-19 regulations.

For more information, including availability and pricing, email TheMocktailLoungeSt.Charles@gmail.com.

Photos by Brett Auten The Mocktail Lounge, located at 335 North Main Street in St. Charles, is a 1940s themed sober lounge that offers mocktails, charcuterie platters, desserts and more.

COVID-19 testing for Missouri residents returns to Family Arena The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS) and Missouri National Guard will perform drive-through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing to determine current COVID-19 infection from Nov. 12-14 on the parking lot of the Family Arena at 2002 Arena Parkway in St. Charles. The tests are free and open to all Missouri residents during the following times: • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 12 • 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13 • 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14 To register, visit the DHSS website at health.mo.gov/communitytest or call Missouri’s COVID-19 Hotline at 877-435-8411. Online registration for scheduled appointments will speed the testing process but is not required.

Participants must be Missouri residents; however, they do not need to be St. Charles County residents to participate in this event at the Family Arena. Individuals do not need to be experiencing

COVID-19 symptoms to be eligible for the test, and a physician’s order or proof of insurance are not required.

Upon arrival at the testing site, participants should remain in their vehicles. After completing a short registration questionnaire, participants will collect a self-administered nasal specimen with assistance from members of the National Guard. The collected test will be sent to a laboratory for processing, and patients will be notified of their results.

Following recommended precautions, such as maintaining social distancing, washing hands and frequently touched surfaces regularly and covering your nose and mouth with cloth or disposable masks will reduce the risk for exposure to or spreading contagious illnesses.

For additional information on St. Charles County’s efforts to reduce the spread of illness, visit sccmo.org/COVID. For questions about symptoms or testing, call the St. Charles County COVID-19 Hotline at 636-949-1899 or speak with a medical provider.

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www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 11, 2020

Wentzville firefighters partner with the WSD to provide new coats for students

visit us at

Photo courtesy Wentzville School District Firefighters from the Wentzville Fire Protection District and employees of the Wentzville School District packed hundreds of coats to be distributed to kids in need last month.

Firefighters from the Wentzville Fire Protection District (WFPD) and employees of the Wentzville School District (WSD) packed hundreds of coats to be distributed to kids in need last month.

WFPD firefighters partnered with Operation Warm and the WSD for the eighth consecutive year to supply nearly 300 brand new coats to elementary students identified by school district counselors. The coats are usually distributed to the students at an event at Fire Station #1, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the coats will be delivered by school counselors directly to students this year.

“Even in the midst of a pandemic, our community partners continue to demonstrate support for our students and families,” said WSD Chief Communications Officer Mary LaPak. “Wentzville firefighters found a way, without their traditional large-scale fundraising event, to raise the funds to purchase new coats for students who need them most. We cannot thank them enough for their continued partnership and support to ensure the basic needs of our students are met.”

Operation Warm and the Coats for Kids Foundation were founded in 1998 on a national level to assist local organizations with providing quality coats to kids in need.

“We were glad to be able to continue to keep the Coats for Kids program going,” said WFPD Firefighter/Paramedic Michael Szarwinski. “Although distribution was different, without being able to see the smiles on the children’s faces as they pick out their new coat, knowing they will be warm makes us smile.”

Over the past eight years, the WFPD has supplied almost 4,500 coats for WSD students through Operation Warm.

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Around Town

November 11, 2020 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

St. Charles AAUW announces 2020 local scholarships

Submitted photos (Left) Hannah Reeb displays her AAUW Scholarship. (Right) Natalie Hall displays her AAUW Scholarship.

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Since 1938, St. Charles Branch AAUW (American Association of University Women) has awarded scholarships to high school senior women. A record fifty applications were received by mid-February from high schools in St. Charles County.

Normally the committee reviews the applications and the two recipients and parents attend the May meeting. However, Covid-19 Pandemic thwarted meeting in person. Recipients in-

clude: Natalie Hall from Francis Howell Central High School, who is attending University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Hannah Reeb from Wentzville Holt High School, who is attending the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

As members were unable to meet in person during the COVID-19 pandemic, certificates were sent to the graduates at their respective universities.

We also handle Major Medical, Accident/ Critical Illness, Dental, Vision, Term Life “If you know of a Senior who has not looked at their Medicare coverage in years, PLEASE have them contact me. There are so many wonderful new options that even include dental.”

Multiple insurance carriers and plans available

St. Charles County resident tested positive for COVID-19; worked at election polling place The St. Charles County Department of Public Health and the St. Charles County Election Authority have learned that an election judge supervisor had received a positive test result for COVID-19 on Oct. 30 from a private lab and was advised by the lab to quarantine for 14 days.

The election judge nevertheless failed to follow the advice and worked at the county’s Precinct 41 at the Blanchette Park Memorial Hall polling site in St. Charles on Election Day. Authorities have informed the county that this individual has died, although a cause of death has not been given at this time.

Department of Public Health epidemiologists have contacted election workers who were at the site and are working with family members to determine the worker’s whereabouts prior to the positive test results. Contacts may include some or all the other nine election workers at the polling place, who they are advising to test for the virus. It is not anticipated that close contacts will include any of the 1,858 voters who were at the polling place Tuesday, as the work-

er was a supervisor with job duties that do not typically include working closely with voters, handling iPads, distributing styluses, or taking voter identification.

St. Charles County Director of Elections Kurt Bahr said all election workers were mandated to wear masks or face shields at all times, and Plexiglas barriers separated the workers from the voters. Sanitation procedures were practiced throughout the day. Those who were at the precinct should watch closely for symptoms and contact the County’s COVID Hotline at 636949-1899 with questions.

“As this virus continues to spread, all aspects of the healthcare system are working together to remind the community that a positive COVID-19 test result requires that person to be responsible to others in the community,” says St. Charles County Director of Public Health Demetrius Cianci-Chapman. “There is no more important duty than protecting the health of our families, friends and those who reside in the community with us.”

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 11, 2020

Healthy Living

Robotic Surgery in St. Charles County

American Heart Association Gives St. Charles County paramedics high marks for cardiac care

By Dr. Kenneth Hacker

St. Charles County Ambulance District (SCCAD) paramedics once again earned Gold Plus status in the American Heart Association’s annual Mission: Lifeline program, which recognizes EMS agencies for their implementation of quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks.

Each year, more than 250,000 individuals experience a ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a type of heart attack caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment.

To prevent death, it is critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, a significant number of these patients don’t receive this prompt attention.

The correct tools, training and practices allow SCCAD paramedics to rapidly these patients and trigger an early response from the awaiting hospital personnel. Agencies that receive the Mission: Lifeline Gold award demonstrated compliance for each of four required achievement measures. The ‘Plus’ distinction reflects that paramedics are consistently performing a 12lead ECG on patients within 10 minutes on chest pain calls.

2020 marks SCCAD’s second Gold Plus honor, and its seventh overall Mission: Lifeline recognition.

“SCCAD paramedics play a vital part in the system of care for those who have heart attacks in our community,” said

While it may sound futuristic, robotic surgery is a cutting-edge technology already being used today. Performed by specially trained surgeons, it can provide patients with an easier and quicker recovery. Learn more about robotic surgery and its many benefits from general surgeon Kenneth Hacker, MD, FACS. What is robotic surgery?

Robotic surgery is an approach to surgery in which robotic-assisted technology provides surgeons with greater precision and control.

For the last 30 years, laparoscopy has been a common surgical method, but it comes with instrumentation limitations. Robotic surgery takes it to a new level, and advancements continue to be made.

The da Vinci Surgical System, in use at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital, is equipped with 3D magnified cameras. The surgeon makes several small incisions to place these cameras inside the body.

This provides them with greater visibility during the procedure.

Several other small incisions are made to insert the instruments that are used to perform the surgery. The robotic instruments are much more advanced than standard laparoscopic instruments, giving the surgeon the ability to flex or bend them, almost like one would do with their wrist and fingers. The ability to manipulate or maneuver instruments more freely is critical for more delicate surgeries.

How does robotic surgery benefit patients?

Traditional surgical approaches use open incisions that are typically much larger. This equates to a longer length of stay in the hospital, a higher complication rate and more pain and discomfort.

Conversely, robotic surgery is minimally invasive with significantly smaller incisions. This reduces recovery times and the risk of complications, with patients enjoying much less discomfort.

What types of surgery are performed using robotics?

This advanced technology allows for more complex surgical treatments of many diseases and conditions. It is commonly used for many different types of abdominal surgeries, including hernia surgery, colon surgery, gallbladder surgery and kidney surgery. Even hysterectomies and lung surgeries are being performed with the aid of robotics.

Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital is the first and only in St. Charles County to offer robotic-assisted surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System. Since its arrival, the team has performed well over 100 cases with great results and outcomes. Numerous other BJC facilities also offer this technology across the St. Louis region.

Kenneth Hacker, MD, FACS, is a general surgeon with Benrus Surgical Associates at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit BJCStCharlesCounty.org or call 636-928-WELL.

SCCAD Medical Director Dr. Leo Hsu. “As the first medical point of contact, they perform life-saving interventions and shave precious minutes of treatment time off by activating the emergency response system that alerts hospitals.”

SCCAD paramedics and leadership staff are elated to be recognized at this high level, but are quick to highlight that it is their collaborative relationships with area hospitals that make it possible.

“We work collaboratively with our partners at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters, Progress West, SSM Health St. Jo-

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seph Hospital St. Charles and SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital Lake St. Louis to develop protocols with the goal of improving the quality of care for STEMI patients,” said John Romeo, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for SCCAD. Cardiac care has been areas of focus for SCCAD in recent years; in 2015, the District was the first in the region to debut cardio-cerebral resuscitation (CCR) – an innovative approach to cardiac arrest management that saw a significant increase in survival to hospital discharge rates.

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School

November 11, 2020 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

St. Dominic High School breaks ground on Center for the Sciences

Image courtesy St. Dominic High School This artist’s rendering shows the completed Center for the Sciences at St. Dominic High School.

St. Dominic High School began construction on its 42,000-sq.ft. Center for the Sciences addition in a groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 27. Extending from the school’s current main entrance, the Center for the Sciences will provide a state-of-the-art learning environment and accommodate projected student enrollment growth.

“We are blessed that St. Dominic High School is in a position of strength,” said St. Dominic President Mr. Jim Welby. “We see the Center for the Sciences as a beacon of light for Catholic secondary education in St. Charles, Lincoln, and Warren Counties, as well as the Archdiocese of St. Louis.”

St. Dominic High School is home to 840 students, the largest enrollment in the school’s 91-year history. With facilities currently at capacity, the physical growth of the school will enable St. Dominic to welcome up to 1,000 students in the future.

Scheduled to open in early 2022, the Center for the Sciences features nine laboratories for biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, forensics and biomedical sciences, including a zSpace virtual and augmented reality lab. These laboratories will support St. Dominic’s STEM curriculum, which includes all three strands of Project Lead the Way: computer science, engineering and biomedical sciences.

“The Center for the Sciences will directly benefit every student at St. Dominic High School,” said St. Dominic Principal Stacy Stewart. “From standard college-prep courses through advanced STEM studies, these state-of-the-art facilities will support each student’s career exploration and academic growth.”

In addition to these STEM labs, the Center for the Sciences includes a broadcast journalism studio and new campus ministry center. A new entry atrium and student collaboration space will welcome students, faculty and guests to St. Dominic High School.

This $6 million addition is the centerpiece of Called to Lead: The Campaign for St. Dominic High School. An earlier phase of the campaign funded an expansion of St. Dominic’s campus to provide a private entry drive and visibility from Interstate 70.

“Called to Lead is about much more than bricks and mortar,” Welby said. “It’s about strengthening our commitment to educating with a higher purpose. With the addition of the Center for the Sciences, St. Dominic High School will continue to provide exceptional spiritual, academic, athletic, artistic and social opportunities to the young men and women who enter our building as freshmen and leave as well-prepared and well-formed graduates.”

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 11, 2020

Four WSD students named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists Ethan Dunsworth from Holt High School, Maddison Foster and Abby Manner from Timberland High School, and Andrew Sante from Liberty High School have all been selected as semifinalists in the 65th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program. In addition, Ruth-Ann King from Holt High School was named to the list of National Merit Commended Students.

The semifinalists are among 16,000 academically talented U.S. high school seniors (less than one percent of all high school seniors) who now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for over 7,500 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $31 million, that will be awarded next spring.

Designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

“We are exceptionally proud of these students who have been named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program,” said Superintendent Dr. Curtis Cain. “Their accomplishments will certainly broad-

School

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en their opportunities, and I commend them for their hard work as well as our outstanding educators who have supported them along their educational journeys toward success.”

Dunsworth has a GPA of 4.56, and is ranked first academically in his class at Holt, and scored 1540 on the SAT. Dunsworth won first at the High School Honors Division of Missouri’s Tri-County Regional Science Photos courtesy Wentzville School District and Engineering Fair in Febru- (From left) Ethan Dunsworth from Holt High School, Maddison Foster from Timberland High School, Abby Manner from Timberland High School ary, and was awarded the Air and Andrew Sante from Liberty High School have been selected as semifinalists in the 65th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Force Research Award and Navy Research Award for his project. with HOSA, Link Crew, NHS participated in band, golf, and University of Science and TechHe’s also been a part of Scholar and served as a Timberland class NHS. Her flute and piccolo nology.

To become finalists, the semiBowl, National Honor Society officer. Her efforts also earned performances in the band has (NHS), and Future Business her the title of AP Scholar with earned her high ratings at Dis- finalists must submit an exLeaders of America, and is the Distinction. Manner plans on trict and State solo and ensem- tensive scholarship application control lead and a programmer double majoring in biological ble competitions. Foster plans to that includes a strong academic record and an account of their for the WSD Ratchet Rockers sciences and business admin- study chemistry in college.

Sante has a GPA of 4.43, and participation in school and robotics team. Dunsworth was istration with a possible minor also selected to attend Missouri in Spanish, most likely at the has scored a 32 on his ACT community activities, leaderBoys State. In college, he plans University of Missouri-Colum- score. Ranked fourth in his ship abilities, employment and to study physics, specifically bia. She would like to eventually class, Sante earned the title of any honors or awards. About 90 plasma, nuclear physics, and en- attend medical school and pur- AP Scholar with Distinction. He percent of the semifinalists are sue a career as a cardiothoracic has been active in the French expected to be named finalists, ergy engineering.

Club throughout high school. and about half of the finalists Manner has a GPA of 4.47 and surgeon.

Foster has a GPA of 4.37, and He plans to major in physics will win a National Merit Scholearned a perfect ACT score of 36. Ranked second in her class, scored a 32 on her ACT. Ranked with a minor in mathematics arship.

Manner keeps busy at school sixth in her class, Foster has and hopes to attend Missouri

COMMUNITY NEWS THANKS OUR VETERANS Virtual Veterans Day Tribute to air Nov. 11 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city of St. Peters is not holding an in-person event for Veterans Day this year. Instead, St. Peters Television (SPTV) will air a virtual special: Veterans Day: A Tribute to All Who Served, on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m.

The special contains memorable moments from speeches and musical tributes from past Veterans Day ceremonies.

Guest speakers include Marine Corps Veteran Betty Gonzales, Former St. Peters Mayor Gary Turner, U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Lee Metcalf, U.S. Army Combat Studies Institute Director Roderick M. Cox, Vietnam Army Veteran Byron Watson, and city of St. Peters

Mayor Len Pagano.

Tune in at SPTVnow.net using your phone, table, computer or on cable TV at Charter Spectrum Channel 992 or AT&T U-Verse Channel 99; to show your support to the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. After the Veterans Day special airs, you can view it on demand at SPTVnow.net.

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What’s Happening

November 11, 2020 • 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 Nov. 17: Zoom program

At 7 p.m., the St. Charles County Historical Society will be offering a free Zoom program titled “Google Search Secrets Revealed.” See how you can take your genealogical searching to the next level. Reservations are necessary and limited to the first 30 people. To make your reservation go to scchs.org.

Instructions for attending the ZOOM program will be sent to those registered in early November.

Dec. 6: Virtual Christmas house tour

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The New Town at St. Charles Christmas House Tour is going virtual. Grab your computer and tune in to the 11th Annual New Town @ St. Charles Residents’ Christmas House Tour, all from the comfort of your home. Help support local charities with your donations and be entered to win raffle prizes. Please follow the New Town House Tour Facebook page for upcoming details.

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 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

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.

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 (second Monday in September due to Labor Day) unless otherwise specified. No meetings are held in June, July, or December. Meetings are held in the Community Council Building (Second floor of the Spencer Branch Library) from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. For more information contact Beverly Kaskadden (Treasurer) at 636-561-6947.

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. 314-369-6521.

Mondays and Thursdays: Bridge

Mondays: NAMI St. Louis Con nection Recovery Support Group

St. Peters Senior Center plays bridge from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday and Thursdays, and would love to have any player, regardless of skill level, to join in. Call Mary Ann at 636-397-0866 if you are interested in playing on Monday or Thursday morning.

Mondays: mous

Mondays: American Legion Post 388 Meets

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.

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: 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

WHERE CAN YOU GET Pick up a at all 35 Dierbergs & Schnucks stores in St. Charles County and North and Northwest St. Louis County

OR READ US ONLINE AT MYCNEWS.COM

?

Meets the fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at American Legion Hall, 607 Westridge Dr., O’Fallon, 636-2190553.

Mondays: Measurement Mondays:

10 a.m. - 12 noon at the ST. Charles Health Deparment in the Upper Level Conference room. Measurement Mondays is a family-friendly breastfeeding support group. We are open to all moms and moms-to-be who are breastfeeding or interested in breastfeeding. The group is supported by the St Charles County WIC program so there will be information about the program available at each meeting.

Each meeting will be a little different than the last. There will be baby weigh-ins, introductions, games, interactive education, group conversation, and even snacks.

Mondays and Wednesdays: Tai Chi for arthritis class

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

Tuesdays: Women’s AA weekly meeting

Candlelighters Women in Recovery meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 11, 2020 Dardenne Prairie Presbyterian Church (enter at Adam Lamb preSchool, turn left) at 7400 South Outer 364 at the corner with Bryan Road.

speaker each month. Questions? Call Amanda Meyer at 636-625-5447.

Tuesdays: Cribbage Club

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: Social club for widows and widowers

Tuesdays: Quilting Guild at the O’Fallon Family YMCA

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.

Meets every Tuesday, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. at The Falls Golf Course Clubhouse. Relaxed, friendly play and is open to all. Call 314-779-6892 for more information.

Tuesdays: Seniors group

Please join us on the third Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. for a gathering for senior adults. There will be lunch (no charge), cards and bingo (no charge), community program referrals, occasional health and wellness presentations and clergy available upon request. The event takes place at Church of the Transfiguration at1860 Lake St. Louis Blvd. in Lake Saint Louis. For more information call 636-561-8951.

Tuesdays: Optimist Club meeting

The St. Charles Optimist Club meets Tuesdays at noon at Pio’s Restaurant.

For more information contact Jack Ross at 314-287-0569 or 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 636-2338032.

Tuesdays: Cottleville Weldon Spring Kiwanis Club

Cottleville Weldon Spring Kiwanis Club meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. and the third Tuesday of the month at 11 a.m. Both meetings are at Rack House Kitchen Wine Whiskey. New club looking for new members who want to better our community. Contact Christy at 314583-0538.

Tuesdays: group

Diabetes

support

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

www.treesbywoodys.net

Tuesdays: Kiwanis Club of St. Charles

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: 636-379-2505.

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 Olive Blvd. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, support, or the Male Caregiver Experience,

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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.

On the first and third Tuesday of each month a social club for widows and widowers meets at 7 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.

Around Town

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

9

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

FACEBOOK.COM/MYCNEWS

Tuesdays: Monthly veterans coffee

www.jewishstcharles.org

10

Sports

November 11, 2020 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Sports you see with Gary B...

Baseball Hoots resign manager to lead them in 2021

Submitted photo O’Fallon Hoots Manager Joe Lincoln

The O’Fallon Hoots play baseball in the Prospect League with home games at Carshield Field

in O’Fallon.

The team announced that they have come to terms with manager Joe Lincoln to return to the club for the 2021 summer season.

“I got to learn a lot about Joe working closely with him last summer,” Hoots General Manager David Schmoll said. “As the summer went on, we knew he was someone we wanted to have back in 2021. We could not be more excited to have Joe lead our team on the field next summer.”

Lincoln echoed Schmoll’s excitement. “I am ready to get back to O’Fallon and be a part of the second season of Hoots baseball,” Lincoln said. “We have a great group of fun, exciting players who the fans in O’Fallon can

be proud to have as members of their community.”

Lincoln, 31, spent last summer as the Manager for the Hoots in the CarShield Collegiate League. He led the Hoots to a CCL Championship with a decisive 7-2 win on the final day of the regular season.

During the Prospect League off-season, Lincoln works at Missouri State University as Director of Player Development.

The Tipton, Missouri native previously served as head coach for the Prospect League’s DuPage Drones in 2016, leading the team to the second-best record in the league.

The Hoots begin their inaugural season in the Prospect League at CarShield Field in May 2021.

The O’Fallon Hoots began play in O’Fallon in May 2020 after relocating from Hannibal, Missouri following the 2019 season. For more details, visit www.

OFallonHoots.com. ~~~Six more months before baseball Soccer Ambush to play preseason tournament The St. Louis Ambush plays in the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) with home games at the Family Arena in St. Charles.

They will return to action in December when they participate in the Central Cup, a four-team arena soccer preseason tournament. Joining the Ambush will be the Dallas Sidekicks, Wichita Wings and the cross-state rival Kansas City Comets.

The Central Cup will be kicking off Dec. 12 in Allen, Texas and St. Charles. The tournament will wrap up with two games on Dec. 20 in St. Charles and Park City, Kansas.

The teams will all face one another in a six-game series with the winner to be crowned the Central Cup Champion.

The Central Cup will help re-introduce arena soccer fans back to the game. The tournament will follow standard MASL rules with minor modifications as agreed to by the coaches which will makes these games even more exciting.

For more details go to www.

STLAmbush.com ~~~Kickin’ good time Football Bandits looking for some players The St. Louis Bandits are scheduled to take the field in early spring and need to select some talented football players to be a part of the American Arena Football league.

Contact the professional football Head Coach of the St Louis Bandits Jeff Hunt 314-326-5448 with any questions. Go to www.

StLouisFootballBandits.com for more details. ~~~Be a part of this exciting game

Happy Veterans Day to all the men and women from the Sports Department, appreciate your service!

G a r y 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.

www.mycnews.com • Community News • November 11, 2020

Recipe:

Feature

F-1

– SUDOKU –

A chilly day dish with a kick

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.

Chipotle Veggie Chili Servings: 6-8 Ingredients:

3 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 5/8 teaspoon sea salt, divided 1/4 teaspoon pepper, divided 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 red bell pepper, chopped 1 can (14 ounces) diced fire-roasted tomatoes 1 can (14 ounces) red beans, drained and rinsed 1 can (14 ounces) pinto beans, drained and rinsed 1 cup vegetable broth 1 can (7 ounces) chipotles in adobo sauce 2 cans (15 ounces each) sweet corn with liquid 2 limes, juiced guacamole (optional) sour cream (optional) jalapeno slices (optional) cilantro (optional)

Directions: In large dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Stir and cook 5 minutes until onion is translucent. Add garlic and red pepper. Stir and cook 8 minutes until soft.

Add tomatoes, red beans, pinto beans, broth, chipotles in adobo sauce, corn, remaining salt and remaining pepper. Simmer 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chili has thickened.

Squeeze lime juice into pot; stir. Serve with guacamole, sour cream, jalapeno slices and cilantro, if desired.

Find more recipes perfect for cooler weather at Culinary.net

SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9

Andy Serkis shows his dance moves in 2004’s ‘13 Going on 30’

S

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.

ome of Andy Serkis’ best on-screen work occurred when the audience couldn’t see his face. An accomplished actor, Serkis played Gollum in “The Lord of the Rings” franchise and turned in incredible performances as Caesar in the reimagined “Planet of the Apes” films. For these performance, Serkis wore special equipment that captured his body language and facial expressions for the computer-generated characters.

Serkis does, however, appear in non-motion capture films such as 2004’s “13 Going on 30.” In this sweet comedy, Jennifer Garner stars as Jenna Rink, a 13-year-old girl who makes a wish to be older on her birthday. She awakens as her thirty-year-old self and is now an editor at a magazine called “Poise.” Serkis plays her overstressed boss Richard Kneeland and Judy Greer is on hand as Lucy Wyman, her childhood enemy who has become her best friend over the years.

In April 2004, I joined a roundtable discussion with Andy Serkis about his role in “13 Going on 30” as well as his dance moves in a showstopping segment set to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

“It was fantastic,” Serkis said. “It was slight-

you find out at the end and the comedy comes out of the pressure that he’s under as the editor-in-chief of a magazine that’s going down the chute. It’s sweet that he is (gay) and that you find that out at the end, but it doesn’t necessarily govern the whole characterization,” he said.

The actor also mentioned that he landed his “13 Going on 30” role while he was doing reshoots on “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”

“I literally climbed out of my motion-capture suit, flew over here and put on my sharp Paul Smith suit and tie and got into costume at last and went ‘13 Going on 30’’ photo courtesy Revolution Studios back and finished ‘Lord of the Rings,’” he said. ly nerve-wracking because I knew that there Serkis said that working on this film was a was a ‘Thriller’ routine in it, but I got the call nice antidote to crawling around as Gollum. saying, ‘We want Richard to be Moonwalking.’ It is hard for him to distance himself from that I had one session with a choreographer in iconic character, though.

London and he said basically ‘Get a thick pair “People rush up to me on the street and they of socks, stick them on your shoes and start kind of go ‘Andy can you quick speak to my walking backwards until your calves bleed.’” sister or speak to my dad. Just do Gollum According to Serkis, Richard was originally quick!’ People want to see the connection written as a more flamboyant, funny gay char- between the actor and the role. By doing the acter, but director Gary Winnick (“Charlotte’s voice, obviously my facial expressions become Web”) wanted to go against that. more like him, so I understand it,” he said.

“I didn’t want the sum total of this charac“13 Going on 30” is available for rent or ter to be a funny gay man. It’s incidental that purchase on Starz, iTunes and YouTube.

F-2

Feature

ACTIVE BUYER

November 11, 2020 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

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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, Pray for us. St. Jude, Worker of Miracles, Pray for us. St. Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, Pray for us.

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November 11, 2020 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

Yeggs

John Hanna

CROSSWORD: CARTOON CHARACTERS

‘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 The last week has been full of surprises. National Cat Day was on the 29th of October. I guess my cats thought it was Election Day or something. They staged a coup.

They handed me a list of demands: More treats and not the cheap crap either! They insisted on the expensive kind shaped like little fishies with a creamy salmon filling. They also demanded unhindered use of the couch with no sharing, along with more alone time between the hours of 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.

I staged my own protest and tossed them out into the yard where the neighborhood Doberman growled menacingly from behind the fence. They quickly conceded and slunk back in. I reprimanded them sternly and gave them each a handful of treats – the expensive fishy-shaped ones with creamed filling. I’m a sucker for furry faces.

The other surprise was Halloween. It fell on a full moon; a blue moon to be exact, which means there were two full moons in one month.

Back in the olden days when it first took place someone remarked, “Hey that is a pretty rare occurrence.” To which someone nearby said, “Yup. Only happens once in a blue moon.” It quickly caught on and stuck.

Halloween was very different this year. With so many scary monsters coming to our door it was risky to be near the nasty demons for fear of contracting some strange virus. So I put up a sign which read, “No politicians allowed, trick-ortreaters welcome.”

We then set up a table and put out the treats in a kind of help-yourself arrangement.

Most were good about taking only a few treats, but of course, there’s always that one group that has to spoil it for the rest. They took advantage of the situation, wiped us out and stole everything. I have no doubt it was the politicians.

And lastly, as if 2020 couldn’t get any more chaotic – voting day. Election night started out agreeable. Everyone was playing nice and behaved themselves, but by night’s end it had plummeted into a hot mess of confusion.

Of course, there’s always that one group that has to spoil it for the rest. They took advantage of the situation, wiped us out mentally and stole our trust. We all know who it was. Check their pockets. They’re stuffed with the candy from my treat table.

Taken by surprise

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. Brocadopa or Larodopa 6. They are often covert 9. Used for watering 13. Vexed 14. Took the bait 15. Spot for boutonnière 16. Old West pack animal 17. Big-headedness 18. Render harmless 19. *Bamm-Bamm’s dad 21. *Angelica, Tommy and Dil 23. Opposite of yang 24. Archipelago unit 25. Solemn pledge 28. Depletes 30. Works, as in a bakery 35. Kind of beige 37. Hammer or sickle 39. ____ firma 40. Lecherous look 41. Computer key 43. Lure for a dieter, on a package 44. Tropical smoothie flavor 46. Health club offering 47. Hourglass filler 48. Popular saint’s name 50. Pea ____, pl.

52. Limit, to some 53. Peace symbol 55. Like King George, 1760-1820

57. *Ill-tempered fourthgrader’s last name 61. *Beast Boy and Starfire 64. Rossini’s offering 65. Lobe locale 67. Sure sign of fire 69. Pretend, two words 70. Number cruncher, acr.

71. Lusitania destroyer 72. Gave the boot 73. Pivotal 74. Santa Maria’s companion DOWN 1. Party choice, abbr.

2. Clobber 3. Southern stew staple 4. *Stepbrothers’ bipedal platypus 5. Apollo Creed’s son 6. Toe the line 7. *Peppa’s or George’s last name 8. “The buck ____ here” 9. *King of the Hill 10. Milky-white gem 11. Dry as dust 12. Popular street-lining trees 15. Aglow 20. Related on mother’s side 22. Type 24. Carbon-12 or

carbon-13 25. *The “brains” of Scooby-Doo’s group 26. Billy of ‘80s Billboard charts 27. Small songbirds 29. *Pinky Pie or Fluttershy 31. Unagi, pl.

32. A in A=ab, pl.

33. Did it to Kool-Aid 34. *Land mammal in Bikini Bottom 36. Give a pep talk 38. *Emmet Brickowski’s brick 42. Spokes of a wheel, e.g.

45. *Mr. Magoo or Mr. Burns, e.g.

49. Bygone bird of New Zealand 51. Opposite of ‘lies down’ 54. Sweater style 56. More than one iamb 57. Float liquid 58. Mt. Everest to Earth 59. Network of nerves 60. Walked on 61. Cafeteria carrier 62. High part of day 63. 3-handed card game 66. *Magilla Gorilla, e.g.

68. Pilot’s announcement SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9