CrossRoads: March 2022 by Community News

FEEL THE

BURN

MARCH

2022 writers

VOL 18 | NO 3

BY AVALANCHE

Published monthly with newsstand circulation to Wentzville and Lake Saint Louis plus newsstands in O’Fallon, Troy, Lake Sherwood and Augusta.

Avalanche is a functional illiterate who left the St. Louis area three decades ago in search of adventure. He enjoys motorcycling and all things outdoors. He lives with his wife and dogs.

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Mathew DeKinder Publisher Emeritus/ General Manager Robert Huneke

ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE – PG. 12

BY CINDY MOORE

MOORE ON LIFE – PG. 13

Production Manager Rebecca Brockmann Contributors Avalanche, David Finkelstein, Cindy Moore Staff Writer Brett Auten

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.

BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN

For advertising information, please contact us at:

Community News 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366 Ph: 636.379.1775 Fx: 636.379.1632

www.mycnews.com

Copyright 2022 Huneke Publications, Inc. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Crossroads is a trademark of Huneke Publications, Inc. Any published use of Crossroads implying affiliation is strictly prohibited.

David Finkelstein is a Master/ Skilled Automotive Service Technician and retired shop owner. He's invented garage service tools for mechanics, served on both nation and local automotive trade industry boards, has done years of consulting with various auto manufactures plus test drives new vehicles weekly. David has pioneered "Car Talk Radio" over 35 years ago, as his new show "Automotive Insight" can be heard on Saturdays, on the Real Talk Radio Network.

AUTOMOBILE ALLEY – PG. 14

BY STEVE BRYAN

ENTERTAINMENT – PG. 15

2 | CROSSROADS | MARCH 2022

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.

MARCH 4

2022

contents

Around Town Local news and events

Feature Story FEEL THE BURN Great Rivers Greenway uses controlled burns in St. Charles County to optimize plant growth by returning nutrients to the soil

Always an Adventure Building up the resume

Moore on Life When the chips are down

Automobile Alley 2022 Genesis G70 Sedan sets the benchmark high in the luxury car market

Entertainment ‘Uncharted’ just the latest video game to leap to the big screen

For the Love of Food Power your day with peanut protein

Community Calendar: March

On the Cover: Submitted photo

MARCH 2022 | CROSSROADS | 3

Around Town

Stitching history together

Seamstress concludes years of work creating full-size costumes for St. Charles County Parks Revolutionary War museum exhibit By Brett Auten BEFORE THE CRACK OF DAWN with the gentle strains of music in the background, Kathy Nadeau steps into a time machine of sorts. The Belleville, Illinois based seamstress is rounding third and heading home on a local project that has taken her years to finish. Nadeau has partnered with the St. Charles County Parks Department to create full4 | CROSSROADS | MARCH 2022

size costumes for the upcoming “American Revolutionary War in the West” museum exhibit. Opening weekend is May 21-22 at the Heritage Museum in St. Peters (St. Charles County) and operated by the St. Charles County Parks. Dignitaries from Spain and France will attend along with entertainment, food and other festivities. The museum exhibit is based on a book edited

Around Town by Stephen L. Kling and co-authored with 12 other authors from the United States and Spain. The book will be released and available at opening along with a short museum guide booklet for those who just want a short overview. According to Kling, Jr., who also serves as co-curator of the exhibit, Nadeau's work will greatly enhance the exhibit. “She has worked tirelessly and continuously on reproduction clothing and other exhibit items for over two years,” Kling Jr., said. “Her skill and attention to detail is exceptional. There will be dozens of uniformed and costumed mannequins on display, a majority of which were outfitted by Kathy. This will be a magnificent, one-of-akind exhibit due in no small part to Kathy's effort.” Nadeau began sewing in grade school and a little over 20 years ago, got into historical reenactments and from there began sewing basic uniforms. “It is all about the constant hunger to be perfect,” she said. “You never will. But I am always learning. Always learning new techniques and better and more efficient ways to do it.” Nadeau will begin as early as 3 a.m. and will work until seven at night. The process is meditative. “Once I get going and get into it, I crank it out all through the day,” she said. “I get my best ideas when I am sitting there sewing so I always have a pen and pad of paper nearby to write them down.” This is her first museum commission, in which she has been working almost twoand-a-half years on. She will have had her touch on 46 different exhibits from uniforms, women's clothing to Native American and British attire. She has spent more than six months on one piece of a Spanish general's jacket alone. Nadeau is a visual learner and she crafts the full body costumes from a variety of resources. “I do tap into Pinterest every now and then,” she said. “But looking at actual oil paintings or period drawings, the visual representation works the best for me.” Through this process of being an amateur to now unequivocally an artist, Nadeau has

Severe Weather Preparedness Week includes statewide tornado drill on March 8

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Kathy Nadeau, of Belleville, has partnered with the St. Charles County Parks Department to create full-size costumes for the upcoming “American Revolutionary War in the West” museum exhibit.

gained a great appreciation for the craftsmen and women of the past. “I have read where a high-end seamstress back then would be unable to see after five or six years of doing this in what was surely not the best lit of conditions,” she said. “Back then, they would do 32 stitches an inch. This may be the only shirt or dress that person would ever have. It had to last.” Once her work with the museum is done, she will turn the focus back to launching a business, which can be reached via email at guyennemom@yahoo.com. “I am down to my last seven projects,” Nadeau said. “This was a fabulous opportunity for me. I'm sure there will be critics. You have to accept the good and the bad. I'm confident in what I do and that's fine.” You will find Nadeau on the opening weekend of the exhibit, dressed in a Spanish influenced gown that is, of course, selfmade.

Do you know what you need to do to be prepared for a severe weather emergency? Severe Weather Preparedness Week from March 7-11, is the perfect time to learn more about severe weather safety, including how to prepare for tornadoes, lightning, floods and more. The city of St. Peters will move its normal monthly test of the outdoor warning system in March to coincide with a statewide tornado drill as part of Severe Weather Preparedness Week. The statewide tornado drill will be on March 8, at 10 a.m., weather permitting. The city of St. Peters’ Office of Emergency Management also will test outdoor sirens on March 8, at 10 a.m. (This test would normally take place at 11 a.m. on the first Monday of the month in St. Peters). If the tornado drill is canceled due to weather, the backup date will be March 10, also at 10 a.m. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the statewide tornado drill – whether at home, school, or work, it’s important to practice seeking secure, safe shelter from severe weather. Residents are also encouraged to review their severe weather safety plans during Severe Weather Preparedness Week and talk about what path they would take during severe weather. The National Weather Service holds Severe Weather Preparedness Week every year to encourage citizens to be prepared for severe weather emergencies year-round. Check out these useful resources to learn more about weather emergencies: • Missouri Storm Aware at stormaware. mo.gov • Missouri State Emergency Management at https://sema.dps.mo.gov/. MARCH 2022 | CROSSROADS | 5

Around Town

United Way and partners providing free tax preparation for local residents United Way 2-1-1 is partnering with local tax coalitions to provide free tax preparation services to St. Louis-area families with a household income of $58,000 or less in 2021. Local residents can dial 2-1-1 or visit 211helps.org to find their nearest tax preparation site, learn how to make an appointment, or get more information. The program will continue to operate flexibly to meet COVID-19 guidelines and keep volunteers and participants safe. While a limited number of sites offer walk-ins, most require advance appointments. “We are grateful to continue offering free income tax preparation services in light of the financial challenges the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has created for families in the St. Louis region,” said Debbie Irwin, community economic development director, United Way of Greater St. Louis. “By offering free tax preparation services, families save money on costly tax preparation fees. Trained volunteers also work to make sure

families receive all of the tax credits they qualify for, which helps boost income so families can pay bills, get out of debt and save for the future.” United Way has long focused on helping to raise awareness about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a federal and Missouri state tax credit that helps off-set the tax burden for low income working families. The average national EITC refund in 2021 was $2,461. According to the IRS, in 2021, more than 25 million workers and families nationwide received over $62 billion in EITC. This year, the tax coalition volunteers will also help ensure that local families receive their full Child Tax Credit (CTC) which was increased for 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. “The Advanced Child Tax Credits have made a real difference for low-income working families with children in the St. Louis region in meeting basic needs during a time of continued financial precarity,” Irwin added.

“Increasing the Child Tax Credit and making it fully refundable has helped both low- and moderate-income families increase their income, maintain their housing, and invest in their children. Research has shown that the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit have additional long-term societal benefits, including increasing child-wellbeing, health, and future earnings.” Last year, United Way’s tax coalition partnership filed more than 17,000 tax returns in the St. Louis region, helping local low- and middle-income families receive more than $22 million in tax refunds. 527 IRS certified volunteers contributed over 37,000 hours to provide free tax preparation services for people across the region. United Way’s tax coalition partners include Metropolitan St. Louis Community Tax Coalition, Gateway EITC Community Coalition, National Association of Black Accountants – St. Louis Chapter, and St. Louis Tax Assistance Program.

Youth Tour program returning to D.C. Following two years away due to the COVID-19 pandemic, delegates for the 54th annual Missouri Youth Tour program will be returning to Washington, D.C. this year. CREC will sponsor and send six delegates who will be among dozens from Missouri and hundreds from across the nation to spend a week in the nation’s capitol this summer. The Youth Tour trip is planned for June 13-19. The local Youth Tour program consists of an essay contest open only to high school juniors who live and attend school in CREC’s general service area, or who have CREC service to their homes. The 2022 essay theme is “My Favorite Cooperative Principle.” Entry forms are available at local high schools or online at cuivre.com. The deadline to enter is March 11. Entries remain anonymous during preliminary judging by CREC staff. The 12 top-scoring essays are selected as finalists and will attend the final competition scheduled for April 6. The top six finalists will be selected as Youth Tour delegates and earn the trip to D.C. The other six finalists will receive $500 scholarships. CREC fully funds the Youth Tour program. There is no cost to students or families. Teachers who support the Youth Tour program and submit at least 10 student entries receive a $50 classroom grant from CREC. Since 1964, Cuivre River Electric has sponsored over 200 Youth Tour delegates for visits to Washington, D.C. For more information on the Youth Tour program, contact Tim Schmidt at 636-695-4837 or tschmidt@cuivre.com. 6 | CROSSROADS | MARCH 2022

Around Town

12th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition Finals selects winners On Feb. 11, the fourteen finalists of the St. Louis Teen Talent Competition competed live on stage at the Fabulous Fox. Students vied for $50,000 in college scholarships, cash awards and special prizes. A full list of prizes and winners along with official event information can be found on the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation’s website. This year’s competition winners were revealed at the conclusion of the event. The $8,000 first place prize underwritten by Ameren Corporation Charitable Trust was a tie between Aubory Bugg, a homeschool student from Granite City, Illinois and the group Trifecta made up of homeschool students Dennis Bailey, Eliot Bailey and Ethan Ryan from Ferguson. Bugg is a vocalist and guitarist who performed “Dancing in the Streets” by Stephen Day. Trifecta is a partner acrobatics group who performed to “Three for the Win” by Dr. Jeffery Carter. The $6,000 second place prize underwritten by John Russell went to Noah Van Ess, a vocalist from Lindbergh High School who performed “Let It Sing” from the musical “Violet” by Jeanine Tesori and Brian Crawley. The $4,000 third place prize underwritten by Sally Johnston went to Tony Pittman, a contemporary dancer from Fort Zumwalt East High School who performed to “Earthquake” by Andries de Haan. The $1,000 cash Audience Choice Award went to dancer Hannah Stebe from Fort Zumwalt High School. The panel of judges are performing arts professionals with careers spanning film, the recording industry, television and Broadway. They judged the acts on interpretation, stage presence, technical ability and originality. The professionally produced show was written and directed by Tony Parise (Broadway actor, dancer, director and choreographer). Acts were also advised by musical director Stephen Neale, and choreographer Yvonne Meyer Hare (Professional Dance Center). The Finals were filmed by Nine PBS for a special St. Louis Teen Talent Competition program scheduled to air on Monday, April 11 at 7 pm. This special presentation will give a wider audience the opportunity to see St. Louis’ talented teens perform. The Competition will

PHOTO COURTESY PROPHOTOSTL Co-winners Trifecta perform at the 12th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition Finals.

also be available to stream online at ninepbs.org/teentalent later this spring. The 13th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition will take place on April 8, 2023. Pre-registration for the competition is now open.

MARCH 2022 | CROSSROADS | 7

Around Town

Delta Dental of Missouri invites schools to access free virtual Land of Smiles program February was National Children’s Dental Health Month and Delta Dental of Missouri is reminding area elementary schools about the availability of its free virtual Land of Smiles program, which teaches good dental health habits to tens of thousands of Missouri grade-school children each year. Teachers, school nurses and principals are encouraged to visit www.LandofSmilesMO. org to request access to the online program on a date and time that works for their stu-

dents. The virtual Land of Smiles program – available in a 15- or 30-minute video format – is an engaging, interactive experience for students, as they learn to take care of their growing smiles, the best foods for healthy teeth and why it is important to visit the dentist. Delta Dental of Missouri also offers free “smile bags” to schools for students who participate in the program. Each bag includes a toothbrush, toothpaste and den-

tal floss to help students practice the good dental health habits they learn. The Land of Smiles program also includes a brand-new, downloadable program curriculum that corresponds with the virtual experience. Developed with input from teachers and school nurses, while adhering to state oral health education standards, the curriculum provides lessons and activities to further educate students in grades K-3 about good dental health practices.

High School Triathlon Club kicks off 2022 season Two primary goals for founder and coach Dan Engelhard and organizers of the HSTriClub are first to assist high school students of all capabilities to live a healthy lifestyle for the rest of their lives and second to introduce them to triathlons where they do not compete against others; rather they experience the camaraderie of training, feeling better, and feeling fulfilled by crossing the finish line. “You Against You” is their motto. Since 2010, Engelhard, a USA Triathlon 2020 Coach of the Year, continues to point out that high school sports are highly competitive in an environment where high schools are growing larger, pushing many athletes out of the inner circle. This concerns him and fuels his passion for offering physical training options. Whether a student is a first-time participant in a triathlon or a seasoned athlete, they learn to train together, encourage one another, and cheer each other on during triathlon events. No prior experience is needed. The club has two USA Triathlon Level 1 coaches. Coaches and mentors teach swimming, biking/spin,

8 | CROSSROADS | MARCH 2022

running, core and injury prevention. The High School Triathlon Club 2022 KickOff takes place March 6 from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the YMCA at 3451 Pheasant Meadow Dr. in O'Fallon. At the end of the kick-off meeting, students should be prepared to experience a little exercise by being dressed in clothing and shoes suitable for exercise, have with them a water bottle, goggles/swim cap/swimsuit, a friend, and the will to try. Fourth-year student Colson Deevers said, “Listen to your coaches because they will get you through it.” The cost for joining a season of HSTriClub is $100. It includes four days per week coaching and training at the YMCA for March and April, then outdoor training May and June, a shirt and quarter zip long sleeve shirt with the team logo on them, and the rental of a uniform. Beginners will learn everything they need to know for completing their first triathlon. Training at the YMCA includes indoor swimming, indoor cycling, outdoor running, and a class on foam rolling for muscle recovery. There will also be a class for plyometric/ core. The club has several loaner bikes available on a first-come, first-served basis. Athletes use the STRAVA app for tracking their exercise, stats, and goals. Training takes place four times a week, with the expectation to train a minimum of two days a week. The team will enter three triathlons together, but many members enter more events. Local events include: St. Peters Rec Plex - Rookies and Rockstar's Triathlon; Creve Coeur Lake - St. Louis Triathlon; Innsbrook - Extreme Triathlon; Big Shark - New Town Triathlon; Ballwin Triathlon;

Fenton Triathlon; and Lake St. Louis Triathlon. HSTriClub is the only nonprofit high school tri club in the world that focuses on high school students. Gabriel Cobb, an HSTriClub team member, has been the only high school club triathlete in the country who has down syndrome. Gabe has happily accepted the challenge and completed every triathlon he has entered. Anyone with a passion for seeing young people learn the self-discipline of staying fit and active may donate to the club through their website. The team is accepting sponsors who will be listed on the website, uniforms, and on the JcB shirts for the annual John Brandt Memorial Triathlon. 40-K Cycles at 4623 State Hwy K in O'Fallon is accepting used bicycles that they will get in ready condition for HSTriClub members, or you may loan a bike to the HSTriClub for the season by dropping your bike off at 40-K. HSTriClub is a certified 501c3 nonprofit organization. Engelhard points out these national stats, "By age fourteen, female athletes drop out of sports at 1.5 times the rate of males. By age seventeen, more than half of girls will quit playing sports all together. Approximately seventy percent of kids who participate in youth sports drop out by age thirteen." There are numerous recreational teams for eighth grade and below, but not as many for high school. Engelhard said, “The transformation of teens through triathlons can be astonishing and stick with them through college and into adulthood.” Find HSTriClub at: www.hstriclub.org/

March

Community Calendar

Mardi Gras

Read Across America Day

Employee Appreciation Day

Daylight Saving Time starts

St. Patrick’s Day

First Day of Spring

National Vietnam War Veterans Day

Doctors’ Day

MARCH 2022 | CROSSROADS | 9

FEEL THE

BURN Great Rivers Greenway uses controlled burns in St. Charles County to optimize plant growth by returning nutrients to the soil By Brett Auten The temperature cataloged. Humidity checked. Wind speed documented. “You have to find the burn window,” Tom Schweiss said. Schweiss is the Conservation Program Manager for Great Rivers Greenway and he is talking about a recent controlled burn held along the Dardenne Greenway at BaratHaven in St. Charles County. Controlled burns optimize plant growth by returning nutrients to the soil and in many cases, new growth appears within weeks. A controlled burn moves at a calmer intensity than the typical wildfire, which in turn, leaves root systems alive under the soil. Also, according to experts, fire produces healthier, more productive habitat by killing the tops of woody plants, causing them to sprout from the base. The first controlled burn at the 34-acre Bluebird Meadow

10 | CROSSROADS | MARCH 2022

occurred in February of 2020. Conditions were just right and thanks to their deep root systems, the native plants not only survived the burn but also thrived thanks to the nutrients released into the ground by the burning process. They are also getting more sunlight than before since the covering vegetation was burned off during the fire. The former sod farm is now a thriving prairie and natural floodplain for Dardenne Creek that offers valuable resources to pollinators, birds and wildlife. It’s also a picturesque landscape enjoyed by the people who walk, ride bikes or run along the greenway. “This site is dynamic in what can be present year to year,” Schweiss said. “It will be both pleasing to the eye and functional. It is obviously beautiful, but understanding the ecological significance can't be understated.”

Within the mission to build greenways, GRG implements conservation projects along the way. This work takes different forms depending upon the location and the project. A small crew from GRG were alongside Wentzville's DJM Ecological Services, who headed up the ordeal. There was some prep work. Additional mowing in order to have the fire lines wide enough and then the trail is shut down. “There are some exciting bits but there is a lot of standing around,” Schweiss said. “It's a process.” The meadow is the only site in the county where burning is being done. “A lot of the areas are not conducive, whether it is next to woods or the land is managed by other municipalities,” Schweiss said. “We’ll continue to monitor and maintain the site to help keep the native plant communities in balance and invasive weeds out.” In 2017, the first steps to transform Bluebird Meadow were taken. The site was cleared of sod and weeds and seeded with native warm-season grasses. Crews maintained the site to promote root growth for the native plants while preventing annual weeds from setting seeds. During the winter of 2018, the entire site was seeded with a mix of native wildflowers. The team monitored the area throughout the growing season to make sure the native plants were taking root and invasive species and annual weeds were not establishing themselves across the site. Great Rivers Greenway is a

public agency created by a vote of the people in 2000 to develop a regional network of greenways. Funded by sales tax dollars, it engages citizens and community partners to plan, build and care for the greenways. In its first 20 years, more than 128 miles of greenways connecting parks, rivers, schools, neighborhoods, business districts and transit have been built. To earn more visit greatriversgreenway.org. SUBMITTED PHOTOS Great Rivers Greenway held its second controlled burn at BaratHaven. Among many things, a controlled burn keeps the native plant communities in balance and invasive weeds out. The burn was led by Wentzville's DJM Ecological Services.

CONSERVATION AT GREAT RIVERS GREENWAY Along with building greenways, GRG implements conservation projects along the way. This work takes different forms depending upon the location and the project. With many partners, the goal to build greenways is to: • Create or restore natural habitats where plants and animals thrive. • Allow prairies, wetlands, and forests to absorb, filter, and release water when flooding occurs. • Create connections for people to walk, run, bike, and roll to stay healthy and make transportation choices that reduce car pollution.

A former 34-acre sod farm at BaratHaven in St. Charles County is now a native wildflower meadow along the Dardenne Greenway.

• Allow people to access, connect with, learn about, fall in love with, and become stewards of nature through education and volunteering.

Great Rivers Greenway is a public agency created by a vote of the people in 2000 to develop a regional network of greenways. Funded by sales tax dollars, it engages citizens and community partners to plan, build and care for the greenways.

• Assess and improve habitats by replacing invasive plants and debris with native plants and natural stormwater management features. More info: greatriversgreenway.org

From the ash, beauty will grow.

MARCH 2022 | CROSSROADS | 11

Always An Adventure

BUILDING UP THE

RESUME

BY AVALANCHE

“WHAT DO YOU DO?” is a question universally asked among newly acquainted individuals. Here in the mountains, that question is frequently answered by a whole litany of jobs, careers and other assorted past times, due to the transient nature of the local population. Given the currently larger population than in decades past, recent arrivals might have moved here specifically for a job they wanted, or for which they were recruited. Back in the 80s and 90s, most transplants moved here to live in the mountains, and took whatever job they could find to pay the bills, all while looking for something better or more to their liking; there were fewer higher paying opportunities then. Career changes seem to be more frequent here than in more traditional communities. The first couple years after arriving here as a teenager from the Midwest, I worked in restaurants as a cook, and of course, like everyone who works in restaurants, a dishwasher. I spent part of one summer working on a landscaping crew, which is a polite way of saying “ditch-digger.” I spent more than a little time cleaning rental condos. My first career position was one of a mechanic, and I spent much of that time working for a municipal public works department. While turning wrenches was the primary job description, when one is a part of the organization that takes care of the mountain town, you also plow snow and 12 | CROSSROADS | MARCH 2022

pull trash – something everyone should do for at least a little while, as it teaches one how the world works. I’ve repaired and serviced everything from weed-eaters to Mack trucks. Actually, serviced more than repaired, as the municipality I worked for was well-funded. We were fortunate to have mostly new, high-quality machinery, which didn’t break down very often. I knew I had it made at the time, but appreciate it more now that I’m trying to expand my own very modest collection of pricey, diesel-powered tools. After a few years of working on cop cars, I thought driving them would be more fun than fixing them, so I made the transition to public safety. Working as a cop, I held professional certifications as a police officer, firearms instructor, defensive tactics instructor, executive protection specialist, field training officer, emergency medical technician (EMT) and had worked my way up to detective. It was an interesting job, with something new every day, and given the nature of the community, shootings were a rare, oncein-a-decade-or-two event. While it initially seemed to be a move up from my wrenchturning days, I still wore a blue shirt with my name on the front, and instead of crawling under garbage trucks, I worked as a social janitor, cleaning up the mess when the bars closed. It was a lateral move, at best. Broadly speaking I’ve had two careers, one

in public works and one in public safety. With those choices, it means I’ve done everything from swap out blown-up transmissions in garbage trucks (on hot summer days…) to work security details for some of the wealthiest, most powerful people in the world. And a whole lot in between. Some other locals have some interestingly varied resumes to their credit. A local emergency physician hung up her stethoscope and started a soap and skin care product company. She doesn’t miss having belligerent trauma cases spitting blood in her face at 3 a.m. A local veterinary orthopedic surgeon started off as a highly credentialed economist, then spent a few years as a cabinet maker, and now he sculpts finelyfinished dog elbows and hips. One of our Newfies benefitted from his handiwork. These days, I work as the neighborhood public works department, taking care of the water system, roads, and an assortment of homes and properties. I don’t miss the lifestyle of police and security work for the high and mighty, though the pay was better – especially for the security work. My experiences have given me a pretty broad view of how the world works. And a sincere wish that the worlds’ royalty would get the opportunity to work as their own bodyguards, maids and trash collectors, so they could be included in the diversity of the working class.

Moore On Life

When the chips are down BY CINDY MOORE PRODUCT DOWNSIZING IS ON THE RISE…or should I say, on the

“shrink.” Yes, as the prices of things go up the size of the package stays the same all while the product inside is drastically reduced. It’s called, shrinkflation. Back when I was a youngster, we could buy a box of cereal that came in a gigantic container and it would last a month. When the box was finally empty, we’d use it to build a fort and play inside. But then something happened. The prices went up, but rather than decrease the size of the box the marketers pulled a fast one on us and shriveled up the innards. It wasn’t until the next morning that we’d open the box to find a measly cup of cereal trickling out. We’d been duped! The marketers figured we

were all dim bulbs who wouldn’t notice the sneak they pulled. Just whose bright idea was this anyhow? Not ours because apparently, we’re all dim bulbs. I imagine the marketing meeting went something like this: Director of Marketing: “Okay people, I need your attention. We’ve got this bag of potato chips here and we’re going to have to raise the price freakishly high, but we can’t let the consumer find out or else the complaint line will be ringing off the hook. I need ideas, fast! You there, Ralph from packaging, what have you got?” Ralph: “First, we take out most of the chips. Next, I’ve got this air pump and we fill the bag with a blast of air so the package looks just

as full as always.” Director: “Tricky and deceptive. I like it, but what’s going to happen when the customer gets home and finds out there are only three chips in the bag?” “No worries; we’ll change the complaint number on the back of the bag to the phone number of the White House.” “Hmm. The air pump idea is genius, but won’t the White House be fuming about getting calls from angry people with problems?” “Not a chance. The White House gets angry people calling all day and they never fix anyone’s problems.” Ralph promptly received a raise along with a bag of chips. Later that year he was elected to the Senate.

MARCH 2022 | CROSSROADS | 13

Automobile Alley

2022

GENESIS G70 SEDAN

SETS THE BENCHMARK HIGH IN THE LUXURY CAR MARKET BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN

RECENT SEAT-TIME BEHIND THE WHEEL of the redone 2022 Genesis G70

Sedan proved to be quite convincing that Hyundai Motors America is clearly setting a high benchmark in the luxury car market. Manufactured in three trim levels (2.0T, 3.3T, 3.3T Launch Edition), pricing starts at $37,525 excluding $1,045 for freight charges. Like all Genesis vehicles, the G70 is sold with an unparalleled and notable suite of ownership benefits. This includes complimentary scheduled maintenance with pick-up and drop off valet service, Genesis Connected Services consisting of an array of safety, guidance and car-care features, combined with remote functionality, navigation map updates and more – all for three years or 60,000 miles. Having been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including the 2019 North American Car of the Year, the Genesis G70 is an athletic and elegant sport sedan. It's showcased with a stunning and dynamic exterior, a driver-oriented, well-thought-out interior including exceptional premium materials and two different powertrains. This includes a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, as well as a 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6. Its numbers reflect some 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. With a rigid "world-class" Nürburgringtuned chassis and a wide-range of performance-enhancing components, G70 delivers an accomplished driving experience on many fronts. Regardless if you choose the rear-wheel 14 | CROSSROADS | MARCH 2022

drive or all-wheel drive version, build combinations come with an eight-speed automatic transmission. EPA fuel consumption numbers range from 17-mpg city/31-mpg highway, depending on the engine and chassis setup. For the 2022 model year, the five passenger G70 has been redesigned to appeal to a broader customer base. In part, this includes a bold new modern and distinctive signature look that features their unique front grille housing and distinctive two lines of attractive quad bright LED lamps in the front and rear. Inside the cabin, this luxury four door is now manufactured with an all-new standard 10.25-inch multimedia user friendly center dash mounted display. The car’s attractive cabin includes soft leather surfaces. Higher trims gain even more luxurious appointments such as a suede headliner and quilted leather. Seating is very comfortable up front. Adults may find that rear seating is a bit of a challenge to find your comfort zone. Trunk cargo capacity isn't tremendous but should meet the needs of most consumers. Numerous safety breakthroughs are standard, with a comprehensive batch of included features such as eight-airbags. All Genesis models are equipped with Forward CollisionAvoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot CollisionAvoidance Assist and more. The redone G70 also meets the safety standards but forth by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety with a "Top Safety Pick+." You'll also welcome its sure-footed han-

dling, thanks to the advanced rigid chassis construction of which ensures firm stability, even under the most challenging driving conditions. Also on the G70 is their Highway Driving Assist technology. This enhancement can actually sense when your vehicle is out of its driving lane. It functions in conjunction with other onboard electronics. It will seamlessly help motorist keep the vehicle within their motoring pathway. It operates in conjunction with the vehicle’s smart cruise control and lane following assist feature, thus helping make those long highway drives a bit easier to manage. The G70 was first introduced in 2017 and is positioned in the popular luxury small sports sedan category along with the Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class, BMW 3-Series, Lexus IS, Infiniti Q50 and the Cadillac CT-4. The base warranty is for five-years/60,000 miles and the powertrain warranty reflects 10-years/100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Entertainment

‘Uncharted’ just the latest video game to leap to the big screen

Photo courtesy Columbia Pictures

BY STEVE BRYAN

While portraying Peter Parker/Spider-Man in multiple Marvel Cinematic Universe appearances, actor Tom Holland’s superhero character relied on his superpowers to help him in battles and avoid injury. In the cinematic adaptation of the videogame franchise “Uncharted,” Holland played Nathan Drake, a bartender and pickpocket searching for his long-lost brother who sought a legendary treasure. Unlike Spider-Man; however, Nathan relied on his wits and guts to get out of trouble. “Uncharted” was a fun video game adaptation, especially with Mark Wahlberg along for the ride, but it was not the first movie based on a videogame. In 1993, Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo played the leads in the live-action adaptation of “Super Mario Bros.” The game’s special effects were translated for the screen with limited success, but the jumping boots were pretty cool. A new “Mario Bros.” film was announced recently with Chris Pratt and Charlie Day scheduled to be the voices of legendary plumbers Mario and Luigi. In the 1990’s, Nintendo enjoyed great success with their games, but they had competition. Sega, a competing video game manufacturer, wanted a character to serve as their mascot. Their software developers came up with Sonic: a blue, sneaker-wearing hedgehog who ran at incredible speeds. The Sega Genesis console was packaged with a copy of the game and it became quite popular. Sonic also appeared in cartoons and, in 2020, became the star of his own live-action film. The multi-talented Jim Carrey played Dr. Robotnik, Sonic’s arch-

enemy, in the first film and he will return for the 2022 sequel. 1995’s “Jumanji” was based on Chris Van Allsburg’s picture book about a board game that became way too real. The late Robin Williams gave a stand-out performance as the adult Alan Parrish. Alan was a troubled boy who found the “Jumanji” board game and played it with his friend Sarah Whittle (Bonnie Hunt). One bad roll landed Alan in the jungles of Jumanji for 25 years before returning home. A new series of “Jumanji” movies starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have arrived in theaters. The sequels offered more insight into the game and honored the memory of Robin Williams. Before computer animation really took off, 1982’s “Tron” broke new cinematic ground. Jeff Bridges starred as Kevin Flynn, a software developer who was fired from a tech firm called ENCOM. Kevin, along with Alan (Bruce Boxleitner) and Lora (Cindy Morgan), broke into the company to find evidence that he was unjustly fired. The sentient Master Control Program (MCP) transported him into the computer and made him play lethal video games. 2010’s “Tron: Legacy” picked up the story almost 30 years later and showed what happened to Flynn. Ever since the days of Mario and Luigi’s live-action adventures, video games and movies have complemented each other. 1986’s “Top Gun” movie has been, for instance, adapted for video game consoles multiple times. Unfortunately, a video game version of “Jackass” has also been around for several years. Play that one at your own risk. MARCH 2022 | CROSSROADS | 15

For the Love of Food

POWER YOUR DAY with peanut protein Give your family meals a powerful boost from breakfast to dinner with better-for-you recipes that pack a protein punch. Revamping the athome menu with nutrition in mind can still include delicious dishes morning, noon and night. Adding a nutrient-rich powerhouse like peanuts as a key ingredient in

meals throughout the day makes it easier to zero in on health goals. In fact, peanuts rise to superfood status by delivering 19 vitamins and minerals plus 7 grams of protein per serving. Start the morning with Peanut Butter Cookie Oatmeal for a ready-togo breakfast then recharge with Fresh

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE Oatmeal

RECIPE COURTESY OF THE GEORGIA PEANUT COMMISSION

INGREDIENTS: 1 cup old-fashioned oats 2 1/2 cups water 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons chunky peanut butter 1 tablespoon brown sugar

2 tablespoons raisins 1 banana, sliced 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup milk 2 teaspoons maple syrup

DIRECTIONS: In medium saucepan, combine oats, water and salt. Bring to boil then reduce heat to medium. Cook 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and add

peanut butter. Stir until peanut butter melts. Add brown sugar, raisins, banana, cinnamon and vanilla extract; stir. Divide oatmeal into two bowls. Top each bowl with 1/4 cup milk and 1 teaspoon maple syrup.

16 | CROSSROADS | MARCH 2022

Veggie Spring Roll Bites with Peanut Sauce as an afternoon snack. When it’s time for fueling up the family at the dinner table, pair Thai Chicken and Pork Skewers with Brussels Sprouts with Peanut Chipotle Vinaigrette for a protein-packed meal. Find more nutritious family-friendly recipes at gapeanuts.com.

For the Love of Food

THAI CHICKEN

and Pork Skewers RECIPE COURTESY OF THE GEORGIA PEANUT COMMISSION

INGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon minced ginger 6 cloves garlic, crushed 2 cups creamy peanut butter 1 cup chicken broth 2 tablespoons light soy sauce 1 tablespoon chili oil

1/2 tablespoon lime juice 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro salt, to taste pepper, to taste 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast 1 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin

DIRECTIONS: In mixing bowl, combine ginger, garlic, peanut butter, broth, soy sauce, chili oil, lime juice, honey and cilantro. Mix well and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cut chicken and pork into strips and thread onto skewers. In non-metal container, marinate meat in half of peanut butter sauce 1-2 hours in refrigerator. Reserve remaining sauce for dipping. Heat oven to broil. Broil skewered meats until done, turning once. In pot, bring remaining sauce to boil and serve warm as dipping sauce. CONTINUED PAGE 18

MARCH 2022 | CROSSROADS | 17

For the Love of Food

BRUSSELS SPROUTS

with Peanut Chipotle Vinaigrette RECIPE COURTESY OF PARKER WALLACE (PARKERSPLATE.COM) ON BEHALF OF THE GEORGIA PEANUT COMMISSION

INGREDIENTS: 2 pounds Brussels sprouts, halved peanut oil 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter 2 tablespoons water 3 teaspoons champagne vinegar 2 teaspoons honey 1/8 teaspoon chipotle chili powder 1 pinch kosher salt, plus additional, to taste, divided orange or mandarin segments, for garnish fresh orange or mandarin juice, for garnish crispy fried shallots, for garnish crumbled French feta, for garnish chopped fresh mint, for garnish DIRECTIONS: Preheat air fryer to 400 F. Lightly brush Brussels sprouts with peanut oil and place in fryer basket. Cook 10-15 minutes, shaking halfway through. In small bowl, whisk peanut butter, water, champagne vinegar, honey, chipotle chili powder and 1 pinch salt until well combined. Once cooked, remove Brussels sprouts from air fryer and place in bowl. Toss in chipotle peanut vinaigrette until well combined. Season with salt, to taste. Garnish with orange segments, orange juice, crispy fried shallots, feta and mint.

18 | CROSSROADS | MARCH 2022

For the Love of Food

FRESH VEGGIE SPRING ROLL BITES

with Peanut Sauce

INGREDIENTS: Hot water 6 rice papers 3 mini cucumbers, peeled into ribbons 1/4 head red cabbage, finely shredded 1 large carrot, shredded 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed, plus additional for garnish, divided 1/3 cup cilantro leaves, loosely packed, plus additional for garnish, divided 1/3 cup mint leaves, loosely packed, plus additional for garnish, divided 1 large ripe avocado, peeled and sliced Peanut Sauce: 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon mirin 2 teaspoons fish sauce 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, plus additional for garnish, divided 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1/3 cup Georgia Peanuts, plus additional for garnish, divided lime wedges, for garnish

DIRECTIONS: Fill large bowl about halfway with hot water. Soak each rice paper in water 15 seconds until malleable. Place rice paper on clean work surface. Place four cucumber ribbons in single layer in center of rice paper. Perpendicular to cucumber, add strip of red cabbage, carrots, 1/2 cup basil leaves, 1/3 cup cilantro leaves, 1/3 cup mint leaves and avocado. To roll, fold edges of rice paper over each end of filling. Working with side of rice paper closest to you, tuck rice paper around filling and roll tightly. To cut rolls into bites, use sharp knife and gently move it back and forth. Arrange bites on platter. Repeat with remaining rice papers and filling ingredients. To make sauce: In small bowl, whisk peanut butter, soy sauce, mirin, fish sauce, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes and lime juice. Toast 1/3 cup peanuts by placing in dry pan over medium heat. Move peanuts around until fragrant and toasted, 3-5 minutes. Roughly chop and add to sauce. Serve spring roll bites on large platter with sauce. Garnish with additional herbs, lime wedges, red pepper flakes and peanuts. RECIPE COURTESY OF RACHAEL WHITE (SETTHETABLEBLOG.COM) ON BEHALF OF THE GEORGIA PEANUT COMMISSION

MARCH 2022 | CROSSROADS | 19

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