CrossRoads: July 2023

HONORING SERVICE

Mathew DeKinder

Robert Huneke

PRODUCTION

Rebecca Brockmann

Melissa Nordmann

CONTRIBUTORS

Avalanche

David Finkelstein

Cindy Moore

STAFF WRITER

Brett Auten

BY AVALANCHE

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.

BY CINDY MOORE

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

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.

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.

14

MOORE ON LIFE – PG. 13

PG. 15

AUTOMOBILE ALLEY – PG.

Around Town Local news and events

Community Calendar: July

Feature Story

HONORING SERVICE

The St. Charles County Veterans Best Practices Working Group fosters an employment-friendly environment for veterans who continue to serve the community

Always an Adventure

Parking problems

Moore on Life

Not getting any younger

Automobile Alley

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is an affordable option for SUV shoppers

Entertainment

Do you have superhero/villain fatigue?

For the Love of Food

A mission for nutrition: Accomplish health goals with better-for-you family meals

Broadening the Blueway

By Brett Auten

ST. CHARLES COUNTY RESIDENTS AND VISITORS

can add another water adventure to their list for this summer with today’s opening of a 5.2-mile expansion of the Dardenne Creek Blueway. The St. Charles County Parks Department is opening Phase 2 of the Blueway, connecting the city of St. Peters’ Lone Wolff Park to St. Peters’ 370 Lakeside Park. The 3.5-mile trek from 370 Lakeside Park to St. Charles County’s Riverside Landing Park opened in May 2022.

Thanks to the hard work of county parks staff, this section of Dardenne Creek is clear of debris and can be navigated by kayak or canoe.

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

You don’t need to own a boat to enjoy the Dardenne Creek Blueway. Self-serve watercraft rentals allow guests to reserve a kayak

or tandem kayak online and pick them up from automated storage units at participating parks.

The cost to rent a kayak or paddleboard for a two-hour session is $20, or $30 for a tandem kayak. Each comes with paddles and life jackets to ensure a safe and fun time on the water. Guests must rent a watercraft in advance and can do so at sccmo.org/PaddleShare.

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

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

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

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

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

“We hope that as more people take advantage of the Blueway as a recreational opportunity, they will see how great it is to have this

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

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

Timberland High School Girl Scout goes for the gold

Julie Meritt, a Sophomore at Timberland High School, has recently earned the mark of the truly remarkable – the Girl Scout Gold Award.

This young change-maker demonstrated extraordinary leadership through a measurable and sustainable community service project. A limb-length discrepancy is when one leg or arm is shorter than the other. Treatment for this condition often involves lengthening surgery and intensive physical therapy.

Meritt recognized the struggles children face navigating life with this condition and the anxiety of surgery. To increase resources for patients with this condition, Meritt decided to partner with Shriners Children’s St. Louis and create a children’s book on the condition.

Meritt’s book, “Brooke’s Big Surgery,” follows a character with a leg-length discrepancy as

natural feature in our community and will take steps to help protect it from pollution,” Graham said.

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

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

St. Charles County plans to continue expanding the Dardenne Creek Blueway in three additional phases. Phase 3 (3.2 miles) will connect St. Peters’ Jack Gettemeyer Park to Lone Wolff Park; Phase 4 (5.6 miles) will connect the O’Fallon Sports Park to Jack Gettemeyer Park; and Phase 5 (1.3 miles) will connect Dardenne Prairie’s Bluebird Meadow Park to the O’Fallon Sports Park.

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

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

she goes through her first surgery. Meritt illustrates what fellow patients can expect during their treatment. Meritt’s book also provides a list of other media, including characters with disabilities and advice from fellow patients.

After completing the book, Meritt translated it to Spanish and uploaded both versions as a free ebook. Meritt then provided Shriners Children’s St. Louis with 165 English and 200 Spanish hard copies of the book. Meritt also mailed a hard copy of each to the other 17 Shriners Children’s Hospital locations, including one in Canada and one in Mexico. Finally, Meritt applied vinyl inspirational messages to 18 clinic room walls at Shriners Children’s St. Louis to encourage patients.

The Gold Award is earned by a high-schoolaged Girl Scout who has dedicated, on average, more than 80 hours to address an issue

they are passionate about in a way that produces meaningful and permanent change. Whether it is on a local, national or global level, Gold Award Girl Scouts provide innovative solutions to pressing and relevant challenges.

These remarkable young leaders, along with other Gold Award Girl Scouts, were recognized during a special ceremony on June 11.

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

the outdoors in St. Charles County.”

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

PHOTO COURTESY WENTZVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT

WSD students earn fire truck rides to school for outstanding attendance

The Wentzville School District and the Wentzville Fire Protection District (WFPD) teamed up again this year to reward elementary students who have excellent attendance and have laid the groundwork for future success.

During the last weeks of school, one lucky fifth grader from each elementary school in the WSD got a ride to school on a WFPD fire truck as a reward for their K-5 attendance and achievement.

District students selected for the distinction this year: Boone Trail – Hannah Niemeier, Crossroads – Emerson Grojean, Discovery Ridge – Morgan Barton, Duello –Abigail Schlereth, Green Tree – Charles Stevens, Heritage – Jaimey Bugh, Journey –Scarlett Zoellner, Lakeview – Cecilia White, Peine Ridge – Ellianna Weston, Prairie View – Claire Frederick, Stone Creek – Madelyn Kerr and Wabash – Emmett Weiss

“We appreciate the WFPD for continuing this tradition by rewarding our students at the end of the school year in a very special and memorable way,” said Brynne Cramer, WSD Chief Communications Officer.

A STEM project homerun

Duchesne High School student designs

prosthetic batting glove to help people with hand disabilities play baseball

By Olivia Holler

A Duchesne High School student took a STEM project to a whole new level.

Sophomore Logan Murrish designed a mechanical prosthetic batting glove to help hand amputees or individuals missing a hand due to congenital anomaly to participate more fully in playing baseball.

According to Eric Seiffert, Marketing Director for Duchesne High School, the purpose of the project was to try to come up with something that would benefit someone in the community with the knowledge from their STEM class.

The prosthetic batting glove consists of human-like fingers driven by a small motor. It also has a flex sensor.

Murrish plays for a local baseball team in town, with his passion and love for baseball and STEM, he designed a prosthetic batting glove. Almost all of the pieces were designed and 3D printed by Murrish.

This annual STEM Scholars program assignment asks students to use STEM to help better the lives of others.

“Logan’s final project represents the best of what Duchesne and the STEM Scholars program stands for — experimentation, design, creativity, and service to others,” said Duchesne STEM teacher Glennis Ziegler.

After completing the project, Murrish did test it out on himself and it was strong enough to hold a bat and accomplish the task at hand. While completing this project, it made him consider the possibility of engineering as a career in the future.

“It’s a choice to make a little down the road,” he said. “But this project has made me consider studying engineering over business.”

PHOTOS COURTESY DUCHESNE HIGH SCHOOL: Duchesne High School Sophomore Logan Murrish designed a mechanical prosthetic batting glove to help hand amputees or individuals missing a hand due to congenital anomaly to participate more fully in playing baseball.

PHOTO COURTESY WENTZVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT

St. Charles County government receives financial reporting honor

The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to St. Charles County Government by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2021. The award is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

St. Charles County Government has received this honor every fiscal year since 1989. The ACFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to

WSD students selected to attend American Legion Boys and Girls State

Fifteen students from the Wentzville School District were selected to attend the American Legion Boys State of Missouri.

Those selected to attend are: from Holt High School, Mabry Madden, Jack Stillman, Dominic Gramolino, and Braden Engelage; from Liberty High School, Daniel Adams, Mason Leone, Santosh Manikandan, Deo Reji, and Trent Stuerman; from North Point High School, Braden Creech, Trey Hutton, and Carson Phelps; and from Timberland High School, Will Bastean, Mason Hayes, and Daniel Wilson.

Sixteen Wentzville School District high school juniors have been selected to attend the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State of Missouri.

Those selected to attend are: from Holt High School, Katie Harmon, Katelyn Downey, Anna Hermann, Amber Hutcherson, and Lauren Hutcherson; from Liberty High School, Sophie Chenot, Madeline Claravall, Grace Edney, and Anumitha Vaka; from North Point High School is A’Nija Hughley; and from Timberland High School, Ayiana Baynes, Kailyn Porter, Kelly Quick, Elaina Schoene, Matelynn Sellers, and Jade Wilson; Trinity Kiner was selected as an alternate.

The American Legion Boys State of Missouri is an eight-day, handson experience in the operation and fundamentals of government, and draws together the best and brightest high school students to help lead them down the path to individual success and leadership. Since its inception in 1938, Missouri Boys State has provided over 40,000 high school students with the privilege of attending this practical laboratory in citizenship and leadership training.

Missouri Girls State delegates are selected based on their leadership abilities, interest in government, service to others, and academics.

The American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program was founded in 1940 at William Woods College in Fulton, Missouri. The program is designed to change lives by bringing together dynamic young women for an intense week of learning focused on developing leadership skills, responsible citizenship, patriotism, and a sense of community.

Missouri Boys and Girls State was scheduled to be held on the campus of Lindenwood University, June 24-July 1, in St. Charles.

read the ACFR.

“For 32 years, our finance department has achieved this award, and that is a tribute to the leadership of former Finance Director Bob Schnur, his predecessors and the finance department staff throughout the years. This achievement is an honor for the finance department and for St. Charles County Government as a whole. We take pride in our sound financial planning and controlled spending of taxpayer dollars,” says St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann.

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 17,500 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago and Washington D.C.

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

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

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

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

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

In 2005, he was named Principal at South Middle School, a position he held until moving into district level administration, where he has served in multiple roles and overseen Special Education, Health and Early Childhood Services, Student Personnel Services and Administrative Services, which includes Transportation, Student Nutrition and Custodial Services.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tradition. Stability. Excellence. Opportunities for advancement.”

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

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

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

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

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

“I’m from a small town in Northeast, Missouri, but I remember I sat in Memorial Union (on the University of Missouri campus) and talked with a representative from Fort Zumwalt,” St. Pierre says. “I was an eager college graduate and was selected to meet with (FZN Principal) Dave Hoekel for an open English position.”

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

“The things that keep me here are the same things that keep a lot of people here, I think.

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

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

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

PHOTOS COURTESY FORT ZUMWALT SCHOOL DISTRICT: Left - The Fort Zumwalt School District Board of Education has named Dr. Paul Myers as Superintendent of Schools, effective July 1.

Right - Dr. Henry St. Pierre has been named Deputy Superintendent of the Fort Zumwalt School District, effective July 1.

By Brett Auten

HONORING SERVICE

The St. Charles County Veterans Best Practices Working Group fosters an

employment-friendly environment for veterans who continue to serve the community

SUBMITTED PHOTOS: From miniature to ones that take many members to hold, the veterans Best Practices Working Group sees it all at its annual Flag Day Collection.

tional Flag Conference met in Washington. Its members created the Flag Code, which states that "the flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing."

The American Legion passed a resolution about flag retirement ceremonies in 1937, and have been an important ritual ever since. The U.S. flag is considered such a sacred symbol that burning it in an undignified manner constitutes desecration. That's why the ceremonies are held in a specific manner. Every year on June 14, Americans celebrate Flag Day. Not surprisingly, it's considered the most appropriate day to hold flag disposal ceremonies, which are often held at night. During an American Legion ceremony, participants stand aligned in two parallel rows about 20 feet apart, facing each other. A small fire burns beyond the rows of members and the flags that are no longer serviceable are presented to Legion commanders, a color guard presents the colors and a chaplain offers prayers. As the crowd salutes, the flag detail dips the retired flags into kerosene and puts them on a rack over the fire. A bugler sounds "To the Colors."

“It's a very heart-warming ceremony,” Wiss said. Worn or damaged U.S. flags can be dropped off anytime at two collection box locations: the front of the St. Charles County Administration Building, 201 N. Second St. in St. Charles, or at the memorial garden in Veterans Tribute Park, 1031 Kisker Road in Weldon Spring. The Veterans Best Practices Working Group was established in 2014 by the authority of a county ordinance.

According to Wiss, the group exists to foster an employment-friendly environment for those who have served in the armed forces of the United States and they work to encourage businesses in the St. Charles County community to develop veteran-friendly employment practices, including St. Charles County Government, and to inform veterans seeking employment of opportunities and benefits. They may no longer be wearing a uniform but they're still focused on service and mission.

“We've all had military experience and know that it is an interesting entity to be a part of,” Wiss said. “The public's perception of military members has changed greatly over the last 10-20 years and it makes me proud to be a part of it. It's also fun to sit in a group where you

have Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corp, and Coast Guard. There's always a little rivalry but everybody has been through the same thing and we can relate to each other.”

VETERANS HONORED WITH QUILTS OF VALOR AT ASSUMPTION CHURCH

Around 100 quilters came together to honor veterans during the Quilts of Valor – Eastern Missouri event held at the Parish Center at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish on June 28.

U.S. Marines and father and son duo, Dan Trower of St. Peters and Danny Trower of O’Fallon were presented with handmade quilts; followed by U.S. Air Force Veteran, Berry “Steve” Burt of Saint Peers; and U.S. Army Veteran Jim Genteman of Wentzville.

Quilters from 10 surrounding counties, including St. Charles, Lincoln, Warren, Pike, St. Louis, Jefferson, Gasconade, Montgomery, Franklin and Callaway, worked on 10 full-sized quilts throughout the day. Each quilt was unique, and included a hand-quilted heart, to serve as a reminder that it was created with love.

Quilts of Valor of Eastern Missouri is a nonprofit, all volunteer organization funded by donations from the community and an annual quilt raffle. Founded in 2005, the organization has given away nearly 3,500 quilts to veterans over the years.

The Assumption Quilters meet every Thursday and are always looking for new members. For more information, call the parish at 636-240-3721. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish has been serving the O’Fallon community for over 150 years.

A sampling of the number of flags collected by the St. Charles County Veterans Best Practices Working Group this year. Around 2,000 were collected this year.

St. Charles County employees Stacey Rafferty, left, Department of Public Health, and Crystal McMillan, Highway Department, break for a photo during the Flag Day collection event. Both are U.S. Army veterans.

PARKING PROBLEMS

I WENT TO DINNER DOWN IN TOWN with a friend a couple nights ago, to a popular pizza and beer joint. As it is a good restaurant, it’s always busy. We drove around the parking lot once, turned around and went out onto a side road to look for a place to park. One block, two blocks, and finally, three blocks away a suitable place to leave the truck for an hour or so appeared.

I quickly pulled into the spot, and we made the trek back to the pizza parlor. Along the way some “creative” parking was on display, with vehicles jammed into every nook and cranny along the road shoulder, with tail-ends hanging out into the traffic lane, and walkways to homes and mailboxes occupied by vehicles driven by diners presumably too lazy to walk a few extra yards. To be fair, I do understand their frustration, it used to be fairly easy to find a place to leave one’s vehicle here. More and more apartments have been stacked up along the road and alleyways, adding to the number of cars, and subtracting from the number of available parking spots.

My friend and I commented on how traffic and its associated effects has gotten much more pronounced over the last eight years he has owned his home here. And, it is a factor in his recent decision to list his home for sale. He’s been coming to the mountains here for over 40 years, and has owned a place in our neighborhood for eight. Traffic and congestion can now be a major impediment to travel in a timely manner, even in small towns and the highways that connect them.

Our dinner was enjoyable, and we walked back to the truck parked a couple hundred yards away. Readers in an urban or suburban environment might wonder why I’m grousing about what they deal with on a daily basis; after all, they’ve never experienced anything but heavy traffic and tight parking.

And that precisely is my issue. Living here in the mountains for over 40 years, I’ve come to expect a nice, quiet living environment where people are courteous and respectful of each other.

Not always, of course, but the social norm here is something that urban dwellers take some time to even notice, let alone appreciate. Another friend moved from next-door to me down to this small town a few years ago, and he really doesn’t like it. His neighbors have all recently come from the big metro area on the eastern slope of the Rockies, and they steadfastly refuse to make eye contact or reply to a simple “hello,” even when their next-door neighbor issues such a greeting from just a few feet away. Such an environment influences even long-time locals. The other day, Staci and I had just parked on a pullout on a nearby Forest Service road, preparing to walk the dogs. A vehicle pulled in just in front of us, leaving little room for us. The driver was a very personable chap, and asked if we had room to get out. I gave him a strange look and replied in the positive, though I was quite bewildered as to why someone would park two feet from another vehicle on a road three miles long with maybe a halfdozen cars along the whole thing. Staci and I walked off slowly with the dogs, (after locking all doors and windows), and the recently arrived driver decided to move his vehicle to a different spot once he realized that he had quite a bit of room. He caught up to us, we chatted and he loved on our Newfoundlands and he hiked off along the creek. He seemed familiar, and much later I remembered who he was, a teacher up in the large resort town at the head of the main valley. He’s been here longer than I, and due to the intense parking pressure where he lives, he had been going out of his way to park as close to our vehicle as possible, so as to leave room for the next driver who needed to park. His “strange” (to us) behavior was simply him being mindful and courteous to both us and the next person who might need a spot. Of course, in a congested urban area, such concern for others is truly strange. While his gesture was appreciated (in retrospect), it made us nostalgic for the days when there was plenty of breathing – and parking – room for all.

– BY AVALANCHE –

Not getting any younger

– BY CINDY MOORE –

THERE’S A SAYING, IF THE MUSIC’S TOO LOUD, YOU’RE TOO OLD. I think my husband and I have reached the “too old” point. All the indications are there.

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

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

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

I handed him a napkin.

“What’s this for?” he asked.

“You said you wanted a tissue.”

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

“Well, I can’t hear what you can’t hear

that I’m not saying so let’s just get out of here.”

“But I haven’t got my milkshake yet.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

Just then his phone alarm went off.

“Now what?” I asked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN

THE 2024

SUBARU CROSSTREK

is an affordable option for sUV shoppers

Withthe average retail transaction price of new vehicles closing in towards the upper $40,000 range, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek SUV may have a big advantage. More precisely, the factory price point starts out at $24,995, before shipping and designation charges.

Essentially, the all-new Crosstrek comes with a new exterior and interior design, coupled with a number of improvements with its ride and handling. The redone exterior footprint telegraphs an obvious ready for adventure spirit. The vehicle’s expressive hexagonal grille, compact headlights, sculptural body and broad-shouldered stance helps to carry forward Subaru's design language. Attractive black wheel arch cladding and rocker panels provide a sharp contrast to the body color. An elevated level of enhanced safety and multimedia technologies are also included. This third-generation Crosstrek is a highly capable compact vehicle with a comprehensive list of standard and available features. Topping the list, this distinctive sport utility vehicle comes with an All-Wheel Drive chassis. The Base and Premium build combinations are equipped with a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder direct-injection engine. It generates 152-hp and 145 lb.-ft. of torque. However, some may discover that the 2-liter engine doesn't have the acceleration they might be craving. On the Sport and Limited models, they have a more responsive 2.5-liter engine, building on its 182 hp output and 178 lb.-ft. of torque. Also standard is their newly updated CVT,

or Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission. It's been developed to be smoother and quieter than previous CVT's that Subaru used. The Premium, Sport and Limited trim levels feature a manual select mode, which also include steering wheel paddle shifters, thus allowing the driver to control the transmission's pre-set gear ratios for a more controlled driving experience. A traditional manual transmission is not offered. Also included is their hill descent control feature. If you're engaged in off-roading, this is a welcomed enhancement when driving down steep inclines. Crosstrek is engineered with close to nine inches of underside ground clearance on all versions. If you tend to gravitate towards driving on less than ideal roads, this underside body clearance ranks high in its competitive SUV class. Furthermore, it was developed to maintain a comfortably low step-in height for both front and rear passengers during entry and exit. The 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires are also standard. The interior benefits from an enhanced focus on the occupants and their interactions with its supportive front seat design and increased overall comfort. Without question, this helps minimize driving fatigue. To further expand on the passenger cabin, the center information seven-inch-high resolution touch screen display comes standard.

Additional standard features include fuelsaving automatic engine stop/start technology; power windows with express up/auto down on front windows, power door locks

and side mirrors, tilt and telescoping steering column, keyless entry; security system with engine immobilizer, USB-A input/charging port and 3.5 mm auxiliary input jack in the front center console. 60/40-split fold-down rear seat are also included, as is carpeted floor mats; roof crossbar mounting points; combination dash gauges with color LCD, upgraded interior lighting and a brawny rear cargo tray. An 11.6-inch touch screen is offered which also includes numerous expanded and elaborate bells and whistles.

For 2024, the Subaru Crosstrek will be available in Base, Premium, Sport and Limited trim levels. Crosstrek production will be split between their manufacturing facility located in Japan and in Lafayette, Indiana, as it depends on the precise model. At road test, the Premium model I drove had an MSRP retail sticker price of $29,685. That further included a few options and the $1,295 destination charges. The EPA numbers showed 27-MPG city, 34-MPG highway.

superhero/ villain Do you have fatigue?

BY STEVE BRYAN

IIn 1978, Christopher Reeve played dual roles in “Superman,” an epic adventure that arrived in time for the Christmas holidays. Directed by Richard Donner, the film had a great ensemble cast featuring Marlon Brando as Jor-El, a scientist on the planet Krypton who warned citizens that their planet was doomed. As time ran out, Jor-El sent his son Kal-El to Earth in a rocket ship where he would grow up and gain amazing powers. Reeve was the perfect choice to play both reporter Clark Kent and his heroic alter ego. 1981’s “Superman II” showed Kryptonian criminals arriving on Earth where they learned that Superman was the son of Jor-El, the man who imprisoned them in the Phantom Zone. The first two “Superman” movies were crowd-pleasers and can be considered the predecessors of both the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). During the 2007 San Diego Comic-Con, director Jon Favreau teased the audience with old Marvel cartoon footage from the 1960’s before unveiling exciting scenes from “Iron Man,” the 2008 film that initiated a storyline that culminated in “Avengers: Endgame.” After intergalactic bad guy Thanos used the Infinity Stones to wipe out half of all life in the universe, the remaining heroes used time travel to acquire the stones and defeat Thanos once and for all. While talking about these characters and references to time travel, however, it’s easy to feel “Superhero/Villain Fatigue,” especially with an anticipated release like the DCEU’s “The Flash.” Ezra Miller

played Barry Allen, a police scientist and Justice League member who could run at super speed. His attempts at time travel, however, had unintended side effects. In the film, Miller also portrayed versions of his younger and older self. Actress Sasha Calle joined the cast as Kara Zor-El, a Kryptonian and Superman’s cousin while Michael Shannon reprised his General Zod role from 2013’s “Man of Steel.” Michael Keaton, who starred in 1989’s “Batman” as well as 1992’s “Batman Returns,” also appeared in “The Flash.”

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

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

PHOTO COURTESY MARVEL & DC

missionnutrition A FOR

Accomplish health goals with better-for-you family meals

Setting out on a mission to eat healthier starts with creating goals and working to achieve them with those you love. To help make nutritious eating more manageable, call together your family and work with one another to create a menu everyone can enjoy while staying on track. Connecting an array of recipes that all can agree on starts with versatile ingredients like dairy. Gathering at the table with your loved ones while enjoying delicious, nutritious recipes featuring yogurt, cheese and milk can nourish both body and soul. For example, the key dairy ingredients in these recipes from Milk Means More provide essential nutrients for a healthy diet. The cheese varieties in Feta Roasted Salmon and Tomatoes and 15-Minute Weeknight Pasta provide vitamin B12 for healthy brain and nerve cell development and are a good source of calcium and protein, which are important for building and maintaining healthy bones. Meanwhile, the homemade yogurt sauce served alongside these Grilled Chicken Gyros provides protein and zinc.

To find more nutritious meal ideas to fuel your family’s health goals, visit MilkMeansMore.org.

Recipe courtesy of Marcia Stanley, MS, RDN, Culinary Dietitian, on behalf of Milk Means More

FETA ROASTED SALMON AND TOMATOES

PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES | COOK TIME: 15 MINUTES | SERVINGS: 4

INGREDIENTS:

Nonstick cooking spray

3 cups halved cherry tomatoes

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or dried dill weed

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper, divided

1 1/2 pounds salmon or halibut fillets, cut into four serving-size pieces

1 cup (4 ounces) crumbled feta cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 425 F. Line 18-by-13-by-1-inch baking pan with foil. Lightly spray foil with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. In medium bowl, toss tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, oregano or dill weed, salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Place fish pieces, skin side down, on one side of prepared pan. Sprinkle with remaining pepper. Lightly press feta cheese on top of fish. Pour tomato mixture on other side of prepared pan. Bake, uncovered, 12-15 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with fork.

Place salmon on serving plates. Spoon tomato mixture over top.

GRILLED CHICKEN GYROS

PREP TIME: 30 MINUTES, PLUS 30 MINUTES CHILL TIME | COOK TIME: 20 MINUTES | SERVINGS: 8

INGREDIENTS:

CHICKEN:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon

YOGURT SAUCE:

1 1/2 cups plain, whole-milk yogurt

1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/2 cup diced cucumber

2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

DIRECTIONS:

TO MAKE CHICKEN: Place melted butter, dill, oregano, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper in gallon-size zip-top freezer bag. Seal bag and shake contents to combine. Add chicken. Seal bag, pressing air out of bag. Shake chicken to coat with marinade. Refrigerate chicken in marinade 30 minutes.

TO MAKE YOGURT SAUCE: Stir yogurt, lemon juice, diced cucumber, dill, garlic, salt and pepper. Cover sauce and refrigerate.

Heat grill to medium heat.

Grill chicken over direct heat, about 10 minutes per side, until cooked through. Transfer chicken to cutting board and rest 10 minutes. Thinly slice chicken across grain.

Serve chicken on pita bread with tomatoes, red onion and yogurt sauce.

Pg. 18-19 recipes courtesy of Kirsten Kubert of “Comfortably Domestic” on behalf of Milk Means More

15-MINUTE WEEKNIGHT PASTA

PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES | COOK TIME: 10 MINUTES | SERVINGS: 6

INGREDIENTS: DIRECTIONS:

6 quarts water

16 ounces linguine or penne pasta

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup thinly sliced onion

1 cup thinly sliced carrots

1 cup thinly sliced sweet bell pepper

1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

1 cup reserved pasta water

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

1/2 cup smoked

provolone cheese, shredded

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Parmesan cheese (optional)

Bring water to rolling boil and prepare pasta according to package directions for al dente texture, reserving 1 cup pasta water.

In large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in onions, carrots and sweet bell peppers. Saute vegetables about 5 minutes, or until they brighten in color and begin to soften. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper and garlic. Cook and stir 1 minute to allow tomatoes to release juices.

Pour reserved pasta water into skillet, stirring well. Bring sauce to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 3 minutes. Taste sauce and adjust seasonings, as desired. Transfer drained pasta to skillet along with lemon zest and smoked provolone cheese, tossing well to coat. Serve immediately with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese, if desired.