CrossRoads: December 2022

the art world

BY AVALANCHE

Avalanche is a functional illiter ate who left the St. Louis area three decades ago in search of adventure. He enjoys motorcy cling 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? Archeo logical 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 Tech nician 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 watch ing classic movies at neighborhood theaters.

contents

Around Town Local news and events

Community Calendar: December

Feature Story

AT THE CROSSROADS OF THE ART WORLD

The Crossroads Art Council has grown to become a beacon for the Wentzville arts scene by supporting local artists

Always an Adventure Up in golden country

Moore on Life Subservient

Automobile Alley

2022 Mercedes E-Class E450 All-Terrain Wagon raises the bar in comfort, luxury and safety

Entertainment ‘Jerry & Marge Go Large’ and other real-life winners and losers

For the Love of Food A full, festive menu for holiday celebrations

A warm gift

By Brett Auten Helping Hands for the Holidays collects and donates

winter coats and personal care items to St. Charles

A SCAN OF RECENT HEADLINES DOES NOT REALLY BEAM “FESTIVE.”

“Thanksgiving dinner will be a lot more expensive this year, report finds.”

“More families may cancel Thanksgiving to save money.”

“Inflation hits Thanksgiving turkey amid 'lowest production' in decade.”

These are the type of news bites that throw a shock into Jesse Lynn.

Lynn is the Director of Event Services for the St. Charles Convention Center and once again, the venue will host Helping Hands for the Holidays.

The annual charity event collects winter coats and personal care items to donate to St. Charles County residents in need.

“This is one of our earliest commitments to give back to this community,” Lynn said. “Coats have been the backbone and we have given out anywhere from 800-

County

residents in need

to-1,000 coats in an evening.”

This Dec. 14 will mark the 15th year for the event as Lynn and company are looking for gently used winter coats in all sizes. The conven tion center is also collecting full size personal care items such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, or deodorant.

“We want to make this as much of a retail experience as possible,” Lynn said. “We will have personal shoppers for the families and they can try different coats on.”

The event will be from 4-to-7 p.m. on the lower-level exhibit hall and includes a free holiday meal, games and activities.

Lynn said that the Convention Center works with local charities to help get families through the doors.

St. Charles Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS), a nationally recognized, innovative high

Waterfowl hunters encouraged to use caution amidst avian influenza outbreak

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) confirms addi tional cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been detected this fall in Missouri. Outbreaks affecting waterfowl species have been reported in Chariton, Jackson, St. Charles and St. Louis counties.

“In September, HPAI was detected in waterfowl returning from arctic nesting grounds in northern states,” said MDC State Wildlife Veterinarian Sherri Russell. “We expected a return of the virus and have seen diseased birds beginning this October.”

Due to ongoing waterfowl hunting seasons this fall, waterfowl hunters should properly dispose of harvest waste. After cleaning waterfowl, hunters are encouraged to place the remains in trash bags and dispose of them through trash collection or a permitted landfill. Bald eagles and other raptors are particularly susceptible to avian influenza. This simple action could help prevent bald eagle and other raptor mortalities.

Hunters should also be aware that it is possible to transport avian influenza viruses on boats, waders, or other equipment, especially if it isn’t dry before moving it from one site to another. Allow-

ing hunting equipment to dry between outings will reduce this chance.

Avian influenza, commonly referred to as bird flu, spreads as birds along the North American flyways intermingle with infected birds from Europe and Asia. The viruses are transmitted from bird to bird through fecal droppings, saliva and nasal discharges. There is a risk for spillover from wild birds into domestic poultry and then back again from poultry to wild birds, resulting in further spread.

“Avian influenza does not pres ent an immediate public health concern, though on rare occasions it has infected humans and other animals,” said Russell. “It is safe to eat poultry and wild game birds because normal cooking tempera tures are hot enough to kill the virus if present. Make sure to cook meat to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.” Situation updates of ongoing avian influenza in wild birds are avail able online at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4GX. For domestic poultry situational updates and biosecurity information, visit the Missouri Department of Agriculture website at https://agriculture.mo.gov/ avian-influenza.php.

school program, will be among the volunteers for the evening. Mark Tenholder is the interim General Manager at the Convention Center.

“Our volunteers for the night really help pull the event off,” Tenhold er said “When you see the smiles on the kids and families' faces, it really makes it worth it.”

Beginning late last month, residents started bringing their donations in and can continue to do so at the following locations:

• St. Charles Convention Center (1 Convention Center Plz, St. Charles)

• Embassy Suites Hotel (2 Convention Center Plz, St. Charles)

• St. Charles City Hall (200 N. Second St, St. Charles)

• St. Charles Fire Station #4 (3201 Boschertown Rd, St. Charles)

• St. Charles Police Department (1781 Zumbehl Rd, St. Charles)

Each location has a designated Helping Hands for the Holidays dropbox to leave donated items. All donation boxes will be collected on Dec. 9th in preparation for the event.

Last year, St. Charles Convention Center collected 1,850 winter coats and accessories and 3,700 personal care items. The convention center

collected an abundance of winter gear, and the leftovers were donat ed to the Moose Lodge of St. Charles.

If interested in volunteering for Helping Hands for the Holidays, please visit www.helpinghandsstcharles.com for more information and to sign up.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS: The St. Charles Convention Center will once again host the Helping Hands for the Holidays event where new or gently used clothes and personal care items will be distributed to those in need.

MU Extension in St. Charles County is seeking nominations/candidates for 2023 MU Extension Council members

As a member of the St. Charles County Extension Council, you can put any issue, interest, or concern on the county's educational agenda, and help work towards developing programs and resources to help your neighbors. Because extension councils, through fed-

eral and state laws, have a legal foundation for operation and a working partnership with MU Extension, the variety and scope of educational programs are nearly unlimited. To learn more about Extension Coun cil, visit our website - https://extension.

missouri.edu/counties/st-charles-county/ county-council/join-stcharles-council.

If you or someone you know would like to serve their community and the extension, please reach out to Deana Dothage, dothaged@missouri.edu.

Missouri Humanities introduces the new Missouri Speakers’ Bureau

Missouri Humanities is introducing the Missouri Speakers’ Bureau. The purpose of the Missouri Speakers’ Bureau is to promote humanities education throughout the state of Missouri. With over 50 speakers and over 85 presentations, there is sure to be much interest.

In service to Missouri Humanities mission to share humanities opportunities across the

state, Missouri Speakers Bureau will provide each speaker with underwriting to be able to do four presentations in underserved ru ral communities. These are defined as those communities outside the counties of Boone, Greene, Jackson, St. Louis and outside the city of St. Louis. Underwriting is limited and you must qualify to be considered.

If your civic organization, museum, histori

cal society, library, or similar institution or group is looking for an expert to give a presentation on a topic related to the history, culture, geography, and/or people of Mis souri, you should consider all that this program has to offer.

To learn more about the Missouri Speakers’ Bureau, please visit https://mohumanities. org/speakers-bureau/.

Deer hunters can turn success into supper for families in need with Share the Harvest

$7 may not seem like a lot of money these days, but it can go a long way feeding those in need, thanks to the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Share the Harvest Program.

Share the Harvest provides food to the hungry through deer meat donated by hunters. Hunters can choose to give part or the entire deer they harvest. They simply bring their deer to an approved meat processor to process the venison, usually into ground meat, where it is then packaged for distribution.

More families than ever are currently facing financial challenges brought on by rising gro cery costs. Consider that a deer tag for a doe costs a hunter only $7. Imagine how many times over that tag can pay for itself with the amount of nutritious and healthy venison it can provide families in need.

Share the Harvest is a statewide partnership between MDC, the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM), cooperating meat processors and hunters. The St. Louis area is fortu nate to have another key partner in the program, Operation Food Search (OFS). Thanks

to contributions by OFS, St. Louis area hunters donating their entire deer through Share the Harvest can do so with little to no processing fees.

The Overland-based nonprofit hunger relief organization feeds 200,000 people in need each month through over 200 outlets in the metro area. According to OFS, fresh protein like venison is one of the most popular items and the number one in demand.

Meat processors typically charge around $100 to process a deer into ready-to-prepare meat. The CFM has funding to cover $75 for hunters donating whole deer statewide.

Operation Food Search contributes an additional $20 per deer. Cooperating processors in St. Louis, St. Charles and Jefferson Coun ties agree to limit their deer processing fees so there is little to no net charge for donating hunters. All members in the partnership work together to help alleviate the costs for hunters who donate their entire deer.

“Operation Food Search is helping reduce costs for hunters who want to donate whole deer to Share the Harvest, so it’s easier for

them to participate,” said MDC Conservation Agent Corporal Jeff Breuer.

The following is a list of meat processors in the St. Louis Region that offer minimal to no cost processing for hunters donating for pro cessing a whole deer, grouped by county.

St. Louis:

• Kenrick’s Meats and Catering, South St. Louis County

• John’s Butcher Shoppe, Overland

St. Charles County:

• Josephville Meat Processing, Wentzville

Jefferson County:

• Dittmer Meat Packing, Dittmer

• John’s Butcher Shop, Festus

Corporal Breuer reminded hunters that deer harvested from Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone counties can be do nated only to processors participating in the Share the Harvest CWD Testing Program.

For more details on the Share the Harvest program and a list of these processors, visit mdc.mo.gov/share.

Like the majority of the United States, Missouri has been experiencing increased respiratory disease activity caused by multiple viruses, including flu and RSV that is occurring especially among children.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is now offering free testing for flu, RSV and SARS-CoV-2 (virus causing COVID-19) at several Missouri locations through March 2023. A single nasal swab will allow for detection of these three viruses. Patients of all ages can be tested. A map of locations and the sites’ schedules can be found at health.mo.gov/communitytest. Additional sites will continue to be added.

“Although cases overall have not increased in severity, the in creased volume has caused a strain on our health care partners,” said Dr. George Turabelidze, state epidemiologist with DHSS. “Ultimately, we need families to remember how important it is that they stay home when sick. Also, we are fortunate to have vaccines available for flu and COVID-19, and it’s important to stay up to date on these.”

For the week of Oct. 30 through Nov. 5, there were 1,738 laboratory-confirmed cases of the flu, compared to 1,280 cases the week before, bringing the statewide total for the season which began Oct. 2, to 4,016 cases. While RSV is not a reportable condition to DHSS in Missouri, CDC tracks state-level trends that show an increase in RSV detections in Missouri.

The flu and COVID-19 have many similar symptoms including cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue (tiredness), sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle pain or body aches and headaches.

Missouri experiences increase in respiratory viruses Greenway!

RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms including fever, cough, congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and in infants, fussiness and poor feeding. It can progress to more severe symptoms such as fast or short breathing or wheezing, and in infants and young children, grunting noises when breathing or chest caving in during breathing. While persons of any age can develop RSV, it is most common in children under age two and can be severe, especially for infants and older adults. Most people will recover in one to two weeks.

If you are sick, the best thing to do is avoid being around others and seek testing to determine next steps. If patients have preex isting health conditions or severe symptoms, treatment may be needed, and each virus requires a different approach. Indoor gatherings, which are common in the fall and winter, provide more opportunities for the transmission of respiratory viruses. Handwashing and staying up to date on vaccinations are some of the best ways to prevent the spread of viruses.

Some Missouri hospitals are experiencing strain right now due to this increased viral activity. DHSS reminds Missourians to only use the emergency room in the event of actual emergencies.

New group focused on Wright City parks

Every time Kathy Kehoe drives past Diekroeger Park, children are run ning around and climbing on the new playground equipment there.

“It’s been phenomenal,” said Ke hoe, who serves on the board of the Wright City Parks Foundation and whose late husband spent years dedicating his time as the city’s parks director.

The foundation, along with other community groups and members, are working to make sure more improvements are being made to the city’s parks.

The foundation was recently awarded a $3,271 Operation Round Up grant to purchase an ADA swing for Diekroeger Park. The swings were needed after the park’s older ones were removed when playground

equipment was donated to the city and installed earlier this year.

“We didn’t know this was a need until con tacted by the city, but after talking to some

parents, I am really excited about it,” said foundation member Heidi Hal leman.

Monetary donations can be made to the Wright City Parks Foundation throughout the year. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 562, Wright City, MO 63390, or made through Venmo (@wcparksfoundation). For more information, email wc4parksfoundation@gmail.com.

Operation Round Up funds are do nated by Cuivre River Electric members who participate in the program by rounding up their electric bill payments each month to the next highest dollar. The funds, administered by a seven-member volunteer board, are avail able to help individuals, families and organizations.

Delta Dental of Missouri Celebrates 20 Years of Land of Smiles program

As Delta Dental of Missouri celebrates two decades of its popu lar, award-winning Lands of Smiles dental education program, dynamic super-hero characters are gearing up for their return in person at elementary schools across Missouri in early 2023.

In recent years in response to COVID, the nonprofit company has offered its free program virtually to schools to continue teaching kindergarten through third-grade students good dental health habits. Registration is now open for the return of live performances at a select number of schools in the spring of 2023.

Local teachers, school nurses and principals are invited to email Schools@NationalTheatre.com to request an in-person, live show for the spring semester, or visit www.LandofSmilesMO.org to gain access to the online program on a date and time that works for their students this fall or next spring.

The Land of Smiles experience follows superhero Captain Super Grin, as he defeats his nemesis, Caz Cavity, with help from his side-

kicks Terri Tooth Fairy and Toothpick. Stu dents learn the importance of brushing teeth twice a day, flossing, eating healthy foods and visiting the dentist regularly. The program in cludes an oral health curriculum that adheres to National Health Education Standards, as well as standards for Missouri. It contains engaging, age-appropriate materials to make learning about dental health entertaining for kids and includes activity sheets, which are also now available in Spanish.

Since its inception in the fall of 2002, the Land of Smiles program has taught more than 1.1 million kids how to take care of their growing smiles through more than 4,800

onsite performances at schools in 113 Missouri counties, and through its online version.

“We’re excited to again offer live Land of Smiles performances at grade schools in early 2023, and to now include activity sheets in Spanish to make learning about dental health easy and fun for even more youngsters,” said Rob Goren, president and chief executive officer at Delta Den tal of Missouri. “As we mark the 20th anniversary of Land of Smiles, we’re thrilled to know that the program has helped im prove the lives of more than a million kids.”

Delta Dental of Missouri offers free “smile bags” to schools for students who partici pate in the program. Each bag includes a toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss to help students practice the good oral health habits they learn. Each school is responsible for distributing the bags to participating students who attend school in person or virtually.

Those interested in learning more or scheduling the program can visit www.LandofS milesMO.org.

SUBMITTED PHOTO: The Wright City Parks Foundation was presented with a $3,271 Op eration Round Up grant to purchase an ADA swing for Diekroeger Park. Pictured above are members of the foundation (from left) Heidi Halleman, JoAnn Farmer, Kathy Kehoe, Julia Ramey and Tina Perry.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

AT THE CROSSROADS OF THE the art world

By Brett Auten

Birthed from a single show in 2014, the Cross roads Art Council has grown to become a bea con for Wentzville.

Located at 310 West Pearce, the Arts Council’s mission is to cultivate, nurture and grow the arts in our com munity by supporting local artists. Being located in the lower portion of the old city hall, with the Wentzville Community Histori cal Society being located in the upper portion of the build ing, the two organizations offer a unique opportunity for cul tural growth in the historic downtown district. The gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from 11-3 p.m.

Diane Ransom, the founding president, said the early stages were simple.

“We wanted to be able to help artists make a living,” she said. “By helping them, we are helping the commu nity.”

The Crossroads Art Council is a grassroots organization that hosts many activities outside its galleries, including Arts & Ales, Paint with a Star, Spanning the Generations and a quilt show.

“One of the great things about (the council) is the amount of friendships that have blossomed out of here,” Debbie Kindschuh, who serves as co-secretary on

the Crossroads Art Council Board, said. “It is just magi cal and one of the reasons we have sustained for so long and how we are able to do what we've done.”

Becoming a member for a local artist has many bene fits, including networking, sharing your knowledge, and an avenue to showcase your work. There are zero paid staff at the council, so a helping hand is always welcome.

“We are always look ing for volunteers,” Ransom said. “One of the end results of growing a network is the opportunities that emerge from many unexpected places. There are many op portunities to be taken, you just have to identify them and make yourself ready for them to call you.

You can find new op portunities for busi ness, commissions, art shows, exposure and much more.”

Looking for that perfect Christmas gift, over 90 mem bers will have pieces available, ranging from $5 to $99.

“We will be filled to the gills with all kinds of mediums of art,” Kindschuh added.

The council has 2023 planned out already. In January, art inspired by the written word will be part of the theme.

“There is a strong synergy between visuals and words,” Ransom said. “Poetry, lyrics and stories often

The Crossroads Art Council has grown to become a beacon for the Wentzville arts scene by supporting local artists

Becoming a member of the Crossroads Art Council for a local artist has many benefits, including networking, sharing your knowledge, and an avenue to showcase your work.

The Crossroads Art Council is located in the lower portion of the old city hall, with the Wentzville Community Historical Society being located in the upper portion of the building, the two organiza tions offer a unique opportunity for cultural growth in the historic downtown district. The gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from 11-3 p.m.

create visuals in your mind, just as viewing a visual brings a flow of words. This show will feature all mediums of art that show in spiration that may have begun with words that becomes a visual or it may begin with a visual that is shared in words”

With its calendar planned out for a year, Ransom described its cur rent residence as a “murky future.”

“This is not a permanent situation,” she said. “Both (the arts council and the historical society) will need new homes if the city decides to do something different. We could use a bigger, better space and hopefully the city will help again. The historical district is important to us and the city. It speaks to our roots.”

For additional information and schedule details, visit www.crossroadsartscouncil.org or look for them on Facebook and other social media platforms.

PHOTOS PROVIDED: The Crossroads Art Council, located at 310 W Pearce Blvd in Wentzville, has made it its mission to cultivate, nurture and grow the arts in its community by supporting local artists.

golden country UP IN

– BY AVALANCHE –

THIS YEAR’S FALL WAS ONE FOR THE AGES. After a decently wet summer, we had a drenching rain, followed by a short cold snap, and then a few weeks of clear and dry. This proved to be a perfect weather combination for some spectacular fall colors, which lasted longer than in most years. The phenomenal colors went away almost at once, with the sudden arrival of high winds, snow and low temps in the teens; winter arrived hard and fast. Here are some of the better sights….

PHOTOS BY AVALANCHE

Subservient

Subservient

– BY CINDY MOORE –

I’M IN BIG TROUBLE. I missed a very critical event which puts me in the proverbial doghouse. No, it wasn’t my wed ding anniversary, something far more important…National Cat Day!

I need to come up with a really good excuse or my cats will ignore me more than they usually do. But then again, they’re just a bunch of overpampered fuzz balls who don’t pay rent. It’s time I stood up to these freeloaders and let them know who’s really boss.

I called them together.

Me: “Okay kitties, I suppose you’re wondering why I’ve called this meeting today.”

Fat one: “This better be good, I was just about to nibble my kibble.”

New kitten: “What’s the deal lady? When I signed on to this gig, I was promised three hots and a cot. Now I’m expected to attend meetings during my cat nap? I need to see my lawyer.”

“Now listen you two, I’ve just about had it up to here with your sass. You need to who’s in charge. You are only here be cause of my kind generosity. I’m not here to serve you.”

The Fat One spoke. “Ri-i-ight and who is it that fills our food bowl with tasty treats?”

“Me, but that’s only because you have no jobs and you can’t open your food bags without thumbs.”

Fat One: “Well, no one is going to hire us without thumbs so you’re stuck.”

“But I am not your maid!”

Kitten: “Hmm, who dainties us up by bathing and combing us and clipping our toenails?”

“That’s to keep your fur from flying all over and so you won’t claw my face and furniture into shreds. But I am still in con trol here and you need to show me some respect.”

“Hmph,” they both grunted. “Someone who forgets National Cat Day deserves no such thing.”

“Listen little fuzzy faces, I am the queen of this castle; the empress of your domain and you need to understand that.”

“You missed one,” said the kitten.

I scooped up the messy clump from their cat box and spritzed it with some lavender deodorizer then asked if I might be excused.

“After you bring us a few salmon patties for restitution and then we’ll talk about you taking so many unnecessary breaks.”

The meeting was adjourned. I returned to the doghouse.

2022 MERCEDES E-CLASS E450 ALL-TERRAIN WAGON

RAISES THE BAR IN COMFORT, LUXURY AND SAFETY

BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN

It's quite extraordinary that over 14 mil lion Mercedes E-Class vehicles have been delivered globally since 1946. On top of that, the E-Class is the best-selling model series in the history of German based Mercedes-Benz.

At the factory level, they tend to position these models as the "heart of the brand." The latest, tenth generation of the E-Class clearly helps to set the company’s styling trend go ing forward, as it offers up a clean, yet emo tionally appealing design from end-to-end, as well as an exclusive high-quality interior.

A wealth of innovations, which in part in clude their driving assistance systems, help in defining the characteristics in these vehicles. To fast forward our thoughts, the current '22 generation, E-Class continues to set the benchmark. The bar is raised for comfort, lux ury, safety and intelligent accouterments that further help construe the brand.

Having recently driven the 2022 E450 AllTerrain Wagon with the 4Matic, nine-speed automatic transmission (with all-wheel-drive), helped to reinforce this product’s heritage. The base price starts out at $68,400. That doesn't include shipping and destination charges that come to $1,050.

This Mercedes Sports Wagon is further framed in the midsize luxury car category. For the '21 model year, it gained a number of new/refreshed exterior changes, whereas the 2022 is mostly carryover. Based in fact it's a "wagon," it's in a very unique category without much to consider when cross shopping other

competitive high-end makes. The exception might just be the Volvo V90 Cross Country, Audi Allroad, and the Porsche Pananera or Taycan.

The E450 All-Terrain wagon helps to strengthen the E-Class appeal, as it's also offered in a sedan, coupe and convertible. Regardless, all build combinations are certainly well appointed. They feature comfortable interiors, outstanding technology and world class refinement.

Powering this wagon is a 3.0-liter, in line six-cylinder turbo engine. EPA testing reflects the E450 All-Terrain at 24 mpg combined (21 city/28 highway). The smooth operating powerplant generates 362 horsepower and will propel this Mercedes from 0-60 MPH in less than five seconds. It tends to drive and perform as well as any luxury sports sedan. Highway passing acceleration is nothing less than assertive.

The interior cabin includes extra thick glass, hefty carpeting and hush materials that translate to a quiet ride. The high-end leather was

well crafted and helped to raise the level of driving comfort. As expected, this body de sign spells out extra cargo capacity, which equates to 35 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seat, when folded flat. You'll also welcome a number of additional stor age compartments throughout the cabin for stowing your personal items. The technically advanced Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) is an exceptional multimedia sys tem featuring innovative technology based on artificial intelligence and an intuitive op erating system. MBUX is groundbreaking with an elevated level of in-car assertiveness. With the optional augmented video navigation for mat being activated, a video image of the sur roundings is enhanced with arrows or house numbers. It automatically superimposed di rectly onto the image in the media display.

Mercedes "driver aid" system helps to keep the car in your driving lane. It further recog nizes speed limit signs and adjusts accordingly, and it maintains a safe distance with the car in front. Of the many dynamic safety develop ments, Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function is able to help the driver avoid im pending collisions. If the driver doesn't act quickly enough with braking, the automatic system will assist with stationary or crossing vehicles and pedestrians. The factory warran ty is four-year/50,000 coverage and 24-hour roadside assistance. The tested 2022 Mercedes E450 All-Terrain Wagon had a window sticker price of $80,070 after options. It is manufac tured in Sindelfingen, Germany.

‘JERRY & MARGE GO LARGE’

AND OTHER REAL-LIFE WINNERS AND LOSERS

BY STEVE BRYAN

BBased on Jason Fagone’s 2018 HuffPost article, the comedy/ drama “Jerry & Marge Go Large” showed how the generous Evart, Michigan couple made things better for their neigh bors. The Selbees found a mathematical loophole in a lottery game called “Winfall” that they exploited and shared. Ac cording to “The Cinemaholic,” they spent as much as $720,000 on lottery tickets for one drawing and ul timately made $26 million before they were done. Lottery officials then stepped in to investigate and discovered that other people found the same loophole.

contract with NBC, the network dropped him during the on going investigations.

‘

The Selbees are con sidered folk heroes thanks to their honesty and generosity. They also did nothing illegal. That wasn’t quite the case with “Press Your Luck” contestant Paul Michael Larson. He recorded episodes of “Press Your Luck” at home and, after watching his tapes, Larson uncovered the five pat terns used on the “Big Board.” In the studio, he made over $110,000 during his appearance, which was shown in two parts. Although producers thought he cheated, Larson claimed his winnings. A thief later stole $50,000 in cash from Larson’s home (He was using the money to win a radio contest.)

In 1956, producers of the quiz show “Twenty-One” want ed college professor Charles Van Doren to replace reigning champion Herbert Stempel to boost ratings. Stempel later reported that he had been coached by producers to give an incorrect answer and throw the game in favor of Van Doren. In 1959, Van Doren, who was beloved by viewers, admitted to a congressional committee that he received answers to questions in advance. Although Van Doren had a three-year

Things turned out better for other contestants. Dr. Joyce Brothers, who appeared on “The $64,000 Question” as a boxing expert, testified before congress about her game show appearance, but she was cleared of cheat ing. She went on to appear on her own TV talk show as well as guest appearances on other shows. As a child, actress Patty Duke appeared on “The $64,000 Challenge” when she was 11 years old and won $32,000. Testifying before the Legislative Oversight Subcom mittee, Duke said an assistant producer had told her to study topics that “may be on the show.” Patty Duke went on to have a great career.

If Charles Ingram and his wife Diana had watched “Quiz Show,” they might have avoided cheating. Charles was select ed as a contestant on the British version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” but he used two lifelines before the episode ended. Conspiring with lecturer Tecwen Whittock, Charles and Diana created a plan for the next episode: Charles would read the four possible answers aloud and Whittock would cough when he spoke the correct answer. Their scheme was uncovered and the trio were convicted on April 7, 2003.

When presented with a unique opportunity, people react in different ways. The Selbees thought of others while Paul Lar son tried to break the “Press Your Luck” bank and lost a small fortune. No matter what, it always pays to do the right thing.

“Jerry & Marge Go Large,” rated PG-13, streams on the Paramount+ network.

JERRY & MARGE GO LARGE’ PHOTO COURTESY LANDLINE PICTURES

A full, festive menu for A full, festive menu for

holiday celebrations holiday celebrations

From the hors d’oeuvres to the main course and all the way through dessert, creating a full holiday menu doesn’t have to be hard.

The key to a successful feast is focusing on dishes that can please loved ones of all ages and palates, such as a festive salad before the turkey or ham main dish, which can be accompanied by complementary sides like au gratin potatoes. Finally, top off the celebration with a divine dessert featuring classic cranberry flavor.

To find more holiday recipe inspiration, visit Culinary.net.

START HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS WITH A SALAD

With a bed of tender, leafy green spinach and pops of red cranberries, a salad lends itself perfectly to the colors and flavors of the holiday season. Plus, as a lighter bite ahead of the big meal, it makes for a delicious introduction to festive dinner parties, family gatherings and gettogethers.

This Spinach Christmas Tree Salad offers a fresh, festive option that adds a seasonal presentation to the table while inviting guests to take a bite. Harvested at the peak of flavor, tender Fresh Express Baby Spinach has a mild and delicate taste that makes it an ideal addition to recipes throughout the holidays. Find more ways to freshen up your holiday menu at FreshExpress.com.

SERVINGS: 6

INGREDIENTS:

2 packages (5 ounces each) baby spinach

1/2 cup dried cranberries, divided 1/3 cup pistachios, divided 1/2 cup feta cheese, divided 1 red pepper, cored, cut into thin strips

1 large apple, thinly sliced, cut into star shapes

Dressing:

1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce 3 tablespoons cranberry juice 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons honey 1/4 cup olive oil 1 tablespoon light brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS: In large bowl, toss baby spinach with 1/4 cup dried cranberries, 1/6 cup pistachios and 1/4 cup feta cheese. Transfer to Christmas tree cake mold. Neatly arrange spinach leaves to create smooth surface.

Arrange red pepper strips, trimming as needed, to create garland. Arrange remaining dried cranberries, remaining pistachios and remaining feta cheese as “ornaments” on top of spinach. Create tree topper with one apple star; place remaining apple stars around “tree.”

To make dressing: In blender, process cranberry sauce, cranberry juice, balsamic vinegar, honey, olive oil, brown sugar and salt until smooth.

Spinach Christmas Tree Salad

Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes

with Kale and Gruyere

A HEARTY HOLIDAY SIDE DISH

From appetizers and snacks to the main course, sides and sweets, almost everyone has a favorite holiday dish. However, it’s the pairings and complementary dishes that make festive gettogethers special.

This Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes with Kale and Gruyere is an ideal example of a savory side that goes well with a variety of holiday meals, making it a perfect option for families seeking a versatile recipe to serve with dinner. Rosy-skinned and white-fleshed, Wisconsin Round Red potatoes have a firm, smooth and moist texture, making them well-suited for roasting in this hearty dish.

Visit eatwisconsinpotatoes.com to discover more recipes fit for serving your loved ones.

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 cloves garlic, smashed

3 sprigs fresh thyme

2 tablespoons butter

3 cloves shallots, diced

4 large kale leaves, finely chopped (discard stems)

2 pounds red potatoes, sliced 1/8 inch

2 ounces gruyere cheese, grated

1 ounce Parmesan cheese, grated

DIRECTIONS: Heat oven to 325 F.

In small saucepan over medium heat, combine cream, salt, black pepper, garlic and thyme; stir constantly, until cream starts to bubble, 4-6 minutes. When bubbling, remove from heat and stir until slightly cooled. Let cream sit.

Heat large (12-inch) oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter. When butter melts, add shallots and kale leaves. Saute until kale is tender and bright green, about 4 minutes. Turn off burner.

Add sliced potatoes to skillet, fanning over top of kale. Use slotted spoon to remove garlic and thyme from heavy cream. Pour heavy cream over potatoes.

Cover skillet tightly with foil and bake until potatoes are tender, 75-85 minutes.

Remove skillet from oven and turn on broiler. Discard foil. Sprinkle gruyere and Parmesan cheeses over potatoes, tucking some cheese between potato slices.

Return skillet to oven and broil until top is golden brown, 5-6 minutes.

RECIPE COURTESY OF WISCONSIN POTATOES

DISH UP A DIVINE HOLIDAY DESSERT

Give your holiday gatherings a new twist this year with a creamy cranberry delight that’s a cause for celebration all on its own. Smooth, divine taste at the dessert table can be the memorable moment your family craves year after year. This rich, festive Cranberry Cheesecake combines classic flavor with a homemade cranberry compoteinfused layer above a crust sweetly made using C&H Light Brown Sugar and graham crackers. Top it all off with fresh and sugared cranberries, rosemary springs and whipped cream for a tempting treat that tastes as good as it looks. To find more sweet eats to celebrate the holidays, visit chsugar.com.

PREP TIME: 45 MINUTES

COOK TIME: 1 HOUR, 15 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS:

Cranberry Compote:

2 cups fresh cranberries

1 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest

Crust:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

3 tablespoons C&H Light Brown Sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

Cheesecake:

3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, at room temperature

2 cups raw cane sugar

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

4 large eggs, at room temperature

1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature

1/2 cup cranberry compote

Add-ons: fresh cranberries, sugared cranberries, rosemary sprigs, whipped cream

Cranberry Cheesecake Cranberry Cheesecake

DIRECTIONS:

To make cranberry compote: In medium saucepan, bring cranberries, brown sugar, orange juice and orange zest to boil. Lower heat and simmer 10-15 minutes, or until most cranberries burst. Remove from heat. Cool completely at room temperature then transfer to bowl; refrigerate.

To make crust: Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter 8-inch springform pan and line bottom with parchment paper. Set aside. In medium bowl, mix cracker crumbs, butter, brown sugar and salt. Press crumb mixture into bottom of prepared pan. Bake 15 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 325 F.

To make cheesecake: In bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat cream

cheese at medium speed until smooth. Add cane sugar and beat 2-3 minutes. Scrape sides of bowl as needed. Add flour, vanilla and salt. Beat 1 minute until incorporated.

Add one egg at a time, mixing until incorporated. Add sour cream and mix 1 minute. Scrape sides of bowl as needed. In medium bowl, mix half of cheesecake batter with 1/2 cup cranberry compote.

Wrap springform pan with aluminum foil and place in large roasting pan. Pour cream cheese and cranberry mixture into prepared pan. Top with remaining cream cheese batter. Place roasting pan in oven and add hot water to 1-inch of springform pan. Bake 1 hour, 15 minutes, or until cake looks set in center. Remove from oven and rest 1 hour. Refrigerate in pan overnight.

Decorate cake with fresh and sugared cranberries, rosemary springs and whipped cream.