16 minute read
Around Town
VOL 16 | NO 6
Published monthly with newsstand circulation to Wentzville and Lake Saint Louis plus newsstands in O’Fallon, Troy, Lake Sherwood and Augusta.
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Mathew DeKinder Publisher Emeritus/ General Manager Robert Huneke
Production Manager Rebecca Brockmann Contributors Avalanche, David Finkelstein, Cindy Moore Staff Writer Brett Auten
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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.
ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE – PG. 12
MOORE ON LIFE – PG. 13
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/ Skill Automotive Service Technician and a shop owner. He’s also invented garage service tools for mechanics and has served on both National and local Automotive Trade Industry Boards. He pioneered “Car Talk Radio” starting out with KMOX/CBS Radio and hosted “Auto Talk” on KFTK/FOX News Radio for 15-years. David tests and evaluates new vehicles weekly and does some consulting with various auto manufacturers.
AUTOMOBILE ALLEY – PG. 14
ENTERTAINMENT – PG. 15
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.
Timberland student earns award for high score on national German exam
Joshua Talluto, a sophomore at Timberland High School in the Wentzville School District, has been awarded the Gold Medal and special recognition on the Presidential Honor Roll for outstanding performance on the 2020 National German Exam for High School Students.
Talluto received this award after scoring in the 97th percentile on the Level 3 2020 National German Exam sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG). He is a student in Advanced German 3 at Timberland and his German teacher is Christin Whitehead. Because he scored above the 90th percentile, he was eligible to compete for a summer study trip to Germany. Following interviews with two college German professors at St. Louis University and Webster University, he was selected out of six candidates to represent the Missouri chapter of the American Association of Teachers of German to compete for 39 summer study trips out of 59 chapters. Unfortunately, he received word last month that the trip for this summer has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Over 18,600 students took the exam this year, which included Talluto and 10 others at Timberland. Additional Timberland students who were also recognized on the Presidential Honor Roll for their performance on the exam include: • Michael Mischkot, Silver Medal, 86th percentile (German 3) • Jacob Herrold, Bronze Medal, 75th percentile (German 3) • Eric Hampson, Bronze Medal, 73rd percentile (German 3) • Gavin White, Bronze Medal, 77th percentile (German 2) • Daniel Larkin, Silver Medal, 89th percentile (German 2)
The National German Exam, now in its 60th year, rewards students through an extensive prize program and provides a means of comparing students in all regions of the U.S. Doug Philipp, German teacher at Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado and AATG President said, “The outstanding performance of these German students in our national competition brings honor to their school, their district, and their German program. The AATG salutes their tremendous accomplishment and the great work their teachers do.”
Founded in 1926, the AATG represents German teachers at all levels of instruction. The AATG is dedicated to the advancement and improvement of the teaching of language, literature, and culture of the German‐speaking countries. Photo courtesy Wentzville School District
2020 Youth Tour winners announced
Submitted photos
Matthew Long of Liberty High School. Meghan Coyle of Liberty High School. Jonah Tate of Liberty High School.
Jesa McGill of Warrenton High School. Anna Guss of Warrenton High School. Kassie Ehll of Warrenton High School.
Cuivre River Electric Cooperative has announced the winners of the 2020 Youth Tour essay contest.
The six top-scoring students, selected as Youth Tour delegates, will each receive a $2,500 college scholarship. Due to the COVID-19 virus, this summer’s trip to Washington, D.C., has been canceled. However, the six delegates will have the opportunity to participate in some future virtual activities planned by the Youth Tour organizers. One speaker that is tentatively scheduled is Mike Schlappi, an inspiring four-time Paralympic medalist and two-time world wheelchair basketball champion. Organizers also hope to schedule an online meeting with Missouri’s congressional leaders for this year’s delegates.
The winners of the 2020 Youth Tour competition are: Matthew Long, Meghan Coyle and Jonah Tate, all of Liberty High School; and Jesa McGill, Anna Guss and Kassie Ehll, all of Warrenton High School
Twelve finalists out of more than 60 entries were announced in March. The co-op normally holds a banquet and competition for the finalists each year where the students present their essays orally. However, this year’s banquet was canceled and three judges read each of the essays remotely. The scores from the preliminary and finals competition were combined to determine placement.
The other six finalists will each receive a $500 scholarship. They are Abigail Owenby and Michele Higby, both of Warrenton High School; Kailey Cain, Olivia Guffey and Erin Hughey, all of Liberty High School; and Joey Schieffer, homeschool.
The annual Youth Tour contest is open to students who live and attend school in Cuivre River Electric’s general service area, or who have CREC service in their homes. Essays for the 2021 program will be accepted in the spring. For more information about the Youth Tour program, contact Tim Schmidt at 800-392-3709, ext. 4837 or by email at tschmidt@cuivre.com.
HONORING GRADUATES
School districts find creative ways to recognize the Class of 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
By Brett Auten
Having its last eight weeks turned on its head, the Class of 2020 has had to adapt and adjust.
With the COVID-19 outbreak putting the kibosh on all end-of-the-year celebrations and festivities, administrators, teachers and parents all found unique ways to give the Class of 2020 a tip of the cap.
Some neighborhoods have become inventive.
Last week, at Lake Sherwood Estates, a celebration was held to recognize 15 seniors. Though the graduates went to varying high schools, they all grew up together. Along with a car parade, there was a makeshift graduation ceremony put together on a beach.
“We wanted to give the kids something to remember,” Suzanne Bennett, a Lake Sherwood Estates resident said. “For some of them, this will be their only graduation.”
In the Francis Howell School District, graduation for all of the district’s high schools has been rescheduled for July 11. Whether that’s virtual, in-person with social distancing or a blended option, is still to be decided. FHSD will follow the guidance from county health officials and the Center for Disease Control to make that determination closer to the July 11 date.
In the meantime, at Francis Howell High, the Class of 2020 bought yard signs for all graduates as the staff and more than 70 people delivered all of them to the 400-plus students. Also, billboards were congratulating the Class of 2020 for two weeks and an online senior awards ceremony was held. Volunteer staff members are currently writing individual notes of congratulations to Viking graduates.
Francis Howell North placed signs in the yards of each of its seniors and has rented a digital billboard on Highway 364 and used it to feature a congratulatory sign designed by one of its seniors specifically for the class of 2020. The Howell North counseling department has also collaborated with the publications department to put together a three-night virtual senior awards ceremony. On May 28, Howell North will be holding a senior drive-thru parade on campus where students will have a chance to say goodbye to
Top left: photo: Seniors in the Wentzville School District celebrated their last day of school with a parade through campus while parents and faculty cheered them on. Top right/Bottom Left: Lake Sherwood Estates held a graduation of its own for its residents who are graduating this spring. Middle photo: Yard signs and billboards were one of the many ways the graduating class of 2020 was honored throughout St. Charles County. Most area high schools have postponed graduation ceremonies until July. Bottom right: Orchard Farm School District faculty and students participated in a Chromebook and library dropoff event last week. Orchard Farm High School has rescheduled its graduation for July 11. Submitted photos
teachers and underclassmen.
“Since we can’t honor our seniors in the ways that we usually do, we’re doing everything we can to honor them in other ways,” Francis Howell North principal Dr. Nathanael Hostetler said.
Francis Howell Central partnered with its parent clubs to provide each senior a graduation sign in their yard and also rented an electronic billboard on Highways 364 and 94 to celebrate the class of 2020. Along with a celebratory distribution of graduation items to all seniors, Howell Central developed a virtual Senior Awards Night, a virtual Senior Spring Sports Night, and a senior parade through campus.
In the St. Charles School District, graduation plans for July 25 for St. Charles High School, and July 26 for St. Charles West is coming along nicely. Information and specific logistics for graduation will be sent out in early June.
Along with special sign in each senior’s yard, during the weeks of May 18 and May 25, each senior had their senior picture displayed on a rotating electronic billboard sign at the intersection of Highway 94 and Interstate 70. There is also a light up the football field for each graduation at 8:20 p.m. for 20 minutes to show support. St. Charles High’s lights will go on Thursday, May 28, and St. Charles West’s lights will go on Sunday, May 31. Both will be at 8:20 p.m. and last for 20 minutes. Both schools are planning a parade to honor each senior class in conjunction with the stadium lights event. There will be a virtual celebration for the senior recognition award events.
In the Wentzville School District, high schools Holt, Liberty and Timberland have done a mixture of recognitions.
Plans are in place for graduation ceremonies at the Family Arena on July 25. Additionally, on the seniors’ last day each school held a senior sendoff parade at the school for seniors. There were video tributes for the class and the district took out a billboard for two weeks.
Yard signs and billboards were one of the many ways the graduating class of 2020 was honored throughout St. Charles County. Most area high schools have postponed graduation ceremonies until July. Submitted photos
Cuivre River Electric Cooperative (CREC) is returning over $6.7 million of capital credits to its members this year, but is doing so sooner, with the distribution of refunds beginning the first week of June. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has placed a hardship on some CREC members, CREC’s Board of Directors approved an earlier than usual retirement of capital credits this year.
This year’s refunds, which are normally distributed in late July, include a portion of the cooperative’s 2019 and 2018 and 1997 margins – still a hybrid method of retirement but nearer to current years and members. They include 33 percent of members’ equity from 2018, 33 percent from 2019 and 33 percent of 1997.
“With the continuing challenge of the coronavirus in our local communities and around the globe, we continue to look for ways to help our members, so I am happy to announce the Board’s decision of an earlier distribution,” said General Manager/CEO Doug Tracy, “It’s another way we can carry out the cooperative principle of ‘concern for community.’”
Previously this year, CREC announced that members could have a choice of either receiving a check for their capital credits, or having it posted as a bill credit. However, because of this early retirement, checks will be issued to all recipients, with the only exception being those members with refunds of less than $15 or with a 60-day pastdue balance—these refunds will be posted as energy bill credits to their account. Members can expect to see their refunds arriving around the first week of June.
Cuivre River Electric Cooperative distributes capital credit refunds earlier
At Orchard Farm High School the plan is to hold an in-person outdoor graduation ceremony on Saturday, July 11 at 9 a.m. They hold their ceremony on campus and will be following all social distancing recommendations of the St. Charles County Department of Public Health.
Capital credits, similar to profit margins in other businesses, represent CREC members’ ownership equity. Credits are allocated after the close of a fiscal year, if funds remain after all expenses for providing electric services have been met. Member capital is used in place of commercial loans to make infrastructure improvements and lower borrowing expenses and operational costs.
The amount of each member’s refund is based on a formula determined by the quantity and cost of kilowatt-hours (kwhs) purchased annually. Since 1976, CREC has returned just over $100 million to current and former members. For any questions about capital credits, please call us at 800-392- 3709, or visit https://www.cuivre.com/content/capital-credit-refunds.
In accordance with guidance from the state of Missouri and the St. Charles County Public Health Department, the city of Wentzville has begun to gradually open facilities using a phased approach.
Progress Park Recreation Center opened first — to pass holders only — with reduced hours beginning May 11.
The city’s aquatic facilities, however, will not be among those opening this season. This includes both the Splash Station Aquatic Center and Progress Park pools. This decision was made out of an abundance of caution and based on a variety of factors including health and safety, staffing concerns, and finances.
“We know many of our residents and visitors look forward to summertime activities at our pools. However, we, like many communities across the country, are analyzing our programs and services to ensure we are taking the appropriate steps to protect everyone and to continue being good stewards of the resources we have,” Wentzville Mayor Nick Guiccone said. “Unfortunately, this involves making tough decisions by myself, the board and staff related to the facilities, programs and events that our community has come to know and love.”
As always, the health and safety of Wentzville’s residents, visitors and employees remains the number one concern. When considering whether to open the pools, city officials analyzed issues such as keeping restrooms, lounge chairs and food-service areas sanitized; and reviewed options for social distancing as it applies to open swim, aquatic-fitness classes, swim lessons and more. In addition, many families have expressed serious concerns about allowing their teens to work this summer, leaving the department with many vacant positions.
Fire trucks with lights and sirens on arrived at three O’Fallon homes last week, but they weren’t there for an emergency. They were surprising three high school seniors with $1,200 scholarships. The students’ parents were let in on the secret, but the students did not know they were selected. They were chosen from a pool of applicants from Fort Zumwalt North High School, Fort Zumwalt West High School, Christian High School, St. Dominic High School and Hope High School. The surprise deliveries started at Roman Bishop’s home in O’Fallon on May 4. Matthew Lange’s home was next in O’Fallon. The final stop was at the home of Sara Harris in St. Peters. O’Fallon Firefighters Community Outreach streamed the presentations live on their Facebook page facebook.com/ofallonfirefighterscommunityoutreach
The scholarship recipients are: • Matthew Lange, Fort Zumwalt West High School
Lange wants to make a difference as a first responder. Since the age of six, he has wanted to be a firefighter, but a few years ago, when he was unable to help his great grandfather during a medical emergency, he knew he had to become a first responder. Lange excelled academically in high school and his teachers noted that he stood out as a natural leader, who was always there to help others. • Roman Bishop, Fort Zumwalt North High School
“Every day, the parks and recreation department is tasked with three major objectives: 1) to offer and operate programs and facilities that are clean, safe and financially sustainable; 2) to ensure individuals using our facilities or participating in our programs have a safe, enjoyable and quality experience; and 3) to ensure every department employee is well trained, customer-oriented and able to work in a safe work environment,” said Mike Lueck, Parks and Recreation Director. “Opening the pools does not necessarily meet these objectives at this time. As we have progressed through this pandemic and continue to move forward, our focus remains on safely providing services that residents value and on building relationships with those we encounter in the community every day.”
The parks and recreation department continues to plan familyfriendly events and programs for later this spring and summer as the parks and public spaces are allowed to safely re-open. As changes are finalized, those programs will be shared at www.wentzvillemo.org/parksandrec and social media channels.
Bishop has his sights set on becoming an orthopedic surgeon. After overcoming two major sport injuries during his middle school and high school sports careers, he developed a desire to help future athletes overcome their injuries and get back to the sports they love. Bishop is a successful student academically, and his teachers describe him as having a strong work ethic and a passion for science. He is an active volunteer basketball referee for Upward Sports, and serves as a field manager for the River
City Rascals. • Sara Harris, Hope High School
Sucide and depression are a daily struggle for many high school students. After Harris’ best friend passed away at the age of 16, she knew she wanted to do everything she could to help teens learn to cope and prevent them from feeling alone in this world. After graduation, she will work toward becoming a therapist where she can help teens who are struggling. Her teachers describe her as a hardworking, determined and self-motivated student who is always there for her peers.
