CrossRoads: Oct. 2012 by Community News

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CROSSROADS NOVEMBER 2012

NOVEMBER

2012 contents

spotlight

Winter Weather is on the Way

lifestyle

This is my punishment... by Shelly A. Schneider

Teen + Car = Nail-biting by Joe Morice

VOL 9 | NO 11

entertainment

Stars Reunite for “Blues for Willadean” by Steve Bryan

Published monthly with direct mail circulation to Wentzville and Lake Saint Louis, plus newsstands in Troy.

Publisher Editor Photographer Movie Critic Creative Design

Community News Shelly Schneider Ray Rockwell Steve Bryan Donna M. Huneke

For advertising information, please contact us at:

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

www.mycnews.com

food

photo op

A Tasty Twist on Turkey Leftovers courtesy of Family Features

Farmers & Artists Market photos by Ray Rockwell

around town

Wentzville Welcomes Sam’s Club

Community Calendar

Western St. Charles Co. Chamber News

Personal Safety Plan for Black Friday

Wentzville Citizen of the Year

Blanchette Bridge Update

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

NOVEMBER 2012 CROSSROADS

SPOTLIGHT

Winter Weather is on the Way November 14, 2012 has been designated Winter Weather Awareness Day for the state of Missouri. What does the winter of 2012/2013 hold for the St. Louis metropolitan area? Julie Phillipson, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Weldon Spring, Mo., said the three-month outlook (December 2012 through February 2013) from the Climate Prediction Center calls for abovenormal temperatures and below normal precipitation. The 2011/2012 winter season was warmer than average. Phillipson said the seasonal average temperature last winter was 40.1 degrees, more than six degrees warmer than the 33.7 degree average temperature. Average precipitation in the bi-state area for the three-month timeframe is 6.85 inches. The National Weather Service uses specific winter weather terms to ensure that people know what to expect in the coming days and hours. A Winter Storm Watch means that severe winter conditions, such as heavy snow and/or ice, may affect your area, but its occurrence, location and timing are still uncertain. A winter storm watch is issued to provide 12 to 36 hours notice of the possibility of severe winter weather. A winter storm watch is intended to provide enough lead time so those who need to set plans in motion can do so. A watch is upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning when 4 or more inches of snow or sleet is expected in the next 12 hours, or 6 or more inches in 24 hours, or 1/4 inch or more of ice

accretion is expected. Winter Weather Advisories inform you that winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences that may be hazardous. If caution is exercised, advisory situations should not become life-threatening. A Blizzard Warning means that snow and strong winds will combine to produce a blinding snow (near zero visibility), deep drifts, and life-threatening wind chill. Be sure to listen carefully to the radio, television, and NOAA Weather Radio for the latest winter storm watches, warnings, and advisories. For more information, visit the Winter Weather Awareness web page at: http://www.weather.gov/om/winter. Winter storms can range from a moderate snow over a few hours to a blizzard with blinding, wind-driven snow that lasts for several days. Some winter storms are large enough to affect several states, while others affect only a single community. Many winter storms are accompanied by dangerously low temperatures and sometimes by strong winds, icing, sleet and freezing rain. What should I do? • Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing, wear mittens and a hat (preferably one that covers your ears). • Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and snow. • Minimize travel. If travel is necessary, keep a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle. • Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or other local news channels for critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS). • Winterize your vehicle and keep the gas tank full. A full tank will keep the fuel line from freezing. • Insulate your home by installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic from the inside to keep cold air out. • Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year. • Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen

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CROSSROADS NOVEMBER 2012

SPOTLIGHT

drinking water. • Running water, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing. • All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside and kept clear. What supplies do I need? • Water—at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day • Food—at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food • Flashlight • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible) • Extra batteries • First aid kit • Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane) • Multi-purpose tool • Sanitation and personal hygiene items • Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies) • Cell phone with chargers • Family and emergency contact information • Extra cash • Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers) • Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl) • Tools/supplies for securing your home • Sand, rock salt or non-clumping kitty litter to make walkways and steps less slippery • Warm coats, gloves or mittens, hats, boots and extra blankets and warm clothing for all household members • Ample alternate heating methods such as fireplaces or wood- or coal-burning stoves What do I do after a storm? • Go to a designated public shelter if your home loses power or heat during periods of extreme cold. • Avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow or dense fog. • Before tackling strenuous tasks in cold temperatures, consider your physical condition, the weather factors and the nature of the task. • Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in several layers. Stay indoors, if possible. • Help people who require special assistance such as elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children.

• Check on your animals and make sure that their access to food and water is not blocked by snow drifts, ice or other obstacles. If possible, bring them indoors. Caution: Carbon Monoxide Kills • Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors. • The primary hazards to avoid when using alternate sources for electricity, heating or cooking are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock and fire. • Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide. • If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. • Call for help from the fresh air location and remain there until emergency personnel arrive to assist you.

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NOVEMBER 2012 CROSSROADS

LIFESTYLE

This is my punishment... On a recent Friday afternoon, driving home from dropping Sam off at work, I noticed a young man dressed in a gray and white striped prison uniform, standing on the corner of a busy intersection during rush-hour traffic. He held a sign that read, “This is my punishment for stealing.” “That poor young man,” was the first thought in my head. Why? Because I know first and second-hand how cruel young people can be. I know how technology happy young people and adults are, and I wondered how long it would be before his picture was Tweeted, or a video posted on You Tube. I thought ahead to Monday morning at his school, and wondered if he would be bullied. I thought even further ahead and hoped this young man was strong mentally and emotionally. Children have taken their lives over less humiliation. My curiosity got the better of me, and I turned the car around and parked it in a lot near the intersection. Two adults stood probably 25 feet away, and I approached them, showed them my driver’s license and gave them my business card. I didn’t want to write a hard news story on the event…I just wanted to know their thoughts, and why they chose public humiliation as a disciplinary tool. As it turns out, the couple was the 13 year-old’s aunt and uncle. He attends a local middle school, and stole four packets of fruit snacks from the school’s cafeteria. The young man did it on a dare. An accomplice asked out loud, “What’s in your pocket?” As he raised his hand to pat his shirt down, a pack of the fruit snacks fell out. “I blame myself for letting them talk me into it,” he said. “I thought I probably wouldn’t get caught.” “And now?” I asked him. “I won’t ever steal again,” he immediately replied. “Probably a good idea,” I said. “If this was your first foray into a life of crime, it should be pretty clear that you need to choose a different career path. You’re not a good thief.” His uncle laughed, and I turned my attention to the adults who prescribed the hour-long punishment. Why this? Why not just take away the video games for a month or more? Why not ground him for the re-

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CROSSROADS NOVEMBER 2012

BY SHELLY A. SCHNEIDER

mainder of the semester? And where on earth did they find the prison uniform? I touched it. It was not Halloween costume. “It was mine,” the uncle volunteered. “I spent some time in jail. His dad, my brother, is in prison now.” “We just don’t want him to go down that same path,” his aunt added. “Sometimes I think it’s in my genes, though,” the 13 year-old said. I’ll add here that I was impressed with this young man. Not many teens would have agreed to speak with me, and this young man spoke quite eloquently. I don’t know what kind of student he is. I don’t know if he’s popular or unpopular or falls somewhere in the middle. I don’t know if he’s kind or a bully. I do know he’s given a lot of thought concerning his lot in life, and might figure his future is predestined. “You have blood relatives who have made some poor choices in life, so you’re just going to throw your hands up and start young, is that it?” I asked him. “You’re not a bad person,” I told him. “Do you know that? You simply made a bad choice. You have the power to make choices. And your friends didn’t ‘talk’ you into anything. You talked yourself into it, and you made the decision to steal.” “I know,” he said. “I won’t do it again.” He said the hour carrying the sign on the corner was long, and initially he was angry and embarrassed. “It gave me time to think about what I did,” he said. “Were you mad and embarrassed because you know what you did was wrong, or because you got caught?” I asked. “Honestly, because I got caught,” he said. “It was so stupid.” While we talked, another lady walked up to the aunt and uncle, and praised them for their choice. I told the young man I hoped he would look back on this day fondly, and realize that it very well may be a blessing in disguise. “Your aunt and uncle are the greatest blessing God has given you,” I said. “Two people, who could have said ‘No,’ chose to love you, teach you, and care about your future. I hope you’ll recognize that one day.” The sign and prison uniform were his punishments for stealing. I hope and pray that this 13-year old boy will look back on the Friday afternoon as the 60 minutes that changed his life for the better.

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Wentzville Welcomes Sam’s Club BY SHELLY A. SCHNEIDER

The new store is located behind Wal-Mart just off of the Wentzville Parkway. Sam’s Club Manager Steven Johnson has lived in Wentzville for the past eight years. On Tuesday, October 30, he officially opened the new Wentzville Sam’s Club. Prior to this club, Johnson managed the Chesterfield Sam’s Club. “A lot of managers wanted this store,” Johnson said. “It’s a great opportunity. You get to pick your own associates and build your own team…that’s something we all want.” The brand new facility even has a brand new break room that no one else in the company has. “When I started there was maybe a 19” television sitting on top of a refrigerator somewhere,” Johnson said. “Here we have a huge Viking refrigerator, two microwaves, and a big freezer. We also wanted a personalized area for the associates, so there are two chairs and a nice couch with a 60-inch television. We also provide the associates with two laptops with WiFi so they can check their personal emails during their breaks. “ The associates were all charged with blitzing the community and selling memberships. Johnson said the Wentzville club has led all other new clubs in the country with membership sign-ups. “The associates wanted an Xbox to be a part of the lounge area,” he said. “I initially said no to that. We found a guy with an actual arcade-style video game. It looks like a Ms. Pac Man machine, but it has 60 arcade games, including Donkey Kong, Frogger, etc. We talked about making it a quarter and then donating the proceeds. There will be a plaque on the machine, dedicated to the associates who

Wentzville Sam’s Club Store Manager Steven Johnson. Photo by Ray Rockwell.

Continued on page 8.

NOVEMBER 2012 CROSSROADS

AROUND TOWN

Wentzville Welcomes Sam’s Club Continued from page 7 went out and blitzed the market, including associates who came in from other area Sam’s Club stores.” Johnson said his initial goal after moving to take charge of the Chesterfield club was to eventually get back to his family in the Kansas City area. Johnson and his wife have three children and one on the way. They have fallen in love with the city of Wentzville, and have no plans to leave. “My wife fell in love with the community, and it was so special for me to get this club,” he said. “My family goes to the Holiday Night Lights and to Wabash Days; my kids are in the Wentzville School District. We already had close ties to the community.” There was no way, Johnson said, that he could open the new Sam’s Club on his own. “That’s the most humbling part about this,” he said. “Everyone has done so much for us. I think the Rotarians are more excited than I am about the opening of the club. The associates that we’ve hired have blown me away. I’m just humbled by everything…the community, the home office, etc.” Tony Mathews, president and CEO of the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce, said Wentzville is happy to welcome Sam’s

Club to the community. “I think we’ve seen such overwhelming support for them in the area,” Mathews said. “A lot of people are excited to have Sam’s Club here. It will drive a lot of business into the city, because it represents destination shopping. People will shop at the other Wentzville stores, and so it will be good for the whole business community, especially during the holiday season.” Each Sam’s Club is tailored to its community. Johnson said he’s proud to work with local businesses by carrying their products. “Buddeez beverage dispensers are made in Wentzville,” he said. “We’ll also carry Riley’s seasonings, Maull’s BBQ sauce, provel cheese, several different local wines, and Fitz root beer.” Sam’s Club does much more than sell products to the community, however. “My boss, Nathan Stout, is very committed to the community,” Johnson said. “We do event V.A.P.s (Volunteerism Always Pays). So far we’ve donated more than 250 hours and 60 associates to Friends of the Wentzville Parks. They built a concession stand for Progress Park. If we get our associates to donate a certain amount of time, the company will donate $5,000 to a charity. The three that we’ve chosen for now are: Friends of the Wentzville Parks, LINC (Love in the Name of Christ), and the Green Lantern.” What it all boils down to, Johnson said, is making people feel special, inside Sam’s Club and in the community. “We want our members to feel this club is something special, and we’ve worked really hard with our associates to provide the best customer service,” Johnson said.

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8 CROSSROADS NOVEMBER 2012

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ENTERTAINMENT

Award-winning Stars Reunite for “Blues for Willadean” Director Del Shores, who wrote the award-winning play “The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife,” said it has been a wonderful journey watching the success of the cast. Beth Grant had a featured role in “The Artist,” Octavia Spencer took home an Oscar for her role in “The Help,” and Dale Dickey appeared in the critically-acclaimed “Winter’s Bone.” Grant, Spencer, and Dickey reunited for “Blues for Willadean,” the movie adaptation of Shores’ play. The director said he and the cast wanted to get the story right. “The cast that you saw was the cast I wrote these roles for. They read the script—or a version of it—in my living room in 2002. Every one of them that read the first draft recreated their roles on screen. That was sort of thrilling to me,” Shores said during an exclusive telephone interview. Shores said he had done a lot of research into the psychology of abusive relationships. “I had known a woman who was in a relationship that ended much differently than [the play]. Her husband actually kidnapped her with her young child. A SWAT team ultimately killed him as he was holding her at gunpoint,” he said. “Blues for Willadean” focuses on Willadean Winkler (Grant), a wife and mother who struggles every day with her abusive husband J.D. (David Steen). Willadean cooks, cleans, and clips coupons in order to make a good home, but one misstep or perceived mistake sends J.D. into a violent rage. “I could not tell the story without the violence. You had to see what she was experiencing, and sometimes I would mask it through the eyes of LaSonia [played by Spencer], just hearing and seeing through that window,” Shores said. Beth Grant joined director Shores on the conference bridge and admitted that she originally didn’t want the lead role. “When Del first wrote this for me, I was first of all so terrified of doing a leading role. I’m a character actress and I love my career supporting leading ladies. When Del

BY STEVE BRYAN

proposed this role to me, I said ‘Oh gosh, I’m not salt, I’m pepper.’ I actually tried to talk him into letting me play the cocktail waitress’ role,” Grant explained. While preparing for the role, the actress said she started doing research about the whole dynamic of abuser and victim. “I also didn’t think I could play the victim of abuse because no man would ever hit me; I would hit him first. I started doing this research and it is—what’s it called—a sick dance, a dance of death. There’s a great makeup period after these battles; the sex is really great,” she said. Grant credits Shores’ writing in keeping Willadean from being a victim. The abused housewife is constantly trying to better herself. “She’s watching ‘Oprah,’ she’s reading Dr. Phil. She has a dictionary and she’s learning a new word every day. She’s trying to change; she’s trying to make things better, so she’s not feeling sorry for herself. She’s really trying hard,” the actress offered. Grant also points to Shores’ use of the humor of real life and the music in “Blues for Willadean.” Debby Holiday plays an unnamed blues singer who provides the soundtrack for Willadean’s struggles. “It was hard when we were rehearsing it and I was finding that character for the first time,” Grant said. There also was some serendipity for the actress when the cast came to Georgia to film scenes for “Blues for Willadean” in a real trailer. “When I was a little girl, I was driving with my mom and her friend and her friend’s daughter. We were driving down a country road and I saw this woman covered in blood walking down the road. Momma stopped the car, got out, and tried to help her. The woman said ‘I’m fine, I’m fine,’ wouldn’t get in the car or take any help,” she explained. Years later while doing the stage version of the play, Grant said she realized the woman had been beaten by her husband. “That’s why she didn’t want any help. Sure enough, we were shooting right outside of Atlanta and I asked where we were. They said Eastport, Georgia, which was exactly where we were when Momma and I saw that woman,” she said.

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AROUND TOWN

NOVEMBER 2012 CrossRoads Magazine

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Every Friday Weekly Public Star Shows At Broemmelsiek Park (1615 Schwede Road off Hwy. DD). Join members of the Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri for a viewing of the stars as they present a public open house for 2 hours beginning at dark. View far-away places through complex telescopes and discover secrets of the universe. All are welcome to attend. For more information, visit the Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri at www.asemonline.org. Weekends thru November 18 Fall Hayrides Held at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Fridays, and 5, 6, 7 and 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays at Broemmelsiek Park, 1615 Schwede Rd., off Highway DD (Winghaven Blvd.) near Wentzville. Groups of all ages are welcome. Two tractor pulled wagons take guests on a 45-minute ride through tree-lined fields of the park. Afterwards, participants can enjoy sitting around a glowing bonfire for an hour to roast their own treats. Guests may also bring non-alcoholic beverages, but glass containers are prohibited on the wagons or at the campfire site. The cost is $125 a wagon with a maximum of 20 people per wagon. Advanced reservations are required by contacting the St. Charles County Parks Department at 636.949.7535 or visiting www.stccparks.org. November 1 Free Caregiver Classes Held from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. in the Siteman Cancer Center conference room at BarnesJewish St. Peters Hospital campus. If you are someone’s caregiver or will be a caregiver in the near future, come to one or all of these caregiver classes, free to the public. Discover how the roles of massage and mu10

CROSSROADS NOVEMBER 2012

sic therapy promote health and comfort plus spiritual support discussed. For more information, please call 636.916.9830. November 5 Skate School - Beginner Flat Ground Tricks Offered to beginner and intermediate skaters alike. Learn the techniques needed to do a variety of flat ground tricks on your skateboard. Group and private lessons are available. Sessions run from November 5 through November 19. $35 per person for group lessons. For more information or to register for the classes, please contact the Youth Activity Park at 636.561.4964. November 7 Recycled Fashion Held from 6 – 7 p.m. in the Progress Park Conference Room. $12 per resident, and $15 per non-resident. For children ages 6 – 12. Make some items that no one will even recognize as recycled. For more information, please call the Wentzville Parks and Recreation Department at 636.332.9236. November 7 and 8 Women’s Self Defense Class Held from 7 – 9 p.m. at Progress Park Center. Free. Designed for teens and women, this class is held in coordination with the Wentzville Police Department (ages 13-17 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older). Learn the basics of hand-to-hand combat in close contact situations. Participants will be paired up in partners and simulate real life scenarios to learn to defend themselves. This is a two day course taught by Wentzville police officers. All equipment will be provided and participants are asked to dress in comfortable work out clothing. For more information, please call the Wentzville Parks and Recreation De-

To see your organization’s event listed here, please contact us. E-mail: cnews@centurytel.net Fax: 636.379.1632 Mail: 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366

partment at 636.332.9236. November 10 Free Shredding Event The Wentzville Fire Protection District and Reliance Bank will hold a free shredding event from 9 a.m. to noon at the Reliance Bank parking lot, 985 Wentzville Pkwy. (across from Walgreens and Meyer Road). Please bring up to five boxes of documents to be shredded. Paper only, please. No cardboard, metal, glass or plastic. November 15 Body Composition Screening for Women The event will be held from 3:30-5 p.m. at Lake Saint Louis City Hall. Determine your percentage of body fat and more, free! Appointments take 5 minutes. Pre-registration required at 636.561.4620. November 17 Helping Hands Held from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month. Designed for kids ages 10-15, this is a free volunteer program. The location varies by activity. Parents are responsible for providing transportation to and from the destination, and each child must be signed in and out. For more information, please call the Wentzville Parks and Recreation Department at 636.332.9236. November 17 12th Annual Turkey Trot 8:30 a.m. at Rotary Park. The fee is $30 if registered by November 10 or $40 on race day. There are nine age groups for the 5K and the one-mile walk/run. The first 150 entrants for the Turkey Trot will receive an official Wentzville Turkey Trot shirt. All participants are entered into a drawing for a turkey for your Thanksgiving feast. The

winners of the 5K run in each of the following age groups will receive awards: 10 & under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and older. The top three overall males and females will also receive awards, but they will not be awarded the plaque for winning their age group. For more information, please call the Wentzville Parks and Recreation Department at 636.332.9236. November 17 Blind Turkey Toss Disc Golf Tournament 5:30 p.m. at Quail Ridge Park (Shelter 2). $10 per person. Using baskets lined with glow sticks to mark the course, a shotgun start will begin the 18-hole contest. Trophies will be awarded for first-, second-, and third-place finishers in the tournament. In addition, there will be a “blind toss,” and the closest to the basket wins a frozen Thanksgiving turkey. A limited number of glow sticks will be available for purchase prior to the event. The tournament is open to the first 72 registered contestants. Registrations will be accepted from 4:30-5:15 p.m. the day of the tournament at Shelter #2 inside the park. For more information please visit www.stccparks.org or call Bekin Youngblood at 636. 949.7535. November 17 Annual Holiday Bazaar Vendor & Craft Fair New and unique crafters all under one roof. Admission is free. Great raffle items and

door prizes! The event will be held from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Rustique Sunrooms, 1300 Rustique Square, O’Fallon, Mo. 63368. Proceeds benefit YouthReach International, an international mission organization that provides mentors to at-risk youth in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. November 23 Holiday Night Lights The 15th annual Holiday Night Lights Display opens the day after Thanksgiving in Rotary Park. The drive through is open 6 – 10 p.m. Thursday – Sunday through December 9. The display will be open daily beginning December 13 (closed Christmas Day). The fee is $8 per vehicle (up to six people).

through December 10. $35 per person for group lessons. For more information about the class or to register, please call the Youth Activity Park at 636.561.4964.

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November 26 Skate School Intermediate Flat Gound Tricks Offered for intermediate and skilled skaters alike. Show off your skills and techniques in this class, as well as learn new skate skills along the way. Group and private lessons are available. Sessions run from November 26

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AROUND TOWN WESTERN ST. CHARLES COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE “Serving Wentzville, Lake St. Louis, and Dardenne Prairie” BY TONY MATHEWS

Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce Mystery Dinner Theater

Tony Mathews, President/CEO Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce

The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Mystery Dinner Theater on Friday, November 2 and Saturday, November 3, 2012. The cast will perform “Some Show (About a Murder)” by Lee Mueller. The event will be held at the Pitman Banquet Center located at 1543 Wentzville Parkway, Wentzville, MO 63385. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the play starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $30 per person. Admission includes dinner, drinks, dessert and a wonderful play. For reservations contact the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce at 636.327.6914. The event is sponsored by The Goddard School (Wentzville) and Pitman Funeral Home.

Chamber City-2-City Black Sunday 5K/10K Run and Walk The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce its City-2-City Black Sunday 5K/10K Run and Walk on Sunday, November 18, 2012. Everyone who races or walks will be registered to win a $1,000 gift card to spend over the Black Friday shopping weekend! Make your reservations to race today. The race will begin at 8 a.m. The fee is $30 for 10K runners, $20 for 5K run-

ners, and $15 for walkers. The race will start from Dardenne Prairie City Hall, 2032 Hanley Rd., to the Lake Saint Louis City Hall, 200 Civic Center Drive. For more information please contact the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce office at 636.327.6914 or www. westernstcharlescountychamber.com.

Chamber Launches Mobile Directory App The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce has launched the Chamber Mobile Directory App sponsored by Labor Ready. The Western St. Charles County serves more than 585 local businesses that can help you with all of your retail, service and business needs. We encourage you to pick up your smart phone and download the app today. The app will connect you with local business locations, business telephone numbers, give you directions and more.

To get the Western St. Charles County Mobile Directory App, download the free “My Chamber App” in your app store. Once the free app is download it will automatically choose the chamber or you may search for the Western St. Charles County Chamber by state. For more information please contact the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce at 636.327.6914; we would be happy to assist you.

Dynamic Pathways Celebrates Ribbon Cutting The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for Dynamic Pathways in Dardenne Prairie. Dynamic Pathways is a family resource and education center focused on helping children succeed. Dynamic Pathways is located at 1662 Bryan Rd., O’Fallon, Mo. 63368. For more information please call, 636.980.1286, or visit www.dynamicpathwaysllc.com. To see a video and find out more information about this ribbon cutting please visit www.westernstcharlescountychamber.com and click on the Chamber’s Facebook page. Photo courtesy of Western St. Charles Co. Chamber of Commerce

CROSSROADS NOVEMBER 2012

Photo Op PHOTOS BY RAY ROCKWELL

O’Fallon Farmers & Artists Market CrossRoads Photographer Ray Rockwell visited the O’Fallon Farmers and Artists Market on a beautiful October morning.

NOVEMBER 2012 CROSSROADS

LIFESTYLES

Teenager + Car = Nail-biting BY JOE MORICE

I drove farm tractors when I was 12. We also had lightly traveled rural roads for learning to drive. By the time I was 16, I was already driving most anything. It’s not the same for kids raised in the big city. They have to find an unpopulated street to practice parking, learn to stop, stay in their lane and so on. My granddaughter will soon turn 16, and she’s learning to drive. I find myself fearing for her survival in today’s world of maniacal metropolitan traffic. She’s learning in her mom’s all-wheel-drive gas hog. She’s doing okay, but nevertheless I worry, her mother worries, her brother worries, the insurance company worries…even the dog worries. A friend reminded me that almost every teenager will have a fender-bender before they wise up about the dangers of driving. Groan! She wants to get a part-time job but it requires transportation. A teenager who wants a job? Wow! These days, I thought most teenagers’ idea of working is $50 a week for letting the dog out before it stains the carpet. The question is, how do you teach a teenager the realities of driving? How do you teach her that tailgaters, lane hogs, cell phone users, pickup trucks towing loaded trailers 80 mph and all the other causes of accidents resulting from severe cases of stupid can get her killed? How do you make her understand that driving around parking lots at the mall is more hazardous than driving on slippery streets; that stop signs are sometimes ignored; that shopping malls are where car thieves and hijackers hang out? She’s pretty smart and that’s a plus, but inexperience often overshadows smart.

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Driver’s license testing usually includes driving around a neighborhood of the testing facility to see if the applicants stop at stop signs, drive 20 on a back street, parallel park, etc. Who in his or her right mind would direct applicants on to a major highway during rush hour to see whether they survive or become another statistic? It might be safer than bungee jumping but not much. Yet rush hour is where she occasionally may end up. Yikes! It’s also hard to convince a kid not to be nervous during these tests. I’ll try to tell my granddaughter to stay cool and I’m sure she’ll listen but then turn into a teeth-chattering, saucer-eyed wreck anyway. Hopefully, she won’t panic and run into a bus while turning left from the right lane. I considered taking her to the rural area where I was raised to drive on seldom-used back roads. Unfortunately, there are very few of these left unless you drive much farther. It would be like taking a weekend drive in the country, getting lost, asking directions and being told to turn left at the milk cow with a runny nose and eventually finding your way home in time for Monday. It would also use enough gas to let oil company big-shots afford country clubs with caddies that find bad shots in good places. I’m proud of my granddaughter. I sometimes wish I were rich so I could give her a new sports car to drive and an allowance big enough to buy $80 jeans with holes in them. Paying for her college education would be great, too…but then, if I was able to do all this, would she be a teenager who wants a job and understands nothing is really free? It remains doubtful. Perhaps we’ll buy her an old Chevy to wreck.

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You Need a Personal Safety Plan for Black Friday Important Safety Tips from NCPC Make Holiday Shopping Go Smoothly The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), home of McGruff the Crime Dog, advises shoppers develop a personal safety and security plan to keep criminals at bay. This year many shoppers will be out early to find those big bargains on Black Friday or online for Cyber Monday, but the criminals will be out, too. NCPC has 10 great tips to help you shop safely while getting those great holiday bargains throughout the shopping season. 1. Do not buy more than you can carry. Plan ahead by taking a friend with you or ask a store employee to help you carry your packages to the car. 2. Shop online with companies you know and trust. Check a companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s background if you are not familiar with it. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. 3. Save all receipts. Print and save all confirmations from your online purchases. Start a file folder to keep all receipts together and to help you verify credit card or bank statements as they come in. 4. Consider alternate options to pay for your merchandise, such as onetime or multiuse disposable credit cards or money

orders, at online stores and auction sites. 5. Wait until asked before taking out your credit card or checkbook. An enterprising thief would love to shoulder surf to get your account information. 6. Deter pickpockets. Carry your purse close to your body or your wallet inside a coat or front trouser pocket. 7. Have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle. Check the back seat and around the car before getting in. 8. Do not leave packages visible in your car windows. Lock them in the trunk or, if possible, take them directly home. 9. Tell a security guard or store employee if you see an unattended bag or package. The same applies if you are using mass transit. 10. If you are shopping with children, make a plan in case you get separated. Select a central meeting place and make sure they know they can ask mall personnel or store security employees if they need help. To find more useful shopping tips and personal safety information, visit the National Crime Prevention Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website at www.ncpc.org.

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FOOD

A Tasty Twist on Turkey Leftovers (Family Features) When you’re planning your big turkey dinner, the one thing you want to be sure to do is get a turkey big enough for some delicious leftovers. While turkey sandwiches are good, there’s a lot more you can do with this tasty bird. Breakfast or Brunch — Wake the family up to a hearty breakfast casserole that’s a creamy blend of turkey, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, cheese and hash browns. It has a crunchy topping with a surprise ingredient; and you can finish it off with a dollop of fresh and flavorful Wholly Guacamole. Make it ahead of time so all you have to do is pop it into the oven in the morning. Lunch — Enjoy lunch on the lighter side with a turkey salad sandwich. Instead of mayo, this dish gets flavor and 20 nutrients from the avocado in Wholly Guacamole. For extra zip, go with the spicy variety. Dinner — For another make-ahead meal, try a zesty turkey and corn enchilada casserole. This dish is easy to put together, and you may have all the ingredients in your pantry already. A cornbread base, your favorite enchilada sauce, turkey, cheese, and a generous serving of your favorite guac all add up to a new family favorite. Get more leftover ideas with a twist at www.eatwholly.com. Quick Turkey Tidbits Need some more inspiration for turkey leftovers? Try one of these easy snack ideas: Turkey nachos — Shredded turkey, peppers, onions, black olives and cheese on lime-flavored nacho chips. Top with chunky guac, salsa or sour cream. Turkey bites — Top your favorite crackers with a little turkey and a slice of pepper Jack cheese. Microwave until the cheese starts to melt. Add a dollop of salsa or guac. Mini mexi-pizzas — Split an English muffin, and spread a little salsa on each half. Top with turkey and shredded cheese. Broil until cheese is bubbly. Top with a dollop of sour cream or guac.

Turkey Potato Cheesy Breakfast Casserole

Serves: 8 2 cups cubed turkey 1 cup low-fat sour cream 1 10-oz can cream of chicken soup 1/4 cup milk 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided 1 bag (30 oz) fzn hash brown potatoes, thawed 1/2 onion, diced 1/2 cup corn flake cereal 1 cup Wholly Guacamole

In mixing bowl, combine turkey, sour cream, soup, milk, 1/2 cup cheese, hash browns and onion. Spread in bottom of 2 quart dish (greased). Bake, uncovered, at 350°F for 1 hour. Add additional 1/2 cup of cheese and corn flake cereal, and bake another 5 to 10 minutes until bubbly and slightly browned. Let cool for 10 minutes and serve with a dollop of Wholly Guacamole.

Guacamole Turkey Salad Serves: 6 2 tablespoons canola oil 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided 1 cup of turkey, diced 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 3/4 teaspoon cumin, ground 1 lime zested 2 limes, juiced, divided

1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4 2 1

teaspoon sugar teaspoon Mexican chili powder cup red bell pepper, diced cup yellow bell pepper, diced cup red onion, diced tablespoons cilantro, rough chop cup Wholly Guacamole dip

Mix oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, black pepper, cumin, sugar, chili powder, lime zest and juice of 1 1/2 limes. Add to turkey and allow to marinate for at least 20 minutes — do not exceed 30 minutes. Mix in bell peppers, onion, cilantro, dip, turkey, the rest of the lime juice and remaining salt. Serve in a pita, on a whole wheat bun, as a lettuce wrap, or with crackers. 16 CROSSROADS NOVEMBER 2012

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Wentzville Accepting Nominations for Citizen of the Year The city of Wentzville is accepting nominations for the annual Citizen of the Year award. This is the second year for this special award. Nominating forms are available at Wentzville City Hall and at www. wentzvillemo.org. Residents may also call 636.327.5101 and request a form be mailed to them. Nominating forms must be returned to Wentzville City Clerk Vitula Skillman at Wentzville City Hall, 310 West Pearce Blvd., Wentzville, MO 63385. All nominations must be turned in by November 9 to be considered. To submit a nomination, a person must be either a resident of the city of Wentzville, or a Wentzville business owner or employee of a business located in Wentzville. For a nominee to be eligible, he or she must reside in Wentzville at the time the nomination is made, and cannot be an elected official or serve on

the Citizen of the Year Award selection committee. When filling out the nomination form, residents may provide any photos and documents they believe support their nomination, along with detailed information as to why they believe the nominee deserves this award. The Wentzville Board of Aldermen will make the presentation of the award to the winning nominee at one of the January 2013 Board of AlStreetsofStCharlesDental.com dermen meetings.

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Blanchette Bridge Update The westbound I-70 bridge over the Missouri River was built in the late 1950s. It is in serious need of major repairs. Major river crossings are designed to last 100 years with a major overall needed at 50 years. Without major repairs, the bridge will continue to fall into disrepair and emergency repairs will be required at more frequent internals with longer traffic closures. These repairs will become increasingly more expensive. Westbound I-70 Blanchette Bridge will close for less than one year, beginning November 1, 2012. Changes and improvements to the Blanchette Bridge include: • Removal/replacement of the existing truss spans with new trusses. • Replacement of the complete driving surface, edge barrier walls and all expansion joints • Elimination of the three spans nearest to the Street Louis County end and their conversion to roadway on embankment • Repair all remaining concrete substructure units including replacement of some parts • Complete replacement of the structural steel in the first nine spans of the bridge on the Street Charles County side • Repair of structural steel components of the long girder spans and the truss spans • Repainting of all existing structural steel Traffic Impacts The latest information from MoDOT calls for multiple lanes in

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each direction to be closed November 2-4, with a barrier wall installed on the eastbound bridge. The existing westbound bridge will be closed by late Sunday, November 4. It will remain closed for less than one year. During the closure, the eastbound I-70 bridge will have three lanes of traffic for each direction. Rte 370 and Rte 364 will serve as the major alternate routes to cross the Missouri River. Another alternative is RideFinders. This free ride matching service enables commuters in the Street Louis region to find a ride to work or college in a carpool or vanpool. By sharing the ride with RideFinders, nearly 10,000 commuters save millions of dollars in commuting costs while eliminating millions of driving miles and pounds of pollution for the region. RideFinders also works with nearly 900 participating employers and colleges to help their employees and students rideshare – at no cost. Finally, RideFinders offers a free SchoolPool program for K-12 schools that helps their parents form carpools to take students to and from school. All ramps at Fifth Street will be open except for the ramp from northbound Fifth Street to eastbound I-70. This ramp does not have enough room to merge traffic into the condensed lanes of three in each direction on the bridge. Northbound Fifth Street traffic will have a signed detour on Veterans Memorial to Route 94 to access eastbound I-70.

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Driving Directions to Main Street Historic District • S. Hwy 94 to MO-94 E toward Street Charles; as you travel over Hwy 70, Hwy. 94 turns into First Capitol Dr. First Capitol Dr. to 230 S. Main Street, which is the Saint Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau. • N. Hwy 94 to MO-94 turns into Third Street; merge onto N. Third Street/MO-94 W. Turn left onto Tecumseh Street/MO-94 (roundabout). Turn right onto N. Second Street/MO-94. From N. Second Street turn left on Clark Street and right on Main Street • 370 West take MO-370W to Exit 7, MO-94/N. Third Street Merge onto N. Third Street/MO-94. Turn left onto Tecumseh Street/MO-94 (roundabout). Turn right onto N. Second Street/ MO-94. From N. Second Street turn left on Clark Street and right on Main Street • 370 East take MO-370E to Exit 7, MO-94/N. Third Street Turn right on N. Third Street/MO-94. Turn left onto Tecumseh Street/

MO-94 (roundabout). Turn right onto N. Second Street/MO-94. Make a left on Clark Street and right on Main Street • 70 West take I-70W exit at Fifth Street (Exit 229B) . Right on Fifth Street to Boone’s Lick Road, turn right. Left on Main Street • 70 East take I-70E exit at Fifth Street (Exit 229). Left on Fifth Street to Boone’s Lick Road, turn right. Left on Main Street • 70 East take I-70E exit at First Capitol Dr. (Exit 228). Left on First Capitol Dr. to Main Street • 70 West take I-70W exit to First Capitol Dr. (Exit 228B). Right on First Capitol Dr. to Main Street • 270 to 364 West take the Page Extension across Veterans Memorial Bridge and exit at Arena Parkway. (Exit 14). Turn right; continue past The Family Arena until Arena Parkway. dead-ends at Friedens Road/S. River Road (approx. two miles). Turn right on S. River Road; continue one mile to Main Street, and turn right to enter historic district.

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St. Louis, MO Permit 2828

2139-A Bryan Valley Commercial Dr., Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Fallon, MO 63366