CrossRoads: Dec. 2012 by Community News

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CROSSROADS DECEMBER 2012

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DECEMBER spotlight

Celebrate the Season!

lifestyle

It’s Party Season!

2012 contents

by Shelly A. Schneider

A Child’s Best Teacher by Joe Morice

VOL 9 | NO 12

entertainment

“Smiley” Explores by Steve Bryan

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around town

WSD Selects Principal

Community Calendar

Decorating Safety

Western St. Charles Co. Chamber News

Prepare Home for Freezing Weather

Holiday Crime Prevention Tips

Travel Better this Holiday Season

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DECEMBER 2012 CROSSROADS

SPOTLIGHT

Celebrate the Season! Gather your family and friends and celebrate the holidays in your own back yard. There is so much to see and do in St. Charles County! Wentzville’s Holiday Night Lights Information from Wentzville’s Vision Newsletter Whether you cruise the display by car, take advantage of the special walk-through night, or do both, Wentzville’s 16th annual Holiday Night Lights display at Rotary Park will add a special sparkle to your holidays and create great memories for you and your family. A full, magical mile with thousands of glittering lights outlining holiday scenes and tunnels offers a thrill for everyone! The Wentzville Holiday Night Lights display will be open to visitors Thursdays - Sundays through Sunday, December 9. From December 13 through December 30, the display will be open every evening except for Christmas Day, December 25. Display hours are from 6 – 10 p.m. Admission is only $8 for vehicles holding up to six passengers. Vans, buses or limos holding seven or more people must pay an additional $1 per person, beginning with the seventh person. A special walk-through night will be held from 6 – 8 p.m. on Monday, December 10. In addition to strolling through the impressive light displays, visitors that evening can enjoy refreshments in the Kolb building. Santa will also be there, so be sure to bring a camera for all the photo opportunities you’ll find. The cost for the walkthrough evening is $3 per person for ages six and up. Children 5 years old and younger will be admitted free. No drive-through viewing will be allowed on this special night. Wentzville’s Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade Wentzville’s traditional kickoff to the holidays, the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 2. The official Wentzville Christmas Tree will be located

on the wedge of land between Pete’s Drive-In and Dee’s Produce, at the intersection of Pearce Boulevard and Luetkenhaus Boulevard. Holiday musical entertainment will enhance the festive spirit that evening, and Wentzville’s Mayor Nick Guccione will officially light the tree. Immediately following the tree lighting, the Wentzville Christmas Parade will begin. The parade starts at Budget Towing on Luetkenhaus Boulevard, will travel south to Pearce Boulevard, then turn and go west on Pearce to the Wentzville firehouse. At the firehouse, kids and adults alike can gather for cookies, candy canes, hot chocolate, and, of course, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Bring your camera so you don’t miss a single photo-op as children sit on Santa’s lap and talk over their Christmas list with the jolly old elf. O’Fallon’s Celebration of Lights Treat your friends and loved ones to a tour through O’Fallon’s 21st Annual Celebration of Lights in Fort Zumwalt Park, O’Fallon, Missouri 63366. The annual holiday lights display continues nightly through December 30, except for Christmas on December 25, when it will be closed. “Visitors will find the woods, picnic areas and playgrounds magically transformed by millions of twinkling lights and holiday scenes into a winter wonderland offering surprises around every corner,” said Marsha Seymour, manager of O’Fallon’s Tourism and Festivals Department. There are several ways to see the sights. Here’s a breakdown of the 2012 Celebration of Lights schedule, admissions, and who to contact to reserve a special ride. Drive-through, no reservations needed: • 6-9 p.m. Sunday, and Tuesday through Thursday (except Tuesday, December 11). • 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission: $9 for cars, $15 for commercial vans, $1 per person on tour buses ($25 minimum).

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SPOTLIGHT

o Tuesday Night Special - $7 for all non-commercial vehicles o Wednesday – Sunday, bring a food pantry donation of canned or boxed goods and get a $1 discount per vehicle. Make reservations for: • City Train rides – “Monday Night Special” train rides through the Celebration of Lights can be booked for December 3, 10 and 17 while spaces last, and must be reserved in advance. No other vehicles will be allowed in the park. The cost is $7 per person for ages 12 and up, and $5 for children ages 1-11. Infants 11 months and under are free, but reservations must be made for everyone. Call 636.379.5502, or email mseymour@ofallon.mo.us. • Sleigh-Hayrides – Available on Tuesdays (except Dec. 11), Wednesdays, and Thursdays, rides last approximately 25 minutes and must be scheduled in advance; please call 636.379.5502, or email mseymour@ofallon.mo.us. The cost is $100 per group for up to 25 people, including children on laps. To get the date you want, reserve rides as soon as possible. • Horse-drawn carriage and wagon rides – Rides must be reserved in advance. Contact the Carousel Farms and Carriage Company at info@cfcarriage.com or 636.390.4403. Rides are approximately 30 minutes. The Celebration of Lights is sponsored by the city of O’Fallon with participation by local businesses and civic organizations. A portion of the admission money goes to local charities. For more information, visit www.ofallon.mo.us/COL or call 636.379.5614. Volunteers, your help is needed. Please contact Volunteer Services at 636.379.5507 or volunteer@ofallon.mo.us. Visit www.ofallon. mo.us/volunteer for more information. Directions to Fort Zumwalt Park: • From I-70, take Exit 216 at Bryan Road in O’Fallon. Turn south on Bryan Road, then left at the first light onto Veterans Memorial Parkway, and continue east on Veterans Memorial Parkway for about 1.5 miles to the entrance to Fort Zumwalt Park, on the right. • From I-64/Highway 40-61, take the WingHaven Blvd. exit north;

continue north (as WingHaven becomes Bryan Road) for about 6 miles to Veterans Memorial Parkway (stoplight); turn left on Veterans Memorial Parkway and drive east about 1.5 miles to the Fort Zumwalt Park entrance on the right. St. Charles Christmas Traditions Ready for a new tradition? Visit St. Charles Christmas Traditions in historic St. Charles. It’s an old-fashioned Christmas featuring storybook characters, Victorian carolers and Santas from around the world. The festival runs Wednesdays, and Fridays through Sundays from Thanksgiving to Christmas. The South Main Preservation Society presents St. Charles Christmas Traditions, with funding from the city of St. Charles, via the St. Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau. Tickets are available for Breakfast with Santa, and “A Clueless Christmas,” a funny, interactive Christmas mystery lunch or dinner theater. New to Christmas Traditions this year is the Gingerbread Village on North Main Street. Carriage rides, chestnut roasters, a kissing ball, a marshmallow roast, photos with Santa, and more await your family. For more information on St. Charles Christmas Traditions, including a calendar of events through December 26, please visit www. stcharleschristmas.com. Candlelight Tour Night has fallen, the stars shine above, and thousands of candles illuminate a world on the edge of the frontier. At the Historic Daniel Boone Home & Heritage Center’s Annual Candlelight Tour, guests step back to the 19th century and witness Christmas as it was celebrated in the past. Learn about different cultures and traditions while enjoying period decorations and hot wassail. The Candlelight Tour will be held December 7, 8, 14 and 15. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and tours begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 for children and $15 for adults. Advanced tickets will be sold through December 3. For more information, please visit www.danielboonehome. com.

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LIFESTYLE

It’s Party Season! I drove by Progress South Elementary just before Halloween and giggled to myself. Cars crammed into the parking lot while others circled the premises unsuccessfully, desperately searching for a parking spot before the party began. “I remember those days,” I said to myself. “I’m so glad I don’t have to volunteer for those par-

ties anymore!” Ahhh, elementary school parties. I’ve done my time…served my sentence…paid my dues. I happily served (or at least I faked it) because it was so important to our children. Now you have to understand, when I volunteered to help at a party, I preferred the simple tasks, like bringing juice boxes for everyone. I never signed up for “Head Room Mom.” I’m what you’d call the worker bee in this situation. God did not give me the talent to plan parties for children. He did, however, give me the good sense to understand my limits. I learned those limits when Michael was in kindergarten. It was time for the Halloween party, and I was asked to bring a big container of vanilla ice cream for the snack. Other moms and dads sent the various toppings. I was in charge of scooping the ice cream into the bowls, and I figured I could handle that. Just as long as I didn’t have to come up with some cutesy creative game or Halloween craft project for the kids. I was feeling pretty proud of myself. Just a couple of days before the party I found a Halloween vest. I would look festive and Michael would beam with pride. There was the added bonus of not having to wear a costume. Cool! My pride turned to Halloween horror when I entered the classroom at precisely 1:15 p.m. Wednesday and found the Mrs. Head Room Mom dressed in my vest! Had it been a Gucci or Vera Wang original, I might have challenged her to a dual or something, but being a $5 Kmart special (albeit not a blue light special), we looked at each other and laughed. The kids returned from music at 1:30 p.m. and my little Superman flew across the room to give me a hug and kiss. Michael’s costume,

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CROSSROADS DECEMBER 2012

By Shelly A. Schneider

store bought as you probably guessed, transformed him the instant he put it on. He flew around the yard faster than a speeding insect, and leapt tall blades of grass in a single bound. Lucky for me the costume also gave him the superhuman power to be really cute without being amazingly annoying. There was just one tiny little problem with the whole Superman persona, and it got me thinking: How did Superman go to the bathroom without taking off the entire costume? And did the cape ever get in the way? Mercifully, the whole lavatory thing happened just minutes into the party, before Michael was covered in juice and glue. At exactly 1:35 p.m. the kids sat down and were called forward in groups of four to retrieve their bowl of ice cream and choose their toppings. Mrs. Head Room Mom leaned over to tell me she remembered Michael didn’t like sweets. “I brought a couple of bags of chips for him, just in case,” she whispered. Martha Stewart had nothing on this lady. I was promptly put to shame. How could I forget to bring something salty for my little Superman? I might as well have put Kryptonite in his bowl. But I thanked Mrs. Head Room Mother and reminded myself this is exactly why I scooped ice cream instead of planned parties. After the snack it was time for games. Yippee! Pass the pumpkin was first on the agenda. I’ve been told it’s much like the Hot Potato game. Don’t ask me to explain, because I didn’t even know about Hot Potato. Which, again, is why I was put in charge of scooping ice cream. The children followed that with Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin, a relay game and pumpkin decorating. The party went off without a hitch, thanks to Mrs. Head Room Mom and her crew of worker bees. The party days are over…well, school sponsored party days. Actually, there’s one more school party to go. Sam will graduate in May from Fort Zumwalt South High School. Grad Night is an amazing party for the graduates and their guests. The all-night affair features extremely loud music, great entertainment, games, amazing prizes and more. Jim and I have volunteered as chaperones for the past two years, and I’m assuming we’ll do it one more time in 2013. Good thing Excedrin is back on the shelves!

AROUND TOWN

WSD Selects Principal, Name, Mascot and Colors for New High School The Wentzville School District Board of Education has selected current Frontier Middle School Principal Phil Ragusky to lead the new high school when it opens next year. The board voted unanimously to name the school Liberty High School, based on the suggestions of students, parents and staff members. The board also took that input into consideration and selected the eagle as the school’s mascot and blue, red, and white as the school colors. Ragusky has spent the last 25 years in education, and has served the Wentzville School District for the past nine years as a middle school principal. He has been at Frontier Middle School since the beginning, and helped opened the building in 2005. “I love my Frontier family, and at the same time I am so excited about the opportunity to create a high school with the same fantastic students who have helped make FMS such a

great school,” Ragusky said. “The possibilities are endless and my desire is to help create a high school that the entire Wentzville School District Community can be proud to call its own.” Ragusky received his bachelors in education from the University of Missouri, his Masters and Specialist degrees from UMSL, and will soon complete his Doctorate in Education. Liberty High School is located at 2275 Sommers Road, and will be a 227,000 sq. ft. comprehensive high school when completed. Construction is on schedule, and the school will open for a freshman class in August of 2013. For more information, pictures and blueprints of Liberty High School, please visit http://wentzville.k12.mo.us/course/ view.php?id=526.

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Toy Drive The Caring and Sharing Food Pantry is teaming up with Maggie Malone’s in Wentzville for the second annual toy drive. The toy drive will be held from 1 – 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 2 at Maggie Malone’s. This family friendly event will feature kids’ karaoke, professional pictures with Santa for $2, free crafts and ornament decorating, free snacks and beverages for the kids, 50/50 raffles and more. Entry to the event is a new, unwrapped toy or gift. The first drive helped 75 area families in the St. Charles County area. Organizers hope to expand the reach in 2012 to families in Lincoln, Pike and Warren Counties. Donations will be accepted through December 2 at Maggie Malone’s, 990 Wentzville Parkway, Wentzville, MO. 63385. If you’d like to volunteer, or have your donation picked up, please call 636.332.1176.

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State Fire Marshal Advises Missourians to Remember Fire Safety During the Holidays Holiday decorations, candles, Christmas trees and cooking all increase risk for residential fires State Fire Marshal Randy Cole urges Missourians to remember fire safety as they gather with family and friends to celebrate the holidays. Each year across the U.S., fire departments respond to an average of 240 residential fires caused by Christmas trees alone, according to the National Fire Protection Association. “Around the country, residential fires generally increase in December,” said Fire Marshal Cole. “As temperatures drop, people are heating their homes and spending more time indoors. In addition, the holiday season means decorations, celebrations and an increase in indoor cooking, all of which increase the potential for a fire.” Candles are another potential fire hazard that many incorporate into their holiday decorations. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, across the nation, candles are responsible for more than 15,000 residential fires a year, causing 150 deaths, 1,270 injuries, and more than $500 million in property damage. The U.S.F.A. adds that December is the peak month for home candle fires, with 24 percent of all candle fires occurring in December or January. According to the U.S.F.A, more than half of these fires are a result of a candle being placed too close to flammable holiday decorations, such as Christmas trees. Fire Marshal Cole also encourages families to practice safety in the kitchen as they cook for the holidays. According to the National Fire Protection Association, two of every five reported home fires start in the kitchen, more than any other room in the home. The U.S.F.A. adds that almost half of residential fires in the U.S. in 2009 were caused by cooking. The U.S.F.A. recommends these precautions around the holidays: • Don’t use real candles as part of decorations and remember to always exercise basic safety when using candles throughout the home. • Never leave a lighted Christmas tree or other decorative lighting display unattended. Inspect lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections, and broken sockets. Do not overload extension cords or outlets and do not place an electrical cord under a rug. • Natural cut Christmas trees always involve some risk of fire. To min-

imize the risk, make sure the tree you choose is fresh and keep it watered at all times. Do not put the tree within three feet of a fireplace, space heater, radiator or heat vent. • Decorate with children in mind. Do not put ornaments that have small parts or metal hooks, or look like food or candy, on the lower branches where small children can reach them. Trim protruding branches at or below a child’s eye level and keep lights out of reach. • Do not burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood, or wrapping paper in a home fireplace. • Declare the kitchen off limits to children and those adults not assisting with food preparation. A crowded kitchen can increase the danger of spills and burns. • Be prepared to deal with potential cooking fires. Remember to never put water on a grease fire. Fire Marshal Cole reminds everyone to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as fire extinguishers, to make sure they are working properly and to review home escape plans with all family members. He recommends that overnight guests should also be educated on home escape plans. “Winter is the most dangerous season for injuries and deaths due to fire,” Cole said. “As the holidays approach, the best way to protect your home and your loved ones is to take just a few minutes to discuss fire safety and home escape plans.” The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology has produced a video that dramatically shows the fire danger a dry natural Christmas tree creates. Once ignited, a dry Fraser fir bursts into flames in seven seconds, and is consumed by fire in slightly more than a minute. While a well-watered Fraser fir briefly ignites, the flame soon dies out — reducing the hazard. The video of the two trees, side-by-side, provides a stunning lesson about why keeping a Christmas tree moist can be a matter of life-and-death importance. The video may be viewed at http://www.nist.gov/el/ fire_research/tree_120810.cfm.

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8 CROSSROADS DECEMBER 2012

ENTERTAINMENT

“Smiley” Explores Urban Legends, Cyber-Bullying As children, most people heard about “Bloody Mary,” an urban legend about an unfortunate girl named Mary. Chanting her name in a darkened bathroom would summon a horrific image in the mirror, making it an ideal thing to try at slumber parties or when mom and dad weren’t at home. “Smiley,” director Michael Gallagher’s new thriller, can be considered an updated, digital version of that legend. “It’s taking that sort of concept of calling an entity from beyond and being able to summon it by saying a phrase a few times,” Gallagher explained when reached by phone for an exclusive interview. “Instead of doing it in front of a mirror, we are doing it in front of a computer. The title refers to an entity that can be summoned via the Internet. A girl named Ashley (Caitlin Gerard) inadvertently summons Smiley, who in turn kills someone. Ashley has to figure out if the legend is real or if someone is merely playing a sick joke on her. Gallagher said that he has been fascinated and horrified at the same time by the amount of time and trust his generation puts into social media and new technology. “The amount of information that we all seem to put on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, any social networking site, is staggering. And it’s quite scary that we are all doing this by free will,” he explained. The director also said the film is a chance to explore the darker, more evil corners of the Internet that not everyone talks about. “I think most people have been hacked at some point, or had spam or malicious email sent. Or some of us have been cyber-attacked, either by bullies, people that you know or people that you don’t know based on a comment you said on a certain post or a blog that

By Steve Bryan

you wrote,” Gallagher said. “The Internet having an open forum of information is a double-edged sword. This goes on the sharper edge of that sword.” As Business Insider pointed out years ago, criminals have been using social networking sites like Facebook to determine potential homes to rob. “It’s almost like we are doing a criminal’s work for them, letting them know where we are at any given time. This idea of sharing or oversharing has led to some scary things: the advancement of crime and the way criminals could potentially share information,” Gallagher explained. “I’ve heard some pretty crazy stories about some New Age drug dealing through Twitter and Facebook using different aliases, pseudonyms to discuss what a drug might be. It’s crazy to think of all the high-tech ways that people are using technology to kind of streamline crimes.” The director points out that “Smiley” also explores the opposite of the law of attraction. “The movie deals with the concept that we put so much stuff out on the Internet, a lot of which can be negative, a lot of negativity, and evil thoughts. People hide behind anonymous screen names and post horrible things to other people,” he said. “The film sort of poses the question of saying “Can the Internet grow a consciousness, and could that consciousness be evil?” The Internet and getting involved in things online, especially negative things, can really drain your energy, suck the life out of you. There is so much negativity out there, you become consumed by it.” “Smiley” currently is playing in limited release.

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AROUND TOWN

DECEMBER 2012

Community CALENDAR December 2 Sounds of the Season Enjoy Sounds of the Season at St. Charles County Heritage Museum. The event will take place from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. at the County Heritage Museum (1630 Heritage Landing near St. Charles). Come in out of the cold, sip a cup of hot apple cider, and enjoy a variety of inspiring music, all while touring the beautiful free transportation exhibit at the Museum. The first 50 guests will receive a complimentary commemorative ornament. Musical performances include the Greenleaf Singers and City Voices Chorus - Sunday Picnic quartet and the Peine Ridge Elementary Singspirations Choir and more! For more information, please call 636.949.7535. December 8 Breakfast or Lunch with Santa Infants and children up to age 12 can enjoy a kid-friendly breakfast or pizza lunch with Santa at the Progress Park Center. Following their meal with Santa,

kids will get to make a craft and play fun games. Children ages 2 and younger will need help from a parent. Kids will also get some individual time with Santa, so be sure to bring your camera! Breakfast with Santa runs from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. The pizza lunch runs from 11 a.m. – noon. The cost for either breakfast or lunch with Santa is $10 for resident children ages 2 - 12, and $12 for nonresident children ages 2 - 12. Children under the age of 2 will be admitted free. Preregistration is required for all children, and the registration deadline is Monday, December 3. December 12 Shhh! It’s a Secret Children enjoy giving gifts to their loved ones during the holiday season. This program is for 3 – 9 year olds, and children will create three one-of-a-kind gifts for family and friends. Dress to get messy! A snack and drink will conclude the class. The class will be held from 6 – 7 p.m. for 3 -5 year olds, and from 7:15 –

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CROSSROADS DECEMBER 2012

CrossRoads Magazine

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

8:15 p.m. for 6 and older. Both classes are held in the Progress Park conference room. The fee is $12 per resident, and $15 per nonresident. For more information, please call the Wentzville Parks and Recreation Department at 636.332.9236. December 16 Coffee Talk This is an informal, open discussion of important city issues with Wentzville Mayor Nick Guccione. The mayor welcomes all residents who would like to attend. Coffee Talk will be held from 12:30 – 2 p.m. at Wentzville City Hall, 310 W. Pearce Blvd. December 26 Free Curbside Christmas Tree Recycling Wentzville residents may easily dispose of their live Christmas trees and know the trees will be recycled into compost or organic mulch. Put your Christmas trees out on the same day you put out the rest of your trash. The last day for pickup is January 11. Please be sure to remove the tree stand, tinsel, and lights. Also, trees should not be covered with plastic or any other kind wrapping material. For more information, please call 636.639.2049. January 2013 Lake Saint Louis Art Classes The Lake Saint Louis Parks & Recreation department is proud to offer four separate classes instructed by award winning artist Marie Donato - www.mariedo-

nato.com. Choose from Pastel Painting, Drawing, Watercolor or Open Studio. The next set of lessons will begin in January 2013. Classes will meet at the Lake Saint Louis Civic Center for two hours each week for 6 total weeks. Cost per session is $82 and supplies are purchased separately (a supply list for each class available). For more information and to register, call 636.561.4620 or visit www.lakesaintlouis.com; look under the parks and recreation section. January 6 Christmas after Christmas Bingo The Wentzville American Legion Auxiliary will host the event. Attendance prizes include a 40” flat screen TV, fun baskets and restaurant and gas gift cards. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., and Bingo begins at 2 p.m. American Legion Post #323 is located at 504 Luetkenhaus Blvd (formerly Old Business 61). January 7 Flex & Strength Adult Yoga Join our instructor as she incorporates poses and stretches from yoga and Pilates. All skill levels welcome. Classes meet for six weeks on Mondays and Thursdays (12 total classes.) Note: Please bring your own mat to class. For more information and to register, visit www. lakesaintlouis.com; look under the parks and recreation section.

AROUND TOWN

Decorating Safety Information courtesy of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. As the holiday season approaches, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging consumers to make safety a factor in holiday decorating. Whether it is careful candle placement or checking the warning label on the holiday lights, simple safety steps can go a long way in preventing fires and injuries this year. Annually, during the two months surrounding the holiday season, more than 14,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms due to injuries related to holiday decorating. In addition, Christmas trees are involved in hundreds of fires resulting in an average of 15 deaths and $13 million dollars in property damage annually. Candle-related fires lead the list of hazards averaging more than 12,000 a year, resulting in 150 deaths and $393 million in property damage. “Holiday decorating-related fires and injuries most often involve defective holiday lights, unattended candles and dried-out Christmas trees,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “We are providing this list of 10 simple safety steps to help keep your holiday home safe.” Ten Tips to Keep Your Holiday Home Fire and Injury Free: Trees and Decorations 1. When purchasing an artificial tree, DO look for the label “Fire Resistant.” Although this label does not mean the tree won’t catch fire, it does indicate the tree is more resistant to catching fire. 2. When purchasing a live tree, DO check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and do not break when bent between your fingers. The bottom of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles. 3. When setting up a tree at home, DO place it away from heat sources such as fireplaces, vents, and radiators. Because heated rooms dry out live trees rapidly, be sure to monitor water levels and keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic, and do not block doorways. 4. In homes with small children, DO take special care to avoid sharp, weighted or breakable decorations, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children who could swallow or inhale small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them. Lights 5. Indoors or outside, DO use only lights that have been tested for safety by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory, such as UL or ETL/ITSNA. 6. Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Throw out damaged

sets. DON’T use electric lights on a metallic tree. 7. If using an extension cord, DO make sure it is rated for the intended use. 8. When using lights outdoors, DO check labels to be sure the lights have been certified for outdoor use and only plug them into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected receptacle or a portable GFCI. Candles 9. Keep burning candles within sight. DO extinguish all candles before you go to bed, leave the room or leave the house. 10. DO keep lighted candles away from items that can catch fire and burn easily, such as trees, other evergreens, decorations, curtains and furniture. Get a free brochure with more holiday decorating safety tips at CPSC’s website, www.cpsc.gov.

www.historicstcharles.com DECEMBER 2012 CROSSROADS 11

AROUND TOWN Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce

“Serving Wentzville, Lake St. Louis, and Dardenne Prairie” By tony mathews

Pay it Forward Holiday Raffle The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the launch of its Pay It Forward Holiday Raffle. One grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 Visa gift card and with each ticket purchased the chamber will pay it Tony Mathews, President/CEO forward. The chamber will donate $2,000 Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce from the raffle sales to Operation Food Search. Food and toys will be purchased for local families and children with the donation. Tickets are $20 each and the chamber is only selling 300 tickets. With each raffle ticket you buy, you are donating to local families! You can purchase your tickets by calling the chamber office at 636.327.6914, visiting the office at 210 S. Linn Ave. in Wentzville, or online at www.westernstcharlescountychamber.com.

Chamber Launches New Website The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce has launched its new website. “We are excited to have our membership, community and visitors to our area explore the new site.” said Tony Mathews, president/CEO of the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce. Visit the new website at www.westernstcharlescountychamber. com and discover local businesses to serve all your needs, find information on upcoming chamber news/events and to get information on the three cities the chamber serves: Wentzville, Lake Saint. Louis and Dardenne Prairie. For more information, call the chamber office at 636.327.6914, visiting the office at 210 S. Linn Ave. in Wentzville, or visit www. westernstcharlescountychamber.com.

Chamber Hosts Seven Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce hosted seven ribbon cutting ceremonies for the following businesses recently: Sam’s Club, Pilates & Yoga Center of Lake Saint Louis, Advance Beauty College, Mercy, Miss Jenn’s Resale & Consignment Boutique, Old Town Kettles & Cups, and Roberts Marketing Group. 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. Representatives of each business, the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce, and each city helped cut the ceremonial ribbon. For more information please contact the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce at 636.327.6914 or visit www.westernstcharlescountychamber.com.

Advance Beauty College is located at 982 Wentzville Parkway, Wentzville, MO 63385. For more information please call 636.332.0777.

CROSSROADS DECEMBER 2012

Sam’s Club is located at 3055 Bear Creek Drive, Wentzville, MO 63385. For more information, please call 636.698.9774, or visit www.samsclub.com.

Mercy is located at 1502 West Meyer Rd., Wentzville, MO 63385. For more information, please call 636.698.6200, or visit www.mercy.com.

rkey Trot WentzvillepherTRauy Rockwell visited the

2012. CrossRoads Photogra rk on November 17, Pa ry ta Ro at ld he t Tro the Wentzville Turkey

Old Town Kettles & Cups is located at 13 W. Pearce Blvd., Wentzville, MO 63385. For more information please call 636.887.2101.

Miss Jennâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Resale & Consignment Boutique is located at 8651 Hwy. N, Ste. 100, Lake Saint Louis, MO 63367. For more information, please call 636.561.0445, or visit www.missjenns.com.

Photo Op PHOTOS BY RAY ROCKWELL

Pilates & Yoga Center of Lake Saint Louis is located at 930 Bent Oak Ct., Lake Saint Louis, MO 63367. For more information, please call 636.272.8663, or visit www.abworkspilates.com.

Roberts Marketing Group is located at 100 Mall Parkway, #100, Wentzville, MO 63385. For more information please call 636.614.2275.

DECEMBER 2012 CROSSROADS

LIFESTYLES

A Child’s Best Teacher By Joe Morice

I saw my neighbor’s 6 year-old driving his pickup truck yesterday. Of course, she was sitting on his lap wearing a huge smile while gripping the steering wheel. They were on an empty parking lot behind the condos. It reminded me of my boyhood. We lived several miles out on a rural gravel road where my father would put me in his lap and let me steer the family Studebaker. I was thrilled. I soon mastered it over time and even learned how to shift gears using the steering column manual shift lever that was a common feature of cars in the 50s. Automatic transmissions were uncommon in those days. My father believed cars were made to go

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from point A to point B. His Studebaker options consisted of an overdrive gear for better gas mileage, a radio to listen to Cardinal ballgames and posi-traction axle gears to increase traction on snowy winter days. That was it. His belief in the bare essentials may have been somewhat influenced by his pocketbook. He also seemed to get some kicks out of haggling with Preacher Powell, owner and operator of the local Studebaker dealership. Mr. Powell sold the cars, repaired them on occasion, did paperwork, performed feats of genius in a well-equipped machine shop and swept out the place. Try that one on your average corporate CEO. When the weather turned icy, which wasn’t unusual along with downed power lines as a result, Dad dragged me out of bed before dawn to help him install tire chains on the rear wheels of the Studebaker. He knew it was the only way to get traction on the icy highways he commuted on to work in St. Louis every day from our country home two counties away. This was a time when employees were punctual and loyal. It made no difference if they didn’t like their employers nor had union protections. Doing one’s job was a matter of pride. Starting

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time found Dad hard at work. Country kids had more opportunities when it came to things like learning to drive. We had lightly traveled roads to practice on and sometimes we drove farm tractors. When loading hay bales from the fields on a wagon, the smallest usually drove the tractor while the older, larger of us loaded the hay. We weren’t farmers but we were surrounded by them and sometimes helped during harvests. Learning to drive while sitting on my father’s lap as a boy was great fun. After turning 16, the licensing test was a snap. Having only one car in the family, Dad was away at work when the testing facility was open. He solved the problem by having the local state office manager loan me her Plymouth. This brought some peculiar stares from the state testing officer that rode next to me with a clipboard and a pencil. My father and I didn’t always agree in later years. I may have been a disappointment because I didn’t go to college; instead, I followed in his footsteps as he did with his father. They were heavy equipment operators and mechanics. Those formative years around machinery and my love of driving stayed with me, I suppose. Rural America had its oddities. One of them was children on their father’s lap learning to drive long before puberty. I didn’t expect to see it here in suburbia. My neighbor and his daughter didn’t notice my salute. Of all children’s teachers, there are few as influential as their fathers. We can only hope the influence is beneficial.

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Prepare Your Home for Freezing Weather The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) reminds business and homeowners that now is the time to prepare their property for the 2012-2013 winter season to help reduce damage caused from freezing weather. “Winter weather can cause numerous problems from burst pipes to roof collapses to interior fires,” said Julie Rochman, president and CEO of IBHS. “Taking steps now to prepare your home or business to withstand the effects of winter storms and freezing weather will help you avoid costly losses and possible business interruptions later.” Freezing Pipes Frozen water in pipes can cause them to burst. Pipes in attics, crawl spaces and outside walls are particularly vulnerable to freezing in extremely cold weather. • There are several effective ways to prevent pipes from freezing, including keeping the interior temperature from dropping below 32 degrees and properly insulating the space: • Provide a reliable back-up power source, such as a stand by generator, to ensure continuous power to the building. • Interior building temperature can be monitored by a central monitoring company to ensure prompt notification if the interior of the building reaches low temperatures during after hours, power outages or idle periods. • Recessed light fixtures in the ceiling below the open area that is directly under a roof, such as attic space, should be insulated to prevent the release of heat into the attic. • Check to see if there is any visible light from recessed light fixtures in the attic. • If there is, they are not adequately sealed or insulated. Sometimes, especially in low sloped roof buildings, the space above a suspended ceiling located below the roof may be heated and cooled like the occupied area below.

• If that is the case, there is no need to insulate above the suspended ceiling or seal the ceiling’s penetrations. • Insulate all attic penetrations such as partition walls, vents, plumbing stacks, electric and mechanical chases, and access doors that are not properly sealed. • Ensure proper seals on all doors and windows. Depending on the building or room size, fan tests can be conducted to ensure room and pressurization tests. • Seal all wall cracks and penetrations including domestic and fire protection lines, electrical conduit, other utility service line, etc. • Sprinkler systems should be monitored by a constantly attended central station to provide early detection of a sprinkler pipe rupture due to freezing. • Insulation and/or heat trace tape with a reliable power source may be installed on various wet sprinkler system piping. This includes main lines coming up from underground passing through a wall as well as sprinkler branch lines. • UL-approved gas or electric unit heaters can be installed in unheated sprinkler control valve/fire pump rooms. If back up power is provided, the heaters should also be connected to this power source. • A monitored automatic excess flow switch can be placed on the main incoming domestic water line to provide early detection of a broken pipe or valve when the space is unoccupied. IBHS’ Freezing Weather page on DisasterSafety.org provides guidance on how to protect your home or business against other winter weather-related perils. Visit DisasterSafety.org for more information about how to make your buildings more resistant to a variety of disasters, large and small. Follow IBHS on Twitter at @DisasterSafety and on Facebook.

www.pbtc.net/about.html DECEMBER 2012 CROSSROADS 15

FOOD

Holiday Gifts Baked with Love Peppermint Mocha Chip Cookies (Makes 36 cookies) INGREDIENTS: - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened - 3 cups Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, divided - 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar - 3 teaspoons Nescafé Taster’s Choice House Blend 100% Pure In- stant Coffee Granules - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon peppermint extract - 3 large eggs - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour - 2 teaspoons baking powder (Family Features) Nothing says “love” like fresh baked cookies and treats. This holiday season, give the gift of homemade goodness… and enjoy the time you save on shopping by spending it with your loved ones. Make it a Family “Bake”tivity Get the whole family together and create a makeshift Santa’s Workshop. Have one person measure all of the ingredients, another can mix everything together, and everyone can have fun decorating to favorite holiday tunes. Create a Gift that Keeps Giving Layer the dry ingredients of your favorite cookie recipe in glass jars. Attach copies of the recipe to the jars with bright ribbon bows and voila, you’ve created thoughtful gifts and cheery holiday kitchen décor. Refresh Holiday Favorites Chocolate chip and gingerbread cookies are classics, but these Peppermint Mocha Chip Cookies might become a fast new favorite. Notes of crisp peppermint perfectly complement the flavors of coffee and semi-sweet chocolate morsels. Add a crushed peppermint to each cookie to create a beautiful and seasonal presentation. For more holiday recipe ideas, visit www.meals.com. 16 CROSSROADS DECEMBER 2012

- 12 soft peppermint candies, crushed

DIRECTIONS: PREHEAT oven to 375°F. Grease or line baking sheet with parchment paper. MELT butter and 1 cup chocolate morsels in medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. TRANSFER chocolate mixture into a large mixer bowl; add sugar and beat until combined. Add coffee granules, vanilla extract and peppermint extract; beat just until combined. Beat in eggs. Add flour and baking powder, mixing until all is incorporated. Fold in remaining 2 cups chocolate morsels. SCOOP dough onto prepared baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart, using a medium size cookie scoop. Sprinkle each cookie with a little of the crushed peppermint candies. BAKE for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are set. Allow to cool for about 2 minutes on baking sheet and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Holiday Crime Prevention Tips Courtesy of the Wentzville Police Department The holiday season is a time of celebration with friends and family. It can also be a time when busy people become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crimes. Taking the time to apply the following holiday crime prevention measures will help you have a safe and enjoyable holiday season: Attending a Party • If you are going to consume alcoholic beverages, plan to have a designated driver or use public transportation. Never drink and drive. Driving • Be cautious while driving at night. • Keep all doors locked and windows closed while in or out of your vehicle. • Never park next to large vehicles or vehicles with heavy tinted windows. • Park in well lighted areas. • Never leave your vehicle unattended with children inside or while it is running. • Do not leave gifts or other valuables in plain sight in your vehicle; it is a temptation for thieves. • If leaving packages in your car and continuing to shop, consider moving your car to a new location before going back inside. • Be aware of your surroundings when approaching or leaving your vehicle. • Try to stay in a group when approaching your vehicle. • If security is available, ask for an escort to your vehicle if leaving at night, if you are alone, or if you feel uneasy. • Have your keys out of your pocket or purse before you leave the store and in your hand when approaching the vehicle. • Check under your car as you approach it and look into the back seat before getting in. • Keep a cold-weather emergency kit in your vehicle at all times during the winter. The kit should include blankets, bottles of water, gloves, a working flashlight, and granola or candy bars. Also, an LED emergency beacon is good to carry in your car. Their strobes are visible for a long distance and let emergency workers know you need help. Shopping • Always be aware of your surroundings…

watch for suspicious persons. • Minimize shopping at night or when alone; you are more susceptible to being victimized at night or while alone. • Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Take only the cash you need or pay with a credit card or ATM card; carry only as many cards as you will need. • If you must use an ATM, use one inside of a well-populated building or a well-lit area. Only withdraw the amount of cash that you will need for that day. • Protect your PIN from the view of other people near the ATM. • Keep a records of all your credit card numbers at home in a safe location. Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately. • Be extra careful when carrying a wallet or purse; only carry what you absolutely need in them. They are a prime target for criminals in crowded shopping areas, transportation terminals, and bus stops. • Avoid overloading yourself with packages whether on your person or in your vehicle. Dress • Dress casually and comfortably • Avoid wearing expensive jewelry. • Carry your wallet in your front pants pocket or your purse securely around your shoulder. At Home • Be aware that sometimes criminals will pose as couriers delivering gifts to case your home or to commit a crime immediately.

• Be aware of scams that criminals commit to take advantage of people’s generosity during the holidays. • Be cautious about locking your windows and doors even when you leave the house for a short period of time. • When you leave your home for extended holiday travel, have a neighbor or friend watch your home while you are away. Have them collect your mail and newspapers while you are gone. • Place lights, radio, and television on timers so that your home appears occupied. • Avoid having large displays of gifts visible from windows and doors. Children • If possible, leave small children at home when going shopping. • If they must go shipping with you, try to keep your children close to you at all times. • Teach them about “Stranger Danger” and who they can go to for help if they get separated from you. Children should know their full name, address, telephone number, and parent’s /guardians full name to give to police, a store clerk, or security if they get separated from you. The holiday season is a great time of year and can be very special. It can also be a tragic time of year if you do not take precautions and practice personal safety measures that can help prevent you or your family from being victimized.

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DECEMBER 2012 CROSSROADS 17

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Travel Better this Holiday Season With the holidays right around the corner, America’s Travel Leaders (www.travelleaders.com) are offering veteran and novice travelers alike their tips to “travel better.” Since Travel Leaders travel agents have experienced higher demand this holiday season, its agents caution that planes will be filled to capacity – thus underscoring their top two tips to allow for extra time in getting to the airport and to pack plenty of patience. “We not only saw higher demand for holiday travel this year, but the demand came earlier than ever, in part because our agents were advising clients about the reduced overall airline seating capacity. Airline mergers over the last few years, coupled with lingering concerns over the economy, means that there are simply fewer seats to be had,” said Roger E. Block, CTC, president of Travel Leaders Franchise Group. “With airplanes packed solidly this holiday season, we strongly advise travelers to pack not only common sense this holiday season, but also plenty of patience, which will be a strong virtue. That also means that travelers really need to allow for additional time to do everything from parking the car at the airport to checking in for their flights to passing through security screenings.” Travel Leaders neatly divides its checklist for consumers into three

categories: Travel Leaders’ Tips for Packing Lighter “Over the past several years, most airlines have begun charging for checked bags, often including even the first. This can make packing for the holidays particularly challenging,” Block said. “Winter travel typically calls for thicker clothing, which takes more space to pack, which means more bags, which means more fees. Our advice is to ask yourself, ‘Do I really need this?’ before packing anything into your bags.” Other tips for packing lighter: • Make a list of the days you’ll be away and what you’ll do and wear each day. • Determine which clothes you can wear repeatedly and opt for those you can layer. • Wear bulkier items – including heavy shoes – on the plane. • Minimize the number of shoes – bring shoes that can be worn for both casual and dressier occasions. • Consider shipping items you really need – including gifts – ahead to your destination. • Always check the Transportation Safety Administration’s (TSA) list of prohibited items for carry-on and/or checked bags, available at www.tsa.gov. Travel Leaders’ Tips to Follow Before Getting to the Airport “From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, the holidays are one of the year’s busiest times for travel,” Block said. “You can’t control the crowds, but you can take steps that will help you move as smoothly as possible through the airport. And, preparation begins at home.” Tips include: • Stop mail and newspaper deliveries or have a trusted neighbor collect it for you. • Make your home look occupied – put lights on timer switches, and be sure to have snow removal lined up in advance. • Inspect luggage to make sure it’s in good condition for travel, then pack as lightly as possible.

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CROSSROADS DECEMBER 2012

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• Distinguish your bag to make sure it will be easy to identify if you’re checking it. • Leave gifts unwrapped or ship them ahead. • Follow TSA’s 3-1-1 rules on liquids and gels by getting one transparent 1-quart zip-top bag that can contain each item of no more than 3 ounces. • Check in online within 24 hours of your departure and print your boarding pass at home (or have it sent to your smart phone). Remember that better seats may open up since some passengers may be upgraded. • Before leaving home, check your flight’s status to confirm it’s on time. • Investigate parking options before leaving home – consider using an offsite lot where you can make a reservation in advance. • Allow for plenty of time to get to the airport – arrive two hours before domestic flights and three hours ahead of international flights. Travel Leaders’ Tips to Follow Once at the Airport “An airport full of cheery holiday travelers can be a festive scene, but check-in and security lines often get long – very, very long,” Block said. “If you know your airport well, you may decide that you don’t need that much time – but, take care. Don’t run the risk of arriving too late to park, check in, check your bags, pass through security, and make it to your gate before the plane door closes.” Other key tips now that you’re at the airport: • If you haven’t already printed out your boarding pass, use a selfservice check-in kiosk at the airport. • Have any bags that you need to check tagged with your name – or pack lightly enough that you can carry-on your bag with the understanding that you can often gate check it if those bins be-

come full. • Remember that most airlines limit passengers to one small carryon bag and just one other carry-on item, such as a tote bag, purse or laptop computer case. • Approaching security checkpoints, keep your boarding pass and identification handy. • If you have a quart-size bag of toiletries and/or laptop computer in your carry-on, make sure it’s easy to reach and ready to place in a security tray. • Put any items in your bag or in the security tray that might set off a metal detector – cell phone, loose change, a belt with a metal buckle, a watch, etc. In consideration of others around you, begin the process of having each of these items out of your bag, if you are placing in a security tray, as you approach security. • After you’ve cleared by security, be sure to gather all of your belongings before you leave the area. • If you have time, sit down to enjoy a snack or purchase some food to take on your flight. Remember that most domestic flights now have a very limited selection of snacks on board. “Finally, we strongly encourage you to call up reserves of patience when you need them,” Block said. “Children traveling by plane for the first time may be overexcited; passengers who aren’t familiar with security procedures may hold up the line; and busy servers may get your sandwich order wrong. Keep your sense of humor and remember that the reason you’re traveling is to enjoy the holidays. With a little patience, you’ll not only arrive in the right frame of mind for a joyous holiday celebration, but you’ll ‘Travel Better,’ too. Travel Better. For more information or to find the Travel Leaders location nearest you, call 888.206.TRIP (8747) or visit www.Travelleaders.com.

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