STRICTLY BUSINESS

Jewelry Buying Event

Get Paid Cash

FOR GOLD, SILVER, DIAMONDS, COSTUME JEWELRY, WATCHES & COINS Friday, February 25th • 11am - 4pm Saturday, February 26th • 11am - 4pm Sunday, February 27th • 11am - 4pm

West County Mall | 63 West County Center

We also buy antiques, artwork, paintings, swords, China, crystal and other collectibles & rarities. For a private or in-home appointment, call 314.691.2888

Offer expires March 9th, 2022.

STRICTLY BUSINESS

by stephanie wallace

RUTH’S CHRIS STEAKHOUSE

The restaurant’s downtown location has named Paul Nelson as general manager. He comes to the team with more than 22 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including experience as an executive chef and sommelier and an extensive background in restaurant and franchise group management.

ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA MERCY

Steve Macklin will assume the role of president and CEO for the health care system April 1. He has announced his new senior leadership team: Shannon Sock will move into an expanded role as Mercy’s chief operating officer and chief strategist; Dr. John Mohart will be the first physician to serve as president of Mercy Communities; Cheryl Matejka has been named senior vice president and chief financial officer; Dave Thompson will serve as senior vice president of strategic integration; and Ajay Pathak will take on the role of senior vice president and chief strategic ventures officer.

LOGAN UNIVERSITY

The university has tapped Dr. Brian Mahaffey to be medical director for its new master’s in athletic training program. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Medicine, Mahaffey is medical director of Mercy Sports Medicine and a team physician for the St. Louis Cardinals, also serving as the team’s coordinator of Major League medical services.

Julie Gibbs has been

appointed the orchestra’s vice president and chief philanthropy officer. A St. Louis native and University of Missouri grad, Gibbis is rejoining SLSO after serving in its marketing and development department from 1988 to 1998. Most recently, she served as the vice president of development at the Jewish Federation of St. Louis.

MERCEDESBENZ OF ST. LOUIS

Joe Wolk is now general manager at the locally family-owned dealership. Wolk has more than two decades of experience working in various roles for luxury dealerships.

CONCORDANCE

The nonprofit, which offers comprehensive reentry services for individuals returning to society after prison, has named chief operating officer Michelle Smith as

its president. In addition to continuing as COO, she will oversee day-to-day operations and administrative functions at Concordance. Smith joined the organization in 2015. Previously, she served as a managing partner of CRA Architecture and a manager of Fentress Incorporated.

Rolla, Missouri

THE ONLY CAMP WITH ITS OWN ZOO!

Amazing animal encounters!

Over 300 animals, a ropes course, arts & crafts, archery, and so much more!

SLEEPAWAY CAMP FOR AGES 7-17 CUBCREEKSCIENCECAMP.COM

PHOTO COURTESY OF CUB CREEK SCIENCE CAMP PHOTO COURTESY OF CUB CREEK SCIENCE CAMP

CAMPERS EXPERIENCE HANDS-ON ENCOUNTERS WITH ANIMALS.

COVER STORY SUMMER ADVENTURES

CUB CREEK SCIENCE CAMP by stephanie wallace

SUMMER CAMP IS A TIME FOR KIDS TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS, pursue their passions and discover new interests in a fun, supportive environment. Cub Creek Science Camp offers children ages 7 to 17 a summer of adventure and education, even during the uncertainty of the pandemic. “We were incredibly lucky to get to host in-person camp in 2020 and 2021,” camp and creative director Ari Farley says. “It gave us new appreciation for what the experience means to kids, especially during a time when they weren’t able to interact with their friends and peers. We want to do everything we can to make sure we provide the best summer experience.”

Located on a 300-acre exotic animal ranch just north of Rolla, Missouri, Cub Creek is home to more than 300 creatures, including birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. Through supervised lessons, kids and teens learn about proper handling and care along with important scientific concepts. Beyond practical skills and knowledge, they also develop lasting connections with the animals. Farley says bonding with animals can benefit the campers socially and emotionally. “When campers are feeling homesick, they can visit a sugar glider at night, brush a horse or just take some time to pet a cat or dog,” she notes. “Kids get to have fun at camp, but if they’re having a hard time, the animals can make it better.”

For campers who want a more in-depth experience with an animal, Cub Creek has the Adopt an Animal program. Participants get hands-on experience taking care of the animal of their choice, helping the camp’s animal team with feeding, cleaning, enrichment and other care. At the end of the week, they are then invited to share what they learned about their animal with the rest of the campers. Each of the camp’s creatures are adoptable. “A lot of campers come for the opportunity to adopt one of our animals,” Farley says.

The camp also is renowned for its STEM program. Cub Creek offers a junior veterinarian course in which participants learn skills like reading X-rays, suturing, conducting basic animal exams and more. They even have the opportunity to observe a live surgery conducted by the camp’s veterinarian. Along with animal science, campers can explore chemistry, physics and ecology. “Science is embedded into everything that we do at Cub Creek,” Farley explains. “The classes are all hands-on, so kids are learning scientific principles through fun activities. I love teaching them about surface tension and light refraction with bubbles.”

At Cub Creek, the focus isn’t only on animals and science. The camp also offers a wide variety of traditional activities like swimming, fishing and hiking. Kids interested in art can take pottery, photography and craft classes. Junior adventurers can hit the ropes course, visit the archery range or learn survival skills. Other unique offerings include culinary science, improv, LARPing and bucket drumming. “Most of our campers are interested in animals, but we offer so many activities that they don’t have to be,” Farley notes. “Because our programs are so diversified, everyone can find something they can get excited about.” &

SUMMER ACTIVITIES SPECIAL SECTION

LOCATED ON A 300-ACRE EXOTIC ANIMAL RANCH JUST NORTH OF ROLLA, MISSOURI, CUB CREEK SCIENCE CAMP OFFERS CHILDREN AGES 7 TO 17 MORE THAN 100 ACTIVITIES AND HANDS-ON ENCOUNTERS WITH MORE THAN 100 SPECIES OF ANIMALS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 573.458.2125 OR VISIT CUBCREEKSCIENCECAMP.COM.