THE INSIDER PATTY UNLEASHED

next steps

Shane Cerone has resigned as the CEO of St. Luke’s Hospital so that he can return to his home in Michigan. Earlier this month, former CEO Gary Olson returned to the role on an interim basis while the hospital searches nationwide for a replacement.

THE INSIDER

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share your vision

The Missouri Historical Society is letting the public step into the role of curator. The newly opened Vision Lab is an interactive exhibit space where visitors can vote on exhibition topics, design and content through interactive games and voting stations.

united in song

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and IN UNISON chorus will perform the world premiere of Nathalie Joachim’s Family. The work was specifically written for the chorus, which specializes in the preservation of music from African and African American traditions. Performances are May 6 and 7. For more information and tickets, visit slso.org.

PATTY

take a look

Architecture fans won’t want to miss The Heart of Crestwood Tour - From Mid-Century to Modern on May 16. The self-guided tour covers six structures built between 1962 and 2004. Visit modernstl.com to learn more.

The Great Outdoors

The Lafayette Square’s annual Garden & Urban Oasis Tour is back on June 4. Along with visiting some of the city's most beautiful outdoor spaces, guests can enjoy the popular outdoor antique fair, a vintage car display and a historic baseball game. For more information, visit lafayettesquare.org/housetours.

by patty hannum

THIS IS THE LAST ARTICLE I AM WRITING

from the Florida Keys. We will be heading home after a short stay in Charleston, South Carolina. It is a long, two-day drive, and one that honestly tests my marriage of 39 years.

First, some background: When I was asked to write this column, I happily/gleefully/joyfully agreed! I had one condition, my marriage and husband were out-of-bounds. Sure, I could mention Carey in stories, but I would never write a story about him or any disagreements we might have— well other than the fact our dog Stella is secretly plotting my demise, but that’s another column. Anyway, when I started dating Carey way back in 1981, I noticed he drove fast and loved to swerve in and out of traffic, and it scared me. When you are dating someone, you typically look past those flaws.

Once Carey and I were engaged we attended Pre-Cana classes. If you aren’t familiar with these, the Catholic Church requires all couples to attend a course to make sure you spot any red flags before you wed. I knew we had a few. Carey’s parents were underwhelmed with his choice of future wife. I tend to be a control freak while Carey is much more laid back, and, honestly, we were flat broke. During one of the sessions I complained about his driving, and from then on, Fr. Fuller would not stop talking about it and my reaction. I thought we had bigger fish to fry. Carey’s mom didn’t like me, shouldn’t we spend some time on that? Nope. Let’s talk about how to deal with Carey’s driving.

Well, the priest was right! The family situation took care of itself. Having two control freaks in the family would never have worked. And honestly, we got married at 23, so who isn’t broke? But what is still an issue? My husband’s driving.

To quote a friend, “The shortest distance between two points is a car ride with Carey Hannum.” I have been in the car with Carey exactly one time when he has gotten a speeding ticket. When the officer asked why he was going so fast, he said, “Heading to McDonalds for an Egg McMuffin.” You have to appreciate his honesty. We’ve been in one car accident, a rental car in Hawaii, which was not his fault. So given these statistics, you would think I could calm down and just enjoy the ride, but I can’t.

For Carey, driving is a science and a sport. It’s all about looking ahead, positioning and moving in and out of traffic until you get into the correct place. This happens continually while he is driving, and oh, he does most of the driving. I sit in the passenger seat putting on my imaginary brake, cursing under my breath and whining “Caaaaarey.” His response, “Read your book.” Yes, 39 years of slammed car doors, huffing under our breath and just generally snarling at each other as we make our way across half the country.

But once we pull into the driveway, all is forgotten. Well, until the next time we get into the car. Fr. Fuller was a smart guy. He knew that the problem we would have after all these years would be the one I didn’t want to talk about!

Peace my Peeps. &

FORMER WELLBRIDGE MEMBERS 20 Minutes to Fitness is just around the corner!

When Paul and Laura Miller of St. Louis first read in Newsweek about a 20-minute, once-a-week fitness regimen, they were skeptical.

The 2001 article, which described a safe way to lift weight in super-slow motion, seemed too good to be true.

But University of Florida Medical School research found the regimen improved strength, bone density and overall functionality in people of all ages and fitness levels. Lesley Stahl of 60 Minutes was a fan. So was Barbara Walters. Both trained at a New York City studio founded by fitness guru Adam Zickerman.

Intrigued, the Millers traveled to New York to experience the workout firsthand. Soon they were hooked.

Later that year, they opened 20 Minutes to Fitness in Clayton, the first studio of its kind in our region. Staffed by physical therapists and other professionals, it offered St. Louisans a safe, efficient way to build muscle. Because the once-a-week workout takes just 20 minutes, it also freed participants to spend the remaining 10,060 minutes in their week with family and friends, furthering their careers or doing anything OTHER than think about exercise.

BETTY CUNIBERTI, a former Post-Dispatch columnist and breast cancer-survivor, was an early convert. Writing about her experience, she effused over the workout’s many benefits, concluding, “I never dreamed at age 55, I’d hit a golf ball so far or wear a skirt so short.”

20 years of 20 Minutes to Fitness

20 Minutes to Fitness today has locations in

Chesterfield and Clayton, along with Tampa and

Sarasota, Florida, where DICK SMOTHERS of Smothers Brothers-fame trained, claiming the workout helped him get in “THE BEST SHAPE OF (HIS) LIFE.” KMOX radio’s CHARLIE BRENNAN has trained at 20 Minutes to Fitness since 2006 because “20 minutes, once a week is something I can stick with,” he says. “Plus, it has the added benefit of working great.” Pro golfer JAY DELSING credits 20 Minutes to Fitness with helping him build the strength needed to rejoin the PGA Champions tour after back surgery.

Since its founding, 20 Minutes to Fitness has trained countless doctors, a former Olympic ice dancer, high school football players, grandmothers seeking to build bone density, busy corporate executives, avid cyclists, father-daughter duos and thousands of health-minded people just trying to live their fittest and best lives.

All say they appreciate the one-on-one, by-appointment-only training. They like that 20 Minutes to Fitness requires no memberships or long-term commitments. Most importantly, they love the results.

As 20 Minutes to Fitness celebrates its 20th year, the Millers, general manager CASEY BRESLIN, PT, and their staff still meet people who are skeptical of a 20-minute, once-a-week workout. They understand. They suggest you do the same thing they did: just try it.

Your first workout, along with a health screening and consultation, is free.

For more information on 20 Minutes to Fitness, call its local studios in Clayton (314-863-7836), Chesterfield (636-536-1504), Sarasota or Tampa, or visit 20MinutesToFitness.com.