CN: March 15, 2023

A‘Little Bit’ of help

By Wendy Todd

Sumner High School, the first public high school for Black students west of the Mississippi, and boasts alumni including singer, Tina Turner, tennis player Arthur Ashe and actor Robert Guillaume, has been “adopted” by the nonprofit organization, The Little Bit Foundation.

The high school, located in the once-thriving neighborhood of The Ville, serving nearly 300 students, has faced challenges including being on a closure list

in 2021 due to low enrollment, declining GPAs and attendance. But the community rallied around the history-making institution and convinced the St. Louis Public School Board to reconsider, and allow Sumner to develop an action plan to be instituted over three years to make improvements. The Little Bit Foundation has become part of that plan.

The nonprofit that was founded in 2001, “works to eliminate barriers to learning and provides enrichment opportunities for under-resourced students in the St. Louis

region.” It provides programming and partnerships that address the needs of students to enhance their education, college preparation, work-readiness skills and mentorship. It also offers health education and intervention, serving as an overall source of support for students lacking resources.

“We are very excited to expand our continuum of support to students in SLPS at this historic school and to help effect positive change,” said CEO of the organization,

The Little Bit Foundation has partnered with Sumner High School to provide programming and partnerships that address the needs of students to enhance their education, college preparation, work-readiness skills and mentorship.

The Little Bit Foundation partners with historic Sumner High School to help serve as an overall source of support for students lacking resources

By Dr. Larry A. Brown. Pg. 2

Around Town

Miranda Walker Jones. “Students in the district have the opportunity to experience the full scope of Little Bit programs from early childhood through high school, especially the ‘career pathways’ we are creating by exposing students early to the options available to them and helping to cultivate the skills and relationships they need for success in whatever they choose to be.”

Sumner High School is the 19th school in Little Bit’s 20-year partnership with St. Louis Public Schools and the second high school in the district. The nonprofit hopes to see the students excel with the added services and supports.

“They will have an additional resource and support network to rely on,” said Stacy Lupo, the nonprofit’s consulting communications director. “We bring with us partnerships with other expert providers as well

as industry leaders, higher education institutions and others that can open doors for students and expand their worldview.”

Aaron Williams, Chairman of the Sumner High School Advisory Board feels confident the partnership with TLBF will help be holistically beneficial to students.

“We know we have to serve the whole student and even those not yet at Sumner,” he said. “The Little Bit Foundation brings that whole child model and also is in the feeder schools of Sumner, so we have real opportunity to do that with this partnership.”

Jones believes that with sufficient provisions, students are capable of taking their achievements and creating sustained success.

“We know that with the right support, one student can change the trajectory of their family for future generations.”

COMMUNITY VOICES:

By Dr. Larry A. Brown

Helping young people transition to adulthood

When young people finish high school, they begin their lifetime journey towards responsible adulthood. They should have acquired enough skills and learning to proceed with life while under the watchful and informative eyes of various teachers and coaches who have given them the tools that they need in order to function independently and make decisions for themselves based on their own self-interest.

However, because of the tremendous expansion of social media, the world, its various cultures, and all of its problems and differentiations which has become more available to them, it has made the process of venturing on in life, more problematic and difficult to stay properly focused.

When children finish high school, they have to begin to make decisions immediately, and presently these decisions are often made without much thought, help or assistance to make the decision a success.

This is the most important time in a person’s life; therefore, there needs to be a careful transition mechanism available to these young people in order to maximize the potential for them becoming positive adults.

We encourage the school systems to allocate $100-$150 of their budget for each high school senior to assure that this occurs.

Since the primary purpose of the public education system is to continually prepare our nation’s youth to successfully exist in this country, we should recognize the importance of this allocation.

In every urban community in our country, there exist organizations and individuals who are anxious and qualified to contract with the local school system to insure this transition.

Young people need adults to assist them along the way to make correct decisions and to access the resources that may be available, whether they be educational scholarships and opportunities, military involvement, employment, training, treatment programs, or affinity organizations for their fields of interest. There also must be those who are willing to help the young people who are undecided as well as those who choose early matrimony and family rearing.

In this manner, we can assure that the finances that have been spent getting the youth from kindergarten to this point accomplish that which is intended.

Grace Chapel Ministries recognizes the significant importance of this concept, especially in the current age in which we live. For further information one may contact us at www.gracechapelministries.org. or email

us at gracechapeldevelopment@gmail.com

There are fraternities, sororities, and other organized groups across the country, Masons, churches, youth groups like Big Brothers and Sisters, YMCA, YWCA and individuals who are willing mentors to make sure that our young people become positive adults in our society.

It should be an easy thing for the school systems to do and what a significant impact it will have on those communities who decide to participate. In today’s world, we need creative solutions and we need them now.

Dr. Larry A. Brown is a retired Chairman of the Board and co-founder of Worknet, Inc., which has a national ten-year contract with the Social Security Administration to find jobs for people with disabilities who are interested and qualified to enter the traditional workforce. He is also co-founder and president of Grace Chapel Ministries, former president of National Cable Training Centers, and president of Woodstock Industrial Products Group.

The opinions expressed in this column are the columnist’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.

The Little Bit Foundation has partnered with Sumner High School to provide programming and partnerships that address the needs of students to enhance their education, college preparation, work-readiness skills and mentorship.

‘LITTLE BIT’ from cover

MoDOT closes northbound Route 141 in Earth City

Motorists who drive northbound Route 141 north of Lakefront Dr. will have to take an alternate route for the next few months. Crews closed all northbound lanes starting at March 7 through June to replace the bridge over the Earth City Levee District’s retention ponds.

During construction, signed detours

100 Women Who Care STL West contributes $5,500 to local charity

will be in place. Drivers who normally use this section of Route 141, north of I-70, will be detoured to eastbound I-70 to northbound I-270 to westbound 370 and to Route 141.

Once the new northbound Route 141 bridge is open to traffic, construction of the southbound Route 141 bridge will begin.

Christian Hospital Foundation golf outing set for May 22

The Christian Hospital Foundation is hosting its twelfth annual Golf Outing on May 22, at Norwood Hills Country Club, which features two 18-hole championship golf courses. The outing includes brunch, 18 holes, beverages, and snacks throughout play. There also will be a happy hour with auction, raffle, and award ceremony for all participants.

Registration and brunch begin at 9:30 a.m., shotgun start at 11 a.m.

This event will help the foundation continue in its mission to provide ser-

vice, compassionate care, and clinical excellence to improve the health and wellness of our community. Proceeds support the Christian Hospital Foundation’s Building Healthy Communities fund.

Cost for a foursome is $1,400; individual play is $350.

For more information, to become a sponsor or register to play, please visit https://www.christianhospital.org/golf or contact the foundation office at 314653-5162 or chfoundation@bjc.org.

St. Louis region Money Smart Kid Essay Contest open for submissions

The St. Louis Regional Financial Empowerment Coalition and Money Smart Committee, in partnership with United Way of Greater St. Louis, is hosting its annual Money Smart Kid Essay Contest for sixth through eighth grade students in the St. Louis area.

Three winners will be selected to receive scholarships, including a grand prize of $2,000. The second-place winner will receive $1,000, and a third-place finalist will receive $500. Additionally, applicants have the option to select a nonprofit organization or school to receive a $500 award if their essay is selected as one of the finalists.

Students must demonstrate their knowledge of basic economic concepts by submitting an essay in 500 words or less that outlines three steps a student can take during their teenage years to help kickstart their financial future.

Submissions are due April 17. The full application and contest guidelines are available at MoneySmartSTL.org. Applications and essays can be submitted via email to essay@moneysmartstlouis.org. The winners will be notified on May 5. To enter the contest, students must be in grades six through eight in one of the following counties: Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison,

Monroe and St. Clair in Illinois; Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, St. Louis, Warren and Washington and the City of St. Louis in Missouri.

The contest is offered as part of St. Louis Metro Money Smart Month, a community education program sponsored by the St. Louis Regional Financial Empowerment Coalition in partnership with United Way of Greater St. Louis, area libraries, community organizations and financial institutions. Money Smart Month classes and events will be held throughout April to help individuals and families learn about money management, goal setting, saving for retirement or college, building credit, reducing debt and estate planning.

“This is a special time of year when our region’s youth have the chance to display their financial literacy and money management skills that will benefit them as they move into their late teen and adult years,” said Debbie Irwin, director of systems change at United Way of Greater St. Louis. “This year’s Money Smart Kid Essay Contest theme encourages them to start thinking about ways to secure a positive financial future at an early age which will help them in the long run.”

On Feb. 23, 100 Women Who CareSt. Louis West Chapter dropped off their quarterly donations to Miriam School & Learning Center located in both Olivette and Webster Groves.

The donation of $5,500 will go towards the mission of Miriam School & Learning Center to empower unique learners by building confidence and a foundation for success. For more information on Miriam and their rich history in St. Louis, visit www.miriamstl.org.

“100 Women Who Care is a great organization that provides women the opportunity to learn about incredible nonprofit organizations in St. Louis and learn how they are impacting our community,” said Lisa Rosenstock, co-founder of local chapter. “The extra benefits are that members have the chance to meet and connect with other like-minded women who wish to make

a difference in our community.”

100 Women Who Care St. Louis West is a group of women who share a common desire to give back to our community. The group is open to all women — the more women who get involved, the greater the impact will be.

Members join the organization and sign a commitment to donate $400 total during the year. Every member pledges to donate $100 to a St. Louis nonprofit charity selected at each of four annual meetings held in January, April, July and October. The next quarterly meeting will be held 7 p.m. on April 17 at Gatesworth West Wing at 1 McKnight Place in St. Louis.

To join, visit https://100wwcstlw.org or contact via email at wwcstlw@gmail. com. 100 Women Who Care St. Louis West co-founders are Lisa Rosenstock and Julie Herrmann.

(From left) Heather Kemper (Director of Development of Miriam School & Learning Center) accepted generous donations from 100 Women Who Care St. Louis West members Denise Wiemann, Cheryl Levey, Polly Rutherford, Lisa Rosenstock and Julie Herrmann.

Submitted photo

Ferguson Twilight Run returns for 14th year

Ferguson Twilight Run is set for May 20 for runners and walkers to enjoy one-mile, 5K (3.1 miles) and 10K (6.2 miles) distances for the 14th consecutive year.

Course routes are USATF-certified by Big River Running Company. In the spirit of community, routes take participants through different residential neighborhoods.

The annual race starts and finishes at Plaza at 501 in downtown Ferguson. Pre-race fun includes music and a warm up; cheer stations and water stops are along the route, and post-race fun includes a free concert with a live, local band and a finish area with health, wellness and food vendors. All registered finishers will receive a commemorative medal.

Ferguson Twilight Run values community, and

since its inception, proceeds are donated to support nonprofit organizations through the Donnie White Sr.

www.fergtwilightrun.com

Memorial Beneficiary Award. Over the last 13 years, more than $100,000 has been donated.

In 2021, Hoka One One Northern Arizona Elite, based in Flagstaff, Arizona, joined Ferguson Twilight Run as ambassadors. The partnership continues with the NAZ athletes promoting the local race to running fans around the globe, and they are actively involved in planning the event.

Ben and Jen Rosario, founders of Hoka NAZ Elite,

are both from Missouri - from St. Louis and Harrisonville, respectively. Ben is the executive director; Jen is director of operations.

Ferguson Twilight Run relies on countless community volunteers to plan and coordinate every aspect of the event - from the planning committee to cheer stations, water stations and road closures, start and finish area, packet pick up, informing neighborhood residents and more - to make it a success.

Sponsors and vendors are vital to Ferguson Twilight Run. 2023 sponsors include BJC HealthCare, Negwer Materials, Terrain magazine, Nerdy Diva, Tim Larson, Ferguson Brewing Co., Edward and Sharon James, Spewak Training, ArchWell Health and St. Louis Track Club.

Ferguson Twilight Run debuted in May 2010 as the first evening race in North St. Louis County. The run encourages a sense of community while supporting a common interest. Proceeds are donated to nonprofits in north St. Louis County that promote the healthy and sustainable benefits of fitness.

Relax. It’s all going to be just fine Still In This Together:

Iwas standing at the kitchen window, my mind a million miles away, worrying about something related to the upcoming move, I’m sure, when I saw the three robins perched on the fence. And smiled.

“The true harbingers of spring,” I thought, as I scrubbed at something stubbornly stuck on the baking pan.

And then, I stopped, trying to remember the exact date, and finally drying my hands on a kitchen towel and opening the newly touched-up kitchen cabinet to check the calendar.

It was January, for Pete’s sake, and not even the end of January. Not even the true middle of January, though close. But robins? In January? What did they know that the rest of us didn’t? I vaguely remembered the local meteorologists’ long-range winter predictions had foretold and they were pretty consistent. Warmer than usual December and January, but much colder and snowier in February.

It was pretty obvious that the happily chirping visitors in the back yard hadn’t gotten the message, and I was glad to be able to enjoy the illusion of an early spring anyway.

A few days later I noticed buds on the pear tree in the back yard just outside our bedroom window and shook my head.

“Nope, it’s too soon.”

But it was nice to know that, once again, the seasons were proving their constancy, and reminding us that no matter what else may be happening in the world, no matter what may be worrying us, or causing us concern, there is an immutable rhythm to our days and an order to our universe that we have nothing to do with, and it’s okay to give up the illusion of control and just enjoy the fact that there is a pattern, a permanence, a happy freedom that we can take advantage of. We aren’t in control.

Sure enough, a few days later, it was cold again, and there were snow flurries as I ran into the grocery store to pick up just a few items to tide us over until

By Vicki Bahr

our move. I was careful not to buy too many bananas, appalled at the cost of eggs and questioning if I really needed another gallon of milk, burdened once again by my need to control and the feeling that I was going to be judged on my survival skills, when I heard the most beautiful trill of laughter and turned just in time.

There was a little boy, bundled in a heavy coat with a knit cap on his head and boots on his feet, watching as the gumball machine accepted the quarter his dad had given him and he turned the big silver crank.

A beautiful, bright yellow gumball began its slow journey round and round the clear spiral inside the machine as the boy’s eyes followed it and he laughed with excitement. His father stood behind him watching, and a deep chuckle found its way from his throat.

I was mesmerized at the simple Friday afternoon moment of magic as I watched the boy grab the huge gumball and pop it into his mouth.

“You are SO lucky!” I said, as I smiled with them. “Yellow is the best color, just like the big round sun in the sky.”

There’s no way they could have known how lucky I felt myself, just relaxing, letting go, and allowing myself to marvel in the simplest of moments.

We aren’t in charge, and the world is okay. Here’s wishing you a bright yellow gumball kind of a day!

And happy spring!

Vicki Bahr is an inveterate word lover and story sharer, a published author in magazine, newspaper and blog forms. As a mom of four, grandma of nine, and wife of one for 50 years, she finds that inspiration and wonder are everywhere.

The opinions expressed in this column are the columnist’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News

EVENTS

March 28: Long-term care planning seminar

Long-Term Care Planning event, presented by Ellen M. Lutzow, Attorney at Law, takes place at 10 a.m. at Steve Robbins’ Conference Center at 325 Rue St. Francois in Florissant. The event is free but registration is required. To RSVP call Joan at 314-8394600, email: Joan@SteveRobbinsOnline.com or register online at www.SteveRobbinsOnline.com.

April 27: Shred event

Shred Day! Drive, Drop and Donate takes place from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at Steve Robbins’ Office Parking Lot at 325 Rue St. Francois in Florissant. Help us support T.E.A.M. Food Pantry while cleaning out your old documents. If you are able, please bring a minimum of one canned food item for each bag or box you would like to shred. If you are unable to make it during this time, you are welcome to drop off your documents and canned items throughout that morning.

RECURRING EVENTS

Weekdays: Food pantry volunteers needed

The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry is in need of ongoing adult volunteers to sort food, stock shelves and shop with clients. Two-tofour hour shifts are available, Monday-Friday 8:45 a.m.3:45 p.m. To learn more or to join this fun group, contact Chelsey Banaskavich at 314513-1674 or cbanaskavich@ jfcs-stl.org.

Mondays: Choral Arts

Group meetings

Choral Arts Group practices every Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Connection Chris-

tian Church at 1332 Feise Rd. in O’Fallon. Auditions not required. Ages high school and older are invited to join. There will be spring and fall public concerts. For more information call Marty at 636-579-9227, or email concertartsa@gmail.com.

Mondays: City council meetings

City of Pine Lawn holds regular city council meetings at city hall at 6250 Steve Marre Ave. in Pine Lawn on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The meetings are open to the public.

Mondays: Workshop meetings

City of Pine Lawn holds regular workshop meetings at city hall at 6250 Steve Marre Ave. in Pine Lawn on the fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The meetings are open to the public.

Mondays: A cappella singers

All men who like to sing are invited to come sing with us, The Men of Harmony. We practice every Monday night at 7 p.m. at 5500 Parker Raoad which is the first house on Uthe Lane. We sing fourpart harmony a capella (without accompaniment). We sing some traditional songs,

as well as show tunes and more contemporary music. We do perform for the public at various functions. Persons interested can come right on in or for more information call Al at 314-993-6134.

Mondays-Thursdays: Volunteers needed Community Action Agency of St. Louis County is in need of volunteers to stock shelves, sort food shipments and pack bags for Food Pantry Clients Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Two to four hour shifts are available. If you are interested, please contact Cheryl Piece at 314-446-4440 or cpiece@ caastlc.org for additional information.

Tuesdays: Bingo

Florissant Elks Bingo takes place at 16400 New Halls Ferry every Tuesday. Doors open at 4 p.m., bingo starts at 6 p.m. No outside food or drinks allowed per St. Louis County. Food and drinks available for purchase. Maximum 150 players. Must wear mask to enter. Social distancing followed.

Tuesdays: A cappella singers

The Gentlemen of Sound are looking for men who like to sing or want to learn. They

practice Tuesdays at Lady of the Pillar school at 401 S. Lindbergh from 7 – 9 p.m. They try to do public events monthly. Always looking for new members. Come by or call Kirk at 314-954-7920 .

Tuesdays: Chair Zumba

Chair Zumba every Tuesday from 2:15 – 3 p.m. at The Bridge At Florissant at 1101 Garden Plaza Dr. (Parker @ Arlington). For more information call 314-831-0988.

Tuesdays: Celebrate Recovery Celebrate Recovery Tuesday meetings take place at 6 p.m. with a Saturday Bible Study at 9 a.m. at LifePoint Church at 424 Graham Rd. in Florissant. For more information visit www.lifepointministries.church/celebrate-recovery or call (men) Steve D. at 636-634-6582 or (women) Denise W. at 530-417-6151.

Tuesdays: TOPS (Take off pounds sensibly)

From 9:15 - 10:30 a.m. located at John F. Kennedy Center/Henry Koch Ctr., Howdershell Rd. at Charbonier Rd., Florissant. For more info contact Paul McConnell, 314-831-5476.

2nd Tuesday Sept.-June: Show-me Stitchers:

Show-me Stitchers is the local chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America. We meet on the second Tuesday, Sept.-June at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 14088 Clayton Road, Chesterfield, MO. Learn needlepoint, embroidery, cross stitch, and more.

Every 4th Tuesday of the

month: Fort Bellefontaine Memorial American Legion Post 335 meeting 6:30pm, Fort Bellefontaine Memorial American Legion Post 335, at the Bellefontaine Neighbors Community Center at 9669 Bellefontaine Rd. Those interested in membership are invited to attend.

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

Sports you see with Gary B...

Ambush has the first woman who is a majority owner of an MASL team

Like just about every sports team majority owner and CEO, Shelly Clark would love to win a championship or two.

But that isn’t necessarily the top priority on her list as CEO of the St. Louis Ambush.

There are more important things to Clark, such as the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) team’s supporters having a good time at games and creating long-lasting memories.

“The thing that’s most exciting for me, isn’t necessarily what’s happening on the field, but it’s what I see in the stands,” she said.

“The team obviously has to be doing well enough to be competitive. But it’s not always about the money. There’s more to life than the bank account. When I see kids dancing in the stands with popcorn buckets on their heads, that brings almost more joy than scoring a goal. It’s those moments and it’s those memories that kids and parents will remember forever.”

Saying that, here’s something that should be remembered in indoor soccer forever: Shelly Clark is the first woman who is a majority owner of an MASL team, as she and her husband Will invested in the team in 2013, as co-owners.

So, dealing with men and being one of a one or two women in the boardroom certainly wasn’t anything new to Clark.

“The male owners in our league never made me feel that I was anything other than worthy of being in that room,” she said. “I am called a ‘lovey’ type of person. When I say hello to somebody, I hug them. I think that that probably took several of the gentlemen aback. I have a very different approach to how to do business. You can agree to disagree and still respect one another and not have to fight over every little thing.

“I don’t think there’s a single person in our league that I wouldn’t consider my friend. There isn’t a sin-

gle owner that I couldn’t pick up the phone and have a very level-headed conversation with, whether we agree on something or not. I think that my talents, and my experience and my training with being a teacher has brought some accountability to the league. I’ve been appointed as the secretary for several years now, and it’s not because I can take good notes. It’s more about the organization. It’s more about getting things executed in a timely manner, keeping people accountable,” Clark said.

Sometimes it is about listening and learning.

“I believe I have the respect of everybody,” Clark said. “I sat very quiet for the first two years and observed and learned before I spoke. I think whether you’re a male or a female, sometimes we forget that we have two ears and one mouth. People often don’t tune in to what’s being said before they react and speak out.

“I feel like I’ve had an impact on this league in a positive way, and they’ve also had an impact on me as well. I have learned a lot of things that I probably would have never learned in day-to-day in my other business. It’s provided me with a lot of unique opportunities. And there’s a lot more to come. The league is growing. We’re bringing in some really exciting new owners, expanding markets. I feel like this is just the beginning.”

* You go girl

Gary Baute, a St. Louis native, may be educated in business but he lives and breathes sports. As a fan or an athlete, Gary is all sports all the time. He hosted a radio sports program on KFNS, emceed the River City Rascals’ inaugural season, among many other activities. I am currently hosting a Health show on 97.1 FM, ‘Prime Time Health’ www.PrimeTimeSTL.com. It broadcasts Saturday nights at 8 and Sunday mornings at 9.

Recipe: Baked bread to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Fromhearty stews to minty pies, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are all about enjoying the flavors of the holiday. Whether you’re cooking up a full meal or simply serving appetizers, this Irish Potato Bread makes for a simple, tasty snack to feed your crowd.

INGREDIENTS:

2 medium or large russet potatoes

1 egg

1 egg white

1/3 cup canola oil

3/4 cup milk

2 tablespoons green onion, minced

1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional for dusting and kneading

1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

Irish Potato Bread

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 375 F.

Peel potatoes. Slice one potato and boil in saucepan 15 minutes, or until tender. Remove potato from saucepan into large bowl. Mash potato then set aside.

Grate second potato onto cloth. Wring potato in cloth to remove excess water. Add grated potato to mashed potato in large bowl. Add egg, egg white, oil, milk, onion, caraway seeds, 3 1/4 cups flour, baking powder

and salt. Stir with wooden spoon until mixture is soft and sticky.

Turn dough onto floured surface. Adding flour as needed, knead dough to form 8-inch round shape with slight dome. Place dough onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cut large “X” on top of dough about 1/2 inch deep.

Bake 55 minutes until golden brown. Cool on wire rack 1 hour before serving.

FindmorecelebratoryrecipesatCulinary.net

Movie:

By Steve Bryan

Born and raised in South St. Louis, Steve Bryan is now based in Anaheim, California, and has been allowed access to movie and television sets to see actors and directors at work. Though his writing has taken him far from St. Louis, Steve is, at heart, still the same wide-eyed kid who spent countless hours watching classic movies at neighborhood theaters.

For11 years, Robert Norman Ross introduced painting techniques to television audiences. Better known as Bob Ross, his show, “The Joy of Painting,” appeared on PBS as well as other comparable networks across the world. With his quiet, slow delivery, Ross carefully described the style of painting he was using at the time. With the exception of his iconic hair, Ross would dress simply for the camera while talking about adding “happy little trees” to his canvas.

To me, Bob Ross was always an icon, public television star, gentle soul and a wonderful painting instructor. After watching the current trailer for “Paint,” a comedy starring Owen Wilson (“Meet the Parents,” “Wedding Crashers”), I felt sick to my stomach. In the trailer, Wilson appeared as Carl Nargle, a painter whose Vermont-based painting show attracted loyal audiences for decades. Times changed; however, and Carl discovered that a younger, potentially better painter had been stealing his thunder.

Based on the trailer alone, “Paint” looked like a Bob Ross hatchet job, but the beloved host’s personal life did, to be honest, create some controversy. That’s why portraying beloved, real-life characters could feel like walking a tight rope.

Tom Hanks, however, was the perfect

choice to play children’s TV show host Fred Rogers in 2019’s “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” Hanks captured the essence of Fred Rogers, who also was a Presbyterian minister.

“A Beautiful Day” director Marielle Heller explored the different sides of the sweater-wearing TV host. Under her direction, audiences shared a close-up view of what went on during tapings of “Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.” In one scene, Hanks, in character as Rogers, advised his young audiences to find constructive ways to release anger, such as pounding piano keys. Later in the film, Rogers took his own advice when he was upset by a bad take during a taping of his show.

2018’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” explored the life and death of iconic singer Freddie

Mercury. Rami Malek won multiple awards for his performance as Mercury. The film examined Mercury’s conflicts with his parents and his later rise to fame. In the early 1970’s, though, the singer was known simply as Farrokh Bulsara, an airline baggage handler. He later connected with a band called “Smile” and changed their name to “Queen.” Mercury was also the driving force behind the mega-hit “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The iconic musician passed away in November 1991 at the age of 45.

Another great biopic was 2019’s “Rocketman.” Taron Egerton played Reginald Dwight, the young man who would later change his name to Elton John. The film explored the ups and downs of his music career, including stints playing backup for American bands. Ronald Isley of the Isley Brothers suggested that Elton continue to write music to become famous. In the 1970’s, however, John created an explosive, on-stage persona that caught on with audiences. One of the highlights of the “Rocketman” soundtrack was “I’m Gonna Love Me Again,” which was sung by Egerton and Elton John.

There have been good biopics as well as bad ones. I can’t honestly judge “Paint” from just two minutes of trailer footage, so I will give Owen Wilson the benefit of the doubt for now.

Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that every row, column and 3-by-3 box includes all the digits 1 through 9.

Owen Wilson channels painter Bob Ross in “Paint”

“Paint” photo courtesy Balcony 9 Productions

Yeggs

John Hanna

CROSSWORD: COLLEGE BASKETBALL

‘Yeggs’ is a comic series about Robert and Bill, two rabbits who have opened their own egg franchise in the Midwest (St. Louis area). We follow their day to day lives, watching as they go about the hectic task of preparing for their one big day every year. Along the way they have adventures filled with fun, comic doings and pathos.

Moore on Life

We’vehad a lo-ong snowy winter this year. My husband and I were housebound long enough. I could tell it was time to get out or someone was going to snap. He was watching reruns of an old “Dateline.”

“Haven’t you seen this one before?” I asked.

“Maybe, I can’t remember,” he replied.

“Let me tell you how it went, the husband took out a giant insurance policy on his wife and decided to get rid of her by serving up an antifreeze smoothie. It’s always an antifreeze smoothie. Now get up and let’s go.”

I let him accompany me to the grocery store because he needed to get some exercise, but soon realized there was no good reason to have given him outdoor privileges. I realized this when I picked up a bell pepper.

“What are you gonna do with that?”

“I’m going to swing my arm around like a rabid orangutan and chuck it straight at your thick forehead,” I thought to myself, but instead I just glared menacingly.

Next, I added a loaf of bread to the cart.

“Why are you buying bread? I think we have bread,” he said.

This time I took action. I swung the loaf around my head once and smacked him on top of his bald bean with it.

“Ouch, why’d you do that?”

“If you are going to question my every purchase then expect a penalty.”

Next, I picked up a gallon of milk.

“We have enough milk.”

“Ahem,” I snapped, “I am the official certified milk ambassador authorized and deputized in our house to make all decisions milk related and the jug is three quarts low, which means after you

By Cindy Moore

ACROSS

1. Matt Damon/Ben Affleck 1999 movie

6. *Top seed

9. *Player’s target

13. Earth Day month

14. State V.I.P.

15. ____ firma

16. Rationalistic theology

have your cereal tomorrow it will be…” I suddenly realized I was loudly trying to justify my purchase before a crowd of wide-eyed onlookers in the yogurt section.

I got my phone out and started dialing. Yet another question. “Who are you calling?” he asked.

“Store security to let them know a mad man is harassing me!”

“Fine push your own cart,” he grumbled. “I’m going to the snack bar to get you a smoothie – extra-large!”

Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder.

The opinions expressed in this column are Cindy Moore’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.

17. Former name of Tokyo

18. Formed a curve

19. *One-____-____ rule

21. *Last year’s NCAA men’s tournament winner

23. Lenon’s wife

24. E-mail command

25. Bug spray brand

28. “By ____ of” or “by means of”

30. Like certain floss

35. Life stories, for short

37. Gulf War missile

39. Dough

40. Tiny purse or case

41. Mandarin’s headquarters

43. Like an omelette

44. Jaunty rhythms

46. Derived from capable

47. Party in Maui

48. Trouser measurement

50. L in SNL

52. *Encouragement from coach

53. Foretell

55. Lt.’s subordinate

57. *J in NJCAA

60. *Gambling scheme

64. Dick Van Dyke’s “____ ____ a Happy Face”

65. Freudian topic

67. Kind of ray

68. Silly

69. Mudbath site

70. Artemis’ companion

71. Type of salmon

72. College entrance exam

73. Instagram videos

DOWN

1. Bit of baby talk

2. Precedes sesame

3. Power system

4. Botch

5. Marcona nut

6. Curved molding

7. Endorsement

8. Call forth

9. Not his

10. Aquarium show star

11. Mine deposits

12. Water lily leaf

15. One behind the other

20. *Like crowd of fans?

22. “____ the crowd

goes wild!”

24. Misstep

25. Obelus, pl.

26. Oddball’s attempt? (2 words)

27. *Each player gets 5 before disqualification

29. *Org.

31. Witty Coward

32. Dress up or deck out (2 words)

33. Blue-Green scum

34. *Easiest shot?

36. Location

38. Hero shop

42. Never say what?

45. Abduction of the ____ Women, Roman myth

49. Farm call

51. Bewitch

54. One step to success?

56. Close call

57. Elliot Page’s 2007 role

58. Home of Jazz

59. Unacceptable, to a baby

60. Gravy holder

61. ACL location

62. Short for “and elsewhere”

63. Small amounts

64. Selfie, e.g.

66. *Qualifying ____, eligibility criterion

Smoothie operator