CrossRoads: June 2023

RABIES RESILIENCE

Mathew DeKinder

Robert Huneke

PRODUCTION

Rebecca Brockmann

Melissa Nordmann

CONTRIBUTORS

Avalanche

David Finkelstein

Cindy Moore

STAFF WRITER

Brett Auten

BY AVALANCHE

Avalanche is a functional illiterate who left the St. Louis area three decades ago in search of adventure. He enjoys motorcycling and all things outdoors. He lives with his wife and dogs.

BY CINDY MOORE

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.

BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN

David Finkelstein is a Master/ Skilled Automotive Service Technician and retired shop owner. He's invented garage service tools for mechanics, served on both nation and local automotive trade industry boards, has done years of consulting with various auto manufactures plus test drives new vehicles weekly. David has pioneered "Car Talk Radio" over 35 years ago, as his new show "Automotive Insight" can be heard on Saturdays, on the Real Talk Radio Network.

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.

14

MOORE ON LIFE – PG. 13

PG. 15

AUTOMOBILE ALLEY – PG.

Automobile Alley

The 2023 Jeep Wagoneer brings upscale luxury to the

Entertainment

Henry Winkler: From ‘The Lords of Flatbush’ to ‘Barry’

Growing the‘Garden’

By Brett Auten

AS THE GUFFAWS AND CHEERS FILL THE AIR, SOMEWHERE, FRANK MARTIN IS SMILING.

With nearly a year under its belt, Frankie Martin's Garden, located at 5372 St. Charles Place in Cottleville, has fit right in and has become to no one's surprise, an enticing location in the heart of Cottleville to socialize.

Frank K. Martin was a longtime Cottleville resident known for his giving nature and fun disposition. He was employed for more than 50 years in maintenance by St. Joseph Church and School where he was also a member.

Martin was also a knight in the Knights of Columbus, and was a frequent customer at local haunt, Bemo’s and Joe’s. Martin passed away in 2020 at the age of 74 and he's been honored with this social nerve center, built right where he used to live.

“We revived his former home and made it our centerpiece, The House,” Darin Heisler, General Manager of Frankie Martin's, said. “Our vision for the garden, which lies on his previous property and farm, is to foster a

place where the whole community can come together and celebrate daily.”

Frankie Martin’s Garden is the place for and about the community with a picturesque

neighborhood garden that provides awardwinning food trucks, 60-plus curated wines, a library of over 200 whiskeys, and showcases the best breweries in Missouri. No outside

SUBMITTED PHOTOS: Frankie Martin's Garden, located at 5372 St. Charles Place in Cottleville, is open Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 12 a.m. and features a bevy of food trucks, entertainment, and drink options. The food trucks serve lunch at the dog-friendly location from 11 – 2 p.m. and dinner from 5 – 9 p.m., seven days per week.

Frankie Martin's Garden has become a picturesque gathering space in Cottleville featuring food, entertainment and community

food or drink are allowed at Frankie Martin’s Garden (but kids and dogs are), including coolers as there are plenty of options at the slew of food trucks, beer pavilions and Whiskey House.

Cottleville declared June 2, Frankie Martin Day, which of course, is a big day at the Garden. It is open Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 12 a.m. and features a bevy of food trucks, entertainment, and drink options. The food trucks serve lunch at the dog-friendly location from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and dinner from 5 – 9 p.m., seven days per week.

Frankie Martin’s Garden, along with 9 Mile Garden, is a collaboration between local chef and restaurateur Brian Hardesty and Seneca Commercial Real Estate. Their shared vision is to create destinations where people from around St. Louis and beyond come together to enjoy food, entertainment, and community in a family-friendly environment. An emphasis on supporting the community means you’ll find local businesses such as food trucks, entertainers, wine and whiskey lovers, brewers, farmers and more.

“One motivation behind Frankie Martin’s Garden came from the success of 9 Mile Garden in Affton,” Heisler said. “9 Mile Garden launched in 2020, and quickly became a fix-

ture of the South County community.

When Jeff Kolb of Kolb Grading, who was involved with that project, approached Larry Chapman and Tom Mohan of Seneca CRE (owners at 9 Mile Garden) and Mike Reiter of Cottleville Ventures – the Kolbs and the Reiters are both deeply rooted in the community – they saw the partnership opportunity to both honor an old friend and create a welcome gathering place in the heart of Cot-

tleville.”

The grand opening was held in July of 2022, and they couldn’t be more excited with the response.

“From families dining al fresco with our amazing food truck partners, to sharing a conversation and some fine spirits in the Whiskey House, to live music with local acts three times a week, we look forward to spending time and growing with our neighbors,” Heisler said.

Not including the regular food truck visits, Frankie Martin's Garden weekly schedule includes challenging trivia in the Beer Barn, pickle ball and sand volleyball action, local and regional live music, and St. Louis sports on the outdoor big screen.

“We are also happy to announce our inaugural Frankie Fest on Sunday, May 28, featuring Wildfire, The Shawn Egan Band, and Trixie Delight,” Heisler said. “We are partnering with Building Change, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans. We love working with nonprofit organizations in our community; any chance to give back to the community that has welcomed us into their lives is a chance to deepen our roots here.”

For more information, visit frankiemartinsgarden.com.

St. Charles County Highway Department projects underway to reduce congestion, improve safety

The St. Charles County Highway Department has road construction projects underway to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and improve safety at two high-volume intersections, with more road improvements planned in the near future.

Central School Road and St. Peters Howell Road: Just north of Route 364 in the St. Peters area, improvements to widen the intersection of Central School Road and St. Peters Howell Road in all directions have begun. Central School Road will have an additional turn lane and an additional drive/merge lane on both sides of the intersection. St. Peters Howell Road will have an additional left turn lane to serve drivers accessing the Route 364 corridor.

A $1.6 million contract has been awarded for this construction, and it is expected to be complete by June 2023.

Route Z and Route N: In the Wentzville area, south of Interstate 70, the intersection of Route Z and Route N is being relocated to the east to improve the alignment of the intersection. Additionally, the new intersection will be expanded in all directions and a traffic light will be installed.

A $5.8 million contract has been awarded for this construction, and the work is anticipated to be completed by late 2023 or early 2024.

Both road improvement projects are funded by the voter-approved St. Charles County ½-cent Transportation Sales Tax, along with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program funding. More information can be found at sccmo.org/RoadProjects.

Upcoming Projects

The following road improvements in unincorporated St. Charles County are expected to begin between fall 2023 and summer 2024:

• West Meyer Road – Repaving and adding shoulders to West Meyer Road, from Route W in Foristell to the McCoy Creek Bridge east of Duenke Road.

• Josephville Road – Repaving and widening the shoulders of Josephville Road from Highway P south to Kersting Road.

• Interstate Drive – Reconstruction of Interstate Drive from Quailcludes widening the existing roadway, additional infrastructure

improvements, installation of a multi-use path for pedestrians and bikes, and construction of a roundabout intersection where Interstate Drive, Prospect Road and Duello Road meet.

• Duello Road – Road widening, infrastructure improvements, additional turn lanes, and construction of a multi-use path along Duello Road, from Route N to north of Orf Road.

Maintenance and repair

The St. Charles County Highway Department has asphalt overlays and concrete slab replacements scheduled in 2023 for the following subdivisions and roadways:

Asphalt overlays

Bunker Hill

Booneslick Gardens

St. Anthony Hill Whispering Hills

Bluffs Lexington Square

Heritage North Willow Wood Estates

Powell Park and Forest Gardens Fairway Estates

Brocknor Estates

Pitman Hill Road

McClay Road Various rural roads

Concrete slab replacements

Stonebridge Manor

Crystal Springs Wood

Ivy Meadows Wood Crest

Manors at Glen Brook

Twin Fawn Estates

Dove Meadows Countryside

Eagles Ridge Harvest Valley

Merriweather Park Addyston Place

Bluff Meadows Charles Village

Saddlebrook Whitehirst Manor

For more information, email highway@sccmo.org or call 636-9497305.

PHOTO COURTESY ST. CHARLES COUNTY: Construction continues at Central School Road and St. Peters Howell Road.

Fort Zumwalt winter drumline wins world title

Modulation Z, the winter drumline comprising musicians from each of the four comprehensive Fort Zumwalt high schools, won its second world championship last month in Dayton, Ohio.

Led by East High music teacher and assistant band director Ryan Treasure, the group of 41 students earned the trip to the (Winter Guard International) WGI World Competition after competing and winning their class at the WGI Chicago Regional.

"We have kids of all types from four high schools who come together for a common goal,” Treasure says. “We have percussionists, nonpercussionists, star athletes, star students, you name it. They are all determined, hardworking and prepared to give that extra something that it takes to compete at this level. They are unified in achieving something greater than the norm.”

Beginning in October, the students practice three times a week for about 12 hours, mastering music and choreography. Costuming and lighting are also important components of the brigade’s performance.

“Modulation Z drew the audience into a thriller, last-man-standing movie with their production, entitled ‘Survivor.’” says WGI.org. “Performers began the show laying on a grassy tarp, looking scared and discouraged. As the show progressed, the battery ran, hit the ground, and interacted with one another using pole props that glowed blue.”

Mod Z outscored the second-place finisher by more than two full points in a competition that measures down to the thousandths. The group has taken on the international competition, which includes college and private competitive brigades, for more than five years. This is Mod Z’s second world title. The group also won the WGI World Competition in 2017.

PHOTO COURTESY FORT ZUMWALT SCHOOL DISTRIC T

AAUW St. Charles presents 2023 local scholarships

Since 1938, AAUW St. Charles Branch (American Association of University Women) has awarded scholarships to senior high school women.

This spring, 38 applications from high schools throughout St. Charles County met qualifications and were reviewed by the committee for the annual local scholarships. In addition to educational excellence, applications are reviewed for extra-curricular activities and school involvement.

Two recipients were selected and invited to attend the May AAUW meeting along with parents and teachers. Committee chair Rose Ann Weeks presented scholarships to Arthi Kondapaneni from Liberty High School in Wentzville and Alyssa Corbett from Francis Howell High School. Alyssa was also a recipient of the AAUW Science Award presented in March. Both will attend universities on the West Coast.

MoDOT restricts section of Veterans Memorial Parkway to temporary one-way traffic during construction

The Missouri Department of Transportation has temporarily restricted Westbound Veterans Memorial Parkway between Cave Springs Boulevard and Mexico Road to oneway traffic. The temporary conversion began May 10.

A new overpass is being constructed to allow traffic on Veterans Memorial Parkway to go under Cave Springs Road without stopping at a traffic signal. This temporary configuration is expected to last for the majority of 2023.

“This is a temporary situation, not a planned permanent conversion from twoway to one-way outer road traffic,” said Nick Gibbons, MoDOT Project Director. “This temporary conversion allows our contractor to construct the new segment of Veterans Memorial Parkway that will go under Cave Springs Road, which will restore connectivity to this portion of the outer road system and improve traffic operations and safety of the overall corridor. We urge motorists to consider alternate routes or allow for extra time to get to their destination during this outer road work.”

During construction, Veterans Memorial Parkway traffic can only go in the eastbound direction (no westbound traffic) between Cave Springs Boulevard and Mexico Road.

Once construction is completed, this section of Veterans Memo-

rial Parkway will be returned back to the normal two-way traffic configuration.

This construction is part of the I-70 Cave Springs to Fairgrounds Design-Build Project.

The Cave Springs and Zumbehl interchanges are being converted into single point urban interchanges (SPUI) for the I-70 Cave Springs to Fairgrounds Design-Build Project. As construction on this project progresses, both interchanges will remain open to drivers. For more information, visit www.i70csfg.com for project updates.

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Committee Members and Honorees of the AAUW St. Charles Branch pictures are Joyce Rothermich, Teri Brecht, Alyssa Corbett, Arthi Kondapaneni, Rose Ann Weeks, Barb Olive, and Linda Dencker. (Not pictured: Jo Ann Viewig).

RABIES RESILIENCE

Awareness and vaccines are the best ways to prevent rabies infection in pets and their owners

By Brett Auten

Bites from bats are the main source of rabies in humans in the United States today. Although the vast majority of bats do not have rabies, any potential encounter with a bat must be assessed for the possibility of rabies transmission.

The St. Charles County Department of Public Health received confirmation last month that a bat found in Lake Saint Louis tested positive for the rabies virus.

Department of Public Health Acting Director Sara Evers said that the bat was discovered in a home, and while the homeowner was not bitten, St. Charles County Public Health nurses assessed the situation for any potential exposure to determine if there is a need for treatment.

Any mammal can be infected with rabies, but bats (less than 1% are infected) and skunks (a variable percent are infected) are the most significant rabies-vector species in Missouri.

“Rabies is a dangerous virus found in the saliva of mammals that infects the nervous system,” Evers said. “The discovery of this infected animal serves as a reminder that annual vaccination is the best way to prevent rabies infection in pets and their owners and is required for all pets.”

Evers said that rabies illness requires mandatory preventative actions and extensive treatment, so it is important that people and their pets avoid contact with live or dead wild or stray animals.

Including this latest finding, there have been seven positive rabies cases in Missouri this year. This is the first case in St. Charles County since 2020. The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services collects data on rabies reports on a monthly basis.

All St. Charles County veterinarians can provide rabies vaccination and the accompanying rabies registration for their clients. This regis-

tration comes with an annual rabies tag that must be displayed on the animal’s collar according to the county ordinance. Individuals needing financial assistance to obtain the vaccination and registration tag should contact the St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center at 636-949-7387.

It is not possible to tell if a bat has rabies just by looking at it. Rabies can be confirmed only by having the animal tested in a laboratory.

But, any bat that is active during the day, or is found in a place where they are not usually seen (inside homes or camped out on the lawn), or is unable to fly, is far more likely than others to be rabid. These bats are often the most easily approached so it is best never to handle any bat.

“Their normal behavior is looking for water or insects, not humans,” Evers said. “If it is flying erratically it may be ill, or injured, or trying to figure out its circumstances.”

If bitten by a bat, or if infectious material (such as saliva) from a bat gets into the eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound, wash the affected area thoroughly and seek medical attention immediately.

If possible, the bat should be captured by professionals and sent to a laboratory for rabies testing.

“A bat falls out of a tree and a dog could easily pick it up,” Evers said. “Calling animal control is a good place to start. We are not interested in killing bats. We want to get them out or away from your home.”

Bats have small teeth which could leave marks that are not easily seen, there are situations in which a person should seek medical advice even in the absence of an obvious bite wound. For example, if a person awakens and finds a bat in the room, sees a bat in the room of an unattended child, or sees a bat near a mentally impaired or intoxicated person, he/she should seek medical advice and have the bat

tested. Also, it is not possible to contract rabies through con tact with bat guano (feces).

In both humans and pets, common symptoms of rabies infection include fever, body ache/ difficulty moving, neck stiffness, brain swelling, and paralysis. In animals, unusual or atypical behavior and foaming at the mouth also are common. If these symptoms develop, the result is rarely survivable — although human deaths in the United States are rare because of effective treatment procedures. Reporting of animal incidents and stray or potentially rabid animals will also help to prevent the spread of the disease. Whenever an individual or pet is bitten or scratched by an animal, cleanse the wound immediately with soap and water, seek any necessary medical care and alert the Division of Humane Services or your local law enforcement agency.

Before you get all bats in the belfry about our June cover subject, bats play an essential role in pest control, pollinating plants and dispersing seeds. Recent studies estimate that bats eat enough pests to save more than $1 billion per year in crop damage and pesticide costs in the United States corn industry alone.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS.: The St. Charles County Department of Public Health received confirmation that a bat found in Lake Saint Louis last month tested positive for the rabies virus.

Including this latest finding last month,. there have been seven positive rabies cases in Missouri this year. This is the first case in St. Charles County since 2020. The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services collects data on rabies reports on a monthly basis.

There have been seven positive rabies cases in Missouri this year. A case last month at Lake St. Louis is the first in St. Charles County since 2020. The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services collects data on rabies reports on a monthly basis.

WHAT TO DO: Residents concerned about the presence of stray or potentially rabid animals on their property should call St. Charles County Animal Control at 636-949-7347 for domesticated animals or the Missouri Department of Conservation’s St. Charles County regional office at 636-441-4554 for wild animals.

COUNTY ROAD COUNTY ROAD

MY FRIENDS ROD AND JO LIVE UP ON A MOUNTAIN, off a four-wheel-drive road about one mile past the end of winter maintenance. For decades, people have parked at the bottom of the hill, unloaded their ATV’s in the summer, or snowmobiles in the winter, and made the 15 mile loop around some spectacular mountain terrain. Over the years, more and more people have come to the area, and it can get quite busy along the narrow, rocky road, which in some spots is little wider than a jeep. Lots of advertising and social media posts have encouraged people to come and enjoy the year-round outdoor adventures that the area has to offer.

For nearly 20 years, Rod and Jo have commuted to their mountain home up and down this rough, steep, and sometimes treacherous road, mostly via ATV, side-by-side or snowmobile, or some combination thereof, depending on road conditions and where the snow-line was located. Over the last few years, their ATV with tracks instead of wheels was the winter transport of choice. (Their daughters were quite happy to make the switch from the snowmobile, as they no longer smelled like two-stroke exhaust when they went to school.) Getting stuck, or having to deal with breakdowns was a part of living there. Driving a full-sized SUV or pickup along here was done infrequently, and only when necessary, as the rough conditions would reduce it to junkyard scrap in short order. In fact, the road is so rough, runners who train here can easily make it around the 15-mile loop faster than a vehicle can be driven over it. I have personally done this - which is why my knees now resemble my friends’ old Suburban, ready for the scrap heap.

With the increasing crowds came the inevitable traffic and parking issues. In response, the local government agencies have decided to “do something.” That “something,” was to dig through some old legal documents from the 1980’s, which clarified that the road in question was owned by the county up to Rod and Jo’s place, where it became a Forest Service road. An “exception” was granted in the 1980’s that allowed non-street legal vehicles (ATV’s, snowmobiles, etc.) to access the Forest Service road via the county road, from a local state-owned park about two miles away. The county decided to revoke the “exception,” thus prohibiting a very popular decades-old tradition of accessing the backcountry via off-road vehicle. Also, parking at the bottom of the hill is now prohibited. Traffic problem solved. No accommodation – or even acknowledgement – was given to the small group of hardy folks who live and/or own properties along the road. Nor was any consideration given to the ATV rental company in town that has been in business for several years, or the thousands of off-road enthusiasts who, for decades, have come from across the country to make this off-road journey.

This month’s photo shows the condition of this county road at the end of this winter. My friend Rod and his wife had just spent a couple

BY AVALANCHE

hours digging out a path for their track-equipped ATV to get across the creek that blew out the culvert there. This is what they’re supposed to drive a street-legal vehicle across - all year round.

Then there is the not-so-small issue of enforcement. I know some experienced, level-headed cops who don’t like going to calls in this area due to the “strong anti-government sentiment up there.” It’s not likely that a code enforcement officer standing at the bottom of the hill with a ticket book in hand will get very good results.

The edict revoking the decades-old “exception” was just recently issued with no fanfare via social media and e-mail; public awareness and involvement are just beginning. I suspect that like the road itself, the way forward is going to be very bumpy.

CHICKEN OUT

– BY CINDY MOORE –

SOMEONE’S IN THE DOGHOUSE – MY HUSBAND! I gave him one job…one teensy, little basic job – change the bathroom hand towels.

I ran into the house the other day and needed to step into the bathroom to do what people do when they need to go into the bathroom only what I needed to do was of an urgent nature. Okay, TMI, but it has to do with the story so get that visual out of your mind and let’s move on.

So instead of using the bathroom in our bedroom, I made a rush to the nearest one which happened to be the guest bathroom. That’s when the horror hit me.

I had just finished washing my hands and reached up to grab the towel when the shocking sight smacked me square in the eyeballs. What could cause such a reaction you ask? Well, I’m not going to ask for moral support from you men out there because I suspect you’re all in cahoots over this and will fall in lockstep with my husband who is a dedicated member of your Man Club. But the ladies will understand the jolt I felt.

Now, as I reached for the towel, I discovered that it was red

checkered and covered with chickens…CHICKENS I say! Do you know what that means people? It was a kitchen towel… not a bathroom towel! A dingy, frayed kitchen towel used to dry pots and pans and mop up spilled gravy!

And this first world problem could only be made worse by the realization that the night before we had company over and of course, one half of that company was none other than my neighbor, the annoying Mrs. Pilkinson.

And yes, she did excuse herself in the middle of playing dominoes to use my guest bathroom and no doubt she was confronted by that very same checkered chicken towel to wipe her paws. And further, you can bet your sweet dose of judgmental criticism that she took a catty little picture of it and sent it to everyone in the neighborhood announcing that I stocked my bathrooms with nasty gravy mop up towels like some uncouth baboon. Arrgh!

My husband just came in the door. Boy, is he going to get it!

“Hey, who's been using my best screwdriver to dig up weeds?!” he yelled.

Oopsie. I guess we’re even.

BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN

JEEP WAGONEER

If you are focused towards an everyday drive vehicle or one suited for the weekend, the "go anywhere" 2023 Wagoneer is available in three build combinations. This includes the standard Wagoneer, Series II and the Series III.

Wagoneer tends to reflect a prosperous legacy of upscale American craftsmanship, refinement and years of notable heritage. All of this is further wrapped up with a comfortable ride, outstanding safety enhancements and their famous all-wheel-drive capabilities for traversing on almost any type of terrain.

The badging "Wagoneer" has been linked with sport utilities as far back as the 60's. Today, of course, it is associated with Daimler/ Chrysler Automotive. However, marketing has elected to isolate its connection with the Jeep nameplate, offering Wagoneer as their "premium extension" of the Jeep brand.

The Quadra-Lift air suspension system delivers a smooth ride and up to 10 inches of ground clearance. This of course translates to driving dynamics that's been mimicked by other car companies across the globe as being top rated. These attributes with Wagoneer further include best-in-class 10,000 lbs. towing capabilities, overall passenger volume and dominant second and third-row legroom, plus impressive cargo volume behind the third row.

This SUV's sophisticated interior treatments hinge on being quite luxurious, refined and elegant at all seating positions. The spacious third row is standard, with seating for up to eight. Some of the factory’s cutting-edge technologies include the latest and most advanced Uconnect 5 system. Its unmatched and engineered to help integrate your smart

phone's intelligent qualities, infotainment and navigation, in one complete arrangement. Their available 10.25-inch passenger screen has additional functions, including co-pilot navigation with its user-friendly touchscreen interface, wireless phone charging, high caliber entertainment via HDMI or rear seat entertainment control and the ability to view the exterior vehicle cameras.

Developed with an exceptional highstrength steel underside frame assembly, it uses advanced materials and engineering to be lightweight, yet stiff and durable. This characteristic further leads to enhanced body torsional stiffness. For 2023, it's now brimming with more than 120 standard and available safety and security features. In part, you will find adaptive cruise control, drowsy driver detection, traffic sign recognition, intersection collision assist and electronically controlled suspension for greater on-road handling and comfort. Additionally, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian/cyclist detection, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors come under the heading of confidence.

It's also sold with an advanced powertrain lineup for the '23 model year. The all-new Hurricane Twin Turbo I-6 engine, standard on Wagoneer Series II and Wagoneer Series III, sets the benchmark for power and efficiency in the large SUV segment with its 420 horsepower and 468 lb.-ft. of torque. The 5.7-liter V-8 engine is rated at 392 horsepower and 404 lb.-ft. of torque, fitted with the next generation of eTorque 48-volt hybrid system with fuel-saving technologies. This includes cylinder deactivation and variable cam timing.

Pricing starts out at $58,995, excluding shipping charges. The base warranty is for 36-months/36,000 miles. Powertrain coverage shows 60-months/60,000 miles. Depending on the build series and engine, city/ highway MPG range from around 16/22 miles per gallon, as it comes with a 26.5-gallon fuel tank. This full-size SUV is on the class of the Chevrolet Suburban, Ford Expedition and the Toyota Sequoia. Built not far from Detroit, the 2023 Wagoneer is manufactured in Warren, Michigan.

brings upscale luxury to the suV market

Henry Winkler: From ‘The Lords of Flatbush’ to ‘Barry’

BY STEVE BRYAN

IIn 1974, Martin Davidson and Stephen F. Verona directed “The Lords of Flatbush,” a coming-of-age drama set in the 1950’s. Sylvester Stallone played Stanley Rosiello, a teenager from Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood who, along with Wimpy Murgalo (Paul Mace), Butchey Weinstein (Henry Winkler) and Chico Tyrell (Perry King), were part of a gang that wore leather jackets, chased girls, got into fights and hung out at the malt shop.

Believing he had impregnated his girlfriend Frannie (Maria Smith), Stanley agreed to marry her even after he learned she wasn’t pregnant. By the end of the film, the boys from Flatbush left their leather jackets at home and wore dress suits to Frannie and Stanley’s wedding.

“The Lords of Flatbush” became part of a nostalgia wave that included the Broadway and movie versions of “Grease,” George Lucas’ “American Graffiti” and, of course, television’s “Happy Days.” On that iconic series, Henry Winkler played Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli, a motorcycle rider who became a great friend to Richie Cunningham (Ron Howard). The series ran 11 seasons before ending in 1984 and created such spin-offs as “Laverne & Shirley” and “Mork & Mindy.”

During his years on “Happy Days,” Henry Winkler also took movie roles that were intriguing and different. Directed by Jeremy Paul Kagan, 1977’s “Heroes” had Winkler playing Jack Dunne, a Vietnam veteran suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). After escaping from a VA hospital, he planned to become a worm farmer in California. Along the way, he met Carol Bell (Sally Field), a woman

who joined him on his trek to California. Henry Winkler’s performance in “Heroes” earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Drama film. Winkler brought a lot to the table in 1982’s “Night Shift.” He played Charles “Chuck” Lumley, a former stockbroker who quit his Wall Street job to work at a New York City morgue. Bill “Blaze” Blazejowski (Michael Keaton), Chuck’s new co-worker, was a fast-talking guy with such great “ideas” as edible paper to eliminate garbage. For his work in “Night Shift,” Henry Winkler was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor (Motion Picture Musical or Comedy) while Keaton won the Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor.

1998’s “The Waterboy” focused on Bobby Boucher (Adam Sandler), a 31-year-old man who became the water boy for the South-Central Louisiana University Mud Dogs. After being taunted by the team for being a water boy, Coach Klein (Winkler) encouraged Booby to fight back, which helped him become a force to be reckoned with on the football field. Unfortunately, Bobby’s mother Helen (Kathy Bates) didn’t want her son playing that “foosball.” Henry Winkler’s Coach Klein had some great moments trying to convince Helen to let Bobby join his team.

Currently Henry Winkler is part of the cast of HBO’s “Barry,” a series where Bill Hader plays the title role of Barry Berkman, a former U.S. Marine turned hitman. Winkler plays Gene Cousineau, an acting teacher who becomes a mentor to Barry. This popular HBO show is in its final season, so it will be interesting to see what Henry Winkler does next.

SUMMER FLAVORS

fit for the patio Fresh

Gatherings in the summer sun are all about easy, convenient recipes combined with the joy warm weather brings. Spend those special occasions with those you love most and make this summer one to remember with flatbreads, sliders and sweet treats for all to share. Keeping cooking simple means more time on

SUMMERY FLATBREADS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

When dining outdoors with family, friends and neighbors, there are few things better than a tasty dish the whole family can enjoy like these Chipotle Chicken Flatbreads.

Perfect for al fresco entertaining when served alongside a fresh salad, they’re simple to make and allow guests to personalize with preferred toppings before popping in the oven. As a colorful and fresh dish, it’s an ideal meal for gettogethers on the patio.

For more summer recipe ideas, visit Culinary.net.

Recipe adapted from butteryourbiscuit.com

the patio or in the backyard engaging with guests, and these Chipotle Chicken Flatbreads, Chicken Shawarma Sliders and Lemon Cheesecake with Fruit let home chefs skip complicated kitchen duties without skimping on flavor. Visit Culinary.net to find more simple summer recipes to share with loved ones.

INGREDIENTS:

2 flatbreads

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 Clove garlic, diced

4 chicken tenders, cooked and cubed

1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 F.

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

1/2 cup ranch dressing

1 1/2 teaspoons chipotle

seasoning

2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, chopped

Place parchment paper on baking sheet and add flatbreads. Sprinkle cheese on flatbreads. Top with garlic, chicken and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bake 16 minutes until cheese is melted.

In small bowl, mix ranch and chipotle seasoning. Drizzle ranch dressing on flatbreads and sprinkle with cilantro leaves.

CHIPOTLE CHICKEN FLATBREADS

CHICKEN SHAWARMA SLIDERS

SHAREABLE SLIDERS FOR A NUTRITIOUS SUMMER MEAL

Fresh, mouthwatering foods hot off the grill are a sure sign of summer fun. Hosting sunny get-togethers this year can be made easy when you show off your grilling skills with a simple, nutritious and flavorful recipe.

These Chicken Shawarma Sliders are a delicious example of how to grill healthy summer meals without forgoing favorite flavors. They’re part of a curated 12-recipe collection of healthy, balanced dishes from the snacking experts at family-owned Fresh Cravings, known for its chilled salsas, hummus and other dips, which teamed up with eMeals, America’s leading provider of meal plans.

“These sliders are a fantastic – and healthy – option for your next gathering,” said eMeals Senior Nutrition Writer and Editor Rachel West, RD. “The marinade uses a mix of pantry-friendly dried herbs and fresh garlic to give the lean grilled chicken breast some oomph. The lettuce and red onion add cool crispness and crunch to the sandwiches while Fresh Cravings’ creamy, flavor-packed hummus gets some nutritional bonus points by providing a dose of protein and fiber.”

RECIPE COURTESY OF EMEALS REGISTERED DIETITIAN RACHEL WEST PREP TIME: 25 MINUTES | COOK TIME: 10 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS: DIRECTIONS:

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

3 tablespoons olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika

1/2 tablespoon ground cumin

1/2 tablespoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 package (12) slider buns

1 container (17 ounces) Fresh Cravings Honey Jalapeno Hummus

1 package (8 ounces) shredded

lettuce

1/2 small red onion, sliced

In zip-top plastic bag, use meat mallet or heel of hand to pound chicken to even thickness. Cut into 2-inch pieces and place in large bowl. Add oil, garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, salt and cayenne; toss.

Cover chicken and chill 8 hours, or up to 2 days.

Preheat grill or grill pan to mediumhigh heat. Grill chicken 4-5 minutes per side, or until done.

Serve chicken on buns with hummus, lettuce and onion.

UNFORGETTABLE FRUITY FLAVOR

Summertime often brings cravings for fresh fruits that add a hint of sweetness to warm-weather gatherings. Serving up a delicious dessert for family and guests starts with favorite produce in this Lemon Cheesecake with Fruit. The touch of tangy tartness is enough to bring loved ones to the dessert table even after a filling meal as fresh lemon juice in the cheesecake base is complemented perfectly when topped with orange slices and raspberries. Garnished with mint leaves, this brightly colored treat is even sweeter when shared with loved ones. Find more sweet summer desserts at Culinary.net.

LEMON CHEESECAKE with fruit

SERVINGS: 6-8

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

3 eggs

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 orange, peeled and separated 8 raspberries

3 mint leaves, for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Press firmly into 9-inch springform pan.

In large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Add eggs, fresh lemon juice and vanilla extract; mix until combined.

Pour into pan. Bake 50-55 minutes, or until center springs back when lightly pressed.

Chill in refrigerator until completely cooled. Arrange orange slices around border of cake and place raspberries in middle. Top with mint leaves.