FocusOn Magazine - St. Charles County Spring 2020

SPRING 2020

Brings Back Classic Rock Music! page 26

Safe & Sound

ANIMAL RESCUES

bringing awareness to shelters in st. charles county sponsored by UNIQUE HEATING & COOLING

page 6

The Big Red Building Brings New Businesses to Cottleville page 28

St. Charles County Municipality Mayors Dan Borgmeyer, Saint Charles 636-949-3268 dan@danborgmeyerformayor.com dan.borgmeyer@stcharlescitymo.gov Len Pagano, Saint Peters 636-278-2244, ext. 1233 LPagano@stpetersmo.net Bill Hennessy, O’Fallon 636-379-5500 bhennessy@ofallon.mo.us Nick Guccione, Wentzville Nick.Guccione@wentzvillemo.org 636-639-0354 Kathy Schweikert, Lake St. Louis 636-561-4366 kathyschweikert@yahoo.com

MUD JACKING 636-544-1696

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Jim Hennessey, Cottleville 636-498-6565 Ext. 100 jim.hennessey@cityofcottleville.com Donald D. Licklider, Weldon spring 636-441-2110 ext. 101 dlicklider@weldonspring.org

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Mark Warner, Portage De Sioux 636-899-0640 mark@warnersgarageandguns.com William Richter, West Alton 636-899-0808 willie@richterfarms.com Doug Wynn, Flint Hill 636-327-4441 cityofflinthill@centurytel.net Vernon Bauer, St. Paul 636-980-1063 mayorbauer@gmail.com Joseph Goatley, Foristell 636-485-5636 jgoatley@cityofforistell.org

5th Street Pub 5205 5th Street, Cottleville, MO 63304 636-928-5455 focusOn Magazine | 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS Volume 5 - Issue 1 Spring 2020 FocusOn Magazine 5377 State Hwy N Cottleville, Missouri 63304

www.FocusOnMagazine.ONLINE 636-566-0004 contact@FocusOnMag.com Advertising Information Patty@FocusOnMag.com © 2017 OpenBeast, LLC

Distribution Cottleville • O’Fallon Lake St. Louis • Dardenne Prairie Weldon Spring • Wentzville St. Peters • St. Charles New Town

St. Charles County Municipality Mayors.....................page 3 Advertiser Directory..................................................page 4 Publisher’s Note | Meet the Team.............................page 5 Safe & Sound Animal Rescues...................................page 6 Time Traveler - St. Charles County - Part 1 ................page 12 Sustainable Living..................................................page 14 Tapped - Schlafly buys Trailhead..............................page 16 Bill Kuhlmann - Racing Legend.................................page 18 SuperJam - Music for a BGone Era...........................page 26 The Big Red Building of Cottleville............................page 28 First Responder - Sgt. Dave McCune.........................page 32 Medical Corner with Doug Bouldin..........................page 36 Leaky Gut and Inflammation.......................................page 40 TOP BITES with Kelly Gardner.................................page 42 Darlene Willman - LINKEDIN...................................page 45 Chasing the Dragon - Our Story................................page 44 New Business Listing..............................................page 49 Movie Review - Dolittle (2020).................................page 50

Advertiser Directory

Alzheimer’s Association............... page 22 AmFam Insurance....................... page 31 Anthony Gray Properties................ page 9 Bemo’s ...................................... page 52 Brian Ahrens, CPA...................... page 29 Cottleville Wine Seller ................ page 30 Crown Luxury Resale................... page 39 Eagle Exteriors............................ page 24 Flosspot Dental Floss.................... page 15 Get Connected........................... page 49 Glenfield.................................... page 20 GLO Beauty & Tan........................ page 9 Grace Church............................. page 48 Hairy Elephant.............................. page 3 Hooks & Slices Charity Golf......... page 21 Jo’s 5th Street Pub......................... page 3 Judy Bateman - Realty.................. page 36 Kestel Co................................... page 29 KFAV Hot Country....................... page 35 Kristy Flood Reakty...................... page 39 Law Enforcement Magazine......... page 34 4 | focusOn Magazine

Lean Kitchen............................... page 43 Lily & Day.................................. page 29 Lime Light Events......................... page 51 Mannino’s Market....................... page 43 Main Street Diner........................ page 39 Midwest Maifest......................... page 44 Moolah Shriners Circus.................. page 2 Mud Jacking................................. page 3 Navagation Counseling Services......... page 9 Photography by DeClue................. page 8 Piazza Messina.......................... page 23 Print Shop, The........................... page 11 Public School House...................... page 8 Spectrum Glass........................... page 25 State Farm Insurance..................... page 9 Turtle Creek Pub & Grill .............. page 10 Unique Heating & Cooling........... page 29 Unlimited Play............................ page 38 USA Mortgage........................... page 45 White Hare, The......................... page 25

It’s a delight to present our 2020 spring edition. That said, what’s more exciting than FocusOn’s Annual Spring Golf Event! And it’s a pleasure to announce Glenfield Memory Care Homes will be our major sponsor for April 11th charity golf event, benefiting Alzheimer’s Association. We also formed a new collaborative animal rescue project with Unique Heating & Cooling, called “Safe and Sound”. Check out page 6 and any support or awareness our readers could offer is appreciated.

Thanks to Michele Gnau and Steve Naugher, spearheading this initiative.

Spring is nature’s fresh start and so we introduced a well-timed pop-up topic, “Level Up Your Game on LinkedIn”, by award winning speaker, Darlene Willman, page 45. Don’t miss the complete story on Trailhead Brewing sale to Schlafly Beer by Janaca Scherer, page 16. “The Word Invokes the Glory of a Bygone Era”, by Katy Kruze, a breathtaking write-up on SuperJam (page 26) will rock your world away. “Top Bites” on page 42 is our new attempt to entertain foodies and to promote local restaurants.

It is always our goal to present our county with a magazine that captures the spirit, lifestyle and as well highlight social issues, of its diverse readers. Many thanks for your continued interest if you are joining us again - and if this is your first time to pick up an issue of FocusOn, cheers and welcome.

Your feedback and ideas are our heartbeat.

Until next time,

Stephen Thompson, Ph.D. Publisher/Owner

shopping | dining | entertainment | news

Steve Naugher

Katy Kruze

Print Coordinator/Owner

Michelle Andaya

Jeff Bateman

Sustainable Living

FocusOnTV

Janaca Scherer

Kelly Gardner

St. Charles County is Tapped

Top Bites

Doug Bouldin Medical Corner

Debbie DeClue Photographer

Darlene Fischer Chasing the Dragon

Skip Stephens First Responder

Music & Special Events

Dorris Keeven-Franke Historian

Pat Callihan Sports Zone

Patty Taylor

Director of Ad Sales

Kaylee Adams Social Media

focusOn Magazine | 5

Safe & Sound

ANIMAL RESCUES

bringing awareness to shelters in st. charles county sponsored by UNIQUE HEATING & COOLING - Michele Gnau

Lucky Chance Rescue is a foster based rescue located in Lake St. Louis, Wentzville, O’Fallon.

EVENTS IN THE AREA

CARE STL Wonderland Tea Party: This event is being held on Mother’s Day, 5/3, at our Adoption & Training Center located at 2700 Walnut Place, St. Louis, MO 63103. It goes from 11-2pm Give STL Day: 24 hours of online, charitable giving for local STL nonprofits. It’s on Thursday, May 7th, and here’s a link to our dedicated dashboard page: https:// www.givestlday.org/CARESTL

http://www.icarestl.org/

Yoga + Kittens March 25 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm You bring the yoga mats, we’ll provide the cats! Join us for an hour-long yoga class at the lobby…

Sit Stay Speak May 9 @ 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm This luxe and festive evening will feature signature 1920’s-inspired cocktails, delicious fare from over 15 area chefs, kick-up-yourheels jazz,…

https://apamo.org 2nd Annual Spring-a-Pet Adoption Event and Open House Sat, Apr 18, 10 AM – 3 PM City of St. Charles Animal Control Services 2835 W Randolph St, St Charles, MO www.stcharlescitymo.gov/132/Animal-Control

6 | focusOn Magazine

We rescue dogs and cats in our community and surrounding areas of St. Charles & St. Louis County whether from high kill shelters, strays, abandoned animals, or owner surrenders. We are also focusing efforts to support rural areas in Missouri where resources are limited. We provide veterinary care, safe shelter and adopt them to permanent loving homes.We are committed to the ethical treatment of animals, promoting spay and neuter to end overpopulation and unwanted animals, reuniting missing pets with their owners and educating the pet owners about proper and responsible animal care.

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OUR FEATURED GUESTS

★★★★

This cutie is Freya! She is 3 years old and such an angel.

She is making her debut today but she has been with us for a little over a month. We took our time to get to know her and evaluate what would be a good fit. So here she is, she belongs in a house with no small children (they scare her) and no dogs (she’s not good at sharing her space). But don’t let that scare you away she is a super intelligent, eager to please dog. She know so many commands like sit, down, shake, high five, speak and many more. All you have to say is “Freya want to take a bath” and she’s in the tub. So if you think she needs to be your new fur baby fill out an application to adopt, she’s eagerly waiting to meet you!

Charlie is a one year old boy who absolutely loves other dogs and would love to have a friend to play with. He’s very sweet and loves being with his people. Charlie was at a pound in rural Missouri so we don’t know much about his past, but what we do know, we love already.

He is very smart and is eager to learn new things. His foster mom is working on basic commands, he’s already housebroken and crate trained so he’s perfect for that family who doesn’t want to train a puppy! He must have a fenced yard to run and play with another furry dog friend, no cats allowed for this big guy! If you’d like to meet him, please fill out an application.

For more information about these pets and others go to

www.luckychancerescue.com 636-515-3515 • luckychancerescue@gmail.com

Check Out Our NEW WEBSITE! www.FocusOnMagazine.ONLINE Get caught up on back issues, see sponsored events and Much More!

3829 Veterans Memorial Pwky.

St. Peters, MO 63376 636-442-1333 story by: Katy Kruze photos courtesy of: Kemberly Perkins

Coming Soon....

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FocusOn the History of St. Charles County

Public Schoolhouse #3 (1873) at 5546 Chestnut Street A public one-room school existed in the Cottleville area as early as 1815. However, in 1851, David K, and Elizabeth H. Pitman sold the property to Garret Altvater and Alden Parnsworth, as trustees of the Cottlleville School District, for $30 to build a new school.

Schoolhouse #3 was built in 1873 and served as a school until the 1950’s. In 1941, Cottleville School District was voluntarily annexed into the St. Charles County Consolidated School District #2 and its successor, recognized as School District III, which is now Francis Howell School District. courtesy of St. Charles County Historical Society

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Time Traveler

St. Charles County

By: Dorris Keeven-Franke

Rich in History - Part One

St. Charles is the earliest white settlement west of the Mississippi and north of the Missouri. As Captain William Clark notes, the place was first called Les Petites Côtes (the Little Hills). In 1787, Auguste Chouteau surveyed the settlement, and soon after the district of St. Charles was established. The parish church, and hence the settlement, was named for St. Charles Borromeo. To the Spanish it was San Carlos del Misuri. By the time of the Louisiana Purchase, the French inhabitants of the town were surrounded by American settlers in the countryside, including Daniel Boone and his family who had settled in the area in the late 1790s.

Contemporaries of Louis Blanchette (sometimes spelled Blanchet) stated that he and his wife, who he took from the Osage named Tichomchanga, and who later took the name Angelique had set12 | focusOn Magazine

tled along a spring fed creek in 1769. At that time it was in Spanish territory that had been French, and in what was referred to as Illinois territory within the limits of the Spanish government’s holdings. The village was situated at the foot of a range of small hills, often referred to as La Mamelles sufficiently high to protect it from the summertime overflows of the Missouri.

The Census of 1787 of St. Charles… contains the following information about Blanchette “Juan Bapta Blanchet, aged 51; Maria Su Mujer; 48, Baptiste Blanchette 24; Maria Blanchette 21” In addition to these his household contained, one carpenter, one huntsman and four laborers. Houck also quotes Auguste Chouteau, as noted in Hunt’s Minutes Book 1, page 127 saying “les Petites Cotes was established by Blanchette.” Houck also established where Blanchette lived “the lot upon which the first house being the square now numbered 19 bounded on the south by McDonald [McDonough], west

by Main, east by Missouri [River] and north by Water streets, and from this we infer that Blanchette must have first erected his hut on this block when he made a settlement at what is now St. Charles.”

Historian Kate Gregg’s research stated: The first settler in St. Charles, and probably the first one to build a mill north of the Missouri was Louis Blanchette, who came to live at the foot of the river bluffs in 1769, and called them Les Petites Cotes or Little Hills. He established government buildings for the Spanish and a home for himself on what is now Block 20 of St. Charles; and on the stream that runs through it, the very water-course that the Boonslick [Boone’s Lick] Road later followed to the top of the hill, he established what appears to have been the

first grist mill. Whatever hauling there may have been to and from his mill must have been, for the most part, between the mill and the village commons lying to the north of the town in the rich prairie; though there is every reason to believe that Blanchette and his neighbors made some kind of a road in getting from the southern part of the village where Blanchette lived, to the less fertile commons lying toward the west. The natural road between the mill and the two commons at the top of the hill was along the little stream which the Boonslick [Boone’s Lick] Road later followed.

those that visited and got to know them insisted this was not true. It must have been a picturesque early settlement along the riverfront with the hillsides behind them rising and creating a backdrop for the early log houses, built in the early French style.

The 1800s

In 1789, Louis Blanchette, sold his land in the southern part of the village to John Coontz, a German,... and he too erected a grist mill on Blanchette Creek, building a dam for it on what is now known as Block 79. Romain Dufreine, testifiying before Theodore Hunt, Land Commissioner, on May 7, 1825, swore that John Coontz had built his mill on this square thirty years before, i. e., in 1795, and had continued to occupy the land until he moved to the Dardenne ten or twelve years later.

(At the bottom is Block 20, showing John Coontz as he still owned it in 1817. From the original plat of St. Charles.)

In 1787 the population was said to be eighty families to one hundred families. “The houses, about one hundred in number, in which the four hundred fifty inhabitants lived, were scattered along a single street about one mile long”. Even though ‘les Petite Côtes’ (the Little Hills), or San Carlos (Saint Charles) belonged to the Spanish, its inhabitants were mainly French- Canadians. Their occupations were fur trappers, traders and boatmen. They interacted with the Native Americans on a daily basis, intermarried with them, and their cultures combined not clashed.

Outsiders considered them poor and indolent, but

In 1804, America was excited to know what lay out there past the Mississippi in that new purchase called the Louisiana Territory. President Thomas Jefferson would appoint his Secretary Meriwether Lewis to lead an expedition with an assignment to find a passage to the Pacific Ocean, thinking the Missouri River would take them there. Lewis chose his friend William Clark to accompany him. Since the final word on the purchase had not reached the Spanish Commandant, the Corps of Discovery was not allowed passage across the Mississippi River, and would be forced to spend the winter of 180304 in preparations on the Illinois side of the river.

Watch for St. Charles County “Rich in History” Part Two in the Summer Issue of FocusOn Magazine. focusOn Magazine | 13

Michelle Andaya Co-owner and Project Coordinator at IM Sustainable (im-sustainable.com) and content creator at IM Digital (im-digital.us)

Record high human-made toxic wastes are in our water, food and air. The earth is facing rapid depletion and degradation. The transition to sustainability is not only imperative. It is also urgent.

While renewable energy is extremely positively impactful, there are many other choices that we can make within our homes and businesses to make an impact and be more sustainable.

Simply put, sustainability is ensuring that the impact that we have today is not detrimental to future generations. As opposed to conventional development, sustainable development which encompasses issues including poverty and hunger, health, education, equality, water, energy, climate change, consumption and production, economic growth and technology, focuses on long term preservation-oriented efforts rather than wasteful shortterm success.

Be mindful with consumption. If I buy a $1000 item because it is on sale for $750, I did not save $250. I spent $750. The most environmentally friendly product is the one that I did not buy. This also makes room for a better quality of life such as spending time with our loved ones rather than succumbing to patterns of mindless consumption.

Globally, the drive to sustainable development is on the rise. Germany has agreed on a plan to phase out coal power by 2038. Toronto, Canada’s Green Roof Law put in place in 2009, has made way to more than five million square feet of living roofs that allow the growth of vegetation. In Norway, electric vehicles are exempt from acquisition tax, the country’s value-added tax, tolls, ferry fees and in some cities, parking fees.

In the United States, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New York, Oregon and Vermont have banned plastic bags. Other states and cities have varying restrictions on single-use plastics.

The progress is happening in our local communities as well. The City of St Louis has a new ordinance requiring new construction to be solar ready. New commercial, residential and multifamily construction must be able to accommodate rooftop solar panels. The solar array located on land owned by St Louis Lambert International Airport has also been operational and providing solar power to customers.

14 | focusOn Magazine

We have to choose products, services and practices that fit the circular economy rather than the thoughtless and extractive take-make-dispose industrial model.

Sustainable products consider material and energy consumption, impact to the environment and consumers’ health, wellness and quality of life. What is the product made from and what is the packaging made of? How long will the product last? Were hazardous materials used in the process of creating the product?

How much energy was used to create the product and how much will it use in its lifetime? Is the product and its packaging biodegradable and/or recyclable?

During its creation and use, does it create waste and/ or emit greenhouse gas?

We are finding more and more alternatives to conventional products such as natural cleaning products, bamboo toothbrushes and compostable cutlery, biodegradable products packaged in reusable materials such as silk floss in refillable glass and tin containers, package-free options such as soaps and shampoo bars, items that are made from recycled materials such as toilet paper and office supplies, reusable products in place of single-use or non-biodegradable products such as reusable coffee filters and glass containers, and products that use natural raw materials such as fabric and linens printed with vegetable dye.

More and more companies are adopting sustainable practices in their operations and services such as package-free grocery refills, bamboo straws and disposable takeout utensils in restaurants, and electric vehicle charging stations. In Asia, many grocery stores and restaurants have started packaging food in banana leaves.

There are even companies that have taken a step further and designed innovative products such as plantable seeds in pencils, newspaper and packaging, urns that allow seed germination, products using carbon-negative material that actually takes carbon out of the atmosphere rather than emitting it, and even edible six-pack strings made from barley and wheat.

Many practices are equally sustainable and fulfilling such as mindful consumption of water and electricity, thrift shopping, going to the library, using the stairs, using reusable water bottles and grocery bags, riding bikes, buying produce from local farmers markets, composting, and gardening.

Although we do not need to drastically change the patterns and structures of our lives all at once, we do need significant change. It requires analysis and intelligent thinking to make small changes that collectively will create positive impact. We must live as part of this natural world that is capable of sustaining itself and supporting us. We have to live as part of it and through it, not against it. These efforts will benefit our lives and that of the future generations.

Michelle Andaya

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focusOn Magazine | 15

St. Charles County is...

TAPPED

CRAFT BEER PUBS & BREWERIES by: Janaca Scherer

Schlafly Beer “NOW SERVING” St. Charles County On January 15, 2020 Trailhead Brewing Company, located at 921 S. Riverside Drive, St. Charles, announced the sale of its brewery and operations to Schlafly Beer. After 25 years serving the St. Charles community, owner Bob Kirkwood will be retiring.

“Bankside is a reference to a neighborhood in London, which is located on the Thames River,” said Fran Caradonna, CEO of Schlafly Beer. “The old English phrase Bank Syde means ‘street by the river,’ which is exactly where Bankside will sit.

Schlafly Bankside will reflect its historic St. Charles neighborhood, just as the Tap Room reflects St. Louis’ downtown west and Bottleworks mirrors Maplewood.”

Fran Caradonna

Kirkwood approached Schlafly Beer in the fall of 2019. All Trailhead employees were given the opportunity to transition their employment to The Saint Louis Brewery, and approximately 90% have chosen to do so. Trailhead Brewing Co will close its doors in March and reopen in April as Schlafly Bankside.

16 | focusOn Magazine

Since their creation in 1991, Schlafly has been passionate about supporting the local community they thrive in. “It’s attractive to us because we can be more convenient to so many of our friends who live in or near St. Charles,” said Caradonna. “We are looking forward to new connections with our neighbors and businesses and expect to participate actively in all the neighborhood events that we’re invited to.”

Updates include expanding the draft beer capacity to 16 styles of Schlafly beer. Menu improvements are also on their way, that will reflect Schlafly’s love of cooking from scratch and using local items as much as possible.

Schlafly Bankside will offer an extensive menu that will continue on with their tradition of beer inspire cuisine. Locals can expect an array of snacks, soups, salad, sandwiches, hand tossed pizzas, smoke house, pub plates, and desserts. Classics like French onion soup and classic margarita pizzas will share menu space with the Schlafly burger and beer bread.While no firm open date has been set, Trailhead Brewing Co. will close their door in March and reopen in April. During this brief downtime, renovations and repairs will be made.

The company now runs two separate locations, Tap Room in downtown St. Louis, and Bottleworks in Maplewood.

Schlafly has held a major role in the St. Louis craft beer scene since its creation almost thirty years ago. They are St. Louis’ largest independent craft brewery and produce more than 60 styles of beer.

focusOn Magazine | 17

Interview by: Brent Crow

Q & A with...

Racing Legend Bill Kuhlmann An interview with Wentzville’s very own racing legend, Bill Kuhlmann. In March 1987 Bill was the first to break the 200-mph barrier in the ¼ mile with a 202. Bill achieved this record feat in the Camaro that he built himself, powered by a Sonny Leonard BBC and sprayed with a Mike Thermos nitrous system. The history unfolded at Darlington Dragway in South Carolina.

Q: What or who got you interested in drag racing.

Bill: “When I was young, all they had was sports and high performance cars. The track in Wentzville had just been built in ’62 and I (being in high school from ’60 to ’64) was interested in high performance cars.”

Q: What was your first track car?

Bill: “My first track car was a ’66 Mustang 289 Hipo. In the late 60’s, I was going 10.80’s to 11.00’s in the ¼ in this car.”

Q: What has been your single greatest accomplishment in Drag Racing?

Bill: “Being a Drag Racer and watching it since I was a little kid when I became the fastest and quickest Drag car in the world (hands down) and did it on and off for 15 to 20 years. that was the biggest deal.”

Q: Do you family members get involved and support your racing?

Bill: “My son, Barry, was involved all of the way until he was 23. At 23 he had to chase his own career which involved music. My wife, Vicky, is involved and can outwork any man out there.”

Q: Who was you biggest mentor in racing or most influential?

Bill: “Mike Thermos and John Taylor were very influential in my life. Ted Jones (IHRA Owner) was

18 | focusOn Magazine

very influential. Brett Kepner was another influential person in my life.”

Q: How did you make a career out of drag racing?

Bill: “I was very inventive and I really didn’t have any money and I did everything myself. I finally got a reputation of being able to improve the performance on anyone’s car. I started building cars in my garage for people (back halves, front halves, engines, etc.) and the word got out. My stuff was good and it was cheaper than anyone else. I made sure that no one was overcharged since I knew how expensive this stuff could get. Someone coming to me for a project, I would ask what their ultimate goal was and how much money did they want to put into it. I wanted to spend the customers money where it would get them the quickest. That got me a lot of shop work. When I went 200 mph in the ¼ and got Summit sponsorship, I slowly backed off the shop work. With campaigning my car now, solely, I did not have much side time at all.”

Q: Who were some of your crewmembers?

Bill: My son Barry, Brian Huffmeier, Mike Lynch, Brian Willerding, Bobby Sellers, Bob Stone and John Taylor (owner of Taylors Salvage) were my crew guys.

Q: Famous names you have rubbed shoulders with?

Bill: Bob Glidden, Ronnie Sox, Dyno Don Nicholson, Gene Snow, Tom McKewen, Shirley Muldowney, Vic Edelbrock, Animal Jim Feurer, Sonny Leonard, Rickie Smith and Paul Sergi (Summit Co. President).”

Find Bill on Facebook @ Bill Kuhlmann’s Drag Racing Life

Bill now resides at Mark Twain Lake with his wife and daughter. He owns and manages J’s Boat and RV Storage. When he and his wife are not building or not managing the facility, they enjoy fishing the vast lake in Perry Missouri. For kicks, Bill also enjoys numerically rating boat ramp users after they load and unload their boats by holding up cards. If you get a perfect “10” from a guy sipping a cold beer close to Rustic Oak Restaurant, just know you did good!

Bill Kuhlmann

& Brent Crow

Midwest Drag Racing Events focusOn Magazine | 19

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JOIN THE FIGHT

By: Katy Kruze

For Alzheimer’s First Survivor At the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®, people carry flowers representing their connection to Alzheimer’s — a disease that currently has no cure.

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focusOn Magazine | 23

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story by: Katy Kruze

SuperJam invokes the Glory of a Bygone Era.

A time when the Rock was so immense only Stadiums could contain it.

For many rock music fans that grew up in this area there are two words that are sure to bring back a flood of great memories about a time, a place and an experience that was perfectly placed in the ‘Super’ decades that celebrated peace, free love and decadence! Those two words... ‘Super Jam’!

The Infamous ‘Super Jam’ Busch Stadium concerts took place in 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, and 1982. They were day long music festivals that brought tens of thousands of music fans together with rocks biggest bands. The era of the ‘Super Jams’, and the memories of music, sun and fun are a priceless reminder of a magic time that still lives in the rocks and roll hearts and souls of those who attended.

26 | focusOn Magazine

The days of the ‘Super Jams’ are long behind us, and they will never be recreated present day, however, there is great news for us fans of those days gone by. There is a local band on “the scene” that draws classic rock fans by the hundreds, even thousands, every time they play, and their formula for success is simple. This merry band of minstrels use their stellar musical talent to bring to life the music celebrated in the aforementioned festivals, so without further adieu, this is the story of SuperJam. SuperJam came to be after a group of well-known local musicians had an idea to form a tribute to the music of The Black Crowes. The concept was solid, but ultimately, did not come to fruition. Looking for another musical path, Jeff Gallo and Joe Meyer

had an idea to form a band that was something more along the lines of a “tribute” to ‘Arena Rock’, thinking it would have strong appeal. Dave Farver, Eric Lysaght, and Dave Aholt were invited to join, and after the key pkayers were in place, it turns out they were right!

A decade ago, SuperJam started out as the Thursday house band at The House of Rock, a fitting “home” for this new band and the perfect venue to start growing their fan base.

After a year or so things continued to go very well for the band, so well in fact, that they decided it was time to branch out. The guys signed on with the Dave Kalz helmed American Bands Agency, and things took off for SuperJam. It was not long before they rose in the ranks of top drawing bands in the area and beyond. This elevation now found them headlining festivals, fairs and corporate events.

The bands logo is a spin on a beloved symbol of 1970’s and 1980’s car culture, the iconic Pontiac Trans Am’s ‘Screaming Chicken’, and suffice it to say, like the Trans Am which was built for speed, there is no slowing down for SuperJam! As with most things in life, change is inevitable and some original members of SuperJam decided to go their ‘Separate Ways’. More change came when sadly, longtime member/drummer Ken McCray passed away from cancer which saw Dan Reilly stepping behind the kit for a time. These days, Dave and Eric are joined by George Potsos, Lee Skyles and James Wolfe, the line-up keeping true to the original vision. SuperJam continues to deliver the music of ‘Arena Rock’ with bands such as Journey, Boston, Styx and Foreigner, at their core.

Like so many, I was fortunate enough to have attended a Super Jam, catching the last of the lot in 1982. However, ‘That Was Yesterday’, and as a ‘ride or die’ rock music fan, I want to say “Thank You Super Jam”, for being our ‘Juke Box Heros’ and continued success…………...’Carry On Wayward Sons’! focusOn Magazine | 27

That Big Red Building in Cottleville?

It’s Unique!

The owners of that Big Red Building and Unique Heating and Cooling are John & Michele Gnau. “Ever since we purchased Unique Heating and Cooling in 2008, we had a vision to bring our heating and cooling business to our hometown of Cottleville” Michele said. In May 2019 their vision finally came to fruition with the completion of our Big Red Building of Cottleville. Unique Heating and Cooling is not the only resident of the building; it also has four other businesses who want to bring their unique talents to our community. John and Michele have lived in Cottleville since 2000; they have watched it flourish into not just a beautiful residential community but also a business community that works together to help each other succeed. “We are happy and excited to be able to call Cottleville our home for work and business” said Michele.

A little about Unique Heating and Cooling; they are a family owned and operated HVAC company whose mission is to bring exceptional customer service, experience and professionalism to their customers. Since they are a small business, they have a close relationship with each of their employees and their customers. “It is unprecedented to have employees who share the same morals, ethics, and respectfulness to our customers which has led to our continual success and growth” said Michele.

As an independent Trane Comfort Specialist™ Dealer, they strive to be more than a heating and cooling service company. John and Michele want to offer you a Unique experience as they help you navigate through your total home comfort process. From maintenance and service repair, to total HVAC system installation, their mission is to provide each customer with solutions that will give you peace of mind, knowing you made the best decision for your family, your home or your business.

Unique Heating and Cooling is also looking forward to giving back to our community by holding fundraisers in their back-parking lot throughout the year. “Our first endeavor will be to have an Adopt a pet day for local rescues” said Michele. Also check out the Safe & Sound Animal Rescue Awareness on page 6 sponsored

by Unique Heating & Cooling. There will also be events to raise money for the Cottleville Outreach Program, our veterans and children in need. If you have a non-profit you are passionate about and have a fundraiser opportunity, please contact Michele if you feel they can be of assistance. Please visit Unique Heating and Cooling’s Facebook page for upcoming fundraising events!

Safe & Sound

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bringing awareness to shelters in st. charles county sponsored by UNIQUE HEATING & COOLING - Michele Gnau

28 | focusOn Magazine

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The First Responder Police • Fire • EMS

by: Skip Stephens, Fire Chief - Cottlevile Fire Department

“When things happen to a citizen here in our town we take in personal.” an interview with

Sergeant Dave McCune of the Cottleville Police Department The fastest growing city in Missouri is Cottleville. One of the fastest growing careers in Cottleville’s Sergeant Dave McCune. Sgt. McCune has been with Cottleville Police Department for six and half years. McCune serves as the department’s training coordinator and as the special event coordinator for the famous St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in Cottleville. When asked why he decided to go into law enforcement, Dave explained, “I don’t know, it’s hard to put into words. It has always been so appealing to me. My uncle was in law enforcement and my father owned a barber shop with one of the Battelle’s. My dad was a barber and Mom was a beautician and for my entire childhood, we had a shop setup in our basement. Many of their clients were police officers. So, it was just one of those things that I always wanted to do. But, when I turned 21, I went to St. Louis County Police and filled out an application. But my mom begged me not to do it, so I didn’t.”

Fast-forward to when Dave was 26 and he did his first police ride-along with Cottleville. They received a report for a possibly burglary in progress and responded with lights and sirens across town. After that 32 | focuson Magazine

experience, Dave knew there was no turning back.

He was hooked and knew he found his life’s calling.

Cottleville Police sponsored Dave to attend St. Charles County Police Academy and he graduated in June 2003. He worked for Cottleville for a few months after graduation, but left when the city decided, due to limited funding, to contract out with the county for law enforcement instead of having their own PD. Shortly thereafter in January of 2004, Dave was hired by Ladue PD and spent 8 years there before returning to Cottleville. Now Cottleville Police Department employs 9 officers, 2 sergeants, and a chief.

I asked Sgt. McCune to talk about law enforcement case of which he was particularly proud. He told me about a young man that gave him information about an educator that was behaving inappropriately at school. Dave said, “When you are at a bigger department, you often handle the initial report, then the case goes to a detective bureau and your involvement ends. But, here at a smaller department, I was able to handle the call from start to finish, made the arrest, and testified in court. The educator is doing several years in prison. So, there a greater feel of accomplishment. It brought tears to my eyes. It was very, very gratifying to actually put the cuffs on someone that did terrible things to a young man. That’s why I love what I do…it’s protecting the prey from the predator.”

McCune was promoted to Sergeant in 2015. When speaking about leadership and leading other officers Sgt. McCune says, “It’s hard not to do things myself, because I enjoy the job. But I want people that work for me to know that I support them and will help them any way I can. I know I am leading effectively when officers want to do a great job because that’s what they want to do and not because I expect it. In other words, I want people to feel trusted, empowered, and inspired by the job and not because I am giving them

direct orders.”

“SWAT is a very, very rewarding thing to be a part of.

I learned a lot about police work.”

When asked about his leadership tactics or behaviors that he employs to get results, Sgt. McCune says, “I am fair and I truly support my officers. I never put them into situations that I am not willing to be in myself; and they know that when the stuff hits the fan, I will be the first one to step up to make decisions and I will always have their backs.” Sgt. McCune further explained that, given the current climate of law enforcement, it is more important than ever for officers to feel supported.

McCune was on the SWAT team during Ferguson and spent ten days on the forefront of the conflict and spoke about that experience, “It was difficult because I grew up in that area. I still have family that lives in Ferguson. It was a very unique, ever-changing event. We all knew when it was unfolding that it was going to be big deal, but nobody knew it was going to be a world-wide known event.”

Sgt. McCune’s advice for the residents of Cottleville is to stay aware and observant of their surroundings; and blames smart phones for people’s inattentiveness. Sgt. McCune says, “When things happen to a citizen here in our town we take in personal. Our job is to make sure those things happen, so when things do happen, we are committed to finding out what happened, who did it, and how we can prevent it from happening again. That is our mentality.”

Sgt. Dave McCune is excited that he is just about finished up with a Bachelor’s Degree in HR Management from Lindenwood University and is looking forward to what lies ahead. “I’m always asking myself ‘How can I improve myself?’” McCune said and hopes to keep moving forward in his career and hopes on attending the FBI Police Command School in Quantico, VA, which is equivalent to graduate studies and will apply credit hours towards a Master’s Degree.

I asked Sgt. McCune if he ever envisioned himself as a Chief of Police, he explained that he does, but only if such a position was more than one of being a figure-head; he explained that he saw situations much earlier in his career when Chiefs became paralyzed and ineffective by politics. If “Chief” McCune were to ever become a reality, he would want to be in a position where he was supported and could leverage his leadership ability to the greatest possible effect.

High school sweethearts, Dave and his wife Patty, have lived in O’Fallon since 1999 and share a 10-year old daughter and 16-year-old son. Along with his family, Cottleville PD and the area residents are lucky to have Sgt. Dave McCune.

Sgt. McCune was a SWAT team operator, just retiring from the SWAT team after nearly 6 years. He explained that St. Charles County SWAT Team is a regional team that is made up from officers from all the County’s police departments. They have open tryouts for the team every year. McCune tried out in 2014, was selected from a pool of over 25 other officers and became the first Cottleville Police officer to be a member of the St. Charles County SWAT team in Cottleville’s history.

Once selected officers attend basic SWAT operators’ school, which is about 80 hours of shooting, room clearing, building clearing, less-lethal munitions (pepper spray, tear gas, chemical rounds, bean bags, etc), and door breaching. Sgt. McCune, a former college football player who once bench pressed over 400 lbs, became a “breacher” or someone who broke down doors, and then later became part of the entry team. focusOn Magazine | 33

FocusOn Magazine supports our local and state law enforcement. YOU CAN TOO! Missouri Peace Officers Association

LAW ENFORCEMENT MAGAZINE Advertising in Law Enforcement Magazine lets our members know, while traveling throughout state, which businesses support Missouri Law Enforcement.

In the early days of our magazine, Law Enforcement, (pre-internet), the magazine provided information on upcoming events, promotions, job openings, and deaths within the law enforcement community. There were very few informational articles written by Missouri law enforcement officers in the magazine It was strictly informative.

Now with social media and emails, that information is sent out quickly and the magazine has evolved into information regarding trends in law enforcement such as, legal decisions can change quickly and affect how agencies conduct business; keeping the membership, especially smaller depts, up to date on these and other issues is imperative. The articles in each magazine focus on a topic such as officer health – physically and mentally, the latest equipment, crime trends, officer safety, and much more.

FocusOn Magazine is the representaive for St. Louis, St. Charles, Lincoln, Warren, Jefferson, Washington and Franklin Counties. By placing an ad in the magazine you will be recognized state wide as a supporter of Missouri Law Enforcement. Supporters will also receive a window cling and certificate to hang in your home or business to show you support Missouri Peace Officers and Law Enforcement Magazine.

If you would like to show your support for Missouri Law Enforcement please contact: Steve Naugher at...

(636) 642-4275 or steve@focusonmag.com 34 | focusOn Magazine

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WHAT IS DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING? Modern imaging techniques – including X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans and MRI – they can show structures inside your body in amazing detail.

Some use radiation in the form of X-rays, while others use large magnets to create an image. Imaging is also called radiology. Doctors who specialize in imaging are called radiologists.

Diagnostic imaging comes in many forms and imaging plays an important role in modern medicine.

• Screen for possible health conditions before symptoms appear • Diagnose the likely cause of existing symptoms • Monitor health conditions that have been diagnosed, or the effects of treatment for them.

There are many different types of imaging, such as X-rays, CT (computed tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and ultrasound.

Each imaging type uses a different technology to create an image.

• Ultrasound uses sound waves to show soft structures in the body. It is not helpful in imaging bone.

This increasing range of imaging types provides health professionals with many options for showing what is happening inside your body.

Radiology technicians or imaging technologists are health professionals who are trained to use specific imaging types, such as radiographers for X-rays or sonographers for ultrasound imaging.

• CT uses slices of images taken in sequence using radiation in different planes to show depth and dimensions. They are best used for diagnosing bony abnormality as well as issues in the Chest and Abdomen.

Like any medical procedure or treatment, imaging should be chosen to suit your individual needs.

This means it shouldn’t be used routinely when you see a health professional. Imaging helps to confirm clinical diagnosis following a physical exam in a clinical setting.

• MRI uses large magnets to create an image and is best suited for soft tissues, like connective tissue in joints and soft tissue structures that support joints. MRI is excellent for imaging spine disorders, soft tissue masses in the brain and other organs.

Note, the first and most important step when making an accurate diagnosis of an injury is for your health professional to take your medical history and perform a physical examination. Imaging tests can help with a diagnosis, but they don’t replace this step.

36| focusOn Magazine

Each imaging decision involves weighing up the benefits and risks to the patient of having an imaging test performed.

Benefits: Risks: Early detection of problem

Exposure to radiation

Accurate diagnosis

Incidental findings leading to possibly unnecessary testing or treatment

Ongoing monitoring

Contributes to choice of effective treatment

Emotional stress Cost

Improved management of condition

In the end, an imaging test should only be performed if it’s likely to help with diagnosis and

improve the management of your health condition or injury. Never be afraid to ask questions regarding the necessity of imaging and what alternate resources may be available. focusOn Magazine | 37

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by: Jessica Conley

How Leaky Gut and Inflammation is Affecting Your Health... Including weight Loss The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, said, “All disease begins in the gut.” More than two millennia after his death, scientific research has now proven he was onto something all those years ago. Did you know that over 70% of your immune system is housed in your gut? That’s HUGE. If you find that you often get sick, have seasonal allergies, or struggle to lose weight, it’s likely due to issues in your gut. In fact, up to 90% of all diseases can be traced in some way back to the gut and health of the microbiome!

Your microbiome is home to trillions of microbes, which are diverse organisms that help govern nearly every function of the human body in some way. The importance of our gut microbiome cannot be overstated: Poor gut health can contribute to Leaky Gut Syndrome and autoimmune diseases and disorders like arthritis, dementia, heart disease, and cancer.

Our health, fertility and longevity also rely on the balance of critters living in our guts.

But what IS leaky gut? What specifically does that mean?

Well, your intestines and stomach have a lining. That lining is made to keep things in and keep things out. Now, imagine that lining is actually more like a net, with small holes. Like panty hose. The small holes are intentional, and a good thing.

Some particles need to get through. Maybe fine sand can get through the panty hose. In your body, like vitamins and minerals. Those need to pass through that small netting so they can get out to your body and be used.

Now imagine there is a hole in the panty hose. That hole is bigger than the “netting holes” which means bigger things can pass through. Maybe a marble can fit through that hole. But marbles are not supposed to go through there. Those marbles are supposed to travel further along the digestive process.

But because that hole is there, those marbles are sometimes slipping out.

That is an illustration of “leaky gut”. Particles are literally leaking into your body when they aren’t supposed to, and it’s because there is damage to the lining of your gut and intestines.

That damage is caused by many things in our lifestyle.

We help shape our own microbiomes, or gut health — plus they adapt to changes in our environment. For example, the foods you eat, how you sleep, the amount of bacteria you’re exposed to on a daily basis and the level of stress you live with all affect your gut. Your diet plays a big part in establishing 40 | focusOn Magazine

gut health and supporting your microbiome’s good bacteria.

We now know that there is an undeniable link between a person’s gut health and their digestion, weight, and metabolism.

Your gut health can impact how your body extracts nutrients from your diet and how it stores fat. It also affects many other areas of your health.

Poor gut health could be the underlying cause of things like: Food sensitivities Nutrient malabsorption Skin Conditions like acne, psoriasis, eczema Mood issues like unexplained mood swings, depression and anxiety Bloating Thyroid conditions Fatigue Joint pain Headaches Digestive problems like gas, diarrhea or constipation Weight gain Difficulty losing weight So what specifically causes leaky gut? A big part of leaky gut comes from inflammation, and inflammation is largely caused by your diet. But there are a few other things that cause inflammation as well: • Overuse of certain medications - especially antibiotics.

Antibiotics have been commonly prescribed for over 80 years now, but the problem is that they eliminate good bacteria in addition to cleaning the body of dangerous “germs,” which means they can lower immune function and raise the risk for infections, allergies and diseases. While antibiotics can save lives when they’re truly needed, they’re often overprescribed and misunderstood.

• Stress hinders immune function because your body diverts energy away from fighting off infections and places it on primary concerns that keep you alive — which is one reason why chronic stress can kill your quality of life. When your body thinks it’s facing an immediate danger, you become more susceptible to infections and experience more severe symptoms while also developing higher levels of inflammation.

• Lack of adequate sleep - I know... we are BUSY. I certainly am too! But your body literally needs you to slow down and to sleep.

During sleep, our body does a lot of important things! Regeneration, healing, etc. Try to get at least 7 hours of good sleep each night.

Here is the good news... you CAN repair leaky gut. it is 100% possible to undo the damage, even for those of us that had DECADES of damage to fix. The only catch is that it takes TIME. Just like with anything broken on your body. It takes time to heal. And you have to take specific steps to get there.

Here are some steps to get started: REMOVE foods and factors that damage the gut - meaning find ways to reduce stress (prayer, meditation, journaling, exercise, and more sleep for example), and find inflammatory foods that you need to eliminate.

REPAIR with specific supplements - there are natural holistic supplements that can be added to your regimen to also help your body repair leaky gut. I am not going to get into a bunch of specifics here, only because each of us is different and the supplements we need will be different. But this is an area that as you learn more about this and the more you learn about you and your body, the more you will just start to see patterns of supplements you may want to integrate.

REBALANCE with probiotics - probiotics are essential to good gut health. You can buy them at almost any health food store, or supplement store. There are many kinds, and many different price points. I recommend asking someone there to help you figure out a good one for you.

REPLACE with healing foods. Here are some of the top foods that help heal leaky gut: • Raw Cultured Dairy – contains both probiotics and SCFA’s that can help heal the gut. Pastured kefir, yogurt, amasai, butter and raw cheese are some of the best. HOWEVER - keep in mind that cow dairy can be an inflammatory for many people, so you may have to test it out for yourself. Almost everyone can tolerate goat dairy.

• Fermented Vegetables – contain organic acids that balance intestinal pH and probiotics to support the gut. Sauerkraut, kimchi and kvass are excellent sources.

• Coconut Products – all coconut products are especially good for your gut. The MCFA’s in coconut are easier to digest than other fats so they work well for leaky gut. Also, coconut kefir contains probiotics that support your digestive system.

• Sprouted Seeds – chia seeds, flaxseeds and hemp seeds that have been sprouted are great sources of fiber that can help support the growth of beneficial bacteria. But if you have severe leaky gut, you may need to start out getting your fiber from steamed vegetables and fruit, in case your body can’t yet tolerate seeds • Consuming foods that have omega-3 fats are beneficial — anti-inflammatory foods like grass-fed beef, lamb and wildcaught fish like salmon!

• Kombucha - this is a fermented tea you drink. You can buy it at some stores, including Target. However, make sure you read the ingredient label. Several brands add sugar to theirs, and sugar makes leaky gut worse. Make sure you buy one that does NOT have added sugar. You can also make your own!

• Bone Broth – broth contains collagen and the amino acids proline and glycine that can help heal your damaged cell walls. I personally drink bone broth very regularly to help my body heal and stay strong! I really want to talk more about this one because it’s so important and one of the easiest things to add to your diet. First of all, are you thinking to yourself

“what is bone broth”? It’s ok, you actually do know what it is!

You know the chicken broth, or chicken stock, that you would cook with to make soups and such? That is similar to what this is. Chicken soup isn’t just good for the soul: There’s a reason that it’s prescribed by doctors and mothers alike when you’re feeling under the weather. All bone broths — beef, chicken, fish, lamb and more — are staples in the traditional diets of every culture and the basis of all fine cuisine. That’s because bone broths are nutrient-dense, easy to digest, rich in flavor and they boost healing!

Bone broth: • Protects joints • Heals the gut • Maintains healthy skin • Supports immune system function • Boosts detoxification • Aids the metabolism and promotes anabolism Inflammation is a big contributing factor in poor health, including poor gut health. And as we have discussed in this article, poor gut health affects many aspects of the way your body functions, including weight loss. For more information on these topics, you can email me at hello@jessieconley.com and I’d be happy to go into more detail!

Bone Broth Recipe Couple of pounds of bones (either chicken or beef - organic!)

1 whole onion, quartered 1 cup baby carrots, or about 2 large carrots quartered 2 stalks celery quartered 1-2 tablespoons olive oil 4-6 garlic cloves, peeled sea salt or pink Himalayan salt pepper 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar Several sprigs of fresh herbs of your choice (I typically do oregano, rosemary and parsley) Pre-heat oven to 425. Place bones in a casserole dish, sprinkle with olive oil, salt and pepper, roast for 15-20 minutes (you can skip this step, and I sometimes do skip it, but it does give the broth more flavor).

Place bones in a pressure cooker, then add all remaining ingredients, veggies and herbs. Fill with water until just covered. Manually set on high pressure for 100 minutes. Release pressure, scoop out everything, and strain broth into storage containers (I usually use glass mason jars). Freeze or store in the fridge! You can also make bone broth in a crock pot, but it will need to cook for 12-24 hours.

focusOn Magazine | 41

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Neaplitan Style Pizza NOTO Italian Restaurant

Menu: notopizza.com • Reservations: resy.com (636) 317-1143 • 5105 Westwood Dr, St Peters, MO 63304

When Wayne and Kendele Sieve decided to open a brick and mortar, Neapolitan style pizza restaurant in St. Peters, I could hardly wait for the doors to open. I love the charred, super thin yet still chewy crust you get when Neapolitan style pizza is done right. Well, they do it right at Noto.

It starts with a 6,500 lb. custom built pizza oven, imported from Italy, that heats to 1,000 degrees allowing Wayne to cook a pizza in about 90 seconds. The oven makes an imposing presence from the minute you walk in the door, and the smell of freshly cooked pizza and pasta with that wood smoke lets you know something delicious is on its way.

salty, funky flavor of prosciutto, look no further than the Carne that was loaded with 18 month aged prosciutto with some peppery arugula on top.

As you can tell, I’ve already been busy making my way through the pizza list and won’t stop until I’ve tried every variation. Luckily, Noto plans to provide seasonal pizzas as well.

Noto Italian Restaurant isn’t only pizza, so don’t fret pasta lovers. They make all of their pasta fresh here, and the surprising Corzetti, best described as sand dollar shaped pasta, was perfectly al dente with a simple pine nut, garlic and pesto sauce that we’ve gone back to on repeat.

Noto isn’t easy to get to or get into, due to the ongoing construction on Westwood road and the never ending line of people wanting to dine there, but it is worth the effort and the wait if you’re a pizza Napoletana fan like me.

The Sieve’s have gone out of their way, (meaning many, many trips to Italy), to create an authentic Italian experience. Many of the ingredients are imported from Italy and the cocktail and wine list carries the same Italian influence. They have spent years just perfecting the dough recipe that includes a 36 hour fermentation process.

Make no doubt, the pizza is the star of the show here. You can never go wrong with the classics, Margherita with San Marzano tomato, basil, & fresh mozzarella or the Marinara that adds garlic and oregano but forgoes the cheese. The specialty pizzas, however, have been my personal favorites.

The Nduja is spicy and creamy with a cream sauce and onion jam balancing the spice from the nduja sausage. The Americano takes pepperoni to another level with the addition of calabrese pepper flakes and Mike’s Hot Honey. Recently I tried the Palla, delicious homemade meatballs with a basil pesto sauce that was another “best of” recipe. If you love the

kelly’s Insider

I’m a fan of the Negroni they serve at the bar and they’ve added an aged Negroni as well. My wife, Pam, loves the Amaro Spritz and they have a few different Amaro’s in house. Soon they plan on opening for brunch where they can lean on some of the staples from the previous regime, J Noto Bakery, which was run by Kendele’s father.

42 | focusOn Magazine

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44 | focusOn Magazine

By Darlene Willman, CPPC, FCA

Level Up Your Game on LinkedIn What if there was a place where you could meet hundreds or thousands of professionals, that are in your exact target audience that want and need what you have to offer and available 24/7, would you spend 10-15 minutes a day at this place? You can meet high-level executives and decision makers much easier on this level playing field more than anywhere else.

LinkedIn puts you in the spotlight. Your profile is all about you, your experience, credentials and more. If you want to have your LinkedIn requests accepted and get more requests in return, you must have a LinkedIn game plan.

Here’s how: Create a captivating headline. Avoid using job titles and use a phrase that captures attention. Impress and dazzle your connections.

Make it personal. Always send a short note when asking to connect with someone. If possible, reference something you have in common or refresh their memory of where you met previously.

Always ask permission. Before you send your brand-new connection all the details about you and your business, send them a message first asking if it’s ok to send.

There are lots of ways to level up your game on LinkedIn. Too many for this article. Send me a connection request at LinktoDarlene.com, mention this article and I’ll do a quick review of your profile!

Darlene Willman is an award-winning speaker, author of Maximize Your Brilliance and certified business coach. Book Darlene to speak at your next event! DarleneWillman.com

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Company NMLS: 227262. Not a commitment to lend. Additional terms and conditions apply. DAS Acquisition Company, LLC is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government entity or agency, including USDA, HUD or VA. Headquarters: 12140 Woodcrest Executive Drive, Suite 150, St. Louis, Missouri 63141, Toll Free: (888) 250-6522. For complete licensing information visit http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org.

focusOn Magazine | 45

focusOn

by: Darlene Fischer

Chasing the Dragon: The Heroin Epidemic is Here!

“Our Story”

I have been writing these articles in “Chasing the Dragon” for FocusOn for a couple of years. It is now time to tell my story, and that of my son’s…

I already knew that he would first be named after my father. While in the hospital pondering what to choose for a middle name, my girlfriend’s brother came in and said, “you should pick my name, it’s a good bible name!” I laughed and said “okay!” Hence, Casey Mark was born into the world on July 1st of 1982.

He was every young mother’s dream for a baby.

He was never colicky, always content, happy and even started sleeping through the night at just three weeks old. I couldn’t have asked for more. Even babysitters would ask, “what should I do when he cries?” I would simply say, “don’t worry, he won’t!” And he always astonished them because he never did.

By the time he hit first grade he was still cute as a button, sweet as pie and so happy.

He was super excited to meet new people and made friends right off the bat. Throughout his school years he continued to excel in all of his classes. He loved making jokes and being the center of attention. With such a huge heart, he was always helping other people and looking out for his younger siblings.

By the time he graduated high school, he had earned himself a full scholarship to Lindenwood college. All the world was before him now and there was nothing that 46 | focusOn Magazine

my bright, handsome, young son could not accomplish.

Things were going great and eventually he transferred to Carbondale University to earn his degree in financing.

Then one day, everything changed! Casey was on his way back into town when he and his girlfriend were involved in a train accident. It was at the same exact location where previous accidents had occurred. But unlike the others who had been involved at this crossing, my son and his girlfriend had survived. However, his way back to recovery was very difficult. He was put on all kinds of medications, including many pain medications. My son’s whole life had taken a turn for the worst.

The prognosis was very bleak due to the head trauma and internal injuries, but by the grace of God, he pulled through and was able to return to a pretty normal life. I say “pretty normal” because aside from all the physical recovery, he was now extremely dependent upon opioids for pain management. For the most part Casey kept this side of his life hidden for years as the doctors just kept prescribing, and over prescribing the medications. Eventually though, the prescriptions became harder and harder to get and the costs were increasing.

Looking back, it was probably pretty easy for that first person who introduced my son to heroin to con-

vince him to “try it!” I have since talked to many parents and young adults alike who have similar stories of “just try it,” or “only one time.” Unfortunately, with heroin, this is like playing Russian Roulette. It’s really easy to get, super inexpensive and extremely difficult to escape. His addiction to opioids remained hidden to us for years. I guess I should say “hidden in plain sight” to us, since knowing what I know now, the signs were all right there for us to see.

Four years ago I received a phone call, “your son has tried to kill himself and he is in the hospital!” Before I could hang up the phone and run out the door, I heard the words “wait there is more! Your son is also a heroin addict!” I have no idea how long I stood there in silence and shock!

The next few weeks became a blur of hospital visits, endless phone calls searching for help, and going through all of his affairs trying to put the pieces together and save my son. We eventually were able to get him into the Salvation Army’s program. Watching him give his graduation speech 6 months later and how proud he was, was one of the happiest moments for all of us.

We will never know at what point his life starting unraveling again after graduation. He tried very hard to rebuild his life out there in Kansas City, but eventually we came to realize that he had fallen down again. No matter what we seemed to do or say, the addiction just wouldn’t let go of him. Casey came back into the St. Louis area last year. As he continued to struggle, he did get involved with some not so great friends. This caused him to try to take his life again. I cannot describe the brokenness that I saw in the hospital or the desperation on his face for someone to rescue him. He said, “mom I want to come back home!” Once home, he again did great for a while. He got a good job, helped a lot of people get new roofs put on their homes, made a lot of people smile, and brought joy to all of our hearts. We thought for sure we had our Casey back!

pouring all your money out. It takes everything from you! He was so far behind by world’s standards, that every time he would get back on his feet, the weight of his problems would come crashing down on him and the drugs were right there offering him an escape from reality.

Please don’t let my story be your story! I .

cannot do anything for my son now, but I can still try to help others. Back in December, God had put it upon my heart do an EXPO to help other parents who may be struggling in silence.

Now, more than ever, I need to continue on with this event. So, if you think there may be a problem with one of your loved ones but your not sure, come out and get answers. Or if your just scared, or don’t know where to turn, come and get help and support. Maybe you just need to talk to someone who understands or help in taking the first step, we can help you. Some of you may be in addiction, please come! It’s not too late and the longer you wait, the harder it gets. It is time for us to “break the silence” and find the help and support that we all need! Thank you for hearing our story, Darlene.

But on the night of February 9th, when officers showed up at my door and asked me if my name was Darlene and if I had a son named CASEY, I knew immediately that he was gone!

The past few weeks have been very difficult to say the least. But looking back, if we could have tried to help him sooner, things may have turned out differently.

By the time we became aware of Casey’s problem, he had already used up all of his savings, blown through all of his 401K, neglected paying taxes for a couple of years and was behind on all payments. That’s what addiction does! I heard one former addict who described it as going up on a bridge, opening your wallet and focusOn Magazine | 47

In Loving Memory of Casey M. Woodcock 1982-2020

“Breaking the Silence” will be hosted by

Grace Church

2695 Creve Coeur Mill Rd. Maryland Heights, MO 63043 and presented by At the Apple Tree & Addiction is Real.

It is open to anyone interested in getting help for themselves or others. The event will host Narcan Training, A.I.R.’s “Hidden in Plain View” room exhibit and over 15 area organizations and support groups including H.E.A.L., Hope Creates, Behavioral Health Resources, GRASP, Aviary Recovery Center, A.R.C.H., Alliance for Healthy Communities, H.O.P.E., NCADA and others.

For more information, or if you would like to participate or volunteer, please call Darlene at 314-292-8300 Ext. 3107.

48 | focusOn Magazine

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www.connection-exchange.com focusOn Magazine | 49

MOVIE REVIEW

Dolittle (2020)

with Barbara Reeves

Starring: Robert Downy, Jr, Michael Sheen, Antonio Banderas Rated: PG

The Dolittle movie is based on the classic Hugh Lofting book, The Story of Doctor Dolittle. There have been a number of versions of this movie over the years. I read the book and saw one of the movies when I was younger, the one from 1967 which won 2 Oscars, used real animals, included singing, and the story was about the search for a huge pink snail. It was magical for me as a 7-year-old child. I can still remember the inside of the huge snail.

I have been an animal lover all of my life and had a menagerie of animals throughout my childhood and into adulthood, which included rats, cats, dogs, hamsters, snakes, alligators, frogs, fish, birds of many kinds and more. All of which I talked to and am quite convinced there was a level of understanding between us. Thus, I have always looked forward to movies that are filled with animals and the people who love them.

In this movie, Dolittle, played by Robert Downey Jr., there are computer-generated animals with celebrity voices, which is not as much fun to watch as real animals, but unfortunately, real trained animals aren’t needed, when technology can easily bring to life dinosaurs and dragons and make them look very realistic on the big screen. In this story, the young Queen Victoria is sick, and Dr. Dolittle and his helpful animals go on an adventure traveling to an unknown island to search for a magical tree to help save the Queen. It was discovered early on that the Queen was poisoned, so it was critical they find the magical tree and return quickly before the Queen died. However, there are vil-

lains, played by Michael Sheen and Antonio Banderas, who make this journey to the island very difficult.

The animals in the movie are very entertaining. They have people-like personalities and problems, such as the Gorilla suffering from fear, a polar bear that is always too cold, a duck with a fake leg, an intelligent parrot, and some hero whales. It is always fun hearing voices of celebrities you recognize in these types of movies, but sometimes challenging to identify whose voices they are.

A few of my favorite scenes were of a dangerous tiger with mommy issues and psychological problems, and a scene reminiscent of one in Jurassic Park, when rescuing a cell phone from a pile of dinosaur poop. However, in this story the animal is a Dragon that is protecting the tree they are trying to find. That is all I will say to not spoil it for you. You will just need to see the movie to find out how that goes.

Throughout the movie there were comical scenes and entertaining jokes aimed at both adults and children. I attended the movie on a holiday and the theater was packed with both and all seemed to find the movie entertaining. There was laughter throughout.

This movie was a definite change of genre for Robert Downey Jr., and if you are expecting Iron Man, then you won’t appreciate this movie. This is a movie geared at children and young adults and the type of character that Robert Downey Jr. plays is more of a sidekick to the animals, rather than the primary hero himself.

I would rate this movie as Good. It was a good movie, but not a must see at the theater. However, movies such as these are always more fun on the BIG screen for the children, as it brings the animals to life in a BIG way.

Rating scale 50 | focusOn Magazine

EXCELLENT, A MUST SEE

Good, Wait for video release

Average, Wait for Netflix release

You’ve been screwed… do not waste your time or money

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