FocusOn St. Charles County Magazine - Fall 2018 by FocusON St. Charles County

FALL 2018

Chasing the Dragon The Heroin Epidemic

St. Charles County is...

TAPPED

CRAFT BEER PUBS & BREWERIES

STREET LIFE Homelessness in St. Charles County

Long-Term Care goes...

Radio-Active

with Don Quante

Total Comfort

• FREE Parts & Labor (see website for exclusions)

Maintenance

• 2 Thorough Precision Tune-ups

SERVICE PLAN

• 2 Thorough Precision Tune-ups

$450 per year or $37.42 per month

• Lowers Utility Costs

$185 per year or $15.42 per month

• 5% Discount on Equipment Replacement up to $500

10% OFF each additional system

• Priority Service

5% OFF each additional system

• Priority Service

• One Summer & One Winter

SERVICE PLAN

• One Summer & One Autumn • Lowers Utility Costs

• 5% Discount on Repairs

St. Co. (636) (636)388-4100 388-4100 St.Louis LouisCo. Co.(314) (314) 647-0604 647-0604 • St. Charles Co.

TRANEmakes makes the the air air conditioner, The difference TRANE difference is is Since1967, 1967, Unique Unique Heating has Since Heatingand andCooling Cooling has been an industry leader in the installation and been an industry leader in the installation and serviceofofheating, heating, air air conditioning, conditioning, humidifyhumidservice ifying air filtration systems. ing and and air filtration systems. WithWith NATENATE (North (North American Technician Excellence) American Technician Excellence) trained and trained technicians and certifiedtotechnicians to types maintain certified maintain all of inall types of indoor comfort systems, Unique door comfort systems, Unique Heating and CoolHeating andcustomers Cooling provides customersservice with ing provides with unsurpassed unsurpassed service and solutions for your and solutions for your comfort. comfort. independentTrane TraneComfort ComfortSpecialist™ SpecialAsAsananindependent ist™ Dealer, we strive to be more than a heatDealer, we strive to be more than a heating and ing and cooling service company. We want cooling service company. We want to offer you to offer you a Unique experience as we help a Unique experience as we help you navigate you navigate through your total home comthrough your total home comfort process. From fort process. From maintenance and service maintenance and service repair, to total HVAC repair, to total HVAC system installation, our system installation, our mission is to provide each mission is to provide each customer with solucustomer with solutions that will give you peace tions that will give you peace of mind, knowofing mind, knowing you made the best decision for you made the best decision for your famiyour family, your or your business. ly, your home orhome your business. Senior Citizen Discount (65 & older) excludes the trip charge.

Veterans Discount excludes the trip charge.

www.uniqueheatingcooling.com

2015 S. Big Bend Blvd. • St. Louis, MO 63117 • customerservice@uniqueheatingcooling.com

MUD JACKING 636-544-1696

DRIVEWAYS • SIDEWALKS PORCHES • PATIOS

We Fix Concrete Problems

St. Charles County Municipality Mayors Sally A. Faith, Saint Charles 636-949-3268 sally.faith@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 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

Hank Wiese 636-936-2460 5047 HWY N Cottleville, Mo 63304 hank@hankwiese.net

David C. Zucker, Dardenne Paririe 636-755-5306 mayorzucker@dardenneprairie.org David Rollins, Augusta 207-626-2300 loretta.lathe@augustamaine.gov Richard West, New Melie 636-578-9574 caninekopz@msn.com 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

5th Street Pub

Vernon Bauer, St. Paul 636-980-1063 mayorbauer@gmail.com

5205 5th Street, Cottleville, MO 63304 636-928-5455

Wanda M. Donnelly, Foristell 636-673-2355 mayor@cityofforistell.org focusOn Magazine | 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS St. Charles County Municipality Mayors.....................page 3 Volume 2 - Issue 3 Fall 2018 FocusOn Magazine 5377 State Hwy N Cottleville, Missouri 63304

Publisher’s Note | Meet the Team.............................page 5

636-566-0004 contact@openbeast.com

KETO for Beginners................................................page 10

Tapped - Friendship Brewing/Brian Nolan................page 16

Distribution

Cottleville • O’Fallon • St. Peters Lake St. Louis • Dardenne Prairie Weldon Spring • Wentzville

Advertiser Directory..................................................page 4 Up Coming Events....................................................page 6 Time Traveler - The Town of Hamburg.......................page 12 Street Life - Homelessness in St. Charles County.........page 22 Eldercare Radio Network - Don Quante....................page 26 The Upside to Downsizing - Elderly Parents...............page 30 Decorating for the Fall with the White Hare...............page 29 First Responder - Chief Tom Vineyard........................page 34 Medical Minute - The Flu.........................................page 36 TopBites in St. Charles County - The Rack House........page 39 Chasing the Dragon - The NCADA...........................page 42 Shoes & Hope - Christy Weber................................page 44 Catfish Willie - A High Scale of Entertainment...........page 48 Movie Review - Mission Impossible Fallout................page 50

Advertiser Directory

Adventuretainment EXPO.......... page 52 Air Force Reserve..................... page 35 Arrowhead Building Supply....... page 48 Beer, Wine & Food Festival....... page 47 Bemo’s ................................... page 40 Buckle Up to Love Up 5k Run..... page 32 CFO....................................... page 38 Coach Coletta CBD Hemp Oil... page 21 Cottlewaddle .......................... page 32 Cottleville Wine Seller.............. page 28 Crown Luxury Resale................ page 48 Jo’s 5th Street Pub...................... page 3 Hairy Elephant......................... page 33 Harvester Lions........................ page 25 KETO Works............................ page 19 KFAV Hot Country.................... page 33 Krispy Kreme........................... page 51 La Chata Mexican Restaurant.... page 14 Lake St. Charles Retirement....... page 31 4 | focusOn Magazine

LBB - Women in Business........... page 24 Main Street Diner..................... page 33 Mascot’s Bar & Grill................. page 49 Monster Mash Dash................. page 25 Mud Jacking.............................. page 3 Online Boutiques........................ page 4 Photography by DeClue............ page 46 Rack House, The...................... page 38 Sloan Choice Realty................. page 21 Spectrum Glass........................ page 20 State Farm Insurance.................. page 3 Texas Roadhouse..................... page 15 Toys for Tots - BRRR Bash........... page 25 Turtle Creek Pub & Grill ........... page 20 Two Shamrocks........................ page 41 Unique Heating & Cooling.......... page 2 Wentzville Family Festival.......... page 22 White Hare, The...................... page 29 WYN Networking.................... page 18

Greetings and I invite you to experience FocusOn Magazine’s fall edition, packed with powerful and exciting stories. First andforemost, and on behalf of my team, would like to thank all our advertisers and sponsors, as we have reached new heights in the areas distribution and copy volume. Our event partnership with Brass Pro Shops Expo, Cottle Waddle and Complete Auto’s Charity Golf are few of our new branding initiatives and you can read more about it inside or follow us on social media. As always, we do have a great lineup of inspiring articles. And in my opinion, “Chasing the Dragon”, page 42, should be the first one to be checked out. We had over-the-top feedbacks on the inaugural “Top Bites”, by Kelly Gardner. All I can say is, it’s getting better. Not to forget, “Time Traveler” The History of St. Charles County by Dorris Keeven-Franke and her collection of details about Hamburg will genuinely take anyone to a different era. During our interview process, “Shoes and Hope” (page 44), and “Long Term Care Goes Radio Active” (page 26), really got my team and me so inspired. We hope you all continue to enjoy our publication. If you have a comment or ideas, please send a note. Happy reading! Until next time

Stephen Thompson, Ph.D. Publisher/Owner

shopping | dining | entertainment | news

Steve Naugher

Jeanne Strickland

Print Coordinator/Owner

Managing Editor

Kevin Ziegemeier

Cheryl Hohe

PR Manager

Contributing Editor

Patty Taylor

Director of Ad Sales

Debbie DeClue Photographer

Darlene Fischer Contributing Editor

Katy Kruze Special Events

Dorris Keeven-Franke Historian/ Contributing Editor

Skip Stephens Contributing Editor

focusOn Magazine | 5

O’Fallon: Green Cottlevile: Red Lake Saint Louis: Pink St. Peters: Blue Dardenne Prairie: Orange St. Charles: Purple Wentzville: Aqua Augusta: Yellow SEPTEMBER 6th Sip and Savor

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm 370 Lakeside Park, St. Peters

For more information or tickets, call Greater St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce, 636-946-0633, or visit www.FoodFest370.com

8th O’Fallon Fall Fest

10:00 am – 4:00 pm 308 Civic Park Drive Featuring shopping at vendors’ booths, bluegrass music, free kids’ activities and O’Fallon Historical Society Log Cabin Museum tours. Admission, parking, entertainment and kids’ activities are free. For festival updates visit www.ofallon.mo.us/fall-fest.

House Tour

Presented By: St. Charles County Historical Society Join us from Noon until 4:00 pm to view the interiors of some of the most beautiful and historic homes in St. Charles City. The tour begins at Benton School, 400 N. 6th Street Visitors can walk or drive to the houses on the tour.

The Temptations and The Four Tops

Lindenwood’s J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts, 2300 West Clay, Saint Charles An exciting evening of music that will celebrate over 50 years of Motown classics.

10 6 | focusOn Magazine

New Town Concert Series

New Town Amphitheater, 3312 Rue Royale Enjoy Dogs of Society, an Elton John Tribute Band 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Jo’s 5th St Pub 20 Years Celebration Starting at 4:00 pm 5205 5th Street, Cottleville

9th Rookies and Rockstars Triathlon - Fall

7:30 am – 3:00 pm St. Peters Rec-Plex, 5200 Mexico Road, St. Peters Whether you’re a beginner (ROOKIE) or a veteran (ROCK STAR), the St. Peters Rec-Plex has a fun Triathlon for you!

Sip and Shop Afternoon Cottleville Wine Seller 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm For more information, call 636-244-4453

9th and 10th 3rd Annual Dine Out for First Responders

Hosted by The Cottleville Weldon Spring Chamber of Commerce. Participating Restaurants: Shamrock’s Pub & Grill - St. Peters Mattingly’s - Weldon Spring Cecil Whittaker’s - Weldon Spring The Egg & I - O’Fallon Bemo’s - Cottleville Mascots - St. Peters Barrels Taphouse & Grill - O’Fallon Cookies & Cream - Cottleville Plank Road Pizza - Cottleville VB Chocolate Bar - Cottleville Cork & Barrel - St. Peters B. Halls - O’Fallon Dirty Dogz - O’Fallon

Salty’s Fresh Mex - Cottleville 14th, 15th, 16th Turtle Creek Pub & Grill - O’Fallon Mosaics Fine Art Festival Walnut Grill - O’Fallon, Ellisville & Historic Main Street, St. Charles Sunset Hills Friday 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm Monical’s Pizza - O’Fallon Saturday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm Sunday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm Participating Retail Shops: The White Hare - Cottleville

15th Lake Saint Louis City Wide Garage Sale

11th Patriot Day Ceremony: A 7:00 am – 5:00 pm Tribute to First Responders 8:30 am First Responders Memorial outside the O’Fallon Municipal Centre, 100 North Main Street Please join in this moving ceremony on behalf of the first responders and victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

12th Beale Street Concert Series Streets of St. Charles, 1650 Beale Street 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Featuring: Marquise Knox

14th Scotty McCreery

Lindenwood’s J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts, 2300 West Clay, Saint Charles

14th and 15th Celebrate St. Peters Join us for a jam-packed, twoday festival at the beautiful 370 Lakeside Park featuring live music and entertainment on three different stages, a carnival, vendors, kids’ activities, fireworks and more! This year’s headliners: Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan on Friday! Night Ranger on Saturday!

Concert at Windjammer

598 Windjammer Pointe 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Featuring: Charles Glenn Group

Luke’s Legacy Run/Walk

Legacy Park, Cottleville 8:00 am – 12:00 pm www.racesonline.com/events/ hope-4-tomorrow

15th and 16th Renaissance Festival

Recurring weekly on Saturdays, Sundays until October 14th. 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Rotary Park, 2577 West Meyer Rd., Wentzville Entertainment ranging from pirates, to jousting, to juggling, to turkey legs, and more!

19th Music on Main

100 N. Main Street 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm Bring your lawn chairs to this free outdoor concert. Featuring: Rogers and Nienhaus

21st Food Truck Frolic

St. Charles Community College, 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive 5:00 pm

www.foodtruckfrolic.com

O’Fallon: Green Cottlevile: Red Lake St. Louis: Pink St. Peters: Blue Dardenne Prairie: Orange St. Charles: Purple Wentzville: Aqua Augusta: Yellow Harvest Fest 5K Run/Walk

Starting at 9:00 am at the Augusta Katy Trail Head and ending at the Mt. Pleasant Estate Winery. The male and female winners each receive a hand blown wine glass made by Augusta’s own Nationally recognized glass artist, Sam Stang. Preregistration required. For more information and reservations contact the Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce at 636-228-4005.

POW/MIA Remembrance Day Ceremony 7:00 pm Veterans Memorial Walk

Everyone is invited to light a candle in memory of US Armed Forces personnel who remain missing in the field or imprisoned on foreign soil, and in support of their families. Hosted by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 458 21st and 22nd Wentzville City Wide Yard Sale

Shoppers may purchase a yard sale directory at City Hall or Progress Park for $2.

Wentzville Fall Festival

Historic Downtown Wentzville Friday 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm Saturday 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm This family-friendly event is free and includes live entertainment, kids’ activities, food, art and craft vendors and much more!

21st, 22nd and 23rd Augusta’s Harvest Festival 5577 Walnut St., Augusta This Festival captures the rich heritage of past festivals held in Augusta. This festival has been held for over 100 years.

BUILDERS HOME AND REMODELING SHOW

St. Charles Convention Center Fri. & Sat.: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

22nd Harvest Fest Corn Hole Tournament

12:00 pm – 5:00 pm. At the Ball Field on Water Street and the Katy Trail. Two people per team/$40.00 per team. Cash prizes. Food and drinks available for purchase. For reservations, call Jeff Brown 636-352-6399

29th and 30th Renaissance Festival

13th St. Joseph Fall Craft Fair

1351 Motherhead Road, Cottleville

9:00 am – 4:00 pm Unique Handmade Local Craft Gifts, Baked Goods, Silent Auction Items and Raffle Baskets.

Cottleville Firefighters Outreach Haunted Trail and Bonfire Party

Legacy Park, Cottleville Over the years, this event has The Meadows at Lake Saint Louis 3rd grown to become a large scale 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm Beale Street Market outdoor haunted attraction. The This event is FREE! There will be The first season of the art and trail is nearly a mile walk on 11 sampling tents to try craft farmers market held on Beale gravel paths through the woods and domestic beers. That 80’s Street the 1st Wednesday of in Legacy Park. Our firefighters Band will be performing so you each month August – November and community members spend can dance the night away! from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. weeks setting up this ghoulish scene. On the nights of the event, our members dress up Dardenne Prairie Day 6th in spooky costumes and scare City Hall Park, 2032 Hanley Rd. Augusta Bottoms Beer anyone brave enough to enter 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm Festival the Haunted Field! Age recomVendor Booths, Family Fun Tent, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm Kid’s Zone, Bubble Bus, Food, Free beer tasting. Live music by mendation for this attraction is Fireworks, and Music. Ragged Edge. Food by Augusta thirteen and older. Food and alcohol sales in the Contagious on the Main Stage Brewing Co. field on event nights. Bonfires at 6:00 pm and scary movies on our large Cottle Waddle video screen. Wentzville Beer, Wine, & 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Lake Saint Louis Beer Fest

Food Festival

Friendship Brewing Company 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm Over two dozen vendors, delicious food and drink, and great live music.

22nd and 23rd Renaissance Festival

28th, 29th, and 30th Octoberfest

Frontier Park, 222 S. Riverside Drive, St. Charles Friday: 4:00 pm –- 11:00 pm Saturday: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

OCTOBER

Dancing in the Streets

7:00 pm – 11:00 pm This event has been a huge success with over 1000 tickets sold each year; proving to be a great opportunity to showcase our eclectic neighborhood, and promote the vibrant businesses located in and around our city while giving back to charitable causes. www.cottlewaddle.com

Food Truck Frolic

St. Charles Community College, 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive 5:00 pm

6th and 7th Renaissance Festival

13th and 14th Renaissance Festival

14th Christ Lutheran Church 68th Annual Whole Hog Sausage & Sauerkraut Dinner 11:00 am – 6:00 pm Cafeteria style dinner. All you can eat. For more info, visit www.clcaugustamo.org

focusOn Magazine | 11 7

O’Fallon: Green Cottlevile: Red Lake St. Louis: Pink St. Peters: Blue Dardenne Prairie: Orange St. Charles: Purple Wentzville: Aqua Augusta: Yellow 19th Halloween Spooktacular on Ice Costume Party

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm St. Peters Rec-Plex Includes ice skating, games, prizes, candy and a costume contest! The cost is $10 and includes skate rental. Register at the Rec-Plex, or call 636-939-2386, ext. 1400, or online www.stpetersmo.net/rec-connect Space is limited.

20th Halloween Carnival

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm HES Operations Building,135 Ecology Dr., St. Peters Get the family together, dress up in costume and enjoy a wholesome, fun time. Enjoy hayrides, games, crafts, dinner and more! This is a FREE event, but registration is required and each person must register individually – children and adults must sign up. Register beginning Sept. 1st. at the St. Peters Rec-Plex, online using Rec-Connect, or by calling 636-939-2386, ext. 1400. REGISTRATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AT THE EVENT.

Cottleville Firefighters Outreach Haunted Trail and Bonfire Party

Legacy Park, Cottleville Over the years, this event has grown to become a large scale outdoor haunted attraction. The trail is nearly a mile walk on gravel paths through the woods in Legacy Park. Our firefighters and community members spend weeks setting up this ghoulish scene. On the nights of the event, our members dress up in spooky costumes and scare anyone brave enough to enter the Haunted Field! Age recommendation for this attraction is thirteen and older. Food and alcohol sales in the field on event nights. Bonfires and scary movies on our large video screen.

8 12 | focusOn Magazine

Up All Night at Cottleville Wine Seller

5314 Highway N, Cottleville 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm A high energy band that brings the best modern dance, pop, country and rock hits along with reimagined throw backs to keep you Up All Night!

20th and 21st Legends and Lanterns

St. Charles Historic Main Street will be invaded by a plethora of playful paranormal poltergeists from parts unknown. These notorious and infamous witches, villains, and spirits from lore and legend have unleashed the magic of their enchanted lanterns in order to travel from regions beyond to bring you the eeriest entertainment

Zion Lutheran Bobcat Shuffle 5K

Legacy Park, Cottleville Timed 5K or 1+ Mile Fun Run/Walk Post Race Party, Food Trucks, Awards For Top 5K Finishers, Sleep-In Option zionbobcatshuffle@gmail.com

Cruising Cottleville - Block Party and Golf Cart Show Bemo’s Grill parking lot. 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm Prizes for best decorated carts. Band starts at 7:00 pm. Raffles and sale items. This event is free. Purchase a Cottleville goody bag for $30 in advance, or $35 the day of the event. Includes T-shirt, ticket for free hamburger, chips, drink, and a ticket to vote for best decorated golf cart! All proceeds benefit All Paws Rescue, Inc.

26th Halloween Party in the Park 26th, 27th and 28th Founder’s Park, 7 Freymuth Rd. Legends and Lanterns 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm FREE annual family-friendly event. Activities will include hayrides, inflatables, balloon sculptures, DJ, face painters, pony rides, and much more hauntingly good treats!

27th Monsters on the Meadows The Meadows at Lake Saint Louis 20 Meadows Circle Drive 11:00 am – 2:00 pm Live Bluegrass music, Trick or Treating and Pumpkin Painting.

Monster Mash Trunk-or-Treat

Station 1 Firehouse on Luetkenhaus Boulevard at 11:00 am This FREE event is sponsored by the Wentzville Firefighters Community Outreach and Wentzville Parks and Recreation Department. Every child (14 and under) will receive their own pumpkin! All who preregister will receive a hot dog, bag of chips and drink. Enjoy games, face painting, activities, the Bubble Bus, and will “trunk-or-treat” during this twohour event. *Registration for this program will open on Sept. 1.

NOVEMBER 7th Beale Street Market

The first season of the art and farmers market held on Beale Street the 1st Wednesday of each month August – November from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

11th Veterans Day Ceremony

11:00 am Veterans Memorial Walk, 800 Veterans Memorial Parkway, O’Fallon Everyone is invited to attend this ceremony honoring and thanking all of our veterans.

14th Tree Lighting Ceremony

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm O‘Fallon Municipal Centre, 100 North Main Street Join Mayor Bill Hennessy in counting down to the Lighting of the Great Tree inside City Hall, officially welcoming Santa to O’Fallon. Children’s activities and a chance to meet Santa. Please bring donations of canned and boxed groceries and personal care items for distribution to local food pantries.

16th St. Peters Tree Lighting

6:30 pm – 9:00 pm St. Peters City Hall, One St. Peters Centre Blvd. Beautiful holiday lights, performances by local groups, photos with Santa Claus and our community’s lighting of the tree – it’s all FREE! Enjoy holiday-themed musical performances and then step outside for the countdown of the lighting of the tree. Following the ceremony, kids and families can go back inside for more fun activities and tasty treats for all!

17th Holiday Night Lights 5K

This run will take you through the light display at Rotary Park. Registration starts at 3:00 pm; Race starts at 4:50 pm. The first 100 entrants will receive a race shirt! Please register by Oct. 17th. Registration will open on Sept. 1st.

30th Gracie & Lacy Present: Cool Yule

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Performing Arts Theatre, One St. Peters Centre Blvd., St. Peters Charleston’s award-winning sister act, Gracie and Lacy, will perform Michael Buble, the Puppini Sisters and postmodern jukebox hits. Purchase tickets through Brown Paper Tickets. Tickets are $18 per person, plus a service fee of $1.62. You can also purchase tickets by calling 1-800-838-3006.

Andrea Denningmann 314-735-3683 addiandains@gmail.com

www.addiandains.com addiandains addiandains

LuLaRoe Sara Chinnock Boutique Independent Fashion Consultant

LulaRoe Sara Chinnock Boutique LulaRoe Sara Chinnock 314-324-8690 lularoesarachinnock@gmail.com

Shop online via our website or our Facebook page:

www.staytrueboutique.org Stay True Boutique

Erica Homeyer

kesoulboutique@gmail.com 314-825-7522

Amy Totten • 314-803-8898 • harperrenaeboutique@gmail.com

Jill or Stephanie 636-332-0313 staytrueboutique@outlook.com

Heather Box thesilverhangerboutique@gmail.com www.thesilverhangerboutique.com thesilverhangerboutique

your first purchase of $30 or more Code: FOCUSON

order from

Valid at all six boutiques above. Expires 11/30/18 focusOn Magazine | 9

By: Jessica Conley

The Keto diet has been talked about a lot recently. Short for Ketogenic, the Keto diet is a concept of eating high fat, low carb, and moderate protein. This nutrition method is not new – even though it seems like the most recent fad. It has actually been around since the 1920’s. It was created by researchers working at John Hopkins Medical Center to successfully treat epileptic patients. Once pharmaceutical drugs for epilepsy came to market, the Keto diet was all but forgotten. It was pushed even further from mind in the 80’s when the fat free craze hit. Fat, protein and carbohydrates are the only three macronutrients (macros) that exist. For macro, think big. These are large particles and they contain calories. On the flip side, micronutrients (micros) are small. They are things like vitamins and minerals and do not contain calories. When adopting a nutrition method that focuses on macros, like the Keto diet, it is important to have an understanding of these macros and how they affect your body. Carbs will spike insulin and ghrelin, making your blood sugar unstable and resulting in greater feelings of hunger more often. It’s why you can eat a carb heavy meal and feel hungry an hour later! It’s also what creates the greatest amount of body fat retention. Protein doesn’t spike insulin as much as carbs, however it is important to note that your body can only use so much protein and the rest is also stored as body fat just like too many carbs. Fat is the only macro that does not affect blood sugar, and in fact helps maintain a healthy even blood sugar level. The Keto diet is unique because it does not rely on strictly counting calories, extreme exercise, or requiring lots of willpower! Instead, it works because it actually changes the fuel source your body uses for its primary energy. Typically, most Americans have a body that is conditioned to run off of glucose (sugar) for energy. Our Standard American Diet (SAD) is high in processed carbohydrates and high in added sugar, so we are sugar-burners. With the Keto diet, we retrain our body and condition it to instead become a fat-burner by burning dietary fat and eventually body fat for energy once a state of ketosis is reached. In the absence of glucose, which is normally used by cells as a quick source of energy, the body starts to burn fat and 10 | focusOn Magazine

produces ketones instead. Once ketone levels in the blood rise to a certain point, you enter into a state of ketosis — which usually results in quick and consistent weight loss until you reach a healthy, stable body weight. There are actually several health benefits, both mentally and physically to practicing a ketogenic nutrition method. In fact, research is showing this approach to be highly effective in treating and preventing many major illnesses and diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, PCOS, and even cancers. Additionally, it is proven to slow signs of aging and results in healthy hair, skin, and nails. So how does one begin a Keto lifestyle? First, always check with your doctor before beginning any drastic nutrition or exercise changes. After that, I always recommend my clients ease into it. Start off by doing a week or two of clean eating – basically reducing highly processed packaged foods in favor of more natural whole food. Eliminate fast food, fried food and junk food, along with beverages like soda, juices, and even sports drinks. During this time get into the habit of tracking your food. I personally use the My Fitness Pal app for this. Keeping a log of your food will help you really see what you are consuming so you can be more aware of it! From there the next step would be to start working on your macros. In My Fitness Pal you can change the view so you can see a pie chart with the percentages of macros you consume for the day. To work towards a Keto lifestyle, you want to aim for 70% fat, 20% protein, and 10% carbs. I do not recommend counting grams, as that can be much more overwhelming and difficult to stick to long term for most people, whereas the percentage method allows for more flexibility while still getting amazing results! This means that 70% of the total daily calories you consume are coming from healthy fat sources like nuts, eggs, coconut oil, and even dairy. Then, 20% of your calories are coming from good protein sources like chicken, beef, and seafood. And 10% would come from carbs, usually vegetables. Keep in mind that many food items will contain a combination of macros, so entering them into My Fitness Pal is helpful to see how a food item is affecting your percentages overall. A good illustration of this is eggs. An egg contains around 62% fat, 36% protein, and 2% carbs, therefore affecting all three areas.

But remember, you are aiming for 70/20/10 for the day as a whole, not each meal. One meal may be higher in protein for example, which is fine. But you want to aim for these totals as a daily goal. I also caution you here – do not stress about this! There is no such thing as perfection. This is simply a target to aim for. Get as close as you can, as often as you can, and you will be in a really good place for transitioning to fat burning.

What are the symptoms? Most commonly people will experience headaches, fatigue, lack of energy, muscle weakness or pains, poor sleep, constipation or diarrhea, nausea, brain fog, moodiness, shakiness, irritation, and even hot flashes. For most people these symptoms will last from 2 days up to 2 weeks. If it lasts longer you may want to evaluate if something else could be going on.

I want to address a phenomenon commonly referred to as “The Keto Flu”. Maybe you have tried a Keto lifestyle and felt really sick so you assumed it wasn’t good for you and stopped. This is actually very common and very normal to experience! Your body will go through a sugar detox as you drastically reduce carbs, and that means you will likely feel sick for a period of time. The good news is its temporary! There are also ways you can help alleviate some of the symptoms.

To help relieve symptoms you can transition more slowly, reducing carbs and increasing fats gradually over the course of a couple weeks. Or if you still want to jump all in, you can help by making sure to stay very hydrated (half your body weight in ounces of water per day minimum) and consume enough electrolytes by adding sodium, magnesium, and potassium to your water. I would also recommend reducing your exercise or even stopping completely temporarily while you transition.

PULLED PORK TACOS WITH HIGH FAT LOW CARB TORTILLAS AND SLAW PULLED PORK INGREDIENTS:

PULLED PORK DIRECTIONS:

2 ish pounds pork roast 1 teaspoon oregano 1/2 teaspoons pepper 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons cumin 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 cup beef or chicken broth

Pour broth into Instant Pot. Cut roast into 4 chunks and place in Instant Pot. Sprinkle all seasonings on roast. Close lid and place on high pressure, manual setting for 60 minutes. Let natural release for about 10 minutes then manually release and open. Pork should shred VERY easily with a fork! Mix in some of the juice to keep it even more moist and yummy!! To make in a crockpot instead, follow same instructions except cook on low for 6-8 hours TORTILLA DIRECTIONS:

TORTILLA INGREDIENTS: 1 cup liquid egg whites 1 whole egg 1/2 cup coconut flour 2 tablespoons almond flour 1/2 cup water 1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp baking powder 1 pinch sea salt Coconut oil cooking spray (or your fave)

Add egg whites thru salt in a blender and process for about 10 seconds, then let sit for 5 minutes. Consistency should be like pancake batter - add more water if needed. Heat non stick skillet or cast iron pan over medium-low heat. Coat with cooking spray. Scoop 1/3 cup of batter onto skillet and spread into a thin circle. Cook for about 1 minute on each side or until slightly firm and lightly golden. Repeat until you’ve made 6 tortillas

SLAW INGREDIENTS: Bagged Slaw (cabbage, carrots, etc) Fresh chopped cilantro Lime juice Avocado oil based mayo Garlic powder Onion powder Chili powder Cumin Salt and pepper

SLAW DIRECTIONS: Everything gets mixed in a bowl, to taste. Let sit for 5-10 minutes before eating!

VANILLA High Fat Low Carb PANCAKES INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

1 egg 3 tablespoons full fat coconut milk 1 tablespoon almond butter or 1/2 tsp peanut butter (or can omit completely) 1 tablespoon coconut flour 2 tablespoons almond flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 packet monk fruit sweetener 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Mix everything together in a small bowl. Let sit for 3 minutes, while heating griddle. Grease griddle with coconut oil or butter. Carefully form about 4 pancakes using 2 heaping tablespoons per pancake. Let cook for about 2 minutes per side, or until golden brown. That’s it!! To keep it keto, top with butter or coconut butter! For carb charge days, top with berries! So yummy!!

For more information on the Keto diet, Intermittent Fasting, and other health and weight loss help, visit my website at jessieconley.com or follow me on social media! focusOn Magazine | 11

By: Dorris Keeven-Franke

Time Traveler The History of St. Charles County

The Town of

Hamburg, Missouri

“St. Charles, Missouri October 24, 1940 - We have entered into a contract with the War Department to acquire for the Gov-

ernment certain lands in St. Charles County. We are representing more in particular Col. R. D. Valliant, Chief of the Real Estate Section, Quartermaster Corps, U.S. Army. The land which we are to acquire for the Government is to be used for a munitions plant under the National Defense program. This site will comprise somewhere in the neighborhood of 20,000 acres. According to the records you own certain property within the site to be acquired. It is the desire of Col. Valliant that you be treated in a fair manner. You may be one who will be glad of the opportunity to sell your holdings. On the other hand your family may have owned this land for several generations back, and you possibly have not given the slightest thought to moving from your particular place. It is fully realized that in the latter case sentiment enters into the picture as well as values and in such cases it is regretted that families will be compelled to give up their homes. However, the National Defense program must go forward and must go quickly. Time is the essence, and as Mr. Robert P. Patterson, Assistant Secretary of War, said yesterday, ‘National defense is the paramount issue in American life today, everything else must be subordinated to it.’ This site was chosen by the Government after an exhaustive study of hundreds of sites. The specifications for a munitions site are many, a great many factors are taken into consideration before one is finally approved. The site is developed by the Ordnance Department of the Army, it is then passed upon by a site committee of the War Department, it is passed upon by members of the National Defense Committee, and I am told on good authority that it is then approved or disapproved by the President. Therefore, you will see this site in St. Charles County has had much consideration… ” And that was the beginning of the end. As the letter said, “your family may have owned this land for several generations back,” maybe I should start back at the beginning. The Native Americans had roamed this land since time immemorial. They left their marks by the trails they developed between winter and summer hunting grounds. The Osage Trace ran between the rendezvous point we now call St. Louis and their village at the junction of the Osage River and the Missouri River. As settlers like Francis and Susannah Howell who arrived in the late 1790s referred to it, it would become known as the Marthasville Road, because it was the road to Marthasville by 1818 when John Young founded the town, and the settler petitioned for a postal route. In 1824, when a German named Gottfried Duden arrived in the U.S. with his cook and personal farmer in tow, he stepped off the ferryboat at St. Charles and would follow this as well to come to the huge stone house owned by Nathan Boone, friends of the Howells. Nathan’s father, Daniel Boone had attracted Duden to this region of the U.S., thinking that as the was the area of the United States where all the Americans were migrating to, this could be the best destination 12 | focusOn Magazine

for Germans needing to leave Germany. Duden would spend four days at Nathan’s home, learning about the area. His book “A Journey to the Western States of North America” would be picked up and read by thousands of Germans, who called it “the land where the sun of freedom shines”. Filled with opportunity for a better life as Franz Hillenkamp wrote in 1834. Hillenkamp was a member of the Giessen Emigration Society founded by Friedrich Muench and Paul Follenius who wanted to create a new home for Germans. In April of 1834, Follenius had invited his friend Dr. Phillip Pulte to join him in this endeavor. They embarked on the ship the Olbers, with over 250 passengers from Bremen headed for New Orleans. Before they reached the British Isles, typhoid broke out and would eventually decimate the passenger list. Many would succumb, and they would beg the Captain to put in at Charlotte, South Carolina when the ship became a floating coffin, but he refused. As they approached New Orleans they learned of the raging Cholera epidemic and feared being put into quarantine, another death sentence. They miraculously arrived at St. Louis after a

perilous journey upriver by steamboat and fled the huge city for the wide prairies to the west, just as Francis Howell and his wife Susannah had done. One of those passengers who had survived the trek was George Mades (1810-1865) and settled the town New Hamburg, just west of Howell’s fort established earlier.

In April of 1857, Mades, who was a shoemaker, and his brother in law Jacob Schneider, a weaver, would be among the Germans that founded the Hamburg School. That year, the St. Charles Demokrat, the county’s first German newspaper founded by Arnold Krekel, shared “Hamburg, this town lies between the southern end of Howell’s Prairie and Darst Bottom on the way to Augusta, not far from where Femme Osage Creek flows into the Missouri, giving it a god land. There the first settlement took place in 1834, and since then the hills thee have become dotted with dwellings. The settlement itself has about a dozen residential homes, in addition to several business houses. There are two stores, a saddler, blacksmith, wagon maker, quilt loom, etc. A public school is maintained.” The beautiful hillsides would eventually be filled, and other settlements named Mechanichsville, and Toonerville sprang up as well. It was the same idyllic hillsides that the United States government would decide over 100 years later “was chosen by the Government after an exhaustive study of hundreds of sites. The specifications for a munitions site are many, a great many factors are taken into consideration before one is finally approved.” The end came suddenly and was devastating, with absolutely no consideration for the preceding century of life in these beautiful valleys. As Donald K. Muschany in the 1978 The Rape of Howell and Hamburg Missouri shared “On Sunday, December 1, 1940, the following news item appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “The men and women who never miss a furniture auction on Olive Street and the St. Charles County farm folk who have few chances to exchange gossip with neighbors had a field day yesterday in the village of Howell. They were brought together by a community sale of the unwanted possessions of St. Charles County families who have to move because their land and homes are needed for a TNT plant. It was the biggest day in Howell’s history—all the county fairs rolled into one.”* “Families who had owned those properties for over one hundred years were expected to vacate in less than two

months.” Over the next two months, several other individuals would receive payment. People continued to vacate their homes. Some were served with eviction notices. By the end of January, Howell and Hamburg were nearly deserted. Then on February 21, 1941, because of an investigative article published by Drew Pearson and Robert Allen in their syndicated column, “The Washington Merry-Go-Round,” the Department of Justice began to scrutinize the fees charged by the contractors it had hired to negotiate the sale of land for munitions factories. Pearson and Allen charged that these men were not only being paid inordinately high commissions but were also charging the government questionable fees. After R. Newton McDowell, the Kansas City contractor hired by the War Department to deal with the residents of the Hamburg and Howell area, became the special focus of the Department of Justice investigation, the government decided it had agreed to pay too much money to the TNT landowners. By this time it had taken control of all but 200 of the nearly 16,000 acres it had purchased, but had made payment for less than 7000 acres. Of the $2,600,000 purchase price negotiated by Mr. McDowell, the government by this time had issued checks for only about $1,100,000. In other words, most of the former property owners, almost all of whom had already vacated their homes by this time, had not yet been paid… On March 3 the unbelievable plight of the area residents worsened even further. U. S. District Attorney Harry Blanton recommended that the properties be acquired by condemnation proceedings. On March 8 the government canceled all its remaining contracts in the TNT area and filed condemnation suits.”

So, ended one of the most dramatic chapters in St. Charles County history. These citizens, German-Americans who had contributed so much to the county’s advancement gave their all, literally, in World War II’s battle against Germany. Today, one can visit the Weldon Spring Site, for what followed, to that fateful end of the towns of Howell and Hamburg. I highly recommend for those interested in this story and wanting more information, that they see http://thetntstory. blogspot.com/ by Bob Brail. This website tells the story and names the family and provides first hand accounts. There is also a video available “The Glittering Landscape” that provides the viewer with the emotional accounts of these families. For more about the Giessen Emigration Society see Utopia – Revisiting a German State in America EditionFalkenberg 2013. focusOn Magazine | 13

HONORING AND REMEMBERING THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED...

3891 Mid Rivers Mall Drive • Cottleville • 636-477-6228

Traditional Dishes Margaritas Arts & Crafts Contest October 31st Tequila Party November 1st 6 pm - 8 pm OCTOBER 31, 2018 - NOVEMBER 2, 2018 • 3 PM - 10 PM Dia de los muertos (Day of the Dead) is a folk tradition reflecting the identity of the Mexican culture. This annual celebration is a time when families gather together to honor and remember deceased loved ones. On the Day the Dead, spirits are invited home for feasting and story telling, keeping memories alive in our hearts and minds. It is believed that the souls of the dead return to visit the living families in homes, businesses and cemeteries. Dia de los Muertos takes place at the end of October and November 1st and 2nd each year in Mexico. This are joyful festivities for families and the community. Music is played in homes and at the cemeteries. The Day of the Dead is truly a celebration of life and is a very joyous occasion to remember our loved ones through celebration. An altar is built and is covered with candles and fragrant, bright marigold flowers which are believed to guide the spirits. Also the loved one’s favorite foods along with Pan de Muerto (a traditional Mexican sweet bread) and other sweets that are left for the departed. Most of all, we mustn’t forget about the beverages. The favorite tequila, coffee or other drinks of the deceased are also place on the altar to welcome our loved ones home. The sugar skulls represents the departed soul. It is represented to be happy and colorful which is often covered with icing and sparkles or glitter. Day of the Dead is a wonderful way to celebrate the memories of our loved ones displaying their pictures and burning a candle in their honor. For more information go to our Facebook page La Chata Mexican Cuisine. 14 | focusOn Magazine

Avoid the wait with Call Ahead Seating!

ONLY 99

$10. !! 11 oz Sirloin & 2 made from scratch sides of your choice

cactus blossom or fried pickle appetizer

Every Wednesday

Hours: Mon-Thurs: 3:30-10 p.m Friday: 3:30-11 p.m Saturday: 11 a.m- 11 p.m Sunday: 11 a.m- 9 p.m

FREE with the purchase of an Adult Entree

MUST PRESENT THIS AD Valid at the O’Fallon, MO location Only expires 12/31/18

Want to make some quick money? Have a need for a fundraiser?

Please contact: Kaeley Burris Local Store Marketer 636-627-1353 Kaeleyburris913@gmail.com

636-980-7207

Texas Roadhouse • 1600 Mexico Loop Rd W • O Fallon, MO 63366 www.texasroadhouse.com focusOn Magazine | 15

By: Steve Naugher

St. Charles County is...

TAPPED

CRAFT BEER PUBS & BREWERIES

Wentzville, MO

100 E Pitman Ave • Wentzville, Missouri I recently sat down with the owner of Friendship Brewing Company, Brian Nolan, to Discuss the Concept, the Success, and the Furture of the Brewery. How did the idea for Friendship Brewing Company develop? It’s been a fun, long, and authentic adventure to say the least. I’ll summarize some of it so that I don’t take up your entire issue! I was lucky enough to spend time living in London when I was young. I stayed in a dorm room that actually had an English pub on the ground floor, I had to literally walk through the pub every day to get to and from the elevator to my room. Let’s just say I got sidetracked a bit, and performed a fair amount of liquid research. Good English, Scottish, Irish, Belgian, and German beers. When I returned to college classes in the Midwest, and the beer of choice (late 80’s) was cheap light lagers, my taste buds threw a revolt, simply refusing to settle for lesser quality/flavored beers, even when at free keg parties. Being a college kid, I could rarely afford what were at the time more premium beers (pretty stark choices at the time). I would splurge for Foster’s, Lowenbrau, or Moosehead. Maybe a rare English or German import. Pretty quickly, a friend (thanks Terry!) introduced me to the idea of home-brewing. In those preinternet days, we mail ordered brewing ingredients and started home brewing. The first was a basic English ale. It was great fun. I home-brewed on and off for nearly three decades before the brewery idea took shape. 16 | focusOn Magazine

How did you decide on your location? The Historic Downtown Wentzville area is literally my home neighborhood, where I’ve lived for 50 years. Wentzville is currently Missouri’s “boomtown” in terms of growth, but there is no place else I’d have ever located. I wanted to give back to the community that gave me so much as a youngster and now an adult. Great people, great friends, and a great sense of community. Tell us a little about the property and what you provide. I love history, especially local history. I also love beer history. I knew I wanted the brewery to be located in in my neighborhood. I had looked at the old building for years. Despite it’s rundown condition, I could visualize a cool renovated space, with the look and feel of an authentic brewery, where the history of the space and the history of brewing could not only be seen, but felt. Where history could speak.

It was a long arduous task to revive the old girl. With the help of awesome family, friends, and maybe even some ghosts from the past, I think we have been able to create a very unique and comfortable environment. I also wanted to maximize the enjoyment of being outside... to bring the “winery experience” into town, but with beer of course. Our outside area has been very popular and we have extensive plans to expand in terms of service and visual appeal. Think about sitting in a lush park, with beer. Lots more to come!

Obviously the beer is very important to us. I’ve got a great business partner and a brewing team that is simply amazing. In true “Friendship fashion”, the brewing is handled by our brew team in a very collaborative way. Lots of teamwork, lots of help and support, and no egos. Everyone gets input and credit for what they do, yet none are above the others. It’s harmonious and fun to be a part of. We enjoy brewing classic styles, unique beers, and recipes just for fun. Obviously, we listen closely to our customers about what they want. While we can’t make everyone happy, we do our best to offer a nice variety of choices and to accommodate our patrons. Your food is separate, correct? Yes, we refer to Benefits Bistro as our food partner. When we began the brewery development process, we knew that we couldn’t handle the restaurant side on our own. We didn’t have the experience and knowledge to outfit a kitchen and run it with the level of quality that we demanded. In my former corporate life, I learned the value of team building, so that’s what we did – interacted with a number of potential food partners to help us create a unique dining experience at the brewery. We

remain a brewery first... that has food. We aren’t a restaurant that has a brewery in the back. There is a difference. The Caruso family that operates Benefits Bistro demonstrated to us an ability and desire to treat their food the same way we treat our beer – It’s more than just a product, it’s our art and passion. Just like our beer, we wanted the food to be made with quality ingredients, fresh and local. We sought out to be unlike the usual choices in the area. Our food is unique and a tad upscale, but by no means pretentious. The “permanent food truck” concept of having a food counter is an idea I saw many years ago at a brewery in California. It’s new to Wentzville, but has been a staple in the brewery industry for years. It allows the brewery to focus on beer, and also allows for patrons to have the choice of good accompanying food onsite. Having both entities able to focus on the quality of what they have a passion to do, and to react to the feedback and inquiries of our customers – it’s all about them.

What’s next for Friendship? There is so much going on. We are VERY thankful to have had two amazing years in business thus far. We’ve had fun and so many opportunities to participate in local charities and fundraisers, and very importantly – to make a LOT of awesome new friends We now have a lot of opportunity to grow our capacity and to provide the area with a lot more of our beer. We are actively researching a couple of different avenues that will allow us to expand our brewing capability about fourfold. Most likely on a second site in the community for beer production and additional tasting and event space. We’ve identified a couple of sites and are performing due diligence. Stay tuned. The near future should be exciting in the FBC realm! Cheers! focusOn Magazine | 17

WYN Networking

WYN Group St. Charles Meetings VISITORS WELCOME

Bemo’s Bar & Grill 5373 Hwy N, Cottleville, MO 63304 Lunch: 1st Tuesday of every month at 11:30 a.m. till 12:30 p.m. Dinner: 3rd Tuesday of every month starting at 6:00 p.m.

Relationships are the cornerstone of every successful business. Our mission is to grow stable long-standing relationships within the Group based upon Integrity and Trust. We believe that the growth of our business is a direct result of the contribution we offer to the success of other members of the Group. These relationships will provide the leverage that help us deliver a high level of products and services to every one of our customers.

Denise & Kris Shumard

636-614-0995 AdvantaClean.com

• • • • •

Mold Remediation Air Duct Cleaning Emergency Water Removal Radon Mitigation Crawlspace Encapsulation

Aaron Emerson, Sales Manager 1950 Craig Road, Suite 100 • St. Louis, MO 63146 O: 314-336-9111 C: 314-276-1416 AaronEmerson@LibertyLending.org www.LibertyLendingConsultants.com

The WYN Group is a great way to network and build relationships with network partners. WYN stands for What You Need, which is exactly the service the group provides to our customers. During twice-amonth meetings you will get to know dozens of other professionals and have the opportunity to increase your business. Our members share their knowledge, skills and referrals with one another to help each other grow.

Denise Pallardy 3624 Fairview Dr. • St. Charles, MO 63303 636-946-2779 PallardyHeating@aol.com www.PallardyHeating.com

James R. Stein, Attorney at Law 1272A Jungermann Rd. • St. Peters, MO 63376 636-441-1733 JStein56@charter.net AttorneyAtLawStPeters.com

Not your typical Network Group:

• 2 meetings per month - Lunch/Evening • No Dues • Innovative Referral App

John Platten, Keller Williams Broker

Looking for Purposeful Business People in the following fields, but not limited to: • • • • • • •

Roofing Plumbing Landscaping Photography Flooring Electrician Painter

• • • • • • •

Concrete House Cleaning Auto Repair Carpet Cleaning Lawn Care Lawn Irrigation Auto Body Repair

ANY BUSINESS LOOKING TO INCREASE THEIR INCOME

Contact:

Aaron Emerson, President 314 276-1416 John Platten, Vice President 314 952-0884 18 | focusOn Magazine

856 Waterbury Falls Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63368 314-952-0884 Platten Realty Group Platten@KW.com PlattenRealtyGroup.com

James B. Johnson Sr. Investment Advisor Representative 1272A Jungermann Rd. • St. Peters, MO 63376 O: 636-441-7004 C: 314-920-2960 JimJohnson@WoodburyFinancial.net Securities and investment advisory services offered through Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. (WFS), member FINRA/SIPC. WFS is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of WFS.

We can replace your

FOGGY WINDOWS without the expense of a full window & frame replacement!

955 West Terra Lane, O’Fallon • 636-294-1800

We also install Auto Glass. • FREE Mobile Service • Insurance Approved • LIFETIME WARRANTY • Excellent Reputation Patty Taylor, Independant Distributor 314-302-9289 PattyTaylor.MyItWorks.com

focusOn Magazine | 19

BEST EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT & SATURDAY NIGHT

Make US Your Home for GREAT Food, Live Music, Atmosphere & Good Time!

Pub Hours: 11am - 1:30am Tuesday - Saturday • Sunday 11am - Midnight • Monday Open at 5pm

Grill Hours: Sunday, Tuesday & Wednesday 11am - 9pm • Thursday - Saturday 11am - 11pm

Happy Hour: Sunday, Tuesday & Wednesday, Friday 3pm- 6pm • Thursday 11am - 7pm

OPEN Mondays at 5pm for Monday Night Football

• Monday Night Football • TOXIC TRIVIA TUESDAY Nights • STEAK SPECIAL Wednesday Nights • SOUND CHECK Music Bingo THURSDAY Nights • Football Specials ALL Day Sunday & Monday Night • Enjoy our Outside OPEN AIR Patio

• Catering Needs? Call Us!

WE DELIVER

grubhub@TurtleCreekPub.com

128 Triad Center West, O’Fallon, MO 63366 • 636-294-3458 20 | focusOn Magazine

You SAID that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve TRIED EVERYTHING but Have YOU Tried...

CBD-Rich HEMP OIL?

Kristy Flood

CoachColetta.com

Realtor

636.345.1160 direct 636.243.8000 office kristy@sloanchoicerealty.com Coletta Hakenewerth Certified Wellness & Weight Loss Coach

5377 Hwy N. St. Charles, MO 63304

636.357.8389

focusOn Magazine | 21

by: Katy Kruze

STREET LIFE homelessness in St. Charles County

“Hi, my name is Katelyn and I’m homeless” It’s a crisp April night in this cold Spring of 2018, and there Katelyn stood in front of the crowd. Katelyn is a 17 year old High School Student, a Cheerleader, popular, pretty and stylish. She fit right in standing next to the stunning Mrs. United States, another one of the invited guests at this particular event. On this night the Beauty Queen and the Cheerleader were brought together to speak to the audience before them, thusly, Lauren Ziegler, 2017’s Mrs. United States, raised her microphone, “Hello everyone, it is my pleasure to introduce to you Katelyn, who is here to share her story.” Katelyn then spoke softly into her microphone, ‘Hello everyone, my name is Katelyn and I was…….actually……… I still am, Homeless…….”. In the rural community where Katelyn lives, hardly anyone, not even her classmates, knew that Katelyn has been living in her car for months, her only home after fleeing the house of drugs, alcohol, molestation, and severe neglect, that she had to escape to survive.

her older brother James found themselves having to take on the role of caring for their two younger siblings.

Katelyn’s life was rough from a very young age. Her parents divorced when she was 6 and her mother’s alcoholism, which she had hidden for years, started to get increasingly worse. By the time Katelyn was in the third grade her “mother’s” drinking had escalated to the point were she was no longer even attempting to hide it. Now she was getting drunk in the middle of the day, skipping work and neglecting Katelyn and her three siblings. As the months went on, Katelyn’s “mother” became more and more incapacitated, and by the time Katelyn was in the 4th grade Katelyn and

Her mother did re marry, however it was to her dad’s ex-best friend and area drug dealer. The mental and physical abuse from him, started soon after they were married. There were times he would even lock Katelyn and her siblings out of the house, leaving them to fend for themselves, outside, for hours on end. Katelyn’s “mother” now addicted to drugs along with the alcohol, did little to stop him. In time, this marriage also ended in divorce, and from there came a string of other men, and moving from place to place, once again, became the norm.

22 | focusOn Magazine

Katelyn’s “mother”, had a short stint of sobriety where life was “ok for awhile”, unfortunately, that came to an end in the summer of 2017 when she fell off the wagon, and with this relapse, she became more angry and violent then ever before. Katlyn was the constant brunt of her “ mother’s” insults, rage, and abuse. Being the constant target spared her younger sisters the same treatment to a large degree. After all, Katelyn’s “mother” always reminded her that they were “prettier, smarter, and who the boys would want way more than her anyway”.

Through organizations such as ‘Safe Kids’ in Franklin County, Katelyn has some much needed assistance. Although she still spends most of her time in her car, she is dedicated to finishing school, making something of herself, and is proud to stand and say , “I made my next Chapter Happen!”

By this time her older brother had left home and in November of 2017, with the assistance of local leaders, Katelyn was able to gain Emancipation, and fled her “home”, but she stays in close communication with her sisters she had to leave behind. Katelyn has found the strength to start telling her story, in a effort to reach out and be a voice for not only herself, but for other youth in crisis, with the message that you do not need to be silent anymore!

There is help , call... Sts. Joachim & Ann Care Services 636-441-1302 Safe Kids 636-300-9000 ext. 812

focusOn Magazine | 23

24 | focusOn Magazine

focusOn Magazine | 25

If you listen to talk radio on any Saturday or Sunday... If you listen to talk radio on any Saturday or Sunday, you know that the airwaves are full of Financial Shows most of which are Paid programming. These shows all have something in common - they sound the same. The advice almost 100% of the time deals with accumulating assets for retirement. It’s not unusual for the host of the show to talk themselves up as a financial expert – only for you to find out later that said person wasn’t exactly all they claimed to be but instead was a local stockbroker pushing stocks, bonds and mutual funds as the answer to your financial concerns. Then there are radio hosts like Don Quante, who can be heard weekly on his show “Eldercare Financial Radio” on 97.1FM. When you listen to him you know almost immediately that he is an expert in the financial industry; particularly when it comes to wealth protection and elder care financial issues. You realize quickly that his reputation as the national go-to guy on these matters is widely known and correct. In other words, he’s the real deal. When asked why he would choose to create a radio show about elder care issues, particularly one about Long Term Care, Quante said, “My grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 1984, and we went through the next seven years and seven months privately paying for her long-term care costs. She died broke in a Medicaid bed. That was a turning point.

Don Quante

Owner and the Voice of the Eldercare Radio Network

26 | focusOn Magazine

“I told myself that if I could specialize in providing elder care financial planning that I would be able to help families deal with the financial Issues centered on long-term care,” Quante said. “Considering there are 8,900 baby boomers turning 65 each day and that every 68 seconds someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the number of people who have needed our services has been amazing.”

Long before the radio show, Quante was busy getting the message out about long-term care. In 2010, Quante wrote his first book appropriately titled “Don’t Go Broke in a Nursing Home”, which quickly became an Amazon bestseller. When I wrote the book,” he said, “the first edition was generic and spoke to the Federal rules – it didn’t really go over laws and strategies that are specific to each of the states.” That all changed soon after that first edition when an elder law attorney in Connecticut named Hank Weatherby contacted Quante about making some adjustments to the book to make it more state-specific so that he could provide the book as a resource to his clients. Weatherby and Quante re-wrote the book together and the Connecticut edition of “Don’t Go Broke in a Nursing Home” was born. Quante has since co-authored 48 state-specific versions of the book by collaborating with the brightest elder law attorneys and advisors around the country and is now helping the same group of elder law attorneys and advisors with their own radio show. As a result of the radio show, “Eldercare Financial Radio”, being so well received by the St. Louis community, Quante decided to build a radio studio in his building located in St. Peters Missouri. Along with the producer of the show, he has begun creating state-specific radio shows hosted by elder law attorneys and advisors in their respective states.

“The main message of the radio show is that the Federal Government knows there’s going to be a real problem with paying for long-term care in the future,” Quante said. “The states can’t pay for all of the nursing home bills of the baby boomers via Medicaid, which is out of money in many states, and people would prefer to receive their long-term

care at home, which is typically not paid for by Medicaid.” Each radio show details the state-specific rules for using Medicaid to pay for long-term care if you’re in a crisis. A part of each show deals with laws, like the Pension Protection Act, which allows tax incentives for people who plan for long-term care. By taking advantage of this law, you can set up a plan that will provide tax-free money for long-term care that you or your spouse can use to pay for home care, assisted living or nursing home care. Incidentally, Quante’s recently released new book is titled “Tax-Free Money for Long-Term Care.” When asked why so little is known about these new laws and tax incentives, Quante said, “In most major metropolitan markets there are typically several thousand licensed insurance agents and financial advisors that should be getting the word out, but that’s generally not the case. I believe, unfortunately, that most financial advisors are so busy trying to be all things to all people that this very important segment of our society - the baby boomers – is overlooked in terms of long-term care concerns.” With his businesses booming – Quante has been a part of helping over 10,000 families since starting this endeavor in 1984 – and a busy home life that includes his wife, Shelia, three grown children, and three grandchildren, Quante has enlisted quite a bit of help to spread his message and keep things moving smoothly. He now has a network of over 300 advisors that have joined him over the last two years. In addition to meeting with clients, Quante also does public speaking about – you guessed it – educating financial advisors, elder law attorneys and CPAs about asset-based long-term care. In September 2016, Quante was chosen to speak to over 400 of the top financial advisors from around the world at the Million Dollar Roundtable (MDRT) Top of the Table meeting in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Quante himself is a lifetime member of the MDRT Top of The Table. If you or your firm is interested in hearing him speak, or to find more information, you can call 800800-6004, email him at don@4affc.com or write to America’s First Financial, 2046 Queensbrooke Blvd., St. Peters Missouri, 63376. focusOn Magazine | 27

Daily Lunch Specials 11am - 3pm Happy Hour Specials 4pm - 6pm Friday Combo Special 11am - 6pm Planning a ... Wedding, Class Reunion, Bridal Shower, Baby Shower, Bachlorette Party?

Live Music

Friday, Saturday & Sunday Nights Go To: www.cottlevillewineseller.com For Our LIVE MUSIC Schedule Contact Us For Availability 28 | focusOn Magazine

5314 State Highway N • Cottleville, MO • 636-244-4457

Bring the Bounty of Autumn Beauty into your Home Pumpkins, gourds, burnt maple and oak leaves, corn husks and acorns all conjure visions of cozy nights by the fire and hayrides. And it is so easy to bring the autumn essence into your home. One great way to display some fall gourds and foliage is with a dough bowl. In colonial America dough bowls were an indispensable kitchen tool and were handed down through generations. Today we use them as an earthy accent bowl for dining tables, sideboards, consoles and more. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes and their great versatility makes them a treasured accessory for every season. Fall and Christmas are our favorites because of all the great ingredients you can use in them. Along with the usual pumpkins and gourds we like to add a touch of the unexpected to our bowls, maybe a resin squirrel or owl, even books. Pods, moss, vines and hay act as a seasonal fillers. For those who love the neutral ivories, tans and grays in their home, there are ivory and cream pumpkins, cotton, lambs ear, dusty Miller, pod and poker stems, ferns and white sunflowers. Another focal point of your home is the fireplace mantel. This is a wonderful location for seasonal accents. If you are more of a minimalist you may want to keep most of your usual accessories and just add a few touches like a couple of pumpkins or gourds or a leafy fall garland. For those who like total transformation the possibilities are endless. Start with the “bones”. This is the largest pieces that create the theme for any design. We love to use the unexpected such as birch logs. These are easily wired together to lay across the mantel. A command strip or screw will secure them, then add in your pumpkins, gourds, leafy greens, berries, and pods. Don’t forget to add some things like a meaningful sign, owl or maybe a chunky stump or lantern. For a finishing touch add a gnarly stem or berry garland. For more seasonal accent ideas follow us on Facebook or visit our website www.thewhitehare.com and join our email group.

13,000 sq foot location!

focusOn Magazine | 29

Treat Them How They Want To Be Treated!

Tips for Helping Your Elder Loved Ones Plan for the Future and See the Upside of Downsizing: • Planning and Prevention: • Have the conversation before you need to have it! Stress that it’s about helping your aging loved one plan and choose the care they will receive if needed, rather than waiting for disaster to strike and having the choice made for them. The sooner a person starts planning for their later years the easier it will be. Remind your loved one that you want to help them maintain their independence at the highest possible level. It may be appropriate to consult a trusted financial advisor. Remember Medicare will not cover the costs of long term care and your loved one may not qualify for Medicaid. • Encourage preventative health maintenance! Simple things like eating a healthy diet, proper supplementation and weight bearing exercise can help stave off bone loss, and other ailments. Naturally, their physician should always be consulted. Frankly, these are things we should all be thinking about. Aging is inevitable. How we do it is largely up to us.

smaller home is deemed appropriate, then take your time finding the right Real Estate Professional. It may be a good idea to look for a SRES (Senior Real Estate Professional). Don’t hesitate to interview multiple candidates! Your loved one’s agent should go out of his or her way to help your loved one get the highest possible price for their home, consider safety factors when purchasing the next home, be accommodating and help take care of their emotional needs as it pertains to the real estate process. They should also be able to provide valuable resources to help make the move easier. • The Upside of Downsizing:

• Physical environment can play a huge role in long term health! Think avoiding falls! That means garages with electric openers, no or minimal steps going in and out of the home, sturdy handrails, walk-in showers with seats and handrails, main floor laundry, no area rugs, clear walking paths, night lights, all needed items within reach. If there are steps, the risers should be low and the steps should be wide. In many cases steep staircases can be modified. It’s worth the money to prevent a broken hip or worse!

• Get help! You don’t have to go it alone. Google senior advisors and learn about the free services available to you and your loved one. Your local senior advisor should be informed about senior communities in your area. They should also be able to ask the right questions to make sure your loved one gets their needs met appropriately. Be sure to choose someone you and your loved one will feel comfortable with. St. Charles County is blessed with a wonderful senior care community of people who want to help and want you to make the call. • Be positive! Obvious, but often easier said than done. It can be challenging to not become frustrated when we are certain we know what’s best and our elder loved ones don’t want change. Arguing will only take you further from your goal and could damage your relationship. Have a plan to gently end the conversation or change the subject if things get heated.

• Does it make financial sense to move into a smaller home and use some the equity from a home sale for long term care planning? Seek the advice of trusted financial advisors, estate planners etc. If moving to a

• Watch your voice tone! Speak low and slow. More smooth jazz and less rock n’ roll. This doesn’t mean speak in a monotone; you’re not trying to put anyone to sleep. Consciously monitoring your voice

30 | focuson Magazine

tone will help you and your loved one remain calm. Think night time D.J. • Guide the conversation with empathy and open-ended questions! For ex: What do you think about the idea of downsizing? The open ended question leaves room for your loved one to express their thoughts and feelings. This is your time to listen carefully and empathize with how they feel. For ex: It sounds to me like the thought of moving is scary (empathy). They say, “Yes.” You say, “Can you tell me more about your concerns.” The more you show respect and empathy, then the more likely your loved one will listen to your concerns with empathy. No, I’m not advocating using these exact words. You know your loved one and may have an idea of how such a conversation would go. I encourage you to go in prepared with potential empathic responses and open ended questions of your own.

• Help your loved one see their future in a positive light! Use empathic responses and open ended questions. Ask them what’s important to them. What activities would they like to have access to? Continue to use empathy and open ended questions to help your elder loved ones verbalize how they want their future to be. Once you sense an opening, this may be the time to bring up visiting senior communities. Emphasize that they are in control and you will respect their decisions. Make it fun! Use the time looking at senior communities as a bonding experience.

According to the Mayo Clinic: “A hip fracture can reduce your future independence and sometimes even shorten your life. About half the people who have a hip fracture aren’t able to regain their ability to live independently.” • It’s about living a stronger, longer life! So be flexible with how you help them get there. If your loved one makes it clear that downsizing is not an option, then you may want to look into modifying their current home as stated above and possibly bring in some outside help. If your family member is a Veteran and has a service connected disability then they should look into VA Grants. • Don’t let them be lonely! No matter where your elder loved one lives, it’s imperative that they remain engaged. Loneliness can be devastating. It often leads to depression, which can lead to poor self-care. Isolated seniors are more likely to die earlier than their more socially active counterparts. It can be challenging to make the time to care for our elder loved ones. However, you will never regret the time you spent. You can never take back the things you didn’t do. Wishing you and your loved ones a full and blessed life, Angie Harness SRES, SRS, PSA, VAREP

• Openly and honestly express your fears and concerns about them remaining in their current living situation! While they are understandably afraid of change; you are also afraid of what can happen if they have an accident; especially if no one is there to help. Point out the facts: According to the American Heart Association the only FDA approved treatment for a stroke is Alteplase IV r-tPA. There is only about three hour window for this treatment to be given. Once the window passes the chances of long term effects are increased. Then there’s the dreaded broken hip.

Come see why Lake St. Charles was voted the #1 Retirement Community!

EXPECT THE EXTRAORDINARY • Five Updated Floorplans to Fit Your Lifestyle • Placed on 14 Peaceful Acres • Fresh & Homestyle Meals • An Array of Events • Genuine Customer Service

We understand that making the move to a Retirement Community and Assisted Living isn't easy. That's why we pledge to do whatever we can to make the transition as smooth as possible.

45 Honey Locust (Hwy 94 & Pralle Lane) • St. Charles, MO 63303 636-947-1100 • www.lakestcharlesretirement.com

focusOn Magazine | 31

The Cottleville Business Association is thrilled to present our

5th Annual Cottle Waddle â&#x20AC;˘ Saturday, October 6, 2018 Order your ticket online at

www.cottle

waddle.c

om use discoun t code

focuson

and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll g et

5. 00 OFF

your ticket

Please feel free to contact our Board Members chairing this event: Mariann and Rick Egelhoff @ 636.498.0041, Nichole at 636.578.9645, or at cottlewaddle2@gmail.com

Sunday October 28, 2018

5K Walk/Run

Scan Me to Register Now! https://eventfreeevents.com/products/buckle-up-to-love-up All Proceeds Go To The Emily Oechsner Memorial Scholarship Fund To Donate Contact: 4emshcolarship@gmail.com 32 | focuson Magazine

“The National Anthem Station”

Kaspar Broadcasting www.kfav.com

Contact Brian Richardson (Brian@kfav.com) mention FocusOn Magazine for awesome rates on radio advertising.

Children’s Salon

Happy Hair. Happy Kids.

is Tuesday - Friday: 6:00 am to 1:00 pm Saturday: 7:00 am - Noon • Sunday: 7:00 am - 1:00 pm

Ballwin 636-227-7647

O’Fallon, MO 636-379-7647

www.thehairylepehant.com

315 Main Street, St. Peters • 636-397-6260

Mention This Ad and Receive $4.00 OFF your purchase of $15 or more. focusOn Magazine | 33

The First Responder Police • Fire • EMS

Fire Chief Tom Vineyard of the O’Fallon Fire Protection District

Skip Stephens, Assistant Chief Cottleville Fire District Contributor

Chief Tom Vineyard of the O’Fallon Fire Protection District is a graduate of Vision St. Charles County Leadership and soon to be a graduate of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a bachelor’s degree in fire science management. In 2004, and after 16 years on the job, Tom was promoted to Fire Chief of Mid County Fire Protection District (St. Louis County), then became Fire Chief of Monarch Fire Prot. District (Chesterfield) in 2011 and has served O’Fallon Fire Prot. District as Fire Chief since 2014. Chief Vineyard is widely considered to be one of the most respected fire service leaders all of the St. Louis metro area. Despite all of this, Chief Vineyard possesses an extremely non-egotistical and down to Earth attitude and demeanor. It is his strong, yet kind leadership that endears Tom to the people around him. He is loved by his neighbors, those he serves, his command staff and, most of all, his firefighters. I sat down with Chief Vineyard in his office to discuss life, leadership and the O’Fallon Fire Protection District. To get things going I asked, “In a few short sentences, can tell me where you grew up, went to school and a little bit about your family?” Chief Vineyard: “I grew up in south St. Louis. I went to St. John the Baptist High School, went to community college and then through the St. Louis County Fire Academy in ’86. I also went to EMT school. I graduated from SIU. I’ve been married to my wife Maureen for 27 years. We have five children ranging from 21 to 8.”

gether for the first 7 or 8 years of my career. He took me under his wing and taught me so much. He especially taught me about fire service tradition. Which is something that I am afraid we lose sight of sometimes. It is incumbent upon all of us to teach tradition to our newer people so that we never lose it. Dave was special to me and I will always be thankful for our time together.” Skip: “Chief, let’s get into leadership. What do you think of when you hear the word leadership?” Chief Vineyard: “Well, a lot of things. I think it’s getting down in the trenches with your subordinates; not to be afraid to get your hands dirty. I like the slogan ‘Do as I do, not do as I say’. I never ask anyone to do anything that I wouldn’t do myself. I also know that leadership can be difficult, especially in the fire service. It can be hard when you are promoted to be the boss of people that you worked alongside of for many years. Sometimes you have to make decisions that aren’t popular. But if your decisions globally benefit the organization, then no one can truly criticize you. A leader in not afraid to reach out and lean on others to help make tough decisions. Sometimes you have to recognize that a collective and collaborative decision making process can benefit the organization and everyone involved.”

Skip: “Your dad was in the fire service. Can you talk about him and what it was like growing up the son of a firefighter?” Chief Vineyard: “My father was a firefighter with the City of St. Louis. It was pretty cool because it was a tight knit group of firefighters. We were always going to picnics and ball games with the other firefighters and their families. After 26 years of service, my dad became the Missouri State Fire Marshall. He passed away on Christmas Day, 1995.” Skip: “Can you tell me about any great mentors that you had?” Chief Vineyard: “My first captain that I ever had at Mid County Fire District. His name was Dave Stafford. We worked to34 | focusOn Magazine

Skip: “That’s a great description of leadership. But, how do you build it into your organization? How do you help develop other people into leaders?”

Chief Vineyard: “You take advantage of every opportunity you get to empower people. For example, let’s use the District’s new LED signs. I put one of my captains in charge of it. He took ownership of the project. He wrote the RFP’s, analyzed the bids, etc. He took care of the entire project. I just gave him the resources and support that he needed to succeed. You build leaders by empowering and entrusting.” Skip: “What is your passion in life?” Chief Vineyard: “My family, then the fire service. It’s been an incredible journey. I’ve had a lot of unique opportunities that a lot people don’t get: the camaraderie, the essence of having a family at work, and serving the community. One of the things I am most proud of is all of the people we have helped through the years. Skip: “How do you serve others?” Chief Vineyard: “I have been a long time leader in the Boy Scouts. Through the years, I’ve coached a lot of soccer and softball and continue to do that now. I’m active in my Parish, Sts. Joachim and Ann. I also participate a lot in our O’ Fallon Firefighters Community Outreach in ways that don’t fall into the scope of the fire chief. Skip: “One of the things I’ve noticed is that your firefighters have a lot of affection and respect for you. Why do you think that is?”

Chief Vineyard: “We’ve done a lot of positive things in the community in the last few years. We’ve changed our service model from BLS (basic life support) to ALS (advanced life support). In addition, we are in the process on achieving national standard manning levels with a minimum of personnel per apparatus. In 2017, we recertified for our third accreditation through the Center of Public Safety Excellence. Our Firefighters Community Outreach has really taken off, too. We are very active in getting out, off duty, and helping people. The men and women of this District work hard to proudly and professionally serve the people of this community every day and of that I am very proud. We also have a strong board of directors who let us handle the operations of the District while providing great oversight.” The O’Fallon Fire Protection District covers 67 sq. miles and about 88,000 residents. The 57 line firefighters respond to an average of 5500 calls per year. Chief Vineyard always welcomes input and questions from citizens. You can email him at tvineyard@ofallonfire.org.

Chief Vineyard: (with reluctance) “It sounds a little hokey, but at Monarch I had 130 employees and I knew every one of them by name. It’s the same thing here. I know them, I know their families, what’s going on in their lives. You treat people like you want to be treated. It’s that simple. It’s been a good recipe for me over the last 14 years as Chief. They know I’ve got their backs and vice versa. They know I would never make a decision to intentionally do harm to them or to the Fire District.” Skip: “The O’Fallon Fire District is considered to be progressive, innovative and proactive. Can you explain how and why that is and talk about the future for the District?”

PART-TIME JOBS • FULL-TIME BENEFITS The Air Force Reserve offers a variety of part-time job opportunities with full-time benefits, including tuition assistance and low-cost health insurance. You may be eligible for a signing bonus of up to $20,000 for specific part-time jobs.

800-257-1212 • AFReserve.com/Start focusOn Magazine | 35

medical minute with Cheryl Hohe, MSN, ANP-BC

Influenza…. A.K.A “the Flu”

With the flu season right around the corner, we should all be aware of what it really is, what causes it, how to prevent it, and how to treat it….so read on my friends. Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Influenza, commonly called the flu, is not the same as stomach “flu” viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting. For most people, influenza resolves on its own. But sometimes, influenza and its complications can be deadly. People at higher risk of developing flu complications include: • Young children under 5, and especially those under 2 years • Adults older than 65 • Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities • Pregnant women and women up to two weeks postpartum • People with weakened immune systems • People who have chronic illnesses, such as asthma, heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes • People who are very obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher ***Your best defense against influenza is to receive an annual vaccination.

Causes

Flu viruses travel through the air in droplets when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or talks. You can inhale the droplets directly, or you can pick up the germs from an object — such as a telephone or computer keyboard — and then transfer them to your eyes, nose or mouth. People with the virus are likely contagious from the day or so before symptoms first appear until about five days after symptoms begin, though sometimes people are contagious for as long as 10 days after symptoms appear. Children and people with weakened immune systems may be contagious for a slightly longer time. Influenza viruses are constantly changing, with new strains appearing regularly. If you’ve had influenza in the past, your body has already made antibodies to fight that particular strain of the virus. If future influenza viruses are similar to those you’ve encountered before, either by having the disease or by vaccination, those antibodies may prevent infec tion or lessen its severity. 36| focusOn Magazine

But antibodies against flu viruses you’ve encountered in the past can’t protect you from new influenza subtypes that can be very different immunologically from what you had before. Risk factors Factors that may increase your risk of developing influenza or its complications include: • Age. Seasonal influenza tends to target young children and older adults. • Living or working conditions. People who live or work in facilities along with many other residents, such as nursing homes or military barracks, are more likely to develop influenza. • Weakened immune system. Cancer treatments, anti-rejection drugs, corticosteroids and HIV/AIDS can weaken your immune system. This can make it easier for you to catch influenza and may also increase your risk of developing complications. • Chronic illnesses. Chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes or heart problems, may increase your risk of influenza complications. • Pregnancy. Pregnant women are more likely to develop influenza complications, particularly in the second and third trimesters. Women who are two weeks postpartum are also more likely to develop influenza-related complications. • Obesity. People with a BMI of 40 or more have an increased risk of complications from the flu.

Symptoms

Initially, the flu may seem like a common cold with a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. But colds usually develop slowly, whereas the flu tends to come on suddenly. And although a cold can be a nuisance, you usually feel much worse with the flu. Common signs and symptoms of the flu include: • Fever over 100.4 F (38 C) • Aching muscles, especially in your back, arms and legs

• Chills and sweats • Headache • Dry, persistent cough • Fatigue and weakness • Nasal congestion • Sore throat

When to see a Doctor Most people who get the flu can treat themselves at home and often don’t need to see a doctor. If you have flu symptoms and are at risk of complications, see your doctor right away. Taking antiviral drugs within the first 48 hours after you first notice symptoms may reduce the length of your illness and help prevent more-serious problems.

Complications

If you’re young and healthy, seasonal influenza usually isn’t serious. Although you may feel miserable while you have it, the flu usually goes away in a week or two with no lasting effects. But high-risk children and adults may develop complications such as: • Pneumonia • Bronchitis • Asthma flare-ups • Heart problems • Ear infections Pneumonia is the most serious complication. For older adults and people with a chronic illness, pneumonia can be deadly.

Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone over the age of 6 months. Each year’s seasonal flu vaccine contains protection from the three or four influenza viruses that are expected to be the most common during that year’s flu season. The vaccine is currently available as an injection only. The CDC no longer recommends nasal spray flu vaccinations because during recent flu seasons, the spray has been relatively ineffective. Controlling the spread of infection The influenza vaccine isn’t 100 percent effective, so it’s also important to take measures such as these to reduce the spread of infection: • Wash your hands. Thorough and frequent hand-washing is an effective way to prevent many common infections. Or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers if soap and water aren’t readily available. • Contain your coughs and sneezes. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. To avoid contaminating your hands, cough or sneeze into a tissue or into the inner crook of your elbow. • Avoid crowds. Flu spreads easily wherever people congregate — in child care centers, schools, office buildings, auditoriums and public transportation. By avoiding crowds during peak flu season, you reduce your chances of infection. And, if you’re sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever subsides so that you lessen your chance of

infecting others.

Diagnosis

• Your doctor will conduct a physical exam, look for signs and symptoms of influenza, and possibly order a test that detects influenza viruses. • The most commonly used test is called a rapid influenza diagnostics test, which looks for substances (antigens) on a swab sample from the back of the nose or throat. These tests can provide results in 30 minutes or less. However, results vary greatly and are not always accurate. Your doctor may diagnose you with influenza based on symptoms, despite having a negative test result. More-sensitive flu tests are available in some specialized hospitals and labs.

Treatment

• Usually, you’ll need nothing more than bed rest and plenty of fluids to treat the flu. But in some cases, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza). If taken soon after you notice symptoms, these drugs may shorten your illness by a day or so and help prevent serious complications. • Oseltamivir is an oral medication. Zanamivir is inhaled through a device similar to an asthma inhaler and shouldn’t be used by anyone with respiratory problems, such as asthma and lung disease. • Antiviral medication side effects may include nausea and vomiting. These side effects may be lessened if the drug is taken with food. Oseltamivir has also been associated with delirium and self-harm behaviors in teenagers. • Some researchers recommend further study on both of these drugs because of uncertainty about their effects beyond a slight reduction in the time of illness. Some studies have suggested that these medications can also help reduce the severity of complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommends their use for some people. • An additional concern is that some strains of influenza have become resistant to oseltamivir, amantadine and rimantadine (Flumadine), which are older antiviral drugs.

Lifestyle and home remedies

If you do come down with the flu, these measures may help ease your symptoms: •Drink plenty of liquids. Choose water, juice and warm soups to prevent dehydration. • Rest. Get more sleep to help your immune system fight infection. •Consider pain relievers. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), to combat the achiness associated with influenza. Don’t give aspirin to children or teens because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal condition. The most important way to combat the flu, is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. The flu vaccine is the most effective way to do this. So, do yourself and everyone a favor this flu season…..GET YOUR FLU SHOT!

focusOn Magazine | 37

38| focusOn Magazine

T pBites in st. charles county

with kelly gardner

5065 State Highway N, Cottleville, MO 63304

Appetizers from The Rack House Take You on a Cross Country Journey The Rack House Kitchen Wine Whiskey in Cottleville prides itself on their farm to table focus, listing several local farmers on the menu that they work with on a daily basis. On recent visits, however, it’s the diversity of flavors added to these local ingredients that felt like a road trip around the country. Bourbon BBQ Meatballs

Fried Green Tomatoes with Crawfish Remoulade

Fitting for a whiskey focused bar program, this felt like a trip down the road to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. The Rack House features around a dozen barrel aged bourbons, and a number of rare and sought-after whiskey and bourbon choices. It was no surprise that Chef Philip Day, then, found a way to incorporate bourbon in to the BBQ sauce for these meatballs. Combining some pork for flavor and texture to the beef meatballs means you’re getting moist, delicious meatballs. Add some sticky, sweet and smokey bourbon BBQ sauce, a zucchini relish and micro greens and it adds up to the number one item selected for their catering menu. The surprising textural addition of big meaty pecans from McGraw Hilltop Pecan Farm in St. Peters, takes these meatballs to another level.

Georgia meets New Orleans in this unusual and highly addictive seasonal appetizer. Perfectly ripe heirloom green tomatoes are fried to a crispy, crunchy crescendo in a cornmeal crust. Just before serving they are smothered with a creamy, slightly spicy, crawfish or shrimp remoulade. This appetizer hits all the notes, great acidity, texture, spice, and most importantly, flavor. Sadly this is a seasonal item when the tomatoes are at their best, so if it’s not on the menu, don’t be afraid to ask if they happen to have any in house, just in case.

Fish Tacos West Coast, East Coast, take your choice, do you prefer the fish tacos from San Diego or Key West? Chef Day appears to lean towards Key West with his rendition featuring crispy, flakey, flounder. The key to success is that great, crispy crunch, minus the oil that could render the tortilla a soggy mess. This taco is well balanced with a combination of sriracha lime crema, cilantro slaw and sweet corn kernels with a fresh pico that is served two to an order. No less an authority than Chef Carl McConnell, of the venerable Stone Soup Cottage, calls them the best fish tacos in St. Louis. That’s an endorsement anyone would be proud to accept!

kelly’s Insider

The Rack House has a lot going on, a whiskey club, wine club, cigar club and cigar lounge, and live music on weekends (on the patio when weather permits). Sommelier and GM Josh French, continues to amp up the wine, whiskey and spirits programs, and they are open to input and suggestions to make your experience more enjoyable. Would you like to your restaurant featured in TopBites? Contact us to for details.

focusOn Magazine | 39

40 | focusOn Magazine

focusOn Magazine | 41

focusOn

Story by: Darlene Fischer

Chasing the Dragon: The Heroin Epidemic is Here!

The NCADA

(National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse)

The place where you can turn to find help! The NCADA has been serving our community for over 50 years but many people still have not heard of them and don’t realize what a valuable resource they can be to families struggling with addiction. I recently sat down with Nicole Browning, Clinical Director for the NCADA, to discuss what they are doing to help counter the effects of the recent heroin epidemic in St. Charles County. I wanted her to share the many benefits and resources that they have available to help families and individuals who are suffering with addiction. Q. When should someone call one of your counselors at the NCADA? Nicole: I think anyone should call us when they have questions or need help with anything related to substance use. The calls that we get range from parents finding substances in their child’s room and are unsure what it is, to parents who are concerned that their child is using and don’t know how to address it, to the family member who thinks another member is using and needs an intervention, to the person who certainly has a substance disorder and they need help and treatment and they don’t know where to go. We can help them all get pointed in the right direction. Q. Currently our nation is experiencing a huge heroin epidemic, with over 42,000 deaths last year alone directly related to opioids. Millions of families are suffering and hurting. Is this a problem that is also affecting our immediate area? Nicole: Yes! Currently the St. Louis Metro area, which includes St. Charles county, is 6th in the nation for overdose deaths. Q. What help can you offer families who are dealing with an addicted loved one? 42 | focusOn Magazine

Nicole: While we don’t actually provide treatment or groups, we have many community connections and are able to refer people to various support groups, community meetings, therapy or whatever they may need. We can also provide knowledge, pre-intervention counseling, treatment referral and assessments for their loved ones. Q. Are there things parents should be on the lookout for? Nicole: They should be watchful of any sudden changes in typical behavior, friends, or personal hygiene. These are almost always indicators that something is going on. Also, if they find any unusual objects or substances in their rooms, their cars or backpacks. This can range from pills to empty pen casings. They can call us if they have any questions or concerns. That’s one of the things we are here for. The earlier we can catch something, the better for everyone. Q. Are there some things parents can do to help prevent this from happening within their own family? Nicole: Number one thing that any parent or caregiver can do is to talk to your kids, talk to your family. We know that the earlier you start, the more effective it is. But, it is also never too late! You know, even if you miss that kindergarten, 2nd, 3rd or 5th grade opportunity and you have a 15 year-old on your hands, it’s not too late to start that conversation. Parents

who talk to their kids reduce the chance of addiction by 50%. So a huge difference that a family can make in their own lives is to have those open conversations. Families can also call us and ask for help in talking to their children, we are here to provide any support that we can. Q. Anything else parents can do to help with prevention? Nicole: Yes! PLEASE lock up all your medications so children or anyone else in your home can gain access to them. And dispose of any old medications. Many places provide free disposal bags or you may contact us for some. Even if you don’t think your child would never take any of your medications, it is better to be safe than sorry. Many times it is other people who come into your home who may look through your cabinets to see if they can find anything. “Pharm Parties” exist! This is where teens grab whatever meds they can get their hands on, and bring a mixture of prescription medications to distribute among guests, they almost always don’t know what they are taking. Q. How can your agency help someone currently suffering from addiction? Nicole: Please call us, come in for an assessment, talk to a counselor, we can help get you connected with treatment or whatever support network that they may need. But the #1 thing is just to ask for help. Reach out to someone you can trust. We can do assessments and referrals. But for someone who truly has an addiction, we are 3rd party, unbiased resource to obtaining care. We try to get people connected with the type and place of treatment based upon their need and what type of insurance they may or may not have. Q. And they can trust you? Nicole: Absolutely! All our services are strictly confidential. They can call and ask us anything! Q. Will the family member, or anyone else for that matter, get into trouble legally if they call and “open up” to one of your counselors? Do you report them to law enforcement?

Nicole: No! Everything is confidential in a counseling session. We will ONLY break confidentiality if the individual has plans of suicide, or has plans of homicide, or there is child abuse or neglect. So, crimes, we don’t and cannot report. We are not worried if someone is dealing, or if they are breaking and entering, or stealing, because that is not our concern. Our concern is that they get the personal help that they need. Q. Do you provide interventions? Nicole: Bobette Figler, one of the other counselors and myself are able to offer pre-interventions, but it is on a limited basis. We don’t provide the actual confrontation or conversation with the individual who is struggling. But what we do provide is pre-intervention information and counseling. We go over some of the steps leading up to the intervention and how to have this conversation with the individual who needs help. We can be that voice of reason and remind the family to stay united and that it is all about loving, caring, supporting, and getting them to receive the help that is available. We can help them with all the steps, but we cannot do the actual “intervention.” Q. In conclusion, I would like to thank you for your time, and also thank the NCADA for all that they are doing to help our community. Is there anything else you would like to add that may help to save lives? Nicole: I believe that everyone should receive training in how to administer Narcan. Even if you don’t know anyone who has an opioid addiction, you never know when you will enter a rest room or see someone overdosing in their car. This knowledge is just as viable as knowing CPR. Please call us for more information on how to receive training, Narcan, or to schedule a group presentation. Addiction can happen to anyone! But there is help and hope available. If you, or someone you know is suffering, please reach out to the NCADA. Caring counselors are available to provide you with many options and resources. They are there for you! To learn more please visit NCADA-stl.org or call (314) 962-3456.

MEMBERS OF OUR STAFF:

From left to right: Senior Counselor Bobette Figler, Counselor Sara Gibbs, Counselor Shondrella Turner, Couselor Shelley Stretch, and Clinical Director Nicole Browning. focusOn Magazine | 43

By: Skip Stephens Everyone has a story. I find every life story to be interesting and worth telling. But some people in our community possess a life story that sets an example for others to follow and Christy Weber is one of those people. She is the Executive Director of the non-profit organization Shoes and Hope and currently serves as the president of the Cottleville Weldon Spring Chamber of Commerce. Christy is an understated, humble, servant leader that inspires others through her quiet strength and pure kindness. The story of how Shoes and Hope came into existence is one of persistence, perseverance, and faith. I asked Christy if I could sit down with her and talk about Shoes and Hope. After seven hours of questions and stories spread over four different meetings, I learned a lot about life in Guatemala and became completely inspired by Christy Weber and the mission of Shoes and Hope. Christy Weber grew up in South County and attended Lutheran South before attending William Woods University on a tennis scholarship. She graduated a semester early with honors and a Bachelors’ Degree in Interior Design. In the late 1990’s Christy was designing the interior spaces of hotels and decided to make the move to open her own company. She started Resource One and as a Manufacturer’s Rep, sold carpet, furniture and other products to hotel chains. She focused on growing her business and career while at the same time juggling her time being a wife and mother. All the while, Christy was active in her church and was called to start taking mission trips. Christy’s first mission trip was in 2004. It was supposed to be to Venezuela to provide eyeglasses to area residents but was switched last minute and she went with a team to Puerto Rico. They helped build a church and walked the streets to create a road map of the area. In 2008, Christy went to Cambodia to help support orphanages. But it was in 2009 that Christy experienced a big revelation in her life. She went on a mission trip to Uganda. Christy said, “It was amazing. We spent a lot of time with the kids there. I had sponsored a girl through a scholarship program and I was able to meet her. While there, we built a carpentry shop for the men and a sewing shop for the women. We hoped that teaching these skills would aid in job creation.” Christy’s revelation, though, was driven by what was going on at the same time back home. Her husband, Cory, had lost his job due to the financial crisis 44 | focusOn Magazine

in 2008 and they were in fear of losing their house. Each day, during the first few days of her time in Uganda, Christy was waiting to hear if her family would lose their home or if they held on to it for one more day. But one day, the children of Uganda helped give Christy a moment of clarity. Comparing the conditions of her life in America to the conditions of the people they were serving in Uganda helped Christy put life into perspective. She suddenly released her worries about losing their house and realized that she and her family were very fortunate no matter what happened with their short-lived and relatively inconsequential financial difficulties. Christy returned home and the Weber family kept their house, but she was forever impacted by her time in Uganda. Christy’s focus on serving others intensified. After a 2010 mission trip to Poland , Christy told her pastor that she wanted to focus efforts somewhere in the world that was under-developed and where she might be able to take teenagers to serve. In 2011 Christy found herself on a plane to Guatemala with eleven other people from around the country to visit and analyze the needs of eight different villages, each needing something different. Each team member would determine which village was going to be the focus of their efforts. Shortly after returning from this trip, Christy was contacted by the mission organization about a ninth village; this one being in an extremely remote area of Guatemala. When Christy found out that this particular village was so remote that it had likely never been visited by Americans, she knew that was the one. Christy’s first trip to this village, Quebrada de Aqua, took place in 2012. She led a team from her church including her then 15-year old daughter, Cheyenne. Christy described the maiden voyage to this remote village to me, “It was the most

beautiful place I had ever seen. It was a tropical jungle and was just breathtaking. The people stole my heart.” “Christy, what did it feel like as you approached this village for the first time?” I asked. “I was a little bit nervous. Anxious. My heart was racing. I didn’t know what to expect or how we would be received. We were uncertain where we were going and had to fully trust our cultural helpers as we ventured down skinny one-way roads.” Christy continued, “When we finally arrived after the 7-hour journey from the airport, we first stopped at the school. We were greeted by a woman who thanked us for coming and then kids came out. They were cautious with us at first but were very intrigued by the music coming from our laptop computer. We asked them if they knew where the United States was located. Not a single kid had ever even heard of the U.S. They weren’t even familiar with Guatemala City. They only knew of their immediate area. They had no concept of time. I never saw a watch or a calendar. That was a surprise and helped put things into perspective.”

prayed with the women as most of the men were working in the coffee fields. When we asked if they had any prayer requests, their ask was always the same: health and work”. Shoes & Hope was born in the Spring of 2015 for the purpose of completing one project: bringing clean water to Quebrada de Agua. The goal was to raise $16,000 to finance the project. Christy began collecting used shoes donations as a way of raising money. Her initial efforts raised about two thousand dollars. After months of hustle and hard work and with just over $14,000 still to go, the project was starting to feel impossible. Then an amazing thing happened. Out of the blue, a friend wrote a check to Shoes & Hope for $14,050, covering the remaining project costs. Christy described this development, “It was a huge moment in my life. I thought to myself ‘I can actually do this! There are people that believe in me and the mission’.” Christy and her team worked with the residents of Quebrada de Agua. Shoes & Hope contracted with a Guatemalan engineer for resources and design. The villagers provided the labor, and digging with shovels, they ran pipes from the Spring which was 3.2 miles away to a distribution tank. From the tank, pipes were laid into homes made of sticks and mud and capped with shut-off valves. “It’s not like water here. It trickles out and they have to ration. But the residents value it as precious. Everyone was so excited and thankful,” Christy recalled. In 2016, Shoes & Hope began to focus on latrines for Quebrada de Agua. Christy and her volunteers to date have raised the funds for latrines at 53 homes in the village. They hope to do the next 20 latrines by the end of this year and the remaining 23 in the first quarter of 2019. In addition, they are initiating two new clean water projects for two other remote Guatemalan villages.

On this initial trip to Quebrada de Agua, Christy and her team helped to build a house for one of the village families. Each trip they meet with a group of village leaders called the COCODE (co-co-de). Instead of making their own assessments and imparting their American will on the village leaders, they listened to the COCODE. They asked about their biggest needs and how their team can work together with local residents to improve their community. Their answer: water, latrines and education. Christy immediately felt a passion in her heart to serve the residents of Quebrada da Agua. She promised to help them get water…eventually. By the end of the trip the once cautious children were hanging from the arms of their new American friends. While trying to figure out a long-term plan to bring water to the village, Christy and her team installed vented stoves at 18 of the village homes in 2013. This enabled the residents to prepare their meals with much less smoke. In 2014, Christy took a huge leap of faith and decided to quit her job as owner/operator of Resource One which was bringing her a six-figure salary, so she could dedicate all of her time and efforts towards serving others. Christy fondly recalls her trip to Quebrada de Agua in 2014, “That year, we gave the gift of Bibles and visited nearly every home in the village. We

In conclusion, I am going to let Christy Weber’s words speak for themselves. “It’s all about perspective. I returned home from one of my mission trips and felt fired up. Overwhelmed. I had a sense that I wanted to help everybody and do so much. I remember getting back on a Saturday and going to dinner and focusing on my family for a few “normal” hours. But the next day driving to church, the tears started falling and didn’t stop for several hours. The guilt set in. Why were we so fortunate to have this nice house, nice cars, and endless resources at our fingertips? How are so many of us unaware of how much of the world lives. I kept thinking about a quote from Bono: ‘We can be the generation that no longer accepts that an accident of latitude determines whether a child lives or dies. But will we be that generation?’” This article is an abbreviated look at the work that Shoes & Hope has done and is doing. According to Christy, the shoes are “just the first step.” Shoes & focusOn Magazine | 45

Hope collects new or used shoes from donors. Certain types of shoes, such as slippers, cleats or professional shoes are repurposed and donated back into our community. The remainder of the shoes are sold and shipped to 3rd world countries to be sold and worn. Shoes are the catalyst that help bring attention and financial resources to the mission of sustainable clean water, hygiene and sanitation solutions in Central America. Christy is a passionate leader who loves to share the mission and stories of her organization. You can help Shoes & Hope by donating new or used shoes or by making a monetary donation. Please visit www.shoesandhope.org to learn where to drop your shoes or to donate. You can reach Christy directly at Christy@shoesandhope.org. For additional perspective from Christy, you can visit her blog at Inconvenientlife.org.

Christy Weber & Skip Stephens

46 | focusOn Magazine

Summer

SALE

20% - 75% OFF YELLOW TAG ITEMS Hours: Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat & Sun 10-3

♦ Cash for Gold ♦ Watch Batteries $3 Installed 3939 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Cottleville

636.294.6612

BUY • SELL • TRADE • CONSIGNMENT

♦ WE ACCEPT ALL GIFT CARDS! Call for details

To See Our Newest Merchandise

SEE PRODUCTS ON YOUR HOME

Roofing • Siding • Doors Windows • & More

TeamArrowhead.com VISIT ONE OF OUR Beautiful SHOWROOMS AND USE THE ARROWHEAD

PEVELY, MO

8518 Herrington Ct. 636.475.3800

St. Peters, MO

13 Guenther Blvd. 636.970.1976

QUBE!

Fairview Heights, IL 9669 W. State Rt. 161 618.233.3278

focusOn Magazine | 47

By: Linda J. Maynard photo by: Mike Anderson

A Higher Scale of Entertainment... Whether you are a toe tapper, foot stomper or do the West Coast Swing, Catfish Willie will get you moving. Whether it’s Blues, Southern Rock or Original Roots Music, The Catfish Willie Band can take any song to a higher scale and infuse it to perfection with dynamic changes and impressive counter melodies that are inspiring and delightful. This year alone they will play well over 100 shows, playing state, city and county events, festivals and wineries, plus filling in with clubs and duo shows featuring just Barry and Tracy. To date, they have played over 800 shows, making new friends and memories at each new venue. The Catfish Willie Duo of William (Barry) and Tracy Kuhlmann both singing and playing guitar and keys, respectively, are rounded out with a rhythm section of Greg Farmer on Bass and Bill Hesskamp on Drums. Barry has shared the spotlight on stage with some of the best in the business, such legends as The Allman Brothers Band, Buddy Guy, Sheryl Crow and ZZ Top, to name a few, which helped him hone his craft to become a seasoned artist. Tracy sometimes steps away from her rockin piano playing and grabs the mic, sort of impromptu, which challenges Barry to step it up and keep up! The tight rhythm section of Farmer and Hesskamp is unmatched and really makes this band something special to experience. 48 | focusOn Magazine

The band is currently recording an E.P. called HELLRIDE to be available later this year. There is a deep well of new material and they plan to bust out a new E.P. every six months or so for as long as humanly possible. The new original stuff is amazing and inspiring. Songs that not only make the body move to the music, but songs that also move the soul.

photo by: Denise Hesskamp

Barry and Tracy Kuhlmann have been together for 24 years and married for 19. To them, it’s more than producing great music, it’s their business and life, also it’s their passion. They enjoy working together every day, doing what they were born to do, building something special and sharing their music to crowds of people. Entertaining them, encouraging them to get up and move to the groove, but also lifting them up for awhile to enjoy the moment and be happy.

Wentzville Days, New London Park Days Food Trucks in Frontier Park Hannibal Music Under the Stars St. Charles County Fair Washington Town & Country Fair Bowling Green Rhythm in the Park The Illinois State Fair Festival of the Little Hills DuQuoin State Fair.

photo by: Denise Hesskamp

This year, Catfish Willie has performed at

To see schedule of events, go to www.facebook.com/catfishwillie. For booking info, contact Tracy at 314-602-3426 or email at Catfishwillie@hotmail.com.

focusOn Magazine | 49

Mission Impossible Fallout Starring: Tom Cruise Rated PG-13

Mission: Impossible Fallout is 6th installment in the action, adrenaline-infused, spy franchise. When it comes to stunts, this franchise continues to raise the bar with how many insanely dangerous and complicated practical gags they try to pull off. However, what’s even more impressive is how the franchise has maintained a good balance of substance and spectacle with each installment. This installment of Mission: Impossible franchise still manages to keep a healthy balance of substance and spectacle while also raising the bar to unbelievably high levels in terms of action. And considering the age of the franchise and its star, this film is an incredible achievement, even when taking into account the nearly $200 million production budget. Unfortunately, despite the films notable achievements, it does fall into some dated spy thriller tropes. Thankfully, the small failures in the screenwriting don’t overshadow the successes of it. And overall, the storytelling in Fallout is very solid. My main worry with Fallout was how it was going to compare to Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol — the franchise high, in my opinion. Ghost Protocol was almost everything you could ask for from a Mission: Impossible film. There was groundbreaking stunt work, outstanding storytelling, and a truly authentic vision from director Brad Bird. For me, that film is the gold standard and remains unchallenged by any Mission: Impossible film to date. But the marketing for Fallout gave me some hope that this next installment might match the quality of Ghost Protocol. So, Brad Bird’sfilm will be my benchmark for this review on whether Fallout lives up to the hype. First and foremost, the stunts certainly lived up to the hype. They were particularly eventful because of the prevalence of CGI and green screen effects used in most films today to avoid the trouble of practical stunts. But practical stunts are the gold standard in every way and prove to be just as breathtaking with the work done in Fallout. There is something incredibly magical about the tangibility and practicality of showing the lead actor actually performing a stunt in-camera.

Movie ReviewS by: Gabe Sheets The HALO jump sequence that involved Cruise skydiving from a high altitude and opening his chute at a dangerously low altitude felt a bit underwhelming for one reason. There is obvious visual effects work within the scene to give the appearance of a thunderstorm. It completely undermined the value of the dangerous stunt that the production paid a lot of money for and used for headline marketing material. But the other stunt work that lacked noticeable visual effects work does really shine. The story itself somewhat lives up to the hype for me, but it does manage to work in several key areas. I was continually surprised by several elements of the plot and, for the most part, it does a commendable job of subverting expectations. However, it disappointingly falls into some of the franchise’s old tropes such as Ethan Hunt and his team having to go rogue from their IMF and CIA leadership in order to pursue the mission on their own terms. There are also a few predictable twists with the villain. As a matter of fact, the last act of the film feels a bit too familiar; but I’ll avoid specifics so as not to spoil anything. One unique thing about Fallout as a film, is that it shares the same director, Christopher McQuarrie, as the last Mission: Impossible film, Rogue Nation. And I have to say that the direction inFallout felt stronger than the previous effort. While some directors would rather not be noticed, I think realizing noteworthy direction is a compliment to the vision of the filmmaker. One of my favorite aspects of Ghost Protocol was the direction from Brad Bird. The way Bird presented the characters, action, and story in that film was genuinely authentic. It had its own voice. The lack of strong direction makes a film feel generic. And I have to say, the direction in Fallout and Rogue Nation don’t feel quite as fresh as Ghost Protocol, but definitely avoid feeling generic. In general, Mission: Impossible Fallout is a strong entry in the franchise that lives up to the groundbreaking stunt work while still providing a unique story with substance. Fallout, yet again, proves that practical stunts are still something to marvel at, even in the age of CGI. Despite the fact that the screenplay suffers from some common clichés used in earlier installments, it still proves to be clever and surprising. The direction also continues to feel authentic and exciting. Unfortunately, in my opinion at least, Ghost Protocol still remains at the height of the franchise. However, Fallout proves that after six films, the series is still capable of upward momentum.

Mission: Impossible Fallout was released on July 27, 2018 and remains in theaters. It runs 2hrs 27mins and currently holds a rating of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. 50 | focusOn Magazine

Adventuretainment EXPO 2018

.net

OUTDOORS • VACATION • SPORTING • CAMPING • LEISURE

Saturday, October 27, 2018 • 10am - 4pm a mag

Wentzville, MO

zine

adventuretainment.net

Your Adventure Awaits! 100.7FM

THE VIPER

Rockin' The Westplex

Bass Pro Shop • 1365 S. 5th St • St. Charles, MO 63301 for booth information email: contact@adventuretainment.net • www.adventuretainment.net