March 1, 2024

Community.Culture.Lifestyle. MARCH1,2024

PROVENPERFORMANCE,TIME &AGAIN

Thethingaboutprovenperformanceisithas to beprovenagainandagain.Ouragents' expertise beprovenagain andagain.Ouragents' leads to excellent results.

Experiencethedifferenceandconnectwith periencethedif renceandconnec ith DielmannSotheby's International Realty. DielmannSotheby'sInternational

10 WESTMORELANDPL ACE WESTMORELANDPLACE | SAINTLOUIS |NEW LISTING

ERIC AW ILLERT ILLER T| 31 4. 51 7. 4042 | ERICA.WILLER T@ SO THEB YS REALTY.C OM KIMADAMS KIMADAMS| 31 4. 43 5. 0098 | KIM.ADAMS1@S OT HEB YS REAL TY.C OM .C

8300 KINGSBURYBOULEVARD YBOULEVARD | CL AYTON|NEW LISTING

THOMP SO N&R ICHARD SON N& RICHARD 31 4. 45 2.1198 |T HOMP SO N.RICHARD SO N@S OT HEB YS REAL TY.C OM REAL OM

41 HILLVALEDRIVE | CLAYTON|PRICEADJUSTMENT

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403 HAMMERSMITH ROAD | CREVECOEUR |NEW LISTING CREVE COEUR OLIVER &A SSO CIATES 31 4. 322 .6 99 2|S TEPHANIE.OLIVER@S OT HEB YS REALTY.C OM

SALUTE AHERO

Showyourappreciation forthosewhoserveor haveservedourcountry.

PUBLISHER

IanCaso

EDITORIAL

MaNaGINGEDITOr

AshleyKlein >aklein@laduenews.com

DIGITaLEDITOr&STaFFWrITEr

AmandaDahl >adahl@laduenews.com

cOPYEDITOr&STaFFWrITEr

MadeleineAckerburg >mackerburg@laduenews.com

aSSOcIaTEEDITOr

EmilyStandlee >estandlee@laduenews.com

MULTIMEDIarEPOrTEr

DanielPuma >dpuma@laduenews.com

STaFFWrITEr

CharlotteRenner >crenner@laduenews.com

cONTrIBUTINGWrITErS

MarkBretz,DrewGieseke,AleciaHumphreys,ConnieMitchell,Sheila Oliveri,NancyRobinson,MariaStunkel,MabelSuen,KatieYeadon

SALES

VIcEPrESIDENTOFSaLES

KevinHart >khart@stlpostmedia.com

SENIOrMEDIaSTraTEGIST

KatieRay >kray@laduenews.com

MEDIaSTraTEGIST

MichelleBrown >mbrown@laduenews.com

SPEcIaLPrOJEcTSMaNaGEr

MaggiePeters >mpeters@laduenews.com

cLaSSIFIEDaccOUNTMaNaGEr

LisaTaylor >ltaylor@lee.net

ART arTDIrEcTOr

LauraDeVlieger >ldevlieger@laduenews.com

aSSISTaNTarTDIrEcTOr

ChristopherOth >coth@laduenews.com

cONTrIBUTINGPhOTOGraPhErS

DianeAnderson,JamesAnderson,ChristinaKling-Garrett

ALEEENTERPRISESPUBLICATION

ADDITIONALAREALISTINGS

1. 2025WoodlandKnoll•Kirkwood

NEWLISTING! Awindydriveleadstosixbeautifulhomeswith 2025locatedonyourleft.Theyardwillbebeautifullylandscaped withanalmost4700+sqft,classicstone/Hardiehomenestled onthelot.Aninvitingfoyerwithredoak floorsand10ftceilings leadstoacharmingloungewith fireplace. $2,770,000

2. 919DwyerAvenue•Kirkwood

NEWLISTING! Theexpansiveopenlayoutonthemainlevel boastshighceilings,custommillwork,hardwood floors,anoffice withbeautifulbuilt-inbookshelves,alight-filleddiningroom,a gourmeteat-inkitchenwithbreakfastarea,alargegreatroom withacozygas fireplace,apowderroom,andastorage-packed mudroom/laundryarea. $1,125,000

3. 500BeaucaireDrive•WarsonWoods

NEWLISTING! ThischarmingWarsonWoodsranchhas undergoneastunningtransformation!Stepinsidetoacrisp andcontemporaryinteriorwithwarmlight-filledroomsthat flow seamlesslyintoeachother. $539,900

4. 4MayfairRoad•Ladue

NEWLISTING! Entertainingisabreezewiththelargedining room,sunlitlivingroom,andhandsomemediaroomfeaturing awinecellar.Thechef’skitchenopenstoavaultedbreakfast roomandhearthroomwithbuilt-indesks. $2,490,000

5. 8038WatkinsDrive•Clayton

NEWPRICE! Themain floorboastsaspaciouslivingroomwitha hearthandbuilt-inbookcases,anupdatedandstylishchef’skitchen, aversatileroomcurrentlyutilizedasamudroom,alargelight-filled familyroomwithsoaringceilings,andsomuchmore. $949,900

6. 2033WoodlandKnoll•Kirkwood

NEWLISTING! Theyardwillbebeautifullylandscapedwith analmost4500+sqftColonialRevivalstuccohomenestledon thelot.Atwo-tieredentryporchwithornamentalChippendale balustradesleadstoaninvitingfoyerwithwhiteoak floorsand10ft ceilingsthatopenstoanofficeandthegreatroom. $2,745,000

7. 7529WellingtonWay#1•Clayton

NEWLISTING! Elegance,sophistication,andcomfortseamlessly definethisenchantingunit.Adjacenttothelivingroomisacharming diningroomwithcornercabinetsgracefullytransitionsintoaneat-in kitchenfeaturingwhitecabinetryandabreakfastroom. $394,900

8. 4069MarkKorteLane•St.Charles

NEWPRICE! Thishomehasitall—fabulousfeatures,agreat location,andabackyardmadeforentertainingwithasaltwater pool—allinahighlyratedschooldistrict.Thekitchenopenstoa largesunroomandanewcompositedeck. $489,000

1. 2025WoodlandKnoll•Kirkwood

2. 919DwyerAvenue•Kirkwood

8. 4069MarkKorte•St.Charles

7. 7529WellingtonWay#1•Clayton

3. 500Beaucaire•WarsonWoods

6. 2033WoodlandKnoll•Kirkwood

5. 8038WatkinsDrive•Clayton

4. 4MayfairRoad•Ladue

ItseemsPunxsutawneyPhilmade goodonhis promise foranearlyspring,andthisissueofLNis helpingmeappreciateMissouri’snaturalbeautyin allitssunshineysplendor.

Songbirdsarealreadysingingupastormin my backyard,andI’mdelightedtoknowthattheyhave the folksatWildBird RehabilitationinOverland lookingout forthem.Thenonprofit,whichhas servedthearea formorethan30 years,cares for injuredandabandonedwildsongbirdsuntilthey’re readytotakeflight.AssistanteditorEmilyStandlee givesusabehind-the-sceneslookatthisscrappy teamofbirdloverson p. 36.

Whilethe folksatWBRarehelpinghealMissouri’s naturallife, thegreatoutdoorsishealingus rightback:On p. 12,staffwriterCharlotte Renner celebratestheMissouriBotanicalGardens’ therapeutichorticultureinitiative, whichoffers much-needed relieftopediatriconcologypatients through gardening,craftsandmore.

Rightaroundthe cornerisanopportunitytoenjoy natural wondersona celestialscale.TheGreat NorthAmericanEclipseis comingupthisApril,and southeastMissouriwill experiencetotality.On p. 10, aMercy pediatricophthalmologistofferstoptipsto getkids excitedaboutthe eventwhile keepingtheir eyessafe.

AshleyKlein,ManagingEditor

FOLLOWUSONSOCIALMEDIA

SIGNUP TODAY

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LNONLINE

St. Louis’newest event venue marriesmodernamenities withatimelessaesthetic.Visit laduenews.comtodiscoverThe Vaude,ahigh-tech,historic venuetuckedinsidetheAngad ArtsHotelintheGrandCenter ArtsDistrict.

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6291MagnoliaAvenue| NEWLISTING St.Loui sC ity |$ 595,000

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UnmatchedSELECTIONANDSERVICE

AUTCOhome Appliances, InteriorDesign Center of St.Louis

By Maggie Peters >PhotosbyChristinaKling-Garrett

Whether you’reaprofessionaldesigner working on yourlatesthome remodelor ahomeowner lookingtoupdate yourkitchen, AUTCOhome Applianceshastheproductstofitboth yourstyle and yourbudget.

AUTCOhomeAppliances wasestablishedas aluxuryappliance dealerinSt. Louisin1988andhasservedbuilders,designers, contractorsandhomeowners eversince. Appliancestheycarry includehigh-endbrandslikeMonogram, WolfandSubZero, as wellasaffordableluxurybrandslikeBoschandGECafé.

Thedistributoroffers awide varietyof refrigerators, cooking appliances,dishwashersandmoreatthreeSt. Louisarea showrooms,includingtheInteriorDesignCenterofSt. Louis. There, you’llalways find friendlyandknowledgeablestaffwho

We arefamily-ownedand very passionateaboutwhat we do.

–JeanHerman

arepreparedtosupport youthroughouttheentireprocess.

“Weare family-ownedand verypassionateaboutwhat we do,” says operationsmanagerJeanHerman.“Customerserviceis our focus.Ourapplianceexpertswillprovidethebestall-around experiencefromselectiontofinalinstallation.Mostimportantly, we arehereforour clientsafterthesale.”

AUTCOhomeAppliancesisopentothepublicand welcomes workwithindustryprofessionalsandhomeownersalike. Asthe hometofiveindividualdesignfirms,theInteriorDesignCenter ofSt. Louisalsoservesasan excellentsource ofdealer referrals.

“Mostofour clientsarehomeownersthatarereferredto usbyhomebuilders,kitchenandbathdesigners,andinterior designers,”Hermansays.“We arevery fortunatetohavea locationattheIDC.Theimpactonourbusinesshasbeen significantbecauseof[owner] Kevin Kenney’sleadership,and strategicplanning fortheentirecenter.”

Hermanaddsthat AUTCOhomeAppliancesisdrivenby passionandinnovation,andthatallstaffareequippedwiththe toolstheyneedtogrow individuallyandbesuccessful.

“Weare veryappreciativeofallofour clients –new and returning –and we hopeto continuetoservethem for generationsto come,” Herman concludes.

Stopby AUTCOhomeAppliancesintheInteriorDesignCenterof St. Louistodayand getstartedonmaking yournextproject areality.

AUTCOhomeAppliances,Interior DesignCenterofSt.Louis,11610 Page ServiceDrive,St. Louis,314-373-2000,autcohome.com

ECLIPSE SAFETY

ByDr.MariaStunkel

OnApril8,southeastMissouriand Illinoiswillexperienceatotalsolar eclipse.Thisexceptionalcelestial event–whenthemoonpasses betweenthesunandtheearth,completely blockingthesunfromview–won’tbe observableagainintheUnitedStatesuntil 2044.EventhoughtheSt.Louisareanarrowly missesthepathoffulltotality,thisyear’ssolar eclipse,knownasthe“GreatNorthAmerican Eclipse,”willlastapproximatelyfourminutes–twiceaslongasthesolareclipsein2017.

Lookingdirectlyattheeclipsewithout protectioncanleadtopermanentdamage. Here’showtosafelyenjoytheeclipsewithout damagingyoureyesight.

ECLIPSEGLASSES

• Gettherightglasses.It’simportantto wearspecialglasseswhenwatchingthe eclipse.Theglasses,called“solarviewing glasses,”protectoureyesfromdamage. Regularsunglassesandevenwelder’s glassesarenotsafe.Lookfor“ISO123122”toconfirmtheymeetinternational safetystandards.

• Checkyourglasses.Beforeusingyour eclipseglasses,checkthemovertomake suretherearenoscratchesorholes.If theyaredamaged,don’tusethem!

• Practice,practice,practice.Haveyour kidsputtheirglassesonandpractice lookingatthesunbeforethebigdayto getthehangofit.

• Getyourglassesearly.Orderglasses earlytoensureplentyofpractice time.Communityeventsandlocal librariesmayalsoprovideeclipse glassesinlimitedquantitiesbefore theevent.TheAmericanAstronomical Societylistsreputablecompaniesand organizationssellingeclipseglasses at eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters.

PINHOLEPROJECTOR

Forthosewithoutspecialglasses,it’seasy tomakeyourownsunviewer,calledapinhole projector,athome.Thissimpledeviceprojects animageofthesunontoasurfaceandprovides anindirectviewoftheeclipse.Itmaybedifficult forkidsunder5tounderstandthisview,but theprojectorworkswellforolderchildren. Makesuretoturnawayfromthesun,whilestill holdingtheprojectoroveryoureyes,before removingitfromyourface.

NASAoffersaneasytutorialonhowtomake yourownprojector.Search“NASAPinhole Projector”forstep-by-stepinstructions.It’sa greatcrafttogetkidsexcitedabouttheeclipse.

NASALIVESTREAM

Stuckinsideoneclipsedaybecausemother naturedidn’tcooperate?NASAoffersalive streamofthesolareclipse.Thelivestreamcan beaccessedatnasa.gov/nasatv.

SolarEclipseResources

Seelocaleclipseeventsand resources: moeclipse.org

Wheretopurchaseeclipse glasses: eclipse.aas.org/ resources/solar-filters

Howtomakeapinhole projector(withvideo tutorialfromNASA): svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14391

EclipsemapoverU.S.with timingtovieweclipse: science.nasa.gov/ eclipses/future-eclipses/ eclipse-2024/where-when

Solareclipseeyesafety: aao.org/ eye-health/tips-prevention/ solar-eclipse-eye-safety

NASAlivestream: nasa.gov/nasatv

IMPORTANTTIPS

Neverlookatthesunthroughanunfiltered camera,telescopeorbinoculars.Evenwitheclipse glasses,thepowerfulraysfromthesuncan damagethefilterandcauseseriouseyeinjuries.

Byfollowingthesesafetytips,youcanenjoy thecelestialspectaclewithoutcompromising yourvision.

Dr.MariaStunkelisapediatricophthalmologist atMercySt.Louis.

HEALINGTHROUGH

Nature

AByCharlotteRenner

ttheMissouriBotanicalGarden,aremarkableinitiativeis quietlyblooming.Earlierthisyear,MOBOTreceivedagenerous community-focusedgranttoprovidetherapeutichorticulture topediatriconcologypatients.

Therapeutichorticultureisdesignedtoengageandstimulatethesenses whileprovidingsocialconnectionsthroughhands-on,nature-centric activities.Theseactivitiesincludefloralarranging,natureprinting,sensory containergardeningandnaturejournaling.Eachhasitsrespectivesetof benefits.Forexample,floralarranginghelpswithfinemotorskills,memory recallandincreasingself-worth,whilenaturejournalinginspirescreativity, reducesstressandpromotesmindfulness.

Throughtheseinteractiveexperiences,childrencultivatemorethan justsoil;theysowseedsofhope,perseveranceandgrowth.“Therapeutic horticulturesessionsprovidereliefanddiversionfromthestressofdealing withadifficultsituationwhileenjoyingthewondersandnuancesof nature,”aMOBOTreleasestates.

Thepracticeisn’tnewtoMOBOT–theGardenalreadyhasahistoryof providingthisprogrammingforadultoncologypatients.Thetherapeutic horticultureteamhasspreadhealingthroughnaturearoundthe community,fromsenior livingfacilitiestosocial serviceorganizationslike St.LouisCrisisNursery andLighthouseforthe Blind.Accordingtoa release,expandingthe effortstopediatricpatients hasbeenalongtimegoal forthetherapyteam.In January,theirwishwas granted:Theprogramwas kickstartedbyanearly $25,000BayerFundgrant.

GetInvolved

TohelpfosterMOBOT’s innovativeprogramming, considerdonatingtothe henryShawFund,whichcan befoundonmissouri botanicalgarden.org, orbecomingaGarden member,whichincludesfree admissiontotheGarden.

“ThroughBayerFund’s giving,we’reenabling andstrengthening organizationsthatare workingtomakereal, sustainableimpactsintheirlocalcommunitiesacrosstheUnitedStates,” BayerFundpresidentAlMitchellsaidinarelease.

ThisfundingwillimpactyoungoncologypatientsatSitemanKidsatSt. LouisChildren’sHospital,MercyCardinalsKidsandAYA(Adolescentand YoungAdult)CancerCenter.Sessionswilltakeplaceinbothinpatientand outpatientsettingsandincludepatientsofallages.Oneoftheprogram’s goalsistoimprovethewell-beingofpatientsandtheirfamiliesduringtheir care.“[We’reproudtoprovideoursupportto]programsliketherapeutic horticultureattheMissouriBotanicalGarden,whichhavebeencriticalin providingsupportprogramstopatientsandfamiliesmanagingillnessor disease,”Mitchellsaid.

TolearnmoreaboutMOBOT’stherapeutichorticultureefforts, visitmissouribotanicalgarden.org.

MissouriBotanicalGarden,4344ShawBlvd.,St.Louis, 314-577-5100,missouribotanicalgarden.org

APLACETO FEELNEEDED, WANTED& EXPECTED.

Oddsare,youknowofsomeonewhoismanagingaseriousand persistentmentalillness. Butdidyouknowthefirststeptowardmeaningfulhealing isfindingasafeplacetobelong? That’swhereIndependenceCentercomesin.

OurgoaltodestigmatizementalillnesshasledustobecomeoneoftheSt.Louisarea’s mostcomprehensiveresourcesforassistingwithcare,education,employment,housing andmore.OnevisittoourClubhouse,andyou’llseejusthowweoperate:Byproviding averyrealsenseofcommunity,whereeveryMemberhasapurpose,andwheredaily progressismadeonthepathtoregainingtheindependencetoliveahealthy,qualitylife.

Butweneed your helptocontinueourmission!

Visit IndependenceCenter.org tohearthesuccess storiesfromourmembers—andlearnhowyoucan supportagreatcausetoday.

HealthTips

ByMaggiePeters

HouseFitPhysicalTherapy&Fitness 3809LemayFerryRoad,314-939-1377,housefitstl.com

Forpeoplewhohavetried“everythingelse”outtheretotreat theirchronicpain,HouseFitPhysicalTherapy&Fitnessnow offersRegenerativeTherapyServices,designedtoactivateyour body’sownhealingtoaddresstherootcauseofyourpainand decreaseoreliminateit!Callforyourfreesession.

IndependenceCenter 4245ForestParkAve.,314-533-4245,independencecenter.org

Mentalillnesstoucheseverypersonatsomepointintheirlives, directlythroughdiagnosisorindirectly,throughfamilyorfriends. IndependenceCenterprovidestheresourcesandcommunityfor thosemanagingaseriousandpersistentmentalillnesstoregain theindependencetoliveahealthy,qualitylife.

Butler’s Pantry

Names New CEO

By Drew Gieseke >Photo supplied by Butler’s Pantry

Since1966,Butler’s Pantryhasservedasoneofthepremier caterersintheSt. Louisarea.Inlate2023,the company announcedMaggieBartonasits chief executiveofficer,marking anewera forthelocalbusiness–andabigopportunity forthe longtimeteam-member-turned-CEO.

“Itmeansthathard work reallydoespayoff,” Bartonsays.“Itmeans you’remoreapttothriveif you’reinafield youlove.Honestly,itmeans everythingtome–personallyandprofessionally.[Butler’s Pantry President]RichardNixJr.tooka chanceonmeallthose yearsago. The fact thatI’vehadthespacetogrow anddevelopisatestamenttowhathe’s built–andwhatourteam continuestobuildupon everyday.”

BartonstartedhercareerwithButler’s Pantryin2009.Overthelast decadeandahalf,shesteadily rosethroughthe ranksand workedin various rolesastheindustryand company changedtomeetthetimes. WhenBartonfirststarted,Butler’s Pantry wasgrossing$4.5million annually.In2023,grosssales exceeded$12million.

Underherguidance, the companyhas expandeditsserviceofferings and venuelocations(tomorethan40acrossthemetro),diversifiedits clientbaseandserved countlesscustomersat weddings, corporate events and gatherings.These experiencesprove thatButler’s Pantryismuchmore thanan exceptionalcaterer.

“Wesupport clientsinjustabout everyaspectofthe event, fromdesign tooutside vendor coordination,”Bartonsays “Andof course,whenit comesto foodandbeverage, we nowfindourselvesgreetingguestswith color-changing cocktailsorshowcasingour chefs cooking from insidea shadowbox.”

Barton recentlyspearheadedthedevelopmentoftwonew venues, 18Rails|The Venue@City FoundrySTLandThe ReverieatThe

DistrictinChesterfield.Each wastheproductofthe company’s leadershipteam evaluatingwhereit couldmakethebiggestimpacton St. Louis.Shealsohelpedopenanationally awarded restaurantand pastryshopand even workedonaprojectthatbreathednewlifeinto TheCoronado.

We supportclientsinjust aboutevery aspect of the event,fromdesign to outside vendor coordination.

–MAGGIEBARTON

AsCEO,BartonwillbetaskedwithleadingButler’s Pantry’s strategicinitiatives, fosteringinnovationandupholdingthestandardof excellenceestablishedbythe companynearly60 yearsago. Bartonsays advancementsintechnologyhave alsoplayedabig roleinshapingwhat Butler’s Pantrycanofferinthehospitalityspace. Withtheadditionof advancedsoftware forplanning,organizingand communication,the companyplansto continuetolearnnewprocessesthatincreaseefficiency and reducethemargin forerror.

Withthissaid,Bartonisadamantthatthe company’s futuresuccess reliesonthesamethingasithassince1966: relationships.

“The foundationofButler’s Pantryhasandalways will centeronour relationshipswith corporations,nonprofitorganizationsand familiesin our communitywho continuetoentertain,”shesays.“Itisourpleasure andmissiontohelpthemfind‘every reasonto celebrate.’”

Butler’s Pantry, 1414 Park Ave.,St.Louis, 314-664-7680,butlerspantry.com

STRUGGLING WITH CHANGE

Changeisanormalpartoflife, butmany youngsters strugglewith even theslightest changein routine. Althoughsomeadultsmaybetemptedtolabel struggling childrenas“stubborn,”early childhood experts knowthatmanybehaviorsareactuallypromptedby fear, whichcanbeapowerfulmotivator. To helpinitiateproductive conversationswith your change-phobic child, Ready Readers recommendssharing“Same WayBen”byauthorand illustratorMaryannCocca-Leffler.

TheauthorintroducesprotagonistBensuccinctly:“Ben likedthingsthesame way– everyday.”Ben wearsthesame outfittoschoolandlikesbeinggreetedbyhisteacher,Mrs. Garcia,who welcomeshimwithadaily,“Hello,Ben,buddy.” Hehappily colorswithhis friendCamiatthegreentableand always has chickenstripsandanapple forlunch.Always,that is,until changesstarttohappen.

Onemorning,Benisgreetedbyadifferentteacher,Mr. Elliot:“Hello,Benjamin.”Ben’sside-eye glanceindicates hisskepticism:Thisis not Mrs.Garcia,andBendoesn’t likebeingcalledBenjamin.Insidethe classroom,Mr.Elliot announcesthatMrs.Garciahadherbaby,sohewillbetheir teacher forthenextsix weeks.Benisn’tpleasedbutfinds

solacein coloringwithCami.

By SheilaOliveri

NextMondaymorning,Benisgreetedwithahorrificsight: Alltheplayareasand furniturehave beenmovedtodifferent placesaroundthe classroom! Frozen inplace, Ben frantically triestotakeinthe changes. Next,Mr.Elliotshows the blueberrybagelshe’sbroughttoshareatlunch.Still reeling fromthe changedenvironment,anew wave ofpanic washes overBen.Overcomewithemotions,Bencries,“Mynameis NOTBenjamin!I wanttositwithCamiattheGREENtable!I want chickenstripsandanapple forlunch!And…and…I WANTMRS.GARCIA!”

Readersofallageswill cheerBenonashelearnsthat everyonecan experience change-anxiety,asanimportant personleadshimtoentertainthealternateviewthat “changesmakelife exciting…likeanadventure.”Sharingthis story,anda gentle conversation,mayhelp youranxious child learntoadaptto changesjustlikeBen.

Ready Readersbrings thejoyandpowerofliteracy to more than 15,000 preschoolers, teachersand familiesinunderservedareas acrossSt.Louis. Visit readyreaders.org to learnhowyoucanjoin their efforts to createstrong foundations forlearningandsuccess.

Imagesupplied

Sustainable ScIENcE

ByDrewGieseke

InJanuary2024,WashingtonUniversityin St.Louisannouncedthelaunchofanew facilitythatmaychangehoweveryday productsaremade.

DubbedtheSyntheticBiologyManufacturing ofAdvancedMaterialsResearchCenter,the researchanddevelopmentteamistaskedwith “pushingthefrontiersofknowledge”invarious fields.Thegoal?Creatingnature-inspired alternativestoplastics.

“Primarilyrightnow,naturalbiomaterials areactuallyharvestedfromnature,”says Dr.MarcusFoston,SMARCdirectorand WashingtonUniversityassociateprofessor.“We getsilkfromsilkworms,andwoolisaperfect example.Mostofthenaturalmaterialsweget comefromthosesources.Andeventhough they’renatural,[with]theagriculturalprocesses weputthemthrough,there’sahugecarbon footprintassociatedwithmanyofthese.”

SMARC’sprimarymissionistochangethis. Theteamusesconvergentresearchtodevelop pathwaystotrainamanufacturingworkforce andenhanceinnovationinmanufacturing syntheticbiologicalmaterials.Itisfundedby afive-year,$3.6millionGrowingConvergence Researchgrant.

Theresearchcenteristaskedwith displacingtwodifferenttypesofproducts: materialsdependentuponnature(likesilk fromsilkworms)andmaterialsthatare producedfrompetroleum.Inotherwords, SMARCresearcherswanttocreatenaturally derivedmaterialsthatcanreplacecurrently usedmaterialsthatharmtheenvironment,like plastics.Theseapplicationswon’tbeavailable tobuyinstoresanytimesoon,butthehopeis thattheywillbesometimeinthefuture.

“We’relookingforreallyhigh-performance applicationsrightnow,”Fostonsays.“This includesreplacementsforhigh-performance fibers(thingsthatrequirehighstrength andtoughness),hydrogelsorgelsthatare bioadhesiveandotherhigh-endapplications.”

FostonsaystheteamatSMARCplansto addressexistentialthreatssuchasclimate changeandpollution.Yetwhiletheycan developthemosthigh-tech,cleansolution everdevised,globalandsocietalchallenges cannotbesolvedsolelyinachemistrylab. That’swhySMARCemploysateamskilled insyntheticbiology,biotechnologyand biomanufacturing,machinelearning,social sciences,materialsscienceandmechanicsto

helptheworldeventuallytransitiontoward thewidespreaduseofbio-derivedand biodegradableplastics.

“Thisiswherethecenterhasthepotential foralargeimpact,”Fostonsays.“Whatwe wanttobeabletodoisintroduceproducts andleverageourunderstandingofhuman nature,offreemarketsandofdemocratic politicalsystemssothatwehaveagoodchance ofdisplacingentrenchedindustrieswithout relyingondraconianmandatesorpenalties.”

TheSMARCteamisstillintheearlystages ofresearch,butit’sclearthatFostonand theteamareuptothechallengetomakethe worldabetter,cleanerplace.

“Iwanttomakesurethatpeople understandthatthisissomethingwe’reall reallyexcitedabout,”Fostonsays.“Thisisthe kindofstuffthatyoucanworkonbecause itisachallengingproblemandhasahuge impactonsociety.Thisisthekindofstuffthat WashUlikestodo,andit’sagreatexampleof whatWashUcando.”

SyntheticBiologyManufacturingofAdvanced MaterialsResearchCenter,1BrookingsDrive, St.Louis,syntheticbiologywustl.edu

ImagecourtesyofSMarc

PhotoofFostoncourtesyofWashU

StartYour Next Journey

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WHERERELATIONSHIPS ANDRESULTSMATTER®

COMMERCIAL

LIVINGSeaside

By Nancy Robinson >Photossupplied

Evoke thesensationofwaterside livingwithseaworthyaccentsinblues, mossgreensandweatheredgrays

Matouk’sMargotbeddingin HazyBlueisatrueoriginal,inspired by a textile founddeepinthe company’sarchives.Margot’ssimplydrawn patternisprintedon500-thread-count Luca Egyptian cottonpercale. Theedgesarefinishedwithasubtlewhitescallop.Margotisavailableas sheeting,duvets,pillowcasesandshams. (amelias.myshoplocal.com)

Theinterestingshape of the texturedApoc vasefromMadeGoods wasinspired by the gracefulmovements of natural coral.The vaseis washedwitha variegatedblueglaze. (designanddetailstl.com)

Currey and Company’s SunkenBoat doublegourd vaseishandmade by a group of womenwholive attheborder of BurmaandThailand.Theblack terracottagourd isglazedwith a mossgreen wash,asifthe vasehasbeen reclaimedfrom a sunkenboatafter havingspending years inthedeepsea. (wilsonlighting.com)

Classic Cottage Kitchen

By Alecia Humphreys

by Lisa Mitchell

Withinthe wallsofa WebsterGroves homeisa classic, cottage-like kitchenbrimmingwithbeauty thanksto Wendy Kuhn,lead designer for KarrBick.

“It’soneofthosespaces[where]whenI go back,Ijust wanttostaythere,” Kuhnsays.“It feelslikehometome.I wanttopullupastool, sitattheisland,havemy cupof coffeeandjust sitand chat.That’swhatthisspacemakesme feellike;Ijust wanttolingerthere.”

Accordingto Kuhn,thespaceunderwent quitethetransformation.

“Thekitchenspace waslikeatypicalold Websterhousethat wasalittleU-shapedalcove,” Kuhnsays.“It wassupertiny.We shiftedthings around–theiroldkitchenbecameamudroom andpowder roomarea, we took overthedining room forthekitchen,andthen we puttheir

diningtableintoagreat room.Their family roomisadjacenttothatspace, anditjustkind ofbecomesonebig familysocial room.”

Forthekitchen,specifically,the clients selected gorgeousgreencabinetry, walnut herringboneflooringandwhimsical wallpaper.The resultisa remarkably cozy, one-of-a-kindkitchen.

“Eventhoughshe wasboldand wentwith color,Idon’tthinkittakes awayfromthe historicnatureofthehouse,” Kuhnsays.“It still feelslikeanold Websterhouse,butwith amoderntwist.Plus,thedarkgreencabinetry reallysetsthemood for everythingelse.Itjust makesthespacesophisticatedandunexpected.”

KarrBick Kitchenand Bath, 2715 MercantileDrive, St.Louis, 314-645-6545, karrbick.com

Photo

By Maggie Peters

IdyllicKirkwoodliving awaitsinoneofsixnewhomes comingtothe WoodlandKnollsubdivision. Take advantage ofthisonce in a lifetime opportunitytolive in a bespoke homedesignedandbuiltbythe awardwinning collaborationofHollingsworthDesignandNJLCustomHomes.

Locatedinapicturesque7acresof gently rollinglandscapewithmature trees,eachofthenewhomes comes completewithunique,desirable floorplans,impressive exteriorelevations,as wellastop-of-the-line design featuresandfinishes. All theworkofplanninganddesignhas alreadybeen takencareof by a teamofexperts. Insteadofbuyingalotto buildon, youarebuyingthewholepackage!

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WoodlandKnoll, Kirkwoodispricedupon request.Interior imagesareshown forillustrationpurposesonlyandmaynot bea representationof thefinalproduct.

JillAzar |LauraMcCarthyRealEstate

314-616-8836(direct),314-725-5100(office),lauramccarthy.com

Foundedin1944,Laura McCarthyhas expertisewiththe central corridorand consistently ranksamonglocaltop real estate companiesinsales volume.Many of the100-plusagentstherespecializeinluxury realestate.Allare familiar withmetroareaneighborhoods,fromthe Central West EndtoHighway64/40toChesterfieldandthe St.Charlesarea.

J.Crewone-shoulder swimsuit,$128, PlazaFrontenac (jcrew.com) Sunbodyfedora, $98,HearthandSoul (hearthandsoul.com)

AlexaLeighgreen opalnecklace, $250,Tuckernuck

Vacation

MODE

BorgaDeNoir linentop,$495; shorts,$435, Tuckernuck (tnuck.com)

ByKatieYeadon >Photossupplied

By Katie Yeadon

Springisaroundthecornerandresort wearisinfullbloom.Thesegrassy greenswillhaveyoufeelinglightand airyaswecomeoutofthewinterhaze.

Spring is around the corner and resort wear is in full bloom. These grassy greens will have you feeling light and airy as we come out of the winter haze.

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Alemaisseafood shirtdress,$475, Tuckernuck

L’AGENCEblazer, $675,VieBoutique CitizensofHumanityHorseshoe wide-legjeans,$278,SaksFifth Avenue,PlazaFrontenac (saks.com)

Nationangeltop, $160,PaisleyBoutique (instagram.com/ paisleyboutiquestl)

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Staudfloralprintdress,$295, NeimanMarcus,PlazaFrontenac (neimanmarcus.com)

AlexisBiascadress,$660, VieBoutique (viestlouis.com)

flats,$690,Net-a-Porter (net-a-porter.com)

Reesedress,$309, Rungolee (rungolee.com)

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FaithfullTheBrand shorts,$149,Tuckernuck

ClareV.Wovenbag,

StrongerBones, HealthierLife:

Learnhowtobest

manageyour osteoporosis.

By:Dr.BethTemplin

Ifyou'verecentlybeentold tha ty ouhaveosteoporosis orosteopenia, it 'stempting tobrushitoff as a"normal" part of aging. Youm ay thin k tha tb ecauseeveryoneyou r age seemstobeh aving th e sametrouble asyouthati t's somethingyouwillhaveto learn t olivewith.

Youm aynotkno whowto livewiththisnew diagnosis, butnowyou're worried abouty our“b rittlebones”. You'veevenstartedtolimit whatyou're willingtodo, andt hinking aboutg iving thing supinorder toprotect you rfragilebones.Ifthisis happeningtoyou, you'r enot alone.Wehearthis all the time.Infact,Osteoporosisis oneofthe mostcommon problemsweworkwithat HouseFit.

Most peopler ealizetheir osteoporosisorosteopenia won'tmagicallygoawayon itsown ,buttheystilldon't takeaction.It mightbe becausethey don'tknow whatstepstotaketo im provetheirbon edensity ORthey don'ttruly believe theycanimprovetheirbon e health"att heirage". Fortunately ,thereare severa loptionstohelp manageandevenreverse you rosteoporosi sandto keepyouactiveasyouage.

guide “Osteoporosis: AGuid e ToBuild ingStrongerBones”

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PAIDPROMOTION

Manileño

AtManileño,a close-knit family sharesFilipino foodtraditions from theirnativeManilawithSt. Louis. Themultifaceted conceptopenson Feb.18and featuresacaféandbakerywith traditionaland fusionofferingsas wellas homestyle fare forlunch,dinnerandbrunch, completewitha fullbarprogram.

As reportedby Feastin November,the joint family venture comes fromRaquel “Rocky” Torio;hermother,JosieSeele;and her brothersRandy, Restyand Rolando Torio. The familyhas decadesof experience in hospitality and usestheir combinedskills to create the upscaletraditional Filipino restaurant they’ve always dreamed of.

Rocky Toriohas workedinmany professional roles overthepast17 years, from nursinghomedietitianandhousekeeping supervisortohotel generalmanagerand executivedirectorof rooms.Shebakesand handlesmanagementaspectsofManileño, whilehermotherandbrothersheadupthe kitchen.“Mymotherisbehindthemenu,and everythingisbasedoffofher recipes,” Torio says.“She’s always had a passion for food.”

Randyand Resty haveworked asprofessional cooksandas owner-operator truckdrivers, lendingtheir ownskillsetsbehindthescenes.Theirbrother Rolandoservesasupport role fromafar.

“Forfirst-timeguests, we keepitbasic untiltheirpalateis ready foran explosionof flavors,” Toriosays,motioningtoward staple dishesincludingadobo,thenationaldishofthe Philippines.Manileño’s version featuresbraised porkor chickeninsoysauce, vinegar, garlic, herbs,spices,peppercornsandbayleaves, servedwithquaileggs.

Manileño’spancitisanotheressentialdish withbihonandcantonnoodlesstir-friedwith chickenand/orporkandjulienned vegetables inasavorybroth.“If youdecide youareup for anadventure, I woulddefinitely recommend our kare-kare, or oxtailstew,” Toriosays.“I grew upeatingitwhenever my mom cooked it forspecialoccasions.It’sslow cookeduntil tenderwitha freshpeanutsaucebaseand shrimppastetobringouttheflavors,with eggplant,bok choy andstringbeans.”

“Ourbrunchmenuiscateredtobemore fusion– yourtraditionalFilipino foodwith a twisttoit,” Torioadds.The PanDemonyo, for instance, featureslightlypan-fried,caramelized tocino,orFilipinostylecuredporkmeat, toppedwitha friedeggandpepperjack cheese onanopen-facedubepandesal,atraditional Filipino roll.The sweet-and-savorysandwich comesservedwithsautéedpotatoes.

Thesame fusionapproachwill comeintoplay inthebakeryportionof the business initems such assavorypastriesstuffed with adobo meat and desserts like mango calamansi cheesecake. Sweet offerings onthedine-inmenuinclude classic Filipinospecialties suchasturonitas: plantainbananas withjackfruit enveloped in a spring rollwrapper,deep friedto goldenbrown and glazedwithcaramelized sugar.

Thedecadentdessert comes topped with roasted sesame seeds and served with ice cream.

Thecaféwillofferlocal coffeeas well asbarako, a coffee varietalgrowninthe Philippines.“Barakostands forstrong,” Torio says.“It’sthetypeof coffee youhave when you’renotlooking foralight,floralorcitrusy coffee.It’sadark roastthatwill wake you upandknock youoff your feet.”Housemade syrupsintropicalflavorssuchasubeand pandanenhancedrinksonboththecafé andbarmenu,andalcoholicoptionsinclude domesticstandardsas wellasFilipinobeers andspirits.

“Thisissomething we’vedreamedup for thelongesttime.Makingitintoa realityand seeingitunfoldhasbeenso exciting,” Torio says.“Icanhonestlysay we’reaone-of-akind restaurant forhavingallthesethings underone roof, fromaFilipinocaféand bakerytoa full-servicebar. We’relooking atthe futureandit’sjust goingtobe even greaterandbigger.”

Manileñoisopen TuesdaythroughSaturday from11a.m.to2 p.m.and4 p.m.to8 p.m.as wellasSunday from9a.m.to2 p.m.

Manileño,3611 JuniataSt.,St.Louis, 314-296-3131,instagram.com/manilenostl

Storyandphotos by MabelSuen

Company In Good

By MarkBretz >Photossupplied

Whenthe revivalofStephenSondheim’s1970musical, “Company,”openedonBroadway in2021,thelegendary composerandlyricistattendedoneofthepreview performancesjustdays beforehisdeathinDecemberat91 yearsold.It ran fornearly300performancesand wonfive Tony Awardsamongits ninenominations.

JackLane,anoriginalproducerof“Company”–playingnowatThe Fabulous FoxTheatrethroughMarch 10–isalsoa co-founder and retired executiveproducer forSTAGESSt. Louis. LaneandMikeIsaacson,artisticdirectorand executive produceratTheMuny, aretwoimpresarioswhohave successfullyproducednumerousBroadway shows whilesimultaneouslymaintaining robustartisticand financialsuccessattheir respectivetheaters.

Isaacsonisaproducerof“TheWiz” revival,which isscheduledtoopenonBroadway thisApril.He’salso aproducerofthe revivalof“PlazaSuite”in London’s WestEnd,starringMatthewBroderickandSarahJessica Parker.LaneisaproduceroftheBroadway production andsubsequentnationaltourof“&Juliet,” comingto The Fox.

Producingbig-timeshows isnoeasytask. “An originalshowcaneasilytakefivetoeight yearsto developbefore everseeingthelightsofBroadway,” Lanesays.“Moreshows don’tmakeittoBroadway thando.”

Mostmusicalsare“definitelymore expensive,”Lane explains.“The average costtoproduceamusicalisinthe $15millionarea,withmany wellabove the$20millionmark.”

LanebeganproducingonBroadway in2012with“Peterand theStarcatcher,” which wonfive Tony Awards.Hehassincebeen involvedintheproductionofseveralBroadway musicalsand off-Broadway productions.

Isaacsonisaneight-time Tony Awardwinner,includingone for “Parade,” whichheproducedwithhislongtimebusinesspartner, KristinCaskey.Caskey andIsaacsonhave producedmorethan25 Broadway musicalsandplays,nationaltoursandoff-Broadway and Londonproductions.

Lanehasbeennominatedsixtimes for Tony Awardsand wonthree.“I workedwithMikeon‘FunHome,’ andheassistedmewith gettingon‘The Humans’team, forwhichIwillalways begrateful,”Lanesays.“Ihave also donea coupleofshows with myfriend TerrySchnuck.”Schnuck,amember

oftheSchnucksgrocery familyandbusiness,hasalso garnerednumerous Tony Awardsandnominationsasaproducer.

Lanesays thatprospectiveshows “musthave anemotionalpull forme whileatthesametimebeingentertaining.”Headds:“If youarealead producer, youare fullyin charge ofallaspectsoftheshow. Hiretheright creativeteamandtheywilltakecareoftheshow.”

LanehasseveralironsintheGreatWhite Wayfire, including“Water forElephants,”“TheQueenof Versailles,”the“&Juliet”nationaltour, “The KarateKid,”plusanotherBroadway showandanoff-Broadway show currentlyinthe works.“Iamalsonowinvestingin Londontheatre,”he adds.“Currently,withproductionsof‘Macbeth’starringRalphFiennesand ‘Romeo&Juliet’starring TomHolland.”

Evenwiththerisksinvolved,IsaacsonandLaneprove thatshrewd judgmentoftalentandpotential,hard workandapassion forpursuing artistic excellencecan reap rewardingdividends.

STAGES St.Louis,210 E. Monroe Ave.,St.Louis, 314-821-2407,stagesstlouis.org

TheMuny,1TheatreDrive,St.Louis, 314-361-1900,muny.org

Kristin Caskey and Mike Isaacsonatthepremiere of “TheWiz”onBroadway.Photo courtesy of Mike Isaacson.

JackLane

Mike Isaacson

THEPUJOLSFAMILYFOUNDATION

O’NightDivine Celebration

StoryandphotosbyDianeAnderson

TheO’NightDivinecelebration–heldannually bythePujolsFamilyFoundation–washeld atTheRitz-Carlton,St.Louis,indowntown Claytonthispastwinter.Guestsweretreated tococktailsandhorsd’oeuvresastheyperusedthe varioussilentauctionitemsforsale,whichincluded bothSt.LouisCardinalsandAlbertPujolsmemorabilia. DinnerfollowedandwasservedintheGrandBallroom. ThePujolsFamilyFoundation’smissionistoprovide servicesforindividualswithDownsyndromeandgive humanitarianrelieftopeopleintheDominicanRepublic bywayofeducation,medicalreliefandtangiblegoods.

Visitladuenews.comtosee morephotosfromthisevent>

IamblessedtobepartoftheSt. Louiscommunity.Asyouknow, mydaughterIsabellahasDownsyndrome. Sincethisissoclosetomyheart,the PujolsFamilyFoundationisdedicatedto thelove,careanddevelopmentofpeople withDownsyndromeandtheirfamilies. TheFoundationalsohasaglobalvision, reachingouttoimpoverished familiesandchildreninthe DominicanRepublic,my nativecountry.Thankyouin advanceforyour works,deeds

andexample.

–AlbertPujols PRESIDENTOFTHEPUJOLSFAMILYFOUNDATION

RickandChloeSkalski

MichaelMcKinlay,DevinHaffey,KatieJones,KaitlynTrower,PoojaVasishtaandEricKronmiller

MasynWinn,KatieKuratko,AndrewGuerra YolondaLankford,OzzieSmith

OliverMarmol,EmilyandChrisLynch

WORLDPEDIATRICPROJECT

“Treasuresin Paradise”Event

StoryandphotosbyJamesAnderson

TheHallatOlive+OakhostedWorldPediatric Project’s13thannualTreasuresinParadise event.Guestsweretransportedtolush environswithacool,Caribbeanfestivalthemedeveningthatfeaturedtropicaldrinksandlight bites.Astheyenjoyedthenight,thoseinattendance browseduniquesilentauctionitems,fromvintage winetolavishvacations.Followingcocktailhour, presentationsandaliveauctiongaveguestsadditional waystocontribute.ThesedonationsallowWorld PediatricProjecttocontinueassistingchildreninneed.

Visitladuenews.comtosee morephotosfromthisevent>

Weareincrediblygratefultothe generousSt.Louiscommunity ofsupportersofWorldPediatricProject

inhelpingusraisemorethan$780,000 throughthe13thannual‘Treasuresin Paradise.’Theirinvestmentsoftime, energyandcontributionswilldeploy nearly$4millioninmedicalandsurgical care,helpingushealmore children,inlesstime, byincreasingaccess toadvancedpediatric healthcarearound theworld.

–VafaAkhavan WPPCEO

JanetPurdy,JulieBahr JavierRomero,AvelineRaz

MaryPatBrown,IsabellaPina

Vafa,Desiree,CelineandGissooAkhavan

LindseyRivolta,HannahHolst,ErinStack

THEBLACKREP

StoryandphotosbyJamesAnderson

Since1976,founderandproducingdirector Ron Himes hasbeenturningcreativedreamsinto realityviaTheBlackRep’saward-winningstage productions.TheRep’s8thannualgala–heldat a560MusicCenteronWashingtonUniversity’scampus –sawguestsarrivingforanunforgettablenight,with foodanddrinkspriortoanawardscelebrationand liveconcertperformance.Receivingthe2023Woodie KingJr.LifetimeAchievementawardswereacting legends WendellPierce and RichardLawson,along withlocalheroes SusanBlock and DanIsom,who bothreceivedthe2023FrankieMuseFreemanSpirit awards.Concludingtheevening,attendeesenjoyeda performancefromTuskegeeUniversity’sGoldenVoices ConcertChoir.

Wearesogratefulforthis evening–tobesurroundedby suchastrongcommunityofsupporters forourworkinthetheatreandforyoung peoplethroughoureducationprograms. Thankstoourgalaco-chairs,committee andboard,wenowheadinto our47thseason–andour worldpremiereopening productionof‘OnHold’–withgreatpromise andmomentum.

–RonHimes FOUNDERANDPRODUCINGDIRECTOR

DanIsom,RonHimes

TrishHenderson,AliyahMarcano,LelaSperling

ErikaWoods,WendellPierce

FreidaSmith,MarkUtterback,SusanE.Block,MontandKarenLevy,JoanLipkin

KeithanWilliams,ChristianKitchens

FELLOWSHIPOFCHRISTIAN ATHLETES

Annual Celebration and Auction

Storyandphotos by DianeAnderson

The FellowshipofChristianAthletesheldits annual celebrationandauction recentlyat theCITYPARKsoccerstadiuminSt. Louis’ Downtown West region.Guests welcomed atrioofSt. LouisCITY SC soccerplayersand keynote speakers,including goalkeeper MichaelCreek and defenders KyleHiebert and Josh Yaro.Theathletes sharedabouttheirlivesandChristian faithjourneys tothoseinattendance, and everyonemingledtogether overhorsd’oeuvres.The celebration raised fundsto supportthe FellowshipofChristianAthletes’mission.

Visitladuenews.com to see morephotosfrom thisevent>

Ea ch ye ar, th e ce le bratio n ra ises fu nd s to su pp or t FC A’s mi ss io n to see Jesu s Ch ri st tran sform th e wo rld th ro ug h th e influe nc of he d athletes . All procee from th is ev en t go benefi t th e Fe llow sh of Ch ri stia n Athletes St . Lo ui s an d im pa ct lo ca l co aches an d stud en t athletes at hig h scho ol an d co lleg ia te le ve ls .

–MikeHansen FCAMETRODIRECTOR

JohnWilliams,BryanSchwarz,Brian McGraw

Brian Lunt, Catrina Cook

Tomand Melody Leeker

Nicholas Harper,Alex Hermann,GusMantia

Sue Rector, Colleen Koncki, JeannyVillard

St.Louis’ Pulitzer-Winning Poet Meet

By Drew Gieseke >Photo by RestonAllen

CARLPHILLIPS,2023PULITZER PRIZEINPOETRYWINNERAND

WASHUPROFESSOR, TALKSWRITING, ACADEMIAANDLIFEINST.LOUIS.

CarlPhillipshadabigyearin2023.TheacclaimedpoetandEnglishprofessoratWashington UniversityinSt.Louiswonboththe2023PulitzerPrizeinPoetryandthe2023TraditionofLiterary ExcellenceAward–twolandmarkaccoladesforacreativewithmorethan16publishedworks. WesatdownwithPhillipstolearnabouthispast,writingprocessandfutureprojects.

You'veauthoredmorethan16books,and yourmostrecentwork,‘ThentheWar,’won the2023PulitzerPrizeinPoetry.Whatdoes itmeantoberecognizedwiththeawardat thispointinyourcareer?

It’sawonderfulconfirmationthatwhatI’vewritten hasresonatedwithothers.I’malwaysskepticalabout prizes–theydon’t“prove”anythingaboutthequality ofthework,ultimately,butit’snicetoberecognized.

Youalsorecentlyreceivedthe2023Tradition ofLiteraryExcellenceAward.Whatwasthe celebrationlike?

Therewasaquitewonderful,intimatecelebrationinU-City. Ireadsomepoemsandchattedabitaboutpoetry,andIgot tomeetmanyinterestingpeoplefromthecommunity.

Howwereyoufirstintroducedtopoetry,andwhen didyoudecidetopursueitprofessionally?

Ireadpoetryasakidandwrotepoemsinhighschoolandcollege. ButIneverdecidedtopursueitprofessionally–Ididn’tknowthat waspossible.Ithinkofteachingasmyprofession.Itrainedtobea highschoolLatinteacherandIhadassumedI’dkeepdoingthatfor mycareer.

Youracademicinterestsincludeclassicalphilology, translationandthehistoryofprosodyinEnglish. Howdothesefieldsimpactyoucreatively?

Well,allofthoseareconnectedtolanguageindifferentways. Translationmakesmemoreattunedtomeaningataword-by-word level.Prosodyisallaboutpatternsofsound,which,ofcourse,all poemshaveatsomelevel.Andphilologyisthestudyofliterature, andI’vealwaysfeltthebestwaytobeawriteristostudywhat’s beenwrittenbefore.

You'realsoaprofessoratWashington UniversityinSt.Louis.Howdidyour studentsreactwhenyouwere announcedasthePulitzerPrize winner,andwhatimpactdid yourrecentaccoladeshaveon yourclasses?

Ha!Theprizewasannouncedaweek orsoafterclasseshadended,sothere wasn’tmuchreaction.Ithinkone studentemailedmetocongratulate me.AndthispastsemesterIhad theworstclassattendanceI’ve experiencedinover30years,soIdon’t thinktheaccoladeshaveimpressedthe students!That’sokay,though–they’re heretolearn,nottobeimpressed.

You'velivedandworkedalloverthe country.WhatbroughtyoutoWashU andSt.Louis,andwhatkindofimpacthas ithadonyourwork?

Iwasahighschoolteacherwhenapoetryteacherofmine,Robert Pinsky,toldmeaboutathree-yearjobatWashingtonUniversity.Ihad plannedtoleaveafterthreeyears,butthejobbecamepermanent.

It’sbeenagreatschooltoteachat,andlivinginStLouishasexpandedmy thinkingaboutpeople,aboutcitylife[and]aboutthenaturalworld.It’s alsoremovedfromalotofthedistractingenergyofNewYork,say,andI thinkthat’smadethisaplacewhereIcanquietlygetmywritingdone.

Whatadvicewouldyougivetoaspiringpoetsandother creativeshopingtobreakthroughintheworldofliterature?

Readaswidelyaspossible,inallgenres.Tryreadingthingsoutsideyour usualbox.It’llfeedyourownwriting.

What'snextforyouandyourwork?

MynewbookofpoemscomesoutinAugust:“ScatteredSnows,tothe North.”AndI’mretiringinMay,after31yearshere.I’llbemoving backtoMassachusetts,whereI’mfrom.Ihopetokeepteaching insummerworkshopsandconferences,though,andtokeep travelingtogivereadings.And,ofcourse,Ihopetherewillbe manymorepoemstowrite!

Sensory Solutions

ByConnieMitchell >PhotoscourtesyofTheSynapsory

THESYNAPSORY’SCALMING KITSANDSENSORY-MOTOR

ROOMSCREATEASAFE HAVENFORCHILDRENWITH DEVELOPMENTALDISABILITIES.

AllTerrieDeslogewantedwastobe abletogotochurchwithherfamily. Althoughgoingtochurchmayseem normalformanyparents,eventhe mostroutineexcursionsusedtopose numerouschallengesforDeslogeandherdaughter, Faith,whohascerebralpalsy,epilepsyandautism. “Webasicallycouldn’tleavethehousebecause[Faith wouldbe]overstimulatedfrompeople,lightsand noise,”Deslogesays.

Deslogedescribesherselfassomeonewhoseeks solutions,whichiswhyherownchallengesserved astheinspirationforfoundingTheSynapsory,a nonprofitdedicatedtooffering“rest,regulationand renewalforfamiliesofchildrenwithdiverseabilities.”

In2017,Deslogedevelopedasensorymotorroomat herchurchfor11-year-oldFaithandotherchildren withdiverseabilitiestouseduringweeklyservices. Theroomalsoservedasarespitesiteforparentsto leavetheirchildrenwithtrainedstaffonceamonth.

“TheinitialpurposeofTheSynapsorywasto providesomerespiteforfamiliesbecauseI,myself, wasexhausted,”Deslogesays.“Whenyou’reafulltimecaregiver,itwearsonyoumentally,emotionally, physicallyandfinancially.Ourmissionistoprovide restfortheparent,regulationforthechildand renewalforthefamily.”

Deslogenotesthatsome“sensory-friendly”rooms inpublicplacesaren’talwayshelpful.“Youcan’tjust turndownthelightsandsoundandcallitgood,”she notes.TheSynapsory’ssensorymotorrooms,now at14areachurchesandBrownElementarySchoolin theHazelwoodSchoolDistrict,providechildrenwith opportunitiesfortherapeuticplayusingswings,wallmountedtactileplayboards,lightedbubbletubesand slowlycolor-changingfloortiles.

Positiveresponsestothesensory-motorrooms encouragedDeslogetotakeherideaastepfurtherand

createCalmingKitsfor firstresponders,health careproviders,retailers andcaretakers.Thekits, alongwithusetraining, helpprofessionalswork withchildrenwhorequire behavioralregulation inhigh-stimulation circumstances.TheLadue PoliceDepartmentwasthefirst totrainandbeganusingcalmingkits toaidchildrenincrisis.“Ithelpsthembringachild intoregulationwithouttheuseofforce,”Deslogesays. Morethan1,000calmingkitsarenowinuseinlocal policedepartmentsaswellasatSt.LouisChildren’s Hospital,SSMHealthCardinalGlennonChildren’s HospitalandShrinersChildren’sSt.Louis.

LocalretailerHearthandSoulisamongthemost recentbusinessestotrainwithcalmingkits.Parents shoppingwithchildrenthathavediverseneedscan feelassuredknowingthatHearthandSoulstaffcan offerself-regulatingitemsfromCalmingKitssuchas acolor-changing,squishyanimal.

“Forparents,youknowthatifyourkidhasa meltdowninthestore,theyhaveacalmingkitand arereadytoassistyou,”Deslogesays.“Thisisabig dealbecausepeopledon’trealizethatparentsof thesechildrendon’tgettogoshoppingorouttoeat oronvacation.Butnow,ifIruninastoretograb abirthdaygiftforsomeone,IknowIcantakemy daughtertherebecausetheycanofferheranitem fromthecalmingkit.”

Calmingkitscanbeorderedorgiftedfor$75 throughTheSynapsory’swebsite.Deslogealso developedTheSynapsorySnuggle,aweightedlap blanketwithcolor-changinglights,pricedat$150.

DeslogeisfocusedonexpandingTheSynapsory’s servicestoincludemorefamiliesandbusinessesin St.Louis.ReservationsarenowopenforTheSynapsory BrunchandFashionShowonMay4attheHilton St.LouisFrontenac.“Everythingwedoisbasedon privatedonations,”shesays.“Thiswillbeourfirst independentfundraiser.”

TheSynapsory,thesynapsory.org

Learning to

By EmilyStandlee

WITHTHEHELPOFVOLUNTEERSANDASMALLBUTPASSIONATETEAM, WILDBIRDREHABILITATIONINOVERLANDHELPSTHOUSANDSOF MISSOURI’SWILDSONGBIRDSTAKEFLIGHTAGAINEACHYEAR.

Onanygivendayinearly spring,thetwo-story buildingat9624Midland Blvd.inOverlandlooks unassumingenough–you’d neverguessthatthespace isatemporaryhomeforthousandsofwild songbirds.ThisisWildBirdRehabilitation,a nonprofitorganizationestablishedin1993by CarolKershner.

Justlastyear,WBRcaredformorethan 1,900birdsthatrepresentavarietyofspecies –fromAmericanwoodcocksandcigarshapedchimneyswiftstooverwintering hummingbirdsandyoungrobins.Someare attackedbyneighborhoodcats;othersflyinto largeglasswindows;andmany,whoaretoo youngtofly,arebroughtintoWBRasbabies.

Thecenterhasasmallstaffandmostlyrelies onvolunteerstorunthephonesandfeedand waterthebirds.“Volunteersaresovitaltoour operation,”executivedirectorLoriMooreMcMullensays.“Wehavearound125to150 volunteerseveryseasonthathelpus.They comeinandspendaboutafour-hourshift here.They’redoingdishes,cleaningcagesand helpingwiththebabiesbecausebabyseason isalmostuponus.”Thebabybirdsaloneneed tobefedevery15to20minutes.

RoomsinWBRaredemarcatedbyfunction.

ThedayLNdropsbyforavisit,directorof rehabilitationDarbyTurnergivesusatourof eachsectionanddescribestheprocesswhen birdsfirstarriveatthefacility.First,birdsare takentotheintakeroom,wheretheirweight andageareassessedandrecorded.These detailshelpstaffmembersdevelopaplanof carefornewarrivalsduringtheirstayatWBR.

“Isitanestlingthatneedstogoinoneof theincubators,oraninjuredfledglingthat cangoinacagewithsomeoftheothers wealreadyhave?”Turnerasks.“Oncethat decisionismade,weplacethebirdinthe properplaceandgofromthere.Atthepeakof busyseason,theincubatorsareallfull.”

Robinsmightgetwetcatfoodorwater downthesidesoftheirbeaks;later,they arefedwormsfromawormfarmthestaff maintains.Somebirdsare placedinroomswith enclosureslining thewalls,where thetimebetween feedingsmightincrease astheygrow.Ifabirdis almostfullyrecovered,it goesinafree-flyroomwith otherbirds.Birdsareplaced outsideinthecenter’saviary aswell.“Wegoouttheretwice

adaytochangeeveryone’sfoodandwater–sometimesmorewhenit’shotout,”Turner says.“We’recheckingtomakesurethey’re eatingandthatnoone’sindistress.”Once thebusyseasonstarts,it’sallhandsondeck tohelpthebirdseatbythemselves,growand recoverbeforerelease.VolunteerMichelle ElliotthasbeenwithWBRforalmostayear; inthebeginning,shedidn’tknowifshewas preparedtocareforthebirds.“Onmyfirst dayhere,thepersontrainingmeputfour babybirdsinmyhandsandsaid,‘Here,hold this,’”shelaughs.“Itjustchangedmylife.I wanttobehereeveryday.”

Thatafternoon,afterLN’svisit,Turner andvisitingUniversityofMissouri-Columbia veterinarystudentJuliaWakefieldloadup thecarwithacagedAmericanwoodcock–a short,leafy-coloredbirdwithexpressiveeyes andalongbeakusedtoforageforworms. Thefieldtrip’spurposeisahappyone:It’s releasedayforthewoodcock.Wedriveittoa woodedareaawayfromthecity–WBR alwaystriestofreeitspatientsclose tothelocationinwhichthey’re found–andwatchasthe birdflitscautiouslyinto theair,landsandwalks backintothebrush, homeatlast.

WBRNEEDSYOURHELP

“Rightnow,oneofourbiggestneedsis gettingmorepeopleinthebuildingtohelp usforthespring,summerandfall,”MooreMcMullensays.“Tworesourcesweneverseem tohaveenoughofarevolunteersandfinancial support.”Thecenterreceivesgrants,butit’s almostcompletelykeptrunningthrough donations.Andwithexpansiononthehorizon, WBRcoulduseabiggeroutdooraviaryandmore spaceingeneral.

Now’sthetimetoconsidervolunteering:Not onlywillyoulearnaboutMissouribirds,their calls,behaviors,personalitiesandlifecycles, butyou’llalsomeetahighlyeducatedgroupof birdloverswhowillprobablyinviteyououtona birdwatchingadventure.AsTurnerputsit:“We’re small,butwehavealotofheart.”

WildBirdRehabilitation,9624MidlandBlvd., Overland,314-426-6400,wildbirdrehab.org

PhotobyEmilyStandlee

LN

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