December 2, 2022

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

W hatare yougrateful for?

It’stheeverydaydelightsandspecialtouches. Thefriendsnewandfamiliar.Daysrichincolor anddiscovery.Eveningsalightwithsmiles. It’sTheGatesworth.

We’vesetthestandardforexceptionalsenior livingthankstoourResidents,ourworld-class staffandon-siteownership. Wearewelcomingnewresidentsandwould bedelightedtomeetyou!

ComeexperienceTheGatesworthforyourself.

LADUE NEWS

PUBLISHER Ian Caso

EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Emily Adams | eadams@laduenews.com

MANAGING EDITOR Andrea Smith | asmith@laduenews.com

DIGITAL EDITOR & STAFF WRITER Amanda Dahl | adahl@laduenews.com

COPY EDITOR & STAFF WRITER Bryan A. Hollerbach | bhollerbach@laduenews.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Charlotte Renner | crenner@laduenews.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR Emily Standlee | estandlee@laduenews.comm

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Bethany Christo, Drew Gieseke, Alecia Humphreys, Dr. Joseph Kahn, Brittany Nay, Courtney Perrett, Nancy Robinson, Mabel Suen, Katie Yeadon

SALES

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Kevin Hart | khart@stlpostmedia.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Katie Ray | kray@laduenews.com Erin Wood | ewood@laduenews.com

SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER

Maggie Peters | mpeters@laduenews.com

CLASSIFIED ACCOUNT MANAGER Lisa Taylor | ltaylor@lee.net

ART

ART DIRECTOR

Dawn Deane | ddeane@laduenews.com

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR Laura De Vlieger | ldevlieger@laduenews.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Diane Anderson, Jon Gitchoff, Bryan Schraier, Christina Kling-Garrett

OFFICE MANAGER

Megan Langford | mlangford@laduenews.com

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Carpe diem. Seize the day. It’s a motto I strive to live by, but personally, it’s not my instinct to say “Why not?” to an uncertain or intimidating situation. To that question, I can always give an answer.

I admire the strength it takes to choose hope and generosity when thrust into a terrible situation. During his own battle against cancer, Ed Stratton sought out an avenue to help fellow cancer warriors.

On Page 10, contributing reporter Drew Gieseke relays Stratton’s story of connecting with the Missouri nonprofit Fight Colorectal Cancer and seizing opportunities to give back.

Also empowering others to face uncertainty, Darci Roberts and Jasmine Mauss opened their business, Matched With Love, to pair single, young professionals in the metro area with compatible partners. Contributing reporter Brittany Nay shares on Page 14 what makes their new matchmaking and date-coaching firm stand out.

Onstage performers might seem like the type of people well-suited for high-pressure situations, but St. Louis-based psychologist Elma Kanefield knows firsthand what it’s like to lose that carpe diem attitude with an audience watching. On Page 45, contributing reporter Courtney Perrett provides details on Kanefield’s experience and how her new book can help performers overcome whatever hinders a perfect performance.

Carpe diem,

Andrea Smith, Managing Editor

IN MEMORY OF BRYAN A. HOLLERBACH

By Emily Adams, Editor-in-Chief

In his seven years as copy editor and staff writer of Ladue News, Bryan A. Hollerbach pitched a minimum of 50 ways to support St. Louis’ arts community per month – “arts” rather than “art” because, as Bryan consistently pointed out, there is always a multitude of ways to pursue creative expression. It’s a credence he exemplified, through and through. In each of these 84 months, Bryan consulted his metro area map about one million times to ensure that each defined neighborhood and city in the LN coverage area received appropriate recognition. Every single day, he –in his own words – “kept the trains running” for our team.

It breaks my heart to share the news that Bryan unexpectedly passed away last week. Bryan loved – I mean loved – his job at Ladue News (almost as much as he loved italicizing words for emphasis). He treated its staff as family and its readers as friends.

Always equipped with encyclopedic knowledge and his favorite fingerless gloves, he was entirely devoted to the community he covered in his time here. He dedicated himself to making Ladue News the best it could be, and as our contributor Bethany Christo eloquently said, the magazine and we as people are all better for it.

As our entire LN family can attest, Bryan was a uniquely wonderful person. He had an insatiable curiosity, a never-ending library, a kind heart and the ability to talk about anything to anyone at any time. He admired American journalist Hunter S. Thompson, cherished his parents’ farm in Ste. Genevieve and thoroughly enjoyed leaving fun facts in the margins of every article he edited. He was the best person to grab a beer with, the most devoted son to his parents, and a person and colleague we will all miss very much. Even now, he’s the editor I wish I could send this page for a last read before press.

This might be the final time his name will appear in our masthead, but his legacy with this publication will resonate in every edition, and his memory will remain vivid to all who knew him well, for years to come.

Rest in peace, Bry. We’ll keep the trains running. ln

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PhotosbyChristinaKling-Garrett

AGAINST THE ODDS A Survivor’s Mission

By Drew Gieseke

Ed Stratton’s cancer came out of nowhere. He went from having zero symptoms to passing large amounts of blood almost overnight. Hospital stints and tests followed, until finally, doctors found a spot on Stratton’s liver: cancer.

“It’s shocking; it’s devastating,” Stratton reflects on the realization. “The fortunate thing for me was I had a tremendous support group, and my medical care was fantastic.”

Stratton was diagnosed in 2019. Soon after he began treatment, Stratton connected with another patient who introduced him to the national nonprofit Fight Colorectal Cancer, which gave him the perfect opportunity to support others in similar situations.

Founded in 2005 and based in Springfield, Missouri, Fight CRC is a leading organization in advocating for people with colorectal cancer. It provides information on colon and rectal cancer research, treatment and policy. According to the nonprofit, colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.

Now cancer-free, Stratton continues to support cancer patients as an ambassador for Fight CRC. This includes advocacy efforts, fundraising projects and more – all to provide the same network of support he benefited from during his fight against cancer.

“You are fighting this personal battle, but somebody before me had done fundraising and advocacy, and because of that, I believe that’s why I got the medical care I got,” Stratton says. “It’s part of why I was able to overcome this thing. My family and our supporters felt that we should do the same thing for others.”

One of the successful projects Stratton helped lead includes Swing Fore the Cause, an event hosted at TopGolf Chesterfield in October that raised close to $40,000 for Fight CRC. It was a huge success – especially considering that Swing Fore the Cause was Stratton’s first attempt at a fundraising event.

“Both my wife and I play a lot of golf, so it was

kind of a natural thing to do an event,” Stratton says. “We decided to do something a little different with TopGolf, and I think it turned out great. It’s a little easier to do it and get people to it, and you don’t have to be a good golfer to do it.”

Stratton says more events are in the works for 2023 to benefit Fight CRC and raise awareness of this type of cancer. Stratton advocates for screenings and adds that misconceptions about

colorectal cancer can lead to misdiagnoses and prolonged pain.

“People think this is an ‘old-person’ cancer,” Stratton notes, emphasizing that younger people may misunderstand their risk. “It is not.” ln

Fight Colorectal Cancer, 134 Park Central Square #210, Springfield, Missouri, 703-548-1225, fightcolorectalcancer.org

By Dr. Joseph Kahn

It feels like yesterday that I graduated from the University of Missouri School of Medicine and finished my pediatric residency, but it has actually been 45 and 42 years, respectively.

Since that time, I’ve helped raise my children and watched as they had their own children. I have cared for thousands of patients both in my clinic and in the hospital. And I’ve witnessed big changes in medicine – in my own practice, at Mercy and beyond.

As I face retirement at the end of this month, I can’t help but look at how far we’ve come. Changes in medicine have been amazing and most have improved care for patients. Technology facilitates much quicker and more accurate diagnoses; therapeutics and other treatments are far more advanced and constantly improving; and general access to health care is improving.

Even still, I fear the care of children faces a challenging future. Pediatric care is costly, resource-intensive and poorly reimbursed. Mental health care needs for kids have been increasing for years and even more dramatically since the pandemic. However, as the needs have increased, it has become harder and harder to receive care.

When I retire at the end of this year, those taking the reins of pediatric care at Mercy have great plans in place to help more kids get improved access to mental health support. I look forward to watching these programs

take hold, so keep an eye out for more information.

It has been my privilege to write for Ladue News the past several years. It has been educational for me, and I hope I’ve shared interesting content for you, as well. The Kids MD column will continue in the coming year, written by various Mercy Clinic primary care and specialist pediatricians going forward, and I look forward to continuing as a reader.

Thank you for reading. Have a merry Christmas and an excellent new year. ln

Dr. Joseph Kahn is president of Mercy Kids (mercykids.org), an expansive network of pediatric care dedicated to meeting the needs of every child, every day.

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BUSINESS NOTES Tired

Apps? of the

By Brittany Nay | Photo by claire Forrest Films

Tired of trying to find long-term love on dating apps?

St. Louis-based Matched With Love is a new matchmaking and date coaching firm that specializes in connecting single young professionals looking for serious relationships.

“Dating is tough right now – on average, singles spend 10 hours per week on dating apps,” founder and certified matchmaker Darci Roberts says. “Young professionals are busy, tired of the apps and have lost two years of potentially meeting their person due to the pandemic. Singles, especially here in St. Louis, are having a hard time meeting compatible partners.”

Matched With Love uses a personalized matchmaking approach to intentionally match singles with potential partners who have common interests and life goals, saving time while connecting clients with truly compatible partners, Roberts explains.

Clients who sign on have access to the firm’s duo: Roberts, a St. Louis native who received her matchmaking certification from the New Yorkbased Global Love Institute (formerly known as the Matchmaking Institute), and Jasmine Mauss, a certified date and relationship coach and a family and relationship therapist who assists clients in improving their self-awareness and confidence as they search for long-lasting love.

“If you’re a single young professional –millennials between the ages of 26 and 42 – and are open and ready for a long-term relationship, you should join Matched With Love,” Roberts says.

The firm offers four main services: joining its complimentary network of singles, becoming a matchmaking client, signing up for individual date coaching sessions and booking online dating

Jasmine Mauss and Darci Roberts

and business photo shoots.

“Complimentary member[s] of the network of singles … have first access to our events [and] dating resources,” Roberts explains. “If we do have a client that is a match, you receive a complimentary service; we meet with you, go through the process and introduce you to our client that meets [your] criteria.”

Roberts details one client success story of a metro area nurse and single mom who is now happily dating her match exclusively: “She is genuine, hardworking and kind … and we matched her with an amazing man – a familyoriented business professional ready for a longterm relationship. She said they spent more than five hours talking during their first date because they had so much in common.”

The Matched With Love client, who shared her story anonymously per the firm’s privacy

standards, says she was “matched with someone who meets all of my criteria.”

“It’s very hard to find and connect with others as a working adult with limited free time,” the client shares. “Darci [Roberts] made sure to spend a good amount of time with me during our discovery sessions in order to find out exactly what I was looking for, so she could match me with the most compatible person. The date coaching sessions with Jasmine [Mauss] … helped me with my dating anxiety and … new dating strategies.”

Being a part of someone’s love story is hard work but definitely worth it, Roberts notes: “To bring that happiness into someone’s life – there’s really no other feeling like that.” ln

Matched With Love, @matchedwithlove, matchedwithlove.com

MakeaGift

ByAmandaDahl

AsofNov.3,morethan100childrenhad beenshotacrosstheSt.Louismetroarea in2022alone,accordingtoreporting fromtheSt.LouisPost-Dispatch.The recent shooting at Central Visual andPerformingArts HighSchoolandtheCollegiateSchoolofMedicine andBioscience(housedonthesamecampus)–whichresultedinthedeathof15-year-oldstudent AlexzandriaBell andteacherJean Kuczka and injuries to others –hasdrawnnationalattentionto anissue alreadytop ofmind for localleaders.

Leaders ofSaint LouisPublicSchoolsand ConfluenceAcademies charter schoolsformedthe Educators for GunSafetyinitiative earlierthisyearwithamissionto protect studentsthroughexpanded gun safety education.“Theprimary goal [ofEducators for GunSafety] hasalwaysbeeneducation–and thathasn’tchanged,”saysMatt Davis, the city’sBoardofEducation president. “Hasittakenonextraora different sense ofurgency? Maybe.”

Davisstatesthatlocalpublic schoolshavelongbeenworking toprotectstudentsfromaschool shootingthroughadditional shooter andsecurity drillswith localpolice guidance,security reinforcementstoschoolbuildings, andmentalhealthresourcesto studentsandstaff.Theissue, hestresses,isthatgunviolence permeatesstudents’livesbeyond wheretheygotolearn.

“Youngpeoplearegettingshot onthestreetorthroughaccidents withunsecuredguns,”Davissays. “Familymembers ofstudentshave beeninvolvedingunviolence,andthere’straumathat ensues.Now,wehaveoneotherthingwe’vealways beenworriedaboutthathasbecomeatragicreality.”

Theinitiativelauncheditsfirstprogramearlier thisyearinwhich itsmembers deliveredgunlocks throughoutthecommunity,andlocalpoliceprovided instructiononhowtoproperlysecureweaponsat home.Theinitiative’scurrentmission is to introduce gunsafetycurriculuminSt.Louisareaschools.

“We’vealreadygotthesekidsinourbuilding;we’ve gotaregularlineofcommunication withparents. Let’sdosomething–let’ssaysomething–whilewe can,”saysGeorgeSells,directorofcommunications atSLPS,aboutthelaunchofnewcurriculum.“Itis incrediblyimportantto notethat thisiscomingfrom alleducatorsaroundthecity–notjustSaintLouis PublicSchools.”

Sellsexpectsstudentswillbegintoget involvedin Educators for GunSafety.

“Studentsareraisingandmaintainingastrong voicecoming outof[therecentshooting ],”hesays. “These youngpeoplehavealottosay,andthey realizeit’saboutthem,theirlives, theirsafetyand theirrights.”

Davisexpressesfrustrationwithalackofsupport forpubliceducationlocallyandsaysthatschoolsare oftenburdenedwithaddressingunderlyingsocial problemsthatleadtoviolence.

“That’snotsupposedtobetheprimarymissionof schools,”Daviscontinues.“It’ssupposedtobereading, writing,math.We’vebeentryingtoadvocate…that theleveloftraumainourcommunity,especiallyfor youngpeople,issohigh–andifwe don’tstartaddressingtheeffects ofthattrauma,we’renevergoing toimproveourabilitytodobasic educationfunctions.

“Weneedhelp.Weneed everybodyinthecommunityto pulltheirweight,sothatwecan makekidsourprimarymission. That’sgoingtorequirepoliticians, communityleadersandallthese nonprofitstoalign.Weneedso manymoreresourcesandnottojust leaveitontheschool.”

Additional nonprofitinitiatives haveformedinrecentyearsto address gun violence in theregion, includingtheInterfaithGun SafetyInitiativewhich,according toapressrelease,formedinlate October.Theclergywhocomprise theInterfaithGunSafetyInitiative collaborateswithlocal andnational organizations to further gunsafety education efforts andprovide gun locks to congregants.

“Webelievethathousesofworshiphaveacritical roletoplayinteachingourcongregantsaboutgun safety,”saysReverendRodrick Burton,senior pastor oftheNewNorthsideMissionaryBaptistChurchand vicepresidentoftheEcumenicalLeadershipCouncil, inthepressrelease.“Idon’twanttoconsoleanother familywhohassenselesslylostachild,achildwhose deathcouldhavebeenpreventedifagunhadnot beensoeasilyaccessible.”

MaharatRoriPickerNeissoftheJewishCommunity RelationsCouncil,alsospeaksinthepressrelease on strengthinpartnerships: “Weknowthepowerthatis possiblewhencommunitiescometogether.”

EducatorsforGunSafety,St.Louis,314-231-3720, slps.org/gunsafety

InterfaithGunSafetyInitiative,314-246-1207 (Rev.RodrickBurton)

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“With everything the world has experienced the last couple years, supporting charitable organizations may be on your mind more than ever before. If you haven’t already, check with your financial, tax or legal advisors to plan the timing and method of your donations to maximize your impact.”

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PHOTO

THE TRIO

CHIC Rustic

By Nancy Robinson

Warm brown woods, golden accents and lightly patterned upholstery create a chic getaway atmosphere.

This whimsical, 17" x 36" mirror is aptly titled The Very Deer Who Eat My Hosta. Created by designer and sculptor Carol Canner and shown here in a bronze finish, it is also available in antique goldleaf, sterling silver leaf or a nickel finish. (carversguild.com)

Oak Creek Stripe is from Thibaut’s Sierra collection of stain-resistant Inside Out Performance Fabrics. This classic woven chair joins lush chenille, nubby wool and linen textile that are perfect for lakeside lodges and mountain chalets. (greatcoverupdesign.com)

Arteriors’

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Enchanting

Elegance

By Alecia Humphreys Photo by Karen Palmer Photography

Inside a 1950s ranch-style home in Creve Coeur is a room renovated with an enchanting design by Karen Korn of Karen Korn Interiors.

“We started with the sage green color,” Korn says. “We really wanted to create a soothing, calming space.”

Korn notes that she was inspired by the exterior of the home.

“The back is like a forest,” Korn details. “We really wanted to bring in all the organic elements. We wanted to feel really grounded in that space and bring all those elements inside.”

Korn began with the beautiful sage green bedding before finding the floral floor-to-ceiling wallpaper by Fabricut.

“My favorite component is definitely the wallpaper,” Korn says. “It’s just like a field of wildflowers. It feels whimsical. And I just see you running through this field of wildflowers and just plopping down and [it] surrounding you. That’s what it feels like.”

The designer carefully chose colored crown molding to complete this space.

“We complemented the molding to the wallpaper and bedding because we just wanted it all to flow – there wouldn’t be any end,” Korn describes. “The ceiling is also tinted that color, but it looks white. We just wanted to feel enveloped in that sensation of being in the field of wildflowers.

“The draperies are ombre just like a flower petal,” Korn continues. “Flower petals are not one color or another, and there’s a lot of ombre petals in the wallpaper, too. Plus, they have that little fringe that also adds a whimsical element.” ln

Karen Korn Interiors, 1099 Milwaukee St., Suite 165, St. Louis, 636-675-6150, karenkorninteriors.com

The Sei blouse, $475, Vie (viestlouis.com)

&MerryBright

By Katie Yeadon

Spark joy with your wardrobe this holiday season. ln

Pearl bow earrings, $28, BaubleBashSTL

THML top, $82, Paisley Boutique (instagram.com/paisleyboutiquestl)

Alice

Ramy Brook faux leather halter top, $285, Hearth and Soul (hearthandsoul.com)

Bow earrings, $28, BaubleBashSTL (instagram.com/baublebashstl)

Ulla Johnson dress, $530, Vie

Tanya

Cult Gaia clutch, $328, Neiman Marcus (neimanmarcus.com)

Marc Fisher heel, $160, Nordstrom (nordstrom.com)

SALONI dress, $750, Saks Fifth Avenue (saksfifthavenue.com)

& Olivia dress, $595, Vie

Taylor dress, $575, Neiman Marcus

BUILDER

ByBethanyChristo | PhotosbyBjörn WallanderStudios

AnnieBrahler,founderandco-designprincipaloftheinternational designfirmEuroTrash,describesonetalentthatmightbethekey to her success:“Isomehowinherentlyknowwhat my client really wantstolivewith,eveniftheyhaveahardtimearticulatingitfor onereasonoranother.I’mreallyabletopullthatoutandcreateit.”

BrahlerfoundedEuroTrash25yearsagoandnowworksinlockstepwith herhusbandandfellowdesignprincipalCharlesSmith.Thepairoperatesthe multifacetedfirmspecializingindesignbuildsandrenovations–fromfinding propertiesanddrawinguptheentirelayouttotheminutedesigndetails.Her business’rootsareinfurnishingsimports;Brahlerusedherdiscerningeyeand growingnetworktosource,designandrenovatenew,vintageandantiquepieces fromEuropeforclientsacrosstheworld–andshewasn’tabovedumpsterdives whiletreasurehunting,hencethecheekyname.

In2013,thecouplerescuedahistoricmidcenturymodernhomeinBallwin fromdemolition.In2021,theymovedtotheirstunningWebsterGrovescottage, whichsitsblocksawayfromEuroTrash’sLockwoodAvenuestudioheadquarters.

AscrollthroughBrahler’spersonal Instagram(@eurotrashannie) might

leadtotheassumptionshehasawell-definedopulent,lavishaesthetic,but–makingsuretonotethefeedisherpersonalsocialmediapage–Brahlerinstead highlightsthefirm’sincrediblydiverseportfolio.

“There’snotoneaestheticorbasedesign,andI’dbelyingifIsaidthere was,”shesays.“It’snotaboutus;it’snotaboutourvision–it’saboutmyclient andwhatmyclientreallywants.Ifyou’regoingtofindonethreadwithme, it’sauthenticity…Ithastobeauthenticinitsmessage,whichdoesn’tmean something‘midcentury’hastobeaMiloBaughmanchairtouchedbyMilo himself.Itjusthastohaveanhonestyaboutit;Idon’tlikecookie-cutteror thingsthataren’toriginalthoughts.”

EuroTrashclientshaverangedfrombillionairesandpoliticalleaderstosingle parents,andthefirmhasbeenrecognizedinnationalpublications.Aroundthe St.Louisarea,youcanfindherworkcommerciallyinChristinaWhiteSalonsin BrentwoodandChesterfieldandinVictoryMen’sHealth’sthreemetrolocations, forwhichshealsocreatedbrandedmarketingandgraphics.

Residentially,BrahlerandSmithhavespentthepasttwo-plusyearsworking withhomeownersofanewbuildunderwayinFrontenac–findingthetuckedawayproperty,drawingandconceivingthedesign,collectingarchitectural

ANNIEBRAHLER

elementstobebuiltin,andnowfiguringoutwherefinisheswillbe placed.Additionally,theirrenovationstoahistoricLaduehome wrappedupinAugust,andamongitsmanyjaw-droppingarchitectural anddesignelementsisanall-glassproducechillerinthekitchenpantry.

“Theyliketoeatreallyfresh,sowecameupwiththeconceptofthe producechillerforin-seasonthingsthat’smorevisibleandgrab-and-go andhelpsproducelastlonger,ratherthanneedingtonsofspacefora freezer,”shesays.“Itgotasdetailedastohowtheyliketheirceleryto bealltogetherratherthanseparatedorchoppedup.That’sanexample ofhowpersonalIget–Iwouldn’tbuildthatkindofkitchenforanother familywithadifferentlifestyleandpreferences.”

EuroTrashchargesaflatfee(versushourly)andspendshoursup frontinvestigatingtheproject(gettingincrawlspacesandpoking aroundfoundationsandattics,asneeded)tocreatethemostaccurate contractandatransparent,locked-inbudget.

“ItallowsmethefreedomtowhereIcanjustdowhat’srightformy client,”Brahlersays.“IhavetohavethefreedomtotakeaslongasIwant; ifIwanttochangeadrawing85timestogetitright,I’mgoingtodo that,andI’mnotgoingtochargemyclientforthat.…Wewanttomake sureeveryoneiscomfortableandhappyandnotworriedorhavingthe dreaded feelingofthe unexpected.”

Brahlerrecognizestheimmenseweightandprivilegeshehaswhen entrustedwithsomeone’shome or livelihood.

“Tobeinchargeofsomeone’sdreamisabigdeal,soyoubetyoura** I’mgoingtobemakingsureeverythingfunctionsandisexactlyperfect towhatthatidealis,”shesays.“Theytrustedmewithit,theycametome tomakeithappen,andIwon’tforgetthat.”

EuroTrash, 126E. LockwoodAve., WebsterGroves,660-221-8487, eurotrash.us

TOP MEN IN REAL ESTATE

Mark Gellman and Neil Gellman

THE GELLMAN TEAM

EXP REALTY

314-336-1991, thegellmanteam.com

Mark and Neil Gellman and their team have helped more than 4,200 families achieve their goals since 2008 and are also fast approaching $1.7 billion in career sales. They’re proud of their team’s culture based on building client relationships for life and giving back to the community.

Mike Huggins

LAURA MCCARTHY REAL ESTATE

314-288-9157 (direct), 314-725-5100 (office), lauramccarthy.com

Mike Huggins has developed a successful career in the St. Louis real estate market with professionalism and integrity at the forefront of his business. He guides his clients through the process of buying and selling their dream homes with patience, attention to detail and skilled negotiating. Huggins helps his clients succeed!

Ted Wight

DIELMANN SOTHEBY’S

INTERNATIONAL REALTY 314-607-5555, tedwightrealestate.com

Ted Whight has sold real estate for almost 20 years with Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty and is top-ranked agent in the region. Wight sells properties from downtown St. Louis to Wildwood. Check out his website – StLouis.Style – and his Instagram – stlouis.style for more info. Fun Fact: Wight learned to ski this year.

By Maggie Peters

SSM

BRIGHT NIGHT GALA

SSM Health Foundation hosted its annual Bright Night Gala in October at the Ritz Carlton, St. Louis in Clayton. Guests spent the first part of the night sipping on cocktails and enjoying hors d’oeuvres. A three-course dinner and silent and live auctions followed. All proceeds from the event help to support, strengthen and stabilize the metro area community through health services. Co-chairs for the evening were Anne Rister and Emery Skolfield

It’s only through the support of our sponsors, partners and benefactors that we’re able to extend a helping hand to all those who need us and ensure that every individual in the community has equal access to, knowledge of and resources for receiving the care they deserve. The result is a healthier, happier and more connected community for us all.

PAUL ROSS SSM HEALTH FOUNDATION PRESIDENT

Photos and story by Diane Anderson

Visit LADUENEWS.COM to see more fabulous photos from this event!

Abby and Nathan Haas

Chad and Karyn Fowler

Anne Rister, Emery Skofield Hailu Meng, Jia Yan

Sue Adams, Iris Calloway, Sarah Ghidina

DRAVET

SYNDROME FOUNDATION

DANCE FOR DRAVET

and story by Bryan

Schraier

The Brennan and Odlaug families hosted this year’s Dance for Dravet event, benefiting the Dravet Syndrome Foundation, at Doug Auer’s Third Degree Glass Factory, where artists’ glass masterpieces surrounded the guests. This – the largest national fundraiser for the Dravet Syndrome Foundation – raised over $460,000 this year, with funds going toward research and effective treatment. Guests enjoyed drinks, food, tie-dyed T-shirts by Mike Noss, silent and live auctions, glassmaking demonstrations and live music. Tom Ackerman served as emcee and auctioneer.

Visit LADUENEWS.COM to see more fabulous photos from this event!

Photos

Dance for Dravet is now the largest fundraiser nationally for the foundation. [It’s all] thanks to the overwhelming generosity of St. Louisans.

– JIM BRENNAN EVENT ORGANIZER AND PRESIDENT OF MCKELVEY HOMES (PICTURED WITH TOM ACKERMAN, LEFT)

Susie VonGontard, Mary Sigurdson, Margaux Roth

Jim and Rose Brennan, Lois and Jack Easterling

Andrew and Erika Odlaug, Pat and Ted Odlaug

Katie Talleur, Mike Noss, Adam Talleur Doug and Karen Auer

GREAT RIVERS ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER SERVICE AWARDS CELEBRATION

Gitchoff

In late October, Great Rivers Environmental Law Center hosted its annual Lewis C. Green Environmental Service Awards celebration at the World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park. Guests were treated to cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music from Midwest Jazztette and a silent auction. During the program, current and former leaders of the organization shared stories from cases that protected Missouri’s land and public health for the past 20 years. Dan and Connie Burkhardt were awarded the Lewis C. Green Environmental Service Award for their work preserving the last 100 miles of the Missouri River Valley.

Visit LADUENEWS.COM to see more fabulous photos from this event!

e people and communities we serve deserve to breathe air that does not do them harm. ey deserve access to water and spaces that are free from toxic substances. anks to our supporters, we have been working to make this happen these past 20 years.

BRUCE MORRISON

Photos and story by Jon

–

ATTORNEY AND GREAT RIVERS PRESIDENT

Mary Beth Layton, Jim Wilson

David Garin, Jean Ponzi

Nancy Farmer, Sue Rothschild

Trudy Busch Valentine, John Fries

Connie Burkhardt, Steve and Meg Hager

LOCAL EATS

Sando Shack

Story and photos by Mabel Suen

Japanese-style sandwiches have arrived in St. Louis’ South City. Sando Shack opened the doors to its first brick-and-mortar storefront on Nov. 1 in the Tower Grove South neighborhood, where it cooks up Japanese sandos, sides and more. The restaurant is the next iteration of the brand, which was previously established with a food truck that rolled out last year.

The concept comes from married duo Amy Guo and Dan Jensen, who combine their backgrounds in business management and cooking, respectively, to bring their menu of Asian-inspired cuisine to St. Louis. The couple also owns Hello Poke at City Foundry STL, which debuted in August 2021.

Guo, who is a native St. Louisan, has a background in marketing, while Jensen’s culinary career began in his hometown of Chicago. After living in Chicago and Seattle, the couple fell in love with Asian-fusion cuisine and wanted to bring a

taste of their favorite dishes back to the Lou.

While experiencing pandemic delays during the development of Hello Poke, they decided to pivot and establish the Sando Shack food truck. With their new casual eatery on Morgan Ford Road, the popular sandwiches are now available on a more regular basis.

“We’re really excited to be in a neighborhood and have normal hours where people can come get our food anytime,” Guo says. “This neighborhood in particular has been so supportive of us on the food truck and at the Tower Grove Farmers Market.”

Sando Shack fills the approximately 1,200-square-foot space that previously housed The Dam. The interior was designed primarily for carryout but does offer indoor seating. A back patio attached to the neighboring Amsterdam Tavern is also available.

Signature staples include both regular and sweet-and-spicy chicken katsu sandos, made with deep-fried, panko-breaded chicken thighs topped with a wasabi and kewpie mayo-based

slaw. Additional offerings include a pork tonkatsu sando, katsu burger, chicken karaage sando and a vegetarian option: a portobello mushroom katsu sando topped with a curried carrot and ginger purée, slaw and katsu sauce.

Sides such as curry fries, sea salt fries, togarashi fries and Japanese potato salad are on the menu, as well as snack items including cucumber salad and teriyaki pork wings made with brined ham shanks and topped with Hello Poke sauce, cilantro and sesame seeds. The menu will tentatively expand in the future to include rice bowls. To drink, choose from soft drinks, such as Japanese sodas and Hawaiian Sun fruit beverages. ln

Sando Shack, 3173 Morgan Ford Road, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-449-1011, instagram.com/sandoshackstl

Performance POTENTIAL

By Courtney Perrett

In 1959, Elma Kanefield moved to New York City to pursue a career as a musical theater performer. One night, after the ensemble built to the opening chord of her debut song, Kanefield fell silent.

“Nothing would come out, which just gave me in,” Kanefield says, explaining that neither doctors nor therapists could help her. “I quit the business.”

Upon moving back to the metro area, Kanefield attended Washington University in St. Louis, where she studied counseling and psychology. She ultimately opened a private practice dedicated to studying the psyche of performing artists – a unique role that took her back to New York, where she began consulting at The Juilliard School. This fall, the coach and mentor released her book “Hamlet’s Mirror,” which chronicles her career and explores “performance potential.”

Although the target audience for this book is the performing arts community, Kanefield believes the core concepts, reflections and

lessons in “Hamlet’s Mirror” teach skills that anybody can use. The book also explores the psychology of performance potential through the perspective of performing artists — what hinders some from reaching their potential and what empowers others to keep going forward.

As an expert in the psychology of the performing artist, Kanefield works with performers of all kinds, including musicians, singers, dancers and theater performers. “I have had just a wonderful career; while hopefully helping and empowering performers, I have learned so much,” Kanefield says. Kanefield says she doesn’t believe performers are really fearful of the stage itself. She explains that for a truly authentic performance, artists must immerse themselves in their work and let down all defenses. “And, if unresolved issues crop up during that period of time, they interfere with the performance because those defenses aren’t present,” Kanefield adds.

The author introduces four personality profiles: problem-ridden, pugnacious, promising and potential-realized. The book goes on to

unveil the challenges each type of performer faces, both professionally and personally, and how they can work through them to be successful in their careers.

Kanefield’s support of local artists doesn’t end with her book. When the COVID-19 pandemic started to grow untenable for performers, Kanefield saw an opportunity to use her skills to make a difference in the St. Louis area.

“One of the things I did was look through my patient roster, and I selected 12 people,” Kanefield says. From there, she formed a group called “Artists in the Time of COVID,” a workshop initiative that has been up and running for two years now.

“It’s one of the best things I’ve done in my life,” Kanefield continues. “I’m really lucky to love what I do.” ln

“Halmet’s Mirror” is now available for purchase at amazon.com and other booksellers. Learn more at elmalinzkanefield.com.

Tortang Talong

Story by Emily Standlee, recipe by Jane Chatham

Jane Chatham came to the U.S. from Manila, in the Philippines, when her husband decided to study law in St. Louis. Hoping to transfer to a university, she started at St. Louis Community College and fell in love with the culinary program there.

“I went into the field I was born into,” Chatham says. “My mother is a cook and has a neighborhood food stall. She cooked a scratch menu every morning based on what was available at the market.” Chatham soon landed jobs at Robust in downtown St. Louis, as well as the now-shuttered Reeds American Table.

In a twist of fate, she met Michael and Tara Gallina – the acclaimed duo behind Take Root Hospitality – and went on to help them open Vicia, which received a semi-finalist nomination from the James Beard Foundation for Best New Restaurant in 2018.

Now the chef de cuisine at Vicia, Chatham shares her recipe for Tortang Talong – a dish she calls “the omelet Philippines.” She adds: “This is one of my favorite comforting dishes that my husband fell in love with too because of its smoky tender flavor. Each bite is so satisfying. I grew up eating this for breakfast or lunch because it is budget-friendly, a very simple and traditional Filipino dish, and it is very versatile. I make this dish at least once a week.” ln

| Preparation | Cook the whole eggplants over a flame, such as a gas burner or grill. Using a pair of tongs, place them over the grate – a cooling rack works if you’re using a gas burner – and let them cook until the bottom sides turn black. Rotate.

Once done charring the eggplants, place them in Tupperware and cover. They will continue cooking throughout. Let them cool for a few minutes before removing the lid and peeling them. Peel the charred skin by gently stripping it away; leave the stems intact.

Place the peeled eggplants on a plate, and gently press the back of a fork into the flesh from stem to base to flatten it.

In the meantime, whisk the eggs until fluffy, and season with salt & pepper; if you have eggplant juice from the Tupperware, add it to the eggs as well. You don’t want to waste that extra flavor.

Add the garlic, onion and tomato to the eggs.

In a nonstick pan, add in oil over medium heat. Take one of the eggplants and fully submerge it in the egg mix.

Gently place the coated eggplant into the pan. Drizzle a bit more of the egg mixture on top. Cook until the egg turns golden brown and firms up, about two to three minutes. Carefully flip the omelet with the spatula by holding the stem. Cook for another two minutes. With the remaining egg mixture, repeat with the other eggplant.

Serve the omelet alone or with steamed rice, banana ketchup or hot sauce.

PHOTO OF JANE CHATHAM COURTESY OF VICIA

ByCharlotteRenner |PhotoscourtesyofSlickCityActionPark

SlideintotheSt.Louismetroarea’s newestfamily-friendly,all-ages attraction:SlickCityActionPark. LocatedinChesterfield,theparksets itselfapartfromothersintheareanot onlyinlocation butalsobyestablishingwhat itsfounderssayisthe“world’sfirstindoor slidepark.”

“Thisisunlikeanythingyou’veeverseen,”says LoganSecrist,SlickCitymarketingmanagerat thetimeofopening.“Withourpatented,dry-slide technology,we’retheworld’sfirstindoorslide parkwithnowater!”

ThefirstSlickCityActionParkislocatedin Denver,Colorado,andSt.Louis’locationwillbe thesecond,withotherlocationsintheworks. BronLaunsby,thechiefexecutiveofficerand

founder,hailsfromWebsterGroves,sohesays openingSlickCity’snextlocationherewasa no-brainer.Launsbyownsandfranchisesseveral otherattractionsinthearea,suchasAmpUp ActionParkandSkyZoneTrampolinePark.

Tostart,SlickCitywillofferopenplayuntil8 or9p.m.everynightoftheweek,butcustomers willalsobeabletoreservespaceforgroupevents orbirthdayparties.Intotal,theparkwilloffer ninelargeslides,threelargeair-filledsportcourts, onesmallaircourt,aswing,atrapeze,azipline andajuniorguesttower-builtsoftplaysystem (forages0to4).Someofthestandoutslides include:theLaunchSlide,abrightyellowslide thatlaunchesridersoffforsomeairtimeatthe end;theScoopSlide,reminiscentofahalfpipe seenataskislopeorskatepark;andtheRace

Slide,wherefourriderscanraceatonce.

“Therearecertainagelimitsfor certain attractions,”Secristnotes.“Tousethelarge slides,youmustbe5[orolder],whereasoursoft playareaisstrictlydesignedforages0to4.”

Thesoft-play arealookslikea cushioned, indoor junglegym,withfunobstaclesthatareperfect forburningoffenergyforlittleones.

Forchildrenolderthan5,afull-parkaccess ticketcosts$29.99for120minutesor$24.99for 90minutes.Forthoseyoungerthan5,aJunior Playticketis$15.99for120minutesor$12.99 for90minutes,whichcomeswithsoftplayandair courtaccessonly.Multi-daypasses,giftcards andfamilydaypromotionswillalsobeavailable forpurchase.

AfterasoftlaunchinNovember,Slick City ishostingpartiesforDecemberdatesandbeyond.

Reservationscanbemadeonlineoroverthephone. “We’reworkinghardonhiringmoreteam membersto providethemostepicexperience possibleforourguests,”Secristadds.

Slick City’slaunchdatecoincideswithflu andcold season, butit’spreparedtodowhatever’s necessarytokeepguestsassafeasitcan.“Our owners arenotnew to family entertainment andallnecessaryprecautions andprocedures toensureguestsafety,”Secristsays.“SlickCity ActionParkinSt.LouisWestwillfollowallCDC recommendationsforCOVID[and]fluseason. Propercleaning anddisinfectingprocedures areinplace,aswellasmultiplehandsanitizer stationsthroughoutthepark.”

SlickCitySt.LouisWest,17379EdisonAve., Chesterfield,636-229-9899,slickcity.com/stlouiswest

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