Kirkwood, MO March 2024

The Home Issue

When I walked into the house on Par Lane (Warming Floors are Worth It ), I turned to Cindy Roeser and said, "This. This is the house I want Joe to build for me." She laughed because Roeser Home Remodeling doesn't build houses; they remodel them. But she instantly understood what I meant. It's not a big house, but it's flooded with sunlight and has impeccable interior design features. But it's more than that. Walking into that house, you know that laughter and love live there. That's pretty much all anyone needs in a home, don't you think?

Henry Lange might suggest that  his  perfect home also comes with wheels (Van Life). This kid …This family. I've never experienced two parents with diametrically opposing points of view regarding their son's future pour so much love into helping him chart a new path for his future. Henry's story is less about van life and more about how three emotionally intelligent people approached an incredibly complicated situation from a place of love. As they shared their story with me, I felt the laughter and joy they experienced as they worked together to build Henry's home on wheels.

Put this little magazine down for a second and just listen. Can you hear it? Can you hear the laughter that lives within the walls of your home? It's cool, right? Love lives there.

If you want to receive Kirkwood City Lifestyle Magazine directly to your home or office, no matter where it's located, email me at Renee.Moore@CityLifestyle.com, and I'll add you to our free mailing list.

Lucy

ARTICLE BY LUCY ROGERS PHOTOGRAPHY BY RON KLEIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Worth It

How one Kirkwood homeowner went from being reluctant to remodel to a raving fan.

Mike Lawson does not like change. And when it comes to fancy things, he describes himself as frugal. And yet, this hardcore, humorous, homeowner transformed from being "reluctant to remodel" to "raving fan."

The house on Par Lane in Kirkwood was perfect for Mike and his then-wife when they bought it in 1982. But the one-bathroom home with a tiny galley kitchen began to feel constricted as their toddler son became more active.

"We talked about moving because the house sits on a cinder box foundation and had leakage problems," said Mike. A friend suggested that Mike reach out to Joe Roeser, who was just starting his CONTINUED >

remodeling construction business. "I asked Joe if the basement could withstand a remodel, and Joe said, 'Absolutely.'" With that vote of confidence, the first remodel of Mike's home was underway. "My favorite part of the remodel was when the waterproofing guys showed up," laughed Mike.

Years later, Mike needed some work done in the family room. "The family room had a drop ceiling and ugly paneling," said Mike. "That was around the time of the downturn in the construction industry, and someone told me about a non-union carpenter who could fix the family room for half the price of anyone else." Recall that Mike is self-described as being frugal. "You get what you pay for," said Mike. "The guy installed a storm door, and a little while later, it came off the hinges. When I called him to come and fix it, he never showed up. Never called me back." Thinking the door needed to be replaced, Mike called Joe Roser to come and install a new door. Joe came right over, looked at the door, and immediately knew it was still under warranty. He called the manufacturer and took care of it. "Joe's a keeper," noted Mike.

With that lesson learned, Mike and his wife Donna tapped Joe and his team at Roeser Home Remodeling for a large-scale remodel of the house. Still frugal regarding a budget and slow to accept change, Mike watched as Donna worked with Roeser Home Remodeling designer Brandi Ward. "I would make suggestions and tell Donna that we don't need fancy upgrades like heated bathroom floors," said Mike. "But at no

CONTINUED >

"This was worth every penny. Joe, Brandi, and Donna transformed this from a tear-down house to a forever home."

point did I think I had any authority," he lovingly laughed. Donna assured Mike that it would all be worth it. "My worst nightmare is that Donna was right," smiled Mike as he proudly showed off the covered front porch, the back screenedin-porch, the deck overlooking Donna's garden, and, of course, the bright and sunny kitchen showcasing Donna's impeccable taste in design.

"Without a doubt, I can say that this was worth every penny. Joe, Brandi, and Donna transformed this from a teardown house to a forever home," said Mike. Now an avid remodeling advocate, Mike said, "I tell everyone that if this is going to be your forever home, make it a home you want to live in." He added, "Donna was right; we should have gone with the warming floor in both bathrooms."

As a local Glendale resident, I’d love to be your trusted partner on the sale or purchase of your home. Whether you are ready now or in the future, let’s come up with the best plan for you and your family!

Proud

for

ARTICLE BY LUCY ROGERS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TRENNA TRAVIS

THIS IS THE STORY OF HENRY LANGE, A 2022 KIRKWOOD HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE WHO TRADED DORM LIFE FOR VAN LIFE.

VAN LIFE

Henry's story unfolds through his honest perspective and his parents, Trenna Travis and Trey Lange. What we learn from this loving family is that sometimes pursuing happiness requires charting your own course.

- but this time with a plan. Henry created a detailed proposal that showed how he could combine online classes with van life. He outlined how the van could serve as his mobile classroom, bridging the gap between education and adventure.

"THE BIGGEST LESSON I'VE LEARNED IS COMMUNICATION, BEING OPEN-MINDED, AND LISTENING TO YOUR KIDS."

"The first time Henry brought up van life was over Christmas break during his freshman year," said Trenna. "Henry said, 'I don't think college life is for me.'" Her advice for her son was, "Sometimes it's easier to figure out what you don't want to do before you can decide what you do want to do."

Henry's dad, Trey, had other words of advice. "Henry mentioned he was unhappy in school and wanted to explore other interests. I told him he needed a college degree. Because that's how I was raised."

While convincing his dad remained a challenge, Henry became more confident about changing his future as he began researching van life. "There were a few times when Henry wondered if this was worth the fight," said Trenna. "He asked me if he should give up on the idea. I said, 'No. Keep pushing forward. This is your dream."

At the end of his freshman year, Henry approached his dad about van life again

"Watching Henry go through the process of having this idea, and then problem-solving how to make it happen, and finding his voice in preparing the presentation was more educational than any class he took at school," said Trenna.

Trey agreed, "After I saw the viability of Henry's proposal, I was on board with helping him prepare his van to spend his sophomore year on the road."

Henry found a van on Facebook Marketplace and, with the help of his mom and dad, completely gutted it and built a mobile dorm room. Henry set out for the open road in September of 2023.

Over the next three months, Henry traveled to South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, California, Arizona, and Colorado.

"Nothing beats waking up in the morning by a lake with mountains in the distance or giant trees near you," stated Henry. He talked about the freedom to live anywhere. But he also spoke about the hard lessons learned living on the road.

CONTINUED >

"You see the pretty views and it looks so easy, but what you don't see on Van Life social media is dumping your own toilet and long hours on the road," said Henry. "Being alone with your thoughts for long periods of time is hard. And sometimes you sleep in a Walmart parking lot. So, it's not always beautiful things. I joined Planet Fitness so I could shower, which honestly felt very luxurious."

Henry described the balance of taking care of himself while trying to manage the occasional breakdown, computer issues, and learning to cook. "It's hard to adjust to living in a small vehicle. I can't even stand in mine," said Henry. "But you get used to it."

One of Henry's favorite memories from his van life happened at a Walgreens in Wyoming. "A mom stopped me and asked, 'Are you Henry?' I was so confused because I had just started my journey. I only had one or two posts on my social media account. She said her son saw me

Trenna and Henry

"NOTHING BEATS WAKING UP IN THE MORNING BY A LAKE."

on Facebook and was looking to renovate his van. He's the same age as me, and it was cool to meet him," said Henry. "It's weird that people are inspired by me. It's a good feeling, though, too."

"For so long, our identity is wrapped up in our kids," said Trenna. "This is their life. It's their journey. When we try to pave the way, we don't allow them to gain the confidence they need to figure things out on their own."

"I've learned a lot from Henry," said Trey. "The biggest lesson I've learned through this process is communication, trust, being open-minded, and listening to your kids. College is not for everyone and that’s ok. I'm impressed by what he's done and look forward to his future. I just want him to be happy whatever he does."

"Not every day is promised," said Henry. His decision to discover his own path was a conscious choice to live authentically. "I think it's important to make every day your best day."

Follow Henry @ vanlifewithhenry

Homework with Trisha

My friend, Kim Hibbs, President of Hibbs Homes, is celebrating 20 years in business.

Trisha: We met after I joined the Home Builders Association (HBA) in St. Louis 16 years ago. Congratulations to Hibbs Homes celebrating 20 years in business. What did you do to successfully build your business?

Kim: Nothing happens overnight. You have to put in the time, have a goal, and stay the course because success takes longer than you think it will. My wife Jan and I started fixing and flipping homes in 2002. We pivoted to new construction and founded Hibbs Homes in 2004; we haven't looked back. We didn't intend for it to become a family business. Our daughter, Alexis, joined as our office coordinator and works closely with Jan on the financial end. Our son, Brandon, is an estimator. Jan and I truly wanted it to be their decision to join the business, and it was.

Trisha: Talk about your commitment to the community. Specifically, building in established neighborhoods.

Kim: Hibbs Homes is conscious about what we build in existing communities, both from an exterior and foundational

perspective. We've won awards because the exteriors of our homes fit seamlessly into the neighborhood. We focus on deconstructing instead of demolishing, meaning we reuse doors, windows, and furnaces whenever possible. We partner with Habitat for Humanity to support the homes they build. Beyond that, we focus on the environmental footprint by building high-performance homes and we pay attention to the home's thermal design. I look back on the over one-hundred homes we've built, and we've never built the same home twice, and I can name on one hand the number of people that have moved from their home. New history is created with every new home we build.

@HomeWorkwithTrisha features stories about people, places, and things related to the home services industry. Follow Trisha on Facebook and Instagram at @ HomeWorkwithTrisha and @408GillAve. Or walk by 408 Gill Ave to watch the remodeling transformation of Trisha's historic home.

Trisha

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The Helping Hands of HavenHouse

THE COMFORT OF HOME. A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT.

ARTICLE BY OLIVA ROBERDS PHOTOGRAPHY BY HAVENHOUSE

Paula

Brad Burns and

Lowery Brad and family

Kirkwood resident Brad Burns, owner of Burns Holdings that has an ownership interest in Meramec Hardscapes, Meramec Pools, Wayne Contracting, Vizex, Arch City Group, and City Seafood, faced a family medical crisis when his son required specialized medical care only available in Maryland. The logistics of planning extended housing in a new city while dealing with doctors and medical decisions was more than daunting. But, for Brad, it was also thought-provoking.

Wondering where families turn for help when they come from far away to receive medical care at one of St. Louis' nationally renowned medical institutions, Brad discovered HavenHouse as he searched for ways to become more involved in Saint Louis' charitable community. Immediately impressed with the leadership team at HavenHouse, Brad resonated with how engaged and committed they were to the needs of each family. He volunteered to help the organization however they needed him. Today, Brad serves as HavenHouse Board President and has a bold vision for a bright future for the families they serve.

"I consider myself incredibly fortunate that my journey intersected with HavenHouse at the perfect moment," said Brad. "This is a remarkable team committed to its noble mission. I am genuinely enthusiastic about the prospect of contributing, channeling my efforts to not only sustain but elevate the enduring legacy of HavenHouse and honor those who have dedicated themselves to its cause from its very inception."

HavenHouse is more than a temporary living space. The organization acts as a lifeline by opening its doors to families living more than 25 miles from St. Louis. HavenHouse provides lodging, daily meals, and transportation, eliminating troublesome or draining complexities while families navigate healthcare away from home.

Founded in 2005, HavenHouse has grown into a vital force within the medical community, providing services to an average of 4,000 families a year, reaching all fifty states and around the world, from the largest cities to the most rural communities where healthcare access is becoming a dire issue due to hospital closures. Paula Lowery, HavenHouse's Executive Director, shared a heartwarming story about a woman who found the support she needed through HavenHouse as she traveled from Ireland to undergo a rare medical procedure only available in St.Louis.

The organization's revolutionary work of guaranteeing healthcare access for thousands led them to outgrow their original space, prompting a relocation to the DoubleTree by Hilton St. Louis- Westport thanks to a pivotal corporate sponsorship with LHM; Kirkwood resident Bob O'Loughlin serves as CEO and Chairman. As HavenHouse Board President, Brad Burns is optimistically looking forward to expanding HavenHouse to accommodate even more families and finding a new permanent home for the organization.

HavenHouse is hosting its annual fundraising event, Hopefest, on May 2, 2024, at the DoubleTree- Canopy, and the community is warmly invited to attend. This event is a testament to the ongoing community support and remarkable partnerships that breathe life into the organization's mission. Funds raised during HopeFest will fuel the continuation of HavenHouse's services, ensuring that this organization remains a beacon of hope for those in need by bridging the gap between crisis and comfort and access to healthcare. "Having access to medical care is a basic human right," said Paula Lowery. "HavenHouse St. Louis provides the comfort of home and a community of support for patients and families who travel to St. Louis for medical care."

For more information, visit www.havenhousestl.org

"HavenHouse St. Louis provides the  comfort of home  and a  community of support  for patients and families who travel to St. Louis for medical care."

ZONE BLUE

What’s the secret to a happy, healthy, and long life? Believe it or not, it’s actually quite simple: There are no secret ingredients, no sizable expenditures, and absolutely zero manufactured elements of any kind. Dive in with us as we share insights from our interview with the internationally renowned Blue Zones Founder, National Geographic Explorer, and award-winning journalist who is revolutionizing the way Americans make choices that can lead to living your best life.

New York Times Best-Selling Author and Netflix Producer, Dan Buettner, Inspires a Better Life Based on Research From the World’s Healthiest Cultures

For more than 20 years, Dan Buettner has been fully committed to studying the health and longevity of Americans, as well as influencing the proper and attainable health-centric environments our communities should embody. What started with identifying five “blue zones” around the world— where people are living longer, as well as enjoying a higher quality of life in their elder years—has now also evolved into proactively creating ecosystems where our communities engage in setting the standard for clean health.

Buettner’s first cookbook, The Blue Zones Kitchen, is a fantastic resource, featuring ingredients and cooking methods that can increase longevity, wellness, and mental health. The recipes also include lifestyle tips such as proper portion sizes and the best times to eat dinner. Plus, check out his additional seven books that dig deep into everything from the exact foods you should eat to how your circle of friends and family can influence your quality of life.

Every time you go out to eat, you will consume an extra 300 calories that are laden with more sodium, sugar, and oil than eating at home. “Get your hands on a plant-based cookbook, pick a dozen recipes, and cook those with your family on Sundays. If you make the effort to cook it with your family, you will gain the skills and learn to make some good and whole food plant-based recipes.”

Tap into Dan’s wisdom that is creating a new category of places that are not merely the legacy of a healthy culture, but more consciously created by enlightened individuals that are intent on supercharging healthier communities! Follow @DanBuettner and @BlueZones

visit BlueZones.com to shop

LORILEE'S

TOP 5

Tips

1.REPAINT WITH A NATURAL COLOR PALETTE:

Allison Williams, of The Cheerier Interior will have you smiling @thecheerierinterior

2. HAVE AN EXPERIENCED TEAM OF PEOPLE TO HELP:

Lorilee has a solid network @LorileeRealty

3. ORGANIZE YOUR HOME:

Kelly Johnson, of Organized Interior STL can help @organizedinteriorsstl

4. DEEP CLEAN INSIDE AND OUT: Shack Shine has a spotless reputation @shackshinestlouis

5.CLEAN OUT THE BASEMENT:

Christy Ridenhour owns ConsiderIt-Done. The name speaks for itself.  christyridenhour17@gmail.com

Lorilee Realty advice to get top dollar for your home.

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