March 14, 2012 Vol. 91 No. 11
The North County Recreation Complex will host the first of three spring flea markets on Saturday, March 17.
Twice as Nice By Shelly A. Schneider
IN this Issue
Deborah Bohnert, recreation supervisor at the North County Recreation Complex, is gearing up for the year’s first Twice as Nice Flea Market. On average, the events feature about 40 vendors, and shoppers can find everything from clothing to antiques. “People will clean out the closet and bring just about everything,” she said. “One man brought his paintings, and we’ve had specialty coffees, jewelry, candles and some craft items, too.” The flea markets date back to Bohnert’s stint as a park ranger in Spanish Lake. “It kind of fell off,” she said. “Two young ladies who worked here picked it up and started it (at the North County Recreation Complex) and did quite well with it. Again, it fell off when they moved to different locations. When we turned the ice skating rink to a gym, I found the files and thought this would be a great way to engage the public.” Vendors may not bring big items, like refrigerators, for example. “People are looking for a bargain,” she said. “There are no weapons allowed, or ammunition of any sort, and no automobiles.” The fee for vendors is $15 per table, and they may reserve as many tables as they need. “That’s a bargain,” Bohnert said. “Most places charge $20 and all you get is a table. We’ll give the vendor a chair for the $15 price, too.” The flea market runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (vendors start setting up at 7 a.m.). The flea markets are free to the public. “Please reserve your table no later than Friday, March 16 for the March 17 flea market,” Bohnert said. “Please call 314.615.8839 or visit www.stlouisco. com/parks for more information.” Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Photo by Ray Rockwell
The remaining two spring flea markets will be held April 21 and May 19. “We take the summer off because we get so busy with the swimming and the day camp,” Bohnert said. “We’ll start it back up in September.” The North County Recreation Complex is located at 2577 Redman Road in unincorporated St. Louis County (between Highway 367 and Old Halls Ferry Road). “We’ve undergone a major renovation,” Bohnert said. “It was an ice skating rink, and that was turned into an area for basketball, volleyball and a walking track.” The building is 36 years old, and has served many residents over the years. “We have new offices, which are on the south end of the building,” Bohnert said. “We have a new community room and a multi-purpose room that we rent and a fitness room that features exercise classes of all types. We’re going to get fitness equipment. That’s all the more reason to see what we’ve got to offer. Our fees are so reasonable. Come in and play basketball for the day for $4, our exercise classLearn & Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Movie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. • O’Fallon, MO 63366
es are just $5, and walk-ins are welcome.” The North County Recreation Complex is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Other upcoming programs include Little Hoopsters 2 (basketball for children ages 4-7). The Family Fishing Derby will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. May 12. See TWICE AS NICE page 4
Movie Talk
See Movie page 9
“The Cabin in the Woods” - Photo courtesy of Lionsgate
Joe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Shelly Schneider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Recipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
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What’s Happening . . . . . . . . . 12-13 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15
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