CN: May 31, 2023

May 31, 2023

Digging up the past

Around Town

VOICES By Lindsay Pike. Pg.

Features (FLIP)

Historic Saint Louis hosts a home and garden tour across the St. Louis region that highlights historical landmarks and gardening practices

As summer approaches, warm weather activities begin. Historic Saint Louis, a collective of historic sites that promotes understanding and appreciation of history and culture across the St. Louis region, is having its fifth annual “Landscapes of Summertime Past” home and garden tour.

“We are focusing on the gardens, but another aspect is bringing the outdoors inside, sometimes by art,” said Sally H. Cakouros,

communications assistant at Historic Saint Louis.

A subtitle for the event is “All Gardening is Landscape Painting.”

There are 20 sites on the six-hour tour for visitors to choose from. When planning the event, visitors should keep in mind the distance between sites as the tour spans areas from Collinsville, Illinois to St. Genevieve, Missouri.

Regarding the garden portion of the tour, visitors will be able to see plants that may

not be as common today, particularly in the herb gardens. Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions about the different varieties of greenery and foliage. There will also be activities such as live music at some sites. For instance, the Sappington House will feature artists who will be doing drawings outside and fiddlers. The Hawken House will feature dramatizations by actors portraying historical figures and have wine tastings.

Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1

CLA SSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3 Moore On Life, Lifestyle & Crossword Puzzle. Pg. F-4

Weather

FRIDAY Partly Cloudy 92/69

SATURDAY Partly Cloudy 91/67

SUNDAY Sunny 89/64

By Wendy Todd

For those interested in the architecture of the homes and other sites, one could compare the red brick design of Mudd’s Grove in Kirkwood to the log structure of the Log House in Overland.

History lovers can enjoy learning about landmarks such as Susan Blow’s Des Peres School, which was the first publicly funded kindergarten school in the United States, founded in 1873. Another feature on the tour is the Gittemeier House, a farmhouse built in the 1860’s by Franz Gittemeier migrated to Florissant from Prussia in the 1850s.

There will even be opportunities to buy goods at the Hawken House Museum from 20 vendors.

Though the garden and home tour occurs once a year, Historic Saint Louis offers year-round opportunities to learn of the history in St. Louis. One can create their own tour by contacting the organization and scheduling tailored tour experience.

“The Saturday tours can be built around themes, like African American, the Civil War, Town and Country, Early American, French, Germanic and Victorian sites, depending on the visitors’ interests,” Cakouros said. “Many times, connections can be made between sites because the past residents knew each other during a certain time period, like Daniel Boone and John Sappington who migrated to Missouri from Kentucky. So, visiting both the Daniel Boone home in Defiance and Historic Sappington House in Crestwood brings their stories together.”

The “Landscapes of Summertime Past” home and garden tour takes place on June 10 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information go to www.historicsaintlouis.org.

Florissant celebrates Arbor Day and was named Tree City USA for 2022 by the Arbor Day Foundation

The traditional Florissant Arbor Day celebration took place on April 28 at Sunset Park.

At the celebration was the Director of Parks & Recreation Cheryl Thompson-Stimage, Park Superintendent Kevin Green, his Foreman Dave Klaus and members of the Gardeners Club of Florissant who have for many years done an outstanding job for the community.

A proclamation was read in observance to the Arbor Day celebration. The city of Florissant was named Tree City USA for 2022 by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of the city’s commitment to effective urban forest management.

The city of Florissant achieved Tree City Recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

Trees provide multiple benefits to a community when properly planted

COMMUNITY VOICES:

and maintained. They help to improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits.

The Tree City USA, Tree Line and Tree Campus USA programs are sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the US Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. These programs provide direction, technical assistance, public attention and national recognition for community forestry programs.

Two trees were planted; a White Dogwood Tree in memory of Judy Plischke and a Magnolia Tree in honor of Mary Lindsey Nelson. The city has been a Tree City USA for 33 years.

The city of Florissant urges all citizens to support efforts to protect the trees and woodlands and to support the city’s urban forestry program.

By Lindsay Pike

The importance of community for older adults

As we age, maintaining an engaged and active lifestyle becomes more important than ever. Staying connected with others and participating in social activities is vital for mental, emotional, and physical well-being. For older adults, expanding their social community is an essential part of healthy aging.

Older adults who are active participants in their communities experience a variety of benefits; which may include reduced risk of depression, anxiety, heart disease, high blood pressure and improved cognitive function. Additionally, those who stay active in their community often have a better quality of life and report feeling more fulfilled and happier.

ArchWell Health understands that maintaining connections can become difficult later in life. For many, losing loved ones and close friends, lack of transportation, and scarce access to other needed resources can leave individuals feeling disconnected and alone. ArchWell Health assists in helping members combat these feelings of

isolation by empowering them with opportunities to connect with others and build new relationships at one of its four centers in the St. Louis area. Whether it’s volunteering at a local nonprofit organization, taking on a part-time job, or participating in our in-center activities, such as bingo, fitness classes, book clubs, and more, seniors who engage with their community can form new friendships and maintain a sense of purpose and belonging.

In addition to these activities, ArchWell Health’s primary care centers provide older adults access to licensed social workers. These professionals are available to empower seniors by helping them navigate their medical benefits, coordinating care and counseling, and ensuring they can maintain independence in the community. Seniors deserve to be seen, heard, and given extra time by doctors, nurses, and social workers because great care begins with better relationships.

Staying engaged in community can help prevent the loneliness some older adults

may feel. Talking with a neighbor, calling a friend, or attending an ArchWell Health in-center activity are just a few of the ways older adults can improve their happiness and physical health.

For more information on in-center activities in your neighborhood, and to learn how to become involved in the ArchWell Health community, visit archwellhealth.com or give us a call at 314-449-9727.

Lindsay Pike is a licensed social worker with eight years of experience advocating for older adults. Pike currently serves seniors at ArchWell Health St. Louis, a primary care group that delivers bestin-class care at accessible neighborhood centers where seniors can become part of a vibrant, wellness-focused community.

The opinions expressed in this column are the columnist’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.

Photo courtesy city of Florissant

Submitted photo

Flag Retirement Ceremony

On June 10, the VFW and the city of Florissant will host a Flag Retirement Ceremony that will be held in the front of Florissant City Hall starting at 9 a.m. The event is open to the community to attend.

The Daughters of American Revolution (DAR), Florissant American Legion, neighboring VFW posts and Knights of Columbus as well as Florissant Police and Fire Departments will assist in mentoring various area youth groups in the proper etiquette for our nation’s flag.

The purpose of a flag retirement ceremony is to encourage proper respect for the Flag of the United States and to provide for disposal of unserviceable flags in a dignified manner in accordance with U. S. Code.

If anyone has a flag that should be retired, there is a flag retirement box that was donated by the American Legion Post 444 that is inside Florissant City Hall in the vestibule area by the rear entrance as well as a box at the VFW post.

2023 air quality forecasting season kicks off with latest ‘State of the Air’ report

As daily air quality forecasting makes its return for the 2023 season May 1, the American Lung Association’s latest “State of the Air” report finds that, after decades of progress on cleaning up sources of air pollution, nearly 36% of Americans – 119.6 million people – still live in places with failing grades for unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution. While ozone air pollution remains a serious threat to public health, this is 17.6 million fewer people breathing unhealthy air compared to the years covered by the 2022 report (2018-2020), which reinforces the trend in this year’s “State of the Air” report is continuing in a more positive direction.

For the seventh consecutive year, the St. Louis region escaped being ranked among the top 25 most ozone-polluted cities in the U.S., coming in at number 35 on the list out of 227 metropolitan areas. The area ranked 27th on the list for most polluted cities by yearround particle pollution, which is back three spots from the previous year.

The most up-to-date report findings have added to the evidence that a changing climate is making it harder to protect human health, with the three years included in this year’s report (2019-2021) ranking among the seven hottest years on record globally. Therefore, high ozone days and spikes in particle pollution related to heat, drought and wildfires are putting millions of people at risk and adding challenges to the work that states and cities are doing across the nation to clean up air pollution. Here’s a look at the latest rankings for ozone pollution across the region for counties in the non-attainment area included in the American Lung Association’s report.

National Park Service turned off Gateway Arch exterior lights for bird migration season

The National Park Service has announced it will not illuminate the Gateway Arch at night throughout the month of May due to the spring bird migration season.

“It’s encouraging to see that St. Louis has once again escaped the list of the most ozone-polluted cities with more counties in the bi-state area receiving a better grade in this year’s annual “State of the Air” report compared to last year,” said Susannah Fuchs, Director of Clean Air for the American Lung Association in Missouri. “However, there is still much work to be done to protect our local communities and constituents from the growing risks to public health as we prepare to settle into summer when we’re at greater risk for elevated levels of ozone pollution.”

According to the 2023 “State of the Air” report, more than 30% of the nation’s population – including 23.6 million children, 15.4 million people age 65 or older, and millions in other groups at high risk of health harm – are exposed to high levels of ozone on enough days to earn the air they breathe a failing grade.

Albeit an alarming figure, the number of people living in counties with a failing grade for ozone actually declined by more than 19 million this year, with 39 counties in 23 states dropping off the “F” list entirely. Report data suggests that pandemic-related changes in activity patterns in 2020 and 2021, such as increased telework, made a sizeable difference in ozone levels. With transportation-related emissions having long been reported as one of the biggest contributors to air pollution, this reinforces the importance of people understanding the way they choose to travel significantly impacts air quality in the region.

Fuchs notes that actions like combining errands into a single trip, walking or biking for short trips instead of hopping in your car, not topping off your gas tank, avoiding vehicle idling or opting for electric vehicles can greatly affect the amount of ozone-forming emissions on any given day and help people across the region breathe easier. On the heels of last year’s successful “Don’t Pollute. Switch Up Your Commute.” campaign launched by the Clean Air Partnership and more than half a dozen partners, area residents can still visit www.SwitchUpYourCommute.com to learn more about ways to modify their commuting behaviors and all the transportation options available on both sides of the Mississippi River – and links to associated schedules, pricing, programs, ride matching services, incentives and more.

Area residents are also encouraged to visit the Clean Air Partnership’s website at www.CleanAir-StLouis. com, where they can view a wealth of information on the health effects of poor air quality, tips for individuals to do their share for cleaner air and contact the Clean Air Partnership with interest in receiving their monthly newsletter. While on the site, individuals can also sign up to receive the daily forecast in their email inboxes via the Environmental Protection Agency’s EnviroFlash air quality alert system, which states if the forecast for the following day is a GREEN (good), YELLOW (moderate), ORANGE (unhealthy for sensitive groups) or RED (unhealthy) air quality day.

Additional air quality information and the daily forecast can be accessed by liking the Clean Air Partnership on Facebook, or by following the organization on Twitter @gatewaycleanair. To access the full American Lung Association 2023 “State of the Air” report, visit www.Lung.org.

“St. Louis sits right beneath the Mississippi Flyway, a major migration highway,” said Jeremy Sweat, Superintendent, of Gateway Arch National Park. “For over a decade Gateway Arch’s exterior lights have been turned off for two weeks each May and September to help minimize the possible disorienting effect the lights may have on birds that migrate at night. As migration patterns have changed, this year the park will extend the lights off for the entire month of May.”

Gateway Arch National Park is both a building and program partner with Lights Out Heartland, an organization that works with partners to provide migrating birds safe passage through the Mississippi Flyway during the high-intensity migration months of May and September.

According to the St. Louis Audubon Society, 60% of North American songbirds and 40% of waterfowl (over 325 species) are anticipated to migrate this spring and fall. The National Park Service began turning the Gateway Arch’s exterior lights off to protect migrating birds in 2002.

The Arch’s exterior lights will be turned back on beginning the evening of June 1, and the monument will be lit nightly thereafter.

Around Town

The Florissant Walk-Through History Program unveils its 56th plaque

Family and friends gathered in front of 990 rue St. Francois on May 3 to unveil the 56th Walk Through History plaque in honor of the late Sheila Williams.

Williams was a charter member of Florissant’s Valley Historic Society and a pioneer in local history. She was one of the founding members of Historic Florissant, Inc.

She would tell the story how Historic Florissant, Inc. saved the Meyer House from demolition from the highway expansion in the early 70s. A business plan was formed and Sheila went to the bank and she personally signed a $500,000 loan. After signing the loan, she went home to tell her husband.

Williams was the first woman engineer in the Unit-

ed States for Southwestern Bell in the 1970s. She was an award-winning member of Florissant’s Business & Professional Women.

Williams was very active her communities, volunteered her time and donated to hundreds of charitable organizations. She also traveled throughout the world volunteering internationally.

After retirement, she settled in Texas. She will al-

Multitasking Still In This Together:

Anyone who has ever tried to cook a chicken fried steak dinner knows it’s not an easy thing to do…especially the way I do it.

I have a batter recipe for homemade onion rings that I’ve adapted to coat cube steaks that is messy but delicious, and I try to keep the cooking process from taking up too much of the kitchen counter, but it’s one of those three step deals that takes a plate, two bowls and a cookie-cooling sheet with a piece of waxed paper underneath to catch the drips just for that one part of the meal.

Then, there are homemade mashed potatoes to be cooked and mashed with butter, milk and my secret ingredient, just a little chunk of cream cheese, which need to be prepared at the last minute so they are nice and smooth and warm.

Sometimes, there are homemade yeast rolls, which are the pies de resistance. Best part is, the dough can be made ahead of time and just happily sit in the refrigerator.

Add in packaged gravy that is waiting to be whisked into boiling water, and there is a lot of last-minuting going on.

It was all going just fine until I turned around to see something on the evening news and the gravy whisk slipped from the edge of the pan and clattered to the floor. While I was cleaning it up, the timer on the oven dinged, the mixer fell into the potatoes, and I burned my hand on the edge of the skillet.

My knight in shining armor ran to the kitchen, took one look at me bent over the gravy whisk on the floor, laughing, mashed potatoes on my shirt and a wet dishrag wrapped around my burned hand and just shook his head.

“Why can’t you ever just do one thing at a time?” he ventured very quietly, which was an extremely wise way to venture under the circumstances, and grabbed the plates and silverware to make a quick exit from mashed potato throwing distance.

With that particular dinner, there isn’t really a “one thing at a time” to be managed, but I do have to grudgingly agree that he’s right about my not being able to do one thing at a time very easily.

I think it’s a side effect of having children that just never seems to leave once the kids do. I put clothes into the wash, but instead of just emptying the hamper, I start stripping the bed, yanking the towels from the shower and grabbing the kitchen dishcloths and towels while I’m at it. The dish detergent bottle is almost empty, so I refill that while I’m there, the paper towels need to be replaced, and I might as well grab some toi-

By Vicki Bahr

let paper to put in the front bathroom cabinet while I’m in the pantry getting the paper towels.

It all comes from the days of packing diaper bags with snacks and toys and extra clothes and diaper cream and just-in-case extras of bibs and stuffed animals and socks while holding a baby, helping a fouryear-old flush the toilet, answering a first grader’s math problem and finding shin guards for the oldest all at the same time.

And I excelled at that, if I do say so myself.

Except now, there’s that little issue with age and memory to be dealt with, when I start to do one thing and get side-tracked by three or four other “might as well do this while I’m at its,” and sometimes, just sometimes, forget the original task altogether. I’ve prioritized it right out of the picture.

And, oh, the confusions and the misplacements and the “what was I in this room for to begin withs?” that leave me laughing or reeling or praying that I didn’t just do what I’m pretty sure I did.

The latest was yesterday, when I couldn’t find my glasses in any of the regular places after I’d searched from bedroom to kitchen to bathroom to dining room table for them, walked past the wonderful new main floor laundry room we have now and heard the washing machine sloshing merrily. I remembered taking off my shorts and adding them to the load at the last minute and I’d removed the car key from the pocket, but my glasses had been in the other pocket because I’d just gotten home from the grocery store and…uh-oh. Surely, I hadn’t left my glasses in the pocket.

After removing piece after piece, sludging through the soapy contents of the washing machine to find my shorts, and checking one pocket and then the other, I found my glasses…still folded and tucked into the pocket where I’d left them.

And very clean, by the way.

Vicki Bahr is an inveterate word lover and story sharer, a published author in magazine, newspaper and blog forms. As a mom of four, grandma of nine, and wife of one for 50 years, she finds that inspiration and wonder are everywhere.

The opinions expressed in this column are the columnist’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News

ways be remembered in the hearts and minds of people she made a difference to around the world.

Photo courtesy city of Florissant

Christian Hospital among nation’s top performing hospitals for treatment of heart attack patients

Christian Hospital has received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2023. Christian Hospital is one of only 262 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor.

The award recognizes Christian Hospital’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients and signifies that Christian Hospital has reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations.

To receive the Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award, Christian Hospital has demonstrated sustained achievement in the Chest Pain – MI Registry for two consecutive years (2021 and 2022), and performed at the highest level for specific performance measures. Full participation in the registry engages hospitals in a robust quality improvement process using data to drive improvements in adherence to guideline recommendations and overall quality of care provided to heart attack patients.

“It is an honor to award Christian Hospital with the Platinum Performance Award for their valuable national leadership and dedication to meeting comprehensive

performance measures in patient care,” said Michael C. Kontos, MD, FACC, chair of the NCDR Chest Pain –MI Registry Steering Subcommittee, and cardiologist at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. “The receipt of this award indicates that Christian Hospital remains committed to providing top quality, guideline-driven care for heart attack patients. Their success ensures patients are receiving the highest quality cardiovascular care.”

“This accomplishment is a direct reflection of our skilled and dedicated heart care team,” said Rick Stevens. Christian Hospital president. “We’re proud of this award because it recognizes the high level of care and service we provide to our patients.”

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that over 800,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. A heart attack occurs when a blood clot in a coronary artery partially or completely blocks blood flow to the heart muscle. Treatment guidelines include administering aspirin upon arrival and discharge, timely restoration of blood flow to the blocked artery, smoking cessation counseling and cardiac rehabilitation, among others.

Chest Pain – MI Registry empowers health care provider teams to consistently treat heart attack patients according to the most current, science-based guidelines and establishes a national standard for understanding and improving the quality, safety and outcomes of care provided for patients with coronary artery disease, specifically high-risk heart attack patients.

St. Luke’s Hospital and St. Luke’s Des Peres Hospital each received an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group. This national distinction celebrates St. Luke’s achievements in prioritizing patient safety by protecting patients from preventable harm and errors. The new grades reflect performance primarily during the height of the pandemic.

“Delivering high quality, safe care is at the core of our mission,” said Samuel Flanders, MD, St. Luke’s chief quality and safety officer. “These “A” grades recognize the deep commitment our providers and team members have in caring safely for the communities we serve.”

“This new update of Hospital Safety Grades shows that, at the national level, we saw deterioration in patient safety with the pandemic,” said Leah Binder, president, and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “But these hospitals received an ‘A’ despite those challenges. I congratulate all the leaders, staff, volunteers, and clinicians who together made that possible.”

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over thirty national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries, and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm. Hospital Safety Grade results are based on more than thirty national performance measures and are updated each fall and spring.

For more details, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.

HBA donates $15,000 to Rebuilding Together Saint Louis

On behalf of the Home Builders Charitable Foundation (HBCF), 2023 HBA President Jeremy Roth (Elite Development Services/McBride Homes) (left) presented a $15,000 donation to Rebuilding Together Saint Louis’ executive director Elaine Powers.

The donation will be used toward Rebuilding Together Saint Louis’ Rebuilding Day Program. Rebuilding Together revitalizes neighborhoods in partnership with the community by rehabilitating the houses of low-income home owners, particularly the elderly and the disabled, so that they may continue to live independently in comfort and safety. Rebuilding Day is the organization’s annual one-day blitz where volunteers make home repairs and a lasting impact on home owners in the

St. Louis Metro area.

The HBA is a local trade association of nearly 600 member firms representing the residential construction industry. The Home Builders Charitable Foundation, the HBA’s charitable arm, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing housing assistance to people or organizations with special shelter needs.

St. Luke’s Hospital and St. Luke’s Des Peres Hospital nationally recognized with an ‘A’ safety grade

STLCC professor named recipient of 48th David L. Underwood Memorial Lecture Award

St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley named Rokhaya “Daba” N. Ndao, Ph.D., professor of mathematics, recipient of the 48th David L. Underwood Memorial Lecture Award.

She will present the commemorative lecture in fall 2023.

The late David L. Underwood was known for his love of education. He was deeply concerned with the welfare of students and staff alike. His dedication went beyond office hours – and he tirelessly gave of his time and talents to further the educational mission at Florissant Valley.

Recipients of the Underwood Memorial Lecture Award demonstrate that same dedication and commitment. Chosen by a committee of peers, the recipient exhibits excellence in instruction and a genuine, humanistic concern for students, faculty, staff, and all of education.

Sharon North, the 45th recipient of the Underwood Award, creatively shared clues about this year’s deserving colleague during a presentation held inside the David L. Underwood Library before revealing Ndao as the winner of the prestigious honor.

North described Ndao’s service to St. Louis Community College as honorable and impressive.

“She currently serves as chair of the math department and cares deeply about student success. Dr. Ndao

was selected to represent the district in a National Science Foundation grant to apply an evidence-based educational approach for student-centered learning and ‘flipped’ instruction in differential equations. In her flipped classroom, students used the extensive collection of videos Dr. Ndao created before class and classroom time to engage in assignments and discussions.

Dr. Ndao is also a contributing author of OpenStax’s ‘Corequisite to College Algebra’ textbook. This open and free educational resource provides support to students, regardless of their ability to pay. Her extraordinary commitment to providing students with a strong foundation in mathematics is a model of excellence,” North said.

Ndao has earned a reputation for being organized, having high standards and being professionally dressed.

Her students use words like amazing, caring and “the best mathematics professor ever” to describe her, and it is common for her to mentor students beyond their tenure at STLCC.

Being honored for something she loves doing is a lift for Ndao.

“At first, I felt overwhelmed, because I could only focus on the presentation I have to deliver in August. Then I realized the importance of the Underwood Award and I felt humbled, confident and proud at the same time.” Ndao said.

“I never thought that I would be a recipient of an award for doing what I am passionate about: teaching and helping my students in every way I can. This award represents a validation of having chosen this noble profession of teaching and an encouragement to continue to expand minds and change lives.”

Riverview Gardens School District names new elementary school principals

Riverview Gardens School District has named Keesha Fife to the position of building principal of Koch Elementary for the 2022-2023 school year.

Fife currently serves as the principal at Lewis & Clark Elementary. At Koch Elementary, she will continue to provide instructional leadership and direction, establish a safe, positive and academically-focused environment and address the educational needs for scholars.

Replacing Fife will be Jarita Williams who has been named as principal of Lewis & Clark Elementary School for the 2023-2024 school year.

Williams will provide instructional leadership and direction, establish a safe, positive and academically-focused environment and address the educational needs for scholars at Lewis & Clark.

Fife is an accomplished teacher and administrator with extensive experience in curriculum development with data-driven, measurable results.

“Keesha Fife’s leadership skills and experience make her an ideal candidate to step into the role at Koch Elementary,” stated Superintendent Joylynn Pruitt-Adams, Ed.D. “Her strengths in communication, curriculum development and project-based teaching will benefit our scholars, staff and community.”

Before taking the reins at Lewis & Clark Elementary, Fife served as a first-grade teacher at Lemasters Elementary School from 2020-2022. She also worked for the district as a sixth-grade English Language Arts teacher from 2016-2017.

Fife also brings administrative experience as a former principal at Jackson Arts & Technology Academy in Lansing, Mich. and as an assistant principal at Center Academy School in Flint, Mich. She boasts international teaching experience in Beijing, China, as well.

Fife earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. She also earned a master’s degree in school principalship from Central Michigan University.

Williams is a skilled and experienced educator and administrator who has served as an assistant principal at Westview Middle School since 2014. Prior to serving as a building administrator, Williams served in various instructional roles in RGSD from 2007-2014.

“Jarita Williams is an outstanding, driven leader,” said RGSD Superintendent Joylynn Pruitt-Adams, Ed.D. “She will continue to bring a data-driven focus to help scholars at Lewis & Clark Elementary to be successful.”

Williams has a background in data analysis as a business educator and extensive leadership team experience. At Westview, she implemented a mentoring program for scholars and led a robotics team.

Williams earned a bachelor of science in accounting from Harris-Stowe State University, master’s degrees in business administration and educational/instructional technology from Webster University, and a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from the University of Missouri St. Louis.

“I am humbled to be selected as the next principal of Lewis & Clark Elementary,” Williams stated. “I look forward to continuing to serve in leadership to help our

scholars achieve academic excellence.”

Photos courtesy Riverview Gardens School District

Keesha Fife Jarita Williams

Photo courtesy St. Louis Community College

(From left) Rokhaya “Daba” N. Ndao, Ph.D., is lauded by her supervisor, Tom McGovern, dean of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Ndao’s name will display on a plaque with fellow recipients of the David L. Underwood Memorial Lecture Award.

EVENTS

June 8: Hazelwood School District to host recruitment fair

The HSDt is hosting a Support Staff Recruitment Fair from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. at the Galactic Multipurpose Room. The district is seeking bus drivers, counselors, nurses, custodial staff, food nutrition workers, and more for the 2023-2024 school year. Interested applicants are encouraged to register for the fair by visiting bit.ly/WorkWithHSD and submitting a recruitment fair application. Walk-ins welcome, and there will be on-site application stations. Participants are encouraged to bring copies of resumes, credentials, and other professional documentation.

RECURRING EVENTS

Weekdays: Food pantry volunteers needed

The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry is in need of ongoing adult volunteers to sort food, stock shelves and shop with clients. Two-to-four hour shifts are available, Monday-Friday 8:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m. To learn more or to join this fun group, contact Chelsey Banaskavich at 314-513-1674 or cbanaskavich@jfcs-stl.org.

Mondays: City council meetings

City of Pine Lawn holds regular city council meetings at city hall at 6250 Steve Marre Ave. in Pine Lawn on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The meetings are open to the public.

Mondays: Choral Arts Group meetings

Choral Arts Group practices every Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Connection Christian Church at 1332 Feise Rd. in O’Fallon. Auditions not required. Ages high school and older are invited to join. There will be spring and fall public concerts. For more information call Marty at 636-5799227, or email concertartsa@ gmail.com.

Mondays: Workshop meetings

City of Pine Lawn holds regular workshop meetings at city hall at 6250 Steve Marre Ave. in Pine Lawn on the fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The meetings are open to the public.

All men who like to sing are invited to come sing with us,

The Men of Harmony. We practice every Monday night at 7 p.m. at 5500 Parker Raoad which is the first house on Uthe Lane. We sing four-part harmony a capella (without accompaniment). We sing some traditional songs, as well as show tunes and more contemporary music. We do perform for the public at various functions. Persons interested can come right on in or for more information call Al at 314-993-6134.

Mondays-Thursdays: Volunteers needed Community Action Agency of St. Louis County is in need of volunteers to stock shelves, sort food shipments and pack bags for Food Pantry Clients Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Two to four hour shifts are available. If you are interested, please contact Cheryl Piece at 314-446-4440 or cpiece@ caastlc.org for additional information.

Tuesdays: Bingo

Florissant Elks Bingo takes place at 16400 New Halls Ferry every Tuesday. Doors open at 4 p.m., bingo starts at 6 p.m. No outside food or drinks allowed per St. Louis County. Food and drinks available for purchase. Maximum 150 players. Must wear mask to enter. Social distancing followed.

Tuesdays: TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets from 10 – 11 a.m. at Expansion Church at 11150 Old Saint Charles Rd. in St. Ann. For more info, contact Pat Pinson 314-428-1168 or 314-435-5898.

Tuesdays: A cappella singers

The Gentlemen of Sound are looking for men who like to sing or want to learn. They practice Tuesdays at Lady of the Pillar school at 401 S. Lindbergh from 7 – 9 p.m. They try to do public events monthly. Always looking for new members. Come by or call Kirk at 314-954-7920 .

Tuesdays: Chair Zumba

Chair Zumba every Tuesday from 2:15 – 3 p.m. at The Bridge At Florissant at 1101 Garden Plaza Dr. (Parker @ Arlington). For more information call 314-831-0988.

Tuesdays: Celebrate Recovery

Celebrate Recovery Tuesday meetings take place at 6 p.m. with a Saturday Bible Study at 9 a.m. at LifePoint Church at 424 Graham Rd. in Floris-

sant. For more information visit www.lifepointministries. church/celebrate-recovery or call (men) Steve D. at 636634-6582 or (women) Denise W. at 530-417-6151.

Tuesdays: TOPS (Take off pounds sensibly)

From 9:15 - 10:30 a.m. located at John F. Kennedy Center/ Henry Koch Ctr., Howdershell Rd. at Charbonier Rd., Florissant. For more info contact Paul McConnell, 314-8315476.

2nd Tuesday Sept.-June:

Show-me Stitchers:

Show-me Stitchers is the local chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America. We meet on the second Tuesday, Sept.June at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 14088 Clayton Road, Chesterfield, MO. Learn needlepoint, embroidery, cross stitch, and more.

Every 4th Tuesday of the month: Fort Bellefontaine

Memorial American Legion Post 335 meeting 6:30pm, Fort Bellefontaine Memorial American Legion Post 335, at the Bellefontaine Neighbors Community Center at 9669 Bellefontaine Rd. Those interested in membership are invited to attend.

Wednesdays: Bingo

Bingo takes place every Wednesday at American Legion Post 338 at 9655 Midland Blvd. in Overland. Doors open at 5 p.m. For more information contact Chairman Ed Hilleman at 314-660-1813.

Wednesdays: Bingo

Life Care Center of Bridgeton, at 12145 Bridgeton Square in Bridgeton, welcome all to Community Bingo every last Wednesday of the month at 2:30 p.m. Light refreshment will be served. Please RVSP at 314-298-7444 with the month you will attend and number of people attending.

Wednesdays: TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrews United Methodist Church at 3975 N. Hwy 67 in Florissant. For more information contact Norma at 314-306-4731.

Every Wednesday: Bingo Morning at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316 Florissant Elks Lodge #2316, 16400 New Halls Ferry Rd. in Florissant. Doors at 8:00 a.m., games begin at 9:30 a.m. For more information, call 314921-2316.

Bridgeton Trails Library Branch Programs: 3455 McKelvey Rd., St. Louis, 314-994-3300. Story Time: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. 9 months to 2 yrs. Room 1 (Lap Time); Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. Ages 3–5. Room 2; Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Ages 3–5. Room 1.

Florissant Senior Citizens’ Bingo Clubs: 314-839-7604.

Every 1st Wednesday of the Month: Stroke Support Group 3-4 p.m., Center for Senior Renewal, Detrick Building 1st floor, 11133 Dunn Rd. For more information, contact Jamie Stevens at 314-653-5331.

Thursdays: Bingo

Community Bingo at the Bridge At Florissant, at 1101 Garden Plaza Drive (intersection of Parker and Arlington) takes place on the third Thursday of each month starts at 2 p.m. There will be snacks and prizes. For more information call 314-831-0988.

Thursdays: Quilting guild

Every third Thursday of the month the Flower Valley Quilting Guild meets at 7 p.m. in the old school at the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine, 1 Rue St. Francois, Florissant.

Thursdays: Blood pressure checks Free blood pressure checks monthly at Life Care Center of Florissant at 1201 Garden Plaza Dr. (off Parker Rd.) in Florissant every third Thursday of the month. Call 831-3752 for more information.

Thursdays: Women’s chorus meeting

Every Thursday City Voices Chorus, a women’s chorus singing four-part a cappella harmony, meets at Church of the Good Shepherd at 1166 S. Mason Rd. in St. Louis. Members come from the entire bi-state region. Call Marcia at 636-274-0723 for more information or visit www. cityvoiceschorus.org.

Fridays: Fish fry

St. Ferdinand Fish Fry at 1765 Charbonier Rd. in Florissant, has resumed every Friday from 3 - 7 p.m.

Fridays: Fish fry

A fish fry takes place every Friday at American Legion Post 338 at 9655 Midland Blvd. in Overland from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information contact Chairman Ed Hilleman at 314660-1813.

Sports you see with Gary B...

Former Cardinals will be part of a home run derby event sponsored by the Hoots

The O’Fallon Hoots play their home games at CarShield Field in O’Fallon and play in the Prospect League.

The Hoots announced that former Cardinals infielder and World Series Champion Scott Spiezio, Mike Matheny, Andruw Jones and Bo Hart will participate at CarShield Field for the 3rd Annual MLB Alumni Home Run Derby presented by Complete Auto Body & Repair on Saturday, June 3. The alumni will be joined by members of the CarShield Collegiate League and on-air personalities from 101 ESPN and 105.7 The Point.

“Scott Spiezio is a great Cardinal alum and we are excited to have him in O’Fallon for this signature event,” Hoots General Manager David Schmoll said. “Scott had a tremendously successful Major League career and won at the highest levels, including here in St. Louis. We can’t wait to see him in June!”

Former Cardinal infielder Bo Hart famously broke Kirby Puckett’s rookie batting average record in his first ten big league games

“Bo Hart provided Cardinals fans with one of the most exciting starts to a Major League career,” Hoots General Manager David Schmoll said. “Bo is not only a great story in Cardinals history, but he is a great ambassador for the Cardinals today. I cannot wait to have him back at CarShield field with our other MLB alums!”

Gold Glove catcher Mike Matheny played five sea-

sons with the Cardinals before managing them to the World Series in 2013.

“Mike Matheny is a part of Cardinals history, leading the team to a World Series appearance as both a player and as a manager,” Hoots General Manager David Schmoll said. “We are excited to welcome him back to the St. Louis-area for this event.”

Hall of Fame candidate Andruw Jones headlines 2023 event

“This event has become a staple of our ballpark and we are excited to bring it back for the third year,” General Manager David Schmoll said. “To be able to bring someone with the pedigree of Andruw Jones, a potential Hall of Famer, to our fans in O’Fallon, makes for a phenomenal event and I cannot wait to see him in action.”

Andruw Jones enjoyed a 17-year MLB career, primarily with the Atlanta Braves before stops with the Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox and Yankees. The fivetime All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove outfielder began his Major League career at 19-years-old with the Braves in 1996 and earned Rookie of the Year Honors in his first full season in 1997. The Willemstad, Curacao-native led the majors in home runs (51) and RBI (128) in 2005 when he finished second in MVP voting. He played his final MLB game in 2012, finishing with a lifetime .254 average, .823 OPS and 434 home runs. Earlier this month, Jones finished sixth in Hall of Fame voting, receiving 58.1% of votes.

Season starts at CarShield Field in O’Fallon on Wednesday, May 31 at 6:35 p.m. against Cape Girardeau.

* This will be an incredible event

Gary Baute, a St. Louis native, may be educated in business but he lives and breathes sports. As a fan or an athlete, Gary is all sports all the time. He hosted a radio sports program on KFNS, emceed the River City Rascals’ inaugural season, among many other activities. I am currently hosting a Health show on 97.1 FM, ‘Prime Time Health’ www.PrimeTimeSTL.com. It broadcasts Saturday nights at 8 and Sunday mornings at 9.

Recipe: Mini morsels for a kid-friendly snack

Mini Corn Dog Bites

Recipe adapted from Wilton.

INGREDIENTS:

Nonstick cooking spray

1 package all-beef bun-length hot dogs

1 cup flour

1 cup yellow cornmeal

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 stick butter, melted

1 cup milk

1/4 cup sour cream

2 eggs

Dipping Sauce:

2/3 cup sour cream

3 tablespoons Dijon Mustard

2 tablespoons honey

Find

Movie:

By Steve Bryan

Born and raised in South St. Louis, Steve Bryan is now based in Anaheim, California, and has been allowed access to movie and television sets to see actors and directors at work. Though his writing has taken him far from St. Louis, Steve is, at heart, still the same wide-eyed kid who spent countless hours watching classic movies at neighborhood theaters.

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven 375°F.

Prepare muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Cut each hot dog into six pieces.

In large bowl, whisk flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt and baking powder.

In medium bowl, whisk melted butter, milk, sour

In 1974, Martin Davidson and Stephen F. Verona directed “The Lords of Flatbush,” a coming-of-age drama set in the 1950’s. Sylvester Stallone played Stanley Rosiello, a teenager from Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood who, along with Wimpy Murgalo (Paul Mace), Butchey Weinstein (Henry Winkler) and Chico Tyrell (Perry King), were part of a gang that wore leather jackets, chased girls, got into fights and hung out at the malt shop.

Believing he had impregnated his girlfriend Frannie (Maria Smith), Stanley agreed to marry her even after he learned she wasn’t pregnant. By the end of the film, the boys from Flatbush left their leather jackets at home and wore dress suits to Frannie and Stanley’s wedding.

“The Lords of Flatbush” became part of a nostalgia wave that included the Broadway and movie versions of “Grease,” George Lucas’ “American Graffiti” and, of course, television’s “Happy Days.” On that iconic series, Henry Winkler played Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli, a motorcycle rider who became a great friend to Richie Cunningham (Ron Howard). The series ran 11 seasons before ending in 1984 and created such spin-offs as “Laverne & Shirley” and “Mork & Mindy.”

cream and eggs. Combine butter mixture with flour mixture.

Fill each muffin cavity halfway with batter. Place one hot dog piece in center of each cavity. Bake 14-16 minutes. Cool completely.

To make dipping sauce: In small bowl, stir sour cream, mustard and honey. Serve with corn dogs.

During his years on “Happy Days,” Henry Winkler also took movie roles that were intriguing and different. Directed by Jeremy Paul Kagan, 1977’s “Heroes” had Winkler playing Jack Dunne, a Vietnam veteran suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). After escaping from a VA hospital, he planned to become a worm farmer in California. Along the way, he met Carol Bell (Sally Field), a woman who joined him on his trek to California. Henry Winkler’s performance in “Heroes” earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Drama film. Winkler brought a lot to the table in 1982’s “Night Shift.” He played Charles “Chuck” Lumley, a former stockbroker who quit his Wall Street job to work at a New York City morgue. Bill “Blaze” Blazejowski (Michael Keaton), Chuck’s new co-worker, was a fasttalking guy with such great “ideas” as edible paper to eliminate garbage. For his work

in “Night Shift,” Henry Winkler was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor (Motion Picture Musical or Comedy) while Keaton won the Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor.

1998’s “The Waterboy” focused on Bobby Boucher (Adam Sandler), a 31-year-old man who became the water boy for the South-Central Louisiana University Mud Dogs. After being taunted by the team for being a water boy, Coach Klein (Winkler) encouraged Booby to fight back, which helped him become a force to be reckoned with on the football field. Unfortunately, Bobby’s mother Helen (Kathy Bates) didn’t want her son playing that “foosball.” Henry Winkler’s Coach Klein had some great moments trying to convince Helen to let Bobby join his team.

Currently Henry Winkler is part of the cast of HBO’s “Barry,” a series where Bill Hader plays the title role of Barry Berkman, a former U.S. Marine turned hitman. Winkler plays Gene Cousineau, an acting teacher who becomes a mentor to Barry. This popular HBO show is in its final season, so it will be interesting to see what Henry Winkler does next.

Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that every row, column and 3-by-3 box includes all the digits 1 through 9.

Henry Winkler: From ‘The Lords of Flatbush’ to ‘Barry’

more family-friendly recipes at culinary.net.

(Left) “The Waterboy” photo courtesy Touchstone Pictures. (Right) “Barry” photo courtesy Alec Berg Productions

Moore on Life: Chicken out

Someone’s in the doghouse – my husband! I gave him one job…one teensy, little basic job – change the bathroom hand towels.

I ran into the house the other day and needed to step into the bathroom to do what people do when they need to go into the bathroom only what I needed to do was of an urgent nature. Okay, TMI, but it has to do with the story so get that visual out of your mind and let’s move on.

So instead of using the bathroom in our bedroom, I made a rush to the nearest one which happened to be the guest bathroom. That’s when the horror hit me.

I had just finished washing my hands and reached up to grab the towel when the shocking sight smacked me square in the eyeballs. What could cause such a reaction you ask? Well, I’m not going to ask for moral support from you men out there because I suspect you’re all in cahoots over this and will fall in lockstep with my husband who is a dedicated member of your Man Club. But the ladies will understand the jolt I felt.

Now, as I reached for the towel, I discovered that it was red checkered and covered with chickens… CHICKENS I say! Do you know what that means people? It was a kitchen towel…not a bathroom towel! A dingy, frayed kitchen towel used to dry pots and pans and mop up spilled gravy!

And this first world problem could only be made worse by the realization that the night before we had company over and of course, one half of that compa-

By Cindy Moore CROSSWORD: OUTDOOR FUN

ny was none other than my neighbor, the annoying Mrs. Pilkinson.

And yes, she did excuse herself in the middle of playing dominoes to use my guest bathroom and no doubt she was confronted by that very same checkered chicken towel to wipe her paws. And further, you can bet your sweet dose of judgmental criticism that she took a catty little picture of it and sent it to everyone in the neighborhood announcing that I stocked my bathrooms with nasty gravy mop up towels like some uncouth baboon. Arrgh!

My husband just came in the door. Boy, is he going to get it!

“Hey, who's been using my best screwdriver to dig up weeds?!” he yelled.

Oopsie. I guess we’re even.

Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder.

The opinions expressed in this column are Cindy Moore’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.

LIFESTYLE: Ensure your boat is ready for the water with this checklist

No matter how much experience you have on the water, prepping your boat – and your passengers –before leaving the dock can make for a more enjoyable experience.

To prepare for a safe and comfortable trip, review this pre-departure checklist to ensure your vessel is in good working order and wellstocked for the adventure:

• Documentation – Have all required documentation for planned activities, including boat registration, fishing permits and boater education cards readily accessible.

• Float plan – File a float plan with a responsible party who will remain on land. Provide contact info, explain where you’re going, when you intend to return and what to do in case he or she doesn’t hear from you.

• Weather forecast – Always check the forecast before you head out on the water. To regularly monitor any changes, keep a handheld radio onboard.

• Fuel – Before leaving, check that your fuel level is adequate for the trip and that other fluids, like oil and coolant, are at the proper levels.

• Batteries – Check to make sure the boat’s battery, as well as battery-operated items like flashlights and handheld radios, are fully charged and operational.

• Lights – Check to make sure you have properly functioning navigation and instrument lights and pack a flashlight, as well.

• Life jackets – Ensure you have at least one U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device per passenger with a minimum of two onboard. If your boat is longer than 16 feet, you’ll also need a throwable device.

• Anchor – Keep at least one anchor, attached to an anchor line, and at least two fenders for docking onboard.

• Bilge – Before launching your boat, ensure the bilge is dry, clear of waste and has a properly functioning pump.

• Fire extinguisher – Keep a U.S. Coast Guard-approved fire extinguisher securely mounted in an accessible place.

• Distress signals – Store flares and day signals in a dry, accessible location and ensure all passengers onboard know how to use them. Also have a noise-making device, such as an air horn, bell or whistle, capable of producing a 4-second blast audible for at least 1/2 mile readily available.

• Tools – Keep a basic toolbox onboard with commonly used tools and spare parts like wrenches, screwdrivers, batteries, fuel filters, hull plugs and light bulbs.

• First-aid kit – Keep a well-stocked first-aid kit –and extra sunscreen – in an accessible location in case of accidents.

Find more tips for safely enjoying time on the water at eLivingtoday.com.

ACROSS

1. Bryan of "Summer Of '69" fame

6. Lake in Provence

9. ____ ____ good example

13. Hypotenuse/opposite side

14. Fuss, to Shakespeare

15. Pine

16. Filthy dough

17. Marxism or Taoism, e.g.

18. Skylit lobbies

19. *Outdoor repast

21. *Two-wheeling

23. Agreement word

24. *Climbing turf

25. "I wish I ____, I wish I might..."

28. Cracked by yegg

30. Cowardly color

35. Slightly (2 words)

37. Matterhorn location

39. Charles III's ex

40. She played Carla on "Cheers"

41. Nev.'s neighbor

43. Rotisserie skewer

44. Indianapolis team

46. Underwater "nose"

47. Color of a bruise

48. Trying experience

50. "The Breakfast ____"

52. p in mph

53. Ranee's husband

55. ____ de plume

57. *Gather berries, e.g.

60. *Water slaloming

63. Soft single in baseball

64. *Sun "kiss"

66. Beau's and Jeff's acting dad

68. Cut-down sailing sheep

69. How many "if by sea?"

70. Have effect

71. Gibbons, e.g. 72. Coniferous tree 73. Rejuvenate or renovate

DOWN

1. Knee-related acronym

2. Make pretty (2 words)

3. Mushroom spore sacs

4. Shawn Mendes' 2016 hit

5. Parts of a play

6. Secular

7. Commercial break clips

8. Fast food option

9. Looking for aliens org.

10. Get bacon?

11. H.S. math class

12. All Nippon Airways, acr.

15. Rattled on

20. Writer Asimov

22. Like icee

24. Not an original

25. *Call to Polo

26. Opposite of adore

27. Triangular road sign

29. *Capture it!

31. Speech defect

32. Drink like a cat (2 words)

33. Chilled (2 words)

34. *Balloon filler

36. U.K. art gallery

38. Place for a house plant

42. Get an F

45. Serape, alt. sp.

49. Jet follower

51. Water-heating apparatus

54. Bulwark

56. Hundred Acre Wood creator

57. Wing motion

58. Exude

59. Fish eggs, pl.

60. Winter precipitation

61. Person, place or thing

62. Swirling vortex

*Part of a bikini

Leave speechless

Morning condensation

Photo courtesy Getty Images