January 23, 2019
Clearing the way
Around Town
The city of O’Fallon and the River City Rascals agree on lease for 2019. Pg. 4 Learn the art of making sweet maple syrup. Pg. 6
Business Peoples Bank & Trust Co. announce change in leadership. Pg. 7
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Road crews from the City of St. Charles Department of Public Works work to push snow off of the streets during a recent winter storm.
Photo courtesy city of St. Charles
Road crews across St. Charles County work long hours in tough conditions to keep city streets clear when snow and ice hit the area By Brett Auten From ice-covered country hills to city streets with knee-deep snow, the area’s road crews are prepped for whatever may happen during the winter season. Ken Vehlewald is a foreman for the city of Wentzville Street Department. During his 17-year tenure at Wentzville, Vehlewald has pretty much seen it all, including the 10-plus inches that hit the area a little over a week ago. He is a veteran member of a crew that when called upon, work in the dead silence of night and during the shuddering cold
while the rest of us sleep. “It is roughest on the night shift due to your body not being used to working that late and bouncing around all night in the truck,” Vehlewald said. “Sometimes you may roll the window down for a little bit to get some cold air to help keep you awake, but you get through it.” And even during the worst conditions, life-threatening situations arise. So when local law enforcement and first responders need to get to a scene of an emergency, then drivers are pulled immediately from their scheduled route to assist. “Mother Nature closes it and we have to
open it,” Vehlewald said. “I have seen it firsthand, being able to save an individual’s life because paramedics or the fire department were able to get in and assist.” In Wentzville, and other neighboring communities, who, what, when, and where decisions on attacking the roads during lessthan-ideal conditions is a group effort. Vehlewald says that a collection of cities superintendents, foremen and directors pour over every local weather forecast, including the cities own meteorologist, receiving hourly updates on start times, projected accumula-
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Weather FRIDAY Mostly Sunny 24/18 SATURDAY Chance of Snow 29/17 SUNDAY Mostly Sunny 29/21 FirstWarn Weather
See ‘CLEARING’ page 2
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January 23, 2019 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com
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lations and road temperatures. In Wentzville, there are 13 routes with 26 employees covering a 12-hour shift that usually runs from 8 p.m. – 8 a.m. Wentzville houses three tandem (or dual axle) trucks that focus on the main arteries, Pearce Boulevard, Wentzville Parkway and Mexico Street. The single axle trucks hit the subdivisions and the one-ton trucks with plows attached are there to provide extra assistance. Depending on the road conditions, Vehlewald estimates that on a busy night, the tandem trucks will drive anywhere from 125to-200 miles while the single axles register 70-to-100 miles. Jim Wright is the Director of Public Works for the city of St. Charles. Wright has a team of 25 trucks and 50 employees from the city’s street, water, and sewer departments that could be called upon. While the driv-
ers hit the streets, a team of supervisors is back in the office handling calls from residents, managing routes, and getting updates on conditions. Wright said that every storm is different. Last week, up to 13 inches of snow was reported. “When you are trying to push that much snow, it can do a lot of funny things with a truck,” Wright said. “It was a heavy, wet snow that could ball up to three-foot boulders that, unfortunately ended up in the front of some driveways.” This past weekend, freezing rain and a late Sunday afternoon dusting caused for a late-weekend shift for many. Both Vehlewald and Wright have said that parked cars along the streets are the biggest thorns in the side. Wentzville has an ordinance against parking in the street during a winter weather emergency situation.
Photo courtesy city of Wentzville City of Wentzville Street Department vehicles work to push snow off of the streets during a recent winter storm.
St. Charles does not. “It is because of some of the older sections of town,” Wright said. “On some streets, there really isn’t another option, we just ask when possible to park in the driveway.” Despite the added stress and the long, lumbering shift, Vehlewald said the rewards of the job are easy to spot.
“It is definitely a job you can look back and see what you did and what you accomplished,” he said. “When you have a snowstorm like what we had last week, it shuts businesses and people down and there is a lot of concern within the community.”
Family mystery solved at the library Adopted as an infant, April Price had been curious about her birth family for most of her life. “I have wanted to find my family since... forever,” she said. “I always wondered what my mom looked like.” By the time Price was old enough to research her birth parents, her mother had passed away and neither she nor her father had elected to share identifying information with the agency that handled the adoption. April thought that her true ancestry would always be a mystery. One day while working on a public computer at the Spencer Road Branch of the St. Charles City-County Library, Price heard someone ask at the information desk, “Where is the genealogy class?” She thought about her own stalled search for family and quickly found her way to the classroom. There, a volunteer named Monica Sharp was preparing to teach a beginning family history class regularly offered by the library. Price cautiously approached her and told Sharp she was not enrolled in the class, but needed help. Price introduced herself and shared the story about her adoption and search. As she spoke, the room got quiet. The entire class was intrigued. They waited while Sharp sat at a computer to help Price. Within five minutes, Sharp had found an obituary for Price’s birth mother using the library’s online resources. “With the little bit of information April had and the databases the library offers, we
Photo courtesy St. Charles County City-County Library April Price sits next to her daughter, Taylor James, at the Spencer Road Branch Library with the pictures and documents that Price has collected about her birth parents.
were able to find what she needed,” Sharp remembers. “It was just one of those serendipitous kinds of things.” After 53 years of wondering, Price finally knew the name of her mother. Emotional, overwhelmed and excited, Price immediately went home and used the information she had discovered at the library to begin a Facebook search. After days of searching and many inquiries, she discovered that she had cousins living just
an hour away. They met for the first time in the summer of 2017. “I discovered my nationality. I saw a picture of my mother when she was in junior high school!” Price could not be happier with the St. Charles City-County Library. “Our library resources are fantastic,” she says. “What an amazing experience it was when the library did this for me.”
www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • January 23, 2019
Around Town
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MDC reminds residents to exercise caution during and after snowstorms When winter weather hits, heavy snow, ice, and strong winds can take a toll on trees. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds Missourians to exercise caution when cleaning up after winter storms. When storms damage trees, clean-up and recovery can seem overwhelming. Some injured trees can be trimmed to maintain their health and value to homeowners. Others should be removed. Knowing what repairs to make, how to make them, and how to avoid paying for unneeded services can help keep injury – both physical and financial – at a minimum. “Trees are a part of the character of our community and damage to them after a storm can feel traumatic,” said MDC Urban Forester Ann Koenig. “Trees are amazingly resilient, so after a storm, try to be patient.” Before trimming or removing trees damaged from snow, residents should consider the following advice from MDC: Safety first Be aware of utility lines and hazardous overhanging limbs. Alert your electricity provider immediately and allow experts to assess the danger. Remove trees or limbs that have fallen on your home or are blocking access to your residence. Also, look for any hanging limbs in trees that could drop on your home. Know your skill level and do not take on more than you can safely accomplish yourself. “Slippery conditions, brittle, heavy wood, and chainsaws are an extremely dangerous mix for homeowners,” said Koenig. “Leave it to professionals with proper training, experience and equipment to take care of large trees and any work off the ground.” Be patient Any remaining tree damage can wait until the immediate crisis has passed. As long as there isn’t a safety risk, take your time to assess the damage and make decisions on which trees to cut and which ones to save.
If a tree does not present a hazard, take the time to ensure it gets proper care and make a final decision about it in a few weeks or months. Before beginning any tree work, determine whether your insurance policy covers tree work. Many policies will cover at least part of the cost of tree removal if some structural damage has occurred. Determine whether damaged trees need pruning or complete removal. If a valuable tree appears to be a borderline case, resist the temptation to simply cut the tree down and be done with it. Remember, time is on your side. After carefully pruning broken branches, give the tree time to recover. Often, new foliage will return the tree to its natural beauty. If not, the decision to remove the tree can always be made later. Hire a qualified arborist Use caution before hiring people who knock on your door. Good arborists generally are too busy to generate business this way. Door knockers are especially common after a storm and are notorious for recommending unhealthy tree-trimming practices such as “tree topping.” “It’s best to go with a qualified arborist,” said Koenig. “Check the yellow pages under ‘Tree Service’ or visit treesaregood.org/findanarborist for an online listing of International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborists who are local and established in your area.” Being listed in these directories doesn’t guarantee that companies will do good work, but means that they are locally established and should be easier to track down later if something goes wrong. Ask for proof of certification and of membership in professional organizations such as ISA. Ask for proof of worker’s compensation and liability insurance, as well as local references. Good arborists are proud of their work and can provide a list of past clients. Do not accept “take-it-now” deals. The person offering these deals may pressure you
into doing something you will regret later. Good arborists do not recommend topping. Conscientious arborists also will not use climbing spikes unless the tree is to be removed or someone is hurt. These practices damage trees unnecessarily. Take heart Trees are amazingly resilient and often possess the ability to recover from severe conditions over time. For more information, contact your local MDC office, or go online to mdc.mo.gov/resource/tree-care-after-storms.
Photo courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation Heavy snow from winter storms cause many tree limbs to fall. In the wake of a severe weather event such as a snowstorm, remember to use caution in proceeding with tree care and removal. MDC offers free resources to residents who need help understanding how to take action in a safe and responsible manner.
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Around Town
January 23, 2019 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com
The city of O’Fallon and the River City Rascals agree on lease for 2019 The O’Fallon City Council approved new lease terms with the River City Rascals, ensuring the team will return to CarShield Field for the 2019 season. The team will be playing their 21st season in O’Fallon. “The Rascals have been a prime attraction for O’Fallon and St. Charles County residents for 20 years, and we are proud to continue serving our fans with affordable, family-friendly entertainment in 2019,” said Rascals Team President Dan Dial. “Countless O’Fallon residents have attended Rascals games and events over that time and it is our strong desire to remain a part of our community and provide this unique experience for many years to come.” “We are pleased to have the River City Rascals back for the 2019 season,” said Tom Dra-
Submitted photo
belle, Communications Director for the City of O’Fallon. “The Rascals continue to be a popular attraction for our residents, and we look forward to seeing the team’s enhanced marketing efforts for the upcoming season. With this new lease in place, we can continue
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to provide our residents with high-level professional baseball at CarShield Field, and we can make sure this unique asset is used to its fullest extent both now and in the future.” The new lease calls for the Rascals to pay the city of O’Fallon a total of $165,000 for
the upcoming season, which includes rent, turf fees and revenues from events and naming rights. The team and the City will continue discussions on developing an agreement that would extend beyond the 2019 season. Season tickets, mini-plans
and corporate outings are now available to be purchased for the 2019 season. To find out more information, visit rivercityrascals.com or call the Rascals box office at 636-2402287.
Inspiration Corner: When galloping guilt makes us groan I set the empty pan of brownies in the kitchen sink. It was 10:30 p.m. and everyone was asleep – or so I thought. I was preparing to wash away the evidence when I heard footsteps behind me. I froze in place. I was caught! Have you ever been caught in the act? Did you cower as you received your comeuppance? Or did you willfully defy discovery and quickly conjure up a lie to cover your indiscretion? Maybe it was something more sinister than a few brownies. Maybe the consequences were more serious than angry pants. Maybe the fallout even included friends and neighbors shunning you and sobering legal consequences. Either way, the guilt has gotcha! What was once a nagging worry is now a significant reality and the aftermath has wrought stampeding thoughts that haunt every waking moment. Your “what ifs” and “I should haves” are like a herd of disparaging buffalo that refuse to permit a pillow of peace to catch your weary head. Guilt is often a result of behav-
ior we are ashamed of. It fosters bitterness, self-loathing and regret. These wounds are like gangrene of the soul. A good friend and I have been discussing guilt at length in recent days. He abandoned his family when his children were young and his regrets are multi-faceted. He tries to justify his decision while wrestling with missed opportunities. He sees the wounds his decision has given birth to and wishes to be forgiven but has not specifically acknowledged what he did and asked for forgiveness. His relationship with his adult children – much to his consternation – is shallow and strained. Sometimes our shame and regret can feel like mountains we dare not attempt to climb but they are not impassable. We need to muster the courage to acknowledge what we have done wrong and move forward because we cannot change the past. We imagine the worst: we will not be forgiven. But we are not responsible for how the person we offended responds to our plea. The only way to find
lasting peace is to confess our transgression and plead for mercy. Only then we can rest in the knowledge that we have done everything within our power to heal the relationship. The hair on the back of my neck bristled as I turned to face my accuser. My dog, Annabelle, sniffed at my choice of “midnight snacks”. My shoulders sagged. I know what I did and I know the consequences. The good news is I know how to hamstring those stampeding buffalo. For more inspiration, follow me on my blog: www.destinationdiscipline.com.
Margaret Wolfinbarger is a wife and mother of three peculiar children. She lives in St. Charles and likes to shine light into dark places.
www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • January 23, 2019
Ninth Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition first round of competition Feb. 2-3 The preliminary round of the Ninth Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition will take place on Feb. 2 and 3 with 141 performers taking the stage in the first round of competition “We are thrilled with the ongoing response to this event from students, parents, arts organizations and the community. The Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation (FoxPACF) is happy to be able to provide the opportunity for students to perform at the Fox and on other stages around St. Louis. We’re delighted that we are able to put talented young people in the spotlight,” said Mary Strauss, St. Louis Teen Talent Competition creator, as well as FoxPACF Founder and President Emeritus of the FoxPACF Board of Directors. Entries represent 53 schools in the bi-state metropolitan area (48 MO / 5 IL) plus six homeschoolers. The acts showcase a diverse array of talents including musicians, composers, singers, actors, dancers, musical theatre performers, rappers, bands, and specialty acts that include color guard (flags), aerial arts, acrobatics, contortionists, and jugglers, Acts may include up to six students performing as a group and can perform original or published material. Students in this competition are vying for more than $40,000 in college scholarships, cash awards, prizes, performance opportunities. In addition to the First Place $8,000, Second Place $6,000, and Third Place $4,000 scholarships awarded at the final round, restricted scholarship opportunities to Southeast Missouri State University, Webster University and University of Missouri-St. Louis will also be available to students taking part in the Competition. Participants will also be eligible for unique public performance opportunities. Participants from the past eight years have performed at The Muny, National Dance Week, Taste of Maplewood, Gateway Grizzlies, Shakespeare Festival, Chamber Music Society of St. Louis, Judges for both the prelim-
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inary and semi-final competitions are professionals representing a cross-section of the St. Louis performing arts community who give constructive performance advice to each act. Each round of competition will have a panel of at least three judges who will adjudicate and advance acts to the next round. Acts will be judged on technical ability, interpretation, stage presence and originality. The two days of Preliminary Competition, at Kirkwood High School and Logan University, will narrow the field from 98 to approximate 40 acts. These acts will then compete in the Semi-Finals on Saturday, March 9 at Kirkwood High School where the final 12 to 15 acts will be chosen to compete onstage at The Fabulous Fox Theatre as part of a professionally produced production, adjudicated by both St. Louis and national performing arts professionals on Saturday, April 13, 2018. This final event is free and open to the public. Registration for this event was FREE and open to all performing arts high school students in the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Contestants must be enrolled in the 9th through 12th grades in the 2018-2019 school year and must attend a high school/home school within a 50-mile radius from the Arch in all directions. Complete guidelines and information about the 9th An-
nual 2019 St. Louis Teen Talent Competition can be found on the Foundation’s website as well as on the FoxPACF Facebook page. The community response to this FREE event has been amazing and grown over the past eight years with “sold out” crowds at The Fabulous Fox. Miano.tv produces videos of the competition process which will be available on their YouTube and SchoolTube channels after the Semi-Final round. Stories from the past eight years are currently posted and provide viewers a glimpse of what the competition is all about. The Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation reintroduced the St. Louis Teen Talent Competition in 2011 to showcase the St. Louis region’s most talented teens in the performing arts. The 2018 St. Louis Teen Talent Competition winner was Nicaya Wiley, a dancer from Kirkwood High School. “We have been thrilled with the response to this event from students, parents, arts organizations and the community. The Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation is uniquely positioned to provide the opportunity for students to perform at the Fox and on other stages around St. Louis. We are pleased that we are able to put talented young people in the spotlight,” said James Weidman, President of the FoxPACF Board of Directors.
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Around Town
January 23, 2019 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com
Participants needed for Great Backyard Bird Count in St. Charles County Parks Want to be a part of an international effort to identify wild birds? Join the Parks Department and the Missouri Master Naturalists, Confluence Chapter, for the Great
Backyard Bird Count Feb. 1518 in any St. Charles County Park. Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, this program allows bird-
watchers of all ages to help create a snap shot of where our feathered friends are located around the world. Individuals, students, Scouts and other groups are invited to participate. Register online at http://bit.ly/2019GreatBackyardBirdCount and select a county park to visit. Count the birds in the park for at least 15 minutes on one or more days, estimate the number of each species spotted during the count period(s), and submit the data online by clicking “Submit Observations” at gbbc.birdcount.org/. The free eBird Mobile app is also available to enter data. The Great Backyard Bird Count was the first online citizen-science project to collect data on wild birds and to display results in near real-time. More than 160,000 people of all ages located around the world join the four-day count each February to create an annual snapshot of the distribution and abundance of birds. By protecting and preserve
Submitted photo
native plants and wildlife species and maintaining natural settings, St. Charles County parks are havens for songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, and other birds. Some of the most common species found in county parks include the Great Blue Heron, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Bobwhite Quail, Wild Turkey, White-Breasted Nuthatch, Black-Capped Chickadee, Northern Car-
dinal, Red-Tailed Hawk and American Bald Eagle. A Northern Shrike, which is not commonly found in our area, also was spotted not too long ago at Broemmelsiek Park near Defiance. The birding program is free, educational, and open to everyone. For more information, call the Parks Department at 636-949-7535.
Learn the art of making sweet maple syrup Making maple syrup is easier than you may think. With the help of the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation staff, volunteers, and Hart Beet Farm, you can learn how to turn gallons of pure sap into edible
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sweet syrup. Join them from 11 a.m.to 3 p.m., Feb. 9, for Hands-On Heritage: Making Maple Syrup at The Historic Daniel Boone Home near Defiance. Admission is free to this popular program. Park staff have tapped the trees and gathered the liquid sap to demonstrate the historic process, which dates back to the 19th century. Guests can view the antique equipment used during that period and ask questions to the frontiersmen and women leading the program. Guests also will learn the modern-day method of making maple syrup with Hart Beet Farm, a small, diversified farm in Eolia, Missouri, that grows a variety of clean gardening and food production. They will showcase the equipment they use to turn 40 gallons of sap into one gallon of edible maples syrup. A variety of delicious syrups will be available for purchase.
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The program is free, educational, and open to all ages. For more information, call the parks department at 636-9497535.
www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • January 23, 2019
Peoples Bank & Trust Co. announces change in leadership
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Submitted photos From left: David W. Thompson, Justin St. Pierre and Scott Hufty
Peoples Bank & Trust Co. announced David W. Thompson is retiring as bank President and CEO. He will be succeeded by Justin St. Pierre, who most recently served as President of Lincoln County Bancorp. St. Pierre officially took on his new duties Jan. 1. However, to ensure a seamless transition, Thompson will remain working for a brief time before retiring from the bank on March 29. Thompson will retain his positions as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Lincoln County Bancorp and Peoples Bank & Trust Co. Scott Hufty has been selected for the office of President of Lincoln County Bancorp having served as Senior Accountant of Lincoln County Bancorp for the last 14 years. “Now is the time for me to step aside and allow the next generation of bankers to take the helm,” said Thompson. “I have for several years been mentoring and training a team of wonderful individuals who are more than capable of advancing community banking to the next levels. They will serve Peoples Bank & Trust and Lincoln County Bancorp with distinction.” Thompson, who joined Peoples Bank & Trust in 1977, has been a driving force in transforming Peoples Bank & Trust as a community bank with long-term, sustainable success. Under Thompson’s leadership, Peoples Bank has grown to $480 million in assets and expanded to a seven-branch bank with an eighth location opening in Cottleville in fall of 2019. In addition to his leadership roles in the bank, Thompson has also devoted countless hours to many community and banking organizations including serving as Past President and Director of Missouri Independent Banker Association, Past Regent President and Regent of the Paul W. Barrett, Jr. School of Banking, Independent Community Bankers of America Committee Member, a founding board member of Lincoln County Missouri Habitat for Humanity, Director of the Lincoln County Resource Board and Director of the Mercy Health Foundation Board. In addition, Thompson was presented with the Troy Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year Award in 2018, in acknowledgment of his contributions to his local community. In reflecting on his career, Thompson is most proud of the friendships he has gained over the last 41 years. “The daily interaction with custom-
ers and those that I work with has developed into lifelong friendships,” he said. “My employees are my family and I will honestly miss seeing them every day.” Thompson plans to keep busy in retirement as he hopes to continue his involvement with civic organizations as well as become involved in the mission field through his church. He also looks forward to traveling and playing golf with his wife, Peggy. As President and CEO of Peoples Bank & Trust Co., St. Pierre will be leading over 130 employees into the future of community banking. “I am honored to be a part of this next chapter of Peoples Bank,” said St. Pierre. “We have a talented team of employees that are dedicated to their positions and it is an exciting time to be working at the bank.” “I am confident Justin has the knowledge, skills and leadership needed to guide Peoples Bank into the future and continue our success as a community bank,” said Thompson. St. Pierre, originally from Louisiana, Missouri, is a graduate of the University of Missouri (1994) and the Graduate School of Banking (2001). He currently sits on the Board of the Missouri Independent Bankers Association, serves as a member of the Independent Community Bankers of America Safety and Soundness Committee and is the Board Treasurer of the First Christian Church of Troy. St. Pierre resides in Troy along with his wife Christy and two children: Katie and Griffin. Hufty managed the financial and tax reporting obligations of all five banks under the holding company umbrella in his role as Senior Accountant for Lincoln County Bancorp. When he transitions into his new position of president, Hufty’s duties will shift into overseeing bank affairs at a macro level and ensuring the operational needs of each chartered bank are met. “I have worked alongside Scott for over a decade now and I am confident he will continue to guide the banks of Lincoln County Bancorp to future success,” said St. Pierre. Hufty is a graduate of Lindenwood University (2004) and a licensed Certified Public Accountant (2007). He lives in his hometown of Silex, Missouri with his wife Kelly and two children: Connor and Claire.
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What’s Happening
January 23, 2019 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com
Send your event to editor@mycnews.com and we'll print it! EVENTS Jan. 26-27: Dog show
St. Charles (Mo.) Kennel Club, Inc. All Breed Dog Show Obedience Trial and Rally Trial takes place Jan. 26 and Jan. 27 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the National Equestrian Center At Lake St. Louis at 6880 Lake St. Louis Blvd. in Lake St. Louis. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children. For more information contact Connie Harrison at 636-441-0235 or Condeah@aol.com.
Jan. 27-28: Theater auditions
Wentzville Christian Church will hold auditions for “Hello Dolly”, Jan, 27 from 1 to 5 p.m. and Jan. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the church. Roles are available for ages 14 and up. Production dates are May 3-5. The church is located at 1507 Highway Z in Wentzville. For more information and audition forms go to wentzvillecc.org.
Feb. 1: Trivia night
A trivia night will take place at St. Peter Parish Center at 221 First Capitol Drive in St. Charles at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $20 per person or $160 per table. The event is sponsored by SSM St. Joseph Auxiliary. Bring food and drink. Call Barb Hutchinson at 636-947-5466 for more information. There will be prizes, awards, raffles and pot of gold.
Feb. 1: Trivia night
Kiwanis Clubs of Cottleville Weldon Spring and O’Fallon are joining together to hold a trivia night at The Christy Banquet Center at 9000 Veterans Memorial Pkwy. in O’Fallon. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the game starts at 7 p.m. Cost is $25 per person (eight
person maximum per team). There will be an open bar, snacks, soda, silent auction, prizes and tons of fun. This event will support the replacement of playground equipment at the O’Fallon Salvation Army and the formation of a new Terrific Kids program and a Middle School Builders Club in local schools. For more information call Mary at 314-581-0497 or Katie at 636439-6536.
Feb. 2: Father-daughter dance
Dads and daughters are invited to a delightful evening of “Dancing on the Moon” for the 2019 Father-Daughter Dance from 6:30 - 9 p.m. at St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre. Girls ages threeto-13 will get the chance to have Dad all to themselves for this special night of music, dancing, and dessert with lemonade. A professional photographer will be present to take photos at an additional cost. Tickets are just $14 per person. Advance registration is required. Register in person at the RecPlex, by phone at 636-939-2386, ext. 1400, or online at www.stpetersmo.net/ rec-connect. When registering online, print your registration form and bring it with you for admission to the dance. St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre is located at One St. Peters Centre Blvd. in St. Peters in the west wing of St. Peters City Hall.
Feb. 2: Daddy-daughter dance
Dads, grandpas and escorts, treat your young lady (age two-12) to a fun-filled evening of games, dinner and dancing at the Daddy-Daughter Sweetheart Dance. The event will be held from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at the Krekel Civic Center in Civic Park at 305 Civic Park Drive in O’Fallon. Formal attire is re-
quired and each young lady will receive a long-stemmed bouquet. Tickets can be purchased through Jan. 17, or until the dance fills, whichever comes first, but tickets will not be available at the gate so be sure to get tickets early for this popular event. The cost per couple is $44 for O’Fallon residents and $50 for non-residents; add $20 for an additional child. A professional photographer will be available to take photos for an additional fee. Register for Daddy-Daughter Sweetheart Dance tickets at www.ofallon.mo.us/parks&rec; enter course number 310103-A or select “Special Events.” Or, call staff at 636-474-2732 during regular business hours and have your credit card handy. To register in person come to the Renaud Center, 2650 Tri Sports Circle, or the Parks and Recreation Administration Office, 400 Civic Park Drive. For more information, please contact Tracy at tdickherber@ofallon.mo.us or 636474-8120.
Feb. 2: Quilt social
St. Barnabas Ladies Quilt Social will take place at 1400 North Main Street, at the corner of Highway P and Main Street in O’Fallon. Doors open at 10:30 a.m., bingo begins at noon. Six quilts will be given away. Refreshments will be available. Questions: please call Susan at 636-675-4709. No one under 16 is allowed to play.
Feb. 9: Scrapbooking day
Fort Zumwalt East Scrapbooking Day For Grad Night takes place from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. at Harvester Church of the Nazarene at 3115 McClay Rd. in St. Peters. The event is held to meet other crafters, work on projects and raise money for a safe drug and alcohol free graduation celebration for the Zumwalt East Class of 2019. Sign up at https:// goo.gl/forms/32MDlys5fHGU6zco1.
Feb. 16: Crazy Bowl
The Tri County Advisory Board invites you to the 20th Annual Crazy Bowl at O’Fallon Bowling Lane at 420 Sonderen St. in O’Fallon. Registration is at 5:30 p.m. and bowling begins at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $20 per bowler and includes three games of bowling, bowling shoe rental and prizes. There will be a cash bar available. Only16 lanes reserved so R. S. V. P. early. To reserve your place now, call: Esther Angelos at 636-441-0329 or Melinda Oliver at 636-940-3333 x240. 90 percent of your contribution is tax deductible as allowed by law.
ONGOING EVENTS Mondays: Take off Pounds Sensibly
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Cross Lutheran Church at 8945 Veterans Memorial Hwy in O’Fallon. Meetings at 9:30 a.m. with weigh in beginning at 8:30 a.m. For more information please call Linda Wilcox at 636-447-9056.
Mondays: Parent support group
Because I Love You, (BILY), Gateway parent support group meets every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church at 801 First Capitol Dr. in St. Charles. For information and directions, please contact the helpline at 314-993-7550 or email gateway_parent_help@yahoo.com. BILY is a program of self-help for parents of troubled children (all ages). We are not professionals, but parents helping each other. The meetings are free to attend.
Mondays: Alcoholics Anonymous If you want to drink, that’s your business. If you want to stop, we can help. Call Alcoholics Anonymous at 636970-0013.
Mondays: practice
Choral Arts Singers
Choral Arts Singers resume practice on Mondays, at 7 p.m. at Transfiguration Episcopal Church, 1860 Lake St. Louis Blvd. in Lake St. Louis. New singers are welcome. Auditions are not required. See www.concertarts.org.
Mondays: St.Charles County Council of the Blind meetings
Business meetings are held on the first Monday of each month (second Monday in September due to Labor Day) unless otherwise specified. No meetings are held in June, July, or December. Meetings are held in the Community Council Building (Second floor of the Spencer Branch Library) from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. For more information contact Beverly Kaskadden (Treasurer) at 636-561-6947.
Mondays: St. Peters Rotary Club
Noon at St. Peters City Hall, One St. Peters Centre Blvd. www.stpetersrotary.org.
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: Fitness First Exercise Class
9:30-10:30 a.m., American Legion Hall, 504 Luetkenhaus Blvd., Wentzville. 314-369-6521.
Mondays and Thursdays: Bridge
St. Peters Senior Center plays bridge from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday and Thursdays, and would love to have any player, regardless of skill level, to join in. Call Mary Ann at 636-397-0866 if you are interested in playing on Monday or Thursday morning.
Take off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets every Monday from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Weigh-ins begin at 8:30 a.m. We meet at Memorial Hall in Blanchette Park at 1900 Randolph St. in St. Charles. For more information contact Joyce at 636206-5306.
Mondays: American Legion Post 388 Meets
Mondays: Take off Pounds Sensibly
Mondays: Measurement Mondays:
TOPS meet every Monday at Holy
Meets the fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at American Legion Hall, 607 Westridge Dr., O’Fallon, 636-2190553.
10 a.m. - 12 noon at the ST. Charles
Health Deparment in the Upper Level Conference room. Measurement Mondays is a family-friendly breastfeeding support group. We are open to all moms and moms-to-be who are breastfeeding or interested in breastfeeding. The group is supported by the St Charles County WIC program so there will be information about the program available at each meeting. Each meeting will be a little different than the last. There will be baby weighins, introductions, games, interactive education, group conversation, and even snacks.
Mondays and Wednesdays: Tai Chi for arthritis class
Every Monday and Wednesday a Tai Chi for arthritis class, sponsored by the city of St. Charles Parks and Recreation, takes place from 9:15 - 10 a.m. at Webster Park across from the Family Arena. This is a class that is taught nationally to manage arthritis and to prevent falls. For more information call 636-949-3372.
Tuesdays: Cribbage Club
Meets every Tuesday, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. at The Falls Golf Course Clubhouse. Relaxed, friendly play and is open to all. Call 636-561-2970 for more information.
Tuesdays: Seniors group
Please join us on the third Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. for a gathering for senior adults. There will be lunch (no charge), cards and bingo (no charge), community program referrals, occasional health and wellness presentations and clergy available upon request. The event takes place at Church of the Transfiguration at1860 Lake St. Louis Blvd. in Lake Saint Louis. For more information call 636-5618951.
Tuesdays: Gateway Chorus Rehearsal
Spotlight
Gateway Spotlight is a women’s a capella chorus that meets at First United Methodist Church at 801 First Capitol Dr. in St. Charles every Tuesday evening beginning at 7 p.m. Call 636-2566823 for more details.
Tuesdays: Optimist Club meeting
The St. Charles Optimist Club meets each Tuesday at noon at Pio’s Restaurant. For more information contact Jack Ross at 314-287-0569 or jackross@att.net.
Tuesdays: Cribbage
Looking for an evening out? Come and play cribbage Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Rookies at 15358 Veterans Memorial Pkwy in Wentzville. Win prizes and awards with semiannual tournaments. ACC sanctioned. For more information contact Dee at 636-233-8032.
Tuesdays: Cottleville Spring Kiwanis Club
Weldon
Cottleville Weldon Spring Kiwanis Club meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. and the third Tuesday of the month at 11 a.m. Both meetings are at Rack House Kitchen Wine Whiskey. New club looking for
www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • January 23, 2019 new members who want to better our community. Contact Christy at 314583-0538.
Tuesdays: Kiwanis Club of St. Charles
12:05 p.m. at Bogey Hills Country Club in St. Charles. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. The group is looking for new members who want to better our community and help its youth. If you are interested in making a positive impact in St. Charles for generations to come, please come for lunch. For more information call 636448-4277. You can also visit http://stcharleskiwanis.com.
Tuesdays: Quilting Guild at the O’Fallon Family YMCA
1-4 p.m. Free. Quilt for local charities. No sewing experience required.
Tuesdays: Toastmasters Meeting
7 p.m. at the Midwest Bank Centre Board Room at 2299 Technology Blvd., O’Fallon, MO 63368. Info: 636379-2505.
Tuesdays: St. Louis Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association Male Caregiver Experience
The group meets on third Tuesday of every month from 10-11:30 a.m. at theAlzheimer’s Chapter Office at 9370 Olive Blvd. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, support, or the Male Caregiver Experience, please call the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 or visit www. alz.org/stl. Registration is requested before the first meeting.
Tuesdays: Social club for widows and widowers
On the first and third Tuesday of each month a social club for widows and widowers meets at 7 p.m. at St. John’s United Church of Christ at Fifth and Jackson Streets in St. Charles. On the first Tuesday there are refreshments and on the third Tuesday there is either a speaker or entertainment. The group also goes to breakfast, lunch and dinner monthly, and has a pot luck dinner each month.
Tuesdays: Monthly veterans coffee
Veterans from all branches of service are invited to the Wentzville Green Lantern Senior Center at 506 S. Linn Ave. in Wentzville on the second Tuesday of each month from 9 – 10:30 a.m. for coffee, pastries and camaraderie. Come meet with fellow veterans who served our country and share your experience.
Tuesdays: Dardenne Presbyterian Church Basketball 8-9:30 p.m., in the Christian Life Center, 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie. Open to high school and adult men.
Tuesdays: Central Missouri Railroad Association meeting
This unique organization is for railroad modelers, railfans, photographers and railroad retirees with layouts in O,
HO, N hoping to add G scales. Meetings are on second Tuesdays of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Warrenton Masonic Lodge. For more info call 636-279-5522 or 636-456-0776 or visit our Facebook page.
Tuesdays: Cancer support group
Cancer Companions Support Group is a support group for any cancer patient in treatment or post treatment, their caregiver and their loved ones that meets on the second Tuesday of each month at Dardenne Presbyterian Church at 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie at 7 p.m. in the parlor. Registration is not required.
Tuesdays: Show-me Stitchers Embroiderer’s Guild of America
Meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at the Ladue Chapel. Info: www.showmestitchers.com.
Tuesdays: O’Fallon Garden Club
Meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month at Sunrise Methodist Church, 7116 Twin Chimney Blvd. Info: Barb at 636.978.5930. Club does not meet in August or November.
Tuesdays: St. Charles American Legion Post 312 spaghetti dinner.
Wednesdays: Women’s fishing club
12 noon. Meets at 1380 Boone St., Troy, MO 63379. 636.528.8379.
Wednesdays: Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS)
Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the United Methodist Church at 725 N. Wall St. in Wentzville. TOPS is a national non-profit weight-loss organization that supports its members in attaining their goal weight. There is no cost for the first meeting. All are welcome.
Wednesdays: Men’s Golf League
Wednesdays, April - October. 5 p.m., tee off at 5:30 p.m. at Heritage of Hawk Ridge. For more information, contact the Lake St. Louis Community Association at (636)625-8276.
Tuesdays and Thursdays: Tai Chi at the St. Charles County Family YMCA
Wednesdays: Yoga at The St. Charles County Family YMCA
9-10 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Hall, New Melle. 314369-6521.
Wednesdays: Food pantry
Food pantry open Wednesdays to the public from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Cornerstone UMC at 1151 Tom Ginnever Ave. in O’Fallon. Bread, canned goods other necessities.
Wednesdays: Talk
Veterans
Coffee
Veterans from all branches of the service are invited to attend “Coffee Talk” every Wednesday at. 9 a.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 3601 Ehlmann Rd. in St. Charles (Take I-70 to the Cave Springs exit). We will have applications for VA health care, applications for the honor flight, reports from local American Legion and VFW halls and lots of good comradery. Come join us for free coffee and donuts and enjoy an hour with your fellow veterans.
Wednesdays: Marine League meeting
Corp
On the first Wednesday of each month the St. Charles County Marine Corps League meets at the American Legion 313 old town St. Peters at 7:30 p.m. All Marines and FMF Corpsmen are welcome. For more information visit www.stcharlesmarine.org.
SUDOKU answers from page F-1
Wednesdays: Crossroads Cribbage Club
Wednesdays: Charity Bingo
Tuesdays and Thursdays: Get Fit Exercise Classes
CROSSWORD answers from page F-4
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Gateway Bass ‘n Gals all women’s bass club has monthly meetings the first Wednesday of every month at Rookies Bar and Grill at 3721 New Town Rd. in St. Charles at 7 p.m. Women of any fishing level please come and check out our women-only fishing club.
5pm, St. Charles American Legion Post 312, 2500 Raymond Drive in St. Charles on the last Tuesday of the month. $6 per person. For more information call Post 312 at 636.947.7666.
10:15-11:15 a.m. No experience necessary. 636-928-1928.
What’s Happening
6:45pm, Doors open at 5 p.m. VFW Post 5077 sponsors, at VFW Hall, 8500 Veterans Mem. Pkwy., O’Fallon. 636272-1945 or www.vfwpost5077.org.
6-6:55pm Any 636.928.1928.
level.
Info:
Wednesdays: Hope & Healing
Get your event or good news published in Community News: email your information in calendar and article formats to editor@mycnews.com. at 504 Luetkenhaus Blvd. in Wentzville. For more information call 636327-6060.
Thursdays: Lions Club meeting
Wentzville Outreach Lions Club meets the second Thursday of the month at Schnucks at 1960 Wentzville Pkwy in Wentzville at 6 p.m. Contact Jimmy Butler at 314-780-5629 or Lisa Alexander at 314-258-1069 for more information.
Thursdays: TOPS meeting
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Club 661 Wentzville holds meetings every Thursday in room 21 at The United Methodist Church of Wentzville, 725 Wall Street. Weigh ins at 9:30, meetings begin at 10 a.m. For more information call 314-650-1014.
Thursdays: Optimist Club meetings
5-6pm, Dardenne Presbyterian Rock Church, 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie on the first Wednesday of the month. Unique service of music, worship, and prayer for those in need of hope and healing.
The O’Fallon Optimist Club meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Bank of Old Monroe T.R. Hughes Blvd. in O’Fallon. For more information, contact CyndySchwab at (636)544-0102.
Wednesdays: St. Charles Area Wood Carvers
Thursdays: Lions Club meetings
7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Meetings are held at the Hollenbeck Middle School at 4555 Central School Road, St. Charles, Missouri on the first and third Wednesday of the month. Visitors are always welcome! For more information check the club web site: www.stcharlesareawoodcarvers.com/ or contact Charles Sapp.
Wednesdays: Take Off Pounds Sensibly
Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets every Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the parish hall of Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church at 907 Jungermann Rd. in St. Peters. TOPS is a national non-profit weight-loss organization that supports its members in attaining their goal weight. There is no cost for the first meeting. All are welcome. Weigh-ins begin at 9 a.m. Contact Judy Bauer at 636-541-2263 for further information.
Thursdays: meeting
American
Legion
On the first Thursday of each month, American Legion Post 323 meets at 7:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall
St. Charles Lions Club meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at 1144 S Benton Street in St. Charles. Contact Art for more info at 636-441-1831. New members are welcome.
3rd Thursday: Fleur de Lis Garden Society
group. For more information, contact Brenda Kenny at 636.240.3753.
Every Thursday: Kiwanis Club of St. Peters 6:30am at IHOP (3851 Veteran’s Memorial Pkwy St. Peters).
Every Thursday: Kiwanis Club of O’Fallon
Meets at JJ’s Restaurant in O’Fallon at 12 noon, except third Thursday the group meets at 6 p.m. Info: www.ofkiwanis.com.
Every Thursday: Rotary Club meeting
7:30am, The Rendezvous Café at 217 South Main St. in O’Fallon. We welcome existing and potential members to visit and have breakfast with us. www.ofallonmo.rotary-clubs.org
Every Thursday: Active Older Adults Game Day at the O’Fallon Family YMCA
10a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Family Hall. Free for members. Bring a favorite snack to share. Anybody welcome.
2nd and 4th Thursdays: Alexander Chapter #242 Order of the Eastern Star Meetings
7:30pm, St. Charles Masonic Lodge, 2051 Collier Corporate Parkway in St. Charles.
3rd Thursday of each month: Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 458 meetings
Meets third Thursday of the month, 6:30 pm at the McClay Library in St. Charles. Info: www.fleurdelisgardensociety.org;
7pm, Amvets Post 106, 360 Brown Rd in St. Peters.
3rd Thursdays: Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 458 Meeting
St. Charles County Lions Club meets second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at 1144 S Benton in St. Charles. New members welcome.
7pm, Amvets Post 106, 360 Brown Rd in St. Peters. Those who served in any branch between 1962 and 1975 are welcome.
Every Thursday: Dardenne Presbyterian Church Quilters
9am-2pm, Dardenne Presbyterian Church, 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie. Members do hand quilting to quilts of any size for donation that is given to various church supported charities. No experience is necessary to join the
2nd and 4th Thursdays: Lions Club meetings
Every Friday: Moms Play Group
10am at LSL Community Association, 100 Cognac Ct., Lake Saint Louis, MO 63367. 314.479.0306, andreacrislip@ gmail.com or www.lslmothersclub. com.
Every Friday: VFW Fish Fry
3-8pm VFW Post 2866. 66 VFW Lane. Call Bill Sams, 636.724.9612.
10
Around Town
January 23, 2019 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com
Sports you see with Gary B...
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“Community News hits all areas for all ages.”
Pitcher from the Rascals signed by Cleveland Indians The River City Rascals are your professional baseball team that plays home games in O’Fallon at CarShield Field. Recently they announced that 2018 All-Star pitcher Hector Hernandez has signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians. Hernandez, 27, played the 2017 and 2018 seasons with the Rascals, compiling an 18-15 record with a 3.55 ERA. The 2018 All-Star led the Rascals pitching staff last season in complete games (two), innings pitched (117.0) and strikeouts (107). Originally a 10th round draft pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2009, the southpaw from Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico played parts of the 2015 and 2016 season with AAA Reno. He joins the Indians organization after posting a 2.18 ERA in six starts with Santurce of the Puerto Rican Winter League. The defending West Division champion Rascals begin the 2019 campaign against the Washington Wild Things on May 9. *Going to the Bigs Rascals will return to CarShield Field for the upcoming season
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Pick up your copy at a newsstand today or check us out online, www.mycnews.com
The city of O’Fallon and the River City Rascals have agreed on new lease terms, ensuring the team will return to CarShield Field for the 2019 season. The team will be playing their 21st season in O’Fallon. “The Rascals have been a prime attraction for O’Fallon and St. Charles County residents for 20 years, and we are proud to continue serving our fans with affordable, family-friendly entertainment in 2019,” said Rascals Team President Dan Dial. “Countless O’Fallon residents have attended Rascals games and events over that time and it is our strong desire to remain a part of our community and provide this unique experience for many years to come.” “We are pleased to have the River City Rascals back for the 2019 season,” said Tom Drabelle, Communications Director for the city of O’Fallon. *It’s official
Ambush players pick up honors for week six
The St. Louis Ambush is your professional indoor soccer team that plays in the Major League Soccer League with their home games at the Family Arena. The Ambush forward Zach Reget has earned Team of the Week honors from the Major Arena Soccer League for Week Six of the 2018-19 season. It marks the second time Reget has earned the weekly accolade. Three other Ambush players, goalkeeper Paulo Nascimento and defenders Axel Duarte and Felipe Silva, received honorable mention from the MASL in the awards. The Ambush played one game during Week Six, a 5-4 win over the Florida Tropics at the Family Arena on Jan. 5. Reget tallied two goals, including the game-winner, in that contest. He is having a stellar rookie season thus far. Zach is tied for fourth in the league in goals scored overall and also leads all rookie players in that category. Duarte helped the Ambush stave off a Tropics’ comeback by blocking three shots in Saturday’s game. He currently leads the league in blocked shots with 13. Felipe contributed to the team’s offense and defense on Saturday, posting his first goal and first assist of the season while blocking two shots. Goalkeeper Paulo stopped eight Florida shots in 12 attempts in earning his third win of the season on Saturday. The next Ambush home game is slated for Feb. 1 at 7:05 p.m. at the Family Arena when the Florida Tropics comes to town again. For those unable to attend in person, all MASL games are webcast live at masl.tv. *Nice hardware
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, and co-hosted SportsRadioSTL.com, among many other activities.
www.mycnews.com • Community News • January 23, 2019
Recipe: Warm up with sweet and savory comfort food Mocha-Rubbed Duck Breast with Cherry and Red Wine Pan Sauce
Feature
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– SUDOKU –
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.
Prep time: 2 hours, 10 minutes | Cook time: 35 minutes | Servings: 4 Ingredients: Mocha Rub: 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika 1/2 teaspoon ground coffee 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon cocoa powder 4 duck breasts, thawed
Cherry and Red Wine Pan Sauce: 2 tablespoons reserved duck fat 1/2 cup minced shallots 3/4 cup dry red wine 1 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar 5 ounces frozen dark sweet cherries, thawed and halved 5 sprigs fresh thyme salt, to taste ground black pepper, to taste toasted sliced almonds, for garnish
Directions: To make Mocha Rub: In small bowl, mix brown sugar, paprika, coffee, salt, pepper and cocoa powder. Set aside. Pat duck breasts dry and score according to package directions. Use half of rub on meat side of breasts. Cover breasts and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight. In cold saute pan, place duck breasts skin-side down. Place pan over lowmedium heat 8-12 minutes, or until fat is rendered and skin is crisp and brown. Turn breasts over and sprinkle remaining rub on skin side. Cook breasts 1-2 minutes skin-side up. Turn breasts back to skin-side down 1-2 minutes to caramelize rub. Reserve approximately 2 tablespoons duck fat for sauce.
Heat oven to 350 F. Place duck breasts skin-side up on rimmed baking sheet; bake 5-6 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 155 F. Let breasts rest 4-5 minutes before slicing. Temperature will rise during resting period to reach 165 F. To make Cherry and Red Wine Pan Sauce: Place saute pan with reserved duck fat over medium heat. Add shallots and cook until softened. Add wine to pan to deglaze. Stir in balsamic vinegar, sugar, cherries and thyme sprigs; simmer until reduced. Remove thyme sprigs. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Serve sauce over cooked duck breasts. Garnish with toasted almond slices. SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9
Find more comfort food recipes and tips for cooking with duck at mapleleaffarms.com
‘Captain Marvel’ is the 21st Marvel Cinematic Universe release
W
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.
ho ever thought that a playboy in a metal suit would usher in a new age in superhero movies? In 2008, Jon Favreau directed “Iron Man,” the live action adaptation of the long-running Marvel comic book series. Unlike Ang Lee’s “Hulk” and the “Fantastic Four” films, this heroic adventure hit all the right notes by staying true to the source material. Nearly 11 years and 20 films later, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) shows no sign of slowing down. In terms of box office returns, 2019 could be a banner year for Marvel Studios and the Walt Disney Company, possibly exceeding the successes of “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Black Panther.” That’s saying a lot since the latter movie could become an Oscar contender. “Captain Marvel,” the 21st MCU film, is a solo outing featuring one of Marvel’s strongest female characters. In the original 1970’s comic book, Carol Danvers, played by Brie Larson in the film, was caught in an explosion with Captain Marvel, a warrior from a race called the Kree. That accident passed some of Marvel’s powers and abilities to her, and she became the hero called “Ms. Marvel.” The comic book truly was a product of the 1970s, with Danvers showing more skin in costume than her male counterpart ever did.
Photo courtesy Marvel Studios
An encounter with Rogue, a villain at this time in the Marvel Universe, drained her powers and most of her memory. Carol later
allied herself with the “X-Men” and, during one outer space encounter, she acquired new powers and became Binary. Carol Danvers may have started as a background character in her first 1960’s appearances, but her own comic title added depth to the character. The “Captain Marvel” movie is set in 1995, a time when pagers were more prevalent than cell phones (you had to find a pay phone to answer the page.) That’s why Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) sends a distress call to Captain Marvel at the end of “Avengers: Infinity War” on an antiquated pager. Based on the trailers, the movie stays in line with Carol’s struggles with her identity. She has incredible abilities from the explosion, but she suffers from some memory loss. Nick Fury is on hand to ask for her help and, along the way, old memories bubble to the surface. The reality she knows has some cracks and gaps in it. “Captain Marvel” is a strong addition to the MCU as Phase 3 of the Marvel movies comes to a close (“Spider-Man: Far from Home” opens Phase 4.) Based on the trailers, Brie Larson embodies Carol Danvers and her struggles quite well. This one is going to be good. “Captain Marvel” is set for wide release on March 8.
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January 23, 2019 • Community News • www.mycnews.com
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NOVENA PRAYER TO ST. JUDE May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world, now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pray for us. St. Jude, Worker of Miracles, Pray for us. St. Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, Pray for us.
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Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days, then publish. Your prayers will be answered. It has never been known to fail.
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January 23, 2019 • Community News • www.mycnews.com
Yeggs
John Hanna
Crossword: Superbowl
‘Yeggs’ is a comic series about Robert and Bill, two rabbits who have opened their own egg franchise in the Midwest (St. Louis area). We follow their day to day lives, watching as they go about the hectic task of preparing for their one big day every year. Along the way they have adventures filled with fun, comic doings and pathos.
By Cindy Moore
Moore On Life So, kids today are taking on a risky and daring challenge. “Setting their phones aside for more than an hour,” you say? We all know that would cause irreparable damage to their eye-hand coordination; their eyeballs would permanently cross and their texting fingers would curl up and atrophy within moments. How about a second guess? “Tide Pod challenge?” Oh please, that was so last year. Nope and nope. This time around they’re taking dares based on the Netflix horror movie “Bird Box.” The premise of the show is to stay blindfolded to keep from seeing some sort of horrific apparition on the prowl that would force them into doing unspeakable acts – like surrendering their cellphones. To avoid this peril, they must cover their eyes to complete daily tasks. Of course, this has spurred bored people to also try their luck at it and wander aimlessly throughout the city dodging traffic and light poles. One reckless dimwit even hopped into a car and drove blindfolded through traffic until one of those pesky light poles stopped all her fun. Many kids have jumped onboard this new craze thinking, “Hey, this might be fun instead of doing my homework or mowing the lawn or cleaning my room or taking a bath.” What’s with today’s kids? Silly old-fashioned me. There’s probably an app on their phones to get someone to do their homework and household chores and even take baths for them. Back in the day I had a risky and daring challenge. It was to sneak into the house when my mom was watching soap operas. If caught, she
Bird brains
would engage me in the wooden spoon challenge. The object was to see how many licks I could sustain before making it safely outdoors. Mom had no mercy. Me: “But Mom, I have to use the bathroom!” Mom: “That’s what
the fields are for!” Slam. The only pod challenge we kids engaged in was eating milkweed pods. It was out of necessity because it was past lunchtime and Mom hadn’t left our bologna sandwiches out on the milk box yet. After eating our lunch we’d rinse it down with a gulp straight from the garden hose then ride off on our bikes to parts unknown until sunset; all done without checking in with our parents on our cellphones. Now that I think of it, I guess dangerous challenges haven’t changed much. 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.
ACROSS 1. Hose hue 5. Flower precursor 8. Gershwin brother 11. Scottish valley 12. After hedge or mutual 13. Headquartered 15. *Cleats, helmet, pads 16. Hip bones 17. Road-tripping guide 18. *Hometown of first Super Bowl winner 20. Big Bang’s original matter 21. Be 22. Bygone bird 23. *Last year’s Super Bowl champions 26. Came around the corner 30. 100% 31. Donate, 2 words 34. Salty drop 35. #50 Down, pl. 37. Mythical giant bird 38. Latin dance 39. A famous Amos 40. Packing a punch 42. In the know 43. Relating to River Styx 45. Sodium ____, or NaI 47. Needlefish 48. Beta’s follower
50. Phishing attack 52. *NFL Trophy name 55. Completely or exactly 56. Adam and Eve’s son 57. U, on the road 59. Casts a ballot 60. Barn top? 61. Do like exhaust pipe 62. *2019 Super Bowl broadcasting network 63. Tally 64. *Player’s 40, e.g. DOWN 1. Bird-to-be 2. Horsefly 3. Infantry’s last rows 4. Unwind 5. Precursor to #5 Across, pl. 6. Uniate church member 7. June 6, 1944 8. Small island 9. Paper unit 10. *As entertaining as Super Bowl game? 12. Last line to cross 13. Louisiana swamp 14. *Home of MercedesBenz Stadium 19. *Goodell and such 22. “My” in French 23. Sunrise side, pl. 24. Give out
25. 1989 Civil War drama 26. *Player with most Super Bowl points scored 27. Capital territory of India 28. Alleviated 29. Window treatment 32. *Grid____ 33. Leprechaun’s gold holder 36. *Popular Super Bowl nickname 38. Pore in a leaf 40. Even ____ in golf 41. Jack be that! 44. Poetic feet 46. Flitted 48. Spoil 49. Change the Constitution 50. No neatnik 51. Butcher’s piece, pl. 52. Mount Veniaminof output 53. Russian governmental agency 54. Pupil controller 55. Pipe material 58. Indefinite degree
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