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May 24, 2017

Building hope for MS patients

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Siteman opens expanded facility in St. Charles. P.3 Widening project at Mid Rivers Mall Drive begins. P.4 May is Electrical Safety month. P.5

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Liberty student advances to TSA nationals. P.8 Two FHSD schools ranked among best in Missouri P.8 Photo by Ray Rockwell MS Bright Spots of Hope founder Michelle Keating (left) stands with trainer Adam Willis who offers a special MS-specific program called Many Steps to Fitness Friends open to anyone diagnosed with MS along with their caregiver.

Local nonprofit works with those with multiple sclerosis to live more complete, healthier lives By Brett Auten Multiple sclerosis (also known as MS) is the most common autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system. In 2015, about 2.3 million people were affected globally. It is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. MS Bright Spots of Hope, a St. Louis-area nonprofit organization established in 2016 by Michelle Keating, has a goal to educate, empower, spark creativity and enhance wellness for the MS community and beyond through engaging programs featuring experts and positive MS role models. St. Peters resident Adam Willis is one of those role models. Willis has embraced the Bright Spots of Hope vision to enlighten communities and to inspire those with MS and who have MS connections to embrace life fully. In conjunction with Bright Spots of Hope and held at his Fit2Function studio, located at 1405 Jungerman Rd., Suite A, in St. Peters, Willis began offering personalized training in April.

“We won’t let MS define them,” he said. “We are here to motivate them to give it a shot.” Keating, who was diagnosed in 1981 and now living with relapsing-remitting MS over 35 years, has personal experience in this avenue as she is a client of Willis’ as well. “(Exercise) is helpful toward all great things, body, mind and soul,” she said. “MS offers many challenges with various symptoms and for everyone, it is important to stay active and remember that there is always hope when living with MS.” Along with his regular, day-to-day clients, Willis offers a special MS-specific program called Many Steps to Fitness Friends open to anyone diagnosed with MS along with their caregiver. The one-hour long session has a focus on many aspects of overall, functional physical development, including balance exercise, strength training and flexibility. With nearly a decade of experience in personal training and corrective exercise, Willis, 33, has an extended training background and says there is nothing more rewarding than being a part of someone’s personal journey and helps them reach their indi-

vidual goals. In addition to being essential to general health and well-being, exercise is helpful in managing many MS symptoms. A 1996 study published by researchers at the University of Utah was the first to demonstrate the benefits of exercise for people with MS. Those patients who participated in an aerobic exercise program benefited from many things, including better cardiovascular fitness, improved strength, better bladder and bowel function, less fatigue and depression and increased participation in social activities. Willis knows this all too well as his mother was diagnosed with MS when he was just a child. “She was diagnosed young and I watched her go through all of the stages and continue to battle it today,” he said. “To me, this was one of the best ways I can help a large number of people out there.” Inactivity in people with - or without - MS can result in numerous risk factors associated with coronary heart disease, weakness of muscles, decreased bone density with an See HOPE page 2

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Business SSM Health continues to expand in St. Charles. P.9 Real estate off to fast start in 2017. P.9

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Weather FRIDAY Partly Sunny; Spot Storms 82/64 SATURDAY Chance of Storms 83/64 SUNDAY Partly Sunny; Spot Storms 83/63 FirstWarn Weather

prepared by meteorologist Nick Palisch. For the latest updates visit www.facebook.com/nickswx.

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May 24, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

HOPE Continued from cover

Submitted photo Trainer Adam Willis teaches Many Steps to Fitness Friends, a fitness program open to anyone diagnosed with MS along with their caregiver.

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increased risk of fracture, and shallow, inefficient breathing. “From social interaction to networking there are many other benefits to the program,” Keating said. “You are motivated to learn not only from the instructor but from the other participants as well.” The cause of MS is still unknown – scientists believe the disease is triggered by an as-yetunidentified environmental factor in a person who is genetically predisposed to respond. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. Willis will be holding an open house on June 3 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. for anyone interested in the program. For more information, visit msbrightspotsofhope.org and fit2functionSTL.com.

Healthy Living Contest encourages growing your own garden in St. Peters Fruits and vegetables are great food choices for our bodies— especially organic options. But, how can you get enough healthy fruits and vegetables at the right price? The St. Peters Community Health and Wellness Advisory Committee encourages residents to grow their own vegetable/fruit gardens through a Healthy Living Contest. The committee’s contest will reward participants with a chance to win free one-day family passes to enjoy the St. Peters RecPlex—which will help people stay active in addition to eating well. Each month, from June through September, the St. Peters Community Health and Wellness Advisory Committee will draw 20 one-day family passes to the St. Peters Rec-Plex from participating St. Peters residents who grow their own vegetable or fruit gardens. To enter the Healthy Living Contest, take a picture of your garden and mail it to: Healthy Living Contest, St. Peters City Hall, PO Box 9, St. Peters, Missouri, 63376, or you can email it to: healthylivingcontest@stpetersmo.net. Please include your name, address, and phone number. This contest is open to St. Peters residents only. The drawings will be held on the fourth Monday each month, June through September, from all entries received.

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Weather from Nick’s Window

by Nick Palisch

Air Quality Reporting Huneke Publications, Inc. 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366 PH: 636-379-1775 FX: 636-379-1632

Published weekly since 1921. Serving St. Louis, St. Charles and Lincoln Counties. Publisher Robert J. Huneke Editor Mathew DeKinder Production Manager Rebecca Brockmann Production Assistants Lisa Moran, Melissa Nordmann Staff Writers Brett Auten, Nicholas Elmes Columnists Gary Baute, Steve Bryan, Cindy Moore, Nick Palisch Cartoonist John Hanna Staff Photographer Ray Rockwell Social Media Lori North Classified Advertising Brooke Tolle Display Advertising Diane Cooper, Randy Davies, Heather Deatz, Susan Faust, Doug Garbs, Bob Huneke, David McFarland, Norm Merchant, Christy Parks, Christy Weber Circulation: Distributech, Dominion Distribution, Papers Unlimited Community News is a Registered Trademark of Huneke Publications, Inc. Neither the advertiser nor the publisher is responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, typographical errors, etc., herein contained. Huneke Publications, Inc. reserves the right to accept or reject all news and advertising copy which in the sole judgement and discretion of the publisher/editor is not suitable or deemed appropriate for publication. Copyright 2016 Huneke Publica tions, Inc. with all rights reserved. No part of the publications may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher/editor. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns are the opinion of the writers and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Entire Contents Copyrighted

In the past decade the attention towards our air quality during the spring through early fall months has become more significant than ever because of increased pollutants in our air. As part of the Clean Air Act of 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created the Air Quality Index (AQI). Anyone who catches a local weathercast on the nightly news will see the AQI being reported for the next day. The AQI is designed to tell how clean or polluted the air is and what, if any, health effects may be of concern. The focus of the AQI index looks at the health effects that may result within a few hours, and up to several days after, breathing polluted air. The EPA looks at five major pollutants when calculating the AQI which includes, ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Each of these pollutants have potential ill effects on our bodies and thus are important to monitor. In fact, ground level ozone and airborne particles are the two most dangerous pollutants. Using six categories the EPA issues the AQI forecast dependent upon several factors. These categories include: • Good” AQI is 0 to 50. Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. • “Moderate” AQI is 51 to 100. Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people. For example, people who are unusually sensitive to ozone may experience respiratory symptoms. • ”Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” AQI is 101 to 150. Although general public is not likely to be affected at this AQI range, people with lung disease, older adults and children are at a greater risk from exposure to ozone, whereas persons with heart and lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk from the presence of particles in the air. • “Unhealthy” AQI is 151 to 200. Everyone may begin to experience some adverse health effects, and members of the sensitive groups may experience more serious effects. • “Very Unhealthy” AQI is 201 to 300. This would trigger a health alert signifying that everyone may experience more serious health effects. • “Hazardous” AQI greater than 300. This would trigger a health warnings of emergency conditions.

The entire population is more likely to be affected. (Source: EPA, 2017) Weather conditions can and often contribute to our AQI. When we have rain and low humidity—the air quality is typically better, but when you have hot and humid air that becomes stagnant the AQI is usually higher—essentially you have nothing to move the pollutants and thus the quality of air decreases. The haze that we often find in larger cities during the summer months is often a result of these pollutants. The greater the level of the AQI the more impact it can have on the human body, especially those with heart and lung issues along with older adults and young children. Once the AQI hits very unhealthy and hazardous then even the healthiest of individuals can become susceptible to the dangerous effects of the air quality. So what can we do to improve our air quality? Believe it or not, we all can do our part to improve the state of our air. Some things we can do includes conserving energy, carpool or use public transportation, bike or even walk. Don’t top off your fuel tank in your car and be careful not spill gasoline when refueling. Mulch or compost leaves and yard waste, instead of burning, make sure your tires are properly inflated. Keep your boats, motorcycles and vehicles tuned up. During high ozone periods, especially during the summer months, it is important to reduce travel, don’t idle your vehicle, refuel your car in the evening when it is cooler and don’t top it off. Conserve electricity and avoid mowing the lawn until evening. Eliminate burning or campfires. Avoid using barbeque grills as they release pollutants into the air. Keeping our air clean is a priority and a health risk that we all must take seriously. Taking steps to reduce pollutants will help in preserving our air and promote a healthier lifestyle. This summer pay close attention to the air quality and make sure you are taking steps to reduce pollutants. Nick Palisch is a meteorologist and Missouri native who understands the weather here in our area. He currently resides in Lake Saint Louis and can be reached at nick-wx@sbcglobal.net and you can always get the most up-to-date forecast from the FirstWarn Weather page at www.facebook.com/nickswx 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.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • May 24, 2017

Siteman Cancer Center opens expanded St. Charles County facility

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Submitted photo Siteman Cancer Center’s newly expanded and renovated outpatient facility at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital in St. Charles County.

Siteman Cancer Center opened its newly expanded and renovated outpatient facility at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital in St. Charles County on May 1. The expansion nearly doubles the facility’s size, to 37,000 square feet. With that larger capacity, additional physicians will be available to see patients in newly added exam and treatment rooms. The facility offers access to the same advanced treatments, including more than 500 clinical trials, available at Siteman’s other satellite locations in the region and on the Washington University Medical Campus at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. “Recognized among the best cancer centers in the country by U.S. News & World Report, Siteman Cancer Center offers highly advanced care,” said Timothy Eberlein, MD, Siteman’s director and the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “Our patients deserve the best, and with additional Washington University physicians and new facilities, we can continue providing exceptional care closer to where patients live.” The multidisciplinary, coordinated care provided by Washington University radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and surgeons at Siteman-St. Peters helps to ensure that patients can see as many as three physicians in one visit. This team approach also means a patient’s treatment plan can be determined in one visit with a team of nationally recognized cancer specialists. “At Siteman-St. Peters, we offer our patients nationally recognized care in a community hospital setting,” said John

DiPersio, MD, PhD, Siteman’s deputy director and the Virginia E. and Sam J. Golman Professor of Medicine at the School of Medicine. “With access to hundreds of clinical trials, advanced technology and world-class care, patients don’t have to choose between the two.” With the unique needs of cancer patients in mind, planners at Washington University and Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital defined several guiding principles for the facility’s design and expansion, striving to provide an atmosphere that promotes trust, instills calm, conveys respect, ensures quality and offers inspiration. “Patients don’t need to choose between world-class care and the comfort and convenience of a community hospital setting,” said Chris Watts, president of Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital. “With this new and expanded facility, residents of St. Charles County and the region can have both.” Ravi Vij, MD, is medical oncology director and Lannis Hall, MD, is director of radiation oncology at the St. Peters facility. Kelly Tschannen is nurse manager and Diane Foglesong is radiation oncology manager. CORE10 Architecture and Christner Inc. were the external and interior architects, respectively, for the $13.1 million project. Pillar Design Group Inc. and Glasper Professional Services Inc. were the structural and civil engineers, respectively. William Tao & Associates handled mechanical, electric, plumbing and fire engineering. Kadean Construction Co. managed construction. Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital, part of BJC HealthCare, contributed $10.6

million to the expansion, with the School of Medicine providing the additional funds. The facility’s address is 150 Entrance Way, St. Peters, MO 63376. To schedule an appointment at any Siteman facility, call 314-747-7222 or 800-600-3606 toll-free from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, or visit siteman.wustl.edu.

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May 24, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

DAR honors local veteran with the DAR Community Service Award The Caroline Close Stuart Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution presented Ralph Barrale with the DAR Community Service award at a recent meeting. Barrale is a St. Louis native that has truly done a great service to the state of Missouri and the United States as a whole. Barrale was drafted into the U.S Army in 1943 as a military policeman. After landing on the Utah beachhead, he joined General George Patton’s Third Army, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He also participated in the capture of the Ludendorff Bridge (March 8, 1945) allowing the U.S. Army to cross the Rhine River. His unit was among the first to arrive at Dachau, a concentration camp in Germany that was liberated upon his arrival. Upon his arrival back into the states, Ralph married his high school sweetheart Rose and became active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). He served as commander of the Lake Saint Louis post and

Submitted photo The Caroline Close Stuart Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution presented Ralph Barrale with the DAR Community Service award at a recent meeting.

organized annual reunions of his MP outfit for almost a decade. Barrale led a group of veterans who successfully lobbied for the naming of the new Page Avenue Bridge across the Missouri River the Veterans Memorial Bridge. He also convinced the cities along Interstate 70 in St. Charles County

to name the south outer road Veterans Memorial Parkway. “We are honored and pleased to present this award to Mr. Barrale”, says Helene Reece, Chapter Regent. “He is an inspiration to all for his patriotism and devotion to our community and our country.”

Celebrate national Go Skateboarding Day at Missouri’s largest outdoor skate park Extreme sports enthusiasts across the state and surrounding states will celebrate national Go Skateboarding Day, June 21, at the Youth Activity Park in Dardenne Prairie, Missouri’s largest outdoor skate park. Join the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department from noon – 5 p.m. to celebrate everything skateboarding, including competitions, demonstrations and product giveaways provided by Wood and Wheels Skate Shop and Refine Skateboard Co. Admission to the park is free for everyone! Spectators of all ages and anyone with a skateboard, roller blades, BMX bike or scooter are encouraged to attend. “Our 33,000 square-foot state-of-the-art facility is equipped with a street course, nighttime lighting, beginner, intermediate and advanced

bowls, and is designed to provide a safe place for area youth to enjoy an assortment of alternative recreational opportunities,” said St. Charles County Parks Director Bettie Yahn-Kramer. Over the years, this special event has quickly developed into one of the region’s largest national Go Skateboarding Day celebrations. The extreme contests and activities that happen throughout the day attract youth and adults from across the state of Missouri and surrounding states. For the schedule of events, complete lists of park rules, or to download a participation waiver, please contact the Youth Activity Park at 636561-4964. A helmet and parent signed waiver is required to participate.

Mid Rivers Mall Drive widening project begins at I-70 interchange Drivers are asked to drive cautiously through the I-70 interchange at Mid Rivers Mall Drive as work begins on the Mid Rivers Mall Drive Widening project. Work for this project will begin in the traffic islands and on traffic signal improvements at the I-70/Mid Rivers Mall Drive interchange, before proceeding north of the I-70 interchange to Ecology Drive. The city of St. Peters’ Mid Rivers Mall Drive Widening project will improve safety and reduce congestion on Mid

Rivers Mall Drive at I-70 and north to Ecology Drive. A traffic lane will be added on both southbound and northbound Mid Rivers Mall Drive across I-70 by removing portions of islands and making some traffic signal improvements at the interchange. Additional northbound and southbound lanes also will be added on Mid Rivers Mall Drive from the I-70 North Outer Road to Ecology Drive. A traffic signal will be removed and replaced at the North Outer Road intersection. Plus, the

project will modify the existing railroad crossing north of the outer road and provide for a multi-use pedestrian/bike trail on the west side of Mid Rivers Mall Drive. This $1,661,000 road construction project is 60 percent funded through a St. Charles County Road Board grant. Construction is scheduled to be complete by the end of September. Please use caution while driving through the project area.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • May 24, 2017

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Use the most important safety tool: your brain May is Electrical Safety Month, and a good time to put the most important safety tool you have – your brain – to work. Electricity is so much a part of our lives that it’s easy to overlook possible electrical hazards, even in the safety of our own homes. “Knowledge is key when it comes to electrical safety,” says Amber Sabin, Safe Electricity Advisory Board member. “Knowing what to lookout for and knowing the safe steps to take can make all the difference in preventing accidents.” Electrical current levels as low as three milliamps can result in injury, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. In a recent report on electrocutions associated with consumer products, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated an average of 70 fatalities per year during a two-year period. The most common product categories associated with electrocutions noted in the report were small appliances, large appliances, and power tools. Safe Electricity offers the following home safety tips to help arm you with the knowledge to stay safe and help others stay safe. • Always read and understand the operator’s manual before using an appliance or tool. • Make sure the electrical appliance, tools and cords you plan to use have been certified for safety by laboratories, like UL, ETL, or CSA.

•

Never use a product with a damaged electrical cord. • Never use extension cords on a permanent basis. • Only use extension cords properly rated for the devices you plan to plug into it. • For the safety of children in your home, install tamper-resistant outlets or protective coverings. • If your outlets are warm to the touch, immediately shut them off at the circuit breaker, and contact a qualified electrician to make repairs. • Install ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCIs) in areas that may be wet or damp. GFCIs help protect against electrical shock. Use the “test” and “reset” button monthly to ensure they are working properly. • Never use electrical power tools outdoors if it is raining or the ground is wet. • If an appliance repeatedly blows a fuse, trips a circuit breaker, or has given you an electrical shock, immediately unplug it and have it repaired or replaced. “Take some time to learn about electrical safety and share important safety tips with others,” encourages Sabin. To learn more about electrical safety, visit www. SafeElectricity.org.

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St. Charles County Toastmasters members advance in competition Every spring, Toastmasters’ clubs around the world begin their local speech contests, culminating in the final championships in the fall. Ali Jean Wells and Dr. Martin Niboh of the St. Charles County Toastmasters club achieved victory at the area level contest and will move on to the division level contest. Wells is competing in the International Speech Event in which she gives a five-to-seven minute inspirational speech,

while Dr. Niboh performs in the Evaluation Event where he gives a helpful evaluation of a similar speech, encouraging the positives while pointing out areas that could be improved. Toastmasters International helps people improve their speaking and leadership skills in a positive and encouraging learning environment. The St. Charles County Toastmasters club, which has won the prestigious President’s Award

the last three years, meets at Midwest Bank Center at 2299 Technology Drive in O’Fallon at 7 p.m. every Tuesday night.

www.stpetersmo.net/rec-plex

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May 24, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

WSD students selected to attend Boys and Girls State

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Twenty one high school juniors from the Wentzville School District have been selected to attend the American Legion Boys State of Missouri and twelve high school juniors from the Wentzville School District have been selected to attend the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State of Missouri. The American Legion Boys State of Missouri is an eight-day “hands on” experience in the operation and fundamentals of government, and draws together the best and brightest high school juniors to help lead them down the path in individual success and leadership. Since its inception in 1938, Missouri Boys State has provided over 40,000 high school students with the privilege of attending this practical laboratory in citizenship and leadership training. Those selected to attend from Holt High School are Benjamin Goldstein, Jonathan Henrich, Hunter Jurotich, Cameron Midyett, Nathan Schweiger, Austin Shocklee and Dylan Vermeire. Those selected from Liberty High School include Preecha Eamsaart, Johnathan Gruebbeling, Austyn Kloth, Benjamin Leach, Jonathan Leimbach, Jason Morrison, Colin Stuerman and Noah Willison. Those selected from Timberland High School include Cullen Barr, Quentin Borengasser, Hayden Mills, Brendan Nelson, Alex Thomason and Ryan Willson. The 78th session of Missouri Boys State will be held on the campus of the University of Central Missouri (UCM) June 17-24. Local sponsors include the American Legion, the Wentz-

ville Community Club, the Wentzville Rotary Club, and the Timberland Boosters Club. The American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program, founded in 1940 at William Woods College in Fulton, Missouri, changes lives by bringing together dynamic young women for an intense week developing leadership skills, patriotism and a sense of community. The participants actively participate in all phases of creating and running a working government. Those selected from Holt High School include Alexis Garrett, Elizabeth May, Gillian Wagner and Emma Westerhold. Devyn Akowicz, Abigail Hunt and Olivia Malay were chosen as Alternates. Those attending from Liberty High School include Abigail Falgout, Danielle Kunz and Grace Merritt. Daryn Adler, Amy Do, Madeline Foeller, Alisha Grant, Kennedy Hennessy, Heather McClanahan, Madison McGuire and Sofie Winter were chosen as Alternates. Those selected from Timberland High School include Christine Crowell, Samantha Lammert, Kendall Riess, Julia Robinson and Amanda Vannierop. Madeline Est, Sophia Longwell, Danielle Magasano, Megan Spasenoski and Grace Thornton were chosen as Alternates. The 77th session of Missouri Girls State will be held at the University of Central Missouri (UCM) in Warrensburg from June 25- July 1. Local sponsors include the American Legion Auxiliary, the Wentzville Community Club, the Wentzville Rotary Club, and the Timberland Boosters Club.

Photos courtesy Wentzville School District Students selected to attend the American Legion Boys State of Missouri from Holt High School are (from left) Benjamin Goldstein, Jonathan Henrich, Hunter Jurotich, Cameron Midyett, Nathan Schweiger and Dylan Vermeire (not pictured - Austin Schocklee).

Students selected to attend the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State of Missouri from Holt High School are (from left) Alexis Garrett, Elizabeth May, Gillian Wagner and Emma Westerhold.

Students selected to attend the American Legion Boys State of Missouri from Liberty High School are (from left) Jason Morrison, Austyn Kloth, Benjamin Leach, Jonathan Leimbach, Noah Willison, Preecha Eamsaart, Colin Stuerman and Johnathan Gruebbeling.

Students selected to attend the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State of Missouri from Liberty High School are (from left) Grace Merritt, Danielle Kunz and Abigail Falgout.

Students selected to attend the American Legion Boys State of Missouri from Timberland High School are (from left) Cullen Barr, Quentin Borengasser, Hayden Mills, Brendan Nelson, Alex Thomason and Ryan Willson.

Students selected to attend the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State of Missouri from Timberland High School are (from left, back row) Danielle Magasano, Christine Crowell, Kendall Riess, Julia Robinson, Amanda Vannierop, Madeline Est, (from left, front row) Samantha Lammert, Sophia Longwell, Grace Thornton and Megan Spasenoski.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • May 24, 2017

Yeggs

John Hanna

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‘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

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Momma drama Mother’s Day has come and gone and my hints did not pay off well. Last year I demurely said, “Oh sillies, don’t get me anything.” To which my children complied. When have they ever complied with anything?! In years past, I would insist, nag and screech with threats of limb removal to mow the lawn, clean their rooms or change the cat box, and all would be left unfinished. They knew I was physically too weak to actually detach an arm, what with all those connecting tendons and tissues. Perhaps dislocate it at most, which they could easily push back into the socket afterwards. So instead of gifts, I received hugs. HUGS?! I can get hugs anytime, anywhere! I wanted chocolate –dark chocolate; the kind that produces an abundance of thigh material and muffin-top. And I wanted things! Why? Because I gave birth to those brutes and since I have the stretch marks and C-section scars to remind me, they should be reminded too. Don’t think I’m above lifting my shirt sky high to reveal my combat wounds should they cross the line and start getting cheeky with me. Yea, I have walked through the valley of death into the trenches of pain, misery and woe. I have had my legs propped up in stirrups with all manner of embarrassing examinations witnessed by many unknown doctors, nurses and curious passing janitors. So when I say, “Don’t get me anything” translated it means, “Don’t even think of NOT getting me anything.” For starters, I expected an exotic meal. Maybe chicken Kiev with roasted baby potatoes along with a wilted spinach salad tossed with a light balsamic vinaigrette, followed by a cheesecake topped with

fresh strawberries. Instead I got a grilled T-bone. When I asked for a side dish, I was passed a bottle of ketchup. Dessert involved a Snickers bar. Finally, a child who understood the value of offering up a gift to honor the one who granted her life, presented a box. Upon my death, she will receive my highly sought-after, limited edition of Elvis collector plates. I opened it with anticipation. Expensive chocolates? Perhaps diamond earrings? Suddenly, coins dropped out. Yes! Sweet, dear child! Valuable gold doubloons no doubt, taken by a pirate from some ancient Spanish galleon. They were even stamped to ensure authenticity. “Biff ’s Deluxe Car Wash.” Biff was a pirate?! “Happy Mother’s Day!” they cheered. “It’s from all of us. You can wash your car anytime you want now!” Forty-eight hours of labor for car wash tokens?! Line crossed. I reach for the bottom of my shirt. It was time to expose them to the real pain I’d endured. 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.

School

May 24, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Two FHSD high schools ranked among the best in Missouri The annual U.S. News & World Report Best High School Rankings have been released, and two high schools in the Francis Howell School District (FHSD) made the prestigious list of the best high schools in Missouri. Francis Howell High School (FHHS) and Francis Howell Central High School (FHC) both made the top 20 list in Missouri, and were also ranked in the top 2,000 high schools from across the country. FHHS was ranked No. 10 and FHC No. 17, both improving their ranking over the previous year. FHHS, FHC, and Francis Howell North (FHN) all scored well above the state average in math and English proficiency, as well as college readiness. “We appreciate this honor as it recognizes the outstanding hard work, resilience and collaboration of students, parents and staff as we reach to be our best,” said FHHS Principal Dr. Dave Wedlock. “Since we have received this award in multiple years, it also signifies how our positive school, district and community efforts have encouraged a culture of excellence and focus on maximizing opportunities for growth.” FHC Principal Dr. Sonny Arnel added, “We

are excited about the recognition from U.S. News for being one of the top 20 high schools in Missouri. To be ranked so high, out of 517 schools, is gratifying to our faculty, staff, and administrators due to all of the work and passion they have committed to better our students. This confirms what I say all the time, FHC is an awesome school!” These rankings show how FHSD high schools compare to others in St. Charles and St. Louis County, as well as all high schools from across the state. The district is proud of the achievement of our great students, the hard work of our talented teachers and support staff, and the generous support of our community. That combination makes FHSD a special place to learn and work. U.S. News’s comprehensive rankings methodology is based on the key principles that a great high school must serve all of its students well, not just those who are college-bound, and that it must be able to produce measurable academic outcomes to show the school is successfully educating its student body across a range of performance indicators.

Liberty student wins first place at TSA State Conference and advances to nationals Liberty High School junior Jacob Rhodes in the Wentzville School District won first place at the Technology Student Association (TSA) State Conference held at Missouri University of Science & Technology in Rolla April 2325. Eight members of the TSA academic club at Liberty joined over 700 of their Missouri counterparts from 20 school districts across the state for the three-day event, and seven of those students were finalists in their respective categories. Rhodes qualified with his first place award in STEM Careers to compete at the National TSA Conference held in Orlando, Florida June 21-25. Additional Liberty students who won awards at the conference included Alex Vigor, Jacob Rhodes, Kyle Chastain, Mateusz Przdezski, Cole Chastain – fifth place in On Demand Video; Nick Beseda – sixth place in Music Production and Zainub Ahmed – eighth place in Essays on Technology. During the statewide conference, TSA members competed as individuals

or teams in a variety of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) categories that included 3D Animation, Biotechnology Design, CAD Engineering, Digital Video Production, Software Development and Music Production. During the school year, TSA students work to develop a specific skill and complete a thorough project about the skill’s relationship to a STEM career area of their choice. Participants research and prepare documentation and prepare a video that demonstrates the skill. Semifinalists participate in an on-site interview to discuss the skill developed. The Technology Student Association (TSA) is recognized as the Career and Technology Student Association exclusively dedicated to students interested in STEM fields. TSA allows students to demonstrate and expand their high-tech knowledge and skills. It also offers students opportunities to participate in leadership activities that will prepare them for the high-tech, science or

Photo courtesy Wentzville School District Liberty High School junior Jacob Rhodes won first place at the Technology Student Association State Conference held at Missouri University of Science & Technology in Rolla April 23-25.

engineering workplace. This is only the second year of the TSA Chapter at Liberty, which has 21 student members and is sponsored by LHS teachers Eric Peggs and Rachel Ehlers.

Wentzville graduating seniors awarded community scholarships The Wentzville School District Class of 2017 has been awarded over $160,000 worth of local scholarships during Senior Honors Convocation events. These deserving students from Holt, Liberty, and Timberland High Schools will be receiving their diplomas on May 20 before they continue on with their post-secondary education. Individual amounts of these awards range from $200 to $4,000.

“We are very fortunate to live in a community that generously supports our seniors and their educational pursuits after high school,” said Superintendent Dr. Curtis Cain. “I’m proud of these students for working hard and achieving their goals and I’m proud to live in a place where so many good people are eager to help our youth reach their full potential.”

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • May 24, 2017

Business

SSM Health continues St. Charles expansion with third outpatient center

Submitted photo SSM Health celebrated the April 24 opening of a 55,700-square-foot, $26 million SSM Health Outpatient Center with a ribbon cutting.

SSM Health continues its expansion for the growing St. Charles County population with the April 24 opening of a 55,700-square-foot, $26 million SSM Health Outpatient Center. Located near Interstate 70 and Fifth Street at 711 Veterans Memorial Parkway, the center provides patients easy access to primary and specialty health care services, including an urgent care clinic and advanced imaging services such as MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound, mammography and bone density. The new SSM Health Outpatient Center is a collaboration between SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – St. Charles and SSM Health Medical Group, providing a new home for SSM Health specialists in internal medicine, pediatrics, endocrinology, and SSM Health Physical Therapy. Additional offerings include an outpatient laboratory, retail pharmacy, education center and a café. “This center represents the culmination of SSM Health’s vision for the future of health care in St. Charles County,” said Mike Bowers, president of SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – St. Charles.

“Placing greater emphasis on outpatient care allows us to improve the health care experience by building relationships with our patients and actively promoting healthy lifestyle decisions. We would like to thank our employees, physicians and community partners for helping make this vision a reality.” The outpatient center comes on the heels of a significant patient tower and outpatient services expansion nearing completion at SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – Lake Saint Louis, and the 2016 opening of an SSM Health Outpatient Center in Wentzville. The new center adds to SSM Health’s strong presence in St. Charles County that includes three hospitals, two urgent care sites, existing outpatient centers in St. Peters and Wentzville, and SSM Health Medical Group locations as far west as Warrenton and north as Troy. Designed and built in partnership with the Lawrence Group and Alberici Healthcare, the SSM Health Outpatient Center will house many of the clinical offices previously located at the SSM Health Medical Group building at 1551 Wall Street in St. Charles.

St. Charles County real estate market off to a fast start in 2017 The St. Charles County real estate market is off to a fast start in the first quarter of the year. As it did in 2016, the real estate market in St. Charles County continues to outperform the region, according to Michelle Walker, 2017 President of the St. Charles REALTORS. It took just days to sell the median home in St. Charles County during the first three months of the year. It took just 18 days to sell the median home

in the county, as compared to 27 days during the same period last year. In more good news, 1,391 homes sold in St. Charles County thru March of this year, which is an increase of 6.67 percent over the same time last year. Homes are also selling for more than ever before in St. Charles County. During the first quarter, the median home sold for $204,000. That is a record in St. Charles County and a 7.42 percent increase over one

year ago. In a sign that the “hot” real estate market will continue, pending sales, contracts written, rose 5.84 percent during the first quarter of this year. “Homebuyers appreciate the wonderful amenities, outstanding schools and great neighborhoods in St. Charles County,” commented Walker. “It is a great time to buy or sell a home in St. Charles County,” she concluded.

First Bank Challenge brings significant change in Warren County With several area schools participating, First Bank’s Warrenton (607 N. Hwy. 47) branch collected over $2,900 during the “Pennies from Heaven” Campaign on behalf of Agape Ministry of Warren County. The contribution will go to Agape Ministry’s food pantry (713 Powell Street) in Warrenton. “We know times are hard for many but Agape’s Pennies from Heaven Campaign allows everyone in the schools to turn their small change into big changes” said Pam Faron, Senior Branch Manager at First Bank’s Warrenton office. “We would like to challenge everyone to donate their coins to

Agape and help change lives in Warren County.” In partnership with Agape, Warren County schools were encouraged to take The First Bank Challenge with the classroom that collects the largest donation receiving a trophy along with a pizza party and an ice cream social. Jessica Perini’s class at Black Hawk Middle School finished in first place. A non-profit organization, the mission of Agape Ministry www.agapemo.org is to provide emergency relief to the hungry, hurting and homeless of Warren County.

WWW.CEDARHURSTLIVING.COM

Sports

May 24, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Sports you see with Gary B...

www.MastersGCR.com

River City team looks to keep opponents scoreless late in games The River City Rascals play professional baseball in the West Division of the Frontier League with home games at Car Shield Field in O’Fallon. The Rascals had their hands full this past weekend against the Southern Illinois Miners in Marion, Illinois. The series started off great as former Miner’s pitcher Dan Ludwig threw seven strong innings keeping his opponent to one run on his way to a 4-2 win. That was his third victory against his former mates this year allowing only four runs in 20 innings of work. Saturday and Sunday were different stories. On Saturday the River City team went to extra innings where the ‘International Rule’ game into effect. Meaning: if the game is tied starting the 11th inning, each team starts the inning with runner on second base. The Rascals did score once in the top of the frame but the Miners scored twice and had a walk-off single in the bottom of the 11th to take a 6-5 win. In the finale, the O’Fallon club had a 3-0 lead but the Miners, the 2016 Western Division Champions scored three runs in each of the last two innings to take a 6-3 win. This is the first time this young season that the Rascals have dropped below .500 leaving Marion with a record of four wins and five losses. NEXT HOME GAMES Friday, May 26 6:35 p.m .vs. Joliet Slammers Saturday, May 27 6:35 p.m. vs. Joliet Slammers Sunday, May 28 4:05 p.m. vs. Joliet Slammers Go to www.RiverCityRascals.com for more information. ~~~Closers need to step it up

www.wentzville-mo.minutemanpress.com

Gary B. will be broadcasting the “STL Health and Wellness LIVE” show every Saturday from 9-11am on 590 The Fan and 590TheFan.com

www.pbtc.net www.raintreeartscouncil.org

Major indoor soccer event The St. Louis Ambush will host the Major Arena Soccer League’s International Challenge match June 16 at 7:35 p.m. at the Family Arena. The match will feature players and all-stars from across the league in a “USA versus The World” format. For up-to-date information about the International Challenge and the players participating, visit the St. Louis Ambush website at www. STLAmbush.com and the Major Arena Soccer League’s website at www.MASLSoccer.com. ~~~~Interesting concept Lindenwood baseball advances to championship game The Lindenwood University Lions fought hard to make it to the Central Regional Championship Game. The squad scored three runs in the final inning to defeat St. Cloud State 10-8 on Sunday in Emporia, Kansas to advance. It was not an easy victory as at one time Lindenwood was winning 6-0 only to see the lead lost with 8-7 score heading into the top of the ninth. Lions scored three runs on two hits to take a two run lead then pitcher Connor Law shut the door for his 12th save of the season. Drew Quinones was a big part of the ninth-inning rally as he ended the day with three runs and two hits while Paul Sherwood led the squad with three RBI. Go to www.LindenwoodLions.com for all the details. ~~~Never give up

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 cohosted SportsRadioSTL.com, among many other activities.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • May 24, 2017

Go ahead ... eat the whole watermelon Sliced or diced, grilled or blended, there are countless ways to prepare watermelon. With some fruits, half or more is wasted when you throw away the seeds and peel, but you may be surprised to learn that you can use an entire watermelon, including the rind, to make delicious and refreshing dishes. Most people think of watermelon as a sweet, juicy snack perfect for hot summer days, but with its high water content (92 percent), the fruit is more than just tasty. It’s also an ideal way to keep your body hydrated. Hollowed out, the rind is an attractive way to serve any number of recipes, but the rind is actually edible, too, and can be stir-fried, stewed or pickled,

or even enjoyed raw. Watermelon is also a flavorful substitute for tomatoes, as shown in this traditional Italian appetizer, and contains higher levels of lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetable per serving, according to award-winning nutrition author and registered dietitian Elizabeth Somer. You can also try blending watermelon with other fresh fruits for a super smoothie or mixing it up with some adult libations (and don’t forget, you can transform the rind into a mini-keg in minutes; just add a pour spout). Find more ideas for using every bite of fruit, juice and rind at watermelon.org.

Learn & Play

– 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.

Watermelon Caprese Salad with Balsamic Vinegar Reduction Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients:

12 slices watermelon cut into rounds or squares, approximately 3 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick, with seeds removed 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons honey 1/2 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 12 slices

salt, to taste pepper, to taste 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely chopped 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 sprig basil, for garnish

Directions:

Place watermelon slices on paper towels and cover with additional paper towels to absorb excess fluid. In small saucepan over medium heat, add vinegar and honey. Stir to blend, bring to simmer and reduce heat. Stir occasionally until mixture is reduced by almost half. (Do not let reduce too far or allow to froth.) Set aside to cool slightly. On large platter, place watermelon slices and top each with slice of

cheese. Add salt and pepper, to taste, then sprinkle basil leaves evenly over top. Drizzle with olive oil, followed by reduced balsamic vinegar. Garnish with sprig of basil.

See solution on page 13

Tip: Use red and yellow watermelon for an extra pretty presentation.

Superfood Smoothie Makes: 3 cups

Ingredients: 2 cups cubed and seeded watermelon 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries 1 cup raspberry kefir

2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate 2 tablespoons hemp 2 tablespoons agave syrup

ice (optional)

Directions:

Place watermelon, raspberries, raspberry kefir, orange juice concentrate, hemp, agave syrup and ice, if desired, in blender and blend until smooth.

Crossword Puzzle: THE 1960S ACROSS 1. Diamond corners 6. CA’s Santa ___ winds 9. At what time? 13. Music to a performer’s ears 14. Yes move 15. Eurasian goat-like antelope 16. *”The ____ Burnett Show” 17. Number in a pair 18. #10 Down, pl. 19. *”Beach Party” garb 21. *Kind of 1960s “invasion” 23. Tokyo, pre-1868 24. *Wilder in 1968’s “The Producers” 25. “Gross!” 28. 9th letter of Greek alphabet 30. Changes 35. High part of day 37. Narcotics agent 39. Donor recipient

40. Musical finale 41. Imprison 43. Funeral cloth 44. MC Hammer’s “Too ____ to Quit” album 46. Command: “At ____!” 47. Popular acronym in education 48. Attractive to look at 50. Clarified butter 52. Greek H 53. Wise old man 55. Beaver’s construction 57. *Civil Rights Act of 1964 signee 61. *Six-Day War nation 64. *Maker of “Mouse Trap” board game 65. Elbow rest 67. Exemplary 69. Mosquito - ____ disease 70. “The Old Man and the ____” 71. Ivy Mike, e.g.

72. Son of Aphrodite 73. Expression of doubt 74. Affirmatives DOWN 1. *Home to “Doctor Who” starting in 1963 2. United ____ Emirates 3. Rani’s dress 4. Call forth 5. Forward slashes 6. ____perspirant 7. *Betty Friedan’s org. 8. Acrobat maker 9. *Beatles song on “Rubber Soul” 10. Audiophile’s praise 11. Shining armor 12. *Crosby, Stills & ____ 15. Protection from a sword 20. Nary a soul

22. Ribonucleic acid 24. Waste basket contents 25. *”The Man from ____” 26. Soft and sticky 27. ____podge 29. Wild no more 31. Bests 32. Related on mother’s side 33. Find new tenant 34. *Point of origin of Alabama marches 36. Lack of guile 38. *Folsom State Prison visitor 42. Orchestra section 45. Disorderly fight 49. ____-tzu

51. Like a smell of soil 54. Grind teeth 56. Not yes, nor no 57. Be compatible 58. Wafting output 59. Life saver 60. Grannies 61. Allah’s cleric 62. “Iliad,” e.g. 63. Tart garnish 66. Dream time 68. *”The Munsters” network

See solution on page 13

What’s Happening

May 24, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Send your event to editor@mycnews.com and we'll print it! EVENTS

west. The festival will run starting Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Check out the website for times and activities, www.moriveririshfest.org. The festival will feature great Americana and Celtic folk rock music with The Elders, Rusty Nail, Keltic Reign, and don’t miss the Irish dancers. Come participate in cultural activities such as Ceili dance instruction, learning to speak Irish in an hour and how to play the Bodhrάn – an Irish drum, see a play about Grace O’Malley - the Pirate Queen, and come meet Ragnar Almqvist of Dublin - Vice Consul to the Midwest. Be sure to check out the vendors, food trucks, and children’s area.

May 23-24: Theater auditions

Center Stage Theatre will hold open auditions for “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” at 7 p.m. May 23-24. Auditions will be held in the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building theater on the St. Charles Community College campus. Callbacks will be at 7 p.m. May 25. Six roles are available: Charlie Brown, Lucy Van Pelt, Linus Van Pelt, Snoopy, Sally Brown and Schroeder. The audition will consist of singing 16 bars of a traditional show tune and a cold reading from the script. Please bring your own sheet music. Monologues are encouraged but not required. The show will be performed at 7:30 p.m. July 26-29 and 2 p.m. July 29-30. Tickets are free to SCC students with ID, or $8 general admission and $6 seniors, veterans and students. The campus is located at 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville. For more information, contact Lynne Snyder, director, at lsnyder@stchas.edu or 636922-8352.

May 29: Gypsy Caravan

On Memorial Day, the St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association (SVA) will present Gypsy Caravan for its 45th straight year, a St. Louis holiday tradition. A city within a city is created for upwards of 10,000 shoppers eager to find bargains and unique treasures galore as one of the largest vintage, craft and antique markets in the Midwest. This shopper’s paradise will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, at The Family Arena in St. Charles. Gypsy Caravan shoppers will have access to more than 2,500 free parking spaces adjacent to the event site. Due to the success the past two years, two off-site locations will be available for additional free parking with round trip transportation in luxury air-conditioned motor coach shuttles. If shoppers plan to arrive after 9 a.m., The SVA encourages shoppers to use the off-site parking and shuttles for transportation. The event will run more motor coaches during peak hours to ensure travel times are even smoother. Travel time to the event is approximately 15 minutes from off-site shuttle locations. Early Bird admission from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. is $20, while General Admission from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. is $10. Discounted Admission wristbands will be available at a 10 percent discount when purchased at any local Dierbergs Market beginning May 1: Early Bird $18; General Admission $9. Children under 13 are free. No pets allowed. A Shopper’s Guide will be available for the first 10,000 shoppers. Both merchandise vendor and food vendor registration for Gypsy Caravan 2017 are still available. Please visit the website for more information https://www.stlsymphony.org/gypsycaravan/.

May 24: Public works fair

O’Fallon’s kid-friendly Public Works Fair will be held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Celebrating National Public Works Week May 21-27, the fair will be held in the Ozzie Smith Sports Complex at 900 T.R. Hughes Boulevard in O’Fallon. Admission and all activities are free, kid-friendly and designed to put residents in touch with services provided by the City’s Public Works Department, such as clean drinking water, well-maintained streets and trash, recycling and yard waste collection. The event features safety awareness games and activities for kids, educational materials for adults, free rides on the O’Fallon City Train for all ages and a free hot dog lunch with chips and water. The Public Works Fair is weather-dependent and will be canceled if it rains. In the event of threatening weather, call Kelly at 636379-3807 or email kmarcotte@ofallon.mo.us for the status of the Public Works Fair.

May 26-28: Missouri River Irish Festival

St Charles Sister Cities, Irish Chapter, will host their 13th annual Irish Fest at Frontier Park at 500 S Riverside Dr. in St. Charles. One of the only free Irish festivals in the Mid-

May 31: Art exhibit

The Lillian Yahn Gallery (across from Llywelyns’ Pub at 7443 Village Center Drive in O’Fallon) presents “Paper and Thread” solo exhibit by Shirley Eley Nachtrieb, on display now through May 31. Her work is a blend of collages, small quilts, books and dolls. A framed original water color, “Waterlilies” will be raffled to benefit the St Charles County Arts Council. Tickets are available at the gallery through May 31. For more information go to www.stcharlesart.org.

June 1-2: Call for artists

The Lillian Yahn Gallery in WingHaven is sponsoring “Photo Shoot,” a juried exhibit of photographic works. Exhibition dates are June 10 – 30. Opening reception and awards are June 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Each artist may enter up to three pieces at $8 per piece. Drop off at the gallery is June 1, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and June 2, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. There will be cash awards. Entry form available at www.stcharlesart.org. For any questions contact Gale Niswonger at gniswonger@ centurytel.net.

June 1-2: Call for artists

Lillian Yahn Gallery presents “Photo Shoot - A Juried Exhibit of Photographic Works” open to artists 18 years of age and older. Photographic work accepted in all disciplines and completed within the past three years. All imagery must be the artist’s original work and not completed under instruction. Artist may submit up to three works for a non-refundable fee of $8 per piece. Each individual piece counts as one entry. A diptych/triptych counts as one entry. Anything individually priced will be considered as separate entries. Work must be suitably framed, wired and read to hang. Some pieces, such as gallery wraps, stand-out prints, etc, do not require frames. Maximum size for wall hung work, including frames, are not to exceed 24” x 30.” For more information contact Gale Niswonger, Gallery Manager at gniswonger@centurytel.net or Linda Wilmes at lindaswilmes@gmail. com.

June 7-8: Flower show

The Mid Central District of the FGCM is presenting a standard flower show, “Summer Time” on June 7 from 2 - 7 p.m. and on June 8 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Fellowship Hall at 632 East Highway N in Wentzville. Admission is free. There will be both a design and a horticulture division using the theme of summer activities. Educational exhibits will also be included. Participants are members of garden clubs from the Mid Central District which include the clubs from St. Charles County.

June 9-10: Tractor pull

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American Legion Post 313 will be sponsoring an ITPA, MSTPA and X-CALIBER sanctioned truck and tractor pull on June 9 at Lone Wolf Park in Old Town St. Peters. 5800# Modified, 6000# Extreme Super Stock, 8500# and 9500 # Pro Stock, 6200 Pro Stock 4x4, 7400 #Multi-Engine, Street Stocks - gas or diesel (15) will be featured. Gates open at 3 p.m. and close at 11:30 p.m. Opening ceremony is at 6:30 p.m. Tractor pull starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $17 per person, 12 and under are free. There will be food and beer garden tents. There will also be an Amateur Level Garden Tractor Pull on June 10. Gates open at 3 p.m. and the pull starts at 6 p.m. Admission is free. No outside containers or coolers will be allowed.

June 9-10: Theater performance

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The Kids’ Summer Drama Camp of Wentzville Christian Church proudly presents Disney’s “The Lion King Jr.” on June 9 at 7 p.m. and on June 10 at 2 p.m. Admission is free and everyone is invited to attend. Doors open a half hour before each performance begins. Over 60 talented youth from around

the area will present this fun, inspiring and high energy stage production; that includes all the familiar songs from “The Lion King.” The church is located at 1507 Hwy. Z in Wentzville. For more information, call 636-327-6622 or visit the website at wentzvillecc.org.

June 10: Trivia night

The “William ‘Bill’ Trebilcock ’73 Memorial Scholarship” trivia night will be held at the American Legion Hall, at 504 Leutkenhaus Blvd. in Wentzville. The memorial scholarship, established at St. Louis College of Pharmacy, was initiated by two of Bill’s former pharmacy school students. Proceeds from this event will benefit the endowment portion of the scholarship fund. Admission is $25 per person, or table of eight for $180; fee includes one free beverage, per person, from the cash bar. Doors open at 6 p.m.; first question starts at 7 p.m. Bring your own snacks and non-alcoholic drinks; no outside alcohol is allowed in, cash bar available. Please bring worn/damaged American flags and unwanted eyeglasses for the American Legion. For reservations, sponsorships or more information, contact Nancy at dbkick@ hotmail.com Subject line: scholarship fundraiser.

June 10: Art exhibition opening

A juried exhibit of photographic works will be held in the Lillian Yahn Gallery at 7443 Village Center Drive in O’Fallon. Opening reception and awards presentation takes place from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Come meet and celebrate with the artists. Wine and hors d’oeuvres served. For more information contact Gale Niswonger, Gallery Manager at gniswonger@centurytel. net or Linda Wilmes at lindaswilmes@ gmail.com.

June 11: Scholarship trap shoot

The William “Bill” Trebilcock ‘73 Memorial Scholarship Trap Shoot will be held at Black Hawk Valley Hunting Preserve at 1259 Brevator Rd. in Old Monroe (25 minutes north of Wentzville). The memorial scholarship, established at St. Louis College of Pharmacy, was initiated by two of Bill’s former pharmacy school students. Proceeds from this event will benefit the endowment portion of the scholarship fund. Four-man teams will shoot clays at 14 stations; individual attendees also welcome. Adult division, age 17 and up is $50 per shooter; junior shooter division, age 16 and under is $25 per shooter and an adult relative must be on site. Shotguns only; bring your own gun/ammo; ammo available for sale by owner, if needed; loaner guns available. Come anytime during 8 – 11 a.m.; cash prizes for high scorers; if desired, stay for pork lunch donated by Ret. Col. J. Hirniak, US Army. (Trebilcock Estate/family members, not liable for damage/injury). Silent auction/raffle items available; Cash or checks; no credit/debit cards accepted. For reservations, sponsorships or more information, contact Nancy at dbkick@hotmail.com Subject line: scholarship fundraiser.

June 11: Big band concert

The St. Charles Big Band presents Sunday Serenades, a summer big band concert series, at the Jaycee Pavilion in Frontier Park at 500 S Riverside Drive in St. Charles. The concert begins at 7:30 and is free. Bring lawn chair or blanket. See www.stcharlesband.com for details.

June 11: Golf tournament

The St. Charles Junior Service League will be hosting their 16th Annual Golf Tournament. Lunch at noon and tee off at 1 p.m. at Country Lakes Golf Course in Warrenton. Cost is $90 per person includes lunch and steak dinner. All profits go to purchasing new shoes for children in need in St. Charles County. To play or sponsor, please contact Marlene at 636-7241884.

June 12-16: Vacation bible school

Vacation Bible School at Bogey Hills Baptist Church at 1721 Treetop Drive in St. Charles takes place from June 12-16 from 6:15 – 8:45 p.m. each night. This free event is for children from three years old through fifth grade. Online registration available. Please contact 636-724-3036 or visit www.bogeyhillsbaptistchurch.com for more information.

June 12-16: Vacation bible school

Vacation bible school takes place each night from 6 – 8:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church O’Fallon. For kids four years old to completed fifth grade. Cost is free. For more information call 636-272-4838 or register at www.firstofallonkids.com.

June 17: Pride festival

The third annual St. Charles LGBTQIA+ Pride Festival will be held at Frontier Park in St. Charles from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The day will focus on entertainment and education, providing an opportunity for allies and LGBTQIA+ community to celebrate and share resources. This family-friendly event is designed to align those in need of support with resources and organizations within their own community. Last year’s festival, was well attended with more than 7,000 attendees. New this year, Pride St. Charles will be held at a new location at Frontier Park. Also new this year, the festival will host a variety of new activities including a video game truck, handmade glass marble hunt, live art, tie-die shirt station, free on-site STD testing, BJC Fun at the Fair Experience, Anime St. Louis is hosting a scavenger hunt at the festival, and tickets are currently on sale for the VIP Tent that includes free food and drink during the festival. At least 75 businesses and organizations will have booths, several food trucks will be available throughout the day, as well as a large youth village including inflatables, arts and crafts projects and more.

June 17: Outdoor summer concert and movie

Each summer, the city of Dardenne Prairie Parks and Recreation Department proudly presents the Summer Concert & Movie Series. Featuring the band Butch Wax and the Hollywood’s, the event takes place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at City Hall Park, located at 2032 Hanley Road in Dardenne Prairie. Movies begin at dusk (approximately 8:30 p.m.). Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Concessions will be available for purchase.

June 17: Charity golf tournament

Dardenne Presbyterian’s Annual Charity Golf Tournament will begin with an 8 a.m. shotgun start with lunch to follow at the Bear Creek Golf Club in Wentzville. This year’s charity event will benefit 3rd Presbyterian’s “Flourish” Summer Youth Program and the “Joy in Haiti” Orphanage for young Haitian girls. The entry fee is $75 or $300 for a foursome. To qualify for the “Early Bird Special” of $65 per golfer or $260 for a foursome registration must occur before May 30. The deadline for registration is June 10. Call the church office 636-561-4347 or email Mark Bass (mdbass85@outlook. com) to make your reservation.

June 24: Swap meet

Free and open to the public, Coca Cola Collectors Swap Meet takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Blanchette Park, Memorial Hall, American Legion & VFW Rooms at 1900 West Randolph Street in St. Charles. Buy-sell- or trade old and new Items. Free appraisals of Coca Cola items (Limit three). For more information about the show or about getting a table at the swap meet contact Terry Smith 636-544-4518.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • May 24, 2017 June 24-25: Amateur Radio Field Day

On the fourth weekend of June, more than 40,000 radio amateurs will gather with their clubs, groups or simply with friends to operate from remote locations. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the national association for Amateur Radio, sponsors this event. The ARRL Field Day is an event designed to simulate an emergency or disaster situation where Amateur Radio operators, commonly known as “hams,” set up radio equipment in the field to demonstrate the ability to work reliably under any conditions, from almost any location, and create an independent communications network. Radio operators will attempt to make contact with other stations across the country and around the world; testing the readiness of Amateur Radio Emergency Communications. Field Day 2017 runs from 1 p.m. on June 24 to 1 p.m. on June 25. Want to learn more about the hobby and see amateur radio in action? You can see for yourself at one of these two locations: The St. Charles Amateur Radio Club will have their equipment set up and operating at the Menards home improvement store at 151 Spencer Road in St. Peters (just north of Mexico Road), on the grassy area between Menards and McDonald’s; the Boeing Employees’ Amateur Radio Society will be operating at the Fox Hill Park, 3309 Kister Drive in St. Charles. Take MO 370 to Hwy 94, then go north on Hwy 94 and turn left on Fox Hill Road. Amateur radio operators will be on hand at both locations to answer your questions. Both clubs will have a “Get On The Air” (GOTA) Station where unlicensed individuals can try out a radio under the supervision of a licensed operator. All ages are welcome. For more information on Amateur Radio, visit http://www.arrl. org/what-is-ham-radio.

June 26: PTSD presentation

Church on the Rock (COTR) will be hosting a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presentation at 6:30 p.m. at its south campus location at 900 Birdie Hills Rd. in St. Peters. The meeting will be held in the Volunteer Central location (lower level). Dr. Karen A. Loaiza, clinical psychologist and VA Specialist, will speak at this event. All veterans and spouses are invited to attend. Any questions please call Dan Wagner at 636-240-7775.

July 8: TEEN CERT training course

The St. Charles City-County Library District is hosting the Mid America TEEN CERT program to offer TEEN CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training to anyone 12-18 years old. The course will teach students to assist local emergency services and the communities of St. Charles County and surrounding areas in case of a large-scale emergency or a disaster, such as the current flooding situation we are experiencing. The training will be held at library’s Spencer Road Branch, located at 427 Spencer Road in St. Peters, beginning July 8 and continuing for five consecutive Saturday mornings through Aug. 5. Class will be in the Siteman Cancer Center Event Room (Room 240) from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. All five sessions are required for course certification. For more information or to sign up for the class at the Spencer Road branch, please register online at http://bit.ly/2oYYrrm. Space is limited, so register early. More information about CERT/TEEN CERT training can be found at www.facebook.com/groups/MIDAMERICATEENCERT/, or by contacting program director Mark Rosenblum at mark. rosenblum@juno.com.

July 9: Big band concert

blanket. See www.stcharlesband.com for details.

July 15: Outdoor summer concert and movie

Each summer, the city of Dardenne Prairie Parks and Recreation Department proudly presents the Summer Concert & Movie Series. Featuring the band FanFare and the movie “Finding Dory,” the event takes place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at City Hall Park, located at 2032 Hanley Road in Dardenne Prairie. Movies begin at dusk (approximately 8:30 p.m.). Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Concessions will be available for purchase.

Aug. 13: Big band concert

Aug. 19: Outdoor summer concert and movie

Each summer, the city of Dardenne Prairie Parks and Recreation Department proudly presents the Summer Concert & Movie Series. Featuring the band Borderline, the event takes place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at City Hall Park, located at 2032 Hanley Road in Dardenne Prairie. Movies begin at dusk (approximately 8:30 p.m.). Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Concessions will be available for purchase.

Aug. 24: Concert series

The St. Charles Municipal Band presents Down By the Riverside, a summer concert series, Thursday nights at 8 p.m. in June, July, and August. Concerts are performed at the Jaycee Pavilion in Frontier Park at 500 S Riverside Drive in St. Charles. Bring lawn chair or blanket to these free programs. See www.stcharlesband.com for details.

Sept. 3: Big band concert

Sept. 9: Craft fair

Tri County Advisory Board to Probation and Parole, Probation and Parole District 17, Missouri Department of Correction invites you to their Fifth Annual Christmas in September Craft Fair at Calvary Church at 3998 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in St. Peters from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sept. 23: Prairie Day

Fireworks, music, inflatables, and a variety of other attractions are some highlights of the Dardenne Prairie’s Annual Prairie Day celebration from 12 – 10 p.m. The event will be located at Dardenne Prairie City Hall Park. This celebration will feature food, entertainment, crafts, superheroes and many fun activities for children and adults to take part in. Vendor booths will be on display from 12 – 5 p.m. with St. Louis’ ultimate party band Contagious taking the main stage at 6 p.m. Admission to the event is free for all ages.

with layouts in O, HO, N hoping to add G scales. Meetings are on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. and Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. For more info call 636-2795522 or 636-456-0776.

Mondays: Take off Pounds Sensibly

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 Blanchette Park at 1900 Randolph Street in St. Charles. For more information contact Grace at 636-9464687.

Mondays: Take Off Pounds Sensibly

TOPS meet every Monday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 8945 Veterans Memorial Highway in O’Fallon. Meetings at 9:30 a.m. with weigh in beginning at 8:30 a.m. For more information please all Linda Wilcox at 636447-9056.

Mondays: Parent support group

Because I love you, B.I.L.Y., Gateway parent support group meets every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church at 801 First Capitol Drive in St. Charles. For information and directions, please contact the helpline at314 993 7550 or email gateway_parent_help@yahoo.com. B.I.L.Y 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.

What’s Happening

3rd Monday of Each Month: Life After Loss support group

Support group for families who have lost a loved one to heroin/opiate addiction. 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Barnes Jewish St. Peters Hospital Campus in Room 212 of Professional Building 1. Contact: geevigna@charter.net. No registration required

Every Tuesday: Cribbage Club

1 – 4 p.m. at The Falls Golf Course Clubhouse. Relaxed, friendly play and is open to all. Call 636-561-2970 for more information.

Tuesdays: Lions Club meeting

St. Peters Lions Club meets the first and third Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. in Old Town St. Peters on Park Street.

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: Gateway Chorus Rehearsal

Sundays and Tuesdays: Central Missouri Railroad Association meeting

Tuesdays: Cribbage

Looking for an evening out? Come and play cribbage Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at the IHOP at 3851 Veterans Memorial Dr. in St. Peters. Win prizes and awards with semiannual tournaments. ACC sanctioned. For more information contact Dee at 636-233-8032.

Every Tuesday: Kiwanis Club of St. Charles

Noon – 1pm at Tubby’s Bar & Grill at 506 Droste Rd. 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 636-448-4277. You can also visit http://stcharleskiwanis.com.

SUDOKU answers from page 11

1st Monday: Gardeners of St. Charles County Monthly Meeting 6:30pm. Location varies. 314.304.7480.

1st Monday: 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 (2nd floor of the Spencer Branch Library) from 6:30 - 9 p.m. For more information contact Beverly Kaskadden (President) at 636561-6947.

2nd Monday: Winghaven Civil War Round Table

6:30pm, Midwest BankCentre board room, 2299 Technology Dr. O’Fallon. For more informaiton call Mike at 314.276.5018.

4th Monday: American Legion Post 388 Meets 6:30 pm at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 8945 Vets. Mem. Pkwy. 636.219.0553.

Mondays: St. Peters Rotary Club

Noon at St. Peters City Hall, One St. Peters Centre Blvd. www.stpetersrotary.org.

Mondays: Seasoned Eye Carvers Meeting

The Seasoned Eye Carvers meet every Monday from 9am to noon at the St. Charles Senior Citizens Center, 1455 Fairgrounds (near the Bass Pro Shop). Visitors are always welcome! For more information check the club web site: www.stcharlesareawoodcarvers.com/ or contact Charles Sapp.

Mondays, Wednesday and Friday: Fitness First Exercise Classes

The Central Missouri Railroad Association meets at Suite 20 in the Warrenton Outlet Mall. This unique organization is for railroad modelers, railfans, photographers and railroad retirees

Mondays: Chronic pain support group

American Chronic Pain Association is a support group for and by people experiencing chronic pain. Group meets 2nd and 4th Mondays of every month at 3 – 5 p.m. at the Spencer Road Library in St Peters. Important: This is an anonymous group (first names only).

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.

9:30-10:30am, American Legion Hall, 504 Luetkenhaus Blvd., Wentzville. 314.369.6521.

ONGOING EVENTS

Forrest Keeling Nursery 800-356-2401 www.forrestkeeling.com forrestkeeling.com

CROSSWORD answers from page 11

May 24, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

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May 24, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

“Searching for Alan Smithee”

M O V I E

As a film fan, I often wonder if producers, directors and stars can sense that a movie is going to flop even before it’s finished. The work of the legendary Ed Wood, who has been called the “worst director of all time,” have become cult classics, especially the highly unusual “Plan 9 From Outer Space.” By many accounts; however, Wood thought he was making quality films instead of bombs. Those thoughts came to mind while watching “Snatched,” the team-up between comedian Amy Schumer and screen legend Goldie Hawn. What should have been a passing of the comedy torch was actually a confused mess of a movie. Everyone seemed to be doing their own little movie inside a bigger one. Even talents like Joan Cusack, Wanda Sykes and Ike Barinholtz couldn’t salvage this trainwreck. In the past, when faced with a real disaster, a director could hide behind the pseudonym of “Alan Smithee.” The filmmaker still had to convince the Director’s Guild of America (DGA) that the final cut did not represent their artistic vision, though. According to Wikipedia, this option was first used to settle a creative dispute over the 1969

“Snatched” photo courtesy Twentieth Century Fox

Richard Widmark film “Death of a Gunfighter.” Two directors had worked on the project and neither one wanted to take the credit. After the critical drubbing his film received, “Snatched” director Jonathan Levine might be wishing he used a pseudonym. James Ponsoldt, director and cowriter of the new thriller “The Circle,” could be feeling the same way. Emma Watson stars here as Mae Holland, an under-employed young woman who lands a dream job at a tech company. Tom Hanks plays a Steve Jobslike figure named Eamon Bailey and Patton Oswalt is Tom Stenton, the Chief Operating Officer.

Photo courtesy Regal Entertainment

These are top-notch performers, yet the three of them cannot hold the movie together. Hanks, the ultimate everyman, doesn’t show any real emotions until the very end of the film. Oswalt plays against type in a suit and tie while Emma Watson appears to be in a fog the entire movie. It’s hard to tell if this is a scathing commentary on social media or a blatant advertisement for putting your entire life on the Internet. Sometimes what looks like an obvious bomb-in-the-making turns into box office gold. Thanks to Jim Carrey’s comedic abilities, 1994’s “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” became a box office

By Steve Bryan

success and spawned a sequel. Carrey went on to star in several notable films, including a memorable turn as the Riddler in “Batman Forever.” Studio executives panicked at the rising production costs of “Titanic,” James Cameron’s retelling of the 1912 nautical disaster. Reportedly, Cameron and Fox executives exchanged heated words over the length and cost, but the director held firm to what he believed. “Titanic” became one of the highest-grossing films in movie history, with fans lining up to see it in theaters. The DGA reportedly retired the use of the Alan Smithee pseudonym, but there will always be films worthy of his name.

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.