August 16, 2017
Better, safer roads
Around Town Ronald McDonald House Charities expand Family Room Program. P.5
High school Girl Scout helps her school’s special education class. P.5
School
Book celebrating Academy of the Sacred Heart History underwritten by Maryville University. P.8
Business
Drivers follow traffic signals at the intersection of Mexico Road and Route K.
Photo by Ray Rockwell
Projects across St. Charles County look to help improve traffic flow and to reduce accidents
Learn & Play
By Brett Auten The multiple warning signs, the orange cones alongside bubbling tar, year after year construction for our roadways has become commonplace during the summer and the last few months have been no different. To help local drivers navigate through the busy chambers of the county, Gateway Green Light - a cooperative effort to improve the coordination of traffic signals throughout St. Charles County – has been in full swing and has proven to keep traffic flowing and drivers’ tempers at a minimum. Construction on the Gateway Green Light project, which is a collaboration with multiple municipalities, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and St. Charles County, started in 2013 with the installation of more than 120 miles of fiber optic cable linking signals, road sensors and observation cameras. The hardware and equipment on all 337 stoplights in the county were upgraded, and in 2015, the program became operational. Through the use of the central software, observation cameras and time-space diagrams of traffic, the program
Adam Wainwright and Country Financal help strike out hunger. P.9
is proactive in identifying concerns. “The signals all communicate with the network,” St. Charles County Manager of Roads and Bridges Amanda Brauer said. “The goal is to get each (traffic) corridor optimized and get as many as possible progressing through the system.” With the help of an on-site consultant, traffic signals are managed and monitored in real time improving traffic flow and reducing delays and emissions that contribute to ozone pollution. “Oftentimes we will hear from the public about certain traffic signals and we are willing to try a change to see if it works,” Brauer said. “Getting feedback from drivers is a valuable resource for us.” Brauer recently attended the Institute of Transportation Engineers annual convention held in Toronto, Canada where she spoke about the Gateway Green Light. Brauer said she was pleased to be able to share the success with Gateway Green Light with so many of her peers in the transportation and traffic arena. It not only gave her an op-
portunity to promote St. Charles County, but also assist others who were facing the issues the county faced prior to the initiation of GGL. She also learned about other programs and gathering ideas to bring back to St. Charles County. I-70/5TH STREET INTERCHANGE The much-talked about I-70 / 5th Street interchange improvement project was recently completed. The project, among other things, included a Diverging Diamond Interchange at the intersection of Fifth Street and Interstate 70, a new one-way outer road between Fifth Street and Fairgrounds Road and replacement of the Fairgrounds Road overpass will a full access interchange. The project also added a fourth lane of traffic on I-70 under Route 94 and new sidewalks along Fifth Street, Veterans Memorial Parkway and Fairgrounds Road. “The Diverging Diamond Interchange is a little different and it takes some getting used to,” Scott Tate, President of the Greater St. See TRAFFIC page 2
Serving St. Louis, St. Charles, and Lincoln Counties | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 19 No. 33 | 636-379-1775
Snack smarter with dairy. P.11
Weather FRIDAY Mostly Sunny 89/68 SATURDAY Chance of Showers 88/68 SUNDAY Mostly Sunny 90/66 FirstWarn Weather
prepared by meteorologist Nick Palisch. For the latest updates visit www.facebook.com/nickswx.
2
Around Town Get your event or good news published in Community News: email your information to editor@mycnews.com.
August 16, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com
TRAFFIC Continued from cover Charles County Chamber of Commerce, said. “There are only a handful of states that even have this type of interchange. It’s certainly somewhat unique but the signage is marked well and the decreased stoplights have worked well.” The project has certainly made a noticeable difference in traffic flow and has decreased congestion at this interchange. Part of the motivation behind the project was to bring the I-70 corridor up to 21st century standards with one way outer roads, slip ramps, and Texas U-Turns. The goal was to provide better access to both sides of I-70, less congestion at major interchanges (Zumbehl Road, Cave Springs, etc.), economic development opportunities on vacant land that has yet to be developed and increased safety for drivers. “You can see that the traffic moves much better,” Tate said. “For those who have lived in St. Charles County things like the one-way outer road and the new interchange can cause some initial confusion but it will eventually become habit.” A survey is available to take to share your views on the project. It can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/r/70FifthStreet. SAFETY PROJECTS Other projects that are rumored to be considered is extending the new outer roads to past Zuembel. Also, MODOT is currently doing a corridor study of I-70 from downtown St. Louis through Wentzville in hopes of easing that congestion at some point. And in other MODOT news, a groundbreaking was recently held to mark the beginning of the construction for the St. Louis District Safety Design-Build project. The $24 million St. Louis
County’s GIS Mapping Service now optimized for mobile use, geo-data hub expanded St. Charles County’s Information Systems Department launched a redesigned online Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Mapping Service in late 2016 with one feature left to complete - the ability to access the site on mobile devices. Well, get ready to fire up your tablet and smartphone - the mapping service is officially mobile-friendly. “This is the first time our public mapping application has been optimized for mobile devices, so it is a huge advancement in functionality,” says Mark Duewell, Manager of GIS Services. “We hope this improvement will encourage more citizens to use the site and discover all its capabilities.” The GIS Mapping Service allows users to research and view a wide variety of map-based data about the community, including: • County and municipal boundaries and jurisdictions, roads and other thoroughfares. • Assessment and parcel data, as well as Google Street Views. • Voting districts, county council districts, boundaries for school districts and utility service providers, zoning information, park trails, physical features and topography, and more. To view the site on a mobile device, users enter the same mapping service URL, http:// map.sccmo.org. The mobile site works across all platforms and internet browsers, and features
the same tools as the desktop version. The geo-location feature is the only new tool specific to mobile devices. In addition to the mobile capabilities of the mapping service, Information Systems has a redesigned site for its Geo-Data and Mapping Hub, formerly called the Open Data Portal, which originally launched in late 2016: http://gis.sccmo. opendata.arcgis.com/. Along with providing another way to access the GIS Mapping Service, the site houses publicly available geospatial data, maps and applications published by GIS Services. Geospatial data can be searched, browsed and downloaded in several formats, and PDF maps are available for download. Additionally, there are links to other geospatial sites and sources of mapping data. The improved site organizes this information in a more functional and organized format for users, and allows room for future growth. “The hub will enable us to continually expand our data and maps to the community in an easily accessible platform,” adds Duewell. GIS Services continues to encourage the public and business community to provide feedback about these sites. For questions or to provide feedback about St. Charles County’s GIS Mapping Service and Geo-Data and Mapping Hub, email gisservices@sccmo. org<mailto:gisservices@sccmo. org>.
Photo by Ray Rockwell Scott Laxton CBB Traffic Engineer, monitors traffic flow at The Gateway Greenlight Center located in the St. Charles County Government Building.
District Safety Design Build project will make safety improvements at 31 locations across Franklin and St. Charles Counties. All of the improvements are designed to prevent fatal and serious accidents. Over a 10-year period, the improvements are expected to reduce the number of fatal and serious injury crashes in these areas by more than 70 people. The ceremony was held in a vacant lot on Route 47 just north of the I-44 North Outer Road. The nearest address to the St. Louis District Safety Design-Build is 8223 Route 47 in St. Clair.
Portion of Spencer Creek Trail closed for stormwater improvement project The city of St. Peters’ Spencer Creek Trail is temporarily closed to pedestrians in the area south of Boone Hills Drive and north of Riverboat Drive due to a stormwater construction project. The trail is scheduled to close for up to 120 days with the project beginning July 31. The trail closing is needed to allow construction of a Prop P stormwater project to stabilize the banks of Spencer Creek and replace a portion of the existing parks trail along the creek. The newly-built trail will include an elevated boardwalk that will meet regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The trail is expected to reopen by the end of November. The project’s timeline is weather-dependent.
Residents invited to learn about programs, services through county speaker series St. Charles County has announced the debut of the #SCCMore Speaker Series. The series is designed to encourage residents to learn about programs and services provided by St. Charles County Government, and to “see more” of what the county has to offer. The series begins Sept. 19 with “Making Public Safety Personal.” Speakers for the bi-monthly series are St. Charles County elected officials and county staff, who will address topics of interest to county residents. All programs are held from 7-8:30 p.m., at various libraries in the St. Charles City-County Library District. Kicking off the series on Sept. 19, at the Library’s Spencer Road Branch at 427 Spencer Road in St. Peters, are Chief David Todd, St. Charles County Police Department, and Captain Chris Hunt, Director of Emergency Management. Todd will discuss the heroin epidemic/prescription drug abuse, general safety precautions and public services available through the police department. Hunt will give an overview of the County’s Division of Emergency Management and talk about the new Emergency Operations Center under construction in O’Fallon. They will answer questions after the presentation. On Nov. 21, County Assessor Scott Shipman and County Collector Michelle McBride will team up for “All You Need to Know about Assessments and Taxes.” Be sure to bring your questions and take advantage of this timely and informative discussion. The presentation is scheduled for the Library’s Deer Run Branch at 1300 North Main Street in O’Fallon. The #SCCMore Speaker Series is free, but registration is requested. To register, call or email St. Charles County Community Relations Manager Molly Dempsey at 636-949-7900, ext. 3724 or mtdempsey@sccmo.org. For information on future #SCCMore Speaker Series programs, visit sccmo.org/SpeakerSeries.
www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • August 16, 2017
MDC leads effort to measure success of federally-endangered beetle reintroduction The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and its partners are working to restore a bug that eats dead flesh. They’re hoping to bring it back from the dead. The American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus) is the largest of a class of carrion beetles and used to be found in 35 states, including Missouri. Now federally-endangered, the beetles are struggling to hang on in less than seven states. It’s a struggle they lost in Missouri decades ago. In 2012, MDC entered into a partnership with the St. Louis Zoo, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Nature Conservancy (TNC) to bring the beetle back from extirpation within the Show-MeState. The St. Louis Zoo is breeding the beetles at their Monsanto Insectarium from stock acquired in Arkansas. Each of the partners has participated in a multi-year program to re-introduce the beetles onto Wah’Kon-Tah Prairie, located near El Dorado Springs in the southwest portion of the state. Wah’Kon-Tah is jointly owned by MDC and TNC, and managed by MDC. It contains 3,000 acres of tallgrass prairie spanning Cedar and St. Clair Counties which biologists hope will offer a good chance for the insects to thrive. MDC’s St. Louis Regional Natural History Biologist Andrea Schuhmann is heading up a study to determine the success of the effort. The basis for the study is the mark-recapture method, and it begins by setting out traps to capture the burying beetles. “We mark the individuals we capture. Based on the proportion of new, unmarked beetles to previously captured beetles we can then develop the population estimate,” Schuhmann said. “We want to get a sense of how many wild beetles are being produced out here and are surviving following the reintroduction.” Simply put, finding a high proportion of “new” beetles— those without tags—to the already tagged ones, indicates good population growth. However, recapturing mostly the same individuals over again points to fewer individuals and a smaller, less expansive population. According to Schumann, 48 traps were scattered on Wah’Kon-Tah to get a good representation of all the different habitat and management types on the prairie. The traps consist of holes dug in the ground in which plastic buckets are placed. The holes are covered by a wire grating.
Around Town
FACEBOOK.COM/MYCNEWS
Photo courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation MDC, along with the St. Louis Zoo, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nature Conservancy are working to restore the federally-endangered American burying beetle to Missouri. MDC is heading up a study to measure the effort’s success.
The beetles can enter the grating but the openings are small enough to make it difficult for them to spread their wings to fly back through. The bucket’s smooth plastic prevents them from getting enough traction to crawl out. A jar of raw, decaying chicken in the bucket provides an enticement to draw the carrion-loving beetles to the traps. Biologists check the traps daily during a week of monitoring. They weigh, measure, and record each new American burying beetle they find. All are fitted with a miniature, numbered tag that is glued to the insect’s exoskeleton. Any individuals that already have tags—the recaptured ones—are simply recorded and set free. Schuhmann piloted the program last year and was able to collect some preliminary data. However, this is the first year the study has begun in earnest. She and her crew spent a week trapping in mid-June to get a sense for the population approaching the breeding season, and another week in July to monitor beetles emerging from the breeding period. She will spend a third week in August to determine how the population looks going into the winter. So what does the study indicate so far? Schumann said it was too early to tell. This is still the early stage of a multi-year study and more data needs to be gathered and analyzed, so there are no definitive answers yet. Nature does not reveal its secrets too quickly. But the preliminary results are encouraging – the population does appear to be growing. Schumann did say the restoration’s ultimate goal is to produce and maintain a selfsustaining population of American burying beetles. Because of its brilliant coloring, unusual
carrion-eating habits, and the fact that the beetles demonstrate “family values” with mated pairs raising young together, the American burying beetle has plenty of appeal to fuel interest in restoration. For more information on the American burying beetle, visit the online MDC Field Guide at https://goo.gl/BVR8R1.
www.GSTCCC.com
www.Baue.com
3
4
Healthy Living
August 16, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com
www.AskTheBJCExpert.org
Learning to grow with ADHD
www.
mycnews.com
www.OfallonFamilyEyecare.com
It’s hard to believe that the new school year will be here before we know it. And for some ADD/ ADHD kids and their parents, this time can often be associated with anxiety and stress. But setting up some reasonable goals now for the upcoming school year can set the tone for a successful academic year. Each family should set goals based on what is important to them. Meet as a family and discuss a structure from the time your child gets out of bed in the morning to the time they go to bed at night. Rewards and expectations can also be put in place along with these goals. The key to setting up goals for school is that they are reasonable and can be easily obtainable.
Suggestion of school year goals
• Set up a morning routine and bed time routine during the week. • Sleep is the time when our brains form long-term memories and it also helps with the overall mental and emotional well-being to help enhance their performance in school. • Set up a time to meet your child’s teacher prior to the start of school • Find out about any major projects or other assignments that are coming up during the year. Learn about the teacher’s expectation for homework. Find out how you can communicate with the teacher throughout the year to keep track of completed and outstanding assignments. • Set up a study schedule at home that works for everyone’s schedule for completing assignments. • Encourage a study routine and keep distractions to a minimum and make sure
you follow up on what they have been doing during that study time. • Rewarding consistent and positive behavior • Staying up a little late on the weekend could be a reward for going to bed on time during the week. Extra time to watch TV or play video games could be a reward for completing homework assignments. In addition to the rewards, make sure you provide praise and encouragement and acknowledge their strengths whenever possible.
What to do after a bad day or a setback
If your child has a bad day, try to re-teach the positive behaviors which will help increase the likelihood of success for the next time. Studies show that children with ADD and ADHD respond well to positive reinforcements and not criticism.
Neurofeedback can help
If your child continues to have set backs at school or you are concerned with ADHD, Neurofeedback may be the answer. Neurofeedback addresses the brain for improved mental performance and the ability to pay attention and remember information. In return, children confidently get better test results and it marks a clearer path for the future. For more information on Neurofeedback, call St. Louis Neurotherapy Institute at 1-855-STLADHD to find out about their free parent information nights. And discover why the Academy of Pediatrics recommends Neurofeedback to help retrain the brain in a non-invasive way without the use of medication.
www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • August 16, 2017
Around Town
Making a difference High school Girl Scout helps her school’s special education class By Olivia Holler Ever think about doing something to make someone’s day or to help out the community? Well Alexis Lesch, a Girl Scout and junior at Fort Zumwalt West has done just that. By starting a project for the special education class at her school. The students were doing a unit on plants so she decided to help out by creating a couple things for the unit. “I made a planting shelf and created booklets on how to plant a flower,” Lesch said. It allowed the special education students to watch their plants grow and learn how to take care of something from start to finish. Once the plants are grown the students will either sell them or plant them around the school. Lesch’s goal for this project was she wanted the special education students to feel like a part of the community. “I wanted to make a difference in our school. I see that there isn’t a lot of student inter-
www.MyCNews.com
Submitted photo Alexis Lesch (right) stands with her mother Sherri Lesch after winning the Girl Scout Gold Award.
action with the special ed kids so I’d thought I’d do this,” Lesch said. She had to create the project without any help from her parents or leader. “She did it all on her own, her father and I had nothing to do with it…I’m over the top proud of her,” Sherri Lesch, Alexis’ mother said. She had to organize, develop a plan and complete it with a
minimum of 80 hours in order to earn the Gold Award in her troop, which she received in June. Lesch has been in Girl Scouts since kindergarten and is still continuing throughout high school. She has been a part of the same troop, Troop 4895, since she first started off with the same girls and same leader.
Ronald McDonald House Charities expands Family Room Program Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of St. Louis is opening its fourth St. Louisarea Ronald McDonald Family Room and is in need of volunteers. The new room will open on the third floor of the new tower in St. Louis Children’s Hospital later this year and is anticipated to serve an additional 5,000 families per year. The existing Family Room at Children’s will remain open and be dedicated to families with children in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The Ronald McDonald Family Room Program provides families with daily essentials in a comforting environment just steps away from their child’s hospital room. The spaces,
staffed completely by volunteers, are open every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for families to relax and refresh during long days at the hospital. Amenities include: showers, laundry facilities, a small kitchen with snacks and coffee, television, computers with internet access, and a quiet area. “Volunteers are crucial in providing these services to families. Their role in making very difficult times a little more comfortable for parents and loved ones is truly significant,” says Dan Harbaugh, President of RMHC St. Louis. RMHC is currently accepting applications for volunteers to serve in the Family Rooms at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
www.ASHFORDMOTORS.net
www.REIDFLOORS.com
Three-hour shifts are available for both individuals and pairs on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. In addition to the new room, there are three other Family Rooms in St. Louis located inside St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Mercy Children’s Hospital and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. The existing Family Room at St. Louis Children’s Hospital will receive a makeover as it celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. For more information or to begin the volunteer application process, please contact Family Room Program Manager Courtney Fisher at cfischer@ rmhcstl.com.
www.aarp.org/stlouis
5
6
Around Town
August 16, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com
www.mycnews.com
Generate Health Immunization Coalition urges St. Louis area schools to protect youth against meningitis
SPECIAL!
Free Color Consultation Call for details
www.snlpainting.com
Photo courtesy of Bigstock
WWW.SHOESANDHOPE.ORG
www.wholesalebatteries.net
In preparation for a new school year, Generate Health’s Immunization Initiative is urging and preparing all St. Louis area colleges and universities to educate students and staff about meningococcal disease (meningitis) – a disease that begins with flu-like symptoms but can quickly lead to disability or death. Given the way the bacteria spreads, those with the highest risk of contracting it are college students and other young adults. Materials provided by the coalition include information on the risks of meningitis, how to prevent it and Missouri’s legal requirements as they relate to the vaccination and education of the disease. Each year, approximately 1,000 people contract meningococcal disease in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has found that among those who become infected, 10 to 15 percent will die. Of those who survive, 20 percent will suffer from permanent disabilities, such as brain damage, loss of limbs, hearing loss and/or other serious impacts to the nervous system. There have
already been more cases this year than in all of 2016. In 2014, Senate Bill 754 was enacted into law, requiring every student living on campus of a public higher education institution to receive the meningococcal vaccine, unless he or she has a medical or religious exemption. Last year, that law was expanded to require that all public higher education institutions educate students about a particularly dangerous strain of meningococcal disease, meningitis B, and the vaccine available to protect against it. In the U.S., meningitis B makes up 50 percent of all cases for people ages 17 to 23. While most students have been vaccinated against several other strains of meningitis, until 2014 there was no vaccine to combat the B strain. Dormitories, shared bathrooms and living spaces, crowded events and sharing food and drinks are all catalysts for spreading the bacteria, making college students some of the most likely to contract the disease. Since the spring of 2013, meningitis B outbreaks have occurred on seven major college campuses in the U.S. (including Princeton University, Providence College, Rutgers University, Santa Clara University, University of California Santa-Barbara, University of Oregon and University of Wisconsin-Madison). “It is our goal to protect the region’s young people by making sure that schools have upto-date and useful information for educating students on meningitis and its most dangerous strains,” said Richelle Clark, Co-Director of Washington University’s Center for Community Health Partnership and Research and Co-Chair for Generate Health’s Immunization Initiative. “Meningitis is fast-moving, debilitating and
potentially deadly. And most people aren’t aware that to be protected against all forms of meningitis you need two separate vaccines – one is a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) for adolescents aged 11 or 12 years, with a booster dose at age 16 years. Additionally, meningitis B vaccine series may be administered to adolescents and young adults aged 16 through 23 years to provide short-term protection against most strains of the disease. Our schools need to be sharing this information to ensure students’ health.” “While the law does not currently require all students to meet this recommendation, Generate Health’s Immunization Initiative encourages all colleges and universities to protect their student body by requiring adherence to the CDC recommended schedule regardless of whether they are residing in on-campus housing unless he or she has a medical or religious exemption,” says Deborah Artman, Instructor at St. Louis University School of Nursing and Co-Chair of Generate Health’s Immunization Initiative. “We would also encourage taking into consideration the vaccination of any adults older than 23 living in on-campus housing and other high risk individuals.” Vaccinations can be secured through your primary care physician, local public health departments and many college’s or university’s student health services. Generate Health is mobilizing the community on vaccination efforts that save lives and improve the health of families by eliminating vaccine preventable diseases. For more information, visit http://generatehealthstl.org/ programs/immunization/.
www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • August 16, 2017
Yeggs
Around Town
John Hanna
www.facebook.com/mycnews
‘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
www.byerlyrv.com
Photo courtesy Bigstock
Lights out Something amazing is going to take place which rarely ever happens; something so uncommon that the last time it occurred we weren’t even born. What is this strange, unusual event, you ask? Guess, I say. A politician telling the truth, you say? Ha! Snort! Catch my breath. If I were drinking milk it would be squirting out of both nose holes at this point. Get real. That unheard of episode last took place when dinosaurs were scuttling across the planet. Unfortunately, a nearsighted Triceratops stepped on the last truthful politician. Those days are long gone. Guess again? Think of something really bizarre. Whack-a-doodle Kim Jong Un is going to start a Hugs-For-Peace initiative after going on a radical kale smoothie diet while dressed in a sparkly tutu, you say? Okay, now you’re just being ridiculous. For that to happen you might as well say the sun is going to cease to shine. Time’s up. The strange and unusual event will occur on Aug. 21 of this month. Millions of people have this date marked on their calendars. For the past two years, hotels have been booked around the happening. And millions more are expected to converge upon towns and cities in the direct range of the occurrence. Yes, North America is going to experience a full-on solar eclipse, which has not taken place since 1918! It’s pretty exciting and creating hysteria na-
tionwide. Nothing this thrilling has happened in America since McDonalds decided to bring back the McRib. So clip on your protective solar viewing eyewear and sit back in your lawn chair and be prepared to be amazed because the sun is going to cease to shine. Hey, wait just a darn minute… the sun is going to cease to shine?! Well shut my mouth and slap my granny, get your smartphone cameras out because that Un loon will be giving out hugs, donning a tutu and happily smiling with kale chunks in between his teeth. Now that’s something that occurs only once in a lifetime. But be warned: You’ll want to double up on the protective eyewear because you cannot unsee that body in a tutu! 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.
7
8
School
August 16, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com
Book celebrating Academy of the Sacred Heart history underwritten by Maryville University
Submitted photo Maryville University presents a check for $25,000 to the Academy of the Sacred Heart to underwrite a soon-to-be-published book of Academy history. Left to right: Academy and Maryville alumna Jeanne Burke O’Fallon; Maryville University Alumni Director Erin Verry; author Jane Cannon; Academy Head of School Dr. Susan Dempf; former Head of School Sister Maureen Glavin, RSCJ.
Maryville University Alumni Director Erin Verry recently presented a check for $25,000 to the Academy of the Sacred Heart to underwrite Jane Shannon Cannon’s new book on the history of the academy, “Two Hundred Years: A Legacy of Love and Learning.” The book was written in anticipation of the academy’s upcoming bicentennial celebration, and will be released later this summer. Jane Cannon is a former teacher, administrator and alumni director at the academy, and a graduate of Maryville University. The oldest free school west of the Mississippi, the Academy of the Sacred Heart was founded in September 1818 by St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, a Religious of the Sacred Heart from France. Maryville University was also founded by the Society of the Sacred Heart, in 1872, and continues to carry out the broad vision and mission of its founders.
Lindenwood-Pachyderm Scholarship recipients announced Kaitlin Trimble and Lexi Nephew have been named 2017 recipients of Lindenwood University’s 2017 Pachyderm Scholarship, which is presented in cooperation with the St. Charles Country Pachyderm Club. The awards were announced at the club’s meeting on June 9. Both 2017 graduates, Trimble is from Lutheran St. Charles High School and Nephew is from Timberland Wentzville High School. In high school, Trimble participated in orchestra, concert choir, and theatre and was active in athletics, including cheerleading and track and field. At Lindenwood, she intends to minor in music and is currently undecided on a major. Nephew participated in track and field, marching band, and concert band in school and also worked as a teacher’s assistant. She is also involved in BMX racing and intends to major in criminal justice and psychology at Lindenwood.
Photo courtesy Lindenwood University (From left) Scholarship recipients Kaitlin Trimble and Lexi Nephew stand with State Senator Bill Eigel, Pachyderm Scholarship Chairman and Founder Mike Hazelbaker and St. Charles County Pachyderm Club President Marty Mares.
The scholarship, awarded annually, is for $1,000 and is renewable.
Niche ranks FHSD one of the top school districts in Missouri Niche has just released its 2018 list of Best reviews to produce comprehensive rankings, reSchools in America, and has ranked the Fran- port cards, and profiles for schools, colleges, and cis Howell School District No. 16 in Missouri. places to live. School district rankings reflect the That is the highest ranking of any district in St. entire school experience, including academics, Charles County, and with more than 500 pub- teachers, diversity, student life, and student outlic school districts in the state, this ranking puts comes. Niche believes that “each school is so much FHSD in the top three percent in Missouri. “We know that there are many different mea- more than just one ranking number.” The websures of a great school district, and we appreciate site provides in-depth profiles on each school the fact that Niche rankings take a variety of data and district, and assesses them across a number into consideration,” said FHSD Superintendent of factors to produce annual graded report cards. Dr. Mary Hendricks-Harris. “We also value the This year, nearly 100,000 schools and districts reopinions of our stakeholders, and the positive ceived a ranking in the 2018 Report Card. survey feedback from our community is great To view the Niche rankings of all Missouri confirmation that they appreciate the efforts we school districts, or if you would like to take the K-12 school survey and provide feedback for make on behalf of our students every day.” Niche analyzes data from the U.S. Department future rankings, visit the Niche website at www. www.wentzville-mo.minutemanpress.com of Education and over 60 million K-12 school niche.com.
SCC Human Services granted national accreditation
www.treesbywoody.net
The Human Services program at St. Charles Community College has been granted national accreditation by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education. CSHSE is the only national organization that accredits human service education programs. The council is committed to the quality and relevance of human service education by promoting excellence, providing quality assurance and supporting standards of performance and best practices. The SCC program becomes the only human
service program in the state of Missouri – at any degree level – to earn this accreditation. “This credentialing assists students not only with getting better paying jobs, but also with pursuing additional degrees,” said Sylvia Bane Malta, MSW/QDDP, associate professor and human services chair at SCC. Students graduating from the SCC program will now be able to apply for the Human ServiceBoard Certified Professional credential.
SCC recognized with top honors at PBL National Leadership Conference in Anaheim
www.Troy CVB.com
More than 1,800 of America’s college students traveled to Anaheim, California on June 24-27 to participate in the Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) National Leadership Conference and to compete for the opportunity to win more than $95,000 in cash awards. Participants from across the United States attended the conference to enhance their business skills, expand their networks and participate in 60 business and business-related competitive events. Tori Ash and Bethany Graham from St. Charles Community College received national recognition at the PBL Awards of Excellence Program on June 27. Tori and Bethany competed in Business Ethics and brought home eighth place in the nation.
For 2017, teams were asked to review a recent ethical case related to the automobile industry and discuss why it happened, how it should be resolved and what could have prevented it. The award was part of a comprehensive national competitive events program sponsored by FBLAPBL that recognizes and rewards excellence in a broad range of business and career-related areas. For many students, the competitive events are the capstone activity of their academic careers. In addition to competitions, students immersed themselves in interactive workshops, visited an information-packed exhibit hall and heard from motivational keynotes on a broad range of business topics.
www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • August 16, 2017
Business
9
Adam Wainwright and COUNTRY Financial First Bank joins summer help strike out child hunger in St. Louis fight against hunger in local communities An effort by COUNTRY Financial and St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright brought in over a half-ton of food to help children in need in the upcoming school year. In July, COUNTRY Financial hosted an effort to collect kid-friendly, self-stable food items for the Operation Backpack program. Donations will be distributed by Operation Food Search in backpacks in 10 school districts this year. The partnership between COUNTRY Financial and Adam Wainwright’s organization Big League Impact brought in 1,262 pounds of canned and dry food items. The food donated is enough to fill nearly 160 backpacks. The backpacks will be distributed in participating school districts to children in food assistance programs so they can continue to have nutritious meals while they aren’t in school. “People often forget that kids are hungry right here in St. Louis,” said Wainwright. “With the
Submitted photo An effort by COUNTRY Financial and St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright brought in over a half-ton of food to help children in need in the upcoming school year.
help of COUNTRY Financial and Operation Food Search, we are able to get out and help spread the word to help these kids and their families.” Those donating items were entered into a drawing to throw a ceremonial first pitch at an upcoming Cardinals game. At the conclusion of the drive Wainwright appeared at the COUNTRY Financial offices in O’Fallon and Kirkwood to thank fans for donating and to select the winning entry in the
First Pitch drawing. “So much of what we do is help people achieve the security they need for themselves and their families,” said Elias Corpas, agency manager at COUNTRY Financial. “Partnering with Adam, Big League Impact and Operation Food Search to fight childhood hunger is yet another step to address the economic stresses felt by families throughout the St. Louis area.”
To help curtail hunger in local communities, First Bank branches in Missouri and Illinois collected 3,703 food items and $1,582 in cash donations in July for Operation Food Search. The total value of the food and cash collected was $5,285. “We want to thank our employees for showing their support for Operation Food Search,” said Lisa Blamy, Senior Vice President, Midwest Retail Director for First Bank. “There are so many children and families that are at risk for hunger, particularly during the summer months when children are not being fed in school.” The food drive was conducted during a two-week period in July with all 46 First Bank branches and in-store Dierbergs locations participating. In addition, First Bank’s California region also conducted food drives in July for several food banks and pantries in Southern and Northern California. Missouri/Illinois vs. California During the coinciding food drives, First Bank Midwest Commercial Banking President Rick Sems and First Bank California President John Grauten engaged in a friendly wager over which region would collect the most food items and cash donations. The wager included the losing region president having his picture taken wearing a jersey from one of the winning region’s sports teams (St. Louis Cardinals or Los Angeles Rams). Grauten won the wager with his California region collecting 5,081 food items and $6,421 in cash donations. For more information about Operation Food Search, visit http:// www.operationfoodsearch.org/
Bogey Hills Country Club celebrates ground breaking of new facility www.SEniorsHelpingSeniors.com/STLouisCentral
Submitted photo
Angel Walters Likens, General Manager of Bogey Hills County Club, along with members of the Walters family, celebrated the rebuilding of Bogey Hills Country Club clubhouse with a ground breaking ceremony on Aug. 2. Also attending were representatives with the city of St. Charles, including Mayor Sally Faith, St. Charles County officials, members of Bogey Hills Country Club and members of the St. Charles Kiwanis Club. The Greater St. Charles
County Chamber of Commerce was represented by members of the board of directors and ambassadors. The 55-year-old clubhouse was declared a total loss after a devastating fire on Feb. 16 and the new building is set to open on May 1, 2018. For more information on Bogey Hills Country Club, please visit their website at www.bogeyhillscc.com or contact by phone at 636-946-6250.
Club Fitness members deliver Christmas in July for the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery St. Louis area Club Fitness locations sponsored a “Christmas in July” drive to benefit the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery and their members and staff came through with diapers, toys, clothes and cleaning supplies. Many of Club Fitness’ 24 locations took part in the drive which resulted in boxes and boxes and boxes of much needed supplies and toys being delivered to the Crisis Nursery. The Crisis Nursery offers real help and real hope for families in crisis with five nursery locations and nine outreach centers that provide sup-
port, guidance, counseling, and short term child care. Each nursery and outreach center needs a constant supply of the very items Club Fitness collected in July. “With the help of very generous partners like Club Fitness, every year we are able to serve over 7,000 children and their families,” said Bonnie Define, Community Relations Director for the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery, For more information on the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery visit their website http://crisisnurserykids.org/
10
Sports
August 16, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com
Sports you see with Gary B...
– 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.
Ludy leads Rascals in late -inning heroics 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 team had a four-run stint in the top of the eighth inning to break open a pitcher’s duel for a 5-1 victory against the Normal CornBelters recently at the Corn Crib in Illinois. The win gives the Rascals their second straight series win on the road, fourth win in their past six games and are now 30-12 when scoring at least five runs. Highlights included Brandon Thomas opening the game with his team leading 44th walk of the year. Josh Ludy the three-time Frontier League AllStar, put the Rascals on the board with a fourth inning smash over the right field wall to take a 1-0 lead, his fifth home run of the year. The game remained that way until the seventh inning and southpaw Lucas Laster cruised through his first six innings in what was the best start of his season. Laster retired the first six batters he faced and only allowed a pair of runners in scoring position through his first six frames. “I was somewhat wild over my past few outings so I just wanted to be really efficient tonight and make them swing the bat early,” Laster said. “We got some of the best fielders in the league and I trust them so I wanted to put the ball in their hands tonight and good things happened.” The stage was for Ludy in the eighth inning as he took a 2-1 pitch to the wall in center field with the bases loaded to notch a bases clearing double and extend the Rascals lead to 5-1. “With the bases loaded, I didn’t want to the chance to hit into a double play so I was looking for a pitch up in the zone and I was able to elevate the ball,” Ludy said. “Laster was throwing the ball very well, gave us a great chance to win and I am glad we were able to get some runs there at the end.” Ludy’s three RBI two bagger gave him four RBI on the night and the Rascals went on to win the game from there as Nick Kennedy and Cody
www.dschuster.com
NEED NEW
www.pbtc.net See solution on page 13
Mincey combined to hold the Belters scoreless for the final two frames and secure the series victory. NEXT HOME GAMES • Wednesday, August 16 against the Gateway Grizzlies • Tuesday/Wednesday, August 29/30 against the Florence Freedom All games at 6:35 p.m., 4:05 p.m. on Sundays Go to www.RiverCityRascals.com for more information. * Fighting for a playoff spot City golf champion Florissant Golf Club golfer Skip Wilson duplicated the accomplishment of another Florissant Golf Club player Dave Estes by winning the Senior Division in the 2017 St. Louis City Championship that was hosted by the Forest Park Golf Course July 29-30. Wilson had a final score of 138 four shots better than the runner-up. Estes was the 2016 St. Louis City Senior Champion. Wilson is a regular at Florissant Golf Club and has played the course since 1974. The Florissant Golf Club was his home course when he played golf in high school and its home to the Monday night individual McDonnell-Douglas league that he had played in from 1983 to 2000. * Congrats, Skip!
I will be broadcasting the “STL Health and Wellness LIVE” show every Saturday from 9-11 am on 590 The Fan and 590TheFan.com
1999 for the paper.
Gary Baute, a St. Louis native, has hosted many radio shows from Health to Sports to Baby Boomer news. He was the EMCEE of the River City Rascals and St. Louis Swarm basketball team inaugural seasons and broadcasting for the indoor football teams over a decade. Has been writing sports since
www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • August 16, 2017
Recipe: Snack smarter with dairy
A
mericans are snacking more and more these days, with the average person consuming 25 percent of daily calories in the form of snacks. This school year, aim for an A-plus in nutrition by snacking smarter on nutrient-rich dairy products. Snacking goes hand-in-hand with dairy products since they are a tasty, convenient and cost-effective way to fuel up throughout the day. There are a variety of grab-and-go milk, cheese and yogurt products that provide portable nutrition. What’s more, dairy packs a nutritious punch. Together, milk, cheese and yogurt provide nine essential nutrients, including high-quality protein, an important nutrient to include in snacks since it helps you feel fuller longer. Boost your snacking IQ with these smart tips: Add dairy to your favorite treats for a wellrounded snack. Pair cheese sticks with fresh fruit,
Learn & Play
11
Crossword Puzzle: STATE CAPITALS
such as an apple, pear or grapes. Reach for cheese cubes and whole-grain crackers when you want something savory. Or dip strawberries in yogurt for a tasty, sweet treat. For a kid-friendly snack, make it hands-on fun by creating colorful fruit and cheese kabobs. Flavored milk provides the same nine essential nutrients as unflavored milk. The only difference is the addition of flavorings and minimal amounts of sugar, which can lead to improved consumption, especially among children. Whip up a dairy-based smoothie made for an on-the-go snack or create your own yogurt parfait, such as this flavorful recipe that combines favorites like peanut butter and bananas in a deliciously refreshing treat. For more tips and recipes to help you snack smarter, and for stories about dairy farm families and where dairy foods come from, visit MidwestDairy.com.
Rainbow Fruit and Cheese Kabobs Recipe courtesy of the Midwest Dairy Council | Prep time: 15 minutes | Servings: 6
Ingredients:
8 wooden skewers 6 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 18 cubes 1/2 cup strawberries, halved 1/2 cup cantaloupe, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
Peanut Butter Banana Crunch Yogurt Parfait Recipe courtesy of the Midwest Dairy Council Prep time: 10 minutes Servings: 1
Ingredients:
1 1 1 4
cup nonfat, light vanilla yogurt tablespoon creamy peanut butter tablespoon chopped walnuts pretzel twists, crumbled (about 1 tablespoon) 1 banana, sliced
Directions:
In small bowl, mix yogurt and peanut butter together. In separate bowl, toss walnuts and pretzels together. In tall glass, build parfait. Layer 1/2 cup yogurt, half of banana slices and 1 tablespoon of walnut/pretzel mixture. Repeat layers. Serve immediately.
Directions: 1/2 cup pineapple, cut into 3/4-inch cubes 1 kiwi, peeled and cut into 6 pieces 1/4 cup blueberries 6 purple grapes
Thread each skewer with one piece of cheese, one strawberry half, one cantaloupe cube, one pineapple cube, another piece of cheese, one piece of kiwi, two blueberries, one grape and another piece of cheese. Repeat pattern with remaining skewers.
ACROSS
DOWN
1. Hindu sage or a tea brand 6. Plant production 9. Big first for a baby 13. *#2 Down native 14. Mutt 15. Doggy 16. Newbery Medal, e.g. 17. Back then 18. Alternative spelling of although 19. *The Great Lake State capital 21. *Capital named after 4th president 23. Color quality 24. Type of soda pop 25. British news broadcaster 28. Maître d’s list 30. Occupied oneself 35. Pearl Harbor island 37. Popular movie candy 39. Little one 40. Bodily disorders 41. *No witches in this state’s capital 43. Capital on the Dnieper 44. Dipping tobacco brand 46. Love-____ relationship 47. Main Web page 48. Attractive to look at 50. Your majesty 52. Sea to a Spaniard 53. Duds 55. Filling station filler 57. *Capital named for Sir Walter 61. *State with the smallest capital by population 65. 007, e.g. 66. Keats’ poem 68. Metric unit of capacity 69. Set in motion 70. Break a commandment 71. Ann B. Davis on “The Brady Bunch” 72. Sound warning 73. “Ideas worth spreading” online talk 74. Bothersome
1. Unit of money in Iran 2. *Des Moines state 3. Ugly Duckling, eventually 4. Like Siberian winters 5. In on periodic table 6. Slang for heroin 7. Leo mo. 8. Movie trailer, e.g. 9. More than one solo 10. Tater pieces 11. Audio bounce-back 12. Sound unit 15. Exotic furniture wood 20. Must-haves 22. Priestly garb 24. Oldsmobile model 25. *The Gem State capital 26. Uncooperative, like a mule 27. Actress Sevigny 29. Biblical captain 31. Punjabi believer 32. “Kick the bucket,” e.g. 33. a.k.a. dropsy 34. *Founded by William Penn 36. Sky defender 38. Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, acr. 42. Get together, like AOL and Time Warner 45. Lute player 49. Yule treat 51. Same as earflap 54. White-sheeted apparition 56. Upside down frown 57. Poison ivy symptom 58. Type of sax 59. Pinocchio, e.g. 60. Garner wages 61. Offer ware 62. Elevator inventor 63. Adam’s apple spot 64. 3-point shot 67. *Motto heard in Concord: “Live Free or ____” See solution on page 13
12
What’s Happening
August 16, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com
Send your event to editor@mycnews.com and we'll print it! EVENTS Aug. 18: Beach Blast Dance
Break out your Hawaiian shirts, flip flops and grass skirts for one last summer party at St. Peters Cultural Art Centre’s Beach Blast dance from 7 - 10 p.m. The dance will feature live music by D.D. Revival. Individuals, couples and groups are all invited to attend. Although no special dress is required, you are encouraged to wear something fun and colorful to match the theme. Tickets are $7 per person at the door. Show a St. Peters Resident Privilege Card at the door and receive a $1 discount off admission. Soda will be available for purchase, but feel free to bring your own snacks. St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre is located at One St. Peters Centre Blvd. For more information, call 636-397-6908, ext. 1624, or visit www.stpetersmo.net/arts.
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. 19: Theater auditions
Young People’s Theatre will hold open auditions for “You Ain’t Nothin’ but a Werewolf ” at 8:30 a.m. in the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building theater on the St. Charles Community College campus. The campus is located at 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville. Auditions are open for youths ages 8 to 18 and will consist of a song that will be taught, a short dance combination and a brief reading from the script. Students auditioning should wear comfortable clothes and shoes (no flip flops) and must be accompanied by an adult. To be cast, students must either have had Introductory Theatre Workshop I or concurrently enroll in that class in addition to being in the production. Performances will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 and Oct. 14; and 2 p.m. Oct. 14 and Oct. 15. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at stchastickets.com or by calling 636-922-8233.
Aug. 20: Theater auditions
Young People’s Theatre will hold open auditions for “The Nutcracker” at noon in the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building theater on the St. Charles Community College campus. The campus is located at 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville. Auditions are open for youths ages 8 to 18 and will consist of readings from the script, a dance combination which will be taught and basic movement. Students auditioning should bring dance shoes (jazz, ballet, tap or all) and wear clothes in which they can dance comfortably. They must also be accompanied by an adult. To be cast, students must either have had Introductory Theatre Workshop I or concurrently enroll in that class in addition to being in the production. Performances will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 15, and Dec. 16; and 2 p.m. Dec. 16, and Dec. 17. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at stchastickets.com or by calling 636-922-8233.
Aug. 21-22: Theater auditions
Center Stage Theatre will hold open auditions for “Night of the Living Dead” at 7 p.m. Aug. 21-22. Auditions will be held in the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building theater on
the SCC campus. Callbacks will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 23. Roles are available for 12 men, five women and a 15-20 ensemble of zombies. The show will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27-30; 10 a.m. Sept. 28; and 2 p.m. Oct. 1. 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 Tracy Bono, Director, tbono@ stchas.edu or 636-922-8254.
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.
Aug. 24: Blood drive
Help save lives by donating blood at the Cornerstone UMCBlood Drive from 2 - 6 p.m. at Cornerstone United Methodist Church at 1151 Tom Ginnever Avenue in O’Fallon. You can make an appointment at www. redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code CornerstoneUMC to find and sign up for the drive.
Aug. 25: Summer movie and Food Truck Frolic
The St. Charles Community College Foundation, SCC Student Activities and Cottleville-Weldon Spring Chamber of Commerce are partnering up to host the sixth annual outdoor summer movie series at SCC. All of the movie nights are free and open to the public. Next up is “Captain Underpants.” Back by popular demand, Food Truck Frolic will be held in the college’s Red Parking Lot from 5 - 8:30 p.m. in conjunction with the movie series. Movies will be shown at sundown on Fridays on the lawn outside the Technology Building. Free visitor parking is available in the Orange Parking Lot at the SCC North Entrance located on Mid Rivers Mall Drive. Movie titles are subject to change, and actual start times vary. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and food. Free popcorn will be provided, and snacks and beverages will be available for purchase. The rain location is the College Center gymnasium, accessible from the Yellow Parking Lot near the campus Southwest Entrance.
Aug. 26: Grandparents seminar
Grandparenting Matters Seminar takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church Wentzville at 653 Luetkenhaus Blvd. in Wentzville. Come expecting to find inspiration, ideas and tools to help you realize your potential to grandparent in a meaningful way by leaving a legacy of faith. Guest speaker will be Larry Fowler. Advance tickets are $29 (includes lunch and snacks) and are available at www.fbcwentzville.com.
Aug. 26: MOCHIP and Splish Splash Bash
Cornerstone United Methodist Church will be partnering with “The Missouri Chip Program” (MOCHIP) which is a free program in which information is gathered and provided to parents in the unimaginable event that a child is abducted or lost. After kids are registered they and their parents are welcome to stay for water games and fun at the Second Annual Splish Splash Bash. MOCHIP and Splish Splash Bash run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cornerstone UMC at 1151 Tom Ginnever Avenue in O’Fallon. Go to www.cornerstoneofallon.org for more info.
Aug. 27: Benefit concert
“Jazz for Joy,” a concert to benefit Joy in Haiti, will be presented by the St. Charles Big Band at 3 p.m. in the Christian Life Center at Dardenne Presbyterian Church at 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie. Concert attendees will hear a variety of music, including “Caravan,” “Cool” (from West Side Story), “In the Mood,” and “Moondance.” The St. Charles Big Band, directed by Earl Kreder, has 18 instrumentalists and two vocalists. A love offering to benefit Joy in Haiti will be received during the concert. All are welcome to attend this event! Light refreshments will be served after the program.
Aug 29: Big band concert The After Hours Community Band presents their free Summer Pops Concert at 7:30 p.m. at Harvest Ridge Elementary School at 1220 Harvest Ridge Drive in St. Charles. Listen to the concert band sound as they play your favorites. Kids are welcome. For more information call Joyce at 636946-7848. Sept. 3: 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
Sept. 6: Senior citizen luncheon
call 636-946-7641 for more information.
Sept. 20: Free concert
Music lovers everywhere, bring your family out for free fun this fall during the new Concerts in the Park series at the Youth Activity Park at 7801 Hwy N. in Dardenne Prairie from 6 - 8:30 p.m. Scott Laytham and Karl Holmes Duo will perform. Picnic baskets are welcome; however, no alcohol or glass containers are allowed into the park. A concession stand is open during the concerts. The 25-acre “extreme” sports park and all its amenities is open for use during the concerts. Those wishing to use the skate park and rock wall must have a season pass or pay the daily entry fee of $5 for children and $8 for adults. Helmets are required and a waiver must be completed by a parent or guardian. Registration for the concerts is not required. For more information, call the park at 636-5614963 or visit stccparks.org.
Sept. 21: College fair
The St. Charles Regional College Fair is coming to St. Charles Community College from 6 - 7:30 p.m. The fair, held in the College Center gym, is for current high school students who are interested in speaking with college representatives from throughout the United States to learn more about each college and decide which one is right for them. Parking for attendees will be available in the Yellow and Blue parking lots, which are accessible through the southwest entrance along Cottleville Parkway. All parking is free. For a full list of colleges and universities attending the college fair, visit stchas.edu/collegefair.
Beginning Sept. 6, and every first Wednesday of the month thereafter, St. Robert Bellarmine Church at 1424 First Capitol Drive, South, in St. Charles, will hold a luncheon for men and women 55 and up. Doors will open at 11 a.m. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Games (activities) will be held from 12:30 – 2 p.m. Cost is $5 per person. Reservations required by the Friday prior to the luncheon by calling 636-634-1971. All are welcome.
Drive for Your Community to benefit Vietnam Veteran’s Chapter 458 is sponsored by Ford Motor Company and hosted by Pundmann Ford at the dealership at 2727 West Clay in St. Charles from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.For further information contact Neal Fix at 636-947-8730.
Sept. 6: Free concert
Sept. 23: Prairie Day
Music lovers everywhere, bring your family out for free fun this fall during the new Concerts in the Park series at the Youth Activity Park at 7801 Hwy N. in Dardenne Prairie from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Memories of Elvis with Steve Davis will perform. Picnic baskets are welcome; however, no alcohol or glass containers are allowed into the park. A concession stand is open during the concerts. The 25-acre “extreme” sports park and all its amenities is open for use during the concerts. Those wishing to use the skate park and rock wall must have a season pass or pay the daily entry fee of $5 for children and $8 for adults. Helmets are required and a waiver must be completed by a parent or guardian. Registration for the concerts is not required. For more information, call the park at 636-5614963 or visit stccparks.org.
Sept. 9: Craft fair
Tri County Advisory Board to Probation and Parole, Probation and Parole District 17, Missouri Department of Correction will hold 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. Crafters are needed. For more information please contact Esther Angelos at marlofan@charter.net, or 636441-0329 or 314-477-5096.
Sept. 9: Good Reads in the Garden
Parkview Gardens Florist and Greenhouses is excited to be hosting its third annual Good Reads in the Garden Author Event scheduled from 10 a.m. until noon at 1925 Randolph, across from Blanchette Park in St. Charles. Area residents will be able to meet and connect with local authors and their works in a beautiful, pastoral garden setting. Visit parkviewgardens.com or
Sept. 23: Veterans benefit
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.
Oct. 1: Charity fundraiser
ITN Gateway is hosting Rock for Rides/Battle of the Bands at GlenMark Farms in New Town from 4 - 7:30 p.m. Cost is $35 per person or two for $60 if you register by Sept. 22. ITN provides rides to seniors, visually impaired and adults with disabilities. For more information, contact ITN at 636-329-0888 or visit www.itngateway.org.
Oct. 2: Golf tournament fundraiser
Operation Food Search, a nonprofit hunger relief organization, will host its 24th annual golf tournament with registration beginning at 11 a.m. and a shotgun start at noon. The tournament will be held at WingHaven Country Club, St. Louis’ only Nicklaus Design Course, located at 7777 Winghaven Blvd. in O’Fallon. Tickets are $300 per golfer and include 18 holes with golf cart, golf goodie bag, and lunch and dinner. A live and silent auction will be held during the barbecue dinner. Proceeds will go toward ending childhood hunger and family food insecurity in the St. Louis bi-state region. For ticket details or to become a sponsor, visit http://www.Opera-
tionFoodSearch.org.
Oct. 4: Free concert
Music lovers everywhere, bring your family out for free fun this fall during the new Concerts in the Park series at the Youth Activity Park at 7801 Hwy N. in Dardenne Prairie from 6 - 8:30 p.m. The Anita Rosamond Duo will perform. Picnic baskets are welcome; however, no alcohol or glass containers are allowed into the park. A concession stand is open during the concerts. The 25-acre “extreme” sports park and all its amenities is open for use during the concerts. Those wishing to use the skate park and rock wall must have a season pass or pay the daily entry fee of $5 for children and $8 for adults. Helmets are required and a waiver must be completed by a parent or guardian. Registration for the concerts is not required. For more information, call the park at 636-5614963 or visit stccparks.org.
Oct. 7: Stroll for a Goal
Stroll for a Goal one mile or 5Kwalk/ fun run takes place at Cottleville Legacy Park, Pavilion A from 8 a.m. – noon. Cost is $25 per individual and $35 per family. Pre-walk yoga stretch and post-walk refreshments, raffle and silent auction will take place and there will be a fire truck tour for children. Pets are welcome. All proceeds to benefit HavenHouse. This local charity provides the comfort of home and community of support to patients of all ages with any medical condition and their family members traveling more than 25 miles to receive care. HavenHouse provides lodging, two meals a day, transportation to 19 St. Louis regional medical facilities, and around-the-clock support services. Event registration and additional information about HavenHouse can be found on their website at www.havenhousestl.org.
Oct. 7: Chili cook-off
St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church will host its Second Annual Chili Cook-off in its parish hall.
Oct. 9: Charity golf tournament
The Second Annual Golftoberfest Fundraiser takes place at Old Hickory Golf Club. Shoes & Hope and the Cottleville/Weldon Spring Chamber invite you to play golf and/or sponsor this fun event. Event begins with a 10 a.m. shotgun start. Cost of $125 includes golf, lunch and awards reception. For more information call Christy at 314-583-0538.
Oct. 13: Charity fundraiser
The Knights of Columbus William Pezold Council #7198 and the Ladies Auxiliary are hosting “A Knight at the Races.” This is a joint fundraiser to benefit local charities. The event will be held at the Pezold Banquet Center at 5701 Highway N in Cottleville. Doors open at 6 p.m. and races begin at 7 p.m. Admission is $20 per person, for more information or to register email horseraceoct13@gmail.com
Oct. 16: Art competition
All artists, amateur and professional, are invited to be a part of St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre’s “Night Sky” All Media Art Show and Competition from Oct. 19-Dec. 17. All works submitted must contain an element of a night sky. The show is open to youth and adult, amateur and professional artists. Prizes will be awarded. The cost to enter as an Arts Centre member is $15 for up to four pieces. Non-members can submit up to three pieces for $20. The youth entry fee is $5 per piece. Artwork will be received on Oct. 16, between 9 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Go online to www.stpetersmo.net/arts to download copies of the entry form and cards to accompany your entries. There will not be an opening reception for this show. For more information on this show, call 636-397-6903, ext. 1624, or visit www.stpetersmo. net/arts. The St. Peters Cultural Arts
www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • August 16, 2017 Centre is located inside St. Peters City Hall at One St. Peters Centre Blvd. in St. Peters.
ONGOING EVENTS Sundays and Tuesdays: Central Missouri Railroad Association meeting
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 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 636-447-9056.
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.
Mondays: mous
Alcoholics
Anony-
If you want to drink, that’s your business. If you want to stop, we can help. Call Alcoholics Anonymous at 636970-0013.
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.
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
9:30-10:30am, American Legion Hall, 504 Luetkenhaus Blvd., Wentzville. 314-369-6521.
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).
1st Monday: Gardeners of St. Charles County Monthly Meeting 6:30pm. Location varies. 314-3047480.
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.
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
4th Monday: American Legion Post 388 Meets 6:30 pm at American Legion Hall, 607 Westridge Dr., O’Fallon, MO 63366 636.219.0553.
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
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: 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.
Every Tuesday: St. Charles Optimist Club Noon-1pm at Pio’s Restaurant.
Every Tuesday: Quilting Guild at the O’Fallon Family YMCA
1-4pm Free. Quilt for local charities. No sewing experience required.
Every Tuesday: Meeting
Toastmasters
7pm at the Renaud Spirit Center, 2650 Tri Sports Circle, O’Fallon. Info: 636.379.2505.
Every Tuesday: Gateway Spotlight ChorUS 7:15-9:45pm at First United Methodist Church, 801 First Capitol Drive in St. Charles. Info: www.gatewayspotlight. org or 636.256.6823.
Tuesdays: St. Louis Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association Male Caregiver Experience
The group meets on fourth Tuesday of every month from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Spencer Road Library at the Community Commons, 427 Spencer Rd. 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.
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.
Every Tuesday: Dardenne Presbyterian Church Basketball
8-9:30pm, in the Christian Life Center, 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie. Open to high school and adult men.
What’s Happening
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.
Wednesdays: Women’s fishing club
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.
Wednesdays: TOPS meeting
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Club 661 Wentzville holds meetings every Wednesday at 9:15 p.m. at Elder Court community meeting room. For more information call 314-650-1014.
Every Wednesday: Crossroads Cribbage Club 10am Meets at 1380 Boone St., Troy, MO 63379. 636.528.8379.
Every Wednesday: Men’s Golf League
5pm, tee off at 5:30 pm at Heritage of Hawk Ridge. www.lakesaintlouis.com, under the parks and recreation section.
Every Wednesday: Charity Bingo
6:45pm VFW Post 5077 sponsors, at VFW Hall, 8500 Veterans Mem. Pkwy., O’Fallon. 636.272.1945 or www.vfwpost5077.org.
1st Wednesday: Hope & Healing
5-6pm, Dardenne Presbyterian Rock Church, 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie. Unique service of music, worship, and prayer for those in need of hope and healing.
1st Tuesday: Fleur de Lis Garden Society 6:30pm at various locations. Info: www.fleurdelisgardensociety.org; Jeanne at 314.605.8563.
2nd Tuesday: Show-me Stitchers Embroiderer’s Guild of America
7pm at the Ladue Chapel. Info: www. showmestitchers.com.
4th Tuesday: O’Fallon Garden Club
6:30pm at Sunrise Methodist Church, 7116 Twin Chimney Blvd. Info: Barb at 636.978.5930.
Last Tuesday of every month, St. Charles American Legion Post 312 spaghetti dinner.
5pm, St. Charles American Legion Post 312, 2500 Raymond Drive in St. Charles. $6 per person. For more information call Post 312 at 636.947.7666.
Every Tuesday & Thursday: Tai Chi at the St. Charles County Family YMCA 8-9am & 10:15-11:15am. No experience necessary. 636-928-1928.
Tuesdays & Thursdays: Get Fit Exercise Classes 9-10am and 5:30-6:30pm at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Hall, New Melle. 314.369.6521.
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.
SUDOKU answers from page 10
13
1st and 3rd Wednesday Each: St. Charles Area Wood Carvers
7pm – 9pm. Meetings are held at the Hollenbeck Middle School at 4555 Central School Road, St. Charles, Missouri. Visitors are always welcome! For more information check the club web site: www.stcharlesareawoodcarvers. com/ or contact Charles Sapp.
2nd Wednesday: Free Financial Education- Money Matters
6:30pm at the O’Fallon Family YMCA. PNC Bank and The O’Fallon Family YMCA have partnered to provide monthly free financial education courses for members of the community. Info (including a list of topics): call PNC Bank at 636.272.2449.
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: Lions Club meeting
Wentzville Outreach Lions Club meets the second Thursday of the month at Schnucks at 1960 Wentzville PWK in Wentzville at 6 p.m. Contact Jimmy Butler at 314-780-5629 or Lisa Alexander at 314-258-1069 for more information.
Thursdays: Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS)
Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets every Thursday at 6 p.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. For more information call Mary Stassi at 636-357-1387.
Thursdays: Optimist Club meetings 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.
CROSSWORD answers from page 11
14
August 16, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com
EVENT
HELP WANTED
LEGAL NOTICE
“Stuff ” Piling Up? Let
help advertise YOUR sale!
Call Brooke at 636.697.2414
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.
HELP WANTED
Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days, then publish. Your prayers will be answered. It has never been known to fail. Thank you, St. Jude. R.H.
SERVICES PET CEMETERY
www.everyonebenefits.com/GaryB
over 2,500 pet burials; over 6 acres; over 40 yrs old. 314-576-3030 www.memoryparkpetcemetery.info www.memoryparkpetcemetery.info
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/mycnews STATEWIDE CLASSIFIEDS
http://careers.fivestarliving.com/
CLASSIFIED SPECIAL! For Garage Sales, Moving Sales, Yard Sales, or Sale of Items.
15
$
CALL
636-697-2414
Check it Out! www.MYCNEWS.com
www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • August 16, 2017
15
CLASSIFIEDS
www.HomeWashersStl.com www.scrubbydutch.com
Published Every Week Since 1921 www.cozyhomecleaners.org
Family-Owned & Operated
www.treesbywoody.net
Our FREE publications are available in over 700 convenient locations, including every Dierbergs, Schnucks and Shop ’N Save.
16
August 16, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com
More sequels and reboots on the way
M O V I E By Steve Bryan
1984 saw Bill Murray starring in “Ghostbusters,” a major summertime hit, as well as “The Razor’s Edge,” a period drama based on the William Somerset Maugham novel. According to several sources, Murray agreed to do “Ghostbusters” for Columbia Pictures if the studio would agree to fund “The Razor’s Edge.” He played Larry Darrell, a man so dramatically changed by World War I that he seeks enlightenment after coming home. Murray’s version of the film was a remake of a 1948 film and, appropriately enough, “Ghostbusters” itself was reimagined last year with an all-female cast. Like Murray’s early attempt at a dramatic role, the rebranded “Ghostbusters” received a tepid reaction and was branded as a flop. There were some arguments about the film online in addition to personal attacks on cast member Leslie Jones. Instead of creating original material, Hollywood sometimes likes to rebrand and repurpose previous efforts. Kiefer Sutherland and Julia Roberts, for instance, were in “Flatliners,” a film about medical students who have neardeath experiences. With the help of their colleagues, each one has their heart stopped briefly to find out what happens after death. On Sept. 29, a new “Flatliners” starring Ellen Page, Diego Luna and Nina Dobrev arrives in theaters. Based on the trailer, it looks like a reboot, but Kiefer Sutherland reprises his role from the original, making this a sequel. The premise remains the same, but the cast and producers have 27 extra years of advancements in medicine and filmmaking that their predecessors did not. In 1990, John Ritter starred in “It,” a TVmovie based on the popular Stephen King
By Steve Bryan
Hunting.” In 1995, he starred in “Jumanji,” a comedic adventure that fit his talents perfectly. He played the grown-up version of Alan Parrish, a boy who disappears while playing a strange board game only to reappear decades later. The story contains themes of facing fears head on and resolving family conflicts. Technology plays a big part in the upcoming “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” a sequel to the original. Set 20 years after the events in the first film, the story follows four teenagers who are pulled into a classic videogame version of “Jumanji.” According to the IMDB synopsis and trailers, the teens turn into adult videogame avatars who must find their way out of the jungle and find what Alan Parrish left behind. More rebooted, rebranded and reimagined films already are in production, but the results can be hit-or-miss. Does anyone remember “Dead Code,” the sequel to “War Games,” or the rebooted “Footloose”? Putting a new spin on an old franchise is no guarantee of success. Photo courtesy Columbia Pictures
novel about missing children and an evil entity. Ritter and fellow cast members Richard Thomas and Harry Anderson were overshadowed by Tim Curry, who played the horrifying Pennywise the Clown. Almost three decades later, “It” is making its way to the big screen with Bill Skarsgard following in Curry’s clown shoes. The late Robin Williams had a prolific film career, including an Oscar win for “Good Will
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. 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.stangelawfirm.com
www.lindenwood.edu