Issuu

September 20, 2017

Learning on the job

Around Town Free emergency prep training available through O’Fallon CERT class P.2

Cuivre River lineman head to Georgia, Florida to help with hurricane damage P.3 SilverSneakers Speaker Series to begin at Rec-Plex P.6

School

WSD celebrates Patriot Day P.8

Business

Chris Caldwell, an apprentice in the new pilot program through the Missouri Job Center of St. Charles County, works for SCI Engineering, Inc.

Photo by Ray Rockwell

Missouri Job Center of St. Charles County’s new apprenticeship program first in state to be certified by the U.S. Department of Labor By Brett Auten There is a new and growing awareness for a centuries-old method of growing the workforce. Apprenticeships have become trendy for training workers and filling job openings, and now the Missouri Job Center of St. Charles County is ahead of the game with a new pilot program. The St. Charles County branch is the first American Job Center in the state to be certified by the U.S. Department of Labor as a registered apprenticeship program sponsor. The center, located at 212 Turner Blvd in St. Peters, received $255,000 in federal and state funding to begin a new manufacturing apprenticeship program. “It is an honor,” Scott J. Drachnik, Executive Director of the Missouri Job Center of St. Charles County, said. “We are looking forward to working with local manufacturers to help them hire and train individuals who will receive occupational credentials from the U.S. Department of Labor after they successfully complete this new pilot program.” There will be five core components in the registered apprenticeship program: train-

ing on the job, classroom training, work mentorship, progressive wages and national occupational credentialing. In all, 30 individuals will be chosen for a chance in the program. There is no age limit and participants must be at least 16 years of age, though most manufacturers require employees to be at least 18.

“Manufacturing is alive and well in the St. Charles County so I wanted to share the love and not let them monopolize.” ~ Scott J. Drachnik, Executive Director

The new St. Charles County program uses a competency-based model which allows expedited advancement based on demonstrated performance, rather than

a minimum timeframe spent in training. Companies that hire eligible workers are eligible to receive reimbursement of wages for up to six months during the training period. Participating employers must agree at the outset to hire their apprentice as a full-time employee, and wages must start at $12 an hour or higher. Drachnik said that based on surveys and discussions with local manufacturers, the job classifications initially targeting in this new program include, but aren’t limited to, CNC Machining, manual machining, production assembly, quality inspection/ bonding, plastics production, welding and warehouse/shipping and receiving. Manufacturing provides the highest payroll in St. Charles County. Drachnik said one manufacturer offered to grab up all 30 positions. “Manufacturing is alive and well in the St. Charles County so I wanted to share the love and not let them monopolize,” Drachnik said. There will be a newness and an exciteSee LEARNING page 2

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Stay lean with protein P.11

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September 20, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

LEARNING Continued from cover

CLARIFICATION

ment to it but the new program is similar to programs the Missouri Job Center of St. Charles County have had in the past. “It will work similar,” Drachnik said. “But it’s not the same certification or the same funding and backing from the state.” For more information about program requirements and eligibility, view the Missouri Job Center of St. Charles County’s “Apprenticeship FAQs for Employers & Job Seekers” brochure online at www.sccmo. org/apprenticeship.

In the story “Cornerstone United Methodist Church Food Pantry accepting donations” that ran on page 3 of the Sept. 6, 2017 edition of the St. Charles County Community News, the story failed to clarify that when the food pantry is open from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. every Wednesday, that this is the time for customers to visit the pantry, not for those making donations. The Community News apologizes for any confusion this may have caused.

Secretary of state encourages participation in National Library Card Sign-Up Month

Interested in pursuing a new career and credentialed training in manufacturing? Or are you a company that would like to participate in the new apprenticeship program? Contact Vicki Swartzenberg at 636255-6060 ext. 5250, email vswartzenberg@sccmo. org or visit the Missouri Job Center of St. Charles County at 212 Turner Boulevard in St. Peters.

Photo courtesy Ray Rockwell Chris Caldwell, an apprentice in the new pilot program through the Missouri Job Center of St. Charles County, checks soil density for SCI Engineering, Inc.

For 30 years, libraries across the country have dedicated the month of September to ensuring children have access to their own library cards as a part of National Library Card Sign-Up Month. “Signing up for a library card gives students and their parents easy access to free educational resources and activities,” Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said. “This is a time to highlight the important role libraries and librarians play in educating their communities and transforming the lives of those within it.” Ashcroft and the Missouri State Library urge students to take advantage of the resources available at local libraries across the state. With a library card, students can access materials, programs and library staff to help encourage continued education and academic achievement. Individuals interested in signing up for a library card can contact their local library and begin taking advantage of the numerous resources offered.

Free home emergency and disaster preparedness training available through O’Fallon’s CERT class Learn emergency and disaster preparedness skills, free at the O’Fallon Police Department’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program on Sept. 22, 23 and 24. The course includes hands-on training in these topics, and more: • Assembling a disaster preparedness kit for home and car. • Hands-on basic head-to-toe medical assessment, simple triage and rapid treatment techniques for airway obstruction, bleeding, shock, and basic first aid for injuries, burns, etc. • Learning when and how to shut off utilities at home. • Working as a team to safely to conduct triage, light search and rescue, sizing up and extinguishing small fires, maintaining rescuer safety. • Communicating effectively with pub-

lic safety organizations during a disaster. The course is designed for individuals, couples, neighborhood association members, faith-based groups, businesses and employees, law enforcement candidates and those with medical training. “We’re seeing major disasters strike communities due to extreme weather,” said O’Fallon Police Officer Patrick Helton, who is leading the training. “When that happens, so many people need help that first responders can be overwhelmed in responding to calls. That’s why CERT training is so important, to learn how to take care of yourself and your family until professional help arrives. But even more than that, groups of all kinds can benefit from taking the training, especially neighbors and co-workers and adult family members, because it teaches

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how to work together safely in the event of a tornado, earthquake or other disaster.” The CERT course will be held from 6 - 10 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 22, and 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23 and 24, in the Streets Division Building at 1089 Public Service Drive in O’Fallon. Participants do not have to be O’Fallon residents. Graduates will receive training materials to take home and have opportunities to practice their skills at free monthly training and exercises with EMTs and other experts. For FAQS, course details, videos of CERT teams in training and applications for the September 2017 session, visit www.ofallon. mo.us/PD/cert. For additional questions contact Officer Helton at phelton@ofallon. mo.us or 636-379-3816.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • September 20, 2017

Cuivre River linemen heading to Georgia, Florida to help with Hurricane Irma damage

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Submitted photo These Cuivre River Electric Cooperative linemen departed Sept. 12, to help with power restoration efforts in Georgia and Florida following Hurricane Irma.

Cuivre River Electric Cooperative has sent eight linemen to assist in the call for help in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. The Cuivre River crews will be among 154 linemen from 26 Missouri cooperatives who will be assisting in power restoration efforts. They departed Sept. 12. The Missouri crews will be split among Flint Energies, Reynolds, Georgia, GreyStone Power, Douglasville, Georgia and SECO Energy, Sumterville, Florida. When the crews are released from Georgia, they are expected to head to Florida. Their work could extend up to 10 days. “We are proud of our Cuivre River linemen and those from across the state who are committed in doing their part to help restore power,” said Marvin Peasel, Operations Supervisor. “This is just another example of cooperation among cooperatives, one of the core principles that guide electric cooperatives. We commend our linemen who volunteered and stepped up in a time of need.” Missouri took part in daily conference calls among electric cooperatives that were expected to need help and those that should be out of harm’s

way. Offers of assistance came from electric cooperatives as far away as New Hampshire, Vermont and South Dakota. Cuivre River Electric will be sending two digger trucks, two bucket trucks, one pickup and one ATV to the affected areas. A fuel tanker truck from Central Electric Power Cooperative, Jefferson City, will accompany the group headed to Florida to avoid potential shortages en route. Missouri’s electric cooperatives are no strangers to helping out in the hurricane zones. Show-Me State linemen worked their first hurricane in 2004, when Hurricane Ivan hit the Gulf Coast. In the years that followed, Missouri crews have become a common sight wherever the hurricane zone happened to be. Electric co-ops in Louisiana and Mississippi have returned the favor, helping Missouri electric cooperatives restore power after the ice storms of 2007 and 2009. Relief crews are coordinated by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, the statewide service organization for the state’s electric cooperatives. Its emergency assistance program began in 1948.

Fire damages a vacant home in St. Charles County St. Charles City Fire Department provided a mutual aid response to 2113 Golfway Drive in unincorporated St. Charles County for a report of a residential structure fire on Sept. 7. Upon arrival crews found the garage of the home to be fully involved with significant extension into the attic of the building. Initial reports stated that the home had been vacant for some time. The fire was quickly ex-

tinguished and the property was found to be unoccupied. No additional hazards were present and the investigation by Central County Fire and Rescue was ongoing at the time of this release. SCFD, Central County Fire and Rescue, St. Charles County Ambulance District and St. Charles County Police all responded and were on scene for the incident.

Lunch&Learn Wednesday, September 27, 2017 11:30 am - 1:00 pm The Club in Windsor’s Independent Living FREE - Lunch will be served.

Call 636-946-4966, ext. 1130

2150 W Randolph Street | St. Charles, MO 63301 | (636)946-4966

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September 20, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Willows Way to host fundraiser showcasing the artistic talents of adults with developmental disabilities

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CORNERSTONE UMC Food Pantry

Serving those in need for over 40 years.

OPEN WEDNESDAYS

9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Bread | Canned Goods | Other Necessities 1151 Tom Ginnever Ave. | O’Fallon, MO

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There is no question that art can evoke a variety of feelings and emotions, both in the artist and in its audience. But for an adult with a developmental disability, learning to make a brush stroke, mix paints, focus a camera and see the world through the eye of an artist can have a profound impact. On Oct. 5, St. Charles-based nonprofit Willows Way will showcase artwork from adults with physical and developmental challenges participating in its innovative Mentor Arts Program and St. Charles Photography Club at its fourth annual “Art of Wine” fundraising event at EdgeWild Restaurant & Winery in Chesterfield. Tickets to the event cost $40 each and are available for purchase online at willowsway.org. During the event, Art of Wine attendees will have the opportunity to sip wine and view and purchase approximately 50 original art pieces, with the artists receiving 100 percent of the proceeds from their art sales. Willows Way will have 11 clients exhibiting artwork at this year’s event. “The Mentor Arts program

and photography club benefit our clients in a variety of ways,” said Willows Way Executive Director Joy Steele. “We often see our clients become more relaxed, confident and focused while participating in these programs. Plus it gives them a sense of purpose and accomplishment when they see that they can create something from their own efforts from start to finish. The Art of Wine showcases their efforts.” The Mentor Arts Program started four years ago. Participants in the program are taught by professional artists about various artists and how to select subject matter, mix paints and use different brush stroke techniques. Willows Way client and mixed media artist Nahoma, 38, has been in the program from the start. He uses art as another way to express himself, and has even developed a demand for his award-winning work, which he also sells online at nahomaart. weebly.com. Nahoma, who likes to use a lot of color in his unique art style, calls himself the “star of the art show” and says he most enjoys “making other people happy through his artwork.” He often uses water colors, colored pencils and even crayons to create his art and has been known to put his signature prominently on different areas of his artwork. Nahoma’s mother and an artist herself, Nancy, said his participation in the Mentor Arts program has had a profound effect on his self-confidence, plus the money he makes from the Art of Wine helps to pay his bills, she said. “It benefits him in making him even more proud of the work that he does. He is always enthusiastic and proud to be in the art shows,” said Nancy. “I have seen a positive change in

Nahoma’s attitude. He seems to always want more art supplies and seems excited to start a new piece of art work. He has also taken on a new challenge of art photography. He’s more willing to try different art medians.” Participants in the photography club meet regularly and participate in various photo shoot outings throughout the St. Charles and St. Louis areas. Professional photographers volunteer their time to mentor the clients and chaperone their photo shoots. Tony, 45, has been in the photography club for the past four years. At last year’s Art of Wine event, he earned $600 from the sale of his coveted photographs, and the previous year he earned enough money from the event to pay off his car. Tony, who works cleaning buildings and lives independently with assistance provided by Willows Way, says he aspires to become a professional photographer and enjoys the mentoring and support he receives through the photography club. “I am pretty random when it comes to taking photographs. It’s basically whatever captures my eye. I bought a camera when I first started getting into the photography club and they told me I had a good eye, so I ended up taking my tax return and buying a nicer camera and started shooting with that. I have a mentor who helps me out and encourages me to shoot at different angles,” said Tony. “I enjoy the outside a lot with my camera and meeting people and being recognized as an amateur photographer.” For more information about the Art of Wine event or to purchase tickets, visit willowsway. org/fundraising-events-news/ art-of-wine. Sponsorships for the event are also available.

Make a stand against crime and plan your block party for National Night Out on Oct. 3 From bounce houses to games, and snow cones to BBQ, start making plans for your neighborhood party to make a stand against crime on National Night Out from 4 - 8 p.m. on Oct. 3. During this time, residents are encouraged to turn their outside lights on and step outside to spend the night with neighbors. Sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, the goal of National Night Out is to strengthen neighborhood and law enforcement partnerships to reduce crime. In St. Peters, the Police Department accepts invitations to local block parties to meet with kids and hand out stickers, coloring books and other fun items. McGruff the Crime Dog will make a few special appearances at neighborhood parties as well. If you’re interested in setting up a block party with a visit from the St. Peters Police Department, contact Officer Melissa Doss at 636-278-2244, ext. 3550. Learn more about the St. Peters Police Department’s community outreach efforts at www.stpetersmo.net/police.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • September 20, 2017

Around Town

Two members of the St. Charles County chapter of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution elected to state office At the recent annual convention of the Missouri Society of the Sons of the American Revolution held in Springfield, Missouri two members of the Fernando de Leyba (St. Charles County) SAR Chapter were elected to State Office. Dennis Hahn was elected to serve as President and Doug Neff was elected to serve as Surgeon. Hahn has been a member of the SAR since 1997 and has served the local chapter as Chaplain and President. Neff has been a member of the SAR since 2003 and has served the local chapter as Genealogist. Neff is also an active member of the local chapter and State Society Color Guard. Hahn’s American Revolution Patriot, Samuel Wells, is buried in O’Fallon. Neff ’s American Revolution Patriot, James Bryan, is buried in the Jona-

SPECIAL!

Free Color Consultation Call for details Submitted photo (From left) Past Missouri Society SAR President Dale Schmidt stands with National Society, SAR President General Larry Guzy and newly elected Missouri Society, SAR President Dennis Hahn.

than Bryan Burying Ground in Defiance. James Bryan’s father, Morgan Bryan, was the grandfather of the wife of Daniel Boone, Rebecca Ann Bryan Boone. The Fernando de Leyba SAR Chapter meets at 7 p.m. on the

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second Monday evening of each month, except July and August, at Culpepper’s in St. Charles. Men interested is joining the SAR, a “lineage” society, are welcome to attend the meetings. Spouses are also invited to attend.

Deer hunters asked to help in fighting disease The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) needs the help of deer hunters to keep the deadly deer disease called chronic wasting disease (CWD) from spreading to more deer in more areas of Missouri. MDC will be conducting mandatory CWD sampling of harvested deer in 25 counties opening weekend of the fall firearms deer season, Nov. 11 and 12. Hunters who harvest deer in any of these select counties of MDC’s CWD Management Zone during opening weekend must present their harvested deer at one of the Department’s 56 CWD sampling stations so staff can collect tissue samples to test the animals for CWD. The 25 mandatory CWD sampling counties are: Adair, Barry, Benton, Cedar, Cole, Crawford, Dade, Franklin, Hickory, Jefferson, Knox, Linn, Macon, Moniteau, Ozark, Polk, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Sullivan, Taney, Warren and Washington. The 25 mandatory sampling counties include ones recently added to the CWD Management Zone after cases of CWD were found there in 2016-2017, counties with previous CWD positives, and counties very near where cases of CWD have been found. Find mandatory sampling stations online at mdc.mo.gov/cwd, and in MDC’s “2017 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information” booklet, available where permits are sold. MDC is also offering voluntary CWD sampling throughout the entire deer hunting season at more than 55 participating taxidermists and designated MDC offices in and around the CWD Management Zone. Find voluntary sampling locations online at mdc.mo.gov/cwd. Info to know for mandatory sampling • Sampling locations will be open from 7:30 a.m. until at least 8 p.m. • Deer must be presented by the hunter who harvested the animal. • Hunters will be asked to identify the location within the county the deer was harvested. • Deer may be field dressed before being taken to a sampling station. • Hunters can also present just the deer head with about six inches of neck attached. • For bucks bound to a taxidermist, the cape may be removed prior to being taken to a

www.stpetersmo.net/camps sampling station as long as about six inches of the neck is left attached. AT THE • For bucks bound to a taxidermist, hunters may also leave the deer intact and inform staff the deer is bound for a taxidermist. Staff will complete paperwork and inform Fun & Fitness the hunters about participating taxiderfor all ages! mists taking CWD samples. • Hunters will be given information on getLow Non-Residents ting free test results for their deer. Rates! Time-saving tips • Telecheck deer before going to a sampling Affordable location. Classes! Active Older Adults, your Medicare supplemental may already cover your membership at the Rec-Plex! • Have completed permit information ready. • Be prepared to locate the harvest location www.stpetersmo.net/rec-plex • 636-939-2386 on a map. • Position deer in the vehicle so the head and neck are easily accessible. CN-08.16.17.indd 1 8/15/17 10:12 AM • Have the detached head or cape with about six inches of neck ready for sampling. • CWD sampling takes only a few minutes and consists of cutting an incision across the throat of harvested deer to remove lymph nodes for testing. Tissue samples are sent to an independent lab for testing. Emphasis on opening weekend Opening weekend of the firearms season is the most popular two hunting days for most deer hunters in Missouri. During those two days, hunters take about a third of the state’s total annual deer harvest of about 275,000 animals. “Focusing on this key weekend gives us the best opportunity to collect the most tissue samples during a very concentrated time period,” explained MDC Wildlife Disease Coordinator Jasmine Batten. “Prior to conducting mandatory sampling for the first time last year, we collected about 7,600 tissue samples through voluntary sampling over the entire deer season. Thanks to deer hunters, last year we collected 19,200 samples during openingweekend mandatory sampling.” Batten added the increased number of samples collected gives MDC scientists a much better understanding of the distribution and prevalence of the disease -- where it is and how many deer may have it. It can also help find new cases in new areas. Find more information on CWD from the MDC website at mdc.mo.gov/cwd. www.cedarhurstliving.com

REC-PLEX!

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September 20, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

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Seniors and their families encouraged to attend St. Charles County Senior Fair on Oct. 7 If you want to learn more about senior services and issues in a fun environment, mark your calendar for the ninth annual St. Charles County Senior Fair on Oct. 7. The event is free to attend and will take place from 9 a.m. - noon at St. Peters City Hall. Hosted this year by the St. Peters Senior Advisory Committee, the Senior Fair is an opportunity to talk to various vendors and organizations to learn about matters important to area seniors. Family members are not only welcome, but encouraged to accompany seniors to the event. Barnes-Jewish St. Peters and Progress West Hospitals will be offering 100 free flu shots (ages

18-and-older only) at the fair on a first-comefirst-serve basis. They will also be offering free bone density screenings, blood pressure screenings and blood glucose tests for seniors. Seniors will also have the chance to participate in a Zumba for Seniors class. The St. Peters Police Department will give a presentation on senior safety. Seniors will have the opportunity to take home giveaways and win raffle prizes. Entertainment and light refreshments will be provided. Visit www.stpetersmo.net or contact MaryPat Harms at volunteer@stpetersmo.net or 636-2798207 with any questions or for more information about the Senior Fair.

Military Times rates O’Fallon as second on its list of 2017 Best Cities for Veterans to Live

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Military Times named the city of O’Fallon as the second best small city in the country for veterans. Military Times publishes monthly news magazines for U.S. military personnel and veterans. O’Fallon placed second on the publication’s list of the “Top 50 Small Cities” nationwide. This is the third time that O’Fallon has been listed by Military Times as one of the best cities for veterans, and the city’s highest ranking to date. To develop the list of the 2017 Best Places to Live for Veterans, Military Times first grouped cities throughout the country by population size, then compared the top cities in each group in three broad categories: veteran and military culture and services, economic indicators (some veteranspecific but not all), and livability factors such as cost of living, employment, health, school ratings, proximity to top-ranked colleges and companies and other criteria. Number one on the list was Glen Burnie, Maryland. www.militarytimes.com/ education-transition/rankings/2017/09/11/mili-

tary-times-best-places-to-live-2017. In selecting O’Fallon, Military Times noted that approximately 15 percent of city of O’Fallon employees are veterans, and cited O’Fallon’s active, 11-member Veterans Commission, which recently worked with the city council to designate parking spaces for Purple Heart recipients in city parks and at city facilities, an initiative which has spread to several local businesses. “We’re very appreciative of our veterans, and honored that Military Times has chosen our city for national recognition on this issue,” said O’Fallon Mayor Bill Hennessy. “Veterans have been a vital force in the making of our city for more than 200 years. We are incredibly proud of the many accomplishments of our Veterans Commission and the Veterans Assistance Office at City Hall. The all-volunteer staff is composed of veterans who assist veterans from all branches of the service and their families, adding immeasurably to our city’s reputation as a great place to live.”

Older adults can benefit from free SilverSneakers Speaker Series at Rec-Plex A free speaker series starting this month at the St. Peters Rec-Plex will offer older adults important advice on how to live a healthier life. Get information from experts on how to combat disease, live a more active lifestyle, plan your finances and more during the SilverSneakers Speaker Series that runs from September 2017 through March 2018. These speaker series events are geared toward Healthways SilverSneakers Fitness members but are open to anyone interested. Each of the following SilverSneakers Speaker Series events will take place from 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. on Wednesdays in the Rec-Plex Finish Line café: • Sept. 20: How Much Sugar Is in this Sports Drink (BJC HealthCare) • Oct. 18: Diabetes Reminders (BJC HealthCare) • Nov. 1: Understanding Your Credit/Improving Credit (Andrew Hall, CPA) • Nov. 8: Advanced Planning (Baue Funeral Homes) • Nov. 15: Saturated Fat Reminders (BJC HealthCare) • Nov. 22: Combating Muscle and Bone Loss as You Age (Dr. Ben Hendrix, DC, chiropractor and Rec-Plex personal trainer) • Nov. 29: Osteoporosis Awareness - Bone Density Scan • Dec. 6: Taxes & the IRS (Andrew Hall, CPA) • Dec. 13: Cremation Seminar (Baue Funeral Homes) • Dec. 20: Remember to Exercise for Holiday Stress Reduction (BJC HealthCare) • Dec. 27: Truths and Myths to Lower Back Pain (William Bunge, DC) • Jan. 3, 2018: Financial Protection from a Security Breach (Andrew Hall, CPA)

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Jan. 10, 2018: Veterans Benefits (Baue Funeral Homes) • Jan. 17, 2018: How to Keep Your Bones Strong (BJC HealthCare) • Jan. 24, 2018: Fitness, Nutrition and Much More (Dr. Ben Hendrix, DC) • Jan. 31, 2018: Bone, Strength, Balance - Vibe Plate Session • Feb. 7, 2018: Estate Planning (Andrew Hall, CPA) • Feb. 14, 2018: Advanced Planning (Baue Funeral Homes) • Feb. 21, 2018: Keeping Your Heart Healthy (BJC HealthCare) • Feb. 28, 2018: Movement as Medicine (William Bunge, DC) • March 7, 2018: Social Security Planning (Andrew Hall, CPA) • March 14, 2018: Cremation Seminar (Baue Funeral Homes) • March 21, 2018: “Spring” into Exercise Fun (BJC HealthCare) • March 28, 2018: Ways to Switch Up Your Fitness Routine (Dr. Ben Hendrix, DC) SilverSneakers members are asked to bring a SilverSneakers card and sign in at the event. Learn more about the SilverSneakers Speaker Series at www.stpetersmo.net/Rec-Plex. The St. Peters Rec-Plex is a participating location for the Healthways SilverSneakers Fitness program. The Healthways SilverSneakers Fitness program is offered by leading Medicare health plans and Medicare Supplement carriers throughout the country. Go online to www.silversneakers. com to check to see if your health plan offers SilverSneakers and how you can start using the fitness program.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • September 20, 2017

Yeggs

Around Town

John Hanna

www.ashfordmotors.net

‘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.

Moore On Life

By Cindy Moore

Name Shame So that big windbag Irma has wreaked havoc all across the Southeast. What a sea hag! My guess is, “Irma” will not top the charts of favorite baby names of the year and anyone having the unfortunate experience to be titled with that burden will have to go by an alias from now on. Friend meeting friend in grocery store: “Hi Irma! How’s it going?” Immediate silence throughout the produce section as someone nearby gasps and drops a cantaloupe to the ground with a loud thud, while another lobs an ear of corn at the offending Irma. Irma grabs her friend and ducks quickly behind a display of naval oranges then says to her in hushed tones: “Never…EVER…call me that again. From now on I go by, Tallulah, Defender of Life and Liberty!” “Huh? What language are you speaking?” “Ummm, have you been buried under a rock for the last month? All anyone hears is, ‘destructive Irma, Irma catastrophic, Irma apocalyptic, evil Irma.’ I haven’t had this much bad press since I accidentally ran over Squeaks, the neighborhood squirrel, last winter. I can’t go anywhere now without leers and jeers and pitchforks coming at me.” “Okay. So why the weird name change?” “Really? Let those psychotic, life-killing weather people try and name another hurricane after me with that moniker. I can hear the alert now… ‘Hurricane Tallulah, Defender of Life and Liberty will touchdown in the Bahamas and is predicted

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to dance with the locals and bring peace, balmy tropical breezes and freshly sliced pineapple to the tourists.’ See? I’m finally in the clear. No one’s going to name a cat-5 killer after me now.” Friend: “Gotcha…Tallulah…wink…wink. I totally see your point. Well, I better be going. Got a dentist appointment.” “Thanks. You’re such a dear. I knew I could count on you, Katrina!” A large seedless watermelon thuds next to Katrina. Its red insides cover her face entirely. Katrina: “I told you to never…EVER…call me that again!” Irma: “Oh snap! I am soo sorry.” Loudly: “Well, goodbye. Catch you at the foodbank where you serve and help and assist all others…all day… every day! See you soon, Mary the Merciful.” Wink…wink. 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

September 20, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

FHSD and Castlio Elementary receive NNPS partnership awards

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The Francis Howell School District has earned a 2017 Partnership District Award from the National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS) at Johns Hopkins University. FHSD was recognized for making excellent progress in developing community partnerships, and for guiding schools to develop goallinked programs of family and community engagement. This is the fourth NNPS Partnership Award for FHSD and indicates that the district is establishing a sustainable structure to enable schools to continually improve their partnership programs. “In Francis Howell, we value the voice of our stakeholders,” said Superintendent Dr. Mary Hendricks-Harris. “High-quality community engagement is vitally important at both the school and district level. These programs strengthen the relationship between school and home, and help to improve the quality education that we are able to provide for all of our students.” Castlio Elementary School’s program of school, family and community partnerships earned a 2017 Partnership School Award from NNPS. This is the second NNPS Partnership Award for Castlio and an excellent indication of the school’s commitment to developing a strong program of family and

Photo courtesy Francis Howell School District Castlio Elementary School earned a 2017 Partnership School Award from NNPS for programs like its Seuss and STEM Night.

community engagement. “We are very excited about our two NNPS awards for our Seuss and STEM, as well as our Fine Arts Night,” said Castlio Principal Dr. Bridgett Niedringhaus. “Both events focused on engaging our families in fun learning activities provided by our school community, as well as partnerships developed with surrounding community businesses. Or in the words of one of our students, ‘My mom even had fun!’” NNPS believes that FHSD is emerging as a national leader on partnership program development. Community engagement activities from the district, Castlio Elementary, Independence Elementary, and Francis Howell Middle School are included in the new book of Promising

Partnership Practices 2017. NNPS Director Joyce Epstein said, “Francis Howell is applying research-based approaches to help schools become welcoming places that engage parents and the community in ways that improve student attendance, behavior, achievement, health, graduation rates, postsecondary plans, and other outcomes.” FHSD will continue working to strengthen its leadership and programs of school, family, and community partnerships to help more students succeed at high levels, and improve the overall experience for not just students, but the community as a whole. More information can be found on the NNPS website at www.nnps.jhucsos.com.

Schools in the Wentzville School District celebrate Patriot Day

http://tinyurl.com/FHSDFutureFocused

Students across the Wentzville School District participated in Patriot Day celebrations to remember the lives lost on 9/11 and to honor first responders and community service providers. Crossroads Elementary, Heritage Intermediate and Wabash Elementary held large-scale events this year, while other schools observed a moment of silence and discussed the historic significance of the events on 9/11. Crossroads students visited stations that included presentations by members of the Army and Navy, as well first responders from St. Charles County Ambulance District, Wentzville Firefighters, Lake Saint Louis Water Rescue and the St. Charles County Police Department. Crossroads has held Patriot Day celebrations every year since the one-year anniversary of 9/11, and their event is intended to keep Sept. 11 from being just another day that students read about in a history textbook. “Our students were not even born on 9/11. Our Patriot Day program serves as a day to recognize and learn from everyday heroes – people who make it their life’s work to serve their community and their country, and keep us safe,” said Principal Damian Fay. “It is such a prideful event for us as Crossroads Elementary, because we show our first responders the love and support they deserve.” Wabash Elementary held an assembly and students visited stations that included presentations by members of the Wentzville Fire Department, Wentzville Police Department Traffic and K-9 Units, the St. Charles County Ambulance District, and U.S. Armed Forces.

Photo courtesy Trotter Photo, Inc. The Patriot Day celebration at Heritage Intermediate included students and staff dressed in red, white and blue, surrounded by local first responders in uniform, forming the numbers 911 on the school’s parking lot.

The Patriot Day celebration at Heritage Intermediate also included activities to honor emergency personnel while remembering those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. Following the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, students and staff dressed in red, white and blue, surrounded by local first responders in uniform, formed the numbers 911 on the school’s parking lot. “We want our students to understand that firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and emergency responders showed incredible courage in risking and giving their own lives to save others on 9/11,” shared Heritage Intermediate Principal Dr. Todd Kraft. “We also want our students to develop and demonstrate the type of character the men and women who were our honored guests this morning display each and every day.”

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • September 20, 2017

Business

Napleton Mid Rivers Maserati celebrates grand opening with ribbon cutting

www.ofallonfamilyeyecare.com

Submitted photo

Owner Ed Napleton, representatives with Maserati and the leadership of Napleton Automotive celebrated the grand opening of Napleton Mid Rivers Maserati with a ribbon cutting on Sept. 6. Also joining in the celebration were city of St. Peters Mayor Len Pagano and members of the city of St. Peters board of aldermen, employees of Napleton Mid Rivers Maserati and board members and ambassadors with the Greater St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce.

Napleton Mid Rivers Maserati is the first luxury foreign automobile dealership in St. Charles County and joins the Napleton automobile network in St. Peters – which also includes Ed Napleton Honda, Napleton Mid Rivers Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Napleton Mid Rivers Kia. For more information on Napleton Mid Rivers Maserati please visit their website at www. Maseratistl.com or contact by phone at 888389-6560.

American Bank of Missouri adds senior mortgage loan officer American Bank of Missouri announces the addition of Stephanie Paasch as senior mortgage loan officer. Paasch has an office in the American Bank of Missouri O’Fallon location. She has over a decade of experience with mortgage loans. Her background includes mortgage lending, consumer loan underwriting, financial aid loans, and state grants and management. Paasch has a bachelor’s of science in business administration with majors in management and marketing. Paasch is a Lincoln county resident,

active in O’Fallon Chamber, founder and leader for Your Next Level Networking (three chapters: Cottleville, Lake St. Louis & O’Fallon). She also spent four years on the Board for Lincoln County R-III Education Foundation, and has been active with the Troy Chamber, Western St. Charles Chamber, Cottleville Weldon Springs Chamber and Greater St. Charles Chamber and a teacher for Junior Achievement. You can contact Paasch at Spaasch@myamericanbank.net.

www.lawnauthority.com

Laser Lipo and Vein Center first in St. Louis area to provide the Saltfacial Skin Renewal Therapy Time takes its toll on the skin. Aging, sun exposure and other environmental factors can cause a variety of unwanted skin conditions that just can’t be avoided, including lines, wrinkles, age spots and discoloration. One new example of noninvasive skin rejuvenation is The SaltFacial Skin Renewal Therapy, which is now available in the St. Louis area. Unlike some other skin resurfacing techniques, The SaltFacial Skin Renewal Therapy is safe and effective for all skin types. Results are immediate, with no side-effects and virtually no downtime. In the St. Louis Metropolitan area, the Laser Lipo and Vein Center of Dr. Thomas Wright is the first practice to provide The SaltFacial Skin

Renewal Therapy. According to Wright, a cosmetic surgeon with over 25 years of experience, The SaltFacial Skin Renewal Therapy is particularly well suited for his health conscious, active lifestyle patients who are looking for more natural ways to treat their skin. “Patient satisfaction with The SaltFacial Therapy has been excellent”, said Wright. “Results are immediate, and patients can return to their daily activities right away. It’s a safe and simple way to restore the beauty of the skin naturally.” The Laser Lipo and Vein Center, located at 830 Waterbury Falls Drive, Suite 202 in O’ Fallon. Visit www.laserlipoandveins.com or call 636-614-1665 for more information. www.midwestbankcentre.com

Sports

September 20, 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.

NEW!! NEW!!

NEED NEW

See solution on page 13

Lindenwood volleyball player reaches milestone The Lindenwood University’s women’s volleyball team did not fair well in a recent contest against Gannon University and Urbana University in Urbana, Ohio. However there was a bright spot in the contests with Megan Hellwege’s play. She reached her 1,000th career dig after Saturday’s contest by starting off the day with 24 digs. Other major accomplishment was Ivy Reynolds who had 18 assists, seven kills, and one service ace while adding 21 digs. ~~~One of many memories Several highlights for 2017 for the Rascals 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. There were several areas the organization was proud to represent the ‘boys of the summer’ in O’Fallon: **The team finished with 50 wins, three wins short of the Frontier League postseason and went 29-19 at the friendly confines of CarShield Field. **Steve Brook in his eighth year as manager guided the Rascals to a winning record for the fifth straight season and was key to multiple accomplishments, including personal records, Frontier League All-Star honors and had three players move on to major league organizations. ** Two players made the All-Star team: Josh Silver who led the offensive charge for the team and catcher Mike Jurgella who also won the Rascals fan vote for most valuable player. **The Minnesota Twins signed Jimmy Kerrigan who hit .328 with ten home runs and 47 RBI and through 62 games. **Starting pitcher Austin Warner and reliever Jason Zgardowski found themselves pitching in the St. Louis Cardinals organization by August. Go to www.RiverCityRascals.com for more information. ~~~Many memories

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

Free activities at the Family Arena from the Ambush The St. Louis Ambush will play their home games for the 2017-18 season at the Family Arena in St. Charles and will compete in the Central Division of the 17-team Major Arena Soccer League. Mark your calendar for their annual Fan Fest that will be held Oct. 21. The Fan Fest features an exhibition game between the Ambush and the Cedar Rapids Rampage. This 7:05 p.m. event is absolutely free for parking and entrance into the arena. Come early as from 4:30 - 6 p.m. there will be fun with many kid activities and inflatables. The Ambush will commence their 2017-18 home schedule on Nov. 11 at the Family Arena Go to www.STLAmbush.com for more details. ~~~Always a lot of fun for the young and young at heart Play longer by changing your shirt Studies have proven that athletes will do strange things for an edge over their opponents. Magnets to improve recovery after workouts, hologram bracelets and the copper-fit compression sleeves that have possibly kept pro athletes play longer. But what if playing harder, longer was as easy as changing your shirt? The harder you compete, the more you heat up, and as those of us who play know, if you get too hot, your body slows down and needs a rest. So the test, performed at the University of Colorado Boulder, showed athletes increase energy by wearing a jacket circulating ice water compared to some simply changing their shirt to a dry one. Go to www.ThirtySevenFive.com for all the details. ~~~Things that make you go hmmmmm

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.westcommunitycu.org

www.wentzville-mo.minutemanpress.com

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • September 20, 2017

Stay lean with protein

hedding excess pounds doesn’t have to mean depriving yourself of your favorite foods, including red meat. A study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Health and Wellness Center shows that healthy, higher-protein diets including lean beef can be beneficial to not only weight loss, but also maintaining muscle mass and heart health. • The study is in line with ongoing research on the importance of lean protein for weight loss. To kick your healthy eating plan into high gear, try these tips: • Enjoy protein at every meal. One of the benefits of having protein in your meal is feeling more satisfied, which helps reduce mindless eating or snacking in between meals. Additionally, meals with high-quality protein help build muscle and reduce body fat. • Choose lean protein options. Picking lean protein options can be easier than you think. You can still enjoy a beef burger and

Learn & Play

Crossword: COMIC BOOK VILLAINS save calories by choosing lean or extra-lean ground beef. Other smart meat case picks include top sirloin steak or sirloin tip, bottom round steak or roast, eye of round steak or roast, or top round steak or roast. Also make sure to choose colorful vegetables and fruits to round out your meal, like in this recipe for Grilled Southwestern Steak and Colorful Vegetables. • Dine out smart. Many people struggle with getting a balanced, protein-filled meal when dining out or grabbing food on-the-go. Look for words like “grilled,” “broiled” or “baked” when browsing the menu for lean proteins. Or add a lean protein to your entree salad, whether it’s for lunch or dinner. For snack time, consider beef jerky to get protein onthe-go. For meal ideas and tips to support your weight loss goals, visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com

Grilled Southwestern Steak and Colorful Vegetables Recipe courtesy of the Beef Checkoff

Total time: 25-35 minutes | Servings: 6

Ingredients: 1 beef top round steak, cut 1-inch thick (about 1 1/2 pounds) salt, to taste Marinade: 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 1/4 cup prepared mild salsa 1 tablespoon chopped garlic 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper Colorful Vegetables: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium green or red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips 8 ounces button mushrooms, sliced 1/4-inch thick 2 cups zucchini, sliced 1/4-inch thick 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper 1 cup finely chopped tomatoes 1/4 cup chopped green onions

Directions: In small bowl, combine marinade ingredients. Place beef steak and marinade in food-safe plastic bag; turn steak to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator 6 hours, or as long as overnight, turning occasionally. Remove steak from marinade; discard marinade. Place steak on grill over medium, ash-covered coals. For medium-rare (145 F) doneness, grill covered, turning once, 12-14 minutes (on gas grill over medium heat, 16-19 minutes). To prepare Colorful Vegetables: In large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add bell pepper strips; cook and stir 1-2 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Add mushrooms, zucchini, cumin, salt and black pepper; cook and stir 3-4 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Add tomatoes and green onions; cook and stir 1 minute. Carve steak into thin slices; season with salt, to taste. Serve with Colorful Vegetables.

ACROSS 1. Coffee + chocolate 6. “____ the season ...” 9. ____ ex machina 13. Tim or Woody 14. Thou, today 15. *Fire or Fear or Mortis or Death 16. “_____ came the spider...” 17. Pimple fluid 18. Two under par 19. *X-Men’s mutant foe 21. *____ Quinn 23. Aladdin’s alias 24. Piglet sound 25. Irish folk dance 28. Sultanate on Arabian Peninsula 30. Farm tool 35. Fail to mention 37. Crumbs 39. Nary a soul 40. Curly-leafed cabbage 41. Betty Ford Center, e.g. 43. Pacific Islands’ ceremonial drink 44. Opposite of digest 46. “Que Sera ____” 47. Revered one 48. Team list 50. “Cliffs Notes,” e.g. 52. Phone card acronym 53. A grand theft 55. Charged particle 57. *Norman Osborn’s organization 60. *”Spider-Man” villainous doctor 64. Last European colony in China 65. Belonging to you and me 67. Tennis great Chris ____ 68. Like anchor aweigh 69. Springsteen’s “Born in the ____” 70. Join companies 71. *Deathstroke is an enemy of the “___ Titans” 72. ____ Aviv 73. Human necessity

DOWN 1. Hat-tipper’s word 2. Paella pot 3. Heidi’s “Magic Wooden Shoe” 4. Temporary tattoo ink 5. Angel, in Rome 6. Editor’s oversight 7. Debtor’s letter 8. Uncooked seafood 9. Like Jekyll and Hyde’s personality 10. *Superman enemy, Morgan ____ 11. Like Andersen’s duckling 12. Perceive 15. “Game of Thrones” vest 20. Sea near Australia 22. It marches? 24. One always busy and moving 25. *”Batman” foe 26. Idealized image 27. Rupert ____ from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” 29. *Wonder Woman’s nemesis 31. *Thor’s brother 32. Dump truck quantities 33. End of a poem 34. Camelot to King Arthur 36. Reason to cram 38. Delhi dress 42. Early computer language 45. *What villains of the Suicide Squad did 49. “The Murders in the ___ Morgue” 51. Native American sacred objects 54. Rainbow swimmer 56. Fictitious prose 57. Love-____ relationship 58. 43,560 square feet 59. Street in Anytown, USA 60. Like word of mouth 61. Fils’ father 62. Strong desire 63. Flight segment 64. Yoga accessory 66. Wear and tear See solution on page 13

WWW.MYCNEWS.COM

What’s Happening

September 20, 2017 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

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

Sept. 21: Art exhibition

St. Charles Community College will display artworks by Mark Weber and his son Matt Weber at the Weber: Father & Son exhibition that runs until Sept. 21. The exhibition is free and open to the public. The gallery hours are 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday. The gallery is located in the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building. Parking for patrons is free in the campus Blue and Yellow lots.

Sept. 23: Veterans benefit

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. 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.

Sept. 23: Anti-human trafficking fundraiser

SCCAT, the St. Charles Coalition Against Human Trafficking, which does presentations about the scourge of human trafficking in the metro area, will host a fundraiser from 6 - 9 p.m. at the Maria Center, on the Notre Dame Campus at 336 East Ripa Ave. in Lemay. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks are provided with a cash bar for beer and wine. Music will be by the John Jarrett Band. Cost is $25. Tax deductible donations are also much needed and appreciated. For online registration or donations go to: www.stcharlescoaltion.com/benefit-concert; for tickets or donations by check, make it out to SCCAT and send to: Barbara Butchart, SCCAT Board President, 107 Shaelah Ct., Weldon Spring, MO. 63304. Please list names of attendees. For more information, contact Sr. Esther Hogan at ehogan@cpps-ofallon. org or 636-515-6016.

Sept. 23: Gospel concert

New Beginnings Worship Center at 108 Birdie Hills. Rd. in St. Peters will host the gospel singers Final Authority at 6 p.m. For more information call 636-544-2030 or 314-269-6304.

Sept. 24: Sausage and turkey dinner

Sausage and turkey dinner takes place at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ at 150 Defiance Road in Defiance from

11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information call 636 987-2388.

Sept. 24: Triathlon

The fall edition of the bi-annual Rookies and Rock Stars Triathlon starts at 7:30 a.m. at St. Peters Rec-Plex, located at 5200 Mexico Road in St. Peters. The Rookies & Rock Stars Fall Triathlon begins with a 400-meter swim in the Rec-Plex’s Olympic-quality Natatorium, followed by a 15.8-mile bicycle ride through flat farmlands and ending finally with a 3.1-mile run over paved trails and through shady parks. Both individuals and teams of up to three participants are encouraged to sign up. Awards will be presented to the overall male and female individual winners as well as to the top three individuals in each age group. Team awards will be presented to the top three teams. Bike helmets are required. Participants will receive complimentary food and fruit after the race. Entry fees are $73 for individuals and $125 per person for teams through Sept. 23. Teams must register in advance. Individuals can register the day of the event for $78. You can register in advance either in person at the St. Peters Rec-Plex or online at www.stpetersmo.net/rec-connect. You can also mail in your registration form, which can be found online at www.stpetersmo.net/triathlon. Online registration will close Sept. 20. The Rookies and Rock Stars Fall Triathlon is also looking for volunteers to help out the day of the event. Sign up to volunteer or learn more at www. stpetersmo.net/volunteer. For more information on the Rookies and Rock Stars Fall Triathlon visit www.stpetersmo.net/triathlon or call the Rec-Plex at 636-939-2386, ext. 1400.

Sept. 27-Oct.1: Theater performance

St. Charles Community College’s Center Stage Theatre will present “Night of the Living Dead” in the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building theater on the SCC campus. The play is appropriate for middle school aged students and above. 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. To purchase tickets, visit stchastickets.com.

Sept. 28: Credit score seminar

West Community Credit Union invites you to attend a free seminar on “Estate Planning and Elder Care” at 6:30 p.m. at the Lodge Des Peres located at 1050 Des Peres Rd. in St. Louis County. Attendees will learn legal strategies to protect you, your family and your estate. Attorney at Law, Sherry A. Snyder will provide an informative discussion on estate planning and probate, trust administration and wills, disability and special needs planning, elder law and much more. Staff will be available following the presentation to answer questions. Light refreshments will be provided. Limited seating available so RSVP today. To reserve your seat, contact Lori Hudson at LHudson@westcommunitycu.org or call 636-720-2402.

Sept. 29: Art show

All media show “Look What We’ve Been Up To” is now showing at the Lillian Yahn Gallery at 7443 Village Center Dr. in O’Fallon. A reception will be held Sept. 29 from 7 - 9p.m. The show is open to the public.

Sept. 29: Eclipse glasses recycling

Do you still have your solar eclipse glasses? If so, you can drop off your old eclipse glasses at the Citizen Action Center, which is the front desk of St. Peters City Hall, or at the Recycle City front desk through Sept. 29. The glasses must be ISO 12312-2 compliant. At the end of the collection program, the city of St. Peters will donate

the used glasses to Astronomers Without Borders, an organization heading a nationwide donation program. By donating your old glasses to Astronomers Without Borders, you will be giving your eclipse glasses a second life for use in schools in South America and Asia, who will witness eclipses in 2019.

Sept. 30: Car and truck show

The Innsbrook Car and Truck Show benefiting God Cares – Veteran Support takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Charrette Creek Commons in Innsbrook. The event is free and open to the public. There will be live music, door prizes and concessions available. Awards will be presented at 2:30 p.m. The cost to enter your car or truck is $20 if you preregister by Sept. 28 and is $25 if you register day of the show. Call 636-928-3366 ext. 9180 or register online at www.innsbrook-resort. com/events/car-show.

Sept. 30: Wheeling for Healing

Missouri Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is joining with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to host a Wounded Warriors Bike Ride from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monies raised will support veterans through the Wounded Warriors Project and active duty military, through DAR’S Project Patriot. The bike ride will take place along the length of the Katy Trail from Clinton to St. Charles and on the Rock Island Trail from Windsor to Pleasant Hill. DAR chapters across the state are sponsoring 31 SAG (Support and Gear) stops along the trail. Anyone interested in riding should visit the “Wheeling for Healing” Facebook pager email any questions to w4hkatyride@gmail.com. Riders may sign up the morning of the ride at most trailheads.

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.OperationFoodSearch.org.

Oct. 2-3: Theater auditions

Center Stage Theatre will hold open auditions for “The Penelopiad” at 7 p.m. Oct. 2-3. Auditions will be held in the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building Room 110 on the St. Charles Community College campus. Callbacks will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 4. Both male and female roles are available and casting is flexible. The audition will consist of a cold reading of the script, which is on reserve at the SCC library. Prepared monologues are encouraged but not required. Auditions are open to the community and diversity is encouraged. The show will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15-18; 10 a.m. Nov. 16 and 2 p.m. Nov. 19. 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 636-922-8352.

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. 6-7: Mystery dinner theater

The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce is hosting their Seventh Annual Mystery Dinner Theater Oct. 6 and Oct. 7. The cast will be performing – “I’m Getting Murdered in the Morning” by Lee Mueller. The event will be held at Heritage of Hawk Ridge located at 235 Pigeon Dr. in Lake St. Louis. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the play starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $35 per person. Admission includes dinner, wine, beer, tea, soda, dessert and a show-stopping performance. For reservations contact the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce at 636-327-6914 or please visit them online at http:// www.gowscc.com. Seating is limited, so please make your reservations early because tickets sell out fast.

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 Parish is hosting a chili cook-off from 6 - 9 pm. Activities include: chili tasting/judging, kids’ corner, entertainment by “Let’s Groove” and from the kitchen all-ucan-eat chili, hot dogs and desserts. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children (ages 6-11) and children ages 5 and under are free. Tickets are only $7 for adults if purchased by Oct. 1. For ticket info please call Fran at 636-5794578. St. Robert Bellarmine is located at 1424 South First Capitol Dr. in St. Charles.

Oct. 7: Lake St. Louis Police Department open house

The Lake Saint Louis Police Department would like to invite you and your family to the Lake Saint Louis Police Department Community Open House at the Lake Saint Louis Police Department at 200 Civic Center Drive in Lake Saint Louis from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Police, fire, EMS, animal control, SWAT, St. Charles County Prosecutor and The Child Center will be on display. Station tours, meet-and-greet with the new chief of police, plenty of

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • September 20, 2017 photo ops, food and drink and much more.

Oct. 7: Bake and crafts sale

A bake and crafts sale takes place at Grace Gardens Apartments at 116 W Pitman St. in O’Fallon from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will also be a 50/50 raffle.

Oct. 7: Bonfire and hayride

Second annual free bonfire and hayride will take place from 5 – 8 p.m. at Dardenne Presbyterian Church at 7400 South Outer Road 364 in Dardenne Prairie. This will be an evening of hayrides, bounce houses and live music while grilling your own hot dog and roasting marshmallows for your s’mores at one of the many fire pits. The hot dogs, snacks, drinks and makings for the s’mores will be provided. All you have to do is come with a stick to cook your hot dog and marshmallows and a blanket or chair to sit on. Please register by Oct. 2 at dpc4u. org/bonfire or by calling the church at 636-561-4347.

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

sic by a D.J., free Zumba classes, raffles, drawings and giveaways will add to the fun. For more information visit www. renaudspiritcenter.com/rec-or-treat.

Oct. 14: O’Fallon’s Fall Run (5K and 10K) and Pirate Costume Contest

Get your day off to an energetic start with an early-morning walk, jog or run through O’Fallon’s neighborhoods with this family-friendly race featuring a free runners’ costume contest from 7 – 8:30 a.m. with start and finish lines at O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall) at 100 North Main Street in O’Fallon. The event is for all ages. Early registration through Sept. 11 is $15 for the 5K and $20 for the 10K. Registration Sept. 12 – Oct. 13 is $18 per person for the 5K and $23 for the 10K. Race Day registration (6–6:45 a.m.) is $20 for the 5K and $25 for the 10K. Online registration and information can be found at www.ofallon.mo.us/fall-run. Or, register in person through Oct. 13 at the O’Fallon Parks and Recreation Administration Office at 400 Civic Park Drive. The office is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 14: Craft expo

Craft expo at Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 8945 Veterans Parkway takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch is available. There will be a bake sale and a great variety of products. This is a fundraiser for River Roads Lutheran School. Booths are $25 and tables available $5. Spaces still available.

Oct. 16: Beer tasting

Marvel vs DC Trivia Night from your O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce and Industries takes place at the Trigg Banquet Center at 300 O’Fallon Plaza. You get 10 rounds of intense, mind-blowing trivia from a variety of categories, mulligans, and all the beer and soda you can drink. Bring your own snacks. Decorate your table. Dress the part of your favorite Marvel or DC hero or villain because a prize will be award for best individual costume. A cash bar for wine and liquor will be available. Doors open at 6 p.m., game starts at 7 p.m. Then the price is $200. No outside drinks of any type allowed. Must be 21 and up to play. For more information go to http://www.ofallonchamber.org/trivia. html.

The Child Center, Inc. invites members of the general public to sample a variety of great tasting beers and savory appetizers in a pleasant atmosphere at their Second Annual Beer Tasting. The “Cheers!” Beer Tasting will take place at Friendship Brewing Company located at 100 E. Pitman Road in Wentzville starting at 6 p.m. The evening will include a flight of four Friendship Brewing Company beers and an assortment of savory appetizers from the Friends with Benefits Bistro. Guests will be able to mix and mingle and participate in the silent auction, raffle, and games throughout the evening. Additional beverages will be available for purchase. Seating is limited, so attendees are urged to purchase tickets early. All proceeds will benefit The Child Center, Inc.’s mission of responding to child abuse through a supportive team approach to reduce trauma to children and their non-offending family members. Persons must be 21 years of age to attend and the admission fee per person is $50. To purchase a ticket please visit www.thechildcenter.com/beer-tasting or for more information please contact Linda Buschman at 636-332-0899 or lbuschman@cacnemo.org.

Oct. 13: Trivia night

Oct. 16: Art competition

Oct. 13: Trivia night

Church of the Transfiguration proudly presents trivia night at the Elks Lodge at 1163 Tom Ginnever in O’Fallon. Proceeds will help support Transfiguration’s outreach ministries and programs. There will be a special raffle for two season tickets to the Fabulous Fox Theatre Broadway Series. Admission is $160 for a table of eight. Drinks are included, no outside beverages allowed. To purchase a table or for more information email fundraiser@transfigurationchurch.org.

Oct. 13: RSC’s Rec-or-Treat Movie and Anniversary Party

Kids, come dressed for Halloween and meet “Toy Story” characters Woody and Jessie, and watch Disney’s Pixar’s Halloween special, “Toy Story of Terror” (TV-PG) from 5 – 8 p.m. at Renaud Spirit Center (RSC) at 2650 Tri Sports Circle in O’Fallon. Free admission, parking, activities and movie showings. Party highlights include free Halloween-themed treats, crafts, games, prizes, face painting, a balloon artist, a bounce house, and an open swim (so don’t forget your suit!). Mu-

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 Centre is located inside St. Peters City Hall at One St. Peters Centre Blvd. in St. Peters.

Oct. 16: Call for artists

St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre invites

all artists to clean out their inventories at the “8th Annual $100 or Less Art Show and Sale,” coming up Oct. 19Dec. 17, at the Cultural Arts Centre located inside St. Peters City Hall at One St. Peters Centre Blvd. in St. Peters. All works submitted must be priced at $100 or less. The sale and show will give buyers an opportunity to pick up some unique artwork at affordable prices, just in time for the holidays. The cost to enter is $5 per piece. Artwork will be received from 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Oct. 16, at St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre. For more information on this show, call 636-397-6903, ext. 1624, or visit http://www.stpetersmo.net/arts.

What’s Happening

SUDOKU answers from page 10

CROSSWORD answers from page 11

Oct. 26: Graveyard tour

As the bewitching season approaches, you are invited to the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre’s next day trip, “Touchstones to Our Past.” The day will be spent visiting some of St. Louis’ most famous graveyards. Enjoy a lunch at Grbic restaurant, which specializes in European and Balkan cuisine. The bus departs from the west parking lot of St. Peters City Hall, One St. Peters Centre Blvd., at 8 a.m. and returns at approximately 4 p.m. This tour involves very little walking. The cost is $79 and includes transportation, lunch, gratuities and donations. For more information on this and future trips, go to www. stpetersmo.net/arts or call 636-3976903, ext. 1624. To register, visit www. stpetersmo.net/Rec-Connect.

Oct. 28: O’Fallon’s 17th Annual Make A Difference Day

Families, organizations and individuals are encouraged to participate in community volunteering at roadside, creek, park and military appreciation projects from 9–11 a.m.; lunch 11 a.m. – noon at various assigned locations in the city of O’Fallon. Help keep O’Fallon a clean environment where nature can thrive. To register, visit www.ofallon.mo.us/volunteer or call 636-379-5417.

Oct. 28: Craft fair

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 323 will be holding their first annual craft fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 504 Luetkenhaus in Wentzville. Vendors will have a variety of items and there will be attendance prizes and raffles. There will also be a limited kitchen available serving hot dogs, chips, chili, soda and desserts. Sign-ups are on a first-come-first-serve basis. Registration will end on Oct. 14. Vendor spaces are 6 x 8 and include 1-8 ft. table and two chairs for $25. Electric is available for $5. Send name, address, phone, email, number of spaces needed, whether electric needed, description of items or company name and check to: ALA Wentzville Unit 323, P.O. Box 122, Wentzville, MO 63385. For more information, contact Debbie at 636332-6548.

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Oct. 29: Reformation celebration

Dardenne Presbyterian Church’s Quincentennial Celebration of the Protestant Reformation and 20th Anniversary of the Lloyd Daugherty pipe organ will take place at 3 p.m. in the Dardenne Presbyterian Church sanctuary. The church is located at 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie. The program will be based upon the Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation. Music will be presented by the choirs and instrumentalists of Dardenne Presbyterian as well as the choir of Third Presbyterian Church of St. Louis. All present will join in singing hymns of faith. Recognition will be given to those in attendance who helped to build Dardenne’s 68 rank pipe organ. A love offering to benefit the Lloyd Daugherty pipe organ fund will be received during the event. All are welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served after the program. Please contact Stefanie Liesman, director of traditional music ministries at Dardenne Presbyterian, at stefanie. liesman@dpc4u.org for more information.

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Bad parents can mean big box office

M O V I E

By Steve Bryan

In 1994, “Ace Ventura,” a film showIn 2016, Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn casing Jim Carrey’s comedic talents, and Kristen Bell charmed audiences surprised box office pundits by earning as a trio of “Bad Moms.” Kunis plays more than 12 million dollars on a FebruAmy Mitchell, a woman trying to be a ary weekend. That number is even more super parent to her kids. When her life impressive given the less-than-favorable starts to fall apart, she rebels against the reviews and the film’s $15 million budconfining nature of her daily existence. get. Carrey, who gained popularity from Amy bonds with single-mom Carla his work on TV’s “In Living Color,” be(Hahn) and Kiki (Bell), a mother of four. came a bankable star and went on to They like her new attitude, which leads make the sequel “Ace Ventura: When to positive changes for all the families Nature Calls” as well as other hit movies. involved. This film isn’t the only one to defy critProduced on a budget of $20 million, ical consensus and become a bankable “Bad Moms” went on to gross $186 milhit. In 2015, Will Ferrell and Mark Wahllion at the box office despite some mixed berg teamed up for “Daddy’s Home,” a reviews. With that type of return, “A Christmas release that felt like a comedy Bad Moms Christmas” was inevitable. retread. Ferrell plays Brad Whitaker, a Kunis, Hanh and Bell reprise their roles dedicated step-father who tries to bond from the original in a sequel set during with his new family. Dusty Mayron the Christmas season. Christine Baran(Wahlberg), the children’s biological faski, Cheryl Hines and Susan Sarandon ther, arrives on the scene, though, trying join the cast as the mothers of Amy, Kiki to get his ex-wife and kids back. and Carla respectively. “Daddy’s Home” is standard holiday Arriving on Nov. 3, “A Bad Moms fare featuring physical comedy and one- ‘Daddy’s Home’ photo courtesy Paramount Pictures. ‘Bad Mom’s Christmas’ photo courtesy STX Christmas” could be an early holiday gift Entertainment. upmanship between the lead actors. It’s a for movie lovers. With all that comedic pleasant enough movie made for an estitalent in one film, this one is worth a look. mated $69 million dollars; it ultimately earned over $240 million at the Sometimes, being bad can be a good thing, especially at the box office. box office. The scenes before the final credits show Brad and Dusty as Born and raised in South St. Louis, Steve Bryan is now good friends and left the door open for another movie. based in Anaheim, California, and has been allowed ac“Daddy’s Home 2,” the sequel due in theaters Nov. 10, pulls out all the cess to movie and television sets to see actors and direcstops. This time around, Dusty, a step-dad himself, must deal with his tors at work. Though his writing has taken him far from St. Louis, Steve is, at heart, still the same wide-eyed kid who step-daughter’s towering biological dad (John Cena). Mel Gibson and spent countless hours watching classic movies at neighJohn Lithgow also are on hand as the fathers of Dusty and Brad re- borhood theaters. spectively. Given the casting, this could be a popular holiday choice 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. for families.