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December 26, 2018

Drawing new boundaries

Around Town

St. Charles county offers natural tree recycling. Pg. 3

Special Section Senior Living. Pg. 5

School OFHS student receives $300,000 for college. Pg.7

Features

The Francis Howell School District will redraw the boundaries of Fairmount and Warren Elementary schools due to population growth.

Photo courtesy Francis Howell School District

The Francis Howell School District will redraw the boundaries of Fairmount and Warren Elementary Schools, which are both currently over capacity

CLASSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3 Moore On Life, Yeggs & Crossword. Pg. F-4

Weather

By Brett Auten Every so often, some maneuvering is called for. The Francis Howell School District has seen splashes of significant population growth within its boundaries. And it just so happens that these increases in are occurring in two elementary schools that are already about to top out due to student population. Currently both Fairmount and Warren Elementary are over capacity, and projections are that enrollment at those two schools will continue to increase with the present attendance boundaries. With a current enrollment of more than 1,100 students, Fairmount is now the largest elementary school in Missouri. The District Capacity Committee has been examining the issue for some time, and after much discussion and research, presented

Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1

a plan to the Francis Howell Board of Education that will create long-term solutions to the capacity concerns. The process will use soft boundary changes at Fairmount and Warren that will allow students to stay in their current elementary school until they finish, with school bus transportation provided during this time. It will also allow younger siblings of those students to attend the same school as their older sibling if requested. Only incoming kindergarten and transfer students in these areas will be required to attend the new schools. Dr. Will Vanderpool is the district’s Director of Alternative Learning and headed up the District’s Capacity Committee. He See ’Boundaries’ page 2

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Around Town

December 26, 2018 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

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Huneke Publications, Inc. 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366 PH: 636-379-1775 | FX: 636-379-1632 Published weekly since 1921. Serving St. Louis, St. Charles and Lincoln Counties. Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Mathew DeKinder Publisher Emeritus/General Manager Robert J. Huneke Production Manager Rebecca Brockmann Production Assistant Melissa Nordmann Copy Editor Donna Huneke Staﬀ Writers Brett Auten, Charlotte Beard Columnists Gary Baute, Steve Bryan, Cindy Moore, Nick Palisch Cartoonist John Hanna Social Media Lori North Classiied Advertising Brooke Tolle Display Advertising Heather Deatz, Susan Faust, Doug Garbs, Bob Huneke, Norm Merchant, Christy Parks, Christy Weber Circulation Dominion Distribution, Papers Unlimited Community News is a Registered Trademark of Huneke Publications, Inc: Neither the advertiser nor the publisher is responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, typographical errors, etc., herein contained. Huneke Publications, Inc. reserves the right to accept or reject all news and advertising copy which in the sole judgement and discretion of the publisher/ed itor is not suitable or deemed appropriate for publication. Copyright 2017 Huneke Publications, Inc. with all rights reserved. No part of the publications may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher/editor. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns are the opinion of the writers and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Entire Contents Copyrighted.

‘Boundaries’ from cover said that every two-to-three years, boundary adjustments like these are needed to be made. “We have an overall stable district enrollment,” Vanderpool said. “But we have pockets of real growth. It doesn’t take a whole lot of new students, around 50 or 60, before things start to get pushed to capacity.” These soft boundary changes will affect part of the current Fairmount attendance area, which will become a Central Elementary attendance area. The plan will also shift part of the current Warren attendance area to a John Weldon Elementary attendance area and another part to an Independence Elementary attendance area. Under this plan, Central will receive approximately 84 students, and John Weldon and Independence will each receive approximately 95 students. “It will take several years to reach these levels, and the buildings receiving these students will be staffed sufficiently to keep class sizes relatively unchanged,” Vanderpool added. These boundary changes will also affect the current Francis Howell Middle and Francis Howell High School attendance areas north of Highway 364, they will become Saeger Middle and Francis Howell Central High School attendance areas. In a corresponding move, the current Saeger and FHC attendance areas south of Highway 364 but north of Highway 94 will become Francis Howell Middle and FHHS attendance areas. The Fairmount attendance area that is shifting to Central Elementary will also mean that those students will remain with their cohort group and continue in the feeder pattern to Hollenbeck Middle and FHC. The same guidelines that apply to the elementary changes in regards to timing and transportation will also apply to these changes. According to Vanderpool, the proposal will allow the transition to occur gradually and minimize the impact on students and their families as we move students to schools with more available space. The plan will also align students into a cleaner feeder system for middle and high school. “We are trying not to overload Warren Elementary and give it room to as the Cottleville area continues to see growth with a lot of new sub

Photos courtesy Francis Howell School District The Francis Howell School District will redraw the boundaries of Fairmount and Warren Elementary schools due to population growth.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • December 26, 2018

St. Charles County offers natural Christmas tree recycling

Bigstock Rather than tossing away a natural Christmas tree after the Yuletide celebration, residents should consider recycling these evergreens.

Rather than tossing away a natural Christmas tree after the Yuletide celebration, residents should consider recycling these evergreens. They can serve as fish habitat in area lakes, chipped wood paths along natural surface walking trails, mulch and more. The Division of Environmental Health and Protection leads the natural tree recycling collection in St. Charles County and partners with several local organizations to provide convenient dropoff locations. To recycle natural Christmas trees in St. Charles County, residents must remove the stand, all decorations, lights and any packaging. Trees may be taken to any of these locations: St. Charles County Recycle Works locations •

Recycle Works Central in St. Charles, 60 Triad South

•

Recycle Works West in Wentzville, 2110 East Pitman Avenue

Both are open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Dec. 26 to Jan. 12. Please Note: The Recycle Works facilities are not open on Sundays. Additional tree collection locations in St. Charles County •

Quail Ridge Park in Wentzville (Group Picnic Area parking lot), 560 Interstate Drive

Open 7 a.m. to sunset, daily, Dec. 26 to Jan. 12 •

Laurel Park in St. Peters (upper parking lot), use McClay Valley Boulevard entrance

Open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Dec. 26 to Jan. 12. •

St. Peters Earth Centre, 115 Ecology Drive

Open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,

Dec. 26 to Jan. 12. Please Note: St. Peters Earth Centre is not open on Sundays. • Progress Park in Wentzville (parking lot), 968 Meyer Road Open Jan 2 to Jan. 18 during posted park hours. •

Heartland Park in Wentzville, 100 William Dierberg Drive

Open Jan 2 to Jan. 18 during posted park hours. •

Rotary Park in Wentzville, 2577 W. Meyer Road

Open Jan 4 to Jan. 18 during posted park hours. Recycling additional holiday materials The county’s Recycle Works facilities also accept light strands, cardboard gift boxes and wrapping paper. Clean paper, certain plastics and corrugated cardboard are collected at no charge to residents. Glass is accepted at the Recycle Works West facility only. Various electronic items, appliances and accessories are processed for a small fee. For more information on how to use St. Charles County’s recycling program or to discover how additional materials may be recycled through these facilities, please call 636-949-1800 or visit https://www.sccmo.org/RecycleWorks.

Around Town

County executive appoints new county counselor for St. Charles County St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann has appointed John R. Watson as County Counselor. Watson was confirmed by the St. Charles County Council and starts his position Jan. 1, 2019. He replaces Keith Hazelwood who is retiring. “John Watson’s extensive experience with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, combined with his legal experience in the private sector, makes him an excellent choice for this position,” says Ehlmann. “I am pleased that he has accepted this role as he will be an asset to the department and the county as a whole.” Watson has 25 years in the practice of law including as an attorney with the Office of the Attorney General for the State of Missouri. He represented the interests of state government in the attorney general’s office for 15 years, including before administrative, state circuit and appellate tribunals. While in the attorney general’s

Photo courtesy St. Charles County John R. Watson has been appointed as St. Charles County Counselor.

office, he worked with legislative matters, provided dayto-day legal advice, and also served as legislative director and chief of staff. He went on to serve as chief of staff in the governor’s office from January 2009 into 2015. Watson currently is in private practice. He will be relocating with his wife to St. Charles County.

Around Town

December 26, 2018 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

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Learn what’s ‘growing on’ in 2019 at Veterans Tribute Park If you are interested in the science of nature and the natural cycles of the ecosystems in our parks, then you won’t want to miss the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department’s 2019 Phenological Walks series at Veterans Tribute Park near Weldon Spring. This new interpretive program begins at 10 a.m., the first Friday of the month, from January through December, and is led by MaryAnn Fink, Park Horticulture Specialist. Each guided walk lasts about one hour and focuses on a different aspect of nature each month. Participants will observe and discuss the cycles of budding plants, migrating birds and other naturally occurring and seasonal events that will take place at the park from year to year. Learning about phenology is a fascinating way to deepen your appreciation and understanding of nature. During the first program of the series on Jan. 4, MaryAnn will talk about plants at the playground and around the lakes; the grey owl juniper shrubs in the landscape beds that boarder

Inspiration Corner: “Part of every misery is, so to speak, the misery’s shadow or reflection: the fact that you don’t merely suffer but have to keep on thinking about the fact that you suffer.” – C. S. Lewis in “A Grief Observed” I sat in the office of my dermatologist early one morning. He was far exceeding his practice of lengthy wait times and so it was that I conjured up a conversation with a fellow patient. His name was Winston and we were united in our dislike of doctors who over-promise and under-deliver. He told me that he was a retired psychiatrist and I liked him immediately. He was a soft-spoken man – polite and cordial. He was also articulate – a quality I enjoy immensely. As we conversed, he studied me the way a blind man explores the contours of an object; with patience and curiosity. I wondered how many stories he had heard over his years in practice but avoided asking direct questions. I wasn’t looking for a free counseling session. Not too long into our conversation he told me that he suffered from depression. I asked him how he coped and

Submitted photo

the parking lot; and how plant bud scales change as the weather changes. Interested participants should dress for the weather and meet at the informational kiosk next to the Destination Playground in the park. The program is free and open to all ages, but registration is required. To register or for more information about each walk, call the Parks Department at 636-949-7535 or visit http://bit. ly/2019PhenologicalWalks.

Depression does not define us

he said, “As well as anyone with depression.” I asked if he took medication and he nodded his head. Then we fell silent for a moment. I confessed to him that I too have suffered with depression but had yet to find medication that was especially helpful. I also told him I had come to terms with the knowledge that various foods contributed to or alleviated my symptoms, and that exercise was often helpful. He observed me with the eyes of a wise sage and said, “We still don’t fully understand how certain chemicals affect the brain. Medication aimed at curing depression is often science’s best guess. It helps some and not others.” He could not know how much that helped me – how it removed the guilt and shame associated with my affliction. After years spent listening to friends and relations insist I try yet another anti-depressant, I felt suddenly free. Depression was no longer my fault. I told Winston that my overall approach to depression was to “celebrate the good days.” I explained that good days were a reminder that depression is a liar and a thief. Good days

also reiterate that my depression does not define me. My feelings at any given moment are not a true indicator of my worth as a human being. Does it limit my capabilities? Yes. Does it cripple me at times and render me seemingly useless? Yes. Am I loved less because of it? Absolutely not. Long ago I discovered that I am loved and cherished for exactly who I am by the God who created me. I now find my identity in him. When I feel lost or abandoned I cling to his promise to “Never leave or forsake me.” If you are reading this, so can you. www.destinationdiscipline.com.

Margaret Wolfinbarger is a wife and mother of three peculiar children. She lives in St. Charles and likes to shine light into dark places.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • December 26, 2018

Around Town

‘With a View’ kicks off 2019 series of art shows at St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre The St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre has announced its 2019 art shows and competitions, and welcomes artists of all levels, from amateur to professional, to enter in an upcoming show. You do not have to be a Cultural Arts Centre member or a resident of St. Peters to enter. The first art show of 2019 will be “With a View,” which will be on display Jan. 10-March 3, 2019. Artists can submit their artwork, which must contain something seen from a window, key hole, sun roof, etc., from 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Jan. 7, at the Cultural Arts Centre. An artists’ reception will be held from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10, also at the Cultural Arts Centre. Cultural Arts Centre members can submit up to four pieces of artwork per show for a total of $15,

non-members can submit up to three pieces for $20. Cash prizes are given out in each category (painting/ drawing, mixed media and photography), including Best of Show ($100), first place ($50), second place ($25) and third place ($15), as well as Honorable Mention ribbons. All artists are also encouraged to sell their artwork while it’s on display (the Cultural Arts Centre

Fleur de Lis Garden Society members judge holiday decorations contest Fleur de Lis Garden Society members judged the holiday decorations contest at Sunnydale Mobile Home Court located across from Lowes Department Store off Zumbehl. Winners were: First place - 32 Greendale Dr; second place - 235 Pinedale; Third place - 1 Greendale Dr.

They also judged the holiday lights contest at Eldorado Estates off Mexico Rd. Winners were: First place - 160 Eldorado Dr; second place - 260 Santa Cruz; third place - 249 Gibraltor. All recipients received certificates of appreciation.

retains a 25 percent commission). Here are the rest of the upcoming 2019 art shows and competitions: • Sense of Humor: March 7-May 5, 2019 • Parental Love: May 9-July 7, 2019 • Celebrating Heritage: July 11-Sept. 1, 2019 • $100 or Less Art Show and Sale: Oct. 31-Dec. 15, 2019 For more information on Cultural Arts Centre art shows and competitions, 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.

Check out our

Home & Garden Section in Classifieds page 15

St. Charles County park volunteer receives national interpretation award St. Charles County Parks longtime Boone Home volunteer Colonel Robert Pecoraro of Cottleville recently received the 2018 Outstanding Interpretive Volunteer Award from the National Association of Interpretation (NAI) at the group’s national workshop on Nov. 30 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Pecoraro is only the 12th person to be honored with this prestigious award. He also received the NAI’s Region 6 2017 Outstanding Interpretive Volunteer Award last year along with fellow parks volunteer Colonel Barney Combs. The Outstanding Volunteer Interpreter Award is presented to an NAI member who has worked five or more years as a volunteer interpreter, whose educational background is not in interpretation, and whose current volunteer duties are in front-line interpretation or administration of an interpretive program. They must demonstrate a mastery of interpretive techniques and program development, and must demonstrate initiative and a dedication to the affiliated institution. For more than 30 years, Pecoraro, a certified interpretive guide, has been an active volunteer. He has donated thousands of hours of service as an advocate for historic and cultural preservation at The Historic Daniel Boone Home near Defiance. As a volunteer, he brings the legacy of Daniel Boone to life by bridging the past to the future through first-person interpretation of John Filson. Filson was Boone’s biographer, a Revolutionary War veteran, surveyor and the

www.SENIORSHELPINGSENIORS.com/Stlouiscentral

Submitted photo Robert Pecoraro receives his award for Outstanding Volunteer Interpreter from NAI Executive Director Margo Carlock (left) and NAI President Jay Miller (right) in New Orleans on Nov. 30.

first official historian for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Earlier this year, Pecoraro and Combs were recognized for their work with a proclamation by the Governor of Missouri, and in 2017 both received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Parks Department. Catch Pecoraro and Combs in action at The Sappington-Dressel Home: Heritage Preserved event on March 30 at the Boone Home. For more information about home tours, volunteer programs and special events at The Historic Daniel Boone Home, call 636-798-2005 or visit stccparks.org.

www.alexanderstlouis.com

School

December 26, 2018 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Cottleville firefighters fight winter cold with coats for FHSD students

Photo courtesy Francis Howell School District More than 400 children in the Francis Howell School District will be warm this winter thanks to the efforts of the Cottleville Firefighters Outreach.

More than 400 children in the Francis Howell School District will be warm this winter thanks to the efforts of the Cottleville Firefighters Outreach. Students at elementary schools across the district recently received brand-new coats as part of Operation Warm, a nonprofit focused on ensuring kids have a winter coat, helping to improve school attendance and overall wellness. “We love doing this because we want to help our community and we love to see the smiles on kids’ faces when they get a new coat and they know they’re going to be warm this year,” said Cottleville Firefighters Outreach Executive Director Garrett Ryan. “We love giving them someone to look up to, and know that there are people out there that are trying to help them and will always be looking out for them.” FHSD teachers and counselors helped identify the students in need, who were then able to pick

out a warm, colorful coat of their choice. Firefighters made sure every coat fit every child perfectly and wrote the students’ names on the coat’s “made just for you” tag. Students were excited not only to receive a new coat, but also to meet local firefighters. One fourth-grader said, “It makes me happy because they’re being really nice and taking time out of their day to give us coats.” Another student in third grade said, “It feels good to get a free coat, and they save people’s lives, too!” Cottleville Firefighters Outreach holds a variety of fundraisers throughout the year, including the Haunted Trail, to raise funds for this program. This year, they were able to raise $8,000 to purchase coats for kids in need. FHSD is grateful for the support of the Cottleville firefighters and all of our community partners who help provide goods and services for our students.

www.LaserLipoandVeins.com

Wentzville School District students celebrate Computer Science Week and Hour of Code

Photo courtesy Wentzville School District Students across the Wentzville School District joined millions of other K-12 students learning computer code as part of Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 3-9).

Students across the Wentzville School District joined millions of other K-12 students learning computer code as part of Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 3-9). “Hour of Code” is a global campaign designed to get students interested in computer science – the skill that programs our modern world. Hour of Code offers web-based lessons in computer coding that are aimed at every age group. Schools held Hour of Code sessions, had guest speakers, and students have also been logging on at home. Some classes took advantage of the popularity of the video games “Fortnite” and “Minecraft” to teach coding, by having elementary students code characters in these games to dance or perform other tasks. “Coding and computer science careers are two of the most in-demand professions in our area,” said Dr. Karen Hill, WSD Director of Professional & Program Development. “It is imperative for our students to be exposed to coding, especially at a young age.” Computer science develops students’ computational and critical-thinking skills and shows them how to create, not simply use, new technologies. “It is essential that students are exposed to the field of computer science in our K-12 system, as it is foundational in transforming the way a student thinks about the world,” said Hadi Partovi, founder and CEO of Code.org, a Seattle-based national nonprofit that works to expand access to computer science and increase participation by women and minorities. For more information, or to help your child log on, visit Code. org.

www.SHOESANDHOPE.org

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • December 26, 2018

Photo courtesy Orchard Farm School District Orchard Farm Senior Tahj Burnett will attend Northwestern University at no cost thanks to a QuestBridge’s national College Match Scholarship. Photo courtesy Wentzville School District Holt senior Paige Pieper has earned an exceptional distinction at the semiannual National High School Journalism Convention, co-sponsored by the Journalism Education Association and the National Scholastic Press Association.

With attendance of more than 4,000 delegates from across the U.S. and abroad, the JEA/NSPA convention is the largest gathering of student journalists in the country. The convention lasted three days, and over that time students and advisors had the opportunity to attend learning sessions with top broadcast, digital and print journalists. The fall conference’s keynote speaker was Pete Souza, an American photojournalist, and former Chief Official White House Photographer for U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. “I think being a student journalist at this time is important,” Pieper said. “We learn about the journalism process and ethics which helps us in everyday life. I plan on attending college to get a journalism degree so I am grateful for the opportunity to ‘get my toes wet’ and get an idea of what I want to spend the rest of my life doing.”

OFHS senior receives $300,000 for college

Holt High School student receives excellent rating at national writing competition Holt senior Paige Pieper has earned an exceptional distinction at the semiannual National High School Journalism Convention, co-sponsored by the Journalism Education Association (JEA) and the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA). She received an “Excellent” rating in the Editorial Writing category of the highly competitive JEA Write-off competition. Each entry in the competition, which was held in Chicago last month, was judged by a minimum of two qualified experts in the field. “It was very competitive,” Holt journalism advisor Sydney Swanson said. “I helped judge a Caption Writing Write-off contest, and more than half of them received no award. Paige’s category required her to go into a room, analyze three articles, receive a prompt and write an editorial in two hours.” “My work with the journalism team has made me see the world in a new way and has made me think critically about things I normally would have only given a passing glance to,” said Pieper. “This allowed me to look at the contest topic in a unique way. I have gotten a lot of practice writing over the past few years through the Holt program, which helped me calm my nerves so I could do what I love to do. My journalism teachers, Ms. Swanson and Mrs. Mills, have been a huge part of my decision to pursue journalism and I am thankful for the time and effort they have put into making me the best possible journalism student I can be.”

School

Orchard Farm Senior Tahj Burnett will attend Northwestern University at no cost thanks to a QuestBridge’s national College Match Scholarship. College Match Scholarship Recipients are admitted early to QuestBridge college partners with guaranteed, full four-year scholarships that are provided by the colleges and universities, ensuring these students and their families that an education at a top college

can be affordable. One year of tuition at Northwestern, including room and board, is $78,000. Burnett is one of 16,248 applicants to QuestBridge this year; seven percent of applicants were matched. QuestBridge’s 40 college partners include top liberal arts colleges such as Amherst, Pomona, and Williams and exceptional research universities such as Columbia, Duke, Rice, Stanford, and Yale.

Two SCC welding instructors recognized for excellence St. Charles Community College welding instructors Steve Schuetz and Mike Kamp received awards for excellence from the American Welding Society (AWS) at their annual meeting on Dec. 6. Steve Schuetz received the St. Louis Chapter’s Certified Welding Inspector of the Year award. This award is given to a welding instructor who, through professional activity and civic activities, is considered to have enhanced public awareness and opinion of both the American Welding Society and the Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) program or otherwise made an outstanding contribution to the science of welding inspection. From these exemplary activities, the member has made outstanding contributions to the enhancement of the art and science of welding. Mike Kamp received the District Instructor Award in recognition of quality instruction-

al performance devoted to the promotion and expansion of welding skills and knowledge for SCC students. SCC has several welding programs including the American Welding Society Certificate, Basic Welding Certificate of Specialization, Advanced Welding Certificate of Specialization, Entry Level Welding Certificate of Achievement and Welding Associate of Applied Science. SCC recently added welding classes to their credit course offerings to meet the demand from local employers seeking skilled workers. Instructors for SCC’s welding program teach welding skills to AWS standards, offering students the opportunity to earn an industry-recognized credential, a valuable tool when seeking employment. Upon completion of SCC welding programs, job placement is simplified, as SCC has 20 manufacturing partners who are ready to hire.

What’s Happening

December 26 2018 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Send your event to editor@mycnews.com and we'll print it! EVENTS Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Bingo

The St. Robert Bellarmine Men’s Club is hosting a New Year’s Eve bingo event at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish at 1424 S. First Capitol Dr. (at the intersection of Sherman Dr. and S. First Capitol Dr.). Doors open at 4 p.m., Bingo starts at 6:45 p.m. $3,600 in prizes will be given away, plus attendance prizes. Concession stand will be open for food and beverage purchases. Players may bring own food. (Please no crockpots or electric appliances.) For reservations, contact Rich at 636-441-2395. Cost is $10 per reservation. This $10 is applied to purchase price of your bingo sheets. No advanced reservations after Dec. 30. For more information, contact Fred Kuhn at 636-925-1316.

Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve party

The American Legion Post 312, located at 2500 Raymond Dr. in St. Charles, is hosting another New Year’s Eve Party. A happy hour, catered dinner and entertainment featuring Cole Blue Steel is included for $40 per person. Call 636-345-6106 for tickets or visit the Foxhole at the American Legion Post after 3 p.m. everyday but Tuesday. For more information visit www. alpost312mo.org.

Jan. 11: Bunco Bash

Bunco Bash is hosted by K Of C William Pezold #7198 Ladies Auxiliary. Doors open at 6 p.m., bunco begins at 7 p.m. at the Pezold Banquet Center at 5701 Highway N in St. Charles. Cost is $20 per person and includes appetizers, snacks, desserts, soda and tea along with two complimentary drink tickets. There will be prizes, basket raffles and 50/50. Net proceeds donated to local charity. Contact Mary at 636240-6078 for more information.

Jan. 12: A day in the life of frontier women

Women of the American frontier worked hard, were strong-willed, and had to be tough in order to face and survive daily challenges. Join the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department to celebrate and experience the lives of these women during “A Day in the Life: Frontier Women,” a new program offered from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Historic Daniel Boone Home near Defiance. During this oneday event, women ages 16 and older will learn the skills frontier women had to have to survive during the early 1800s. A few of the skills include fire starting, tallow candle making, black powder rifle firing and wool carding. This exclusive, educational, handson activity is perfect for a Girl Scout troop, club or organization, or for a mother and her daughter to attend together. Space is limited. The program cost is $20 per person and registration is required by calling the Parks Department at 636-949-7535 or by signing up online at http://bit.ly/ADayInTheLifeOfFrontierWomen. Guests should dress appropriately and be prepared for cold weather. The program is subject to change if registration needs are not met.

Jan. 15: Parent speaker series

Parent Speaker Series – First Impact; Preparing Drivers for the Road Ahead takes place from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at Francis Howell School District at 4545 Central School Road in St. Charles. Parents, you are invited and encouraged to bring your teen drivers with you. First Impact is a 90 – minute evidence-based traffic safety program that educates parents about Missouri’s GDL law. The goal of First Impact is to reduce new driver crashes, resulting injuries and fatalities, by increasing parental awareness and enforcement of Missouri’s Graduated Driver License law. The program is delivered by trained GDL Coaches who coach parents by presenting key facts and proven strategies to help parents lower their teens’ crash risk by utilizing the Missouri GDL law. The statewide program is available free of charge. Speakers will be SGT Tom Mozelewski, St. Peters Police Department and Mark Hollander, VISION St. Charles County Leadership.

Jan. 27-28: Theater auditions

Wentzville Christian Church will hold auditions for “Hello Dolly”, Jan, 27 from 1 to 5 p.m. and Jan. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the church. Roles are available for ages 14 and up. Production dates are May 3-5. The church is located at 1507 Highway Z in Wentzville. For more information and audition forms go to wentzvillecc.org.

Feb. 16: Crazy Bowl

The Tri County Advisory Board invites you to the 20th Annual Crazy Bowl at O’Fallon Bowling Lane at 420 Sonderen St. in O’Fallon. Registration is at 5:30 p.m. and bowling begins at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $20 per bowler and includes three games of bowling, bowling shoe rental and prizes. There will be a cash bar available. Only16 lanes reserved so R. S. V. P. early. To reserve your place now, call: Esther Angelos at 636-441-0329 or Melinda Oliver at 636-940-3333 x240. 90 percent of your contribution is tax deductible as allowed by law.

ONGOING EVENTS Mondays: Take off Pounds Sensibly

Take off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets every Monday from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Weigh-ins begin at 8:30 a.m. We meet at Memorial Hall in Blanchette Park at 1900 Randolph St. in St. Charles. For more information contact Joyce at 636-206-5306.

Mondays: Take off Pounds Sensibly

TOPS meet every Monday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 8945 Veterans Memorial Hwy in O’Fallon. Meetings at 9:30 a.m. with weigh in beginning at 8:30 a.m. For more information please call Linda Wilcox at 636-447-9056.

Mondays: Parent support group

Because I Love You, (BILY), Gateway parent support group meets every

Monday at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church at 801 First Capitol Dr. in St. Charles. For information and directions, please contact the helpline at 314-993-7550 or email gateway_parent_help@yahoo.com. BILY is a program of self-help for parents of troubled children (all ages). We are not professionals, but parents helping each other. The meetings are free to attend.

Mondays: 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.

Mondays: Choral Arts Singers practice

Choral Arts Singers resume practice on Mondays, at 7 p.m. at Transfiguration Episcopal Church, 1860 Lake St. Louis Blvd. in Lake St. Louis. New singers are welcome. Auditions are not required. See www.concertarts.org.

Mondays: St.Charles County Council of the Blind meetings

Business meetings are held on the first Monday of each month (second Monday in September due to Labor Day) unless otherwise specified. No meetings are held in June, July, or December. Meetings are held in the Community Council Building (Second floor of the Spencer Branch Library) from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. For more information contact Beverly Kaskadden (Treasurer) at 636-561-6947.

Mondays: St. Peters Rotary Club

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

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: Fitness First Exercise Class 9:30-10:30 a.m., American Legion Hall, 504 Luetkenhaus Blvd., Wentzville. 314-369-6521.

Mondays and Thursdays: Bridge

St. Peters Senior Center plays bridge from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday and Thursdays, and would love to have any player, regardless of skill level, to join in. Call Mary Ann at 636-397-0866 if you are interested in playing on Monday or Thursday morning.

Mondays: American Legion Post 388 Meets

Meets the fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at American Legion Hall, 607 Westridge Dr., O’Fallon, 636-2190553.

Mondays: Measurement Mondays:

10 a.m. - 12 noon at the ST. Charles Health Deparment in the Upper Level Conference room. Measurement Mondays is a family-friendly breastfeeding support group. We are open to all moms and moms-to-be who are breastfeeding or interested in breastfeeding. The group is supported by the St Charles County WIC program so there will be information about the

program available at each meeting. Each meeting will be a little different than the last. There will be baby weigh-ins, introductions, games, interactive education, group conversation, and even snacks.

Mondays and Wednesdays: Tai Chi for arthritis class

Every Monday and Wednesday a Tai Chi for arthritis class, sponsored by the city of St. Charles Parks and Recreation, takes place from 9:15 - 10 a.m. at Webster Park across from the Family Arena. This is a class that is taught nationally to manage arthritis and to prevent falls. For more information call 636-949-3372.

Tuesdays: Cribbage Club

Meets every Tuesday, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. at The Falls Golf Course Clubhouse. Relaxed, friendly play and is open to all. Call 636-561-2970 for more information.

Tuesdays: Seniors group

Please join us on the third Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. for a gathering for senior adults. There will be lunch (no charge), cards and bingo (no charge), community program referrals, occasional health and wellness presentations and clergy available upon request. The event takes place at Church of the Transfiguration at1860 Lake St. Louis Blvd. in Lake Saint Louis. For more information call 636-5618951.

Tuesdays: Gateway Chorus Rehearsal

Spotlight

Gateway Spotlight is a women’s a capella chorus that meets at First United Methodist Church at 801 First Capitol Dr. in St. Charles every Tuesday evening beginning at 7 p.m. Call 636-2566823 for more details.

Tuesdays: Optimist Club meeting

The St. Charles Optimist Club meets each Tuesday at noon at Pio’s Restaurant. For more information contact Jack Ross at 314-287-0569 or jackross@att.net.

Tuesdays: Cribbage

Looking for an evening out? Come and play cribbage Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Rookies at 15358 Veterans Memorial Pkwy in Wentzville. Win prizes and awards with semiannual tournaments. ACC sanctioned. For more information contact Dee at 636-233-8032.

Tuesdays: Cottleville Spring Kiwanis Club

Weldon

Cottleville Weldon Spring Kiwanis Club meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. and the third Tuesday of the month at 11 a.m. Both meetings are at Rack House Kitchen Wine Whiskey. New club looking for new members who want to better our community. Contact Christy at 314583-0538.

Tuesdays: Kiwanis Club of St. Charles

12:05 p.m. at Bogey Hills Country Club in St. Charles. Kiwanis is a global

organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. The group is looking for new members who want to better our community and help its youth. If you are interested in making a positive impact in St. Charles for generations to come, please come for lunch. For more information call 636448-4277. You can also visit http://stcharleskiwanis.com.

Tuesdays: Quilting Guild at the O’Fallon Family YMCA

1-4 p.m. Free. Quilt for local charities. No sewing experience required.

Tuesdays: Toastmasters Meeting

7 p.m. at the Midwest Bank Centre Board Room at 2299 Technology Blvd., O’Fallon, MO 63368. Info: 636379-2505.

Tuesdays: St. Louis Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association Male Caregiver Experience

The group meets on third Tuesday of every month from 10-11:30 a.m. at theAlzheimer’s Chapter Office at 9370 Olive Blvd. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, support, or the Male Caregiver Experience, please call the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 or visit www. alz.org/stl. Registration is requested before the first meeting.

Tuesdays: Social club for widows and widowers

On the first and third Tuesday of each month a social club for widows and widowers meets at 7 p.m. at St. John’s United Church of Christ at Fifth and Jackson Streets in St. Charles. On the first Tuesday there are refreshments and on the third Tuesday there is either a speaker or entertainment. The group also goes to breakfast, lunch and dinner monthly, and has a pot luck dinner each month.

Tuesdays: Monthly veterans coffee

Veterans from all branches of service are invited to the Wentzville Green Lantern Senior Center at 506 S. Linn Ave. in Wentzville on the second Tuesday of each month from 9 – 10:30 a.m. for coffee, pastries and camaraderie. Come meet with fellow veterans who served our country and share your experience.

Tuesdays: Dardenne Presbyterian Church Basketball 8-9:30 p.m., in the Christian Life Center, 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie. Open to high school and adult men.

Tuesdays: Central Missouri Railroad Association meeting

This unique organization is for railroad modelers, railfans, photographers and railroad retirees with layouts in O, HO, N hoping to add G scales. Meetings are on second Tuesdays of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Warrenton Masonic Lodge. For more info call 636-279-5522 or 636-456-0776 or visit our Facebook page.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • December 26, 2018 Tuesdays: Cancer support group

Cancer Companions Support Group is a support group for any cancer patient in treatment or post treatment, their caregiver and their loved ones that meets on the second Tuesday of each month at Dardenne Presbyterian Church at 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie at 7 p.m. in the parlor. Registration is not required.

Tuesdays: Show-me Stitchers Embroiderer’s Guild of America

Meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at the Ladue Chapel. Info: www.showmestitchers.com.

Tuesdays: O’Fallon Garden Club

Meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month at Sunrise Methodist Church, 7116 Twin Chimney Blvd. Info: Barb at 636.978.5930. Club does not meet in August or November.

Tuesdays: St. Charles American Legion Post 312 spaghetti dinner. 5pm, St. Charles American Legion Post 312, 2500 Raymond Drive in St. Charles on the last Tuesday of the month. $6 per person. For more information call Post 312 at 636.947.7666.

Tuesdays and Thursdays: Tai Chi at the St. Charles County Family YMCA 10:15-11:15 a.m. No experience necessary. 636-928-1928.

Tuesdays and Thursdays: Get Fit Exercise Classes 9-10 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Hall, New Melle. 314369-6521.

Wednesdays: Food pantry

Food pantry open Wednesdays to the public from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Cornerstone UMC at 1151 Tom Ginnever Ave. in O’Fallon. Bread, canned goods other necessities.

Wednesdays: Talk

Veterans

Coffee

Veterans from all branches of the service are invited to attend “Coffee Talk” every Wednesday at. 9 a.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 3601 Ehlmann Rd. in St. Charles (Take I-70 to the Cave Springs exit). We will have applications for VA health care, applications for the honor flight, reports from local American Legion and VFW halls and lots of good comradery. Come join us for free coffee and donuts and enjoy an hour with your fellow veterans.

Wednesdays: Marine League meeting

Corp

On the first Wednesday of each month the St. Charles County Marine Corps League meets at the American Legion 313 old town St. Peters at 7:30 p.m. All Marines and FMF Corpsmen are welcome. For more information visit www.stcharlesmarine.org.

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: Crossroads Cribbage Club 12 noon. Meets at 1380 Boone St., Troy, MO 63379. 636.528.8379.

Wednesdays: Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS)

Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the United Methodist Church at 725 N. Wall St. in Wentzville. TOPS is a national non-profit weight-loss organization that supports its members in attaining their goal weight. There is no cost for the first meeting. All are welcome.

Wednesdays: Men’s Golf League

Wednesdays, April - October. 5 p.m., tee off at 5:30 p.m. at Heritage of Hawk Ridge. For more information, contact the Lake St. Louis Community Association at (636)625-8276.

Wednesdays: Charity Bingo

6:45pm, Doors open at 5 p.m. VFW Post 5077 sponsors, at VFW Hall, 8500 Veterans Mem. Pkwy., O’Fallon. 636272-1945 or www.vfwpost5077.org.

Wednesdays: Yoga at The St. Charles County Family YMCA 6-6:55pm Any 636.928.1928.

level.

Info:

Wednesdays: Hope & Healing

5-6pm, Dardenne Presbyterian Rock Church, 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie on the first Wednesday of the month. Unique service of music, worship, and prayer for those in need of hope and healing.

Wednesdays: St. Charles Area Wood Carvers

7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Meetings are held at the Hollenbeck Middle School at 4555 Central School Road, St. Charles, Missouri on the first and third Wednesday of the month. Visitors are always welcome! For more information check the club web site: www.stcharlesareawoodcarvers.com/ or contact Charles Sapp.

Wednesdays: Take Off Pounds Sensibly

Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets every Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the parish hall of Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church at 907 Jungermann Rd. in St. Peters. TOPS is a national non-profit weight-loss organization that supports its members in attaining their goal weight. There is no cost for the first meeting. All are welcome. Weigh-ins begin at 9 a.m. Contact Judy Bauer at 636-541-2263 for further information.

Thursdays: meeting

American

Legion

On the first Thursday of each month, American Legion Post 323 meets at 7:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall at 504 Luetkenhaus Blvd. in Wentzville. For more information call 636327-6060.

Thursdays: Lions Club meeting

Wentzville Outreach Lions Club meets

the second Thursday of the month at Schnucks at 1960 Wentzville Pkwy in Wentzville at 6 p.m. Contact Jimmy Butler at 314-780-5629 or Lisa Alexander at 314-258-1069 for more information.

Thursdays: TOPS meeting

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Club 661 Wentzville holds meetings every Thursday in room 21 at The United Methodist Church of Wentzville, 725 Wall Street. Weigh ins at 9:30, meetings begin at 10 a.m. For more information call 314-650-1014.

Thursdays: Optimist Club meetings

The O’Fallon Optimist Club meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Bank of Old Monroe T.R. Hughes Blvd. in O’Fallon. For more information, contact CyndySchwab at (636)544-0102.

Thursdays: Lions Club meetings

St. Charles Lions Club meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at 1144 S Benton Street in St. Charles. Contact Art for more info at 636-441-1831. New members are welcome.

3rd Thursday: Fleur de Lis Garden Society

Meets first Tuesday of the month, 6:30 pm at the McC;lay Library in St. Charles. Info: www.fleurdelisgardensociety.org;

3rd Thursdays: Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 458 Meeting

7pm, Amvets Post 106, 360 Brown Rd in St. Peters. Those who served in any branch between 1962 and 1975 are welcome.

Every Thursday: Dardenne Presbyterian Church Quilters

9am-2pm, Dardenne Presbyterian Church, 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie. Members do hand quilting to quilts of any size for donation that is given to various church supported charities. No experience is necessary to join the group. For more information, contact Brenda Kenny at 636.240.3753.

Every Thursday: Kiwanis Club of St. Peters

6:30am at IHOP (3851 Veteran’s Memorial Pkwy St. Peters).

Every Thursday: Kiwanis Club of O’Fallon

Meets at JJ’s Restaurant in O’Fallon at 12 noon, except third Thursday the group meets at 6 p.m. Info: www.ofkiwanis.com.

Every Thursday: Rotary Club meeting

7:30am, The Rendezvous Café at 217 South Main St. in O’Fallon. We welcome existing and potential members to visit and have breakfast with us. www.ofallonmo.rotary-clubs.org

Every Thursday: Active Older Adults Game Day at the O’Fallon Family YMCA

10a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Family Hall. Free

What’s Happening

for members. Bring a favorite snack to share. Anybody welcome.

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

2nd and 4th Thursdays: Alexander Chapter #242 Order of the Eastern Star Meetings

7:30pm, St. Charles Masonic Lodge, 2051 Collier Corporate Parkway in St. Charles.

3rd Thursday of each month: Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 458 meetings

7pm, Amvets Post 106, 360 Brown Rd in St. Peters.

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

2nd and 4th Thursdays: Lions Club meetings

St. Charles County Lions Club meets second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at 1144 S Benton in St. Charles. New members welcome.

Every Friday: Moms Play Group

10am at LSL Community Association, 100 Cognac Ct., Lake Saint Louis, MO 63367. 314.479.0306, andreacrislip@ gmail.com or www.lslmothersclub. com.

Every Friday: VFW Fish Fry

3-8pm VFW Post 2866. 66 VFW Lane. Call Bill Sams, 636.724.9612.

Fridays: Bingo

The American Legion Post 312, located at 2500 Raymond Dr. in St. Charles hosts bingo, every Friday night. This is a non-smoking hall with games starting at 6:15 p.m. and includes two progressive bingo games per night. See more at www.alpost312mo.org

Every Saturday: Chess

9-12 at Middendor-Kredell Library on Hwy K.

Every Saturday: Veterans Learn guitar for FREE

9:30am in Historic St. Charles. Info: Bill Dennis at 314.479.5750.

Every Saturday: Peaceful Puppy Mill Protest

11am - 12:30pm at Petland, 6131 Ronald Reagan Drive, Lake St. Louis. banmo.puppymills@yahoo.com.

Second and Fourth Saturday of the month: Charitable bingo

Bingo starts at 6:30 p.m., doors open at 4 p.m. at the Wentzville Community Club located at 500 West Main in Wentzville. For more information visit www.wentzvillecommunityclub. com or www.facebook.com/wentzville-community-club Saturdays: Fruehschoppen Samstag Verein (FSV)

Last Saturday of every month Fruehschoppen Samstag Verein (FSV) meets at 11 a.m. at Bar Louie in St. Charles. Wir treffen uns auf ein Bier (und vielleicht Mittagessen), und geniessen ein Gespräch auf deutsch. We’re meeting for a beer (and maybe lunch), and enjoying a conversation in German. April, June and September meetings are held at different locations. See https://www.facebook.com/ groups/472022532983525/

Get your event or good news published in Community News: email your information in calendar and article formats to editor@mycnews.com.

Sports

December 26, 2018 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Sports you see with Gary B... Lindenwood wrestler picks up some hardware Lindenwood University wrestling junior Carlos Jacquez was named Mid America Intercollegiate Athletics (MIAA) Wrestler of the Week after winning his second title recently. No. 4 Jacquez started placing first in the twoday Midwest Classic that concluded on Sunday in Indianapolis, Indiana. He then won his second title on the year in a bracket that included nine wrestlers ranked in the 125-pound weight class. The returning All-American had one tech fall and two major decisions including a 12-1 major decision in the finals. Jacquez, an Aurora, Illinois native, is 11-0 this season with three pins, two tech falls, and two major decisions. The Lions will be back in action on Jan. 4 when they compete in the NWCA National Duals in Louisville, Kentucky. *One of many

www.proactiveprintservices.com

WANTED: Players for the indoor football team STL Stampede Open Tryouts: Participants will be competing in non-contact activities for an opportunity to earn a professional indoor/arena league player contract. Participants will be competing in athletic events such as a 40-yard dash and broad jump to display the athletic talents. Football specific football drills, such as, oneon-one and eight-on-eight drills will also be conducted. Participants must provide their own cleats, shorts and accessories. The tryout is non-contact, so pads and helmets are not necessary. Participants also must be prepared upon their arrival — no locker room facilities will be available, although restrooms will be accessible. The tryouts will be Jan. 12 from 7 – 11 a.m. at Olympia Athletic at 49 Lawrence Street in St. Charles. For more information contact klein@STLStampede.com or go to www.STLStampede.com. *Show time UMSL basketball team destroys opponent The University of Missouri-St. Louis women’s basketball team returned to the court recently following a nine-day layoff, to record an 86-38 win over Oakland City.

www.midwestbankcentre.com www.stpetersmo.net/rec-plex

The Tritons recorded season-highs of 21 steals and 56 rebounds and had three players in double figures, including the great play of sophomore Alex LaPorta who finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season, while also collecting five steals. Other players actions: *Junior Grace Morrow added a season-best 15 points *Senior Kaitlynn Henning recorded 12 points, six steals and four assists *Freshman Kiara Stewart pulled down 11 rebounds *Freshman Faye Meissner added eight boards and eight points. *All 13 players saw action in the game with 12 getting in the scoring column. *Team effort

Ambush players get noticed in week three Recently the St. Louis Ambush, your professional soccer team that plays in the Major League Soccer League with their home games at the Family Arena, had a few players the MASL noticed. Forward Zach Reget and midfielder Corey Adamson shined in the team’s home opener. Against the Kansas City Comets the Ambush won in overtime 6-5 with Reget and Adamson a major part of the exciting win. The team resumes play at the Family Arena on Jan. 5 and 19. For more information go to www.STLAmbush.com *Nice start at home

Gary Baute, a St. Louis native, may be educated in business but he lives and breathes sports. As a fan or an athlete, Gary is all sports all the time. He hosted a radio sports program on KFNS, emceed the River City Rascals’ inaugural season, and co-hosted SportsRadioSTL.com, among many other activities.

www.mycnews.com • Community News • December 26, 2018

Recipe:

nerstone of nearly every great holiday celebration. For more recipes and tips that can help make your holiday soiree a breeze, visit Smithfield.com/ HolidayHub.

Bacon French Toast Bake

Directions: Leave bread slices out, at room temperature, at least 3 hours, or until slightly stale. Generously coat 9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange bread, slightly overlapping. In large bowl, whisk eggs, heavy cream,

milk, Gruyere cheese, maple syrup and cinnamon. Add chopped bacon, saving 2 tablespoons for later. Pour over bread in baking dish. With hands, press down on bread to submerge. Cover baking dish with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 5 hours, or overnight.

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– SUDOKU –

Holiday inspiration for every occasion

The holiday season is full of opportunities to eat, drink and gather around the table with the ones you love. Whether it’s a family dinner, office potluck or neighborhood brunch, good food is a cor-

Feature

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.

Ingredients: 1 small loaf challah or brioche bread, cut into 1⁄2-inch-thick slices nonstick cooking spray 6 large eggs 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup whole milk 1/2 cup grated Gruyere cheese 1⁄3 cup maple syrup 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 4 slices bacon, cooked and chopped 1/4 cup grated Swiss cheese 1/2 cup blackberries 1 teaspoon powdered sugar, for dusting Heat oven to 375 F. Remove plastic. Sprinkle remaining bacon and Swiss cheese over top of bread mixture. Bake 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown and set. Top with blackberries and dust with powdered sugar before serving. SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9

Penny Marshall really was in a league of her own

M O V I E

n Dec. 17, Penny Marshall, a fantastic comedienne, actress and director, passed away. Marshall leaves behind an impressive legacy of television appearances and feature films as well as some memorable moments on “Saturday Night Live.” She was very close and supportive of her brother, the legendary sitcom creator Garry Marshall who passed away two years ago. Early in her career, Marshall appeared in various sitcoms and dramas. Her reoccurring role as Myrna, secretary to the slovenly Oscar Madison in “The Odd Couple,” helped put her on the radar. On the classic sitcom “Happy Days,” which was created by brother Gary, she played Laverne DeFazio opposite Cindy Williams’ Shirley Feeney. Laverne and Shirley were so memorable that a spin-off series was soon created especially for them. Arguably, Penny Marshall’s greatest achievements were behind the camera. The underappreciated 1986 comedy “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” was the perfect vehicle for Whoopi Goldberg. She played a bank employee and computer expert remotely helping a spy return home. Director Marshall channeled Goldberg’s broad comedic style and talent for physical comedy into the story. Two years later, “Big” was, well, really big. In 1984, actor Tom Hanks made waves with the romantic fantasy “Splash,” but his follow-up films were largely mediocre. In “Big,” Hanks

By Steve Bryan

performing films such as “Joe Versus the Volcano” when he played Jimmy Dugan, a washedup former Cubs star coaching a professional girls baseball team. After that role, Hanks became a superstar, winning back-to-back Oscars for “Philadelphia” and “Forrest Gump.” Marshall’s daughter Tracy Reiner also had a featured role in “A League of Their Own.” When I talked to Marshall on the phone in 2001 about “Riding in Cars with Boys,” she joked that her baseball movie should have its own cable channel because it was on TV all the time. In 1993, the film even spawned a short-lived television series of the same name. Gifted with various talents, Penny Marshall was a shining star in Hollywood. Her contributions to television and film are undeniable as was her own comedic ability. She really was in a league of her own.

Photo courtesy Bigstock Photos

plays Josh Baskin, a teenager whose wish to be older and taller comes true. Some moments in the movie, in particular the giant piano scene inside FAO Schwarz, have become iconic. The film even spawned a Broadway musical. Arguably, Hanks owes Marshall another debt of gratitude for casting him in 1992’s “A League of Their Own.” Hanks was coming off under-

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.

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Feature

December 26, 2018 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

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Feature

December 26, 2018 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

Yeggs

John Hanna

Crossword: YEAR-IN-REVIEW

‘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

Avast, ye scurvy pirates! The big holiday has come and gone. Hopefully everyone got what they wanted…or deserved! Particularly the Grinches out there better known as porch pirates. Because of the big uptick in buying online there was an increase in the number of boxes delivered to homes this Christmas. Sadly, all of this has led to an increased production of buttheads. According to one report, 25 million packages are stolen each year from porches, which equates to 25 million buttheads. That’s way too many heads made from butts. Something has to be done! One determined citizen came up with his own ingenious remedy. After numerous hits by these pirate punks and no assistance from an overwhelmed law enforcement agency; he took matters into his own hands. Using his engineering background, he came up with a maniacally delicious form of payback. First came an authentic-looking package, which contained cameras for recording and a GPS for tracking. Next came a delightful little bit of engineering wizardry. Inside the box was a gizmo, which upon opening, would spew a typhoon of glitter into the pirate’s den of hate. But why stop there? Perhaps the lawbreaker may find it amusing to be plastered in a deluge of twinkles. So, as an added bonus, the machine also contained a canister which sprayed clouds of horrifically pungent intestinal odors. No one could enjoy being cov-

By Cindy Moore ered in that! The video is priceless. Oh what fun it is to watch thugs get their reckoning in real time. But what about those of us who are mechanically impaired? Until this device hits the market, here is a suggestion to get back at these lowlifes. Stack a few boxes by the door and include any of the following: 1. Dirty diapers - Nothing will change a person’s life of crime faster than opening a box expecting expensive electronics only to be whacked in the nose holes with a blast of putrid baby doodies. 2. Garbage – Missed garbage night? Not to worry, simply box up your trash, leave it on the porch—gone in minutes. You’ll never have to worry about missing it again. 3. Unruly teenagers – Stick your sassymouthed teen in a box outside and watch it vanish within seconds. Once the box is opened, the fun begins. The teen’s attitude will kick in as they roll their eyes then immediately demand to be taken to the mall. They will then start texting their legal counsel while insisting on being served some fast food. The only downside…the criminal will return the box within five minutes. So play it safe out there and if all else fails go back to buying everyone gift cards again. Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder. The opinions expressed in this column are Cindy Moore’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.

ACROSS 1. Bundle of wheat 6. ____-been 9. Urban apartment 13. Peter, South of the border 14. In the manner of, French 15. Photo-editing color option 16. Chieftain 17. Not well 18. Lively 19. *Late McCain 21. *American Duchess 23. “Some Kind of Wonderful” actress Thompson 24. Your majesty 25. Floor cleaner 28. Greek portico 30. *Super Bowl champs 35. Swear, not curse 37. Place for an ace? 39. Type of newspaper 40. Bar order neither red nor white 41. *Halfpipe winner 43. Toothy wheel 44. Be needy 46. Hindu dress 47. Unfavorable prefix 48. Ballpark grub 50. Lion’s share 52. It can be red or black 53. Burden 55. Break bread

57. *First North Korean to cross Demilitarized Zone 60. *October disaster 64. Acoustic output 65. In the past 67. Tanzania’s neighbor 68. Coral reef island 69. First off sinking ship? 70. Type of closet 71. Not there 72. Dashboard unit 73. Clear the board DOWN 1. R&R destinations 2. Part of hemoglobin 3. “I Dream of Jeannie” star 4. “He’s ____ ____ nowhere man,” Beatles 5. Strong suit, pl. 6. Age of Aquarius flick 7. Nothing alternative 8. Game ragout 9. Onion’s kin 10. October stone 11. *CA’s Camp ____ 12. “Tit for ____” 15. Schmear 20. Often taken with a bible, pl. 22. Aretha’s first three 24. Arabic greetings 25. *”____ For Our Lives”

26. Convex molding 27. Suggest 29. Sounds of amazement 31. *Cooper’s leading lady 32. Property claims 33. Fill with spirits 34. *April missile strikes target 36. Make one’s way 38. EU unit 42. One born to Japanese immigrants 45. 10 to the power of 100 49. Bearded antelope 51. Take on, as in a project 54. Take gun away 56. Not our 57. Burlap fiber 58. Airy emanation 59. Cairo’s waterway 60. “Like a ____ to a flame” 61. *Starred with Blake in “A Simple Favor” 62. Some have them on the back of their head? 63. Swimmer’s row 64. Follows #29 Down, sing. 66. Year off SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9