CrossRoads: July 2022

A thr ead of valor

JULY

2022 writers

VOL 18 | NO 7

BY AVALANCHE

Published monthly with newsstand circulation to Wentzville and Lake Saint Louis plus newsstands in O’Fallon, Troy, Lake Sherwood and Augusta.

Avalanche is a functional illiterate who left the St. Louis area three decades ago in search of adventure. He enjoys motorcycling and all things outdoors.

He lives with his wife and dogs.

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Mathew DeKinder Publisher Emeritus/ General Manager Robert Huneke

ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE – PG. 12

BY CINDY MOORE

MOORE ON LIFE – PG. 13

Production Manager Rebecca Brockmann Contributors Avalanche, David Finkelstein, Cindy Moore Staff Writer Brett Auten

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.

BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN

For advertising information, please contact us at:

Community News 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366 Ph: 636.379.1775 Fx: 636.379.1632

www.mycnews.com

Copyright 2022 Huneke Publications, Inc. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher.

Crossroads is a trademark of Huneke Publications, Inc. Any published use of Crossroads implying affiliation is strictly prohibited.

David Finkelstein is a Master/ Skilled Automotive Service Technician and retired shop owner.

He's invented garage service tools for mechanics, served on both nation and local automotive trade industry boards, has done years of consulting with various auto manufactures plus test drives new vehicles weekly.

David has pioneered "Car Talk Radio" over 35 years ago, as his new show "Automotive Insight" can be heard on Saturdays, on the Real Talk Radio Network.

AUTOMOBILE ALLEY – PG. 14

BY STEVE BRYAN

ENTERTAINMENT – PG. 15

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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.

JULY 4

2022

contents

Around Town Local news and events

11

Feature Story A THREAD OF VALOR Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in O’Fallon hosted a Quilts of Valor – Eastern Missouri event to honor veterans

12

Always an Adventure Bikes I have known

13

Moore on Life All good cats go to heaven

14

Automobile Alley The 2022 Hyundai Tucson has a distinct personality that stands out among SUVs

15

Entertainment No crying in baseball? Amazon will reboot ‘A League of Their Own’

16

For the Love of Food Family meals that make busy weeknights a breeze

19

Community Calendar: July

On the Cover: Photo by Nathan Porter

JULY 2022 | CROSSROADS | 3

Around Town

Preparing for the

WORST PHOTOS BY NATHAN PORTER: Police officers from different departments across St. Charles County participate in Multi-Assault, Counter Terrorism Action Capabilities training to respond to an active shooter situation.

By Brett Auten

Police officers across St. Charles County have been trained in the Multi-Assault, Counter Terrorism Action Capabilities program IT IS A SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS, BUT IT IS THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the number of active shooter incidents across the United States increased more than 50% in 2021 compared to a year before and those incidents resulted in the highest number of deaths since 2017, the FBI said in a report last month.

In St. Charles County, all officers and law enforcement agencies in the county have been trained in Multi-Assault, Counter Terrorism Action Capabilities, or MACTAC, a program that is used throughout the country.

St. Charles County Police Chief Kurt Frisz said selected individuals from every agency in the county went through instructor training first and then those 25 began training every officer – more than 650 – in the county. While the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team often assists in these types of incidents, it was found that in the case of an active shooter, SWAT Teams are often too late to be effective. Train-

4 | CROSSROADS | JULY 2022

ing all officers ensures that any first responding officer knows how to react to the situation.

The training is intense.

Gunshots boom out of loudspeakers and the blanks that are loaded inside the guns crack. Room lights are flickering and smoke is pumped into the hallways. The manpower for the training is extensive and makes for 10-to-12-hour days for those involved. The training involves multiple sections, including the initial outside movement to interior movement and positioning.

“We place trainees in a variety of scenarios and make it as real as possible to make certain we can stop an active shooter in any situation,” Frisz said.

But it is all worth it.

Officers receive 10 hours of MACTAC training with an emphasis that incidents are spontaneous and that suspects are unpredictable and heavily armed. The trainees are also reminded that incidents occur in large environments CONTINUED PAGE 5

Around Town

where there are numerous people who have no way of defending themselves. The training is recurring with full training sessions and refreshers available throughout the year.

“You now have several different agencies all on the same page, performing the same tactics,” St. Charles County Captain David Cathey said. “If something were to happen in St. Peters, for example, the entire region should – and does – know what we're doing. Over the years (the training) has evolved and it is still unfolding and still getting better and better.”

Frisz said it is also important to make certain citizens receive active shooter training. His staff has focused on teachers and other school employees, as well as employees at nonprofit organizations. They receive four hours of 4E School Training: Educate, Escape, Evade and Engage – or Run, Hide, Fight. County employees also were offered the training.

"For officers, it’s a reality of our job and why we serve to protect the public, but for civilians, it’s something they need to be prepared for and to think about," Frisz said. "We want to equip them with as many tools as we can to help save their lives and the lives of those around them and in their care.”

The FBI report defines an active shooting incident as when "one or more individuals actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area." The term "active" refers in particular to the ongoing nature of an incident in which the response – of civilians or emergency services – can still affect its outcome.

St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann said that after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, they found out that while law enforcement, schools and mental health personnel had talked about what they would do in such instances, they hadn’t talked with each other.

“Unfortunately, there are more and more instances of active shooters and people are aware this could happen anytime, anywhere,” Ehlmann said, “Being ready is the best way to keep safe, and I want to reassure the community that our officers are both trained and prepared.”

JULY 2022 | CROSSROADS | 5

Around Town

Ameren Missouri updates comprehensive plan to safeguard long-term energy reliability and resiliency for Missourians Ameren Missouri, a subsidiary of Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE), is announcing an update to its 20-year energy plan to ensure reliability and resiliency for customers for years to come. The updated plan accelerates clean energy additions, reduces carbon emissions even further in the short-term and moves up Ameren Corporation's net-zero carbon emissions goal by five years to 2045.

Long-term energy plan focuses on clean and reliable energy for Missourians The need for reliable, resilient and affordable energy has never been greater. Ameren Missouri's updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) addresses meeting those critical needs over the coming decades.

"Our newly updated long-term energy plan accelerates the addition of clean wind and solar energy sources and further reduces emissions by 2030," said Mark Birk, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri. "By thoughtfully transitioning energy generation sources, we continue to get the energy we provide as clean as we can, as fast as we can, without compromising on reliability, resiliency or affordability for our customers."

Highlights of the updated plan include: • Accelerating Ameren's companywide net-zero carbon emissions goal to 2045.

This goal now encompasses both Scope 1 and 2 emissions including other greenhouse gas emissions of methane, nitrous oxide and sulfur hexafluoride. This goal is dependent on a variety of factors including cost-effective advancements in innovative clean energy technologies as well as constructive federal and state energy and economic policies.

• Increasing the 2030 carbon emissions reduction target from 50% to 60% based on 2005 levels. Ameren maintains its interim goal of an 85% carbon emissions reduction by 2040. These goals are consistent with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

• Retiring more than 3,500 MW of fossilfired generation by 2030, an increase from 6 | CROSSROADS | JULY 2022

the 2020 IRP by more than 1,600 MW. By the end of 2030, three of the four Ameren Missouri coal-fired facilities are expected to retire.

• Adding 2,800 MW of clean wind and solar generation by 2030, an increase of 400 MW from the 2020 IRP, representing a potential investment of approximately $4.3 billion.

• Adding a total of 4,700 MW of renewable generation by 2040, which reflects a potential investment of approximately $7.5 billion.

• Deploying 800 MW of battery energy storage, representing a potential investment of approximately $650 million.

"We're building upon our previous commitments to support communities across Missouri by investing billions of dollars in clean energy, creating thousands of jobs and growing our solid base of carbon-free generation," said Ajay Arora, chief renewable development officer at Ameren Missouri. "Our plan relies on a broad mix of resources alongside focused energy efficiency and demand response programs, which further support families and businesses in the state by saving them money on their energy statements."

New technologies are critical to achieving the company's net-zero goal. To maintain energy reliability and resiliency for customers after the retirement of three coal-fired energy centers by the end of 2030, the company plans a 1,200 MW combined-cycle energy center to be in service by 2031. Plans call for this dispatchable resource to be capable of utilizing a portion of hydrogen fuels and the ability to be retrofitted for carbon capture and storage once those technologies become fully mature. The location of the planned energy center has not yet been determined.

"Ensuring reliability and resiliency while continuing to reduce emissions is imperative," Birk said. "A responsible transition, taking advantage of maturing technologies when they're ready, can accomplish both."

The company also plans to continue robust, cost-effective customer energy efficiency and demand response programs with peak demand reduction of more than 1,200 MW by 2030 and cumulative energy savings surpassing 2.5 million megawatt-hours by 2030. That's enough energy to power more than 220,000 homes for a year. Since 2019 and inclusive of preliminary 2021 data, these programs have saved approximately 800,000 megawatt-hours.

The plan is available at AmerenMissouri. com/Clean, along with detailed information about clean energy and energy efficiency programs for residential customers and businesses. In addition to this update, Ameren Missouri anticipates filing its regular, triennial IRP in September 2023.

What experts are saying about the plan Integral to the IRP process is an ongoing dialogue and information sharing with stakeholders including consumer, environmental and community groups. Leaders from across the region support Ameren's updated plan and its focus on reliability while accelerating renewable energy additions.

"Southeast Missouri State University is proud to be an Ameren Missouri customer and a partner on the Neighborhood Solar project being constructed on our main campus in Cape Girardeau. This project will bring clean, renewable solar energy to our community, including our university. The solar panels also provide covered parking at the Show Me Center. We are excited and thankful for these benefits which are part of Ameren Missouri's Smart Energy Plan and the company's efforts to bring more green energy to the grid as part of its commitment to a net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2045.

This project represents meaningful progress that will impact our students, our state, and our energy future." – Dr. Carlos Vargas, President, Southeast Missouri State University "We rely on energy for so much in our daily lives. We count on reliable electricity to provide lighting, heating and cooling for our homes and businesses; power our CONTINUED PAGE 7

Around Town

BikeFest returns to Kinetic Park and includes Red Bull UCI Pump Track World Championship Qualifier The St. Charles County Parks Department is diligently preparing Kinetic Park in Dardenne Prairie for BikeFest 2022, and racers and spectators alike won’t want to miss it! In addition to two major pump track championship events, the weekend of Aug. 6 and 7 promises to be fun with activities for the entire family.

BikeFest, which runs throughout the two days, is packed with biking events, a live DJ and music, local food vendors, bike shop vendors, inflatables and more. Attendees can utilize the skate park and bike skills course and participate in interactive booths. Last year’s popular foam cannons are back for hot summer fun! See hours below for this free event.

Racers can register to join in the excitement of the area’s second annual Red Bull UCI Pump Track World Championships Qualifier and, for the first year, the USA Pump Track Championships. These events attract racers from across the United States, as well as internationally.

The events will take place on the park’s asphalt pump track – the largest in the nation!

The Red Bull Qualifier, for athletes 17 and older, is scheduled for 3:309:30 p.m., Aug. 6, and features up to 200 competitive BMX and MTB racers: men and women vying for a spot in the World Championship event. In separate runs, riders will race against the clock. The top four men and women from this qualifier will advance to the Red Bull UCI Pump Track World Championships held in Santiago, Chile, later this year to compete for the championship title. The top male finisher and top female finisher from the qualifier will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the World event. To register to compete, visit the Red Bull UCI Pump Track World Championships Qualifier webpage.

The USA Pump Track Championships event, for ages five and up, is scheduled for 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Aug. 7. This national series, taking place for the first time at Kinetic Park, is truly racing for the whole family.

With multiple divisions from five years old to masters at 35 years and over, there is a race class for everyone. The top four winners in the 17 and older bracket will qualify for the USA Pump Track National Championship in Springdale, Arkansas, in September. For more information and to register as a racer for this event, visit the USA Pump Track Championships webpage.

Continued from page 6 many devices; and provide energy to our factories that manufacture products and provide jobs. With so many states announcing the likelihood of summer brownouts or blackouts, it is important that we recognize Ameren Missouri for always providing safe, secure and stable energy for its millions of customers and for bringing more renewable energy into their generation mix as they look to the future." – Chris Ventura, Executive Director, Consumer Energy Alliance – Midwest “The Missouri Chamber recognizes the advantage of reliable, resilient and affordable electricity and natural gas in retaining and attracting business to our state. The Missouri Chamber supports Ameren Missouri's all-of-the-above approach to electricity generation including coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydro and renewable sources as they make the transition to clean energy. We also support their grid modernization efforts that drive greater resiliency, rate affordability and economic development opportunities." – Dan Mehan, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 135,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company's service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/ Missouri or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook. com/AmerenMissouri.

Scheduled events/hours of operation: AUGUST 6

AUGUST 7

Park open:

12–9:30 p.m.

10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Vendors:

12–3 p.m.

10 a.m.–4 p.m., Aug. 7

Red Bull Qualifier:

3:30–9:30 p.m.

USA Qualifier:

www.GreenwayQuest.com

10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Kinetic Park is located at 7801 Town Square Avenue in Dardenne Prairie. For information about exhibitor booths and sponsorship opportunities, call the Parks Department at 636-949-7535. Visit the St. Charles County Parks website to learn more about Kinetic Park.

JULY 2022 | CROSSROADS | 7

Around Town

Local school community donates over $7,000 to support Ukrainian children and families SUBMITTED PHOTO

Surely a walk to remember, preschool teachers, students and parents at Primrose School at St. Charles Community College raised $7,380 for Save the Children’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund by collecting per-lap pledged donations for their walkathon event. The school set up an online sponsorship system for the 60 children who walked to raise money. The event even included a food truck and live music for attendees to enjoy.

Save the Children’s mission is to provide children and their families with psychological and social support, hygiene kits and access to basic necessities. Giving without expectation is an essential part of Primrose's Balanced Learning curriculum and the focus of Primrose Promise Giving events.

8 | CROSSROADS | JULY 2022

Extreme heat presents potential dangers for pets With extremely high temperatures this summer, it’s important to stay inside and hydrated as much as possible. This goes especially for your pets, who don’t have the means to care for themselves in this extreme heat.

Animal control experts at the city of St. Peters remind pet owners that the heat can be dangerous to their animals. City of St. Peters ordinance requires all residents to provide adequate shelter and water for pets when they are outdoors, and that no animal should be within an enclosure or vehicle when weather conditions may be harmful to its health.

Never leave your pet in a hot car. Temperatures inside a vehicle rise quickly to dangerous levels, even with the windows cracked or open one to two inches. Your pet could succumb to heatstroke in a matter of minutes. If it’s 90 °F outside, the temperature inside a car can reach 128 °F in 40 minutes (the same amount of time as an average shopping trip).

Recognize the symptoms of overheating in pets, which may include: excessive panting, drooling, weakness, seizures, diarrhea, and vomiting. Some animals are more susceptible to heat exhaustion, including: older/younger pets, overweight pets, sick pets, and pets with flat faces such as pugs and Persian cats.

Here are more tips to help keep your pets safe and comfortable in the heat: • WATER: Always try to have fresh, cool drinking water available for your pets, even if that means having multiple water bowls.

• SHADE: Make sure that there is plenty of shade when your pet is outside. As the sun changes, be aware of what shade is still available.

• EXERCISE: Don't over-exercise your pet, especially at midday.

Schedule walks for early morning or late afternoon/evening.

• WALKS: If you are walking your pets, try to keep them in the grass or dirt. Hot pavement is just as sensitive for pets' paws as it is for our bare feet. The pads on their feet can burn and cause them to overheat more quickly. Before walking, press your hand on the pavement. If you can’t hold it there for five seconds, it’s too hot for your pets! After the walk, check your pet’s paws for pain or redness and use cold water to ease the burn.

• GROOMING: Your pet may need more or less fur in order to stay cool – check with a groomer or veterinarian to see what's best for them.

Community Calendar

July 4

Independence Day

14

Bastille Day

16

Rural Transit Day

24

Parent’s Day

27

National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day

JULY 2022 | CROSSROADS | 9

A thr ead of valor Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in O’Fallon hosted a Quilts of Valor – Eastern Missouri event to honor veterans

By Brett Auten

A

ppreciation and respect we bestowed upon local veterans, once again, by the ladies of the Quilts of Valor – Eastern Missouri organization.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in O’Fallon hosted a Quilts of Valor – Eastern Missouri event last month as quilters from 10 surrounding counties, including St. Charles, Lincoln, Warren, Pike, St. Louis, Jefferson, Gasconade, Montgomery, Franklin and Callaway, were there to honor Missouri veterans.

Hosted by the Assumption Quilters and the O’Fallon Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, this special hand-quilting event ran all day as they were working on 10 full-sized quilts throughout the day.

And it turned out to be one of its largest gatherings to date, as 96 quilters, almost twice their average, were there and six veterans were awarded quilts.

That morning, U.S. Army veterans Josh Herbig and Leo Luetkenhaus, and U.S. Navy veterans, Robert Sutton and Ronald

10 | CROSSROADS |JULY 2022

Wunderlich, and husband and wife, Cheyenne and Ryan James, were presented with a quilt during a ceremony. Each quilt was unique and included a hand-quilted heart which serves as a reminder that it was made from the quilter's heart to their heart. Family and friends of the four veterans receiving the quilts were also in attendance The group hands out quilts on a regular basis. Prior to that day, they gave away 14 quilts at a music festival in Dardenne Prairie and was scheduled for Troy the following week.

At Assumption, they were busy working on quilts for the future. A quilt could get knocked off as soon as one day or maybe a week or two. It just depends on the details. As they finish, binding and labeling is part of the process as well as washing.

“It's very exciting for the ladies for them to get to see their quilts being given to somebody,” Mary Jo Edson, President of Quilts of Valor – Eastern Missouri, said. “All of (the quilts) are very individual because the ladies who put them together are

very individual. The veterans are always overwhelmed with gratitude and sometimes very emotional. They're always quite impressed.”

Nancy Glynn is part of the Assumption Quilters.

“We all know where they're going, but to have presentations like this is very special,” Glynn said. “When they hold one up, you may see yours. You may see one that you've made.”

Because the organization draws quilters from all over the place, including Warrenton-area, St. Charles, Wentzville, Troy, its locations can differ. Quilting events will be held through November at various Missouri churches, Lions Clubs, and VFW, Knights of Columbus and American Legion halls. Veterans are chosen usually through group members, word of mouth, or names submitted.

Quilts of Valor – Eastern Missouri is a non-profit, all volunteer organization funded by donations from the community and an annual quilt raffle. Founded in 2005, the organization has given away nearly 3,500 quilts to veterans over the years.

The Assumption Quilters meet every Thursday and are always looking for new members. For more information, call the parish at 636-240-3721 or contact Edson at mjdedson@sbcglobal.net.

“They are grateful and very humble,” Glynn said. “I remember specifically a Vietnam veteran got up one time and said, this is the first time anyone has recognized my service. We had another man, I can't recall which war had been in, it may have been Korea, but he was just in tears. He couldn't even talk. They really appreciate the recognition that they get from this.”

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish has been in O’Fallon for over 150 years. Established 1871, the Catholic church has grown to more than 3,000 parish family members.

PHOTOS BY NATHAN PORTER: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in O’Fallon hosted a Quilts of Valor – Eastern Missouri event on June 28 as quilters from 10 surrounding counties, including St. Charles, Lincoln, Warren, Pike, St. Louis, Jefferson, Gasconade, Montgomery, Franklin and Callaway, were there to honor Missouri veterans.

JULY 2022 | CROSSROADS | 11

Always An Adventure

BIKES I HAVE KNOWN

BY AVALANCHE

IT BEGAN IN THE WINTER OF 1982, with a 1978 Suzuki PE 250, purchased for a couple hundred dollars, a big sum for me in those days, as it was equivalent to a month’s rent. The bike had lived a hard life, and came with a faded yellow gas tank, and a rear wheel with a broken hub, destroyed by the previous owner’s negligent over-tightening of the drive chain. I saved a few more dollars, and was able to obtain a new rear wheel from a motorcycle junk yard. It arrived just in time for Christmas, and after installation of the new parts, I as able to fire it up and ride around the slippery gas station parking lot where I worked, my first few minutes on a motorcycle were ridden on ice. That humble beginning led to a life-long affinity for two-wheeled travel.

I spent most of my free time riding that 250 around, mostly limited to Forest Service roads into the mountains, and un-patrolled ranch roads in the area. Neither the bike nor I had any kind of official road-worthy paperwork. Traffic was pretty much nonexistent in those days, and those miles on the mountain trails and rural back roads allowed me to make lot of new-guy mistakes, with a lot of scrapes and bruises, but no catastrophic collisions.

Staci moved in shortly thereafter, and acquired a PE 175, beginning a “His and Hers” collection that continues to this day.

After a couple more years we had Harleys; my first was an old 1971 XLCH Sportster, that I built up from a basket case. After I got tired of rebuilding and fixing the old beast, a brand new 1987 Harley FXSTC Softail Custom became my pride and joy. I did a number of 1,000-mile days on it, took it up and down 4WD roads, rode to Alaska, and put 90,000 miles on it. I then sold it for about $1,000 less than I had originally paid for it.

It was undoubtedly the most reliable bike I 12 | CROSSROADS | JULY 2022

ever owned.

Staci got a 1993 Harley 883 Sportster, and with just 1,100 miles of street riding experience, she rode with me to and from Alaska, a 12,000-mile journey over one summer.

We parted company with it sometime in the middle 90s. We replaced it with a 1995 Buell Thunderbolt S2, a bike that still resides in the garage today. With Buell Motorcycles’ extinction being a casualty of corporate cost-cutting, the S2 doesn’t get ridden much these days, but it remains a great example of forward, out-of-the-box thinking and engineering.

I switched over to a 1996 BMW R1100GS, to match my new enthusiasm for big bike backroad riding, acquired on the Alaska trip.

I had a love-hate relationship with that machine, as it could do amazing things no other bike available at the time could do. My longest day ever, 1,127 miles in 20 hours, a trip from the heat of the Ozarks to freezing temperatures over the Continental Divide, was done on that bike. Alas, it was plagued with mechanical failures, something I explained to the eventual buyer of the machine. He enthusiastically bought it fully informed of its history, and last I heard it never gave him any problems. Apparently, all the issues I had to

fix, stayed fixed; good for him.

I now have a 2002 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom, with just shy of 80,000 miles as a primary road machine. It’s a mount that does everything well, but nothing great. I have flogged it like a rented mule, and it has endured a hard life, with no serious problems. The current used value is somewhere around what a new helmet and riding boots cost, but I haven’t found reason to replace it; the cost of a new bike has a lot to do with that. A 2009 BMW F800GS is my secondary bike, the one I use for shorter trips and rides on the smaller back roads in the mountains. Like with the V-Strom, I can’t find a valid reason to upgrade, and it still has a lot of miles left on it.

Staci’s Suzuki DRZ400SM rounds out the current fleet. It’s her commuter and shortride bike. It handles great, and gets ridiculously good gas mileage, no small matter these days.

Along the way there have been another half-dozen dirt bikes, enduros, and street bikes that weren’t significant enough to mention in this article. Regardless of which machines are favorites or not, since those first few moments sliding across the gas station parking lot 40 years ago, the times spent on them are what has been priceless.

Moore On Life

ALL GOOD CATS GO TO HEAVEN – BY CINDY MOORE – OUR SWEET FATTY CAT went to that great litterbox in the sky.

Although we are very sad, we’re also confident he went straight to cat heaven. He was such a good boy. It’s got to be a lovely place up there.

We’re sure the streams run gently and are filled to the banks with warm milk – and whole milk not that nasty 1% mixed with White-Out and water stuff either. The food bowls never run low and are full to the brim with kibble; the expensive kind too with creamy fishy-filled centers.

We know he’s doing fine. All good animals go to heaven, cats and dogs alike. And they’ll discover they really like each other too. They’ll be extremely happy because they still get housekeepers.

Yes, all the cats up there still have personal wait staff, that hasn’t changed from Earth life. The only difference – the bad people who have been sent down to the fiery pit must first serve part of their sentence as a servant to the heavenly cat residents.

That is punishment enough.

Cat: “Servant, bring me warm cream in a saucer!”

“Gag! Too warm! (Tosses it in the servant’s face). Bring me a grilled pork chop--medium rare, pronto!”

“Ugh! This is a grilled pork chop--medium rare. I wanted a salmon and butter patty--raw!”

Servant: “But you specifically said…”

“Egads man, this is heaven! We can read minds up here. And my mind specifically said a salmon and butter patty! (Bites servant on the back of the calf.)

“Servant, now rub my belly. Not two rubs, not three rubs only four rubs.”

Servant reads cat’s mind and rubs five times.

“Gadfry man! What’s with the extra rub?!”

“But your mind specifically said five.”

“That was five tuna treats. Read it right!” (Scratches servant’s retinas.)

Most of those people plead to be sent down to the underworld’s inferno before their term ends.

So, for now we have a hole in our hearts and our other cat is pretty lonely. Soon we’ll be in the market for another kitty. Not a replacement, nothing can replace perfection, but two’s a good number for cats.

My mind says four. Good thing my husband can’t read minds down here.

JULY 2022 | CROSSROADS | 13

Automobile Alley

THE 2022

HYUNDAI TUCSON HAS A DISTINCT PERSONALITY THAT STANDS OUT AMONG SUVS

BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN HYUNDAI MOTORS IS INCLUDING COMPLIMENTARY MAINTENANCE WITH THE PURCHASE OF THE NEW TUCSON FOR 2022. This enhancement

tends to create a better experience for shoppers and owners. Details of this campaign include oil changes and tire rotations for a period of three years/36,000 miles. This is also featured alongside their notable powertrain warranty of 10-year/100,000-mile limited coverage. In addition, the factory’s five-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty basically covers most systems from end-to-end.

Hyundai's exterior design team were tasked with the assignment to pursue innovative solutions within the new Tucson. In part, the end game was to be certain that it would appeal to consumers emotionally and the sporty design would attract buyers. Tucson's distinct personality needed to "stand out" in the crowded SUV segment.

This enduring vehicle is expressive and takes on a modern and timeless silhouette.

Quite honestly, it's a bit of a challenge to accurately describe the front daytime running lights. They are cleverly assimilated and seamlessly unified within the unparalleled front grille, and only visible when illuminated.

This SUV's overall side profile tends to convey an impression of commanding forward 14 | CROSSROADS | JULY 2022

motion. The long hood and exacting roofline, along with a long wheelbase and short overhangs, reflect a dynamic character. The design theme carries over to the rear. You'll discover full-width bright tail lamps. Hyundai's badge is integrated into the rear glass, and the rear wiper assembly is thoughtfully concealed beneath the rear spoiler.

U.S. based customers will only be offered Tucson on their stretched wheelbase global platform. Therefore, it's longer, wider and taller than the previous generation. And for the tech savvy consumers that gravitate to a gadgetry lifestyle, integrated technologies are compatible with latest ingenious devices to enhance their lives.

The interior offers up multi-layered forms that provide a feeling of openness, safety and serenity. It's at the intersection of space and technology with surface materials that hinge on being upscale. Welcomed ambient mood lighting is adjustable to 64 colors, in ten levels of brightness.

“Our new Tucson represents the future of Hyundai’s full-spectrum eco-powertrain approach, offering internal combustion, hybrid and plug-in hybrid models in a compact SUV. With all-wheel-drive capability now added to new hybrid SUV platforms, customers no longer need to choose between all-road, all-weather capability and outstanding ef-

ficiency,” said Thomas Schemera, executive vice president, head of Product Division at Hyundai Motor Group.

The '22 Tucson offers both a 2.5-liter, direct-injected and multi-port-injected gasoline engine as well as 1.6-liter, direct-injected, turbocharged hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain. The 2.5-liter engine boasts a generous 187 horsepower rating with a combined fuel economy of 28 mpg with front-wheel drive. This 2.5-liter engine is matched to an advanced eight-speed automatic transmission, for excellent efficiency and acceleration.

The factory’s all-wheel-drive system was developed as a multi-mode setup. The driver selectable options are: Normal, Sport and Smart modes of which help provide confident control in all weather conditions. Tucson’s cutting-edge hybrid and plug-in hybrid models focus on fun to drive performance coupled with excellent economy. Retail pricing starts out at $25,800, before shipping and destination charges. Compact SUV buyers expect a lot from their vehicles, the 2022 Tucson meets these expectations.

Entertainment

No crying in baseball?

Amazon will reboot

BY STEVE BRYAN

A

Although it might be hard to imagine, in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s Geena Davis had more star power than Tom Hanks. The actress starred opposite Jeff Goldblum in the well-received 1986 remake of “The Fly” and followed that with “Beetlejuice, a funny 1988 film about the afterlife where Michael Keeton played the title character.

Davis made her mark in 1988’s “The Accidental Tourist,” a comedy-drama where she was the love interest of William Hurt. Davis’ portrayal of the eccentric Muriel Pritchett in that film earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Coming off 1991’s groundbreaking “Thelma & Louise,” Geena Davis Photo courtesy Columbia Pictures starred in “A League of Their Own,” a Penny Marshall film. The plot honored the women of the All-American Girls Profession Baseball League (AAGPBL), a baseball league founded by gum magnate Philip K. Wrigley.

The league and the dedicated players kept baseball alive during wartime and continued to play until 1954. Thirty years later, Amazon revealed plans for an eight-episode series set in 1943.

Although billed as a comedy, the TV series, like the original movie, won’t shy away from the deadly impact of World War II. When looking back at Marshall’s “A League of Their Own,” it indicated how Hanks and Davis headed in different directions after the film. Davis took roles in “Cutthroat Island” and “Stuart Little” while Hanks left comedies such as “Joe vs. the Volcano” to take a serious role in “Philadelphia.”

His interpretation of Forrest Gump, a character created by author Winston Groom, became so memorable that it spawned a chain of seafood restaurants. Hanks also won Oscars for his work in “Philadelphia” and “Forrest Gump.”

In 1992, though, Geena Davis had the star power and talent to play Dottie Hinson, an exceptional baseball player for a local dairy. After a scout (the hilarious Jon Lovitz) arrived to look at the “farm girls,” Dottie and her little sister Kit (Lori Petty) traveled to baseball tryouts and became part of the Rockford Peaches. Dottie emerged as the brightest star in the league and received press coverage, which made sister Kit rather jealous.

Hanks’ portrayal of Jimmy Dugan, a former Cubs player who had a drinking problem, was intriguing. The friction between Dugan and Dottie was very evident at first because she thought he was washed up. Dottie finally shamed him into doing his job and they eventually became friends on the road. In later scenes, it seemed that something romantic between them while her husband Bob (Bill Pullman) was overseas. Years later, a visibly saddened Dottie came across Jimmy’s player photo, which showed the date of his death.

“A League of Their Own” had the perfect blend of characters, especially when it came to Dottie and Jimmy. Davis and Hanks inhabited those characters quite well and, whenever I thought of the film, their relationship always came to mind.

Here’s hoping the Amazon series finds that same kind of chemistry.

JULY 2022 | CROSSROADS | 15

For the Love of Food

A

Family meals that make busy weeknights a breeze

fter a long day in the classroom or at the office, it’s tough to top bringing the family together with a home-cooked meal.

When evenings are busy with homework and activities, however, there might be little time left for complicated dishes.

Take those schedules on with a menu of delicious recipes that require 30 minutes or less so you can focus on celebrating the day’s accomplishments with loved ones. These simple yet flavorful ideas from Milk Means More call for limited instructions, less equipment and shorter ingredients lists fueled by dairy favorites that provide much-needed nutrients to recharge the entire family.

Pork Chops in Creamy Mustard-Peppercorn Sauce feature the sharp yet balanced taste of mustard and cracked black peppercorns

as an easy way to dress up pork chops. When pasta night comes around, Pasta with Yogurt Sauce provides a quick, creamy Middle Eastern solution.

This Chicken with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce recipe gets its robust flavor from sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes and enhanced with luscious half-and-half. For a tasty twist on Taco Tuesday, you can play “beat the clock” with Roasted Chicken and Zucchini Tostadas by crisping corn tortillas under the broiler then topping them with a tangy yogurt spread, cumin-seasoned chicken, veggies and shredded cheese.

Turn your hectic weeknights into cause for celebration with more quick and easy recipe ideas at MilkMeansMore.org.

Pork Chops in Creamy Mustard-Peppercorn Sauce RECIPE COURTESY OF MARCIA STANLEY, MS, RDN, CULINARY DIETITIAN, ON BEHALF OF MILK MEANS MORE | TOTAL TIME: 20 MINUTES | SERVINGS: 4

INGREDIENTS: 3/4 cup evaporated 2% milk 3 tablespoons spicy brown mustard or Dijon mustard 3/4 teaspoon coarsely cracked black peppercorns 1/2 teaspoon all-purpose flour 4 boneless pork loin chops (1 1/4 pounds), cut 3/4-inch thick 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth cooked noodles or rice (optional) chopped fresh parsley (optional) DIRECTIONS: In bowl, whisk milk, mustard, peppercorns and flour. Set aside.

Pat pork chops dry with paper towels.

Sprinkle both sides of chops with salt.

In large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook pork chops 3-4 minutes, or until browned. Turn and cook 3-4 minutes, or until thermometer inserted in thickest part of chops reads 145 F. Transfer chops to serving platter. Loosely cover with foil to keep warm.

Add garlic to drippings in skillet. Cook

16 | CROSSROADS | JULY 2022

15 seconds. Stir in broth. Cook, stirring constantly, until most liquid evaporates. Stir in milk mixture and any accumulated juices from cooked pork. Cook and stir until just boiling. Immediately remove from heat and spoon sauce over chops.

Serve with noodles or rice, if desired. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

For the Love of Food

Pasta with Yogurt Sauce RECIPE COURTESY OF ENAS MALIK, RDN, ON BEHALF OF MILK MEANS MORE PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES | COOK TIME: 20 MINUTES | SERVINGS: 4

DIRECTIONS:

INGREDIENTS: Salted water 8 ounces angel hair pasta

1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper 1/4 teaspoon cumin

1 tablespoon vegetable oil, divided

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 small white onion, minced

3 cloves garlic, minced

8 ounces ground beef or lamb

1 tablespoon fresh mint or 1 teaspoon dried mint

1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 cup plain yogurt

PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNY STRUIK OF “JENNY WITH THE GOOD EATS”

In medium pan, bring salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. Strain pasta and reserve about 1/2 cup water.

powder until mixture comes to soft boil and thickens. Remove pan from heat. Add pasta water to reach desired consistency.

In medium saute pan over medium heat, heat 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil. Add minced onions. Cook until translucent and aromatic, 2-3 minutes.

Add ground meat and season with salt and black pepper. Cook until meat is browned through, 8-10 minutes. Drain fat. Transfer cooked meat to bowl and set aside.

In same saute pan used to cook meat over medium heat, add remaining vegetable oil and saute garlic until golden in color. Add mint. Remove from heat and pour over yogurt mixture.

In small pan over medium heat, cook yogurt, white pepper, cumin and garlic

Mix pasta, meat and yogurt sauce; serve.

Serve with noodles or rice, if desired.

Garnish with parsley, if desired.

RECIPIES CONTINUED PAGE 18

JULY 2022 | CROSSROADS | 17

For the Love of Food

Chicken with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce RECIPE COURTESY OF MARCIA STANLEY, MS, RDN, CULINARY DIETITIAN, ON BEHALF OF MILK MEANS MORE TOTAL TIME: 20 MINUTES | SERVINGS: 4

DIRECTIONS:

INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup oil-packed, slivered sun-dried tomatoes, drained

In bowl, whisk half-and-half and flour. Set aside.

1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast cutlets (about 3/4 inch thick)

1/3 cup finely chopped onion

In large nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat sun-dried tomato oil. Cook chicken pieces 3-4 minutes, or until browned. Turn chicken. Cook 3-4 minutes, or until thermometer inserted in thickest portion of chicken reads 165 F. Transfer to serving platter. Loosely cover with foil to keep warm.

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan-Reggiano cheese

3/4 cup half-and-half 1/2 teaspoon allpurpose flour

1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 tablespoon oil from sun-dried tomato jar

1/3 cup reducedsodium chicken broth

Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels. If necessary, cut into four serving-size pieces. Sprinkle both sides of chicken with salt and pepper.

Add sun-dried tomatoes and onions to drippings in skillet. Cook 1-2 minutes, or until onion is tender. Stir in broth. Cook, stirring constantly, until most liquid evaporates. Stir in cream mixture and any accumulated juices from cooked chicken. Cook and stir until simmering and slightly thickened. Remove from heat.

Stir in Parmesan-Reggiano cheese.

To serve, spoon sauce over chicken.

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For the Love of Food

Roasted Chicken and Zucchini Tostadas RECIPE COURTESY OF MARCIA STANLEY, MS, RDN, CULINARY DIETITIAN, ON BEHALF OF MILK MEANS MORE TOTAL TIME: 25 MINUTES | SERVINGS: 4

DIRECTIONS:

INGREDIENTS: 12 street taco-size corn tortillas

1/2 cup seeded and chopped tomato

nonstick cooking spray

1/2 cup chopped zucchini

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or 5%)

2 teaspoons olive oil

3 teaspoons lime juice, divided

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

1 1/2 cups shredded or chopped rotisserieroasted chicken breast

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Heat oven to broil.

Line large baking sheet or 18-by-13-by-1-inch baking pan with foil. Arrange tortillas in single layer on pan. Lightly spray tortillas with nonstick cooking spray.

Broil about 5 inches from heat 4-6 minutes, or until beginning to brown on one side. Remove from broiler. Carefully turn tortillas over.

In medium bowl, stir yogurt, 1 teaspoon lime juice and garlic powder. Set aside. In another bowl, toss chicken, tomato, zucchini, remaining lime juice, olive oil, cumin and cayenne pepper.

Spread yogurt mixture on unbrowned sides of tortillas. Top with chicken mixture.

Sprinkle with cheese. Broil about 5 inches from heat 2-3 minutes, or until hot and cheese melts. Serve immediately.

JULY 2022 | CROSSROADS | 19

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