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STAYING GOLDEN

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2 | CROSSROADS | APRIL 2019

APRIL

2019

contents

Around Town Local news and events

Nonprofit Profile Theatre company brings ‘Insight,’ education and career prep to the community

Feature Story Staying golden St. Charles County Golden Games returns for its 32nd year of putting seniors together for some healthy competition

Always an Adventure 225 pounds of puppies

Moore on Life Cruise clues

Automobile Alley 2019 Volkswagen Golf continues tradition of solid value and sporty appeal

Advertiser Profile Get in gear, spring is here!

Food Simple holiday hams: Ideas for an easy Easter menu

Entertainment “Us” isn’t perfect but still brings the scares

Community Calendar: April

On the Cover: Photo by Kate Edmonson

APRIL 2019 | CROSSROADS | 3

APRIL

2019 writers

VOL 15 | NO 4

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

BY CINDY MOORE

Publisher Emeritus/ General Manager Robert Huneke Production Manager Rebecca Brockmann

MOORE ON LIFE – PG. 13

Contributors Avalanche, David Finkelstein, Cindy Moore, Russ Patton Staff Writer Brett Auten Photographer Kate Edmonson

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 2019 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.

ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE – PG. 12

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

David Finkelstein is a Master/ Skill Automotive Service Technician and a shop owner. He’s also invented garage service tools for mechanics and has served on both National and local Automotive Trade Industry Boards. He pioneered “Car Talk Radio” starting out with KMOX/CBS Radio and hosted “Auto Talk” on KFTK/FOX News Radio for 15-years. David tests and evaluates new vehicles weekly and does some consulting with various auto manufacturers.

AUTOMOBILE ALLEY – PG. 14

BY MATHEW DEKINDER

ENTERTAINMENT – PG. 18

4 | CROSSROADS | APRIL 2019

Mathew DeKinder is a film critic and member of the St. Louis Film Critics Association, and also serves as the publisher of the Community News.

Around Town

WSD holds fifth annual District STEM Olympics The Wentzville School District hosted its fifth annual District STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Olympics at Liberty High School on March 5 and March 12. What began as classroom STEM challenges, culminated in the finalists performing small group design challenges that put their skills to the test. Winners at the WSD district event moved on to the county competition on April 3, including students from five districts - St. Charles, Francis Howell, Fort Zumwalt, Orchard Farm and Wentzville. The WSD STEM Olympics has grown so large that it was split into two nights. Students in kindergarten through fourth grade competed on March 5 and students in fifth through eighth grade competed on March 12. One of the event’s organizers, WSD Science Content Leader Dr. Derek Scott, explained why it’s special to him. “What makes the STEM Olympics so outstanding is getting to see so many students from all over the district come together and develop solutions to the various scenarios

Photo courtesy Wentzville School District Students in the kindergarten division compete in the Wentzville School District STEM Olympics at Liberty High School.

with which they are challenged,” Scott said. “WSD has so many great young scientific thinkers who are willing to work collaboratively and approach problems from a variety of perspectives.” During the month of January, 370 classrooms across the district participated in STEM competitions where students were asked to engineer a product with specific ma-

terials in a constrained amount of time. Winners from those competitions were invited to the District STEM Olympics, where students were provided an engineering challenge and materials to complete it. These challenges were similar to those that took place in the classroom; however, one or two variables were changed in order to create novel challenges at the district event.

Applications now being accepted for the CYCLE program Are you a leader in your community and school? Do you want to learn more about state government? Cuivre River Electric Cooperative is looking to send six high school sophomores to the Missouri Electric Cooperative CYCLE (Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience) program this summer. The annual contest is open to high school sophomores who live and attend school in Cuivre River’s general service area, or who have Cuivre River electric service in their homes. Local teachers are invited to nominate sophomore students to serve as CYCLE delegates, or students may apply independently. As part of the application process, sophomore students are asked to submit a narrative about their school activities and community service. Applications are available at www.cuivre.com, at Cuivre River offices in Troy and Lake Saint Louis and at participating high schools. The application deadline is April 17. A panel of judges will select six CYCLE delegates, and the names will be announced on May 10. CYCLE delegates will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Jefferson City, July 17-19, to participate in the CYCLE program conducted by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives (AMEC). The conference provides an action-filled experience for the students, offering them opportunities to learn what it’s like to be involved in

politics, community service, today’s pressing issues, the cooperative form of business and being a leader. Delegates will have the opportunity to tour the Missouri State Capitol and learn the process of local, state and national government. “Missouri cooperatives are committed to developing our next generation of citizens,” said Tim Schmidt, who coordinates Cuivre River Electric’s participation in the program. “The CYCLE conference is a great opportunity for students to get an inside look at state government, learn leadership skills, hear interesting speakers and meet new friends. Students should return home with a positive outlook about public service.” The CYCLE program is in its 16th year and is a past recipient of the National Community Youth Service award for the top youth program among all electric cooperatives in the country. Since 2004, Cuivre River has sponsored and provided more than 60 students with a continued focus on youth leadership and educational opportunities at CYCLE. For more information about the CYCLE program, contact Tim Schmidt at 636-695-4837 or by email at tschmidt@cuivre.com. Cuivre River Electric Cooperative is the largest member-owned electric distribution cooperative in Missouri. It provides service to more than 65,000 residential, business, commercial, industrial and agricultural members in Lincoln, Pike, St. Charles and Warren counties. APRIL 2019 | CROSSROADS | 5

Around Town

– WILD RESCUES – As the weather warms and the days start to stretch out, our co-inhabitants are just as anxious as we are to spend more time out and about. Spring is here and that means wildlife encounters with humans, as they do every year, will begin to occur more often. That is where the Bi-State Wildlife Hotline steps in. Often these animals do not need human intervention at all. The Bi-State Wildlife Hotline strives to make sure that callers get answers immediately before any harm can be done to either the animal or yourself. If an animal is determined to need assistance, they are here to help. The number one priority is to do what is best for the animal, 24-hours-a-day, seven days per week. “If we had room in our budget for billboards we would plaster them with, ‘Put the bunny back down,’ and ‘Do not feed the animals,” Angel Wintrode, President of the Bi-State Wildlife Hotline said. “Sometimes it is obvious. The animal is bleeding or covered in blood. Other times it is not.” The Bi-State Wildlife Hotline, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that launched in 2011 that runs on the support of private donations, without federal or state funding. It is 100-percent volunteer staffed by veterinary technicians, veterinarians, animal care workers, wildlife professionals and other animal lovers of all kinds. It started with a simple goal to offer callers easy, effective, humane solutions to solve conflicts without having to hire anyone to trap, kill or relocate animals. It is also happy to be able to offer a more centrally located option for residents who find sick, injured and orphaned wildlife in need of help. Nancy Hunt, of St. Peters, has been with the hotline since the beginning. Hunt brings over 20 years’ worth of experience in wildlife rehab to the team. “It is really fulfilling to take an animal and raise it back to where it belongs,” Hunt said. “So many of them are down because 6 | CROSSROADS | APRIL 2019

Submitted photo

Bi-State Wildlife Hotline offers easy, effective and humane solutions to solve human/wildlife conflicts throughout the region By Brett Auten

human intervention whether it’s trees being cut down, habitat destroyed or someone pulling a mother out an attic and then the babies come to us.” Hunt will never forget when a woman called claiming to see a Chupacabra. The only problem being is that the Chupacabra is a mythical creature. “It was a coyote with mange,” Hunt said. “It had no hair so it was gray and crusty looking and it did sort of look like the picture.” A common call in the coming weeks will

be for fawns. Apparently, deer are not what you would call helicopter parents, with the mother often leaving their fawn unattended for up to 22 hours-a-day. “You don’t expect to see them and then there they are looking so frail and alone,” Wintrode said. “You assume they need help but trust us, it is normal.” Hunt knows too well that in that situation, looks can be deceiving. “A man had called about a fawn being down for several days and he had lots of

Around Town acreages and it was way in the back,” Hunt said. “We walked way out there, found the fawn, went down to pick it up, and I could hear the mother in the tall grass about 25-feet away. We shined a light, and sure enough, it was the mom and the baby was fine and we just slowly walked away.” Wintrode and the team have been on the other end of the phone when some good intentions and resulted in bad results like feeding baby bunnies cow’s milk or giving baby birds water through a dropper. Both instances have caused death to an animal in the past. “In many instances, the animals need warmth, the proper fluids, and medical care much more so than food,” Wintrode said. Its headquarters is located in Black Jack, near the Florissant area of North St. Louis County but its reach is widespread. It has added licensed rehabilitators and rescue staff in Springfield, North St. Louis, Florissant, South County, Wildwood, and Farmington in Missouri. The Bi-State Wildlife Hotline is accepting new volunteer applications and offers free training for new applicants once annually. This year’s New Volunteer Training will be held on March 30 from 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Humane Society of Missouri at 1201 Macklind Ave. in St. Louis. Interested parties must fill out an application online at www.wildlifehotline.com/volunteer before attending. To learn more, please visit www.wildlifehotline.com. You can call toll-free at 1-855-WILD-HELP / 1-855-945-3435 or locally at 636-492-1610 to speak with a wildlife specialist now.

New drop-off location for cardboard and paper recycling added at Renaud Center The city of O’Fallon has added a new location for residents to drop off paper and cardboard for recycling at the Renaud Center at 2650 Tri Sports Circle in O’Fallon. The location will be open 24 hours a day. This is the third recycling dropoff location, joining the locations at the O’Fallon Municipal Centre at 100 North Main Street and the Justice Center at 1019 Bryan Road. “We appreciate our residents continued recycling efforts, and we are grateful to all of our residents who have worked with us through the transition in our recycling program,” said Jim Wenzara, Environmental Services Superintendent. “We will continue to look for additional opportunities to make paper and cardboard recycling even easier as we move through 2019.” O’Fallon’s recycling locations are for resident use only and no illegal dumping is allowed. The sites are video monitored; illegal dumping will be prosecuted. For additional information, contact Environmental Services at ofallonrecycles@ofallon.mo.us or 636-272-0477. APRIL 2019 | CROSSROADS | 7

Around Town

Heartfelt support Thom Meinert will never forget it. It was October 2015 and during one of the last lawn mows of the year when the pain started near his shoulder and instantaneously worsened. Home alone, and the pain not letting up, Meinert, who was 59-years-old at the time, made the decision that saved his life. He called 911. The St. Charles County Ambulance District arrived just in time as Meinert’s condition continued to plummet. He soon lost his pulse (the first of 10 instances that occurred). “I distinctly remember waking up to a female paramedic looking down at me yelling, ‘Stay with me Come on, stay with me,’ while I felt a very heavy pressure pushing on my chest making it almost impossible to breathe,” Meinert said. “One minute, I was talking to the paramedics, then the next, I’m looking up saying, ‘this is it?’ The paramedics informed my family that they had lost me seven times in the ambulance, and another three times in the emergency room, even with the great team of medical personnel that was working on saving my life.” Meinert and his family were told that another 5-10 minutes and he would have died. His diagnosis was a 99 percent blocked L.A.D. (Lateral Anterior Descending) heart artery which is nicknamed the Widow Maker. This specific heart attack has a very low survival rate but with modern equipment and CPR methods of continuous chest compressions, there is hope. Meinert is among a growing group of individuals in the region who have been successfully resuscitated by paramedics using cutting-edge protocols for cardiac arrest management. Meinert considers himself fortunate to reside in St. Charles. In St. Charles County, an individual who experiences an out-of-hospital arrest is more than twice as likely to survive as compared to the national average “Though I’m continually thankful for being given a new lease on life, there have been 8 | CROSSROADS | APRIL 2019

St. Charles heart attack survivor forms Cardiac Arrest Survivors’ Support Group with the backing of the St. Charles County Ambulance District By Brett Auten

times over the past few years that have been difficult,” Meinert said. “These are times where it would simply be nice to talk with someone facing a similar situation.” That is what motivated him to launch the Cardiac Arrest Survivors’ Support Group and the inaugural meeting was held last week. Meinert is inviting any survivors throughout the St. Charles and the St. Louis metro area to attend the meetings. There are no formal agendas planned instead the group determines the format and focus of future meetings. Family members are welcome to attend as well. The Cardiac Arrest Survivors’ Support Group held at the St. Charles County Ambulance District Headquarters located at 4169 Old Mill Parkway, in St. Peters. John Romeo is the SCCAD Deputy Chief Medical Officer. The St. Charles County Ambulance District implemented a new set of protocols for sudden cardiac arrest. At the time, it was rather groundbreaking, but since then, numerous other agencies have adopted the protocols because of the great results SCCAD experienced with them. Romeo can foresee the support group growing by leaps and bounds. “I think it is a fantastic opportunity for survivors to network and share their experiences,” Romeo said. “I think potentially, once the message gets out and grows, the support group can help change the mindset and help survivors move on and lead a meaningful life.” After recovering from his heart attack, Meinert felt a tremendous urge to get out and talk about the experience which led to the formation of the group. In future meetings, he hopes to bring cardiologists and psychologists in as guest speakers. Meinert added that the psychological ramifications linger long after. “I struggle with it every day,” he said. “I’m so thankful to be alive and all the great things that come with it but there are many times I worry about when the next one will hit. Every

Photo courtesy St. Charles County Ambulance District Thom Meinert (center) stands with St. Charles County Ambulance District Battalion Chief Karen O’Neill (left) and Lieutenant Kari Martin who resuscitated Meinert during his cardiac event.

time there is chest pain I wonder.” For more information on upcoming group sessions, call or text Meinert at 636-699-9321 or email e-mail guitarmanthom@charter.net.

Catch the signs early Don’t wait to get help if you experience any of these heart attack warning signs. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense. But most start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Pay attention to your body and call 911 if you experience: • Chest discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes – or it may go away and then return. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body: Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. • Shortness of breath. • Other possible signs include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. Symptoms vary between men and women. As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain. - Provided by the American Heart Association

Nonprofit Profile

Theatre company brings

’ , t h g i s ‘in education and career prep to the community

ince 2008, Insight Theatre Company, a 501(c)(3) corporation, has been living up to the lofty goal of producing the highest quality theater productions to entertain, inspire and reveal the complexity of the human spirit, performing some 46 productions for the community. But Insight has always been about more than just the shows themselves. In addition to producing artistically excellent works, one of founder/artistic director Maggie Ryan’s dreams when she started Insight was for the troupe to truly become part of the community. Insight achieves this through activities like “talk back” sessions between audience members, cast, director and special guests after each Sunday matinee for a truly interactive theater experience. A cornerstone of Insight’s community outreach is its immersive internship program, where students learn all aspects of theatre production from Insight’s seasoned professional actors, designers and directors. The program culminates each year in a Theatre for Young Audiences Show completely produced by the interns. Past productions have included “Madagascar – A Musical Adventure!,” “James and the Giant Peach,” “Seussical,” “Charlotte’s Web,” “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” “Alice in Wonderland” and “Free to Be, You and Me.” Interested students can get more information and apply online. Deadline for resume submissions is May 1. Insight has also begun to extend its reach outside of the St. Louis area. The company was recently invited to mount a production of Rebecca Gilman’s “Spinning Into Butter” at a special conference on race relations in Monterey, California., sponsored by Middlebury Institute, which included Insight’s trademark talk back sessions with the director and cast members. Insight’s track record of stellar productions hasn’t gone unnoticed. Since its inception the troupe has garnered a slew of accolades, including a total of 57 nominations and 20 wins from the St. Louis Theater Circle, the Kevin Kline Awards and BroadwayWorld.com Awards. Insight Theatre’s 12th season and 3rd year as a .ZACK resident arts organization opened in March and promises to continue its storied legacy. The season’s theme is “A Riot of the Heart!” and will include productions of “Daddy Long Legs” (runs through April 14 at The Marcelle), “The Revolutionists” (June 27-July 14 at The Marcelle), and “Shakespeare in Love” (Aug. 29-Sept.15 at The Grandel), in addition to the annual intern’s children’s play. More information on all of Insight’s programs can be found at insighttheatrecompany.com. APRIL 2019 | CROSSROADS | 9

STAYING GOLDEN St. Charles County Golden Games returns for its 32nd year of putting seniors together for some healthy By Brett Auten competition

he St. Charles County Golden Games has fueled and stoked competitive fires since 1987. With the goal of promoting healthy lifestyles for seniors 50-years-old and up through fitness and sports, the 32nd Annual Golden Games will be held from April 27 through May 4. The Golden Games include individual, doubles and team competition and is open to anyone who will be 50 years old prior to April 1, 2019. Events are held at facilities throughout St. Charles County, including local high schools, colleges, county parks, the YMCA, golf courses, senior living facilities and specialty sports clubs. When pouring over the nearly 70 different events, both athletic and non-athletic, that are available, 81-year-old Lou Raeder put it this way. “If you can’t find something to do at the Golden Games, you might as well be buried,” Raeder, a 10-year-plus shooting competitor said. “There’s something for everybody or just come for the heck of it to see people.” Competitions are designed for all age groups and abilities. Events are open competition (meaning not determined by skill level or experience) and divided into age groups of fiveyear increments; 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and older and in the true Olympic spirit, gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded for first, second and third place. The St. Charles Golden Games is an organization run entirely by a Volunteer Board of Directors. Registration fees are kept to a minimum to accommodate seniors and it depends on 10 | CROSSROADS | APRIL 2019

the support of local sponsors to help maintain the integrity of the equipment and secure the use of quality facilities. Jeff Ford serves as the Chairman and Sandy Wirtz as the Vice Chairman along with numerous volunteers contribute to the effective operation of the events during the week of the games. Nancy Kennedy, of Innsbrook, has competed in the last three Golden Games in pickleball, the tennis hybrid that has developed a full-on scene in St. Charles County with yearround tournaments hosted by various clubs and organizations. “I think the Golden Games may have been the first tournament I ever competed in,” she said. “I remember a lot of people talking about it and it is a really fun way to compete. The pickleball community really loves to play and be sociable and the Golden Games is a great way to see how you would do

Photos by Kate Edmonson Pickleball competitors are (front row, from left) Judy Binz, Donna Sparacino, Patsy Markovich, Julie Switzer, Joyce Skitt, Caroline Birkner, Karen Venditti, (back row, from left) Dan Shreve, Jeff Ford, Ron Bretz, Tom Haga, Larry Laramie and Bill Sparacino.

as many events as possible without a schedule conflict. For more information, call 636-441-6442 or sccgoldengames.org.

visit

Photos by Kate Edmonson

“

and have a good time.” The shooting events are held at the Missouri Gun and Quail Club located in Wright City. Bill Pollihan is the coordinator of the shooting events, which include skeet, trap, wobble trap, air pistol, and air rifle. The air pistol and the air rifle events are some of the most populated events. Pollihan also competes. “The air rifle and pistols events are - Nancy Kennedy something that you don’t do all of the time and it’s something you can practice safely in your basement,” Pollihan said. “The precision and physicality of it are challenging.” The shooting events take places over two days, with the first consisting of air rifle, trap, and wobble trap and the second being skeet and air pistol. All participants in the air divisions will shoot from 10-meters. “All ages shoot the same,” Pollihan said. “There is no slack for the 90-year-old opposed to the 55-year-old.” Golden Games contestants qualify to participate in the Missouri State Senior Games and several events qualify for the National Games. All participants receive a Golden Games T-shirt and the fee includes a complimentary invitation to the Annual Golden Games Banquet. A single fee allows registrants to participate in

I think the Golden Games may have been the first tournament I ever competed in,” she said. “I remember a lot of people talking about it and it is a really fun way to compete.”

APRIL 2019 | CROSSROADS | 11

Always An Adventure

225 puppies pounds of

I WAS BARELY ABLE TO HOLD THE MUTTS’ leashes as they began walking quickly down the road toward an unfamiliar couple and their small dog. The road surface was icy, with a thick layer of melted slush on top. I stopped and held the leashes firm, a well-practiced training technique which generally halted the forward travel of the excited Newfys – but not today. Their eight paws were able to find more purchase on the slippery ground than my two feet, and I began surfing on the sloppy road surface, speed increasing proportionately with the puppies’ rising enthusiasm. I managed to stay upright for about 15 yards, and then began to lose my balance. Choosing a controlled fall instead of a face plant, I dropped to my side and continued a long, drenching slide for another 10 yards, resembling a baseball player sliding into home plate, although much less gracefully. My huge puppies met the couple’s small Pomeranian, and a good time was briefly had by all, until I returned to the upright position and promptly hoisted my Newfys up by their harnesses and firmly deposited them in the seated position – it’s never too late for good manners. It turned out that the unfamiliar couple

12 | CROSSROADS | APRIL 2019

had just moved in to a neighbor’s spare bedroom, and both they and their Pomeranian loved big dogs, fortunately for me and my unruly mutts. Now past the one-year mark, the Newfys have gained most of their adult size, and have retained much, though not all of their juvenile energy, with their more egregious practices subsiding. It’s been a few months since we lost any more footwear to games of tug-of-war or teething practice. The only inappropriate chew toy still in service is the now-mauled piece of wood on the front deck, which will be replaced pending further canine maturity. Trips outside in the middle of the night are fewer, but still push the boundaries of our middle-agedlimited tolerance for sleep disruption. While Cato and Clouseau are turning out to be wonderful companions, they’re still a lot of work. Clouseau is in his first spring-time shedding session, a true wonder of nature. Large clumps of black and white fur litter the house, being replaced on an hourly basis. After a good bath, we spent a long time brushing him, stripping off two full grocery bags of hair. The old, unneeded fur keeps falling out, with no ill effect on his appearance, much to my

BY AVALANCHE disappointed envy, as the meager hair covering my noggin doesn’t replenish itself in a similar fashion. And Cato has a case of elbow dysplasia, the bane of large-breed dogs. Even coming from the best Newfoundland bloodlines and breeders, bad joints are about as common as drool; not all Newfys have it, but many do. Her malady was corrected by surgery, and the main problem now is keeping her from rough play and running, which occupies much of her nonsleeping existence (and was a likely contributing factor to the problem in the first place.) Her rapid recovery is even more amazing than Clouseau’s shedding, and another cause of amazed envy on my part. Youth is wasted on the young. As our four-legged friends begin to settle in to adulthood, we look forward to being rewarded with bit more obedience. And having 225 lbs. of puppies nibbling on your ears – in stereo – still makes it worth all the work.

Moore On Life BY CINDY MOORE

Cruise clues IF YOU PLAN ON TAKING A CRUISE FOR THE FIRST TIME LISTEN UP; don’t make the same mistakes I made. Packing expectations: Take lots and lots of clothes for every possible scenario. Pack three outfits per day multiplied by seven days at sea which comes to 63 ensembles. (That number may be inflated because you’ll have to toss in a few extras in case of inclement weather; spilling buffet on you, or in the event…gasp…another seafarer has the same outfit and a quick change is needed.) I began day one in my breakfast-wear. It was a sassy little number accessorized with an essential pair of bug-eyed sun glasses and topped off with a super cute floppy hat. My husband and I approached the morning buffet. The mass quantities of food choices expanded from bow to stern. I am not skilled in the culinary arts at all so we gorged like it was our last meal. Immediately afterwards the pounds began to accumulate. By the time the afternoon lunch-binging came around we had expanded like hippos. I no longer fit into any of the things I brought. Instead, I was forced to take a sheet from the bed and cinch it up with my husband’s belt, which no longer fit him. I would wear this for the remainder of the cruise. Fancy dinner night: This is the one evening everyone is ex-

pected to look particularly swanky in their best finery. It is the night to frolic about in elegance and hob nob with the captain to show you’ve got class and sophistication. Thank goodness I brought along a pearl necklace to jazz up my bedsheet. Packing reality: Bring one large tarp…preferably with sequins. Mobility expectations: To get one’s sea legs means the ability to walk normally on the deck of the boat without spilling out one’s stomach contents or slipping and snapping a tibia in half. Since humans do not typically get from place to place feeling like they’re on a motorized skateboard during a 6.1 earthquake, this technique takes time and skill. Mobility reality: Once you have mastered the fine art of walking on water, beware. The moment you return to dry land the ghost waves come back to haunt. You’ll have the feeling of standing on a kayak in a hurricane for the next week. Also, do not attempt to operate heavy machinery or drive; this is why Uber was invented. And finally, make sure you have a full cupboard when you get back. We were suffering from buffet withdrawal. Luckily I found a saltine cracker some dried up mustard and a withered celery stalk. Strangely, it was one of the better meals I’ve created. APRIL 2019 | CROSSROADS | 13

Automobile Alley

2019

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

continues tradition of solid value and sporty appeal

ith seating for five, an enhanced bumper-to-bumper warranty coupled with a base pricing structure starting out at $21,845, Volkswagen Motors is featuring their compact Golf models with a number of features for 2019. In fact, it’s been some 44 years since this iconic hatchback debuted in the United States as it’s now being produced in its seventh-generation. Some of its hallmarks reflect Golf continuing to represent a solid value with a compelling combination of eye-appealing styling as well as nimble and sporty refined handling. It has welcomed roominess due to its well-thought-out interior packaging plus a fuel-efficient engine and loads of on-board welcomed technology. This competitive segment is generally crossed shopped with the likes of the Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic hatchback, Kia Forte5, Mazda3 five-door plus the Subaru Impreza. It’s now sold in just two trims; their S and SE grades. Their previous 1.8T engine is replaced by the same 1.4T engine that’s also used with their Jetta models from V W. This turbocharged/ direct-injection four cylinder engine produces 147 horsepower. Also featured is their seamless Start/Stop system as standard on their automatic-transmission models. When the brake pedal is pressed, this technology shuts down the engine during idle periods, such as when waiting at a red light. When the brake pedal is released, the engine restarts. EPA-estimated fuel economy for Golf models, regardless of the transmission, comes out to be about 29 mpg in city driving and 37 mpg on the highway. Last year, Golf received an update to its exterior design. This resulted in a precision and fine detail appearance to its unmistakable smooth silhouette. The front bumper and chrome14 | CROSSROADS | APRIL 2019

BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN surround grille are flanked on either side by striking LED daytime running lights that provide the Golf a “lighting signature” that’s nicely formed into the character lines that run the length of the vehicle. At the rear, full standard LED taillights help complete the car’s modern look. The interior design is emphasized by the driver-centric placement of controls and gauges. This is fairly evident from the angled center stack housing (towards the driver’s view) plus white back-lighting for the controls as well as the use of premium materials throughout. The material list reflects soft-touch plastics and trim pieces, available chrome and aluminum components plus piano-black finishes. App-Connect smartphone integration for compatible devices is standard on all Golf models. App-Connect offers users the ability to run select smartphone apps directly on the vehicle’s display with either their 6.5-inch or 8.0-inch center dash touch screens. Numerous safety breakthroughs are included as well as an advanced stamped steel body and chassis assembly that uses a large percentage of high-strength, hot-formed steel. This technology allows much of the chassis and body to be constructed from thinner and lighter parts without loss of rigidity. The six-year/72,000mile warranty includes powertrain engine and transmission coverage as well as coverage for their optional 4Motion all-wheel-drive systems. Additionally, all the elements of the remaining warranty can be transferred to a subsequent owner. Destination charge for all Golf models is an additional $895 and this model is sold through their some 650 independent U.S. dealership network.

Advertiser Profile

Get in gear, spring is here!

Worth the Drive

By Russ Patton, owner of Byerly RV â€œSpring is bursting out all overâ€? along with a few frozen water heaters and toilets, etc. In addition, bugs, bird nests, rodents and roof leaks can be an unwelcome surprise. Dreams can turn into nightmares if you wait too long to prep your RV before your first trip. Now is the time to call and schedule a basic de-winterizing and prep service. Our direct line to service is 636938-2020. Now that you are a veteran RVer you may see the value of having a service agreement which will protect your vehicle after your warranty expires. The service agreement can provide peace of mind as you travel far from home. You can ask about the details from our service writers or call our finance office at 636-938-2003. Spring events are posted on or website. Our vehicle inventory covers a broad spectrum. From entry level trailers for first-time buyers to luxury motorhomes for retirees, Byerly can be your dealer throughout your RV life. We have or-

dered much in advance to assure that you will get your RV in time to enjoy it. Record sales have created shortages which delayed orders for up to two months last year. Also, we have locked in prices before the substantial price increases. Buy out of

our inventory and save big. Visit us at www.byerlyrv.com, Facebook, and especially at 295 E Fifth Street in Eureka just one exit east of the Six Flags exit on I-44.

Byerly RV: 295 East Fifth St. | Eureka, MO 63025 800-878-3325 | 636-938-2000 | www.byerlyrv.com

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Wentzville EDC Business Spotlight Sederburg & Associates is located at 809 E. Pearce Blvd. in Historic Downtown Wentzville. The business is owned by John Sederburg and began in 1996. The business provides a number of financial services including tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll, IRS audits, and assisting new business start-ups. The company has a few locations in St. Charles County. The business has an experienced staff for tax preparation and for assisting local business clients. The staff is very aggressive in seeking continuing education and up-to-date training in the new tax law. Wentzville is the western gateway to the County. We encourage you to stop by, or check us out on social media. We look forward to helping you get the maximum tax refund to which you are entitled. Phone is: (636) 928-1040

APRIL 2019 | CROSSROADS | 15

For the Love of Food

Simple holiday hams Ideas for an easy Easter menu

hether you’re new to hosting or simply looking for ideas to make Easter entertaining easier than ever, there are plenty of ways to save time and stress in the kitchen. Go with what you know. Trying out new recipes is fun, but it can also add stress when they don’t turn out like you expected. Stick to tried and true dishes you can prepare and serve with confidence and save the experimenting for another time. Take shortcuts. At the center of many Easter feasts is a ham that has been expertly cured and cooked to perfection. Even so, starting with a full-cooked ham is a shortcut that no one is likely to notice, especially if you heat it properly. For exceptional quality and a variety of flavor profile options to choose from, turn to America’s Original Butcher, Omaha Steaks. The meats are fully cooked then frozen before being delivered to your door for maximum convenience. Work ahead. Plan your menu to incorporate items you can make 16 | CROSSROADS | APRIL 2019

ahead of time so you’re under less pressure the day of your dinner. Even handling the prep work like slicing veggies the night before can buy back precious minutes, that way when guests begin arriving, you can step out of the kitchen and enjoy the day right along with them. Find more ideas to make hosting this year’s Easter meal easy at OmahaSteaks.com/buy/meals/easter. HOW TO HEAT A FROZEN HAM Many frozen hams are fully cooked and can be served as soon as they’re properly thawed, which is an ideal solution for a casual brunch with mini sandwiches on the menu. However, if you’re serving an elegant holiday dinner, you’re more likely to prefer a warm centerpiece dish. A fully cooked ham is still a time-saving option; you’ll just need to allot time to heat it in the oven once it’s thawed.

For the Love of Food Start by thawing a fully cooked ham in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours. To keep your ham extra moist, always put the cut-side down. You might also consider placing a baking rack in the pan and adding a quarter-inch of water before placing the ham on the rack. For a spiral-cut, bone-in ham, heat the oven to 325 F. Remove ham from film and foil. Place ham cut-side down on a raised edge baking pan lined with foil. Heat uncovered 60-75 minutes for the entire ham or 10 minutes per pound for smaller portions. For a boneless ham, heat the oven to 350 F. Place the ham, cut-side down, on a raised edge baking pan lined with foil. Cover the ham tightly with foil and heat 35-40 minutes. Another option for adding extra juicy flavor is a glaze, which can be as simple as dissolving three parts brown sugar into one part honey in a small saucepan. Or for a more elegant affair, consider a fruit-infused glaze to complement the savory pork. A HOST OF HAMS: If you always thought a ham is a ham is a ham, it’s time to think again. From the type of meat to the smoking preparation to specialized slicing that makes serving easy, there are plenty of options to consider from a supplier like Omaha Steaks when choosing the right ham. SAVORY: For an elegant gathering that demands premium ingredients, an all-natural Duroc Boneless Country Ham may be the answer. These hams tend to feature more marbling for an exceptionally rich flavor and texture, making for a tender, savory and juicy main course with no basting or injection needed. SMOKY: Put a little flair in your Easter meal with a uniquely flavored ham like the Pecanwood Smoked Flank Ham, smoked with real pecan wood for 8 hours to add a rich yet mellow smoky flavor. This tender, juicy uncured whole-muscle ham earns its place of distinction on your holiday table. Complementary sides with subtle nutty notes, such as a sweet potato casserole, can enhance the menu even more. SWEET: Each Spiral-Sliced Ham is slowly smoked with real wood up to 24 hours to infuse flavor and maximize juiciness then generously brushed with a sweet and sticky brown-sugar crust that is torchglazed to create a flavorful, crunchy crust. It’s spiral-sliced before delivery, so once it’s thawed and heated, it’s ready for quick service to your guests.

Easy Fruit-Infused Glazes

Apricot Glaze Ingredients:

Directions:

1/2 cup brown sugar

In saucepan, mix brown sugar, cornstarch and ginger. Stir in apricot nectar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils.

1 teaspoon cornstarch 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1 cup apricot nectar, canned

Cranberry Orange Glaze Ingredients: 1 can (16 ounces) cranberry sauce 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup orange juice 1/2 teaspoon cloves, ground 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, ground 1/4 teaspoon allspice

Directions: In small saucepan over low heat, combine cranberry sauce, brown sugar, orange juice, cloves, cinnamon and allspice; simmer 5 minutes, before serving. APRIL 2019 | CROSSROADS | 17

Entertainment

isn’t perfect but still brings the scares BY MATHEW DEKINDER

There’s an old Pogo UNIVERSAL PICTURES comic strip that features the famous line “We have seen the enemy, and he is us.” That sentiment is at the heart of the new horror film “Us” from writer/ director Jordan Peele, a nearly-successful follow up to his brilliant debut “Get Out.” And while “Us” may fall victim to heightened expectations, Peele’s skill as a filmmaker, especially a horror filmmaker, remains on an upward trajectory. The premise is ambitious, even though it starts simply enough as we follow a family on vacation. They fit the basic archetypes as Adelaide (Lupita Nyong’o) is the protective mother, Gabe (Winston Duke) is the goofy dad, Zora (Shahadi Wright Joseph) is the headstrong teen and Jason (Evan Alex) is the annoying little brother. Everything seems pretty normal until doppelgangers of the family invade their vacation home with murderous intent. Peele is a virtuoso when it comes to chase/jump-scare/splatter rhythms of horror movies and he pulls you right in during the first half of the film. He also knows when to insert a laugh to break the tension and “Us” has some genuinely funny moments amidst all the mayhem.

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The problem with “Us” is that when the motives of the doppelgangers are made clear it just doesn’t hold much water, and a tug on any of the loose threads causes the thing to start to unravel. The movie still manages to work as an allegory about the haves and havenots in our society, but I’m the kind of guy who needs a few more details if I’m going to buy into a bizzaro, sci-fi backstory. You’ll find me in the lobby after the movie asking, “Who feeds the rabbits? Who feeds the rabbits?!?!” Peele’s talent is on full display here and his cast crushes their parts, especially Nyong’o who plays subtleties of heartbreak, rage and terror in both Adelaide and her double. But as impressive as all of this is, it winds up being a bit like watching Stephen Curry score 60 points while his team loses the game. Peele is still one of the most exciting filmmakers around, and my nitpicking aside, “Us” is still better than 90% of the horror movies that come along. Even so, I’m looking forward to what he does next because I have no doubt that his career is headed for better and brighter things. “Us” is rated R for violence/terror and language. For up to the minute reviews, columns and all things entertainment go to www.matsentertainment.com

Community Calendar

April 1 – April Fools Day 6 – National Tartan Day 9 – National Library Workers’ Day 12 – Fundraising event

Turning Point Advocacy Services annual event, Boots ‘n Bling, will be held at the Aspen Center in Innsbrook. Doors open at 6 p.m. This year’s guest speaker is the Honorable Kelly Boniec. Broniec, an associate circuit judge in Montgomery County, handles a variety court cases. As a guest speaker, she will discuss her experience in prosecuting and hearing cases in family, criminal and civil law that connect with Turning Point’s work as advocates and educators in sexual abuse. Guests at Boots ‘n Bling will enjoy dinner, a live auction and dancing. Every guest who brings an item from the shelter’s wish list will receive a raffle ticket for prizes. To reserve a seat or table, or to donate, call 636-4561186, visit turningpointdvs.com, or find Turningpointwmo on Facebook.

13– Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday 13 – Spring carnival

The Holt High School DECA Chapter will be hosting the 20th annual Spring Fling at their school from 1 to 4:00 p.m.

The event will include games, activities and the traditional egg hunts. Admission and the egg hunts are free. Game and activity tickets are available for purchase at five for $1. The egg hunts will be broken down into two age groups; preschool through second grade beginning at 2 p.m., and third through sixth grade beginning at 3 p.m. For more information, please contact the event coordinator Jolene Wofford at jolenewofford@wsdr4.org.

14 – Palm Sunday 15 – Tax Day 19 – Good Friday 20 – Passover 21 – Easter Sunday 22 – Earth Day 24 – Administrative Professionals Day 25 – Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day 26 – Arbor Day APRIL 2019 | CROSSROADS | 19

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