HARVESTING
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AUGUSTA
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2 | CROSSROADS | SEPTEMBER 2019
SEPTEMBER
2019
contents
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Around Town Local news and events
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Feature Story Harvesting fun in Augusta The Augusta Harvest Festival is chance to step back in time and sample the region’s food, drink and hospitality
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Always an Adventure Big rocks help regain solitude
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Moore on Life Tricky Ricky
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Automobile Alley 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander is ahead of the curve for crossovers
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Food Simplify back-to-school dinners with nutritious meal plans
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Entertainment ‘The Angry Birds Movie 2’ is the latest video game adaptation
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Advertiser Profile Captured in flight: in remembrance of Jay Ferger, March 10, 1955 - July 30, 2019
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Community Calendar: September
On the Cover: Photo courtesy Molly Elizabeth
SEPTEMBER 2019 | CROSSROADS | 3
SEPTEMBER
2019 writers
VOL 15 | NO 9
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, Russ Patton 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:
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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.
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 STEVE BRYAN
ENTERTAINMENT – PG. 15
4 | CROSSROADS | SEPTEMBER 2019
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.
Around Town
Liberty senior elected 2019-20 Governor at Missouri Girls State Liberty High School senior Aminhan Lobster was named the State Governor of Missouri Girls State at this summer’s conference, held at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg from June 24-30. As governor, Lobster will be the Girls State “official head of state,” and participate in various Missouri Girls State activities – including presiding over all of next year’s sessions. Photo courtesy Wentzville School District This is the second consecutive year that a Liberty High School student was elected as Missouri Girls or Boys State governor; last year Albert Edney was elected State Governor at Missouri Boys State. Girls and Boys State participants are selected based on their leadership abilities, interest in government, service to others and academics, so her election by these citizens of Girls State 2019 was quite a compliment. This isn’t the first time Lobster has been elected to a position such as this. She was selected as the Missouri-Arkansas (Mo-Ark) Key Club Division 5 Lieutenant Governor for the 2018-19 school year. For Key Club, Lobster is the key communications and public relations person, responsible for sharing news, correspondence, and promoting events. Lobster is interested in studying English and anthropology after graduation, and hopes to pursue a career in law. Jackie Dunn, Missouri Girls State Legislative Coordinator and American Legion Auxiliary member, said, “From day one, Aminhan’s enthusiasm and leadership were very apparent. She quickly had the support of citizens who worked hard and campaigned for her wholeheartedly.” After her inauguration on the penultimate session of the week, she presided over the closing morning assembly. Her duties will include addressing the American Legion Auxiliary Convention in July in St. Louis County, and she will be asked to participate in St. Louis Metro briefings in 2020, preparing next session’s delegates with information. At Missouri Girls State 2020, Governor Lobster will preside over the entire week’s session, serve as chair of all assemblies, and fulfill any other responsibilities as directed. Missouri Girls State is sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, the largest women’s organization with nearly 1 million members. They promote the ideals and principles of the founding fathers, as well as assist Veteran’s Support and Children & Youth, and many other programs. Missouri American Legion Auxiliary has sponsored a Girls State program since 1940. SEPTEMBER 2019 | CROSSROADS | 5
Around Town
Meridian Waste partnered with the Wright City Community Food Pantry to fight summer hunger Meridian Waste, an integrated, non-hazardous solid waste services company, partnered with the Wright City Community Food Pantry to provide meals for 47 children and teens on Aug. 9 as part of a summer lunch series. Over the summer while school is out and cafeterias are closed, underserved children may not have access to nutritious food. Meridian Waste has partnered with the Wright City Community Food Pantry’s summer lunch program to provide the day’s meal. Pastor Joe Purl of the Wright City Church of the Nazarene, which houses the community food pantry, credits all churches, businesses, and volunteers in the community with filling the pantry and providing meals. “As the summer comes to an end, we work together to ensure our vulnerable children and teens have these lunches as access to fresh, healthy food right up until school starts again. We serve these meals Monday through Friday to 40-50 children, teens and their families each day,” said Purl. “The smiles on these children’s faces is thanks enough for the efforts we make as a community.” The luncheon was held at the Wright City North Apartment Complex, where the program began two years ago with a call from the manager asking Purl how to help their residents. Today, volunteers from the Food Pantry and Meridian Waste lined up to serve the children and assist with the meal.
Submitted photo
“These are our children, our community and our neighbors. When we see a community that we service in need, I’m delighted to say that I work for a company who steps up to the plate to help out. Wright City is a small community with a big heart,” said volunteer and organizer Michelle Vohsen of Meridian Waste. “This program is more than just a meal; this promotes love and security for these children in our community. We are building friendships, and potentially, future employees, for years to come.” Meridian Waste purchased 60 boxed lunches from Subway Restaurants, providing six-inch sandwiches, chips, fruit, cookies, and a beverage for each attendee. The remaining 13 meals were donated to a similar senior citizen care program. Lunches are served in the community each day throughout the program, and an estimated 1,200 lunches are served over the sixweek period to children in need.
‘Sharing Success’ grants benefit two area nonprofit organizations Two local charitable organizations were each awarded a $7,000 “Sharing Success” grant by Cuivre River Electric Cooperative (CREC) and CoBank. The recipients of the 2019 grants are Greater St. Louis Honor Flight and The Key Youth Center. “We are proud to be able to serve our community by providing these local charities with the funds they need to make a positive impact on our neighbors” says Diane Saale, President, CREC Board of Directors. Greater St. Louis Honor Flight serves St. Louis metro area veterans by granting them an all-inclusive trip to Washington DC to experience the memorials that were built to honor their service to our country. Since launching in 2008, the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight has traveled with over 1,500 local veterans. Their day of honor includes visits to the Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Memorial and the World War II Memorial. The veterans also visit several other landmarks such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. The Honor Flight veterans are always honored and acknowledged by civilians everywhere they embark. Many of the esteemed veterans say the experience is one of the best of their lives. In order to provide this all-expense paid experience for our veterans, Greater St. Louis Honor Flight relies en6 | CROSSROADS | SEPTEMBER 2019
Submitted photo (From left) CREC Board Director Troy Galloway stands with Greater St. Louis Honor Flight Operations Director Jim Pettit and CREC Board Director Denise O’Mara.
tirely on corporate and individual contributions. The Sharing Success grant will fund visits to our nation’s capital for 10 veterans, according to Operations Director Jim Pettit, Greater St. Louis Honor Flight. CONTINUED PAGE 7
Around Town The Key Youth Center is a community–driven, funded and managed organization that is dedicated to serving homeless youth in Lincoln County. The Lincoln County Resource Board’s 2017 Needs Assessment indicates that homeless youth percentages have risen 552 percent since 2010. The Key was created to help provide these youth with sustainable housing and support to achieve their personal goals. Support services include, but are not limited to, mental health care, life-skills coaching and case management. Once renovations to the building that houses The Key have been finished, the organization will have the capacity to provide 14 homeless youth with safe shelter. The Key relies on donations in order to support and protect homeless youth of Lincoln County. Contact Shiloh Werkmeister, The Key’s president, at 636-295-1974 to learn more. “Sharing Success” is a matching grant program created by CoBank in 2012. The cooperative bank partners with its customers, like CREC, to support the causes and organizations they care about. CoBank customers can apply for up to $7,500 in matching grants each year. This year, CREC awarded $3,500 to each recipient, and CoBank matched the funds, thus providing a total of $7,000 to each organization. Since the inception of the program in 2012 and counting this year’s grants, CREC has awarded a total of $40,000 to organizations including Operation Food Search, Volunteers in Medicine St. Charles, TREE House of Greater St. Louis, St. Charles Community College Foundation, Earth Angel Aviators, Sparrow’s Nest and Our Lady’s Inn. CREC’s board of directors jointly makes the decision to which organizations the “Sharing Success” grants will be awarded.
FEMA offers grants to flood victims By Kristen Dragotto
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is responding at the request of the state to assist renters and homeowners in assist homeowners and renters for those who have been affected by the recent flooding. FEMA is a United States Department of homeland security, whose mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. This response is a grant that homeowners and renters can apply for. These grants are to help with temporary rental assistance, basic home repairs and other needs not covered by insurance (i.e. replacing personal property that was damaged or destroyed). There are a few specifications for individuals to qualify: the grant must be for their primary household, they must be residents of St. Charles, Lincoln or Pike County and it is only for damages that occurred from flooding and severe storms between April 29 and July 5. FEMA has already received an influx of requests. In St. Charles County alone, FEMA has approved $900,024 in grants to 216 households. State wide FEMA has supplied 316 million dollars in grants helping 800 households. Those who have damages and serious needs can call FEMA directly at 800-621-3362 between 7a.m. to 10 p.m. every day or visit DisasteAssitance.gov. SEPTEMBER 2019 | CROSSROADS | 7
Around Town
St. Charles County judge receives national award for treatment court leadership Judge Philip Ohlms of the 11th Judicial Circuit Treatment Court in St. Charles County received the Juvenile and Family Treatment Court Leadership Award on July 14, at the National Association of Drug Court Professionals Annual Conference in Washington D.C. The award is the first of its kind and recognizes an individual in the treatment court field that has been a pioneer and a leader throughout their years of service. Submitted photo Ohlms has served as the Treatment Judge Philip Ohlms (second from left) received the Juvenile and Family TreatCourt Judge since August 2000. He ment Court Leadership Award on July 14 from the board of directors and staff of currently oversees Adult (Drug), DWI, the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. Co-Occurring, Family and Veterans Treatment Courts. The Adult (Drug) Court ignation in 2013, which allows courts from is one of only eight Mentor Courts in the around the country to visit and observe how United States. The court received this des- to operate a successful treatment court.
Eagle Scout builds Little Free Library in Wentzville at The Child Center, Inc. LET YOUR BUSINESS MEET OUR READERS
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The Child Center, Inc. in Wentz- Submitted photo ville now has a Little Free Library, thanks to resident Rylan Hillyer, who made this endeavor his Eagle Scout Service Project. Rylan is a senior at Timberland High School and has been in the Boy Scouts for 12 years. Since he was in first grade, he has made it his goal to obtain the rank of Eagle Scout. To become an Eagle Scout you have to earn a minimum of 21 badges and do a community service project. After seeing Little Free Libraries in other communities, he thought it would be nice to bring one to The Little Free Library is a “take a book, reWentzville. turn a book” free book exchange. Anyone “Research shows that if kids read 20 min- may take a book or bring a book to share. utes a day they will score 90 percent better Little Free Library book exchanges have a on standardized tests and increase their vo- unique, personal touch. There is an undercabulary by 1,800,000 words per year! Hav- standing that real people are sharing their faing a Free Little Library located at The Child vorite books with their community; Little LiCenter is a nice way to support the kids that braries have been called “mini-town squares.” are coming to the Center and a way for me You can find Rylan’s Little Free Library outto give back to my community and hopefully side of The Child Center, Inc. located at 989 make it a better place,” said Hillyer. Heritage Pkwy. in Wentzville.
HARVESTING
fun in
AUGUSTA
By Brett Auten
The Augusta Harvest Festival is chance to step back in time and sample the region’s food, drink and hospitality
A
portal back to a simpler, stress-free way of life will open up later this month. The Augusta Harvest Festival is chance to step back, relax and unwind from our digital universe. The long-running festival takes place on Sept. 20 and 21 in downtown Augusta and is sponsored by the Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce. Trey Smith, one of the festivals organizers, is hoping this year the festival benefits from a broader reach. “We have made some adjustments and are hoping to bring in more variety and appeal to more people,” Smith said. “This festival is kinda adorable. It is not a state fair-type environment. This will be a throwback to a mid-America, down-home atmosphere. You will think you’re in 1885.” Things kick off Friday evening with “Swingin’ in the Vines,” a gourmet picnic at Honey Bee Vineyard, located on a private vineyard estate in Augusta. Once there, you can take a ride on a pumpkin wagon, collect your picnic dinner basket-for-two,
select your included bottle of wine, enjoy a port tasting in a historic wine cellar, and dance under the stars to a live band. It is encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. To do so, call 636-228-4005. The all-inclusive cost of the evening is $100 for two. On Saturday, Sept. 21, the action picks up in the early morning and goes all night. A full day of family activities are planned around the Augusta Town Square beginning at 8 a.m. Bring the whole family down for pancakes at 8 a.m. then cheer on your favorite runners in the 5K race at 8:30 a.m. To register for the 5K, visit augustaharvestfest5k.com. At 10 a.m. sharp, a revamped parade will roll past the historic town buildings on Locust and Walnut Streets featuring new and vintage farming equipment of local farmers and farm suppliers as well as traditional parade entries. CONTINUED PAGE 10 SEPTEMBER 2019 | CROSSROADS | 9
Post-parade, you will want to hang around all day for the homemade-pie walk, pony rides, a timed obstacle course, adult and kids’ trike races, an inflatable, a pumpkin launch contest, an old-fashioned square dance, a Buster Keaton silent movie with live musical accompaniment by the Hannah Grey Duo and more. Food and drink of all sorts will be available all day. The Town Square activities conclude with line-dancing to footstompin’ live music by The Texas Giants from 3 - 6 p.m. A wristband purchased onsite will gain you access to all of the above. The festival grand finale is the “Fruit of the Harvest Wine Makers’ Dinner” at Schultz Haus, a private vineyard estate,
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on Saturday night. A multiple course gourmet meal with dessert and wine pairings will showcase local farm-to-table ingredients. Regional winemakers will mingle with guests and introduce their wines. The estate offers a beautiful setting for this dressy-casual dinner and guests may tour the wine cellar, and the appetizer course will be served by the lake. The all-inclusive cost of the evening is $85 per person. Tickets may be purchased at augusta-chamber.org or call 636-228-4005. “Five winemakers will put together a five-course meal with a wine pairing for each course,” Smith said. “It’s fun and educational with a lot of wine that night.”
The 2019 Augusta Harvest Festival Schedule of Events Photos courtesy Molly Elizabeth
FRIDAY, SEPT. 20 | 6 P.M. “SWINGIN’ IN THE VINES” – Concert/Picnic/Auction** PUMPKIN-WAGON RIDES TO HONEY BEE VINEYARD – begin 5:30 p.m., Meet at Harmonie-Verein on
Hackman Road. Outdoor dinner basket for two. Sit around hay bales, beautiful surrounding with bands. Reservation only.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 21 | 8 – 10 A.M. $2/$5 PANCAKE BREAKFAST – Town Square Park 8 A.M. CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES* – begin in and around Town Square Park; Vendor booths open. 8:30 A.M. 5K RUN/WALK – Registration, start and finish at Town Square Park; for more information and sign-up, see www.augustaharvestfest5k.com. 10 A.M. HARVEST PARADE – Parade begins at Augusta Elementary School; route will be east on Locust St., south on Lower St, west on Walnut St, north on Ferry St, end back at school. 10:30 A.M. ANNOUNCEMENT OF PARADE WINNERS, PIE CONTEST WINNERS AND PIE SALE –
Town Square Food Truck options available at Town Square Park and schoolyard.
11 A.M. PIE WALK – $1 per chance to win a homemade pie! TOWN SQUARE PARK DRIFT BIKE RACE* – Town Square; Historical-Character Storytellers circulating. 11 AND 11:45 A.M. BUSTER KEATON SILENT MOVIE* – with live musical accompaniment by Hannah Grey
Duo – Town Hall Building, enter on Green St.
11 A.M. – 1 P.M. CHILDREN’S PONY RIDES* – at schoolyard; TIMED OBSTACLE COURSE* – at
schoolyard.
12:30 P.M. ANNOUNCEMENT OF PIE RAFFLE WINNERS – Town Square Park 1 – 3 P.M. SQUARE DANCE – with live caller at Town Square Park; PUMPKIN LAUNCH* – at schoolyard; PAUL OVAITT AND FRIENDS LIVE MUSIC – at schoolyard. 3 – 6 P.M. TEXAS GIANTS PERFORM – Town Square Park 6:30 P.M. “FRUIT OF THE HARVEST WINE MAKERS’ DINNER”** – a multiple course gourmet dinner, dessert and wine pairings at Schultz Haus, an Augusta private vineyard estate. Silent auction winners will be announced. *wristband available at Beverage Booths **advance registration needed and fees apply
SEPTEMBER 2019 | CROSSROADS | 11
Always An Adventure
Big ro cks help regain solitude
BY AVALANCHE
THIS PAST SPRING, the Forest Service extended the winter closure up the valley from our home for a few weeks longer than usual, due to heavier-than-normal snowpack, and the performance of some substantial road work. The previous winter had left most of the roads in the state in a rather rough condition, including the interstate highways, which, in some areas, looked as if they had been subjected to enemy bombing. During the closure, it was still easy to walk past the locked gate and see just what was going on up the valley. Initially, it appeared as if a very inexperienced operator was running the road grader; rocks and boulders were torn out of the road surface, previously functioning ditches were obliterated and the road appeared to be in much worse shape than before the work began. The equipment on site disappeared, which led us to believe the road would re-open in its rather sad condition. Several days later, the equipment reappeared, and still run by the same operator, began to shape the road into a much more negotiable condition. We were actually pleased by the extended closure; the crowds here have gotten out of hand, and the return-to-solitude was a welcome episode, bringing back a sense of an earlier, quieter time. Traveling by foot for a 12 | CROSSROADS | SEPTEMBER 2019
couple extra miles didn’t bother us in the least. As the road work progressed, it became apparent that there was a method to the grader operator’s madness. The large boulders ripped out of the middle of the road found their way to numerous user-created parking spots along the shoulder, where the rocks now became impassable obstacles to prevent bandit parking. New ditches were graded, and some smaller equipment was brought in to clean up the tight areas. A few loads of road base were dumped and smoothed in some of the worst spots, and the final result was a much-improved three mile stretch up to the campground. But, much like the extended gate closure, we quickly learned to appreciate the new road work and parking area reduction. The small colony of transients that had taken up residence in the valley is no longer to be found. Last summer’s influx of that crew had left a bad impression, with new campfire rings appearing regularly, despite a total ban on outdoor burning due to the extraordinary fire danger. Their scattered minefields of human waste dropped at every parking spot have not reappeared this summer, providing us with a literal breath of fresh air. The Forest Service has followed up their
grading project with additional ranger patrols, contacting folks who try to camp outside of the campground. Such camping has always been restricted in this valley, but the prohibition was rarely enforced. Now, if one is able to cram a vehicle into a spot somewhere along the road, it’s a good bet that they’ll be educated about the restriction and sent on their way. According to one ranger, there are two kinds of folks they contact: those that simply don’t know about the restrictions, and those that simply don’t care. The former are easier to deal with, and the latter will likely be contacted again at some point. In any case, the valley is much cleaner and quieter than in recent summers. Added to the road and camping issues, a spring flood tore out a foot-bridge over a creek along the wilderness hiking trail that begins at the campground, and goes many miles into the mountains. While there are a few ways around the now-missing bridge, they involve either two-thousand-verticalfeet of difficult climbing to the headwaters of the creek, or a very hazardous crossing through the rapid waters coursing down the creek gorge. The Forest Service reduced vehicle traffic, Mother Nature reduced foot traffic, and we’ve gained the benefits of living near a difficult-to-access slice of wilderness.
Moore On Life
Tricky ricky BY CINDY MOORE I’ve had a very unwelcome visitor call on me recently. No, not indigestion. Guess again. No, not politicians handing out flyers, although that does bring on horrific indigestion. I should be doubly prepared for those unwelcome visitors during the coming election. Note to self: Buy antacids in bulk this time next year. So the unwelcome visitor was a cute little Ricky raccoon. But once cute little raccoons claim your yard as their personal territory they tend to wreak havoc and havoc he started to wreak. So my husband decided to set a trap for the pesky little bandit. First, he consulted the experts. He dropped in on one of those big feed and grain stores where you can buy all things farm related; anything from chicken feed to horse collars to tractor parts. I even saw a gigantic plastic bag filled with maggoty-looking mealworms for sale there.
They were called, “Happy Hen Treats.” Who raises these creepy crawly insects? I suppose there is a need. The first batch is fed to the birds while the leftovers become politicians and distribute flyers. Note to self: Hand out Happy Hen Treats in exchange for any candidate passing out brochures next year.
After receiving a crash course in raccoon trapping 101, my husband left with a big metal live-trap, a certificate in critter catching and his first employment opportunity: our backyard. All that education was no match for a wily raccoon. Day 1: Raccoon slipped arm through the outside of cage. Tuna bait is gone. Day 2: Unreachable tuna can bolted to bottom of cage. Raccoon smells a rat. Bait is intact. Day 3: Bait switched to irresistible marshmallows. Raccoon smells a sweet rat. Nada. Day 4: Trap is covered with a towel to disguise it. Raccoon isn’t buying it. Zip. Day 5: Trap is covered with logs. Cat kibble is sprinkled in front luring coon through trap entrance to can filled to the brim. Boom shiggedy boom! I could never kill the fuzzy little varmint. We transported it the recommended ten miles away and released it safely into the yard of Wilfred Liesalot. He’s running for office next year.
SEPTEMBER 2019 | CROSSROADS | 13
Automobile Alley
2019
BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER is ahead of the curve for crossovers
W
ith the overwhelming popularity of crossovers and sport utility vehicles with consumers nationwide, some car companies may be a bit late in coming to market with a good selection to choose from, as development lead time often takes years. Having shared that with you, Mitsubishi Motors tends to be somewhat ahead of the curve with their 2019 Outlander PHEV GT-5 AWC, four-door crossover. To take a brief moment to help frame our thoughts in respect to a crossover, versus an SUV, in the simplest terms, a crossover is often built on a “unibody” underside platform whereas the entire welded base helps to form the vehicle’s structure. Unibody designs often have a more “car like” ride in respect to its road mannerisms. SUVs are generally designed on a steel frame rail assembly. This adds to the toughness and rugged foundation; however, at times SUVs tend to drive and handle more like a truck rather than a passenger car. Outlander, in my opinion has the best of both worlds as its ride qualities and steering dynamics are nothing short of world-class. As expected, the Outlander comes in both a conventional gasoline powered version along with their plug-in gas/electric/Hybrid PHEV GT-5 version. Outlander demonstrates a high level of uniqueness on both 14 | CROSSROADS | SEPTEMBER 2019
models with its on-board rolling advanced technologies for helping with fuel mileage and lowering its footprint when it comes to tailpipe emissions. The base gas model has seating for seven and are offered in their; ES 2.4 trim, SE 2.4, LE 2.4, SEL 2.4 and their top end GT 3.0 SAWC configuration. The EPA numbers for the 2.4-liter standard engine ranges from 25-mpg city/30-mpg highway and it produces 166-horsepower. This four cylinder is matched with a CVT automatic variable speed transmission. The 3.0-liter, 224-horsepower V6 engine in the GT 3.0 model includes a six speed automatic transmission. It shows 20-mpg city/27-mpg highway and it’s recommended from the factory to operate on premium grade fuel. Worth bringing to light is the fact that both the gas and plug-in hybrid models have fairly comfortable seating throughout. Outlander is easy to drive and operate, it has an uncluttered dash assembly, it possesses good drive qualities plus it has a welcomed quiet interior, including plenty of added cargo carrying capabilities. The acceleration is somewhat spirited with the 2.4 engine and the ES is certainly geared towards the budget minded buyer with a starting price of $24,695, excluding shipping charges. Now, with the spotlight on their gas/plug-
in hybrid version, it’s fully loaded with a huge array of welcomed creature comforts. It has a pricing structure of $35,795 and seats five. The seamless drive operation of the plug-in/ Hybrid model works well with both street driving as well as with off-roading. While coasting downhill for instance, the regenerative power from the wheels will help in charging the battery pack. When plugged in with its remarkable DC “fast charge” feature, you can charge up to 80 percent of the battery power in less than 30-minutes. This version is also engineered to operate some 22 miles in just electric mode therefore, you’ll be emission free while commuting. With a notable limited warranty of 10-years or 100,000 miles for the powertrain components, you’ll find that competitive makes from Honda, GM, Ford and Toyota regrettably don’t offer such comprehensive coverage. You’ll welcome the contemporary exterior styling of Outlander plus it’s smartly laid out interior and the placement of controls and switches plus its benchmark safety enhancements. Shipping charges for all 2019 models come out to be an additional $995.
Entertainment
is the latest video game adaptation BY STEVE BRYAN For years, arcade games and amusements have been turned into movies and vice-versa. In “Rocky III,” for instance, Paulie, played by Burt Young, encounters a pinball machine honoring Rocky Balboa, his famous brother-in-law. Feeling neglected by his sister Adrian and her husband, Paulie takes his frustrations out on the mechanical version of Rocky. That pinball machine could be found in bowling alleys and arcades when the movie was in theaters. More recently, “The Angry Birds Movie 2” and its predecessor were inspired by the adventure game from Finland’s Rovio Entertainment in 2009. Swine flu had caused a panic at the time, so game developers created sickly green pigs for the birds to battle. The pigs steal eggs from their nests, so the birds, who have special skills, launch an attack to save their unborn children. For both movies, Jason Sudeikis voiced Red, the bird who becomes a leader and a hero. In 1993, Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo played two very famous plumbers in “Super Mario Bros.,” Samantha Mathis also was on hand to play Daisy, a university student who turns out to be an
actual princess. It was an ambitious attempt to recreate the world of the Mario Brothers, but it didn’t light up the box office. Twentyfive years after its release, however, the film still has devoted fans. It even returned to the big screen briefly on its 20th Anniversary. In the late 1980s and early 90s, “Street Fighter” was one of a breed of fighting games that popped up in arcades and convenience stores. A single player could face computer-generated opponents or go one-on-one with another player. Action hero Jean-Claude Von Damme starred as Colonel Guile in the 1994 cinematic adaptation of the game. In one of his final film appearances, Raul Julia played the evil General M. Bison, who tried to dominate the world with his super soldiers. 2015’s “Pixels” took video game/movie crossovers to a whole new level, however. Adam Sandler starred as Sam Brenner, a video game champion whose life didn’t turn out quite as he expected. After aliens view footage of a video game championship from decades earlier, they attack the Earth with characters straight out of the arcade. In this context, Brenner and his friends have “a particular set of skills” that enable them to take on the aliens. Directed by Chris Columbus, “Pixels” has an interesting premise but one that was never fully realized. Classic game characters such as Pac-Man, Q-Bert and the Centipedes from their own self-titled games do look great on the big screen. On the other hand, the performances, especially those by Sandler, Kevin James and Josh Gad, are somewhat wooden. Pokémon has enjoyed world-wide popularity and earlier this year, “Detective Pikachu” arrived in theaters. Ryan Reynolds lent his voice to the title character, a “pocket monster” who also happens to be a detective. Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) teams up with the Pokémon to find out what happened to Tim’s missing father who also was Pikachu’s partner. These crossovers sometimes work and fail miserably at other times. In early 2020, for instance, “Sonic the Hedgehog” will race into theaters. This popular character was created by Sega and first appeared in the early 1990s. Here’s hoping he still has the speed and charisma to attract audiences. SEPTEMBER 2019 | CROSSROADS | 15
For the Love of Food
Simplify back-to-school dinners with nutritious meal plans Back-to-school season can be cluttered between after-school activities, week end sports and evening homework – as well as making dinner each night. Creating a master meal plan with quick, simple and nutritious meals is an easy way to take control of your family’s hectic schedule. Start by stocking the pantry with staple ingredients that amp up the nutrition and flavor of your family favorites. For example, American Pecans are a nutri tious ingredient to have on-hand – among the highest in “good” monounsaturated fats and packed with plant protein, fiber and essential minerals – and “The Original Supernut” is versatile enough for breakfast, lunchboxes, dinners and on-the-go snacking. Adding one bag to your weekly grocery list provides a canvas for exploring new dishes that are both nutritious and delicious. In fact, according to the Food and Drug Administration, scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1 1/2 ounces per day of most nuts, such as pecans, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. One serving (28 grams) of pecans contains 18 grams of unsaturated fat and only 2 grams of saturated fat. Updating your dinner repertoire doesn’t have to be complicated. Fuss-free recipes such as Pizza with Pecan-Herb Topping, Baked Pecan-Crusted Chicken Tenders and Pecan-Crusted Air Fryer Pork Chops can be ready in less than an hour and put a fresh twist on classic favorites to please parents and kids alike. Discover more back-to-school meal-plan ning recipe inspiration and cooking tips at AmericanPecan.com.
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PIZZA WITH PECAN-HERB TOPPING Cook time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
Directions:
1 store-bought pizza dough
Heat oven to 400 F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
1 cup raw pecan halves or pieces 1/2 cup fresh parsley 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) 1 pinch salt 1 pinch pepper 1/2 cup jarred pizza sauce 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup thinly sliced red pepper 1/2 cup thinly sliced Vidalia onion
Lightly flour clean surface. Using rolling pin, roll out pizza dough to 1/8inch thick and transfer to prepared baking sheet. Gently pierce dough with fork to prevent air pockets. Bake crust 10-15 minutes, or until lightly golden in color. In food processor, pulse pecans, parsley and garlic powder until mixture becomes coarse crumbs. Transfer to bowl and stir in Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes (if desired), salt and pepper. Set aside.
Using spoon, evenly spread pizza sauce over crust. Top with mozzarella cheese, red pepper slices and onion slices. Sprinkle 1/3 cup pecan mixture evenly over pizza. Transfer pizza to oven and bake 10-15 minutes, or until crust is crispy and cheese is melted. Serve with remaining pecan-herb mixture. Notes: If dough instructions differ from recipe, use package instructions. Additional topping options include: pepperoni, olives, ham, bacon and roasted veggies. Leftover pecanherb topping can be used for pasta and salads.
For the Love of Food
BAKED PECAN-CRUSTED CHICKEN TENDERS Cook time: 35 minutes
Ingredients: 2 cups raw pecan halves or pieces 1 cup panko or gluten-free bread crumbs 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2-2 pounds chicken breast tenders or chicken strips 3 l arge eggs 1 c up all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour blend pepper, to taste
Buttermilk Ranch Dip: 1/4 c up buttermilk 1/2 c up mayonnaise 1/2 c up sour cream 1 teaspoon parsley 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon dried dill
1 teaspoon salt, plus additional, to taste
1/2 t easpoon salt
Directions: Heat oven to 425 F. In food processor, pulse pecans until fine as breadcrumbs. In shallow bowl, mix pecans with panko, garlic powder, cayenne pepper and 1 teaspoon salt. In separate shallow bowl, whisk eggs until smooth. In third shallow bowl, add flour.
PECAN-CRUSTED AIR FRYER PORK CHOPS Cook time: 22 minutes
Ingredients:
Directions:
Lightly season chicken tenders with salt and pepper, to taste. Working with one chicken tender at a time, dip in eggs, flour then pecan mixture. Be sure to press pecan mixture into chicken to be sure it is completely coated. Set chicken on baking sheet lined with cooling rack or parchment paper. Repeat with remaining chicken.
1 cup pecan pieces
Heat air fryer to 400 F.
1/3 cup arrowroot starch
In medium bowl, mix pecans, arrowÂroot starch, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder and 1/4 teaspoon sea salt.
Place chicken on center rack and bake 20 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
1/4 teaspoon sea salt, plus additional, to taste
To make Buttermilk Ranch Dip: In small bowl, whisk buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, dried dill and salt until smooth.
1 large egg
Serve pecan-crusted chicken tenders warm paired with Buttermilk Ranch Dip.
1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, plus additional for serving 2 garlic cloves, crushed 6 medium boneless pork chops, trimmed of fat
In separate bowl, whisk egg, 1 teaÂspoon Dijon mustard, water and garlic. Cover pork chops in egg mixture then transfer to bowl with pecan mixture to coat all sides. Repeat with remaining pork chops. Place three pork chops in air fryer basket. Cook pork chops 6 minutes, flip, then cook additional 6 minutes. Set aside on plate. Repeat with remaining pork chops. Serve hot with Dijon mustard, if desired.
SEPTEMBER 2019 | CROSSROADS | 17
Advertiser Profile
Captured in flight: in remembrance of Jay Ferger, March 10, 1955 - July 30, 2019 By Russ Patton, owner of Byerly RV When entering Byerly RV’s showroom in Eureka, pause and lift your eyes. Around the perimeter of our 24-foot-high walls is a panoply of murals depicting scenes of America. The gigantic paintings were designed, constructed and painted by a local artist Jay Ferger. The work was all done on site in our service department with the assistance fellow artist Deborah Ferris. When Deborah introduced me to Jay, I explained that I desired something to enhance the indoor-outdoor ambience of our display area and to represent travels through America. Jay returned a few days later with a simple, but elegant plan. Snapshots of America as seen through the window of a motorhome would represent a journey around the country. On the southern wall were scenes from the south and the theme would continue including a total of eleven large murals which would wrap around the coun-
Wentzville EDC Business Spotlight Camping World of Wentzville is located at 2200 East Pitman Ave. near Interstate 70 and Highway A. The business was established in Wentzville in 2016. The location was chosen due to its proximity to the St. Louis metro area, but in a more rural setting. Our employees enjoy the outdoors as much as you do – and are passionate about their interests. The business sells and services a variety of RV’s from travel-trailers to Class A motorhomes. Two of our more wellknown brands are Winnebago and Coleman. We have won numerous internal company awards including a #2 ranking in the country. We continue to strive and be #1. Come by for a visit and check out our extensive inventory. Phone is (888) 892-2439
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Wor th the Drive
try and culminate in our nation’s capital, Washington, DC. We were fortunate to catch Jay between commissions. His credits are extensive including; Santa Fe Opera, Epcot, Maritz, St Louis Opera Theatre and an award from the Kennedy Center National Excellence Award for Scenic Design. I remember towards the end of the project Jay was concerned about the large 20-foot centerpiece of the Grand Canyon. Something was missing. He added an eagle soaring above the canyon for depth. I consider this addition as his signature. We are proud to display his wonderful work at Byerly RV and invite all to come see his celebration of America the beautiful. Learn more about Byerly RV on Facebook or www.byerlyrv. com. We are just 10 miles west of I-270 on I-44 in Eureka. Byerly has been recognized as one of the top 50 RV Dealers in America.
Byerly RV | 295 East Fifth St. | Eureka, MO 63025 800-878-3325 | 636-938-2000 | www.byerlyrv.com
Community Calendar
September 2 – Labor Day
7 – Patriot Day Run Run in the Ninth Annual Patriot Day Run at CarShield Field (Rascals Stadium) in O’Fallon. This event supports Backstoppers Inc. and USO Missouri, Inc. The 5K and 10K races are $35 and begin at 7 a.m. One-mile fun run is $25, and will begin shortly after the run begins. If you are not a runner but would like to support the event, you can be a virtual runner for $25. The prices increase to $40 for the 5K and 10K run on Sept.1. Register at kofcpatriotdayrun.com. Participants receive a shirt, a challenge coin, and a swag bag at the event. 8 – National Grandparents Day 11 – Patriot Day 14 – Trivia night Calling All Super Heroes Linc St. Charles County Superhero Costume Contest and Trivia Night takes place at Carpenter Union Hall at 755 Parr Road in Wentzville. Doors open 6 p.m., starts at 7 p.m. Cost is $25 for an individual ticket, $175 for a table of eight; sponsors, raffle donations needed. Call 636-332-5127 for more information or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/superhero-trivia-to-benefitlinc-st-charles-county-tickets-58665191166. 17 – Constitution Day and Citizenship Day 18 – Air Force Birthday 20 – National POW/MIA Recognition Day 21 – Quilt show The Cornerstone United Methodist Women and the Cover Girls Quilting Circle are sponsoring a quilt show at the Cornerstone United Methodist Church (1151 Tom Ginnever Ave. in O’Fallon) from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Come and enjoy a wide variety of quilts that will be on display at the church. Admission is free (donations accepted), and complimentary refreshments will be available. All donations will support the Cornerstone UMW and the Cover Girls Quilting Circle. Visit the church website (cornerstoneofallon.org) for more information. 23 – First Day of Fall 29 – Gold Star Mother’s Day
SEPTEMBER 2019 | CROSSROADS | 19
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