CrossRoads: January 2014

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CROSSROADS JANUARY 2014

JANUARY Departments

VOL 11 | NO 1

Published monthly with direct mail circulation to Wentzville and Lake Saint Louis, plus newsstands in Troy.

Publisher Editor Production Manager Production Contributors

Bob Huneke Shannon Cothran Rebecca Brockmann Vicki Seagraves Avalanche, Brian Guerrero, Cindy Moore, Barry Gaston Photographers Ray Rockwell Staff Writer Amanda Bretz

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Around Town Local news and events

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Business Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce and more

Community News

contents

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Entertainment Remembering Paul Walker and His Career

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Food Hot Soupwiches and Little-Known Food Facts

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Always an Adventure Communicating Across a Species Barrier

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Moore on Life Cha-chinging in the New Year

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Photo Op Holiday Lights

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Community Calendar January

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Promotions Byerly RV and Hormones

For advertising information, please contact us at:

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

2014

features 16

Branson What’s New in Branson for 2014?

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Copyright 2014 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.

JANUARY 2014 CROSSROADS

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AROUND TOWN

Firefighter’s Foundation Announces The Greg Mix Scholarship The Lincoln County Firefighter’s Foundation announces its first scholarship offering, in honor of Mr. Greg Mix, teacher, former district firefighter and the recent nationwide #MixMovement started by students at Troy Buchanan High School. Our Firefighters salute TBHS students and Mr. Mix for their pride and courage.

The Greg Mix Scholarship consists of two $1,000 scholarships available to Troy Buchanan High School Seniors for the 2013-14 school year. Seniors must have a 2.5 or greater GPA and submit an original three to five page paper in MLA or APA format titled, “A Detailed History Of The Fire Service.”

Papers must be received by March 31, 2014. Students may mail or hand-deliver papers to: Lincoln County Fire Protection District #1, 700 East Cherry Street, Troy, MO 63379, ATTN: FIREFIGHTER’S FOUNDATION Two scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded to the two successful student candidates on May 1, 2014 after verification of GPA and grading of papers to include accuracy of content, references, grammar, spelling and plagiarism. Scholarship funds will be made payable to the student’s college or school.

Crider Health Center’s 4th Annual Mouse Races Crider Health Center Foundation and Young Professional’s Board of Directors invites the public to the 4th Annual Mouse Races. This event is filled with fun, race “betting” and a high-stakes competition.

The mice at Gateway Downs are getting to ready to battle it out on the track at Crider Health Center’s 4th Annual Mouse Races. Join in on the fun Saturday, February 1 at the Harvester Lions Club in St. Charles for a high-stakes competition and support an incredible organization at the same time.

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This year’s theme is “Behind the Reel.” Guests are encouraged to dress in their best movie character costume. Prizes will be awarded to the best dressed individual and group.

Beer, soda and water will be provided. A silent auction, music and more are planned at the event. Outside food and drink are welcome (cans and cups only-no glass). Live mouse races provided by Gateway Downs. Cost of attendance is $20 per person or $110 for a table for 8.

Register by calling 636.332.8352.

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AROUND TOWN

No Tax Increase Bond Issue 2014 The Lincoln County R-III Board of Education voted unanimously to place a no-tax increase bond issue on the April 2014 ballot in their November meeting. Proposition KIDS, Keep Improving District Schools, will ask voters for permission to construct a second middle school for the district. If successful in 2014, building a second middle school will take approximately 18-24 months to construct and open in August 2016.

In 2010, the Long Range Planning Team, consisting of employees and community members, deemed a second middle school a top priority, but the R-III District did not have enough bonding capacity to complete the project. Instead, the team proceeded to address the lack of space at the elementary schools by passing the smallest no-tax bond issue in district history in April 2012.

The successful measure created a new home for the Early Childhood Education Center and re-purposed a portion of the Claude Brown Building into a small K-5 elementary. Superintendent Mark Penny believes the time is now.

“We have the bonding capacity we need now to address a second middle school and reduce the size of the student body at Troy Middle School. In Missouri, we’re the largest middle school.

This is all our students have ever known.” Penny stated the sheer size of the student body at Troy Middle School (TMS) can make supervision difficult and creates 9 lunch shifts between 10:10 am – 1:26 pm. He also said there are academic advantages to have a smaller student body and cites gains in the Lindbergh School District, which used to have the largest middle school before opening a second in 2011.

“They saw immediate improvement in academics and the percentage of students scoring advanced or proficient on standardized tests. They saw gains of more than seven percent advanced or proficient in communication arts and more than 10 percent

gains in math,” he said.

Advanced planning by the Board of Education and a Boundary Committee has determined the future location and boundaries for a potential second middle school. The Lincoln County R-III School District purchased 125 acres of foreclosed property near the Crooked Creek subdivision in September 2011 for $2,300 per acre. While creating boundaries in 2012-13 for Claude Brown Elementary the Boundary Committee planned for a future with two middle schools. The committee, made up of 30 parents and grandparents, created “feeder” schools for a two middle school district. Claude Brown Elementary, Lincoln Elementary and William Cappel Elementary will become “feeder” schools to a second middle school. Boone Elementary, Hawk Point Elementary, Cuivre Park Elementary and Main Street Elementary will become “feeder” schools to Troy Middle School.

A second middle school is the final piece to the current Long Range Plan for the district. If the measure is successful and a second middle school opens in 2016, Claude Brown Elementary will be able to naturally expand into a larger K-5 school. The Boundary Committee built a boundary for Claude Brown Elementary around an area likely to grow according to the district’s planner.

Currently, the Long Range Planning Team is convening to create the next phase of a plan.

Beginning in 2014, Superintendent Mark Penny and Community Relations Specialist April Bryant will present information to organizations, PTOS and other groups interested in learning more. If you have a group interested in scheduling a visit, please contact April Bryant at 636.462.6098 extension 2.

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AROUND TOWN Lincoln County Ambulance District Aid Firefighters, Medics Around the World Members from the Lincoln County Ambulance District filled a truck with used medical equipment that was originally destined for storage.

But instead of storing the old equipment away, LCAD donated all of it the International Fire Relief Mission.

Although the equipment was still in working order, it was outdated by EMS standards in the United States and had long outlived its usefulness to the residents in Lincoln County.

By working with IFRM, LCAD is giving the equipment a second life in

developing countries where it is needed.

IFRM continuously seeks donations of used fire and EMS equipment from departments all over the United States. The group’s members draw no salary and any money it raises is used to deliver equipment and instruct the recipients. Organization wishing to donate or get involved with IFRM can contact Ryan Ruckel at 636.492.1730.

Wentzville R-IV School District Receives Cuivre River Lighting Rebate The Wentzville R-IV School District has received a $30,000 commercial lighting rebate from Cuivre River Electric Cooperative for installing over 2,800 energy efficient lighting fixtures at their newest school, Liberty High School, located at 2275 Sommers Road in Lake Saint Louis.

The rebate program, available to commercial accounts served by Cuivre River, is part of the Take Control and Save energy efficiency initiative developed by wholesale energy supplier Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. for its member cooperatives. The program’s goal is to help Cuivre River’s members reduce watts, save energy and save money.

Rebates are available to businesses served by Cuivre River which have a minimum of 10 lighting fixtures to retrofit or install. The rebate amount, based on the type of fixture being replaced or installed, can cover up to forty percent of the capital cost of the lighting fixtures. Rebates are capped at $30,000 per year, per business.

Lighting rebates ranging from $500 to $30,000 have been awarded through the program to date, producing savings and improved lighting for places such as warehouses, meeting halls, schools, auto repair shops, and tool and dye shops.

Contact a Cuivre River Electric Cooperative energy auditor for more information about the Take Control and Save commercial lighting rebate program at Cuivre River Electric Cooperative’s Branch Office Manager Keith Stone (second from right) presents 636.528.8261, 636.695.4700, or 800.392.3709, extension a $30,000 commercial lighting rebate check to Wentzville R-IV Superintendent Dr. Curtis Cain (sec399. Additional details and a list of approved lighting ond from left) for installing energy efficient lighting fixtures at the recently constructed Liberty High contractors can be found at www.cuivre.com.

School. Also celebrating the grant are district CFO Pam Frazier (far left) and Liberty High School Principal Phil Ragusky (far right).

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AROUND TOWN St. Louis Judge Jimmie Edwards Receives 2013 Rehnquist Award United States Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. presented St. Louis Circuit Judge Jimmie Edwards with the 2013 William H. Rehnquist Award for Edwards’ work founding the Innovative Concept Academy, a school dedicated to changing the lives of juveniles in the justice system.

The award—one of the nation’s highest judicial honors—is presented annually to a state court judge who exemplifies the highest level of judicial excellence, integrity, fairness and professional ethics. The 2013 award honoring Judge Edwards was presented during a ceremony at the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.

In introducing Judge Edwards at the ceremony, Missouri Chief Justice Mary R. Russell said, “With support from community partners, Judge Edwards created a ‘school of last resort,’ where no one is turned away, where no one is expelled; where kids who have never felt safe feel safe, who never felt smart feel smart, and who never thought that they had talent discover activities that let them shine. [...] Thanks to Judge Edwards’ dedication and perseverance, troubled youth in St. Louis have new opportunities for success, and the rest of us have a shining example of what can be done by thinking outside our traditional roles, making a difference one child at a time.”

Hall of Famous Missourians After a month of voting and more than 33,000 votes cast, House Speaker Tim Jones today revealed the two outstanding Missourians who will be the next inductees into the Hall of Famous Missourians.

Jones announced that Andrew Taylor Still, who is best known as the father of osteopathic medicine, and Robert Heinlein, who is one of the most renowned science fiction authors of the 20th century, will join the likes of Mark Twain, Laura Ingalls Wilder and George Washington Carver in the Hall.

In addition to the two members voted in by Missourians, Jones announced two more exceptional Missourians he plans to induct in the coming months. Jones selected Mel Hancock for induction into the Hall of Famous Missourians based on Hancock’s outstanding public service as a four-term Congressman. Hancock was born and raised in Southwest Missouri and was well known for his efforts to limit the size of government and protect Missouri taxpayers. He also is known for spearheading efforts to adopt the Hancock Amendment to the Missouri Constitution that limits the size of state revenues and expenses.

While Jones had originally planned to induct a total of three Missourians into the Hall, he said the public submission process inspired him

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to select a fourth inductee. Jones also will induct Virginia Minor, who is best known for starting the women’s suffrage movement in Missouri.

Minor is best remembered as the plaintiff in Minor v. Happersett, an 1874 United States Supreme Court case in which Minor unsuccessfully argued that the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution gave women the right to vote. She also co-founded and became the first president of the Woman’s Suffrage Association of Missouri.

“During the submission process many Missourians built a strong case for this remarkable woman and why she belongs in the Hall. After learning more about her and her amazing story, it became clear to me that she is extremely deserving of induction,” said Jones.

The next step of the induction process will involve the Speaker commissioning bronze busts for each inductee. Jones stressed that no public funds will be utilized for the creation of the busts. Instead, the Speaker will raise money through private donations.

Jones will announce official induction dates for Still, Heinlein, Hancock and Minor after the funds have been raised and the creation of the busts is underway.

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JANUARY 2014 CROSSROADS

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BUSINESS Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce

Serving Wentzville, Lake St. Louis, and Dardenne Prairie

Celebration Ball The Chamber will bestow its annual awards at their Celebration Ball to be held on Saturday, February 1 at Progress Park Banquet Center. The Celebration Ball is open to the public and will include the awards ceremony, dinner, dancing and entertainment.

Tickets to the Celebration Ball are $45, which includes the ceremony, dinner, an open bar, and entertainment. Tickets may be purchased by contacting the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce at 636.327.6914.

State of the City Addresses Chamber January 2014 Membership Meeting The City of Wentzville, the City of Dardenne Prairie and the City of Lake St. Louis will address the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce membership in the annual State of the Cities presentation. Each city will discuss topics such as economic and residential growth, public works and other pertinent topics.

The luncheon will be held at Morning Star Church on Thursday, January 9. Morning Star Church is located at 1600 Feise Road,

Dardenne Prairie.

Registration begins at 11:15am. The cost of the luncheon is $15 for those who make reservations on the Chamber website at www. westernstcharlescountychamber.com, by email info@westernstcharlescountychamber.com, or by calling the chamber office 636.327.6914. The cost of the luncheon will be $17 for those who do not make advanced reservations.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies The Chamber hosted two ribbon cutting ceremonies this month, one for AW Healthcare and another for Freedom Welding and Fabrication, LLC. Freedom Welding and Fabrication, LLC is located at 150 Enterprise Drive, Suite 112, Wentzville. They can be reached at 636.327.8228 or online at www.freedomweldingllc.com.

AW Healthcare is located at 24 West Main Street, Suite 218, Wentzville. They can be reached at 314.726.5600 or online at www. awhealthcare.com.

AW Healthcare By tony mathews Tony Mathews is the President and CEO of the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce

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For more on any of this information or the chamber in general, please call the chamber office at 636.327-6914 or visit the website www.westernstcharlescountychamber.com.

BUSINESS

Building’s Sign Unique Way to Market Businesses Old Friends Vintage Guitars began in August of 2011 as a concept of Mr. Kevin Coe. He wanted to provide a place for guitar players to gather, sit around, and trade guitar licks. It was a place where he could display his fine collection of vintage guitars and amps, many of which could be purchased.

He spared no expense in providing a unique place that many have commented is a cross between a coffee house and a guitar shop.

Emmett Taylor, a guitar player and former music store owner (Cliff Cave Music Co. in Oakville, MO), was a frequent patron. Emmett and Kevin soon became friends, and Emmett offered to help Kevin expand the scope of the shop to include guitar accessories, a lesson program, and a guitar repair service. Not wanting to take time away from his own full-time business, yet knowing that Old Friends Vintage Guitars needed to expand to survive, Kevin sold the business to

Emmett in the fall of 2012.

Since that time, Old Friends Vintage Guitars has become a full service guitar shop featuring vintage and well as quality new guitars and amps, guitar accessories, a lesson program and and repair service. In May of 2013, OFVG hosted the first Wentzville Blues & Classic Rock Festival. It will be held again next spring. The third Thursday of every month, there is an Open Mic at the store, on the second Tuesday of the month, a Country/Bluegrass Jam Session.

Emmett believes the store’s unique sign, a giant guitar hanging from the corner of the building, will someday become a Wentzville landmark.

“There was a guitar on Page Avenue in Overland at a store called McMurray Music, and people used it as a landmark to give directions. I thought maybe people will start to use our guitar as a way to give directions

if they’re telling people how to get to West Allen Grill or other places around here,” says Emmett.

Old Friends Vintage Guitars is located a 1 E. Allen Street in Wentzville. For more information, call 636.887.2300.

3 New Year’s Resolutions That Will Enrich Your Retirement For many baby boomers looking to retire in the next few years, the biggest worry is not whether or not they can retire, but if they’ll outlive their savings.

Whether you’re years from retirement or planning for it now, Andrew McNair, founder and CEO of SWAN Capital, (SWANCapital.com), and author of Don’t be Penny Wise & Dollar Foolish says these three New Year’s resolutions will be the best you ever made: • Resolve to plan for expenses in retirement to equal or exceed your expenses today. Many people assume their expenses will decline once they retire – they forget that they’re going to have a lot more free time to do what they love, McNair says.

Also, once you retire, things don’t magically last forever and medical expenses either appear or increase.

• Resolve to get most of your investments out of tax-deferred plans. If you’re working for a company that provides a match for 401k contributions, by all means, contribute up to the maximum match. But anything beyond that should be invested in something that’s more tax efficient: Roth IRA, municipal bonds, life insurance or real estate.

• Resolve to have a portfolio that generates a steady or guaranteed paycheck. The ideal financial security for retirement is having a guaranteed income that increases with inflation, McNair says.

Annuities and life insurance are the only investments that provide a guaranteed income you cannot outlive, so consider them for at least part of your portfolio.

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ENTERTAINMENT Remembering Paul Walker and His Career His death has shocked millions in an instant. versal released Fast Five (2011) and Fast & FuriImmediately after Paul’s passing, I couldn’t help ous 6 (2013), all that changed. Not only am I a but think about all the people affected by him in huge fan on both films, but for the first time the this world, alongside his films, which I thoroughmajority of critics could not help but be thrilled ly enjoyed. Paul Walker was an unusual breed of by them too. Having the heist formula take over actor ranging from being perfectly cast in some the car-racing formula as the main focus catacharacter acting roles to bankable leading roles. pulted the series into new heights. Alongside his Since he was a kid, he appeared in many comcast mates, Paul Walker was at his best for the mercials and several television shows including franchise with the inclusion of his amazing physThe Young and the Restless, Who’s the Boss and ical capabilities in these films.( He performed his Diff’rent Strokes. By the late 90’s, Paul graduated own stunts.) This will forever be the high point into a steady film career for the remainder of his of his career and it was only getting higher belife. These are some of my personal favorite mofore his passing. ments in Paul’s work.

Despite his self-description of being a “total In 1998, Pleasantville was released, becoming a gear head,” he loved his friends, family and to critical success featuring the perfectly cast Paul help people around the world when he was off Walker in a supporting role as Skip, the pretty the movie set. There was always a spark about blonde boy from the 50’s sitcom world. My favorhim that he carried into his film work. We could Paul Walker ite line and the funniest one in the movie came use more stars like Paul Walker in the industry, from Paul’s character in a diner scene opposite if not the world.

Reese Witherspoon’s (real world) character as he tries to woo her: Other films and hidden gems that feature Paul Walker that I “Mary Sue, I don’t know if I ever told you this before, but I think recommend: Joy Ride (2001), Running Scared (2005), Flags of you’re just about the keenest girl in the whole school!”

Our Fathers (2006) and Eight Below (2006).

Remembering that 50’s sitcom characters are all goody-two-shoes, Paul scores more laughs as Skip when he encounters his first experience with intimacy: “I think I might be…ill!”

The following year, Paul is perfect in another supporting role, this time as high school star quarterback Lance Harbor in the football drama Varsity Blues (1999). Much like Paul was in real life, you completely understand why Lance was the most likeable guy in school and why the girls go completely nuts around him. What I didn’t expect was that Paul played the part in such a way that when we witness Lance’s injury on the field—leaving his promising career destroyed—we felt the hit too. How he performed Lance’s reaction to the injury couldn’t have been more heartbreakingly accurate.

In 2001, the success of The Fast and the Furious shot Paul Walker to the A-list for playing his iconic role Brian O’Conner as his life was forever changed. Paul gave himself the chance to be the remaining heart and soul of the franchise and reprised his role as Brian in 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) despite Vin Diesel’s absence. Though being panned by critics, the sequel was still a box-office success making

By Brian GuerRero Paul Walker a bankable star on his own account.

Brian Guerrero is a former resident of Los Angeles and a curFollowing the failed success of The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift rent resident of New York City with extensive experience in (2006), Paul and the rest of the original cast successfully put the front of and behind the camera for film and television. franchise back on the map by returning as the original characters in the fourth installment: Fast & Furious (2009). I must admit I was never a “true” fan of the Fast & Furious films, but as soon as Uni10

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Hot Soupwiches and Little-Known Food Facts Fun tips to boost your culinary know-how What can a camel teach you about grilled cheese? Camels like the Sahara desert because it is dry. Grilled cheese sandwiches also like a hot and dry environment - the pan. Put the butter or oil on the outside of the bread, not in the pan.

Become a food adventurer The best cooks, hosts and shoppers have a well-rounded approach to the culinary world, including a wealth of helpful tips at their foodie fingertips. To show others how to best navigate their kitchens and grocery stores to create the most delicious and freshest dishes, food adventurer Marcy Smothers wrote her unique, funfilled book SNACKS: Adventures in Food, Aisle by Aisle. While taking the reader on a journey through each grocery store aisle, culinary insights are served in fun, small bites.

Here are a few of Smothers’ quirky, fun facts you can use in your own food adventures: • Is your spinach a sunbather?

Do you always grab the bag in the back to get the freshest one?

That’s okay for salad greens, but not spinach. USDA research has shown that spinach packed in clear plastic containers and continuously exposed to supermarket lights maintains photosynthesis. The best bet for nutrition is the bag basking in the front.

• Why should you listen to your knives?

Not sure if it’s time to sharpen your knife? Listen to it. Carefully ping the blade. If you hear a high-pitched tone, the blade is still sharp. If you hear a dull tone, it’s time to sharpen the knife.

• Should you blow dry your chicken?

The secret to a crispy chicken skin is starting with dry skin. The skin of a chicken is fifty percent water. Use a blow dryer on the no heat setting to draw out the moisture then roast in the oven.

The book also includes original recipes, such as this one for Soupwiches, which combines the creaminess of tomato soup and grilled cheese in the same easy-to-enjoy sandwich. For more information, visit www.snacksthebook.com.

Soupwiches Makes 4 servings

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature 1/4 cup Campbell’s Tomato Soup, condensed (right from can) 1 tablespoon onion or shallot, minced 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded 8 slices bread (English muffin bread, if available) Olive oil • Mix the butter, soup, onion and cheese. Spread equal amounts of tomato soup-cheese butter on four slices of bread. Top with the other bread slices. Press on the Soupwiches to seal. Using a pastry brush, lightly paint the outside of the Soupwiches on both sides with olive oil. Alternately, you can use soft or melted butter.

• Heat heavy or nonstick skillet on medium-high. When it is hot, add Soupwich. Squish and flip a few times until browned on both sides.

(You can cook two at a time if your pan is big enough and you can manage twice the squishing and flipping.)

• Cool the Soupwiches for a few minutes. Slice in half, plate them and serve.

Still want soup? Go ahead and make the rest of it. Be sure to fill the can 3/4 full with water, not all the way to the top.

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ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE

Communicating Across a Species Barrier The hike up and out of the mountain basin was a tough grunt. While our backpacks were lighter than when we’d arrived a week previously, gravity—acting on the load on our backs—was a force relentlessly trying to pull us back down to the lake in the basin. The lack of enthusiasm for returning home likely made the weight seem more significant than it really was.

The lake where we’d spent several days was located just below tree line in the mountains of Wyoming. The fishing had been very good, allowing me to dine on Golden trout for several days, many miles away from civilization. The mosquitos had been a tolerable annoyance; the late summer weather, superb.

We’d done some hiking around the area during the week we were there, spending time in rarely visited areas with no trails, remote places within a remote wilderness area. We’d seen only one other person in this mountain retreat, a man spending some time fishing and scouting for bighorn sheep. He’d drawn a coveted once-in-alifetime sheep hunting license for the upcoming fall season and was researching the best places to hunt. He had picked a good place, as we had seen numerous sheep every day.

As we labored our way up the loose, rocky trail, we heard a clattering above us, the sounds of rocks falling. Looking up, we could see a number of bighorn sheep on a ledge several hundred feet up.

The ledge was a long ramp, paralleling the trail we were on. Several bighorn rams looked at us with curiosity, showing no signs of alarm.

As we slowly trudged our way up the trail, the sheep moved along, staying even with us, which seemed unusual. The trail went straight up the steep valley to a high plateau and then turned left up an even steeper area to the top of a flat-topped mountain, which we would

need to traverse later on. The ledge the sheep occupied ran above the trail, but as the valley narrowed, the ledge and the trail became closer and closer. We could now make out the details of the bighorns; all rams, a couple with huge full-curl horns.

The bighorns continued mirroring our progress up the valley, growing closer and closer to us, until they were less than 100 yards away. We finally gained the high plateau, and dropped our packs to rest. The rams spread out on the plateau, now eyeing us with intense interest, still showing no signs of fear.

As we ate some snacks and meandered about, three of the rams suddenly lowered their heads and began walking in a rapid fashion straight toward us. The intent was quite clear: Back Off!!! Some messages are unmistakable, even across a species barrier. We quickly grabbed our packs and moved away.

Anyone who has witnessed bighorn rams running at full speed toward each other and slamming horns during mating season knows the power these animals can generate.

As we moved away from the disputed territory, the rams stopped their advance and went back to warily watching us. We moved down and circled around the area claimed by the ovine males. We looked back up to see two female sheep (ewes) behind a large boulder, which had concealed them from our view earlier. With them were two lambs, very young, no larger than small German Shepherds. The motive behind the rams’ territorial behavior was now obvious: Protecting the young was another principle understood by all species. The ewes and their offspring moved slowly toward the rams, alternating between grazing and watching us.

The bighorns slowly moved off the plateau, and we were able to continue our journey up the steepest section of the trail; the encounter with the sheep provided us with a much-needed rest and an experience few would believe.

We made it up and over the sloping plateau of the mountain, accompanied with a view of the Tetons off in the distance. The long slog back to the truck seemed less of a burden after the reward of our unusual encounter.

By Avalanche 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.

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MOORE ON LIFE

Cha-chinging in the New Year Sadly, the holiday season has officially come to a close.

By now, the festive music has stopped playing on the radio and in the stores; the cards and catalogs are no longer coming in the mail; the parties have ended and the Christmas lights have all come down…well, except for that one annoying house in the neighborhood. I’ll give them till Memorial Day then, so help me, I’m bringing out the wire cutters.

I dash into a store for some emergency dinner items since I am burned out from all the holiday cooking. I grab a rotisserie chicken and a box of Twinkies—thank goodness they’re back or there would be no dessert tonight. As I make my way to the checkout counter, I rummage through the sale aisle.

The after-holiday clearance items have been thoroughly ransacked, leaving behind only a few ugly ducklings: a roll of aqua gift wrap splattered with purple Santas; some pine-scented candles that smell like mouthwash and a basketful of bad-idea tree ornaments… seriously, Christmas clowns?

What warped imagination came up with that brainchild? Did they not take in to consideration the creepy factor? You just know those things are going to come alive at night and jiggle loose from the tree branches and head straight for the kitchen knives. And, bigger question, who in their right mind would ever buy such a set? What kind of crazy pills is a person on to make that kind of purchase? Even

at 80% off they’d have to be seriously impaired to even consider...

“Oh, really. Eighty Percent?” I say out loud to no one in particular.

I take another look. I make a slow mathematical calculation then ask myself, Does eighty percent off make up for the creepiness these little guys radiate? Nah. I let it clink back into the basket with the rest of the tiny tormentors.

Just then a clerk straightens a few items in my area and tacks a 90% off sign in front of me.

Umm, I think in most languages that translates to…free!

So I’ll be wrapping a few presents in aqua next year, and we’ll be burning candles that smell like someone is being treated for a bad case of gingivitis.

As for the clowns…really, even at 90% I wasn’t about to lug them home. I left the scary little freaks on the annoying neighbor’s porch.

Tonight, hopefully they’ll head for the kitchen knives and do some wire cutting for me so I won’t have to.

The New year is off to a great beginning.

Cindy Moore 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.

www.pbtc.net JANUARY 2014 CROSSROADS

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PROMOTIONS

Byerly RV: A Brief History

By Russ Patton, owner of Byerly RV Before the letters R.V. became a popular acronym for taking your home with you when you travel, Walter Byerly, a cabinet maker, began building travel trailers in the basement of his home in Kirkwood. In 1948 Byerly Trailer Manufacturing Company was officially organized and moved into its first building on Manchester Road in Des Peres.

In the late 50s, my father, John Patton, started selling and renting folding camping trailers from his service station, which was located down the street from Byerly. While I was in Marine Corp boot camp in 1966, my father sold his service station and bought Byerly Trailer. I returned home in the early 1970s, joined the business and moved to a new facility at Manchester and Weidman Road. In 1984 I bought the company from my father,

and in 1999 Byerly built a beautiful new facility in Eureka.

Of course, this is a very brief outline of a very long, colorful and rich history of a great company. When I joined the company we had about seven employees and now we have over forty-five. There are many family members involved and the rest of our employees are like family. In 2004, forty percent of the company was transferred to the employees. Since then, whenever someone asks to speak to the owner, there is a good chance they are already speaking to one.

In fact, over the next few months, I hope to introduce you to some of our team, who are responsible for Byerly RV becoming the largest motorhome dealer in Missouri and con-

sistently a leader in fifth wheels, travel trailers, folding and truck campers and RV rentals.

We stock RVs from $5,000 to $500,000, so we believe we really have an RV for anyone who gets the urge to travel and get away but still enjoy the comforts of home.

Please visit us online at www.byerlyrv.com to learn about upcoming events, sales and seminars. Or better yet, come visit us at 295 E. Fifth St. in Eureka, just one exit east of Six Flags on I-44. You will experience one of the most beautiful and complete RV dealers in the Midwest. Byerly RV- “The Center of the RV World.”

Could Your Hormones Be Sabotaging Your Weight Goals?

By Drs. Jen and Jason Rhodes, owners of St. Louis Neurotherapy Fewer things are more frustrating than a motivated person who wants to, but can’t seem to lose weight. Motivation, and the desire to work at losing weight, quickly dries up when the scale refuses to budge. But the problem might not be in the number of calories eaten or the amount of energy expended in exercising. Instead, the culprit could be a sluggish metabolism caused by hormone imbalance.

Human beings are a complex system of biological checks and balances. We are literally a chemical stew designed to work harmoniously with our environment. As we evolved into the Homo sapiens we are today, our bodies adapted to what was going into our mouths and responded in the appropriate chemical way. Our diets then were made of fresh, healthy ingredients that nourished and fueled us.

That has all changed. Today, we slurp sodas, wolf down foods that have little nutritional value while we drive from one place to the next, overdose on sugar and mindlessly snack while spending hours in front of a television, computer or video game. It’s no wonder there is an epidemic of obesity in our country today!

But it doesn’t end there. We’re also assaulted with environmental toxins, genetically modi14

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fied foods and xenostrogens, chemicals that mimic estrogen in both women and men. Add to this the stresses we live with every day, and it would appear that our bodies don’t stand a chance of being able to lose excess weight.

Often, people will blame their “metabolism” for the inability to shed pounds – and they are usually right.

Our metabolism is affected by what we put into and around our bodies. It’s also affected by our quality of sleep, the type of exercise, if any, we do and our general attitude about life.

Underlying our metabolism are the chemical processes that keep our bodies running, which includes hormone production. If you’ve tried unsuccessfully to lose weight, it could be that your hormones are keeping you fat.

Hormone imbalance in men and women can make substantial, lasting fat loss nearly impossible because it sets the stage for a cascade of issues that affect the entire body, not just the ability to lose weight. Below are several hormones that could be causing your body to stumble in your weight loss quest.

Thyroid – The thyroid is known as the “master gland” because it affects every part of our bodies. It probably has the most impact on

your weight because it is in total control of your metabolism.

Estrogen – A high estrogen level that outpaces its counterbalance hormone progesterone can significantly increase the potential for obesity.

Cortisol –When stress is chronic, cortisol floods the system and disables fat burning hormones. Cortisol can also lower thyroid hormone levels and make you crave comfort foods Insulin Resistance – When your diet is composed of high amounts of processed carbohydrates, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners and high-sugar foods, your pancreas goes to work releasing insulin to manage all the ingested sugars.

The good news is there are solutions to hormone imbalance. Join us for a free seminar on Stress Hormones and Health – The True Cause of Belly Fat. In it, you’ll learn how hormone imbalances affect every aspect of your life and how you can achieve permanent weight loss in a healthful and safe way. Reservations are required, so call today at 314.983.9355 to save your spot.

Missouri Ski Resorts Welcome Winter Weather With early cold temperatures arriving in Missouri, the state’s two ski resorts are open -- a welcome event for many of the state’s skiers.

Hidden Valley Ski Area in Wildwood near St. Louis and Snow Creek Ski Area in Weston, north of Kansas City, are the places to go for fun in the snow.

As both Hidden Valley and Snow Creek rely entirely on machine-made snow, cold temperatures required, skiers should check each ski resort’s website and phone for skiing conditions updates.

Hidden Valley, one of the southern-most ski areas in the nation, last season completed a major expansion, enhancing its attraction as a regional winter destination for not only St Louis regional skiers, but from states south, including Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee.

The expansion at Hidden Valley increased the ski terrain by almost one third, including the opening of the new West Mountain ski runs, serviced by a four-person chair lift that’s 1,700 feet long, and a new one-half-mile-long run aptly named Route 66.

Skiers at Hidden Valley also will find a newly renovated dining lodge.

While skiers and snow boarders from multiple states visit Missouri’s ski areas, a newer attraction, snow tubing, is attracting a new clientele—no skills required.

Hidden Valley and Snow Creek operate separate snow tubing

areas where people, one tube at a time, can enjoy plunging downhill in a large 41-inch canvass-covered tube. Polar Plunge at Hidden Valley has runs 650 feet long top to bottom.

Today many visitors to ski areas prefer snowboarding.

Hidden Valley and Snow Creek create terrain parks for this mostly younger crowed, with jumps and challenging features that equal those found at larger resorts.

Hidden Valley and Snow Creek also offer on-going classes. More than 10,000 elementary and junior high school students, representing approximately 200 private and public schools in Missouri, Kansas and Illinois, participate in an introductory skiing field trip program.

Both ski areas also offer programs for disabled skiers. With the help of dedicated coaches, disabled athletes, including returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, enjoy the slopes each season.

Skiers can check out snow reports and get rate information for each ski area online at www.skipeaks.com. Information also is available by calling Hidden Valley at 636.938.5373 and Snow Creek at 816.640.2200. Both ski areas also are on Facebook and Twitter.

Hidden Valley and Snow Creek are part of Peak Resorts, headquartered in St. Louis. Peak Resorts operates 12 ski areas scattered around the East and the Midwest in six different states.

JANUARY 2014 CROSSROADS 15

What’s New in Branson for 2014?

Jonah Photos courtesy of Branson, MO

Branson has lots of theaters offering live shows with entertainment choices from Broadway songs to country music, rock ‘n’ roll, to magic and comedy. A trip to Branson is not complete without experiencing Silver Dollar City, an 1880-style award-winning theme park where you’ll find authentic Ozarks history along with crafts, eateries, six festivals and thrilling rides. Visitors can enjoy three Ozark mountain lakes, perfect for fishing and boating, as well as golf, hiking and horseback riding. Branson has more than 200 outlet stores, an array of specialty stores, boutiques and galleries at Branson Landing and a Historic Downtown filled with quaint shops.

There is always something new in Branson, and here are just a few of the offerings in 2014: Elvis Lives® The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist 16

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Event will make a stop in Branson during their 20+ U.S. city tour with a 12-day run at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater, February 7-18. It is a multi-media and live musical journey across Elvis’ life featuring finalists from Elvis Presley Enterprise’s annual worldwide contest, each representing Elvis during different stages in his career. Dean Z, the newly crowned 2013 winner of the contest, and Branson Legends in Concert’s resident Elvis, will pay tribute to the 1950’s era.

Jonah is a $3 million production opening March 26 at Sight & Sound Theatres. This epic production brings the familiar Bible story to life as the audience witnesses Jonah’s tribulation and God’s grace and enduring love. Jonah’s adventure takes him through a terrible storm, an encounter with an enormous fish,

his new life in a wicked empire and the struggles he faces while learning to trust the Lord.

White Water has a $1.7 million addition. “The Biggest Thrill in White Water History” began with the idea of a heart-pounding, drop-floor plunge. KaPau Plummet will open this spring with two 240-foot slides, each launching riders from a drop-floor into a 70-degree plunge followed by a spiraling loop, promising the thrill factor of any water ride ever built at the 13-acre tropically-themed water park.

A new gallery at Titanic –The World’s Largest Museum Attraction – features the musicians that were onboard that fated ship. The world’s first tribute gallery dedicated to Titanic’s eight musicians, it tells of their lives, loves and legacy of this epic ballad of the sea.

One of Branson’s big new attractions, the

Branson Auto Museum, is located on the world-famous “76 Strip.” Featuring over 100 classic and cool cars, and with the cars changing regularly, you will want to be sure to come back again and again.

Say “I do” in Big Cedar’s new Garden Chapel.

Atop a picturesque hillside overlooking Table Rock Lake, the chapel can host 70 guests. In Big Cedar’s grand tradition of honoring the past, the Garden Chapel’s classic exterior is designed with whitewashed lap siding, traditional Gothic windows and handcrafted shutters. The Garden Chapel is among more than 20 wedding locations available at Big Cedar.

Take a cruise on Table Rock Lake aboard Lady Liberty, departing from Big Cedar Marina. The ambiance of this custom-built 62’ luxury dinner yacht may feel like going back in time, but it’s fully equipped with modern comforts. A beautifully appointed main cabin, fantail veranda and open-air upper deck welcomes up to 45 guests for private celebrations, corporate and group events as well as regularly scheduled cruises.

Near the swinging bridge, the original Adirondack-style lodge home of the Simmons’ family has been renovated to better serve your family. Devil’s Pool restaurant offers hearty breakfast buffets, savory lunches and dinners, but there are a few new additions.

Native materials, a massive stone fireplace and hand-wrought metal chandeliers marry with antique furnishings to complement the century-old mahogany bar. In a nod to the décor that made Bass Pro Shops famous, sporting gear and animal mounts flank the barkcovered logs and exposed rafters that make Devil’s Pool restaurant at Big Cedar a dining destination.

Since Marco Polo’s travels, the world has been swept with a fascination of China. This epic show is an adventure, a love story, amid many discoveries, as told from Marco Polo’s journals. With original orchestration, amazing dance, acrobatics and an international cast of 66 in more than 300 lavish costumes, 2000-square-feet of LED screens share the

stage bringing the Adventures of Marco Polo to life May through December at the White House Theatre.

Parakeet Pete’s Waterfront Zipline is a worldclass urban adventure inside Branson’s city limits. Launch from the south end of Branson Landing, zip across Lake Taneycomo, and end up at an observation platform on Mount Branson. When you reach the platform, take some time to look out over all of Branson and then zip back across the lake. The observation platform is available for private parties.

Promised Land Zoo, on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, is a sister facility to the 120-acre Promised Land Zoo located in Eagle Rock, MO, which is about 30 minutes west of Branson. The new educational, interactive attraction features small and baby exotic animals.

Direct from Ireland, The King’s Castle Theatre presents Dublin’s Irish Tenors, a group of 5 of Ireland’s finest singers that perform some of the best music of the 20th century, including famous Irish classics, opera, pop and swing. Also appearing, one of Ireland’s leading female vocal groups, The Celtic Ladies.

Country music’s Billy Dean has been recruited by Kenny Rogers to play the lead role in the Christmas production, The Toy Shoppe, opening in November at the Starlite Theatre. Dean takes on the role of Toy Shoppe owner Hank Longley. The story is full of old-fashioned values and is great entertainment for the entire family. Eleven-year-old Chloe Channel, finalist in 2013 America’s Got Talent, joins the cast.

The Spirit of 76 is the revitalization of Historic Downtown Branson and Hwy. 76. A portion of the downtown project will be completed in 2014. The first phase will include new sidewalk features on the 200 block of S. Commercial and the adjacent block on Pacific and College streets. Also, some gateway features will be added to help distinguish downtown as a destination.

For up-to-the-minute information, visit ExploreBranson.com or call 877.BRANSON.

Titanic - Musicians’ Tribute

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JANUARY 2014 CROSSROADS 17

Photo Op PHOTOS BY BARRY GASTON

St. Charles Historic Streets 2010

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Holiday Lights

Barry took the walking tour through Ft. Zumwalt Park in O’Fallon last month and shot these bright, happy images of the park’s lights and fireworks display.

“The lake was frozen, so the light reflection was different than a mirror,” Barry said.

He also sent us some beautiful photographs of the lights in Historic St. Charles back in 2010.

St. Charles Historic Streets 2010

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

JANUARY New Year’s Day

Basket Weaving Classes

Family Forts After Hours

To see your organization’s event listed here, please email editor@mycnews.com

6 -9pm Lincoln County Fire House 636.667.1554

5:30 - 7pm Corporae Parkway Library Wentzville 636.332.8280

Lincoln County Kickers Country Western Dance Club

City of Wentzville’s 17th Annual Holiday Night Lights Walk-Thru 6 - 8pm Rotary Park 2577 W. Meyer Rd, Floristell 636.332.9236 ww.wentzvillemo.org

Lake Saint Louis Farmers & Artists Winter Market The Meadows, Hwy 40 & Lake St. Louis Blvd.

7 - 9:30pm LCL Fairgrounds Hall Fairgrounds Rd. 636.462.6465

9am - Noon 314.495.2531

Coffee Talk with Mayor Guccione

Meet the Author: Michael Henry Ghosts of St. Charles

12:30-2pm Wentzville City Hall 636.327.5105

7-8:30pm Corporate Parkway Library 636.332.8280

Painting Class Wright City Parks Art Program 5-6pm 636.745.2804

AARP Free Tax Service

Chinese New Year

Corporate Parkway Library Wentzville 636.332.8280

JANUARY 2014 CROSSROADS 19

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