Practicing for the
UNTHINKABLE
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2 | CROSSROADS | JUNE 2017
JUNE 2017
contents
VOL 13 | NO 6
Departments
Published monthly with newsstand circulation to Wentzville and Lake Saint Louis plus newsstands in O’Fallon, Troy, Lake Sherwood and Augusta. Publisher Robert Huneke Editor Mathew DeKinder Production Manager Rebecca Brockmann Contributors Avalanche, David Finkelstein, Tony Mathews, Cindy Moore, Russ Patton Photographer Ray Rockwell
features
4
Around Town Local news and events
7
Moore on Life Beautiful sights
8
Always an Adventure On being ‘That Guy’ with the loader
14
Entertainment “Face/Off” turns 20: They don’t make them like this anymore
15
Automobile Alley 2018 Atlas adds third-row SUV versatility to Volkswagen’s lineup
16
Food Beyond the flame: Put some sizzle into your Father’s Day grilling
18
Medical Memo Slide into summer safety
19
Community Calendar: June
9
Staff Writer Brett Auten For advertising information, please contact us at:
12
Nonprofit Profile Circus Flora offers year-round community outreach that transcends the big top
13
Advertiser Profile Recreation rides the tide
Community News 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366 Ph: 636.379.1775 Fx: 636.379.1632
Practicing for the unthinkable First responders partner with Wentzville School District to train for mass-casualty incidents
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Copyright 2015 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.
On the Cover: Photo by Ray Rockwell
JUNE 2017 | CROSSROADS | 3
Around Town
LET YOUR BUSINESS MEET OUR READERS
A hero’s song Local nonprofit Frank’s Heroes offers guitar lessons to veterans of all stripes
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Photo by Ray Rockwell Attending a recent meeting of Frank’s Heroes were (front row, from left) Ralph Moore, Frank Walter, Louise Weaver, Harry Keuss, Larry Reighard, (back row, from left) Kevin Lane, Bill and Barb Dennis, John Baker, David Hawkins, Juan Ramivez and Arnold Jacobsen.
By Brett Auten
Bill Dennis has been passing along the gift of music. Dennis launched and spearheads Frank’s Heroes, a local nonprofit foundation that offers guitar lessons to veterans. Named after Dennis’ father, who was a World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, for four years now Frank’s Heroes offers beginning and intermediate classes for veterans. “We had to call ourselves something,” Dennis recalled. “In our eyes, all veterans are heroes and it sounded pretty good. A lot of the veterans who have come in over the years have said that they always wanted to play but either didn’t have the time or didn’t have the patience.” Frank’s Heroes is comprised of around 30 members with ages ranging from veterans in their 20s to their 60s. Dennis has recruited veterans to attend the program through word of mouth and reaching out to local American Legions and Veterans of Foreign War halls. The group started in the back of a building but is now located at the Foundry Art Centre located at 520 North Main Street in
St. Charles. Learning a new instrument, especially at an advanced state of age, can be discouraging. But Dennis believes that if they can get past the initial growing stages, a wonderful world awaits them. “For a lot of them, their fingers get real sore,” Dennis said. “We tell them not to rush into it. Take 10-15 minutes a day. Take your time and give it a couple of months to get your callouses built up.” Louis Weaver was one of those who stuck with it. Weaver is a retired major who saw time in both the Air Force and Army as a nurse. The St. Charles resident showed up for her first class in 2014. “I saw an ad and I ended up waiting and waiting before I ended up going,” she said. “Progress can be slow with the guitar and I was the only female there for a while. But I felt honored being around these guys. Veterans are never strangers. When we meet there is an instant bond because we have a common background.” Weaver, a gifted singer, took on that role early at Frank’s Heroes, helping sing the mel-
Around Town odies for the players to emulate. A year or so after joining the group, Weaver had seven members of the group play at the 91st birthday of her church, Southern Union Missouri Baptist, located in downtown St. Louis. Dennis built his six-string skills up playing in various groups and orchestras when he was younger. A member of the musicians union, Dennis’ highlight came when he substituted in when the Glenn Miller Orchestra needed a guitar player for a gig at the Ramada Inn. Dennis said none of this would be possible without the group’s major sponsors, the Mel Bay Publishing Company and the James Burton Rock-n-Roll Foundation. The Mel Bay Publishing Company is a famed publisher of materials for musical instrument playing, particularly instructional books that teach a particular instrument or style. It was founded in 1947 and is now based in Fenton after numerous years in Pacific. The James Burton Rock-n-Roll Foundation supports music education for those in need through guitar donations and music instruction to schools, hospitals, and community service organiza-
tions. Burton is most well-known for being the leader of Elvis Presley’s backing band. “They have really gone the extra mile,” Dennis said. “From the Mel Bay company donating music books to James Burton’s donating a couple of guitars. Dennis and the other instructors pull the curriculum from the Mel Bay system, starting with just the basic notes on each string to chord structures. Beginners can expect to learn their favorite Johnny Cash song or something similar that only has a few chord changes. “Once you know that you know how to play rhythm,” Dennis said. “We try to teach them how to read the chords and how it fits into a song.” Helping Dennis with guitar instructions are Jim Huckelberry, John Baker and Rick Brunk. The group will suspend classes in June, July and August and resume another 12-week cycle beginning in September. For more information, or for those who are interested, feel free to call Dennis at 314479-5750. www.wentzville-mo.minutemanpress.com
Creedence Clearwater Revisited and Eric Paslay headline O’Fallon’s Heritage & Freedom Fest 2017 Free concerts by headline entertainers will put the focus on the Main Stage at O’Fallon Missouri’s Heritage & Freedom Fest. Creedence Clearwater Revisited and special guest World Classic Rockers will take the stage on July 4, and country music’s Eric Paslay will perform on July 3. The Heritage & Freedom Fest will be held at the Ozzie Smith Sports Complex at 900 T. R. Hughes Boulevard in O’Fallon. Festival information and song samples are available at www.heritageandfreedomfest.com. “We’re excited to bring classic rock ‘n roll back to our Heritage & Freedom Fest with these outstanding, nationally-known entertainers, Creedence Clearwater Revisited and World Classic Rockers,” said O’Fallon’s Mayor, Bill Hennessy. “On July 4, we’ll hear artists who created the music that defined a generation.” “On July 3, Eric Paslay, one of the most entertaining and original singer-songwriters
on the country music scene today, will perform live on the Main Stage. Our residents and visitors are in for two evenings of great music, followed by stupendous fireworks displays each of those nights.” O’Fallon’s Heritage & Freedom Fest kicks off on July 2 with carnival rides, a colorful midway, Knockerball and other activities from 4 – 10 p.m. Carnival rides, the midway and Knockerball will be available through all three festival dates. (There will be no fireworks or Main Stage music on Sunday.) Then, on Monday and Tuesday (July 3 and 4), the festival will get into full swing with free concerts, fireworks, free sideshows, free kids’ activities, and vendors offering festival food and merchandise. On Independence Day at 9:30 a.m., the biggest Fourth of July parade in St. Charles County will step off the corner of Main and Third streets and proceed north to Tom Ginnever and T.R. Hughes Boulevard near the festival entrance.
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JUNE 2017 | CROSSROADS | 5
Around Town
Showcase your group by entering O’Fallon’s Heritage & Freedom Fest Parade If you’re looking for a project to get your group noticed, have fun and be eligible for prize money, sign up and build a parade entry for O’Fallon’s Heritage & Freedom Fest Parade. The patriotic Independence Day parade typically draws thousands of families along the two-mile route, and it will get underway in downtown O’Fallon at 9:30 a.m. on July 4. Clubs, civic organizations, businesses, churches and scout troops wanting to be in the parade can find an application, FAQs, resources and tips posted on O’Fallon’s festival website at www.heritageandfreedomfest. com/parade. Entry forms also can be picked
up at City Hall (100 North Main Street), the Renaud Spirit Center (2650 Tri Sports Circle), and the Parks and Recreation Administration Office at 400 Civic Park Drive. (For more information, please contact Cody at cphelps@ ofallon.mo.us, or call 636-379-5574.) “All parade entries must be decorated this year, and both businesses and nonprofits are eligible for judging,” said Marsha Seymour, O’Fallon’s Tourism and Festivals Manager. “The parade theme is ‘Celebration of Flight.’ Judges will be looking for how well the theme is expressed and they will award extra points for entries incorporating music and mechan-
ical movement.” Prizes of $200 for first place and $100 for second place will be awarded to the “Best Musical Float” and the “Most Patriotic Float.” In the “Best Overall” category, first, second and third-place winners will receive prizes of $500, $400 and $300, respectively. O’Fallon Mayor Bill Hennessy will present the “Mayor’s Choice Award.” And first and second place plaques will go to the “Best Color Guard.” Volunteers are needed to assist with the parade. To volunteer, contact O’Fallon’s Volunteer Services Department at 636-379-5417 or volunteer@ofallon.mo.us.
Discover something new and fun at a St. Charles County Park summer camp Are you looking for a unique, affordable camp for your children this summer? The St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department has a variety of exciting summer camps scheduled at a park near you. Whether it’s a single-night campout, a day-long adventure or week-long camp for exploring nature, fishing, extreme sports or history, there are summer programs for children of all ages and interests. These summer camps are scheduled in a St. Charles County Park this summer: • Boone Home Summer Camp, June 5 – 9, at The Historic Daniel Boone Home near Defiance: Kids ages 11-18 learn bartering and trading at the general store, tomahawk throwing, splash in the Femme Osage Creek, build a log cabin, try their hand at woodworking and carpentry, dance to fiddle music and discover much more. Cost is $150 per child; a camp T-shirt is included. • Nature Day Camp, June 5 – 9, at Indian Camp Creek Park near Wentzville and July 10 – 14 at Quail Ridge Park near Wentzville: Designed for youth ages 9-13, this full-day program allows day campers to discover and observe nature using hands-on experimental activities in a safe environment. Campers meet daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. An overnight stay in the park is planned for June 8. Cost is $100 per week. • Fish University 101, June 7 – 8, at Quail Ridge Park near Wentzville: This unique camp teaches the sport of fishing to wannabe anglers ages 8-15. Held from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., it’s perfect for beginners and intermedi6 | CROSSROADS | JUNE 2017
ates who want to learn more about fishing. The camp is sponsored by Cabela’s and St. Charles Jaycees. Lunch is included. Cost is $30 for both days. • Park Explorer Kids Club, June 12 – 16, at Quail Ridge Park near Wentzville and July 17 – 21, at Broemmelsiek Park near Wentzville: This week-long nature camp allows kids ages 7-11 to learn about the environment, prairies, trails and waterways through nature-themed games, crafts, activities and special friends of the park. Explorers meet from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. daily. Lunch is served on Friday. Cost is $45 per session. • Camp YAP, June 12 – 16, 26 – 30, July 10 – 14 and July 24 – 28, at the Youth Activity Park near Dardenne Prairie: Sign up for Camp YAP, a new summer camp for children ages 6-12 at the Youth Activity Park. Bring your lunch for fun from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Camp activities include sports, arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor games, special guests, snacks and a movie. Register for one week or all four (June 12 - 16, June 26 - 30, July 10 - 14 and July 24 - 28). Cost of the program is $110 per week and includes a T-shirt, water bottle and an ice cream sundae bar on Friday. • History Explorer Kids Camp, July 10 – 14, at Heritage Museum near St. Charles: This half-day camp engages children ages 6 -14 with local history experiences using historicthemed activities, challenges and crafts each day. History explorers meet daily from 9 a.m. - noon. Cost is $40 per week. • Fish University 102, July 12, at Quail
Ridge Park near Wentzville: This unique camp teaches the sport of fishing to wanna-be anglers ages 8-15. Held from 8 a.m. - noon, it’s perfect for beginners and intermediates who want to learn more about panfishing. Camp staff will assist children as needed. The camp is sponsored by Cabela’s and the St. Charles Jaycees. Cost is $10. • Fish University 103, July 19, at Broemmelsiek Park near Wentzville: This unique camp teaches the sport of fishing to wannabe anglers ages 8-15. Held from 8 a.m. - noon, it’s perfect for beginners and intermediates who want to learn more about fishing. Camp staff will assist children as needed. The camp is sponsored by Cabela’s and the St. Charles Jaycees. Cost is $10. • Fish University 104, July 26, at Broemmelsiek Park near Wentzville: This unique camp teaches the sport of fishing to wannabe anglers ages 8-15. Held from 5 - 10 p.m., it’s perfect for beginners and intermediates who want to learn more about fishing. Camp staff will assist children as needed. The camp is sponsored by Cabela’s and the St. Charles Jaycees. Cost is $10. To register for summer camp, call the Parks Department at 636-949-7535, or visit www. stccparks.org. Click on “Online Registration – Events and Reservations” in the left-hand menu, then “Activities” and browse through the list of events for your favorite camp. Register early; space may be limited.
Beautiful sights
Moore On Life
I
f you plan on visiting a national park this summer there are some words of advice you’ll need. Most important, go to the bathroom first! If those bodily functions should kick in and you find yourself in desperate need of restroom facilities, be warned! Parks have no flushables. You must use pioneer, dig-a-pit kind of receptacles. When entering these foul-smelling tombs of doom, for the love of all that is sweet and holy, do not look directly down into the outhouse pot – you can never un-see the sights that await you down there. Understand that there will be no paper in these enclosures. Do not call out for more paper from a park ranger. That is what the park map is intended for. Keep it with you at all times. Also, the hand sanitizer receptacle will be empty and a nest of hornets will have taken up residency in the container. Should one of the nasty stingers alight upon your bare skin, do not make the mistake of swatting it. A park ranger will immediately appear and issue you a citation for destroying a protected species. Keep the citation with you at all times because you will need it as a handy wipe at your next porta-potty stop as you will no longer have a map. Then instead of hand sanitizer, use a handful of sagebrush. This is what our ancestors had to utilize in the dark ages. But be warned, a park ranger will appear to issue another citation for picking the vegetation. Reserve this next citation and use it as bartering currency for un-savvy tourists who have discarded their maps. I traded mine in for a pound of bacon. Should you desperately need a park ranger…say, a crazed grizzly bear smells your crackling bacon and enters your campground then devours your frying meat and begins using your new expensive camp chairs as toothpicks. Do not yell for a ranger. It will be to no avail. Instead stare menacingly at the grizzly and appear as if you are about to reach into a bag of marshmallows to offer it a peace offering. A ranger will instantly appear out of the vanishing smoke from your campfire and promptly hand you a citation for harassing the wildlife and tempting the beast with unauthorized snacks. Finally, when hiking. Stay on the path. Do not stray from the path. If in your ventures you should encounter a long-fanged venomous rattler bent on chomping at your ankle and need to jump from the path to avoid said serpent; a park ranger will appear. Not to administer life-saving medical attention to your burgeoning purple ankle, but to issue a double citation for provoking the endangered serpent to unnecessary anger and disturbing microorganism plant-life and slumbering pebbles causing unnecessary erosion and thus destroying threatened habitat. Two tickets?! Luckily, I had to go to the bathroom and would need the other to barter for another pound of bacon. Win-win! BY 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.
JUNE 2017 | CROSSROADS | 7
Always An Adventure
ON BEING
‘THAT GUY’ WITH THE LOADER
“YOUR PHONE IS GOING TO BE RINGING OFF THE HOOK,” my friend said when I told him I was buying a skid steer loader. “You’re going to have friends you didn’t know existed!” Those words echoed in my head a couple of nights ago when I heard the crunching, scraping sound of a truck interacting with rocks in a manner not consistent with vehicle design parameters. A few seconds after that, the sounds of tires spinning on gravel confirmed that I was going to be getting a phone call or visit shortly. After our adventures with mud last year, it became obvious that having a piece of earthmoving equipment handy was a need, not a want. Depending upon others to perform heavy lifting is a bad spot to be in, especially when time is of the essence. There have usually been a couple of neighbors close by who owned such equipment; most have moved away and the only remaining tractor owner travels frequently. Like it or not, it was time for me to be That Guy. Going through the procurement process was an adventure in itself, demanding that I dredge up old knowledge and experience from my public works career in determining specifications and mechanical condition of the machine; and from my public safety career, in determining just how much the sales personnel were lying to me. I began by inquiring about a used rig from a big-name manufacturer whose name is synonymous with heavy equipment. That company is justifiably proud of their 8 | CROSSROADS | JUNE 2017
machinery, and it is priced accordingly. However, it seems that they are only set up to deal with commercial accounts, and a lowly homeowner doesn’t get much attention. Perhaps that’s a factor in why the company is in the process of laying off 10,000 employees worldwide. Moving on to other brands, local dealers had no used rigs in stock, and while sympathetic to my plight, they weren’t willing to budge on new machine prices. The next step was to check online auction and trading sites. I found a screaming deal on a year-old machine, with only a few hundred hours on the meter, located in an adjacent state. Photos showed the loader to be in excellent condition. The dealer said the economy was bad in their area and he really wanted to sell the machine. He was a little too eager, it seemed. I took the machine information to my local dealer. The shop foreman checked the serial number and found a warranty history of catastrophic mechanical failures, all occurring within the first couple hundred hours. While those problems had been repaired, big chunks of metal circulating in the hydraulic system will be gifts that keep on giving for the life of that machine. The rig will spend much of its life in a service bay with a busy mechanic and a frustrated owner. Those experiences led me across the state to work with the dealer of a smaller manufacturer. The machine had a lower price, slightly less performance capabilities, and no local dealer support. But, it’s a brand
new machine and the manufacturer has a reputation for excellent reliability. The need of a skid steer joined with the want of a heated and air conditioned cab, and the result was dropped off at the bottom of my road in a snowstorm this winter. As of this writing, only 56 more “E-Z monthly payments” and it’s all mine. So far the machine has been quite useful in working around my property, increasing production and saving what’s left of my back. Now that spring is here, it runs nearly every day. The vehicle crunching noise heard the other night was the next-door renter who was moving out, and somehow drove his truck and moving trailer over a rock retaining wall bordering the road. About five minutes later he was at my door, wondering if I could help get him out of his predicament. It took just a few minutes of tricky lifting with pallet forks to dislodge his truck and set it back on the road, mostly unscathed. Now that I’m That Guy with equipment, suddenly lots of people I barely know are inquiring if I can help them with some work on their property. I’m very popular – and I screen my calls very carefully. 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.
Practicing for the
UNTHINKABLE First responders partner with Wentzville School District to train for mass-casualty incidents
T
By Brett Auten
The dispatch was called. Sirens wailed. It was a scene no one wants to come upon. A crash at highway speeds involving not only passenger vehicles but multiple schools buses. One of which is overturned. First to arrive were the firefighters who literally buzz-sawed vehicles, pried victims loose and carried them to the safety of the paramedic and ambulance crews who were juggling life-deciding decisions at a second’s notice. The scenario played itself out time and time again over the month of May as paramedics, firefighters and Wentzville School District officials trained for a lesson they hope to never put into practice.
JUNE 2017 | CROSSROADS | 9
On six separate dates and spread out over a dozen sessions throughout May, over 500 first responders from emergency response agencies throughout St. Charles County gathered at Wentzville School District Administration Center to train for mass-casualty incidents. The annual required-training gives the county’s first responders a realtime feel to sharpen their training skills and with this year’s scenario themed toward school children, it was a bonus to get a local school district also in on the practice. Wentzville Superintendent Dr. Curtin Cain called this collaborative training as taking the district, ambulance and fire districts partnership “to a new level.” Not only did it serve as a collaborative learning opportunity for first responders from St. Charles County, the series gave the school district’s accident response team a chance to practice procedures in a more realistic environment. “It is imperative that we train for these type of situations to ensure that we are well prepared for an actual event,” Mary K. LaPak, Director of Community Relations at Wentzville School District, said. LaPak referenced an accident in May involving a Parkway School District bus to demonstrate the importance of this training. “In those situations, working closely with first responders to gather critical information and relay that to the parents of affected children in a timely way is crucial,” she said. “We appreciate the partnerships and great working relationships we have with our first responders that lead to opportunities like this that will ultimately benefit our students and families.” Heightening the realism of the scenario has been the goal of the training officers who put together the annual
10 | CROSSROADS | JUNE 2017
Mass Casualty Incident Training Dates. “It’s a running joke is, how are you going to out-do yourselves?” Kyle Gaines, Director of Community Relations with the St. Charles City-County Ambulance District, said. “I’m waiting for the day that they’ll have a plane crash. That’s about the only thing left.” Rick Lane is a training officer for the St. Charles County Ambulance District and the chief coordinator of the yearly exercise. “In addition to being complex both clinically and logistically, scenarios such as these are filled with dozens of potential variables that can make the task at hand all the more challenging for first responders,” Lane said. “These are things that crews will undoubtedly experience in a situation like this.” According to Gaines, fatal crashes involving school buses are uncommon. Lower-impact collisions, however, occur much more frequently. According to the American School Bus Council, more than 480,000 school buses travel in excess of 10 billion miles over the course of an average year in the United States, and just over half of the nation’s 50 million students get to school via bus. Photos by Ray Rockwell
JUNE 2017 | CROSSROADS | 11
Nonprofit Profile
By Marla Stoker
home of this flagFor thirty-one ship program, years, the sight of and the exclusive Circus Flora’s red healthcare partand white big top has ner for this special signaled the arrival of event. This is the only summer in St. Louis. This program of its kind in year from June 1 through the bi-state region, bringoffers year-round community June 25, their newest producing laughter, healing, cheer outreach that transcends tion – “Time Flies” - will transand the wonders of circus to port circus-goers through time. hospitalized children and their the big top Patrons will join graceful aerialists and families. The program’s performers are powerful acrobats on a journey through experienced professional artists, skilled in the fourth dimension as they follow a love story multiple genres, including music, juggling, magic, that transcends time. Inside their intimate, air-conditioned big improvisation and slapstick. Spearheading the program is Claire top, the story-book style theatrical presentation is interlaced with Wedemeyer Panopoulos (Claire the Clown), who oversees their team jaw-dropping and thrilling displays by internationally acclaimed en- of five. Twice weekly, Clowns on Call players make “clown rounds,” gotertainers. A full list of the variety of their world class lineup can be ing room to room, entertaining at bedsides, as well producing shows found at circusflora.org. in activity areas and playrooms. On select rounds, Claire partners with As a St. Louis-based nonprofit, Circus Flora has a 30-year history violinist Angie Smart of the St. Louis Symphony in collaboration with of providing exciting and affordable their “SymphonyCares” program. family entertainment. Their annual Share the Circus is another branch world-class productions include an of their outreach program which innovative take on an ancient art allows families in underserved areas form by telling uniquely American to attend their annual events free stories with circus arts as the centerof charge or at significantly reduced piece. The drama and beauty of their rates. Tumbling and Teamwork and dynamic performances, heightened summer Circus Camps round out by a live band playing an originally the educational programs Circus composed score, allow the audience Flora has operated. Tumbling and to connect to the performers in an Teamwork provided two months intimate space. Patrons with special of training for students to learn a needs also have the option of both variety of circus skills while they peanut-free and sensory-friendly developed their self-confidence performances during their producand communication abilities. Their tion. And they honor their promise previous Circus Camps offered an of being animal-friendly by including atypical camp experience through only acts that feature domesticated unique character and skill develanimals, like dogs and horses. opment opportunities. Children Thanks to their recent partnership with the Kranzberg Arts Founda- working together, learning circus skills, building confidence and maktion, their big top will soon have a permanent home in the Grand ing new friends in a big top environment with Circus Flora’s profesCenter Arts District. This collaboration allows their programs and sional teaching artists is an idea they plan to revive in the near future. performances to expand throughout the year by providing a perExecutive Director Larry Mabrey sums up the Circus Flora experimanent footprint with its own dedicated green space. They plan to ence best, “Circus Flora is a beloved institution in St. Louis, and we are announce the exact location of their future site during their run of honored to present a unique and unmatched brand of circus and the“Time Flies” this June. ater. We continue to explore this marriage of genres by showcasing Circus Flora’s commitment to the community doesn’t end when classical circus acts, young and innovative circus performers and even their tent comes down, but is a year-round endeavor for the organiza- incorporating artists from other performing arts disciplines. Circus tion. The cornerstone of their community programs, Clowns on Call, Flora truly is an event like no other that you won’t want to miss.” celebrates its five-year anniversary at a special event June 15 during More information on all of their programs, including schedule and “Time Flies.” SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital is the ticketing details for “Time Flies,” can be found at circusflora.org. 12 | CROSSROADS | JUNE 2017
Advertiser Profile
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By Russ Patton, owner of Byerly RV The weekend before the flood Byerly employees hosted the spring campout for over 200 campers. It was a bit soggy, but nothing to compare with what was coming. When the rains continued, this time Eureka was more prepared and most of downtown was protected. Lessons learned and professional advice devised a successful plan. Hundreds volunteered to save the Main Street businesses. Byerly RV is on high ground, but was in jeopardy of becoming an inaccessible island. Over 30 rental customers had plans for Talladega, the Kentucky Derby and an event at Purina Farms. Employees worked extra to deliver vehicles to Purina early. Several employees spent the night at Byerly without knowing if they would be able to leave during the flood. One route remained open from the west service road and all but one rental vehicle was successfully delivered to customers. Byerly was lucky. But then it wasn’t all luck. It was the dedication of Byerly employees to serve our customers. Access directions were posted on Facebook and our website. Success. Dedication. Pride. In spite of the challenges, a regular-scheduled lot promotion followed and the following Tuesday evening the monthly RV School class was held. Eureka is a phenomenal city in which to do business. Pride rallied against the tide. The mood of the people on Central Avenue was positive and inspiring. Now the cleanup. Now summer has arrived. Sales and rentals are exceeding all records. People are eager to hit the road. Visit our open lot and discover what it’s all about. We offer RVs to fit almost any budget. Your second home on wheels is waiting for you at Byerly RV, the Center of the RV World. Check out our offerings and our hours at www.byerlyrv.com. JUNE 2017 | CROSSROADS | 13
Entertainment
“FACE/OFF” TURNS 20
They don’t make them like this anymore
T
he mid-to-late 90’s sure did boast a list of impressive summer flicks with loads of crowd-pleasing action, comedy and visual effects with movies like “Jurassic Park” (1993), “Twister” (1996) and “Independence Day” (1996). The one thing this era had much more of (than today), was the action flick for the adult crowd. There were movies like “Speed” (1994), “Bad Boys”(1995), “Die Hard With A Vengeance”(1995), “The Rock”(1996), “Eraser”(1996) and more that were big (studio budgeted) blockbusters despite whether critics liked them or not. There was one that came out in June of 1997 that blew right through expectations. No, it wasn’t “Con Air” starring Nicolas Cage, but the other action-flick with Cage that came out later that same month… starring opposite John Travolta. This is “Face/Off” we’re talking about, arguably the greatest American film ever made by legendary filmmaker John Woo from Hong Kong. The man is a huge cult-favorite for his unique visions of action, violence and shootouts in his pictures from overseas like “The Killer” (1989) and the international favorite “Hard Boiled” (1992). The trademarks of John Woo usually con14 | CROSSROADS | JUNE 2017
sist of the following: • Doves are present before shootouts as a symbol of peace. (Sometimes pigeons are involved in the mix, too). • There are sharp contrasts of peace and violence and good versus evil. • A “Mexican standoff” is usually present - when to characters are pointing guns at each other’s heads. • His action sequences are heavily choreographed, hyperkinetic – and can be masterfully shot in slow motion. • The director’s most prolific trademark is his characters can have a gun in each hand as they shoot their enemy – even in slow motion at times. If you see almost any movie after the 90s, you can thank Mr. Woo for this iconic symbol of action. “Face/Off” has all of these trademarks and was a surprising success to most - obliterating expectations. It wasn’t just the action which was better than ever - that made the film a blockbuster success, but also the performances from the entire cast and twisted plot. FBI agent Sean Archer (John Travolta) was on the hunt to capture L.A. terrorist Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage). After a thrilling airstrip chase scene that ends with an extended massive shootout in an airplane hanger, the
FBI agent finally captures his man. This is just the opening mind you! Unfortunately, there’s a massive bomb hidden in L.A. and the only way left to locate it is for Agent Archer to physically appear as the villain himself (through groundbreaking surgery mind you) in order to trick Castor’s imprisoned brother to give up the bomb’s location. The plot turns disturbing when Castor awakes from his coma and assumes the identity of Agent Archer. Literally, Travolta and Cage superbly switch roles for the remaining two thirds of the film and rarely has anyone experienced acting at this high caliber in a film loaded with this amount of stylishlypolished action. There’s plenty of story and room for acting in this film that it clocks at a near two hours and twenty minutes, that’s how much action there here without it ever becoming repetitive. They don’t make them like this anymore. BY BRIAN GUERRERO
Brian Guerrero is a former resident of Los Angeles and a current resident of New York City with extensive experience in front of and behind the camera for film and television.
ATLAS Automobile Alley
2018
ADDS THIRD-ROW SUV VERSATILITY TO VOLKSWAGEN’S LINEUP
Volkswagen of America elected to further compliment their product mix by now making available their all-new, Tennesseemanufactured 2018 Atlas three-row SUV. It has a starting price point of $30,500. Atlas will be sold in five different trim levels along with two engine options, as well as it will be offered with their 4Motion all-wheel-drive system on V6 models. Atlas is nicely equipped with plenty of extras that most SUV buyers often gravitate to. They also make available a lavish amount of on-board technology features from the factory. For added utility and comfort, it has a spacious interior with cutting edge innovative accessibility to the third row seating. Overall, the vehicle is designed and based on their award-winning modular transverse underside matrix architecture, channeling the drive experience into a fun-to-operate SUV with the handling and takeaway experience of operating an automobile, rather than a sport utility vehicle. Atlas’s outer body design and styling cues maintain a bold, fresh, new, muscular appearance. In the simplest terms, it’s a very conservative silhouette. Its pronounced wheel arches, classic body stamping proportions and clean lines further tend to standout. All of this was achieved while still maintaining a low coefficient of wind drag. The vehicle’s body utilizes new laser-welding technologies designed to maximize strength. The endgame is significantly more rigidity than that of traditional spot welds. The body overall includes a large percentage of high-strength, hot-formed steel. Atlas also features an independent suspension at all four wheels. The braking system is comprised of superior components plus they included electronic/speedsensitive variable assist power steering.
With an array of both passive and active safety systems, it’s been engineered to meet or exceed all current safety regulations and features six airbags. The interior design is fairly clean, functional and has a premium feel. Driver controls are positioned for optimal usability within a driver-centric display environment. There is comfortable seating throughout. With its three-row seating, it results into space for up to seven adults. An innovative folding mechanism for the second row offers improved entry and exit. This is a major selling point for “like/ cross-shopped vehicles” in its category. With the two engines offered, both include an eight-speed automatic transmission. The standard powerplant is their 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo with direct-injection. It produces 235-horsepower, as its EPA numbers will be released later this year. Their 3.6-liter V6 engine generates 276-horsepower. With front-wheeldrive, the EPA fuel numbers reflect 18-city/25mpg highway. All-wheel-drive versions show 17-mpg city/23-highway. Destination charges for all Atlas models come out to be $925 extra. Atlas tends to compete with the Ford Explorer and the Toyota Highlander. BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN
David Finkelstein is a Master/Skill Automotive Service Technician, maintaining that role for over 45 years, coupled with being a shop owner in that time frame as well. He’s also invented a number of garage service tools for mechanics and has served on both National as well as local Automotive Trade Industry Boards. Additionally, he pioneered “Car Talk Radio” over 40 years ago, starting out with KMOX/CBS Radio as well as hosted “Auto Talk” on KFTK/FOX News Radio for some 15-years. David tests and evaluates new vehicles weekly and also does some consulting with various auto manufactures, both import as well as with domestic nameplates. JUNE 2017 | CROSSROADS | 15
For the Love of Food
Gas or Charcoal Grill For gas grill, ignite one burner and leave others off. Adjust side burner until thermometer in grill lid reads 400 F. Place smoking box or foil pouch of wood chips over ignited burner. Place steak on grate over burners that are off. Keep grill covered and maintain temperature at 400 F. For charcoal grill, arrange hot coals evenly on one side of charcoal grate. Add wood chunks to coals and allow to smoke 10 minutes. Place drip pan with water in center of grate to keep drippings from burning. Place cooking grate over coals and place steak on grate, centered over drip pan. Place lid on grill. Adjust air vents to bring temperature to 400 F. Face side with filet mignon away from hottest portion of grill; larger side should be facing heat source. Smoke 40-55 minutes for medium-rare 48-ounce T-bone steak. Flip steak one time, halfway through cooking time. Verify temperature using kitchen thermometer before removing from grill. If desired, finish exterior of smoked steak over direct heat 1-2 minutes per side once it reaches desired temperature. Allow steak to rest 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
Kettle or Bullet Smoker Arrange hot coals evenly on one bottom of smoker grate. Add wood chunks to coals and allow to smoke 10 minutes. Place drip pan with water under rack. Place cooking grate over coals and place steak on cooking grate centered over drip pan. Place lid on smoker. Adjust air vents to maintain 250 F. A medium-rare 48-ounce T-bone steak rested at room temperature for 1 hour prior to cooking should require 1 hour-1 hour and 15 minutes to reach proper temperature, which can be verified with a kitchen thermometer. If desired, finish exterior of smoked steak over direct heat 1-2 minutes per side once it reaches desired temperature. Allow steak to rest 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
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Put some sizzle into your Father’s Day grilling Just ask any dad, he’s sure to agree: a perfectly seasoned steak flame-kissed to perfection is one of the great pleasures of summer grilling. This Father’s Day, you may be able to teach dad a few tricks of your own. Start by selecting a premium-quality steak like those from Omaha Steaks,
which are aged at least 21 days to reach the peak of tenderness then flash frozen to stay that way. Then take that guaranteed quality to the grill and try a new method, such as slow, steady smoking, for an ultimate flavor experience. Find tips to make your summer grilling great at omahasteaks.com.
Beef on Steak Salt Total time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Ingredients: 1 T-bone steak (30 ounces) 1 package (3 ounces) beef jerky 3 tablespoons kosher salt Directions: Thaw steak 24-48 hours in refrigerator. Using box grater finely shred enough beef jerky to yield 2 tablespoons; mix with kosher salt. Pat steak dry on both sides and
season with 1-1 1/2 tablespoons jerky salt. Allow seasoned steak to sit 45 minutes-1 hour, uncovered, at room temperature. Heat gas or charcoal grill to 450 F and oil grates to prevent sticking. Grill to desired doneness based on thickness of steak. Let steak rest 5 minutes. Garnish steak with remaining jerky salt.
Smoked King Cut T-Bone Ingredients: 1 King Cut T-Bone steak (48 ounces) 1 tablespoon steak seasoning 2 tablespoons kosher salt Ingredients: Thaw steak in refrigerator 48-72 hours. Remove steak from vacuum packaging. Prepare dry brine by combining steak seasoning and salt and rubbing into
meat on both sides. Place meat on wire rack uncovered; refrigerate 18-24 hours or overnight. Tip: If time doesn’t allow for overnight brining, let rubbed steak sit on wire rack at room temperature at least 1 hour. Cook to desired doneness with preferred indirect grilling method, placing food next to, instead of directly over, the fire.
For the Love of Food
7 Steps to Great Steak Achieve steakhouse-worthy results at home with these tips from Omaha Steaks Executive Chef Grant Hon. 1. Proper preparation. Clean and heat your grill to high. Make sure to oil grates after cleaning. 2. Prepare your steaks. Pat steaks dry and season food before grilling. Use sea salt and freshly cracked pepper or a complete steak seasoning or rub. 3. Searing. Sear steaks over high heat and
avoid moving them before they’re fully seared on all sides to protect flavor and juiciness.
grilling method. Grill 60 percent on the first side then 40 percent after you turn the steak over for an even cook.
4. Handling steaks on the grill. Use tongs or a spatula to turn meat on the grill; poking with a fork can damage the meat.
6. Juiciness. After grilling, allow steaks to rest tented with foil for 5 minutes between cooking and serving. This lets juices redistribute for the best-tasting and juiciest steak.
5. Controlling your cook. Close grill cover as much as possible while cooking to maintain a temperature around 450 F. This helps lock in flavor and prevent flare-ups. After determining the amount of time you’ll need to reach your desired doneness, use the 60/40
7. Finish and enjoy. Garnish steak and serve with style. Add colors, textures and flavors to make perfectly grilled steak even more memorable.
JUNE 2017 | CROSSROADS | 17
4 Medical Memo
WAYS TO
stretch
YOUR HEALTH BENEFITS
preventive exams, such as routine cleanings and vision exams, that are fully covered. That’s because these preventive exams help to maintain and improve overall health and help reduce health costs. Voluntary coverage is affordable and many plans offer Photo courtesy of Getty Images added incentives. For example, coverage for LASIK, dental, vision and hearing benefits Often, employees enroll in medical insurance plans can increase from one year to the next for for protection against unpredictable events, sudden those who continue to enroll and use their benefits. illness or serious health concerns that may result Members could earn monetary rewards to use in expensive medical bills. Getting the most from for dental, vision, LASIK, orthodontia and hearing your benefits requires understanding coverages and benefits, care materials and services simply by using deductibles, as well as taking advantage of voluntary their benefits and keeping the benefits paid out under benefits, like dental, vision and hearing, to stay healthy a specified amount. and save money. MEDICAL SCREENINGS. Routine health screenings, AVOID SURPRISES. About 91 percent of adults such as mammograms, immunizations, colonoscopy in the United States are confused about what their procedures and prostate cancer screenings, which may benefits cover, according to a recent Harris poll. The be covered fully or in part by your medical coverage, best starting point is to review your plan so you can help you stay healthy and lower health care costs. understand the care and services covered. If you have GET PAID TO SAVE. Many employers encourage a high-deductible plan, you will need to pay for most employees to save money by matching a percentage or a percentage of the health costs until reaching the of the amount the employee contributes to the plan. individual or family deductible. Be prepared to pay any If available, enroll in a Health Savings Account or copayments or deductibles the plan requires before Flexible Spending Account to set aside money to pay receiving care. Also, before scheduling appointments, for health care costs. ask for a cost estimate for the appointment, tests or Remember that these accounts are not a substitute service. for the coverage provided by voluntary benefits. PREVENTIVE DENTAL AND VISION. Many Learn more about the questions to ask when reviewing voluntary plans, such as dental and vision, offer benefit plans at ameritasinsight.com.
18 | CROSSROADS | JUNE 2017
6 – D-Day Anniversary
June
Community Calendar
9-10 – Theater performance The Kids’ Summer Drama Camp of Wentzville Christian Church proudly presents Disney’s “The Lion King Jr.” on June 9 at 7 p.m. and on June 10 at 2 p.m. Admission is free and everyone is invited to attend. Doors open a half hour before each performance begins. Over 60 talented youth from around the area will present this fun, inspiring and high energy stage production; that includes all the familiar songs from “The Lion King.” The church is located at 1507 Hwy. Z in Wentzville. For more information, call 636-327-6622 or visit the website at wentzvillecc.org. 11 – Golf tournament The St. Charles Junior Service League will be hosting their 16th Annual Golf Tournament. Lunch at noon and tee off at 1 p.m. at Country Lakes Golf Course in Warrenton. Cost is $90 per person includes lunch and steak dinner. All profits go to purchasing new shoes for children in need in St. Charles County. To play or sponsor, please contact Marlene at 636-724-1884. 11 – Scholarship trap shoot The William “Bill” Trebilcock ‘73 Memorial Scholarship Trap Shoot will be held at Black Hawk Valley Hunting Preserve at 1259 Brevator Rd. in Old Monroe (25 minutes north of Wentzville). The memorial scholarship, established at St. Louis College of Pharmacy, was initiated by two of Bill’s former pharmacy school students. Proceeds from this event will benefit the endowment portion of the scholarship fund. Four-man teams will shoot clays at 14 stations; individual attendees also welcome. Adult division, age 17 and up is $50 per shooter; junior shooter division, age 16 and under is $25 per shooter and an adult relative must be on site. Shotguns only; bring your own gun/ammo; ammo available for sale by owner, if needed; loaner guns available. Come anytime during 8 – 11 a.m.; cash prizes for high scorers; if desired, stay for pork lunch donated by Ret. Col. J. Hirniak, US Army. (Trebilcock Estate/ family members, not liable for damage/injury). Silent auction/raffle items available; Cash or checks; no credit/debit cards accepted. For reservations, sponsorships or more information, contact Nancy at dbkick@hotmail.com Subject line: scholarship fundraiser. 14 – Flag Day 18 – Father’s Day 19 – Juneteenth 20 – American Eagle Day 21 – First Day of Summer JUNE 2017 | CROSSROADS | 19
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