CrossRoads: Aug. 2012

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www.historicstcharles.com 2 CROSSROADS AUGUST 2012

AUGUST spotlight

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2012 contents

Back to School

by Shelly A. Schneider

lifestyle

6

School Daze

by Shelly A. Schneider

14

1954

by Joe Morice

entertainment

9

2012 Movie Scorecard

by Steve Bryan

VOL 8 | NO 8

food

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Back-to-School Bites courtesy of Family Features

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

Publisher Editor Photographer Movie Critic Creative Design

Community News Shelly Schneider Ray Rockwell Steve Bryan Donna M. Huneke

For advertising information, please contact us at:

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

www.mycnews.com

Copyright 2012 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.

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Lincoln County Fair photos by Ray Rockwell

around town

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Electrical Wiring in LSL and LSLCA Lakes

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Homework Tips for Parents

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Wabash Days Festival

by Shelly A. Schneider

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Community Calendar

12

St.Charles Christmas Traditions Auditions

15

Sales Tax Holiday

17

Wentzville School Free/Reduced Guidelines

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How to Start Saving National Night Out - August 7

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Section of Wilmer Road Closed

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AUGUST 2012 CROSSROADS

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SPOTLIGHT

Back to School

BY SHELLY A. SCHNEIDER

filled with textbooks, now they just have the computer.”

Wentzville’s third high school will open its doors in Students will also have access to information that is the fall of 2013. Terry Adams, Ph. D, superintendent not available in textbooks. of the Wentzville School District, is excited about the “This year the sophomores and the incoming freshdistrict’s new addition, but there are new and exciting men will have laptop computers,” Adams said. “Right things happening in preparation for the fall of 2012, now the digital textbooks are a bit pricey, but over time too.

I think it will be cost effective. It just makes sense to me “We continue to grow,” Adams said. “There will be if you don’t have to print it, bind it and ship it, it’s got to 600 more students in 2012-13 than there were last be less expensive.” year. The problems associated with growth are real, The Wentzville School District, Adams said, is trending but I would prefer to deal with growth rather than a little ahead of the pack. shrinking student population. These don’t always “Lutheran School in St. Charles County has laptops for make people happy, but as you expand you have the its students, and there may be others, but I don’t think opportunity to do something different and better.”

Dr. Terry Adams, Ph.D. Superintendent, Wentzville there are a lot,” he said.

South Middle School is getting a whole new wing School District The district is prepared for the potential problems that and a larger cafeteria, and all nine elementary schools come with giving 14 and 15 year-olds a laptop computare getting between two and eight classroom addier. tions. When all is said and done, three elementary “We had some screens broken in the computers we were buying,” schools will feed into one middle school, which will feed into one he said. “We’ll figure all that out. We knew there were potential for high school. Students attending South Middle will attend Timproblems, and there wasn’t much of a track record. We thought berland High School. Wentzville Middle students will attend Holt (it would be better to) try to educate children in their native lanHigh School, and Frontier Middle students will attend the new high school, which is yet to be named.

“We’ll work on naming the new high school this year,” Adams said. “There’s the school name, colors and mascot to pick, too.”

Wentzville School District has big news on the technology front. Adams said in 2011-2012, the district started a one-on-one program with the freshman class.

“We issued computers to the freshmen last year in lieu of textbooks,” he said. “That’s the direction we’re heading. They (books) can be purchased digitally. Instead of a student walking around with Artist’s rendering of the new high school, scheduled to open in the fall of 2013. Courtesy of Wentzville School District a backpack that weighs 50 pounds or more when

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Back to School guage, and we might do a better job in a medium they understand and appreciate. We decided to dive in and take a lump or two here and there for something going wrong, but the other choice was not to do it, or to wait until all the bugs were worked out. It puts a tool in their hands that they’ll use for the rest of their lives. We collect the computers in the summer, and refurbish them and make sure they’re up to snuff before reissuing it the next year.”

Earlier in the year, Holt High School was named one of the nation’s top high schools by U.S. News and World Report. Holt was the only school receiving the medal rating in St. Charles County. Adams said there were 22,000 schools in 49 states and the District of Columbia that were reviewed for the ranking, and Holt was one of 124 receiving honors in the state of Missouri.

“We’re also proud that our district was named one of the best

places to work (by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch),” he said. “You always wonder how that would go if our employees took that survey. We have about 1700 employees, and 1100 responded to the survey.”

Students return to the classroom on Aug. 15, and parents and students are invited to the second annual Back-to-School Fair on Saturday, Aug. 4 at Holt High School. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The district is partnering with the Lake Saint Louis/ Dardenne Prairie and Wentzville Chambers of Commerce to host the fair. The event is free and will include free school supplies, booth activities, carnival games, bounce houses, health screenings, coupons and giveaways. In addition, volunteers from MoChip (Missouri Child Identification Program) will give away free child ID kits.

Electrical Wiring Within Lake Saint Louis and on the LSLCA Lakes In light of several tragic accidents that have been reported in the news lately, the Lake Saint Louis Community Development Department and the Lake Saint Louis Community Association want to remind all property owners of the city ordinances that pertain to electrical wiring.

These ordinances require property owners who wish to update, improve or install electrical wiring anywhere on their property, including their docks and appurtenant structures, to have the work done by a licensed electrician and for the electrician to obtain a permit from the city prior to the work’s commencement, and city inspections as the work progresses.

Nearly every aspect of a built environment represents a potential hazard to its users in one way or another. Although no code or building department can eliminate every risk, the process of per-

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mit issuance and inspection helps ensure that new or upgraded wiring is performed in accordance with the requirements of the electrical code and that the finished product offers a reasonable level of safety for those using it, thereby reducing the number and severity of those risks.

City ordinances requiring permits and inspections are in place to help ensure the safety and welfare of residents and visitors to the city of Lake Saint Louis; docks and appurtenant structures on the LSLCA lakes are certainly no exception. Through a cooperative effort with the LSLCA and through its process of issuing permits and conducting inspections, the city of Lake Saint Louis Building Department is striving to keep your community a safe and pleasant place to live, work and play.

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LIFESTYLE

School Daze Back to school! The last few days of summer vacation don’t hold the same meaning as they once did, but I still look forward to everyone heading back to school and into a routine.

Many years ago I waited with breathless anticipation (much like those big-busted ladies in a dime store romance novel) for the first day of school. It had been many weeks with three kids, 24 hours a day, without a break. It may sound like whining, but I was always more than ready for school to start. Especially when our kids were 4, 5 and 6.

Christopher was in the first grade. You know what that means, right?

ALL DAY SCHOOL! Michael attended afternoon kindergarten, and Sam was about to enter preschool. Once the routine was established, I’d have about two hours to myself each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Selfish? You bet.

And I wasn’t ashamed of my feelings one little bit, until I took Michael to his first day of kindergarten. Christopher successfully found his classroom at 8:30 Monday morning, and my big boy was off and running. The day started like a dream. I remembered all the paperwork, included two weeks worth of milk money in an envelope, and packed his lunch like a seven-year veteran.

Samantha and I loaded Michael in the van around 11:55 a.m., strapped on his backpack, and headed off to Mrs. Byrnes’ class. I was so excited for him. We found a parking place and waited on the bench outside the school doors. That’s when it hit me. Moms and dads were all around us, each with some sort of first-day recording device. Video cameras seemed to be the memory maker of choice, but there were still cameras clicking as well.

A wave of self-doubt washed over me.

“I can’t believe I forgot to record my boys’ first day of school!” I mumbled in a disgusted voice. What kind of mother was I? A hurried, don’tlet-the-screen-door-hit-you-on-the-way-out kind of mom, that’s what. I wallowed in guilt for the rest of the day.

BY SHELLY A. SCHNEIDER

The boys don’t ride a bus, so even though school lets out officially at 3 p.m., walkers and riders aren’t usually let go until 3:15 or so. The teachers warned me, though, that during the first week of school, we shouldn’t plan on being there until 3:20 or 3:25 p.m., just to be safe.

Perfect! I had to make what I thought would be a short phone call at 3 p.m. That call lasted 35 minutes. As a result, Christopher and Michael stood outside the school with their principal, waiting. They were the last two kids in the school. And on the very first day! Oh, the shame! Oh, the horror! The guilt I felt earlier had just multiplied itself by 100. I apologized profusely to the boys and the administrators.

Could it get any worse? Let’s just summarize the second day.

“Sam and Mike, let’s hit the store before we go to Sammy’s preschool orientation, OK?” “I don’t want to be wate for school, Mommy,” said my 4 year-old with a mind like an elephant and severe Elmer Fudd-ism. “You were wate picking up duh boys, remember?”

“Don’t worry, honey. Mommy made sure we have plenty of time. Your orientation won’t start until 10:30, and it’s just 9:45 right now. We have a whole 45 minutes.”

Famous last words. At that very moment the van, traveling at 45 mph, completely shut down, and it was all I could do to turn the wheel and limp onto a driveway off Mexico Road.

Two hours later the van was in a repair shop. Evidently the computer went bad. Sam and I made it to the last 15 minutes of orientation while Jim shoved McNuggets down Michael’s throat before kindergarten.

This year I’ll have a few tears in my eyes as I send our last child to her last first day of school. Samantha is a senior this year, Michael is a freshman in college, and Christopher is joining the United States Air Force in October.

Sad? A little. But there’s actually a tiny dot I see in the distance. It’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Will I record this momentous occasion with a video camera? Probably not. I’ve got my own version of a permanent record (stop smiling, you know what I mean!). It’s one of the perks of being a columnist.

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Homework Tips for Parents From usa.gov • Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework.

Avoid having your child do homework with the television on or in places with other distractions, such as people coming and going.

• Make sure the materials your child needs, such as paper, pencils and a dictionary, are available.

Ask your child if special materials will be needed for some projects and get them in advance.

• Help your child with time management.

Establish a set time each day for doing homework. Don’t let your child leave homework until just before bedtime. Think about using a weekend morning or afternoon for working on big projects, especially if the project involves getting together with classmates.

• Be positive about homework.

Tell your child how important school is. The attitude you express about homework will be the attitude your child acquires.

• When your child does homework, you do homework.

Show your child that the skills they are learning are related to things you do as an adult. If your child is reading, you read, too. If your child is doing math, balance your checkbook.

• When your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers.

Giving answers means your child will not learn the material. Too much help teaches your child that when the going gets rough, someone will do the work for him or her.

• When the teacher asks that you play a role in homework, do it.

Cooperate with the teacher. It shows your child that the school and home are a team. Follow the directions given by the teacher.

• If homework is meant to be done by your child alone, stay away.

Too much parent involvement can prevent homework from having some positive effects. Homework is a great way for kids to develop independent, lifelong learning skills.

• Stay informed.

Talk with your child’s teacher. Make sure you know the purpose of homework and what your child’s class rules are.

• Help your child figure out what is hard homework and what is easy homework.

Have your child do the hard work first. This will mean he will be most alert when facing the biggest challenges. Easy material will seem to go fast when fatigue begins to set in.

• Watch your child for signs of failure and frustration.

Let your child take a short break if she is having trouble keeping her mind on an assignment.

• Reward progress in homework.

If your child has been successful in homework completion and is working hard, celebrate that success with a special event (e.g., pizza, a walk, a trip to the park) to reinforce the positive effort.

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Wabash Days Festival

BY SHELLY A. SCHNEIDER

Looking for some end-of-summer finishers in eight age divisions. fun? Bring the family to downPacket pick-up will be on Thursday, town Wentzville for Wabash August 23 at Big River Running, in Days! The festival is held on West O’Fallon, or on race day. Register Allen, Linn and Main Streets in online at www.friendsofthewentzWentzville, and features live music, villeparks.org. street performances and demonThe motorcycle show, sponsored strations, carnival rides and games, by the American Legion Post 323, arts and craft booths, food booths, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 25.

Winners of 2011 Pound the Pavement for Parks 5K &and 10K races. a parade and car and motorcycle Registration is from 11 a.m. to 1 Photo courtesy of Friends of the Wentzville Parks shows. p.m. and prizes and trophies will Now in its ninth year, Wabash Days is a celebration of the town’s hisbe awarded at 2:30 p.m. There will be a bike cruise at 11 a.m. All bikes tory and railroad heritage. This festival is reminiscent of old time fairs are welcome. and street festivals that were held in many downtown areas. Mary Jo The Wentzville Community Club invites area residents to join the Dessieux, director of Wentzville’s Parks and Recreation Department, Wabash Days Parade at noon on Saturday, Aug. 25. This year’s theme said the festival is a community effort. is “Get on Board.” The parade will begin at Budget Towing on Luetken“Our committee has representatives from the city of Wentzville, haus Blvd, and move west onto Pearce Blvd., turning left onto Linn, Wentzville Community Club, Wentzville Downtown Business Assocrossing the railroad tracks and ending at the Wentzville Community ciation, Wentzville Chamber of Commerce and the Wentzville HisClub. Parade entry forms are due by Aug. 17. For more information, torical Society,” she said. please call 636.327.6358.

Wabash Days runs from 5 – 11 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 24, and from The car show will be held Sunday afternoon on Main Street near the noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25 and Sunday, Aug. 26. There will Caboose. be live music all three days. Dessieux said there will be wristband opDessieux said 2012 is the second year for the poster contest. portunities for the carnival from 1 – 5 p.m. and 6 – 10 p.m. on Satur“Last year was the first time we held the contest, and it went over day, and from 1 – 5 p.m. on Sunday. Ride all the rides for one price. very well,” she said. “Kids in grades 6-8 and 9-12 have created posters Saturday’s events begin at 8 a.m. with about Wabash Days, and the posters will be a 5K/10K race, Pound the Pavement on display on Main Street. People can view for Parks, sponsored by Friends of the the posters and then vote for their favorWentzville Parks. The third annual race ite. One vote for one penny. Whoever colbegins at 8 a.m. at the corner of Pearce lects the most money is the winner, and the and Linn Ave. Last year there were more money received is given to the art teachers than 300 runners. All proceeds go directin proportion to their students’ participaly toward improving local parks. Walkers, tion.” strollers, kids and dogs are all welcome.

End the summer with Wabash Days! For a The entry fee includes a race day t-shirt. complete schedule, please visit www.wenMedals will be awarded for the men’s and tzvillemo.org.

Wabash Days - October 2008 women’s top three overall, and first place

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ENTERTAINMENT

2012 Movie Scorecard: What Has Hollywood Done for You Lately?

BY STEVE BRYAN

The 2012 box office has been driven by blockbusters, those movies with strong fan bases that purchase advance tickets and tie-in merchandise. Based on the popular young adult novels by Suzanne Collins, “The Hunger Games” exceeded all expectations, turning hard-working actor Josh Hutcherson into a superstar.

The furor over this franchise was just dying down as “The Avengers” arrived in theaters. A perfect storm of superheroes, this adventure from Marvel Studios united the best and brightest comic book characters on screen. Yet, even “The Avengers” couldn’t hold their lead forever. The Blu-ray release of the movie already is scheduled for September 25, making it ideally positioned for holiday shopping.

Blockbusters certainly aren’t what they used to be. Home video systems and advanced Blu-ray technologies have created a new breed of movie fan. The days when a movie like “E.T.” or “An Officer and a Gentleman” could play an entire summer are most likely gone forever. A movie has to come in hot and then fight to hold on to the top spot or risk being pushed out of theaters prematurely.

It makes one wonder how a film like “Rocky” would fare today. Sylvester Stallone’s triumph started slowly, but built an audience through word-of-mouth. These days, if “Rocky” had a weekend opening as bad as the recent “Battleship” disaster, the Italian Stallion would be nothing more than a dim memory, not the movie icon he became.

Audiences seem to have taken the “What have you done for me lately?” attitude with Hollywood. That attitude surfaced as far back as the 1983 release of “Eddie and the Cruisers.” The film did poorly at the box office, but a song from the soundtrack, “On the Dark Side,” received great airplay and became a hit. Subsequent showings of “Eddie and the Cruisers” on pay cable showed that the film actually was quite good as it found its fans.

So what is Hollywood going to do for you? “Prometheus,” the “Alien” prequel from Ridley Scott, made its mark in 2012, with Scott promising another sequel. “The Dark Knight” will end the trilogy from Christopher Nolan, but the fan frenzy leading up to its release has been nearly unprecedented.

“ParaNorman,” a stop-motion animated adventure, will arrive as summer winds down. Sometimes, the best cinematic surprises arrive as the days grow shorter. Harrison Ford’s dramatic turn in “The Fugitive,” for instance, arrived in August and became a bona-fide hit. A little guy who can see ghosts may be this summer’s monstrous hit.

Batman, Spider-Man and the Avengers may be heading to video shelves, but Hollywood certainly isn’t done with 2012 yet.

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AUGUST 2012 CrossRoads Magazine

COMMUNITY CALENDAR August 2012 Youth Outdoor Soccer League Registration The LSL Parks and Recreation Department is accepting registration for boys and girls soccer teams (ages 3 – 9 years). The eightgame season is played on Saturdays and some Sundays, and the first game is on September 22. Coaches are needed. For more information, please call the Parks and Recreation Department at 636.625.7943.

August - Every Friday Weekly Public Star Shows Join members of the Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri for a viewing of the stars as they present a public open house for two hours beginning at dark. View faraway places through complex telescopes and discover secrets of the universe. All are welcome to attend. For more information, visit the Astronomical Society of Eastern MO at www.asemonline.org. Broemmelsiek is located on Schwede Rd off of Hwy. DD (WingHaven Blvd.).

August 3 Moonlight Bike Ride Series The St. Charles Co. Parks Department is teaming up with members of St. Louis Area Mountain Bikers (SLAMB) and Gateway Off-Road Cyclist (GORC) to present the Moonlight Bike Ride Series. This ride will be held at Broemmelsiek Park, on Schwede Road off of Hwy. DD (WingHaven Blvd.) from 8:30 to 11 p.m. Join experienced guides on a moonlight bike ride through some of St. Charles County’s most scenic natural surface park trails. Open to cyclists of all ages and skill levels, these relaxing bike rides through woods and prairies take place after the sun goes down. So grab your bike and light and let’s hit the trails at night!

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August 3 Movies in the Park Grab your lawn chairs and blankets and head out to Boulevard Park Amphitheater to enjoy a free movie under the stars (The Adventures of Tintin). Movies begin at dusk (about 8:15 p.m.). For more information, please call the LSL Parks and Recreation Department at 636.625.7943.

August 3 Movie in the Park Wentzville Parks and Recreation is showing Winnie the Pooh from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Rotary Park Amphitheatre. The movie is free and concessions will be available for purchase. Space is limited, so make sure to arrive early. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. For more information, please call the Wentzville Parks and Recreation Department at 636.332.9236.

August 9 Cardboard Boat Races Wentzville Parks and Recreation is hosting its first cardboard boat race, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Progress Park Pool. Build your boat from all corrugated cardboard and duct tape, decorate it, and hope it survives the race. Two people must be in the boast during the race. All boats must be humanpowered (no motors). You must haul away your boat after the event (dumpster close by). Fun awards will be given in a variety of categories: Fastest Boat, Best Decorated, Sinking Ship Award, and the Lifeguard’s Choice Award. You must wear a lifejacket while racing your boat. Lifejackets are available for use in the lifeguard room. Pre registration required. The fee is $10 per family. For more information, please call the Wentzville Parks and Recreation Department at 636.332.9236.

To see your organization’s event listed here, please contact us.

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August 10 Songs of the Night Nature Walk Come join us at beautiful Rotary Park for a night time nature walk (8 to 10 p.m.). Enjoy a summer night listening to the songs of the birds and chorus of insects and frogs.

Experience the thrill of possibly seeing animals such as owls, raccoons, and deer, along with other species of wildlife that venture out in the night time. Don’t forget to dress appropriately for the weather, as this program will be held outdoors. Be sure to bring bug spray, small flashlight, and hiking boots. No open toed or open heeled shoes will be allowed. Participants will meet at Lion’s Pavilion (lower pavilion) in Rotary Park. Depending upon the individual’s fitness level this walk is considered to be mild to moderate in difficulty. For more information, please call the Wentzville Parks and Recreation Department at 636.332.9236.

August 11 Social Dance The perfect evening…bring a bottle of wine, music, conversations and laughter with friends. The program, held from 7 to 9 p.m. at Progress Park Center, is designed for older adults (40 and older). Music will be from the 40s, 50s, and 60s and will include a variety of types of music including swing, fox trot, waltz, rumba, and cha-cha.

Advance registration required. The fee is $8 for residents and $10 for nonresidents.

For more information, please call the Wentzville Parks and Recreation Department at 636.332.9236.

August 11 Concert Series Come and enjoy the free Pennsylvania Slim (Blues) concert from 7 to 10 p.m. at Windjammer Point in Lake Saint Louis. Presented by Lake Saint Louis Parks & Recreation,

sponsored by West Community Credit Union. For more information, please call the Parks and Recreation Department at 636.625.7943.

August 11 Skatefest 2012 The St. Charles County Parks Department will host its seventh annual skateboard competition from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Youth Activity Park (YAP), 7801 Highway N in Dardenne Prairie. SKATEFEST will crown the best skaters in Street and Bowl Jam competitions, Highest Ollie, Best Trick and Game of SK8 contests. Events will be broken into four age categories – 8 and under, 9 - 11, 12 - 14 and 15 and older. Prizes awarded to winners in each age category.

Skaters 8 and under may participate in Street and Bowl Jam competitions. Skaters 9 and older can register and compete in additional contests. The fee is $8, due at registration the day of the event. For more information, please call the YAP at 636.561.4964.

August 13 Flex & Strength Adult Yoga All skill levels welcome. Classes will meet for six weeks on Mondays and Thursdays (12 total classes.) Note: Please bring your own mat to class. Please view the parks and recreation section of our website for more information and to register www. lakesaintlouis.com August 17 H.O.P.P. Night Hangin’ Out at Progress Park (H.O.P.P.) has become a fun and safe place for kids to spend some time with their friends. Held from 7 to 9 p.m., middle school students can dance the night away under the supervision of Wentzville’s finest recreation staff, volunteers, and police officers. Register at the front door and remember to bring money for refreshments. Everyone is required to stay the entire time unless signed out by an adult. No outside beverages or backpacks will be allowed. The cost is $3 payable at the door. For more information, please call the Wentzville Parks and Recreation Department at 636.332.9236.

August 16 - Sept. 27 Co-Red Kickball Leagues Get a group of friends and family together and join us for a recreational kickball league on Thursday nights. Each team will play seven games; kickballs will be provided and t-shirts will be awarded to division winners.

Games will be played at 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Register early, space is limited. The fee is $250 per team. For more information, please call the Wentzville Parks and Recreation Department at 636.332.9236.

August 19 Hoop Time Sunday This is a three-on-three, double elimination basketball tournament for players 16+. Games will be played on half courts at Progress Park Gym. Games will consist of two quarters lasting 10 minutes with a five-minute halftime. The clock will be continuous and only stop for halftime. Winners will receive first place t-shirts. The fee is $60 per team. Please call the Wentzville Parks and Recreation Department at 636.332.9236.

August 25 Laker Saint Louis Triathlon The city of Lake Saint Louis Parks and Recreation is proud to present the oldest organized Triathlon event in the St. Louis metro area. Registrations are still open.

For more information and to register, please visit www.lakesaintlouis.com or call 636.625.7944.

August 25 4th Annual Disc Golf Glow Tournament In partnership with the Quail Ridge Disc Golf league, the St. Charles County Parks Department presents this fun disc-tossing tournament, which offers a mix of short and long holes that travel in and out of the woods. Using baskets lined with glow sticks to mark the course, a shotgun start will begin the 18-hole contest. Participants must compete individually and provide their own glow-in-the-dark discs during the event. The entry fee for the tournament is $10, but registration is limited to the first 72 players. Registration will be accepted from 7–7:45 p.m., the day of the tournament at Shelter #2 inside the park.

Cash Prizes will be awarded to top finishers

in each flight. For more information on the event, please contact Bekin Youngblood at 636.949.7535.

August 31 FYI (Fun, Youth, Interaction) Progress Park is be the place to be for youth to enjoy free time with interactive games and friends. The event is for kids ages 1113 and will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Games include basketball, volleyball, hula-hoop contest, four square, and DDR (Dance, Dance, Revolution)! The gym will be closed to the public and participants will not be able to leave once they enter. Participants will be supervised by Wentzville police and park staff. Pre-registration is required. The fee is $8.

September 9 6th Annual Hill of Thrills Soapbox Race The Hill of Thrills Soapbox Race is a community event featuring cars donated by businesses and organizations and racers randomly placed in the cars. This race isn’t fueled by gas or electronics – it’s simply gravity and the racers are competing against the clock! Racers must be between 4 ft. and 5 ft. tall and weigh 55 -120 pounds (height and weight restrictions due to the construction of the car) and fit comfortably in the car. Maximum of 200 racers accepted, so register early! Child must be present at the time of registration. No mail in registrations accepted. This year’s race will feature a special opening ceremony for U.S. Veterans. The races begin at 12:30 p.m. on Meyer Road (in front of Progress Park).

The early bird fee is $5 (before August 26) for residents and $8 for nonresidents. Regular registration is $10 per resident and $13 for nonresidents. For more information, please call the Wentzville Parks and Recreation Department at 636.332.9236.

September10 Adult Art & Painting Lake Saint Louis offers four separate classes taught by award-winning artist, Marie Donato. Choose from Adult Drawing, Pastel Painting, Watercolor or Open Studio.

Classes will meet for six weeks on Tuesdays or Thursdays. The fee is $65 for LSL residents/ $82 for non-residents. Please visit www.lakesaintlouis.com.

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Saint Charles Christmas Traditions 2012 Auditions Auditions / Interviews for Carolers, Characters & International Santas Auditions/Interviews will be held by appointment only on Friday, August 24 and Saturday, August 25, 2012, with callbacks and limited audition appointments on Sunday, August 26.

Holiday Characters and Santas: Professional acting experience is not required, but an outgoing personality and the ability to cheerfully interact with the public ‘incharacter’ is essential. Applicants must be in good physical condition and able to walk short distances outdoors throughout the day.

Auditions will consist of a cold reading/retelling of a holiday story.

Possible characters to be cast include: Males • Tiny Tim (age 7-11) must be able to do or learn a British accent • Elf (age 16+) • Cockney Chestnut Roaster (age 16+) must be able to do or learn a cockney accent • Nutcracker Prince (age 16+) • Town Crier (age 16+) must be able to do or learn a British accent • Bob Cratchet (age 20+) must be able to do or learn a British accent • German Santa Kris Kringle (age 20+) must be able to do or learn a German accent • Scrooge (age 40+) must be able to do or learn a light British accent • World War II Santa (age 40+) Females • Clara (age 16+) prefer youthful looks • Sugar Plum Fairy (age 16+)

• Cockney Flower Girl (age 16+) must be able to do or learn a cockney accent • Reindeer Flight Instructor (age 16+) • Esther Lange – Photographer (age 16+) • Elf (age 16+) • Virginia O’Hanlon (age 16+) prefer youthful looks • Ice Queen (age 20+) • Mrs. Claus (age 40+) Christmas Carolers (SATB): Qualified candidates will have experience singing in small and/or large ensembles, must learn music quickly and have the ability to cheerfully interact with the public in all types of weather.

Applicants are asked to prepare 16 measures of a Christmas Carol to be sung a capella.

Vocal callbacks will be at 1 p.m. on August 26. If you wish to be considered for a vocal position you must be able to attend the vocal callbacks.

Mandatory Rehearsal Dates All individuals hired must attend the following rehearsal dates: Callbacks: Sunday, August 26 at 5 p.m.

Orientation: Sunday, October 7 Picture Day: Saturday, October 13 (specific times will be assigned) Cast Meetings/Workshops: Thursday, October 25 or Saturday, October 27 Dry Run: Sunday, November 11 Final Dress Rehearsal: Sunday, November 18 Caroler Rehearsals: As Assigned All applicants must be available Saturday and Sunday days, plus Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings from Nov. 23 – Dec. 24. Some conflicts can be worked around, but availability will be given strong consideration when casting.

All positions are paid at the rate of $11 per hour for performance dates and rehearsals.

All applicants (except for Tiny Tim) must be 16 years of age by November 23. If cast, you may be required to submit to a drug test, as you will be considered a seasonal employee of the city of St. Charles.

E-mail April@stcharleschristmas. com to schedule an appointment. For more information on Christmas Traditions, visit www.stcharleschristmas. com.

Saint Charles Christmas Traditions characters. Photo courtesy of GreaterSaint Charles CVB.

12

CROSSROADS AUGUST 2012

Photo Op PHOTOS BY RAY ROCKWELL

Lincoln County Fair

Photographer Ray Rockwell was on hand for all the fun at the the Lincoln County Fair, held in Troy, MO.

AUGUST 2012 CROSSROADS

13

LIFESTYLES

1954

BY JOE MORICE

It was the year Dr. Jonas Salk began testing his polio vaccine. Edward R. Murrow had sunk the McCarthy communist witchhunt. Kids listened to Captain Midnight and Shake, Rattle and Roll on the radio. Bing Crosby starred in White Christmas. The U.S. tested the first hydrogen bomb on Eniwetok Atoll. Hurricanes killed 170 Americans and 200 Canadians. It was also the year of the famous heat wave. It killed hundreds in Missouri and adjoining states.

The cold war era had begun and the U.S. conducted a massive air raid drill in June that included the entire country, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

We naively believed we could survive a nuclear attack.

We had no air conditioning in those days, nor did anyone else that we knew. We had an oscillating fan that blew the hot air around. The heat wave started in late June and lasted until early September with days and weeks in the triple digits. The record was set in East St. Louis where it reached 117 degrees.

One afternoon when the heat was at its worst, my mother closed the windows, pulled down the shades to darken the living room and made us lie on blankets on the floor. The fan oscillated back and forth and blew on us. It was hot but not as brutally hot as it was outside.

During one of those afternoons, we heard a tractor in a nearby field cultivating crops…or what was left of them. The farmer wore bib overalls, a long sleeve blue work shirt and a big straw hat; his only protection from the blazing sun. The thermometer was at 111 degrees. We never heard of a heat index.

The 2012 heat wave brought back those boyhood memories.

I’m sitting in an air-conditioned room writing this and thanking

my lucky stars for it. Most of us have this luxury now, but I wonder how many remember what it was like without it. Some of the lower income folks still don’t have it and a few of them die from the heat. It‘s usually the elderly who probably remembered that long ago heat wave quite well.

Some believe we have become a spoiled society. When something like this heat wave occurs, it’s easy for us seniors to agree with that opinion while sitting comfortably in our air-conditioned homes. Perhaps we take too much for granted.

Technology has brought with it much higher living standards. It keeps us comfortable, entertained and alive much longer. The U.S. population is more than double what it was when I graduated from high school. Much of the fields and woods from my boyhood are now subdivisions. The two-lane highways are now six lanes or more in some places, and the traffic numbers are enormous by comparison. The six-cylinder, stick shift economy Studebakers my father drove had only a radio for ball games and crooners. My bicycle had only one speed. My mother neatly patched my blue jeans’ holes.

It was mandatory to eat dinner together every evening. In-between-meal snacks weren’t allowed nor available. Our schools didn’t allow back talk and corporal punishment was in effect.

There were no lawsuits by parents. The town only had one lawyer and he was the county’s prosecuting attorney.

I remember complaining about that long-ago heat wave. I complain about this one, too, but just as then, it’s wasted breath. I look outside at workers repairing a roof down the street and I remember that farmer, now long gone as is 1954.

“All of us could take a lesson from the weather; it pays no attention to criticism.” (North Dekalb Kiwanis Club Beacon)

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CROSSROADS AUGUST 2012

AROUND TOWN

Sales Tax Holiday By state law, the sales tax holiday begins on the first Friday in August and continues through the following Sunday. In 2012, the three-day holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 5. Certain back-to-school purchases, such as clothing, school supplies, computers, and other items as defined by the statute, are exempt from sales tax for this time period only. Most municipalities in St. Charles County participate, with the exception of St. Peters. For a complete list of cities/districts that have opted out, please visit dor.mo.gov.

The sales tax exemption is limited to: • Clothing – any article having a taxable value of $100 or less • School supplies – not to exceed $50 per purchase • Computer software – taxable value of $350 or less • Personal computers – not to exceed $3,500 • Computer peripheral devices – not to exceed $3,500 Qualifying Items Section 144.049, RSMo, defines items exempt during the sales tax holiday as: “Clothing” - any article of wearing apparel, including footwear, intended to be worn on or about the human body. The term shall include but not be limited to cloth and other material used to make school uniforms or other school clothing. Items normally sold in pairs shall not be separated to qualify for the exemption. The term shall not include watches, watchbands, jewelry, handbags, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, scarves, ties, headbands, or belt buckles.

“School supplies” - any item normally used by students in a standard classroom for educational purposes, including but not limited to, textbooks, notebooks, paper, writing instruments, crayons, art supplies, rulers, book bags, backpacks, handheld calculators, chalk, maps, and globes. The term shall not include watches, radios, CD players, headphones, sporting equipment, portable or desktop telephones, copiers or other office equipment, furniture, or fixtures. School supplies shall also include computer software having a taxable value of three hundred fifty dollars or less.

“Personal computers” - a laptop, desktop, or tower computer system which consists of a central processing unit, random access memory, a storage drive, a display monitor, and a keyboard and devices designed for use in conjunction with a personal computer, such as a disk drive, memory module, compact disk drive, daughterboard, digitalizer, microphone, modem, motherboard, mouse, multimedia speaker, printer, scanner, single-user hardware, single-user operating system, soundcard, or video card.

www.rivercityrascals.com AUGUST 2012 CROSSROADS 15

FOOD

Back to School Bites (Family Features) Finding foods that the kids will like is always a challenge — and hectic school routines don’t make it any easier.

Simplify your life with these family-friendly ideas that cut down time in the kitchen and add up to smiles all around the table.

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Farm Rich Queso Cheese Bites

Between carpool, homework and sports, it can be tough to fit in that much anticipated and oh-so-important after-school snack. But a plate full of new Queso Cheese Bites from Farm Rich just might do the trick.

They’re quick and easy, but wholesome and delicious, too — and will help keep you and the kids happy and energized on hectic days. For information and coupons, visit www.FarmRich.com.

USA Pears

Pears are a delicious and fun way to pack a healthy lunch. They come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes and each has its own sweet flavor.

You can pack a whole pear, or cut one into French fry shapes and serve with nut butter or yogurt for dipping. Or serve sliced pears with whole grain crackers and cheese for a stackable snack. For more ways to send pears to school, visit www.USApears.org.

Boar’s Head Ovengold® Turkey Breast

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And like all Boar’s Head Brand premium deli meats and cheeses, it is gluten-free and contains no fillers or artificial colors or flavors. Learn more at www.boarshead.com.

Main photo courtesy of Getty Images

16 CROSSROADS AUGUST 2012

AROUND TOWN

Wentzville School District’s Free and Reduced Guidelines for 2012-13 The The Wentzville School District has announced its revised free and reduced price policy for school children unable to pay the full price of meals served in schools under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. Federal education officials have adopted the following family-size income criteria for determining eligibility:

Household Maximum Household Income Maximum Household Income Size Eligible for Free Meals Eligible for Reduced Price Meals

Annually Monthly Weekly Annually Monthly Weekly 1 $14,521 $1,211 $280 $20,665 $1,723 $398 2 19,669 1,640 379 27,991 2,333 539 3 24,817 2,069 478 35,317 2,944 680 4 29,965 2,498 577 42,643 3,554 821 5 35,113 2,927 676 49,969 4,165 961 6 40,261 3,356 775 57,295 4,775 1,102 7 45,409 3,785 874 64,621 5,386 1,243 8 50,557 4,214 973 71,947 5,996 1,384 Each add’l member +5,148 +429 +99 +7,326 +611 +141 Children from families whose current income is at or below these levels are eligible for free or reduced price meals. Applications are available at each school office in the District. To apply, fill out a Free and Reduced Price School Meals Family Application and return it to the school. The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility. Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year. A complete application is required as a condition of eligibility.

A complete application includes: (1) household income from all sources or Food Stamp/Temporary Assistance case number, (2) names of all household members, and (3) the signature and last four digits of the social security number or indication of no social security number of the adult household member signing the application. School officials may verify current income at any time during the school year.

Foster children may be eligible regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside. If a family member becomes unemployed or if family size changes, the family should contact the school to file a new application. Such changes may make the children of the family eligible for these benefits.

Under the provisions of the policy, the Child Nutrition Department Administrative Assistant will review the applications and determine eligibility. If a parent is dissatisfied with the ruling, they may discuss the decision with the hearing official on an informal basis or they may make a request either orally by calling 636.327.800, or in writing to the Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services at: One Campus Drive, Wentzville, MO 63385. Hearing procedures are outlined in the policy. A complete copy of the policy is on file in each school and in the Central Office where any interested party may review it.

AUGUST 2012 CROSSROADS 17

AROUND TOWN

How to Start Saving

By Joyce Cavanagh, Ph.D., former Consumer & Family Economics State Specialist College of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri Extension Do you plan on saving a little bit from each paycheck but somehow at the end of the month you find there is nothing left over to save? Do you dream of owning a new car, a bigger house, or taking that much needed vacation, but the funds just aren’t there? Perhaps you feel like you will never attain your financial goals. Following the tips below will help you begin a savings plan you can stick to and assist you in reaching your goals.

1. Make a list.

Decide what you want to save for — having an incentive will motivate you to set and reach a goal. Choose a time frame for each goal (example: I would like to have $500 for a new couch by next May).

2. Determine an amount.

After you have determined what you want and when you want it, determine how much you would need to save each month to reach that goal. You may need to adjust your time frame if the amount needed each month is not realistic for you.

3. Make saving easy.

Here are some tips to help (Bozworth, 2000): o Pay yourself first. Don’t wait until the last of the month or nothing will be left over. o Set it up so a set amount from each paycheck is automatically

deposited into your savings.

If you never see the money in your paycheck, you won’t miss it as much, and you won’t be tempted to spend the money elsewhere. o Save bonuses, cash gifts, inheritances or other unexpected income. o Once you have paid off a loan, continue paying the amount, but pay yourself instead of the creditor. o Be frugal in order to free up resources for savings. o Save at least half of your next raise. o Break a habit. Save the money that you no longer use toward that habit. o Empty out your wallet each night and save change and small bills in a jar. A little goes a long way!

4. Establish an emergency fund.

This fund should contain enough money to cover your expenses for three to six months if an emergency should occur in your family.

When something unexpected does come up, you will not have to run up a large debt or tie up funds that should be used for something else. Being prepared for a financial emergency can help get you through a tough time with relative ease.

National Night Out is August 7 On the first Tuesday in August, Wentzville residents can celebrate National Night Out. On that night, residents are invited to turn on their porch lights, go outside and join with their neighbors in block parties, cookouts, flashlight walks, and other activities to send the message to criminals that residents are organized and fighting back against crime.

National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and generate support for local anticrime programs, such as Neighborhood Watch. National Night Out celebrations also help strengthen neighborhood spirit, because alert and caring neighbors are one of your best defenses against crime.

In Wentzville, National Night Out is celebrated from 6 to 9 p.m.

18

CROSSROADS AUGUST 2012

During that time, city officials, along with representatives from the police and fire departments will circulate through the city and visit neighborhood National Night Out celebrations. Residents who cannot participate in organized activities are still encouraged to turn on exterior lights and spend some time outside that evening.

Neighborhood groups that would like a visit from city officials or more information and suggestions about how to plan their own National Night Out activities must call Officer Mary Wheeler at 636.639.2103 to schedule your subdivision party. In addition to scheduling your party with the Officer Wheeler, you may also go on-line to the National Night Out website and register your subdivision at NNO.org.

AROUND TOWN

Section of Wilmer Road in Wentzville Closed St. Charles County is announcing that Wilmer Road was closed between the Boone Estates Drive and 350’ west of Dewberry Court on July 16 to allow for continued construction of the new Wilmer Road improvements.

Traffic is required to use the signed detour route until the middle of August (approximately) while the new road section is being built.

Local traffic can access either side of the closure location, but no through traffic will be permitted.

Motorists can access Wilmer Road using Highway N to Hepperman Road to Interstate Drive. Signs notifying motorists of the closure and the necessary detours will be posted. The County is using changeable message boards to notify residents of any date changes of the closure and opening.

This road project is part of a continuing effort by St. Charles County Government to improve the county’s road system for the safety of the traveling public. Contact the St. Charles County Highway Department at 636.949.7305 for additional information concerning road projects underway in unincorporated St. Charles County.

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