CrossRoads: September 2014

Teaching Kids to Give Back The importance of volunteering in your community

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CROSSROADS SEPTEMBER 2014

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VOL 11 | NO 9

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

Publisher Editor Production Manager Contributors

Bob Huneke Andrew Tessmer Rebecca Brockmann Avalanche, Robin Daniels, Brian Guerrero, Tony Mathews, Cindy Moore, Russ Patton, Dave Welborn Photographer Ray Rockwell Staff Writer Shawn Clubb

features

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Around Town Local news and events

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Business Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce

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Entertainment The 35-Year-Old Relevant Film: Norma Rae

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Food Easy Jams and Jellies

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Always an Adventure Community Service

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Moore on Life What I did on my Summer Vacation

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Photo Op Let’s! Go! Rams!

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Community Calendar September

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By Robin Daniels

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Teaching Kids to Give Back The importance of volunteering in your community Compiled by Andrew Tessmer

On the cover: Photo courtesy of KEEN St. Louis

SEPTEMBER 2014 CROSSROADS

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AROUND TOWN First Bank Challenge Brings Good Change in Warren County ‘Pennies’ raises nearly $4,000 for Agape Ministry of Warren County

The preschoolers from St. John’s Lutheran Church won the First Bank challenge in the business, church and community category.

With area schools, businesses, churches and community groups leading the way, First Bank’s Warrenton branch at 607 N. Highway 47 collected nearly $4,000 during the “Pennies from Heaven” Campaign on behalf of Agape Ministry of Warren County.

The contribution will go to Agape Ministry’s food pantry at 713 Powell St. in Warrenton.

“We want to thank all the local schools and business who took part in this successful campaign,” said Pam Faron, assistant vice president and senior branch manager at First Bank’s Warrenton office. “Everyone in the community really stepped up for the First Bank Challenge to help change lives in Warren County.”

First Bank’s Warrenton branch kicked off the challenge in May in partnership with Agape. Students in Warren County schools were encouraged to take The First Bank Challenge with the incentive that the classroom that collected the largest donation would receive a trophy along with a pizza party or ice cream social.

The First Bank Challenge was also extended to businesses, churches and community groups. For every $50 collected and donated, those groups or individuals were entered into a drawing for an iPad or tablet.

Leslie Fowler’s fifth-grade class at Warrenton Ridge Elementary won the school challenge, while the St. John’s Lutheran Church preschool won in the business, church and community category, receiving a free iPad from First Bank.

Agape Ministry of Warren County is a nonprofit organization with two food pantries that serve more than 1,000 low-income residents monthly. Visit www.agapemo.org for more information.

First Bank is one of the largest privately owned banks in the country with $6.23 billion in assets and 130 locations in Missouri, Illinois, Florida and California.

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CROSSROADS SEPTEMBER 2014

AROUND TOWN Unlimited Play to Present Hooray for Play Gala As the creators of the award-winning Zachary’s Playground, Brendan’s Playground, Discovery Playground and Tree Top Playground, Unlimited Play knows that everyone is a kid at heart, regardless of age.

Unlimited Play is now inviting everyone for a night of fun and magic as it thanks its Playmakers—Cal Ripken Jr. of the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, St. Louis Office for Developmental Disability Resources, and Mayor Francis Slay, for their dedication to help make the magic of play available to all.

The Hooray for Play Gala will take place at 6 pm Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Missouri Athletic Club in downtown St. Louis. The event will include silent and live auctions, an awards ceremony, a cocktail hour and a served meal with open bar, desserts, mu- Zachary’s Playground—Unlimited Play’s flagship playground—is in Hawk Ridge Park in Lake St. Louis. Photo courtesy Unlimited Play sic and more. Dress is formal. Private and secured parking is included with the price of the ticket.

Unlimited Play is a nonprofit organization that helps plan, design and build fully accessible playgrounds that allow all children–regardless of their abilities–to play together. Unlimited Play uses its expertise to assist in the development of inclusive playgrounds that promote dignity, understanding and respect among children.

Tickets cost $150 each or $1,200 for a table of eight. They can be ordered from www.unlimitedplay.org/hooray-for-play-2014 or by calling 636.449.1770.

Anyone interested in donating an item, or underwriting the silent or live auction, or anyone who has questions may contact Victoria at 636.449.1770 or Victoria@unlimitedplay.org. Sponsorships are still available.

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SEPTEMBER 2014 CROSSROADS

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AROUND TOWN Author Explores ‘Unexpected’ Friendship in New Children’s Book about the North and the South.

Bennie shows Isabella teamwork and friendship as they travel together. Bennie did get lost in the woods, but, in the end, he found much more—friendship and a sense of direction in his life.

Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, the book is available at bookstores nationwide, www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, or barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com.

Smithson, who lives in Lake Saint Louis, loves to travel and meet new people. She has a son, Dawson, and eight nieces and nephews.

Photo courtesy Tate Publishing

In her new children’s book, Bennie the Squirrel, author Melissa Smithson tells a story of a friendship found in an unexpected way.

The story introduces readers to Bennie the Squirrel, an adventurous squirrel who gets lost in the woods and struggles to find his way home. Bennie plays with acorns as he tries to take in everything around him to fill his ever curious mind. Despite this, fear has taken hold of him as he has never been away from home before.

Fortunately, he meets another squirrel, named Isabella, who helps him find his way back to South Squirrelville. Isabella lives in North Squirrelville.

They learn a lot about one another as they travel together. Isabella and Bennie talk about their families, how important their families are, and what they want to be when they grow up. They come from different areas, but this only feeds their curiosity to learn more

Illumination Celebration Will Mark Centennial of St. Charles Parks Department The St. Charles Parks and Recreation Department has organized a four-day celebration called Illumination in mid-September to mark its 100th anniversary.

Illumination on Sept. 12 through Sept. 15 in Frontier Park on the St. Charles riverfront will light up the night while also enlightening visitors to the past, present and future of St. Charles Parks and Recreation.

On evenings of the event, colored lights will adorn the trees and lights will shine from each entrance to the festival grounds. Visitors can buy glow merchandise to add to the fun.

Illumination will feature live music, premium amusement rides provided by Luehrs’ Ideal Rides, children’s activities, games, a Model-T car show, a children’s bike parade, interactive tile art walls, food and beverages, and more.

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celebrating 100 years of service to the community. We see people enjoying the many amenities the parks provide on a daily basis,” said Maralee M. Britton, Director of Parks and Recreation. “Illumination is our way of thanking the community for being a part of our great heritage. We would not be where we are without the support of our residents going back to 100 years ago when they petitioned the City Council for the bond to purchase Blanchette Park. We look forward to continuing that amazing partnership for the next 100 years.”

On Sept. 12, the St. Charles Parks & Recreation Foundation will present the Illumirun 5k. The course will be lit to guide runners, who are encouraged to dress up with glow items. Illumirun will start at 7:30 pm at Frontier Park. Registration is required and can be accessed at www.illumirun5k.com.

An opening ceremony will be at 11 am Sept. 13 at the Jaycee Stage prior to the start of the children’s bike parade. Participation in the parade is free, but registration is required.

Each day will feature live music on the Jaycee Stage. The lineup will include Catfish Willie, Well Hungarians, Irie Sun, Carrie & the Catapults, Trixie Delight, Babaloo, Groovethang, and the Fabulous Motown Revue. Music, games and prizes will be powered by Radio Disney St. Louis from noon to 2 pm Sept. 13. Food trucks will offer their fare for purchase on Friday, Sunday and Monday. A food court will be open Saturday.

Illumination will welcome the 2014 annual meeting of the Missouri Municipal League from 5 to 9:30 pm Sept. 15. Representatives from across the state will converge on St. Charles just in time to take part in the celebration.

For more information, visit www.stcharlesparks.com or call 636.949.3372.

Fun for ALL!

LIVE! LAUGH! PLAY!

By Dave Welborn, Exec. Director, KEEN St. Louis

Effects of exercise are great for all kids

KEEN St. Louis offers a free program for schools which celebrates diversity by pointing out characteristics that makes us more alike than different.

Dave Welborn is the Executive Director of KEEN St. Louis, a local nonprofit which provides free recreational programs for kids with physical and mental disabilities age 5-17. For more information visit www. keenstlouis.org

The physical benefits of exercise are well known. The more you exercise, the stronger you get, aches and pains begin to go away and you generally better you feel. Studies have also shown that regular exercise helps many of the body’s systems function better, keeps heart disease, diabetes, and a host of other diseases at bay, and is a key ingredient for losing weight.

Dr. Douglas Haddad is an author, nutritionist, and middle school teacher in Connecticut who is a regular contributing writer to Parenting Special Needs magazine. In a recent article, he points out that in addition to seeing the physical benefits of regular exercise new studies are showing the benefits that exercise has on the brain. Regular activity is linked with increased cognitive abilities, including benefits in memory and learning.

That said, there is a disturbing trend in school and school districts in the region and across the country. Many have cut out or greatly reduce physical education arguing that more time in the classroom would increase student learning. That sounds logical; however, several studies have shown a strong correlation between more time participating in physical education and improved grades and test scores.

Haddad sites a study published in 2011 in Health Psychology which discovered specific patterns of brain activity associated with exercise. The area of the brain affected is associated with problem-solving and complex thought. Another study found that physically fit children identified visual stimuli faster and were able to process information more rapidly than those who were sedentary.

Haddad notes that although further studies are needed to accurately examine the exercise-related benefits for children and young adults, sufficient studies show that regular physical activity can benefit a range of executive functions.

Kids with physical and developmental disabilities benefit from exercise, as well.

Parents of children with special needs have been struggling with the lack of access to Physical Education for their children for years. Children with special needs are children first with the same needs and desires as

their siblings and classmates. The difference is that some of these students need adaptations and extra support. Some have limited mobility and/or tire more easily than other kids and teens. For some kids with sensory issues, communication challenges or difficulties with social skills, team sports are simply not fun for them. While many educators and parents are coming up with individual plans to create programs for their special needs students, too many times they are left on the sidelines or moved to a classroom to study exercise, rather than participate in it.

PE Central, a organization that provides information about developmentally appropriate education programs, states: “Special physical education/Adapted Physical Education (APE) is a federally mandated component of special education services [U.S.C.A. 1402 (25)] and ensures that physical education is provided to the student with a disability as part of the child’s special education services.”

Just about any sport or activity can be modified to allow special needs children to get the cardiovascular, flexibility, and strength-training benefits that allow kids to stay healthy and fit. Children in a wheelchair, for instance, can play basketball or tennis. Children without the use of limbs or those with mental disabilities can enjoy the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding. In the metro area, organizations like KEEN St. Louis, TASK, Disabled Athlete Sports Association and the Challenger Baseball program offer adaptive recreation and sports opportunities. Each of these groups celebrated the child for who they are, not what he or she can do.

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BUSINESS Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce Serving Wentzville, Lake St. Louis, and Dardenne Prairie Chamber Hosts Three Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce hosted ribbon cutting ceremonies for Smoothie King, MassageLuxe andGarden Villas of O’Fallon.

1. Smoothie King opened recently at 1861 Wentzville Pkwy. in Wentzville. Stop in today to enjoy one of their delicious selection of smoothies. You can reach them at 636.358.9251 or online at www. smoothieking.com.

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2. MassageLuxe celebrated at ribbon cutting at their newly opened location in Wentzville. You can visit them at 1851 Wentzville Parkway, Wentzville, MO 63385. You can schedule your appointment by calling 636.639.6006 or online at www.massageluxe.com.

3. Garden Villas of O’Fallon celebrated the opening of the new Assisted Living addition to their location. You can visit their wonderful facility at 7092 South Outer 364 in O’Fallon. You can reach them at 636.240.5560 or online at www.delmargardens/com/gvofallon.

The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce serves Dardenne Prairie, Lake St. Louis, and Wentzville. The chamber is comprised of 600 members. If you are interested in having a ribbon cutting at your place of business please contact the chamber.

For more information please call the chamber office at 636.327.6914 or visit us online at www.westernstcharlescountychamber.com.

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By tony mathews

Tony Mathews is the President and CEO of the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce For more on any of this information or the chamber in general, please call the chamber office at 636.327.6914 or visit the website www.westernstcharlescountychamber.com.

Located at 210 South Linn Avenue in Wentzville.

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Payne 1/8 8 CROSSROADS SEPTEMBER 2014

The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Masquerade on the Lake on Saturday, Sept. 27. The masquerade will be held at Windjammer Point overlooking the beautiful lake. Windjammer Point is located at 1 Wharf Street in Lake St. Louis. The event will take place from 6 – 10 pm. Put on your masquerade mask and join us for a wonderful event.

Tickets are only $35 per person. Your ticket will include food, drinks, boat rides, entertainment, music, dancing, lantern releases and more. Get your group of friends, family and neighbors together for a great evening on the lake.

For tickets and information, please call the chamber office at 636.327.6914 or at www.westernstcharlescountychamber.com.

BUSINESS

Chamber Distributes Over 5,000 Free School Supplies

chamber strives to help our community and help our local businesses connect with consumers.”

The fair was sponsored by Ameren Missouri, Community News, Country Financial, Great Southern Bank, Heller Chiropractic, Jin Jung Kwan Hapkido, Jorens Family Agency – Farmers Insurance, Living Word Christian School, Lowe’s, MassageLuxe, Mercy, Morning Star Church, NISC, Our Urgent Care, Promotions Pronto, Sam’s Club, Simply a Princess, St. Charles Community College, Twin Oaks at Heritage Pointe, Watkins Law Firm, Webster University, and Wentzville Fire Protection District.

The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce distributed over 5,000 free school supplies and 1,000 free drawstring backpacks at their second annual Back to School Family Fair held on Saturday, Aug. 2 at Morning Star Church.

The chamber would like to thank local residents for supporting the event and visiting with local businesses. This year’s event focused on local families. “We were very excited to see 3,000 local residents receive free school supplies, gather information from local business, and have a great time!” said Tony Mathews, president/CEO of the chamber. “The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce is already working on plans to make next year’s event even bigger! The

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ENTERTAINMENT The 35-Year-Old Relevant Film: Norma Rae A few months ago I was on a random shopping spree at a video store when I came across a movie on blu-ray for the first time, Norma Rae. As a movie buff, I’ve heard of the film, knew the awards it won, how it made Sally Field a movie star, and how her character was ranked No. 15 of the top 50 of AFI’s Greatest Heroes. Yet, it wasn’t until this last spring that I actually watched the film.

Within the first few minutes after the opening credits, this unique and daring film had my complete attention, and I stayed glued to the film all the way to the end.

This 1979 classic is the true story of a young textile worker—and single mother—who risks everything she has to help unionize the mill in her small southern town. Nearly everyone who lives in this town has, does, or will work at the local mill for a living, usually for their entire lives. This noisy factory seems to be the economic heart of this town, but it is also an unfortunate way of life that is passed on through family generations.

Living with her parents along with her own children, Norma Rae Webster (played by Sally Field) is one of these mill workers, but one with a reputation of speaking her mind to her superiors. While she’s been working at the mill nearly half her young life, her parents have worked most of their lives there.

Once her mother begins to show unusual signs of health problems, Norma Rae does not take it lightly with her bosses. Due to

the factory’s harsh working conditions the viewer quickly begins to realize that a place like this is an easy way for anyone’s life to be cut short.

When a labor union organizer from New York, named Reuben, shows up for a visit to hand out flyers he catches the attention of Norma Rae. Her reluctance quickly shows when she criticizes the flyer for having ‘too many big words.’

Norma explains to Reuben that if she can’t understand it, then no one else can.

Once conditions for her family begin to turn for the worse, Norma Rae decides to become an associate for Reuben and begins to help organize as many of her co-workers as she can to help turn the mill—if not the majority of the town—into a union work place. It is a process that proves to involve some serious consequences for Norma Rae. Ironically, she has to take the kind of risks as if she has nothing to lose, when in fact she still had so much to lose. When more situations turn for the worse for her and her family, the more determined she becomes to turn around this way of life for the better. The moment when Norma stands up and holds up that ‘union’ sign in front of all her fellow-workers as they turn off their

Norma Ray photo courtesy 20th Centu ry

Fox

machines in protest… I can’t even begin to explain how defining that moment really is.

There’s nothing glamorous at all about the story’s setting. Which is why many studios passed on the film. However, in partial thanks to the ongoing success of Star Wars at the time, 20th Century Fox was willing to ‘roll the dice’ for this production and for highly respectful reputation of director Martin Ritt.

It was Ritt who campaigned for Sally Field to be the lead in his film despite the fact that hardly anyone from the movie industry knew who she was. Field was know in the TV world as the flying Nun, but obviously that did not translate to the movie field at the time.

The making of this movie is quite a story within itself, and a Hollywood gamble that paid off handsomely. I think we all love hearing stories like this in the movie business! Sally Field’s Oscar winning performance was a revelation on multiple counts, including for the female protagonist on the big screen. It’s a must see for anyone from any generation who hasn’t seen it. I must say that due to today’s economic troubles, this film is in no way less relevant today than it was 35 years ago. Treat yourself to this moving masterpiece when you get a chance.

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.

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Recipe: Easy Jams and Jellies Best Blue Ribbon Basil Jelly Yield: 6 half pints Ingredients: 4 cups water 2 cups firmly packed fresh basil leaves, finely chopped 1 package Mrs. Wages Fruit Pectin Home Jell 3 drops green food coloring, optional 5 cups sugar

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

With fresh inspiration from the season’s juiciest, most delicious fruits, you can create jams, jellies and other spreads with ease right from your own kitchen.

For many, the thought of turning their favorite fruits into sweet and scrumptious jams and jellies may sound like countless hours in a hot, stuffy kitchen. But creating your own, homemade fruit spreads can be quite simple with the right ingredients and tips.

“Any cook can create delightful jams and jellies, regardless of their canning abilities,” said Shirley Camp, M.S., registered dietitian, licensed dietitian nutritionist and retired University of Illinois Extension master canner and educator. “There are so many great products, such as Mrs. Wages No Cook Freezer Jam Fruit Pectin, which allow you to whip up homemade spreads, without cooking, saving time without a messy kitchen.”

Four canning tips for great jams and jellies For the best results for your canning creations, follow these four simple tips for canning success: 1. Pick ’em right: When picking berries, keep in mind these fruits have high water content and are very fragile. So, use smaller containers when picking them so the berries do not get crushed under their own weight.

2. Rinse, don’t soak: Due to their fragile nature, the berries should be lightly “rinsed” to remove surface dirt.

Do not allow them to sit in water for very long because they tend to take on more water and will become mushy.

3. Firm and ripe: When selecting berries for jellied products, ripe berries are best, but not overripe ones.

Choose those that have good flavor and are still firm to the touch. For strawberries, look for the smaller, juicier berries instead of larger types that are available today.

4. Mix flavors: While many people prefer their jams to be one flavor, mixing two or more different types of berries together produces great jams with good flavor. Try a mix consisting of blackberry and red raspberry, or strawberry with red raspberry. Another great combination includes pureed berries and peaches mixed together to make jam. Red raspberry peach jam is always a huge hit.

Fresh, flavorful canning recipes Whether you need a sweet topping for a slice of breakfast toast or a dollop for thumbprint cookies, these simple jam and jelly recipes are sure to please everyone in your family. From the ease of Fast Fruity Freezer Jam to the cool blast of Mint Jelly, these recipes all feature Mrs. Wages fruit pectin, which provides the perfect consistency to enhance all your favorite fruit flavors.

Directions: In large saucepan, bring water and basil to a boil. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 10 minutes. Strain and discard basil. Return 3 2/3 cups

liquid to pan. Stir in pectin and food coloring, if desired. Return to rolling boil over high heat.

Stir in sugar. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat. Skim off any foam that forms on top of jam. Ladle mixture into hot, clean jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Remove air bubble.

Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with two-piece lids. Twist lid bands so not loose but not too tight. Process for 15 minutes in boiling water bath canner.

Best of Show Apricot-Pineapple Jam Yield: 8 pints Ingredients: 5 1/2 cups prepared fruit (about 2 1/2 pounds apricots and 1 1/2 pounds pineapple) 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice 1 package Mrs. Wages Fruit Pectin Home Jell 1/2 teaspoon butter 8 cups granulated sugar Directions: Pit unpeeled apricots, then finely chop or grind. Measure exactly 3 cups apricots into 8-quart saucepan. Cut, peel, core and finely chop pineapple.

Measure exactly 2 1/2 cups pineapple into saucepan with

apricots. Mix well. Add lemon juice. Add pectin and butter and stir over high heat until reaches rolling boil. Add sugar and stir thoroughly until reaches rolling boil. Continue cooking for four minutes, stirring constantly to avoid scalding.

Remove from heat. Skim off any foam that forms on top of jam. Ladle mixture into hot, clean jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with two-piece lids. Twist lid bands so not loose but not too tight. Process for 10 minutes in boiling water bath canner.

State Fair Strawberry Rhubarb Jam Yield: 6 half pints Ingredients: 4 cups crushed strawberries 2 cups chopped rhubarb 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice 1 package Mrs. Wages Fruit Pectin Home Jell 5 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 tablespoon butter Directions: Combine strawberries, rhubarb, lemon juice and pectin in large saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add sugar,

stirring until dissolved. Return to rolling boil and add butter.

Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat. Skim off any foam that forms on top of jam. Ladle mixture into hot, clean jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with two-piece lids. Twist lid bands so not loose but not too tight. Process for 10 minutes in boiling water bath canner.

SEPTEMBER 2014 CROSSROADS

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ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE Community Service Community Service. The phrase conjures up a variety of meanings, depending upon one’s station in life. To those endowed with the spirit of volunteerism, it means freely giving of one’s time and efforts (and maybe money) helping out persons and causes that the giver deems worthy of their largess.

This might include membership in some benevolent association whose charter emphasizes service to others. Some individuals are inclined to serve on a fire department or ambulance service, which entails being attached to a pager, day and night. The time and circumstances of this commitment are generally not predictable, for example, vehicle accidents or house fires in the middle of the night. These unscheduled events are not the same as the fire fighter helping to set up a fundraiser at 9 am on a Saturday, scheduled months in advance. While the lights and sirens are the exciting parts, in many smaller volunteer departments, the money raised at that fundraiser might mean the difference

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CROSSROADS SEPTEMBER 2014

between having the necessary equipment and vehicles, (such as a defibrillator on a reliable ambulance) to effectively respond to an emergency.

In the neighborhood where I live, we maintain our own private road and water system, with no government or outside district involvement. Much of that labor is donated by the residents, with fewer and fewer contributing as the years go by. Rural life in the mountains requires cutting brush, removing snow and digging out mudslides.

These tasks require a significant amount of time and effort. Those who used to donate much time in decades past are getting up in their 70s and 80s, making wielding a shovel or chainsaw less of a viable activity. They simply aren’t out there getting it done anymore, with good reason—they’ve done their part.

Younger people tend to be far less involved; perhaps it is the fact that full-time jobs that pay enough to live on are becoming as rare as passenger pigeons, requiring working at two or more jobs just to make ends meet. Perhaps the endless stream of electronic noise generated by a plethora of phones, tablets, big-screen TVs and other doo-dads makes focusing on mundane life tasks too tough to handle. Maybe it’s that “kids these days” just aren’t up to snuff. Maybe it’s all or none of these things, but if there isn’t enough volunteer labor to go around, the work has to be subcontracted out and paid for. Not volunteering means working extra hours at that third job, as Home Owners Association (HOA) dues need to be raised to meet the added expenses.

Moving up the scale from HOA to nation, one young man was planning to join the military to serve his country. An acquaintance complimented him, and told him it was both admirable and honorable for him to serve his country. But if he enlisted, the politicians who would send him into harm’s way had

never been in such situations themselves, so they found it quite easy. Upon further reflection, he opted for a career as a paramedic, currently working in a rough, urban ambulance district with lots of action, serving others without an overseas commute.

Of course, community service takes on a whole different meaning when one is ordered by a court to perform such service, usually as a consequence of some previous less-than civic minded activity. Painting fire hydrants, cutting weeds, picking up garbage and laboring for the local public works department are the types of penance usually prescribed for misdemeanor legal transgressions.

So, instead of wasting time with electronic gadgets, social media, celebrity scandals and seeking chemically induced nirvana, maybe spend that time at an animal shelter walking a dog; at a hospital pushing gurneys around; picking up garbage along the roadway; moving furniture for a domestic violence shelter; helping out at a rural fire department fundraiser; working for a veterans’ organization; handing out water at a race aid station; or whatever activity you feel is worthy of your donated effort. No need to make a career out of it, and no need to go overseas. There’s plenty that needs doing right here at home, and both you and your community will benefit from your service.

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.

MOORE ON LIFE What I did on my Summer Vacation Some fortunate people may boast that their summer vacation included exotic, droolworthy destinations from Bali to Bermuda with tans lines to prove it; I am not one of those people. I, sadly, do not have any postcard-perfect pictures to brag about. My summer merely included the following ordinary events: Backyard camping: Some call it a stay-cation, I call it a save-cation. With all the fees involved, camping costs can be more than a hotel room with sheets and maid service. And all just to park in dirt and use a sketchy bathroom, which basically is a pit in the ground covered by a tin can with an opening big enough for a young moose to slide through. Instead, we camped in our backyard and watched TV on our lounge chairs through the open door and dinned on hot dogs over a roaring fire. Okay, so it wasn’t quite a campfire, but boiling a pot of wieners on an open-flamed gas stove is a pretty close second. At least we could use our bathroom without fear of plummeting into the toxic unknown only to depend on rescue by hazmat. And no snake bites, bear attacks, poison ivy or loud music by obnoxious neighbors either--because nothing brings home the tranquility of nature like Jay Z rapping full volume through the wooded terrain. No wonder snakes bite, bears attack and ivy poisons. Mind you, our campout would have been a major success had we not been awakened at 4 am by water spraying us in the face. But at least that let me check off another great summer activity: running through the sprinklers.

Kid’s drink stand: When I first saw this I had to screech my car to a stop and make an illegal U-turn. Not because I could get a cheap beverage, but because I saw kids… little human beings outside their houses doing something inventive; using their brains out in the fresh air while not attached to an electronic device trying to blow up alien empires with their thumbs. I had to see this close up to ensure they were not just cheesy

downed two bottles of water plus our sixpack of high-energy granola bars. We leaned up against the trail sign gasping. I used my last amount of oxygen to access a picture of the falls on my smartphone, which I then posted to my Facebook wall claiming to have traversed the entire route. We rested for a full hour then got in the car and sped off to find a cheeseburger.

So in review, I think I had one pretty eventful time, which I’ll put up against anyone’s fancy-schmancy trip. lawn ornaments. They were not. They were fleshy and alive. So I bought a cherry KoolAid for a quarter and a Life Saver for a nickel.

What a treat…not the snacks, but seeing kids doing normal kid-things.

Parade: My father-in-law is a proud WWII veteran and rode on a float alongside his fellow war buddies. We made sure we stood when his float came by presenting the stars and stripes. He is a tough old patriot who bleeds red, white and blue and fought for that flag. If someone got the smart-aleck notion to sit as it went by, he would jump down and take the pole affixed to Ol’ Glory and personally insert it in a place which would ensure that person stood upright until the next 4th of July rolled around.

Rodeo: A rodeo is an interesting event.

Men attach themselves to big farm animals and rile them up by singing that Old MacDonald song into their ears. Since it’s common knowledge that animals prefer classical music, that crazy little ditty drives them into a complete frenzy. The crabby beast is then set loose to see how long it takes to get the bejeezers stomped out of the cowboy fastened to it. If he is able to last longer than the rampage of the animal, he receives a cash prize which is only enough to cover a pair of new kidneys and metal back rods. It’s a lot of fun.

Hike: Neither my husband nor I had worked out much during the winter so we thought it best to choose an “easy” hike. We decided on a simple trek to a lovely waterfall. We parked then walked across the street to the trailhead. By the time we reached it, we were severely winded and had already

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.

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SEPTEMBER 2014 CROSSROADS

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ADVERTISER PROFILES Can you Really get RVs for Half the Price?

By Russ Patton The economic rebound has stimulated record new RV sales.

This means many RVers are trading in their current RVs to move up to a newer model. The result is an opportunity for buyers to find a nice pre-owned RV and enjoy the benefits of RVing for a fraction of the cost of a new model. They can find these deals at Byerly, which always has a good selection of pre-owned folding campers, travel trailers, 5th-wheels and motorhomes.

Looking for a vacation cabin?

Hunters, nature buffs, families and escapists have discovered preowned RVs work great as weekend cabins. Even though they don’t intend to tow them, they appreciate the comfort of the amenities they offer including bedding, heat, plumbing and a kitchen. And, with the addition of a portable generator, buyers can move up to the next level with air conditioning, TVs and more household amenities.

The castle of the single-site RV is the 5th-wheel trailer. While they

Photo courtesy of Byerly RV

are designed for use with pickup trucks, you don’t need to have a truck except for parking it. And, frequently, the dealer can spot it for you. The split-level accommodations provide more room and privacy. Creative campers even block off the area below the overhang for storage.

It’s hard to imagine a more convenient and affordable vacation cabin than a good pre-owned RV. Of course, if you want to hit the road, Byerly in Eureka offers a score of ways to score with its selection of new and pre-owned RVs. Check Byerly out at www.byerlyrv.com or call 636.938.2000.

Shopping for a Mortgage Today, everyone wants to save money. Not every financial institution offers the same loan products or rates, or charges the same fees. So if you want the most bang for your buck, when it comes to your mortgage, doing some research may be helpful.

First, get information from several lenders. You will need to know how much of a down payment you can afford and all the costs involved in the loan. It is important to ask for information using the same loan amount, loan term and type of loan so you can accurately compare the information. In addition, ask about the following: Rates: Request or look online for current mortgage interest rates.

In addition, inquire about the loan’s annual percentage rate (APR).

The APR takes into account not only the interest rate but also points and certain other credit charges you may be required to pay,

expressed as a yearly rate.

Points: Points are fees paid to the lender for the loan and are often linked to the interest rate; usually the more points you pay, the lower the rate. Ask for points to be quoted to you as a dollar amount so you know how much you will have to pay.

Fees: A home loan often involves many fees, such as loan origination or underwriting fees, and settlement or closing costs. Ask what each fee includes because several items may be lumped into one fee.

After completing your research and evaluating the information, it’s time to negotiate. Ask if the lender will waive or reduce one or more fees or agree to a lower rate. You’ll want to make sure the lender is not agreeing to lower one fee while raising another or to lower the rate while raising points.

It’s important to remember when comparing, that you consider the lender’s customer service and expertise. While these two attributes don’t have any monetary costs associated with them, they make a difference when it comes to the overall experience of financing your mortgage. For more tips on how to shop for a mortgage, visit http://www.consumer.ftc.gov.

By Robin Daniels

Robin Daniels is Asst VP/Secondary Market Manager for Peoples Bank & Trust Co. NMLS #408454 | (636) 290-7272 | www.pbtc.net

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CROSSROADS SEPTEMBER 2014

Teaching Kids to Give Back The importance of volunteering in your community

Top left photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity St. Charles County and others courtesy Big Stock Photo.

Continued on page 16

SEPTEMBER 2014 CROSSROADS 15

O

ne of the most rewarding reasons to get involved in your community is to set a good example for your kids. Whether you donate money or time, giving back is beneficial, and not just for the recipients. The reward for your selfless acts can be a beautiful thing for both your community and your children’s future. But what are some of the ways you can teach kids to give back and what age should you begin encouraging them?

Giving back is just as much about volunteering as it is about philanthropy. Dr. Lois Winchell, child and family therapist at Argosy University, Sarasota, believes it should be a combination of both. “If we want our children to give back, our families need to be involved in multiple activities,” says Winchell. “These include volunteering resources and time and giving money when possible. Learning how to donate time can be a very powerful lesson for children because it is a giving of ourselves. This intimate experience can be significant and can often reap a more personal reward than the offering of money and things.”

As with everything else in life, kids learn best by example. The closer you can bring your child to the recipient of the gift, the more personal the experience becomes.

“Nurturing a sense of giving and making sure this is a value for your children starts as early as age 3 or 4,” says Winchell.

“At this developmental age, we can teach them that others have feelings and that 16

CROSSROADS SEPTEMBER 2014

your child has an impact on those feelings. This sense of empathy is the underpinning of charity. The most significant impact on our children is what they actually see us doing as it relates to a giving spirit. As we engage in specific projects, we can have conversations with our children regarding why the project is important and who will benefit.”

Start by expanding their sense of environment, from the immediate family to their local community and eventually the world around them. A sense of awareness of something greater than themselves is important in raising a compassionate individual. This sense of responsibility to others and the environment as a world citizen can be supported by making children aware of others’ needs whether in visiting a shelter or a food banks with family members or simply helping younger siblings.

“From infancy to about 5 years old, children aren’t necessarily capable of thinking outside of themselves. Even so, parents need to foster their child’s sharing with others,” says Winchell. As children grow older they can begin volunteering and supporting community projects more directly.

Whether they donate toys to a children’s shelter or simply participate in a walk for charity, these years are important for a child to learn the art of giving back. When they become teenagers, they can do even

more for the community by assisting an elderly neighbor with his yard work or helping out at a local food bank or soup kitchen.

Additionally, it is important to convey the message that “giving back” does not include an expectation of getting something in return. Instead, highlight the sense of joy in being able to make someone happy and how those feelings are the greater gift.

“When a child experiences sharing and the serving of others, an internal sense of contentment and self-worth is experienced,” says Winchell. “This self-enhancement and sense of belonging is coincident with their giving and results in a benefit that cannot be gained any other way. This sense of happiness and accomplishment then contributes to their positive sense of self.” In other words, teaching kids to give back is one of the best things a parent can do for the community and the child.

Tips for Families Who Want to Volunteer Together Sometimes busy schedules can allow for little family time. Volunteering is a great opportunity to devote time to spend together. You can bond with your loved ones while also giving back to the community!

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Life lessons can be taught through service. By volunteering as a family, you have a chance to expand the perspectives of your children and expose them first-hand to new issues.

Talking them through their activities can help them reflect on their experience and grow in their understanding.

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Encourage life-long volunteering. When families volunteer, children are more likely to develop the habit of giving to their communities, and are more likely to volunteer on their own in the future.

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Start your own family tradition. It may be ringing bells to raise money during the winter or assisting with a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service project every January, but you can start a tradition of service that will create life-long memories.

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Invite the whole family. Use your volunteer activities as an opportunity to spend time with family members you don’t see every day. Strengthen your entire family by including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins in your volunteering activities. You could even plan your own event – talk with your local park district and arrange your own project.

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Consider letting kids bring their friends. This may make the service experience more fun for them and could also inspire more families get involved in volunteering.

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Choose an activity together. Discussing possible volunteer opportunities can be a great way to help kids think about what matters to them and can help you learn about each other as a family in new ways. Making the decision together is also a great way to ensure that everyone is excited about the activity.

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Volunteer as part of a family vacation. Serving together can be a great way to have lots of fun, explore a new place together, and make a difference at the same time.

Look for opportunities that can accommodate the skills, interests, and maturity of all family members, especially the younger children.

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Tips provided by The Corporation for National and Community Service SEPTEMBER 2014 CROSSROADS 17

Photo Op Photos by Ray Rockwell

ST. LOUIS

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CROSSROADS SEPTEMBER 2014

Let’s! Go! Rams!

Ray Rockwell headed out to the Edward Jones Dome on Aug. 16 as the Rams and the Packers squared off in the second preseason contest of the 2014-15 season. The Rams lost the game, but Ray got some great shots. Check them out in this month’s Photo Op.

RAMS

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

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

September

Labor Day

H.O.P.P. Night Teens Night Out

Labor Day Concert in the Park

7-9pm Progress Park Center 636.332.9236

2-3:330pm Civic Park Bandstand 636.474.2REC

11am-1pm, Alligator’s Creek Aquatic Center, 636.272.1626

Tales on the Trail

2-3:30pm, Rotary Park, 636.327.7665

Teddy Bear Day

6th Annual Hill of Thrills Soapbox Race

Pool Paws Dog Swim

Patriot Day Ceremony 8:30-9am O’Fallon Municipal Centre 636.240.2000

noon-6pm, Meyer Road in front of Progress Park, 636.332.9236

“Songs of the Night” Nature Walk

Lake Saint Louis Fall Festival

at Rotary Park, 8-10pm, 636.332.9236

3pm, Windjammer Point, 636.357.8580

Augusta’s 11th Annual Harvest Festival

Augusta’s 11th Annual Harvest Festival

Family Camp Expo

RSC Art & Family Festival and 10th Anniversary

Hawk Point Heritage Day

Hawk Point Community Park, 10am-5pm, 636.262.4256

What The HILL Run/Walk

Cuivre River State Park www.fleetfeetstlouis.com

Sts. Joachim and Ann Golf Outing 12:30pm, Bear Creek Golf Club, Wentzville, 636.441.1302 ext. 263

Cuivre River Farmers TA Schneider SR Golf Market @ Cuivre River State Park, Classic

10am-4pm, 636.462.2629

noon, Whitmoor Country Club, 636.947.5612

4th Annual Hope 4 Tomorrow

Elephant Appreciation Day

8-9:30am, Lutheran High School St. Charles, 5100 Mexico Road, 314.258.0496

Helping Hands volunteer program for tweens and teens

4:30-5:30pm, 636.332.9236

5pm, 636.228.4005

636.228.4005

PALS Meeting

7pm, Cuivre River Electric Co., 636.338.1818

Constitution Day

National Comic Book Day

Indian Camp Creek Park, 636.949.7535

10am-2pm, Renaud Spirit Center, 636.474.2732

Wild in the Woods Race 1pm, Klondike Park, 636.949.7535

Cuivre River Farmers Market

@ Cuivre River State Park, 10am-4pm, 636.462.2629

EVERY SATURDAY Lake Saint Louis Farmers & Artists Market 8am-noon, 314.495.2531

Cuivre River Farmer’s Market

8am-1pm, Tractor Supply on Market Place Drive, 636.462.2629

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2139-A Bryan Valley Commercial Dr., O’Fallon, MO 63366

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