Issuu

November 27, 2013

July 13, 2011

Vol 13 No 28

Christmas Traditions

Recipe

Sweeten the Season

Around Town

O’Fallon Boy at Basketball Clinic

A spectacular holiday event on Historic Main Street in St. Charles Information and images courtesy of St. Charles Christmas Traditions Capture in your mind a time in America when life was simpler, and Christmas was elegant and magical. Close your eyes and listen to the sounds of holiday music from the Victorian carolers, the Lewis and Clark Fife and Drum Corps, or the George Champlain Sibley Fife and Drum Corps. Smell the roasting of chestnuts in the air. Welcome to Historic Main Street’s Christmas Traditions! Shop and dine along the brick-lined streets festively decorated with live greenery and handmade red bows. Main Street comes alive with Santas from around the world, Victorian Carolers, and the Legends of Christmas. The Legends of Christmas, who wear handcrafted clothing representing their heritage. are Mr. & Mrs. Claus’ friends from around the world; these include Jack Frost, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Nutcracker and Clara, and the Ice Queen, says Festival Director Amanda Strupp. “I love watching the Legends interact with kids and the way that they share their story with the kids,” Strupp continues. “They get the kids really involved in what’s going on in the street. All the characters have their collectors’ cards that kids can collect, and if the kids walk up and ask for their card, they usually have the kids do something to earn the card, like the Sugar Plum Fairy teaches them a dance or the town crier will have them announce the time really loudly across the street.” The South Main Preservation Soci-

ety first created this truly unique family event in the early 1970s while an effort was underway to revitalize the South Main Street Historic District. Now, over thirty years later, Christmas Traditions remains a favorite holiday festival, attracting a wide range of visitors to our area. Funding for this event is provided by the City of Saint Charles through the Greater Saint Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau. The festivities start the day after Thanksgiving with the Opening Ceremony in the morning and the lighting of the Official Saint Charles Christmas Tree after dark. The Legends of Christmas will tell stories around the bonfire in the 100 block of S. Main. You can also sign up to be part of a Christmas Mystery Scavenger Hunt. On Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, you can enjoy shopping and dining along Main Street which is illuminated by thousands of Christmas lights. At the Closing Ceremony on Christmas Eve, you’ll have one last chance to see Santa and wish him well on his journey for the night. During Christmas Traditions’ time on Historic Main Street, revelers can buy hot nuts and listen to the playful banter of chestnut roasters next to the Daniel Boone statue between the 700 and 800 blocks of S. Main. The Gingerbread Village at Main Street Church, 116 N. Main Street, will transport you to a holiday wonderland. Lovers can stop at the holiday kissing ball at Kister Park gazebo in

The entire cast of Christmas Traditions

the 400 block of S. Main to fall in love all over again, and families can meet Santa at his cottage in the Katy Train Depot in Frontier Park. There is ample free parking on Main Street and along Riverside Drive. Additional parking is available in the Saint Charles City Hall garage, 200 N. Second Street, which is free of charge during evenings and weekends. Additional parking is available at the Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center, 1050 S. Riverside Drive (located adjacent to Bishop’s Landing on the south leg of the historic district). See CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS page 2

Feature

Enjoy the Holidays in Missouri

School

WSD Named to AP Honor Roll

12 Years a Slave photo courtesy of Regency Enterprises

Movie

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November 27, 2013 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Vol. 92 No. 48

In This Issue... 4

Around Town your guide to good news and events like a holiday open house for Support Dogs, Inc.

Lincoln County Life the latest Lincoln County news and events

Enjoy the Holidays in Missouri

12 Business

The Pay It Forward Raffle and more business news from across the county

14 School

A successful internship partnership and more school news

Movie “Several movies have covered the horrors of slavery in great detail, but few possess the raw emotional depth of 12 Years a Slave,” writes film critic Steve Bryan.

Recipes Sweeten the Season

Learn & Play and Sports Local sport authority Gary B fills you in on the weekend’s sporting events.

What’s Happening the only events calendar you need to stay entertained all week long

Classifieds

Over the Fence Joe Morice is to Community News readers what Wilson was to Tim Taylor: enjoy a fresh perspective from our in-house blue-collar philosopher.

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/mycnews

FREE Online Subscription

www. mycnews

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS from cover Visit www.stcharleschristmas.com for further details on holiday activities planned during the Christmas Traditions Festival and pick the perfect time to experience the spirit of the holiday season.

Festival Events Opening Ceremony November 29 – 11am Kister Park Gazebo – 400 block of S. Main Street Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by horse-drawn carriage escorted by the Lewis and Clark Fife and Drum Corps and the Legends of Christmas. Official Saint Charles City Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony November 29 – 5 pm Berthold Square at the corner of First Capitol Drive and S. Main Street City officials will be on hand for the ceremony along with some of your favorite Christmas Traditions characters. Santa Parade Opening Day and Saturdays and Sundays during Festival – 1:30 pm Parade Route: 1000 S. Main Street to Berthold Square at the corner of First Capitol Drive and S. Main Street Enjoy the pageantry of a live parade; follow the procession to Berthold Square for caroling and a short, family-friendly program. Marshmallow Roast Fridays during Festival – 7 pm 100 block of S. Main Street Enjoy roasting complimentary marshmallows and listen to holiday story-telling with some of your favorite Christmas Traditions characters.

Ambassadors of Harmony December 21 – 1 to 3 pm The Ambassadors of Harmony is a local awardwinning men’s chorus; they will walk in the Santa parade and then perform at various locations on Main Street. For more information, visit www. aoh.org. Sleighbell Singers Evenings during Festival Various Restaurants on N. Main Street Sleighbell Singers provide merriment in singing holiday songs from the 1930s and 1940s while stopping at various restaurants in the Historic Downtown District. Santa Send-off December 24 – 1:30 pm Parade Route: 1000 S. Main Street to Berthold Square at the corner of First Capitol Drive and S. Main Street Don’t miss this opportunity to send one final wave and cheer on Santa as he and Mrs. Claus head back to the North Pole for the www.facebook.com/ncociscc big night!

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www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 27, 2013

Around Town

November 27, 2013 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

St. Charles County to Continue WIC Services in 2014 The St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment announced today that it has renewed its contract with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to continue operating the popular Women, Infants and Children program (WIC) in 2014. With more than 20,000 clients participating in St. Charles County, WIC provides specific nutritious supplemental foods and nutrition education at no cost to qualifying pregnant or breastfeeding women, postpartum women, infants and children up to age five. The primary WIC services are health screening, risk assessment, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding promotion and referrals to additional health care. Studies confirm that women who participate in this program have fewer low birth weight babies, experience fewer infant deaths, see the doctor earlier in pregnancy and eat healthier. By participating, eligible families will receive a “food prescription” with nutritious food items. To optimize the health of all WIC participants, the department maintains an environment that supports and encourages women to initiate and continue breastfeeding—which has been shown to be the perfect food source for babies, providing all the essential nutrients and sufficient calories to meet an infant’s needs. Participants in WIC must meet income guidelines, a residency requirement and be individually determined to be at “nutritional risk” by a health professional. The income guideline schedule is available online at health.mo.gov/living/families/wic/eligibility_income.php. For these guidelines, pregnant women are counted as two family members when eligibility is determined. St. Charles County’s WIC program is based at the department’s Division of Public Health office (1650 Boone’s Lick Road in St. Charles). WIC services are provided, by scheduled appointment, from 8:30am - noon or 1 - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday—except holidays. Persons interested in applying for WIC or in need of more information should call 636.949.7402 during business hours or visit health.sccmo.org.

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Support Dogs, Inc. Holiday Open House Support Dogs, Inc. (SDI) will hold a holiday open house on Tuesday, December 3 from 3 - 8pm featuring assistance dog demonstrations and refreshments. The public is invited to bring their pets for a family photo session with Santa from 4 - 7pm. The $5 per sitting photography fee will benefit Support Dogs’ programs and activities. The open house will be held at Support Dogs’ headquarters located at 11645 Lilburn Park Rd. Support Dogs, Inc. is a national non-for-profit organization that offers dignity, hope and independence by providing highly skilled service dogs to individuals with disabilities and uniquely trained dogs to serve the community. Founded in 1983, the organization provides many services including an Assistance Dog program which matches people with various disabilities with a canine partner, an animal-assisted therapy dog program called TOUCH (Therapy of Unique Canine Helpers), and a Paws For Reading program that places dogs in school. Support Dogs is a proud member of the United Way of Greater St. Louis. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 314.997.2325 or visit the organization’s web site at www.supportdogs.org.

Girl Scouts Go: Run for the Cookies Race Draws Nearly 1,000 Participants Just like any serious runner would, Girl Scout runners take steps to prepare for a race…lots of steps. Two groups have been training for Girl Scouts Go: Run for the Cookies, Saturday, November 30. The run is a rain-or-shine event. “Running is fun; I enjoy it and it gives me something to do,” said Girl Scout cadette Alexis Edgar. “I can pace myself.” “I knew I could run but I didn’t know how far I could run without stopping,” said Girl Scout Junior Ella Yawitz. “I didn’t know what my pace was. Now, I like to do a lot of 5K runs.” This year, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri and KTVI Fox 2 will co-sponsor the event. There are two races, a five-mile run/walk and a one-mile run/walk. The five-mile starts at 8 am while the onemile begins at 9 am. Almost 1,000 people have registered to participate in the event. Participants may check-in as early as 6:15 am on race day. Both races start and end at the Girl Scout Service Center, 2300 Ball Drive, in Maryland Heights. That morning, the groups will also run a special 2.4-mile course set up just for them before the main event. This year, all finishers will receive a 2013 “Cookie” medal. Each year, a new “Cookie” medal will be awarded. Besides preparing for the race, the girls have learned other activities, which are part of the “Get Moving with Healthy Habits” booklet. The booklet teaches the girls about energy balance. Energy balance is Energy In, the calories they get from eating and drinking, and Energy Out, calories they burn from physical activities. Two external organizations provided some related programming. Physical therapy students from Saint Louis University www.apowderroom.com taught the girls the importance www.facebook.com/apowderroom of stretching before they run as well as some basic stretches the girls do prior to pounding the pavement. Signature Medical Group offered a program focused on diet and nutrition. Emily Ficker, a Girl Scout Program Manager, brought botwww.something-printed.com tles of water and yogurt cups as snacks. Ficker said the girls have snacked on carrots, celery, grapes, apples, bananas and raisins during training sessions. The girls said the longest distance they’ve run during training is 2.5 miles. Girl Scout Troops 4300, 3755, 1255, 2742, 3993, 2276, 31, 4580 and 1798 participated in the running sessions. For more information on or to sign up for the race, visit www.facebook.com/somethingprinted www.pinterest.com/spinvitations www.girlscoutsem.org.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 27, 2013

Around Town

Choral Concert

Food Safety During Holidays

The Choral Arts Singers, directed by Amy Gatschenberger, will present A Classic Christmas featuring the choral works of John Rutter on Saturday December 7 at Transfiguration Episcopal Church in Lake St. Louis at 7:30pm, and on Sunday December 8 at Assumption Chapel in O’Fallon at 3pm. A third concert will be presented Friday December 13 at Immanuel UCC in Wright City under the sponsorship of the Warren County Arts Council. The Choral Arts Singers are part of the local Concert Arts Association which draws membership from St. Charles, St. Louis, Lincoln and Warren counties. Visit the website at concertarts.org or contact Paul Godt at 636.745.8161 for further information.

From St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over From mid-December through New Year’s Day, local police will be out in force as part of the annual nationwide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown on drunk driving. The crackdown, which will include high-visibility enforcement throughout Lake Saint Louis, will run from December 13 through January 2. The effective nationwide drunk driving crackdown will include high-visibility enforcement, high-profile events, and will be supported by national paid advertising, creating a comprehensive campaign to curb drunk driving over the winter holidays. Lake Saint Louis Police Department said its officers will be aggressively looking for drunk drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone caught driving drunk. Although it is illegal in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to drive drunk (having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher), far too many people across the nation get behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol. The latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration underscore the serious nature of the nation’s continuing drunk driving epidemic. “Every year, about one third of all motor vehicle traffic deaths involve one or more impaired drivers or motorcycle operators, “ said Chief Michael Force. “In 2012, 230 people died in Missouri crashes involving impaired drivers. That works out to approximately one impaired driving fatality every 1 ½ days.” Chief Force added the winter

holidays are particularly dangerous. During the Christmas holidays in 2012, a total of 12 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes involving impaired drivers or motorcycle riders. Chief Force noted that being arrested for driving drunk brings a wide range of negative consequences into one’s life. Drunk drivers face jail time, loss of their driver licenses, and steep financial consequences such as higher insurance rates, attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators also often face tremendous personal embarrassment. “Driving drunk is simply not worth the risk. So don’t take the chance. Remember, we will be out in force and we will be watching, so ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,’” said Chief Michael Force. For more information, visit the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Campaign Headquarters at www.TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov or www.saveMOlives.com.

It just wouldn’t be the holidays without tables full of food and the delicious aromas of turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and pie. However, these treasured meals can become a lasting memory for another reason, if food safety isn’t one of the key ingredients. Foodborne illnesses cause an estimated 76 million Americans to become sick each year, but you can help make your feast a success by simply following the Four Keys to food safety. With holiday festivities often lasting several hours, it’s important to prepare and serve your food safely. The four keys to food safety are: CLEAN all preparation areas, hands, utensils and foods before, during and after preparation; SEPARATE raw and cooked foods; COOK foods to their proper internal temperatures; and CHILL to keep bacteria from forming. Holiday food safety is often just a matter of degrees. Simply keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold will minimize dangers, as bacteria can form when temperatures linger between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If you purchase a frozen turkey or other meat, thaw it safely in a refrigerator or follow manufacturer’s guidelines. To kill bacteria that may have developed, internal temperatures must reach a minimum of 165 degrees for poultry, soups and stuffings and at least 145 degrees for pork, beef, fish and lamb Use a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the item (and away from bones) to ensure proper temperatures. Another food safety rule to follow when hosting long holiday parties is: DO NOT leave foods out at room temperature for more than two hours.

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Around Town

November 27, 2013 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

DAR Chapter Honors “Community Little Black Book: Women in Business Brings Wentzville Community Together for Toys for Tots News” with Press Award The Caroline Close Stuart Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) presented Donna Huneke with their first Community Press Award at the November 16 meeting in Lake St. Louis, Missouri. Each local DAR Chapter is encouraged to recognize a news organization for outstanding work that promotes education, historic preservation, or patriotism. Today’s DAR members are busy and looking for communications which address their lifestyles. Huneke Publications, Inc. offers four publications: two weekly newspapers and two news magazines, each covering a unique market segment within St. Louis County and St. Charles County. First published in 1921, Community News is the longest published weekly newspaper in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The St. Charles County edition features countywide coverage including the cities of: St. Charles, St. Peters, Cottleville, Weldon Spring, O’Fallon, Dardenne Prairie, Lake St. Louis, Wentzville and Troy. According the Regent Karen Wisner, “Community News has consistently shown their commitment to balanced reporting, including every aspect of the local news in their paper. We appreciate their diversity and integrity. It helps every organization and business find a voice in our community. We are pleased to give Community News the honor of our first Community Press Award.” Donna Huneke, wife of Robert Huneke, publisher of the Community News accepted the award. For more information about the DAR contact Regent, Karen Wisner at 314.772.9486. You may also find information about the local DAR chapter on the web at www.mssdar.org/ccstuart.

On December 6, business owners are invited to bring toys for Toys for Tots to the Brrr Bash which will serve as a large scale community collection boxes at the Icehouse Sports Bar and Grill, 909 Main Plaza Drive in Wentzville at 6pm. The Brrr Bash celebrates the efforts of the Wentzville community by helping Little Black Book pack the house with new, unwrapped toys for children in need. • Meet Wentzville Mayor Nick Guiccione and other community leaders • Katy Kruze, host of “No Rules Radio” of 100.7 the VIPER will be broadcasting live • The musical styling of Acoustic Junkies and Crunch Monkey • Red carpet photo opportunity with a US Marine • Photobooth party pics • Drink specials • Raffles including a 60” HDTV, dinner at BC’s Kitchen and Brunch at Cedar Lakes Cellars Admission is a new, unwrapped toy or monetary donation. The event will also include a drive by toy drop, for those who are unable to stay and will conclude with a human toy train to help load toy donations into the collection truck. All toys collected will go toward helping children in the St. Louis area.

Fifth Annual “Chicken Soup for the Soul” Book Signing Seven local Chicken Soup for the Soul writers will participate at varying times in a multi-author book signing on December 14 from 11am – 5pm at Main Street Books, 307 South Main Street, St. Charles. Customers may bring in a canned good to be donated to area food pantries and receive 20% off their entire purchase that day. For more information, please see www.mainstreetbooks.net. Authors will sign at the following times: 11am – 1pm: Cathi LaMarche and Nina Miller Cathi LaMarche is a novelist, an essayist, an English teacher, and a college essay coach with stories published in over twenty anthologies. Her essay Bountiful Harvest will appear in Gloria Gaynor’s upcoming book We Will Survive, which is set for release in December. She is working on her second novel. Nina Miller was the children’s area specialist at Borders Creve Coeur in charge of story time and children’s events. Her book, The Storytime Handbook, to be published by McFarland, will enable parents, teachers, booksellers and librarians to provide a complete story time that includes music, art, movement, food and literature. 1-3pm: Linda O’Connell, Theresa Sanders and Mara Goodsell Linda O’Connell has been published in 20 Chick-

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en Soup for the Soul books and many other publications. Linda writes from the heart and finds humor in everyday situations at www.lindaoconnell. blogspot.com. Theresa Sanders loves writing for Chicken Soup for the Soul. She also writes fiction, and is now pursuing publication for her soon-to-be-complete third novel. A previous novel placed as a finalist in a national competition, and before her creative endeavors, she was an award-winning technical writer. Mara Goodsell is a multi-genre writer and teacher who lives near St. Louis. She has written for Chicken Soup as well as other anthologies, newspapers, and publications and is currently working on a book for young adults. More of her writing can be found at www.messageinabloggletheartofbeingbroken.blogspot.com. 3-5pm: Beth M. Wood and Sioux Roslawski Beth M. Wood is a mom of three, writer and marketing consultant. She has been published in several Chicken Soup anthologies and both regional and national magazines. She blogs about life at www.bethmwood.blogspot.com and about business at www.bethmwoodblog.com. Follow along on Twitter at @1972bmw. Sioux Roslawski is a third grade teacher. She’s also a member of the infamous writing critique group, the WWWPs. You can read more of Sioux’s writing at siouxspage.blogspot. She has been published in seven Chicken Soup books, as well as several Not Your Mother’s book collections. Since 1993, more than 112 million copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies have been sold in the United States and Canada alone, with titles translated into more than 40 languages. Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, LLC, is a world leader in life improvement. For more information, visit www.chickensoup.com.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 20, 2013

Around Town

Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County Recently, Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County (HFHSCC) volunteers, sponsors, board members, and staff welcomed Jill Brune and her five children to their new home in the city of St. Peters with a ceremonial dedication led by Interim Pastor Sarah Johnson of Hope Lutheran Church of St. Charles. Representing the tenth completed home build from the partnership with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans John Priesmeyer attended the dedication and presented Jill with the ceremonial keys to her home. “I have met wonderful people that give up their time. They’re right there with you with their sweat, their dirt—they want to come out there

and do it with you,” said Jill at the end of her dedication ceremony. As new partners with HFHSCC, St. Charles City-County Library Foundation members Kristin Williams and Karen Guccione-Englert ended the dedication ceremony with a house-warming gift: a book case filled with books for all ages and family friendly games. “We are strong believers that reading is at the success of everything,” said Kristin. The book case was sponsored in part by the O’Fallon Rotary Club. Interested parties should contact the Habitat St. Charles office at 636.978.5712 or visit www. habitatstcharles.org.

Saint Charles Riverfront Arts Receives Arts Education Grant Saint Charles Riverfront Arts (SCRA) received a sizable grant from The Grainger Foundation during the third quarter of 2013, in support of their 2013/2014 community arts education programs. Saint Charles Riverfront Arts received the grant through The Grainger Foundation in the Grainger Community Grant Program, which helps to address local community needs throughout the United States. The Grainger Foundation is an independent, private foundation that was established in 1949 by William Wallace Grainger, the Company’s founder. Under the Program, Grainger’s branch managers identify charitable organizations in their local communities and make recommendations to the Foundation for grants ranging from $1,000 up to $10,000. As a result of recommendations by branch managers in 2012, the Foundation made 880 grants totaling $6.6 million to a wide variety of health and human service, civic, and educational organizations.

This grant was bestowed upon SCRA from the local Grainger branch, located at 9 Commerce Drive in O’Fallon. Saint Charles Riverfront Arts 2013/2014 programming includes the annual Spring ArtWalk, the 2nd Thursdays community arts series, and their Artists Workshop classes. These signature programs are the primary venues to support the organization’s mission of growing an arts community throughout St. Charles County, Missouri. Saint Charles Riverfront Arts is seeking additional grants, as well as individual and corporate tax-deductible contributions. As a 501 (c) 3 organization, SCRA can also accept tax-deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under the IRS Tax Code. For more information about Saint Charles Riverfront Arts organization, or to make a tax-deductible charitable contribution to the organization, contact Lou Cariffe at 636.399.5345 or visit www.saintcharlesriverfrontarts.com.

O’Fallon’s Dardenne Presbyterian Church rededicated the church building on November 24. For more information, please visit www.dpc4u.org.

Where Christma s Pa st

Comes To Life

Opening Ceremony Friday, November 29 at 11am • Gazebo in 400 blk. South Main

FESTIVAL HOURS:

Saturdays & Opening Day 11am-9pm • Sundays 12-5pm Wednesdays & Fridays 6:30-9pm • Christmas Eve 11am-2pm

International Santas and the Legends of Christmas

Interact with our many International Santas and the Legends of Christmas during all festival hours.

Clydesdale Photo Opportunity*

Saturday, November 30 Noon to 2pm Colonnade North Main Street *Weather permitting

Santa Parade

Saint Charles Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony November 29 at 5pm Berthold Square, in the 200 block of South Main Street

Shopping by Sparkling Lights Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 6:30 to 9pm

Opening Day (November 29) at 1:30pm • Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30pm Parade route is from 1000 South Main to Berthold Square

November 29 - December 24, 2013 636-946-7776

For A List Of Christmas Traditions Events Visit Our Website

w w w. h i s t o r i c s t c h a r l e s . c o m www.stcharleschristmas.com

Around Town

November 27, 2013 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Charming Memoir by Missouri Author In From Pigtails to Chin Hairs: A Memoir & More, Becky Lewellen Povich takes us from her young Metro East childhood in the 1950s to present day St. Peters, Missouri. Each chapter is a scene from everyday life and/or unexpected events written in the way only Povich can, with humor and poignancy woven into them. She relates tales of Christmases, summertime fun, selling homemade potholders and putting on parades, the kids next door, classmates, her fear of the dentist and her parents’ scheme to help, plus long car rides visiting grandparents in small town Iowa. She willingly shares the bittersweet times, too, which include her parents’ divorce, major disappointments, preteen and teenage angst, a whack on her head from a falling crowbar, and her illfated first marriage, spent mostly in Germany. She also comically writes about her happy second marriage, cell phones, dishwashers, and how she was born with a klutz gene. “Becky Povich has a light and whimsical way with words, and a knack for making the everyday seem a bit more special.” - Philip Gulley, bestselling author of Porch Talk Series, Harmony Series, Hometown Tales, I Love You Miss Huddleston, and more. Becky Lewellen Povich has numerous publications, including stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul books and other anthologies. Becky is currently working on her sequel due out in 2015, which contains more memories and anecdotes. For more information, visit www.beckypovich.com.

In October, Ron Epps and Donna Keiser from F & M Bank organized the merchants of Crossroads Plaza in O’Fallon to participate in a breast cancer awareness event.

St. Charles County Collector to Mail 2013 Tax Bills Over 306,000 tax bills will be mailed out before Thanksgiving, said Michelle McBride, St. Charles County Collector of Revenue. Real estate tax bills will reach mailboxes first, and personal property tax bills will follow. Bills are also available online at mo-stcharles-collector.publicaccessnow.com. “When tax bills arrive, please look at the list of political subdivisions that receive the taxes you pay to understand where your tax dollars are going,” McBride said. “The bills detail the allocation of taxes to various entities, including the state, schools, cities, fire districts, library, ambulance, and dispatch and alarm.” Each of the entities that receive a portion of the tax bill sets its own tax levy, known as the tax rate. The Collector of Revenue’s office is given the tax rates to collect and is responsible for distributing the taxes collected to the entities (also referred to as political subdivisions). The assets listed on personal property tax bills should include everything owned on Jan. 1 of the tax year. All real estate owners should also receive a real estate tax bill(s). In addition to the owner of the real estate parcel(s) receiving bill(s), taxing services and mortgage companies receive an Electronic Bill File from the Collector of Revenue for

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use in paying from escrow accounts. Payment of the full tax amount is the responsibility of the current owner of the personal property and/or real estate (personally or from their escrow account). Tax bills can be paid by cash (in person only), check/cashier’s check/money order (payable to Michelle D. McBride, St. Charles County Collector), credit card (by phone or online only), or debit card (by phone or online only). Taxpayers have several ways to pay: • In person: Tax payments are accepted in person from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the St. Charles County Administration Building, 201 N. Second Street, St. Charles, first floor. There is also a drop box located on N. Second Street in front of the County’s Administration Building. • By mail: Send to Michelle D. McBride, Collector of Revenue, 201 N. Second St., Room 134, St. Charles, MO 63301. Please do not send cash payments by mail. Mailed payments are accepted as of the United States Post Office postmark date. • By phone: Call 1-800-272-9829,enter jurisdiction code 3513, and follow the prompts. • Online: Visit mo-stcharles-collector.publicaccessnow.com, click on the Real Estate Search and/ or Property Search buttons or tabs, and follow the instructions to access and pay your bill. Online payments are posted based on the online payment transaction date/time. Taxpayers who want to use their own financial institution’s online bill pay system need to initiate their payment at least five working days prior to Dec. 31, 2013, to ensure payment will be received by the Collector of Revenue’s office on time. Payments for 2013 taxes received on or after Jan. 1, 2014, are subject to late payment penalty and interest as required by state law. McBride encourages taxpayers to pay early to avoid any last minute issues. Failure to receive a bill does not relieve the taxpayer of any tax liability imposed by state law.

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www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 27, 2013

Around Town

St. Peters Communicates Urgent Messages to Residents’ Cell Phones

On November 22-24, Assumption Church Youth Group performed Sound of Music at Assumption School, 203 W. 3rd Street, O’Fallon.

O’Fallon Boy Participates in Basketball Clinic for Limb-Different Youth A 7-year-old O’Fallon boy had the opportunity to prepare for basketball season early alongside other limb-different youth athletes November 16. Mason Washington was one of nine youth who participated in a basketball clinic sponsored by NubAbility Athletics Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing athletic training and support to youth with limb differences. NubAbility founder Sam Kuhnert, along with other NubAbility leaders and Du Quoin High School players and coaches, taught the youth skills and drills to help them prepare to play basketball with their peers. Some children are born with congenital limb differences, such as under-developed limbs, and others have been experienced accidents or amputations. NubAbility uses a faith-based approach to integrate these youth into mainstream athletics. Saturday’s clinic was the first stand-alone clinic NubAbility has sponsored. Each July, the organiza- Mason Washington, 7, of O’Fallon practices shooting during tion hosts an All Sports Summer Camp in Du Quoin, a basketball clinic at Du Quoin (Ill.) High School on Saturday, Nov. 16. The clinic, sponsored by NubAbility Athletics FoundaIll., allowing youth across the sports spectrum to tion, aimed to teach limb-different youth skills and drills to learn from successful limb-different athletes serving help improve their game. as coaches. NubAbility is seeking both limb-different youth to attend camp and accomplished upper-high school or collegiate limb-different athletes to join the coaching staff. For more information about the organization, visit www.nubability.org.

When emergencies such as a severe snowstorm or natural disaster strike our area, St. Peters City officials will work to keep its residents updated in several different ways. One of the easiest and fastest ways for residents to receive notifications is to sign up to receive urgent text messages and/ or emails from the City of St. Peters with a service called Nixle. Residents can sign up for this service through the City’s website at www.stpetersmo.net. From the left side of home page, click on the “Emergency Notifications Sign Up” link. The service is free for the City of St. Peters and all other users. When you sign up for Nixle, urgent community messages can be sent by email and/or text directly to your mobile phone or computer. The City of St. Peters also uses this service to send messages regarding public safety emergencies, Amber alerts, traffic disruptions, water boil orders, and other messages where normal means of alerting the public would take too long. St. Peters does NOT use this communication tool to announce routine information, events and programs. When emergencies strike, St. Peters residents and business owners can also go online to www.stpetersmo.net for the latest updates or tune into the City’s cable television station, SPTV. Tune in to SPTV for extended broadcast of the weather conditions and traffic cameras at the Cave Springs/I-70 interchange and I-70/Highway 94. Watch SPTV live or “on demand” at stpetersmo.net, on AT&T U-verse Channel 99, Charter Communications Cable channel 992, and on the 108 channel group if you subscribe to Charter and have a newer TV, DVD player, or DVR equipped with a QAM tuner.

Night of 1000 Stars The Troy Historic Downtown Business Association presents “Night of 1000 Stars” on Friday, December from 5:30 to 9pm. The night will feature the Troy Key Club lighting luminaries along Main and Cherry Streets. The public is invited to attend and join in the fun family festivities. For more information contact Kathie at 636.462.4269.

Edward Jones to Host Holiday Open House Laura McLane, a local financial advisor for the financial services firm Edward Jones, invites the public to attend a holiday open house from 9:00 am to noon on Friday, December 6 at her office at 510 East Cherry Street. In addition, Laura is supporting Bright Futures of Lincoln County by using her office as a drop-off location for a clothing drive. Visitors to the open house may help those less fortunate in the community by bringing in items to the Edward Jones branch office during the open house.

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November 27, 2013 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Enjoy the Holidays in Missouri Information and images courtesy the Missouri Department of Tourism If you thought getting your home ready for the holidays was time consuming, imagine decorating more than 20 rooms in anticipation of 2,000 guests. That’s the challenge facing a group of nearly 30 volunteers working up to nine hours a day preparing Vaile Mansion in Independence for its annual holiday celebration. The beautiful landmark home will have more than its halls decked from November 29-December 30, when it hosts a “Victorian Winter Wonderland.” “These volunteers spend hours and hours getting the mansion ready,” says Carolyn Hanes, chairperson of this year’s holiday event and herself a volunteer decorator. “Even the smallest tree can take up to two hours to decorate.” Multiply that time by anywhere from 50 to 75 trees and you get some idea of how much effort volunteers and Vaile Mansion staff put into this event. And that’s just for the trees. Vaile Mansion, built in 1881 for Col. and Mrs. Harvey Vaile, features 31 rooms and includes nine marble fireplaces, painted ceilings and a 48,000-gallon wine cellar. The home, known as one of the best examples of Second Empire architecture in the U.S., cost more than $100,000 to complete. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. During the holidays, the mansion retains its Victorian charm by ensuring era-appropriate traditions are honored. One such example is a five-foot-tall Christmas tree hung upside down to replicate the look of a chandelier; it’s found in the grand entryway. “That’s original Victorian—that’s how they used it,” says Hanes. “It’s kind of our showpiece every year.” That showpiece, along with the attention to detail given every section of the mansion, keeps visitors coming back year after year, Hanes says. “I think people are just blown away by the chandeliers, marble fireplaces and the 14-foot ceilings,” Hanes says. “We’re able to have 12-foot-tall trees in a room, and the rooms are very spacious. It’s so opulent … every room is filled to the brim.” Hanes says event organizers like to refer to Vaile Mansion as “America’s Christmas Castle,” though she points out people from around the world have taken notice of the annual event. In 2012, visitors from 20 countries were represented in the guestbook. One of the major highlights of the month-long event is the annual twilight tour, held the first Sunday in December (December 1 this year). The twilight tours include live music and refreshments for attendees.

Kansas City

“It’s getting dark (when tours begin) and everything is sparkling inside,” says Hanes. “A lot of people enjoy coming in the evening because you get to see what the mansion looks like ‘after hours.’” Victorian Winter Wonderland tours at Vaile Mansion are 10 am-4 pm, Monday thru Saturday, and 1 pm-4 pm Sunday, from November 29 to December 30 (no tours December 23-25). Admission is $6 for adults; $3 for ages 6-18; and free for children ages 5 and younger. The twilight tours event is 4 pm-7 pm December 1; admission prices are the same. Vaile Mansion is located at 1500 N. Liberty St. in Independence. Call 816325-7430 or visit VaileMansion.org for more details. Across the state from Vaile Mansion, our own city of St. Charles hosts one of Missouri’s most popular celebrations, Christmas Traditions, featured on the cover of this issue. From November 29-December 24, Main Street, in the downtown historic district, comes to life with music and costumed actors portraying beloved holiday characters. Don’t miss appearances by Santas from around the world, shopping and dining options along Main Street and the beautiful decorations adorning the entire district. Every Saturday and Sunday during the festival, Santa and Mrs. Claus lead a parade (each begins at 1:30 pm), while Wednesdays and Fridays bring late-evening shopping options. Carolers, along with a local fife and drum corps, take part in live performances presented during the annual Christmas Tradi-

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www.santasnorthpoledash.com

Vaile Mansion

tions festival, where horse-drawn carriage rides are available. Find details and the full schedule of activities online at StCharlesChristmas.com. Throughout Missouri, seasonal celebrations take place in large cities and small towns, offering visitors an array of choices, from parades and drive-through light parks to live music and regional cuisine. Here’s a look at more Missouri celebrations designed to get you in the mood for this splendid season. For other holiday happenings, check out the Missouri Division of Tourism’s blog, which has a more complete listing of events. In St. Joseph, Krug Park (3500 St. Joseph Ave.) and Hyde Park (8th Street and Hyde Park Ave.), along the city’s famed Parkway, become Holiday Park and the South Pole from November 29-January 1, 2014. A tradition since 1981, the scenic holiday drive features a dazzling display of lighted arches, trees, winter scenes and the Italianate buildings of Krug Park. Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza – a 15-block retail, dining

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 27, 2013

and entertainment district – hosts one of the most well-known lighting celebrations in the Midwest. Thousands of revelers join in the festival-like atmosphere on the opening night of Plaza Lights. Live music and fireworks are part of the fun from 5 pm-8 pm Thanksgiving night; the official flip of the switch is 6:53 pm The lights shine through January 12, 2014. In St. Louis, Holiday Magic fills the America’s Center (701 Convention Plaza) November 29-December 1, offering entertainment and shopping. Carnival rides, a vendors’ district and hands-on arts and crafts projects for kids are part of the excitement. Holiday Magic is 11 am-6 pm Friday, 10 am-6 pm Saturday, and noon-5 pm Sunday. Holidays of yesterday are the focus of events at the Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis. Each Saturday leading up to Christmas, the Old Courthouse shows what holidays were like: relive Christmas 1763 at the December 7 event (noon-4 pm); move forward to 1813 at the December 14 happening (noon-4 pm); and get a glimpse of 1863 St. Louis from 9 am-1 pm on December 21. Get a taste of German heritage at the Kristkindl Markt, December 7-8, at Stone Hill Winery in Hermann. This traditional German market features crafts, food, entertainment, hot soups and mulled wine. Saturday’s event is 10 am-5 pm, Sunday’s is 10 am-4 pm Stone Hill Winery is located at 1110 Stone Hill Highway; admission is free. A similar event takes place 10 am-5 pm December 14 and 10 am-4 pm December 15 at the Hermannhof Festhalle, 237 E. First St. The Festhalle event includes an open-air Hofgarten, a full menu at the Mill and live entertainment. In the Lake of the Ozarks area, holiday activities abound in a variety of cities. Linn Creek, for example, hosts the Holiday Market at the Camden County Museum from 9 am-4 pm on November 22-23. The market includes vendors selling a variety of holidaythemed goods (get your Christmas shopping done!); the museum is located at 206 S. Locust St. Elsewhere near the Lake, popular drive-through light parks are found in Laurie and Versailles. In Laurie, St. Patrick’s Festival of Lights is billed as the area’s oldest light park, dating to 1981. The festival includes 4,000 strings of lights and focuses on Jesus and his mother, Mary. The Shrine is located at 176 Marian Drive; there is no admission charge. In Versailles, the Unity Circle of Lights runs from November 28-January 1, 2014, in Versailles City Park. The park features up to 40 lighted displays, including several animated holiday scenes. The park is open from sunset until midnight daily; there is no admission charge. The park is located at the junction of Highway 5 and Highway 52. In Springfield, enjoy the opportunity to shop and hear live music at the 19th annual WinterFest Visual and Performing Arts Festival. Held at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts (525 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway) this event features live music, local and regional artists whose works are on display

Silver Dollar City in Branson

and for sale, and a Broadway touring company’s pro- Natural and Cultural Resource Center (202 S. Main duction of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” Tickets St.). The exhibit features an array of colorful, lighted for that show should be purchased in advance. Activi- trees decorated by individuals, businesses and orgaties are 5 pm-10 pm Friday, 10 am-10 pm Saturday, nizations. The exhibit is open 9 am-5 pm, Mondayand noon-5 pm Sunday. Saturday. Hours are 1 pm-5 pm on December 22 and Carthage is home to Mt. Moriah Lights at Mt. Mori- 9 am-2 pm on Christmas Eve. ah Park. Enjoy more than 50,000 lights programmed You don’t have to wait for Black Friday to find to six different Christmas songs. The park is located at great gift ideas at the Christmas Arts and Crafts Ex15506 Nutmeg Road; hours are 5:30 pm-9:30 pm Fri- travaganza in Cape Girardeau, November 22-23. In day-Sunday from November 29-December 8. From its 43rd year, the event features artisans and crafters December 13-December 29, park hours are 5:30 pm- from across the Midwest; their wares will fill nearly 9:30 pm daily (except for December 22). 300 booths. An event so large, it takes two venues: the Silver Dollar City in Branson hosts one of the larg- Osage Centre (1625 N. Kingshighway) and Show-Me est holiday celebrations in the country, “An Old Time Center (1333 N. Sprigg St.). The Extravaganza is one Christmas,” running through December 30. This an- of three arts and crafts festivals happening in Cape nual celebration features more than 5 million lights, Girardeau over this weekend. For more details, check 1,000 decorated Christmas trees, a holiday light pa- out www.VisitCape.com. rade, two live shows and a five-story-tall special effects Christmas tree. Regular rides and attractions are open, weather permitting. Food and shopping add to the experience. Hours are 1 pm-9 pm Thursday-Friday, noon-9:30 pm Saturday and 1 pm-9 pm Sunday. The Holiday Christmas Festival in Ste. Genevieve features a Christmas parade, carriage rides, more than 30 free music programs, carolers strolling the streets of the historic city and shopping specials in retailers and art galleries downtown. Activities are December 7-8. In Salem, a unique holiday experience awaits at the Trains and Trees exhibit from November 26-December 24 at the Ozark www.villatheresa.org

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Business

November 27, 2013 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

ServiceMaster Restore Ribbon Cutting

Pay It Forward Raffle The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce their 2nd Annual “Pay It Forward Raffle.” There will be two grand prize winners this year. Each winner will receive a $500 Visa gift card. With each ticket purchased the chamber will be paying it forward and donating $1,000 from the raffle sales to Operation Food Search and $1,000 will go towards the four $750 Chamber’s Annual Scholarships for local students. Tickets are only $10 a piece and the Chamber is only selling 300 tickets. With each raffle ticket you buy you are providing food for local families and scholarships for local students. The drawing will be held on December 12. You can purchase your tickets by calling the Chamber office at 636.327.6914, visiting their offices at 210 S. Linn Ave. in Wentzville, or online at www.westernstcharlescountychamber.com.

Owners and managers celebrated the grand opening of the new location of ServiceMaster Restore with a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, November 5, 2013. Joining the festivities were Len Pagano, Mayor of St. Peters along with Alderman Terry Violet, board members and ambassadors with the Greater St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce. ServiceMaster Restore is located at 4250 N. Service Road in St. Peters. For more information on their hours of operation and the services they provide call 636.926.2040 or visit their website at www.servicemasterdisaster.com. If your business is new to the area and would like to celebrate with a ribbon cutting, contact Wendy Rackovan at the Greater St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce at 636.946.0633.

SCC Receives 13 Regional Awards for Marketing and Communications St. Charles Community College received 13 regional-level Medallion awards from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR), an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges. The SCC Office of Marketing and Communications took home four Gold Medallions, three Silver Medallions and six Bronze Medallions. SCC earned Gold Medallions for the Contact Sheet in the Magazine category, the Printed Viewbook (published Fall 2012) in the Viewbook category, the 2011-12 Annual Report in the Annual Report category and the Inquiry Packet Folder in the Folder category. SCC won Silver Medallions for the Viewbook Video Teaser in the College Promotional Video category, 2012 Veterans Week in the Communication Success Story category and BeReadyForTheFuture.com in the Website category. SCC took home Bronze Medallions for the Instagram #DailyPhoto Project in the Social Marketing category, the Cougar on Fire in the Computer-Generated Illustration category, the Run. Live. Learn You Only Live Once T-shirt

in the Novelty Advertising category, RegFest in the Direct Mail Campaign category, the Nursing and Allied Health brochure in the Brochure/ Flyer category and the 2013 Softball Media Guide in the Sports Brochure category. The awards were announced at the annual NCMPR District Five fall conference in Minneapolis, Minn. Some 36 colleges participated and more than 250 entries were submitted into this national competition. McDorman attended and presented at the regional conference, along with Peggy Schreiner, SCC PR coordinator. Other SCC Marketing and Communication team members are Ben Munson, associate director/photographer; Nick Hogan, website coordinator; Kelly Paladin and Aimee Sagaser, graphic designers; Karen Decker, website specialist; Brynne Cramer, marketing specialist; and Vicki Seagraves, marketing assistant. St. Charles Community College is part of NCMPR’s District Five. The district is made up of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, the Canadian province of Manitoba, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. Please visit www.stchas.edu for more information.

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Business Spotlight A place to find out a little more about your local businesses! www.something-printed.com www.thebarrelbar.net

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www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 27, 2013

Experienced Realtors Partner with Coldwell Banker Gundaker Coldwell Banker Gundaker is pleased to announce that Lee Cowap and Rebecca Lewis are partnering with the Coldwell Banker Gundaker Highway 94 @ Mid Rivers office. Cowap and Lewis are accomplished Realtors who bring their customer service, market knowledge and technology skills to Coldwell Banker Gundaker. Cowap, a 13-year real estate professional, has handled more Lee Cowap than $50 million in sales. She prides herself on her excellent customer service and dedication to her clients and chose to partner with Coldwell Banker Gundaker because of the company’s strong reputation in the community. As a full-service Realtor, she works with a wide range of clients from first-time homebuyers, relocation clients, foreclosure/short sales, luxury and new construction. She resides in St. Charles County and services St. Charles and St. Louis Counties. In addition, giving back to the community is a priority for Cowap and she volunteers at church and with groups that help the needy, such as Angel Arms, Kingdom House and the FISH food bank. Educating clients about the process of buying and selling is Lewis’ expertise and passion. As a nine-year real estate professional, she prides herself on her attention to detail throughout the transaction. She chose to partner with Coldwell Banker Gundaker because of its mission of providing top-notch service to clients. As a Defiance area resident, Lewis enjoys working with first-time buyers and seniors within Defiance, St. Charles, West and Lincoln Counties. When not busy with real estate, she enjoys spending time with family, playing tennis and biking. She is the founding member of the Katy Trail Biker Chicks. For more information, please visit www.cbgundaker.com. Rebecca Lewis

Business

Chamber Business University The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce is excited to introduce their next free business class as part of their new Chamber Business University. The chamber has partnered with AAIM Employers’ Association to provide free continuing business education classes. AAIM is an association of over 1,600 member organizations in the St Louis region and throughout Illinois. They offer peer networking opportunities, business research information, HR and manage-

ment consulting, performance improvement and professional training and development. On Tuesday, December 17 the class will be Give Yourself the Gift of New Leads: Taking Advantage of Marketing and Social Media. Class will be held at Webster University’s WingHaven Campus located at 2299 Technology Drive, Ste. 300, O’Fallon. Doors will open at 7:30am and classes will begin at 7:45am and go until 8:45am. Class is free and seating will be limited, so please make your reservations today. RSVP by calling the chamber office at 636.327.6914. Please visit www.westernstcharlescountychamber.com for more information.

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School

November 27, 2013 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

CREC Trust Awards Scholarships

Collection Drive to Aid Illinois Tornado Victims

Thirty-seven students from Lincoln, Pike, St. Charles and Warren counties received a total of $18,500 in scholarship awards from the Cuivre River Electric Community Trust. Students receiving scholarships are Jennifer Baker, Ashley Banze, Alexis Barnes, Katherine Bicker, Tyra Bowman, Mallory Brown, Benjamin Bruckerhoff, Ellyn Bruckerhoff, Curtis Buxton, Scott Byus, Dylan Donovan, Annie Drummond, David Fowler, Eric Fowler, Drake Gens, Julie Goeglein, Megan Hakenwerth, Dane Hubbard, Kaitlin Hubbard, Kaitlyn Huber, Jill Jarvis, Courtney Kleekamp, Heather Mallinckrodt, Andrew Milhous, Kyle Miller, Elizabeth Nunn-Faron, Jamie Pieper, Gina Pilla, Kelli Prost, Nicholas Purcell, Caroline Schmidt, Kara Schrand, Amanda Shipley, Kristen Toedebusch, Emmett Wilmes, Brendan Woodall and Mackenzie Wray. Scholarship funds are donated by Cuivre River Electric members who participate in Operation Round Up by rounding up their electric bill payments each month to the next highest dollar. Since the program began in 1997, more than $810,000 has been awarded to help over 1,715 area students achieve their academic goals. Students are eligible to be considered if they live in the Cuivre River Electric Cooperative service area and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 while attending undergraduate courses at an accredited university or technical school. Applicants are also asked to provide an official transcript and two letters of recommendation, write a narrative to highlight their academic achievements and state their career goals, and demonstrate a financial need. The scholarship may also be used for adult continuing education courses in their career fields. In addition to scholarships, Operation Round Up was founded to help address unmet needs in the areas of health, youth, education, home weatherization, community and emergency services. These funds are available to help individuals, families and organizations in the CREC service area. Operation Round Up applications are available online at www.cuivre.com. The next scholarship deadline is May 1, 2014. CREC was established by local residents in 1941 to provide electricity in portions of Lincoln, Pike, St. Charles and Warren counties where electricity was not available. The cooperative now serves more than 60,000 homes and businesses. For more information on Operation Round Up and Cuivre River Electric Cooperative visit www. cuivre.com or call 800.392.3709, ext. 230.

Students and sponsors affiliated with the Lindenwood University Newman Center have sympathy for those coping with the aftermath of the tornadoes in Washington, IL, and surrounding areas. Working in partnership with Catholic Charities of the Peoria Diocese, the Lindenwood Newman Center will collect items needed by victims and rescue workers. A bin is available Sunday, December 1 through Friday, December 6 at the Lindenwood Newman Center on the St. Charles campus for dropLU Newman Center members—serving the community with care and concern. off donations (to be directed to collection sites in Peoria). The Lindenwood Newman Center is located at 1923 First Capitol Drive, Suite F, on the Lindenwood Campus in St. Charles. Drop-off hours are 1pm - midnight on Monday - Thursday, 1 - 5pm on Friday and 9pm - midnight on Sunday. Newman Center members and/or staff will be present during drop-off times. Items Needed Baby items: diapers all sizes, wipes, bottles, formula and baby food (nothing close to or already expired), socks, hats and gloves all sizes, blankets, personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.), paper products, cleaning supplies (gloves, trash bags, brooms dust pans, plastic bins, etc.). Monetary donations are needed also. Direct donations to www.redcross.org (Central Illinois relief efforts), 1-800-RED CROSS, or Catholic Charities, www.ccdop.org, 309.636.8000. Thank you for supporting our relief efforts to aid the tornado victims in Washington, IL, and beyond.

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WSD Named to AP Honor Roll by College Board

The Wentzville School District has again been honored by the College Board with placement on the 4th Annual Advanced Placement (AP) District Honor Roll. Wentzville is one of only six districts to be recognized this year in Missouri, the only district in the state to achieve this distinction in each of the past four years, and one of only 20 school districts nationwide to achieve the distinction for four consecutive years. The WSD was recognized for increasing the number of AP courses offered in high

school while simultaneously improving student performance on the AP tests. Achieving both of these indicates that the District is successfully identifying motivated, academically prepared students who will benefit most from rigorous AP course work. AP courses were offered for the first time in the District during the 2008-09 school year, and this year the WSD is offering 23 AP courses, including AP micro and macroeconomics. “We are always seeking ways to improve instruction, and being recognized for four consecutive years is a testament to our curricular offerings and continued gains in student achievement,” said Wentzville Superintendent Dr. Curtis Cain. “Student success is always our primary focus, and our continuing efforts to increase rigor helps to ensure our students are college and career ready when they graduate.” Advanced Placement classes enable students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Each AP course culminates in a rigorous exam, providing academically prepared students with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement or both, which can potentially save students and their families thousands of dollars in college tuition. Since 2008 the WSD has increased the number of students enrolled in AP courses, and simultaneously increased the percentage of students earning AP Exam scores of 3 or higher. The majority of U.S. colleges and universities grant college credit or advanced placement for a score of 3 or above on AP exams. In 2013, over 2.2 million students representing more than 18,000 schools from around the world, both public and nonpublic, took 3.9 million AP exams.

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www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 27, 2013

$40.3 Million High School for Wentzville R-IV School District

A total of 283 freshmen have the newest high school in the Wentzville R-IV School District all to themselves this school year, but it will be brimming with students in the coming years as the fastest growing district in Missouri continues to see booming enrollment. Brinkmann Constructors completed the $40.3 million Liberty High School, the third high school in the Wentzville district. The school district has been adding 500 students annually. Liberty High School, located at 2275 Sommers Road in Lake Saint Louis will ultimately host up to 1,200 students. Designed by Hoener Associates, Inc., the 227,000-square-foot school features 54 classrooms and a 16,000-square-foot gym. Clad in brick and accented with “Liberty Eagle” cast stone medallions, the main entry opens into a lobby and security vestibule for screening of those entering the building. The school is infused with technology including a fiber optic backbone for both wired and wireless Internet. Located on an 80-acre site, master planning for the new high school was challenged by a small creek that meandered through the property. Vehicular and pedestrian bridges were installed to cost efficiently comply with U.S. Army Corp of Engineers watershed regulations and unite the school with outdoor athletic facilities including a track and football field, a soccer field, baseball and softball fields, and practice fields. The athletic facilities also feature concession stands, tennis courts and parking. Liberty High School is the fifth major school project completed by Brinkmann over the past five years. Others include the $70 million Westminster Christian Academy in Town & Country, Mo., the $30.3 million Francis Howell High School in St. Charles, Mo., the $6.6 million Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis and the $4.9 million Rolla Junior High School in Rolla, Mo.

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School

Edward Jones Internship Program Creates Pipeline to Employment After a summer interning in the Marketing Services department at Edward Jones, Abigail Langworthy recently returned to work in the Online Client Support department. She is one of six St. Louis Community College students who have parlayed their internship into opportunities for full- and flex-time work. The Edward Jones Internship program began in summer 2012, and STLCC-Forest Park’s Business Administration department has placed interns there every semester since. All were offered and accepted employment after their internship ended. Jeffrey D. Jones, professor of business administration at STLCC-Forest Park, said: “The paid internship is a fulltime, 10-week internship providing the student with an intimate look inside the financial services industry. The students’ success has been inspiring. Abigail Langworthy Rodney Gee, president of the STLCC Foundation Board of Directors, is a principal for financial advisor diversity performance for Edward Jones. He joined the company in 2000 as a department leader for the human resources function for the Information Systems division, with responsibilities including IS training and the day-to-day recruitment, benefits and compensation administration, and management of more than 1,000 associates. Prior to his current position, Gee served as director of human resources for its Service division. He was named a principal in the firm in 2002. At STLCC’s Commencement ceremonies this past spring, Gee received the college’s Honorary Degree Award, presented by Kevin Gomez, who interned at Edward Jones with Gee, while earning his associate degree in general transfer studies.. During the internship, which pays on average $15 an hour, students keep a journal, and must submit it to their Rodney Gee, left, and Kevin Gomez at STLCC’s professor. They also make a presentation at the compa- Commencement ceremony. ny, and Jones is present for it. Langworthy said they receive one-on-one attention with a mentor, and meet every two weeks. For more information, please contact Jones at jdjones@stlcc. edu or 314.644.9080.

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November 27, 2013 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Movie

“12 Years a Slave”

By Steve Bryan - Rated: R

Several movies have covered the horrors of former free man also slavery in great detail, but few possess the raw must at times hide his emotional depth of 12 Years a Slave. Based on considerable educathe book of the same name, this period piece tion to avoid attracttells the incredible tale of one man’s battle to ing undue attention. regain his identity and freedom. Although Ejiofor Chiwetel Ejiofor (2012) turns in an Oscarcarries the film, he reworthy performance as Solomon Northup, a ceives considerable help free-born man from Saratoga Springs, New from some well-known acYork. A respected member of the commutors. Benedict Cumberbatch, who was so nity, Northup accepts a job offer from two good in the recent Star Trek film, plays a slave men passing through town. While his wife is owner who treats Solomon with kindness away, Solomon figures he can make some exand consideration. There are times, though, tra money for his family. when even a considerate master cannot proAccompanying them to Washington, D.C., tect Northup from the cruelties of other men. Northup has dinner with his new friends and Michael Fassbender also deserves notice passes out, presumably from drinking too for his portrayal of cotton plantation owner much wine. He wakes up hours later in chains Edwin Epps. Every day, Epps weighs the cotwithin a dark room. He is subsequently beatton picked by each slave, severely beating the 12 Years a Slave photo courtesy of Regency Enterprises en and ordered never to speak of his wife, ones who don’t pick the bare minimum of 200 that a homeowner and family man could lose everychildren, and life in New York ever again. pounds. Even those favored by Epps may fall Slavery has always been a grim chapter in United thing—including his very identity—in a matter of mo- under the stern gaze of his equally cruel wife, however. ments. Without papers showing States history, but 12 Years Brutally honest, 12 Years a Slave is easily one of the his free status, Solomon North- best films of the fall. Here’s hoping that Hollywood rea Slave contains a deeply personal connection to this Several movies have covered the up becomes property to be used members this and Chiwetel Ejiofor once awards season practice. With Northup’s horrors of slavery in great detail, and abused by various overseers comes around. masters. memoir to guide him, direc12 Years a Slave, rated R for violence/cruelty, some but few possess the raw emotion- and An underappreciated actor, nudity, and brief sexuality, currently is playing in thetor Steve McQueen examal depth of 12 Years a Slave. Chiwetel Ejiofor gives a com- aters. ines pre-Civil America and manding performance in the the slave trade in greater Born and raised in South St. Louis, Steve Bryan is now lead role. Ejiofor embodies Nordetail. based in Anaheim, California, and has been allowed access In the digital age, it’s somewhat difficult to imagine thup’s pain as he struggles to get back to his family. The to movie and television sets to see actors and directors at work. Though his writing has taken him far from St. Louis, Steve is, at heart, still the same wideeyed kid who spent countless hours watching classic movies at neighborhood theaters.

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This Month’s Shelter: Humane Society of Missouri 1201 Macklind Avenue, MO 63110 • 314-647-8800 • www.hsmo.org If you’ve adopted a new family member that you saw in Community News, send us a picture of you and your new pal. Also include a brief story about your pet’s background and how they’re doing now. We’d love to share your happy story with other readers! Community News, 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr., O’Fallon, MO 63366 or editor@ mycnews.com.

The U.S. Humane Society estimates 6 to 8 million dogs and cats enter shelters each year, and 3 to 4 million are euthanized. Please do your part to control overpopulation and to limit the number of unwanted animals. SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS!

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www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 27, 2013

Recipes:

Sweeten the Season

Show your friends and family just how much you care with delicious homemade holiday desserts. The combination of seasonal flavors and time-honored traditions are sure to give holiday party guests a sweet memory to savor long after gatherings and get-togethers are over. Eagle Brand makes the holiday season even sweeter with these delicious tips and recipes: • Look to trusted pantry staples, like sweetened condensed milk, to create multiple holiday desserts. The delicious blend of milk and sugar provides a fool-proof base for pies, fudge and even ice cream – no ice cream maker required. • Guests will be delighted to see the classic pumpkin pie on your holiday dessert table. Serve up a tasty spin on this quintessential dessert with a streusel, chocolate

glaze or dulce de leche topping. • Top off your favorite pie, cake or bread pudding with delicious homemade ice cream. The sweetness and warmth of cinnamon, ginger and vanilla in Eagle Brand Pumpkin Gingersnap Ice Cream is perfect as the a la mode partner to your favorite dessert or served on its own. In November, if you follow Eagle Brand on Pinterest and re-pin your favorite recipes, you’ll have a chance to win one of over 100 great prizes including a KitchenAid® Mixer and other baking essentials. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 and over. Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. For Official Rules and more delicious holiday recipes, including a how-to video for the Perfect Pumpkin Pie recipe, visit www.eaglebrand.com.

Perfect Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Gingersnap Ice Cream

Makes 8 servings

Makes 2.5 quarts

Ingredients: 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin (about 2 cups) 1 (14 ounce) can Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust

Ingredients: 2 cups heavy whipping cream 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 cup solid-pack pumpkin 1 (14 ounce) can Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk 1 1/2 cups crushed ginger snap cookies

Directions: Heat oven to 425°F. Whisk pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, spices and salt in medium bowl until smooth. Pour into crust. Bake 15 minutes.

minutes at 350°F, spread evenly over top. Bake 10 minutes.

Cool. Garnish as desired.

Streusel Topping: Combine 1/2 cup packed brown sugar and 1/2 cup flour in medium bowl. Cut in 1/4 cup cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped nuts. After pie has baked 30 minutes at 350°F, sprinkle evenly over top. Bake an additional 10 minutes.

Topping Options: Sour Cream Topping: Combine 1 1/2 cups sour cream, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in medium bowl. After pie has baked 30

Chocolate Glaze: Melt 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon shortening in small saucepan over low heat. Drizzle or spread over top of baked pie.

Reduce oven temperature to 350°F; bake an additional 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted 1 inch from crust comes out clean.

cream mixture.

Directions: Beat heavy whipping cream, extract, cinnamon and ginger in large bowl on medium speed with electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Combine pumpkin and sweetened condensed milk. Fold pumpkin mixture and gingersnap cookies into whipped

Pour into 9-by-5-inch loaf pan or other 2-quart container; cover. Freeze 6 hours or until firm. ©/® The J.M. Smucker Company. KitchenAid is a registered trade mark of KitchenAid, U.S.A.

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Learn & Play

SUDOKU:

November 27, 2013 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that every row, column and 3-by-3 box includes all the digits 1 through 9.

See solution on page 21

Western Features Flawed, but Fascinating Female Writing about historical females victimized by their circumstances is Kathleen Kent’s calling card. The Heretic’s Daughter, a previous “Novel Ideas” pick, presented a stunning portrait of Puritan life based on the life of a distant relative of Kent’s hanged as a witch. In her new novel, Kent shifts her focus to post Civil War Texas and New Orleans. The Outcasts features another compelling woman, Lucinda, a comely prostitute beset with epilepsy who flees a brothel seeking love with William McGill, a sociopathic killer driven by greed, who she meets in the house of ill repute. Lucinda’s story is revealed in chapters that alternate between her endeavors to pull off an intricate plan McGill has plotted to find some long-lost gold, and Texas Ranger Nate Common’s attempts to bring McGill to justice on a path strewn with grisly murders orchestrated by the charming criminal. Lucinda is highly intelligent, but misdirected and gullible. Initially, readers can’t help but have sympathy for her. As a child growing up with epilepsy her father committed her to an insane asylum. Vulnerable, she finds comfort in McGill, the only man she’s ever known who doesn’t recoil at her seizures. When he involves her in his crime spree, she risks everything, including her self-respect. Nate joins forces with two other Texas Rangers determined to corral McGill, but he has no idea that McGill and Lucinda are in cahoots, or that the rangers have a personal agenda in wanting to bring McGill to justice. As the cat-and-mouse chase ensues, the noose around Lucinda’s neck tightens, both with the law and in her relationship with McGill. Kent has written another book that’s hard to set aside, and created a complex female that while respected for her cunning and forbearance, is also frustrating and flawed. Lucinda, though smart and lovely, lives out the old country ballad Stand by Your Man, until you just want to shake her. Reprinted with permission. Missourian Publishing Company. Copyright 2013.

This special Newspaper In Education feature is brought to you by the St. Louis American Foundation, the Missouri Press Foundation and this newspaper.

Growing future scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians with the newspaper!

SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | ENGINEERING | MATH

more. Wheat, oatmeal, and brown rice are examples of whole grains. Protein is found in fish, meat, eggs, and beans. Protein helps build muscle, skin, and hair. There is an expression that says, “Garbage The food we eat provides nutrients and keeps in, garbage out.” This means that if you eat our bodies working properly. It’s important to eat a lot of junk food, your mind and body will a balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, not function properly. However, eating a whole grains, dairy, and lean protein. Dairy balanced diet will help your body and products like milk, yogurt, and cheese mind develop and work correctly. provide vitamins and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus to build strong Discuss: Why is it important teeth and bones. Fruits and vegetables to make healthy food choices? provide the majority of vitamins How can you make and minerals to keep our Grains Fruits Vegetables Milk Meat & Beans healthy food choices at Make half your Focus Vary Eat calcium-rich Go lean bodies healthy and to help home, school, and on grains whole on fruits your veggies foods with protein fight infection. It is important the go? to eat five servings a day and to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Whole grains provide Learning Standards: Use nonfiction text to find details to support your inferences. CCS.ELA-LiteracyCCRA.R.2, fiber and help control heart disease, cholesterol, and much CCS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.6

Background Information: Have you ever noticed that when you eat a lot of sugar you feel a jolt of energy? Sugar enters the bloodstream quickly and your body goes

Materials Needed: 2 glasses, corn syrup, red food coloring, measuring spoon, sugar, flour

R GA

to work to remove it. When your body has removed the sugar, you feel tired, hungry, or achy. Carbohydrates, found in foods such as bread and potatoes, enter the bloodstream more slowly. In this experiment, you will observe how the bloodstream absorbs sugar and carbohydrates.

Directions: STEP 1. Fill two glasses halfway with corn syrup STEP 2. Add two drops of red food coloring to each glass to represent artificial blood. STEP 3. Place one teaspoon of sugar on top of the liquid in one glass and one teaspoon of flour on top of the liquid in the other. STEP 4. Watch the two glasses to see which is absorbed more quickly.

Analyze: Record your observations. What can you conclude about eating sugar and carbohydrates?

Learning Standards: I can follow instructions to complete an experiment. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.1

Extra! Read All About It! Directions: Use the newspaper to complete the following activities to sharpen your skills.

Activity: Newspapers are a great source of recipes. Find a recipe in the newspaper and imagine you’re going to make enough of the food to share with your classmates. Convert the serving size and ingredients in the recipe to make enough for everyone in your class.

Learning Standards: Use nonfiction text to locate specific information. Add, subtract, and multiply for real-life application. CCSS.ELA-Literary.CCRA.W.4, CCS.ELA-LiteracyCCRA.R.2

Go Figure! Directions: Use your math

e Carbohydrates also have

skills to analyze food labels.

4 calories per gram. How many grams of carbohydrates are listed on your label? ____ How many calories is this?_____

Questions: q Fat has 9 calories per gram. If your food has 4 grams of fat, it would have 36 total calories from fat. Look at your label. How many grams of fat does it contain? ____ How many calories is this? _____ w Protein has 4 calories per gram. If your food has 4 grams of protein, it would have 16 total calories from protein. Look at your label. How many grams of protein does it contain? _____ How many calories is this?_____

Extension: If you have food with multiple servings in the package, like a large bag of chips, determine the weight and number of chips in each serving.

Learning Standards: I can use numbers to add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve problems. CCSS.MathContent.3.OA.A3

Content—Jennifer Wirthwein • Design—Beth Sharpe

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 27, 2013

Sports

Gary Baute Rams Tame Bears in a SoldOut Dome The St. Louis Rams professional football team didn’t waste any time in Sunday’s game putting points on the board fast and often as they beat the visiting Chicago Bears 42-21. The last time they tallied a score that high was about 12-years ago. Less than two minutes into the game, Ram’s running back Tavon Austin took a hand off and rambled 65-yards for the first score. Before the first quarter the squad scored 21-points. The other scores in the period included a one-yard run by running back Zac Stacy and a six-yard pass from quarterback Kellen Clemens to end Jared Cook. Other touchdowns recorded had running back Benny Cunningham bolt his way nine yards for a score. Defensive lineman Robert Quinn scooped up

a fumble and romped 31-yards. Kicker Greg Zuerlein added three extra points and two field goals (29 and 40-yards). This was the first time since 2008 the Dome had been ‘sold out.’ There were a lot of Chicago fans. *Can you say two game winning streak? Scottrade Wednesday with Boxing and MMA Matches The Guns ‘N Hoses hold the 27th event at the Scottrade center that benefits the BackStoppers.

The fundraiser features three-round boxing

matches between area police officers and firefighters to raise money for the BackStoppers, an organization that provides immediate financial aid and long-term financial and other support to the families of police officers and firefighters who lose their lives in the line of duty. There will be a 17-bout card and three to five Mixed Martial Arts matches. Visit www.STLGunsNHoses.com for more details. *Close to being sold out Indoor Soccer Debuts at Family Arena with Familiar Faces The St. Louis Ambush professional indoor soccer team play in the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). Their inaugural game last Friday was in front of a packed house and routed Pennsylvania Roar 17-4. Unfortunately, the next night at the Family Arena were out scored by the Missouri Comets 28-7 to even their record a 1-1. Those of you who followed indoor soccer in the yesteryear will know the names Daryl Doran-Head Coach and Jeff Dimaria, player/assistant coach. The Ambush will be right back at the Arena this Friday against the Missouri Comets again 7:35pm. www.StLouisAmbush.com *Kickin’ good time

Charles Community College Make History The men’s team finished the regular season with a record of 12-3-1. They went undefeated in the MCCAC Conference and took home the conference title. “I’m extremely pleased with the success of both teams this season,” said Chris Gober, director of athletics at SCC. “Adding funding to the program gave us a tremendous advantage over previous years.” The women’s team also finished with a winning regular season record of 12-7. “I couldn’t be more proud of the girls and what they have accomplished this season,” said Ashlee Slayback, women’s head soccer coach at SCC. “They worked hard, improved

as individuals and, most importantly, played together as a team and became a family.” *More kickin’ Gary Baute, a St. Louis native, may be educated in business but he lives and breathes sports. As a fan or an athlete, Gary is all sports all the time. He hosted a radio sports program on KFNS, emceed the River City Rascals’ inaugural season, and co-hosted SportsRadioSTL.com, among many other activities. Currently he broadcasts a radio show on 590 ‘The Man’ and 1380 ‘The Woman.’

Men and Women Soccer Team at St. www.mikesgrillandtap.com

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What’s Happening

November 27, 2013 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Send your event to editor@mycnews.com and we'll print it! EVENTS Now-December: Looking for Crisis Nursery Holiday Angels For the 2013 Holiday Hearts Campaign. Join our effort and grant holiday wish list items to deserving children and families in need. Supporters may choose to sponsor a family or purchase items off of the Crisis Nursery Holiday Wish List. www.crisisnurserykids.org or 314.292.5770. November 30: Craft Fair 9am - 2pm at St. John’s U.C.C. Cappeln, 60 St. Johannes Lane near New Melle. Lunch available to purchase. 636.828.5452. December 3: After Hours Community Band Free Annual Christmas Concert 7:30pm at Harvest Ridge Elementary School, 1220 Harvest Ridge Drive, St. Charles. Kids welcome. 636.946.7848. December 4-5: Open House for Adult Students at Webster University 4-7pm. Dec. 4 at Winghaven; Dec. 5 at Westport. Spring classes begin Jan. 6. RSVP at www. webster.edu/winghaven or www. webster.edu/westport. December 8: Troy Garden Club’s 30th Annual Holiday Home Tour 1-4pm. Holiday tea at noon at the Lincoln County Fire District #1 on Cherry Street. $10 for four homes. Info: 636.745.8360.

December 8: St. Peters Choral Society Sings Handel’s Messiah 2pm, Fort Zumwalt South High School Auditorium, 8050 Mexico Road, St. Peters. Free. Info: 636.978.8404, 636.447.5341 or stpeterschoralsociety.org. December 14-15: St. Robert Christmas Resale and Cookie Walk Saturday 7am - 5pm, Sunday 7am - 12pm. 1424 South 1st Capitol Drive, St. Charles. Info: 636.724.2704. December 16: Helping Hands for the Holidays 4-7pm, Saint Charles Convention Center. For those in need. Free (no registration required). Holiday dinner buffet, food and personal care packet distribution, heath screenings, winter coat giveaway, photos with Santa and games for children, information from local community resources. To volunteer, email chyman@scmocc.com. December 19: Act Two Theatre Performance 7pm at 1 St. Peters Centre Blvd., St. Peters. Featuring family favorites from Forever Plaid and 9 to 5: The Musical. $5. info@act2theater.com. Ongoing Events All November: Remembering Our Fallen Touring Photo Display 9am - 2pm or 4-8pm daily. Liv-

ing Word Christian School, O’Fallon. Honors military who died from wounds suffered in war zone since September 11, 2001. Living Word Christian School, O’Fallon. 636.978.1680. 1st Monday: Gardeners of St. Charles County Monthly Meeting 6:30pm. Location varies. 314.304.7480. 4th Monday: American Legion Post 388 Meets 6:30 pm at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 8945 Vets. Mem. Pkwy. 636.219.0553. Every Monday: St. Peters Rotary Club Noon at St. Peters City Hall, One St. Peters Centre Blvd. www. stpetersrotary.org. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday: Fitness First Exercise Classes 9:30-10:30am, American Legion Hall, 504 Luetkenhaus Blvd., Wentzville. 314.369.6521. 1st Tuesday: Fleur de Lis Garden Society 6:30 p.m. at the Kisker Road Library, 1000 Kisker Road. Info: Jeanne at 314.605.8563. 2nd Tuesday: Show-me Stitchers Embroiderer’s Guild of America 7pm at the Ladue Chapel. Info: www.showmestitchers.com. 4th Tuesday: O’Fallon Garden Club. 6:30pm. at Sunrise Methodist Church, 7116 Twin Chimney Blvd. Info: Barb at 636.978.5930. Every Tuesday: Kiwanis Club of St. Charles

Noon - 1 p.m. at the Columns Banquet Center in St. Charles.

636.272.1945 post5077.org.

Every Tuesday: Quilting Guild at the O’Fallon Family YMCA 1-4 p.m. Free. Quilt for local charities. No sewing experience required.

1st & 3rd Wednesday: St. Charles Area Wood Carvers 7 p.m. at Weldon Spring Site Remedial Action Project, 7295 Hwy. 94 South, St. Charles. Visitors welcome!

Every Tuesday: Toastmasters Meeting 7 p.m. at the Renaud Spirit Center, 2650 Tri Sports Circle, O’Fallon. Info: 636.379.2505. Every Tuesday & Thursday: Tai Chi at the St. Charles County Family YMCA 8-9am and 10:15-11:15am. No experience necessary. 636-9281928. Tuesdays & Thursdays: Get Fit Exercise Classes 9-10am and 5:30-6:30pm at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Hall, New Melle. 314.369.6521. Every Wednesday: Active Older Adults Game Day at the O’Fallon Family YMCA 10 a.m. Free. Bring a favorite snack to share. Anybody welcome. Every Wednesday: Crossroads Cribbage Club 10 a.m. Meets at 1380 Boone St., Troy, MO 63379. 636.528.8379. Every Wednesday: Men’s Golf League 5 p.m., tee off at 5:30 p.m. at Heritage of Hawk Ridge. www. lakesaintlouis.com, under the parks and recreation section. Every Wednesday: Charity Bingo 6:45 p.m. VFW Post 5077 sponsors, at VFW Hall, 8500 Veterans Mem. Pkwy., O’Fallon.

www.vfw-

Every Thursday: Kiwanis Club of St. Peters 6:30am at IHOP (3851 Veteran’s Memorial Pkwy St. Peters). 636.328.4941. Every Thursday: Kiwanis Club of O’Fallon 11:45 a.m. Meets at JJ’s Restaurant in O’Fallon. Info: www. ofkiwanis.com. Every Thursday: O’Fallon Rotary Club Lunch Noon at The Holy Cross Lutheran Church (8945 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, across from Fort Zumwalt Park). Visitors welcome. 636.980.1777. Every Thursday: Yoga at The St. Charles County Family YMCA 7-7:55 p.m. Any level. Info: 636.928.1928. 2nd & 4th Thursday: Alexander Chapter 242/Eastern Star St. Charles Masonic Lodge, 2051 Collier Corporate Parkway, St. Charles. 636.577.0056. Every Friday: Moms Play Group 10 a.m. at LSL Community Association, 100 Cognac Ct., Lake Saint Louis, MO 63367. 314.479.0306, andreacrislip@ gmail.com or www.lslmothersclub.com. Every Friday: VFW Fish Fry 3-8 p.m. VFW Post 2866. 66 VFW Lane. Call Bill Sams, 636.724.9612. Every Saturday: Chess 8-11 a.m. or later in the food court at Mid Rivers Mall in St. Peters. Every Saturday: St. Charles Lions Club Farmer’s Market Through October 26. 7am noon. Parking lot at Foundry Art Centre. www.historicstcharles.com. Every Saturday through October 26: Lake Saint Louis Farmers & Artists Market 8am - noon. Hwy. 40 & Lake Saint Louis Blvd. Rain or shine. The area’s only all-local market offers the very best in seasonal produce, baked goods, soaps, crafts, art and more. www. lakestlouisfarmersandartistsmarket.com. Every Saturday: Veterans Learn guitar for FREE 9:30am in Historic St. Charles. Info: Bill Dennis at 314.479.5750.

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Every Saturday: Peaceful Puppy Mill Protest 11am - 12:30pm at Petland, 6131 Ronald Reagan Drive, Lake St. Louis. banmo.puppymills@yahoo.com.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 27, 2013 Every Saturday: Saturday Writers 11am - 1:15pm, Jan-Sept at Saint Peters Cultural Arts Center. Visitors welcome. $5 fee. www.saturdaywriters.org. Every Saturday: Charity Bingo 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 4 p.m. Wentzville Community Club (500 West Main, Wentzville 63385). www.wentzvillefleamarket.org or www.facebook.com/ wentzville-community-club. 1st & 3rd Saturday: St Peters Square Dance Club Dances 6:30pm. 1st United Methodist Church, 801 First Capital Dr. www.squaredancestcharles.com. 2nd Sunday: Moscow Mills Lions Breakfast 7am - noon, September - April. Moscow Community Center, Hwy C. $7/adult, $4/child, under 6 free. www.e-clubhouse.org/ sites/moscowmills. 2nd Sunday: The Wheelers and Dealers Square Dance 7pm. Blanchette Park, 1900 W Randolph St. www.squaredancestcharles.com. CHURCH December 6: FAM JAM - Free Family Night Out 6:30pm at Morning Star Church, 1600 Feise Road, Dardenne Prairie. For 45 minutes, families engage in a live production packed with high-energy music, drama, media, comedy and a look at the Good Book. December 8: Lessons and Carols 7pm at Zion Lutheran Church and School, 3866 Harvester Road, St. Charles. Celebrate the holiday season with scripture and song as performed by children and adult choirs, handbell ensembles, and instrumentalists. www.zionharvester.org or 636.441.7425. Northside Church of Christ Free Correspondence Bible Course: Call for more information, 636.293.5030.

or 636.625.3447. 3rd Tuesday: Luncheon for Seniors 11am - 2pm at Transfiguration Episcopal Church, 1860 Lake St. Louis Blvd., 636.561.8951 2nd Wednesday: Noon Luncheon Shiloh United Methodist Church, 1515 Hwy T, Foristell, 636.673.2144. HEALTH November 21: Creating Meaningful Moments for Persons with Dementia 6pm at Barathaven Alzheimer’s Special Care Center, 1030 Barathaven Blvd, Dardenne Prairie. RSVP 636.329.9160. Cancer Survivor Fitness Program Free for all cancer patients and survivors. A 12-week program with trained instructors to help participants regain energy and improve stamina. St. Charles County Family YMCA, 636-9281928. Diabetes Self Management Training (DSMT) Available with a doctor’s order. 636.949.9600 or Patty Shelton at 636.947.5573. Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) A nutritional diagnostic therapy and counseling service held at SSM St. Joseph Health Center. Available with a doctor’s order only. Registration: 636.949.9600 Info: 636.947.5163. Free Mammogram Screenings SSM Health Care offers free mammogram screenings to women who have no health insurance. Appointments are available at SSM St. Joseph Health Center, 300 First Capitol Drive in St. Charles and SSM St. Joseph Hospital West, 100 Medical Plaza in Lake Saint Louis. Info: Karen at 636.947.5617.

Diabetes Prevention Program Helping those at high risk for type 2 diabetes adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles to reduce chances of developing the disease. Held at participating YMCA’s throughout the St. Louis and St. Charles areas. This program is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionled National Diabetes Prevention Program. Contact Joyce Hoth at 314-436-1177. Crisis Nursery Committed to preventing child abuse and neglect, the Crisis Nursery provides short-term, safe havens to children, birth through age 12, whose families are faced with an emergency or crisis. 24-hour helpline: 314.768.3201. Or 636.947.0600, www.crisisnurserykids.org Support Groups Daily: 12 Step Recovery Club 204 G West Pittman, O’Fallon. Info: Mike at 636.240.1722 or www.212club.org. Every Monday: BILY (Because I Love You) Parent Support Group 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 801 First Capitol Dr., St. Charles. For parents only. Free. Focus on teens/young adults who act out. Help Line 314.993.7550. 1st & 3rd Mondays: Sharing Losses Through Bereavement 1-2:30pm. at SSM Home Care & Hospice, 1187 Corporate Lake Drive. Registration: 314.776.3627. Every Mon.: Tobacco Free for Life Want to Quit Smoking? For support, call Ellen, register nurse at SSM St. Joseph Hospital, 636.947.5304. 1st Mon.: Better Breathers Club Those w/chronic lung disease. St. Joseph Health Cntr., 300 1st Capitol Dr., St. Charles. Free lunch.

What’s Happening

636.947.5684. 3rd Monday: Walking for Wellness-STOP HEROIN Life After Loss Support Group 7-8:30pm at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital, Medical Office Building, 6 Jungermann Circle, Ste. 212, St. Peters. Discuss loss of your loved one and heal. 314.630.9222 or geevigna@charter.net. 12 Step Support Group for Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Meets in 4 locations in the metro St Louis area. metrostlouissia@ gmail.com. • 1st and 3rd Monday: 9:3011am 500 Medical Dr in Wentzville; doctors dining room of St Joseph Hospital; contact 636.561.0389. • 2nd and 4th Tuesday: 6:308pm 2 Progress Point Parkway in O’Fallon, MO; 4th floor conference room of Progress West Hospital; contact 636.561.0389. 1st Tuesday: Parkinson’s Support Group 1-2pm at the Community Commons in Spencer Road Library. Info: Alicia Wildhaber at 636.926.3722. 4th Tues: Diabetes Support Group 6:30-7:30 p.m. At HW Koenig Med Bldg, St Joseph Hosp. West. 636.625.5447 Every Wednesday: Co-Dependents (CODA) Anonymous Meeting 8pm, 2800 Elm St., St. Charles. Separate brick house behind church complex. Contact Julie at 636.397.8676. This meeting is for women only. 1st Wed: Missouri/Illinois Multiple Myeloma Support Group 10-11am at St. Joseph Medical

Park: Education Room, 1475 Kisker Road, St. Charles. RSVP is appreciated at 636.447.9006 or hoss4twa@sbcglobal.net. 3rd Wed. 6:30–8 p.m. KidsCan! Siteman Cancer Center, BarnesJewish St. Peters Hosp., 150 Entrance Way, St. Peters. Support children 4–12 w/parent/significant caregiver w/cancer. 1st Thursday: Nurses & Company Parkinson’s Support Group 1-2pm at Twin Oaks at Heritage Pointe (228 Savannah Terrace, Wentzville) for those with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. Questions: Alicia Wildhaber with Nurses & Company at 636.926.3722. 1st Thurs: Conquer 6:30–7:30pm. Support Group for adults w/cancer. Siteman Cancer Cntr, Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hosp., 150 Entrance Way, St. Peters. 636.916.9920. 2nd Thurs: Support Group for Alzheimer’s 4pm. Delmar Gardens, 7068 S. Outer 364, O’Fallon. Call: Jennifer Krpan, Ralph Covinsky 636.240.6100. 4th Thurs: Breast Cancer Support Group 6:30–8pm. Siteman Cancer Cntr, Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hosp., 150 Entrance Way. 636.928. WELL (9355) or 800.392.0936. www.siteman.bjsph.org. 3rd Sun: Alzheimer’s Meeting 12:45-1:45pm. Morning Star Church, 1600 Feise Rd., O’Fallon. Faith-based for caregivers, family of those w/memory loss. 1.800.272.3900. Gateway to Hope Program Helps uninsured or underinsured breast cancer patients who reside in Missouri. 314.569.1113 or www.gthstl.org.

Operation Backpack: United Methodist Church, Wentzville Food to at-risk children over the weekend. 636.327.6377 Every Tuesday: Ministry To Men: Men’s Introductory Bible Discussion Groups 7am at United Methodist Church, 725 N. Wall St., Wentzville. Groups are interdenominational and beginners as well as “old timers” are welcome. 636.698.5598 Sudoku Solutions from page 18

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November • Community • www.mycnews.com November 27, 201327,• 2013 Community News -News St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com 22 14

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PUBLIC NOTICE

Editor

HELP WANTED

Newspapers and Magazines 1740 Parker Rd St. Louis, Mo 63138 Will be selling the contents of the following Units on December 10, 2013 at 10:00am:

Part Time, Flex Hour, Salaried position. Work from Office and Home. Responsible for content, some writing, editorial staff management, coordination with production layout, and occasional interface with community leaders. Experience or training required. Please send resume to: Publisher Community News 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366

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Machine Tool Technology Part-Time Instructor Linn State Technical College has an opening for a part-time Machine Tool Technology Instructor at the Lewis and Clark Career Center in St. Charles, Missouri to begin December 2013. This position is funded by the 3-year Federal MoManufacturingWINs Grant, issued by the Department of Labor. Duties include teaching grant participants in the areas of measurements, materials and safety, job planning, bench work and layout, CNC turning operations, and CNC milling operations. Classes will meet Monday through Thursday evenings. Qualifications: Three years of relevant work experience; associate degree preferred; excellent communication, computer, and interpersonal skills. Application review will begin immediately. Position will remain open until filled. To apply please send a letter of application, completed application form, resume, transcript(s), and three current reference names and telephone numbers to: Human Resources Department Linn State Technical College One Technology Drive Linn, MO 65051 e-mail: hr@linnstate.edu LSTC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer M/F/HV. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

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November 27, 2013 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Joe Morice

Over the Fence

Pub Crawls Could Backfire Pub Crawls occur often in St. Charles Main Street pubs, of which there are many. The way I understand it, someone organizes a charity event and charges participants around $20 or $25 each. For that, they get tee-shirts showing the charity’s name and punch cards for one free drink at each participating bar. The last two crawls occurred on Saturdays, and I’m told there were hundreds of participants in each one. I had approached a restaurant for a late lunch and only got inside the doorway before being deafened by a horde of crawlers that seemed to be having a contest to see who could yell loudest. As I stood in amazement of the drunken chaos, I was nearly knocked down by more crawlers entering. I gave up and went lunch-hunting in other Main Street bar/restaurants but they all suffered the same chaos. However Tony’s Restaurant bar was quiet. “Ah Ha! An Oasis!” Tony evidently wasn’t participating, or so I thought. I sat at the almost empty bar and ordered a sandwich and a beverage. Some pub crawlers entered and were told they were being served upstairs in the nightclub area. I quietly toasted the gods of Smart. I later learned the crawl continued all afternoon and into the wee night hours. I missed a large brawl in the

street where pub crawlers were allegedly seen in the melee. It also isn’t uncommon to see drunks losing their lunch in the gutters after an afternoon and evening of pub crawl over-indulging. Perhaps these charities aren’t aware of the problems these events are causing for bar/restaurant owners and employees, diners, police and so on. I saw Tony a few weeks later and complimented him on sending the crawlers upstairs to his night club area so they wouldn’t bother his restaurant customers. He claimed the recent crawl was the last one he would participate in because it was getting out of hand. I spoke with other owners who had various but similar reactions; few of them good. The complaints ranged from little or no tipping and losing regular customers because of the crowds and noise to what they called “Amateur Drinkers,” meaning people that aren’t used to drinking and end up staggering drunk and obnoxious. It’s no secret that charities are having problems with funding since the recession began and even before. One can’t blame them for using whatever means available to stay afloat. However, inflicting hundreds of recreational

drinkers on Main Street bars could end up backfiring in a time when political correctness, morals police, and socalled DUI checkpoints are manifest. The word, “hypocrisy” is bandied about quite often, which may refer to the paradox of endangering innocents to fund charities that help endangered innocents. I’m sure local civic leaders want to avoid initiating the rancor of charities and subsequently, the voters. However, in the case of pub crawl overindulging, this could end up with innocent people being hurt or even killed by drunk drivers wearing pub crawl charity tee shirts. Many would like to see this problematic method of fundraising stopped. It probably isn’t lost on bar owners they could be sued if one of the crawlers were killed or killed someone else; the possibility of the suit including the charity notwithstanding. Most pub crawlers behave themselves quite well but an old paradigm still applies; the actions of a few often spoil things for the majority. One might conservatively consider that 10% of 250 pub crawlers unaccustomed to drinking and excessively overindulging comes to 25 potential accidents. Joe Morice is Community News’s blue-collar philosopher. He was born and raised in Missouri and spent most of his childhood on a farm and adulthood operating big machines. He has no formal training as a writer, unless 60 years of writing about any and everything counts.

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The opinions expressed in this column are Joe Morice’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.