colliers@colliersfuneralhome.com www.colliersfuneralhome.com
www.floydstire.com
N THIS SSUE
Around Town Creve Coeur crews begin tree removal to combat the Emerald Ash Borer and more.
Feature Learning how to serve Students from area schools give back to the community through a myriad of projects By Sara Hardin
Our Thoughts Moore on Life author Cindy Moore ponders the great mysteries of life while Avalanche wades through even more mud in the mountains. The 2016 Jeep Wrangler builds on its reputation of strong craftsmanship in this month’s Automobile Alley
Lifestyle Looking back at the year in horror movies in Entertainment Watermelon works as both easy art and a sweet treat in For the Love of Food
NonProfit Profile Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services
Caring Partners Why sleep apnea is bad for your health and more
Events Calendar Staff Writer - Sara Hardin Cover Photo - Debra Carson
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AuthorBiographies
Our Town Volume 07 | Number 09 October 2016
4 | OUR TOWN | SEPTEMBER 2016
PUBLISHER Robert Huneke EDITOR Mathew DeKinder PRODUCTION Lisa Moran Melissa Nordmann CONTRIBUTORS Avalanche, David Finkelstein, Brian Guerrero, Cindy Moore PHOTOGRAPHER Erica Avellone STAFF WRITERS Brett Auten Sara Hardin For advertising information, please contact us at:
info@mycnews.com or
Community News
Avalanche is a functional illiterate who left the St. Louis area three decades ago in search of adventure. He enjoys motorcycling and all things outdoors. He lives with his wife and dogs.
Avalanche
Sara Hardin is a senior English and Writing student at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. After earning her degree, she hopes to continue her writing journey with Community News, through which she has been able to meet and speak with many of the community’s most influential individuals from her home in North County.
Sara Hardin
David Finkelstein
David Finkelstein is a Master/Skill Automotive Service Technician, maintaining that role for over 45 years, coupled with being a shop owner in that time frame as well. He’s also invented a number of garage service tools for mechanics and has served on both National as well as local Automotive Trade Industry Boards. Additionally, he pioneered “Car Talk Radio” over 40 years ago, starting out with KMOX/CBS Radio as well as hosted “Auto Talk” on KFTK/FOX News Radio for some 15-years. David tests and evaluates new vehicles weekly and also does some consulting with various auto manufacturers, both import as well as with domestic nameplates.
Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder.
Cindy Moore
Brian Guerro
Brian Guerrero is a former resident of Los Angeles and a current resident of New York City with extensive experience in front of and behind the camera for film and television.
Published by the Community News, Our Town is a monthly news magazine covering the cities of Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, and Olivette. Circulation is 15,000 monthly through over 200 monitored newsstands guaranteeing 100% pickup. Additional issues are distributed online, and a free online subscription is available at www. mycnews.com
2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366 Ph: 636.379.1775 Fx: 636.379.1632 www.mycnews.com Copyright 2016 Huneke Publications, Inc. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
AroundTown
Advertiser Profile
Forrest Keeling Nursery Annual Chestnut Roast
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BY NICHOLAS ELMES and lots of events for children, including a petting zoo, Forrest Keeling Nursery, a family-owned Elsberry business storytelling and face-painting. founded in 1948, grows over 750,000 trees, shrubs and Adults will have a chance to participate in four educational perennials each year. seminars: Monarch Life Cycle and Migration, presented by The company touts a patented Joyce Oblerle of Missourians for Root Production Method, a growing Monarchs at 11 a.m.; Bee Keeping, system which produces fasterpresented by Fred Meeder and growing and hardier plants. Mia Armada at noon; Chestnuts “We also do a lot of native trees, and Agroforestry, presented by shrubs and perennials,” said Dr. Gene Garrett of the Center General Manager Kim Lovelacefor Agroforestry at 1 p.m.; and Young, adding that they have focus Pawpaws, presented by Lupe Rios on restoration of wetlands and of Forrest Keeling Nursery at 2 p.m. other critical environmental areas. Lovelace-Young said many “Our ‘Habitat Headquarters’ people did not realize that chestnuts provides plants for pollinators and You can enjoy roasted chestnuts at Forrest Keeling Nursery’s Great are fruits – not nuts. wildlife as well as beautiful native River Road Chestnut Roast on Oct. 15. “They are gluten free and can be home landscapes.” used in many different recipes,” she added. On Oct. 15, Forrest Keeling Nursery will host the Great For more information, please call Forrest Keeling Nursery River Road Chestnut Roast from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., an at 800-356-2401, visit their website at www.fknursery.com, event Lovelace-Young says has drawn as many as 1,000 or stop by their garden center at 88 Forrest Keeling Lane in people to the business. Elsberry. “The event is all about promoting chestnuts and other specialty crops such as pawpaws and persimmons,” she said. “We will be giving out samples of roasted chestnuts in cooperation with the Center for Agroforestry from the University of Missouri. There will also be samples of chestnut beer from Urban Chestnut Brewery, pawpaw ice cream, pawpaw bread and chestnut chili.” The event will feature a variety of music, over 25 vendors
A Green Menace
Creve Coeur crews begin tree removal to combat the Emerald Ash Borer The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), which has killed millions of trees since it was discovered in Michigan in 2002, has been confirmed in St. Louis County including Creve Coeur. This one-half inch bright green insect from Asia will kill untreated ash trees in Creve Coeur. The city has budgeted to either remove or treat ash trees in the right-of-way and homeowners are encouraged to create plans for their trees, as well. City staff began removal of dead and critical ash trees this summer. For the next five years, the city plans to remove and stump grind a minimum of 200 trees annually. In the event that the city will be removing an ash tree from the right-ofway adjacent to your property, a door hanger will be placed on your front door regarding the removals a couple of days in advance of the removal.For more information please check the Street Tree Planting page on the city’s website for further information on the EAB and the planting program. OCTOBER 2016 | OUR TOWN | 5
AroundTown
Thinning the Herd Creve Coeur City Council approves amendment allowing crossbows to hunt deer The Creve Coeur City Council approved an amendment to Ordinance 5226 to allow licensed hunters to use crossbows to hunt deer within city limits when a permit is obtained from the Creve Coeur Police Department. Suburban deer can be a hazard and nuisance to residents and motorists alike. To help alleviate this problem, the city council adopted an ordinance in 2011 allowing archers to use longbows or compound bows to hunt on properties or land tracts of one acre or combined parcels or homes that equate to one acre. Hunters are required to have a minimum of $2 million per occurrence insurance, and hunting must take place in an elevated position of at least 10 feet facing the interior of the property. While this helped to decrease the deer population, the number of
deer harvested in Creve Coeur has significantly declined since 2011, and the Creve Coeur Police Department has recently seen an increase in calls for service involving deer. In an effort to increase participation in the program, the amendment will allow hunters to use crossbows in addition to longbows and compound bows to hunt deer within city limits. The change is the result of a consultation with the Missouri Department of Conservation, which will begin allowing crossbows statewide, beginning this deer season. “Crossbows are efficient, use a smaller arrow and have a shorter range than traditional compound bows,” said Captain Jon Romas. “Our hope is that by allowing crossbows, more residents will participate in the program, helping to reduce the city’s deer population.”
In Missouri, bow hunting season runs from Sept. 15 through Jan. 15. Residents interested in allowing hunting on their property or on combined properties are encouraged to contract an experienced and licensed archery hunter aged eighteen or older. Prior to hunting activity, the person seeking permission to bow hunt must complete the “Notification of Intent to Hunt Form” and notify all contiguous neighbors. Residents are also encouraged to help reduce the deer population by refraining from feeding deer and by planting deer-resistant plants. More information is available at www.creve-coeur.org/deer or by contacting the Police Department Support Services Assistant at 314-8720946.
Creve Coeur Brings in Funds City obtains over $2 million in grants in Fiscal Year 2016 In an effort to manage the city’s resources and funds responsibly, city staff is continually seeking opportunities to offset city costs by obtaining grants. These grants help to offset personnel, equipment and major capital improvement expenses. During the 2016 Fiscal Year, which ended on
6 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2016
June 30, the city was awarded or received over $2 million in grants. These include: • $434,845 from the Municipal Parks Grant Commission for renovations to the Dielmann Recreation Complex. • $1,511,970 combined from the Federal Highway Administration for roadway and sidewalk improvements on Graeser Road, Coeur de Ville Road, Emerson Road and Warson Road. • $141,239 from the Parkway School District as part of a three-year agreement to reimburse the salary for a school resource officer. • $97,000 from the Missouri Department of Transportation - Highway Safety Division for expenses associated with police enforcement activities, equipment and support as well as overtime and salary reimbursement for police and public safety activities. • $28,800 from Housing and Urban Development for accessibility improvements to the intersection of Town and Four Drive at Town and Four Parkway.
AroundTown Advertorial
I MARRIED THAT REDHEAD BY RUSS PATTON, OWNER OF BYERLY RV While I was getting educated at Washington University I met a young redhead who said her family had bought a Byerly trailer. It turned out to be an original that Walter Byerly built in 1954. I had a 1951 Studebaker. I married that redhead and soon afterward Adrienne and I set out for a three-week adventure through the western states. Our decision to begin heading south on I-44 would be regretted later. In the desert we had to operate the heater to keep the car from overheating. Unfortunately for Adrienne, the Studebaker heater consists of a “radiator” below the front seats. She retreated to be back seat. Highlights included watching hot air balloons practicing for the upcoming event in Albuquerque, New Mexico, driving the Pacific coast highway from San Clemente to San Francisco, enjoying beautiful Oak Creek Canyon, and visiting friends and relatives along the way. We barely made it over the mountains before the October snows closed the passes. The ride home was harrowing. A blizzard followed us through most of Kansas, but we ploughed on because we didn’t want to stop in the middle of it. It all started in a Byerly RV. Why not see what you can get started in an RV from Byerly RV in Eureka? You can see the original Byerly at our location. Our retro-RV was a bit primitive. New RVs let you enjoy the comforts of home or any hotel lodging. Byerly in Eureka is celebrating 68 years as one of the Midwest’s oldest and largest RV e h Dealers. Visit us at www.byerlyrv.com th t Wor ive Dr
Red Cross Seeks Area Transportation Specialists The American Red Cross is seeking volunteer transportation specialists in the St. Louis and southwestern Illinois areas to deliver lifesaving blood products to hospitals. Transportation assignments include delivering blood products to area hospitals for patient use as well as delivering them to the Red Cross office for processing. Transportation specialists play a very important role in providing ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need. A transportation specialist is a specially selected and trained volunteer who transports blood and blood products. Transporting blood products is among the most important volunteer assignments within the Red Cross. “We are looking to add to our staff of volunteers to help us deliver these life-saving products,” said Kelly Loepker, Manager, Volunteer Management, Missouri-Illinois Region. “I encourage anyone interested in making a direct impact on people’s lives to contact us.” Volunteers must meet certain requirements to be eligible for the transportation specialist position, including: • A valid driver’s license with a minimum of three years driving experience is required. For those with a Missouri license you must have a class “E” license, per state requirement, to transport products or people. • Volunteers must be at able to verify a safe driving record with state record or insurance. • Transportation specialists must be able to lift boxes weighing up to 45 pounds for hospital deliveries. • Volunteers bust be available for two to four shifts per month (flexible schedules available). If interested please contact Marie Rantz at 314-658-2122 or via email at marie.rantz@redcross.org. In addition go to www.redcrossblood.org for more information.
Byerly RV 295 East Fifth St. | Eureka, MO 63025 800-878-3325 | 636-938-2000 | www.byerlyrv.com OCTOBER 2016 | OUR TOWN | 7
AroundTown
A Happy Life Celebrated
Born on the Fourth of July, Elma Richardson’s exciting birthdate reflects an equally exciting life. Her latest achievement was winning second place in the 68th Annual Missouri Health Care Association Nursing Home Pageant. Richardson, who resides at Delmar Gardens of Creve Coeur, was one of nine children who worked as hard as they played. Born to handicapped parents, Richardson and her siblings had to learn many things at an early age to maintain their large family farm. The main lesson from her parents was to not be afraid of a challenge. These words of wisdom gave her the courage to become a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse without any prior training.
www.byerlyrv.com 8 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2016
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Delmar Gardens of Creve Coeur resident places second in Missouri Health Care Association Nursing Home Pageant
Elma Richardson won second place in the 68th Annual Missouri Health Care Association Nursing Home Pageant.
When she met her husband, Charles, she stopped teaching to become a mother to seven children. While the children were young, she decided to become a bus driver for handicapped children; she loved it! Her husband, in the meantime, began a family business in pest control that Richardson’s children manage today. Once Richardson and her husband retired, they began travelling, making their way to almost every state. Richardson enjoys watching the family business thrive under the management of her seven children. “I am so proud of all my seven kids, my ten grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and my four great-great grandchildren. With this large family our reunions are a lot of fun,” Richardson stated. “My motto is ‘Everything is a challenge so never shy away from doing something new’,” concluded Richardson. Richardson joined a painting class at Delmar Gardens of Creve Coeur and learned about Thoerum painting. “Painting is so much fun! I still enjoy painting and making many other crafts at Delmar Gardens,” Richardson recalls.
AroundTown
Military mothers in the greater St. Louis area are banding together to offer support to the military and veteran communities, and to each other. The Gateway Blue Star Mothers, chapter MO4 of Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., have been building momentum since their 2014 membership charter and are making an impact in the area. The Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., is a congressionally chartered military support organization comprised of more than 4,000 active mothers of military service members and veterans. The organization was formed in 1942 and officially chartered by Congress in 1960. The Gateway Blue Star Mothers chapter, one of two active chapters in the state of Missouri, was formed in February 2014, officially chartered by the national organization in May of the same year, and currently serves 48 members from eastern Missouri and Western Illinois. The goals of the organization are simple: support our military, veterans, their families, and each other in any way they can. Throughout the summer, the Gateway Blue Star Mothers have also seized every opportunity to bring awareness to their signature activity, Cards for the Troops, where they invite all ages to show their appreciation to those who serve by making a thank you card. Gateway Blue Star Mothers President, Julie Rodgers, is inspired by the success of Cards for the Troops and the group as a whole. “Cards for the Troops gives members of the community the chance to show their thanks for the brave men and women who serve with a simple, heartfelt gesture,” said Rodgers. It also gives our members a chance to connect with the community, sharing stories and pride for their children. As military moms, we crave these opportunities to help the military community because it
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Blue Stars Shine Bright
Throughout the summer, the Gateway Blue Star Mothers engaged with the public to promote their signature activity, Cards for the Troops, where they invite all ages to show their appreciation to those who serve by making a thank you card.
helps us feel like we are helping our kids. That’s so important, especially when it’s been months or even years since we’ve seen them. We have such a great group of amazing ladies here that genuinely want to help and support this community.” This year, the Gateway Blue Star Mothers have partnered with Wreaths Across America to raise awareness and support for their cause. Wreaths Across America is an organization that places Christmas wreaths on the graves of military heroes to honor their service and sacrifice and ensure that they are not forgotten. The Gateway Blue Star Mothers are accepting donations for Wreaths Across America and will be volunteering their time on Dec. 17 to place wreaths at Jefferson Barracks Cemetery. Janelle Eveld,
a chapter officer and leader of their Wreath Across America campaign, says the cost is minimal. “Wreaths cost just $15 each. This is such a small amount to give in comparison to what these heroes have given us. This is a great way to let our veterans and families know that we value their service and we will never forget what they’ve done,” Eveld said. If you would like to donate a wreath, a link to the Gateway Blue Star Mothers donation page can be found on Wreaths Across America tab on their website, www.gatewaybsm.org, or their Facebook page at Gateway Blue Star Mothers. If you or someone you know has a child serving in the military, the Gateway Blue Star Mothers would love to hear from you as well.
www.centerpointehospital.com OCTOBER 2016 | OUR TOWN | 9
AroundTown
AARP to Hold Several Events Throughout the St. Louis Region Free presentations from “Speak Out!”: “Speak Out!”, the AARP in St. Louis volunteer speakers bureau, is a free service to community and social groups, churches, and businesses. Trained volunteers deliver information about various topics of importance and share reference materials for future use by audiences. For topic listing and to request a speaker, go to aarp.cvent.com/speakersrequestform. Please request a “Speak Out!” presentation four weeks in advance. Boomer bikers to ride on Saturdays: Join guided bike rides with AARP in St. Louis led by experienced cyclists from Team Rev and WC2 starting at 9 a.m. Oct. 1 at Columbia Bottoms Conservation Area in Spanish Lake, Missouri and Oct. 15 at Schoolhouse Trail in Collinsville, Illinois. Details and required registration information can be found online at aarp.org/stlouis. Cars have changed: And so have traffic rules, driving conditions, and the roads we drive on. The AARP Smart Driver Course can help get you up to speed. Classroom courses are offered at various locations in the St. Louis region. Tune up your driving skills by visiting AARP in St. Louis online to find a course nearest you at aarp.org/stlouis. CAREversations for you and your family: CAREversations is a free and fun 90-minute event designed especially for family caregivers. Participants will connect with other family caregivers in small groups in an engaging, interactive conversation about family caregiving. A group facilitator will help guide conversations around such topics as how to build a support network, tips to care for yourself and where to find local resources. Complimentary food and drinks will also be provided. Go to aarp.org/stlouis for the date and time of all scheduled CAREversations. Learn about and join the digital age: Technology is now a pervasive part of life for older Americans. Whether staying in touch with family via social media, using technology to expand a business, or playing games on a tablet, people 50-plus are adopting new devices and services and enjoying the benefits of the digital age. AARP TEK Community Workshops are free and deliver handson educational sessions using tablets. Join the digital age and learn more at aarp.org/stlouis. 10 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2016
AroundTown
Honoring the Best in Local Transit
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Citizens for Modern Transit recognizes “Champions of Transit” at 32nd Annual Meeting
(From left) Citizens for Modern Transit Executive Director Kimberly Cella stands with 2016 New Initiatives award winners and MetroBus drivers Bryant Goston, Richard Hines and Bryan Moore along with Vice Chair of Citizens for Modern Transit’s Board Nancy Cross.
As part of its 32nd Annual Meeting, Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) recently celebrated the incredible efforts of several individuals who are championing transit in the St. Louis area. During the event, held Sept. 1 at the Renaissance Grand Hotel in downtown St. Louis, CMT presented awards to three MetroBus drivers, eight Ten Toe Express Volunteer walk leaders and St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger. Recipients were recognized for their ongoing commitment to moving transit forward in the St. Louis area. MetroBus drivers Bryant Goston, Bryan Moore and Richard Hines were recognized with a 2016 New Initiatives award for their heroic efforts to respond to a traffic crash and fire. On Feb. 5, the drivers were on break when they heard the sound of two vehicles colliding. Racing over to investigate, they discovered that one of the vehicles had over-turned and caught on fire,
trapping four people inside. Gotson, Moore and Hines immediately jumped into action, grabbing fire extinguishers from their busses, and then putting out the flames, pulling the victims from the car and contacting emergency responders. In the spirit of the Olympics, CMT Ten Toe Volunteer Walk Leaders Mary Fran Balmer, Joan and Norm Krumrey, Dan and Meredith O’Conner, Mary Blais, Loretta Davis and Marilyn Potter were presented with GOLD medals recognizing their continued efforts to make the Ten Toe Express program a success. Since its inception, the Ten Toe Program has given 8,000 St. Louisans the chance to explore the region using transit and their own ten toes. Over the years, CMT’s dedicated volunteer walk leaders have led more than 240 walks, escorted countless individuals to new destinations and helped numerous residents learn how to use transit.
The 2016 Chairman’s Award was presented to St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger on behalf of the county’s efforts to work with CMT and the St. Louis County Police Department to examine ways to ensure public confidence in the safety and security of the region’s transit system. This spring, the county further demonstrated its support of transit by approving an additional $2 million in funding from the Prop A Capital Account to bolster police resources and personnel on the transit system. “Congratulations go out to all of our amazing award winners,” said Kim Cella, executive director of CMT. “We are so grateful to all of these individuals for their unwavering support for transit in the St. Louis area. Their efforts make them true transit champions.”
OCTOBER 2016 | OUR TOWN | 11
Learning How to Serve Students from area the community through a myriad of projects
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BY SARA HARDIN
12 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2016
Photo Courtesy Michael Farrell
of eight. That will then be donated to the Jewish Food Pantry, which has roughly 124 clients a day. Last year in the spring, we made over 120 bags of soup, which could have fed almost 1,000 people just from this activity. At the end of the activity, the North students will accompany the Bellerive students to Operation Food Search for a tour and a day of volunteering. The elementary teachers at Bellerive love the whole process. It’s something very important that has become part of their curriculum.” Both Parkway North and Parkway Central high schools will be hosting their annual Special Olympic games this year. Each year, juniors and seniors from their respective school participate in the games in a variety of ways, whether it be as a ‘buddy’ to the athletes or as help in organizing the event. Because of the success of the events and the willingness of all students to participate in some way, a change is happening in both schools this year. “I wanted to change our Special Olympics this year, because not all
About 175 students participated in the Ladue Dance Marathon to raise money for Children’s Hospital.
Freebersyser, who has been teaching the service learning class at Parkway North for the past four years. “The elementary students are going to run a food drive for two weeks to collect ingredients to make a dry bean soup. Each bag of soup will feed a family
students are given the opportunity to participate in the event,” explained Sarah Lueken, Head Student Council Sponsor and Business teacher at Parkway Central High School. “I know that there are a lot of kids out there that want to participate, but they didn’t
Photo Courtesy Michael Farrell
E
fforts to explore the fun side of community outreach efforts seem to be at an all-time high as local high school students and faculty members work together to find creative ways to give back to their communities. Ladue, Parkway North and Parkway Central high schools are bringing back previously successful programs, as well as coming up with new ideas to prove that service that benefits their surrounding areas can be both fun and educational. Wendy Freebersyser teaches a service learning class to senior-level students at Parkway North. This school year will be her third time conducting a project with her students that revolves around hunger and food availability to those in need in the St. Louis area. Her students will be working with fifth graders from Bellerive Elementary to organize a food drive that will then help feed nearly a thousand hungry mouths. “The high school students will travel over to Bellerive and teach a lesson on hunger and the emergency food system to the fifth graders,” explained
Seniors from Parkway North High School work with fifth graders from Bellerive Elementary School to organize a food drive.
want to miss class because it’s held during school hours. This year, every student will be participating in some way. Juniors and seniors are running the Olympics. Our sophomores are going off campus to do community service projects, and our freshmen are going to receive hands-on instruction on what community service is and why it’s important to do. We have some guest speakers coming in to talk about their organizations and do some activities with them.” This year, says Lueken, the Parkway School District has incorporated a sentiment of caring to their mission statement, encouraging an attitude of giving back. With this year’s changes to the tradition of the Special Olympics, other students besides the juniors and seniors will have an opportunity to show their appreciation for their community. “Our sophomores will be going to various locations around St. Louis,” said Laura Lukowski, Project Help service club advisor and Communication Arts instructor at Parkway Central. “They will be at some St. Louis County Park locations, Hope Lodge washing cars for patients there, St. Louis Food Bank; a lot of different places around St. Louis.” A similar idea is being explored SEPTEMBER 2016 | OUR TOWN | 13
Photo Courtesy Debra Carson
Seniors at Ladue High School spent time volunteering at Haven House gardening and cleaning as a part of an annual Senior Service Day.
during Parkway North’s Special Olympic games this spring. Since over a third of North students are usually involved in the event every year, a school-wide service learning project will allow every student and faculty member at the school to connect with their community. “We have anywhere from 400-500 students actually involved in the Special Olympics activity, where they are a buddy or working the games. There are probably around 750 students who are in classes,” said Freebersyser. “This year, we’re working on creating community outreach projects for the rest of the school. Special Olympics is an ideal mechanism for it. We’ve had
a lot of students and faculty members asking how they can do more and how they can be more involved.” Ladue High School will be celebrating its fourth annual Dance Marathon in support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals of the Greater St. Louis Area on Jan. 30, 2017. Last year’s event raised $31,146.03. “The Dance Marathon is entirely student-led,” said Elizabeth Grana, Ladue High School Assistant Principal. “It’s an incredible event that brings not only our kids together, but kids in the surrounding area who have had cancer or been affected by cancer. They come to share their story and it really brings it home and makes it very meaningful. The Dance Marathon brings our community together to fight childhood cancer and also raises awareness. The students fundraise all throughout the year until the actual event. On the day of the event, the students have an organized, choreographed dance. They dance for about seven hours that day. At the end of that day, they reveal the amount of money they have been able to raise throughout the school year.” Ladue hosts its own day of service, to be held this school year on May 12. Students go off campus to various organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Forest Park and
HavenHouse. This will be the school’s fourth year participating in the day of service. “In general, what we have tried to do with all of these events is shift our focus on serving others and serving something greater than ourselves,” said Grana. “The biggest thing is that culture of really serving others. As educators, it’s not only our responsibility to educate academically, but also to develop great citizens and to give back to our communities and to the world. That’s also part of our mission with our students. I really can’t express how grateful we are to have such wonderful kids in our building doing such wonderful things. We are truly blessed with such great kids and a great community that supports us as well.”
Photo Courtesy Pablo Flinn
Photo Courtesy Michael Farrell
(Above) Students from RISE, a Ladue Horton Watkins High School student organization, collected water bottles and filters to send to Flint, Michigan. They also raised $744 for the town. (Below) Students at Ladue High School raised a total of $31,146 for the Children’s Hospital and SSM Cardinal Glennon with their annual dance marathon.
14 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2016
OurThoughts
Bigstock
MOORE ON LIFE BY CINDY MOORE
Head scratchers
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here are certain important questions I want to ask the Great Maker if I am fortunate enough to enter the Pearly Gates. Number one, is there really a Bigfoot? If so, how has he remained hidden away all these years and not been found? Hands down the best hide and seek competitor ever. With all the cell phones everywhere you’d think there would be oodles of selfies with him floating around on social media (not counting the unfortunate people who actually look like yetis). I want to know where he’s been hiding. It’s definitely a place no one would ever think of; a place no human has ever set foot in before; a place that no doubt, brings terror and dread and extreme anxiety. Why do I have a strong hunch that he’s been holed up in my kitchen the entire time? Next, mosquitoes? I don’t want to seem so bold as to accuse the Great One of making a gigantic, colossal mistake…but, seriously?! After con-
templating an eternity in damnation and hellfire gnashing my teeth, it has come to my attention that those cute, tiny butterfly vampires are nothing but adorable! I’ll never slap another one so help me! Continuing on, what’s with the extra body parts? For instance, wisdom teeth? They don’t provide any additional intelligence. It seems their only function is to fund Caribbean cruises for dentists. And how about that little dangly thing hanging from the back of our throats–-it’s a major gross out. It looks like a deformed appendix. And speaking of…what’s the point of that thingy? If there needed to be another odd body organ randomly tossed in, how about a spare part that could actually provide a purpose, say an additional kidney. They’re such popular organs and always in demand. An auxiliary one could serve as a nice little fleshy savings account what with the rising cost of college. When the kids’ tuition comes due, snip it out and
boom! Paid in full. Then lastly and most importantly, why were rats allowed to survive the great flood? They are nasty, repulsive creatures, which bring down communities and spread garbage. Does He even realize how much havoc those politicians have created in the world today? I would have much preferred unicorns or even dragons. Just sayin’.
OCTOBER 2016 | OUR TOWN | 15
OurThoughts ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE BY AVALANCHE
MORE MUD IN THE
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t was the middle of monsoon season and the clouds were rapidly building up in the sky. Rain soon began to fall and quickly increased in intensity. After a few minutes it became obvious that this was going to be a gullywasher, in the most literal sense of the term. I donned some rain gear and went out to check the performance of the recently completed trench drain under the road. The normally trickling creek had turned into a strong stream of muddy water, one that would have overflowed the previous culvert under the road. The new road infrastructure was functioning quite well, with ample capacity for even more flow, if necessary; or so it seemed. The rain continued to pound down and I stood by waiting for the inevitable mud flow that was sure to come. The first wave came as a rush of water and floating debris, mostly logs and brush. The solid material hit the uphill edge of the tunnel under the road, and the mass of assorted logs and branches flipped up to a near-vertical position. Water quickly backed up behind the obstruction. I went forward and grabbed the biggest log, and began to pull, hoping to clear the log jam by hand. My hopes were quickly dashed, as the next wave of water and debris came barreling down the creek. This wave was not lightweight wood and brush, but rather large rocks and boulders, carried by the force of rapid16 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2016
Avalanche
MOUNTAINS ly moving water and gravity. Just like two summers ago, I turned away from the creek, and fueled by adrenaline, ran quickly down the road, perpendicular to the direction of the debris flow. This flow was a bit different than the last, as a large boulder about four feet in diameter made it to the middle of the road and settled down in what had been the direction of flow. Suddenly everything that had been flowing across the road was diverted by the new obstacle, and turned 90 degrees toward me. While the diversion took most of the velocity off the flow, the volume of muck coming down the road was quite impressive, and headed toward me. Worse, it headed straight toward my parking area and yard below. Mud and large rocks soon filled in around and under my trucks. This acted as a strainer, keeping most of the big chunks off my property, but muddy water soon flowed over my yard, and down onto two other properties below. I ran back up to the road, and muscled the biggest rocks I could into the diversion of the water flow, turning the creek back down into its normal path. Then, I went back to survey the damage to our place. Several inches of muddy water covered the front yard, as well as the side and rear areas. My pickups were buried up to their doors. Our dog was standing on the front porch, look-
ing rather distressed (much like her owner,) as her favorite spot under the porch was now submerged under several inches of muck. A couple hours of excavation with heavy equipment and then more time spent winching rocks out from under the trucks freed them from their muddy prison. No damage, no dents, no scratches; just lots of mud packed into the nooks and crannies of the undercarriages. Mrs. Avalanche’s tiered front yard, flower and vegetable gardens were in shambles, but the zucchinis were still harvestable. The strawberries didn’t fare so well. There was no structural damage anywhere, but what a mess. The local excavator hauled a baker’s dozen worth of dump truck loads of debris from the roadway. New tall, protective berms now adorn our property along the roadway. Had the previous owner built them - as recommended by an engineer, unbeknownst to us - this would have been a small cleanup on our part. Keeping things in perspective, 1,000 homes were destroyed by flood in Louisiana, and over 300 people were killed by earthquake in Italy during the same week. We just had a big mess. Running machinery to fix the mess rekindled in me an affinity for turbocharged horsepower. Now I’m shopping for a skid-steer loader, which I hope to not need anytime soon.
2016 JEEP WRANGLER
OurThoughts Jeep Builds on its Reputation of Strong Craftsmanship and Versatility
Positioned as a two-door sport utility vehicle and classified as a multipurpose vehicle by the EPA, the four passenger, 2016 Jeep Wrangler is an authentic ”go anywhere” SUV. It’s built on 75 years of legendary and notable heritage. With class-leading capability, craftsmanship and underlining versatility, Wrangler is focused towards people who seek extraordinary journeys and active lifestyles. The iconic Jeep Wrangler is one of the most recognized vehicles in the world. To further help define the Jeep Wrangler, it’s a oneof-a-kind combination of open-air freedom, off-road proficiency and on-road refinement. This combination has brought Wrangler’s popularity and global footprint to an all-time high. The factory has added some new additions for the ’16 model year that will likely keep this momentum in the forefront for years to come. For instance, they now offer their Wrangler Black Bear Edition. It was named after the notorious Black Bear trail located in Telluride, Colorado. The Black Bear Edition adds special content to the exterior and interior resulting in a distinctive on and off-road appearance. Additionally the Rubicon Hard
BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN Rock Edition, first made available in 2015, carries forward the capability-enhancing features of the Rubicon model while including a ninespeaker Premium Alpine high-end audio system. It’s all coupled with a Low Gloss Black grille with High Gloss Black inserts. The twotone contrast gives off a distinctive look overall. Returning for 2016, the Jeep Wrangler Freedom Edition offers value to customers with unique exterior and interior ap-
pointments. For each Wrangler Freedom Edition sold, Jeep will support the United Service Organizations Inc. (USO) as part of the Jeep Operation Safe Return initiative. Yet another version is their Wrangler Willys Wheeler model. It’s designed to pay homage to their earlier civilian Jeep vehicles with additional off-road hardware for increased backwoods or unpaved-road type capability. The Wheeler also has unique outerbody markings to help set this version apart from other models of Wrangler. Their unmatched and wellengineered four-wheel drive system is produced with more than seven decades of 4X4 experi-
ence. Wrangler continues to offer a body-on-frame “later type” strong underside architecture. Additionally, the suspension system is a five-link design linked with electronic wheel lockers. Furthermore, it’s one of the few SUVs in this specialty category that offers a six-speed manual gearbox, besides a five-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, it also has a safe-towing capability of up to 3,500 pounds. That number helps add to its adaptability. Wrangler’s interior combines unique styling that hinges a bit on being rugged. The level of comfort and intuitive features is well suited for an SUV such as this. Under the hood is a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine. It’s developed to operate on regular 87 grade octane fuel. It produces 285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. It is engineered to provide a broad torque band which is ideal for extreme off-roading. The EPA numbers show 17-MPG city and 21MPG highway (as an average); however, it depends on a lot of variables. With what appears to be an endless list of personalized accessories, pricing starts out at $23,895 for Wrangler and all models are manufactured at their plant located in Toledo, Ohio.
OCTOBER 2016 | OUR TOWN | 17
OurLifestyle 2016: an excellent year for horror films
BY BRIAN GUERRERO
Broad Green Pictures
“Green Room”
No ghosts or supernatural activity in this film… just people. This film is my personal favorite on this list simply because of its practicality. It’s rare 18 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2016
“The Conjuring 2”
This sequel was this summer’s big studio blockbuster of the bunch. While the first “Conjuring” was based on the real case files of the Warren’s that we didn’t know much about, the sequel takes on the true case files that were the most documented. It should have been called “The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist” since that’s what would’ve drawn even more attention (in my
opinion). People historically called it ‘the Amityville of England’ and just like how the Annabel doll case served as the prologue for the first “Conjuring,” take a good guess on what popular case in Long Island served as the prologue for “The Conjuring 2.” It’s a nice little throwback bonus. Overall, the film did its scary job very well preventing itself from ever becoming just another bad horror sequel.
Stage 6 Films
“The Witch”
Earning over seven times its budget at the box office – and that’s just domestically – this low-budget thriller looks and has the chops of a major studio film. If you ever wanted to experience a story as if you’ve never seen (or even heard of) a witch before – this is that film. The atmosphere is perfectly eerie (as we’re transported back to 1630’s New England) and the story takes its time to evolve – and that’s a big reason why it’s works. It’s built as a classic slow-burner. Robert Eggers took home the Directing Award at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. It made a star out of the young lead, Anya Taylor-Joy, who will now star opposite James McAvoy in the new thriller we mentioned last month, “Split.”
when you never question characters’ actions when things go south. The cast is lead by Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots (Yelchin’s previous costar of the awesome “Fright Night” remake) and Patrick Stewart as the neo-Nazi villain. The entire cast is experienced and terrific – with performances as real as they can possible be in movies like this. The reactions you see on screen (especially Yelchin’s and Poots’) are dead-on the best. Stewart’s character is the owner of a secluded skinhead bar in Oregon. Those that work the bar hold a struggling rock band hostage after one of the members unintentionally witnesses a horrible crime. When the brutal fight for survival begins, so does the disturbing (but realistic) violence. It only happens when it’s called for – never reaching the point of glorification either. This carefully crafted thriller is a must watch for horror fans out there – not to mention the loyal fans of Patrick Stewart and the late Anton Yelchin.
New Line Cinema
Rooks Nest Entertainment
Horror movies are tricky to make… especially the good ones. I t’s typical for films in this genre to get bad reviews from critics (at least). In most cases, the few that do rise above the bad are made on a limited budget. In order of release dates, here are a few that I recommend that opened this year – also with a ‘certified fresh’ Rotten Tomato rating…
“Don’t Breathe”
This runaway hit proved to be the best summer closer in many years. Like “Green Room,” this movie is all about real people and the suspense. For a long time though, you really can’t identify the real villain(s). A blind man (Stephen Lang) as the man to fear when burglars recklessly break into his home to steel a big load of cash proved to be a genius of a simple plot. In order for you to believe it, you have to see it for yourself and experience how the pieces of the suspense are cleverly put together – the practical choices of the characters (particularly played by, Jane Levy and Dylan Minnette) are very close to the brilliance of “Green Room.” There’s also a disturbing twist (quickly becoming a new classic by word of mouth) that lurks underneath the film’s story. If you haven’t heard what it is yet… well, just be prepared to never look at a certain kitchen utensil the same again – ever!
Spooky, silly or symbolic, carved pumpkins are an essential ingredient to any Halloween celebration. This year, scare up some special fun for your party with a wicked watermelon carving, instead – but don’t stop there. After crafting your watermelon into an artful mummy, take advantage of the healthy, immune-system supporting qualities of the lycopene leader among fresh produce. At 92 percent water, as well as an excellent source of vitamins A and C, watermelon is a hydrating post-art snack. Carving a creative design into a watermelon is a simple way to kick off the festivities and requires only a handful of common tools. Add a twinkling candle to make a fantastically frightful centerpiece. Or fill it with a fresh fruit salad or salsas for a more functional, practical approach. Even if you’re planning on a hollowed-out carving, keep the sweet juicy fruit and make it a healthy addition to your Halloween party menu with a recipe that puts to use all your carving leftovers. To take advantage of all a watermelon has to offer – outside of the fun carving – try Frosted, Frozen Watermelon Balls or Kids Watermelon Pizza Supreme. These fun, simple recipes make it easy to incorporate a healthy snack after all your hard work carving up a Halloween masterpiece. Find more recipes, carving patterns and inspiration at watermelon.org.
OurLifestyle FROM EASY ART TO A
Sweet Treat Mummy Supplies and Tools: Ingredients: Seedless watermelon Small bowl Dry erase marker Paring knife Melon baller Assorted peelers Cheesecloth Straight pin Battery-operated candle or light Candy eyeballs or blueberries Directions: Wash watermelon under cool running water and pat dry. Place watermelon on its side and use kitchen knife
to cut off 1/4-inch to 1/2inch from bottom (end opposite stem), being careful not to cut too deep into white part of rind. Cut 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch from stem end to create opening large enough to fit small bowl. Using dry erase marker, draw eyes, nose and mouth, along with wavy slits around carving to let more light flow through. Use paring knife to cut out design, being sure to cut through to red fruit. Use melon baller to hollow
out inside of watermelon. Use scoop to remove excess watermelon. Peel green rind off outside of watermelon. Wrap thin strips of cheesecloth around mummy carving and secure with straight pin, if needed. Put battery-operated candle or light into carving. Fit small bowl into top of carving and trim away excess rind to make bowl fit securely. Fill bowl with melon balls and attach candy or blueberries to make eyes.
Kids Watermelon Pizza Supreme Servings: 6 Ingredients: 1 watermelon slice (810 inches around and 1-inch thick), drained 1 cup strawberry preserves 1/2 cup white chocolate chips 1/2 cup raisins 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1 cup sweetened shredded coconuts
Directions: Place watermelon slice on serving platter and cut into 6 wedges, leaving in shape of pizza. Spread preserves over watermelon and sprinkle chocolate chips, raisins, walnuts and coconut.
Frosted, Frozen Watermelon Balls Servings: 35-40 Ingredients: 1 small watermelon 1 package (3 ounces) watermelon or other red flavor gelatin dessert Directions: Using melon baller, scoop out 35-40 small watermelon balls. Place on paper
towels and set aside. Pour gelatin into shallow bowl. One-by-one, gently drop watermelon balls into bowl, roll around, take out and place on plate covered with paper towel. Repeat until all gelatin is used. Place plate of frosted wa-
termelon balls in freezer. Allow at least 2 hours to make sure they are completely frozen. Remove from freezer and let sit a few minutes before eating. Note: To serve with toothpicks, place toothpicks in before freezing to aid in serving.
OCTOBER 2016 | OUR TOWN | 19
NonProfitProfile
quietly serves survivors of trauma By Noreen O’Brien, Manager of Communications for Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services of Missouri
PCHAS
Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services opened its How does life become so difficult for these children? Are doors in 1914 when four ministers in Farmington, Missouri there programs to prevent such sad stories? PCHAS saw took in orphans. Today the agency, called PCHAS for short, the need for early intervention programs and created two still serves children and families who are dealing with of them. The first includes partnerships with several school trauma. districts around St. Louis County. Many of the children “We have therapeutic in the agency’s care mentors who meet with are in the state’s students, at least once custody – foster care. a week, for a year,” Last year, from St. Giegling says. In 2015 Louis to Joplin, PCHAS more than 800 children met with mentors. managed 572 foster “Those students are less care cases. As Robert likely to get into fights Giegling, Executive or get into drugs. They Director, says, “That’s handle home life better. equal to a whole They do better in school school full of children and are more likely to suffering from neglect stay in school.” or abuse. A foster “The other program family provides a is family counseling safety net for them. to help families deal The PCHAS staff with crises that are surround the child tearing them apart – and the foster family illness, unemployment, with practical advice Tyler is a participant in Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services mentoring program. whatever. Our therapists and loving guidance.” make it convenient by Giegling explains, “If the children don’t find a permanent family, they age out going to the family home two or three times a week for three of the state system when they’re only 18. Between a third or four months. Then they follow up – six months later and and a half of teens in the state’s foster care system will drop a year later – to provide consistent support.” Working quietly for generations, Presbyterian Children’s out of high school. That’s why we run transitional living houses in Springfield and Columbia. We help them with Homes and Services has grown from serving a few dozen housing, counseling and support, so they go on to college children to more than 2,000 a year. It will share inspiring success stories at a luncheon on Nov. 3 in Ballwin. For more or find work.” In Farmington, the agency converted the orphanage to information, call 314-989-9727 or visit missouri.pchas.org. a residential treatment center. It houses youngsters who are a danger to themselves and others. Over several months, intensive and compassionate therapy allows them to either return home or move elsewhere, such as a transitional living Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services of Missouri is located at 220 N. Lindbergh Blvd in Creve Coeur. program. 20 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2016
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CaringPartners
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poor night’s sleep can leave you feeling exhausted and cranky, but long-term sleep disruption can actually lead to serious health conditions. Not only is sleep apnea a leading cause of disrupted sleep and daytime sleepiness, but this disease is also a contributing factor to a host of medical problems. According to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), approximately 25 million adults in the United States suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. This breathing disorder causes you to snore loudly and stop breathing up to hundreds of times a night for anywhere from 10 seconds to more than a minute. Despite the prevalence of sleep apnea, many don’t realize they have it. Others are unable to tolerate a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine and mask, which is the most common treatment for sleep apnea. However, an effective alternative treatment for sleep apnea is a customfit oral appliance provided by a qualified dentist. Treating sleep apnea can lead to better rest and ease your risk of developing these five serious health complications: 1. High Blood Pressure – Sleep apnea is common among patients with high blood pressure, and even more so among patients who have treatment-resistant high blood pressure. In medical studies, oral appliance therapy has been shown to help reduce high blood pressure. This treatment uses a custom-fitted, mouth guard-like device to move the jaw slightly forward and keep the airway open, without the need for a constantly running machine and face mask. 2. Heart Disease – Heart disease is a common affliction for those with sleep apnea, according to a study from the University of Wisconsin. The same study showed
Why Sleep Apnea is Bad for Your Health that the risk of dying from heart disease may increase by as much as five times among those who have untreated, severe sleep apnea. 3. Depression – Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that women suffering from untreated sleep apnea have a five times greater risk for depression symptoms, while men who have untreated sleep apnea are more than twice as likely to exhibit signs of clinical depression. 4. Diabetes – Up to 83 percent of Type 2 diabetes patients have sleep apnea and are not even aware of it, according to research published on “Frontiers in Neurology.” Recent medical research suggests that glucose control weakens as the severity of a patient’s sleep apnea increases. 5. Stroke – The risk for stroke also rises with untreated sleep apnea, according to research published in “The American Journal of Medicine.” The study shows that the risk rises even if the patient has no other stroke risk factors. Obstructive sleep apnea also is frequently found among those who have already suffered a stroke. Talk with your doctor if you suspect that you or a loved one may be suffering from sleep apnea. Common warning signs include snoring, choking and gasping during sleep. If diagnosed, a routine of consistent, nightly treatment, such as CPAP therapy or oral appliance therapy, is the best way to manage sleep apnea and reduce the risk of developing serious health complications. Provided by an AADSM member dentist, oral appliance therapy is often easier to use on a regular basis for many patients. Find a local dentist offering oral appliance therapy at LocalSleepDentist.org. OCTOBER 2016 | OUR TOWN | 21
CaringPartners
Understanding a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
22 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2016
your doctor about all of your options and possible side effects.” Cunningham and her oncologist, Dr. Karen Tedesco of New York Oncology Hematology, offer the following tips to help patients more fully understand how to approach a breast cancer diagnosis.
until you feel 100 percent confident in your health care team and treatment plan. Understand Your Diagnosis: Learning about your specific type of breast cancer is essential because the unique biology of your tumor can directly impact your breast cancer journey. Knowing
Strength in Numbers: The news of a cancer diagnosis can be incredibly overwhelming to patients and their loved ones. Make the most of the first few doctor appointments by bringing a friend outside of the immediate family to ensure the information is being absorbed and the right questions are being asked. Build a Support Team: In addition to family and friends, it’s important to have a strong health care and surrounding support team. Seek out nurse navigators, local breast support groups and financial assistance to ensure you’re properly informed and have all the resources you need. Do not hesitate to consider a second opinion
the four S’s – stage, size, status and subtype – of your tumor can help you better understand your diagnosis and the treatment options available to you. Ask Questions, Then Ask More: Consider asking your doctor the following questions: Are you eligible for clinical trials? Are there special treatments geared toward your specific type of breast cancer? Do I need surgery? Does surgery have to be the first step? Being actively involved can help ensure each patient receives the best treatment option for them. For more tips to take on a breast cancer diagnosis and to better understand the four S’s, visit gene.com.
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W
hether it’s October or not, breast cancer is one of the most recognized cancers in the world. Thanks to massive public awareness campaigns, nearly everyone understands the significance behind a pink ribbon, but how many can say they have breast cancer knowledge beyond pink? The truth is, breast cancer is extremely complex and not a one-size-fits-all disease. It’s classified into different types based on the unique biology of each tumor, including the size, whether and where it’s spread, how it looks under the microscope and what’s causing it to grow at the cellular level, according to the American Cancer Society. Understanding the various biological features is critical, as they help determine treatment decisions and directly affect patient outcomes. As breast cancer survivor Pamela Cunningham knows all too well, knowledge is power when navigating a breast cancer journey. When diagnosed with Stage II HER2-positive early breast cancer, an aggressive type of the disease, Cunningham said that while she understood there were different stages, she was shocked to discover there were so many different types. In fact, her mother had faced breast cancer several years earlier and neither Cunningham nor her father knew what kind her mother had. To better understand her diagnosis, she talked with friends who had faced similar situations and even sought a second opinion. After learning more, Cunningham felt confident in her decision to receive a treatment regimen that helped shrink her tumor prior to undergoing surgery to remove it. “I’m really thankful I went the way I did,” Cunningham said. “I would advise other women to do their own research, find out the available treatments and don’t be afraid to ask
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CaringPartners
Tips to Fill Your Day with Active Play
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s the busy school year progresses, it can be challenging for families to find time to play and stay active together. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that kids participate in 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day, but unfortunately this isn’t always what they are getting. Play is an important part of a child’s physical, emotional and social development, yet many external factors can quickly become barriers to active play including busy schedules, technology and the costs of sports equipment. A survey conducted by Dr Pepper Snapple Group’s Let’s Play initiative, which is dedicated to getting kids and their families active, found that only 33 percent of children are participating in active play daily, down from 41 percent in 2015. Don’t let barriers get in the way of keeping kids active during the school year. Instead, turn those barriers to play into opportunities to get active with the following tips. Fill down time with play time: Children’s active play time is impacted by busy schedules – 64 percent of parents said busy schedules were a barrier to play this year, up from 56 percent in 2015. Active play doesn’t have to happen all at once; it can be spread out through the day so try fitting it in when you can, even if it’s in 10-minute increments. Waiting with your kids at a bus stop? Make it active by playing a game of Simon Says. Need 10 minutes to get ready to leave the house? Send the kids outside to play before loading up the car.
Make DIY toys: Sports equipment can be pricey to purchase and maintain. Instead of breaking the bank, try recycling objects around the house to make them into toys. You can make old socks into a hacky-sack game by filling them with beans or fill balloons with sand and create a fun game where you toss the balloons into buckets. Get wired for play: According to the survey, 78 percent of parents said their children spend more than 30 minutes on an average day watching television and 71 percent said their children spend that time on a computer, smartphone or other device. Instead of letting technology get in the way, incorporate play into their time with technology. Have your child play an active video game that encourages players to move around their environment or try playing a game between TV commercials, such as tag or hide and seek. It can also help to set a limit for how long your child can use the computer or watch TV per day. Be your kid’s playmate: According to the survey, 53 percent of parents said having no playmates was a barrier to their child’s play. No one likes to play alone, so when siblings and friends aren’t available, join in on the fun and create games you and your child can play together. Whether it’s playing Marco Polo or throwing a baseball back and forth, you can find ways to spend quality time with your kids and have fun while doing it. Learn more about the importance of play and get tips and advice for how to make active play a daily priority at LetsPlay.com. OCTOBER 2016 | OUR TOWN | 23
October 3
Boomers & Seniors Health
Boomers & Seniors Health & Wellness Expo takes place from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Mercy Hospital’s von Gontard Conference Center at 621 S. New Ballas Rd.
Rosh Hashana
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Blessing of pets Annual Blessing of Pets, sponsored by Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd will be held from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. at Truman Park pavilion in Hazelwood. Pets must have immunizations and be leashed or crated. Donations of quality pet food, new toys for animal shelters accepted.
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Columbus Day
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Business expo The Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce will host their Annual Business Expo Sponsored by SSM Health DePaul Hospital from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Syberg’s Restaurant located at 2430 Old Dorsett Road in Maryland Heights. This is a great opportunity for businesses to showcase their business and network with one another. Tables are available for $59 for members and $300 for future members. Lunch is available to attendees for $25 for members and $30 for future members upon request.
Yom Kippur
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U.S. Navy Birthday
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Boss’ Day
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Halloween parade
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Halloween
Westport Plaza and the Maryland Heights Parks and Recreation Department are sponsoring a Halloween parade for costumed children ages 10 and under at 6 p.m. The parade will start at the back entrance of Westport Plaza near Hickey College. In case of inclement weather, the parade will be moved to the indoor mall. This is a fun, safe and free Halloween opportunity for your child.