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N THIS SSUE
Around Town Missouri Baptist establishes endowed chair for nursing and more.
Nonprofit Profile Circus Flora offers year-round community outreach that transcends the big top
Feature Parents’ summer survival guide Area offers plenty of outdoor activities to keep the family busy By Nicholas Elmes
Our Thoughts Moore on Life author Cindy Moore ventures boldly into the great outdoors while Avalanche weighs the responsibility of being “that guy” with the loader. The 2018 Atlas ads versatility to Volkswagen’s lineup in this month’s Automobile Alley.
Caring Partners Four ways to stretch your health benefits.
Lifestyle Looking back at the 20th Anniversary of “Face/Off” in Entertainment. Going beyond the flame for Father’s Day grilling in For the Love of Food.
In Depth Local nonprofit Frank’s Heroes offers guitar lessons to veterans of all stripes.
Events Calendar Cover Photo - Bigstock Staff Writer - Nicholas Elmes
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AuthorBiographies
Our Town Volume 08 | Number 5 JUNE 2017
4 | OUR TOWN | JUNE 2017
PUBLISHER Robert Huneke EDITOR Mathew DeKinder PRODUCTION Lisa Moran Melissa Nordmann CONTRIBUTORS Avalanche, David Finkelstein, Brian Guerrero, Cindy Moore STAFF WRITERS Brett Auten Nicholas Elmes
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
Nicholas Elmes is a seasoned journalist with over 15 years of experience leading the newsrooms of small community newspapers in Virginia and North Carolina. A recent transplant to the St. Louis area, he is excited to get a chance to explore the diverse region while helping to share the stories of all of the good things happing in these communities.
Nicholas Elmes
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 7,000 monthly through over 105 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 2017 Huneke Publications, Inc. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
AroundTown
A chair for nurses
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Missouri Baptist Medical Center establishes Nancy A. Ross, RN Endowed Chair for nursing
LET YOUR BUSINESS MEET OUR READERS
Pictured (from left) are John Antes (MBMC President), Veronica McDonnell (MBMC Foundation Board Chair), Donald Ross (Vice Chairman, Enterprise Holdings), Nancy Ross, Tim Mislan (MBMC Chief Nursing Officer), John Beatty (BJC Chief HR Officer) and Rich Liekweg (BJC President).
Missouri Baptist Medical Center, a member of BJC HealthCare, has established The Nancy A. Ross, RN Endowed Chair, a first for a community hospital in the greater St. Louis area. Donald and Nancy Ross contributed this gift to celebrate MoBap’s nurses and to help launch an effort for a series of donations from various supporters in the community. The endowed chair will be held by the Missouri Baptist Chief Nursing Officer, currently Tim Mislan, MS, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, providing funds to continue to elevate the practice of nursing at Missouri Baptist. This effort embodies the landmark 2010 “Future of Nursing” report from the Institute of Medicine (now the National Academy of Medicine), which emphasizes the crucial role nurses play in today’s evolving healthcare landscape. “Our vision is for Missouri Baptist nurses to be unparalleled in their leadership and ability to transform our patients’ experiences through innovative patient- and family-centered care,” said Mislan, Vice President of Patient Care Services & Chief Nursing Officer at Missouri Baptist. “When our nurses
are empowered to use the full extent of their education and training, our patients directly benefit.” The endowed chair is named for Nancy Ross who served the community as a registered nurse and continues to be a cherished supporter of Missouri Baptist nurses. The hospital’s annual nursing awards, held during National Nurses Week, has been named in her honor since 1998. “I have had the privilege to know the passion and compassion that embodies the Missouri Baptist team,” said Donald Ross, Vice Chairman of Enterprise Holdings Inc. “Having seen loved ones receive the care of MoBap nurses, I know that investing in our community’s nurses directly benefits our community as a whole.” “Endowed chairs are more commonly seen at academic hospitals, due to the role of research in those organizations,” said John Antes, President of Missouri Baptist. “However, this is the third endowed chair to be established at MoBap, the first for nursing. It is a recognition of how our team prioritizes research to improve patient outcomes and the experience of each person who turns to us for their care.”
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AroundTown
Award-winning businesses Creve Coeur Economic Development Committee announces 2017 Business Awards winners
www.CenterPointeHospital.com
BESS McCOY
Barry Glantz, Allie Steiner, and Sekhar Prabhakar.
Barry Glantz, Harlan Levin, Sekhar Prabhakar, Richie Levin, and Blair Levin.
Barry Glantz, Ellen Alper, Darien Arnstein, Heather Silverman, and Sekhar Prabhakar.
The city of Creve Coeur Economic Development Committee (EDC) recognized the winners of the second Creve Coeur Business awards with a ceremony on May 16, at the Venture Cafe: 39 N. Creve Coeur Mayor Barry Glantz announced the winners including: Pumpernickles Deli – Favorite Restaurant Award, PayCom – Most Innovative Business Award and The National Council of Jewish Women – Heart of the Community Award. “I would like to congratulate all of the winners and nominees,” said Glantz, “Our businesses play an integral role in the success of our community, and it is essential that we take time to recognize and thank them for investing in Creve Coeur.” The awards recognize local businesses for their outstanding innovation and contributions to the Creve Coeur Community. All Creve Coeur businesses were eligible to be nominated. Nominations were accepted through March 15. The EDC selected the winners of the Most Innovative Business Award and the Heart of the Community Award. The winner of the Favorite Restaurant Award was selected by public vote. “We will remain an integral part of the dynamic Creve Coeur business community,” said Sekhar Prabhakar, EDC chair. “We intend to assist in building a vibrant business ecosystem, create awareness in the community about these businesses leading to networking, and promote job growth and workforce development in Creve Coeur.” 6 | OUR TOWN |JUNE 2017
AroundTown
Creve Coeur Days
The annual Creve Coeur Days Community Festival will be held again this year on the campus of De Smet Jesuit High School at 233 N. New Ballas Rd. The charity fundraising event featuring a giant carnival midway runs from Thursday evening, June 22 through Sunday, June 25. Started in 1967, Creve Coeur Days is celebrating its 51st year. Hours for Creve Coeur Days are: Thursday, June 22, 6 - 10 p.m.; Friday, June 23, 6 - 11 p.m.; Saturday, June 24, noon to 11 p.m.; Sunday, June 25, noon to 6 p.m. There is no admission charge. Food booths and food trucks on the midway provide a variety of tasty delights from BBQ and burgers to ice cream and cotton candy. Game booths where you can try your luck for prizes are also plentiful, and there are rides for everyone to enjoy including small children. Free parking is available at De Smet. Please avoid parking tickets by observing police “No Parking” signs in nearby subdivisions off Emerson. Thursday night is armband night Come early and purchase an armband that will allow you to ride on all rides as often as you like all evening long. It’s just for Thursday night, but armband buyers will realize a substantial savings over single or multiple ticket purchases. Entertainment This year’s Entertainment Program for Creve Coeur Days will take place under the big Creve Coeur Days tent. Friday night, the band, JobZ300 starts at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Babaloo entertains the kids beginning at 3 p.m.,
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Annual event opens on June 22
and at 7 p.m., Mack Daddyz band is on stage. On Sunday at 3 p.m. the Bubble Bus arrives to entertain kids of all ages with music and, yes, oodles of bubbles.
The Kaufman Fund, BackStoppers, Crisis Nursery and many more. For full details on this year’s event, visit the Creve Coeur Days website at: www. crevecoeurdays.com.
Creve Coeur Days parade is Sunday, June 25 An annual event, the parade will step off at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 25 and will travel south on New Ballas Rd. ( in the north-bound lane) from Old Ballas to just north of Ladue Rd. Traffic in the north-bound lane will be blocked, but the south-bound lane will be open. Come out early and get a good viewing spot along the parade route. Creve Coeur Days raises funds for area charities Through the years, the all-volunteerrun festival has raised and contributed more than $190,000 for area charities, philanthropic and civic organizations. Among the past beneficiaries of Creve Coeur Days are Shriners Hospital, Salvation Army, D.A.R.E., Ronald McDonald House, Humane Society, Creve Coeur Police Department, Creve Coeur Fire District, Variety Club, USO, Camp Rainbow, Camp Happy Days, Protestant Children’s Home, Jewish Women International Humor Cart at Shriners Hospital, Hosea House, Tappmeyer House fund, Give Kids a Smile,
June 22 - 25, 2017 at DeSmet Jesuit High School
Midway Hours: Thurs 6-10 pm Fri 6-11 pm Sat 12-11 pm Sun 12-6pm
Thurs night $20 armband to ride all night Music Fri & Sat nights at 7pm Children’s en entertainment Sat & Sat at 3pm
Sun Jun 25 - 1 pm featuring:
www.CreveCoeurDays.com JUNE 2017 | OUR TOWN | 7
AroundTown
A new look for Kiener Plaza
BY NICHOLAS ELMES After over a year of extensive renovations, the iconic Kiener Plaza in downtown St. Louis has reopened to the public. The newly renovated public space will serve as the key gateway point to visitors to a variety of downtown landmarks including the Arch, the convention center and Busch Stadium, according to Ryan McClure of the CityArchRiver Foundation, of the three entities responsible for the new plaza. “It will be your starting point for your journey downtown,” McClure said, noting that after the recent conversion of a parking garage near the Arch to a park space, Kiener Plaza will be a key starting point for visitors and locals alike. “People used to park on the Arch grounds, go up in the Arch and get back in their cars without ever setting foot downtown. Now they are going to be starting their journey from Kiener Plaza where there will be a lot of way-finding signage to direct them to all that downtown has to offer.” Of course visitors will be greeted with much more in the new park where the $23.7 million renovation features more than 140 new trees and a shade garden so people can enjoy a relaxing park setting, the Courthouse Lawn which can hold more than 2,000 people for concerts and events, a playground for children of all ages, an interactive water feature, the iconic Runner Statue, which will return to its home at the center of Kiener Plaza with a new fountain and LED lighting, lots of seating, tables and benches for people to enjoy the fresh air, eat a meal or hold an event, improved pedestrian connections and street parking for easy access to the park and improved lighting across the park. “On a daily basis you have 90,000 people working downtown and this will be a great space with tables and chairs where people can gather and eat lunch,” said McClure., noting that the new space is also designed to host a variety of special events, both those traditionally held in Kiener Plaza and new events. “Rallies, concerts, parade watching, all of that will still happen there along with a lot more.” “We all remember Kiener Plaza being a great gathering spot before Cardinal’s games and it will be that again almost from day one,” said McClure. “But that is just the beginning. On the first weekend in June there will be huge concert on Market Street and Keiner Plaza with Uncorked 8 | OUR TOWN |JUNE 2017
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Iconic downtown gathering spot reopens after extensive renovations
Kiener Plaza in downtown St. Louis has reopened to the public after extensive renovations.
St. Louis. Then the next weekend after that you will have the Taste of Downtown there and every Thursday from the end of May through September we are going to have a health and wellness series there. You will see more and more of that in this space.” He said there are not specific studies of the impact of the plaza renovation, but noted that it is just part of the $380 million CityArchRiver project which is also renovating the Arch and river front area. “The economic impact study for the whole projects that we will end up getting about a million more visitors per year to the downtown area,” said McClure. “We are expecting about $367 million in additional economic impact each year. That is about the equivalent to the economic impact if you had an additional Cardinals baseball season each year.” McClure said including Kiener Plaza in the bigger project was a natural choice. The whole project was born out of an international design contest in 2009-10,” he said. “The majority of the project deals with the national park the Arch sits on, but there are two properties outside of the national park, Kiener Plaza and the river front that are both city assets. Doing the project without addressing Kiener Plaza would have been a missed opportunity. “The plaza is incredibly important to downtown, but the space was designed in two different decades,” he added. “The Eastern half was done in the 1960s and Western half in the 1980s and the two sides did not really act fluidly with each other. What you have now is a space that is designed as one park and one plaza. You have a single space that will be the civic gathering place that we have all hoped as a community that the plaza could be.” McClure said the success of the project was due to the close partnership between Great Rivers Greenway, CityArchRiver Foundation and the city of St. Louis. For more details like parking and directions, visitwww. cityarchriver.org/kiener.
AroundTown
A tasty cause Battle of the Badges BBQ raises money for Backstoppers and Responder Rescue The city of Clayton joined forces with local emergency personnel at the First Annual Battle of the Badges BBQ on May 13 to raise money for Backstoppers and Responder Rescue. Over 300 people attended the event in Downtown Clayton to enjoy a variety of BBQ provided by the teams below in addition to side dishes by Weber Grill Restaurant. As a result, $7,824 was raised in ticket sales for the two benefiting organizations. Participating departments were: • Rock Hill Fire Department • Pattonville Fire Protection District • Clayton Police & Fire Departments • Eureka Police & Fire Departments • Creve Coeur Police Department • Ste. Genevieve County Sherriff Department • Holts Summit Fire Protection District • Des Peres Department of Public Safety • St. Louis County Police Department As part of the event, attendees voted on their favorite meat in each category – pork butt, ribs and chicken. Creve Coeur Police Department received first place for pork butt; Clayton Fire Department received first place for ribs; and Clayton Police Department received first place for chicken. Creve Coeur and Clayton Police Departments donated their $100 monetary awards to Backstoppers while Clayton Fire Department donated their award to Responder Rescue. With ticket sales and monetary awards combined, the city of Clayton will present Backstoppers with a check for $4,112.28 and Responder Rescue with a check for $4,012.28. This event was sponsored by Weber Grill Restaurant and SSM Health.
Advertorial
Recreation rides the tide
BY RUSS PATTON, OWNER OF BYERLY RV The weekend before the flood Byerly employees hosted the spring campout for over 200 campers. It was a bit soggy, but nothing to compare with what was coming. When the rains continued, this time Eureka was more prepared and most of downtown was protected. Lessons learned and professional advice devised a successful plan. Hundreds volunteered to save the Main Street businesses. Byerly RV is on high ground, but was in jeopardy of becoming an inaccessible island. Over 30 rental customers had plans for Talladega, the Kentucky Derby and an event at Purina Farms. Employees worked extra to deliver vehicles to Purina early. Several employees spent the night at Byerly without knowing if they would be able to leave during the flood. One route remained open from the west service road and all but one rental vehicle was successfully delivered to
e th th Wor ive Dr
customers. Byerly was lucky. But then it wasn’t all luck. It was the dedication of Byerly employees to serve our customers. Access directions were posted on Facebook and our website. Success. Dedication. Pride. In spite of the challenges, a regular-scheduled lot promotion followed and the following Tuesday evening the monthly RV School class was held. Eureka is a phenomenal city in which to do business. Pride rallied against the tide. The mood of the people on Central Avenue was positive and inspiring. Now the cleanup. Now summer has arrived. Sales and rentals are exceeding all records. People are eager to hit the road. Visit our open lot and discover what it’s all about. We offer RVs to fit almost any budget. Your second home on wheels is waiting for you at Byerly RV, the Center of the RV World. Check out our offerings and our hours at www.byerlyrv.com.
Byerly RV 295 East Fifth St. | Eureka, MO 63025
800-878-3325 | 636-938-2000 | www.byerlyrv.com JUNE 2017 | OUR TOWN | 9
NonProfitProfile
Circus Flora offers year-round community outreach that transcends the big top Thanks to their recent partnership with the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, For thirty-one years, the sight of Circus their big top will soon have a permaFlora’s red and white big top has sig- nent home in the Grand Center Arts naled the arrival of summer in St. Louis. District. This collaboration allows their This year from June 1 through June 25, programs and performances to expand their newest production – “Time Flies” - throughout the year by providing a perwill transport circus-goers through time. manent footprint with its own dedicated Patrons will join graceful aerialists and green space. They plan to announce powerful acrobats on a journey through the exact location of their future site durthe fourth dimension as they follow a ing their run of “Time Flies” this June. love story that transcends time. Inside Circus Flora’s commitment to the their intimate, air-conditioned big top, community doesn’t end when their tent the story-book style theatrical presen- comes down, but is a year-round entation is interlaced with jaw-dropping deavor for the organization. The corand thrilling displays by internationally nerstone of their community programs, acclaimed entertainers. A full list of the Clowns on Call, celebrates its five-year variety of their world class lineup can anniversary at a special event June be found at circusflora.org. 15 during “Time Flies.” SSM Health As a St. Louis-based nonprofit, Circus Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital Flora has a 30-year history of provid- is the home of this flagship program, ing exciting and affordable family en- and the exclusive healthcare partner tertainment. Their annual world-class for this special event. This is the only productions include an innovative program of its kind in the bi-state retake on an ancient art form by telling gion, bringing laughter, healing, cheer uniquely American stories with circus and the wonders of circus to hospitalarts as the centerpiece. The drama and ized children and their families. The beauty of their dynamic performances, program’s performers are experienced heightened by a live band playing an professional artists, skilled in multiple originally composed score, allow the genres, including music, juggling, magaudience to connect to the perform- ic, improvisation and slapstick. Spearers in an intimate space. Patrons with heading the program is Claire Wedespecial needs also have the option of meyer Panopoulos (Claire the Clown), both peanut-free and sensory-friendly who oversees their team of five. Twice performances during their production. weekly, Clowns on Call players make And they honor their promise of being “clown rounds,” going room to room, animal-friendly by including only acts entertaining at bedsides, as well prothat feature domesticated animals, like ducing shows in activity areas and playdogs and horses. rooms. On select rounds, Claire part10 | OUR TOWN | JUNE 2017
RICK PURDUE
BY MARLA STOKER
ners with violinist Angie Smart of the St. Louis Symphony in collaboration with their “SymphonyCares” program. Share the Circus is another branch of their outreach program which allows families in underserved areas to attend their annual events free of charge or at significantly reduced rates. Tumbling and Teamwork and summer Circus Camps round out the educational programs Circus Flora has operated. Tumbling and Teamwork provided two months of training for students to learn a variety of circus skills while they developed their self-confidence and communication abilities. Their previous Circus Camps offered an atypical camp experience through unique character and skill development opportunities. Children working together, learning circus skills, building confidence and making new friends in a big top environment with Circus Flora’s professional teaching artists is an idea they plan to revive in the near future. More information on all of their programs, including schedule and ticketing details for “Time Flies,” can be found at circusflora.org.
Area offers plenty of outdoor activities to keep the family busy
PARENTS’ SUMMER SURVIVAL GUIDE FILE PHOTOS AND PHOTOS BY RAY ROCKWELL
BY NICHOLAS ELMES Schools out. The sun is shining. Now what? Summer can be a great time for kids to enjoy their freedom but for many parents, the warm long days also offer a lot of challenges on how to fill their kids’ days with good constructive fun. Luckily, area parks and recreation departments work hard all year long to create a variety of programs and amenities which are the perfect answer for what to do on a nice sunny, summer day. Those events can range from taking a leisurely stroll on a well-maintained path to low-cost summer camps to free concerts to golfing, kayaking or even ice-skating.
KEY PARKS IN WEST COUNTY Parents in the western part of St. Louis County have plenty options to choose from when looking for a place to get outside and enjoy themselves during the summer. Maryland Heights is home to one of the area’s crown jewels of parks, Creve Coeur Park, which is operated by St. Louis County. The park boasts a 320acre lake, miles of paved and unpaved
trails, playground equipment, picnic pavilions, boating opportunities, athletic fields and much more. For more information about the park, call 314615-4FUN (4386). Maryland Heights also offers a brand new community center, located at 2300 McKelvey Road. The new 92,000 square-foot center offers a 9,000 square foot Aquatic Center that includes three lap lanes, a zipline, current channel, drop-slide, climbing walls and a
zero entry kid’s area, a 12,800 square foot gymnasium equipped with twelve basketball hoops, three pickleball and badminton courts and two drop down volleyball nets, and indoor track and fitness center. Right next door is the classic Aquaport, Maryland Heights’ municipal outdoor water park, which features an 8,000 square foot pool featuring bubblers, sprinklers and fountains, The Extreme Bowl which sends riders straight
down an enclosed tube slide and into a funnel-shaped bowl, swirling through the bowl until dropping into a pool below, a flume slide, a tube slide, a racer slide, and a wacky water slide. Other Maryland Heights parks include: • Vago Park, a 20-acre park located at the intersection of Midland Ave. and Fee Fee Rd., offers a natural setting within for exercise, play, or picnics. Amenities include a spray pad, three playgrounds, including handicap accessible play structures, a sand volleyball court, horseshoe pits, bathrooms, a fitness course, a lighted softball field and basketball courts, and three pavilions • .Gerald A. Eise Memorial Park, located in the David Meadows Subdivision near Rose Acres Elementary School, has one pavilion, a playground, several picnic tables with barbecue grills, a walking path, a basketball slab, a splash pad and accessible restrooms. • Quiet Hollow, located at Marine Avenue and McKelvey Road is a small, passive park for those individuals who enjoy watching the sunset from the highest point in the city. A walking trail, park benches and picnic table are the only components of this tiny park. No parking or bathroom faciliJUNE 2017 | OUR TOWN | 11
School, restrooms, soccer field and three renovated lighted tennis courts. • Conway Park, located at 12301 Conway Road, is a 29-acre park featuring a one-mile paved path with fitness stations, two tennis courts, a tot lot, a playground, a wildflower garden, a dog park and the historic Clester and Hackmann log cabins. • Fountain Park, located at 11915 Olive Boulevard, is a small park with a playground and plenty of picnic tables.
ties are available at Quiet Hollow. • Parkwood Park, located next to Parkwood Elementary School and near Holy Spirit Catholic Church, features a 0.7 mile paved walking trail with fitness stations, a playground, green space and a small parking lot. • Dogport, a four-acre park is located on McKelvey Woods Court just north of Aquaport, is a park for dogs, accompanied by responsible owners, to play without leashes. Dogport has an area for small dogs (30 pounds or less) and a separate area for large dogs (more than 30 pounds). • McKelvey Woods Park, located just north of Aquaport, in front of Dogport, features a playground, a small pavilion, and restrooms. In the Creve Couer area, parents also have a wealth of parks to choose from including: • Millennium Park, located at 2 Barnes West Blvd, is a 25-acre park featuring two playgrounds, seasonal splash pad, a pavilion that seats 100, barbecue grill, 0.6-mile paved walking trail, restrooms, soccer field, a softball/baseball field and the Historic Tappmeyer House. • Lake School Park, located at 581 Coeur de Ville Road, is a six-acre park featuring a playground, historic Lake 12 | OUR TOWN | JUNE 2017
• LaVerne Collins Park, located at 10581 Old Olive Street, is a peaceful one and a half acre park with a gazebo and flagpole monument. • Beirne Park, located at 10630 Country View Drive, is one of Creve Coeur’s busiest parks featuring a half-mile paved trail, three tennis courts, a soccer field, two playgrounds, a picnic pavilion, barbecue grills, and restrooms. • The Malcolm Terrace Park, located at 11370 St. Paul Street, features 25 wooded acres with a mile and a half of nature trails. The park also features a playground, a small picnic pavilion, sand volleyball court and restrooms.
In Olivette, parents have over 120 acres of parkland to choose from including: • Indian Meadows Park, which features a pavilion, picnic tables, multi-use fields, playgrounds and a walking path. • Irv Zeid Citizen’s Park, located at 9100 Old Bonhomme Road, which features a dog park, a pavilion, picnic tables, multi-use fields, playground, and volleyball courts. • Stacy Park, located at 9750 Old Bonhomme Road, features ballfields, multi-use fields, pavilions, picnic tables, a prairie habitat area, a disabled-accessible playground, tot lot and a walking path. • Villa Park, located at 9301 Villa Drive, features multi-use fields, pavilion, picnic tables, playground, and tot lot. • Warson Park, located at 9723 Grandview Drive, features ball fields, multiuse fields, picnic tables, playground, sand play, tot lot and a walking path. • In Chesterfield, Faust Park brings together a variety of foundations and organizations to offer one of the most unique parks in the region. Located at 15185 Olive Boulevard, the park features the Thornhill Grounds which consists of a number of restored and recreated structures, including a detached kitchen and three barns the Historic Village which includes four
homes and 14 additional structures representing a variety of building and architectural styles, from log to brick, the St. Louis Carousel and the Butterfly House.
CAMPS, CAMPS & MORE CAMPS If parents are looking for more structured entertainment for the summer, the area recreation departments will not disappoint. Maryland Heights offers a wide variety of weekly summer camps for a variety of ages. Those camps include the Kid’s Club Summer Camp at Eise Park, Busy Bee’s Summer Camp at Maryland Heights Community Center, Safety Town (where kids will learn the importance of signals and signs, proper seatbelt use, the dangers of home poisons, using caution with animals, dealing with strangers, home fire safety and much more) several theme based camps (including Star Wars, Harry Potter, Camp’s got Talent, and Ninja Warrior) at Vago Park, Camp Fun in the Sun which focuses on active outdoor experiences, Teen Camp, Bricks 4 Kidz-Minecraft, and Bricks 4 Kidz-Teenage Brick Turtles. For more information call 314-738-2599. This year Creve Coeur is offering a Kids Comedy Camp, a Mad Science Camp - Secret Agent Lab, and American Girl Camp, Junior Golf Camps and Chess at Three. For more information on these camps please call 314-4323961. “Camps allow kids to gain knowledge and experience, while having fun, in a new activity,” said Creve Couer Director of Recreation Jason Valvero. “Who would not want to go to a comedy camp, or learn the trade of a secret agent?” In Olivette, summer camps include Pop Nation (a fun and lively introduction to dance), Circle of Life (where kids will learn about musical theater production), Be Our Guest (a musical theater camp focused on Beauty and the Beast), Mad Science ta the Community Center, Play Well Technologies (which provides
A house in the Historic Village in Faust Park.
STEM-based learning with LEGOS), K.A.R.E. Camp (which facilitates ageappropriate discussions, field trips, and fun service projects to inspire boys and girls to be grateful, compassionate and kind), Little Olives and Summer Adventure Camp. For more information call 314-991-1249.
SUMMER OF MUSIC What is summer without enjoying a wide variety of outdoor music? This summer promises to be a great one musically with concerts planned throughout many of the area parks. The Maryland Heights Summer Concert Series will bring free music to a variety of parks. “The parks and recreation department wants to showcase the city of Maryland Heights parks and feel the Summer Concert Series is the best source to attract non-traditional users into the city parks,” said Recreation Specialist Melissa Musgrove. “Attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating and refreshments. No glass bottles, please. All concerts are from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. with preshow entertainment from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m.” Maryland Heights Summer Concert Series Schedule: June 16: Encore at Vago Park, preshow entertainment is face painting.
June 30: Borderline at Parkwood Park, preshow entertainment will be a patriotic juggling show. July 21: Fanfare at Creve Coeur Lake Park, preshow entertainment will be a hula hooping clinic and show. Aug. 18: Keven Babb at Creve Coeur Lake Park, preshow entertainment will be a caricaturist. Sept. 16: Gary Sluhan at Creve Coeur Lake Park, preshow entertainment will be The Bubble Bus. Creve Couer offers a free summer concert series in Millennium Park where parents can bring their own picnic basket or get a treat from a food truck. A selection of booths from the Creve Coeur Farmers Market will be on hand and the Tappmeyer Homestead will be open at 5 p.m. This year the series will feature Boogie Chyld, Maple Jam Band and Abbey Road Warriors on June 8, July 13 and Aug. 10. Concerts start at 6 p.m. “I am looking forward to the Boogie Chyld on June 20 since it is high energy and the band gets the crowd up and dancing,” said Valvero. “The Summer Concert Series draws people of all ages to the park. Families can come out together and have a great experience listening to the music, playing on the playground or cooling off in the spray pad area. It is a very family-friendly event for all ages to enjoy.” JUNE 2017 | OUR TOWN | 13
This year the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce is also featuring its 30th annual Summer Concert Series in Faust Park. Concerts are held from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. and entry is free. The schedule for this summer is: June 6 – Bob Kuban Band June 13 – Fanfare June 20 – Trilogy June 27 – The Spectrum Band July 11 – Abbey Road Warriors July 18 – Volcanic Ash July 25 – Radiogram Aug. 1 – Butch Wax and the Hollywoods, Aug. 8 – The Scott Laytham and Karl Holmes Duo Aug. 15 – Billy Peek
SPECIAL EVENTS & PROGRAMS In addition to all of the music, camps and outdoor adventure parents might want to set some time aside to enjoy a number of special events planned throughout the area. Throughout the summer, Maryland Heights is partnering with the St. Louis County Bridgeton Trails Library to provide Storybook Trail, an outdoor adventure that allows families to read a fun story while they enjoy a walk down the McKelvey Woods Trail. The storybook will be provided on display boards along the trail for each family to enjoy. Once participants have completed the story, they will write down the code and stop by the Bridgeton Trails library for a special reward. Maryland Heights is also encouraging families to explore their parks with special days set up at each park which will feature special guests and a variety of free games and activities. All activities will take place from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. • Explore a Park Day schedule: June 24 at Parkwood Park, July 22 at Vago Park (Maryland Heights Pavilion), Aug. 26, Vago Park (American Legion 14 | OUR TOWN | JUNE 2017
Pavilion) and Sept. 23 at McKelvey Woods Park/Dogport. • For those wanting to explore the parks on their own time, check out the Passport to the Parks, which challenges residents to visit 30 unique spots in the St. Louis area in 90 days. More information on both programs can be found at www.marylandheights.com/ explorehere. • Maryland Heights is also hosting free ice cream socials from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Parkwood Park on June 15, Eise Park on July 13, and Vagon Park on Aug. 17. • At Creve Coeur Park, visitors can enjoy a Food Truck Fest on July 26 and at Faust Park there will be a Food Truck Fest on June 8, Olden Days of Summer on June 9, June 23, and July 14, Historic Village Open House on June 17-18 and July 29-30, and
Thornhill Open House on June 24-25 “In general, all of our events and programs are free or very inexpensive,” said St. Louis County Parks Public Information Coordinator Angie Riehn. “We keep pricing low so that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy their parks. Probably our biggest event of the summer will be taking place at Jefferson Barracks Park on Aug. 21 when we hold an event for the Great American Solar Eclipse.” Finally, Creve Couer offers a unique summer ice skating program at the Creve Coeur Ice Arena. “The program is perfect for anyone wanting to start, brush up or just hone their skating skills,” said Valvero. “The instructors are very knowledgeable and are there to help at any level. Ice skating is a great way to stay cool the summer at a minimum cost.”
OurThoughts
BEAUTIFUL SIGHTS BIGSTOCK
MOORE ON LIFE BY CINDY MOORE
I
f you plan on visiting a national park this summer there are some words of advice you’ll need. Most important, go to the bathroom first! If those bodily functions should kick in and you find yourself in desperate need of restroom facilities, be warned! Parks have no flushables. You must use pioneer, dig-a-pit kind of receptacles. When entering these foul-smelling tombs of doom, for the love of all that is sweet and holy, do not look directly down into the outhouse pot – you can never un-see the sights that await you down there. Understand that there will be no paper in these enclosures. Do not call out for more paper from a park ranger. That is what the park map is intended for. Keep it with you at all times. Also, the hand sanitizer receptacle will be empty and a nest of hornets will have taken up residency in the container. Should one of the nasty stingers alight upon your bare skin, do not make the mistake of swatting it. A park ranger will immediately appear and issue you a citation for destroying a protected species. Keep the citation with you at all times because you will need it as a handy wipe at your next porta-potty stop as you will no longer have a map. Then instead of hand sanitizer, use a handful of sagebrush. This is what our ancestors had to utilize in the dark ages. But be warned, a park ranger will appear to issue another citation for picking the vegetation. Reserve this next citation and use it as bartering currency for un-savvy tour-
ists who have discarded their maps. I traded mine in for a pound of bacon. Should you desperately need a park ranger…say, a crazed grizzly bear smells your crackling bacon and enters your campground then devours your frying meat and begins using your new expensive camp chairs as toothpicks. Do not yell for a ranger. It will be to no avail. Instead stare menacingly at the grizzly and appear as if you are about to reach into a bag of marshmallows to offer it a peace offering. A ranger will instantly appear out of the vanishing smoke from your campfire and promptly hand you a citation for harassing the wildlife and tempting the beast with unauthorized snacks. Finally, when hiking. Stay on the path. Do not stray from the path. If in your ventures you should encounter a longfanged venomous rattler bent on chomping at your ankle and need to jump from the path to avoid said serpent; a park ranger will appear. Not to administer life-saving medical attention to your burgeoning purple ankle, but to issue a double citation for provoking the endangered serpent to unnecessary anger and disturbing microorganism plant-life and slumbering pebbles causing unnecessary erosion and thus destroying threatened habitat. Two tickets?! Luckily, I had to go to the bathroom and would need the other to barter for another pound of bacon. Win-win! JUNE 2017 | OUR TOWN | 15
OurThoughts
On being
‘THAT GUY’ ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE BY AVALANCHE
“Your phone is going to be ringing off the hook,” my friend said when I told him I was buying a skid steer loader. “You’re going to have friends you didn’t know existed!” Those words echoed in my head a couple of nights ago when I heard the crunching, scraping sound of a truck interacting with rocks in a manner not consistent with vehicle design parameters. A few seconds after that, the sounds of tires spinning on gravel confirmed that I was going to be getting a phone call or visit shortly. After our adventures with mud last year, it became obvious that having a piece of earthmoving equipment handy was a need, not a want. Depending upon others to perform heavy lifting is a bad spot to be in, especially when time is of the essence. There have usually been a couple of neighbors close by who owned such equipment; most have moved away and the only remaining tractor owner travels frequently. Like it or not, it was time for me to be That Guy. Going through the procurement process was an adventure in itself, demanding that I dredge up old knowledge and experience from my public works career in determining specifications and mechanical condition of the machine; and from my public safety career, in determining just how much the sales personnel were lying to me. I began by inquiring about a used rig from a big-name manufacturer whose name is synonymous with heavy equipment. That company is justifiably proud of their machinery, and it is priced accordingly. However, it seems that they are only set up to deal with commercial accounts, and a lowly homeowner doesn’t get much attention. Perhaps that’s a factor in why the company is in the process of laying off 10,000 employees worldwide. Moving on to other brands, local dealers had no used rigs in stock, and while sympathetic to my plight, they weren’t willing to budge on new machine prices. The next step was to check online auction and trading sites. I found a screaming deal on a year-old machine, with only a few hundred hours 16 | OUR TOWN | JUNE 2017
BIGSTOCK
with the loader on the meter, located in an adjacent state. Photos showed the loader to be in excellent condition. The dealer said the economy was bad in their area and he really wanted to sell the machine. He was a little too eager, it seemed. I took the machine information to my local dealer. The shop foreman checked the serial number and found a warranty history of catastrophic mechanical failures, all occurring within the first couple hundred hours. While those problems had been repaired, big chunks of metal circulating in the hydraulic system will be gifts that keep on giving for the life of that machine. The rig will spend much of its life in a service bay with a busy mechanic and a frustrated owner. Those experiences led me across the state to work with the dealer of a smaller manufacturer. The machine had a lower price, slightly less performance capabilities, and no local dealer support. But, it’s a brand new machine and the manufacturer has a reputation for excellent reliability. The need of a skid steer joined with the want of a heated and air conditioned cab, and the result was dropped off at the bottom of my road in a snowstorm this winter. As of this writing, only 56 more “E-Z monthly payments” and it’s all mine. So far the machine has been quite useful in working around my property, increasing production and saving what’s left of my back. Now that spring is here, it runs nearly every day. The vehicle crunching noise heard the other night was the next-door renter who was moving out, and somehow drove his truck and moving trailer over a rock retaining wall bordering the road. About five minutes later he was at my door, wondering if I could help get him out of his predicament. It took just a few minutes of tricky lifting with pallet forks to dislodge his truck and set it back on the road, mostly unscathed. Now that I’m That Guy with equipment, suddenly lots of people I barely know are inquiring if I can help them with some work on their property. I’m very popular – and I screen my calls very carefully.
ATLAS
OurThoughts
2018
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
ADDS THIRD-ROW SUV VERSATILITY TO VOLKSWAGEN’S LINEUP
Volkswagen of America elected to further compliment their product mix by now making available their all-new, Tennessee-manufactured 2018 Atlas three-row SUV. It has a starting price point of $30,500. Atlas will be sold in five different trim levels along with two engine options, as well as it will be offered with their 4Motion all-wheel-drive system on V6 models. Atlas is nicely equipped with plenty of extras that most SUV buyers often gravitate to. They also make available a lavish amount of on-board technology features from the factory. For added utility and comfort, it has a spacious interior with cutting edge innovative accessibility to the third row seating. Overall, the vehicle is designed and based on their award-winning modular transverse underside matrix architecture, channeling the drive experience into a fun-to-operate SUV with the handling and takeaway experience of operating an automobile, rather than a sport utility vehicle. Atlas’s outer body design and styling cues maintain a bold, fresh, new, muscular appearance. In the simplest terms, it’s a very conservative silhouette. Its pronounced wheel arches, classic body stamping proportions and clean lines further tend to standout. All of this was achieved while still maintaining a low coefficient of wind drag. The vehicle’s body utilizes new laser-welding technologies designed to maximize strength. The endgame is significantly more rigidity than that of traditional spot welds.
The body overall includes a large percentage of high-strength, hot-formed steel. Atlas also features an independent suspension at all four wheels. The braking system is comprised of superior components plus they included electronic/speed-sensitive variable assist power steering. With an array of both passive and active safety systems, it’s been engineered to meet or exceed all current safety regulations and features six airbags. The interior design is fairly clean, functional and has a premium feel. Driver controls are positioned for optimal usability within a driver-centric display environment. There is comfortable seating throughout. With its three-row seating, it results into space for up to seven adults. An innovative folding mechanism for the second row offers improved entry and exit. This is a major selling point for “like/crossshopped vehicles” in its category. With the two engines offered, both include an eight-speed automatic transmission. The standard powerplant is their 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo with direct-injection. It produces 235-horsepower, as its EPA numbers will be released later this year. Their 3.6-liter V6 engine generates 276-horsepower. With front-wheeldrive, the EPA fuel numbers reflect 18-city/25-mpg highway. All-wheeldrive versions show 17-mpg city/23highway. Destination charges for all Atlas models come out to be $925 extra. Atlas tends to compete with the Ford Explorer and the Toyota Highlander. JUNE 2017 | OUR TOWN | 17
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Often, employees enroll in medical insurance plans for protection against unpredictable events, sudden illness or serious health concerns that may result in expensive medical bills. Getting the most from your benefits requires understanding coverages and deductibles, as well as taking advantage of voluntary benefits, like dental, vision and hearing, to stay healthy and save money. Avoid surprises. About 91 percent of adults in the United States are confused about what their benefits
GETTY IMAGES
CaringPartners
Get paid to save. Many employers encourage employees to save money by matching a percentage of the amount the employee contributes to the plan. If avail-
ways to stretch your health benefits cover, according to a recent Harris poll. The best starting point is to review your plan so you understand the care and services covered. If you have a high-deductible plan, you will need to pay for most or a percentage of the health costs until reaching the individual or family deductible. Be prepared to pay any copayments or deductibles the plan requires before receiving care. Also, before scheduling appointments, ask for a cost estimate for the appointment, tests or service. Preventive dental and vision. Many voluntary plans, such as dental and vision, offer preventive exams, such as routine cleanings and vision exams, that are fully covered. That’s because these preventive exams help to maintain and improve overall health and help reduce health costs. Voluntary coverage is affordable and many plans offer added incentives. For example, coverage for LASIK, dental, vision and hearing benefits can increase from one year to the next for those who continue to enroll and use their benefits. Members could earn monetary rewards to use for dental, vision, LASIK, orthodontia and hearing benefits, care materials and services simply by using their benefits and keeping the benefits paid out under a specified amount. Medical screenings. Routine health screenings, such as mammograms, immunizations, colonoscopy procedures and prostate cancer screenings, which may be covered fully or in part by your medical coverage, can help you stay healthy and lower health care costs.
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able, enroll in a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account to set aside money to pay for health care costs. Remember that these accounts are not a substitute for the coverage provided by voluntary benefits. Learn more about the questions to ask when reviewing benefit plans at ameritasinsight.com.
FACE OFF
TOUCHSTONE PICTURES
OurLifestyle
They don’t make them like this anymore
BY BRIAN GUERRO The mid-to-late 90’s sure did boast a list of impressive summer flicks with loads of crowd-pleasing action, comedy and visual effects with movies like “Jurassic Park” (1993), “Twister” (1996) and “Independence Day” (1996). The one thing this era had much more of (than today), was the action flick for the adult crowd. There were movies like “Speed” (1994), “Bad Boys”(1995), “Die Hard With A Vengeance”(1995), “The Rock”(1996), “Eraser”(1996) and more that were big (studio budgeted) blockbusters despite whether critics liked them or not. There was one that came out in June of 1997 that blew right through expectations. No, it wasn’t “Con Air” starring Nicolas Cage, but the other actionflick with Cage that came out later that same month… starring opposite John Travolta. This is “Face/Off” we’re talking about, arguably the greatest American film ever made by legendary filmmaker John Woo from Hong Kong. The man is a huge cult-favorite for his unique visions of action, violence and shootouts in his pictures from overseas like “The Killer” (1989) and the inter-
national favorite “Hard Boiled” (1992). mances from the entire cast and twisted plot. The trademarks of John Woo usually FBI agent Sean Archer (John Travolta) consist of the following: was on the hunt to capture L.A. terror• Doves are present before shootouts ist Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage). After a as a symbol of peace. (Sometimes thrilling airstrip chase scene that ends pigeons are involved in the mix, too). with an extended massive shootout in an airplane hanger, the FBI agent fi• There are sharp contrasts of peace nally captures his man. This is just and violence and good versus evil. the opening mind you! Unfortunately, • A “Mexican standoff” is usually pres- there’s a massive bomb hidden in L.A. ent - when to characters are pointing and the only way left to locate it is for Agent Archer to physically appear as guns at each other’s heads. the villain himself (through ground• His action sequences are heavily breaking surgery mind you) in order choreographed, hyperkinetic – and to trick Castor’s imprisoned brother to can be masterfully shot in slow mo- give up the bomb’s location. The plot tion. turns disturbing when Castor awakes • The director’s most prolific trade- from his coma and assumes the identity mark is his characters can have of Agent Archer. Literally, Travolta and a gun in each hand as they shoot Cage superbly switch roles for the retheir enemy – even in slow motion maining two thirds of the film and rareat times. If you see almost any movie ly has anyone experienced acting at this after the 90s, you can thank Mr. Woo high caliber in a film loaded with this amount of stylishly-polished action. for this iconic symbol of action. There’s plenty of story and room for “Face/Off” has all of these trade- acting in this film that it clocks at a near marks and was a surprising success two hours and twenty minutes, that’s to most - obliterating expectations. It how much action there here without it wasn’t just the action - which was better ever becoming repetitive. than ever - that made the film a blockThey don’t make them like this anybuster success, but also the perfor- more. JUNE 2017 | OUR TOWN | 19
OurLifestyle Gas or Charcoal Grill
For gas grill, ignite one burner and leave others off. Adjust side burner until thermometer in grill lid reads 400 F. Place smoking box or foil pouch of wood chips over ignited burner. Place steak on grate over burners that are off. Keep grill covered and maintain temperature at 400 F. For charcoal grill, arrange hot coals evenly on one side of charcoal grate. Add wood chunks to coals and allow to smoke 10 minutes. Place drip pan with water in center of grate to keep drippings from burning. Place cooking grate over coals and place steak on grate, centered over drip pan. Place lid on grill. Adjust air vents to bring temperature to 400 F. Face side with filet mignon away from hottest portion of grill; larger side should be facing heat source. Smoke 40-55 minutes for medium-rare 48-ounce Tbone steak. Flip steak one time, halfway through cooking time. Verify temperature using kitchen thermometer before removing from grill. If desired, finish exterior of smoked steak over direct heat 1-2 minutes per side once it reaches desired temperature. Allow steak to rest 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
Kettle or Bullet Smoker
Arrange hot coals evenly on one bottom of smoker grate. Add wood chunks to coals and allow to smoke 10 minutes. Place drip pan with water under rack. Place cooking grate over coals and place steak on cooking grate centered over drip pan. Place lid on smoker. Adjust air vents to maintain 250 F. A medium-rare 48-ounce T-bone steak rested at room temperature for 1 hour prior to cooking should require 1 hour1 hour and 15 minutes to reach proper temperature, which can be verified with a kitchen thermometer. If desired, finish exterior of smoked steak over direct heat 1-2 minutes per side once it reaches desired temperature. Allow steak to rest 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
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Put some sizzle into your Father’s Day grilling Just ask any dad, he’s sure to agree: a perfectly seasoned steak flame-kissed to perfection is one of the great pleasures of summer grilling. This Father’s Day, you may be able to teach dad a few tricks of your own. Start by selecting a premiumquality steak like those from Omaha
Steaks, which are aged at least 21 days to reach the peak of tenderness then flash frozen to stay that way. Then take that guaranteed quality to the grill and try a new method, such as slow, steady smoking, for an ultimate flavor experience. Find tips to make your summer grilling great at omahasteaks.com.
Beef on Steak Salt Total time: 1 hour, 20 minutes Ingredients: 1 T-bone steak (30 ounces) 1 package (3 ounces) beef jerky 3 tablespoons kosher salt
uncovered, at room temperature.
Directions: Using box grater finely shred enough beef jerky to yield 2 tablespoons; mix with kosher salt. Pat steak dry on both sides and season with 1-1 1/2 tablespoons jerky salt. Allow seasoned steak to sit 45 minutes-1 hour,
Grill to desired doneness based on thickness of steak. Let steak rest 5 minutes.
Heat gas or charcoal grill to 450 F and oil grates to prevent sticking.
Garnish steak with remaining jerky salt.
Smoked King Cut T-Bone Ingredients: 1 King Cut T-Bone steak (48 ounces) 1 tablespoon steak seasoning 2 tablespoons kosher salt Ingredients: Prepare dry brine by combining steak seasoning and salt and rubbing into meat on both sides. Place meat on wire rack uncovered; refrigerate 18-
24 hours or overnight. Tip: If time doesn’t allow for overnight brining, let rubbed steak sit on wire rack at room temperature at least 1 hour. Cook to desired doneness with preferred indirect grilling method, placing food next to, instead of directly over, the fire.
OurLifestyle
7 Steps to Great Steak
Achieve steakhouse-worthy results at home with these tips from Omaha Steaks Executive Chef Grant Hon. 1. Proper preparation. Clean and heat your grill to high. Make sure to oil grates after cleaning. 2. Prepare your steaks. Pat steaks dry and season food before grilling. Use sea salt and freshly cracked pepper or a complete steak seasoning or rub. 3. Searing. Sear steaks over high heat
and avoid moving them before they’re fully seared on all sides to protect flavor and juiciness. 4. Handling steaks on the grill. Use tongs or a spatula to turn meat on the grill; poking with a fork can damage the meat. 5. Controlling your cook. Close grill cover as much as possible while cooking to maintain a temperature around 450 F. This helps lock in flavor and prevent flare-ups. After determining the amount of time you’ll need to reach your desired done-
ness, use the 60/40 grilling method. Grill 60 percent on the first side then 40 percent after you turn the steak over for an even cook. 6. Juiciness. After grilling, allow steaks to rest tented with foil for 5 minutes between cooking and serving. This lets juices redistribute for the besttasting and juiciest steak. 7. Finish and enjoy. Garnish steak and serve with style. Add colors, textures and flavors to make perfectly grilled steak even more memorable.
JUNE 2017 | OUR TOWN | 21
A Hero’s Song PHOTOS BY RAY ROCKWELL
InDepth
Attending a recent meeting of Frank’s Heroes were (front row, from left) Ralph Moore, Frank Walter, Louise Weaver, Harry Keuss, Larry Reighard, (back row, from left) Kevin Lane, Bill and Barb Dennis, John Baker, David Hawkins, Juan Ramivez and Arnold Jacobsen.
Local nonprofit Frank’s Heroes offers guitar lessons to veterans of all stripes BY BRETT AUTEN
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Bill Dennis has been passing along the gift of music. Dennis launched and spearheads Frank’s Heroes, a local nonprofit foundation that offers guitar lessons to veterans. Named after Dennis’ father, who was a World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, for four years
now Frank’s Heroes offers beginning and intermediate classes for veterans. “We had to call ourselves something,” Dennis recalled. “In our eyes, all veterans are heroes and it sounded pretty good. A lot of the veterans who have come in over the years have said that they always wanted to play but either didn’t have the time or didn’t have the patience.” Frank’s Heroes is comprised of around 30 members with ages ranging from veterans in their 20s to their 60s. Dennis has recruited veterans to attend the program through word of mouth and reaching out to local Ameri-
InDepth can Legions and Veterans of Foreign War halls. schools, hospitals, and community service organiThe group started in the back of a building but is zations. Burton is most well-known for being the now located at the Foundry Art Centre located at leader of Elvis Presley’s backing band. 520 North Main Street in St. Charles. “They have really gone the extra mile,” Dennis Learning a new instrument, especially at an ad- said. “From the Mel Bay company donating music vanced state of age, can be discouraging. But Den- books to James Burton’s donating a couple of guinis believes that if they can get past the initial grow- tars. ing stages, a wonderful world awaits them. Dennis and the other instructors pull the curricu“For a lot of them, their fingers get real sore,” lum from the Mel Bay system, starting with Dennis said. “We tell them not to rush into it. Take just the basic notes on each string to 10-15 minutes a day. Take your time and give it a chord structures. Beginners can excouple of months to get your callouses built up.” pect to learn their favorite Johnny Louis Weaver was one of those who stuck with it. Cash song or something simiWeaver is a retired major who saw time in both lar that only has a few chord the Air Force and Army as a nurse. The St. Charles resident showed up for her first class in 2014. “I saw an ad and I ended up waiting and waiting before I ended up going,” she said. “Progress can be slow with the guitar and I was the only female there for a while. But I felt honored being around these guys. Veterans are never strangers. When we meet there is an instant bond because we have a common background.” Members of Frank’s Heroes during a practice session. Weaver, a gifted singer, took on that role early at Frank’s Heroes, helping sing the melodies for the players to changes. emulate. A year or so after joining the group, Weav“Once you know that er had seven members of the group play at the 91st you know how to play birthday of her church, Southern Union Missouri rhythm,” Dennis said. Baptist, located in downtown St. Louis. “We try to teach them Dennis built his six-string skills up playing in vari- how to read the ous groups and orchestras when he was younger. A chords and how it fits member of the musicians union, Dennis’ highlight into a song.” came when he substituted in when the Glenn Miller Helping Dennis Orchestra needed a guitar player for a gig at the with guitar instrucRamada Inn. tions are Jim HuckDennis said none of this would be possible with- elberry, John Baker out the group’s major sponsors, the Mel Bay Pub- and Rick Brunk. lishing Company and the James Burton Rock-n-Roll The group will susFoundation. The Mel Bay Publishing Company is a pend classes in June, famed publisher of materials for musical instrument July and August and replaying, particularly instructional books that teach sume another 12-week a particular instrument or style. It was founded in cycle beginning in Sep1947 and is now based in Fenton after numerous tember. years in Pacific. The James Burton Rock-n-Roll FounFor more information, or for dation supports music education for those in need those who are interested, feel free through guitar donations and music instruction to to call Dennis at 314-479-5750. JUNE 2017 | OUR TOWN | 23
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Heart to Heart Run/Walk The 13th Annual Heart
to Heart Run/Walk begins at 8 a.m. at the Government Center at 300 N. New Ballas Road. Distances include 5K, 10K run or 5K walk. Registration includes timing by Big River Running Company, T-shirt and post-event snacks. Awards are provided to the top male and female overall and age divisions. The event is held rain or shine. For registration and pricing information, call 314-432-3960 or visit www.creve-coeur.org/hearttoheart.
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D-Day Anniversary
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Summer concert The Creve Coeur Recreation Department is proud to offer its fourth summer of free family-friendly concerts in Millennium Park at 2 Barnes West Drive with Boogie Chyld. Known for their diverse music variety, the six-piece ensemble plays everything from Motown, disco, classic rock, hip-hop, country, blues and everything between. Pack a picnic basket or purchase a snack from a food truck as you enjoy live music in the park. Bring chairs or blankets for seating. All shows begin at 6 p.m., but come early to get a good seat.
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Best of Maryland Heights” Garden Tour Residents will have an opportunity to view award winning properties at the biennial “Best of Maryland Heights” Garden Tour from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. To be part of the Garden Tour, please contact the Community Development Department at 314-291-6550. Participating homeowners will need to be available to answer questions about their gardens. Maps to the homes on the self-guided tour will be available at the Government Center and Community Center. For more information, please email gardentour@marylandheights.com. As a courtesy, please observe the following guidelines: visit within the tour hours and only properties listed on the map, supervise your children and leave pets at home.
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Flag Day
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Summer concert This concert is located at Vago Park (intersection of Midland Ave. and Fee Fee Rd.) in Maryland Heights and features the band Encore. All concerts run from 6 to 9 p.m. and will feature pre-show entertainment from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Bands will perform 7 - 9 p.m. Inclement weather cancellations will be posted on www.RainedOut.com.
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Father’s Day
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Juneteenth
June
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American Eagle Day
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First Day of Summer
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Creve Coeur Days The annual Creve Coeur Days
Community Festival will be held again this year on the campus of De Smet Jesuit High School at 233 N. New Ballas Rd. The charity fundraising event featuring a giant carnival midway runs from Thursday evening, June 22 through Sunday, June 25. p.m. at Eise Park; 4:30-5 p.m. at Parkwood Park and 5:15-5:45 p.m. at Vago Park.