AU G U S T 2 022
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LIFESTYLE LETTER
Kids & Pets
August 2022 PUBLISHER
Renee Moore | renee.moore@citylifestyle.com EDITOR
Kate Baxendale | kate.baxendale@citylifestyle.com
“My fashion philosophy is, if you’re not covered in dog hair, your life is empty.” I love this quote from comedian Elayne Boosler. I have a golden retriever and a chocolate Lab, so my life is not empty. And by the amount of pictures readers sent in of their dogs and their kids, I’m guessing your life is not empty either. I’m on a continual search to focus on the things that unite us; kids and pets are at the top of the list. John Steinbeck said, “A dog is a bond between strangers.” We’ve all experienced the unconditional love that comes from kids and pets. Although, there is truth to this Nora Ephron quote, “When your children are teenagers, it’s important to have a dog so that someone in the house is happy to see you.” Mark your calendars to join us at the Dog Pool Party at Kirkwood Aquatic Center on the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 6, and Thursday, Sept. 8. Charles Dickens said, “The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog.” So it should be two days of fun and affection. Remember, the best way to connect with us is through Instagram and Facebook @KirkwoodCityLifestyle.
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Proverbs 3:5-6 Kirkwood City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Kirkwood area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Kirkwood City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but
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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R
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AUGUST 2022
inside the issue The Kids and Pets Issue
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F E ATU R E D
D E PA RTM E NTS
14 Securing Your Child’s Financial Future
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Lifestyle Letter
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City Scene
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Business Monthly
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Money Matters
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Local Limelight
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Our Town
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Must See
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Education Corner
6 Tips to Ensure Your Child is Set Up for Success
18 Kids & Pets
Readers Share Their Favorite Pictures and Stories
26 Enriching Educational Experiences for All Students
A Conversation with Stephanie Collet, Executive Director of the Kirkwood School District Foundation
32 An Amusement Park for EVERY Body The Inspiration Behind Spirit of Discovery Park
O N T H E C OV E R
Photography: Maddie Murphy That face! We get Norman Rockwell vibes from this sweet picture of Henry Murphy-VanderPluym with his dog Molly.
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FI NA NC E + LEGA L SE RV IC E S LI FE + C U LT U R E
EDU CAT I O N
LI FE + C U LT U R E EDU CAT I O N
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AUGUST 2022
city scene
Where neighbors can see and be seen. 1
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MIKE MALLOY
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KIRKWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION
7 KIRKWOOD FAMILY DENTAL
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KATIE MACKENZIE
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THE REFILL EFFECT
KIRKWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION
KIRKWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION
1: Kirkwood Family Dental owner Allison Winkler, DMD and her sweet daughter having fun at Grant’s Farm. 2: Vallari happily promotes eco-activism at The Refill Effect on 204 N. Clay in downtown Kirkwood. 3: Seamus Malloy is quite famous in downtown Kirkwood for his tricks and love of hockey. 4: How long do you think GymGuyz owner Katie Mackenzie stayed dry after she took this picture? 5: Tillman Elementary students raised over $800 from bracelet sales for the Kirkwood Teachers of Color Scholarship. 6: Congratulations to the Kirkwood School District Foundation 2022 Named Award Recipients. 7: KSDF is proud to support Unified Night Lights, a Kirkwood School District event.
Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @KirkwoodCityLifestyle
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C I T Y SC E N E
AUGUST 2022
business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses. Kirkwood's Newest Pet Resort is No Leash Needed Have you visited the newest No Leash Needed resort? The 9,800-square-foot facility offers turfed yards, sanitary non-slip flooring, state-of-the-art ventilation systems and spacious kennel suites. No Leash Needed was founded by trainers that understand dog behavior, and the Kirkwood team offers exceptional dog training, boarding, day care, and grooming. Visit the resort on 902 S. Kirkwood Road or give us a call at 314-287-3502. Our paws love to take your calls.
Scan to read more. Photography: No Leash Needed
Kirkwood Parks and Recreation Dog Pool Party The Dog Pool Party at the Kirkwood Aquatic Center will be better than ever. Kirkwood City Lifestyle Magazine, No Leash Needed, and Kind Veterinary Care are creating a pool party extravaganza with a photo booth, raffle prizes, and doggie bags. Tuesday, Sept. 6, 5-7 p.m., all dogs swim. Thursday, Sept. 8, 5:30-6 p.m., dogs under 25 pounds; 6-7:30 p.m., all dogs. $10 per dog plus one human. $10 for each additional dog. $5 for each additional human. Current shot records must be provided.
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Kind Veterinary Care Now Open in Des Peres Dr. Alicia and her team at Kind Veterinary Care are particularly interested in fear-free techniques and view client education and patient comfort as a top priority. The office is fully equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic tools and expertise to provide comprehensive care, including nutrition, neurology, and surgery. Kind Veterinary Care provides your family with the best health care your pet deserves. Visit our office in Des Peres located at 1131 Colonnade Center, or call 314-394-0083.
Scan to read more. Photography: Kind Veterinary Care
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B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY C O N T I N U E D
Salty Paws Opens In Downtown Kirkwood Salty Paw is Kirkwood's doggie ice cream bar and bake/treat retail shop for dine-in or carry-out. We offer Bocce's, dehydrated treats, bones, bully sticks, Bowser Beer for dogs, and lots more, including a small spa section with pet care items. Our ice cream is lactose-free and specially made for dogs. We also have a small cat section with treats and toys. Visit us on your pet's Gotcha Day/birthday, and we will make it extra special.
Photography: Salty Paws
petbar opens in Des Peres petbar is unlike all other grooming spas, from its crate-free full-service bath, bath memberships to professional grooming boutique. The outstanding, dog-loving staff are ready to make your dog's spa services as stress-free as possible in our private dry/groom rooms. Most importantly, you can have your pet in and out while you run errands. Love dogs? Come work with us. Have a dog? We can't wait to meet them. desperes.petbarinc.com
Photography: petbar
Want to be featured?
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Kirkwood
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B USIN E SS M ON T H LY
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Theo Swaleh
Theo Swaleh
Amanda and Theo Swaleh
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M ON E Y M AT T E R S | FINANCE + LE GAL S E RVI CE S
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE SWALEH
Secu r ing You r Ch i ld’s Financ ia l Fut u re 6 Tips to Ensure Your Child is Set Up for Success
Anyone who’s met me has probably heard me talk about financial soundness, longterm investments and planning for the future because of my day job. But these same concepts keep coming to mind when I think about my young son and wanting to provide for him and his future. It might sound a little scary, but this is what I’m personally working toward for my own son’s future. 1. Let your kids pay for their OWN (higher) education. Becoming financially independent doesn't just magically happen, so kickstart this for him. Provide your support, but entrust your son with the responsibility of managing his first major financial obligation on his own. 2. Equip your kids with an awesome financial life-skills toolbox. Impart your daughter with the knowledge and resources she'll need to take on the world with confidence. Ensure she understands and participates in building her credit, healthy spending habits, savings accounts, etc., NOW. 3. Change how you think about higher education. It’s great if your daughter decides to go to college, but it shouldn’t be her only option. She might excel more at a trade/ vocational school or decide to get a two-year associate's degree (options that may still qualify for that 529 plan). Or she might take a different path altogether. 4. Invest in houses. Consider buying a home with a 15-year mortgage as a rental property by the time your kid is 3. When your son turns 18, you’ll own the home outright and can use sale proceeds to invest in his future or give it to him as an investment property. 5. Invest in YOUR household. Our children's future stability and happiness aren’t entirely a result of their finances. Furnish your home with love, support, open communication, healthy habits, and laughter. Prioritize relationships with each member of your household, including yourself. 6. Have an exit strategy. We don’t like to talk about it, but everyone is going to die. You may not be able to shield your children from emotional pain, but the best way to protect them financially is to set up your will and trust and have a life insurance policy in place.
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ARTICLE BY BETH GLENNON | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
K I D S
Charlotte (Lottie) Jacobson is laughing at her silly brother, Miles.
Professor Jacobson
P E T S Readers share their favorite pictures and stories
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LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | L IFE + CULTURE
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Miles Jacobson at the Kirkwood Library's children's section
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Charleston Campbell AUGUST 2 0 2 2
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“We met in Dallas and moved to St. Louis five years ago to be with his family. We now live in Glendale and love the community. I love how family-oriented the city is. I love that I can go almost anywhere in Kirkwood and run into someone we know.” -Heather Jacobson
Don't you love how kids and pets create an immediate connection between family, friends, neighbors—even people we don't know? Kirkwood, Glendale, Webster Groves, Warson Woods, and Des Peres have some of the city's most kid-oriented, pet-friendly neighborhoods. People are kind to kids, and they stop to pet dogs. It's one of the things that is so unique about living here. Kids and pets bring us together in a way that warms our hearts and brightens our day. Kirkwood City Lifestyle Magazine loves strengthening our community by sharing stories and pictures of our readers' kids and pets. Here are a few that make us smile. "I am from Dallas, and my husband grew up in Town and Country," said Heather Jacobson. "We met in Dallas and moved to St. Louis five years ago to be with his family. We now live in Glendale and love the community. I love how family-oriented the city is. I love that I can go almost anywhere in Kirkwood and run into someone we know." Heather shared her favorite stories of her two children and two dogs. "Miles is pictured at one of his favorite spots: the Kirkwood Library. He loves that they have a train in the children's section! He is into anything that goes. He plays soccer with the Kickaroos. He is very funny, kind, and friendly. We recently bought 10 new goldfish for our backyard pond. As we were checking out, Miles kept calling them his new friends (he even named one Nolan, after his BFF!). His little sister Charlotte, aka Lottie, is 1 1/2 and is learning how to walk. She is sassy and sweet and marches to the beat of her own drum. She is very tenacious. She loves playing with her bubba (brother), music, and dancing. In this picture, she is laughing at her silly brother."
Kirkwood resident Ashley Schmitz shares the story of Stanley's birthday. "Stanley will be 13 in September. We have had a birthday celebration for Stanley every year since he was a puppy, and he has worn the same hat each year. Stanley loves birthdays, and not just his—he gets so excited whenever he sees presents and loves to unwrap gifts, even when they are not for him (he assumes they all are his – haha). During COVID, our kids Elsie (4) and Jaden (6) started the tradition of doing scavenger hunts for birthday gifts, and Stanley loves to be included and help sniff out the clues to find the presents." Marilyn Zipfel, the owner of Lass & Laddie, noted that she should have started bringing Sophie to the shop 10 years ago. "Now, at 15 years old, it would be too much excitement for her, and I'd worry that she would run out the door," said Marilyn. "But she is as friendly as can be." One of Christine Weyerich's favorite pictures is of her two kids, Hadley and Dane, on a hike with their dog, Mardi. Grace Martiniere shared one of her favorite pictures from 2020. "This was the boys in their Easter outfits that year," said Grace. "We watched Easter church service on TV, FaceTimed family, had five Easter egg hunts, blew bubbles, ate lots of jelly beans, played outside, and ate tacos for Easter dinner. It was such a strange time, but I love the simplicity." It is no surprise that local fashion and lifestyle blogger Karen Ortega would find the cutest swimwear for her dog, Annie Hall. "Five years ago, my fiancé and I made the best decision and brought Annie Hall home. We love her so much, so we threw her a cute CONTINUED >
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Hadley and Dane Weyerich with Mardi
Follow Sally on IG @thegoldensally. Jane Crets and a few of her friends Tucker Renz is tuckered out.
Carly Ann Johnson playing with cats at Whisker Station
Sophie belongs to Marilyn Zipfel, owner of Lass & Laddie. Grace Martiniere's boys are ready to go.
Lee and Gaamaa Cagle's little girl sends her love. School of Rock performed an outdoor concert.
Donna Manley's dog, Jackson, wants to party. Annie Hall Ortega
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Frankie B - Supermodel
Riley (7), Luke and Cooper (2 1/2) and Scottie (5) Moran
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LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | L IFE + CULTURE
little "pawty," said Karen. "I love that Annie is super friendly, loves to cuddle and thinks she is a human baby!" When she's not hanging out in downtown Kirkwood, Sally, the golden retriever, can be found posing perfectly for her very own Instagram account @thegoldensally. And if we are talking Insta accounts, we have to include @i.am.frankeb. Frankie Biviano is a 3 1/2-pound Pomeranian known for being a supermodel who steals her human brother's snacks. "Jane is my happy little baby. She turns 1 this month, and she loves watching the chickens. Our eight chickens have been raised with three kiddos, so they are super sweet and friendly." said Katy Crets. "We are huge dog lovers, especially goldens," said Katie Renz. "We have Truman, an English Cream golden retriever, and Tucker, an American golden retriever. We call Tucker "frog dog" because he lays with his feet sprawled out like a frog." "I love that my kids have all grown up in Kirkwood being so excited to see the trains going by and going for walks to the farmers market and 'police park,'" said Jamie Moran. "And I love seeing them happy."
“Stanley loves birthdays, and not just his—he gets so excited whenever he sees presents and loves to unwrap gifts, even when they are not for him.” -Ashley Schmitz
Elsie (4), Stanley is 12, going on 13 in September, and Jaden (6) AUGUST 2 0 2 2
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Enriching Educational Experiences for All Students
Stephanie Collet, Executive Director of the Kirkwood School District Foundation
A Conversation with Stephanie Collet, Executive Director of the Kirkwood School District Foundation ARTICLE BY BETH G LE NNON | PHOTOG R APHY PROVIDE D
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O UR TOWN | ED U CATION
Kirkwood School District Superintendent David Ulrich and his wife
Stephanie Collet discovered her passion and incredible talent for fundraising when she became the North Glendale Trivia Night Chairperson. In her first year as chair, Stephanie took the event’s profits from $40,000 to $80,000, continuing at that level for the next three years. Due to her success in fundraising and her past career in recruiting and advertising, Stephanie began to look for a career change to meld the two at a nonprofit. The position with the Kirkwood School District Foundation caught her eye; now, she is the first-ever and only employee of the Kirkwood School District Foundation.
DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE WITH THE KIRKWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION. As the executive director, my goal is to build awareness and increase the impact of the Foundation throughout the community. We have a tremendous opportunity to directly engage with parents who have pre-K to high school seniors in the district. I want to show parents how the money they donate to the Foundation goes back into the schools to make things brighter for the kids.
WHAT IS THE MISSION AND PURPOSE OF THE KIRKWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION? The Foundation was started in 1989. The mission is for friends, alumni, and neighbors to raise private funds to help enrich the lives of Kirkwood School District students. We are different from a PTO in that we are the overarching organization for all students in the district, including our partnership with KSD NOW and Kirkwood Area Every Child Promise. The money we raise is granted back to the schools and students.
HOW HAVE THE SCHOOLS APPROPRIATED THEIR GRANT MONEY? For the last 10 years, each pre-K through middle school in the district received a $5,000 grant. The principal chooses how to appropriate the money. Robinson used the money to install blackand-white hallway murals with photos of all their kids. Nipher used the money for technology in their library. KECC purchased gross motor trikes. North Kirkwood used the money to fund “Pursuit Week.” These things are over and above what PTOs and taxpayers provide. Grants are also given to high school programs and district-wide initiatives, such as funding Project Lead the Way and sponsoring Unified Night Lights. In addition, KSDF is exploring opportunities to offer enrichment grants to meet smaller, more urgent needs. These new grants will be available to any KSD staff member to apply for as soon as fall 2022.
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KSDF 2022 Splash Expo
HOW DOES THE FOUNDATION RAISE MONEY? We have three community events each year. The Chili Bowl contest is our fall tradition on Turkey Day Eve. In March, we had our inaugural Splash Expo at the KHS pool benefitting the Legacy Fund for the Walker Natatorium, and in May we held our biggest fundraiser, Spring Fling, featuring a comedy show and auction. Families also donate directly to the Foundation. The high school pool was 100% donated by the Earl E. and Myrtle E. Walker Foundation, and KSDF has established an endowment fund for pool maintenance. We also have over 20 named awards that are established by private donors. High school students can apply for scholarships from those awards that range from two-year tech school scholarships to arts and sports scholarships. KSD staff also donates to the Foundation through the Pay It Forward payroll deduction donation program.
Kirkwood School District Foundation Spring Fling Attendees
Robinson Elementary Mural
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O UR TOWN | ED U CATION
KSDF 2022 Splash Expo
WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE FOUNDATION GOING FORWARD? The Foundation started with a 25-person, all-volunteer board and ran successfully for over 30 years. I plan to expand on that success, increase our reach, and be a constant contact for KSDF as board officers come and go each term. I would love the board to have diverse representation from our district and continue to bring student-centric ideas that honor traditions and start new ones as well. Ultimately, we have such generous families in our community, and I want to show how their donations impact Kirkwood kids at the classroom level and for years to come. Learn more at KirkwoodFoundation.org or contact Stephanie: stephanie.collet@kirkwoodfoundation.org.
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An Amusement Park for EVERY Body ARTICLE BY KATE BAXENDALE | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
The Inspiration Behind Spirit of Discovery Park
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Sometimes, an ordinary conversation can inspire big ideas. That’s the case with Spirit of Discovery Park, a nonprofit dedicated to building the nation’s most innovative and fully accessible amusement park. Jamie Peniston Vann, president and founder of St. Louis Recreation Development Group, Inc., spoke with her friend who has a child with Down syndrome. Her friend told her that her family would not be visiting Disney World but instead would be visiting Morgan’s Wonderland, the only ultra-accessible amusement park. This conversation was in March 2011. Fast-forward to February 2016, and Jamie’s friend shared that she and her family had a wonderful experience at Morgan’s Wonderland. “That sounds like something we should do here,” Jamie told her friend. “I honestly believe, with the community that we serve through Shriners, Cardinal Glennon, Children’s Hospital, Ranken Jordan–I think it would survive just with our community!” Jamie said. Jamie called Morgan’s Wonderland, and she was connected to the consultant that they hired for their efforts in St. Louis. They had drawn up the original rendering for the park in St. Louis. “At the time, six years ago, we wanted basically what Morgan’s [Wonderland] had: a train, a carousel, a playground, wheelchair swings and a fishing wharf,” Jamie said. “But, because we are in St. Louis and not in Texas, we weren’t going to do the waterpark, only splash pads” Instead, they wanted the park to have an ice rink with a greenhouse on top of it to insulate it. “That would be the environment where our veterans, who are coming home from serving, could acclimate back into civilian life while the resumes on their left chests are being transferred to paper,” she said. However, after listening to the needs of prospective park guests and partnering nonprofits, they realized the park wasn’t big enough.
“So basically, we’re bringing a miniature Epcot to St. Louis,” Jamie said. Spirit of Discovery Park will include rides, a dog park, sensory areas, a greenhouse, a playground, an arcade, splash pads and so much more. The idea is to be inclusive of all individuals regardless of age, ability or mental acumen. By relying on charitable contributions to fund the park, people of all abilities can enter for free. “We’re not just for those with special needs; we’re for EVERY body,” Jamie said. But why did Jamie set out to bring this special park to the region? As a friend of hers pointed out, she’s not a millionaire or a celebrity, nor does she have a loved one with special needs. “This is definitely a calling, not a job, which I figured out later,” Jamie said. “If you would have ever told me that I’d be building an amusement park, I would have laughed.” Jamie doesn’t believe in coincidences and said that her involvement with the park’s development is all part of God’s plan. “The number of people that this has already touched, and it’s not even open, and the number of lives that are going to be impacted … I’m just honored to have been chosen.” In order to make Spirit of Discovery Park a reality, the nonprofit organization has already submitted a contract on a 61-acre parcel of land for the future site of the park. The next steps include closing on the land, developing 3D renderings and detailed architectural drawings for the city’s approval, and launching a capital campaign. “It’s definitely a grassroots effort, but it’s working,” she said. “It’s really exciting, and all these little pieces are coming together.” To learn more about Spirit of Discovery Park, visit SpiritOfDiscoveryPark.com.
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HELPING YOUNG WOMEN ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS THROUGH EDUCATION The College Club of St. Louis’ Scholarship Awards Program ARTICLE BY BETH GLENNON | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
"These girls aren't shy. These girls are going places," said Brenda Davis, president of the College Club of St. Louis, referring to the College Club's scholarship awards program recipients. Remarkably, Brenda's words also accurately describe the young women who founded the club over 120 years ago. The College Club of St. Louis was founded in 1901 by a group of graduates from Smith College. The young women eschewed their contemporaries, who believed a college education wasn't necessary for girls. So they gathered 102 other St. Louis college-educated women to create the bold new organization. The Scholarship Fund was established in 1906 to help young women achieve a college education. Today, the women of the College Club continue to proudly present scholarships to high school girls graduating from public schools across St. Louis city and county. "The College Club works with high school counselors to identify girls to apply for the scholarship," said Brenda. "The girls selected are the ones that should
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be going to college. They are the ones who worked hard throughout high school and are not getting any breaks." Scholarships are awarded to girls based on scholarship excellence, general ability, and financial need during their freshman year. "These are the girls meant for higher education, and we give them the opportunity," said Kathy Lang, vice president of the College Club of St. Louis. The Scholarship Fund is self-perpetuating and relies on donations rather than requiring members to fundraise. Member Susan Nolte describes the members of the College Club as lifelong learners who value education, community, and friendship. The club meets monthly at Sunset Hills Country Club for lunch and a dynamic speaker program. Presentations from prominent local and national experts cover various topics. "We welcome women from all walks of life to join us for lunch," Brenda said. "We are a very vibrant group." For more information, visit CollegeClubSTL.org.
Life at Cape Albeon is carefree and fun. Its beautiful surroundings are filled with friendly neighbors and services and amenities that simplify life. You’ll enjoy
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