St. Charles County, MO May 2023

Women

FOOD + BEVERAGE AN ELEVATED BEER EXPERIENCE

SHOPPING

JBLOOM DESIGNS

ARTS + CULTURE

LET’S GET TOGETHER

The Women Who Enrich Our Lives

I don’t know about you, but we love any opportunity to recognize the women in our life who just make life richer and more beautiful. The wives, mothers, sisters, daughters and best friends are some of the most influential women in our lives.

And, of course with Mother’s Day this month, all eyes are on mom... whether that’s our biological mother or the mother figures in our lives who have made an indelible impact on us. It’s the family members, teachers, friends and neighbors doing awesome things in our communities, pouring into our lives—making themselves unforgettable and irreplaceable.

While it’s always important to shop local and support our area businesses, this month is the perfect time to patronize businesses owned by women in our communities, including entrepreneurs Jennifer Bonacorsi of jBloom and Ashley Harmon of Chillax, who we’ve profiled in this issue.

That’s one of our favorite parts of this publishing role—connecting with and championing the best of the best when it comes to St. Charles County women, like two other successful females featured in this issue—local author Shelly Snow Pordea, and business owner and blogger Alana Fravell.

They are all movers and shakers, builders and makers. They are both seen and unseen. Their service, dedication and attention to detail show us something about beauty that can’t be seen or understood any other way.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to send a text, make a phone call or get your kids on Facetime with the women in your life who deserve recognition. It only takes a minute to brighten someone’s day and remind them how much you love and appreciate them.

May 2023

PUBLISHERS

Gordon Montgomery gordon.montgomery@citylifestyle.com

Kelley Lamm kelley.lamm@citylifestyle.com

COPY EDITOR

Julie Brown Patton | julie.patton@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Casey Pierce | casey.pierce@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Judy Peters, Robin Seaton Jefferson, Alana Fravell, Mel Boban

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kelly Reinholz, Delaney Jean, Casey Pierce

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman

LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray

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Meeting more of your health care needs in one convenient location.

Now area residents have a new state-of-the-art option for outpatient surgery in the heart of St. Charles County that features:

• Technologically advanced surgical suites offering an exceptional patient experience.

• The latest imaging, video, and diagnostic equipment in a fully renovated facility.

• On-site orthopedic, breast care, pain, and plastic/ reconstructive services procedures.

• Outpatient convenience, with focus on quality outcomes and quicker recovery.

Co-located with urgent care, imaging services, and more in the SSM Health Outpatient Center, our new surgery center makes it easier than ever to receive the comprehensive care you need close to home, with ample free parking.

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

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business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Thro Clothing Recognized For 125 Years In Business

St. Charles Main Street Foundation representatives recently recognized Thro Clothing store’s 125th year in business on North Main Street with the Community Development Award. Gerry Prinster, Rose Thro Wells and Frank Netsch are pictured here with the award. St. Charles Mayor Dan Borgmeyer presented a city proclamation honoring Thro Clothing Co., which has been owned and run by the same family for four generations.

Scan to read more.

Duchesne High School Seeks Director Of Annual Giving

Duchesne High School officials created the position of director of alumni engagement and asked former director of annual giving and community relations Nancy (Rothermich) Kohl ‘78 to transition to that critical role. Nancy joined the advancement staff of her alma mater in August 2015 after 20-plus years with SSM Medical Group in marketing, public relations, physician recruitment and patient relations. Applications for the director of annual giving position can be submitted at Duchesne-HS.org/director-of-annual-giving-and-campaigns.html

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Main Street In Bloom Receives Award

Main Street In Bloom representatives received the 2023 Promotions Award from the Saint Charles Main Street Foundation. Main Street in Bloom is a unique and special event hosted by small business owners on Main. Coordinators are Nicole Moss-Doelger, Moss Boutique; April McCoy, Aprils on Main; Amy Senter, Jakes on Main; Shaina Groaning, Katy Trail Collection; and Lydia Crespo, Cozy Shop. The event this year is May 6-7.

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Natalie Herzberg Named Managing Partner Of The Capital Grille

O’Fallon resident, Natalie Herzberg, has taken over the helm of local favorite fine dining restaurant, The Capital Grille. She is an SIUE alum and long-time St. Louis Cardinals and Blues fan. Natalie is excited to serve such a close-knit community and looks forward to building new relationships as she embarks on her journey with The Capital Grille serving award winning wines and American fare in a refined setting.

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/StCharlesCounty

JBLOOM DESIGNS

Blossoming Into A Successful and Inspiring Business

What started in a basement as a hobby grew into a company with female jewelry designers in 46 states.

In 2003, Jennifer Bonacorsi had three little girls (now they have four daughters) at home and her husband, Bret, traveled a lot on business. “Bret noticed how much my friends loved my jewelry--mostly using block letters with my daughter’s names on them--and how people were offering to buy some from me just like it. He suggested I do home parties where I teach women to design their own jewelry. So, in 2004, we started doing that, calling it U Design Jewelry.”

She says women loved the concept and wanted to join her in the business, so they studied several successful direct sales companies and developed their own model. “Our goal that first year was to have 10 women doing jewelry parties, but we had 30. When we ran out of space for supplies in the basement, we moved to the Economic Development Center in St. Charles in 2006.”

In 2013, they relaunched the company as jBloom and moved to Cave Springs in St Peters.

“Personalized jewelry was very popular but not everyone who wanted to be involved

in the business wanted to make the jewelry themselves, so we changed concepts. I still design all the jewelry, but we now do the personalizing in-house. That’s really when we started to grow," says Jennifer.

As they continued to expand, they moved the business to 5230 Highway 94 in St. Peters (which previously was Gold’s Gym). Their January launch of the PermaLinx by jBloom jewelry line brought another growth spurt. “We created a system where the bracelets/ anklets can be attached using no clasp, fitting them exactly to your size wrist. Charms are available for them as well. We’ve already sold over 30,000 in our first quarter," Jennifer adds.

Besides this new trend in “permanent” jewelry (it can be removed by cutting it off), Jennifer says the hottest spring color trends are hot pink and orange combined, and bright green. Cuff bracelets are trending, pearls are back, and layering necklaces are a continuing trend.

“As the business grows, our main goal is to continue our company culture and the sense of community we have. We never want to lose that,” says Bret, who has been co-leading the

company since 2006. “We have to continue to be available to our designers and teams, to give recognition and appreciation to them, and then they give that to their team members."

"Our favorite quote is ‘A flower doesn’t compete with a flower next to it; it just blooms.’ So that is what we instill in our team leaders to try and pass on that same mindset of helping each other so we all grow together,” Jennifer says.

The company’s other core concept centers around Wearing Your Story. Whether it's your child’s drawing, a loved one's signature, a note from a friend, or your very own design – jBloom creates beautiful pieces that help tell individual stories. And customers have a large part in designing that because there are so many options to choose from in personalizing/designing the pieces to order, including handwriting and photos.

“What I love most about jBloom is that it’s not just a catalog company because we could have on the same jewelry but the way we wear it is different, and our personalization is different. Each person has their own story,” says Jennifer. “People want to share their stories, to talk about their loved ones, grandchildren, hobbies or about things they’ve overcome or accomplished.”

PermaLinx usually has a story behind it as well, they explain. “Engaged couples, sorority sisters, best friends, and bridesmaids are getting them. Our oldest daughter, who is our graphic designer, saw this trend early on and encouraged us to add it.”

In addition to their commitment to helping women grow successful businesses and become inspiring leaders, the company also supports Basket of Hope, a charity that brightens hospital stays by delivering gift baskets to kids diagnosed with cancer and other serious illnesses. Ten dollars from each jBloom Hope Necklace sold goes to Basket of Hope.

“Our Hope necklace goes into a Hope Tote, along with a Bible and a journal, and that gets delivered to the mom. We’ve donated over 15,000 necklaces so far,” Jennifer says.

The Bonacorsis live in Weldon Spring with their four daughters, who have all been involved in the company over the years. In addition to the business, they keep busy traveling with their daughter’s sports teams and say they look forward to their oldest daughter getting married in June.

LOCAL AUTHOR SHELLY SNOW PORDEA

Having been a victim of abuse she now advocates for survivors through the online group IGotOut.org.

INSPIRING

AND ASSISTING OTHERS

IN FULFILLING THEIR DREAM OF WRITING A BOOK

Shelly Snow Pordea, 48, of St. Peters, is a novelist, screenwriter, speaker and religious cult survivor. She is using her writing and coaching talent through her online business, TheCreativU, to help other people get their books into the world. “I believe each person’s story matters,” says Shelly. “What information are you here to share?”

In her adult fiction novels, the Tracing Time Trilogy, she highlights three generations of women who find their way in the world while seeking to save themselves and those they love. The books are currently being adapted into screenplays to be produced into a movie.

Her first children’s book, The Hug Who Had No Arms, debuted on Amazon as a No. 1 Bestseller in several categories. Self-published in 2020, Shelly says it was inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when the world seemed to stop hugging. She took her love of drawing and storytelling to create a children’s tale to help families express love through the strange practice of social distancing as well as celebrating different ways to show love.

She says she wants to use her voice through the power of storytelling to promote change. Shelly speaks to groups, schools, conferences, and businesses about growing up in a strict religious sect, her experience living overseas, and the journey to becoming a bestselling self-published author. She is in the process of writing a memoir about her experiences, and is currently collaborating with her brother, actor Jon Snow, on a fictional adaptation of their personal story for a possible TV series.

But her main passion seems to be her work inspiring and assisting others who are wanting to become authors, to get their books published. She offers consultation and online courses at TheCreativU.com.

“I meet so many people who have an idea for a book, but don’t know how to even get started on publishing one. Back when self-published authors came onto the scene, there may have been an attitude of inferiority, but that is no longer the case at all. Some top-selling authors you may know and follow already are actually self-published.

“If you want to add the distinguished title of author to your career, one of the fastest ways to do it is to put your expertise into a book, and market yourself as a published author,” says Shelly. “And my goal is to make these resources

little more than a tenth of what I paid to publish my first book!”

In her courses, participants go through everything it takes to publish a book and retain all the rights and royalties of their intellectual property. They also learn some basics about book launch marketing and social media influence as an author.

In addition, she offers writing services and coaching for business people or anyone in a creative field where writing is involved. “I can help hone the language around your project or website copy and messaging, creating the narrative you desire,” says Shelly.

For more information about her books, speaking, coaching and online courses, visit ShellySnowPordea.com

Must-Have Spring Styles

ADVICE EDITORIAL: FIVE PIECES TO EASILY UPDATE SPRING WARDROBES

It’s easy to update wardrobes for spring. All that’s needed this year are five key pieces to integrate into your current mix for maximum style points. Vibrant, saturated colors, such as kelly green, tangerine and bright fuchsia, are currently trending. Mix a bright top or blazer with loose, light-wash denim and bright, slingback kitten heels for an of-the-moment combo. Complete the look with the accessories of the season: long, sparkly statement earrings and a roomy, leather tote bag. Wear all five trending pieces together or mix-and-match with any neutral pieces in your current wardrobe, and you’ll be ready for warm, sunny days ahead.

1 3 4 5

2 Vibrant

Top

LOCAL FIND: Top and Blazer, Lusso Boutique

Wide-Leg Denim Jeans

Stylist’s own

Sparkly Statement Earrings

LOCAL FIND: Earrings, Lusso Boutique

Roomy Tote Bag

LOCAL FIND: Leather bag, Lusso Boutique

Bright, Slingback Kitten Heels

Jeans, stylist’s own

Let’s Get Together

IDEAS FOR THE NEXT GIRL GATHERING

The holidays came and went; it's time to get that special group of ladies together again! The hustle and bustle of the school year usually has everyone all missing friends. What is the occasion, though? If longing for an excuse to get together or a party theme, here are fun ideas and inspirations for that next soiree.

Fun Things To Do With The Girls!

DIY FLOWER BAR

Bring spring to the gathering by putting creativity to the test. Each attendee can bring one bunch of one flower type, or you can provide 8 to 10 different varieties of florals (be sure to include greenery and baby's breath, too). Place each of the flower options on a long table with tissue or paper to wrap the bouquet, as well as some thin twine to tie it up. When guests arrive, enjoy cocktails while arranging the varieties together, sharing ideas and giving each other pointers. This not only creates fun conversation, it also gives each friend a chance to show off their skills. Plus, everyone leaves with a takeaway as a reminder of a fun day to keep in their home.

BRUNCH BUNCH

Bring back brunch. Get-togethers often happen in the evenings, and Sunday morning goes overlooked. A brunch with a theme will get everyone intrigued and excited to bring their favorite dish to the hostess' home. Theme ideas could be based around an area, such as Southern foods or fiesta favorites. Or, a build-your-own brunch could take place with options for decking out waffles or creating one's own parfait bowl. If you're up for a mix, ask everyone to make their favorite family breakfast recipe and take a trip down memory lane as a group.

SOAP MAKING

You can never go wrong with an event centered around treating yourself. With a spa theme, creations could include making soap, bath bombs or bath salts. Essential oils can take center stage and the creativity is all about the unique combination that everyone builds. To go along with the relaxing theme, cocktails or snacks could include embellishments such as lavender and mint.

FAVORITE THINGS

This is by far a favorite new trend for gatherings. A Favorite Things party is simple and can be incorporated into any event, whether it's a dinner out or a night in. Simply set a dollar amount and ask each guest to bring a favorite item of theirs: one for each person. This could be their go-to lip balm, a book they highly recommend, or even a piece of jewelry they love to wear. Each guest goes home with a grab bag of goodies, all highly recommended by their friends. If your group loves to shop, this is the party for you!

PROGRESSIVE DINNER

If your group doesn't mind hopping around town, a progressive dinner is always downright fun. This could be a good way to incorporate spouses if you want to make it a couple's event. Each step of the evening is hosted by a different friend, with guests traveling between each course to a new location. This is a fantastic way to beat the cost of dining out without putting the burden on one friend or couple to do all the cooking themselves. The dinner could build as it typically does from starters to mains, or each stop could include a heavy appetizer with dessert at the end. Enjoy!

AN ELEVATED BEER EXPERIENCE

Harmons Open Second Chillax Tap & Co. In St. Charles County In Three Years

The business was Archie Harmon’s idea, but what came next was hugely Ashley Harmon. It took some convincing for the 16-year veteran elementary school teacher to give up her day job. But once she was in, she was all in.

“Sit back. Relax, and let yourself go.” It’s the first thing you see when you walk into the new Chillax Tap & Co. at 1320 Triad Center Drive in St. Peters. The lyric, from “A Tribe Called Quest,”

is painted on the left as you enter—a welcoming message and a soft reminder bidding all who enter to forget their worries of the day and just one of the ways Ashley’s creative genius and limitless energy has made the Harmons craft beer specialty store and tap room irresistible.

The St. Peters location is the second Chillax in St. Charles County. The Harmons opened the first one in Wentzville just nine

days before the worst pandemic in American history shut down the world. And still, they made it work. Abiding by the slogan: “The Elevated Beer Experience in a Crafty Environment,” the Wentzville location has been a huge success.

“We were upset for like 30 minutes,” Ashley says. “Then we got busy. We had to get creative. So while the city was shut down, we invited food trucks on the outside. We were deemed essential, CONTINUED >

because we sold alcohol. We had a ton of to-go orders. It was the word of mouth that got us out there, and we became a community place to hang out.”

Married for 13 years, Ashley said she and Archie know how to “stay in their own lanes.” Archie is definitely the man behind the business, finances and ordering the craft beer that their clientele loves. He searches high and low for the latest and greatest brews. And she is the design and marketing queen. “And we don’t question each other’s paths. My job is to taste beer and promote beer, merchandise and design.”

Both locations continuously rotate their 30 taps of specialty craft variety and allocated beers every three to four days. Both offer canned and bottled beer (also available as mix-and-match 4-and-6-packs to go), wine, seltzers and ciders. Draft beer is available as full or half pours as customers pick their favorites and bring them to the bar, where servers will open and pour them for customers at a 20 percent discount. In fact, anything purchased “to go” is offered at a 20 percent discount.

In Wentzville, Chillax encourages its customers to bring in takeout from other restaurants or surrounding food trucks or have food delivered to their venue—a new concept that supports surrounding restaurants and eateries.

But Ashley is offering a new twist in St. Peters, in fact, several. Not only is there a hip hop, and RNB vibe (The Harmons are 80s babies), Chillax Tap & Co. has incorporated food into the St. Peters location by partnering with St. Louis’ own Vails Brothers “Shrimp-Chicken-Fish.” The Harmons also plan to incorporate craft cocktails, bourbons and whiskeys along with wine, sangria, margaritas and vodka tonics.

A whopping 6,000 square feet of party space, the St. Peters store also features live music acts, a craft beer truck with eight taps for rent, side table service, two garage doors that open to an outside area and another patio that doubles as a pet park. The new Chillax Tap and Co. will also offer board games, cornhole, sidewalk chalk and a life-size Connect 4 for kids.

The Harmons have also incorporated a gallery concept into the new location, wherein Ashley commissions local artists. March was National Women’s Day, so Ashley arranged for art exclusively from women with different ethnic backgrounds. The Harmons rotate the paintings—all for sale—every three months. “It’s just a cool contemporary space,” Ashley says. “It fits because it’s an art to make craft beer. We wanted somewhere people could hang out and make ‘Instagramable’ moments.”

“We wanted somewhere people could hang out and make ‘Instagramable’ moments.”~Ashley Harmon, Chillax Tap & Co.

Archie holds a Ph.D. in speech pathology from Florida State University and was previously on the faculty at Washington University. Before opening Chillax, he worked at the Center for Advanced Medicine in St. Louis. She studied Elementary Education-Literacy/Curriculum at the University of South Florida and worked in the Wentzville R-IV School District. But after a decade in speech pathology, Archie wanted to be home more and do something different. The two also wanted to leave a legacy to their nine-year-old son, Archie III. So, when he started considering ideas, he drew from his college days.

“Archie loved craft beer,” Ashley says. “So, he went to the library at the bottom of the basement of the University of Florida to learn how to brew beer, because they were broke college students. My husband is a true renaissance man. He’s a forward thinker. He says, ‘I’m going to figure

out how to build it, make it or grow it, so I can share it with my friends.”

For Ashley, her charge became learning from her husband. “I went through the ‘Archie Beer School’,” she says. “I learned style, taste and how to brew. I learned the terminology. You have to know how to brew to sell it.”

Ashley was a quick study, and soon took over the creative side. And she rocked it. Today she is not only marketing the two establishments, but also has become known regionally as the Boujee Beer Mom, a blogger and influencer on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok, and self-described as a “Craft Beer lover who loves to give my opinion.” She also does a guest appearance on FOX 2 News once a month on “Brewsday Tuesday” on the station in St. Louis.

Ashley has a reputation for never running out of ideas or energy. In her words: “Never put us in the category of just a bar.”

realty report

A sample of recently sold properties in St. Charles County.

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

MAY 5TH

ATHENA Awards to Honor Women Leaders

AMERISTAR | 7:30 AM

ATHENA Leadership Foundation of St. Charles County hosts "Celebrating Courageous Leadership," their 2023 Leadership Summit and Awards Luncheon. Tickets are available for purchase for those who are not members of ATHENA Leadership. The cost of tickets for members is at:   AthenaMo.org/event/athena-leadership-summit-awards-luncheon-2023/.  The mission of ATHENA is to support, honor and develop women leaders and inspire women to reach their full potential.

MAY 6TH

Calling All Pet Lovers

CIVIC PARK | 10:30 AM

Whiskers & Wags Pet Expo & Adoption Drive is back this spring as O'Fallon's celebration of pets and the people who love them. Pet Talent Show: 10:30 a.m., Agility Demonstrations: 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. and O'Fallon PD K9 Unit: noon. Admission is free for both two- and four-legged guests.

MAY 6TH

Derby After Dark for BCI, Inc.

AMERISTAR | 4:00 PM

Boone Center Inc. hosts Derby After Dark Gala & Auction. “We’re excited to combine the excitement of the Kentucky Derby with support for our mission,” says BCI Development Director Kristin Williams. “And to honor long-time employee Kathy Cummings with our Loving Hands Award, and Reckitt and Cambridge Air Solutions with our Customer and Employment Partner of the Year Awards. Tickets: BetterUnite.com/BCI-derbyafterdark .

MAY 7TH

Rookies & Rock Stars Triathlon

ST. PETERS REC-PLEX | 7:00 AM

Whether a beginner (rookie) or a veteran (rock star), the St. Peters Rec-Plex has THE triathlon for you! Swim in an indoor pool, bike through flat farmlands, and run along shady, paved trails. This is the perfect first race for new triathletes and a great warm-up race for the more experienced ones. For more information: StPetersMo. net/Rec-Plex-Triathlons.aspx .

MAY 12TH

Join In The Sparrow Soiree

OLD HICKORY GOLF CLUB | 7:30 PM

The Sparrow Soirée Annual Dinner & Awards, the annual fundraiser for The Sparrow's Nest, helps support the charity's innovative childcare cooperative. Families enrolled in the program receive free childcare, mentorship, and case management to reach their family goals. The event is from 7:30–9:30 p.m. with a VIP Reception from 6–7 p.m. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

MAY 19TH

Clay Shoot Classic

BLACK HAWK FARMS | 9:00 AM

Join the Cottleville/Weldon Spring Chamber as they present the 2nd Annual Sporting Clay Shoot Classic at Black Hawk Farms, sponsored by Extreme Electrical. 56 targets; teams of four (using their own guns and ammunition); lunch provided. For tickets: CottlevilleWeldonSpringChamber.com/Sporting-Clay-Shoot-Classic.html

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/StCharlesCounty

Scratch-Made Mayonnaise In 7 Minutes

ingredients

• 2 cups avocado oil

• 2 eggs

• 1 ½-2 tablespoons lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 5-10 cranks of freshground pepper

• 1-2 cloves garlic

directions

Blend eggs, lemon juice, mustard, salt and pepper in food processor or blender on medium-high for 1 minute. Next, gradually over about 2 minutes, drizzle avocado oil into the mixture, while continuing to blend. Just before you finish adding oil, drop in garlic and blend for another 30 seconds. Refrigerate and store in an airtight container.

Recipe Notes:

This recipe makes a double batch; the whole quantity is likely to be wanted!

Use the freshest eggs possible because the sauce keeps as long as the best-by date on egg carton.

These directions make a sauce-like consistency. For a spreadable consistency, blend for another minute.

Easily Enhance Any Meal With This Surprisingly Versatile Sauce

Why would you make mayonnaise when you can get it off the shelf at the grocery store? You’ll be delighted to find this mayonnaise is silky, surprisingly light, and deeply satisfying. In addition to the straightforward condiment use, indulge where you might use cheese or other dairy products. Top your taco or make the best potato salad you’ve ever had. Use as a dip the whole family can enjoy for fries, or for roasted or fresh veggies. Visit my blog for 17 ways to use this versatile summer sauce AlanaFravell.com .