St. Charles County, MO June 2023

Men Who Inspire Us

This June we celebrate the men who inspire us. These are the men who live their lives to the fullest, take risks, and change the world around them. They are the brothers, fathers, grandfathers, and best friends who have impacted our lives in countless ways.

As we reflect on the men who have made a difference in our lives, we are reminded of the many ways that they have shaped and influenced us. From their acts of kindness and compassion to their bold and courageous actions, these men have shown us what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning.

There are men who have overcome great challenges, taken bold risks, and changed the world around them. Isn't it inspiring to meet men who have dedicated their lives to making a difference, who have inspired others to greatness, and who have left a lasting legacy for future generations.

We hope these stories will help us to celebrate the men in your life who have made a difference. Whether it is your father, your grandfather, your brother, or your best friend, take a moment to thank them for all they have done. Let them know how much you appreciate them and how much they have impacted your life.

Thank you for joining us in celebrating the men in our city. We hope their stories will inspire you to live your life to the fullest and to make a difference in the world around you.

Happy Father's Day

June 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

Mel Boban, Kim Hill, Robin Seaton Jefferson, Julie Brown Patton

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Karl Lund

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

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

1: Publisher Kelley Lamm with America’s award-winning journalist, television host, Joan Lunden at The Women’s Event. 2: Danielle and John Fogarty versus Jim and Monica Adams-Quentin play the Not-So Newlywed Game. 3: Hoffman Family representatives/supporters celebrated grand opening of Miss Augusta Yacht with ribbon cutting/celebratory cruise. 4: 2023 18th annual Builders St. Charles Home Show at the St. Charles Convention Center. 5: Builders St. Charles Home Show offers free admission/parking each year at St. Charles Convention Center. 6: Kitchen Works Cabinetry and Designs presented In Your City show with Alana Fravell, Angel Magasano. 7: Paddleboard Lessons: June 12, 26, June 29. Sign up: SCCmo.org under the Parks-Recreation education enrichment.

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Heartlands Building Company Honored

Heartlands Building Company was named an award winner of the annual Home Builders Association of St. Louis Eastern Missouri’s Awards Program at a ceremony at Bogey Hills Country Club in St. Charles. Heartlands Building Company was recognized with the Outdoor Living Space of the Year award and the Best Social Media Campaign award. This program was judged by members of HBA of Greater Austin and the Building Industry Associations of Central Ohio and San Diego

Clement Ford Drive For Excellence Program Ceremony

Trenton Stuerman, a junior at Liberty High School in Wentzville, was the lucky winner of a new Ford Mustang at the first annual Clement Ford Drive For Excellence Program ceremony honoring 20 local high school students for their academic achievements during the 2022-2023 school year. Each of the 20 ‘finalist’ students drew an anonymous car key at the event, and Trenton’s key opened the door to his new Ford Mustang.

Preschoolers Help Make Wishes Of Other Kids Come True

Staff members at a St. Peters preschool, The Learning Experiences, partnered with the Let’s Grant Wishes program to raise money for Make-A-Wish. First, the preschoolers colored individual petals that collectively were assembled to become flowers. Then, the kids’ artwork was auctioned, raising $400. All money raised is being donated to Make-A-Wish, an organization that creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. This school community has a goal of ultimately raising $5,000 for the cause

Vision Leadership Accepting New Applicants

Vision St. Charles County Leadership is now accepting applications for the Class of 2024. It's an immersive, experiential journey that sharpens leadership acumen and provides exclusive insight into the local community. For exact details about the Leadership Program and how it works, check out their website at  VisionLeadership.org or call Mark Hollander, the group's executive director, at 314.560.7171. Email Info@ VisionLeadership.org for questions about tuition and applications.

Want to be featured?

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

Our mission at The Gemini Group is to partner you with a knowledgeable and experienced team of professionals who can manage your unique investment objectives and circumstances. We understand life happens and we believe we are well able to effectively serve your financial needs. The world in which investments function doesn’t seem to be getting any simpler as time goes by. It can be a tremendous benefit if you can enlist the support of a team to help lighten that load. Just as we go through different stages of our lives, there are corresponding stages of investing: Accumulative, Preservative and Distributive. Keeping on track with your personal investment timeline can be made easier by having a well-crafted, practical plan.

Surgery

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.

Visit

636-498-5900

A City United Through Sports

St. Louis has, for as long as anyone can remember, been among the nation’s top sports destinations. And while the city’s teams — including baseball, football, hockey, soccer, basketball and corkball (a mini-baseball game that originated in St. Louis) — are known for their championships, many would argue it’s really the fans who make St. Louis sports stand out.

And those fans have had a lot to celebrate in the last few years, not the least of which is the St. Louis Blues Stanley Cup first-ever win in 2019.

Looking back, it seems it was a sign of things to come. St. Louis City SC celebrated its inaugural season in Major League Soccer, and won its first game in Texas during February. The club also made its home debut in March in a new downtown stadium built just for them, CityPark.

St. Louisans also realized that “Kaw is still the law,” and football was still a possibility in their city, when the St. Louis Battlehawks returned earlier this year

to finish the season that had been interrupted three years ago.

In 2018, St. Louis became one of eight American cities chosen to join the newly reformed XFL. Then on March 12, 2020, the XFL announced the remainder of its 2020 season would be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The same year, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Dany Garcia and Gerry Cardinale, purchased the XFL for $15 million.

The first part of 2023 has been quite a year for soccer and football fans who've been waiting to see their teams play. And for Corey Hollander, the St. Louis SC did not disappoint.

Corey describes the “Supporters’ Section” at CityPark, wherein staunch soccer fans are known to go all out in support of their favorite sport. “It’s a dedicated section to hard-core fans. Everyone is high-fiving. People are playing drums and singing. They’re wearing flags. It’s a real sense of community. These people live and breath

soccer. That’s what is so cool about soccer, and you can really see it in St. Louis.”

For more than 100 years, St. Louis has been a soccer leader in the Midwest. The St. Louis Soccer League, created in 1907, was one of the first leagues in the nation.

Owned by the Taylor (Enterprise Holdings) and Kavanaugh (World Wide Technology) families, St. Louis City SC is led by Carolyn Kindle, making it the first majority female-owned club in MLS history and one of the few in professional sports globally.

St. Louis SC Chief Experience Officer Matt Sebek says the club has worked hard to maintain consistency and excellence in engaging fans online and in the stadium. Matt oversees the food, music and entertainment for the club. “It’s the entire fan journey from start to finish,” he adds. And since soccer is played in two 45-minute periods with a mere 15-minute halftime, planning is different than with other sports.

“IT’S NICE TO SEE PEOPLE WHO BARELY KNOW EACH OTHER COME TOGETHER FOR ANOTHER ST. LOUIS SPORTS TEAM.”

“Sports fans today, especially younger ones, are more fluid in how they engage with their experiences and with their favorite brands,” Matt says. “Soccer is full of energy and excitement. We have to think differently about our operations. We're driven to showcase all of the amazing things going on in the region.”

The club has enlisted 25 locally owned restaurants as well as local musicians to serve fans.

Corey says he can see the club’s efforts. “The best thing about it is the connection with the fans and the club. St. Louisans always say that we are a big city with a small-town feel. Those are the perfect ingredients for a recipe of strong support of sports.”

And by all accounts, St. Louis Battlehawks fans feel the same.

“The first time I walked into the stadium, the energy was contagious,” says Kim Hannegan, of St. Charles. “The enthusiasm of the crowd was amazing. St. Louis is all in as Battlehawks fans. Even before the game, the parking lots are full of people tailgating and pregaming. Everyone is having fun together. It’s nice to see so many people who barely know each other come together for another St. Louis sports team.”

Kim says she and her husband recently took their 5-year-old grandson to his first Battlehawks game. “He had a blast and was shouting STL, Third Down and Kaw Kaw in no time.”

Terry Lyon, of Foristell, says the way fans wholeheartedly embraced the Battlehawks speaks to the commitment of sports fans in St. Louis.

“The fans in this city have always been supportive of its NFL teams, even though past owners didn't have the same commitment to the city,” Terry says. “I think having professional games to attend during the NFL offseason is a great thing for football fans. The atmosphere at Battlehawks games is electric. Attendances also have been the highest in the XFL by far. Fans at the games and on social media are very much into supporting the Battlehawks. It shows St. Louis deserves to have another NFL team. It's also very cool that the XFL provides a path for players wanting to get back into the NFL and giving an opportunity for career backup players like A.J. McCarron to show that they deserve a shot at being a starter in the league.”

Battlehawks Quarterback A.J. McCarron has made quite an impression on fans locally and all over the country, and not just with his football skills. The former Alabama quarterback took a pay cut, from $4 million to $60,000, so his sons could watch him play in the XFL instead of sitting on a bench in the NFL.

“It’s been fun for sure,” A.J. says. “It's awesome to see my kids see me play. It’s been a pleasure to represent the city of St. Louis and Battlehawk Nation. It’s been a blessing, more than I could have imagined.”

LOCAL ARTIST SEES WORLD THROUGH VIVID COLORS, OPEN-HEARTED PERSPECTIVES

JOYFUL, HEALING ARTWORKS

'Hero worship' is one way that St. Louis area artist Steven Walden describes his painted pieces, especially those created for sports and pop social categories. Although he didn't start artistic painting until 2014, it's now his fulltime job. "I'm actually an artist by mistake," he quips. "But a happy one."

Steven became an artist in a roundabout way after exiting his job as a Maritz copywriter in 2012 to enter graduate school to become a therapist. But it was when he took an art therapy class in 2014 within the advanced degree program that he discovered his real passion for creating colorful, stylistic abstracts with his hands as an excellent way to bridle and occupy his effervescent energy.

"When you see my work, know that it's the product of all of these: failure, reinvention, rejection, stubbornness, hope, resilience, dynamics, gratitude and lots and lots of trying to figure it out," he adds, noting that his appreciation for connecting with others through the conceptual ideas of and emotional power of art is truly satisfying.

He completed his master's degree in 2015 from Webster University's professional counseling program, but recalls that brushstrokes were beckoning to his underlying sense of trying to be a professional matchmaker among people, just in a different way from what he originally envisioned.

"Art is healing because it can bring happy moments, and get us to listen to each other's experiences while also having the potential to make us think and to see the world from a variety of viewpoints we don't individually have," he summarizes, citing that he likes broadening his own horizon based on growing up in a smaller town of 9,000 in Hope, Arkansas.

Mainly creating sports and pop culture artwork in his High Ridge studio, Steven remembers getting a big break when developing a painting to donate to Big League Impact, a nonprofit initiative launched by Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright. Through unique, sports-related fundraising platforms, Adam and other professional athletes help people meet basic human needs, such as food, clean water,

medical care, shelter and education to save lives, restore dignity and instill hope.

"Adam saw and really liked my painting. I'm proud to now call Adam a good friend, all due to art," he adds.

Steven declares that representational pop art is humankind's pre-Internet way to spontaneously interact with strangers about mass culture, which is partially why he feels so at one with it. "You could talk to, or hang out with, people about comic books, and immediately find common ground with other people who also like The Empire Strikes Back ," he adds.

Steven also helps various organizations raise funds for charitable causes by providing live paintings at events or by donating print packets that include two prints valued at up to $100. He's worked

“THE GOAL OF MY ARTWORK IS TO LEAVE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE; IF IT CAN ALLEVIATE ANYONE’S SUFFERING OR MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY, THAT’S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME.” ~STEVEN WALDEN

with nonprofit representatives who support military veterans; people transitioning from being incarcerated; documentaries regarding mental health; homeless, runaway or at-risk youths; people without homes; and those facing life-threatening health or medical challenges.

"I simply want to support our local community. At charitable events, I create embellished canvas prints, painting one-of-a-kind pieces to be auctioned," he says.

While he confirms he enjoys painting pets and select St. Louis landmarks, particularly his favored The Fabulous Fox, he prefers to paint the essence of people. He's already working on new ideas to portray elements of the St. Louis City SC and The St. Louis Battlehawks.

Steven says he aspires to expand regionally, nationally and globally, with art signaling his legacy. He is available for commissioned work, and says he's currently working on a series of original canvas pieces to pitch to a well-known St. Louis steakhouse.

What's next for this self-aware artist? "I'll go where my energy takes me!"

StevenWalden.com

This property is located in a quiet, rural area close to schools, shopping, church and restaurants, but far enough away to enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside.

PEACEFUL PROPERTY FOR SALE

72 TREE-LINED ACRES AWAITS FOR NEW OWNERS

Imagine having a private hilltop from which to fully embrace sunrises and sunsets. Or to gaze at one's very own rolling, Missouri foothills inside of 72.26 tree-lined acres. The concept of 'new day, new possibilities' takes on a whole new meaning at 3958 Highway NN in the Cedar Hill/Pacific area.

This inspiring property for sale is an easy half-hour drive from St. Louis on Interstate 44, or through scenic West St. Louis County roadways. Additionally, the communities comprising the Missouri Rhineland are 20 miles northwest of the area. Altogether, this acreage presents an outdoor haven, and a great place to relax from the grind of life's everyday hustle and bustle.

Its one-and-a-half story, all-brick upgraded house is move-in ready, and is powered by solar panels, making it an energy-efficient home. In fact, the solar panels were installed in 2014 and a new roof was installed in 2018. The house spans 1,292 square feet, and includes three bedrooms and two bathrooms. A new and upgraded electrical panel was installed during June 2020. Wood and ceramic tile floors are throughout the house. A large back patio makes a wonderful entertaining area. This 1983-constructed home comes with a home warranty.

This property has multiple entry points, and possibly could be farmed or developed into a new home complex, horse ranch, winery or destination venue. The pasture area was once used to raise cattle. The fields include two ponds and an extremely roomy pole barn, which can protect equipment, boats, gear, recreational devices, a hobby station or extra overall storage. The space also could be perfect for hiking, fishing, horseback riding, or a safe place for other livestock.

Joining the region means getting the chance to partake of a nearby, proud heritage, which started in 1820. The city of Pacific is a quaint, historic region that formerly was the town of Franklin, and the city proper is located in both Franklin and St. Louis Counties. In 1859, Franklin was incorporated as a city, and in honor of the railroad, changed its name to Pacific. Pacific, and its surrounding communities, are served by the Meramec Valley R-III school system and the St. Louis Community College district. Many residents attend nearby East Central College. St. Bridget of Kildare School is the only parochial school in Pacific (PreK8th grade). Pacific has a public library, a branch of the Scenic Regional Library system.

For a personal tour of this property with a listing price of $1.5 million, contact the Montgomery Team at Compass Realty Group St. Louis at 636.487.9044 or email gordon.montgomery@compass.com.

ADVICE EDITORIAL: FOUR GREAT PLACES FOR GROOVES, GRUB AND GAWKING WITH BEST BROS

GUYS’ GETAWAYS

to get moving, the strenuous hike up Camelback Mountain in nearby Phoenix is a bucket-list item. Need a more moderate trail? Experience the same magic of the majestic saguaro cactus in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

NEW ORLEANS

Has it been too long since your tribe gathered to rib and one-up each other as only guys can do? To help plan a getaway for just the guys, City Lifestyle gathered an eclectic list of locations offering tons of things to see, do and experience. Here’s hoping the only ribs one will get on this guys’ getaway are the kind to hold in hands while barbecue sauce drips onto shirts.

SCOTTSDALE/PHOENIX

There’s no other tournament on the PGA Tour like the Waste Management Phoenix Open and no hole like the legendary 16th, where 20,000 boisterous fans boo the tee shots that miss the green. The other 51 weeks of the year, golfers can play TPC Scottsdale or try one of more than 200 courses in the Scottsdale area, a top golf destination. Another winter event is the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction. Even if one's only collector car was a Hot Wheels, it’s a blast to peruse the acres of autos for sale before heading inside to watch the unique or renowned cars crossing the auction block. When it’s time

It’s always a party in New Orleans (NOLA), especially when it comes to festivals, many of them centered around music. Folk to funk, gospel to jazz, zydeco, blues, African and other musical styles are celebrated on the Jazz and Heritage Festival’s 12 stages. If free admission is more desired, don’t miss the French Quarter Festival featuring local musicians and food vendors representing dozens of New Orleans restaurants. Part of the fun of Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo is admiring revelers’ watercraft, some of them homemade just for this festival on the banks of Bayou Saint John. If one of the festivals can't be attended, there’s still plenty of NOLA live music, particularly the jazz clubs on Frenchmen Street. And when a break from crowds is needed, take a guided swamp tour. Kitschy, yes, but it’s a hoot to cruise around on a swamp buggy while looking for alligators.

BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY

“America’s Sports Car” is produced at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant, where visitors can join guided tours to observe Corvettes being built and learn the fascinating history of these sexy autos. See examples of all Corvette generations at the National Corvette Museum. And if the need for speed is still felt, a few times a year

Xtreme Experience offers driving or ride-along events in exotics like Ferraris or Lamborghinis at the National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park. After getting all revved up, cool down at Mammoth Cave National Park, the longest known cave system in the world and a World Heritage Site, where guided tours take participants through tunnels humans have used for thousands of years. And after all this touring, the Bowling Green area is the southernmost point in the Kentucky Bourbon Trail of distilleries.

AUSTIN

Live music rules here, with iconic venues such as Antone’s, The Continental Club, the White Horse and hundreds of other locations, from dive bars to big stages. From rock and blues to country and urban, music is heard every night of the week (and many afternoons as well). When guys are hungry, there are tons of barbeque and Tex-Mex joints. Unique food trucks are truly a thing here, with nearly 2,000 food trailers in town. Burn some calories biking or running the Southern Walnut Creek Trail or one of many paved paths. Get out on the water in a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard on Lake Travis or Lady Bird Lake. Take a dip in the historic Barton Springs Pool, where the underground springs keep the water around 68 degrees all year.

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

events

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

JUNE 15TH

2023 St. Charles Experience

Golf Cart Raffle

FRANKIE MARTIN'S GARDEN

| 6:00 PM

Cottleville/Weldon Spring Chamber of Commerce members are selling raffle tickets with proceeds benefitting the chamber and Shoes & Hope until 5 p.m. on June 15 for these items. Grand Prize: Advanced EV 4-passenger cart valued at $10,000 from The Cottleville Caddy Shack. Second Prize: Charcoal YETI Cooler filled with gift cards valued at over $2,500. Go online to CWSRaffle.com .

JUNE 15TH

Fathers Day Cookie

Decorating Class

THE PAPER CRATE | 6:00 PM

In this hands-on, 2-hour cookie decorating class, students will be guided for fun Father-themed cookie designs. Step-by-step instructions will be given to create one's own cookie masterpieces. Each student will receive one dozen cookies and all the supplies needed for start-to-finish designs. Organizers state these cookies will make perfect gifts. Cost is $35 per person.

JUNE 19TH

Chip-in Fore The Kids

BOGEY HILLS COUNTRY CLUB

| 11:00 AM

Golf enthusiasts and local businesses are encouraged to tee up and chip in for kids by participating in the 39th Annual Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Charles Annual Golf Tournament. This opportunity allows business brands to be seen in a

Primal Grilling is Here

fun way and enjoy a day on the links. For further details or to secure sponsorships, visit  One.bidpal.net/ ChipInForeBGSTC/welcome

JUNE 24TH-25TH

Basket Weaving Class: Fourth Of July Basket

FIRST MISSOURI STATE

CAPITOL STATE HISTORIC SITE

| 10:00 AM

Make a beautiful handcrafted basket, with all materials supplied. Bring a drink and snacks if desired. Class size is limited, and registration of $45 is required. Each class will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call the historic site at 636.940.3322 for more information and to register.

JUNE 24TH

Love To Run

St. Charles 5K/10K

500 S. RIVERSIDE DRIVE |

11:00 AM

Enjoy a flat and fast out-and-back starting on the Katy Trail near Bike Stop Cafe. Both routes are a perfect out-and-back starting north on the soft path. The 5K turns around in Dusable Park. The 10K continues on the shady, non-technical trail that runs parallel to the Katy Trail with beautiful river views. Register at MSERacing. com/Love-To-Run-St-Charles.

JUNE 25TH

Gala Patriotic Concert

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

| 6:00 PM

St. Charles County Symphony Orchestra members play their annual Gala Patriotic Concert. Founded in 1997, the St. Charles County Symphony Society was founded in 1997 and is a multifaceted ensemble, performing classical and modern repertoire, chamber concerts and a summer "POPS" series. Email scsymphony@att.net for questions regarding this free concert, which concludes at 7:30 p.m.

Nominate Everyday Heroes

'IN YOUR CITY HERO Project’ representatives from the IN YOUR CITY Show are launching a community-driven initiative to recognize and celebrate local, unsung heroes positively impacting other’s lives. The project’s goal is to encourage people to nominate individuals who've gone above and beyond to help others so stories of selfless acts can be showcased.

IN YOUR CITY  is a show about people, places and things to explore, engage and enjoy. It's produced by Gordon Montgomery and Kelley Lamm Montgomery, also City Lifestyle publishers.

“We want to recognize everyday heroes who're making a difference, but may not

be getting the recognition they deserve,” says Kelley, IN YOUR CITY HERO Project organizer. “By celebrating unsung heroes, we can inspire others to follow their example and create a ripple effect of community kindness and positivity.”

A hero, chosen monthly, will be featured on the project's website, social media and news outlets. Designees receive a hero’s gift package, filled with items celebrating local communities. Submit nominees through the project's website or social media pages: 636.219.7931

InYourCityShow.com Facebook.com/InYourCityShow

NEW ‘IN YOUR CITY HERO PROJECT’ WILL RECOGNIZE UNHERALDED, ALTRUISTIC NEIGHBORS

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