St. Charles County, MO August 2024

LOCAL SERVICES

KIND BUT COURAGEOUS

PEREGRINE FALCON WATCH

ARTS + CULTURE

LOVING, SUPPORTING ‘RAGAMUFFIN’ PETS

Hooray for Kids & Pets

Few things brighten our days quite like the presence of children and pets. It’s with great pleasure that we present 'Kids & Pets' edition, which celebrates the profound joy they bring into our lives.

Children embody our hopes for a brighter tomorrow and form the very bedrock of our society. Their innocence, curiosity and limitless potential have the capacity to shape the future in ways beyond our imagination.

Pets, too, offer a unique companionship. They shower us with unconditional love and create environments where we can learn and grow. The bond between children and their furry or feathery friends is often profound, nurturing qualities such as empathy, responsibility, and companionship.

In our own home, we cherish Olive, our bulldog, who brings endless smiles and joy to all who meet her. Whether you are a parent, pet owner, or simply someone who appreciates the magic of these relationships, we hope this edition inspires you to celebrate children and pets not just today, but every day.

With heartfelt gratitude,

August 2024

PUBLISHERS

Gordon Montgomery

gordon.montgomery@citylifestyle.com

Kelley Lamm

kelley.lamm@citylifestyle.com

COPY EDITOR

Julie Brown Patton | julie.patton@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Casey Pierce | casey.pierce@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Julie Brown Patton, Robin Seaton Jefferson, Kaiya Thompson, Lisa Moyer

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Stephen Cox, Mike Winslow, Kristi Foster, Janie Jones

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall

LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray

Where Beauty Meets Precision

AUGUST 2024

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: Dads got unique gifts at Saint Charles’ Riverwalk Market/St. Charles Lions Club’s Father Day event. 2: Mo’ Bourbon Festival: Bourbon samples featured rare and limited editions along with beloved staples. 3: Mo’ Bourbon Festival: Beer BBQ Shop St. Peters and St. Charles Bourbon Society reps hosted. 4: Hot Summer Nights Jazz Night with Anita Jackson attracted a large crowd in St. Charles. 5: 2024 Riverwalk Market Strawberry Festival in St. Charles celebrated everything strawberry. 6: 636 Day St. Charles: Mark Hollander, LaBelle Vie Restaurant, and Ed Akers, STC marketing manager. 7: 636 Day St. Charles: Patty Runge, Sheri Wheeler Wiltse, Molly Maher, Brian Richardson.

Stop Living With Pain:

Learn about Regenerative Therapy.

By: Dr. Beth Templin

Pain is a very common issue among aging adults. It results in loss of independence, suffering, disability, social isolation, and higher health care costs. Pain is also a risk factor for premature death and accelerated memory loss in older adults.

Pain pills and injections are the most common treatments. Both of these have side effects, and are not always good at eliminating the pain The reason is, they don’t address the underlying cause of your pain, but rather just try to cover it up Regenerative Therapy is the the new gold standard for how to treat those living with pain. At HouseFit we are proud to offer all three options: EMTT, Radial and Focused Shockwave These ground-breaking treatments are so effective because they address the main reason people are struggling to get rid of their painchronic inflammation. They also work by triggering your own healing response. helping your body to heal itself. These options are great for: neck, back, hip, knee, foot, shoulder and hand pain, arthritis, spinal stenosis, herniated discs, muscle strains, ligament sprains and tendonitis.

It’s easy to be skeptical about a new treatment option when it comes to pain After all, you’ve tried everything else without much success so how is this better? To answer this question and others I've put together a FREE guide to share with you how Regenerative Therapy can decrease or eliminate your chronic pain.

Inside this Guide you'll learn: The real cause of pain Why the most common approaches to pain don’t always work What EMTT and Radial and Focused Shockwave are.

Who benefits most from these treatments. AND much more!

This guide is available to you absolutely FREE of charge! To claim your copy, call our office at (314) 939-1377 or download the guide by visiting our website at www housefitstl com/chronic -pain Don’t let your pain rule your life, get the guide today.

when you schedule your FREE CONSULTATION and mention City Lifestyle Magazine

KIND BUT COURAGEOUS

Treats Unleashed Helps Saint Louis English Bulldog Rescue Save Dogs

ARTICLE BY ROBIN SEATON JEFFERSON

According to the American Kennel Club representatives, the bulldog is “kind but courageous, friendly but dignified…a thick-set, low-slung, well-muscled bruiser whose 'sourmug' face is the universal symbol of courage and tenacity.”

“When we had a very difficult bulldog in rescue, Treats Unleashed stepped up...Their help saved his life.”

“Bulldogs are like 2-year-olds in fur suits,” says Diana Engeszer, founder of Saint Louis English Bulldog Rescue. “They are highly manipulative, cute, cuddly, stubborn, crafty, exasperating, high maintenance and loveable. They are not the breed for everyone, but if they are your breed, you will always have one in your home.”

Foster-based, Saint Louis English Bulldog Rescue’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome purebred English bulldogs. “The bulldogs live in someone’s home where they are evaluated, treated and monitored as part of a family,” says Diana, who, at 70 years old, has worked with dogs most of her life.

“Most of our bulldogs are adopted by their foster families. Saint Louis English Bulldog Rescue

is the safety net for those bulldogs for the rest of their lives. Recently, a little bulldog that had been adopted seven years ago needed to come back into rescue when her owner became very ill. We had another bulldog whose owner died suddenly and needed to be rehomed. We keep in touch with the adopters several times a year, too.”

St. Louis’ own Treats Unleashed helps the bulldog rescue with its mission with the biggest Easter egg hunt for dogs in the St. Louis area. Every year, rain or shine, some 500 dogs turn out with their owners the Saturday before Easter to hunt more than 3,000 eggs at Treats Unleashed in Ladue. For their efforts, they get a photo with the Easter bunny and give $5 each to Saint Louis Bulldog Rescue.

Most of the funds collected go to pay for veterinarian bills, says Treats Unleashed founder and owner, Teresa Miller, as the bulldog often suffers from allergies and skin conditions. (According to Diana, vet and medication costs are often well more than $1,000 per dog.) This year, Treats’ Easter event raised $2,500-plus for the cause. “It’s a great day for families to get out with each other and their pets and do something good for a great organization.”

Teresa founded Treats Unleashed 22 years ago in Chesterfield. Known for being “the natural place for pets,” Treats Unleashed specializes in all-natural pet food, fresh-baked pet treats, toys, supplies, grooming and self-wash services.

Today, her shops can be found in 20 neighborhoods from St. Louis to Kansas City and, along with the egg hunt, hosts other pet-centric events such as their “Howl-O-Ween Pet Party” and “Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest for Pets.”

“People treat their dogs like family, as they should in my opinion,” Teresa says. “They’re just looking for healthy ways to help their pets live as long as possible.”

Diana says Treats Unleashed treats everyone’s pets like family. “When we had a very difficult bulldog in rescue, Treats Unleashed stepped up with an incredible raw food donation to help stabilize his condition while we were figuring out what he could eat. Their help saved his life. Elliot is now almost 10 years old and living his best life in Florida with his retired adopters.”

Saint Louis English Bulldog Rescue is a member rescue of the Bulldog Club of America Rescue Network, a national organization originally formed by the Bulldog Club of America.

STLBulldogRescue.org Treats-Unleashed.com

Loving, Supporting ‘Ragamuffin’ Pets

ARTICLE BY KAIYA THOMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTI FOSTER

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START RAGAMUFFIN PETPHOTOGRAPHY, AND HOW DID YOUR PERSONAL JOURNEY WITH YOUR DOG INFLUENCE THIS DECISION?

Caitlin: “In my early twenties, I was dedicated to a career in commercial photography. I'd studied it on a scholarship in New York as a teenager, then returned to Australia to get my degree. It's a cut-throat industry, and I was very much in the trenches, feeling lost and stressed out. Then I adopted a little puppy named Lyra and she turned my entire life upside down. She was my soul dog, and inspired me to quit the fashion industry altogether and launch Ragamuffin Pet Photography. She passed away earlier this year, peacefully in her favorite spot in our garden at the age of 14. I will be forever grateful to her for the path in life she took me down.”

PLEASE SHARE MORE ABOUT THE MISSION AND VISION BEHIND THE TAILS OF THE WORLD COLLECTIVE.

Caitlin: “In 2015, I published my first book (Tails of Melbourne). The concept was simple: I photographed local dogs at iconic locations around my city, and donated the photo session fees to animal rescue.

After refining the process, I started teaching other photographers how to publish their own fundraising books. Running your own business can be a lonely gig, and I loved connecting with other photographers who were equally passionate about using their talents to make a difference. I launched the Collective so members could publish their own "Tails of ..." books and we would have one place to promote them all.

Then in 2022 we did our first big collaborative project. Photographers from all around the world ran fundraising photoshoots for local pet rescues, submitted the resulting images to be published in Tails of the World: The Book. It was a huge success, so I repeated the project for Volume Two in 2023 and to date we have raised over $95,000 for charity by photographing more than 1,150 dogs in 14 different countries! We're now in the midst of photographing for Volume Three.”

HOW DO YOU SELECT THE DOGS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS FEATURED IN THE TAILS OF THE WORLD VOLUMES?

Caitlin: "Due to space limitations in the book, I have to cap the participants at 100 photographers and 10 shoots per photographer. Applications for photographers are open at the beginning of the year, and I only accept one photographer per location. This year, the spots filled out in less than a week, which was so exciting. The dogs are chosen by each photographer.”

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROCESS AND LOGISTICS INVOLVED IN CREATING AND PUBLISHING THE TAILS OF THE WORLD BOOKS?

Caitlin: “Fortunately for me, I'm an organization geek. There is a LOT of logistics involved in publishing these books. I created a detailed workbook for the participating photographers, which covers everything they need to know. Each photographer partners with a local animal charity, where they donate all their photoshoot fees. Once they have completed their shoots, they submit everything through an online portal (the photos, info about each dog, fundraising info and a bit about their location).

Once the submissions are in, I spend about a month writing and designing the book (and obsessively checking and double-checking my system to ensure no dogs are missed!). When I'm happy with the printed proof, the book is ready to be published. I list it as available for

distribution online, so book retailers all around the world (like Amazon, Barnes & Nobles) can choose to stock it.

100% of the book sale proceeds are donated to animal rescue. I choose one charity each year for that donation.”

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A PART OF THE TAILS OF THE WORLD COLLECTIVE?

Kristi: “I saw the Tails of the World book last year and thought ‘What a cool project with some really wonderful well-known photographers participating.’ I felt it was a fantastic way to help rescues with much needed fundraising while allowing pets to be the superstars. I'm a huge dog lover and I love photographing pets, so I always admired all of the photographers who had images in the book! Then this year I received an email asking if I wanted to participate and my immediate answer was "Yes, of course!"

HOW DO YOU SELECT AND PREPARE THE DOGS AND THEIR OWNERS FOR THE PHOTO SESSIONS?

Kristi: Selection was based mostly on the stories about the animals. I have some that are heartfelt and some that were just so funny I couldn't wait to meet the pups.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE OR REWARDING EXPERIENCE WHILE WORKING ON THE TAILS OF THE WORLD PROJECTS?

Kristi: “So far I think the sweetest was meeting a little guy named Shu that had just finished cancer treatment. He was such a joy to be around, and so well behaved. What I loved the most was how adored he was by his mom and vice versa. Shu never let his human get far from his side. It was wonderful to see how happy they both were.

I'm also excited about a session that I just completed. I have a client who I've photographed for before. She had the most wonderful therapy dog named Winnie and I fell in love with the pup the minute I met her. She was the true essence of a therapy dog. The kindest, sweetest demeanor you could ask for. She died last October; but

she touched so many lives as a therapy dog. Her human mom now has two pups; one is a therapy dog and one is working on his certifications. This is why I love dogs so much; they can heal the hearts around them. Sometimes rescue pups make the best therapy dogs, certified or not, so we have to support our rescues!”

HOW DOES BEING A PART OF THE COLLECTIVE BENEFIT YOU BOTH PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY?

Krisiti: “The main benefit is for my chosen rescue to receive much needed funds. The rescue I chose is Hootie's Rescue Haven. They are a farm out in St. Clair County, Mo. Dr. Kim Lynch and her husband Tim run the rescue. While Dr. Kim is at her practice at Spoede Animal Hospital, Tim is on the farm taking care of horses, chickens, geese,

ducks, emus, dogs, cats and any other animal that folks might drop off. As soon as Dr. Kim gets home, she is hands-on at the farm as well.

Hootie's is not only a rescue, placing dogs and cats in their forever homes, but they are a sanctuary that takes in animals that can't be placed in a forever home because of their need of ongoing medical treatment. Not only do I admire all the work they do, I consider them friends with absolute hearts of gold."

ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON

Watch Peregrine Falcon

SAVING A ‘SPECIES OF CONSERVATION CONCERN’ FROM BRINK OF EXTINCTION IN ST. CHARLES/ST. LOUIS REGION

Ameren Missouri, Missouri Department of Conservation and World Bird Sanctuary team members are pooling their diverse resources to protect and preserve the heartland's wildlife. The regional Peregrine Falcon project is the latest result of these efforts.

Together, during March 2024, they installed a peregrine nesting box and high-definition camera at the Ameren Missouri Labadie Energy Center in Northeastern Franklin County, on the banks of the Missouri River.

"Peregrine falcons have made an incredible comeback from the brink of extinction," says Jeff Meshach, World Bird Sanctuary director. "Our camera provided a window into the nesting life of the world's fastest creature."

This livestream ended June 4, after welcoming five new chicks' first flights.

Historically, peregrines nested in small numbers on bluffs along the Mississippi, Missouri and Gasconade rivers. By the late 1800s, only a few pairs remained in the Show Me state. To save falcons from vanishing, ornithologists pioneered techniques starting in the 1970s for successfully breeding the birds in captivity and releasing their chicks into the wild. WBS restoration projects in Missouri since 1985 have been relatively successful, and populations of peregrines have been re-established.

Peregrines are still designated as a 'species of conservation concern' in Missouri, and formerly were extirpated and from much of North America. This is one of the species nearly eradicated due to side effects of DDT and pesticides.

Peregrines are cliff-dwellers, and have adapted to life on tall buildings and bridges. Breeding pairs usually mate for life. When hunting, peregrines dive on their prey at speeds 200-plus mph, making them the fastest animals on Earth.

MOTHER-DAUGHTER TEAM OFFERS LOCALLY-GROWN CBD-INFUSED TREATS FOR PET WELLNESS AND WELLBEING

It’s A Wellness-Palooza

ARTICLE BY ROBIN SEATON JEFFERSON

We’re ever so thankful for these treats and want to share them with the rest of the world.

“I want people to know that receiving an unfavorable diagnosis, whether human or a pet, does not mean we automatically turn to Big Pharma; there are healthier, more holistic options,” says Laura LaMarca, creator and owner of Wellness-Palooza.

Laura became a certified cannabis coach after years of suffering with multiple health issues, including double autoimmune disease, spinal stenosis, degenerative disk disease and PTSD. By the time her doctor prescribed her 14th prescription, she says she recalls determining she’d had enough.

“I said, ‘I’m not living my life like this,’ and asked him for my medical marijuana card,” she says. “But nobody helped me through the process and it was frustrating. I said, ‘I am missing something big here, and I need to figure it out.’”

That’s when Laura says she entered a certification program for cannabis coaching. She learned how to “ditch all of her prescriptions,” and now helps others and their dogs and cats with everything from anxiety to pain reduction and more.

But the journey to her own wellness soon carried over to her own rescue dog, Cooper, a German shepherd/pitbull mix, who suffered from anxiety and stomach issues. She says it took some trial and error, but she finally found the right recipe that controlled his anxiety. “Toward the end of his life, the CBD treats were the only thing to give him some relief,” Laura says.

Cooper died of cancer during October 2021. “We're ever so thankful for these treats and want to share them with the rest of the world.”

Now Laura and her daughter, Bailey LaMarca, who inherited the same health

issues from her mother, offer their CBDinfused dog treats, “Coopie Snacks,” with locally grown CBD, as well as a pet tincture with CBD and Cannabigerol (CBG) for pet owners looking to realize the following potential benefits of their products:

• Reduction in Anxiety

• Anti-Inflammatory

• Reduction in Pain

• Reduction in Seizures and Convulsions

• Immune System Support

• Nervous System Support

• Cardiovascular System Support

• Gastrointestinal Support

Wellness-Palooza offers individual counseling, home parties and community events to educate people about CBD use for them and their pets.

Laura's and Bailey's products are now in 12 stores in St. Charles and Lincoln Counties, and offered online. Wellness-Palooza also donates samples of Coopie Snacks, a small bottle of tincture and educational materials to pet owners at fireworks stands around July 4.

Laura says she wants to clear up the confusion about Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and CBD.

“THC is very toxic for dogs,” she explains. “THC is the main active compound in cannabis, which is responsible for the high a person feels. CBD is the second main compound in cannabis used widely for medical purposes and is nonpsychoactive. We want to create holistic healing products for people and pets that help them. That’s it. We tell people all the time, ‘We’re here to get you healthy, not get you high.’”

WellnessPaloozaParty.com

Whether your pup has the obedience of a dog show finalist, or social behavior that makes you want to play dead around others, you can develop more owner confidence with help from this expert trainer.

ARTICLE BY LISA MOYER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES | STYLED BY ANGELA BROOCKERD

DOG

SOCIALIZING

“Socializing your dog is beneficial for both dogs and their owners,” says Taryn Tyler, a certified dog trainer. “It creates confidence for both dogs and owners and displaces the anxiety we feel when our dogs aren’t behaving like we want them to.”

Taryn stresses that teaching a dog to sit or stay is less about tricks and more about the relationship that builds between animal and owner. “We all love our dogs, but they can be stressful when they can’t seem to click in our home environments.

• Socializing is more than taking your dog in public. A guy can dump a bunch of mulch in your driveway and spread it, but he’s not a landscaper until he’s following a plan. When the doorbell rings or a visitor comes into the house, what’s our expectation for the dog? When we’re in public and the dog’s attention is diverted, what’s our plan to refocus them? Socialization is 99% working on small steps as part of a larger plan.

• Socializing isn’t about our dogs being the center of attention in public. Everyone loves seeing a dog, but our best outcome for the dog is to go unnoticed. Sitting by our side, ignoring external stimuli, remaining calm—those are things we strive for when socializing a dog.

• When socializing dogs with other dogs, start small. Take a walk with another dog to get them to just exist in the same vicinity. Once they’re able to not be excited by the other dog, work on limited playing in controlled environments.

• If someone comes into your home, let them know what boundaries you’re working on with your dog. You can even suggest asking them to carry a few treats and work on some of the behaviors your dog is already comfortable with.

realty report

A SAMPLE OF RECENTLY SOLD PROPERTIES IN ST.CHARLES COUNTY.

PB Dye Designed Golf Course, Renowned Practice Facilities, Dining, Extensive Social Calendar, Resort Style Swimming Pool, Access to Heritage Golf Group Portfolio, and more!

Julie Maestas, Membership Director 636-477-8960 ext. 129

Host your Private Event with us!

With breathtaking golf course views, exquisite dining and experienced staff, Old Hickory Golf Club is the perfect place for Members and non-members alike to host memorable weddings, private events, and special occasions!

Directors of Private Events: Jen Champion 636-477-8960 ext. 112 & Annie Ojeda- 636-477-8960 ext. 113

AUGUST 2024

AUGUST 11TH

Jazz At The Riverside Frontier Park | 7:30 PM

The St. Charles Big (Jazz) Band is performing on the Jaycee Stage the banks of the Missouri River. Performances include a wide spectrum of popular music, including “Swing," “Bebop Jazz," “Pop," “Show Tunes," “Contemporary Jazz” and vocals. The concert features both a female and male vocalist. Take a chair/blanket, food and refreshments. Parking is free in lots alongside Riverside Drive.

AUGUST 14TH

Streets Of St. Charles Free Concert

Beale Street | 6:00 PM

This 2-hour concert is free with scheduled band Retro Nerds, an 1980s tribute band from St. Louis. They perform retro hits in perfect sync with the original music video while dressed as nerds. Computers control sound, video and lighting to turn this live performance into unique musicianship and fun. They've been performing as a regional act since 2011.

AUGUST 16TH-18TH

Festival Of The Little Hills Frontier Park | 9:00 AM

Fete Des Petite Cotes is named in honor of the settlement (now known as Saint Charles) founded by the French-Canadian explorer Louis Blanchette in 1769. Held every year in August since 1971, this festival showcases 300-plus arts and crafts vendors, and has live entertainment and children's area. Fifty nonprofit groups provide culinary delights, making the festival their major annual fundraiser.

CONTINUED

AUGUST 20TH

Shakespeare Festival Performance

370 Lakeside Park, St. Peters | 6:30 PM

A larger-than-life, 90-minute presentation of Shakespeare’s most enchanting romance, The Tempest: Set on an island full of mischief, magic and plots of revenge. Directed by Tom Ridgely, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival producing artistic director, along with a traveling cast of six talented performers. Admission and parking are free. For further details, visit STLShakes.org.

AUGUST 20TH

Dr. Zhivegas Concert

Cottleville Weldon Spring Rotary Amphitheatre in Legacy Park | 6:00 PM

Grab supper or a snack-to-go and bring blankets or chairs; there are various Cottleville restaurants nearby and food trucks directly across the street from the park at Frankie Martin's Garden. Paved parking available at the Legacy Park entrance, adjacent to City Hall and in the rear of the park at Kochanski Multi Sports Field. No parking on the grass.

AUGUST 30TH

St. Louis Water Lantern Festival

Creve Coeur Park | 5:00 PM

This Water Lantern Festival brings people together for a celebration of light and community. This unforgettable evening will be filled with tasty food trucks, fun music, activities and thousands of lanterns lighting up the night with love, hope and happiness. Tickets are $29 – $60, available online at WaterLanternFestival.com. Follow them on social media @waterlanternfestival.

29th Annual Businessmen’s Prayer Breakfast of Saint Charles County Wednesday September 4, 2024 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Saint Charles Convention Center 1 Convention Center Plaza, Saint Charles, MO 63303

As a professional golfer Bernhard has achieved 42 wins on the DP Tour, 3 PGA Tour Wins, 2 of which were Masters Tournament wins in 1985 and 1993, and a record 46 wins on the PGA Champions Tour. He continues to compete at the highest level at the age of 67 years old with no signs of slowing down. In 1985, shortly after he had won The Masters, he was presented with the gospel through a Bible Study that was held for PGA golfers while on tour.

JOIN US TO HEAR HIS AMAZING STORY. Bernhard Langer

Tickets: $30 Each / Table of 10: $300 Purchase Tickets Online: www.ministrytomen.net OR Mail Check Payable To: Ministry to Men 550 Turner Blvd, St. Peters, MO 63376

Tickets Available Through August 23, 2024