February 26, 2020
Joining the workforce
Around Town Rock legends Styx and country star Dylan Scott to headline O’Fallon’s 2020 Heritage & Freedom Fest. Pg. 3 St. Charles County’s interactive expo highlights public services, programs. Pg. 3
St. Charles Optimist Club recognizes elementary school spelling bee winners. Pg. 5
Features
The first class of BCI Skills Center graduates with True Manufacturing company representatives.
Submitted photo
The BCI Skills Center is a first-of-its-kind vocational training facility for those with disabilities that partners them with local businesses By Brett Auten There is an innate satisfaction that comes with completing a job well done. Since 1959, St. Peters’ Boone Center Inc., has been enriching the lives of adults with disabilities by providing a wide selection of employment opportunities. Most recently, the nonprofit’s vocational training facility, aka the BCI Skills Center, celebrated its first anniversary. The BCI Skills Center is a first-of-its-kind facility for those with disabilities that partners them with local businesses to create custom programs. Founded in January of 2019, the BCI Skills Center currently has three vocation-
al programs that includes salesforce, manufacturing and hospitality housekeeping. The center works with local businesses to design custom programs and, upon graduation, students move directly into the workforce where they earn a competitive wage. Eight classes are currently in progress or completed with a total of 12 graduates to date. Randy Pritchett, 29-years-old of Wentzville, is one of those graduates. Pritchett now does welding, among other responsibilities, at O’Fallon’s True Manufacturing. “During my time at BCI, I learned a whole lot, specifically, about True Manufacturing,” Pritchett said. “Now, not only do
I have my work responsibilities, but I also help train new employees.” The Skills Center is a completely new and unique model that took years of planning and preparation. By partnering with local companies who agreed that people with disabilities can contribute meaningfully to their businesses, BCI is helping lead the charge in its “inclusion revolution” while helping local companies fill their employment needs. “What we’ve experienced with the BCI Skills Center graduates so far – the care, the want-to, the concern – it’s obvious with them,” Steve Young of True Manufacturing,
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Around Town
February 26, 2020 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com
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Submitted photos (Left) BCI Skills Center graduate Randy Pritchett. (Right) Glenn Plank (left) receives his certificate after graduating from BCI Skills Center.
‘WORKFORCE’ from cover a first Skills Center vocational partner, said. “And the knock-on effect is that it’s infectious. Their care, their concern, their passion has had a contagious effect on non-disabled True team members, which is fantastic.” Todd Streff is the Executive Director of the Skills Center. “It has been a great learning opportunity and amazing to see the growth of these individuals,” Streff said. “These employees are held to the same standard and the same expectations of anyone else and they fully meet the need. Before they even start the job they know they know the culture, they meet their supervisors so when it’s time to transfer they are very familiar with each other.” BCI CEO Ron Kloppenburg spoke of the pride the organization has felt in its first year of operations, and is looking forward to expanding its programs soon. “Our BCI Skills Center allows us to partner with businesses in the community that embrace diversity and seek excellent members to join their team,” he said. Streff said that goal moving forward is to find more students.
“Eighty percent of individuals with disabilities are under-employed,” Streff said. “We want to get them in these jobs that are paying competitive wages. These are not handouts. We need to get into those numbers and get them integrated into the work setting.” All BCI programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) International, which assures a commitment to program and service quality with a focus on the satisfaction of those served. BCI is headquartered at 200 Trade Center Dr. W in St. Peters and currently employs more than 300 adults with disabilities at its production facilities and through its competitive employment programs. For more information, call 636-978-4300 or visit www.boonecenter.com. “These are stimulated, super-proud, and diligent employees,” Streff said. “They have the same goals and same aspirations as anyone else and they are capable and ready to meet the expectations of the job.”
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www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • February 26, 2020
Rock legends Styx and country star Dylan Scott to headline O’Fallon’s 2020 Heritage & Freedom Fest Headline bands for O’Fallon’s Heritage & Freedom Fest were announced at the Feb. 13 O’Fallon City Council meeting. This year’s starring performers are rock n’ roll legends Styx, on tour celebrating four decades of rock anthems on July 4, and country music star Dylan Scott on July 3. The 2020 Heritage & Freedom Fest will be held at the Ozzie Smith Sports Complex at 900 T. R. Hughes Boulevard in O’Fallon. Opening acts for both nights will be announced this spring. “I am extremely excited to announce this year’s entertainment as it again features true rock legends and an upcoming country star with multiple top five hits,” said Mayor Bill Hennessy. “The O’Fallon City Council and I are proud to welcome Styx and Dylan Scott to the Main Stage for our community to see and hear live at our city’s biggest party of the year, the Heritage & Freedom Fest. As always, the concerts are free, the bands are outstanding, and we’ll end each
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Photo courtesy city of O’Fallon The headline band for O’Fallon’s Heritage & Freedom Fest are rock n’ roll legends Styx.
show with spectacular fireworks displays.” O’Fallon’s Heritage & Freedom Fest kicks off on July 2, featuring a carnival, a colorful midway, family-friendly sideshows and other activities from 4–11 p.m. (There will be no fireworks or Main Stage music on Thursday.) Carnival rides, the midway and festival food and merchandise vendors will be open for business throughout the festival over all three festival dates, July 2-4. On July 3 (2 - 11 p.m.) and
July 4 (noon to 11 p.m.), the festival will get into full party mode with free concerts, fireworks, and free kids’ and family-friendly activities. On Independence Day at 9:30 a.m., O’Fallon’s Heritage & Freedom Fest Parade, which is one of the biggest in the area, will step off from Main and Third streets and proceed north to Tom Ginnever Avenue, continue east on Tom Ginnever and end at T.R. Hughes Boulevard near the festival entrance.
St. Charles County’s second annual interactive expo highlights public services, programs Have questions about assessments, taxes, health or public safety? Need to complete or change your voter registration or obtain a marriage license? Curious about what’s next for county parks? If your answer to any of these questions is “yes” then don’t miss the second annual St. Charles County Government Expo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 7, in the Center Court on the lower level of Mid Rivers Mall. Representatives from more than 24 County departments and divisions will be on hand in a fun, interactive setting to talk about services provided by St. Charles County Government and programs available in the community. “Last year’s expo had a great turnout and we are excited to partner again with Mid Rivers Mall for this event,” says County Executive Steve Ehlmann. “The expo provides an
Around Town
excellent opportunity to talk with residents about the essential services they receive from their county government and discuss how we can continually work to serve them better.” The expo also will feature information about the 2020 Census, county government job opportunities, emergency planning, and exciting events coming to The Family Arena. Attendees can obtain heart health screenings from the Department of Public Health and try their hand at disc golf with the Parks Department. Law enforcement vehicles and equipment will be available to see firsthand, and guests can meet County K9s and the St. Charles County Police Department’s robot dog. Attendees can also register to win attendance prizes, including a cabin rental at Klondike Park. Visit sccmo.org for more information. For questions
concerning this event, contact Molly Dempsey, Community Relations Manager, at 636949-7900, ext. 3724, or mtdempsey@sccmo.org.
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Around Town
February 26, 2020 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com
Shower of Love collects baby care items for nonprofits in St. Charles County Nationally, one in three families do not have an adequate supply of diapers, wipes, and baby care items. Parents who struggle to afford these basics, often feel increased financial stress and may water down formula or re-use their disposable diapers, just to make it through the week. In St. Charles County, nonprofits receive hundreds of inquiries each month asking for diapers, baby clothes, car seats and other baby care basics. The Community and Children’s Resource Board (CCRB) and seven St. Charles County nonprofits will come together in April for the only county-wide collection drive. Volunteers ask community partners to collect diapers, wipes, and baby care items in April. The drive culminates on April 30, when volunteers hand out flyers at participating Walmart, Midtowne Market, and Dierbergs stores, collecting donations from shoppers. Since 2006, Shower of Love has collected over $1 million in donations; all go directly to St. Charles County babies, moms, and caregivers experiencing poverty or crisis. “April is Child Abuse Prevention month and Shower
of Love’s purpose is to reduce the risk of child abuse by providing tangible support to moms in poverty and crisis. We are excited about raising awareness about the fragile families in our community and collecting baby care items to help them. Federal programs do not typically provide diapers and baby care items, and for many families spending an average of $100 a month for baby supplies is a hardship. It’s a safety concern, too, as reusing diapers and using unsafe or second-hand equipment can lead to serious physical and developmental problems for babies,” said Jeanne Spencer, coordinator for Shower of Love. Shower of Love helps moms, babies, and families across the county. One young mom was in a difficult situation when she began teen parent classes at Youth In Need. Impoverished, pregnant, and trying to finish high school, she was unsure of how she could work, go to school, and take care everything her new baby needed. In the teen parent program, she was given the opportunity to earn diapers, formula, and other items she needed, as well as get parenting support and safety educa-
tion. Having this additional support allowed her to stay in school. Benefitting nonprofits for 2020 are Birthright St. Charles, Nurses for Newborns, Our Lady’s Inn, Sts. Joachim & Ann Care Service, St. Charles and Wentzville Crisis Nursery, ThriVe St. Louis, and Youth In Need. During April, over 40 businesses, churches, schools, and civic groups will host donation drives for the Shower of Love. The CCRB administers a local sales tax fund dedicated to children’s mental health and substance use treatment services. To learn more, visit www.showeroflovestc.org or call Jeanne Spencer at 636-939-6200.
Inspiration Corner: www.drmarcycooper.com
How to find magic in the mundane Have you ever driven to work and wondered how to endure the next eight hours? Have you stared at the pile of work in front of you and sighed? Have you cried into your coffee, or worse, tossed it in your boss’s face? Take heart, Dear Reader! There is a better way to overcome ordinary occasions. First, we must remember that the ability to work is a blessing and we should therefore express our gratitude. I have observed that many people forget the beauty of completing a task. I’m not talking about simply checking a box, but rather, celebrating completion of a truly arduous activity. I conversed with a friend recently who winced with pain. He described to me the headache induced by a new software program he is trying to learn while using it. He said, “It is so difficult. I drive home every day with a headache.” I said, “Can you retire soon?” “Oh, no.” He said. “I have two more years.” “Two more years.” I said. “I have twenty!” When we get overwhelmed with the hours, days and years of our lives, we must remember to celebrate small accomplishments. Even if it is as simple as the completion of a day. Second, questions make for magical encounters. I don’t really want to work for a living. I would prefer an easier lifestyle, but for many of the working-class poor, a headache is the least of their woes. My friends who stand behind deli counters all day, shaving off slices of meat for ungrateful patrons, can testify to aches and pains that go far beyond a throbbing noggin. Talk about mundane! Since I spent several years as a cashier, I like to engage with customers. I begin with a compliment, but usually I start
with a question. On the rare occasion, someone approaches me. That is how I met Joan Smith. She said, “Do you shop here often?” “Yes.” I said. “Have you ever been over to the Goodwill Outlet?” “I have not.” Her eyebrows lifted. “Oh, you simply must go there. You can get a whole sack of stuff for cheap.” I suppose she was inspired to see me “fully commit” to the thrifting experience that is digging through large containers for lost treasure. Joan and I spent the next hour discussing poverty. She told me she was in the habit of giving away what little she has to people who have less. She told me, “God always provides for me. It’s my responsibility to help others.” She was a complete stranger, but she taught me true religion; love your neighbor as yourself. People are walking mysteries and all too often we forget the magic of conversation. When each encounter has the potential to open a portal to a realm called friendship, we would be foolish not to try every door. Remember this the next time mundane calls your name. For more inspiration, follow me on my blog: www.destinationdiscipline.com.
Margaret Wolfinbarger is a wife and mother of three peculiar children. She lives in St. Charles and likes to shine light into dark places.
www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • February 26, 2020
Around Town
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St. Charles Optimist Club recognizes elementary school spelling bee winners The City of St. Charles School District and the St. Charles Optimist Club co-sponsored this year’s elementary spelling bee contest. Each elementary school conducted a school spelling bee. The three top place winners from each school competed in the district-level contest held on Jan. 14. The Optimist Club recognized the top winners of the district contest on Feb. 18 at a luncheon with parents and school representatives. This year’s winners are: first place, Tyler Garoutte (Monroe Elementary), second place, Malik Ibrahim (Null Elementary) and third place, Kory Nguyen (Harris Elementary). Since the Optimist Club’s motto is “friend of youth,” members of the club were honored to recognize these young students for their preparation, study and success.
VETERINARY MOBILE CLINIC Submitted photo (From left) Bob Beckman (Optimist Club vice-president) stands with Malik Ibrahim, Tyler Garoutte, Kory Nguyen and club event chairperson, Ellen Parker.
Call for entries for ‘Made In The Shade’ art show and competition at St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre Are you a “shady” artist? The St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre is seeking entries for its “Made In The Shade” art show that will be on display March 5-April 26. All works submitted for this show should reflect shades of color, shading techniques and shadows. Artwork will be received from 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday, March 2, at the Cultural Arts Centre. Go online to www.stpetersmo.net/arts to download copies of the entry form and cards to accompany your entries. The opening reception will be from 6-7:30 p.m. March 5. The show is open to youth and adult, amateur and professional artists. The cost to enter as a Cultural Arts Centre member is $15 for up to four
pieces. Non-members can submit up to three pieces for $20. The youth entry fee is $5 per piece. Cash prizes are awarded in each category for adults (painting/drawing, mixed media and photography), including Best of Show ($100), first place ($50), second place ($25) and third place ($15). Honorable Mention and youth winners are recognized with ribbons. All artists are also encouraged to sell their artwork while it’s on display. For more information on this show, call 636397-6903, ext. 1624, or go to www.stpetersmo. net/arts. The St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre is in the west wing of St. Peters City Hall at One St. Peters Centre Blvd. in St. Peters.
Severe Weather Preparedness Week includes statewide tornado drill on March 3 The National Weather Service holds Severe Weather Preparedness Week every year to encourage citizens to be prepared for severe weather emergencies year-round. This year, St. Peters encourages residents to participate in Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 2-6, to learn about severe weather safety including how to prepare for tornadoes, lightning, floods and more. There will be a statewide tornado drill on Tuesday, March 3, at 10 a.m., weather permitting. Everyone is encouraged to participate in this test— whether at home, school or work, it’s important to practice seeking secure, safe shelter from severe weather. Residents are also encouraged to review their severe weather safety plans during Severe Weather Preparedness Week and talk about what path they would take during severe weather. The city of St. Peters will move its normal monthly test of the outdoor warning system in March to coincide with the statewide tornado drill. The city’s Office of Emergency Management will test outdoor sirens on Tuesday, March 3, at 10
a.m. (This test would normally take place at 9 a.m. on the first Monday of the month.) If the tornado drill is cancelled due to weather, the backup date will be March 5, also at 10 a.m. Severe Weather Preparedness Week will focus on the following topics: • Monday - Receiving weather information • Tuesday - Tornado safety • Wednesday - Lightning safety • Thursday - Hail/wind safety • Friday - Flood Safety Learn more about emergency preparedness at the city of St. Peters’ website at www.stpetersmo. net. Click on the “Emergency Notifications Sign Up” link on the left-hand side of the home page to sign up to receive urgent messages from the city of St. Peters. Other useful resources concerning weather emergencies include Missouri Storm Aware at stormaware.mo.gov and the Missouri State Emergency Management at sema.sps.mo.gov.
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What’s Happening
February 26, 2020 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com
Send your event to editor@mycnews.com and we'll print it! EVENTS Feb. 27: Conversations on housing The Social Justice in Action Committee of Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service, in recognition of Black History Month, presents the first of Celebration Room Conversations on Housing at 6 p.m. at Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service in the Celebration Room located at 4116 McClay Road in St. Charles. Molly Metzger, PhD of George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University will be the keynote speaker. The public is invited to attend this presentation to learn and to understand the social and economic issues that have been impacting lives for decades. There will be a Q & A following the presentation. Please RSVP at 636-441-1302, ext. 350. Leave your message. You may also email ffazio@ jacares.org.
Feb. 27-29: Theater production
The Timberland High School Theatre Department will present Michael Frayn’s “Noises Off ” on Feb. 27, 28, and 29 at 7 p.m. This comedy in three acts will be performed by an all-school cast and crew at the Carl E. Reininger Theatre. Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for students when purchased online at Timberlandtheatre.com; tickets are available at the door for $8 for adults and $7 for students. Senior citizens can purchase half price tickets at the door.
Feb. 29: African Cultural Jamboree
An African Cultural Jamboree fundraiser to celebrate diversity and give hope will take place at St. Peters City Hall – Cultural Arts Centre at One St. Peters Centre Blvd. in St. Peters from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is to raise funds for orphan assistance, free health fairs and community assistance in Africa. There will be free multicultural food, music, dancing and a cash bar. For more information call 314393-0630.
March 13: Middle school trivia night
Middle-school students, father your friends for a night of trivia at St. Dominic High School. The event runs from 7 - 9:45 p.m. in the SDHS Fallon Family Center. Proceeds benefit St. Dominic’s performing arts programs. Register online at www.stdominichs.org/ trivia.
March 14: Trivia night
Enjoy an evening of trivia at St. Dominic High School’s 2020 PALS Trivia Night. The doors to St. Dominic’s Fallon Family Center open at 6:30 p.m. and trivia begins at 7 p.m. Proceeds benefit St. Dominic’s performing arts programs. Register online at www.stdominichs.org/trivia.
March 14: Trivia night
St. Charles County Historical Society Trivia Night takes place at St. Peter Catholic Church Parish Center at 3rd and 1st Capitol Drive in St. Charles. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., trivia begins at 7 p.m. Price is $160 for table of eight or $20 per person. Reserve by calling SCCHS at 636-946-9828 or go to www. scchs.org.
March 17: Genealogy program
Focus on Genealogy free program titled “Google Search Secrets Revealed” takes place at the Kathryn Linnemann Library at Elm and Duchesne in St. Charles at 7 p.m. Come see how you can take your genealogical searching to the next level. The presenter is Patti Dickherber. a present member of the St. Charles County Historical Society Board, as well as an active member of several Lineage Societies. The program is free and open to the public. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the library at 636-723-0232 or going to www.youranswerplace.org.
March 21: Quilt social
Spring Fling Quilt Social will be held at Immaculate Conception Parish at Dardenne Prairie. Doors open at 10 a.m. and bingo begins at noon. Lunch is available for purchase.
March 22: Brass concert
For an evening of fun with brass, come see, hear, and enjoy the Saint Louis Brass at Zion Lutheran Church at 3866 Old Hwy 94 in St. Charles at 3 p.m. The Saint Louis Brass will perform a great variety of selections featuring music from their CD “Pops Music of the Americas” and from several other CDs plus their DVD. Tickets may be purchased at the church office prior to the event and at the door on the day of the performance. General admission ticket prices are $10; free admission for children five and under. For more information and directions, log on to www.zionharvester.org or contact Mark Thoelke, Director of Worship and Music at 636-441-7425.
March 26: Dinner theatre
A one-of-a-kind dinner theatre experience will take place as the Crusader Players present “Guys and Dolls.” Dinner is at 5:30 p.m. in the Fallon Family Center, followed by curtain at 7 p.m. in the Amy Dickherber Performing Arts Center. Reservations required. Proceeds benefit St. Dominic’s performing arts programs. Register online at www. stdominichs.org/dinnertheatre.
March 29: Breakfast and blood drive
The Knights of Columbus at St. Robert Bellarmine Church at 1424 First Capitol Drive South in St. Charles will hold an all-you-can-eat breakfast from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Breakfast includes: made to order omelets, pancakes, sausages, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, juice, milk and coffee. Cost for adults is $8, for children six to 11 is $4 and children five and under are free. In addition a blood drive will be held at the same time as the breakfast. Those who donate blood that day will receive a free breakfast. For additional information please call 636-946-6799.
April 4: Bowling fundraiser
The Tri County Advisory Board is holding the 21st annual Crazy Bowl at O’Fallon Bowling Lane at 420 Sonderen St. in O’Fallon. Registration is at 5:30 p.m., bowling begins at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $20 per bowler. For more information call Esther Angelos at 636441-0329 or Melinda Oliver at 636940-3333 x240.
April 4: Trivia night
The Collector Car Trivia Night, hosted by the Archway Oldsmobile Club, will be held at the American Legion 312 at 2500 Raymond Drive in St. Charles. Trivia begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m. Price is $160 per table of eight or $20 per person. Benefiting the St. Louis Honor Flight Program and Animal Welfare, the evening is packed with old car trivia and other facts, plus 50/50 raffle, silent auction, and door prizes, and a prize for the winning team. For more information or to reserve your table, please call 314-825-2980, or email olsonrsa@gmail.com. Make checks payable to the Archway Olds Club, 350 Ashfari Drive, Florissant, MO 63034.
April 16: Gala fundraiser
Boone Center, Inc. (BCI) will hold its 13th Annual Behind the Mask Gala at 6 p.m. The event will be held at Bogey Hills Country Club located at 1120 Country Club Rd. in St. Charles. The black tie optional evening includes a cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner, and live music by Vote for Pedro. Proceeds will benefit the non-profits’ employment facilities and programs for adults with disabilities. Tickets are $150 per person and $1,400 for a table of 10. To purchase tickets, visit https:// one.bidpal.net/bcigala2020/welcome.
ONGOING EVENTS Mondays: Optimist Club meetings
The Wentzville/Lake St. Louis Optimist Club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Wentzville IHOP, 10 Layla Lane, Wentzville, MO.. For more information contact Ed Jurotich at 314560-1868.
Mondays: Take off Pounds Sensibly
Take off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets every Monday from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Weigh-ins begin at 8:30 a.m. We meet at Memorial Hall in Blanchette Park at 1900 Randolph St. in St. Charles. For more information contact Joyce at 636-206-5306.
Mondays: Take off Pounds Sensibly
TOPS meet every Monday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 8945 Veterans Memorial Hwy in O’Fallon. Meetings at 9:30 a.m. with weigh in beginning at 8:30 a.m. For more information please call Linda Wilcox at 636-447-9056.
Mondays: Parent support group
Because I Love You, (BILY), Gateway parent support group meets every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church at 801 First Capitol Dr. in St. Charles. For information and directions, please contact the helpline at 314-993-7550 or email gateway_parent_help@yahoo.com. BILY is a program of self-help for parents of troubled children (all ages). We are not professionals, but parents helping each other. The meetings are free to attend.
Mondays: NAMI St. Louis Connection Recovery Support Group
If you have mental health concerns and need support, please come on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at Friedens United Church of Christ at 1703 Old Highway 94 South in St. Charles.
Mondays: mous
Alcoholics
Anony-
If you want to drink, that’s your business. If you want to stop, we can help. Call Alcoholics Anonymous at 636970-0013.
Mondays: Seasoned eye carvers meeting
Meetings are held from 9 to 11 a.m. at the St. Charles Senior Citizens Center at 1455 Fairgrounds (near the Bass Pro Shop). Visitors are always welcome. For more information visit http:// www.stcharlesareawoodcarvers.com/ or contact Charles Sapp at cwsapp@ charter.net.
Mondays: Choral Arts Singers practice
Choral Arts Singers resume practice on Mondays, at 7 p.m. at Transfiguration Episcopal Church, 1860 Lake St. Louis Blvd. in Lake St. Louis. New singers are welcome. Auditions are not required. See www.concertarts.org.
Mondays: St.Charles County Council of the Blind meetings
Business meetings are held on the first Monday of each month (second Monday in September due to Labor Day) unless otherwise specified. No meetings are held in June, July, or December. Meetings are held in the Community Council Building (Second floor of the Spencer Branch Library) from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. For more information contact Beverly Kaskadden (Treasurer) at 636-561-6947.
Mondays: St. Peters Rotary Club
Noon at St. Peters City Hall, One St. Peters Centre Blvd. www.stpetersrotary.org.
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: Fitness First Exercise Class
9:30-10:30 a.m., American Legion Hall, 504 Luetkenhaus Blvd., Wentzville. 314-369-6521.
Mondays and Thursdays: Bridge
St. Peters Senior Center plays bridge from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday and Thursdays, and would love to have any player, regardless of skill level, to join in. Call Mary Ann at 636-397-0866 if you are interested in playing on Monday or Thursday morning.
Mondays: American Legion Post 388 Meets
Meets the fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at American Legion Hall, 607 Westridge Dr., O’Fallon, 636-2190553.
Mondays: Measurement Mondays:
10 a.m. - 12 noon at the ST. Charles Health Deparment in the Upper Level Conference room. Measurement Mondays is a family-friendly breastfeeding support group. We are open to all moms and moms-to-be who are breastfeeding or interested in breastfeeding. The group is supported by the St Charles County WIC program so there will be information about the program available at each meeting. Each meeting will be a little different than the last. There will be baby weigh-ins, introductions, games, interactive education, group conversation, and even snacks.
www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • February 26, 2020 Mondays and Wednesdays: Tai Chi for arthritis class
Every Monday and Wednesday a Tai Chi for arthritis class, sponsored by the city of St. Charles Parks and Recreation, takes place from 9:15 - 10 a.m. at Webster Park across from the Family Arena. This is a class that is taught nationally to manage arthritis and to prevent falls. For more information call 636-9493372.
Tuesdays: Women’s AA weekly meeting
Candlelighters Women in Recovery meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Dardenne Prairie Presbyterian Church (enter at Adam Lamb pre-School, turn left) at 7400 South Outer 364 at the corner with Bryan Road.
Tuesdays: Cribbage Club
Meets every Tuesday, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. at The Falls Golf Course Clubhouse. Relaxed, friendly play and is open to all. Call 314-779-6892 for more information.
Tuesdays: Seniors group
Please join us on the third Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. for a gathering for senior adults. There will be lunch (no charge), cards and bingo (no charge), community program referrals, occasional health and wellness presentations and clergy available upon request. The event takes place at Church of the Transfiguration at1860 Lake St. Louis Blvd. in Lake Saint Louis. For more information call 636-561-8951.
Tuesdays: Optimist Club meeting
The St. Charles Optimist Club meets Tuesdays at noon at Pio’s Restaurant. For more information contact Jack Ross at 314-287-0569 or jack-ross@att.net.
Tuesdays: Cribbage
Looking for an evening out? Come and play cribbage Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Rookies at 15358 Veterans Memorial Pkwy in Wentzville. Win prizes and awards with semiannual tournaments. ACC sanctioned. For more information contact Dee at 636-233-8032.
Tuesdays: Cottleville Spring Kiwanis Club
Weldon
Cottleville Weldon Spring Kiwanis Club meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. and the third Tuesday of the month at 11 a.m. Both meetings are at Rack House Kitchen Wine Whiskey. New club looking for new members who want to better our community. Contact Christy at 314-583-0538.
Tuesdays: Diabetes support group A diabetes support group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month except November and December from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at 400 Medical Plaza, Suite 102 in Lake St. Louis. A new speaker each month. Questions? Call Amanda Meyer at 636-625-5447.
Tuesdays: Kiwanis Club of St. Charles
12:05 p.m. at Bogey Hills Country Club in St. Charles. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. The group is looking for new members who want to better our community and help its youth. If you are interested in making a positive impact in St. Charles for generations to come, please come for lunch. For more information call 636448-4277. You can also visit http://stcharleskiwanis.com.
Tuesdays: Quilting Guild at the O’Fallon Family YMCA
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our country and share your experience.
N hoping to add G scales. Meetings are on second Tuesdays of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Warrenton Masonic Lodge. For more info call 636-279-5522 or 636-456-0776 or visit our Facebook page.
1-4 p.m. Free. Quilt for local charities. No sewing experience required.
Tuesdays: Toastmasters Meeting
7 p.m. at the Midwest Bank Centre Board Room at 2299 Technology Blvd., O’Fallon, MO 63368. Info: 636-3792505.
Tuesdays: St. Louis Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association Male Caregiver Experience
The group meets on third Tuesday of every month from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Alzheimer’s Chapter Office at 9370 Olive Blvd. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, support, or the Male Caregiver Experience, please call the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 or visit www. alz.org/stl. Registration is requested before the first meeting.
Tuesdays: Social club for widows and widowers
On the first and third Tuesday of each month a social club for widows and widowers meets at 7 p.m. at St. John’s United Church of Christ at Fifth and Jackson Streets in St. Charles. On the first Tuesday there are refreshments and on the third Tuesday there is either a speaker or entertainment. The group also goes to breakfast, lunch and dinner monthly, and has a pot luck dinner each month.
Tuesdays: Monthly veterans coffee
Veterans from all branches of service are invited to the Wentzville Green Lantern Senior Center at 506 S. Linn Ave. in Wentzville on the second Tuesday of each month from 9 – 10:30 a.m. for coffee, pastries and camaraderie. Come meet with fellow veterans who served
Tuesdays: NAMI St. Louis Connection Recovery Support Group
If you have mental health concerns and need support, please come on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Grace United Church of Christ at 8326 Mexico Rd. in St. Peters.
Tuesdays: NAMI St. Louis Family Support Group
If you have a family member or friend who is having mental health concerns there is a support group for you. It meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Grace United Church of Christ at 8326 Mexico Rd. in St. Peters.
Tuesdays: Dardenne Presbyterian Church Basketball 8-9:30 p.m., in the Christian Life Center, 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie. Open to high school and adult men.
Tuesdays: Central Missouri Railroad Association meeting
This unique organization is for railroad modelers, railfans, photographers and railroad retirees with layouts in O, HO,
Tuesdays: Cancer support group
Cancer Companions Support Group is a support group for any cancer patient in treatment or post treatment, their caregiver and their loved ones that meets on the second Tuesday of each month at Dardenne Presbyterian Church at 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie at 7 p.m. in the parlor. Registration is not required.
Tuesdays: Show-me Stitchers Embroiderer’s Guild of America
Meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at the Ladue Chapel. Info: www.showmestitchers.com.
Tuesdays: O’Fallon Garden Club
Meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month at Sunrise Methodist Church, 7116 Twin Chimney Blvd. Info: Barb at 636.978.5930. Club does not meet in August or November.
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Sports
February 26, 2020 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com
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Sports you see with Gary B... Guns ‘N Hoses sets another fund raising record The annual Guns ‘N Hoses event is held on Thanksgiving Eve and is a boxing and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) competition between men and women first responders at the Enterprise Center where proceeds go to the Backstoppers. The money reaches out to the families of fallen first responders to handle expenses. The theme this year was “All In” and the results showed for the fourth straight year that the money raised from the Guns ‘N Hoses boxing event had increased the donation to The Backstoppers. The program has been in existence for 30-plus years with Budweiser Guns N Hoses/Backstoppers starting in 1988. This year the amount that was raised topped $900,000 for the 2019 event. Spectacular! *Never enough Ambush climb to sixth place in standings The St. Louis Ambush play in the South Central division of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) with home games at the Family Arena. The team in on a losing streak dropping three in a row. They have been outscored 29 to 16 in the stretch and need to slow the opposition. Coming up next for the Ambush is a home match against the cross-state Kansas City Comets on Sunday, March 1 at 3:05 p.m. at the Family Arena. For more details go to www.STLAmbush.com *Let’s right the ship UMSL put another mark in history books for the men’s basketball squad The University of Missouri-St. Louis team on the hard court for the first time in program history has recorded 23 wins. The No. 24 ranked Tritons notched the record victory with a 67-49 Great Lakes Valley Conference defeat of Rockhurst recently. Late in the first half, UMSL scored 17 straight points to take a halftime lead 27-19.
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Highlights included: • Senior Jalen Wilkins-McCoy scoring a game-high 16 points off the bench to go with seven rebounds. • Junior Yaakema Rose Jr. adding 14 points, nine rebounds and three assists. • Redshirt senior Jason Towery added 12 points and eight rebounds. UMSL also improved to 14-0 at home after limiting the visiting Hawks to a season-low 33.3 percent shooting. The Tritons’ record is 23-5 overall and 14-4 in conference play. *On a roll Men and women tennis teams at Lindenwood take victories The Lindenwood men’s and women’s tennis teams each picked up a win over Quincy on Saturday in Quincy, Illinois. The men’s team who have won all three contests so far earned a 5-2 victory over the Hawks, while the women’s squad who have won two of three games swept Quincy 7-0. Highlights: • Natalia Cordero led the women’s team as she won by scores of 6-0. • Fernanda Poblete allowed just one point in her two sets combined. • Paula Sostres surrendered just two points in her two set victories. • *uan Pablo Herrera won his match handily, defeating his opponent by scores of 6-0 and 6-2. • Logan Orr went three sets in his match, winning the first set 6-2 and his third set 6-4. • Herrera and Hector Horcajada swept their dual competition 6-0 to help the men’s team to a 5-2 victory. *The court was good to the Lions
Gary Baute, a St. Louis native, may be educated in business but he lives and breathes sports. As a fan or an athlete, Gary is all sports all the time. He hosted a radio sports program on KFNS, emceed the River City Rascals’ inaugural season, and co-hosted SportsRadioSTL.com, and is currently hosting a Health show on 97.1 FM, ‘Prime Time Health’ www. PrimeTimeSTL.com It broadcasts Saturday nights at 8 and Sunday mornings at 9.
www.mycnews.com • Community News • February 26, 2020
Recipe:
A plant-based, dairy-inspired dish
With the rise in popularity of plant-based diets and dishes, combining them with dairy products can create a superfood power couple. For example, the cheddar cheese found in these Vegetarian
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Stuffed Peppers helps optimize nutrient absorption from the rice, black beans, corn and tomatoes to create a nutritious and delicious appetizer or meal.
Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that every row, column and 3-by-3 box includes all the digits 1 through 9.
Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers Ingredients: 6 large sweet bell peppers 1/2 cup diced sweet onion 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half 1 cup frozen corn, thawed 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans plain (drained and rinsed if using canned beans) 2 cups cooked brown rice 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 1/2 cups shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese, divided Directions: Preheat the oven to 350º F. Line a rimmed half sheet pan with non-stick aluminum foil. Slice the tops off of the sweet bell peppers. Use a spoon to scoop the seeds and white membranes from the insides of the peppers. Discard the pepper tops and seeds. Place the peppers onto the prepared half sheet pan; briefly set aside. In a large bowl, stir together the diced onion, cherry tomatoes, corn, black beans, and brown rice until combined. Sprinkle the chili powder,
oregano, salt, and pepper over top before stirring to distribute the seasonings throughout. Fold 1 cup of the Cheddar cheese into the filling, reserving the remaining cheese for later. Stuff the open cavities of the sweet bell peppers tightly with filling, mounding a bit of the filling over the top edge of the peppers. Sprinkle the remaining Cheddar cheese over top of the filling. Bake the stuffed peppers for 30 to 35 minutes or until filling is heated through, the peppers soften, and the exteriors begin to wrinkle. Serve immediately.
Find more recipes that combine the goodness of dairy and plant-based foods at milkmeansmore.org.
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‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ outruns the competition
Movie: By Steve Bryan
Born and raised in South St. Louis, Steve Bryan is now based in Anaheim, California, and has been allowed access to movie and television sets to see actors and directors at work. Though his writing has taken him far from St. Louis, Steve is, at heart, still the same wide-eyed kid who spent countless hours watching classic movies at neighborhood theaters.
Romantic films tend to dominate Valentine’s Day weekend, but a fast-moving, sneaker-wearing hedgehog got all the love this year. The big screen adaptation of the “Sonic the Hedgehog” game took top honors at the box office, beating the Blumhouse version of “Fantasy Island,” Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus in “Downhill” and “The Photograph.” Sonic, who made his video game debut in 1991, is on a mission to stop the evil Dr. Robotnik, played by Jim Carrey. An early trailer for the adaptation was met with scorn; however, prompting director Jeff Fowler to redesign the title character. Video games have been a rich source of movie material, but they were not always as successful as “Sonic.” In 1989, Fred Savage, who was starring on “The Wonder Years,” appeared in “The Wizard,” a film capitalizing on the popularity of video arcades. Savage plays Corey Woods, a young man whose family is falling apart. Corey takes his brother Jimmy, who suffers from PTSD, to a video game competition offering a huge cash prize. Critics and moviegoers were not kind to this film, which was unrealistic and featured child endangerment. Plumbers Mario Mario and Luigi Mario
mances were not up to expectations. Adam Sandler stars as Sam Brenner, a former child video game prodigy who struggles to make a living as an adult. Aliens find a videocassette that was launched into space and shows Sam and other players at a video game competition. Interpreting the footage as a declaration of war, the aliens come to Earth armed with Pac-Man and other video game characters. Sam and his friends are the only ones with the skills to beat the aliens, but Sandler and company couldn’t conquer the box office. Pokémon is one of the most enPhoto courtesy Paramount Pictures during and endearing video game franchises and in 2019, “Detective Pi(Mario is their official surname) are icon- kachu” arrived in theaters. Unlike other adapic video characters who appeared in various tations, the film stayed true to the spirit of the Nintendo games. In 1993, actors Bob Hoskins popular games as well as the animated TV seand John Leguizamo played the title roles in ries. Justice Smith plays Tim Goodman, a for“Super Mario Bros.,” a cinematic adaptation of mer Pokémon trainer who has taken a regular the characters. Viewers and critics were divid- job. Ryan Reynolds lends his voice to the title ed over the film: Siskel and Ebert gave it “two character, an exceptionally smart Pokémon thumbs down,” but the visual effects in “Super detective who was partners with Tim’s preMario Bros.” were nominated for an Academy sumably deceased dad. Award. Almost 30 years later, the film still has More video game adaptations are on the a loyal following. way. Keep a lookout for cinematic versions of 2015’s “Pixels” tried to honor classic 1980’s “Minecraft,” “Uncharted” and others heading arcade games, but the writing and perfor- to theaters over the next few years.
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February 26, 2020 • Community News • www.mycnews.com
Yeggs
John Hanna
CROSSWORD: WOMEN INNOVATORS
‘Yeggs’ is a comic series about Robert and Bill, two rabbits who have opened their own egg franchise in the Midwest (St. Louis area). We follow their day to day lives, watching as they go about the hectic task of preparing for their one big day every year. Along the way they have adventures filled with fun, comic doings and pathos.
Moore On Life There’s trouble in the air. Apparently, we just missed colliding with a ginormous asteroid larger than the tallest manmade structure. It blew past us going 34,000 miles per hour. I wondered what that sudden gust was; it really mussed up my hair. Scientist say it grazed by our planet only a few million miles off, which in the vast universe of things, was a mere monkey’s nose hair away. We dodged mass extinction and a nuclear winter, which is basically your normal nippy winter without the earth around for the snow to land on. Hmm, I think I’ve seen this plot before on the last episode of “Star Wars.” The Dark Force had something to do with it. The asteroid’s name was fittingly: 2002 PZ39. You’ve got to hand it to scientists, when it comes to figuring out the size and speed of distant flying objects they are brilliant, but when it comes to naming things, meh. Personally, I’d choose the name Jeff; a nice solid name for a nice solid object. On to further problems. Just recently the age old air-travel question of whether to recline or not recline was put to the test. A female traveler aboard a flight did what we all do when cramped into one of those coach seats built for undersized hamsters. Typically, as soon as we reach the proper altitude, we’re allowed to increase our real estate space by a roomy two inches and recline. Not only does this un-bunch our knee caps, which are wedged into the seat in front of us, but we can finally exhale and expand our lung capacity at the same time. But apparently we have been wrong all along. The right to our personal Manifest Destiny at 30,000 feet in the air was all a lie because no sooner did our female passenger unhinge and lean
By Cindy Moore
Decline to recline
back then the person behind began knocking aggressively on her seat throughout the remainder of the flight. The lady took more abuse than most people would tolerate in that situation, including me. For starters, I’ve paid big money for that seat which is tricked out with all the latest gadgets: a belt and the ability to tilt--that’s about it. And by darn, nobody better take that away. And if someone did happen to get cheeky and infringe on my only comfort, then I’d promptly open the emergency exit and toss them out onto the next flight available. I think Jeff should still be somewhere in the vicinity. Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder. The opinions expressed in this column are Cindy Moore’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.
ACROSS 1. Cause for September celebration 6. Net holder 9. Island near Java 13. “Pokémon,” e.g. 14. *Alice Paul and Crystal Eastman wrote its first version in 1923, acr. 15. Archeologist’s find 16. Synagogue scroll 17. Bag in Paris 18. “Behind ____ Lines” 19. *Aviation pioneer 21. *She rebelled against sentimental novel 23. Nurses’ org. 24. Deceptive maneuver 25. Director’s cry 28. Snow and cycling helmet manufacturer 30. Low hemoglobin 35. Bryce Canyon state 37. Something to do 39. Lady’s Bella Notte date 40. Puerto ____ 41. Bone hollow 43. Slang for heroin 44. Cake cover 46. ____ and drab 47. Roman robe 48. “Purple People ____,” pl. 50. Defender of skies, acr. 52. Easter lead-in 53. Attention-getting interjection 55. Pres. Truman’s 1947
creation, acr. 57. *She originated the little black dress 60. *”Hidden ____” 64. Knights’ feat of strength 65. *Mary Phelps Jacob patented the 1st modern one 67. Dickens’ Heep 68. Ladies’ fingers 69. Three strikes 70. Actress Rene 71. Crowd-sourced review platform 72. Lilliputian 73. Master of ceremonies DOWN 1. Better than never? 2. a.k.a. midget buffalo 3. 100 cents in Ethiopia 4. D-Day beach 5. Move a picture 6. Breather 7. Investment option, acr. 8. Last European colony in China 9. Crooked 10. Sheltered, nautically 11. Trace or outline 12. Slippery surface 15. Feel indignant about something 20. Indian cuisine dip 22. *Sally Ride was 1st woman in space for this country
24. Speaker’s platform 25. *1st person to win two Nobel Prizes 26. Carthage’s ancient rival 27. Implied 29. *She developed philosophy of Objectivism 31. Formerly, formerly 32. *Home of Wesleyan College, first college chartered to grant degrees for women 33. Insect, postmetamorphosis 34. *Inventor of a newborn screening test 36. Use a whetstone 38. Caitlyn Jenner’s ex 42. Primitive calculators 45. Ulysses and Cary 49. Female 51. *Singular of #60 Across 54. Tennis-affected joint 56. Gold, to a chemist 57. Pepsi rival 58. Fling 59. Rush job notation 60. Inevitable occurrence 61. Reduced instruction set computer 62. Alleviate 63. Old Woman’s home 64. *Jennifer Lawrence played her in eponymous 2015 movie 66. Rivoli in Paris, e.g. SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 7