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November 30, 2016

Fighting cancer in the cage

Local mixed martial arts fighter battles his way back after Hodgkins Lymphoma diagnosis

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By Brett Auten A.J. Siscoe is the epitome of a fighter. The St. Peters resident and budding mixed martial artist was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2015 just before turning 25-years-old. Now 26, Siscoe has clawed and scratched his way back to the cage. This Friday he makes his return to professional MMA on the main card of Shamrock FC 279 at the River City Casino. But just getting to this point was enough to break most. Beginning in the fall of 2014, in a nine-month span, Siscoe competed in the fight capital of the world, then made his pro MMA debut and followed that with a part in one the biggest cards St. Louis had hosted in years. And during that time, a frightening mass was there inside of him, latched onto a lung, feeding off this young fighter with a head full of dreams. Cancer just doesn’t care. A staple at Weldon Spring’s Gracie Humaita and liked well enough to segue through the tribal waters of local gyms and conflicting promotions, Siscoe - a solid prospect with a slick jiu-jitsu game teamed with a blue collar toughness and just general orneriness - went all in on his MMA career in the summer of 2015. He borrowed his girlfriend’s car, jammed it full of clothes and gear and like a wanna-be starlet, aimed southeast in hopes of catching on somewhere and somehow with The Blackzilians – one of the perennial MMA teams in the world in plush Boca Roton, Florida. While there time shifted, reality shattered. It was a harrowing journey from his last amateur fight in Las Vegas in the fall of 2014 to the unknown of Florida, the Bellator cage and then a sterile doctor’s office back in Missouri. “I went to a local doctor down there and he told me I just had allergies,” Siscoe said. “He didn’t listen (with a stethoscope) to me or anything. He was sitting about as far away as you and me are.

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A.J. Siscoe poses with a friend while in the hospital receiving treatment for Hodgkins Lymphoma.

He didn’t even check on me, man. He brushed me off almost like I didn’t matter.” Siscoe was prescribed steroids and he started to improve. He made his way back to training with the Blackzillians, a team full of the upper echelon in the UFC, but he still couldn’t push as hard as normal. One day during a conditioning session, Siscoe had to bow out. This professional athlete couldn’t even run one mile. “I was like, man I gotta go home and figure out what’s going on,” he said. “The next day I packed up my stuff and left at three-four o’clock in the morning.” Full of questions and emotions, Siscoe returned home to St. Charles County and made a doctor’s appointment. “The day after I got back from Florida I remember sitting in the room forever,” Siscoe said. “It was like time wasn’t moving. He walked in and he puts the x-rays up on the screen and you could see the light gray where my lung is and the darker gray on top. He says you see this right here, and he circles it, and I’ll never forget for as long as I live, and he says this is abnormal. I turned around

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to leave. I didn’t know where I was going but I just wanted to get the hell out of there. It was like it wasn’t real. It was the worst day of my life. Part of the day is just so fuzzy that I can’t remember anything and other parts of the day I’ll never forget.” Siscoe couldn’t pinpoint when he started feeling off. He had lost his last See FIGHTING page 2

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Around Town Vol. 18 No. 48

In This Issue... 3 Around Town

Boy Scouts collect food for food drive and more.

6 Healthy Living

Doctor balances practice in St. Charles with nonprofit in Kenya.

7 Special Section

Holiday Shopping Guide

8 School

Francis Howell Central cheerleading squad wins state championship and more.

10 Sports

Local sports with Gary B.

November 30, 2016 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

FIGHTING Continued from cover three fights. “My mass was the size of a dollar bill and on top of my lungs,” he said. “It was literally three-fourths the size of my lung pushing on it. They said it could have been there for a year to six months. When I actually got diagnosed I had a collapsed lung, pneumonia, and a concussion. If I would have known how sick I was I wouldn’t have gone pro. I just hope my fight career is not ruined because I went pro too soon. Being 0-2 is a pretty steep hill.” But Siscoe never wavered. He was determined to return to the sport that is his passion. After months of chemotherapy he was cleared by doctors to resume training and then eventually cleared to fight again.

And on Friday night it becomes a reality. Siscoe will fight at 145-pounds, 10-pounds heavier than his previous fight weight. With all of the emotions surrounding his return he did not want to add to the burden with a tough weight cut. “One thing that I am extremely honored about for this fight was that I was able to sell tickets to some of the nurses that helped me and I will have a couple of cancer patients in the crowd,” Siscoe said. “I’m extremely honored to represent to cancer community with people who are both battling the disease and people who are helping others battle the disease.” For a man who fights other men in a steel cage, Siscoe is not

afraid to wear his emotions on his sleeve. “This is a tough man’s sport where you try to be as hard as you can, tattooed, and smack talking,” he said. “That’s not me. After I did my Shamrock promotional video I was like, man, I sounded so whiny and so boo-hoo. But after watching it I was like, I’m proud of that. I’m proud of everything I came through, everything I accomplished. I have said it over and over and I’ll keep saying it, my story is going to touch some little kid that just got diagnosed with cancer and some doctor is telling him the same (stuff) they told me, that they can’t move one, that they can’t do this and that they can’t do that. I’m here to tell you it doesn’t

Submitted Photo A.J. Siscoe (center) makes his return to professional mixed martial arts on Friday after a battle with cancer. Pictured with Siscoe is coach JW Wright (left) and coach/fellow fighter Andrew Ebers.

matter what a doctor tells you. Fight it and bounce back.”

11 Learn & Play

Featuring recipe and crossword.

12 What’s Happening 14 Classifieds 16 Movie

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is as fantastic as advertised.

City of St. Charles School District receives budget award The City of St. Charles School District is the recipient of the 2016 Meritorious Budget Award from the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International. According ASBO, the Meritorious Budget Award “recognizes excellence in school budget presentation,” and is awarded to districts who successfully complete the Meritorious Budget Award criteria pertaining to fiscal transparency, interdepartmental communication, and clear budget guidelines. “It’s an honor to receive the Meritorious Budget Award, especially in our first year applying for it,” said Dr. Charles Brazeale, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Technology. “It gives us affirmation

that we’re doing right by our taxpayers and community members.” The 2016-17 City of St. Charles School District financial budget was primarily prepared by Budget Specialist Lavenia Draper, with oversight from Dr. Brazeale and Diane Clubb, Director of Accounting. To judge submissions, the ASBO utilizes a committee of professional accountants and government auditors with specific MBA criteria training in the evaluation of presentation and development of school districts’ budgets. The district’s budget can be found by visiting the business department’s webpage at: http://www.stcharlessd.org/Page/288/.

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Around Town

Boy Scouts collect nearly 2.2 million food items during Scouting For Food The holidays will be a little brighter for many families in need throughout the region as the Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America collected 2,195,060 items of food Nov. 19 during the 32nd annual Scouting For Food drive. It is the third-largest collection ever recorded and highest total since 2008 when Scouting For Food collected 2,196,237 food items. That number will only continue to grow as MERS Missouri Goodwill, 2016 Scouting For Food sponsor, accepted canned good donations Nov. 20-26. Over one million bags were distributed throughout the region. Scouts, parents, and volunteers returned Nov. 19 to collect the bags filled with canned and nonperishable food items. Food in the St. Louis area was taken to local firehouses where donations were sorted and boxed. Sunset Transportation provided vehicles, drivers and equipment to transport the boxed food to the St. Louis Area Foodbank. In southeast Missouri and southern Illinois, Scouts delivered donations

Photo courtesy the Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America Boy Scouts in the St. Louis region collected 2,195,060 items of food Nov. 19 during the 32nd annual Scouting For Food drive.

directly to local food pantries. Scouting For Food donations will be distributed to more than 500 food pantries and food banks throughout the region. It will keep shelves stocked for weeks and in some cases months to come providing well over 500,000 meals for those in need. The Nov. 19 food collection

was a combined effort between the Greater St. Louis Area Council and the Lewis and Clark Council headquartered in Belleville, Illinois. The Greater St. Louis Area Council and Lewis and Clark Council will merge to form one unified council effective Jan. 1, 2017. www.MidwestBankCentre.com

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November 30, 2016 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Moore On Life

By Cindy Moore

Leftovers

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The turkey carcass has been plucked to the bone; the wishbone has been snapped and our hope has come true – the election is over! The gravy is long gone, although there’s never enough of it to begin with. The pitcher had been emptied long before I could even drench my dry breast (the turkey’s… don’t even go there!) The soggy green bean casserole swimming in a pool of mushroom soup has been sent home with the relatives, who upon arrival promptly fed it to their pets. The last of the heaping mounds of mashed potatoes have been unglued from the Tupperware bowl and reheated so many times they could be used to cement bricks together. And finally, that wobbling mold of cranberries shaped like the can (which no one took a bite out of) is about to be tossed, but because no one can bring themselves to throw away a perfectly good uneaten gelatin glob, it sits on the counter. My grandmother’s voice reverberates from the grave, “Don’t you know there are starving people in China?” Then an even louder voice echoes, “And I’m not reverberating from the grave…I’m just in the bathroom!” “Sorry grandma, it sounded like you were in a tomb. But, you know those starving people in China won’t eat this either?!” I say. “Don’t you dare throw out those cranberries or you’re out of my will!” I wedge the blobby mess into the back recesses of the fridge.

It’s time to move on. The food, family, fun and friends have left. Now what do we have to look forward to? Oh, if only there were something invented to give all those groceries we consumed time to settle and grow into fatty layers, which are needed for the long winter ahead. If only there was something that would allow mankind to immerse into a state of hibernation and vegetate as the chill winds of winter blow. If only there was something that would allow man to have an excuse not to do anything worthwhile or lift a finger until the first thaw. If only this something also started with the same letter as food, family, fun and friends? Suddenly, I hear from the depths of my husband’s man cave a celebratory, “Touchdown!” Ah yes…football! 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.

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‘Fun Home’ is a riveting production that hooks you with its honesty By Christy Parks

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I went to this new production of “Fun Home” at the Fox Theatre without any preconceived notions and had not done a lot of prior research. I knew that it was about the different stages of a young girl’s life and that much like the title, it looked light-hearted and “fun.” I began to realize that “Fun Home” (winner of five 2015 Tony Awards including Best Musical) was going to go much deeper in to one family’s story. Adapted from Alison Bechdel’s novel, the story is set in three ages of one woman’s life with the adult Alison peering over the shoulder of her former selves. We also get to watch the transparency of her parents through grown-up eyes. This is a fresh musical that hooks you in from the very beginning with its honesty. It is moving and funny while showing all the attributes of truth, love and acceptance. While the overall tone of the show is desolation, there are also infectious moments of joy and laughter. It kept me wanting more and had me engaged throughout the entire production.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 30, 2016

Give Kids A Smile provides over $300,000 in free dental services at its most recent dental clinic The Give Kids A Smile organization is celebrating the success of its 30th consecutive dental clinic. The organization announced that the event, held Oct. 28 and 29 at Saint louis University’s Center for Advanced Dental Education, provided $341,163 worth of free dental care to 386 area children in need. The clinic was made possible thanks to a host of supporters and hundreds of volunteers, which included dentists, dental students, hygienists and hygiene students. The next Give Kids A Smile clinic is set for February of next year. Those eligible can already begin registering by calling 636-397-6453 or visiting www.gkas.org. The children attending the most recent clinic received Xrays, professional cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants, as well as fillings, root canals and oral surgery, as needed. There

was an entertainment area for children to enjoy after they received services, which included face painters, balloon artists, games, a visit from Delta Dental’s Tooth Wizard and a Spanishspeaking Tooth Fairy. Each child also received a dental care kit, a nutritious sack lunch, a book and other prizes. “Once again, it was incredible to see how many children benefitted from the numerous dental services provided at our most recent two-day clinic,” said Joan Allen, executive director of Give Kids A Smile. “Thanks to the generosity of key financial contributors like Delta Dental of Missouri and the Missouri Foundation for Health, and the countless dental professionals who donate their time and talents, we are truly transforming the smiles, and lives, of local children who would otherwise not be able to

avail of this type of care. With 30 consecutive clinics now behind us, we look forward to hosting many, many more.” To register for the February 2017 clinic, call Give Kids A Smile at 636-397-6453 or visit www.gkas.org. The registration process includes the completion of health history and consent forms. Appointments are given on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Submitted photo (From left) Brian Patterson, Karim Allahdina, and Lisa Seim pose for a photo with Jorgan, an eight-year-old from St. Charles, during Give Kids A Smile Fall Clinic.

Gateway Arch tram operations temporarily suspended for system improvements Journey to the Top tram rides at the Gateway Arch will be temporarily suspended beginning Nov. 28 to replace the motor generator sets and upgrade the tram’s electrical system. The Visitor Center, The Arch Store, “Monument to the Dream” documentary film and riverfront via the Arch Grand Staircase will remain available to visitors. Tram rides will resume in spring 2017. “During this time, visitors can experience the Arch in a variety of ways,” says Rhonda Schier, Chief of Museum Services and Interpretation at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. “Inside the Visitor Center, they can learn about the history of the Arch from National Park Service rangers; shop for westward expansion and Arch-related merchandise at The Arch Store; and watch the newly digitized and restored award-winning documentary movie ‘Monument to the Dream’ at no charge, which chronicles the construction of the Gateway Arch.” The Old Courthouse will continue to operate normally and offers museum exhibits as well as interpretive programming. “We encourage everyone to visit the Old Courthouse to view free exhibit galleries focusing on early St. Louis, Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery expedition and the settlement of the Great Plains; restored original courtrooms; and an exhibit focused on Dred and Harriet Scott,” says Schier. “Visitors can also participate in living history events with mock trials in the Old Courthouse’s restored courtrooms.”

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November 30, 2016 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Balancing act Doctor balances his full-time practice in St. Charles and a growing non-profit in Kenya By Taylor Soldner As a child in Lwala, Kenya, Milton Ochieng’, MD, saw the mother of one of his playmates die in labor because there was no hospital nearby. Witnessing that, and the deaths of other villagers who had no access to health care, inspired Dr. Ochieng’ to pursue a medical career and bring health care home to Lwala. Now a gastroenterologist practicing with BJC Medical Group at Progress West Hospital in O’Fallon, he’s done just that. Loss and inspiration Patients who see Dr. Ochieng’ encounter an upbeat, compassionate clinician who listens and engages fully with them. But despite his upbeat demeanor, he has seen a depth of loss that’s hard for many people to imagine. Growing up in rural Kenya, Dr. Ochieng and other Lwala residents had little access to health care. Villagers had to walk miles to the nearest hospital. He saw other village children die from illness because there was no doctor. When a friend’s mother died of complications in labor while being carried to hospital, Dr. Ochieng’ knew that she could have been saved with the right care – had it been avail-

able. From this incident came his drive to be a doctor. “I wanted to become a doctor because I wanted to change things and improve the lives of the community in Lwala,” Dr. Ochieng’ says. The community embraced his goal, raising money to send him to school in the U.S. After graduating from Dartmouth College and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, he came to St. Louis for his internship and residency at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital and did his gastroenterology fellowship at Brown University. He never lost his drive to become a physician and improve access to health care both in Kenya and here in St. Louis. “I still breathe, dream and sleep Lwala,” Dr. Ocheing’ says. “The people of Lwala are the ones who sold their chickens, cows, sheep, and goats to buy my plane ticket to the U.S. The only thing they requested was, ‘Don’t forget about us.’” He never did. From small health clinic to community hospital During his medical education, Dr. Ochieng’ and his brother Fred Ochieng’, now a physician also, developed the Lwala Community Alliance (LCA), a non-

profit organization (http://www. lwalacommunityalliance.org). Through LCA, Dr. Ochieng’ and his brother, along with community partners, medical school mentors and others, raised money to build what started as a small clinic only nine years ago. It has since grown into Lwala Community Hospital. The hospital had 30,574 patient visits in 2015 and delivered 459 babies. Work-life balance This tremendous growth in such a short time is amazing, but the support and drive of Dr. Ochieng’, who is also a full-time gastroenterologist in St. Charles, is really amazing. In addition to fund-raising campaigns and supporting the board, Dr. Ochieng’ is passionate about providing care for his St. Louis-area gastroenterology patients daily. He chose the St. Louis area for many reasons. “St. Louis is special because it’s close to my wife’s family in Illinois and we wanted our children to be close to their grandparents,” Dr. Ochieng’ says. “I also trained at Washington University for my internship and residency, and that’s where I met my wife, so St. Louis is special in that way.” St. Charles drew his young family because it offers a community atmosphere.

Submitted photo Dr. Milton Ochieng’ and his wife, Laura Ochieng’, FNP, and their children Ma’lee (left) and Madeleine (right) all went on the latest trip to Kenya.

“I like St. Charles because the people here are very friendly and there is an opportunity to develop and get yourself into the community,” he says. “It’s a balancing act,” Dr. Ochieng’ says. “I enjoy providing care here in St. Charles as well as supporting Lwala and giving back to other people who are not as fortunate.” Dr. Ochieng’ also visits the Lwala Community Hospital about once a year. Lwala Community Alliance today “It’s amazing to see how far we have come because we were dreaming and wishing that our people could have health care close to home,” Dr. Ochieng’ says. Today, the Lwala Community Alliance is thriving – supporting and expanding the clinic, adding providers and administrators, and turning it into a fully operational community hospital. More patients are coming and more care is provided. Milton Ochieng’, MD, is a member of BJC Medical Group and is affiliated with both Progress West Hospital and Barnes-

Jewish St. Peters Hospital. His practice on Progress West Hospital’s campus is at 20 Progress Point Parkway, Suite 206 in O’Fallon. His secondary location is on the Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital campus at 201 BJC St. Peters Drive, Suite 200 in St. Peters. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 636-344-1073 or schedule online at bjcmedicalgroup.org.

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www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 30, 2016

Around Town

Thoughtful gifts The secret to easy gift-giving When gift-giving has you stumped, turn to what you know: the characteristics and interests that make your recipient unique. A thoughtful gift that shows you recognize and care about the qualities that make your loved one or friend special is a sure winner every time.

the type of gift that suits them best, think about other activities they enjoy. For avid runners and fitness buffs, consider a personalized fitness activity tracker or smart watch. On the hunt for a gift for the music lover in your life? Maybe a portable speaker or pair of new headphones would catch their

eye. If all else fails, a gift certificate to their favorite store is always a good option. When it comes to giving meaningful gifts, focus on personal traits and you’ll quickly transform an empty list into one filled with possibilities for making this holiday season joyful and bright.

For the Adventurer Trying to match the thrills an adventurer finds in his/her outrageous pursuits can be a challenge, but a certificate toward a thrilling experience may just fit the bill. Whizzing through a zip line course or taking the plunge with a sky diving simulator are two ways to feed the need for adrenaline. With more and more cities adding these pseudo-extreme adventures to their local attraction lists, you can easily find an adrenaline-inducing activity that will excite your loved one. Tuck a gift certificate for the experience into a brochure, and if you find yourself intrigued, make the certificate amount good for an adventure for two. For the Creative One For many, adult coloring has become a fun individual or group activity and a creative way to de-stress during the hectic holiday season. As most artists know, the tools you use to create a masterpiece make all the difference, so why not arm your loved ones with the quality tools they need to bring their artwork to life? Help them take their coloring to the next level with the Prismacolor Adult Coloring Kit. Featuring a variety of coloring tools, including professional artist-quality soft core colored pencils, an illustration marker, a premier kneaded eraser, sharpener and a whimsical coloring booklet, this kit has everything adult colorists need. The colored pencils deliver a smooth application, superior blendability, subtle gradation and rich color saturation that will make their coloring pop. For the Techie Whether they’re waiting in line at 5 a.m. for the latest gadget release or scoping out the newest trends in tech, finding presents to gift your techobsessed friends and family is no easy feat. To determine

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School

November 30, 2016 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

FHC cheerleading squad wins state championship

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The Francis Howell Central High School (FHC) Varsity cheerleading squad made history on Nov. 5 as they won the 2016 Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association State Championship in the “small-coed” division. This was the first championship in program history, after finishing in the “final four” in two previous seasons. FHC head coach and cheerleading alumna Michelle Berryman said she is thrilled about the accomplishment. “It feels amazing,” she said. “I’m honestly still in shock. It’s an honor to coach such talented and hardworking athletes that I get to call my cheerleaders.” The season had started off on a very successful note, when the FHC squad won the St. Louis Regional Championship in July. According to Berryman, the team had to endure a lot of injuries and sickness this season, but was able to pull through once regionals started. “What a lot of people don’t know is that if we are missing one person at practice, it’s hard to make it meaningful,” she said. “Nobody can help being sick or injured, but that one person has a specific job and is usually irreplaceable.” In previous years, injuries have caused the team to change big parts of the routines, but this year, Berryman said they were fortunate that they “were able to continuously work on the same routine from regionals to state.” Berryman gave a special shout-out to FHC Assistant Varsity Cheer Coach Erica McDevitt, who choreographed the winning routine all by herself. “It takes countless hours to come up with an original routine that meets all requirements,” Berryman said. “A lot of squads hire someone

Photo courtesy Frances Howell School District The Francis Howell Central High School Varsity cheerleading squad won the 2016 Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association State Championship in the “small-coed” division.

to do this for them; however, we are extremely lucky to have someone so talented on our very own staff. It’s an honor to work with her.” When asked what she is most proud of, Berryman raved about the squad’s attitude. “They continuously had their eye on the prize and didn’t let anything get in the way,” she said. “They cheered on their teammates and made sure they were always giving 110 percent at practices and games. I couldn’t ask for a better group of athletes.” As if winning the state championship title isn’t enough, Jacob Bullock, the only male cheerleader on the FHC squad, also celebrated a personal highlight. “He threw the hardest run tumbling pass out of anyone that competed at state,” Berryman said. Overall, Berryman was proud to say that all the goals the team had set for this year had been achieved. Now that the season is over, Berryman said the entire squad is looking to the future with confidence.

Francis Howell earns meritorious budget award The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) has awarded the Francis Howell School District the Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) for excellence in budget presentation for the 2016–2017 budget year. This is the eleventh consecutive year that the district has been recognized with the MBA. “I am proud to be associated with such an outstanding school district,” said chief operating officer Kevin Supple. “This award is a positive reflection of the commitment by the entire finance department team to continuing to manage the district’s finances and other resources in the most effective and efficient manner.” The MBA promotes and recognizes excellence in school budget presentation and enhances

school business officials’ skills in developing, analyzing and presenting a school system budget. After a rigorous review by professional auditors, the award is conferred only on school districts that have met or exceeded the program’s stringent criteria. The MBA program is sponsored by Voya Financial, a provider of retirement plans for the academic community. “Voya has a long history of supporting the school business profession, and we are honored to recognize this year’s Meritorious Budget Award winners,” said Heather Lavallee, president of Tax-Exempt Markets for Voya Financial.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 30, 2016

FHN student wins state diving championship and Missouri Diver of the Year Practice makes perfect, as the saying goes, and Francis Howell North (FHN) High School’s Peter Lucido is proof of that adage. His dedication to diving and his team just helped him make a splash in Missouri’s diving ranks, where he won the state diving championship, as well as Missouri Diver of the Year honors. “Peter has been undefeated in dual meets for his four years in high school,” said Stephen Kelly, Lucido’s coach. “He has finished fourth, third, and third the three years prior to this year at the state meet.” Those excellent finishes only motivated Lucido to continue improving, so he kept working toward being the best. “I think Peter’s greatest improvement to his diving has been his improvement to ‘rip a dive,’” Kelly said. “That means the ability to enter the water straight, with as little splash as possible.” That merely is a drop of water in a pool of improvements the young man has made over his career at FHN. But it’s his desire to never settle that sets him apart. “I think Peter’s biggest asset has been his dedication to improving,” Kelly said. “He practices four to five hours a day, and sometimes repeats that on Saturdays. Peter does this year round.”

A state championship and Missouri Diver of the Year honors are a welcome reward for Lucido’s hard work. But the cherry on top is a sweeter future. “It has paid off for him,” Kelly said, “because he has a scholarship to dive at (the University of Missouri) next year.” Swimming and diving are great sports that people can continue to participate in through their entire lives, and both are also great character builders. Kelly said, “I feel that independence and developing self-motivation are big characteristics that help swimmers and divers. This is a team program, even though you are competing individually.” Just because you compete one-on-one against other divers doesn’t mean you don’t have a team to work with. Kelly talked about Lucido’s ability to help others on the team. “Peter has been a great teammate,” he said. “He is always on the other end of the pool doing his own thing, but will often come over to visit the swimmers just to socialize and check in on his teammates.” And that can be valuable to coaches and players alike. “Sometimes coaches are caught up with others, and Peter takes time to offer help to younger divers who are less experienced. Peter will be a good team member next year at Mizzou.”

Hispanic Heritage Foundation honors local student

Submitted photo

Francis Howell North senior, Peyton Rives, received a silver award from The Hispanic Heritage Foundation. He was one of 21 award recipients at the Chicago regional Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards ceremony on Nov. 3. As the silver medalist in the engineering category, sponsored by ExxonMobil, Rives was awarded a $2,000 scholarship to support his plans to pursue a degree in Biological Engineering at University of Michigan.

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Sports

November 30, 2016 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Get your event or good news published in Community News: email your information to editor@mycnews.com.

Sports you see with Gary B... UMSL soccer players achieve excellence in the classroom and on the field University of Missouri-St. Louis senior defenders Evan Garrad and Joe Rund have been named to the 2016 CoSIDA Academic All-America Division II Men’s Soccer First Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Garrad owns a 3.98 grade point average in biochemistry/biotechnology, while Rund sports a 4.00 GPA in biology. Both players started all 18 games in the backfield, helping the Tritons to five shutouts and a 10-7-1 record. The duo become the first Academic All-Americans in men’s soccer in school history and are the first players to earn First Team Academic AllAmerica honors since David O’Gorman (men’s tennis) in 1992. UMSL now has 18 Academic AllAmericans in school history. Thirteen of the 33 members of the 2016 CoSIDA Academic All-America NCAA Division II men’s soccer teams have at least a 3.90 GPA, with four student-athletes maintaining a perfect 4.00 GPA. The 11 members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.91. ~~~These are real sports’ mentors

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Home Equity Loans & Lines of Credit: Subject to credit approval. Offer available on applications submitted by 1/15/17 with a minimum loan amount of $10,000 or more. Loan-to-Value (LTV) rules apply. Contact bank for details. Property insurance required. Home Equity Lines of Credit only: Introductory rate of 2.99% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) will be fixed for 12 months. The current rate that would have applied is 4.00% APR. The APR, after the introductory period may vary and will not exceed 20% APR. APR is based upon the rate published in The Wall Street Journal Money Rate table. Prime was 3.50% as of 11/1/16. Special Introductory Rate is only available in Missouri and Illinois.

Very successful Guns ‘N Hoses still going strong after 30 years The BackStoppers will be the recipients of the money raised to support our fallen first responders’ families. The event was very successful with an overflow attending at the Scottrade Center on Thanksgiving Eve. One figure that stands out was the 50/50 raffle where there was over $51,000 collected and a lucky winner walked out with winnings of half that amount. There were 11 boxing matches and four of the recently added mixed martial arts. Local first responder participants included police officers from: O’Fallon, Michael Livia; Wentzville, Anthony Morris; St. Charles, Josh Davis; Overland, Joe Judge and Hazelwood, Ryan Counterman. The lone firefighter from our area was Cody Woolbright from the Cottleville Fire Protection District. The event is one of the largest in the nation. Go to www.STLGunsnHoses.com for all the details. ~~~BackStoppers have the first responders back

Basketball looks good early for Lindenwood The Lindenwood men’s basketball team is off to a 6-2 start to the young 2016-17 season. The Lions won their first three games until they fell to Simon Fraser twice. However, they’ve bounced back with victories over Douglas College, Langara College and Hannibal-LaGrange. Sophomore Chandler Diekvoss leads the team with 14.3 points per game while ranking second with eight rebounds per contest. The Lions return to action on Wednesday at 7 p.m. from Hyland Arena to face Robert Morris of Springfield. For more information, go to www.LindenwoodLions.com ~~~ Thanks to Andrew P. Morris of Lindenwood Sports Information for the information The Ambush soccer team looking for first win The St. Louis Ambush are a professional indoor soccer team that play in the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) with their home games at the Family Arena in St. Charles. In their first two contests the team was unable to walk into the locker room with a win. Their last two games were against a team that has won both of their games, the Chicago Mustangs. Saturday’s contest saw the visiting contenders walk to a 7-4 victory. On Sunday, the Ambush had to travel to the Mustangs’ home field, but with the same result. The Ambush had the lead most of the afternoon; however, the Chicago team scored in overtime to take a 6-5 victory. For more information go to www.STLAmbush. com ~~~The first one will be the sweetest

I will be broadcasting the “STL Health and Wellness LIVE” show every Saturday from 9-11 am on 590 The Fan and 590TheFan.com

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, among many other activities.

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www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 30, 2016

Recipe: Lend a Helping Ham Preparing the perfect ham for all of your holiday guests to share can feel like a lot of pressure, but complementing the main dish with sides, snacks and desserts can help take a bite out of that overwhelming feeling. To help fill out your dinner table this holiday season, start with a crowd-pleasing appetizer like

Learn & Play

SUDOKU: 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.

Bacon and Cheddar Ranch Dip that can ease everyone into the meal. Serve up a tasty side, such as Balsamic Glazed Roasted Root Vegetables, so that the ham doesn’t stand alone. Then, just as dinner’s grasp wears away, treat your guests to White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn Bark as a delightful holiday sendoff.

Bacon and Cheddar Ranch Dip I ngredients: 1 cup ranch dressing chopped bacon, to taste shredded cheddar cheese, to taste assorted dippers Directions: Combine ranch dressing with chopped bacon and shredded cheddar cheese, to taste. Serve immediately with assorted dippers. Variations: To achieve different flavored dips, use any of the following mix-ins in place of bacon and cheddar cheese: Avocado, Basil and Parmesan cheese, Sriracha, Barbecue sauce, Dill pickles, Chili pepper and lime, Shredded chicken and hot sauce, Cilantro and jalapenos, Garden vegetables, Roasted garlic, Caramelized onions and Worcestershire sauce

Balsamic Glazed Roasted Root Vegetables Recipe courtesy of Circulon Gourmet Cookware

Ingredients: 2 onions, quartered 10 cloves garlic, unpeeled 2 cups carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces 1 celery root, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces 2 parsnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces 3 turnips, peeled and cut in half to about 2-inch pieces 1-2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3-inch pieces 1 cup winter squash, peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes

2-3 potatoes, cut into 2-inch quarters 1-2 white or gold beets, peeled and quartered 2 tablespoons olive oil salt pepper 3 sprigs rosemary 3 sprigs thyme sheet pan Glaze: 2 tablespoons oil 3 tablespoons maple syrup 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1/2 teaspoon rosemary

Directions: Heat oven to 425 F. Combine vegetables, olive oil, salt, pepper, rosemary and thyme; toss well. Spread on sheet pan. Cover and bake 40 minutes. Check vegetables and cook another 5 minutes, if needed, or until vegetables are tender but not mushy. Remove rosemary and thyme; add salt and pepper. Combine glaze ingredients and cook 5-10 minutes until thickened. Pour over vegetables before serving; stir to combine.

See solution on page 13

Crossword Puzzle – THEME: HOLIDAY MOVIES ACROSS 1. Group of pupils 6. Fossil fuel 9. Dust arachnid 13. Abdominal muscle, pl. 14. Grass bristle 15. Like a ballerina 16. Deflect 17. *She played wife and mom in 21 Across 18. Lazybones 19. *It happened on 34th Street 21. *Nicholas Cage ‘s “The ____ Man” 23. Wednesday’s child issue? 24. Mouthful, swallowed 25. ____ Francisco 28. ____ Verde National Park 30. Adorn the halls with holly, e.g. 35. Singer Tori 37. Jailbird’s home 39. Tax of one tenth 40. Popular e-reader 41. DNA half 43. Inmate’s weapon 44. Loose-fitting top 46. “____ and sound” 47. Performed alone, pl. 48. Madison Square Garden and STAPLES Center, e.g. 50. Snouts or beaks 52. *”____ Takes a Holiday” with Basil Rathbone (1930) 53. Inoffensive manner 55. Long time 57. *Jim Carrey’s green grump 60. *Holiday movie time traveler 64. Courtroom excuse 65. Bo Peep’s follower 67. Bus commuter 68. Object of Tiny Tim’s affection 69. Corn piece 70. Twig of a willow tree 71. Aquatic snakes 72. Pastrami partner 73. Proceeds DOWN 1. Pack like sardines 2. Denim innovator 3. Maple, to a botanist 4. Scarecrow stuffing 5. “The Goldbergs,” e.g. 6. Arc de Triomphe, e.g.

7. Leave speechless 8. Big mess 9. Between mini and maxi 10. Short for “it will” 11. He plus she 12. “Ever” to a poet 15. Marine gastropod 20. Olden day blood-drawing equipment 22. Priest’s vestment 24. Like a knight in shining armor? 25. *Billy Bob Thorton’s was bad 26. Love, to Napoleon and Josephine 27. Nobody 29. ____ Candies, chocolatier 31. Treat without respect 32. ____ vs. pathos 33. Popular cook-off dish 34. *”Home Alone” main character 36. *Jim Carrey’s was green when he stole

Christmas 38. *It’s wonderful? 42. Three-masted vessel 45. Tabby’s favorite herb 49. Pollen ____ 51. Feeling at a funeral 54. Holiday feeling 56. Hustle and bustle sound 57. Tar to feathers 58. Tiny river 59. Wading bird 60. Dried up 61. Norse deity 62. Turned to the right 63. Makes mistakes 64. Gobbled up 66. *”Jingle All the ____” See answers on page 13

What’s Happening

November 30, 2016 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Send your event to editor@mycnews.com and we'll print it! Dec. 2: Benefit fundraiser

EVENTS Nov. 30 - Dec. 30: O’Fallon Celebration of Lights

Get into the heart of the holidays with a tour of the dazzling, nostalgic and inspiring Celebration of Lights display in Fort Zumwalt Park at 1000 Jessup Drive in O’Fallon. The display

Turning Point Domestic & Sexual Violence Emergency Shelter & Services will host a benefit evening of entertainment. The 90-minute show is at St. Peters Cultural Arts Center in St. Peters. The event features Missouriborn jazz pianist Pat Coil and his trio. He’ll be joined by Steve Houghton on drums and Bob Bowman on bass, both of Kansas City. St. Louis’s Big

cert titled “The Glory – The Wonder” that includes Christmas songs such as “Angels from the Realms of Glory,” “I Wonder as I Wander” and “Jazz Gloria” on Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Zion Church of Christ at 725 Main St. in Troy; Dec. 4 at 4:30 p.m. at Assumption Chapel at 403 N. Main in O’Fallon; and Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. at Grace Community Chapel at 7661 Mexico Rd. in St. Peters. The concerts are free, donations are appreciated. Choral Arts Singers is a nonprofit organization that provides high quality music to the residents of Lincoln, St. Charles and Warren Counties and is incorporated as Concert Arts Association. For more information visit www.concertarts.org.

Dec. 3: Free electronics and appliance recycling event

www.accents-salon.com

is open from Nov. 25 through Dec. 30 (closed Dec. 25), open nightly at 6 p.m. Choose your favorite way to see the sights: cruise through the park with friends or family in your own vehicle or bundle up for a city train ride, a tractor-pulled sleigh-hayride or a ride in a horse-drawn carriage or wagon. No reservations are needed to drive through the lights display, but the specialty rides must be booked at least two weeks in advance. To get the date you want, book soon. Visit www. ofallon.mo.us/celebration-of-lights for hours and costs of the drive-through (which is not available on Mondays or Dec. 13), booking information for specialty rides, etc.

Muddy Dance Company will perform at the top of the evening. Jim Henry is a special guest vocalist, and big band director Jim Widner will emcee the program. Tickets are $25 general admission and $50 for premium seating and an invitation to a champagne and dessert after party with the performers. Purchase tickets at merrylittleevening.bpt.me. Turning Point fundraises for approximately 18 percent of the annual budget. All proceeds from this event go directly to support the mission to protect and stabilize the lives of vulnerable women and children.

Dec. 2, 4 and 11: Choir performances

www.SantasNorthPoleDash.com Choral Arts Singers will present a con-

A free electronics and appliance recycling event takes place from 8 a.m. – noon in the west parking lot at CarShield Field (formerly T.R. Hughes Ballpark) at 900 T.R. Hughes Boulevard in O’Fallon. The drop-off is free and available to all including schools, churches and businesses. Bring almost any item that has an electrical cord or takes a battery, such as household appliances, water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners, microwaves, kitchen appliances, computers, computer monitors (including CRTs), printers, keyboards, laptops, hard drives, scanners, DVDs, cell phones, pagers, fax machines, answering machines, radios, stereos, speakers, VCRs, power tools, lawn and garden equipment (all yard equipment must have gas and oil removed). Please do not bring: smoke detectors, glass lamps, light bulbs, VHS tapes or alkaline batteries. LED/ LCD TVs can be dropped off, free; however, a fee will be charged for each cathode ray tube (CRT) television set.

Dec. 3: Santa party

Santa Claus is scheduled to visit with children across the region during an exclusive Santa party from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Youth Activity Park located at 7801 Highway N in Dardenne Prairie. Children of all ages are invited to join Santa for holiday fun inside the park complex. Guests can bring their own camera to get their photo with Santa, make a festive ornament, decorate a yummy treat, drink hot chocolate and play festive games at the event. Space is limited for this holiday event that cost $10 per child. To make a reservation, visit the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department online at www.stccparks.org or call 636949-7535.

Dec. 3: Parents’ night out

A guided tour of six Louisiana Churches decorated for the holidays. Listen to beautiful music performed at each location

Dardenne Baptist Church, located at 2345 Oak Drive in O’Fallon will host a parents’ night out. Everyone could use time to shop for Christmas or to just go out for a few hours and have a relaxing evening knowing that you children are being taken care of. Everything is free. Just drop you children off at 5 p.m.

Begins at 3 p.m. at the Bethel AME Church located at 6th and Tennessee.

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and register them and meet the many volunteers that will be there to serve your children. Dinner will be served at 6:15 p.m. consisting of Chick-fil-A and pizza. Before and after that time your children will play games, sing songs, do crafts, watch a video, hear a Bible story and have a rehearsal in the sanctuary. Parents can pick up children at 9 p.m. Suggested age of children is three to 12 years old. Please call 636-6252015 if you have any questions.

Dec. 4: Lessons and carols service Zion Lutheran Church and School at 3866 S. Old Highway 94 in St. Charles, invite the public to the 21st Annual Service of Lessons and Carols at 7 p.m. Celebrate the holiday season with scripture and song as performed by over 125 of Zion’s own children and adult choirs, handbell ensembles and instrumentalists. Pre-service music begins at 6:45 p.m. The Service of Lessons and Carols is a format of Christian worship that celebrates the birth of Jesus. For more information and directions, log on to www.zionharvester. org or contact Mark Thoelke, Minister of Music at 636-441-7425.

Dec. 4: Choir performance

The Chancel Choir, Children’s Choirs, and Instrumentalists of Dardenne Presbyterian Church will present Pepper Choplin’s “I Hear the Prophet Callin’ – The Christmas Story from Prophecy to Fulfillment” at 4:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary of Dardenne Presbyterian Church, located at 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie. A dinner will be served after the Cantata for a minimal fee to all those with a reservation. Visit the church office to make your reservations by Nov. 18.

Dec. 4: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony

A Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Walk at 800 Veterans Memorial Parkway in O’Fallon. For more information visit www.ofallon.mo.us/veterans-memorial-walk.

Dec. 4: Christmas House tour

The residents of New Town at St. Charles invite you to tour their homes at the seventh annual New Town at St. Charles Residents’ Christmas House Tour from 1 – 5 p.m. The tour begins at the Town Hall at 3300 Rue Royale where you will have an opportunity to register for a door prize as well as obtain a map directing you to the houses on tour. Tickets, cash only, are $10 and may be purchased at Marsala’s Market in New Town beginning Nov. 14, or at the Town Hall on the day of the tour. Proceeds benefit a local food bank.

Dec. 6: Bone density screening

Bone density screening at Deer Run Library from 4 – 6 p.m.

Dec. 9: Holiday concert

Come to the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre Performing Arts Theatre located at One St. Peters Centre Blvd. in St. Peters at 7 p.m. for a holiday celebration featuring the cabaret-style music of Tim Schall. Carol Schmidt will direct music. Tickets are available by calling 1-800-838-3006 or online at www.brownpapertickets.com. The cost is $12.99 each (plus service fee of 3.5 percent). If any tickets remain, tickets will be available at the door at a cost of $18 each.

Dec. 10: A Day of Play

A Day of Play community event takes place from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the O’Fallon YMCA.

Dec. 10: Breakfast with Santa:

Peace Lutheran Church in Winghaven invites your whole family to their free Breakfast with Santa from 9 - 11:30 a.m. at 9320 Phoenix Village Pkwy. in O’Fallon. Each child will receive a complimentary picture of themselves with Santa and a goody bag. Additional activities include face painting, story

time, crafts and singing. Please RSVP by Dec. 4 to 636-561-8282 or kristi@ peacewinghaven.org.

Dec. 10: Pictures with Santa

Santa will be visiting West Community Credit Union’s O’Fallon location from 9 a.m. to noon. Bring your children by for a free picture with Santa and enjoy snacks, crafts, and more.

Dec. 10: Christmas cookie sale

Fourth Annual Christmas Cookie Sale - Fundraiser for Women’s Missions takes place from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church at 6308 Highway N in St. Charles. Cookies are $8 per pound and can be pre-ordered and/or delivered. For more information visit gracepca.net.

Dec. 10: Vietnam Veterans memorial ceremony

A special ceremony to honor and remember local Vietnam Veterans will be held in Wentzville on at 1 p.m. The ceremony will feature guest speaker and Missouri Vietnam Veteran George D. Newell. The hour-long event will be held at the nation’s first Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which is located in Wentzville at 209 W. Pearce Blvd. The event is sponsored by the city of Wentzville, VFW Post 5327, American Legion Post 323 and the Wentzville McDonalds.

Dec. 11: Christmas musical

Kidz Praize will perform a special Christmas musical entitled, “ The Present is the Future” at Wentzville Christian Church, at 1507 Highway Z, at 6 p.m. The presentation is free and the public is invited to attend. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. For questions or more information, call 636-327-6622 or go to wentzvillecc.org.

Dec. 11: Orchestra concert

St. Charles County Youth Orchestra Winter Concert with special guest vocalist Angel Townsend will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts main stage. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for children ages six18 and five-years-and-under are free. For more information, email sccyo@ sccyo.org, call 636-916-0515 or visit www.sccyo.org.

Dec. 11: Christmas Cantata

Christmas Cantata – Sing We Now of Christmas takes place at St. John UCC at 405 S Fifth St.in St. Charles at 3 p.m. in the church sanctuary. St. John Concert Series will present Howard Helvey’s Sing We Now of Christmas. Cantata performed by St. John Chancel Choir, readers, and orchestra. Tasting party to follow. For more information contact 636-946-0961 or visit www.stjohnucc.org.

Dec. 11-15: Parish mission

Sacred Heart Parish, located at 100 Thompson Dr. in Troy, is hosting a renewal program entitled “Face of the Father’s Mercy” beginning Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. It is being conducted by Fr. George Knab, a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate from Belleville, Illinois, the site of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. The mission continues each evening at 7 p.m., ending Dec. 15 with a Celebration of Mass. For more information call the parish office at 636-528-8219.

Dec. 12-13: The Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll

What’s Happening

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 30, 2016 cel Choir, readers, and orchestra. Tasting party to follow. For more information contact 636-946-0961 or visit www.stjohnucc.org.

Dec. 11-15: Parish mission

Dec. 12-13: The Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll

The Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll will take place Dec. 12 – 13 from 6 –9 p.m. at Fort Zumwalt Park at 1000 Jessup Drive in O’Fallon. See the sights, hear the music and rediscover the magic of the holidays with your family on two special walk-through nights at the Celebration of Lights. Sparkling lights, unique holiday scenes and fireworks over the lake (at 7:25 p.m.) will add wonder and excitement to the night, and you can stop along the way to visit with Santa and shop for handmade gifts, hot cocoa and treats. Cost is $3 for ages three and older and parking is free. No reservations are needed, but you can avoid the line at the gate by pre-purchasing admission wristbands, which will be available Nov. 14 through Dec. 9 at the Parks and Recreation Administration Office at 400 Civic Park Drive, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 13: Holiday concert

Start a great tradition by joining the St. Charles Municipal Band for our fifth annual “Holiday Concert at Scheidegger” at The Lindenwood Theater of the J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts, at 2300 West Clay St. in St. Charles, readily accessible from I-70. There is free parking and easy handicapped access. St. Nicholas will make a special appearance at this free family friendly event. See www.stcharlesband.com and Facebook for more information, or call 636-949-2590 or 314-878-5296. Dec. 22: Healing Christmas service Blue Christmas: A Service of Light Amidst the Darkness takes place at St. John UCC at 405 S Fifth St.in St. Charles at 7 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Not everyone is joyful and cheery for the holiday season. This service will be reflective, accepting where we really are and surrounding each other with healing and hope. For more information contact 636-946-0961 or visit www.stjohnucc.org.

Dec. 17: Food drive

Cornucopia of Care Food Drive takes place now through Dec. 17. Donations of nonperishable food and personal care items will help area food pantries

support local families in need this holiday season. Drop-off sites include O’Fallon City Hall at 100 N. Main and Renaud Spirit Center at 2650 Tri Sports Circle in O’Fallon. Additional locations can be found at www.ofallon. mo.us/volunteer.

Dec. 30: O’Fallon Celebration of Lights

Get into the heart of the holidays with a tour of the dazzling, nostalgic and inspiring Celebration of Lights display in Fort Zumwalt Park at 1000 Jessup Drive in O’Fallon. The display is open from Nov. 25 through Dec. 30 (closed Dec. 25), open nightly at 6 p.m. Choose your favorite way to see the sights: cruise through the park with friends or family in your own vehicle or bundle up for a city train ride, a tractor-pulled sleigh-hayride or a ride in a horse-drawn carriage or wagon. No reservations are needed to drive through the lights display, but the specialty rides must be booked at least two weeks in advance. To get the date you want, book soon. Visit www.ofallon. mo.us/celebration-of-lights for hours and costs of the drive-through (which is not available on Mondays or Dec. 13), booking information for specialty rides, etc.

Dec. 31: Mouse races and dance

The St. Francis of Assisi/Immaculate Conception Parishes are sponsoring The Great Mouse Race/Dance at the St. Francis Memorial Hall in Portage Des Sioux. The doors open at 6 p.m., the Mouse Races start at 7 p.m. and the dance starts at 10:30 p.m. Music will be provided by Waarp-D. Beer and setups are included. Cost is $25 per person, must be 21 to attend. For tickets call Gail Dreyer at 314-623-3299, the Parish House at 636-899-0907 or any of the Parish Council Members.

Dec. 31: Bingo

The Men’s Club of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, located at 1424 South First Capitol Dr. in St. Charles, will host a New Year’s Eve Bingo in the Parish Hall. Doors open at 4 p.m., bingo starts at 6:45 p.m. $3,600 in prizes will be given away. Numerous door prizes will be provided to lucky players. The concession stand will be open for food and beverage purchases. (Do not bring crockpots or electric appliances please.)

with layouts in O, HO, N hoping to add G scales. Meetings are on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. and Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. For more info call 636-2795522 or 636-456-0776.

SUDOKU answers from page 11

CROSSWORD answers from page 11

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 Blanchette Park at 1900 Randolph Street in St. Charles. For more information contact Grace at 636-9464687.

Mondays: Take Off Pounds Sensibly

TOPS meet every Monday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 8945 Veterans Memorial Highway in O’Fallon. Meetings at 9:30 a.m. with weigh in beginning at 8:30 a.m. For more information please all Linda Wilcox at 636-447-9056.

1st Monday: Gardeners of St. Charles County Monthly Meeting

6:30pm. Location varies. 314.304.7480.

1st Monday: 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 (2nd floor of the Spencer Branch Library) from 6:30 - 9 p.m. For more information contact Beverly Kaskadden (President) at 636561-6947.

2nd Monday: Winghaven Civil War Round Table

6:30pm, Midwest BankCentre board room, 2299 Technology Dr. O’Fallon. For more informaiton call Mike at 314.276.5018.

4th Monday: American Legion Post 388 Meets

6:30 pm at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 8945 Vets. Mem. Pkwy. 636.219.0553.

www.schuster.com

Every Monday: St. Peters Rotary Club Noon at St. Peters City Hall, One St. Peters Centre Blvd. www.stpetersrotary.org.

Every Monday: Seasoned Eye Carvers Meeting

ONGOING EVENTS Sundays and Tuesdays: Central Missouri Railroad Association meeting

The Central Missouri Railroad Association meets at Suite 20 in the Warrenton Outlet Mall. This unique organization is for railroad modelers, railfans, photographers and railroad retirees

The Seasoned Eye Carvers meet every Monday from 9am to noon at the St. Charles Senior Citizens Center, 1455 Fairgrounds (near the Bass Pro Shop). Visitors are always welcome! For more information check the club web site: www.stcharlesareawoodcarvers.com/ or contact Charles Sapp.

December 3rd, 6-9 pm

Hwy 40 Brews 909 Main Plaza Dr., Wentzville, MO 633385 BrrrBASH Toy Drop Locations 63301

Main Street Salon Missouri Motors Midtowne Market Streetscape Magazine Cool Touch Graphics Marie Angelique Bra & Lingerie

63304

La Chata Rack House West Bisco Music

63107

West County Day School

63390

Kelly Hill Shelter Insurance

63366/63368

Ultimate Fitness for Women Dynamic Life Chiropractic O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce Chiropractic Wellness Center The Wharf Pharmacy Accents Salon

63376

St. Peters City Hall St. Peters Law Enforcement Center KSLQ Cardinal Dental

63385

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Little Black Book: Connect. Promote. Share. Give. Become.

November 30, 2016 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

HELP WANTED

NOVENA

SERVICES

PRAYER TO ST. JUDE

PET CEMETERY

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world, now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pray for us. St. Jude, Worker of Miracles, Pray for us. St. Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, Pray for us.

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Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days, then publish. Your prayers will be answered. It has never been known to fail.

P.S. Thank you St. Jude, R.H.

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www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 30, 2016

LIEN SALE

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November 30, 2016 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Movie

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”

By Steve Bryan

‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ is as fantastic as advertised J.K. Rowling is a writer who doesn’t waste a single word. Throughout the “Harry Potter” series, Rowling included details and places that seemed like throwaway references but later became important plot points. Wand lore and the fact that wands choose their wizards, for instance, helped defeat Lord Voldemort in the final novel. “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” the top box office draw in its opening weekend, started out as a simple reference in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” The title refers to one of Potter’s textbooks when he was studying at Hogwarts. In 2001, Rowling wrote the textbook under the pseudonym “Newt Scamander,” with a large portion of the proceeds from sales going to charity. In the film adaptation, Eddie Redmayne plays the globe-trotting “magizoologist,” who lands in New York for what should have been a brief time. His encounter with Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler) leads to his magical creatures escaping into the city. Newt and Jacob, classified a “no-maj” due to his lack of powers, do their best to round them up. In many ways, “Fantastic Beasts” answers several questions about the wizarding world created by Rowling. Gellert Grindelwald, an infamous dark wizard, plays a huge part in this story and the planned sequels. In the “Harry Potter” books, Grindelwald and Albus Dumbledore were friends who sought the Deathly Hallows, three objects that could make someone the “Master of Death.” Eddie Redmayne plays Newt Scamander as a somewhat offbeat wizard who passionately loves his magical creatures. Tina

(Katherine Waterston), a disgraced American auror, doesn’t quite know what to make of this wizard, but she learns he is a decent and sincere person. Tina allies herself with Newt and Jacob to round up the creatures. As a friend, none come better than Jacob Kowlalski. As played by Dan Fogler, Jacob learns to roll with the challenges of the wizarding world as they come at him hard and fast. Jacob also develops a very sweet relationship with Queenie (Alison Sudol), Tina’s sister who can “read” a person’s history by looking at them. For those who devoured the seven original novels and related books, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is a wonderful continuation of the series. J.K. Rowling is an excellent author, skillfully tying Harry Potter’s story to Newt’s. It’s a more mature film that the previous movies, but one that is certainly satisfying and intriguing. “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” rated PG-13 for some fantasy action violence, currently is playing in theaters. Photos courtesy (top to bottom) “Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them’, Warner Bros.; “The Edge of Seventeen”, Gracie Films; “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk”, Bona Film Group; “War Dogs”, Green Hat Films; “Moana”, Walt Disney; “Bleed for This”, Verdi Productions; 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.

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