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August 2015 contents

VOL 12 | NO 8

Departments

Published monthly with newsstand circulation to Wentzville and Lake Saint Louis plus newsstands in O’Fallon, Troy, Lake Sherwood and Augusta.

Around Town Local news and events

What’s The Word? Restoring Wentzville, one home at a time

Always an Adventure The Loop

Moore on Life Go take a hike

Publisher Robert Huneke

Automobile Alley The Chevrolet Trax is a versatile SUV with high-tech add-ons

Editor Mathew DeKinder

Production Manager Rebecca Brockmann

Business Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce

Entertainment Remembering composer James Horner

Food Better bites for back to school

Photo Op O’Fallon’s Heritage & Freedom Fest Parade

Community Calendar: August

Contributors Avalanche, Robin Daniels, David Finkelstein, Tony Mathews, Cindy Moore, Laurie Nobe, Russ Patton, John Zepaltas Photographer Ray Rockwell Staff Writer Brett Auten

features

By John Zepaltas – Communication & Public Relations

For advertising information, please contact us at:

Community News 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366 Ph: 636.379.1775 Fx: 636.379.1632

www.mycnews.com

Copyright 2015 Huneke Publications, Inc. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Crossroads is a trademark of Huneke Publications, Inc. Any published use of Crossroads implying affiliation is strictly prohibited.

Nonprofit Profile WASSI

Missouri’s hidden gem Beautiful Cuivre River State Park has much to offer the outdoor enthusiast By: Brett Auten

Advertiser Profiles Quality time…an Earth odyssey By Russ Patton

Keep your summer spending in check: five tips to try By Robin Daniels

On the Cover: Photo courtesy Cuivre River State Park

AUGUST 2015 | CROSSROADS

Around Town

Free O’Fallon Jammin’ concerts Tuesday nights in Civic Park With weeks of summer still ahead, O’Fallon residents and visitors can enjoy live music, free, at O’Fallon Jammin’ concerts in Civic Park. From 6:30 - 9 p.m. every Tuesday night through August 25, Jammin’ will host a different band, giving patrons a chance to listen or dance to country, rock ‘n roll, R & B, Motown, oldies, pop, swing, big band and jazz. The family-friendly concerts provide hula hoops for kids to play with, and an ADAaccessible playground, walking path and restrooms located near the bandstand. Bring chairs or blankets for lawn seating and purchase a variety of food, beverages, snacks and treats from food trucks and concessionaires. All pets must be leashed and no glass containers are allowed in the park. Here’s the remaining band, food truck and vendor lineup for August: August 4 – Shameless. Food trucks and vendors include Giardina’s Gourmet Dogs & www.stcharlesconventioncenter.com

www.viperrocks.com

CROSSROADS | AUGUST 2015

More, Rendezvous Café &Wine Bar, Missouri Kettle Corn, Yo! Salsa, Steak Louie and Kona Ice. August 11 – Stray Bullet. Food trucks and vendors include Yo! Salsa, Steak Louie, Kona Ice, Giardina’s Gourmet Dogs & More, Rendezvous Café & Wine Bar and Missouri Kettle Corn. August 18 – Butch Wax & the Hollywoods with Theo Peoples. Food trucks and vendors include Steak Louie, Thai Jasmine, Kona Ice, Giardina’s Gourmet Dogs & More, Rendezvous Café & Wine Bar and Missouri Kettle Corn. August 25 – NashVegas. Food trucks and vendors will be announced later this summer. Food trucks are subject to change without notice. For concert and vendor updates visit www.ofallon.mo.us/jammin. For weather alerts call 636-379-5614.

Lindenwood’s J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts announces new season, opening with Tony Bennett Lindenwood University’s J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts announces its 2015-2016 professional season lineup, its seventh season since the $32 million performing arts center opened, with a full slate of legendary performers, led by the timeless Tony Bennett. The Lindenwood Theater Main Stage Season consists of nine touring performances that includes a mix of music, comedy, and theatre. Performances include (in chronological order) Tony Bennett (Sept. 19), The Doobie Brothers (Oct. 10), Natalie Cole (Dec. 12), Frank Sinatra Jr. (Dec. 19), Sinbad (Jan. 30), Michael Bolton (Feb. 11), Stayin’ Alive (March 19), the touring production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (April 7), and Roots and Boots (April 16). Tickets for individual shows will be available online only at LUboxoffice.com July 13 through 26 and at the Scheidegger Center box office, starting 9 a.m. on July 27. The box office is located in Lindenwood’s J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts, at 2300

Tony Bennett.

Submitted photo

West Clay St., just west of First Capitol Drive in St. Charles. “Celebrating some of the most influential artists of our time, the ’15-’16 season has something for everyone,” said Dr. Joe Alsobrook, dean of fine and performing arts at Lindenwood University. “We are thrilled to continue offering an all-star line-up, and we look forward to welcoming another season of sell-out crowds to the incomparable J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts.”

Around Town

Gonwa Law sponsoring summer food drive for Operation Food Search in Wentzville Gonwa Law is supplementing its annual holiday food drive again this year with a summer food drive for Operation Food Search, to help fill local food pantries during the slower summer contribution months. The organization especially needs cereal, macaroni and cheese, and peanut butter and jelly to support children and their families this summer. Gonwa Law, Wentz-

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ville’s personal injury law firm, is located at 2 West Main Street in Wentzville, and has been the official food collection drop-off location for Operation Food Search in Wentzville’s historic downtown district during the past four years. Please stop by Gonwa Law from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays to drop off canned or boxed food items in the blue donation bin in the firm’s front office.

Lake Saint Louis Police Department announces exchange safe zone The Lake Saint Louis Police Department is dedicated to safety and therefore welcomes those who wish to conduct exchanges via Craig’s List or any other Buy/Sell Trade Sites to utilize their location (the City Hall parking lot) at 200 Civic Center Drive in Lake Saint Louis. Please try to avoid Monday and Tuesday evenings (after 4 p.m.) as the parking lot

may be full due to city meetings and court. Note that the police department cannot become involved in civil transactions or disputes and cannot utilize the state computer system to run serial numbers, per state statute. However, any criminal matter should be reported to the department as soon as possible. The department phone number is 636-625-8018.

WSD Board of Education approves hiring of new Timberland High School Principal The Wentzville School District Board of years before being named an administrative Education has approved the hiring of Kyle intern at THS in 2013, and an assistant prinLindquist as Principal of Timberland High cipal last year. Lindquist has coached state School for the 2015-2016 school year. Mr. champions in wrestling and golf at THS, and assisted with both the track Lindquist is currently an and soccer teams. assistant principal at Timberland, and will replace “I am truly honored to conDr. Nathan Hoven who was tinue my tenure at Timberland High School. It has been hired last month as the new a pleasure teaching, coachAssistant Superintendent ing, and being an adminisof Human Resources for the WSD. trator at Timberland,” said Lindquist. “The Timberland Lindquist is a native of St. staff, students, and parents Louis and a graduate of St. have been an important part Charles West High School. of my life. I look forward to He holds a B.A. in Business Photo courtesy Wentzville School District continuing the great tradiEducation from Southeast tions at Timberland and beMissouri State, a Masters in Educational Administration from Linden- ing a part of the Wentzville School District.” wood University, and he is enrolled to be- Mr. Lindquist’s wife Melissa teaches at Dugin working this fall towards an Educational ello Elementary and they have three young children. Doctorate from Maryville University. He taught business at Timberland for nine

www.pcrc-stl.com

Living Word 1/12

www.lwcs.us

AUGUST 2015 | CROSSROADS

What's the Word?

Restoring Wentzville, one home at a time During my research on the history of Wentzville, I have had to drive around downtown to locate many of the historical buildings and homes in the area. As I was driving down Linn Avenue, I came across a beautiful Victorian-era home that caught my eye. The home looks to be maintained, loved and restored. I became curious as to the owners of the home that looked so well maintained. Little did I know the owners of that home had read a previous article of mine in Crossroads magazine and share the same vision I have, which is to restore the downtown area of Wentzville. When I first met Dale and Lisa Covington who live on Linn Avenue in that beautiful, restored Victorian, I became curious as to why they decided to pursue the adventure of rehabbing a historical home? Why not just build a “cookie-cutter” off the parkway? Well, the Covingtons were looking for a Victorian-era home in the 1900-1930 range that they knew they could restore. On New Year’s Day 2012 the Covingtons purchased the house, which was built in 1921, and got to work. A gracious couple, they invited me into their home to look around at the changes they have made. I was impressed. Not only are the Covingtons restoring the home, they are restoring it with vintage fixtures. Old barn wood was used to create custom shutters for the master bedroom and a 1949 cast iron double sink sits in their workshop, ready to be installed as soon as the remodel on the kitchen gets underway. Original floors have been restored, pedestal sinks were installed instead of updating to the newest granite vanity and original light fixtures still remain. I asked the Covingtons about what looked to be a kitchen remodel, which is when they informed me of their newest find. While knocking down a wall in the kitchen, the Covingtons were amazed to find the original exterior of their home, which had been buried behind an addition made to the house before the Covingtons took ownership. I was in awe. Standing there staring at an original wall built in 1921 that had been covered for so long, was fascinating to me. What was more fascinating was the fact that the Covingtons have now changed their plans for a kitchen remodel to include the hidden wall. In addition to the “secret” wall, the Covington’s were made aware of an item that another owner of the home had found. While removing a wall in the living room of the home, a prior owner found a straw hat that had belonged to a builder of the home. The hat is in incredible shape for being dated 1916 - 1918 and sits in the office of the Covingtons as a reminder of the history of their home. It appears that the Covingtons were just as curious about the his-

CROSSROADS | AUGUST 2015

torical home they purchased, as I was. After much research at the St. Charles County Historical Society, the Covingtons learned that their home once belonged to William F. Karrenbrock, a prominent man in the history of Wentzville. William Karrenbrock ran the Karrenbrock Flour Mill, which after the shortage of labor after the Civil War was housed in the original Dula & Carr Tobacco Factory Number One. The Karrenbrock Flour Mill operated out of the tobacco factory until 1936. William Karrenbrock remained a prominent man of Wentzville as he became the president of the Wentzville Bank and remained there until his death in 1952. In 2012 the factory was razed which means the only piece of history that remains for William F. Karrenbrock, is the home that is now owned by the Covington family. I commend you, Dale and Lisa Covington, for not only buying a historical home in the city of Wentzville, but for restoring the home to its true beauty. You could have easily built a new home and went about your merry way, but you didn’t. We need more people like you that have a passion for the remaining pieces of history that Wentzville has to offer. We need more people like you to buy a historical home and invest in our community by returning it to its roots instead of joining the masses and building new. We need people in the community to understand the importance of historical markers placed along the city’s historical homes and buildings, of which the Covingtons are on a mission to make sure happens. Dale and Lisa Covington, we need more people like you! by LAURIE NOBE

Laurie Nobe was born, raised and still resides in St. Charles County. She is rehabbing a house and planning a late summer wedding with her fiancé.

Nonprofit Profile

WASSI mission

is to ensure the best for seniors in the Wentzville area John Zepaltas – Communication & Public Relations WASSI was started in 2006 as a committee set up by the mayor of roads Art Council’ to look at other events and shows for the ART’s Wentzville. With the help of many familiar names, such as Viola Bo- interested folks. land, David Agne, Barbara Sheets, Deborah Bowman, Mary Jo DesThis year, we have already had the Senior Fair & Expo that had a sieux, Lloyd Hackbarth, Ann Hanke, Frank Klaas, Paul Lambi, Ray Un- free lunch that feed over 200 people and provided a day of free ingemach, Bill Vehige, Bill Zollmann, formation, fun, games and prizes Mid East, Mimi Bray, Eileen Cushfor all who attended. There have man and Mary Schaefer and many been fun events for seniors that more, this committee began the include Ladder Ball/Hillbilly Golf work to make Wentzville a great at Twin Oaks at Stone Ridge, bean place for seniors. The committee bag toss contest at Green Gables worked with Lindenwood students Senior Living, billiards tournament to prepare a working strategic plan at Twin Oaks at Stone Ridge. to establish a nonprofit organizaUpcoming events include a shuftion and to determine where it fle board tournament at Green wanted to be in the future. Lantern Wentzville Senior Center, Submitted photos On July 1, 2007 the group filed a golf putting contest at Green 2015 Board of Directors: Leon Tow/President, Jessica Brannan/Vice President, Terri Harrell/Treasurer, incorporation papers with the Carol Rabbitt/ Event Registration, Judy Hinkle/ Special Event Coordinator, Mary Tow/Secretary, John Gables Senior Living, a Bunco parstate of Missouri. The three in- Zepaltas/ Communication & Public Relations ty at Twin Oaks at Stone Ridge, a corporators signing the document baseball outing at the River City were William Zollmann, III, Lloyd Rascals stadium, and the Senior J. Hackbarth, and William Vehige Fall Fun Day with apple pie bake and they became the first Board of off and ice cream social. Directors. Mr. Zollmann III is still inThere are also WASSI fundvolved as attorney for WASSI. The raisers at the Soda Stand at the new board quickly began recruitWentzville Flea Market. We oping members in 2007 and membererate the Wentzville Flea Market ship rose to 50 members in 2008 BBQ stand several times a year to and 2 corporate sponsors, Rotary support Wentzville Senior Center Club and Wentzville Community 2015 Wentzville 4th of July Parade 1st Place Float and riders. Transportation Committee. Club who were very supportive of WASSI works with Wentzville the new organization. WASSI is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. Parks & Recreation Department on the Senior Committee and helps In February 2013 WASSI recruited some new board members serve at their Holiday Spirit Dinner Dance in December. WASSI proand things began to happen. In 2013 WASSI started newsletters, Sr. vided Santa Claus for the Dance and he joined the kids for breakfast Health Fair and Fun Days and participated in more senior activities and lunch with Santa. in the Wentzville area. Our membership rose to 67 members and 4 corporate sponsors for 2013. 2015 is looking even better with 75 members and 19 corporate sponsors. One of our highlights, so far this year, is winning the 1st place trophy for the WASSI float in Wentzville’s 4th of July Parade. We had six organizations that joined together for the theme of “United We Stand and Proudly We Serve”. Year 2015 will be another year of expanding the range of sponsored activities and events for our seniors. The agenda for this year included Come join in volunteering with us to make our a first ever Wentzville ART Show at the Wentzville Community Club. city a great place for seniors. The event was so successful and drew so much attention from the See our website at www.wassi.org Wentzville area and St. Charles County that it spawned the ‘CrossAUGUST 2015 | CROSSROADS

Always An Adventure “The Loop isn’t as hard as a marathon, but it’s much harder than a regular half-marathon,” the race director told me. A little over 15 miles long (25k), the course has 3,000 feet of elevation gain in the first three miles, enough to deter casual fitness joggers from participating. After the initial lung-searing grunt uphill, the course follows a rough 4-wheel-drive road down steep switchbacks. Loose dirt and rocks, creek crossings, wildlife, vehicle traffic from off-road enthusiasts and unpredictable weather add bonus points for extra difficulty. The Loop is a Forest Service road that runs through some spectacular mountain terrain. Beginning at about 7,800 feet in elevation, it climbs above the tree line to 10,800 feet before dropping down again into a high Alpine basin. It’s an old trail, one that was carved out of the rugged mountains by equally-rugged early prospectors and miners toward the end of the 19th century. The town at the bottom of the Loop was established to house and support those hardy souls who hauled the geological bounty from the mountains while the money flowed. The town had electricity before New York City, despite being accessible only by railway or horseback in those early days. These days, while some miners still work at extracting mineral wealth, most of the old mines lie in ruins. Rotting cabins, scrap steel and rusting carts stand as mute testimony to the hustle and bustle of a long-ago mining boom. An old mill house (photo above) and a ghost town sit about three-fourths of the way through the race course. Many of the original cabins in this town site are well-kept, and inhabited for much of the year. An as-

sortment of privately-owned mining claims around the Loop now make for summer and

The Loop

weekend getaway spots for those who reside in more hospitable climes. Having lived near the Loop for many years, I was familiar with the tough terrain. A trip around the Loop took between four and five hours in a well-equipped, off-road 4wd vehicle, operated by a competent driver. Most runners finish the race between three and four hours. A few mutants cover the course around the two-hour mark. My goal was to finish under three hours. The training for the race went well, as I was already in marathon-shape. A cut in mileage, some barbell work, and lots of mountain running drove the adaptation for the legs to handle the steep, rough terrain. More than

once I would run a few miles up and over a local mountain pass, down the other side for a few miles, turn around, and go back up and over. One training run around the Loop gave me a chance to experience the course and enjoy the scenery of early fall without the pressure of trying to achieve a good time and place. Race day was a relatively small affair, as fewer than 100 people decided that running up and over a mountain was a good way to spend a brisk fall morning. A few brave harriers went out fast, only to be humbled by wheezing and walking within the first mile. Slips and falls were common, due to ice and snow and the very loose rocks that made up the road surface. I passed one woman using hiking poles to aid her trek. I overheard her telling another that she recently had her second knee replaced, and she was slower than normal today. Mountain running tends to be hard on the suspension components. I kept one very good local runner in sight, all the way up to the high point above tree-line. I figured if I could keep him in sight, even if a few minutes back, I would end up having a great time. That strategy worked until he began the descent, and his much faster legs took him far out of my sight until after the finish line. Late in the race, during one last short uphill section, I came upon an SUV with Kansas license plates, slowly negotiating a very steep, narrow and difficult section of road. The SUV hugged the right, uphill side of the road, with a sheer drop of several hundred feet to the left, a roiling river far below. Seeing the terrified looks of driver and passengers as I passed, I couldn’t help but call out, “Toto, you‘re not in Kansas anymore.” I finished in the middle of the pack in this race, satisfactorily under my goal time, a little worse for wear. And the carload from Kansas eventually made it safely off the hill. Photo courtesy Avalance. An old mill house that sits along the Loop.

By Avalanche

Avalanche is a functional illiterate who left the St. Louis area three decades ago in search of adventure. He enjoys motorcycling and all things outdoors. He lives with his wife and dogs.

CROSSROADS | AUGUST 2015

Moore On Life

Go take a hike My husband and I like to convince ourselves that we are outdoor enthusiasts. While we enjoy getting out in nature this time of year to stretch our legs on a nice trail, we prefer those trails to be flat, paved in asphalt and lead to an ice cream shop. But it was time to step up our game and be a little more adventurous. We decided to set out on a mildly strenuous mountain hike. The thought of a rustic, rugged adventure sounded intriguing, provided it had comfortable resting benches, Porta Potties at regular intervals, as well as park rangers holding out cups of ice water along the way offering encouraging words and back massages. We had heard rumors about a nice moderate hike that led up to some lovely falls not too far from us. This sounded like just the ticket. We were all in. We each packed a day bag with survival equipment. Mine contained a tube of lip balm, a pack of gum, a granola bar and a bottle of water. My husband took matches, a flare gun, hunting knife, rope, toilet paper, compass, thermal blanket, water purification tablets, emergency whistle, fishing hooks and line, a bottle of water and several cans of tuna. My supplies fit in a snug little fanny pack while his bundle had to be hoisted over his shoulders and strapped around his middle to prevent him from losing balance. We said goodbye to civilization and drove off. We soon located the trailhead and were on our way. After we had put a good distance behind us and were feeling giddy about it, we sat down on a bench to rest and share a granola bar and a bottle of water. “Wow, how far do you think we’ve gone?” I asked trying to catch my breath. My husband wheezed, “I can still see the car in the parking lot, so I’d say maybe half a block.” After a full block of hiking we discovered that the resting benches had vanished along with any signs of Porta Potties. Things were getting pretty grim, but we trudged on. I soon developed a headache from overexposure to the sun. I downed a couple of pills only to discover that I had ingested the water purifications tablets. My husband told me not to panic but to look on the bright side--I could now drink from a contaminated cesspool and not feel the effects. We flagged a hiker over as he made his way down and asked how much further the falls were. He assured us they were just around the bend, but failed to indicate that it was a three-mile long, uphill bend. We decided to take a short cut. Very soon, my husband’s pack became too heavy. He began unloading things along the way then stopped to assess our circumstances. There were no more energy bars and the water was gone, but that did not

discourage him. He gloated, “Good thing I brought these cans of survival tuna or we’d be eating tree bark.” When he realized he had forgotten the can opener, the cans were pitched out along with all the other cumbersome items strewn along the trail. Several miles, or more precisely, several blocks into our hike we became lost. That’s when the hunger pangs took over. We had already polished off the pack of gum and I had just chewed my strawberry lip balm down to the core. Shortly after, I stumbled upon a dandelion – literally – after tripping over a log. Somewhere in the folds of my brain I recalled that they were eatable. Desperation took control as my husband dug out the matches, lit the toilet paper on fire and began roasting the yellow flower. Just when all hope seemed lost, a ranger appeared. He explained that he would not have found us had we not left the trail of tuna cans and fishing line and saw the plume of smoke rising up between the trees. He was extremely helpful in getting us back to our car then promptly fined us for littering and an illegal open flame. We learned a thing or two from our expedition: always stick to the trail – the one that is flat and paved and leads to an ice cream shop. by Cindy Moore

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.

AUGUST 2015 | CROSSROADS

Missouri’s hidden gem Beautiful Cuivre River State Park has much to offer the outdoor enthusiast By Brett Auten

uivre River State Park fancies itself a hidden jewel; the Ozarks without the Ozarks. Established in 1946 and located just east of Troy, the park is 6,400 square miles of Midwest splendor, making it the sixth largest park in the state. Eric Gregory is the park manager. A transplant from southeast Missouri, Gregory has been at the park for just three years but has put together a team that has evolved Cuivre River. “We’ve had our challenges,” Gregory said. “We had a good staff that has helped implement the new things.” The first conundrum they stumbled upon was getting the word out. “I am continually surprised that we have so many visitors who are from St. Charles or South St. Louis and they have not only not been here before, but didn’t even know that we were here,” Gregory said. “I may be biased but I think it’s the prettiest state park.” Most of the land for Cuivre River was originally acquired as a federal recreation demonstration area from 1934 through 1936. Workers from President Franklin Roosevelt’s the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Project Administration built many of the park’s roads, bridges, group camps, a picnic shelter, and some hiking trails. The park was transferred to the state in 1946 and became Cuivre River State Park. Gregory has been instrumental in establishing Cuivre River as a safe haven for families and kids and not the place to raise a ruckus. Along with Gregory, a law enforcement officer lives on site. “This is a family park it’s not for nonsense, it’s not of partying,” Gregory said. “We get so many people in here on a weekend, like 2-3,000; it’s like its own community. Ninety-nine-percent of the people you never have a problem with but there’s always that one-percent.” Within the park are the Big Sugar Creek Wild Area (1,165 acres), the North Woods Wild Area (1,102 acres), and the Lincoln Hills Natural Area (1,782 acres). Many of the structures have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Several trails lead to bluffs that

CROSSROADS | AUGUST 2015

give visitors a view of the river or creek and the surrounding rugged, forested hills. Backpack camping is allowed on Lone Spring, Cuivre River - north loop and Big Sugar Creek trails, which traverse the wild areas. Horses are allowed on the Cuivre River Trail, which is accessed at the equestrian campground and day-use area. Native grasslands and savannas can be explored from the Prairie and Blazing Star trails. While August is a sign that summer is winding down, Gregory and the Cuivre Rivers crew look ahead to September and October. “Consistently, those are two of biggest months when it comes to camping,” he added. Cuivre River has been hampered a tad by the ever-growing rain fall this summer. There are a few access points and boat ramps that are needed to dry out. “It’s a little bit of an inconvenience but we’re making it work,” Gregory said. The park offers two campgrounds, fishing on Sugar Creek, swimming and canoeing on 55-acre Lake Lincoln, and hiking, cycling and horseback riding on a variety of trails. The park’s renowned trails take visitors through prairies and forests of oaks and hickories. There is 42 miles of trails which lends itself well to fitness enthusiasts. Those trails host a number annual marathons have garnered national attention as Outside Magazine named it one of the top 10 trail marathon courses in the country. Cuivre River has been called upon to host many running and triathlon-style events, including a 5 or 10K hill runs. “There has been a lot going on the last three-and-a-half years,” Gregory said. “It makes it the best park in the state.” For more information visit mostateparks.com/park/cuivre-riverstate-park or go to their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CuivreRiverStatePark Above: Photo courtesy Cuivre River State Park On the right: Photos by Ray Rockwell and photos courtesy Cuivre River State Park

AUGUST 2015 | CROSSROADS

The Chevrolet Trax

is a versatile SUV loaded with high-tech add-ons

Competing in the emerging compact/specialty SUV segment for 2015 is the all-newyet-versatile Chevrolet Trax. It’s packed with welcomed technology making it a smart choice for first-time buyers seeking an entry level vehicle at an attractive price point. The base MSRP reflects $20,995 for their LS trim configuration. With its fairly bold outer design it has the traditional and identifiable signature Chevrolet bow-tie badging. The exterior body shape is modern due in part to its rounded corners and pronounced large wheel arches. Trax features four side doors and a fairly large rear cargo lift gate. Window glass gives a feeling of openness. This sport utility vehicle will seat up to five occupants; however, if you feel creative, there are as many as eight different seating and/or cargo-carrying configurations. There is up to 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat folded and 18.7 cubic feet of storage space behind the split-folding rear seatbacks. Some additional standard features include a rigid-rear removable cargo security cover and a storage area under the rear cargo floor. Under the heading of the latest in-car electronics, their notable OnStar system is coupled with 4G built-in rolling Wi-Fi as standard. It provides a mobile hub for drivers and passengers who want to stay connected. Additionally, they offer Trax with Siri Eyes Free operation for many of the newer iPhone’s. It enables voice-controlled connectivity so customers can keep phones stowed while driving therefore keeping focused on the road ahead. Also under the umbrella of the latest technologies, Trax owners have access to the available BringGo navigation app and Sirius XM Satellite Radio. BringGo app supports smartphone-enabled navigation that can be displayed on the MyLink in car touch screen. Regardless of the three available factory trim levels, LS, LT and LTZ, there are lots of included enticements. This includes; air conditioning,

CROSSROADS | AUGUST 2015

17-inch tires and wheels, power operated door locks and windows, power operated outside door mirrors, electric power steering, remote keyless entry system, 10-airbags and a rearview camera system integrated with their seven-inch-diagonal touch screen. All versions are powered by a 1.4L turbocharged engine that’s backed by an efficiency-enhancing six-speed automatic transmission. The engine is rated at 138 horsepower. Trax’s EPA-estimated fuel mileage is 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. All-wheel drive is offered for $1,500 additional, but is this feature really necessary with an entry level/economy SUV? Breaking and steering is more than adequate; however, passing performance is just marginal. Trax receives a five star crash test rating from the NHTSA and has already been sold in 66 global markets since its 2012 introduction. Included is Chevrolet’s Complete Care for two years/24,000 miles (whichever comes first) of scheduled maintenance. It complements the three-year/36,000-mile bumper-tobumper warranty and five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty – whichever comes first. Trax is imported from their manufacturing facility located in Korea. By DAVID FINKELSTEIN

David Finkelstein is a Master/Skill Automotive Service Technician, maintaining that role for over 45 years, coupled with being a shop owner in that time frame as well. He’s also invented a number of garage service tools for mechanics and has served on both National as well as local Automotive Trade Industry Boards. Additionally, he pioneered “Car Talk Radio” over 40 years ago, starting out with KMOX/CBS Radio as well as hosted “Auto Talk” on KFTK/FOX News Radio for some 15-years. David tests and evaluates new vehicles weekly and also does some consulting with various auto manufactures, both import as well as with domestic nameplates.

Advertiser Profiles

Quality time…an Earth odyssey By Russ Patton, owner of Byerly RV Back in the 1940’s Walter Byerly, a cabinetmaker, decided to build house trailers. In 1954 the Warren family purchased a 16’ Byerly trailer. Every summer Carter Carburator would close down for three weeks and the Warren family went on vacation. So began a 25-year odyssey covering 47 states. Hardly a national park or road side monument was missed. Their adventures were documented with hundreds of slides and detailed records of their expenses, like $6.06 for groceries, $3.69 for 10 gallons of gas and overnight camping for $1.50. Years later, Russ Patton, owner of Byerly RV, married Adrienne Warren and they set out across the country with the trailer pulled by a 1954 Studebaker. But that’s another story. RVs have changed and costs have risen, but

all of those beautiful places are still there. And RVing is still the most economical, enjoyable and memorable way to visit them. You are not limited to two “carry-ons.” Instead of peanuts and pop, your refrigerator is filled with food! Legroom, bathroom, bedroom and the chances of being stripped search are minimal, unless you want to be. But the best part is traveling at your own pace with family and friends with all the comforts of home. It’s the journey, not just the destination that is most rewarding. Byerly RV, in Eureka, has an RV for you…to rent or purchase. Visit Byerly and see the original

1954 Byerly RV on display. Check us out on Facebook and at www.byerlyrv.com. Just 15 minutes west of I-270 on I-44 in St. Louis.

Keep your summer spending in check: five tips to try Ah, the sights, sounds and smells of summer! The warmest season of the year is well under way and it has brought increased daylight, more time to do things and more ways to stay active. The only problem is all of this fun costs money. If you’ve looked at your accounts lately, you may have noticed this. We’re not trying to take any fun out of your summer, but rather help you avoid the very “un-fun” reality of missing payments or going further into debt. What you need to keep your summer spending in check is a plan of action. This plan will help you reduce your spending both mentally and in real-life settings. Let’s take a look the five parts of your plan. 1. Get in the right mindset- Anna Newell Jones, author of the “And Then We Saved” blog, paid off $23,600 in debt in 15 months. How? One of her largest motivators was finding fulfillment without spending money. She wrote down three things she was thankful for every day as a way to teach herself to be content and to stop searching for “more” and “better.” Take a page out of Anna’s book and try to focus on the great things you already have. 2. Clear out your mind and your home- Kick off your savings quest with a spring-cleaning session, recommends financial writer Kali Hawlk. Not only will this help you in selling things you don’t need and finding things you forgot you had, but it will also help you re-tune your wants. 3. Try out “no-spends”- Build up your savings account by trying out a few days, weeks, or, if you can, months of no spending. While you may not hit your goal of spending nothing, focusing on spend-

ing less will help. 4. Look for budget-friendly activities- Church camps and activities put on by community organizations are often low in cost, so be on the watch for those. There are also plenty of festivals, outdoor parties and other events during the summer that may cost little or nothing for an evening of family fun. 5. Do more of your own cooking- It’s so easy to “grab a quick bite to eat” somewhere or to take the kids out for dessert on long summer evenings. By Robin Daniels Instead, produce Robin Daniels is Asst VP/ more meals at home. Secondary Market Manager They are generally for Peoples Bank & Trust Co. healthier, in smaller NMLS #408454 portions and more (636) 290-7272 satisfying than $40 www.pbtc.net spent at a restaurant that can be too cold or too loud. There are plenty of activities, entertainment and things to do during the summer that don’t have to drain your budget. Try putting these tips into practice for a great rest of the summer! www.seniorshelpingseniors.com AUGUST 2015 | CROSSROADS

Business

Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce Chamber hosts seven ribbon cutting ceremonies The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce hosted ribbon cutting ceremonies for Overstock Outlet, State Farm Insurance – Lesleh Sprecker, and Oak Pointe of Warrenton, Me Time Studio, Alter’d Décor & More, Pro Detail Motorsports, and Shelter Insurance – Kelly Hill. 1. Overstock Outlet is located at 15378 Veterans Memorial Parkway in Wentzville. They are located directly behind Enterprise Rent a Car. You can contact them at 314-686-0376 or visit them online at www.overstockoutletstlouis.com. 2. State Farm Insurance – Lesleh Sprecker is located at 235 Creekside Office Drive in Wentzville. You can contact them at 636-795-0254 or visit them online at www.statefarm.com. 3. Oak Pointe of Warrenton is located at 700 Forrest Avenue in Warrenton. You can contact them at 636-549-8577 or visit them online at www.oakpointewarrenton.com. 4. Me Time Studio is located at 1155 Wentzville Parkway in Wentzville. You can contact them at 636-856-8006 or visit

them online at www.metimestudio.com. 5. Alter’d Décor & More is located at 1650 Bryan Road in Dardenne Prairie. You can contact them at 636-294-3730 or visit them online at www.alterddecorandmore.com. 6. Pro Detail Motorsports is located at 1675 W. Pearce Blvd. in Wentzville. You can contact them at 636-639-6016 or visit them online at www.prodetailmotorsports.com. 7. Shelter Insurance – Kelly Hill is located at 216 N. Elm St. in Wright City. You can contact them at 636-745-2514 or visit them online at www.shelterinsurance.com. The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce serves Dardenne Prairie, Lake St. Louis, and Wentzville. The chamber is comprised of over 670 members. If you are interested in having a ribbon cutting at your place of business please contact the chamber. To view pictures & video of these recent ribbon cuttings please visit our Chamber Facebook Page. Submitted photos

www.windowworld.com

CROSSROADS | AUGUST 2015

Serving Wentzville, Lake St. Louis, and Dardenne Prairie

We’re your easy button for a business or commercial loan!

You’re Right At Home When You Bank With Us! 4 Convenient LoCations to serve You!

Old Monroe Moscow Mills O’Fallon Wentzville 636-655-5601 636-356-4000 636-980-3585 636-332-4906

www.bankofoldmonroe.com www.bankofoldmonroe.com

7 By tony mathews

Tony Mathews is the President and CEO of the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce For more on any of this information or the chamber in general, please call the chamber office at 636.327.6914 or visit the website www.westernstcharlescountychamber.com. Located at 207 South Linn Avenue in Wentzville.

www.byerlyrv.com AUGUST 2015 | CROSSROADS

Entertainment

Remembering composer

James Horner of ‘Braveheart’ and ‘Titanic’ fame You’ve heard his music many times before even if you can’t always pinpoint exactly the movie it came from. His sudden passing was a huge loss for the film and music world. To honor James Horner and his tremendous musical talents, here are some of the films that highlight his outstanding musical achievements. “ALIENS” (1986) Following his breakout success with “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” and “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock,” Horner received his first Oscar nomination for his score to the sequel of the terrifying “Alien” (1979). “Aliens” is that rare kind of follow-up that more than lives up to its classic predecessor. It’s also the first collaboration between Horner and director James Cameron. The music from “Aliens” has been re-used for future film trailers (particularly the “Bishop’s Countdown” track) to promote scary and thrilling films in years to come. “THE LAND BEFORE TIME” (1988) Horner reteamed with animation director Don Bluth (after “An American Tail”) to score his next film about little dinosaurs separated from their own herds while in search for a lush green land. Horner’s music was a huge part of this film’s success (the same for the latter film) with an emotionally heart-tugging orchestral score complete with a chorus – marking the beginning of one of Horner’s well-known signature arrangements. “FIELD OF DREAMS” (1989) A farmer hearing voices – telling him to build a baseball field – sounds like a crazy idea. However, the serious tone in the Oscar-nominated score in this film lets you know that some serious magic is about to happen. Horner’s work has never been more emotionally chilling – or dreamy – here; be-

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cause how would you feel if you saw the impossible happen in front of your eyes? I personally consider this the perfect score by James Horner. “HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS” (1989) Here we find the composer at his quirkiest and most aggressive – an extremely rare combination in his work. His arrangement here perfectly blends comedy with the epic scale of adventure… in a modest backyard. When we first see the backyard from the shrunken kids’ point of view, Horner’s music thrillingly lets you know we’re in for wild ride. This score is one of Horner’s greatest hidden gems. “SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISCHER” (1993) There’s something about incredibly smart characters that tend to influence Horner to use clever melodies through the keys of the piano. It’s quite possible that this film, about a child prodigy at chess, is the first to begin that beautiful trend. To put it simply, his fantastic work for “Fischer” helped to influence his Oscar-nominated work for “A Beautiful Mind” (2001). “BRAVEHEART” AND “APOLLO 13” (1995) These films were both summer blockbusters that opened just over a month from each other. Both films were Oscar nominated for Best Picture and Original Score making James Horner a double nominee that year. He’s no stranger in creating music about heroes and “Apollo 13” – along with the sound of that solo trumpet leading the London Symphony Orchestra - is a prime example of why he was one of the best. The same goes for “Braveheart”, but in that film

he included the use of uilleann pipes, another famous signature of his work. “TITANIC” (1997) The second collaboration between the composer and James Cameron proved to be the charm. “Titanic” became the highest grossing film of all time (which would later be broken by “Avatar” – Horner and Cameron again). This was Horner at his most iconic – featuring all of his signature arrangements - creating the highest-selling orchestral soundtrack in history to this day. He finally won that Oscar for is achievements. James Horner’s signature sound and rhythmic storytelling will be remembered - and replayed - for generations to come. Here is a list of more great films from the composer you didn’t know or would like to experience again: “Cocoon,” “Willow,” “Glory,” “Patriot Games,” “Sneakers,” “Clear and Present Danger,” “Legends Of The Fall,” “Ransom,” “House Of Sand And Fog,” “Troy,” “Apocalypto,” “The Amazing Spider-Man” and many more. For this year, “Southpaw” (just released on July 24), “Wolf Totem” and “The 33” will be the last films ever to feature James Horner’s music. By Brian GuerRero

Brian Guerrero is a former resident of Los Angeles and a current resident of New York City with extensive experience in front of and behind the camera for film and television.

For the Love of Food

Better bites for back to school There’s plenty of research that shows eating well and school performance are closely linked. Whether you’re fueling up for a busy day or grabbing a snack on the go, keeping nutrition in mind will help the whole family feel good about diving into an exciting new school year. A Smooth Way to Add Fruits & Veggies Today’s nutritional guidelines recommend that children consume at least five servings per day of fresh fruits and vegetables. Yet the reality is many parServings: 6 1/2 dozen cookies Ingredients: 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon Wilton Pure Vanilla Extract 1/2 teaspoon salt Poppy seed, apricot and strawberry pastry filling Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

ents struggle with getting their kids to eat healthier, especially during the school year. The good news is, with very little preparation you can serve healthy, grab-and-go meals that are not only nutrient-rich, they’re vegetarian friendly and delicious. With meals like this, your kids might actually want seconds. Try this quick, refreshing recipe for a breakfast or after school snack option. If you’re feeling inspired, create your own butter lettuce recipe — it might be worth a $1,000. Learn how at www. lettucerecipecontest.com.

Directions: 1. In large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter with electric mixer on medium speed until well combined. Add flour, vanilla and salt; beat until just combined. Divide dough into 2 disks. Wrap with plastic wrap and chill at least 12 hours. 2. Heat oven to 375°F. 3. Working with 1 disk at a time, roll each to 1/8-inch thickness on generously floured surface. Cut cookies

Maguey Sap Glazed Bacon

using 2-inch round cutter. Place on cookie sheet and make indentation in dough with thumb. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon pastry filling into each indentation. 4. Bake 16–18 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool cookies on pan on cooling grid 5 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely on grid. Dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving.

Butter Lettuce Papaya Smoothie

A Sweet Way to Start the Day Start each school day on a sweet note with all-natural sweetener instead of syrup on your pancakes, waffles and other breakfast favorites. Maguey Sap, carefully crafted and brought to you by Villa de Patos, is an unrefined and unprocessed alternative sweetener with unique flavor and tons of versatility in baked goods, marinades, dairy products, beverages and more. Buy a bottle of Maguey Sap, check out additional recipes and learn more at www.villadepatos-us.com. Yield: 8 slices Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes Ingredients: 8 slices hickory smoked bacon 4 tablespoons Maguey Sap Directions: Heat oven to 400°F.

On foil-lined rimmed baking sheet, arrange bacon in single layer (use baking rack for crispier bacon). Bake until fat is rendered and bacon is beginning to brown, about 15-18 minutes.

is browned. Remove from oven and flip each piece using tongs. Brush second side with Maguey Sap. Bake another 3-5 minutes, or until browned.

Remove from oven and brush one side with Maguey Sap. Bake another 3-5 minutes, or until coated side of bacon

Drain away grease and allow bacon to rest 5 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy with your favorite pancakes.

Protein Power for On-the-Go Parents Here’s a quick and healthy low-calorie snack that’ll make parents’ lives a little easier this back-to-school season. It’s rich and tasty with body-fueling protein, fiber and carbs to give you the energy you need, but won’t load you down with sugar. For more information, visit www.bowflexbody.com. Prep time: 12 minutes Total time: 50 minutes Servings: 10-12 truffles Ingredients: Truffles: 1/2 cup plain rolled oats 1/4 cup ground flaxseed meal 1 scoop Bowflex Body French Vanilla shake powder 1 packet Bowflex Body Rich Chocolate Fat Burner+ shake boost 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

2 tablespoons honey 1/4 cup all-natural chunky peanut butter 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 cup cold water 1 teaspoon cinnamon Dash of salt

for 20-30 minutes so mixture can firm up. Remove bowl from refrigerator and form 10-12 small balls. Roll each ball in cocoa powder to lightly coat.

Coating: Unsweetened cocoa powder (about 1/4 cup)

Notes: For easier mixing of peanut butter, warm in microwave for 30 seconds before use. Truffles can be stored in refrigerator for 1 week or in freezer for 1 month.

Directions: Combine all truffle ingredients in mixing bowl and stir well. Place bowl in refrigerator

Nutrition information per serving (1 truffle): 105 calories; 3 g protein; 9 g carbohydrates; 4 g fiber.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles

AUGUST 2015 | CROSSROADS

Photo Op

O’Fallon’s Heritage & Freedom Fest Parade Photographer Ray Rockwell took in America’s birthday with a few thousand of his closest friends at the O’Fallon Heritage & Freedom Fest Parade on July 4. The parade route started at the corner of Main and Third Streets, continuing north on Main Street to Tom Ginnever Avenue, where it turned east, ending at T.R. Hughes Boulevard near the entrance to the festival grounds. Photos By Ray Rockwell

CROSSROADS | AUGUST 2015

Community Calendar

1 - Back to school fair

The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their 3rd Annual Back to School Family Fair from 8 a.m. – Noon at Morning Star Church. Morning Star is located at 1600 Feise Road in Dardenne Prairie. Free school supplies will be given out to children at the event. Each booth will feature a fun activity for children to participate in. You will have the opportunity to learn about great businesses in the area and discover how those businesses can serve your needs. If you are a local business and would like a booth at the fair please contact the chamber at 636-3276914 or visit them online at http:// westernstcharlescountychamber. com. Booths start at only $75. This will be a fun-filled day for families to gather information, coupons and giveaways from local businesses and groups as they prepare to return to school. For more information please call the Chamber Office at 636-3276914 or visit http://westernstcharlescountychamber.com.

2-6 - Vacation bible school

Join us for Everest Vacation Bible School at Wentzville Christian Church on Aug. 2-6 —the coolest week of the summer! VBS will be held 6-8:30 pm, Sunday, Aug. 2 to Thursday, Aug. 6 and is for children 3 years through 5th grade (in the 2015/16 school year). VBS is free and everyone is invited to join us for this fun week! Wentzville Christian Church is located at 1507 Highway Z in Wentzville. For more information,

call the church office at 636-3276622 or go to wentzvillecc.org/VBS.

7 - Relay for Life of Lincoln County

Relay for Life of Lincoln County will be held at Clonts Field Dr off Hwy 47 in Troy starting at 6 p.m. and ending at 2 a.m. The theme is “Through the Decades” and there will be lots of activities, food, booths; all to raise money for the American Cancer Society for the fight against cancer.

7 - Movie in the park

Grab your lawn chairs and blankets and head out to Boulevard Park Amphitheater in Lake Saint Louis to enjoy Movies in the Park. “The Lego Movie” (rated PG) begins at dusk. Approximately 8:30 p.m.

15 - Concert in the park

Come enjoy a night of great music and dancing with Memphis Ride from 7 – 10 p.m. at Boulevard Park in Lake Saint Louis. Feel free to bring your chairs, food and beverages. Glass is prohibited.

18 - Cardboard boat race

Race begins at 7 p.m. at Progress Park Pool, cost is $15. Build your boat from only corrugated cardboard and duct tape, decorate it and hope it survives the race at Progress Park in Wentzville. Two people must be in the boat during the race. All boats must be human-powered (no motors). You must haul away your boat after the event. Fun awards will be given in a variety of categories: Fastest

Boat, Best Decorated, Sinking Ship and Lifeguard’s Choice. Life jackets will be available for use and must be worn while racing your boat. Please call 636-332-9236 to register.

19 – National Aviation Day 21 – Senior Citizens Day 24 - Golf tournament

Morning Star Church is pleased to announce the New Hope Golf Tournament being held at the Winghaven Country Club located at 7777 Winghaven Boulevard. The tournament will be a four-person scramble format, beginning with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The tournament is open to men and women’s teams; all skill levels are welcome to participate. Single players may also register to be placed on a team. Entrance fees are $100 per person, and include 18-hole round at Winghaven Country Club, golf cart, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, and dinner at the conclusion of play. Prizes will be awarded for A, B, and C Flights; Longest Drive (men and women); and Closest to the Pin. Proceeds benefit the New Hope Resource Center and their mission to meet individuals where they are, respond to their needs and walk with them toward self-reliance. Registration and fee deadline is Aug. 17. Hole sponsorships start at $150. To register a team or to sponsor the event, visit the website at www.mscwired.org/golf.

26 – Women’s Equality Day

AUGUST 2015 | CROSSROADS

2139-A Bryan Valley Commercial Dr., Oâ€™Fallon, MO 63366