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Our Town Volume 11 | Number 5 May 2020 Published by the Community News, Our Town is a monthly news magazine covering the cities of Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, and Olivette. Circulation is 7,000 monthly through over 105 monitored newsstands guaranteeing 100% pickup. Additional issues are distributed online, and a free online subscription is available at www.mycnews. com
N THIS SSUE Around Town New report: St. Louis air quality worsened for ozone and more.
Feature PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Mathew DeKinder PUBLISHER EMERITUS/ GENERAL MANAGER Bob Huneke PRODUCTION Becky Brockmann Melissa Nordmann CONTRIBUTORS Avalanche, David Finkelstein, Cindy Moore STAFF WRITERS Brett Auten Charlotte Beard
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Social distancing in the great outdoors Visiting parks and exercising outside requires extra precautions in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic By Charlotte Beard
Our Thoughts Moore on Life author Cindy Moore is sheltering in place while Avalanche looks at social distancing in the mountains.
Lifestyle 2020 Dodge Durango mixes power and style in Automobile Alley. Looking back at some classic TV shows that made it to the big screen in Entertainment. A menu fit for family mornings in For the Love of Food.
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In Depth St. Louis Crisis Nursery continues to provide family support services and emergency respite care for children during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Events Calendar
Staff Writer – Charlotte Beard Cover Photo – Bigstock
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The gift of life Blood center to collect plasma to help treat patients with COVID-19 infection Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center (MVRBC) will collect plasma donations from patients who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection to help newly diagnosed patients fight the disease. The treatment, known as convalescent plasma therapy, requires plasma provided by donors who have recently recovered from a COVID-19 infection. These donors will have antibodies to help fight CO-
VID-19. The treatment has been used in recent years to treat victims of Ebola, SARS, and H1N1 influenza. “Our teams have moved quickly to develop processes and protocol to provide convalescent plasma for the hospitals we serve,” said Mike Parejko, Chief Executive Officer. “While this treatment is not a cure, it might help alleviate the symptoms patients experience with COVID-19. If we can help take a patient off a ventilator or get them out of the hospital, it will help patients return to good health and free up precious resources when they are needed most.” To provide convalescent plasma, donors must be fully recovered from their COVID-19 infection and must meet all standard eligibility criteria for blood donation. Plasma will only be collected from donors
with laboratory-confirmed tests showing they had a COVID-19 infection and must be at least 28 days from the last date they experienced symptoms. Each donor must be referred to the blood center by their physician or care provider, who must provide certain information to qualify the donor. A donor must meet standard criteria for donor eligibility. Donors will be scheduled for a plasma donation at an MVRBC Donor Center. Potential donors are asked to contact their physician to make a referral as a COVID-19 convalescent plasma donor. Physicians wishing to refer patients for donation should use the referral form available at www.bloodcenter. org. For additional information, potential donors or physicians may send inquiries to patientservices@mvrbc.org.
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Local theater companies join forces to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic presents a multitude of obstacles to overcome for organizations of all types, and theater groups are no exception. Sharon Hunter, Artistic Director-Producer of Moonstone Theatre Company, aims to help address some of the virus-related challenges that the St. Louis theatre community faces by forming the St. Louis Theatre Community Task Force. “As I was thinking about how to proceed with my own company in the wake of the pandemic, I started thinking it would be helpful to get a lot of the theaters to sit down via Zoom and discuss concerns, ideas and solutions for moving forward as we navigate the future of theatre in St. Louis,” Hunter explains. The task force will address concerns including conducting safe auditions, rehearsals and performances, finding new ways to seat audiences, maintaining the visibility of the St. Louis theatre community, new ways to offer theatre experiences and recommendations for the use of personal protective equipment. Hunter said the task force, which is the first of its kind in the St. Louis area, welcomes local theatre groups of all sizes. In addition
to these organizations, representatives from the St. Louis County Department of Health and the Center For Disease Control have also been invited to the first online meeting to address questions and concerns. Theatre companies invited to participate include R-S Theatrics, The Q Collective, The Midnight Company, Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble, Upstream Theater, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, COCA, Shakespeare Festival STL, Black Rep, Stray Dog Theatre, Stages St. Louis, St. Louis Actors’ Studio, The Muny, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, New Jewish Theatre, Cherokee Street Theatre, The Cabaret Project of St. Louis, Max & Louie Productions, Black Mirror Theatre, Young Liars, West End Theatre Guild, Tennessee Williams Festival, New Line Theatre, ERA Theatre Company, STL Fringe Festival, Shakespeare Festival STL, Metro Theatre Company and the Tesseract Theatre Company. Theatre groups interested in interested in participating should contact Hunter at moonstonetheatrestl@gmail.com. For more info, check their Facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/STLTheatre/.
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A healthy partnership
SUBMITTTED PHOTO
Epworth Children & Family Services to partner with NAACP St. Louis County
Pictured is a recent photo of volunteers and staff at the Normandy Drop-In Center creating meals for the Epworth community.
Epworth Children & Family Services – a nonprofit that helps children, youth, and families move toward self-sufficiency by focusing on health, housing, education, and employment – recently entered a partnership with the NAACP St. Louis County. Epworth will receive more than 1,000 meals on a weekly basis from the NAACP St. Louis County as part of its new food distribution program during the current pandemic. The first meal delivery took place on April 24 at 10 a.m. at Epworth’s Normandy campus, the Carleen Goddard Mazur Drop-In Center located at 7520 Natural Bridge Rd. The donated meals included pre-packaged lunches filled with sandwiches, snacks, fruit and a healthy beverage. “We are extremely happy to partner with the NAACP St. Louis County Branch,” said Epworth President and CEO Dr. Michael Panicola. “Epworth has been meeting the needs of at-risk and inneed children, youth and families since 1864, and we are more than pleased to continue this important work during these very difficult times.”
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MAY 2020 | OUR TOWN | 5
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Answering the call STLCC student weathers storm of COVID-19; embarks on nursing career to do those things on my own.” Karen Mayes, professor in nursing who also serves as STLCC’s director of nursing education, said she knew Herron had a heart for making a difference from the first time the two met. “She genuinely wants to help others, whether it be through her service as the Florissant Valley Student Nurse Association president, her many communications of support to the students, and through Richelle Herron will graduate with an associate heart-to-heart thoughtful degree in nursing from St. Louis Community College conversations with fac- in May. Her life was turned upside down in midulty and administrators March when COVID-19 attacked her family. on how to improve the educational process,” Mayes said. “Her intellect, wisdom, smile and enthusiasm provide motivation to those around her. Now, as someone who has survived being a COVID-19 patient, she will have a new outlook and be better able to provide empathetic care to her patients as she soon enters the nursing profession.” Herron will join the staff of Mercy Hospital St. Louis. The Spanish Lake resident, who will celebrate her 11th wedding anniversary on July 4, is ready to embark on a mission to defeat not only this pandemic, but also whatever challenges are thrown at her profession in the future. “I hear a lot of people say that nursing is a job that they admire, but they just don’t have the stomach or the nerves for,” Herron said. “They ask why anyone would willingly jump into such a dangerous and sometimes ‘thankless’ profession. I am eagerly anticipating the completion of our degree so that we can all get out there and join this fight. It is truly one that we have been trained for and one that we can win.” SUBMITTED PHOTO
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our lives, Richelle Herron has a renewed sense of purpose. Herron, 38, will graduate with an associate degree in nursing from St. Louis Community College in May. Her life was turned upside down in mid-March when COVID-19 attacked her family. The virus claimed the life of her beloved grandmother, Josie Lee Everett. Herron and her husband, Carl, as well as Herron’s mother, Carolyn Wallace, all were infected and required hospitalization. They all have been discharged and continue to recover. The death of her grandmother, herself a nurse for 50 years, has been particularly painful. “I deal with grief on a daily basis because my grandmother and I were closer than close,” Herron said. “She was my grandmother, sister, best friend, mentor, everything. She raised me when I was a newborn while my mother was in the military. We have a bond that death cannot break, but it is indescribably difficult to be outside of her presence right now, especially with my completion of school. I wanted her to be the one to pin me at our pinning ceremony. Not only is that impossible now, but there will not be a pinning due to the social distancing issues.” Herron credits her faith, resolve to excel in whatever she commits herself to do, and a strong sense of purpose in leadership as elements that push her through this emotional and physical storm. “Nursing is in my DNA,” said Herron, whose mother also has been a nurse for more than 25 years. “I am a caring, nurturing and intuitive person. I have a background in customer service, but I’ve always been interested in helping and understanding others, medicine and how to best make an impact on the world that will last when I leave.” With graduation on the horizon, Herron is well prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. “Having been a COVID-19 patient, experiencing the fear of the unknown, the psychological toll of isolation and the pain of familial loss from this pandemic, I know that the healthcare professionals – but mainly the nurses who took care of me and my family – made and continue to make the difference,” Herron said. “Personally, nurses were my point of contact. They had the most personal contact with me, gave me medicine, brought me my food, and helped me move around my room when I was too weak
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Breathing trouble New report: St. Louis air quality worsened for ozone The American Lung Association’s 2020 “State of the Air” report found that St. Louis has earned poorer rankings for the nation’s most widespread air pollutants – ozone and particle pollution – both of which can be deadly. The Lung Association’s annual air quality “report card” tracks Americans’ exposure to unhealthful levels of particle pollution and ozone during a three-year period. Once again, the report found that nearly half of all Americans were exposed to unhealthy air. “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Clean Air Act, which has been responsible for dramatic improvements in air quality. However, St. Louis residents are breathing more unhealthy air compared to last year’s report, placing our health and lives at risk said American Lung Association’s Susannah Fuchs, Director, Air Quality. ”Furthermore, with nearly half of Americans breathing unhealthy air, our ‘State of the Air’ report shows the nation has much more work to do when it comes to air pollution and public health.” Each year the “State of the Air” provides a report card on the two most widespread outdoor air pollutants, ozone pollution, also known as smog, and particle pollution, also called soot. The report analyzes particle pollution in two ways: through average annual particle pollution levels and short-term spikes in particle pollution. Both ozone and particle pollution are dangerous to public health and can increase the risk of premature death and other serious health effects such as asthma attacks, cardiovascular damage and developmental and reproductive harm. Particle pollution can also cause lung cancer, and new research links air pollution to the development of serious diseases, such as asthma and dementia. This year’s report covers 2016, 2017 and 2018, the years with the most recent quality-assured data available collected by states, cities, counties, tribes and federal agencies. Notably, those three years were among the five hottest recorded in global history. Rising temperatures lead to increased levels of ozone pollution. Changing climate patterns also fuel wildfires and their dangerous smoke, which increase particle pollution. Ozone and particle pollution threaten everyone, especially children, older adults and people living with a lung disease. Although this report does not cover data from 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of air pollution on lung health is of heightened concern. Learn more about that at Lung.org/covid-19.
Particle Pollution in St Louis
“State of the Air” 2020 found that year-round particle pollution levels in St. Louis slightly higher than in last year’s report. “Particle pollution can lodge deep in the lungs and can even enter the bloodstream. It can trigger asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes and cause lung cancer,” said Fuchs. Particle pollution comes from coal-fired power plants, diesel emissions, wildfires and wood-burning devices. “We all have the right to breathe clean, healthy air. The 50th anniversary of the Clean Air Act serves as a critical reminder that Americans breathe healthier air today because of this landmark law,” said Fuchs. “At the same time, this year’s report shows that we must continue to work for clean air – and especially to safeguard our most vulnerable community members.” While this year’s report examined data from 2016-2018, it also provides air pollution trends back to the first report. Learn more about our city’s rankings, as well as air quality across the state and region and the nation, in the 2020 “State of the Air” report at Lung. org/sota.
Ozone Pollution in Metro St. Louis
Compared to the 2019 report, St Louis experienced more unhealthy days of high ozone in this year’s report. “Ozone pollution can harm even healthy people, but is particularly dangerous for children, older adults and people with lung diseases like COPD or asthma,” said Fuchs. “Breathing ozonepolluted air can trigger asthma attacks in both adults and children with asthma, which can land them in the doctor’s office or the emergency room. Ozone can even shorten people’s lives.” This report documents that warmer temperatures brought by climate change are making ozone more likely to form and harder to clean up. Significantly more people nationally suffered unhealthy ozone pollution in the 2020 report than in the last three “State of the Air” reports.
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Mental health in a time of crisis Local groups are rising to meet the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic to mental health in the community BY CHARLOTTE BEARD Behavioral Health Response (BHR) services for mental health has experienced a surge of calls for help due to this COVID-19 crisis. The community has long witnessed the impact of COVID-19 in how various sectors of the community are temporarily interacting with the public whether in the food industry, education, or emergency response. However, there has been somewhat limited response until recently in how the crisis impacts mental health. The Saint Louis Mental Health Board (MHB) has provided aid to help ensure local mental health agencies have what they need to serve those in mental crisis. According to Executive Director, Jama Dodson, the board recently approved $500,000 of additional emergency funding to more than 35 mental health organizations for the purpose of increasing resources or transitioning from in-person service to virtual service provisions. “A lot of folks were not prepared to do that,” stated Dodson, “so they needed the equipment, the software, or (other technology) to be able to provide their services online to the clients that were seeking help.” MHB is an independent government taxing authority that administers two special property taxes: the Community Mental Health Fund and the Community Children’s Services Fund. Tax dollars are granted to non-profit organizations that provide high quality services that benefit city residents. Dodson shared that normally there is a specific application process for the grants, however, these recent funds were rendered through an abbreviated process to expedite funding due to the pandemic. “One thing that is of concern to most of us out there in the community that do this kind of work is that when families are (somewhat) kept locked in place in their homes (with) a lot of time spent together, sometimes that’s good but sometimes it’s not so good,” stated Dodson. “In some families, it’s likely (that the pandemic) 8 | OUR TOWN | MAY 2020
will increase difficulties with their children. We’ve been concerned about child abuse and neglect issues when families are (somewhat) stressed by having to be together without any let-up – no (oncampus) schooling and parents having to teach classes.” Sources from the St. Louis Public Health administration indicate that some people may be experiencing depression or anxiety if they have major concern about being able to effectively care for their children or others in their care. On April 22, the administration released a document that offers various tips for maintaining individual mental health during this stressful time as well as resources to obtain help. One of the main tips the document gives in recognizing the warning signs for depression, anxiety or suicide is to recognize “everyone reacts differently to stressful situations like social distancing, quarantine or isolation.” The document advises individuals or their loved one experiencing any of the reactions for more than two weeks to contact their health care provider or one of the resources provided in the document which can be found at http://stlcorona.com/news/ dph-covid-19-update-4222020. St. Louis Public Health administration advises individuals to reach out to people remotely they trust to help reduce anxiety, depression, loneliness and boredom during social distancing, quarantine and isolation. However, for some people this may not be an option. Some faith-based establishments have found that Stephen Ministries is a resource for these individuals who do not require professional assistance. The independent, St. Louis nonprofit organization is home to a program that is utilized within church congregations and organizations worldwide to provide one-on-one care to individuals in crisis. Stephen Ministries receives local calls and calls from church leaders in other states for referrals to local caregivers, referred to as Stephen Ministers. Ken Haugk, Ph.D., who is the Founder
and Executive Director for the organization stated, “That (happens) on an ongoing basis. We do this in normal times. We get Stephen Ministers for (approximately) 25 people (weekly) who need it around the country. People being (normally) cared for by Stephen Ministers are for typical crises (such as) loss of a loved one, terminal illness, separation, or divorce. With COVID-19, these struggles are increased. You are grieving the loss of a loved one – that is bad enough. (Now) the COVID-19 is on top of it.” Another demographic which may be mentally impacted during the crisis are those that have become unemployed. As of April 23, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that the Missouri unemployment rate for reported cases in February 2020 was 3.5 percent. In March, the preliminary rate increased to 4.5 percent for reported cases. “Grief is probably the number one reason for having a Stephen Minister (as it relates to) mild depression, loneliness spiritual struggles, or a terminal illness,” stated Haugk. “But another big group where Stephen Ministers normally have cared for people is when people have financial problems, or they’ve lost a job. I would imagine that this is going to be happening more and more since more and more people are losing jobs. The percentage of people who have lost jobs being ministered to by Stephen Ministries’ ministers (will likely) go up and it’s already going up.” Individuals with non-critical care needs may contact Stephen Ministries for a referral Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 314-428-2600. To find out more about the organization visit https:// www.stephenministries.org. For care 24 hours a day, call United Way’s 2-1-1 hotline or visit https://www.211unitedway. org/2020/04/22/coronavirus-information-2020. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800273-8255 or text TALK to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7.
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Fighting hunger The St. Louis Area Foodbank announces goal of distributing 10 million meals by June 30 The St. Louis Area Foodbank, the bi-state region’s largest food provider to people in need, recently received a grant of $502,563 from Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) to address the increased need for food assistance as result of the COVID-19 pandemic. With this strategic investment from MFH and support from the community, the Foodbank aims to distribute more than 10 million meals to children, families and seniors in the St. Louis region by June 30. Specifically, the St. Louis Area Foodbank will use MFH grant funds in the following ways: • Hiring of 20 full-time temporary employees to assist in increased distribution efforts throughout the foodbank’s 14-county service territory in Missouri. • Equipment for capacity building to support our increased distribution efforts. The foodbank will rent four additional trucks over the next 10 weeks to ensure that food is getting to people in need as quickly as possible. • Trailers for increased storage capacity to increase the foodbank’s ability to source and distribute more food to families impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. • Organize 70 Disaster Mobile Markets to bridge service area gaps created by volunteer-led food pantries who have temporarily shut their doors.
• Ongoing food support to the foodbank’s network of community partner agencies to purchase food and other materials each week that will nourish and empower families. • Infant formula for vulnerable parents with infants seeking formula resources due to the empty shelves in grocery stores. In Missouri, the St. Louis Area Foodbank has 384 partner agencies (food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, etc.) and community program partners located in 14 area counties. The organization is in constant communication with its partners to assess evolving need and provide guidance for food distribution safety for staff, volunteers, and individuals receiving food assistance. The foodbank is also collaborating with schools, hospitals and other partners to hold “drive thru” food distributions as a “contact-less” means of distributing emergency food boxes, fresh produce, frozen meat, personal care items, and household essentials to high-risk, high-need and low-access communities. The foodbank is also the only local distributor of food to lowincome seniors through the Community Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Whenever possible, the organization is delivering two months-worth of food boxes. By providing a two-month supply, it reduces the risk of seniors being exposed to COVID-19.
A helping hand The St. Louis Area Foodbank and Operation Food Search awarded grants to hire displaced workers Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) has awarded grants to both the St. Louis Area Foodbank - the bi-state region’s largest nonprofit food provider - and Operation Food Search (OFS) - a nonprofit hunger relief organization serving the St. Louis region and state of Missouri. In conjunction with this investment, the Foodbank and OFS are partnering with the St. Louis Regional Chamber to hire workers displaced by the coronavirus outbreak to help keep up with the increased need for food assistance. These temporary employees, including displaced food service professionals, will work full-time for the next 10 weeks at the Foodbank and OFS to help sort, package and distribute food to local kids, families and seniors. The recruitment firm Labor Finders will screen qualified applicants and conduct the hiring. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Labor Finders by phone at either its St. Louis office at 636-287-3709 or St. Peters location at 636-244-9080. The St. Louis Regional Chamber will promote the employment opportunities among its members who may have employees who are unemployed or temporarily furloughed by COVID-19 related layoffs.
“We are living and operating in times we have not seen before,” said Senior Vice President, Inclusion and Talent Attraction at the St. Louis Regional Chamber, Valerie E. Patton, MA, MSW. “The St. Louis Regional Chamber’s engagement in this collaborative is imperative to assist in the recovery of economic and employment opportunities in the region. ” Both the Foodbank and OFS have seen spikes in the need for food assistance since the COVID-19 outbreak hit the region in mid-March. Currently, getting food to area residents as quickly as possible is of the utmost importance as people who have never needed help before are now struggling to make ends meet. This investment by Missouri Foundation for Health not only aids in the current response efforts by the St. Louis Area Foodbank and Operation Food Search, but also addresses the various changing needs of Missouri’s workforce. A portion of the grant funds will be used by both organizations to purchase additional food to meet the increased need for food assistance. This collaborative effort aims to reduce the recovery time for the region and prevent people from needing to receive food assistance.
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Social distancing in the great outdoors
Visiting parks and exercising outside requires extra precautions in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic BY CHARLOTTE BEARD The COVID-19 crisis has had a great impact on how essential businesses and public resources operate due to stay-at-home orders and social distancing. But the impact has not been short of directly impacting residences with job losses or a reduction of household income, and less freedom due to the stay-at-home orders. During this time while people search for ways to remain physically active, the city of Olivette has announced that all its parks are open (with some limitations) and provides ways to remain safe while utilizing its parks. In addition to its Dog Park and Walking/Biking Path, Olivette has six parks (visit https:// www.olivetteparksandrec.com/park-and-facilities-brochure.html for details). Though these amenities are open, all pavilions, restrooms, drinking fountains, and playgrounds are closed while the stay-at-home order is in effect.
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Following guidance from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Olivette advises park visitors to remain at least six-feet apart upon encountering other visitors. If possible, they also suggest visiting the park alone or with another household member. If an area is crowded to the point of limiting safety, the suggestion is to visit another park or return home. The NRPA has stated that they recognize that social distancing may have a great impact on mental health and that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes mental health as a top concern associated with the COVID-19 crisis. Because the NRPA knows that parks provide a connection to the outdoors as well as opportunities for physical activity, they have provided extensive ways for parks that have remained open to be utilized in a safe manner. They advise that these measures not replace any local, state, or national ordinances and guidelines. In addition to the guidance provided above with using the Olivette parks, NRPA gives these recommendations: • Refrain from using parks or trails if you are exhibiting symptoms. • Follow CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to and during use of parks or trails. • Prepare for limited access to public restrooms or water fountains. • While on trails, warn other users of your presence and as you pass, and step aside to let others pass. • Follow CDC guidance on the recommended size of social gatherings including outdoor picnicking, pick-up sports and other group hangouts, and always maintain proper physical distance. • Always observe CDC’s minimum recommended physical distancing of 6 feet from other individuals. If this is not possible, you should find an alternate location or depart that space. • Consult your local and state ordinances and guidelines for the most up to date recommendations on park and trail use. An alternative to visiting a park is utilizing the internet for physical workouts available on YouTube. For those who are avid walkers, Leslie Sansone is known for her at home walking DVDs and has her own YouTube channel—Walk at Home by Leslie Sansone (https://www.youtube.com/user/walkathomemedia). Some of the workouts incorporate strength training as well. Videos via YouTube also offer opportunities to explore other physical activity (whether beginner or advanced) such as Pilates, strength training, cardio, or HIIT (high-intensity interval training). Some channels to visit for these various workouts are: jessicasmithtv, HASfit, and Fit Father Project - Fitness For Busy Fathers. If there is a lack of hand weights, other ideas can be considered such as filling empty bottles with water or holding heavy books. With schools being temporarily closed, children are missing their physical education classes. However, YouTube has exercise videos for children as well. Visit the Little Sports channel for colorful animated routines to help keep children engaged in physical activity. For more parks and recreation information from NRPA visit https://www.nrpa.org/coronavirus. INFOGRAPHICS COURTESY NRPA.ORG
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OurThoughts MOORE ON LIFE BY CINDY MOORE
Sheltered in place What a year we’ve had so far and we’re only into May. Spring is supposed to be the time of rebirth and hope. I look like I’ve been rebirthed by a blue whale and there’s little hope for my diet. I’m going to have to get out of my pajamas and put on my swimsuit. That will make me think twice about eating. It’s all because of the corona – that dreaded lung bug otherwise known as COVID-15 (the 15 pounds gained during the shutdown). Thanks to the quarantine, I’ve had a month-long affair. What else was there to do after being cooped up feeling bored and not able to go anywhere? I found myself continually going to and from the welcoming door of my love – Kenmore; my big, burly…refrigerator. I would race to his welcoming door at all hours seeking relief and comfort. From there, I’d guiltily sneak back and join my husband on the couch. We found ways to pass the long arduous hours by doing various algebraic problems…Nah! I’ve never used algebra since tenth grade and I doubted it was going to come in handy during this zombie apocalypse. Instead we did what 99 percent of the population was doing….binge-watched NetFlix. We started with a movie to take the edge off of the crisis. We chose a light and fluffy flick called “Contagion.” After all, it was the most watched show trending at the time. It detailed the world collapse after a deadly virus struck. It left us terri-
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fied with the urge to stock up on more essentials. After a few calculations, we determined from our house to the store was about two miles and would take approximately 18 minutes; enough time to panic-shop and get back just in time for our next program. Hey, we just calculated the distance between two points--who would have thought algebra would come in handy during the apocalypse. We arrived back with the vital necessities: TP and ice cream. It should keep us in check for at least another week. To settle our nerves, we hunkered down with our own individual carton of rocky road and watched “Tiger King.” Afterwards, we realized our life was pretty normal compared to the King’s. We felt so much better that we celebrated with a recommitment to eat less. We got another container of cookies ‘n’ cream – to split, of course. I said we decided to cut back.
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.
OurThoughts ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE BY AVALANCHE
Social distancing
in the mountains
Those of us living out in the remote and rural areas of the country have long been practicing what’s now referred to as “social distancing.” We live off the main highways and out of the urban and suburban zones. Eschewing the accessibility and convenience of nearby malls, grocery stores, doctors’ offices, hardware stores and public services, we’re generally polite and friendly, but we treasure our privacy and personal spaces. Some of our favorite neighbors are the ones we rarely see or hear. Our properties, generally larger than those found in modern planned communities, tend to look a bit more cluttered, sporting parts and pieces of cars, trucks, old fences and sheds that we can’t bear to part with, because you never know when you’ll need something from one of those items, and the hardware store is an hourand-one-half round trip away. Our preferred activities tend toward the solitary; i.e. fishing, hunting, hiking, skiing and climbing. Lots of motorcyclists live and recreate around here; even when riding in a group, there’s a good distance between group members while rolling down the road. Walking the dogs is one of the more social activities, and the mutts playing with each other at the ends of their respective leashes provide a nice, safe, standoff distance for their owners. Living several miles away from the nearest store tends to behoove residents to keep freezers and pantries full, as a rock could fall on the highway and no one can get to town for days at a time. Besides, once at
home, driving to town is a distasteful activity, when one could be outside enjoying the mountains. Work leans toward the “essential service” side of things. Road work, water system repair and maintenance, electrical work and other blue-collar activities provide occupations for many here. There are several health-care personnel in our neighborhood, quite busy these days, and keeping their fingers crossed that they don’t become statistics. Regarding a shift away from normal, our business and government leaders have long promoted this area as a vacation getaway, with good cause; it’s a great place to be. Outdoor recreation brings in a lot of money here, except now everything is shut down. There’s much less demand for “essential services” when everything else is closed. Our local three-county region is officially considered a virus “hot-spot,” but many from out of the area suffer from the delusion that this is going to be a great place to hang out for a while, so they can avoid the storm raging back home. Lots of out-of-state and out-of-area license plates adorn many of the vehicles still traveling here. Trailhead parking areas are overflowing with many of these nomads, who haven’t gotten the message that we’re closed for business. Our two local hospitals have a combined capacity of about 75 beds, which serve a full-time population of about 40,000. There’s not much vacancy at the medical inn during normal times, let alone now. With most hotels and
campgrounds shuttered, there’s not much vacancy anywhere. Yesterday, signs went up a few miles away at the adjacent county line stating that non-residents and non-essential travel are prohibited, and a permit is required to enter the county. How they’re going to enforce that order remains to be seen, but the sentiment is shared by many of us here, and in other remote areas. Far to the east, in Appalachia, a county placed concrete barriers on their main roads (including a highway popular with motorcyclists) with a similar county-issued order – residents only. There have already been discussions here in the neighborhood about making this into a gated community. Logistically it would be a simple matter, but it would take a big leap in mindset and attitudes - which could occur overnight. We’re doing OK out here, at least for now. However, the welcome mat has been withdrawn, and while the barricades haven’t gone up just yet, labor and materials are being planned out. Who knows what the next few days and weeks will bring during this strange time.
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.
MAY 2020
| OUR TOWN | 13
OurLifestyle
2020 DODGE DURANGO MIXES POWER AND STYLE
As we look back, sport utility vehicles have certainly been a beloved and celebrated choice for new vehicle buyers for a number of years. To take this attraction to yet a higher level, how about an SUV with a performance engine powering it? That’s precisely what Fiat-Chrysler has in its recipe for 2020, with the Dodge Durango SRT. With its ultimate muscularity, the Durango SRT is America’s most powerful, standard three-row SUV, reaching 0-60 MPH in just 4.4 seconds. The power formulation begins with their remarkable 6.4-Liter HEMI V8 engine. It generates some serious 475 horsepower and commanding torque. Adopted from automotive racing, the cold air intake system feeds the engine cooled/ outside air for added acceleration. This is combined with the best towing capacity in its class of up to 8,700 pounds. The SRT model is well suited for street driving plus the track as well as for offroading. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, and take a moment to visit the base model Durango, as it’s the foundation of their SRT Performance edition. Pricing starts out at $30,495 plus it’s offered in a number of model configurations; SXT, GT, Citadel, R/T and the SRT performance variant. Rearwheel-drive chassis set-ups are standard across the product mix, with all-wheel-drive as an option with the exception of there SRT, as AWD is included. The entry model is equipped with an 18-inch all-weather tire and aluminum wheel package, it seats up to seven quite comfortably. This also in-
14 | OUR TOWN | MAY 2020
cludes plenty of rear cargo carrying space under the rear hatch. The base engine is their reliable 3.6-liter V6. It’s rated at 19MPG city/26-MPG highway with RWD and it’s matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission. “brightly lit” LED ribbon tail light assembly. The body design is distinctive and hinges The unordinary outer SRT markings further on having a bold/resolute yet modern ap- siren the singularity of this show-stopping pearance overall. There is no mistaking Du- vehicle rango as its footprint and silhouette is origiHeated front and second row seats, leathnal and singular. The front grille assembly er/heated steering wheel with paddle shiftshowcases the Dodge brand’s characteris- ers, eight-way power operated driver’s seat tically valiant DNA. The fairly large glass and six-way power front passenger seat plus windows further enhances the vehicle’s a third row foldable seat are also included. greenhouse aspect. Base pricing reflecting the 2020 Durango Now to “fast forward” and place the SRT shows $62,995. The standard warranty rocket on wheels SRT in the spotlight, it too is for three-years/36,000 miles. The powuses their eight-speed TorqueFlite automat- ertarin warranty shows five-years/60,000 ic transmission however, this gearbox uses miles. After options and shipping charges, rev-matching technology which is specifi- the MSRP sticker price at roadtest came out cally calibrated for the SRT to optimize shift to be $73,060. points and deliver maximum torque to all four wheels. EPA numbers show 13-MPG city and 19-MPG highway with this highBY DAVID FINKELSTEIN end powertrain setup. David Finkelstein is a Master/ SRT’s bulging/prominent engine hood Skill Automotive Service Techcover blankets it’s proven and uncompronician and a shop owner. He’s mised 392 cubic inch exceptional engine. also invented garage service The vehicle’s aggressive outer skin was retools for mechanics and has worked with high-end extras which included served on both National and unique ground effects for proper air maplocal Automotive Trade Industry ping and a notable front lower fascia. In the Boards. He pioneered “Car Talk rear are two large 4-inch chrome exhaust Radio” starting out with KMOX/CBS Radio and hosted tailpipes that’s telegraphing the rumble “Auto Talk” on KFTK/FOX News Radio for 15-years. David sound of the engines remarkable capatests and evaluates new vehicles weekly and does some bilities. Also included is a full horizontal consulting with various auto manufacturers.
Classic TV shows
OurLifestyle
that made it to the big screen
Though my Mom told me that watching too much TV would hurt my eyes, I spend a lot of time in front of the television set these days. One of my favorite stations is Antenna TV, which is available for free in St. Louis on KTVI Channel 2.2 and accessible with an antenna that connects to your TV set. This station is home to classic sitcoms and courtroom dramas such as “Perry Mason” and “Matlock” as well as some great “Carol Burnett” reruns. Recently, “The Flintstones” joined the Antenna TV lineup, but years ago it also found its way to the big screen. The casting was just about perfect: John Goodman slipped on Fred’s signature necktie while Rick Moranis was on board as Barney Rubble, Fred’s best friend. Elizabeth Perkins captured the essence of Wilma, but Rosie O’Donnell stole some scenes as the bubbly Betty Rubble. Even Elizabeth Taylor got in on the fun with a supporting role in this 1994 comedy. In the 1960’s, a show about a backwoods family turned millionaires was probably a hard sell, but “The Beverly Hillbillies” became a beloved sitcom. Buddy Ebsen led the ensemble cast as Jed Clampett, a man with lots of common sense and wisdom. He and his family had to navigate the strange new world of Beverly Hills and its culture. Though it featured comedic talent such as Jim Varney, Lily Tomlin and Cloris Leachman, the 1993 big screen version of the show did not do very well. Like “I Dream of Jeannie,” “Bewitched” had magical themes. Elizabeth Montgomery starred as Samantha Stephens, a witch who falls in love with a mortal named Darin (played by Dick York and later Dick Sargent). Darin was not a fan of magic while his mother-in-law Endora (Agnes Moorehead) hated that her daughter married a mortal. The 2005 “Bewitched” movie paired Will Ferrell with Nicole Kidman, but the plot left a lot to be desired. Stewie from “Family Guy” hated it so much he travelled cross-country to punch out Will Ferrell in one animated segment. “M*A*S*H” is arguably one of the most successful television dramas of all time, but it started as a movie. Based on Richard Hooker’s novel “MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors,” the 1970 film showed the inner workings of a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. Gary Burghoff reprised his cinematic role of “Radar” O’Reilly in the TV series but left before the final seasons. “M*A*S*H” pushed the outside of the envelope, especially with an episode that was shot in real time. “The Brady Bunch,” America’s favorite blended family, came from the mind of Sherwood Schwartz, the creator of “Gilligan’s Island.” Schwartz said he was inspired by a report in the Los Angeles Times about marriages where some of the children came from previous relationships. In 1995, Betty Thomas directed a big screen adaptation of “The Brady Bunch” where the family retained their 1970’s attitudes in the present day. This movie was fun, but “A Very Brady Sequel” veered off course. These are just a few of the shows that graced both the big and small screens. Stay safe and healthy and I hope to see you at the movies sometime soon. BY STEVE BRYAN
Born and raised in South St. Louis, Steve Bryan is now based in Anaheim, California, and has been allowed access to movie and television sets to see actors and directors at work. Though his writing has taken him far from St. Louis, Steve is, at heart, still the same wideeyed kid who spent countless hours watching classic movies at neighborhood theaters.
(From top) ‘The Flinstones’, photo courtesy Universal Pictures ‘MASH’, photo courtesy Aspen Productions; ‘The Brady Bunch’, photo courtesy Paramount Pictures; ‘Bewitched’, photo courtesy Columbia Pictures
MAY 2020
| OUR TOWN | 15
OurLifestyle
Chive and Orange Blossom Honey Waffles and Spicy Garlic Honey Chicken Recipe courtesy of chef Jenny Dorsey on behalf of the National Honey Board Servings: 4
Ingredients:
Chicken: 8 2 2 3/4 1/4 2 2 2 1 1 2 1/2
boneless, skinless chicken thighs cups buttermilk tablespoons kosher salt, divided teaspoon ground black pepper, divided teaspoon rosemary, chopped tablespoons orange blossom honey cups all-purpose flour teaspoons cayenne pepper teaspoon garlic powder teaspoon onion powder teaspoons paprika teaspoon ancho chile powder vegetable oil, as needed
Waffles:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons orange blossom honey 1 teaspoon orange zest 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 1/4 cups whole milk 2 large eggs 1/4 cup fresh chives, chopped 3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded honey 16 | OUR TOWN | MAY 2020
Directions: To make chicken: Rinse chicken thighs and pat dry with paper towels; place in large bowl.
In separate bowl, combine buttermilk, 1 tablespoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, rosemary and honey. Pour buttermilk mixture over chicken; cover and let marinate 8 hours or overnight. In separate mixing bowl, combine flour, remaining salt, remaining pepper, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and ancho chile powder; stir. Remove each piece of chicken from buttermilk, shake to remove excess liquid and dredge in flour mixture. Shake off excess. In deep fryer, heat oil to 375 F. Fry chicken until internal temperature reaches 175 F or juices run clear, approximately 5 minutes per thigh. Drain on paper towels. To make waffles: In large mixing bowl, mix flour, honey, orange zest, salt, baking powder, milk, eggs, chives and cheese until combined. Use waffle maker to cook four waffles in batches. Place chicken on waffles and drizzle with honey.
PHOTO COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES
A MENU
fit for family mornings
OurLifestyle Brown Sugar Bundt Cake
Recipe courtesy of “Browned Butter Blondie” on behalf of C&H Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 50 minutes
Ingredients: Nonstick cooking spray 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon kosher salt 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 3/4 cups packed Golden Brown Sugar
1/4 2 1 1/2 1
cup Granulated Sugar large eggs, at room temperature teaspoons vanilla cup full-fat Gree yogurt Confectioners’ Sugar, for dusting
Directions: Heat oven to 350 F.
Grease 10-cup bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. In medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla and mix on low speed. With mixer on low, add flour mixture in three additions, alternating with yogurt. Begin and end with flour mixture. Mix until just combined. Pour batter into prepared bundt pan and use offset spatula to level batter. Bake 50-55 minutes, or until cake is golden brown and toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. If cake browns too quickly while baking, cover with foil after 35 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on baking rack 20 minutes. Invert pan onto baking rack and gently tap bottom of pan to release cake. Cool completely before dusting with confectioners’ sugar.
Breakfast Casserole
Recipe courtesy of Marcia Stanley, MS, RDN, on behalf of Milk Means More Prep time: 25 minutes | Cook time: 45 minutes | Servings: 6 Ingredients: 1 pound red or white potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces water 1/2 small onion, coarsely chopped (about 1/2 cup) nonstick cooking spray 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 cup reduced-fat and reduced- sodium, chopped, cooked ham (about 4 ounces) 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Swiss or cheddar cheese 4 eggs 1 1/2 cups skim milk 1 tablespoon mustard
Directions: Heat oven to 350 F.
In large saucepan, cover potato pieces with enough water to just submerge. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 5 minutes. Add onion. Return to simmer, covered, about 5 minutes, or until potatoes are just tender. Drain well. Cool slightly. Coat 8-by-8-by-2-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place potato-onion mixture in baking dish. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Gently stir to combine. Sprinkle ham and cheese on top. In medium bowl, lightly beat eggs. Whisk in milk, mustard and remaining salt. Pour over layers in baking dish. Bake, uncovered, 40-45 minutes, or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. MAY 2020
| OUR TOWN | 17
InDepth BY CHARLOTTE BEARD
CARING FOR KIDSin crisis
St. Louis Crisis Nursery continues to provide family support services and emergency respite care for children during the COVID-19 outbreak
The needs of children and families who are in a social and/or economic crisis do not disappear when a disaster hits the nation. Those needs will no doubt be magnified during such a time, which is why the St. Louis Crisis Nursery remains in operation since opening its doors in 1986. “We are still (doing) business as usual at the nursery,” states Molly Brown, Senior Clinical Director for St. Louis Crisis Nursery. “(We are) still available to the community 24/7 as we have been for 34 years now. We still have our 24-hour helpline (where individuals) can call any time of the day or night. We are still providing emergency respite care for kids whose families are in crisis, and we are still providing our family support services for families in the community.” Though the COVID-19 crisis has affected the crisis nursery’s access to its volunteer pool that would work with the children, the nursery has remained vigilant with its mission. Temporarily, the nursery’s five sites (which includes the north county site at 11037 Breezy Point Lane) have been 18 | OUR TOWN | MAY 2020
reduced to three active sites. St. Charles’ two locations are temporarily being serviced at the Wentzville site located at 700 Medical Drive. “We needed to be able to support some of our staff who were at a higher risk category,” stated Brown, “and needed to be off right now. We want to make sure that as we’re taking care of our kids and families, we’re also taking care of our team. During this time, we typically have two staff members on each shift and additionally we have our program supervisor on site as well.” Brown stated that due to the pandemic, the organization has had to shift how they handle the support services, such as crisis counseling and providing connections to resources. She stated that prior to the pandemic these were in-home services. To maintain social distancing practices, these services are currently being provided via online video tools such as Zoom. In addition to the temporary implementation of online video conferencing with parents and the pausing of certain
InDepth
According to Brown, staff are required to care for their mental health not only during the pandemic but all year round, especially with the type of services they provide to children and families. “Our supervisors are doing a phenomenal job of supporting their team – doing extra check-ins, making sure that they are following the self-care plan.” Brown stressed the importance of its team limiting the daily consumption of news and social media and taking advantage of getting fresh outdoor air. Besides the reduction of volunteers to help with the children, the pandemic has affected the nursery sites’ ability to receive gently used donations for the children. “We’re just trying to really reduce extra people coming in and out of our buildings,” stated Brown. The nursery is accepting non-perishable food, diapers and cleaning supplies for distribution to the other nursery locations in need at their Regional Administrative Headquarters located at 11710 Administration Drive, Suite 18 in Maryland Heights. Though in-home visits are temporarily halted, members of the team have been dropping needed items at their clients’ front doors. The social distancing is maintained by staff alerting families of drop off times and when the items have been dropped. Brown shared that the St. Louis Crisis Nursery is proud of the whole community. “We see so many other agencies, churches, schools, neighbors, etc. stepping up to look out for each other so we can come together and take care of as many people as possible. It makes our jobs a little easier to know that when families call us for help that there are other resources that we can connect them to. At a time like this it just makes me proud to be a part of this community and to see so many wonderful people who are doing anything and everything that they can to help. While it’s a scary time it’s also a time to be grateful for a great community (of which) we are a part.” To learn more about St. Louis Crisis Nursery or to donate funds visit https://www.crisisnurserykids.org. To reach the 24-hour helpline call 314-768-3201.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
programs, the nursery is taking precautions for direct services and short term care with the children where social distancing cannot be practiced. “We’re taking the temperatures of our team members,” stated Brown. “We ask them to take their temperature before they come to work and then we take it again when they get to work just to double check. (In addition), we are taking the temperatures of our kids and our families upon arrival, making sure that they don’t have any symptoms and they haven’t been in contact with anyone (that has) symptoms. We have implemented a pretty rigorous cleaning protocol that we’re doing to make sure that we’re constantly sanitizing extra, extra, extra everything that we can, so that our environment is as clean and safe as it possibly can be. We are doing the best we can. You can’t social-distance from a little baby or a two-year old that needs a hug. So, we’re just trusting that extra cleaning measures that are in place are working. We have implemented a health assessment that we ask for before families arrive – checking for exposures to any potential contact with anyone that may be impacted by the virus. It’s just important that we’re still here for our kids and families that have nowhere else to go. That’s kind of what I think is motivating us still at this point, even though our team is a little nervous. We’re all a little nervous because there are so many unknowns here. But what drives us is knowing that there are kids and families that count on us to help them be safe. So, we want to be here for them.”
St. Louis Crisis Nursery continues to provide family support services and emergency respite care for children during the COVID-19 outbreak. MAY 2020
| OUR TOWN | 19
May 1
May Day
2
National Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Day
5
Cinco de Mayo
6
National Nurses Day
7 8
National Day of Prayer Truman Day
10
Mother’s Day
15
Peace Officers Memorial Day
16
Armed Forces Day
20
Emergency Medical Services for Children Day
22
National Maritime Day
25
Memorial Day
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