Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 12-12-18

Vol. 15 No. 24 • December 12, 2018
midriversnewsmagazine.com
PLUS: Coupon Saver ■ Local Authors On The Bookshelf ■ Holiday Gift Guide

2 I
December 12, 2018
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
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December 12, 2018
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I OPINION I 3
RANDOM THOUGHTS
A Community Conversation
Rebecca Melvin, DO
Pediatrics
By JESSICA MESZAROS
This week, Mid Rivers Newsmagazine
talks to Scott Drachnik, executive director
of the St. Charles County Department
of Workforce and Business Development.
Drachnik has served in the position since
August 2015, after previously serving
as the senior vice president of business
development and marketing
for the Economic Development
Center of St. Charles
County. He is the
president of TEAM
[Training and
Employment
Administrators
of Missouri], a
group of advocates
for Missouri’s workforce
development system
and is chairman of the St.
Louis Regional Workforce
Development Board Directors
Association. Drachnik also currently
serves as the director of missions at
2Rivers Church in Dardenne Prairie. Scott
and his wife, Debi, will celebrate their 34th
wedding anniversary this month.
Who would you want to be the narrator
of your life?
Well, Richard Burton isn’t around anymore,
but he’s got a great voice … I’ll
choose Sean Connery. I would love to have
Sean Connery narrate my life.
What risks are worth taking?
I think risking everything is worth
doing. Everybody would just like
a comfortable, hum-drum life,
but there’s no reason to
not put it all on the line
for something you’re
really passionate
about. We’ve
done it a
couple of times,
and sometimes it
works and sometimes
it doesn’t, but what did
Thomas Edison say about creating
the lightbulb? “I have not
failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways
that won’t work.” I don’t believe in
testing God, but we have definitely trusted
him immensely, and every time we’ve done
it with everything we’ve had, He’s always
found us landing on our feet again afterward.
Scott and Debi Drachnik [personal photo]
WELCOMING
NEW PATIENTS
• Sees newborns through
18 years of age
• Same-day appointments
may be available, as well
as extended hours
• Practicing pediatrician
since 2009
• Fellow of the American
Academy of Pediatrics
Get to know Dr. Melvin
by visiting ssmhealth.com/
RebeccaMelvinDO
SSM Health Outpatient Center
1475 Kisker Road | St. Charles, MO 63304
636-498-5970
ssmhealth.com
©2018 SSM Health. All rights reserved. MG-STL-17-381323 10/18
Where is the farthest you’ve traveled?
It was actually the times that we lived in,
worked in and visited Romania. I was on a
trip’s staff when I was there, and we set up
a foundation that was doing micro-business
lending and working with orphans and other
individuals in the area after the wall fell. We
lived there for about three years. Here’s how
global things can be. We were at a restaurant
on the Black Sea in Romania. It was an Irish
pub, and we were looking across the Black
Sea all the way to Russia. Some folks were
also eating Mexican cuisine, too. You have
Mexican cuisine, in Romania, looking across
the Black Sea to Russia. It was like, “Wow.”
They say everyone has a book in them.
What would your book be about?
My wife and I have toyed with some
kids books and the idea of a character
called “Gregory the Gargoyle.” Using that
as a format to help teach some life lessons
and with a fictional concept that kids could
relate to. My wife has a bazillion books that
she’s working on, and so this is one that
we thought we could do jointly. It’s never
gotten beyond the concept stage. Actually,
no one has ever heard us mention it, apart
from her and I.
What topic could you talk about for hours?
The question is, would anyone want to
listen to me for hours? For some discussions,
it might take that long … I like to read a lot
of different things, a lot of news, a lot of different,
books, magazines and other materials.
So I have a fairly wide range of interests. I’d
be happy to sit down and talk about global
politics, or missions, or business and the
economy, or even my kids and the pets,
music, movies, books – any of that stuff.
What are some events in your life that
have made you who you are?
When I was in grade school, I had a horrible
learning disability. I couldn’t read very
well. I couldn’t write very well. I couldn’t
tell time. I went through a tremendous
amount of tutoring, but I remember one
summer, a tutor from our grade school –
she’d actually been my kindergarten teacher
but I guess by that time I was in fifth or
maybe sixth grade – she did a phenomenal
job helping me with reading comprehension
and memory. Now, we have a library that
has thousands of books at home, and communication
is a big part of what I do. So, I
really owe a lot to the tutors, and especially
to that kindergarten teacher who helped me.
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ST. CHARLES COUNTY
7255 MEXICO RD. (ST. PETERS). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (636) 397-7721
2710 HWY. K (O’FALLON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (636) 379-8499
2214 FIRST CAPITOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (636) 947-0343
1290 JUNGERMANN (AT MCCLAY - ST. PETERS). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (636) 922-3000
SOUTH
1903 RICHARDSON ROAD (AT JEFFCO). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (636) 464-4503
5452 TELEGRAPH RD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (314) 892-9773
8562 WATSON RD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (314) 842-3271
4631 HAMPTON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (314) 353-5486
2211 LEMAY FERRY RD. (AT REAVIS BARRACKS). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (314) 892-6037
524 OLD SMIZER MILL ROAD (DIERBERG’S PLAZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (636) 343-2808
12444 TESSON FERRY RD. (NEXT TO DIERBERG’S) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (314) 842-7570
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ILLINOIS
4237 S. STATE ROUTE 159 (GLEN CARBON, IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (618) 288-5276
WEST
10000 MANCHESTER (GLENDALE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (314) 821-2373
2038 MCKELVEY RD. (NORTH OF DORSETT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (314) 878-4024
8034 BIG BEND (WEST OF MURDOCH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (314) 961-1373
15372 MANCHESTER (ELLISVILLE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (636) 227-9443
14878 W. CLAYTON (AT BAXTER) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (636) 391-1275
8637 OLIVE STREET RD. (WEST OF MCKNIGHT RD.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (314) 567-6680
13960 MANCHESTER RD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (636) 227-8299
11041 OLIVE STREET (CREVE COEUR). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (314) 872-9393
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429 LAFAYETTE CENTER (MANCHESTER) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (636) 527-8009
NORTH
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6 I OPINION I
December 12, 2018
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
EDITORIAL
We believe in Santa
It’s become our tradition at this time of
year to share one of the most iconic editorials
ever written. It appeared for the
first time in 1897 when Laura Virginia
O’Hanlon sent the following letter to The
[New York] Sun:
Dear Editor: I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no
Santa Claus.
Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s
so.”
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa
Claus?
Virginia O’Hanlon, 115 West 95th
Street
It’s not hard to imagine Virginia, as she
was called, as the child on our cover. And
it is for her, and children everywhere, that
we heartily agree with The Sun’s reply:
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.
Here, in its entirety, is the reply penned
by one of The Sun’s editors, Francis Pharcellus
Church, who had been a correspondent
during the Civil War:
Virginia, your little friends are wrong.
They have been affected by the skepticism
of a skeptical age. They do not believe
except they see. They think that nothing
can be which is not comprehensible
by their little minds. All minds, Virginia,
whether they be men’s or children’s, are
little. In this great universe of ours man
is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect,
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Medicaid needs expansion
in Missouri
To the Editor:
The recent letter from reader Ed Shew
[Mid Rivers Newsmagazine, Nov. 7] supporting
the expansion of Medicaid in Missouri
is right on the mark.
Common sense demands that it be
expanded for reasons too numerous to
recount here.
Whereas he focused on the positive
impact it would have on combatting the
opioid crisis – no argument there – there
as compared with the boundless world
about him, as measured by the intelligence
capable of grasping the whole of truth and
knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He
exists as certainly as love and generosity
and devotion exist, and you know that they
abound and give to your life its highest
beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would
be the world if there were no Santa Claus.
It would be as dreary as if there were no
Virginias. There would be no childlike
faith then, no poetry, no romance to make
tolerable this existence. We should have
no enjoyment, except in sense and sight.
The eternal light with which childhood
fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might
as well not believe in fairies! You might
get your papa to hire men to watch in all
the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch
Santa Claus, but even if they did not see
Santa Claus coming down, what would
that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but
that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus.
The most real things in the world are those
that neither children nor men can see. Did
you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn?
Of course not, but that’s no proof that they
are not there. Nobody can conceive or
imagine all the wonders there are unseen
and unseeable in the world.
You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and
Happy Holidays!
Look for us in your mailbox Jan. 9.
are many other good reasons that Medicaid
should be expanded so that the 50,000
people in Missouri with no coverage at all
can access needed healthcare services.
If Medicaid is not expanded, we will
continue to see the closing of rural hospitals.
They depend on Medicaid and Medicare
revenue to stay open. Not expanding
Medicaid makes it almost impossible for
hospitals and doctors in rural areas to stay
afloat.
Our state legislature, dominated by
myopic GOP, most of whom act in
see what makes the noise inside, but there
is a veil covering the unseen world which
not the strongest man, nor even the united
strength of all the strongest men that ever
lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy,
poetry, love, romance, can push aside that
curtain and view and picture the supernal
beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah,
Virginia, in all this world there is nothing
else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! He lives,
and he lives forever. A thousand years
from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten
thousand years from now, he will continue
to make glad the heart of childhood.
• • •
We also want to wish you a very happy
holiday season and remind you that, for
the next few weeks, Mid Rivers Newsmagazine
will be on a year-end break – in
print, that is. The physical copy of Mid
Rivers Newsmagazine will be back in your
mailboxes on Jan. 9.
Of course, news never takes a break. So,
there still will be stories to tell and events
going up online at midriversnewsmagazine.com.
As the year comes to a close, we want
to thank you, our readers and advertisers,
for sharing 2018 with us. We look forward
to serving you again in 2019 and sharing
more stories of local people, places and
communities.
lock-step with our dear leader, President
Donald J. Trump, is totally and
completely clueless when it comes to
healthcare and healthcare financing. Just
like their brethren GOP in the House and
Senate in Washington, D.C.
Healthcare impacts everyone in the
country, irrespective of political position.
I am stupefied that the GOP in Washington
and Jefferson City are so out of touch
with reality. They will pay dearly for it in
future elections.
William Hall
Want to express your opinion?
Submit your letter to: editor@newsmagazinenetwork.com • 636.591.0010
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Mid Rivers Newsmagazine is published 24 times per year
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advertisement or editorial submission. © Copyright 2018.
ON THE COVER: Jake takes a walk with Santa.
Photo courtesy of Lisa Marie Photography]

8 I NEWS I
December 12, 2018
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
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Francis said the improvements resemble
those on Main Street and Hwy. N. Weather
permitting, the work should be completed
by the end of the year.
Francis said the improvement will help
pedestrian safety and provides better
access to restaurants and businesses in
the area.
“Parking is at a premium in old town
Cottleville,” he said.
The improvements cost about $800,000.
Gershenson Construction served as general
contractor but Francis said the city
did much of the construction management
in-house.
The newly improved Fifth Street in Cottleville
news
briefs
COTTLEVILLE
Car crashes into,
damages post office
Around 3 p.m. on Dec. 6, police and
medics were called to the scene of an
accident at the United States Post Office
in Cottleville.
An SUV containing one person crashed
into the post office facility, located at 5323
Hwy. N, resulting in heavy damage to the
exterior.
Dog park expansion
Cottleville’s Dog Park has grown with
the addition of more ground to its boundaries
inside Legacy Park, located off Hwy.
N and just north of city hall and the police
department.
City Administrator Russ Francis said
the city approved a bill to pay Tri-County
Fence & Deck $23,000 this summer to
expand the boundaries of the park for
both small dogs and puppies, and larger
dogs by adding new fencing – a project
that has been completed.
The park, known as “Bark Park,” allows
small and large dogs to run free inside a
separate fenced area through separate
gates.
“It’s very popular; that’s why we had to
expand it because it’s getting too much
activity,” Francis said.
Rules for use of the park are posted
at the entrance gate. Bark Park is closed
when muddy conditions prohibit access.
Cottleville’s Bark Park
Fifth Street work
almost complete
The improvements funded along a section
of Fifth Street between Hwy N. and
St. Charles Street in the downtown area of
Cottleville are almost finished.
“I think is about 99 percent done,” said
Cottleville City Administrator Rich Francis.
Those improvements include curbs,
upgraded sidewalks, upgraded lighting
and signage, and 71 new parking spaces.
LAKE SAINT LOUIS
City to begin ‘safety striping’
Lake Saint Louis Public Works is putting
a different kind of stripe on the roads.
Before winter storms, the department will
spray liquid deicer on major streets leaving
“safety stripes” on them. The liquid
dries as dark or sometimes white stripes
and, the department says, is a very effective
tool in fighting snow and ice on streets.
By treating the street before the storm, the
department says it can prevent the buildup
of ice and stop snow from bonding to the
pavement.
According to the department, deicing
helps to keep the road safer during small
storms or during the initial hours of a
storm; before crews can make it around
with rock salt and plows. Deicing also
makes it easier for crews to remove snow
that does build up.
The department says another benefit of
pretreating is reduced salt use resulting in
better water quality of nearby lakes and
streams.
ST. PETERS
Women charged in connection
with mall theft, car chase
The St. Charles County Prosecuting
Attorney’s Office has issued charges
Dec. 6 on two females involved in a pursuit
that took place on Dec. 5 from Mid
Rivers Mall. The female suspects have

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December 12, 2018
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I NEWS I 9
been identified as
Monique D. Lewis,
25, and Jameshia
D. Todd, 21, both
of Memphis, Tennessee.
The incident
began when two
officers, assigned
to the mall, saw the
silver Ford Focus
acting suspiciously.
The vehicle had a
broken rear window,
a bullet hole in the
driver side door and
improper vehicle
Todd
Lewis
registration. The
officers witnessed
the vehicle traveling
at a high rate of speed through the
mall parking lot, going against traffic and
causing a safety hazard to pedestrians in
the parking lot.
While conducting the traffic stop investigation,
Lewis refused to put her vehicle
in park and would not provide an identification.
While the officers were standing
at her driver and passenger side window,
Lewis rolled up the windows and fled the
traffic stop. Lewis’ vehicle struck one
officer’s leg. That officer was standing at
the passenger side; he did not sustain any
injuries.
Lewis continued fleeing from officers
on eastbound Interstate 70 and southbound
Interstate 270 SB, eventually stopping
at a vehicle roadblock at Manchester
Road and I-270.
The women were taken into custody
and transported to the St. Peters Police
Department where they were held pending
warrant application. While searching
the vehicle, over $1,000 of stolen clothing
items were recovered.
The St. Charles County Prosecuting
Attorney’s Office has charged Lewis with
Assault 2nd Degree on Special Victim
[Felony], Felony Stealing and Resisting
Arrest. She also has an active warrant
for her arrest out of Shelby County,
Tennessee, for Aggravated Assault [two
counts], and Reckless Endangerment with
a Deadly Weapon. No bond is authorized
for the Tennessee warrant.
Todd has been charged with Felony
Stealing and is being held on a $10,000
bond. Both subjects were transported to
St. Charles County Jail.
Friday, Jan. 4 and continue on every first
Friday of the month through December.
Led by Park Horticulture Specialist Mary-
Ann Fink, each guided walk lasts about
one hour and focuses on a different aspect
of nature each month.
Participants will observe and discuss
the cycles of budding plants, migrating
birds and other naturally occurring and
seasonal events that will take place at the
park from year to year.
During the first program on Jan. 4, Fink
will talk about plants at the playground
and around the lakes; the grey owl juniper
shrubs in the landscape beds that boarder
the parking lot; and how plant bud scales
change as the weather changes. Interested
participants should dress for the weather
and meet at the informational kiosk next
to the Destination Playground in the park.
The program is free and open to all ages,
but registration is required.
To register or for more information, call
the Parks Department at (636) 949-7535 or
visit http://bit.ly/2019PhenologicalWalks.
Honoring fallen soldiers
The Caroline Close Stuart Chapter,
National Society Daughters of the American
Revolution (DAR) once again is
laying wreaths on Veterans graves in the
St. Charles County area.
One hundred years ago, the Missouri
DAR surveyed the state and marked a
number of the Revolutionary War graves.
This year Chapter members will mark the
graves of 14 Revolutionary War Patriots
who came to Missouri after the war long
before Missouri became a state. Those
men include Bowles Abbington, Joseph
Baugh, James Bryan, John Castilio,
Warren Cottle, David Darst, Zachariah
Moore, Samuel Wells and Jacob Zumwalt.
Each December on National Wreaths
Across America Day Wreaths Across
America and its national network of
volunteers lay over 700,000 memorial
wreaths at 1,000 locations in the United
States and beyond.
Megan Warhol, DO
Family Medicine
WELCOMING PATIENTS
TO HER NEW ADDRESS
Most insurance plans accepted
Introducing Dr. Megan Warhol,
board-certified family physician
to the SSM Health Outpatient
Center off Kisker Road.
Dr. Warhol is a member of
the American Academy of Family
Physicians and sees patients
of all ages. She has special medical
interest in geriatrics, sports
medicine, preventative medicine
and dermatology.
Introducing
Have you heard?
To schedule an appointment
with Dr. Warhol, please call
636-498-5810.
SSM Health Outpatient Center
1475 Kisker Rd | St. Charles, MO 63304
ssmhealth.com/MeganWarholDO
©2018 SSM Health. All rights reserved. MG-STL-17-397388 11/18
ST. CHARLES COUNTY
Nature walks scheduled
The St. Charles County Parks and Recreation
Department’s 2019 Phenological
Walks series at Veterans Tribute Park near
Weldon Spring will kick off at 10 a.m. on
Members of the local DAR chapter
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636-240-2840 636-537-3333
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636-861-0500
The Experts in Dementia Care
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10 I NEWS I
December 12, 2018
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
Robocalls remain a persistent annoyance
with little remediation and no end in sight
By BRIAN FLINCHPAUGH
One of the increasingly common, yet
annoying, disturbances in recent American
life is the emergence of robocalls. For
some, they go beyond annoying and pose
the threat of a serious financial scam.
In the age of cellphones, robocalls can
occur anywhere – at home when people
are trying to have qulity time with their
families, at work, while people are sitting
in a church pew, and even while people are
trying to sleep.
Robocalls are defined by the Federal
Trade Commission [FTC] – one of several
federal agencies assigned to regulate
unwanted and illegal telemarketing – as a
telephone call where the person answering
the call hears a recorded message. Callers
often use a computerized auto dialer
to deliver a pre-recorded message to both
home landlines and wireless numbers. The
percentage of complaints on robocalls
until recently has been increasing annually.
According to FTC and Better Business
Bureau officials, many different scams
use robocalls, including those from bogus
companies claiming the ability to lower
utility bills or credit card rates, those offering
vacation packages and even individuals
posing as IRS agents.
While it may seem as if the telemarketing
industry is lawless, regulations do apply.
Illegal robocalls include those that are
a sales message, and those where the telemarketer
does not have written permission
to make calls to a particular person. Simply
buying a product or contacting a business
doesn’t give a company permission to
robocall a person or company. New rules
allow those receiving robocalls to opt out
from receiving them.
Some robocalls are allowed under FTC
regulations, including recorded messages
from charities and candidates running for
political office. Informational recordings
from a doctor’s office about appointments
also are allowed.
According to National Do No Call Registry
statistics released by the FTC on Dec.
6, the FTC continued to receive a high
number of consumer complaints about
telemarketing robocalls during the 2017
fiscal year; however, this number recently
has decreased.
In fiscal year 2018, the FTC received
3,790,614 complaints about robocalls, compared
with 4,501,960 in fiscal year 2017.
Each month, robocalls have made up the
majority of consumer complaints about Do
Not Call Registry violations.
This year, the most frequently reported
robocalls dealt with reducing debt, medical
and prescription offers, and imposter
scams. While reducing debt remains the
top robocall topic, robocalls about vacations,
timeshares, warranties and protection
plans, have dropped out of the top
complaint topics.
Why are there so many robocalls?
They are cheap and effective. Many
robocalls cost less than a penny to make.
“It’s a very cost-effective way for telemarketers
or fraudsters to
reach a high volume
of consumers who are
targets of their fraud,”
said Ian Barlow, the
FTC’s Do Not Call
Registry coordinator
and a staff attorney
who has brought lawsuits
against robocall
violators.
Robocallers are
prominent in categories
that have a low
return rate for what
they are selling.
While Barlow noted that “most people
are wary of it and don’t fall for it.” He said,
“It’s just important to reach as many people
as possible.”
Barlow said there are few barriers of
entry for robocallers. Anyone with a little
sophistication in terms of information
technology can download free software,
connect to a voice over internet protocol
[VOIP] telephone provider, and “basically
become a robocaller overnight,” he
said.
Barlow said a significant unexplained
dip in robocalls last summer may
account for the fiscal year 2018 decline.
Without that dip the numbers might be
near or the same as 2017, he said – and
he doesn’t see them going away any time
soon despite legal action or actions by
consumers,
Complaints to state authorities remain
@MIDRIVERSNEWS
MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
[Adobe Stock photo]
significant, though the Missouri attorney
general’s office said they received 58,665
complaints in 2016, compared to 46,514 in
2017 and 44,390 in 2018.
Rebecca Phoenix, an investigator with
the Better Business Bureau of St. Louis,
said that agency also receives “a consistent
flow of complaints about robocalls.” Phoenix
encourages consumers to check out the
BBB Scam Tracker to check on complaints
and file one if necessary.
Local police departments receive the
fewest complaints. “It’s sporadic,” said
Melissa Doss, communications officer
for the St. Peters Police Department. But
fraud alerts about calls from the IRS are
made by police every spring. The IRS
does not contact individuals by telephone,
Doss said.
See ROBO CALLS, next page
Jay Watson tapped as St. Charles County government’s lead attorney
By BRIAN FLINCHPAUGH
St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann
has appointed Jay Watson, a
long-serving aide to Democratic
former Gov. Jay Nixon, as the new
county counselor.
Watson’s appointment was
approved by the County Council
at its Dec. 3 meeting. He starts his
position on Jan. 1 and replaces
Keith Hazelwood who is retiring.
“John Watson’s extensive experience
with the Missouri attorney
general’s office, combined with
Watson
his legal experience in the private
sector, makes him an excellent choice for
this position,” Ehlmann said. “I am pleased
that he has accepted this role as he will be
an asset to the department and the county
as a whole.”
Watson, 58, served as chief of staff for
Nixon from January
2009 into 2015. He
has practiced law for
25 years. He also was
tapped by Nixon to
serve briefly as state
auditor in 2015 after
the death that year of
state auditor Tom Schweich.
Watson also worked
with Nixon when the
former governor served
as attorney general. He represented the
interests of state government in the attorney
general’s office for 15 years, including
before administrative, state circuit and
appellate tribunals.
While in the attorney general’s office, he
worked with legislative matters, provided
day-to-day legal advice and served as legislative
director and chief of staff.
Watson served as executive director of
the Missouri State Employees Retirement
System until last January. He currently is
in private practice. He will be relocating
with his wife to St. Charles County.
Nixon and Ehlmann, a Republican, are
longtime friends who served together in
the state legislature in the late 1980s and
early 1990s.
Hazelwood, who was tapped as county
counselor in 2016, is a well-known attorney
who represented developers and local
municipalities particularly in zoning and
real estate matters. His law firm was one
of the most prominent legal firms in the
county.
Weber has been and continues to work as
a counsel for the city of St. Peters.
Hazelwood also has been active in civic
affairs serving as chairman of the commission
that developed the county’s home rule
charter adopted by voters in 1992, which
established for the form of local government
in the county.
He said, after the Dec. 3 council meeting,
that he may not be doing much of
anything after he retires; however, he
didn’t rule out remaining active at some
level later on.
“At this point, it means for six to 12
months I will quote lay fallow,” Hazelwood
said.

FACEBOOK.COM/MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE
MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
December 12, 2018
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I NEWS I 11
ROBO CALLS, from previous
Phoenix encourages consumers to sign
up for the National No Do Not Call registry
online at donotcall.gov or by calling
1-888-382-1222. The Missouri Do Not
Call registry can be accessed online at ago.
mo.gov or by calling 1-866-662-2551.
Joining those lists won’t stop all robo
or telemarking calls but they might help
in reducing the amount an individual consumer
receives.
Phoenix and FTC officials say the registries
were designed to deal with regular
telemarketers contacting consumers
directly and not just recordings. Barlow
explained that the registries are not
enforcement tools.
“First of all, you are dealing with scammers
[and] scammers are not always following
laws and regulations,” she said.
Simple steps to limit robocalls
Phoenix said there are some simple
steps that can be taken to limit robocalls.
One step is to use Caller ID to screen calls.
Don’t answer phone calls that are unfamiliar.
If you do answer, she said to ignore any
and all recorded prompts to press numbers
on your keypad to be taken off the caller’s
mailing list. Pressing a key tells scammers
you have an active number.
Active numbers can be sold to other telemarketers
and, as a result, your calls could
increase. Officials also encourage reporting
suspicious numbers to the Do Not Call
registries, which Barlow said are good at
informing consumers about companies
with whom they probably shouldn’t be
doing business.
Barlow said the FTC has brought 140
lawsuits against fraudulent robocallers
and, of those, has finished 126 and collected
$121 million in damages. The lawsuits
include 464 corporations and 374
individuals, not shell companies, Barlow
said.
Another option for dealing with robocalls
is the use of apps, blockers and
alerts provided by smartphone providers.
Some providers offer those tools at
an additional cost, others provide them
for free. Among those options are AT&T
Call Protect, Verizon Caller Name ID,
T-Mobile Scam Block and Sprint Premium
Caller ID. Apps available outside
of smartphone providers include
Nomorobo, Hiya, Robokiller, Truecaller
and Youmail. Mid Rivers Newsmagazine
has not tested and does not endorse any
of these products, which authorites say
can cull some but not entirely stop robocalls.
Phoenix said the best plan is: “When in
doubt, don’t answer the phone.”
Welcome
Demetrios (Jim) Politis, DO
Internal Medicine
NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS
Most insurance plans accepted
Introducing Dr. Politis, board certified
in family medicine, to the SSM Health
Outpatient Center off Kisker Road.
He has been practicing as a family
medicine physician since 1987.
Dr. Politis’ specialties include
cardiovascular/metabolic disease
and preventative health. He will practice
with the SSM Health Medical Group
internal medicine providers, where
he will provide care to patients
18 years of age and older.
To schedule an appointment,
please call 636-498-5850.
SSM Health Outpatient Center
1475 Kisker Road, Suite 200
St. Charles, MO 63304
SSMHealth.com/DemetriosPolitisDO
©2018 SSM Health. All rights reserved. MG-STL-18-528143 9/18
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12 I NEWS I
Strategies to
Reduce Taxes
December 12, 2018
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
Thanks to tax reform, many Americans
will see their tax bills go down in 2018. Tax
reform has lowered tax rates while increasing
tax credits adding money in pockets either
throughout the year or at tax time. While
taxes may be reduced, it would still be nice to
reduce them even more, right?
The end of the year is a good time to
tackle tax planning. Tax laws are constantly
changing therefore lowering your tax bill
involves careful planning and a solid tax
strategy.
One thing to remember is the importance of
timing. Waiting until just before April 15th to
start thinking about your taxes may prove to
be a costly mistake. Tax strategy operates in
two time frames; now and later.
• ‘Now’ refers to the twelve months of the
current tax year. You may be able to save
money now by making changes, now.
• ‘Later’ refers to the long-range tax strategies
that benefit your future such as but not
limited to maximizing tax-deferred savings.
Coordinating your tax strategies with
life changes and financial strategies may
enable you to accomplish a variety of life
goals and tax savings.
Are you utilizing these tax strategies?
•Use of Employee Accountable Plans for job expenses
•College savings plan contributions
•Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD)
•Donor Advised Funds
•Bunching Contributions
•Loss Harvesting
•Maximize IRA contributions OR distributions
•MO First Time Home Buyer Tax Deduction
•MO Qualified Health Insurance Premiums Deduction
•MO Miscellaneous Tax Credits
•MO Long Term Care Deduction
•MO Health Care Sharing Ministry Deduction
What should you do?
•Get in to see a tax professional for a review
NOW before it’s too late
•Implement changes recommended by your
tax professional NOW, not later
•Take advantage of new tax strategies
energized by the new Tax Laws, NOW
•If you wait until after the new year it will be
too late to help this year
Alliance Tax is available throughout the year to estimate the impact of
tax law changes for your specific situation. We can provide you with tax
strategies that can be implemented before the end of the year to help
you keep more of your hard earned money in your pocket now and later.
Alliance
Tax & Accounting
5055 Highway N • Cottleville, MO
www.alliancetaxpros.com
636-477-0TAX
By BRIAN FLINCHPAUGH
This year, the St. Charles County Council
went about the business of updating
how it will spend millions of dollars to pay
for road improvements that enhance how
goods and people travel more efficiently
and safely.
The result is the county’s Transportation
Improvement Plan [TIP] for 2019 to 2021,
which was approved at the council’s Nov.
26 meeting.
The TIP will provide more than $27 million
in county funds to help build more
than $46 million in improvements. Those
improvements also will receive federal,
state and municipal funding.
Local TIP funding comes from the
voter-approved half-cent transportation
sales tax, which has provided about $650
million to help build almost $1.3 billion
in transportation improvements since its
passage.
Updated annually, TIPs provide more
than lists of projects and funding totals;
it also provides numbers and data that
increasingly are used in showing the
movement of people and goods in and
through the county – pictures that will help
officials decide how transportation sales
tax money will be spent.
Along with a list of about 80 projects, the
numbers and statistics in the 2019-21 TIP
are putting a focus on both good things and
problem spots in the county transportation
system.
A 12-member Road Board evaluates
applications for project funding from the
County Highway Department and municipalities
and recommends to the county
executive and council what projects should
receive funding. The data the Road Board
staff collects may become an influence to
the Road Board.
The TIP data shows some of the most
congested areas of the county and a list of
some of the most dangerous.
“Knowing where the highest crash rates
are [allows us] to focus in on those points,”
said Amanda Brauer, manager for the
Road Board. “We may go to the cities and
say, ‘Hey, we would like you to do a project
here. Let’s figure something out.’”
Among the TIP data collected is the top
10 signalized intersection crash locations
for the period between 2014 and 2016. No.
1 on that list is Route K at its connection to
Interstate 70’s eastbound ramps, the site of
212 crashes, 54 injuries and 158 vehicles
damaged but no fatalities.
Next is Wentzville Parkway and West
Pearce Boulevard in Wentzville with 135
crashes during the data collection period.
That site had 19 injuries and 116 vehicles
damaged but no fatalities.
The interchange rated third is Zumbehl
Road at the eastbound I-70 ramp with 130
crashes, 20 injuries, 110 vehicles damaged
and no fatalities. No. 4 is Route K at Feise
and Laura Hill roads with 130 crashes, 29
injuries and 101 vehicles damaged.
Ranked fifth is First Capitol Drive [Hwy.
94] at West Clay Street with 128 crashes,
12 injuries and 116 vehicles damaged. No.
6 is Hwy. 94 at Pralle Lane in St. Peters
with 120 crashes, one fatality, 15 injuries
and 104 vehicles damaged.
The intersection of Mid Rivers Mall
Drive at Mexico Road was ranked seventh
with 117 crashes, 24 injuries, 93 damaged
vehicles and no fatalities.
Mid Rivers Mall Drive at Suemandy
Drive in St. Peters was ranked eighth with
110 crashes, 14 injuries and 96 vehicles
damaged. Ranked ninth was Route K at
Route N with 110 crashes, 23 injuries and
87 vehicles damaged.
Rounding out the top 10 list is Mid
Rivers Mall Drive at Route 364 northbound
with 101 crashes, 31 injuries and 70
@MIDRIVERSNEWS
MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
TIP may provide information to deal with safety,
congestion issues in St. Charles County
The Hwy. K-Interstate 70 interchange, identified as the most dangerous in the county according to the 2019 TIP.
[Google Earth photo]
vehicles damaged.
Brauer said these interchanges, however,
may not be the deadliest areas for auto
crashes in the county. That may be along
the interstates. A crash “heat map” uses red
coloring to suggest locations with the highest
density of accidents. Brauer said the
map suggests that the majority of crashes
are along I-70 followed by Route K and
Hwy. 94.
Another study that could be done by the
end of this year as part of the Gateway
Green Light of St. Charles County will look
at 2017 and 2018 data and establish goals in
dealing with traffic congestion and delays.
The TIP did provide some good news
about county interstates and residential and
arterial roads, Brauer said during a report
on the TIP to the council at its Nov. 26
meeting. For example, it noted that pavement
conditions for residential, collector
and arterial streets are in good shape and
only two bridges in the county are rated in
poor shape.
According to the report, traffic growth
has occurred throughout the county
between the years of 2012-2017, with the
highest percentage of growth in the western
part of the county, especially within
Wentzville.
Annual average daily traffic growth
suggests the completion of Route 364
may have prompted the highest freeway
increases in the county along segments of
Route 364, ranging from 11,500 vehicles
per day to more than 20,500. Route 364
from Muegge to Harvester, roughly 2.21
miles, saw an increase from 29,897 vehicles
per day in 2012, to 50,439 in 2017 – a
69-percent jump. The Route 364 completion
likely had an impact on the growth
of eastbound Hwy. 94. Segments of Hwy.
94 near I-64 saw traffic volume increases
from 3,500 vehicles daily to more than
10,000.

FACEBOOK.COM/MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE
MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
By BRIAN FLINCHPAUGH
The St. Charles County Council is split
over whether to include an additional
1-percent cost of living allowance in the
2019 county budget for the county’s more
than 1,000 employees.
The county’s budget has to be passed
before Jan. 1 when the city’s next fiscal
year begins.
The council discussed the budget during
its Dec. 3 work session and regular meeting
but took no final action.
County Executive Steve Ehlmann had
included a 2-percent merit increase plus a
1-percent cost of living increase for employees
in his draft budget. Several councilmembers
said they favored an additional 1-percent
cost of living increase. However, County
Finance Director Bob Schnur had some bad
news as far as the amount of sales tax the
county had received and was projected to
receive in November and December.
Projections that arrived the afternoon of
Dec. 3 from the Missouri Department of
Revenue suggested that revenue was down,
meaning a possible loss of $1.5 million for
the county. More than 60 percent of general
fund revenues, which include salaries
for county employees, comes from sales
tax revenue.
A late payment of more than $900,000 in
sales tax revenue last year from the state
helped address needs in the 2017 budget.
But Schnur said he doesn’t expect any late
payments at the end of this year and sales
tax revenue may drop even more.
“Things have headed south in a fairly
rapid fashion,” Schnur said.
Still, councilmembers Joe Cronin [District
1], Dave Hammond [District 4] and
Joe Brazil [District 2] favored the added
1-percent cost of living increase. Even with
a lower percentage increase, the county
may get enough tax revenue to afford the
[pay] increase, Cronin said.
Cronin said the county was “not paying
a sufficient cost of living for the guys that
are patching our potholes and defending our
families.” Both he and Hammond suggested
that the county could wait and see what revenue
the county receives, which Schnur said
will be clear by late February or March, and
hire additional personnel then.
For now, holding off on hiring a county
information system employee might free
up $480,000 that could go toward the
1-percent cost of living raise, Cronin said.
“Let’s take care of our employees before
we run off and hire new ones,” said Hammond,
who also is the council chairman.
County officials and councilmembers
agreed that the county also may have to
cut positions proposed for the 2019 budget
to make up the additional raises. The 2019
budget includes 15 new positions including
five in the information systems department,
a caseworker and five new corrections custodians,
a forensic scientist, shooting range
director and fraud detective in the police
department.
Brazil said he would not go along with any
cuts to personnel for the police department.
Schnur cautioned the council during the
first reading of the budget bill.
“I’m saying very firmly to you that I
believe it would be unwise to budget any
further appropriations in this budget, and
[it would be wise to] keep that small buffer
December 12, 2018
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I NEWS I 13
St. Charles County Council split over cost of living increase for county employees
“I’m saying very firmly to you that I believe it would be unwise to
budget any further appropriations in this budget.”
– Finance Director Bob Schnur
we have in place,” Schnur said. “Because
if you go head and spend any additional
money out of this budget thinking about
revenues that might come along, we don’t
think so. You’re digging a hole for next year
we have to overcome before we even think
about pay raises and that sort of thing.”
Meanwhile, councilmembers Matt
Elam [District 3], John White [District
7] and Terry Hollander [District 5] said
they favored going along with the county
administration’s budget recommendations,
which Hollander said were “well
vetted.”
“Based on my experience, I’m just in
favor of what they advise,” White said,
although he added that he would go along
with a raise if the county finds it has
enough sales tax revenue early next year.
Councilmember Michael Klinghammer
[District 6] said the additional 1 percent
was a “noble idea” but he couldn’t vote on
the Cronin motion without more information.
Ehlmann said county staff would be
available to help the council with its questions
in the next several weeks. The council’s
next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 17.
Noting that the council was split, Elam
declared, “Congratulations, Mr. Klinghammer.
We just put you in the middle.”
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14 I SCHOOLS I
December 12, 2018
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
@MIDRIVERSNEWS
MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
Francis Howell Central students at the YMCA Youth And Government Convention
in Jefferson City
bulletin
board
By ELLEN LAMPE
Students compete at Youth
And Government competition
Francis Howell Central and Francis
Howell High students recently competed
at the 70th annual Missouri YMCA Youth
And Government State Convention in Jefferson
City. YAG student delegates held
roles in a model state legislature, judiciary,
press corps and lobbying groups – learning
the ins and outs of state government.
The state YAG convention is held each
fall at the state capitol. It’s the culmination
of months of preparation by YAG delegations,
which meet throughout the fall to
prepare for the three-day mock government
session.
More than 600 students from around
Missouri attended the conference.
Six Francis Howell Central students
served in top positions and/or received
major awards. Seniors Gillian Eichel and
Jenna Schwesig held Committee Chair
positions. Schwesig presented her bill on
“implementation of mental health class in
public high school.” Eichel earned the Outstanding
Statesperson award for the second
year in a row. Eichel also had her bill, dealing
with lowering the primary voting age
to seventeen, passed into law – which is
a rare occurrence in YAG competitions.
Freshman Grace Percy’s bill dealing with
“bullying behavior which leads to suicide
will be a manslaughter offense,” and
Hannah Bernard, with her bill on “decreasing
the number of Asian Carp in Missouri
waterways,” both received the Outstanding
Bill award. Tori Laburay presented her bill
on “more training for students in the event
of an active shooter in a school.” Senior
Nicole Fortney presented her bill dealing
with “shatterproof glass for intruder protection.”
In the Francis Howell Central Media
crew, senior Marlee Dunham served as
the Technical News Director/ Coordinator.
Dunham also served as the Francis Howell
Central delegation leader.
19 total YAG members participated from
Francis Howell Central.
Francis Howell High’s delegation consisted
of 54 students. The following students
served in leadership roles.
Allison Boczkiewicz, Emily Scott and
Riley Weber served as Committee Chairpersons
in the House. Scott served as Secretary
in the House. Isabella Reed served
as the Floor Leader in the Senate. Rebecca
Amos served as a Media Director. Taylor
Flemons and Gwyn Worobec were chosen
as judges in the judicial branch.
Many students served in the legislature
by presenting and defending their bills, as
well as supporting or arguing against other
delegations. Several students also served
as lawyers in the judicial branch, where
the students argued an appellate court
case. Others worked in the media corps as
reporters, covering a variety of events at
the conference.
Five Francis Howell High students ran
for the Executive Branch for next year’s
conference. Ali Schultz was elected
Speaker of the House, and also received
Outstanding Statesperson in the House.
Amos will again serve as Media Director.
Weber and Scott received Outstanding Bill
in the House. Reed received Outstanding
Bill in the Senate
O’Fallon native’s art on
display at Fontbonne
For the next few days, an O’Fallon
native’s art will be on display to the public
at Fontbonne University at a special Fine
Arts Exhibition.
The exhibition showcases the work of
Fontbonne’s undergraduate-senior and
master’s-level artists now through Dec. 15
at the university’s Gallery of Art, Fine Arts
Building, 6800 Wydown Blvd. in St. Louis.
There, you’ll see the work of O’Fallon
native and Fontbonne graduate student
Fontbonne graduate student Lauren Arens,
of O’Fallon, poses next to her artwork-inprogress
as she prepares for the Fontbonne
University Fine Arts Exhibition.
Lauren Arens.
Each student will share 4-8 pieces. One
of Arens’ pieces depicts North Korea’s
leader Kim Jong-un surrounded by fireworks
and rockets.
The exhibit is free and open to the public
from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday,
and noon-4 p.m. on Saturday.
Students turn principals into
human ice cream sundaes
In honor of the school’s success in their
annual Fun Run fundraiser, the Fairmount
Elementary principals agreed to let students
turn them into “human ice cream
sundaes.”
Excited students held cans of whipped
cream and bottles of chocolate syrup,
poised to douse their elders.
The Fairmount students and community
earned that sweet reward for surpassing
their $38,000 goal. With the generous help
of families and community businesses, the
school ended up raising about $45,000,
which will help pay for additional playground
equipment.
Fourth-grader Serenity Harris reflected
on the importance of the annual Fun Run,
saying, “When you give money to the Fun
Run, it makes your school better.”
Due to inclement weather this year, the
activities planned for the day of the Fun
Run were moved inside. Students participated
in a variety of exercises as they
jumped and danced their way through various
levels of activity.
The cold day in November turned out to
be a heart-warming success and ended with
a chilly treat for the students.
Firefighters deliver coats
to students in need
More than 400 children in the Francis
Howell School District will be warm this
winter thanks to the efforts of the Cottleville
Firefighters Outreach’s Operation
Warm program – a nonprofit focused on
ensuring kids have a winter coat, helping
to improve school attendance and overall
wellness.
“We love doing this because we want to
help our community and we love to see

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I SCHOOLS I 15
Though inclement weather pushed Fairmount Elementary’s Fun Run indoors, students still
managed to raise around $45,000.
the smiles on kids’ faces when they get a
new coat and they know they’re going to
be warm this year,” Cottleville Firefighters
Outreach Executive Director Garrett Ryan
said. “We love giving them someone to
look up to, and know that there are people
out there that are trying to help them and
will always be looking out for them.”
happy because they’re being really nice
and taking time out of their day to give us
coats.”
Cottleville Firefighters Outreach holds a
variety of fundraisers throughout the year
to raise funds for this program. This year,
they raised about $8,000 to purchase coats
for kids in need.
A student gets fitted for a brand new winter
coat, provided by Cottleville Firefighters
Outreach’s Operation Warm program.
Francis Howell School District teachers
and counselors helped identify the students
in need, who were then able to pick out a
warm, colorful coat of their choice. Firefighters
made sure every coat fit every child
perfectly and wrote the students’ names on
each coat’s “made just for you” tag.
Students were excited not only to receive
a new coat, but also to meet local firefighters.
One fourth-grader said, “It makes me
More educators earn Excellence
in Teaching Awards
Several area teachers have earned Emerson
Excellence in Teaching Awards, which
annually recognize more than 100 educators
in the St. Louis metropolitan area who
are examples of excellence in their field.
In the City of St. Charles School District,
Tifani Herbert, an instructor at the Lewis
& Clark Career Center, was recognized as
a 2018 Emerson Excellence in Teaching
Award Honoree.
In the Wentzville School District, recipients
include: Bobbi Love, Green Tree
Elementary; Jeremy Boesch, Timberland
High; Jessica Karll, Discovery Ridge
Elementary; and Katherine Zak, Lakeview
Elementary.
Recipients are selected by the chief
administrators of their school districts or
educational institutions. The employing
educational institution must be located in
the St. Louis metropolitan area.
LOGAN UNIVERSITY PROUDLY PRESENTS
with the Alexandra Ballet
Sunday, December 16 at 4pm
The joy and whimsy of this one-hour
Nutcracker ballet is a narrated
performance the entire family can enjoy!
Students sport their brand new winter coats provided by Cottleville Firefighters Outreach’s
Operation Warm program.
The Purser Center is located on the Logan University
Campus at 1851 Schoettler Road in Chesterfield
636-230-1892 | logan.edu/Nutcracker
LAST
CHANCE!
TICKETS
Reserved Seating
$21.50
General Admission Seats
$16.50

16 I GIFT GUIDE I
Celebrating
39 Years!
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Give the Gift of Good Taste
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December 12, 2018
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
Celebrating
40 Years!
GIVE THE GIFT OF GOOD TASTE
THIS HOLIDAY SEASON,
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MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I GIFT GUIDE I 17
Outdoor living at its best
Kamado Joe Classic locks in smoke and
moisture. A revolutionary multilevel, halfrack
design frees you to cook different foods
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680 Crown Industrial Ct. • Chesterfield
(636) 728-0003
www.HeartlandsHome.com
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Custom floral arrangements, jewelry,
candles, frames, ornaments, holiday decor
and more! Pictured are wine glasses from
local artist, The Queen’s Jewels.
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17021 Baxter Road • Chesterfield
(636) 728-0480
www.marytuttles.com
C.R. Frank Popcorn & Supply Co.
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and our new
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C. R. Frank Popcorn & Supply Co.
Conveniently located 1 mile north of Hwy. 70 & Lindbergh at 5757 N. Lindbergh
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heartlandshome.com
680 Crown Industrial Ct. Chesterfield Valley

18 I SPORTS I
December 12, 2018
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
By JONATHAN DUNCAN
It was not a trip to the Class 3 semifinals
or a state championship game, but Nov. 21
will easily go down as the day that put the
exclamation point on Winfield High football
standout Collin Sutton’s
career.
Sutton, the Warriors’
dual-threat senior quarterback,
was named the Gateway
Athletic Conference
player of the year.
The award was a pleasant
surprise for Sutton, who
had to beat out top players
such as Fort Zumwalt East
quarterback Ben Watson,
Fort Zumwalt North running
back/linebacker Jaylin
Vaughn, Holt standout quarterback Cole
Mueller, and Francis Howell quarterback
Aidan McDaniel.
“That’s a pretty good group of athletes
and I was pretty excited when I found out,”
Sutton said. “I was really surprised because
I didn’t know what was happening and after
I found out, I felt pretty accomplished.”
Being accomplished was a regular facet
of Sutton’s performance on the field as a
three-year starter with Winfield. He garnered
first-team all GAC-North and alldistrict
honors and was also named the
GAC North player of the year.
In his senior season, he ran for 2,141
yards and 30 touchdowns and threw for
1,328 yards and 18 touchdowns with just
six interceptions. Sutton accounted for 80
percent of his team’s offense on the ground
and through the air.
He credited his offensive line and receivers
with being able to have a breakout
senior season. “I can’t really do much
without my linemen. They were able to do
their jobs and helped me be able to do my
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Winfield’s Sutton named 2018
GAC football player of the year
Collin Sutton
job,” Sutton said. “The receivers needed to
be able to catch the ball and that opened
things up for me to run the ball.”
Winfield coach Keith McGlasson pointed
to Sutton’s playmaking ability and leadership,
which helped drive the Warriors to
a school-record seven wins
this fall.
“Pretty much any time
Collin touches the ball, we’re
going to have a chance to
score a touchdown, and everybody
that we play knows
that,” McGlasson said. “He’s
very smart, introspective and
leads with what he does on
the field but also the way he
is in school and the way he is
around the community. He’s
just a good, all-around kid.”
Four years ago, Winfield was not known
as a football titan. The Warriors were 0-10
in 2014.
Sutton and his senior teammates took
their lumps as freshmen and sophomores.
Then, after improving to 4-6 in their junior
year, everything came together on the field
for them, finishing with a 7-4 campaign.
“It was a good four years and we’ve
started the foundation and we’re trying to
build something. I think we did a pretty
good job of that,” Sutton said.
Winfield athletic director Robert James
said that Sutton’s and the Warriors’ success
on the gridiron this season has buoyed the
spirits of the school and put it on the map
as a successful football program.
“The overall school pride in coming to
football games and the environment in
school, the excitement about Friday Night
football, is something we didn’t see four to
five years ago like we did this year,” James
said. “Hopefully, we can build off this.
These guys have really set a good foundation
for future Warriors.”
NOTICE OF FILING OF A DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY
FOR DIRECTORS OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY DISTRICT NO. 2
OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MISSOURI
Notice is hereby given that all persons interested in
filing a Declaration of Candidacy for Director of
Public Water Supply District No. 2 of St. Charles
County, Missouri from Sub District #2 and Sub-
District #5 may do so at the offices of the said
District, located at 100 Water Drive, O’Fallon,
Missouri 63368 between the hours of 8:00 am and
4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, on and between
the dates listed herein. In addition, the office will be
open for Filing on January 15th, 2019 until 5:00 pm.
LIKE
US ON
Filing of a Declaration of Candidacy begins at
8:00 am December 11, 2018 and closes at 5:00 pm
January 15th, 2019.
Done by the order of the Board of Directors,
Public Water Supply District No. 2 of St. Charles
County, Missouri.
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MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I BUSINESS I 19
Cutting the ribbon on the recently remodeled Syberg’s in St. Peters.
Business
briefs
PLACES
On Nov. 27, Syberg’s Family of Restaurants
opened the doors to its newly
remodeled restaurant and bar at 5856 Suemandy
Drive in St. Peters. The family of
restaurants is led by Kirk, Rick and Brett
Syberg, who collectively have over 100
years of restaurant experience.
• • •
New Country 92.3’s [WIL] Celebration
of Trees event at the Ameristar Casino &
Spa raised $102,000 toward construction
costs of a new Habitat for Humanity home
in St. Charles County in 2019. Additionally,
the station’s morning team raised
$170,000 for Habitat for Humanity St.
Charles County.
PEOPLE
The O’Fallon Chamber of Business &
Industries have added the following new
board members: Caleb Hunter, Extreme
Electrical; Mike Elam, St. Charles
County Council; Elizabeth Wade, U.S.
Bank; Heather Patterson, Bridge Insurance,
and Jan Stanczak, Travel Leaders/
Jan’s Travel.
• • •
Lindenwood graduate Angela Stratton
has joined Meramec Valley Bank as associate
vice president/retail and facility manager.
In this position, Stratton is focused
primarily on retail sales and marketing for
the bank, as well as managing her team at
the bank’s Ellisville location.
• • •
O’Fallon resident Erica Boyd has
joined Knoebel Construction
as an accounting
coordinator. Boyd
is responsible for analyzing
and reporting
financial data, as well as
preparing and reviewing
application-for-
Boyd
payment documents. She holds a bachelor
of science in business administration from
the University of Missouri.
• • •
The Missouri Community College
Association [MCCA] has recognized Rep.
Bryan Spencer [District 63] with its Distinguished
Legislator Award. This award is
reserved for community colleges’ biggest
advocates in the Missouri Legislature. Rep.
Spencer was recognized for his work on
expanding access to higher education from
St. Charles Community College to Warren
County. MCCA also recognized SCC professor
of psychology Marvin Tobias with
the Governor’s Award for Excellence in
Teaching. This award is presented annually
for outstanding instructors from each
community college campus in Missouri for
work done during the previous year. Lisa
Mouser, director of technology support
at SCC, was awarded the Senior Service
Award. This award is presented to a longserving
employee from each of Missouri’s
community colleges. Recipients are recommended
for the award by their college
president or chancellor.
EVENTS & NETWORKING
The O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce
& Industries hosts a membership luncheon
from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday,
Dec. 18 at Piazza Messina. 5553 Hwy.
N in Cottleville. Registration is $20 in
advance; $25 after the Friday before the
event and includes lunch. Register online
at ofallonchamber.org.
FIRST
LAKE ST. LOUIS
BAPTIST
CHURCH
2230 LAKE ST LOUIS BLVD | LAKE ST LOUIS, MO | WWW.FBCLSL.ORG
CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH US!
Christmas
Eve Services
DECEMBER 24
5:00PM

20 I HEALTH I
December 12, 2018
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
@MIDRIVERSNEWS
MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
Politically based stress is increasing among Americans and is likely to cause
arguments between family members this holiday season.
health
capsules
By LISA RUSSELL
Politics and the holidays don’t mix
– tips for avoiding arguments
According to the 2018 Stress in America
survey conducted by the American Psychological
Association [APA], more than
60 percent of U.S. adults now feel that the
current polarized political climate causes
significant stress for them personally. The
annual survey also shows that more than
a quarter of adults agree this polarization
has caused strain between themselves and
members of their own families.
High levels of stress all around will no
doubt lead to some tense and uncomfortable
conversations around holiday tables,
especially for family members or friends
who are on opposite sides of the political
spectrum. Following are some suggestions,
courtesy of the APA, to help prevent arguments
and guide those touchy conversations
in a more positive direction:
Prepare to remain calm. Preparing in
advance for how you might handle a disagreement
may give you more control over
the situation when it arises. If you often
find yourself quick to react in a heated
conversation, take a step back and remind
yourself to be calm. Try taking deep breaths
when you find yourself getting worked up,
or politely steer the conversation to a new
topic before it escalates.
Focus on areas of agreement. Instead of
strongly reacting when you disagree with
someone, actively listen to the other person
about what is important to them and look
for viewpoints you do have in common.
For example, you might have different
ideas about gun control, but share the same
concern for keeping your kids safe. By
focusing on these shared viewpoints, areas
of conflict will feel less intense.
Be kind. When having conversations
about areas of disagreement, avoid polarizing
language and personal attacks.
Remember that you are talking with someone
who is important to you. Be mindful
of your words and tone, and don’t let the
conversation become hostile or combative,
as that could have potential to damage your
future relationship.
Accept that ‘agreeing to disagree’ is ok.
Recognize that your words will not change
the other person’s mind. Remind yourself
that the conversation is an opportunity to
share your viewpoint, not to convince
anyone that your view is best – and that
your loved one or friend is entitled to his or
her viewpoint as well.
Know when to end the conversation. If
the conversation won’t resolve smoothly,
find a way to end it peacefully. It may be that
you have to change the topic of conversation
or suggest another activity, while reinforcing
your relationship with the other person.
Move on to activities that will lighten the
mood, such as playing a family game.
Research connects asthma,
obesity in children
Obesity might be the cause of asthma
for about a quarter of American children
who have the disease, according to new
research. The findings mean that about 10
percent of children between the ages of
2 and 17 – almost a million nationwide –
could have avoided asthma by maintaining
a healthy weight.
Researchers at Duke University analyzed
data for more than 500,000 children
who visited six major children’s health
centers between 2009 and 2015. They
found that children classified as obese –
those with a body-mass index [BMI] in
the 95th percentile or above for their age
and sex – had a 30-percent higher risk of
developing asthma than peers of a healthy
weight. Kids who were classified as overweight,
but not obese [with a BMI in the
85th to 94th percentile] had a 17 percent
Kids who are overweight or obese are at
higher risk for asthma, although the reasons
why are still unclear.
higher asthma risk.
“Asthma is the No. 1 chronic disease in
children and some of the causes such as
genetics and viral infections during childhood
are things we can’t prevent,” said
Jason E. Lang, M.D., associate professor
of pediatrics at Duke and the study’s
lead author. “Obesity may be the only risk
factor for childhood asthma that could be
preventable. This is another piece of evidence
that keeping kids active and at a
healthy weight is important.”
Lang added that because scientists
don’t completely understand how being
overweight or obese causes changes that
lead directly to childhood asthma, more
research is needed. Still, these findings and
other research showing that asthma often
improves with weight loss, suggest that
obesity plays a key role or is directly to
blame, he said.
The current study’s findings were published
in the journal Pediatrics.
At the office, messes
send a message
People whose office spaces are messy or
cluttered are sending negative messages to
their co-workers about their own character
and personality, say scientists at the University
of Michigan.
Psychology teams from the university’s
Flint and Ann Arbor campuses set up three
experiments in which participants were randomly
assigned to wait for researchers in
their offices. Some of the offices were clean
and uncluttered, while others were either
“somewhat” or “very” messy. The offices
were otherwise decorated identically.
Although participants had not actually
met the researchers, they were asked to
describe their personalities based on the
offices’ appearance, rating established
character traits such as agreeableness, conscientiousness,
neuroticism, and extraversion.
In each experiment, the messier the
office, the more negative traits participants
attached to the researchers. Those with the
messiest offices were most often perceived
as being less conscientious, less agreeable
and more neurotic than those with the
cleanest and most orderly.
The researchers claimed that from the

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MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I HEALTH I 21
viewpoint of those making judgements
about the personal spaces of others in the
workplace, traits like high neuroticism,
low conscientiousness and low agreeableness
could signal potentially undesirable
qualities in an employee. The significance
of this, they said, is that these impressions
matter in terms of how employees are generally
perceived and treated.
The findings appeared in the journal Personality
and Individual Differences.
The condition of your office – especially it it’s
very messy – may send negative messages
about your personality to your co-workers.
Male contraceptive enters
clinical testing phase
There may soon be a completely new
option for couples wishing to prevent pregnancy:
Clinical trials are set to begin on a
daily contraceptive medication for men.
The gel formulation, called NES/T,
includes a progestin compound in combination
with testosterone. It is applied to the
back and shoulders and absorbed through
the skin. The progestin blocks natural testosterone
production, reducing sperm production
to low or nonexistent levels, while
the replacement testosterone maintains
normal sex drive and other functions which
are dependent on the hormone. The effects
are reversible once its use is stopped.
Researchers from the National Institutes
of Health plan to enroll approximately 420
couples in the trial, which will last nearly
two years. Previous surveys, conducted in
the U.S. and worldwide, have shown that
more than half of men say they would use
a male contraceptive as long as it is reversible
and uncomplicated.
Are “no selfie zones” necessary?
In their quest for the perfect “selfie,”
nearly 260 people have died over the last six
years worldwide, according to a new study
by medical researchers in India. Of the 259
deaths, which the researchers have termed
“selficides,” they found the leading cause to
be drowning, followed by incidents involving
transportation – for example, taking a
selfie in front of an oncoming train – and
falling from heights. Other causes of selfierelated
deaths have included animal attacks,
firearms and electrocution.
In the U.S., four people have died while
taking selfies in the last few months of 2018
alone. All four were killed in falls from cliffs
or high ledges, three of those in Yosemite
National Park and one in northern Michigan.
Agam Bansal, the study’s lead author,
said he was concerned by how many of
the selfie-related fatalities involved young
people – more than 85 percent of the
victims were between the ages of 10 and
30 – and the needlessness of cutting their
lives short in this way. “What worries me
the most is that it is a preventable cause
of death … Just because you want a perfect
selfie because you want a lot of likes,
shares on Facebook, Twitter or other social
media, I don’t think this is worth compromising
a life for such a thing,” he added.
One possible way to prevent selfie deaths
would be to establish “no selfie zones,”
Bansal suggested, banning them in certain
areas such as bodies of water, mountain
peaks and at the top of tall buildings. Efforts
to dissuade people from taking selfies in
dangerous locations have already been
attempted in multiple countries, including
India, Russia and Indonesia, he noted.
“It’s like a man-made disaster,” he said.
“It’s not a natural disaster.”
On the calendar
The O’Fallon Fire Protection District
offers a Community CPR Class on
Wednesday, Dec. 19 from 6-8:30 p.m. at
Fire Station 3, 600 Laura Hill Road in
O’Fallon. Registrants who successfully
pass this class will be issued a Heartsaver
CPR-AED card through the American
Heart Association that is valid for two
years; however, the class does not include
first aid instruction. Class size is limited
to 18 students, with fire district residents
receiving preference. Attendance is free for
district residents and $25 for non-residents.
Children ages 12- 17 must be accompanied
by a parent or guardian. To sign up, complete
and return the registration form available
online at ofallonfire.org/forms; call
(636) 272-3493 with questions.
• • •
An American Red Cross Community
Blood Drive is on Friday, Dec. 21 from
1-5 p.m. at McClay Branch Library, 2760
McClay Road in St. Charles. Register
online at redcrossblood.org or by phone at
1-800-733-2767.
• • •
St. Charles City-County Library hosts
Losing Weight the Right Way on Tuesday,
Jan. 8 from 2-3:30 p.m. at the library’s
Middendorf-Kredell Branch, 2750 Hwy.
K in O’Fallon. In this course, participants
will develop a weight loss plan by using the
weight loss triad of diet, exercise and mentality.
You will be able to review example
diet plans and strategies to stay motivated,
as well as exercise options that suit your
needs and lifestyle. To register, visit bjcstcharlescounty.org
or call (636) 928-9355.
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22 I
December 12, 2018
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Giving something extra
Two local women set out to erase
stereotypes of people with disabilities
By DEANNE LEBLANC
Ally and Grace. Two young women. One
goal. Both are pushing the boundaries of
societal stereotypes and antiquated stigmas,
all while changing the world – one
photo, one presentation, one dance and one
hug at a time.
Both were born with an extra chromosome
– a small piece of code ingrained
in their DNA that resulted in Down syndrome.
The common thread that weaves its
way through their and their families’ lives
is how they both possess an uncommon
humility in acknowledging the humanity
that connects us all regardless of ability,
health, race, economic or social barriers.
“I think when people experience the
spirit of people like Grace and Ally, they
realize themselves what is most important,”
said Ally’s mom, Lisa. “Do you love others
well? Are you accepting of people who are
not like you? Do you look for the goodness
in others and encourage them with words
of life? Do you spread joy? Do you make
sure you don’t take yourself too seriously?
Do you love life? Do you notice others
who may need a hug?”
Through their examples, Ally and Grace
are hoping to impart lessons in how to
treat all human beings. In Grace’s words:
“Respect and kindness can change someone’s
life.”
Ally
Wentzville resident Ally Nichols is the
daughter of Lisa and Greg Nichols.
Lisa is the CEO of Technology Partners,
Inc. in Chesterfield and hosts the leadership
podcast, “Something Extra with Lisa
Nichols.” She also is writing a book called
“Something Extra” that focuses on Ally’s
impact and the lessons the Nichols family
has learned from seeing the world through
Ally’s eyes. The podcast [lisagaylenichols.
com] focuses on conversations with community
leaders who bring “something
extra” to all that they do.
“We believe that every person was
uniquely designed with special things to
share with the world and make a difference,”
Lisa explained. “The book explores key
attributes that Ally exhibits naturally, such
as showing unbiased acceptance of others
and extra gratitude for the simple, everyday
things we are tempted to take for granted.”
Each podcast begins the same way, with
Lisa speaking the following words: “Chromosomes,
little strands of nucleic acids and
proteins that are the fundamental instructions
that tell us who we are at birth. Most
people are born with 46 chromosomes but
each year in the United States, about 6,000
people are born with an extra chromosome,
making them a person with Down syndrome.
If you’ve ever encountered someone
with Down syndrome, you know that
they are some of the kindest, most joyful
people you’ll ever meet. They truly have
something extra.”
Ally Nichols with her mother, Lisa
According to Lisa, Ally’s “something
extra” is much more than a medical diagnosis.
Nothing keeps her from pursuing her
dreams.
Ally has a part-time job at Progress West
Hospital, is in the glee and hand chime
choir through the Pujols Center, volunteers
in multiple arenas and her social calendar
rivals that of most celebrities.
“I say all the time that Ally is my sidekick;
however, I am beginning to believe
that I am hers,” Lisa said. “She loves to
attend any kind of event and is usually the
life of the party. It doesn’t matter what we
are doing, she gives it everything and has
fun doing it.”
At 23, Ally truly loves life.
“I love to hang out
with my family and
friends, dance, sing,
watch movies and go
out to eat,” Ally said. “I
just love everyone!”
That sentiment sums
up Ally’s personality
and is an attitude that
helps her break through
old stereotypes about
what people with disabilities
can do.
In January, Ally will
be dancing as part of
the cast of Dancing
with the St. Louis Stars
to benefit the Independence Center, a community-based
program of mental health
support for adults with severe mental illness.
Her participation stems from her
mom’s role last January as a judge for the
annual fundraiser. When Lisa’s husband
got sick and couldn’t attend the 2017 event,
she took Ally as her date. In true form, Ally
was the belle of the ball.
This year, as planning got underway,
Abby Berger, business development manager
for the Independence Center [independencecenter.org],
said Ally immediately
came to mind.
“She brought joy to everyone around her
and we really wanted her to be involved,”
Berger said. “Mental illness is a diagnosis,
like any diagnosis, that can be managed
and treated. We just try to provide
the treatment and support needed to make
that happen. We focus on building relationships
with those with mental illness who
are living in the margins of our society, to
hopefully give them back their dignity and
an opportunity to live independently.”
That sentiment resonates with Lisa and
with Ally, who is thrilled to get the opportunity
to be a part of the Dancing with the
St. Louis Stars cast. She has been involved
in dancing and performing in the past and
always has loved the stage. When asked to
participate, her response was an excited,
“Yes! I’ve got moves!”
Ally’s dance instructor, Mike McAllister
of Dance Pizazz in St. Charles, said Ally
is “one of the happiest people I’ve ever
known. Within the first five minutes of
meeting each other, we were laughing and
Ally Nichols with her Dancing with the St. Louis Stars dance
coach, Mike McAllister
joking around, having the time of our lives.
It was a perfect fit.” When McAllister’s
father came to the studio recently, “Ally
went right up … and gave him a big hug,
even though she had never met him. That’s
just who she is. She wants everyone to be
known and accepted and she is constantly
thinking about others.
“If everyone was like Ally, the world
would be a better place.”
Lisa agrees. “Our older children would
say they are better people because of Ally.
They have grown in ways they possibly
would not have if Ally had not been a part
of their lives.”
The same can be said for Ally’s friends,
including Reagan Imergoot, whom Ally
met when she was 3.
Reagan and Ally became fast friends and
Lisa said, “I knew then that Reagan was
someone I would love forever for how she
loved Ally.”
At Reagan’s 6th birthday party, over 20
friends attended, but Reagan saved a special
spot at the table right next to her for
Ally. Fast forward 20 years and the friendship
remains the same. When Reagan is in
St. Louis, she always makes sure that she
and Ally have special dates to the movies,
eating at Chick-fil-A, or getting FroYo.
“I know the impact that Reagan has had
on Ally’s life,” Lisa said. “[She’s] that
friend that sees past what the world sees
and makes sure you know you belong.”
But Ally also has had a positive impact on
Reagan’s life.
“Growing up with ‘Al Pal’ has been one
of life’s sweetest gifts,” Reagan said.

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December 12, 2018
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I 23
Grace
Grace Strobel, of Chesterfield, is a
22-year-old model [gracestrobel.com]
who hopes to use public appearances and
photo shoots to raise awareness of individual
abilities. Grace had 220,000 shares
on social media in the first two weeks of
going public with her message of acceptance,
striking a chord with people all over
the world.
When Grace was born, doctors told her
parents, Jeff and Linda, she would be a
burden on their family. A genetics counselor
told them she would never read or
write and even suggested to them that there
are “institutions” for Grace if they wanted
to pursue that route.
“I knew then and there that I wasn’t
going to go in that direction,” Linda said.
“The constant in our lives is that we have
always held the bar high for Grace, and no
matter how many challenges she has faced,
we have worked to bring out her potential.
Grace Strobel
“Grace has shed the scales from our family’s
eyes and now we see the world from
an entirely different perspective – one of
love, forgiveness and kindness.”
In grade school, Grace got a taste of the
hurtful ignorance that exists in the world
for those with disabilities, after being made
fun of and teased.
“She died inside that day,” Linda said.
Grace said, “When the kids were making
fun of me, it hurt so badly. I cried all day
and couldn’t stop. I felt bad about myself. I
don’t want that to happen to other people.”
That was when everything changed for
Grace. After experiencing bullying in such
a personal way, she made a decision to start
working toward changing perceptions of
people with disabilities.
“I think we all fear what we don’t know,”
Linda said. “Grace wanted to break down
that fear. She wanted to help people understand
what it might be like to have Down
syndrome and help people understand differences
and abilities.”
With help, Grace researched
and developed a presentation
to educate audiences on ability
awareness, strengths, challenges
and acceptance. A graduate of
Marquette High, she currently
delivers those presentations to
schools in the St. Louis area,
challenging students to look
beyond what they see and seek
kindness, respect and dignity for
all individuals.
“It hurts me to see someone
being laughed at, made fun of, or
thought of as not capable,” Grace
shared. “I want to change that. I
want students to understand what
it might be like to have a disability
and how hard it is sometimes
to do things. Maybe they won’t
laugh or make fun of someone
the next time.
“I don’t want them to be afraid
of me or anyone that might look
a little different. I want them to
see that we are capable and want
love, respect and to be included
like everyone else. And I want
them to see that we have gifts
and talents like all people.”
After a few presentations,
Grace saw a model with Down
syndrome and wondered if she
could do the same.
“People with disabilities are
not often seen in media and
advertising, and I think having
that exposure helps break down
those preconceived notions
and fears,” Linda explained.
“Through modeling, [Grace
hopes she] can change perceptions
and help society to
see people with disabilities as
people first; with gifts, talents
and capabilities. Through exposure,
we create change; and
through change, we create new
opportunities and perceptions.”
Grace gets excited when she
sees how her words and photos are impacting
lives and breaking down stereotypes.
“I love talking to students and doing my
presentation,” Grace said. “It makes me
feel so good that I can do this on my own. I
love seeing the students laugh when I joke
around. Getting all the hugs and high fives
at the end makes me feel so good about
myself and what I am doing. They tell me
how much they liked my presentation and
that they understand what I am saying. I
also love seeing my photos in magazines.”
Linda talked about the admiration she
has for Grace, seeing her daughter defy
society’s expectations.
“My whole life, even before Grace was in
our family, I have had a heart for individuals
with disabilities. It is important to me
that they be treated with the same respect,
dignity and worth as any other individual.
It takes unimaginable strength to continually
endure, persist and overcome,” Linda
Grace Strobel
said. “That is the torch that I still carry, but
now I get to see my daughter carry her own
torch. I can’t tell you how proud I am of her
and all that she is doing to change hearts
and minds. She is an incredibly determined
and hardworking young lady, full of love,
laughter and joy,” Linda said.
The 11th annual Dancing with
the St. Louis Stars is a benefit for
Independence Center sponsored
by Centene Corporation. St. Louis
business leaders will entertain in
the dance competition on Saturday,
Jan. 26 at the Ritz-Carlton. The gala
will raise funds and bring awareness
to mental illness and the services
saving lives at Independence Center.
Visit dancingwiththestlouisstars.org
for more details and tickets.
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Christmas Traditions in historic St. Charles
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For our loyal advertisers and readers, WE DELIVER ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
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TIME TO BAKE:
Mid Rivers Newsmagazine’s favorite cookies
It’s not Christmas without cookies. Just
ask Santa.
Here are a few of our favorites. Some are
new, like Melissa’s recipe for gluten-free
chocolate cookies. Others are undeniably
old fashioned, such as Kate’s Traditional
German Zimsterne. Others are simply for
fun. All are delicious, so from our recipe
files to yours, happy holidays!
Pumpkin Cookies
“We only make these once per year, and
I don’t know why,” says administrative
assistant Melissa Balcer. “They’re a really
good, soft cookie and easy to make but
they’re best when chilled.”
Cookie ingredients:
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup pumpkin
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
Glaze ingredients:
3 tablespoons butter, melted
3 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions:
• Preheat oven to 375º F.
• Using an electric mixer, cream together
the shortening and sugar. Blend in the
pumpkin and egg and mix well.
• Lightly mix the dry ingredients together
and add to the wet mixture. Stir to combine.
• Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a greased
cookie sheet.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes.
• While cookies are cooling, create a
glaze by mixing together melted butter,
milk, brown sugar, powdered sugar and
vanilla.
• Glaze cooled cookies. Make sure the
glaze has dried thoroughly before packing
cookies in an airtight container.
Traditional German Zimsterne
Ingredients:
3 large egg whites
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
3 1/4 cups non-blanched almond meal*
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
*Hazelnuts or pecans, toasted and
ground, can replace the almond
meal depending on your taste preference.
Place nuts on a cookie sheet
that has been lightly coated with
cooking spray and toast in a preheated
350º F oven for 5 minutes,
watching them carefully to prevent
scorching. Grind them in a food
processor or clean coffee grinder.
Directions:
• Preheat the oven to 300º F [do not use
the convection setting]. Place the rack on
the bottom rung of the oven.
• Beat the egg whites in a medium-sized
bowl until stiff peaks form. Stir in the
powdered sugar until combined. Reserve 2
generous, heaping tablespoons of the egg
white mixture for the glaze.
• Add the nuts, cinnamon, nutmeg and
salt. Mix until the dough comes together in
a fairly stiff but pliable mass.
• Roll the dough, about 1/4-inch think,
onto a non-stick surface sprinkled with
powdered sugar.
• Use a 3-inch cookie cutter to cut out the
cookies [stars are traditional] and transfer
Zimsterne
December 12, 2018
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I 25
them to a parchment paper-lined or nonstick
cookie sheet.
• Brush the reserved egg white mixture
in a thin layer onto the cookies. Remember,
you need to glaze all the cookies, so don’t
be too generous.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Let the cookies cool completely before
storing in a dry, airtight container. Cookies
can be stored for up to two weeks, but
they’ll be eaten before then. Guaranteed.
Gluten-Free Pudding Chocolate
Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups Meister’s all-purpose glutenfree
flour
See TIME TO BAKE, page 29

26 I
December 12, 2018
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
@MIDRIVERSNEWS
MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
ON THE BOOKSHELF: Locally written books for holiday gift-giving
By KATE UPTERGROVE
St. Louis boasts a wealth of local authors.
Discovering their works, especially in
December, can be a fun way to keep your
holiday gift shopping local and personal.
From St. Louis history to sports to life lessons,
this brief list [yes, these are but a few
of the titles available from St. Louis and
St. Charles authors] offers a great place to
start. Another wonderful way to become
familiar with local authors is a trip to a
locally owned bookstore or your community
library.
LOCAL HISTORY
Images of America book series. From
St. Charles to Wentzville, these ultra-local
community histories are the perfect collection
for the history buff on your holiday
gift list. Many city halls also have a supply
of local history books for sale.
Weird, wild and filled with fun, this
incredible guidebook delivers the ultimate
tour of a unique state in the winter months.
Written by Missouri natives, the Missouri
Almanac 2018-2019 is compiled from collections
and institutions from Kansas City
to St. Louis and everywhere in between.
Written by Amanda E. Doyle, Carolyn
Mueller Kelly, Traci Angel, John Brown
and Andrea Sumy. Reedy Press
Author Jim Merkel tells the story behind
one of America’s most distinctive and
beloved national monuments. More than
two million visitors stand in awe at the
Gateway Arch each year. But what about
the the visionaries, finaglers, protesters and
intrepid workers who raised it to the sky?
Read their stories in The Making of an
Icon: The Dreamers, The Schemers, and
the Hard Hats Who Built the Gateway
Arch. Reedy Press
Why are turtles incorporated into the
wrought iron fence at The Old Court House?
Can beaver be eaten during Lent? Why are
pieces of metal track embedded in some local
streets? These and other questions about St.
Louis routinely perplex both natives and
newcomers to the area. Author Valerie Battle
Kienzle uncovers What’s With St. Louis?:
The Quirks, Personality, and Charm of the
Gateway City. Reedy Press
This Used to be St. Louis is a quick
read by author/historian NiNi Harris that
also acts as a tour guide for anyone who
loves St. Louis and wonders what its
houses, parks, roads and offices used to
be. Reedy Press
St. Louis: An Illustrated Timeline
delves deep into the mix of politics, personality
and culture
that make up
the Gateway City.
Guided by historian
Carol Shepley, you’ll
meet legends of
sports, entertainment
and crime, including
the Gashouse Gang,
Egan’s Rats, Branch
Rickey, Stan Musial,
Scott Joplin, Miles
Davis and Nelly.
Heroes and villains,
saints and rapscallions,
innovators Mere Duchesne, Rscj
Mademoiselle
and obstructionists – all have shaped this
city and all can be found in this delightful
coffee table tome. Reedy Press
In 1818, Rose Philippine Duchesne
traveled up the Mississippi River to St.
Charles where she founded the first free
Images of America book series
school west of the Mississippi.
Today, her name remains tied to
Catholic education in St. Louis
and the history of St. Charles. But
what else do you know about the young
french woman who would become a saint?
Let Theresa Riley Shaw share her story in
Mademoiselle Duchesne: Mere Duchesne,
Rscj. Available at Barnes & Noble.
Duchesne:
See ON THE BOOKSHELF, page 30

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28 I EVENTS I
December 12, 2018
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
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PUT FAITH IN YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE
John A Priesmeyer
FIC, CLTC® • Financial Consultant
6698 Keaton Corporate Parkway, Suite 103 • O Fallon, MO 63368
636-542-4041
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28971 R7-16
local
events
FAMILY & KIDS
St. Peters Rec-Plex’s Monthly DJ
Skate Nights are at 7-9 p.m. on Fridays,
Dec. 14, Jan. 4 and Feb. 8 at St. Peters
Rec-Plex, 5200 Mexico Road in St. Peters.
Kids, teens and their families are invited
to enjoy a fun night of ice skating, music,
games, prizes and more. For details, visit
stpetersmo.net or call the St. Peters Rec-
Plex at (636) 939-2386.
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
O’Fallon Celebration of Lights is
now through Dec. 30 [closed on Christmas
Day] at Fort Zumwalt Park, 1000
Jessup Drive in O’Fallon. There are various
ways to tour the park. Drive through
on your own from 6-9 p.m. on Sundays,
Tuesdays [except Dec. 11], Wednesdays
and Thursdays; and from 6-10 p.m. on
Fridays and Saturdays. Cost is $10 per
car. The Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll
is open to pedestrians from 6-8:30 p.m.
on Monday, Dec.10, and Tuesday, Dec.
11. Listen to caroling, see Santa and live
reindeer, tour the St. Charles Model Railroad
display, watch fireworks and purchase
food and beverages. Free parking
and shuttles available. Admission is $5
per person for ages 3 and up. City Train
rides are available on Dec. 3 and 17 and
cost $10 for ages 12 and up, $5 for ages
1-11 and free for infants. Sleigh rides
are available on Tuesdays [except Dec.
11], Wednesdays and Thursdays and cost
$100 for groups of 20, including children
seated on laps. Horse-drawn rides can
be booked for any evening except Mondays
or Tuesday, Dec. 11 and the cost
caries. These activities must be booked
in advance. For more information, visit
ofallon.mo.us/celebration-of-lights.
• • •
Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo is
open nightly from 5:30-8:30 p.m. from
Dec. 12-30, with the exception of Christmas
Eve and Christmas Day. Tickets can
be purchased in advance at stlzoo.org/
wildlights, or at the door on nights of the
event.
• • •
St. Charles Christmas Traditions
on Historic Main Street is now through
Monday, Dec. 24. Festivities include costumed
characters, carolers, a Santa Parade
each Saturday and Sunday, and more. For
details visit, discoverstcharles.com.
• • •
Christmas Candlelight Walks are at 6,
7 and 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14 and Saturday,
Dec. 15 at The Historic Daniel Boone
Home, 1868 Hwy. F in Defiance. Step
back in time to observe Christmas traditions
of the past, while strolling through
the village illuminated with thousands of
candles. Visit with “Daniel Boone” as he
reminisces about winters past. Tickets are
limited; admission is $10 in advance and
$15 at the park. Call or visit stccparks.org
to pre-register.
• • •
Santa’s Search Party is from 9:30-
11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15 at Indian
Camp Creek Park, 2679 Dietrich Road in
Foristell. The object of this game is to find
as many elves, presents and other characters
hidden along the trails as you can. A
park map with clues is provided, but a cell
phone is needed. Cost is $1 per person.
Registration is required. Children 10 and
under must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information about St. Charles
County Parks’ holiday happenings, call
(636) 949-7535 or visit stccparks.org.
• • •
A “Happy Birthday Jesus” party at
the 10th Annual Christmas Wonderland
from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. [registration
opens at 10 a.m.] on Saturday, Dec. 15 at
Wentzville United Methodist Church, 725
Wall St. in Wentzville. This free Christmas
celebration event benefitting underprivileged
community members offers
gifts, activities and food, all provided by
community groups and churches under
leadership of First Step Back Home Ministry.
Gifts include filled laundry/cleaning
baskets, diapers, gifts for teens, gently
used books for children, and personal
care items including the SSM Smile Kits
for kids. Santa gifts will be available for
children up to age 12 in attendance. If you
are interested in getting involved, contact
Lana Kruse at (314) 799-3694. All donations
are tax-deductible.
• • •
Wentzville United Methodist Church,
725 Wall Street, invites everyone to enjoy
the “Sounds of Christmas” this season.
All music performances are free and open
to the public. “Ringing and Singing” will
be presented at 3:30 p.m. by the Adult and
Youth handbells on Saturday, Dec. 15. The
Children’s Christmas Pageant, “Gather
Around the Christmas Tree,” is staged
during the 10:30 a.m. worship service
on Sunday, Dec. 16. The Sanctuary Choir
and Orchestra presents “Let Heaven and
Nature Sing Gloria!” during the 9 a.m.
worship service on Sunday, Dec. 23.
Carols by Candlelight takes place during
the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday,
Dec. 23.
• • •
Brunch with Santa is from 10 a.m.-2
p.m. on Sun. Dec. 16 at Cedar Lake Cellars
11008 Schreckengast Road in Wright
City. Reservations required. Cost is
$21.95 per adult, $13.95 for children 12
and under, and free for children five and
under. For reservations or more information,
call Cedar Lake Cellars at (636) 745-
9500 or visit cedarlakecellars.com.
• • •
St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre’s Holiday
Dance begins at 7 p.m. on Friday,
Dec. 21 at the St. Peters Cultural Arts
Centre, 1 St. Peters Centre Blvd. in St.
Peters. Celebrate the holidays with DJ
Gary Williams of Juke Box Productions.
Individuals, couples and groups are welcome
to join in the holiday fun and celebrate
the season dancing the night away.
Tickets are $7 at the door, or $6 for St.
Peters residents and Cultural Arts Centre
members. Bring your own snacks; soda
available for purchase. For more information,
visit stpetersmo.net/artsor call
(636) 397-6908, ext. 1624.
• • •
A New Year’s Eve Lock-in Party is at
7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 31 [pick up is 7
a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 1] at the St. Peters
Rec-Plex, 5200 Mexico Road in St. Peters.
Kids ages 8-13 can ring in the new year
with friends in a fun, secure environment
with swimming, ice skating, broomball,
basketball, gym activities, inflatables,
food for purchase, and a balloon drop at
midnight. Kids may bring pillows and
sleeping bags. Cost for Rec-Plex members
is $28. Members can bring a friend
for the same price of $28. Cost for St.
Peters residents is $53, and $63 for the
general public. Register before Dec. 31.
To register, call (636) 939-2386, ext. 1400,
visit stpetersmo.net/Rec-Connect, or register
in person.
• • •
Dance Pizazz hosts its Black & Gold
New Year’s Eve Dance Party at 8 p.m.
[doors open at 7 p.m.] on Dec. 31 at its
studio, 6722 State Hwy. N in St. Charles.
Admission includes dinner, a live band,
dancing from 9 p.m.-midnight, a photo
booth and more. Call (636) 441-6854 for
additional details and tickets.
SPECIAL INTEREST
Ethical Society Mid Rivers’ Living
Ethics Discussion is from 10:30-11:30
a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16 at 260 Brown
Road in St. Peters. Open forum on ethical
topics and dilemmas confronting our
nation, the St Charles County community,
and our members. All are welcome. For
more information, visit EthicalSocietyMR.
org or call (636) 395-0249.
• • •
Boots, Blue Jeans & Boogie, for ages
21-plus, is from 7-10 p.m. on Jan. 11 at
Cedar Lake Cellars, 11008 Schreckengast
Road in Wright City. The evening features
a DJ and country line dancing in the winery’s
Barrel Room. Prizes for best Western
wear. Event is free.
• • •
The winter social dance classes begins
the week of Jan. 13 at St. Charles Community
College, 4601 Mid Rivers Mall
Drive in Cottleville. Classes run through
Mar. 11. Swing, rumba, line dance and
more are taught. The eight-week session
costs $52 per person. Students, ages 14
and up, should enroll with a partner. To
enroll, visit stchas.edu/LearnForLife.

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MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I 29
TIME TO BAKE, from page 25
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup butter
1 package instant vanilla pudding
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups chocolate chips
Directions:
• Preheat oven to 375º F.
• Combine dry ingredients in a small
bowl.
• Beat butter, sugar, brown sugar and
vanilla in large mixibg bowl until creamy.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after
each addition.
• Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in
chocolate chips.
• Drop rounded tablespoons of mixture
onto greased baking sheets. Bake for 9-11
minutes or until golden brown.
• Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes;
remove to wire rack to cool completely.
Gingerbread Cookies
Courtesy of King Arthur Flour
Ingredients:
3/4 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup molasses
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon allspice or cloves
1 large egg
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-
Purpose Flour
Directions:
• In a saucepan set over low heat, or in
the microwave, melt butter, then stir in the
brown sugar, molasses, salt and spices.
• Transfer the mixture to a medium
mixing bowl, let it cool to lukewarm, and
beat in the egg.
• Whisk the baking powder and soda into
the flour, and then stir those dry ingredients
into the molasses mixture.
• Divide the dough in half, and pat each
half into a thick rectangle. Wrap well, and
refrigerate for one hour or longer. The
dough may be sticky and hard to roll if not
thoroughly chilled, so make sure it’s cold
before continuing.
• Preheat your oven to 350° F. Get out
several baking sheets; there’s no need to
grease them, though lining with parchment
saves effort on cleanup.
• Once the dough has chilled, take one
piece of dough out of the refrigerator, and
flour a clean work surface. Roll the dough
1/8- to 1/4-inch thick; the thinner you roll
the dough, the crispier the cookies will be.
Flour both the top and bottom of the dough
if it starts to stick. Alternatively, place the
dough on parchment, and put a sheet of plastic
wrap over it as you roll, pulling the plastic
to eliminate wrinkles as necessary when
rolling; this will keep dough from sticking
without the need for additional flour.
• Cut out shapes with a floured cookie
cutter, cutting them as close to one another
as possible to minimize waste.
• Transfer the cookies to ungreased
cookie sheets. Bake the cookies just until
they’re slightly brown around the edges,
about 8 to 12 minutes, or until they feel
firm. Let the cookies cool on the baking
sheets for several minutes, or until they’re
set. Transfer them to a rack to cool completely.
Repeat with the remaining dough.
• Decorate the cookies with Royal Icing.
Royal Icing
Ingredients:
3 ounces pasteurized egg whites [about
3 large eggs]
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1/4 teaspoon of table salt
Or if you prefer:
3 tablespoons meringue powder
8 tablespoons room temperature water
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1/4 teaspoon of table salt
Directions:
• In a large bowl using a mixer fitted with a
whisk attachment, beat all of the icing ingredients
together on high speed until mixture
forms stiff, glossy peaks, about 5 to 7 minutes.
• Tint icing using gel food colors, preferred.
If tinting with liquid food color
thins the icing, add a bit more confectioners’
sugar.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Cookies
Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter or coconut oil
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3 eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup sifted coconut flour
Directions:
• Preheat oven to 350ºF degrees.
• In a saucepan at low heat, melt butter
and stir in cocoa powder. Remove from
heat and let cool.
• In a bowl, combine eggs, sugar, salt and
vanilla; stir in cooled cocoa mixture.
• Whisk coconut flour into batter until
there are no lumps. Let batter rest for 5
minutes to allow it to thicken slightly.
• Drop by spoonfuls onto a greased
cookie sheet.
• Bake for 14 minutes.
Over 15
Different Tacos
To Choose From
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Daily Specials Over 40 Bottled/Canned Beers
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Thursday-friday ‘til 4pm
for the ladies ALL DAY Not valid with any other offer to coupons. Expires 1/15/19.
SUN: ALL DAY Happy’r Hour
$10 off
purchase of $30 or more
valid sun-thur. one per table.
Not valid with any other offer to coupons. Expires 1/15/19.
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5045 Highway N • Cottleville, MO • 636-477-6520
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a 20" XL Pizza
Limit 3 pizzas with this coupon. Not valid with any other offers.
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Chesterfield 103 Chesterfield Towne Centre • 636.530.9200 St. Peters 652 Jungermann Road • 636.447.7800
St. Charles 1938 Zumbehl Road • 636.724.7800
St. Charles 3831 Elm Street • 636.723.7800
O'Fallon 3002 Winghaven • 636.625.333
O'Fallon 8645 Veterans Memorial Pkwy• 636.272.3499

30 I
December 12, 2018
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
@MIDRIVERSNEWS
MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
MID RIVERS HOME PAGES
INTERIORS • EXTERIORS • CONCRETE
CEDAR HOMES • DECKS & FENCES
Tim Trog 636.394.0013
WWW.COUNTYHOUSEWASHING.COM
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TREE SERVICE • SINCE 1994
Deadwooding • Pruning • Removal • Trimming
Stump Grinding • Emergency Tree Service • Gutter Cleaning
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& Painting
ST. CHARLES
Power Washing • Painting • Staining
314.378.4686 • FREE Estimates!
Fully Insured & Licensed
When you want it done
right the first time...
THE FAN MAN
INSTAllATIoN ProFESSIoNAlS
Ceiling Fans • Wholehouse Fans
Gable Vent Fans • Recessed Lighting
Specializing in installation for two story homes
with no wiring on first floor.
When Handyman Quality Just Won't Do.
(314) 510-6400
GUNN FAMILY
CONSTRUCTION
18 YEARS EXPERIENCE
Build and Repair Decks & Fences,
All Painting, Wallpaper Removal
Remodeling, Finish Basements, Kitchens, Baths
Comm. & Res. Snow Removal
Senior Discounts • Military Discounts
First responders must show ID
Call Today • 636-466-3956
GunnFamilyConstruction@gmail.com
• 1 Room Or Entire Basement
• FREE Design Service
• Finish What You Started
• As Low As $15 sq. ft.
• Professional Painters, Drywall
Hangers & Tapers
Call Rich on cell 314.713.1388
We’re the place
to check out first.
MID RIVERS
H O M E P A G E S
636.591.0010
ON THE BOOKSHELF, from page 26
SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS
Sports columnist Dan O’Neill presents
the story of the St. Louis Blues – from the
humble beginnings and early expansionteam
nights though dramatic ups and
downs and the on-going quest to capture an
elusive Stanley Cup Championship. When
the Blues Go Marching In: An Illustrated
Timeline of St. Louis Blues Hockey is the
perfect gift for any die-hard hockey fan on
your list. Reedy Press
In Bernie Federko: My Blues Note,
Federko reflects on his life on and off the
ice. From his childhood in Foam Lake,
Saskatchewan, to years in St. Louis playing
with teammates like Brian Sutter and
Mike Liut, to his recent years in the Blues’
broadcasting booth.
For more than a century, the St. Louis
Cardinals have given their fans a long succession
of glorious memories and milestones.
The book Immortal Moments in
Cardinal History looks back at the 100
greatest moments in franchise history, from
the forgotten victories of four consecutive
pennant winners in the 1880s right through
the 2013 National League Championship.
Written by Bob Tiemann
and Ron Jacober. Reedy
Press
Incredible Cardinals,
written by Ed Wheatley
and illustrated by
Ed Koehler, brings the
stories of the Cardinal
heroes portrayed on the
Busch Stadium’s outfield
wall to life for children
of all ages. This colorful
and engaging book is
sure to be a hit with Cardinal
fans from age 5 to
95. Reedy Press
St. Louis Browns: The
Story of a Beloved Team
is described as “destined
to become the definitive source for the
team’s splendid history: the good, the bad
and the ugly.” It is filled with unique and
colorful stories and illustrated by exquisite
photographs. Written by Bill Borst, Bill
Rogers and Ed Wheatley. Reedy Press
Meet Bernie Federko at the Spencer
Road Library, 427 Spencer Road in
St. Peters at 7 p.m. on Dec. 17.
FOOD & DRINK
Suzanne Corbett, award-winning
writer, culinary teacher, food historian
and Mid Rivers Newsmagazine reporter,
is the author of Unique Eats and Eateries
of St. Louis. Regardless of the season,
St. Louis diners can always find something
good to eat. A perfect gift for foodies
and history buffs – much like The
Gilded Table: Recipes and Table History
from the Campbell House and Pushcarts
& Stalls: The Soulard Market History
Cookbook.
Beer lovers and history buffs alike
will enjoy St. Louis Brews: The History
of Brewing in the Gateway City. Journey
through the city’s lagering caves,
malt houses and beer gardens alongside
legendary brewers named Lemp,
Anheuser, Busch, Griesedieck and more.
This beautiful coffee table book is a
thick 320 pages filled with photos. Written
by Don Roussin, Henry Herbst and
Kevin Kious.
LIFE LESSONS
In Prepare Your Heart for a Great
Christmas, Maria Rodgers O’Rourke combines
unique reflections, plus gratitude and
to-do lists to calm even the most hectic
days. This book isn’t for those who aspire
to be Martha Stewart or Mother Teresa,
but for all women who fall somewhere in
between! Available at Butterfly and Moon
Gifts in St. Charles.
Using Jesus as a blueprint, Jean Walters
instructs readers on how
to Set Yourself Free:
Live the Life YOU Were
Meant to Live! Walters
shares numerous examples
of individuals who
have overcome major
challenges and obstacles
to live dynamically and
fully express their divine
potential. Available
online at spiritualtransformation.com.
Be Outrageous: Do
the Impossible – others
have and you can too!
Learn to listen to your
inner voice, believe
in yourself and living
authentically. Jean
Walters uses exercises and instructions to
help readers discover their true passions,
unleash their inherent power and revel in
the joy of living. Available online at spiritualtransformation.com.
Evonne Weinhaus, LPC, LCSW and
Karen Friedman, ACSW have teamed up to
bring parents of teenagers a guide to family
peace. Stop Struggling With Your Teen: A
Complete, Easy-to-Use Guide to Reconnect
and Rebuild Your Relationship with
Your Teen helps parents discover how to
strike that delicate balance between standing
their ground while encouraging their
teen’s independence.

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December 12, 2018
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
I 31
Author Richard Daniels says fatherhood
is “a tough assignment and most of us
don’t know how to do it right.” In his book,
A Tourist in My Own Life, he shows dads
how to crack the code of deeper relationships
with their children, “so you can get
into the hearts of your kids and stay there.”
Stephanie Winslow, author of Ascent
to Hope, describes her book as “aimed at
encouraging Christian
families who are struggling
with addiction.” In
it she shares a raw and
real look at “how God
worked in my heart to
change me and grow my
relationship with Him
through the struggle
control and believing I
knew all the answers.”
Available online at
ascenttohope.com.
On Fire: The 7
Choices to Ignite a Radically
Inspired Life shares
the story of John O’Leary,
who at age 9 was was almost killed in a devastating
house fire. The insights he gained
through this experience and the heroes who
stepped into his life to help him through the
journey are sure to inspire all who read this
deeply personal account.
Midnight the One Eyed Cat
BUSINESS BASICS
Contacts Connections Collaboration:
Building Your Business Through Relationships
by Bobbi Linkemer and Karen
Hoffman is described by Bhupendra O.
Khatri, MD, as “Amazingly easy to understand
and grasp, this book is a wealth of
information on how to build a powerful
network.” Available online at contactsconnectionscollaboration.com.
Authors and business gurus Karen Hoffman
and Shera Dalin teach readers how to
use The Art of Barter to determine their
“tradable” skills, initiate a trade, figure out
a fair exchange, how to close a deal and
incorporate barter into everyday life.
Courageous Communication by Maryanne
Dersch teaches nonprofits how to let go
of the fear and embrace the authentic to attract
like-minded people to their organizations.
Available online at maryannedersch.com.
Finding a job is a job in itself – one that
requires dedication, patience and, according
to author Dale Kreienkamp, prayer.
How Long, O Lord, How Long? is a book
of devotions for those who are unemployed
and the people who love them.
Do you have a book in you? If so, Stop
Stalling and Start Writing: Kick the
Excuses and Jumpstart Your Nonfiction
Book might be the book for you. Author
Nancy Erickson addresses the reasons you
may balk at writing your book and gives
you the motivation and steps to start writing.
TIME-TRAVELING REPORTERS
Is there an Elvis fan on your gift list?
Perhaps Kelly Peach’s
books Waking Up in
Graceland and Amazing
Grace are just the
gifts you need. An Elvisobsessed
reporter named
Maggie, time-travel and,
of course, The King –
the ideal weekend read,
or two. Available at piccadillypeach.com.
Cracks in the Cobblestone
has a familiar feel
for more than just its heroines,
Amelia Thornton
and Megan Murphy. The
quirky river town of Tirtmansic
feels a lot like St. Charles and its historic
Main Street. But shadows of a familiar
town aren’t the only “ghosts” that haunt
this engaging tale. Curl up with Cracks in
the Cobblestone and when you’ve solved
that mystery, move on to Susan Sagarra’s
second novel, Bus Stop Angels.
JUST FOR KIDS
In The Watering Hole, Eureka resident
Jeff Burton helps children discover the
importance of being kind to others, making
new friends and working together to solve
a problem. Good lessons to learn at the holidays
or any time of year. Available online
at outthewindowbooks.com.
Wentzville author Pat Wahler tells the tale
of Midnight, the One-Eyed Cat in a story of
discovery beautifully illustrated by Sheree
Nielsen. With the help of some unlikely
friends, Midnight learns to overcome her
fears. Along the way, she builds confidence
and takes children on an inspiring journey
into the power of friendship and love.
“A cracking good story – one that hews
to the historical facts, while hewing from
them the believable human figure of a boy
named Abraham growing into the man
Lincoln. This is a fine novel for readers of
all ages and interests,” Robert Bray, author
of Reading with Lincoln, wrote about Jan
Jacobi’s youth novel Young Lincoln. We
couldn’t have said it better.
[Editor’s note: If you can’t find a copy of
these books locally, most can be found online at
amazon.com or on the specific websites noted.]
• MID RIVERS CLASSIFIEDS • 636.591.0010 •
ELECTRICAL
ERIC'S ELECTRIC
Licensed, Bonded and Insured:
Service upgrades, fans, can lights,
switches, outlets, basements,
code violations fixed, we do it
all. Emergency calls & back-up
generators. No job too small.
Competitively priced. Free Estimates.
Just call 636-262-5840
HAULING
J & J HAULING
WE HAUL IT ALL
Service 7 days. Debris, furniture,
appliances, household trash,
yard debris, railroad ties, fencing,
decks. Garage & Basement Clean-up
Neat, courteous, affordable rates.
Call: 636-379-8062 or
email: jandjhaul@aol.com
HELP WANTED
ASSISTED CARE
Don't overpay for Homecare
• Our caregivers are carefully screened, bonded & covered under Workmans Comp
• Will be matched to your individual needs & preferences
• We require no contract & can offer care at affordable rates
Senior Services, Unltd.
A Not-for-Profit Agency
140 Jungermann Road
(Next to Barnes St. Peters Hospital)
636-441-4944
30 Years Serving Area Seniors
Foodservice worker needed
at St. Joe Cottleville cafeteria.
food prep/cashier/clean up.
Part time/seasonal. 10:00-
1:30 Monday-Friday. Email
kathleen@foodserv.org or call
636-578-6856.
• CUSTODIAL POSITIONS •
for Rockwood School District
40 hours/week
To apply please go to:
www.rsdmo.org
or call 636-733-3270
EEOC
Wendy’s is now hiring
Crew Members and
Shift Supervisors!
For our St. Louis Market
— Including —
• Ballwin,
• St. Charles
• Chesterfield
• St. Peters
Apply online at
www.BFCareers.com
HOME IMPROVEMENT
HAPPY HANDYMAN SERVICE
"Don't Worry Get Happy"
Complete home remodel/ repair
- kitchen & bath, plumbing,
electrical, carpentry. 24HR
Emergency Service. Commercial
and Residential. Discount for
Seniors/Veterans. 636-541-9432
LANDSCAPING
ONE TIME CLEAN UP
clean it all up or out!
Beds - Bushes - Trees - Dirt - Rock - Mulch
REPAIR, REDO, OR ALL NEW!
Walls - Stairs - Walks - Patios - Pits
LANDSCAPE
+ REHAB +
• FREE ESTIMATES •
636-775-5992
PAINTING
LINDSEY'S CUSTOM
PAINTING & CONSTRUCTION
For any and all home repairs
or updates that you may need!
Commercial and Residential
Interior and exterior painting,
landscaping, power-washing,
siding, dry wall, flooring, decks,
deck staining, retaining walls
(block, tie & concrete)
For a free estimate call:
636-208-3285
PUBLIC NOTICE
PAINTING
Interior and
exterior painting
Deck staining
- Insured & Free estimates -
10% discounts for seniors and veterans
Dickspainting.com
314-707-3094
ADVANTAGE
PAINTING CO.
Interior &
Exterior Painting
Drywall Repair • Taping
Powerwashing • Wallpaper Stripping
Top Quality Work • FREE Estimates
636.262.5124
INSURED
MENTION AD & RECEIVE 10% OFF
PLUMBING
• ANYTHING IN PLUMBING •
Good Prices! Basement
bathrooms, small repairs & code
violations repaired. Fast Service.
Certified, licensed plumber - MBC
Plumbing - Call or text anytime:
314-409-5051
WATERPROOFING
TOP NOTCH Waterproofing &
Foundation Repair LLC
Cracks, sub-pump systems, structural
& concrete repairs. Exterior
drainage correction. Serving Missouri
for 15 years. Finally, a contractor
who is honest & leaves the
job site clean. Lifetime Warranties.
Free Estimate 636-281-6982
FRANCIS HOWELL SCHOOL DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS
(PUBLIC NOTICE OF FILING)
The Francis Howell School District encourages qualified persons
interested in running for a position on the School Board to file to be a
candidate in the April 2, 2019, election. Interested persons may file at
the superintendent's office located at the: Administration Building 4545
Central School Road, St. Charles, MO 63304 For more information,
contact the Superintendent’s Office at 636-851-4026.
Filing will begin on December 11, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
and will continue during the district's regular business hours, which are
Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office will be
closed for lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. daily. Except for the first
and last day of filing, filing will not occur on days that the school district's
central offices are closed due to inclement weather. Filing will also not
occur on the following holidays and breaks when the school district's
central offices are closed: December 24, 2018 –January 1, 2019. Filing
will end on January 15, 2019, at 5:00 p.m.
There are two positions available with three-year terms.
* * * * * * *
Qualified applicants may file for office beginning on December 11 at
8:00 a.m. in the superintendent’s office by declaring their intent to become
a candidate, in person and in writing, to the secretary of the Board. A
lottery system for ballot order placement for first and last day filings will
be utilized. The candidate shall draw a number at random at the time of
filing. The names of the candidates filing on the first day will be listed
in ascending order of the numbers drawn and ahead of the names of
candidates filing on a later date. The names of candidates filing on the
last day will be listed in descending order of the numbers drawn after the
names of all candidates who have previously filed on an earlier date.
To be eligible for the Francis Howell School District Board of Education
candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least twenty-four years old, a
resident taxpayer of the District, have (or will have) resided in Missouri
one year immediately preceding the election, not delinquent in the
payment of any state income taxes, personal property taxes, municipal
taxes or real estate property taxes on place of residence, never plead
guilty or nolo contendere nor been convicted of a felony, is not registered
or required to be register as a sex offender, and has filed all required
campaign disclosure reports for any previous elections.