Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 12-1-21

Vol. 18 No. 22 • December 1, 2021 

midriversnewsmagazine.com 

Tis the season 

for gifts, cookies 

& holiday excursions 

see pages 19-25 

PLUS: Mature Focus ■ O'Fallon Police Department Study ■ Holiday Gift Guide

2 I 

December 1, 2021 

MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE 

Inheritance and the Perils 

of Commingling 

@MIDRIVERSNEWS 

MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM 

Inheritance is an event that eventually 

happens in the life of many. When a family 

member becomes deceased, or even a close 

friend, an individual may inherit a piece of 

their deceased family member’s or friend’s 

estate. 

The inheritance can be through the 

probate process in probate court where a 

Last Will and Testament existed. In other 

instances, there might be a non-probate 

transfer of inheritance. This can come by 

way of life insurance or other assets, like 

bank accounts, that have payable on death 

or transfer on death designations. With real 

estate, there might even be a beneficiary 

deed. When that is the case, the transfer of 

real estate can happen outside of the probate 

court. 

No matter the circumstances, inheritance 

is almost always treated as separate 

property in a divorce. Thus, if one spouse 

received the inheritance alone, in the case 

of divorce, they would ordinarily get this 

inheritance free from any claims of their 

spouse. 

There is a common scenario, however, 

that can blur these lines. The common 

scenario involves the commingling of the 

separate inheritance with marital property. 

Take an instance where a party inherits 

liquid funds — either through a probate 

or non-probate transfer. Instead of putting 

this inheritance in a bank account in their 

name alone, what some parties do is place 

the inheritance in a marital bank account 

that also has their spouse’s name on it along 

with marital money. 

When this is the case, commingling 

has occurred. By commingling, it means 

that the separate inheritance has been 

mixed with marital money. When that 

takes place, many family courts will treat 

all the money in the marital bank account, 

including the separate inheritance, as marital 

property. 

Further, when the bank account has 

both spouse’s names on it, many family 

courts will also consider this marital property 

under the doctrine of transmutation. 

Transmutation is where separate property 

is treated as a donated gift to the marital 

estate because it was placed in a jointly titled 

account or, in the case of real estate, the 

inherited property is placed in the name of 

Lorem ipsum 

both spouses by a subsequent deed. 

For parties who are receiving the inheritance, 

and they wish to keep that inheritance 

their separate property in the case of 

a divorce, it is vital to speak with an attorney 

before receiving these funds or property. 

Not commingling and/or transmuting 

the assets in the first place can be critical. 

In cases where commingling has occurred, 

it might be possible to hire a forensic 

accountant in some cases to trace the 

separate property from the marital property, 

although in many cases, the damage 

might already have been done. 

Stange Law Firm, PC limits their practice 

to family law matters including divorce, 

child custody, child support, paternity, 

guardianship, adoption, mediation, collaborative 

law and other domestic relation 

matters. 

Stange Law Firm, PC gives clients 24/7 

access to their case through a secured online 

case tracker found on the website. They 

also give their clients their cell phone numbers. 

Call for a consultation today at 855- 

805-0595. 

Here to Help You 

Rebuild Your Life® 

To schedule a consultation: 

855-805-0595 

WWW.STANGELAWFIRM.COM 

The choice of a lawyer is an important decision that should not 

be based solely upon advertisements. Kirk Stange is responsible 

for the content. Principal place of business 120 South Central 

Ave, Suite 450, Clayton, MO 63105. Neither the Supreme Court 

of Missouri/Illinois nor The Missouri/Illinois Bar reviews or approves 

certifying organizations or specialist designations. Court 

rules do not permit us to advertise that we specialize in a particular 

field or area of law. The areas of law mentioned in this article 

are our areas of interest and generally are the types of cases which 

we are involved. It is not intended to suggest specialization in any 

areas of law which are mentioned The information you obtain in 

this advertisement is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You 

should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual 

situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, 

letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client 

relationship. Past results afford no guarantee of future 

results and every case is different and must be judged on its merits. 

St. Charles Office 

2268 Bluestone Drive 

St. Charles, MO 63303 

Paid Advertisement 

Manchester 

1266 Old Orchard Center 

314-627-2499 

Festus 

12285 Highway 67 South 

314-627-2599 

Ellisville 

15396 Manchester Rd Rd 

314-627-2699 

House Springs 

3 Walters Walter’s Place 

(Coming 314-627-2566 

summer 2021) 

Open to the public for CBD 

Medical marijuana for certified patients 

Learn how to obtain your medical card 

nblisscannabis.com

FACEBOOK.COM/MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE 


STAR PARKER 



I OPINION I 3 

Build back better – 

wasting trillions 

with Aprilaire 

As Democrats regroup to try to pass 

their $2 trillion Build Back Better Act, 

pressure grows for shining the light of 

fiscal responsibility on all this. 

Given President Joe Biden’s crashing 

approval ratings, there is some hint that 

the American people smell a rat. 

One sign of the smell of that rat is the 

alarming escalation of the rate of inflation 

to where it hasn’t been in over 30 years. 

Let’s start with the announcement from 

the Treasury Department that the revenue 

measures built in to finance the $2 trillion 

in spending will not only not add to 

the nation’s existing fiscal deficit but will 

reduce it. 

The headline from the Treasury department 

reads “Preliminary Estimates Show 

Build Back Better Legislation Will Reduce 

Deficits.” The document shows an estimate 

of $2.151 trillion in revenue-raising measures 

against $2 trillion in spending. 

However, the University of Pennsylvania 

Wharton School of Business has its 

own model, overseen by a professor with 

extensive experience in the Congressional 

Budget Office and the Treasury Department. 

According to the Wharton model, 

Build Back Better will add $500 billion to 

the federal deficit. 

Treasury says the Build Back Better Act 

cuts the deficit by $151 billion. Wharton 

says it increases it by $500 billion. Not 

exactly a trivial difference. 

Who do we believe? 

The Congressional Budget Office will 

also weigh in. But it still leaves us with 

the question of who to believe. 

It isn’t about one place having better 

economists than the other. 

The problem is that it is impossible to 

make meaningful forecasts with such 

huge amounts of funds, all of which are 

highly politicized. 

Anyone who has ever run a business 

knows what I am talking about. 

I run a small business with revenues of 

a few million dollars a year. Even at a few 

million dollars a year, it is a great challenge 

to do accurate projections. 

If it is hard at a few million, how about 

at $6.5 trillion, which is where the federal 

budget stands this year? 

The corporation with the largest revenue 

in the country is Walmart. It’s about 

$560 billion, or about 10% of the federal 

budget. 

I am sure if you ask any analyst in 

Walmart’s budgeting department, they 

will tell you how hard it is to project. But 

aside from the amounts we’re talking 

about, there is another huge difference 

between what is going on in any private 

business, at Walmart, and at the federal 

government. 

In private business, we are spending 

our own funds. In a big corporation like 

Walmart, they are spending their shareholders’ 

funds. Every single individual 

spending and investing these funds is 

held personally responsible. If they are 

irresponsible, they get fired. 

But where is the personal responsibility 

for the trillions being spent by the federal 

government? 

The 100 Democrat progressives who 

are pushing so hard for this $2 trillion in 

spending have zero personal responsibility 

to assure that these funds are spent in 

an effective and responsible way. It is all 

politics. They dream up programs that 

sound so beautiful. But the realities of 

these programs submit to no responsible 

individual scrutiny. 

Americans work too hard for their 

income on which they are paying taxes 

to have these funds expropriated by those 

who have political power but no personal 

responsibility. 

In addition, inflation is also a tax. When 

the government doesn’t explicitly take the 

funds through taxes and prints the money 

to meet obligations, this shows up as 

inflation, which then hits every working 

American. 

In 1900, federal government nondefense 

spending amounted to 1.8% of 

our economy; in 1950, it was 10.4%; in 

2000, it was 14.8%; and in 2021, it was 

28.5%. 

Far too much of your money and mine 

is being taken by politicians to wastefully 

spend. 

Hopefully, the $2 trillion won’t make it 

into law. 

• • • 

Star Parker is president of the Center 

for Urban Renewal and Education and 

host of the weekly television show “Cure 

America with Star Parker.” 

© 2021 Creators.com 

Read more on midriversnewsmagazine.com 

Humidifiers Play A Key Role In Wellness 

Get an Aprilaire 600 

Humidifier Installed 

for Only $625. 

8648 Mexico Rd. • O’Fallon, MO 

(Near intersection of Hwy K & Mexico Rd) 

636.240.5283 

Hours: Mon-Fri 9-7 

Sat 10am-5pm • Sun 12-5pm 

(Water valve additional if needed) 

Contact AAA Home Services today 

(636) 397-3200 - aaastl.com 

O’Fallon Nutrition 

Your Local Choice For Natural Products Since 2002 

NEW EXTENDED HOURS AND LOWER PRICES 

CURBSIDE SERVICE AVAILABLE 

• Vitamins & Minerals • Digestive Health • 

• Mood & Memory Support • Essential Oils • 

• Immune Support • Weight Loss & Sports Nutrition • 

• Pain & Joint Support • Keto & Paleo • CBD Products • 

• Mushrooms • Protein • Herbs • Teas • Wholesome Snacks • 

$4 OFF 

Any Purchase 

over $20 

Not valid with other offers, discounts 

or coupons. 1 coupon per customer 

per visit. Expires 12/31/21. 

Find our Monthly Specials on Facebook 

and www.ofallonnutrition.com

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AND 

CHRONIC PAIN WARNING 

Covered by Medicare and Most Major Insurances! 

Chronic pain and/or peripheral neuropathy is 

a result of damage to the nerves often causing 

weakness, pain, numbness, tingling, and the most 

debilitating balance problems. This damage is 

commonly caused by a lack of blood flow to the 

nerves in the hands and feet which causes the 

nerves to begin to die. 

The blood vessels that surround the nerves 

become diseased then shrivel up 

which causes the nerves to not get 

the nutrients to continue to survive. 

When these nerves begin to “die” they 

cause you to have balance problems, 

pain, numbness, tingling, burning, and 

many additional symptoms. 

You may have been told you have to 

live with these problems, but YOU 

don’t. 

There is a center in St. Peters that 

may be able to reduce or eliminate the 

drugs you are on now such as Metformin, 

Gabapentin and Lyrica. 

In order to effectively treat your neuropathy 

three factors must be determined: 

1. What is the underlying cause? 

2. How much nerve damage has been 

sustained? 

NOTE: Once you have sustained 95% nerve 

loss, there is likely nothing that we can do for 

you. 

3. How much treatment will your condition 

require? 

The treatment that is provided by Morningstar 

Neuropathy & Pain Center has three main goals: 

1. Increase blood flow 

2. Stimulate and increase small fiber nerves 

3. Decrease brain-based pain 

The treatment to increase blood flow, 

stimulate nerve fibers and get back to 

health is our new $50,000 SANEXAS 

UNIT! 

In addition, we use a state-of-the-art 

diagnostics, like the TM Flow diagnostic 

unit to accurately determine the 

increase in blood flow and a small skin 

biopsy to accurately determine the 

increase in small nerve fibers! 

The Sanexas electric cell signaling 

system delivers energy to the affected 

area of your body at varying wavelengths, 

including both low frequency 

and middle frequency signal. It also 

uses Amplitude Modulated (AM) and 

Frequency Modulated (FM) signaling. During a 

treatment sessions, the Sanexas system automatically 

changes to simultaneously deliver AM and 

FM electric cell signal energy. 

Depending on your coverage your treatment could 

be little to no cost to you! 

The amount of treatment needed to allow the 

nerves to fully recover varies from person to 

person and can only be determined after a detailed 

neurological and vascular evaluation. As 

long as you have not sustained at least 95% nerve 

damage, there is hope! 

Morningstar Neuropathy and Pain Treatment Center 

will do a chronic pain and neuropathy severity 

examination to determine the extent of the nerve 

damage as a public service to you and/or your 

family and friends. 

This neuropathy/pain severity examination will 

consist of a detailed sensory evaluation, extensive 

peripheral vascular testing, and a detailed analysis 

of the findings of your neuropathy. 

Limited appointments available for the 

FREE NEUROPATHY 

CONSULT 

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER 

ANOTHER MINUTE, CALL NOW! 

636-244-0124 

4710 MEXICO ROAD 

ST. PETERS, MO 63373 

WWW.MORNINGSTARNPTC.COM 

636-244-0124

Give Yourself Something 

this year 

Refinance 

your auto loan to us 

& Get $100! 

Now through January 15 

Proud Partner of 

the St. Louis Blues 

Scan for more 

information 

636-728-3333 800-767-8880 www.firstcommunity.com 

*$1 share deposit required. Must qualify for membership. Federally insured by NCUA. Loan subject to credit approval. Rates, terms and conditions subject to 

change without notice. Rates may vary according to your credit history. Offer does not include refinances on First Community loans. Not valid with any other 

offer. Money will be deposited after loan is closed. The transaction requirement is a minimum of $5,000 loan. The minimum term is 24 months. Offer valid 

November 15, 2021 through January 15, 2022.

6 I OPINION I 



EDITORIAL 

When others look away, local journalists stay 

By JESSICA MESZAROS 

“A newspaper is the center of a community, 

it’s one of the tent poles in the community, 

and that’s not going to be replaced 

by websites and blogs.” 

Michael Connelly, American writer and 

author of the above quote, knows a thing or 

two about what attracts readers to a work. In 

addition to authoring over 31 detective and 

thriller books that have sold over 70 million 

copies worldwide, he made a major decision 

in college to forego his degree in construction 

management in order to pursue a major 

in journalism. He went on to become a 

crime beat reporter for his local newspaper, 

the Daytona Beach News Journal. The rest, 

as they say, is history. 

While the ecosystem of newsrooms and 

manners of ethical reporting have been 

discussed since newspapers started circulating 

in England in the 17th century, many 

curiosities about the state of the industry 

continue to persist today. Technology has 

brought changes, such as a 24/7 news cycle 

that demands constant content and a wider 

lens focusing on otherwise local topics. 

For local newspapers, the game is 

different. 

In-between the major controversies that 

draw national attention, local reporters are 

the ones sitting in aldermanic meetings, 

scanning budget reports, calling local politicians 

and documenting future mega-athletes’ 

first games. 

Local journalists work double-time as 

public servants and watchdogs, providing 

“checks and balances” on a municipal 

level. Local newspapers are the sole source 

of information about what is going on with 

residents’ tax dollars and in municipal government 

offices. 

In doubt about whether government officials 

care about local news? They do. The 

Local Journalism Sustainability Act was 

introduced in both the House and the Senate 

earlier this year specifically to provide a 

pathway to financial viability for local news 

through a series of tax credits. 

Local news is important enough that Capitol 

Hill is noticing. 

Local newspapers also have the perk of 

being a source for the best finds in your 

neighborhood – from restaurants to businesses 

to events and so much more. In addition 

to promoting the message of shopping 

local, publications like Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 

serve as an advertising outlet that 

gives small businesses access to community 

members and vice versa. 

At Mid Rivers, our Business Profile sections, 

where local businesses share their stories 

are a best-read feature. Why? Because 

community matters and supporting small 

businesses builds community. 

Since I started working here, I’ve interviewed 

hundreds of businesses and yet, no 

two businesses are ever alike. 

I have really enjoyed getting to know 

these companies. So have readers. I’ve been 

standing at the register at multiple businesses 

where the owner asks a customer, 

“Where did you hear about us?” only for 

them to reply, “Mid Rivers Newsmagazine!” 

Before I was writing Business Profiles, 

Healthcare Professionals or posting our 

talented writers’ content to our shiny new 

website, I was just a regular Mid Rivers 

Newsmagazine reader. When I called the Mid 

Rivers Newsmagazine office in 2015 asking 

for an internship opportunity, I was aware of 

the publication because it came in the mailbox 

of my Wildwood family home, but I had 

no idea where that call would take me. 

Managing Editor Kate Uptergrove welcomed 

me in and mentored me. I was a 

green reporter whose only perk was a desire 

to learn. In the six years I have worked for 

Mid Rivers Newsmagazine and its sister publication, 

West Newsmagazine, I went from a 

freelance writer to the associate editor. In that 

time, I’ve written everything from restaurant 

spotlights to articles on police dogs, sex trafficking, 

Special Olympics athletes, catalytic 

converter thefts and much more. 

However, this will be my last written 

piece for Mid Rivers Newsmagazine. At 

least, for now. 

My experience working with local newspapers 

has been a gateway into the realms of 

politics, police enforcement and an overall 

heightened awareness about the importance 

of community engagement. 

That last piece will certainly come into play 

as a move into my new role as marketing and 

communications supervisor for Parkway- 

Rockwood Community Education – they’re 

all about community too! 

For those of you who have not already 

done so, I highly endorse subscribing to Mid 

Rivers Newsmagazine. It’s free and easy to 

do so at midriversnewsmagazine.com. 

As long as there is news, local newspapers 

are here to stay. I encourage you to 

hang around too. 

Regardless of what the future holds, it’s 

sure to be quite the show. 



Founder 

Publisher Emeritus 

Publisher 

Managing Editor 

Associate Editor 

Features Editor 

Proofreader 

Business Manager 

Graphic Designer 

Graphic Layout 

Admin. Assistant 

Vice President - Direct Sales 

Vicky Czapla 

Advertising Account Executives 

Nancy Anderson 

Ellen Hartbeck 

Linda Joyce 

Bethany Coad 

Suzanne Corbett 

Kara Jeffers 

Robin S. Jefferson 

Writers 

Doug Huber 

Sharon Huber 

Tim Weber 

Kate Uptergrove 

Jessica Meszaros 

Lisa Russell 

Jan Nothum 

Erica Myers 

Donna Deck 

Emily Rothermich 

Melissa Balcer 

Joe Ritter 

Sheila Roberts 

Cassandra Langley 

DeAnne LeBlanc 

John Tremmel 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 

Regarding ‘House Progressives 

detach from reality’ 

To the Editor: 

Star Parker’s attack on Cori Bush made 

it sound like she would be a champion of 

Joe Manchin’s version of the “Build Back 

Better Bill.” Alas, she does not promote 

any social policy, but rather the status quo, 

such as St. Louis’s poverty rate of 16.4%. 

Clearly a social welfare bill is needed, 

and currently the need for competent childcare 

for working families stands out. Build 

Back Better proposes to incentivize professional 

child care with a 151% increase in 

pay, according to Casey Mulligan. That 

addresses the most underpaid professional 

salaries in our economy. As any conservative 

will tell you, you get what you pay for. 

As for paying for child care for single 

parents earning below 75% of median 

income, that is clearly a case of aiding who 

needs assistance the most. I am sure if the 

BBB paid married couples at the same rate, 

then Ms. Parker would cry about the waste 

of aiding those who are capable of paying 

for their own child care. 

It is easy to criticize constructive efforts 

to lift families out of poverty, but it is 

heartless and inexcusable to do nothing. 

Bill Tucker 

Crisis in elder care 

To the Editor: 

Elders in the St. Louis area are facing a 

major crisis. 

Staffing shortages in food service, labor 

and health industries are having a tremendous 

negative impact on our precious seniors. 

Many of these folks are currently on long 

waiting lists to get help at home or move into 

senior communities because of these staff 

shortages. As a result, their physical, social 

and nutritional needs are not being properly 

met. Loneliness is also becoming a chronic 

condition among seniors. How can you help? 

1. Look for seniors living alone in your 

neighborhood and ask them if they need 

help. 2. Contact your representatives and 

tell them about this problem. Ask what they 

are doing legislatively to help. 3. Gather 

with local community leaders to discuss 

other ways you can be part of the solution. 

Start the conversation with your friends and 

neighbors. 4. Consider becoming a paid 

caregiver for a few hours a week, either in 

home care or at a senior community. There 

are many companies in the community that 

need help right now, and even if you only 

work a few days a week, you can make an 

enormous impact on the life of a senior. 

We must face this issue head on and 

begin valuing our elders again. 

Laura McCoy 

754 Spirit 40 Park Drive 

Chesterfield, MO 63005 

(636) 591-0010 


Please send 

Comments, Letters and Press Releases to: 

editor@newsmagazinenetwork.com 

Mid Rivers Newsmagazine is published 24 times per year 

by 21 Publishing LLC. It is direct-mailed to more than 

57,698 households in St. Charles County. Products and 

services advertised are not necessarily endorsed by Mid 

Rivers Newsmagazine and views expressed in editorial copy 

are not necessarily those of Mid Rivers Newsmagazine. 

No part of Mid Rivers Newsmagazine may be reproduced 

in any form without prior written consent from Mid Rivers 

Newsmagazine. All letters addressed to Mid Rivers 

Newsmagazine or its editor are assumed to be intended for 

publication and are subject to editing for content and length. 

Mid Rivers Newsmagazine reserves the right to refuse any 

advertisement or editorial submission. © Copyright 2021.

LEARN MORE

8 I NEWS I 





Recently recognized for their role in apprehending a burglary suspect in 

West St. Louis County were Lake Saint Louis Police Officer Pat Dolan and 

K-9 Zeke along with Manchester Police Sgt. Todd Clark and officers Josh 

Cockrell, Andrew Cowan, Jim Ervin, Andrew Hendrix, Jake Humphreys and 

Dave McArthur. 

(Source: City of Manchester/Facebook) 

news 

briefs 

DARDENNE PRAIRIE 

Hanley Road closed for repairs 

As of Nov. 29, Hanley Road is closed 

between Feise Road and Brett Ridge for 

one week. 

Adjacent intersections will remain open 

for vehicle and pedestrian use. 

The one week closure allows contractors 

to complete all needed underground 

upgrades and street work quickly instead 

of drawing out the repairs for several 

weeks with risk of winter weather, which 

would create further project delays. 

O’FALLON 

Census-based ward redistricting 

bill approved 

The 2020 U.S. Census resulted in 

updated population numbers for all five 

wards in O’Fallon, with the city’s total population 

rising to an estimated 93,663 residents. 

The city’s population has increased 

by 14,334 residents, or 18%, since 2010. 

That growth had not been equal across 

all city wards, with the most significant 

occurring in Ward 3. 

The city council had appointed a citizen 

Apportionment Commission with a volunteer 

from each ward to reallocate populations 

in order to fairly balance council 

representation. Those volunteers included 

Jim Combs (Ward 1), Paul Brown (Ward 2), 

Doug Link (Ward 3), Greg Fisher (Ward 4) 

and Linda Ragsdale (Ward 5). 

Sponsored by Mayor Bill Hennessy, a 

bill reflecting the commission’s recommendations 

was previously given a first 

reading at the council meeting on Oct. 28. 

At the Nov. 15 City Council meeting, a 

public hearing was conducted to cover the 

proposed redistricting. 

The commission had followed four basic 

guidelines for adjusting ward areas: 

• Equal population across all wards, with 

variance less than 10%. 

• Maintain compact and contiguous ward 

areas. 

• Keep neighborhoods together. 

• Try to keep divisions along major roads. 

The commission had recommended 

changes in order to have each ward with 

a population between roughly 18,000 and 

19,000, while meeting the four guidelines. 

To level populations, Ward 5 contributed to 

Ward 1, Ward 3 contributed to Ward 2 and 

Ward 4, and Ward 4 contributed to Ward 5. 

The council then voted 9-0 to approve 

the bill, with council member Dale Kling 

(Ward 3) absent/excused. The revised 

ward boundaries will be used for subsequent 

elections, beginning with the general 

municipal election on April 5, 2022, when 

one council seat for each ward will be up 

for election or re-election. 

Three resolutions passed 

for local roads 

The city of O’Fallon has approved projects 

to improve Winghaven Blvd., rehabilitate 

a bridge on Belleau Creek Road, and 

replace a bridge on North Cool Springs 

Road. 

Three resolutions, one per each project, 

were approved at the City Council meeting 

on Nov. 15, each by a vote of 9-0. Council 

member Dale Kling was absent/excused 

for the votes. 

One resolution authorized a construction 

agreement with Krupp Construction Company 

for the Winghaven Boulevard Road 

Improvement Project. The $1,564,819.55 

project includes road resurfacing, Americans 

with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements, 

and drainage improvements along 

Winghaven Boulevard from Route N to 

south of Hammack Road. Of the five bids 

received, Krupp was selected as the lowest 

and best fit. The project is partially funded 

via federal funds. 

Another resolution authorizes an agreement 

with on-call engineering consultant 

Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc., 

for the design component of the North 

Cool Springs Road Bridge Removal and 

Replacement project, with the design cost 

not to exceed $124,867.80. The bridge is 

in deteriorating condition and currently 

is restricted to one lane with a five ton 

weight limit, essentially limiting traffic to 

passenger vehicles. Analysis had indicated 

that replacement with a precast box culvert 

would be more effective than repairing the 

existing bridge. With the design portion 

handled, construction costs for the project 

would have to be approved by the council 

in a separate future bill or resolution. 

The final resolution approved a construction 

services agreement with Pavement 

Solutions, LLC, for the 2021 Belleau 

Creek Bridge Rehabilitation Project at a 

cost not to exceed $88,982. 

The city’s annual inspection program 

found there is a section loss in the south 

support structure of the bridge that crosses 

Belleau Creek along Belleau Creek Road 

south of I-70. This rehabilitation will 

remove and re-paint steel, then encase 8 

south support steel piles in concrete for 

additional protection. Of five bids, city 

staff found that Pavement Solutions had 

provided a low responsive bid. 

City approves Hwy. K, Route N 

intersection improvements 

O’Fallon has approved improvements 

to reduce congestion at the intersection 

of Hwy. K and Route N. At their Nov. 15 

meeting, the City Council approved a bill 

detailing the improvements (No. 7370) by 

a vote of 9-0 with Ward 3 council member 

Dale Kling absent/excused. The bill 

enables a cost-share agreement between 

the city and Missouri Department of Transportation 

(MoDOT) for use of MoDOT 

program funds for those improvements, to 

include: 

• Installation of dual left-turn lanes for 

both eastbound and westbound traffic on 

Route N as it approaches Hwy. K. 

• Sidewalks/path connectivity. 

• Modifications to signal timing in order 

to mitigate congestion through the intersection. 

The total project cost is estimated at 

$1.31 million, and will be 49% funded by 

the state. MoDOT will provide $645,000 

while the city will be responsible for 

approximately $655,000. 

The city also has submitted a grant application 

to the St. Charles County Road Board to 

split the city’s portion on an 80% county and 

20% city funding split. If approved by the 

board, the city’s remaining portion would be 

$131,000. The county’s Road Board Committee 

has recommended approval. 

LAKE SAINT LOUIS 

Police officer, K-9 honored 

Seven Manchester, Missouri, police 

officers, along with Lake Saint Louis 

Police Officer Pat Dolan and his K-9 

partner, Zeke, were honored at the Nov. 

15 Manchester Board of Aldermen meeting 

for their outstanding work during a 

recent local burglary. 

At 3:11 a.m. on Oct. 10, the Manchester 

police officers responded to an 

alarm sounding at a business located 

at 211 Henry Ave. The officers were 

already in the area conducting a saturation 

patrol due to recent burglaries, so 

they arrived on the scene in less than 1 

minute. Upon arrival, they discovered 

signs of forced entry. Soon after, a male 

subject attempted to exit the building, 

but he quickly ran back inside when he 

saw the officers. With the assistance of 

other West County municipal agencies, 

the building was surrounded. 

Several attempts to communicate with 

the subject were unsuccessful. “We 

always try to get them to turn themselves 

in on their own,” Manchester Chief of 

Police Scott Will said. 

At 6:55 a.m., the Manchester officers 

initiated a search of the building. They 

were assisted by Dolan and Zeke, who 

tracked the subject, allowing the officers 

to locate the subject and take him into 

custody. 

“The dog definitely expedited the 

process,” Will said. “It’s a wonderful 

resource for the police department.” 

SAINT CHARLES 

New public works director named 

The city of Saint Charles has announced 

that Nicholas Galla will serve as its new 

director of public works. 

Galla has been employed with the city 

since 2015 and has over 17 years of experience 

in civil engineering. Previously, he





I NEWS I 9 

has served as the assistant city engineer for 

the city and as interim director of public 

works. Galla is a graduate of Missouri 

University of Science and Technology and 

Francis Howell North High. 

Fundraiser donations to rehome 

Sacagewea statue returned 

A fundraiser launched to bring a 

Sacagawea statue to St. Charles city in 

August 2021 has ended without reaching its 

goal. 

Mayor Dan Borgmeyer told Mid Rivers 

Newsmagazine that he recently sent personal 

‘thank you’ letters to all the individuals 

who donated checks, and returned their 

money with the letter. 

The GoFundMe donations collected for 

the effort will be returned by GoFundMe 

as soon as the hold period expires, or 

around the first week of December, according 

to Borgmeyer. 

A statue of Sacagawea, Merriwether 

Lewis and William Clark was removed 

from Charlottesville, Virginia, this summer 

after garnering criticism from several of 

Sacagawea’s direct descendants and nieces, 

who said the position of the sculpture 

depicted her as subservient and as “a dog 

going along for the trip.” 

The Charlottesville City Council then 

voted to take the statue down in July of 

2021, which afforded the opportunity for 

the statue to be rehomed in a new city. 

case of a tiebreaker. 

The event helps to raise funds for future 

projects that send Missouri linemen to 

developing nations to build power lines for 

people living without the benefits of electricity. 

CREC linemen have participated in 

several of these international trips in the 

past to Haiti and Sudan. 

BCI Skills Center lauded 

The BCI Skills Center, a vocational 

training facility for adults with disabilities 

that partners with local businesses to 

create custom programs, has received the 

2021 Cutting Edge Award from the Missouri 

Association of County Developmental 

Disabilities Services (MACDDS). 

MACDDS is an organization of 55 

county boards that provide services to an 

estimated 36,000 Missourians with disabilities 

across the state. The Cutting Edge 

Award honors organizations that provide 

unique, inclusive, dignified programs and 

services that promote learning for people 

with disabilities so that they may live more 

independently. 

Since its founding in 2019, the Skills 

Center has trained 48 individuals and placed 

32 into competitive, integrated employment 

where they work alongside non-disabled 

individuals while earning the same opportunities, 

responsibilities, benefits, and pay. 

The Developmental Disabilities 

Resource Board of St. Charles County 

(DDRB) is a public taxing entity that enters 

into funding contracts with agencies that 

serve individuals with developmental disabilities 

in St. Charles County. The public 

tax that funds the DDRB was established 

in 1977 when county voters approved a 

tax up to 16 cents per $100 of assessed 

property valuation to provide communitybased 

programs and support for citizens 

with developmental disabilities. 

ST. CHARLES COUNTY 

Local linemen take second 

in state rodeo 

Nine Cuivre River Electric Cooperative 

(CREC) linemen participated in the Association 

of Missouri Electric Cooperatives 

(AMEC) Fourth Annual Lineman’s Rodeo 

this fall at the association’s headquarters in 

Jefferson City. In total, 53 linemen from 

13 co-ops put their skills to the test. 

In the journeyman team division, 

CREC’s Jacob Tiefenthaler, Mike Hartley, 

and Jon Pauk took second place. 

First-place went to linemen from Barry 

Electric Cooperative. Other CREC participants 

were Rod Nesslage, Craig Eikermann, 

Chris Molitor, Bryce Menne, Mark 

Hasekamp and Ronnie Akers. 

The rodeo holds both team and individual 

competitions in the apprentice and 

journeyman divisions. Some of the challenges 

include the Hurt-Man Rescue and 

Modified Pole Climb. Linemen were also 

faced with a 100-question knowledge test 

and mystery events they had little time to 

prepare for, such as changing out transformer 

arrestors. Competitors are judged 

on how safely they complete each challenge. 

Individual times are only used in the 

• We are able to age in place and never have to move again 

• We find comfort in knowing we have access to all levels of care 

• We appreciate our chef who prepares delicious meals and delectable treats 

• We love our activities program offered 10 hours a day 

• We enjoy the intimate environment where our caregivers become family 

• We adore our spacious rooms surrounded by beautiful gardens 

EXPERTS IN DEMENTIA CARE 

gardenviewcarecenter.com 

636-240-2840 | O’FALLON 

636-537-3333 | CHESTERFIELD 

314-861-0500 | DOUGHERTY FERRY

10 I NEWS I 

By JOHN TREMMEL 



Through a formal bid process, the city of 

O’Fallon selected Matrix Consulting Group 

to conduct a budgeted, independent, 360- 

degree comprehensive review of its police 

department. Matrix conducted interviews, 

collected data, surveyed all department 

employees anonymously, then prepared a 

detailed 82-page report. 

On Nov. 15 at the City Council workshop 

prior to its regular meeting, Matrix representative 

Richard Brady presented the study, 

its results and recommendations. 

On Nov. 17, Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 

spoke with Acting Chief of Police Major 

John Neske about the survey. He has been 

acting chief since Philip Dupuis resigned on 

June 18. Neske has been an O’Fallon police 

officer for 29 years and plans to retire May 

31, 2022. Including seven years as a police 

officer prior to O’Fallon, he will retire with a 

little over 36 total years in law enforcement. 

“The city council had asked for a study 

about two years ago, due to a general perception 

of morale issues in the department,” 

Neske clarified. “The study was included in 

the 2021 budget, so we proceeded with it 

this year.” 

Neske said the total study cost was 

$68,500. 

He said he agreed with nearly everything 

found and recommended in the study, 

except perhaps the timing of adding additional 

civilian staff. He said he would “work 

with city administrator Michael Snowden 

and prepare an appropriate, fiscally-responsible 

and justifiable plan to discuss with the 

council.” 

Asked about the greatest challenges 

facing the department and its chief, Neske 

answered, “Recruiting quality officers – the 

same challenge as all police departments. 

Then, the challenge of managing continuous 

growth while maintaining high morale. 

We have been growing ever since I started 

here.” 

The department had 66 officers in 2001 

and now has 120, nearly doubling in 20 

years as the city’s population has grown. 

Matrix had distributed the employee 

survey electronically by email to 154 department 

employees in June 2021. A total of 118 

responses were received by the end of the 

survey period, for an overall response rate 

of 77%. At the time of former police chief 

Dupuis’ resignation, only 20 responses had 

been received. 

Survey key results included: 

• The majority of responses agreed with 

the positively-worded statements in the 

survey. 

• Sworn police officers had a significantly 

higher rate of agreement compared to civilian 

staff. 

• Opportunities exist to improve relationships 

with and perceptions of civilian staff. 

• Respondents indicated a desire for additional 

staffing for both sworn and civilian 

positions. 

• There was a strong desire for increased 

pay and better employee benefits. 

• Civilian staff responses were less positive 

in several areas compared to sworn 

officer responses 

• Greater than 68% of respondents indicated 

that the department provides good 

or excellent service and programs for the 

seven areas included in the survey. 

• Respondents overwhelming agreed that 

the department is heading in a positive 

direction and recent changes have been 

beneficial. 

The overall sense of the survey was generally 

positive. 

Recommendations included: 

• Shift two officers in operations from the 

night shifts to the day shifts to improve service 

level capacity during afternoon hours. 

• Maintain current operations staffing 

levels in patrol to provide high levels of service, 

then add staffing as growth over the 

next decade begins to affect service levels. 



O’Fallon Council Member Impeachment: Judgment expected in 2022 


The formal impeachment hearing for 

O’Fallon City Council member Katie 

Gatewood (Ward 5) began on Sept. 30 but 

was adjourned early in order to adequately 

address four defense motions that apparently 

were a surprise to the city and the 

special prosecutor. 

Two charges were included in the Articles 

of Impeachment: Article I “interference 

by a city council member … in the 

police department and duties and status 

of the chief of police.” Article II alleged 

that Gatewood “engaged in malfeasance 

by speaking untruths, lying, and/or making 

material misrepresentations … in violation 

of her oath of office.” 

On Nov. 16, after more than 5 hours 

of additional proceedings, Mayor Bill 

Hennessy issued instructions for the production 

of a hearing transcript by Dec. 3, 

prosecutor and defense post-trial briefs 

by Dec. 17, Impeachment Board (council 

members) review of those materials, then 

a final discussion and an impeachment 

vote to be conducted at the regular council 

meeting on Jan. 13, 2022. 

Per the city charter (Section 3.6 C), a 

simple majority of the Impeachment Board 

will suffice to convict Gatewood on one or 

both articles, either of which could result 

in her removal from office. Because the 

impeachment due process was followed, 

only a simple majority is needed. 

Section 3.6 C states: “The Mayor may, 

with the consent of a majority of the entire 

City Council, remove from office, for cause 

shown, any City Council member, such 

Council member being first given opportunity, 

together with his or her witnesses, to 

be heard before the City Council sitting as a 

Board of Impeachment. 

“Any City Council member may, in like 

manner, for cause shown, be removed 

from office by a two-thirds (2/3rd) vote of 

the entire City Council, independently of 

the Mayor’s approval or recommendation.” 

According to official records, through 

Nov. 4, the city had spent $110,755 on 

legal expenses for the Gatewood investigation 

and impeachment hearings. None of 

the legal activities after Nov. 4 have been 

billed/paid yet. 

Pre-trial motion 

Between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Nov. 

16, a pre-trial motion hearing” was conducted 

by Hennessy with advice from 

Municipal Judge Dennis R. Chassaniol. 

The Nov. 16 impeachment hearing audience was comprised mostly of council members. 

(John Tremmel photo) 

The mayor was acting as the judge for the 

motions. Council members did not have a 

role in decisions about those motions, so 

none of them were on the dais. Most were 

in the audience. 

Representing the city was special prosecutor 

Jeffrey W. Deane, a senior attorney 

at Lauber Municipal Law, LLC, of Lee’s 

Summit and Jefferson City, Missouri. 

Representing Gatewood was defense 

attorney David Roland, of the Freedom 

Center of Missouri, located in Mexico, 

Missouri. He is co-founder and director of 

litigation for that organization. 

The defense had filed three motions to 

disqualify council members for “demonstrated 

pre-trial bias.” Those were Dale 

Kling (Ward 3), Jeff Kuehn (Ward 4) and 

council president pro tem Dave Hinman 

(Ward 1). 

Gatewood already had recused herself 

from the impeachment board on Sept. 30. 

The defense also had filed a motion to 

exclude certain pieces of prosecutorial 

evidence, such as “Exhibit Q, a 940-page 

document comprised entirely of Facebook 

posts, because it is multiple layers of hearsay 

and second, a transcript of a conversation 

between several people is very clearly 

hearsay.” The defense objected to those 

O’Fallon conducts 360-degree review of its police department 

See GATEWOOD, page 16 

• Authorize one additional dispatcher position 

in support services 

• Increase animal control/park ranger staffing 

by one position. 

• Update property room software to interface 

with other city systems. 

• Add two records clerks to the records 

unit, for a total of 4.5 authorized positions. 

• Move officer case status tracking responsibilities 

to sworn supervisors. 

• Assign sworn supervisors to district 

attorney case declinations and follow-up 

requests for officers’ cases. 

• Increase administrative support in the 

training unit by one additional full-timeequivalent, 

for a total of two authorized 

positions. 

• Increase staffing of confinement officers 

by one additional position, for a total of 

seven authorized positions. 

• Maintain the current level of nine detectives 

authorized for investigations. 

• Maintain the one investigative clerk 

authorized position. 

• Maintain current staffing of two sergeants 

for investigations. 

The study projected a total of 175 positions 

will be needed in 2031 to maintain the 

current level of service. This is an increase 

of 16 positions from what is currently budgeted 

in 2021.





I 11 

• MERRY CHRISTMAS • 

• OVER 100 YEARS IN ST. CHARLES COUNTY • 

SHOP SMALL • SUPPORT LOCAL 

We offer everything the big box hardware stores DON’T 

P 

P 

P 

P 

Personal service 

Expert advice 

Quality products 

Affordable pricing 

Stop In For All Your 

Holiday and Seasonal Needs: 

Snow Shovels 

Heating 

Batteries 

Snow Chemicals 

www.stihl.com 

SCHNEIDER 

HARDWARE 

Full Service Dealer 

Offering Service and Repair! 

9 Main Street 

Old Town St. Peters, MO 63376 

636-278-4461 • 636-397-2347 

www.truevalue.com/schneiders 

STORE HOURS: Monday - Friday: 7AM - 5PM • Saturday: 8AM-4PM • CLOSED SUNDAY 

Baby, 

IT’S COLD OUTSIDE! 

STAY WARM WITH 

Sudoku brought to you by Faszold Heating & Cooling 

Complete the grid so that every row, column, and 3x3 box 

contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively. 

Special Financing Available 

CALL FOR DETAILS. 

To schedule an Estimate, 

or Service call 

(636) 397-1237 

or visit www Faszold.com 

Ameren Missouri and Spire Rebates Available! 

Go to www.faszold.com/sudoku for Sudoku answers! 

*Subject to credit approval. See the Faszold Team for Details.

12 I NEWS I 




In January 2021, the city of O’Fallon settled 

discrimination and defamation lawsuits 

filed by O’Fallon Police Capt. Jeffery Gray 

and Maj. Kyle Kelley for a total payment of 

$580,000, not including payments for their 

attorney fees and other court costs. 

In March 2021, three additional O’Fallon 

police department employees alleged discrimination, 

retaliation and a hostile work 

environment. Each had filed complaints at 

the Missouri Commission on Human Rights 

(MCHR). MCHR complaints automatically 

become federal Equal Employment Opportunity 

Commission (EEOC) complaints. 

Since their filings, all three have left their 

positions in the O’Fallon Police Department 

for varying reasons and none are currently 

employed by the city. 

Brian Hilke had been a police lieutenant. 

Edward Smith, spouse of council member 

Deanna Smith (Ward 1), had been a police 

sergeant. Lisa Salisbury had been the police 

department’s budget and procurement officer. 

After waiting 180 days to give MCHR time 

to work with the city, the three requested and 

each received from MCHR a Notice of Right 

to Sue. They had 90 days after receiving that 

notice to file any lawsuits. 

Smith filed his lawsuit on Oct. 18 in St. 

Charles Circuit Court. Judge Jon A. Cunningham 

was assigned to the case (No. 2111- 

CC00939). 

Smith’s lawsuit states it was filed for 

“purposes of seeking redress for unlawful 

employment practices related to whistleblowing 

and retaliation.” It includes seven 

counts (allegations): 

• Count 1 is for unlawful discriminatory 

practice (retaliation) in violation of the 

Missouri Commission On Human Rights 

(MHRA) regulations; defendant is the city of 

O’Fallon. 


practice (hostile work environment) in violation 

of MHRA; defendant is the city of 

O’Fallon. 

• Counts 3, 4, 5, and 6 are for defamation; 

defendants are the city of O’Fallon, city 

administrator Michael Snowden, former 

police chief Timothy Clothier and former 

police chief Philip Dupuis. 

• Count 7 is for constructive discharge; 

defendant is the city of O’Fallon. Under Missouri 

law, “constructive discharge” occurs 

when an employer deliberately renders an 

employee’s working conditions so intolerable 

that the employee is forced to quit his 

or her job. 

Per Missouri Casenet, summonses have 

been issued to all defendants. 

Smith has demanded a jury trial. 



Former O’Fallon Police Department 

employees’ lawsuits outlined 

Hilke filed his lawsuit on Oct. 18 in St. 

Charles Circuit Court. Judge Michael James 

Fagras originally was assigned to Hilke’s 

case (No. 2111-CC00938), but on Oct. 25 

Fagras recused himself. On Oct. 26, the case 

was reassigned to Judge Daniel G. Pelikan. 

Per Missouri Casenet, summonses have 

been issued to all defendants, and the judge 

has scheduled a case management conference 

for 9 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9. 

Hilke’s lawsuit states it was filed for 

“purposes of seeking redress for unlawful 

employment practices related to whistleblowing 

and retaliation.” It also includes 

seven counts (allegations): 


practice (retaliation) in violation of Missouri 

Commission on Human Rights (MHRA) 

regulations; defendant is the city of O’Fallon. 


practice (hostile work environment) in violation 

of MHRA; the defendant is the city of 

O’Fallon. 

• Counts 3, 4, and 5 are for defamation; the 

defendants are the city of O’Fallon, former 

police chief Timothy Clothier and former 

police chief Philip Dupuis. 

• Count 6 is for wrongful termination; the 

defendant is the city of O’Fallon. 

• Count 7 is for intentional infliction of 

emotional distress; the defendant is the city 

of O’Fallon. 

Hilke has demanded a jury trial. 

Salisbury filed her lawsuit on Nov. 18 in 

St. Charles Circuit Court. Judge Rebeca 

Navarro-McKelvey was assigned to the case 

(No. 2111-CC1037), and a summons has 

been issued to the defendant. 

On Nov. 18, Salisbury’s attorney John 

Lynch explained that her employment discrimination 

lawsuit includes four counts 

(allegations), including age discrimination, 

retaliation, hostile work environment, and 

constructive discharge, with the defendant 

on all counts being the city of O’Fallon. 

Salisbury has demanded a jury trial. 

“Statutory language requires a dollar 

amount, so Hilke, Smith and Salisbury are 

seeking ‘in excess of’ $25,000 for each 

count,” Lynch said. Additionally, each is 

seeking punitive damages sufficient to deter 

future similar behavior, plus attorney fees, 

plus post-judgement interest on all funds 

awarded, plus any other relief as the court 

judges to be proper. 

If they are successful, the total minimum 

judgement for all three lawsuits would be 

at least $450,000 (18 total counts times 

$25,000) for damages, plus punitive damages, 

plus all of the other financial reliefs. 

As a matter of policy, the city of O’Fallon 

does not comment on personnel matters or 

active litigation.



Property tax bills mailed, 

available for county residents 

As of Nov. 23, an estimated 350,000 real 

estate and personal property tax bills for 

2021 were mailed by Michelle McBride, 

St. Charles County Collector of Revenue. 

Now, those bills are available to view 

online at StCharlesMOCollector.com. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and 

ongoing precautions around its spread, St. 

Charles County is encouraging taxpayers 

to pay using contactless methods. Bills can 

be paid via mail, online, by phone, or by 

dropping off payment in the drive-through 

drop box in front of the County Administration 

Building, located at 201 N. Second 

St. in Saint Charles. 

(Source: St. Charles County) 

Each tax bill includes a detailed allocation 

of taxes to political subdivisions that 

receive taxes, such as the state, schools, 

cities, fire districts, library, ambulance and 

emergency communications. Each entity 

that receives a portion of the tax bill sets 

its own tax levy, also known as the tax rate. 

The Collector of Revenue is given the tax 

rates to collect and is responsible for distributing 

the taxes collected to the political 

subdivisions. The Assessor and Collector 

of Revenue are not responsible for setting 

budgets in political subdivisions and are 

not responsible for establishing the tax rate 

of individual political subdivisions. 

The amount of taxes owed may be 

impacted by certain bond issues or tax rate 

increases passed by voters in the political 

subdivisions listed, including measures 

passed by Oct. 31 in the same calendar 

year of the bill. 

For example, earlier in 2021, voters 

passed propositions that authorized the 

city of St. Charles to issue General Obligation 

Bonds and authorized the Board of 

Education of the St. Charles City School 

District to borrow money. Taxpayers who 

reside within these districts may see an 

impact on their 2021 tax bill. 

Residents looking to pay by mail can use 

a check, money order or cashier’s check 

made payable to Michelle D. McBride or 

St. Charles County Collector of Revenue. 

Mail to Michelle D. McBride, St. Charles 

County Collector of Revenue, 201 N. 

Second St., Room 134, St. Charles, MO 

63301. Include remittance stub, if available, 

and write account number on the payment. 

Do not mail cash. 

Mailed payments are accepted as of the 

postmark date. If there is no postmark, 

payment will be accepted on the date the 

Collector of Revenue’s office receives the 

envelope. If payment is placed in the mail 

on Dec. 31, it might not be postmarked 

until the next business day and could result 

in the addition of statutory late payment 

interest and penalty. 

Taxpayers can pay online at StCharles- 

MoCollector.com. Payments made on this 

site are posted based on the online payment 

transaction date/time. Early payment is 

highly recommended when paying online 

in case of technical difficulties. 

Many taxpayers opt to use online payment 

systems through banks to pay taxes. 

The Collector of Revenue urges those who 

use these systems to initiate payment at 

least five working days prior to Dec. 31. 

Individuals can also pay by phone using 

e-check ($1.50 fee) or debit/credit card (fee 

of about 2.5% of the total amount due). Call 

the toll-free tax payment line at 1-855-227- 

7840 and follow the prompts. Taxpayers 

need the tax year and bill number located 

on the statement to use this system. 

Finally, bills can be paid via the drop box 

inside or outside the County Administration 

Building at 201 N. Second St. in Saint 

Charles. Include remittance stub, if available, 

and account number on payment in an 

envelope. Do not place cash in the drop box. 

While contactless payments are encouraged, 

those who have questions about their 

bill or need a receipt immediately may pay 

in person at the Collector of Revenue’s service 

windows at the County Administration 

Building, 201 N. Second St. in Saint Charles, 

8 a.m.–5 p.m. on weekdays, excluding Dec. 

23-24, as county offices will be closed. 

Payments also may be submitted in the 

indoor drop box in the first floor lobby of 

the County Administration Building. Those 

visiting the service windows will need to 

register for the Collector’s queue through 

the QLess kiosk in the lobby, through 

the QLess app on their mobile device, or 

through the QLess link available at sccmo. 

org/Collector or sccmo.org/QLess. Staff at 

the security desk in the lobby will be available 

to assist taxpayers with QLess. 

For those submitting payment through 

the lobby drop box, check, money order 

or cashier’s check is accepted; include 

remittance stub, if available, and account 

number on payment in an envelope. 

See TAX BILLS, page 31 



I NEWS I 13

14 I NEWS I 



St. Peters resident discovers sunflowers 

can be illegal when planted en masse 



By KARA JEFFERS 

This fall, a St. Peters citizen was one 

trial away from getting fined for having 

too many sunflowers in his yard. 

Chris Bank has grown sunflowers for 

years, so in 2020 he spent part of his pandemic 

time expanding his knowledge of 

the plant. He was glad to find that the variety 

with yellow petals with brown seeds is 

not the only version of the flowers and he 

ordered seeds for 26 different breeds. In 

the summer of 2021, he planted them in 

his front yard. 

He dug a 3-inch-wide hole for each sunflower 

and planted them in rows across 

his entire lawn. The rows were 14 inches 

apart, with the sunflowers planted with 

6-8 inches of space between them. The 

goal was to be able to check on individual 

flowers but it also gave Banks turf between 

each row and flower. 

He engineered an irrigation system and 

dedicated time to ‘mow’ his lawn by weed 

whacking and hand clipping the grass 

between the flowers. It’s the grass that lies 

at the root of the dilemma. 

On July 6, Bank received a letter from 

Chris Bank’s front yard 

(Photo: Chris Bank) 

the city of St. Peters. His homeowners 

association (HOA) had filed a complaint 

about the flower-populated yard and a 

short fence, which Bank had erected to 

keep out rabbits but which did not meet 

city code. Upon further research, the city 

concluded that Bank was in violation of a 

city ordinance passed in 2010. 

Ordinance 5096 in Section 1, A.4 states: 

“A minimum of fifty (50) percent of all yard 

areas shall be comprised of turf grass.” Two 

amendments were made to the ordinance, 

one in 2017 that specified the term ‘turf’ 

and one in 2021 that specified that the front 

yard must be covered first when meeting the 

percentage requirement for turf. 

Looking at the wording of the ordinance, 

Bank believed that between the 6 to 8 

inches of grass between each sunflower 

and the 14-inch-wide rows his yard was 

not in violation of the ordinance. Thus, he 

did not respond to the awareness letter sent 

by the city nor to the first or second notice 

of violation that were sent on July 23 and 

Aug. 6, respectively. The city sends three 

notices of violation to a citizen before issuing 

a court summons if that violation is not 

addressed. 

On Aug. 12, after the second letter, 

Bank called Julie Powers, director 

of planning, community and economic 

development, to discuss the 

situation. At the conclusion of their 

discussion, Powers said she would 

talk to the city’s staff horticulturist, 

according to Bank. 

After referring to the horticulturist, 

a third notice of violation was 

sent on Aug. 24, defining turf as 

“an uninterrupted, continuous mat 

of grass.” The letter further noted 

that “with the vertical plants of 

substantial height, the area cannot 

be considered turf.” The third letter 

also stated that if the violation 

was not resolved by Sept. 19, a 

court date would be set. 

“They kept changing it on me, 

which was bothering the heck 

out of me,” Bank said. 

At odds with the city’s interpretation 

of the ordinance, 

Bank waited for a court date 

to be assigned. On Oct. 12, he 

pleaded not guilty to the charges 

and, when he was asked to settle, 

explained his view to St. Peters 

prosecutor Lorna Frahm. A trial 

date was set for Nov. 16. Frahm 

referred Bank to Jon Sweeney, the city’s 

parks horticulture foreman, for another 

horticulture report, which was also sent to 

Bank to prepare for the trial. 

Sweeney’s report defined turf (grass) as 

“plants that form a more or less continuous 

ground cover that persists under regular 

mowing and traffic.” It argued that Bank’s 

yard could not be “completely mowed or 

handle traffic.” 

On Nov. 12, the Friday before the trial, 

the prosecutor’s office dismissed the case. 

“Their official reason was that now 

they’ve all been removed,” Bank said. 

“They had come out to my yard and by then 

every single one of my sunflowers was out. 

I removed each one, one at a time, as its 

life cycle ended.” 

Bank said he still has a desire for more 

consistency in future proceedings. 

“I got a horticulture report after my sunflowers 

were already matured,” he said. 

“(Their) horticulture report should have 

already been done by the time of issuing 

the first letter.” He said the city should have 

come out, viewed his yard and explained 

why it was in violation. 

However, when it comes to processing 

violations, St. Peters has protocols and 

Chris Bank’s yard with a view of his neighbor’s home 

(Photo: Chris Bank) 

employees already in place to respond to 

those situations. Bank’s case was brought 

to the city’s attention through a system that 

allows residents to register concerns with 

the city. St. Peters has a 72-hour deadline 

to start addressing the situation. 

Despite his experience in 2021, Bank 

said he plans to plant sunflowers again 

next year and is ready to tackle the legal 

complications that will most likely follow. 

“Going to do the same ratio I did before. 

The only thing I will do differently is put 

a hammock in the middle so I can lay out 

in the middle of the sunflowers if I want 

to,” said Bank. “I didn’t till my entire front 

yard like a crop. There’s plenty of grass 

right in-between (the flowers). The way 

I did it is very unique, and it’s still under 

guidelines. It’s why we have a problem.” 

In regard to the ordinance, Powers noted 

that the city’s Board of Aldermen are very 

responsive to residents. 

“If there were lots and lots of St. Peters 

residents who wanted it changed and they 

spoke out to their elected officials, obviously 

that is something the board would 

want to hear and listen to,” Powers said. “Or 

on the other side, were to get in touch with 

them and say, ‘We like it just the way it is,’ 

I’m sure that would carry weight also.” 

LOCAL 

TREE 

SPECIALIST 

TREE SERVICE 

Tree Removal • Trimming/Pruning 

Storm Damage • Bucket Truck 

Spider Lift • Land Clearing 

Crane Service • Stump Grinding 

Excellent Clean-up 

FREE ESTIMATES! 

636-242-5999 | mathiasprecision.com 

Fully Insured • Carry Workmen’s Comp





I NEWS I 15 

O’Fallon plans to issue $322 million in industrial revenue bonds 


O’Fallon has plans to issue approximately 

$322 million in taxable industrial 

revenue bonds (IRBs) to finance three 

industrial development projects in the city. 

At its Nov. 15 meeting, the City Council 

conducted a first reading of two bills 

sponsored by Mayor Bill Hennessy. One 

bill (No. 7384) would authorize the city 

to issue IRBs with a principal amount not 

to exceed $16 million. The funds would 

be used to acquire land and construct two 

buildings in two phases for Phoenix/Anjon 

Building Materials, Inc., with the buildings 

to be located on a 12.5-acre lot in the Cool 

Springs Industrial Park in the city. 

VSM Abrasives, located at 1012 East Wabash St. 

(Photo: John Tremmel) 

According to Economic Development 

Director Patrick McKeehan, Anjon will 

be relocating from their current location 

on Liberty Industrial Drive to South Cool 

Springs Road. 

Phase One would be a 70,000-squarefoot 

building to be used as a corporate 

headquarters and distribution center. Phase 

Two would be another 70,000-square-foot 

building to be used for manufacturing purposes. 

Anjon would commit to retain 40 

jobs in the city and create 80 additional 

jobs by 2030. 

The IRBs would be payable solely out of 

payments, revenues and receipts derived 

from the lease of the property by the city to 

Phoenix/Anjon Building Materials. 

Another bill (No. 7385) would 

authorize the city to issue IRBs in a 

principal amount not to exceed $300 

million. As clarified by McKeehan, the 

funds would be used to pay the costs of 

acquiring, constructing and equipping 

a new MEMC facility to make silicon 

wafers for the semiconductor industry. 

MEMC LLC, a Delaware limited 

liability company, currently owns and 

operates a silicon wafer manufacturing 

facility of approximately 431,000 

square feet at 501 Pearl Drive in the city, 

Vacant land in front of MEMC’s main complex 

and has requested that the city issue its IRBs 

to facilitate the construction of an approximately 

60,000-square-foot expansion on a 

portion of the property currently owned by 

the company, and acquiring and installing 

certain project equipment. MEMC would 

create 87 new jobs for this facility. 

The IRBs would be payable solely out of 

payments, revenues and receipts derived 

from the lease of the property by the city 

to MEMC. 

Also at the Nov. 15 meeting, by a vote of 

9-0, the council passed a resolution authorizing 

the issuance of IRBs of approximately 

$6 million. The funds will pay the 

costs of acquiring land and constructing a 

(Photo: John Tremmel) 

50,000-square-foot warehousing and product 

distribution center at 1012 East Wabash 

St. The property will then be leased by 

VSM Abrasives Corporation. McKeehan 

clarified that the new building will be a 

new addition to the existing building. 

IRBs in the two bills and the resolution 

are strictly a financing mechanism, and all 

will be purchased by the companies. No 

city funds will be used to pay the bonds 

and the city has no financial obligation 

whatsoever with respect to the bonds. 

If normal process is followed, both proposed 

bills would receive a second reading 

and a vote for passage at the next council 

meeting on Dec. 16. 

Let our family take care of your family's heating and cooling needs. 

THE AIR INSIDE YOUR HOME IS 

DRIER THAN YOU THINK. 

BANKING BUILT BETTER. 

A whole-home humidifier is the answer. 

$ 

20 OFF 

HUMIDIFIER INSTALL 

Not applicable with any other offer. Expires 1/31/22 

Ask about other offers. 

636-332-4141 

www.johnson-heatingandcooling.com 

1-855-696-4352 | midlandsb.com | Member FDIC

16 I NEWS I 





DECEMBER 5, 2021 | 4:30 – 8 P.M. 

A special gift from 

Lindenwood to you; 

a free holiday event, 

fun for the whole family. 

Lindenwood University is preparing to welcome 

families for an evening filled with holiday 

wonder. Sunday, December 5, Lindenwood 

welcomes the young and young-at-heart to take 

an evening stroll through 3,000 luminaries on 

the heritage side of campus. Guests will have a 

chance to carol with Lindenwood’s a cappella 

group, Voices Only, decorate holiday cookies, 

create holiday crafts, listen to holiday stories 

read by Mrs. Claus, take family photos in a real 

sleigh, and tell Santa their Christmas wishes. 

Guests are invited to bring a new, unwrapped 

toy to donate to the Salvation Army, and will 

receive an event t-shirt while supplies last. 

LINDENWOOD UNIVERSITY 

209 S. KINGSHIGHWAY, ST. CHARLES, MO 63301 

GATEWOOD, from page 10 

exhibits being included, and objected 

to “eliciting testimony that is not directly 

related to the two specific charges leveled 

in the Articles of Impeachment.” 

During the Nov. 16 motion hearing, 

Roland called to the witness stand individually 

and pointedly asked questions 

of council members Kling, Hinman and 

Kuehn. He cited statements each of them 

had made in 2021 council meetings that 

he alleged were an illustration of their 

pre-trial bias. Roland played video clips 

of those statements from city recordings of 

council meetings. 

Dean rebutted each of those and said they 

all were part of the process the council had 

to go through to determine if further action 

was needed. He said their preliminary 

views were needed in order to decide about 

proceeding with an impeachment hearing 

due process. He asked each of the three if 

they had a closed view about the impeachment 

or if they had an open mind about the 

issues. They each said they had open minds 

and could be fair in decision-making. 

Regarding the motion to exclude certain 

evidence, Hennessy said there would be 

no oral arguments. He explained he would 

rely on his reviews of the written briefs, 

arguments and rebuttals that were filed 

with the motion. 

Roland closed by saying if the council 

members were not disqualified, “that could 

be used in an appeals court, a real court, 

because even an appearance of impropriety” 

could be a problem. 

Dean closed by again saying the preliminary 

views of the council members actually 

were part of the process for the council 

to determine if it was necessary to proceed 

with an impeachment hearing. He said 

none of the three should be disqualified. 

Hennessy closed the motion hearing at 

6 p.m. and said he would provide his decisions 

at the beginning of the impeachment 

hearing, after a 20-minute recess. 

The entire pre-trial motion session is 

viewable verbatim on O’Fallon TV via, 

ofallon.mo.us. 

The impeachment hearing 

Hennessy called the hearing to order at 

6:20 p.m. and it continued until 9:50 p.m., 

with a 15-minute break in the middle. 

He announced his rulings by saying the 

three motions to disqualify the council 

members were denied and the motion to 

exclude certain evidence was denied. He 

asked all council members to be seated on 

the dais as the impeachment board, except 

self-recused Gatewood (she sat at the 

defense table). 

Because the burden of proof was on the 

city and special prosecutor, Dean went 

first. He called his witnesses, including city 

administrator Michael Snowden, former 

police chief Philip Dupuis (via Zoom), and 

St. Charles County Police lieutenant Curtis 

Sullivan. He also played audio recordings 

of phone calls from Gatewood to Conroe, 

Texas, police detective Caitlin Adams, 

and a call from Conroe police Lt. Dorcy 

McGinnis to Gatewood. 

Dean’s guided his witnesses in detail 

through their own examples of how Gatewood’s 

questions and actions in council 

meetings constituted interference in the 

police department and the chief, how 

asking about Dupuis in Conroe constituted 

an interference with the chief, and how she 

lied on several occasions about whistleblowers 

that she said she was protecting. 

Roland cross-examined each of the witnesses, 

making the points that asking questions 

does not constitute interference, that 

Gatewood never ordered anyone to do anything, 

and asking police in Conroe about 

Dupuis could not interfere with anyone in 

O’Fallon. 

Roland also challenged witness allegations 

about lying and changing stories, by 

presenting alternative ways to interpret 

what she said and why. 

In Roland’s closing summary, he clarified 

that Dupuis thought it was interference 

because Gatewood’s questions and 

calls to Conroe made him uncomfortable 

and hurt his feelings. Roland said discomfort 

and hurt feelings do not constitute 

interference. 

Regarding lying, Roland clarified that 

the city-ordered Lauber Report said there 

is no legal duty to truthfulness, so even if 

she did lie, that is not impeachable. He said 

it would be unconstitutional to remove her 

from office because of these alleged violations, 

and if necessary they will pursue a 

fair tribunal in federal court. 

Roland said instead of impeachment, the 

best course would be to let the citizens of 

Gatewood’s city ward (not the council) 

make the decision during the next election 

about her remaining in office. 

In Dean’s closing summary, he said the 

prosecution had met the requirements of 

the city charter section 115.090 covering 

interference. He said the lying and changed 

stories met the “for cause” provisions for 

impeachment, even though the lying is not 

a violation of law. Dean also said Gatewood 

did not fulfill her oath of office to faithfully 

demean herself. He said only one of the two 

articles is sufficient to convict. 

The entire impeachment hearing session 

is viewable verbatim on O’Fallon TV. 

This was O’Fallon’s first impeachment 

process and hearing as a home rule charter 

city. Prior to voters approving the charter 

in April 2009, the city’s board had voted 

to impeach Mayor James Brown on Feb. 

19, 1986. His subsequent court challenges 

lasted into March 1987. Brown did not win 

the election in April 1987, so the impeachment 

was a moot point.





I NEWS I 17 

Police urge caution regarding vehicle break-ins, catalytic converter thefts 

By JESSICA MESZAROS 

As auto thefts continue to be top of mind 

for local law enforcement and prosecutors, 

St. Charles County is taking initiative to 

curb the rising trend. 

The St. Charles County Police Department 

and the county’s prosecuting attorney’s 

office joined St. Louis County area 

departments for a press conference on 

Tuesday, Nov. 16 to raise citizen awareness 

regarding the recent upsurge in car 

break-ins, motor vehicle thefts and catalytic 

converter thefts. 

In St. Charles County, an uptick in breakins 

and thefts at the beginning of this year 

led police chiefs in St. Charles County, 

supported by County Prosecuting Attorney 

Tim Lohmar, to form a task force to 

combat the problem. In addition to making 

over 100 arrests by mid-April, the task 

force also seized weapons and recovered 

stolen cars. Lohmar also committed that 

anyone caught stealing or breaking into 

a vehicle in the county will face charges 

from his office that will require mandatory 

jail time and he will seek higher bonds. 

belongings out and visible inside cars. 

“These crimes haven’t just become an 

issue as the holidays approach,” Frisz 

said. “We have been addressing them all 

year. But thefts of all kinds can intensify 

over the holidays, and we are asking everyone 

to observe safety precautions. We tell 

people to ‘lock it or lose it,’ for a reason.” 

According to Frisz, perpetrators frequently 

target unlocked vehicles with keys 

or fobs left in them or other valuables left 

unsecured and in plain view. Car owners 

More Doctors. 

More Benefits. 

More Savings. 

From more doctors to even lower copays, 

the 2022 Essence Healthcare Medicare 

Advantage plans offer more than ever 

before. 

should park in well-lit areas and close to 

building entrances, when possible. 

“If you have a garage, park your car in 

it and keep the garage door closed,” Frisz 

said. 

While some thieves target belongings 

left in cars of the vehicles themselves, 

others are after sought-after parts like catalytic 

converters, which contain precious 

metals that can be resold for a profit. 

In addition to parking in well-lit or protected 

areas, police recommend having 

converters welded to your car frames 

and engraving the vehicle identification 

number (VIN) on the converter to alert a 

scrap dealer it has been stolen. Setting your 

car’s alarm to go off when it detects vibration 

is also advised. 

Frisz recommends that individuals 

should contact 911 if they feel like they’re 

witnessing a theft. 

“If you’re at home, turn on the lights. 

Don’t confront them because very often 

they are armed,” Frisz said. 

Our network is bigger than ever! Essence 

Healthcare has added Mercy Health System to 

our robust network of doctors and hospitals. 

Catalytic converters are being targeted by 

thieves for the precious metals they contain. 

(Source: Adobe Stock) 

According to St. Charles County Police 

Chief Kurt Frisz, surveillance shows that 

many thieves perpetrating vehicle thefts 

tend to run in groups. While the department 

has reported 65 motor vehicle thefts 

and 53 thefts from motor vehicles thus far 

in 2021 (down 63.5% and 43.5% from 

2020), arrests for said crimes have risen. 

Motor vehicle thefts have resulted in the 

arrest of 76 juveniles and 342 adults this 

year, while 127 juveniles and 316 adults 

have been arrested for stealing from cars. 

Both the number of motor vehicle thefts 

and thefts of valuables from motor vehicles 

are down substantially year-to-date in 2021 

from 2020, but catalytic converter thefts 

have increased 17.5%, with 47 reported in 

the county this year. So far, six juveniles and 

64 adults have been arrested for those crimes. 

This holiday season, local authorities 

are asking citizens to remain alert, lock 

their car doors and do not leave personal 

More Primary 

Care Physicians 

More Specialists 

More Hospitals 

Learn more about our new plan options and expanded network. 

Call or go online today. 

1-866-947-6101 (TTY: 711)* 

www.EssenceHealthcare.com/Network 

*You can call call from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days per week. You may reach a messaging service on weekends from April 1 to September 30 and 

holidays. Please leave a message, and your call will be returned the next business day. Essence Healthcare is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. 

Essence Healthcare also includes an HMO D-SNP plan with a contract with Medicare and the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in Essence Healthcare 

depends on contract renewal. Essence Healthcare complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, 

color, national origin, age, disability or sex. 

Y0027_22-378_M MR-M 12.1

18 I SCHOOLS I 





Lutheran St. Charles, Class 1 state soccer champs (Photo courtesy of LHS) Fort Zumwalt South, Class 3 state soccer champs (Photo courtesy of @soccerdadphoto/Eric Brandt) 

bulletin 

board 

By BETHANY COAD 

Small saints read for the need 

Students at Sts. Joachim and Ann participated 

in a month-long “Read-In” to benefit 

the Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service. 

Last year the students donated $2,130.80 

to the Care Service, which used the funds 

to offset many needs during the holiday 

season. While donations were still being 

tallied at press time, the students were 

hoping to surpass their goal this year. 

Lutheran High student 

makes all district band 

Lutheran High clarinetist Max Phipps 

was selected to the Metro 8 All District 

Concert Band. A freshman, Phipps prepared 

several pieces and competed against 

students from private schools across the 

greater St. Louis/St. Charles area and 

against students from Francis Howell and 

Fort Zumwalt school districts. 

Phipps will next audition for the All 

State Concert Band in January. 

Cougars, Bulldogs claim 

state soccer victories 

The Lutheran High soccer team claimed 

the Missouri Class 1 State Championship 

title by defeating St. Pius X (Festus) 3-0 

at Soccer Park on Saturday, Nov. 20. The 

Cougars, who are coached by Mark Lurtz, 

finished the season with a 22-5-1 record. 

The win was the first state soccer title in 

school history. 

• • • 

The Fort Zumwalt South Bulldogs 

claimed their third Class 3 State Championship 

soccer title with a 2-1 win over 

Ladue Horton Watkins. The team, coached 

by Jim Layne, ended its season with a 25-3 

record. 

In acknowledging the victory, Layne 

wrote on Twitter: 

“Defending the state title and going back to 

back has only been done one other time by a 

public school for boys soccer. FZS is the only 

See SCHOOLS, page 31 

You need health insurance. 

BJC can help. 

This year, having health insurance is more important than 

ever. To get 2022 coverage through the Marketplace, 

schedule time with a BJC Certified Marketplace Counselor 

so you can be sure you’re getting the best plan for you. 

bjc.org/marketplace 

To schedule your 

free consultation, 

call 855.488.4855. 

Top-quality health insurance that includes BJC HealthCare is available in Missouri. 

Barnes-Jewish Hospital 

Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital 

Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital 

Christian Hospital 

Missouri Baptist Medical Center 

Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital 

Northwest HealthCare 

Parkland Health Center 

Parkland Health Center Bonne Terre 

Progress West Hospital 

St. Louis Children’s Hospital 

The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis 

BJC Behavioral Health 

BJC Corporate Health Services 

BJC Home Care 

BJC Medical Group




MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE I HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 19 

Gourmet 

GIVE THE GIFT OF 

Holiday Gift Guide 

Popcorn 

Give the gift of good taste 

pear blurry. Colors displayed here will not match the 

nd return this proof promptly. Ad Pages is not 

sign or copy changes may result in extra charges. 

________________________ 

r 

AD PREPARED BY: _________________________________ 

rate Fax: 972-509-1603 

Taste 

zza’s 

T & CATERING 

Gourmet popcorn from C.R. Frank Popcorn 

makes the perfect gift this holiday season! 

Choose from a variety of tin sizes with 

butter, cheese and caramel flavors. 

Gift Card 

C. R. Frank Popcorn 

5757 N. Lindbergh Blvd. • St. Louis 

(314) 731-4500 

www.CRFrankPopcorn.com 

9/28-JF(R); 9/29-JF; 9/29-BP2X; 

10/3-SF 

HALF PAGE 

FAV1117VR07S 

5201 Southwest Ave · St. Louis, MO 63139 

314.772.4454 • www.favazzas.com 

FREE $30 

Gift Certificate 

Valid January, February, March 2018 

FOR EVERY $100 

GIFT CARD PURCHASE 

Can be any combination totaling 

$100, $25 min., By 12/30/17 

Stylish, thoughtful, ethical! 

Gift cards can be purchased at the 

restaurant or online at 

favazzas.com 

3139 | 314.772.4454 | favazzas.com 

These unique Two Toned Red Baskets from 

Fairtrade International will delight anyone 

on your holiday list. 

Buy a gift, get a gift 

Give the gift of good taste this holiday 

season – a Favazza’s gift card! With every 

$100 in gift cards purchased, receive a free 

$30 gift certificate for yourself. 

FAV1117VR07S 

Favazza’s On The Hill 

5201 Southwest Ave. • St. Louis 

(314) 772-4454 

www.favazzas.com 

Order Now! 

WE SHIP ANYWHERE 

Old Fashioned 

Caramel Corn 

Cheese Corn 

Kettle Corn 

Butter Corn 

Chicago Mixture 

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1925 

TO ORDER CALL 314-731-4500 or 1-800-467-2653 

OR VISIT WWW.CRFRANKPOPCORN.COM 

OR PICK OUT YOUR HOLIDAY TINS IN OUR SHOWROOM: 

5757 N. LINDBERGH | HAZELWOOD 63042 | M-F 8AM-4PM 

Conveniently located 1 mile north of Hwy. 70 & Lindbergh 

YOUR LOCAL SOURCE FOR MADE TO ORDER GOURMET POPCORN TINS 

GITZELL 

FAIRTRADE 

INTERNATIONAL 

Wholesalers of African Fairtrade Goods 

Holiday Sale 

OPEN HOUSE 

December 3rd - 5th, 2021 

Dec 3rd - 10am - 6pm 

Dec 4th - 10am - 6pm 

Dec 5th - 10am-4pm 

Gitzell Fairtrade International 

2099 Exchange Drive • St. Charles 

(314) 378-6152 

www.gitzellimports.com 

2099 Exchange Drive, St.Charles, MO 63303 

www.gitzellfairtrade.com

® 

Savings Magazine 

www.AdPages.com 

972.424.1980 | 888.424.1980 

Approved, 

no changes 

Approved, 

with noted changes 

Approval Signature: _______________________________________________ 

Date: _______________ Corporate Fax: 972-509-1603 

20 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE I 

AD PREPARED BY: _________________________________ 

10/21-LR; 10/25-ML 

HALF PAGE 

FAV1121VR18S 





Celebrating 

43 Years! 

Give the Gift of Good Taste 

This Holiday Season, 

A Gift Card from Favazza’s 

RESTAURANT & CATERING 

Gift Card 

5201 Southwest Ave · St. Louis, MO 63139 

314.772.4454 • www.favazzas.com 

FREE $30 

Gift Certificate 

Valid January-March 2022 

FOR EVERY $100 

GIFT CARD PURCHASE 

Can be any combination totaling 

$100, $25 minimum. 

By 12/30/2021 

Gift cards can be purchased at the 

restaurant or online at 

favazzas.com 

Not valid date of purchase. 

5201 Southwest · St. Louis, MO 63139 | 314.772.4454 | favazzas.com 

FAV1121VR18S 

A gift that lasts a lifetime 

Fill your loved one’s home with beautiful, 

name brand flooring in beloved styles like 

carpet, hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl, 

tile and waterproof options. 

Hometown Floors 

3790 Harvester Road • St. Peters 

(636) 244-4951 

www.hometownfloorsonline.com 

Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-3, Closed Sunday 

Holiday 

Open House 

Find the Perfect Holiday Gift! 

Wednesday, December 8 

10am-7pm 

30% OFF DISCOUNT ALL DAY! 

(Some exclusions may apply) 

Special Guest! 

Refreshments from 5-7 p.m. 

Gift Certificates Available 

BBQ meats – delicious treats! 

Have a BBQ enthusiast on your list? 

Pappy’s Smokehouse has something for 

everyone. Choose from a selection of 

sauces, rubs, swag, gift cards and more! 

Pappy’s Smokehouse 

5246 North Service Road • St. Peters 

(636) 244-5400 

www.pappyssmokehouse.com 

Celebrate with Pappy's! 

A fabulous holiday ornament 

The Fabulous Fox holiday ornament is 

perfect for gift-giving! Cost is $20 at the 

Box Office and Guest Services in the lobby. 

SSSSaaaaaauucceeeeeessss,, RRRRuubssss,, SSSSwaaaaaagg 

The Fabulous Fox Theatre 

527 North Grand Blvd. • St. Louis 

(314) 534-1111 

www.fabulousfox.com 

HOLIIIDAAY CCCAATERRRRIIINNGG 

aaaaaanndddd GGiiiiiftttt CCCaaaaaarrrrrrddddssss 

Photo: 90 Degrees West 

CCCaaaaaatttteeeeeerrrrrriiiiinngg:: 3314444444.....66666000077.....2224444444444444466666 | SSSSttttoorrrrrreeeeee:: 666663366666.....22244444444444444.....55444444400000000 

55222444444466666 NNoorrrrrrtttth SSSSeeeeeerrrrrrvviiiiicceeeeee RRRRdddd..... (III-770000 & MMiiiiidddd RRRRiiiiivveeeeeerrrrrrssss MMaaaaaallll)



Fabulous Holidays at 

Fabulous Holidays at 

See a Show! 


MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE I HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 21 

Fabulous Gift Ideas! 

MetroTix.com 

314-534-1111 

January 25 - Febraury 6 

December 7 

December 17-18 

February 15-27 

December 9 

March 8-10 

December 10 

December 21 - January 2 

GIVE THE THRILL OF 

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT! 

FABULOUS FOX GIFT 

CARDS & ORNAMENTS 

March 11-13 

March 22 - April 3 

December 20 

April 4-9 

FAST & EASY FINANCING 

subject to credit approval 

Over 35 Years Experience 

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM: MON-FRI 9AM - 6PM • SAT 10AM - 4PM 

GET WHAT YOU REALLY 

WANT FOR THE HOLIDAYS 

WATERPROOF 

LUXURY VINYL PLANK FLOORING 

Only $2.99/SQ. FT. 

WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. 

We Carry All The Flooring Name Brands 

And Styles You Want At A Price You Can Afford! 

Carpet • Hardwood • Laminate 

Luxury Vinyl • Tile 

Waterproof Flooring 

From Our Family To Yours, Merry Christmas! 

3790 Harvester Road • St. Peters 63303 www.hometownfloorsonline.com 

Call for a Free Estimate • 636-244-4951

lllllllooooooooccccaaaaaaaalllllll && rrrrrrrreeeeeeeeggggggiiiiiiiioooooooonnnnnnnnaaaaaaaalllllll 

SSSSuuuuuuppppppppppoooooooorrrrrrrrtttttttt 

dddddddduuuuuurrrrrrrriiiiiiiinnnnnnnngggggg tttttttthhhhhiiiiiiiissssssss 

aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrttttttttiiiiiiiissssssssttttttttssssssss 

NNNNNNOOOORRRRRRRRTTTTTHH MMMAAAAIINNNNNN CCCCEEEEEEEENNNNNNTTTTTEEEEEEEERRRRRRRR 

5200 

CCCCHHAAAARRRRRRRRLEEEEEEEESS, MMMOOOO 63333330011 

SSAAAAIINNNNNNTTTTT 

22 I 



Creative Cookies for Christmas ... and Beyond 

By SUZANNE CORBETT 

Santa loves cookies. However, the word 

on the street is that he’s tired of chocolate 

chips and craving something new. That’s a 

dilemma Helen S. Fletcher can fix. 

Author of “Craving Cookies: The Quintessential 

American Cookie Book,” Fletcher 

has a few suggestions and best yet, she can 

teach almost anyone to bake almost anything, 

especially cookies. 

Fletcher is more than just an expert 

cookie baker. She began her culinary 

career as a teacher and writer. She has 

taught people how to bake better through 

writing and recipe development for publications 

such as a Bon Appetit, The Pleasure 

of Cooking and Chocolatier. She also 

served as a consultant for Cuisinart, where 

her innovative techniques streamlined puff 

pastry making – a technique that still marvels 

professional bakers. 

“There are ways to modernize some 

of these classic techniques,” Fletcher 

explained. “One of the things I’ve always 

sought to do was to take classic techniques 

… and update them and make them easier 

and less intimidating to people. It has 

always been my goal to have people understand 

that baking isn’t this mysterious thing 

Pastry chef Helen S. Fletcher 

(Source: T. Michael Fletcher) 

you have to be afraid of. In some ways, it’s 

actually easier than cooking because it’s 

exact. It’s not like ‘salt to taste’ or add a 

‘handful of that.’” 

Many of Fletcher’s modernized methods, 

including her puff pastry, were featured in 

her first cookbook, “The New Pastry Chef,” 

published in 1986 by William Morrow & 

Company. Since its release 35 years ago 

three more baking books have followed. 

During those years, Fletcher also opened 

and operated Truffes, an upscale specialty 

bakery that supplied hotels and restaurants 

as well as couples craving custom wedding 

cakes. 

After 23 years, Fletcher closed the bakery, 

passed up retirement and became the pastry 

chef at Tony’s, St. Louis’ famed four-star 

restaurant. At the same time, she launched 

her baking blog, PastriesLikeaPro.com. 

The blog has become the go-to source for 

novice and experienced bakers seeking 

tips, recipes and inspiration from Fletcher, 

who at age 81 is an inspiration herself. 

“I’ll never stop,” she declared. “I love 

teaching and sharing knowledge because it, 

along with baking, is my passion.” 

Fletcher’s cookie book couldn’t have 

come at a better time. But its author is 

quick to note that it’s filled with both plain 

and fancy cookies that are worth baking 

365 days a year. 

“Although, the holidays are the time 

of year when a lot of people decide to 

bake. Cookies shouldn’t be reserved just 

for Christmas. They’re so much more,” 

Fletcher said. 



One thing they’re not is intimidating. 

“Even those who don’t bake or cook anything 

else, they’ll bake cookies because 

they’re not intimidating for people,” 

Fletcher explained. Most cookie creations 

also are affordable and manageable for 

most people to make at any age. 

“Cookies also can provide comfort, 

flavor, familiarity, or a sense of the exotic 

– all in a bite or two,” Fletcher said. “They 

can be sublime and subtle, or ridiculous 

and over the top, elegant or simple.” 

While cookies are generally easy to 

make it helps to understand a few basics. 

For example, Fletcher recommends weighing 

ingredients instead of using measuring 

cups and spoons. 

“I push weights because it doesn’t matter 

if your flour is packed or fluffy. It’s always 

going to weigh the same. That’s why professional 

bakers bake with weights so they 

can get the exact same results,” she said. 

With the cost of ingredients going up, 

Fletcher offered a few tips for cutting costs 

but not flavor. For instance, Fletcher uses 

both pure and imitation vanilla. The trick is 

knowing which one to use when. 

“At work, I only use Tahitian vanilla that 

costs $400 a gallon, but I use it sparely and 

in certain recipes. I do not use it in anything 

NOW ACCEPTING 

NEW PATIENTS! 

Dr. Kathryn Helen Kranbuhl 

Dr. Theodore Kremer 

St. Charles Complete Care 

1551 Wall Street, Ste. 400 

St. Charles, MO 63303 

(636) 669-7006 

Dr. Kranbuhl has a special interest in the 

follow up of NICU graduates and preventive 

health. Dr. Kremer has a special interest 

in asthma and autism. Dr. Kranbuhl and 

Dr. Kremer are both board certified in 

pediatrics. 

DECEMBER 3 | 5PM – 8PM 

DECEMBER 4 | 10AM – 3PM 

Thhhhheeeeeeee FFFoooooooouuuuuunnnnnnnnddddddddrrrrrrrryyyyyyyy Arrrrrrrrtttttttt CCCeeeeeeeennnnnnnnttttttttrrrrrrrreeeeeeee''ssssssss MMMMeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyy MMMMaaaaaaaakkkeeeeeeeerrrrrrrr''ssssssss 

MMMMaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrkkkeeeeeeeetttttttt iiiiiiiissssssss aaaaaaaa FFFREEEE ttttttttwwoooooooo ddddddddaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy eeeeeeeevveeeeeeeennnnnnnntttttttt sssssssshhhhhoooooooowwccccaaaaaaaassssssssiiiiiiiinnnnnnnngggggg 

rrrrrrrreeeeeeeeggggggiiiiiiiioooooooonnnnnnnnaaaaaaaalllllll mmaaaaaaaakkkeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrssssssss,, ddddddddeeeeeeeessssssssiiiiiiiiggggggnnnnnnnneeeeeeeerrrrrrrrssssssss,, aaaaaaaannnnnnnndddddddd aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrttttttttiiiiiiiissssssssttttttttssssssss... Geeeeeeeetttttttt 

aaaaaaaa juuuuuummppppp ssssssssttttttttaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrtttttttt oooooooonnnnnnnn yyyyyyyyoooooooouuuuuurrrrrrrr Hoooooooollllllliiiiiiiiddddddddaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy SSSShhhhhooooooooppppppppppiiiiiiiinnnnnnnngggggg - 

fiiiiiiiinnnnnnnndddddddd SSSSaaaaaaaannnnnnnnttttttttaaaaaaaa && MMMMrrrrrrrrssssssss... CCClllllllaaaaaaaauuuuuussssssss oooooooonnnnnnnn FFFrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiddddddddaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy eeeeeeeevveeeeeeeennnnnnnniiiiiiiinnnnnnnngggggg 

aaaaaaaannnnnnnndddddddd SSSSaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiinnnnnnnntttttttt CCChhhhhaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrllllllleeeeeeeessssssss CCChhhhhrrrrrrrriiiiiiiissssssssttttttttmmaaaaaaaassssssss Trrrrrrrraaaaaaaaddddddddiiiiiiiittttttttiiiiiiiioooooooonnnnnnnnssssssss† 

CCCaaaaaaaarrrrrrrroooooooollllllleeeeeeeerrrrrrrrssssssss oooooooonnnnnnnn SSSSaaaaaaaattttttttuuuuuurrrrrrrrddddddddaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy! 

ccccaaaaaaaasssssssshhhhh aaaaaaaannnnnnnndddddddd ccccaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyy eeeeeeeexhhhhhiiiiiiiibiiiiiiiittttttttiiiiiiiioooooooonnnnnnnn... 

DDEEEEEEEECCCCEEEEEEEEMMMBEEEEEEEERRRRRRRR 333 - 117 

FOOOOUNNNNNNDDRRRRRRRRYAAAARRRRRRRRTTTTTCCCCEEEEEEEENNNNNNTTTTTRRRRRRRREEEEEEEE.OOOORRRRRRRRG





I 23 

baked because I feel like it bakes out. I use 

a good imitation vanilla for that,” Fletcher 

said. “I use (imitation vanilla) in anything 

with chocolate, or those recipes that have a 

lot of add-ins or spices because you’re not 

going to perceive the difference.” 

If you’re worried that imitation vanilla 

might not taste vanilla enough, Fletcher 

suggests doubling the amount you use. 

“When it comes to pure vanilla I use 

it where it’s going to make a difference – 

pastry cream, creme Anglaise and butter 

cookies – where the vanilla is the flavor. 

And if you’re only using a few ingredients 

– flour, butter sugar, or maybe one or two 

other things – use it then because it’s going 

to show up and you’re going to taste it.” 

One ingredient she said no baker should 

mess with is butter. 

“I don’t recommend using margarine. I 

use butter everywhere,” she said. 

Key ingredients for every baker at every 

age can’t be found in the baking aisle of 

the local market. Those are passion and the 

courage to try something new. 

Peppermint Meringues and Sienna Lace 

cookies – whose recipes are a gift from 

Fletcher – are just the new thing to make 

Santa and the rest of the family jolly this 

holiday season. 

Peppermint Meringues 

Yield: About 60 kisses or 30 trees 

Ingredients 

3 large egg whites (about 100 grams or 

3 1/2 ounces) 

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar 

1 teaspoon peppermint extract 

7/8 cup granulated sugar, preferably 

baker’s sugar (175 grams, 6 1/8 ounces, or 

1 cup minus 2 tablespoons) 

Red or green food coloring as desired for 

kisses or trees 

Directions 

• Preheat the oven to 225°F. Line several 

baking sheets with parchment paper and 

set aside. 

• In a grease-free mixing bowl fitted with 

the whisk attachment, combine the egg 

whites, cream of tartar, and extract. Beat 

on medium-high to the soft peak stage. 

(Editor’s note: To ensure that the bowl and 

whisk attachment are grease-free, wash 

them in warm water with a splash of vinegar; 

rinse and dry thoroughly before use). 

• Add the sugar about 1 tablespoon every 

25 to 30 seconds until it has all been incorporated. 

Raise the speed of the mixer to 

high, and beat until very, very stiff. Take 

a small amount of the meringue between 

your thumb and finger and feel for any 

undissolved sugar. If there is any, mix a bit 

longer. Add the food coloring at the very 

end. 

• Pipe onto prepared baking sheets about 

1” apart using a 3/8-inch to 1/2-inch open 

star tip. 

• Dry (in the oven) for about 1 1/2 hours. 

Remove from the oven and cool completely. 

Storage: These keep indefinitely in an 

airtight container. 

Sienna Lace 

Yield: About 36 sandwiched cookies 

Ingredients 

2 ounces skinned hazelnuts (60 grams) 

2 ounces blanched almonds (60 grams) 

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (114 

grams, 4 ounces, or 1 stick) 

1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 grams or 

3 1/2 ounces) 

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour* 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest 

2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest 

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 

1/8 teaspoon cloves 

2 tablespoons milk 

3 1/2 ounces semisweet chocolate, 

melted (100 grams) 

*To make these gluten-free, substitute 

almond flour. 

Directions 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Toast the 

hazelnuts and almonds for 7 to 8 minutes 

until golden brown. Cool completely. 

Finely grind the nuts in the food processor 

being careful not to turn them into 

powder or paste. Set aside. 

• Line baking sheets with foil, dull side 

up. 

• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan 

over medium heat. Add the sugar, flour, 

salt, citrus zests and spices. Stir until the 

sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. 

• Mix in the nuts and milk. Cook until 

slightly thickened, no longer than 3 minutes. 

Remove from the heat. Let sit for 5 

minutes. 

• To speed up the process of dropping the 

cookies and to give a more uniform appearance, 

place the batter in a pastry bag fitted 

with a 1/4-inch plain tip. Pipe cookies no 

larger than the size of a dime, spacing them 

about 4 inches apart. Do not let the batter 

become cold or it will be difficult to pipe. 

Alternatively, drop by a 1/2 teaspoon onto 

foil. The batter will spread considerably 

when baked. 

• Bake until the cookies are a deep 

(Source: Helen S. Fletcher) 

medium brown, 8 to 10 

minutes. 

• Let them cool on the foil, then carefully 

remove with a spatula as they are 

very fragile. Wipe the foil with a paper 

towel and use again. Make sure the baking 

sheets are cooled before placing the next 

batch of cookies on them. The cookies can 

be dropped onto foil while waiting to bake 

if desired. When a cooled baking sheet 

is available, just place the foil with the 

dropped cookies onto the sheet. To hurry 

the cooling, run cold water over the baking 

sheets. 

• When the cookies are cool, thinly spread 

the underside of one cookie with chocolate 

and sandwich with another cookie. These 

are also wonderful plain as singular cookies 

without chocolate. 

Storage: Store in an airtight container 

for several weeks with or without the 

chocolate. 

The Magic of Meringues 

Keep your meringues as simple as “kisses” or get creative and turn them into a forest of Christmas trees. Meringue Christmas trees can be piped flat or upright using a stacking 

(shown) or swirl technique. Insert a skewer into flat trees to use as a garnish for cakes, holiday trifles, or mugs of hot cocoa. 

(Source: Adobe Stock)

24 I 



HAD A GOOD LAUGH 

LATELY? 

OPEN MIC EVERY 

THURSDAY 

COMEDY SHOWS 

NATIONAL COMICS 

FRIDAY & SATURDAYS 

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR FULL SCHEDULE 

BACKDOORCOMEDYEVENTS.COM 

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED 

9015 VETERAN MEMORIAL PARKWAY • O’FALLON 63366 

636.697.8755 • FOOD & DRINKS BY TAP HOUSE PUB & PATIO 

COMING SOON 

Holt Farms 

Announcing Holt Farms, 

our newest development on 

Holt Road, in unincorporated 

St. Charles County, 63385 

Own a piece of history! 

Holt Farms is one of the oldest farms 

in St. Charles County with lovely rolling 

meadows and fantastic views. Imagine 

building your dream home in this 

historical country setting with plenty of 

space to roam. Holt Farms offers 20+ 

5-acre custom home sites just outside 

of New Melle and a short drive 

to Augusta wine country. 

Don’t miss this opportunity these lots 

sell quickly. Oak View Farms, Holt 

Acres, and Holt Meadow offered 

earlier this year are already sold out! 

Holt SOLD 

Meadow 

OUT 

Get on our interest list now! 

Contact Kim@griffeyhomes.com 

or 636-936-1923 for details. 

GREYSTONE 

HOLDINGS, LLC 

SOLD 

OUT 

Griffey Homes 

www.GriffeyHomes.com 

By SUZANNE CORBETT 

Immersive Christmas experiences 

aren’t limited to drive-through light displays, 

nor do they involve a golden train 

ticket. Instead, immerse yourself in the 

original yuletide experience of shopping 

and celebrating the season with a visit to 

a German Christkindlmarkt. The ultimate 

pop-up market is complete with seasonal 

entertainments, food and Santa. 

In the Midwest where many Germans 

settled, old-world-style Christmas markets 

are annually recreated in Belleville, Illinois, 

and Hermann, Missouri. Each interpreting 

their own German traditions, they 

have visitors proclaiming “Wunderbar!” as 

they comb the festive settings for unique 

gifts. 

Sharon Strausbaugh sums up the 

differences between Belleville’s 

Chriskindlmarkt and other area 

Christmas Markets in one word. 

Authentic. Similar to the centuriesold 

Christmas market in Nuremberg, 

Germany, Belleville’s Chriskindlmarkt 

– or “Christ child market” – is 

located on the town square near its 

famous fountain. 

“We have the same outdoor setting 

as Nuremberg and our market stays 

open the longest of any other area 

Christmas Market. We’re primarily 

open on the four weekends of Advent 

and the week before Christmas,“ 

Strausbaugh said. 

Strausbaugh has been a Belleville Chriskindlmarkt 

volunteer since it first opened 

in 2014, Belleville’s bicentennial year. 

Each year, more chalet-style huts, which 

resemble those in Germany, have been constructed 

on the square. This year, 19 chalets 

will house vendors and food purveyors, 

many of which specialize in imported 

German Christmas ornaments, souvenirs, 

food and drink. Beyond hot chocolate 

or a German beer, Strausbaugh recommends 

warming up with an authentic cup 

of gluhwein. Gluhwein, hot mulled wine, 

is the signature drink at Christmas markets 

throughout Germany and can be found at 

the Sister Cities of Belleville chalet. 

When visiting Belleville’s Chriskindlmarkt, 

take time to catch a free ride on 

the horse-drawn trolley and check out the 

gingerbread houses on display inside shop 

windows along Main Street. And don’t 

forget to visit Santa. He has his own Christmas 

chalet right on the square. 

Bellville’s Chriskindlmarkt runs from 

11 a.m-8:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday 

and from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sundays, 

through Dec. 19. On Monday, Dec. 20 



Road Trip: Celebrating the joys 

of a German Christmas 

through Wednesday, Dec. 22, the market 

will be open from 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. but 

will close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 23, 

which is also the last day to shop. 

• • • 

Hermann is considered the epicenter 

for Missouri German history and cultural 

preservation. As one of the oldest German 

villages in the state, it’s no surprise that the 

city has more than one Christmas market, 

which has operated since the early 1990s. 

“Our markets are in historic settings that 

make you feel like you’re in Germany,” 

explained Hermann Tourism Director 

Tammy Bruckerhoff. “Each features 

dozens of vendors who carry items from 

Germany, such as feather tree and German 

glass ornaments.” 

In Belleville, a visit with Santa is not-to-be-missed. 

(Source: Belleville Christkindl Markt) 

The Kristkindl Markt at Stone Hill 

Winery is for two days only inside Stone 

Hill’s Sherry House. This year it’s open 

from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4 

and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 5. 

Here, mulled wine is available to sip 

while shopping the wares of a variety of 

crafters and vendors, including Letha 

Misener. Letha bakes and sells Springerle 

cookies made from reproduction 19th-century 

cookie molds and Springerle rolling 

pins, which she also sells. 

Springerles are anise-flavored cookies 

that feature intricate impressions pressed 

into the top of each cookie. This year, 

Letha’s molds caught the eye of Martha 

Stewart who featured them on the December 

cover of Martha Stewart Living. 

“It wouldn’t be Christmas in Hermann 

if we didn’t have Springerles,” Buckerhoff 

said. “They have always been a part 

of a Hermann German Christmas. These 

cookies were so important that when the 

Germans settled here, they brought their 

Springerle rolling pins with them. Making 

them one of the few must-have items that 

made into the truck when they immigrated 

from Germany.”





I 25 

Christkindl Markt at Hermannhof is the 

following weekend from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 

on Saturday, Dec. 11 and Sunday, Dec. 12. 

Located at 237 E. First St., the Christkindl 

Markt is held inside the historic Festhalle 

at the Inn at Hermanhoff. 

“The opportunity to shop for authentic 

German goods inside this historic venue is 

well worth the visit,” said Georgie Busch, 

director of hospitality. 

Each year vendors and artisans from 

throughout the Midwest come to display 

their crafts, foods and imported German 

Christmas items. 

“To experience all the Christmas magic 

that Hermann has to offer, visitors are welcome 

to stay at the Inn, but they shouldn’t 

wait too long,” Busch said. “Reservations 

are limited.” 

To make a reservation, visit innathermannhof.com. 

The 200-acre historic Hermann Farm 

also will be completely decorated for 

Christmas, according to Busch. Visitors 

to the farm are greeted by the First Settlement 

Village, “a grouping of historic buildings 

that represent the town’s beginnings 

and the work of the industrious Germans 

who called this town along the Big Muddy 

home.” But the site also includes the 

Teubner-Husmann house and the Rasche 

Homestead and a 12,000-square-foot stone 

barn, which grand opened in November as 

an event venue and home for the farm’s 

endangered Shire draft horses. 

Owned by Jim and Mary Dierberg, the 

farm’s mission is to “engage and educate 

the public regarding the significance of 

Missouri’s cultural, agricultural and winemaking 

heritage, and support excellence in 

our region’s food and farming.” 

While there is plenty to see any time of 

year, Busch said, “They will be doing a 

really cool Christmas tour as well.” 

Reservations are required for the 2-hour 

tram tour held daily, Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 10-12. 

The cost is $18 per adult. To reserve your spot 

and learn more, visit hermannfarm.org. 

On both weekends – Dec. 4-5 and Dec. 

11-12, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. – the multibuilding 

Deutschheim State Historic 

Site will host its Weihnachtsfest. Held on 

the grounds of and inside the Pommer- 

Gentner House, this Christmas party is a 

celebration of the German holiday customs 

that were celebrated in Herman in 

the 1800s. The house will be decorated 

with Christmas trees adorned with authentic 

German ornaments and the market 

gift shop will be open with recipe books, 

German pop-up cards and other seasonal 

gifts available. 

Guided tours of the site’s two historic 

houses – Pommer-Gentner and Strehley 

House – cost $5 per adult and $3 per youth, 

children age 5 and younger are free. 

FUELED BY THE BEST TO FEEL YOUR BEST. 

Introducing Immune Builder ® Orange Smoothie 

ALSO TRY 

Orange 

X-Treme ® 

MERRY 

CHRISTMAS 

MIKE FERGUSON IN THE MORNING 

5:30 am to 9:00 am 

THE VIC PORCELLI SHOW 

9:00 am to 11:00 am 

THE DAN BONGINO SHOW 

11:00 am to 2:00 pm 

COLOMBO AND KATIE 

2:00 pm to 3:30 pm 

TIM JONES AND CHRIS ARPS 

3:30 pm to 6:00 pm 

SCAN TO JOIN. 

NEW 

4765 Hwy N, 

Corner Mid Rivers Mall Dr. 

636-939-KING (5464) 

FREE SMOOTHIE 

(with app download & purchase) 

Download Smoothie King App and sign up for Healthy Rewards. Use Smoothie King App 

with purchase on-line or in-store. After first purchase, free 20 oz. will be loaded into your 

account for use within 30 days. Limit $6.50 value. Excludes extras and enhancers. Some 

restrictions apply, no cash value. Ends 1/15/22. 

1314 Hwy K, 

By St. Louis Bread Co 

636-294-7849 

NEWSTALKSTL REWIND 

6:00 pm to 6:45 pm 

THE BILL O’REILLY UPDATE 

6:45 pm to 7:00 pm 

THE JOE PAGS SHOW 

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm 

FOX ACROSS AMERICA 

10:00 pm to 1:00 am

26 I MATURE FOCUS I 





Mature Focus 

Our special section featuring issues, 

events, products and services 

of interest to seniors. 

COMING AGAIN January 12 

DOES YOUR 

RETIREMENT MATH 

ADD UP? 

When it comes to retirement, it’s all about the numbers — how much 

money you’ll need and how much you’re saving to get there. With the right 

information, you can move ahead and plan with confidence. 

NEED YOUR NUMBERS? 

CONTACT US TODAY 

TO LEARN MORE. 

www.jfgmidwest.com 

Jim Johnson 

LPL Investment Advisor Representative 

636.441.7004 

jim.johnson@lpl.com 

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. 

Johnson Financial Group is a separate entity from LPL Financial. 

During the holiday shopping season, scams targeting seniors are expected to be increase. 


News & Notes 

By LISA RUSSELL 

The season for scams 

Retail forecasters widely agree that holiday 

spending in 2021 will likely break all 

previous records, as eager shoppers return 

to more normal celebrations with their 

families and friends this year. That prediction 

also includes Americans over age 50, 

who are expected to spend more than usual 

both online and in stores as well as on holiday 

travel. 

Unfortunately, their increased shopping 

activity also means that older consumers 

are more likely to be taken advantage of 

by scammers during the holiday season. 

Following are some of the most common 

types of scams to be on the lookout for, 

according to AARP. 

Fake retail websites: Sophisticated 

scammers are now able to create shopping 

websites that look authentic, using actual 

photos from legitimate online retailers. 

After clicking on an online ad or pop-up, 

consumers are directed to these fake sites, 

which offer items they want at extremely 

low prices. After entering their credit card 

information, however, they end up receiving 

either nothing at all or low-quality 

items from overseas. 

To avoid these scams, advisors recommend 

never clicking on social media ads or 

unfamiliar links. Instead, use only trusted 

shopping websites and check any new ones 

against the Better Business Bureau’s directory 

of online retailers (available at bbb.org). 

Account takeover scams: Scammers are 

now sending what look like urgent text messages 

or emails alerting consumers to problems 

with their bank account, credit card 

or shopping order in hopes of getting them 

to respond with their personal information. 

Avoid falling for these scams by not clicking 

on the links these types of messages contain, 

and follow up with banks and credit card 

companies to check for problems. 

Delivery scams: As holiday deliveries 

reach a frantic pace across the country, so 

do “phishing” emails from senders claiming 

to be shippers like FedEx, UPS, the U.S. 

Postal Service or Amazon, notifying shoppers 

about their incoming, delayed or missed 

deliveries. By enticing worried consumers to 

click on the links these emails contain, these 

scammers seek to steal personal information 

or infect computers with malware. 

Travel scams: Similar to retail ripoffs, 

fake travel sites may offer deals that seem 

too good to be true … and they often are. 

They may also use “domain spoofing” 

tricks such as an extra letter in their web 

addresses to dupe people into clicking on 

them. To avoid these scams, book only on 

a hotel’s official website or known thirdparty 

travel resource, and confirm your 

booking directly if using third-party sites. 

Charity scams: Because a large percentage 

of charitable giving happens during the 

holidays, scammers also take advantage of 

seniors’ giving spirit via false websites 

or pushy telemarketing schemes. Charity 

scammers may also pressure seniors for 

immediate contributions, sometimes specifying 

payment methods such as gift cards 

or money transfers. 

Improving access to hearing aids 

Nationwide estimates show that while 

nearly 30 million older Americans could 

benefit from hearing aids, only about one in 

five has ever used them. Often this is due to 

their prohibitively high cost – typically thousands 

of dollars – along with the expense of 

needing to see a doctor first to have an exam 

and get a prescription for the devices. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration 

See MATURE FOCUS, page 28

A D V E R T I S M E N T 

Clarendale of St. Peters 

Stepping Up to Help the 

Alzheimer’s Association 

A half dozen of Clarendale of 

St. Peters dedicated employees 

poured their heart and soul 

into volunteer work for the 

Alzheimer’s Association 2021 

Walk to End Alzheimer’s this year. 

The senior living community, offering independent living 

and assisted living—in addition to highly specialized 

memory care—was a Gold Sponsor for the event on 

September 25 in St. Charles, Missouri, underwriting 

the Memory Wall. 

“It’s our third year participating, 

and we’re so proud of our 

exceptional team,” says Executive 

Director Mark Golliday. “Our 

management company, Life Care 

Services, is a national sponsor. And since the fight for a 

cure to end Alzheimer’s is a mission near and dear to our 

hearts, too, we wanted to do our part and contribute 

locally—to multiply the contribution.” 

In addition to donations of their valuable time, the 

Clarendale team found creative ways to raise funds. 

Three clever initiatives were at the center of it all. 

Fashionable Fundraising. Since practically 

every woman could use another great 

handbag, the volunteers raffled off a 

designer purse, generating $470. 

Proud in Purple. Think of it as keeping it 

casual for a good cause. Staff members 

donated $1 each Wednesday simply for 

the opportunity to “dress down” in a brandappropriate, 

Alzheimer’s Association purple-colored shirt— 

netting $168. 

Online Outreach. Thanks to online donations from family and 

friends on the Clarendale of St. Peters 2021 Alzheimer’s Walk 

team page, an additional $785 has been donated to date. 

According to Golliday, “At $1,423 raised so far, we’re well 

on the way to reaching a goal of $2,000 this year for the 

Alzheimer’s Association. But we’re not done yet! And our 

friends and neighbors can help.” 

Anyone interested in contributing to the 

Alzheimer’s Association can point their 

phone to the QR Code shown here. The 

charity is accepting donations via the 

Clarendale of St. Peters team page through 

December 31, 2021. 

For more information about Clarendale of St. Peters, 

seniors and families may call 636-242-6096 or visit 

ClarendaleOfStPeters.com. 

INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE 

tel 636-706-5100 em ClarendaleOfStPetersLIFE@ClarendaleOfStPeters.com web ClarendaleOfStPeters.com 

Clarendale of St. Peters | 10 DuBray Drive | St. Peters, MO 63376 | 11-21






During this special season, it’s more important than ever to be a part 

of every celebration and conversation. At Mid America Audiology, 

we want to make sure you hear every moment of the holiday. 

• Follow the conversation at holiday family gatherings and get togethers. 

• Hear every whisper and giggle from your grandchildren. 

• Never miss another moment because you simply couldn’t hear. 

• Invest in yourself and the experiences still to come. 

Hear 

for the 

Holidays 

Make this holiday the beginning of a whole new life. 

Call us now to schedule an appointment. We’re confident 

that we can improve your life. Together we can make sure 

that every moment counts. 

May you hear the sweet sounds of this joyous season. 

Happy holiday & Happy New Year! 

SEE A HEARING HEALTHCARE EXPERT 

Dr. Carol Bergmann 

Au.D., CCC-A FAAA 

Dr. Abby Mispagel, 

Au.D. 

Dr. Anne Murray 

Au.D., CCC-A 

Michelle Smith 

M.S., CCC-A 

VISIT US: Schedule your hearing evaluation and get started 

today. Go to www.midamerica.alpacaaudiology.com 

636-391-9622 

Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm 

1475 Kisker Rd, Suite 270 | St. Charles, MO 63304 

15825 Manchester Rd. #209 | Ellisville, MO 63011 

(formerly Hearing Health Care) 

5 other locations in St. Louis and Illinois to serve you! 

Certain hearing aids could soon be available over the counter without a doctor’s prescription. 


MATURE FOCUS, from page 26 

is now working to change that, introducing 

a proposal on Oct. 20 to establish an overthe-counter 

category of hearing aids for 

people with mild to moderate hearing loss. If 

approved, the FDA’s action could improve 

access to hearing aids and significantly lower 

their cost for millions of seniors. 

By creating this new category, the FDA 

intends to encourage both innovation and 

competition among hearing aid manufacturers 

by making them more readily 

available to consumers. It lowers the barriers 

to entry for new companies, and also 

addresses consumer safety by establishing 

a maximum volume limit for the devices. 

Hearing aids for those with severe hearing 

loss, or for those younger than 18 with 

hearing problems, would remain available 

by prescription only. 

The proposed rule implements a key provision 

of the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid 

Act enacted as part of the FDA Reauthorization 

Act of 2017. It is currently up for 90 

days of public comment, and consumers 

could walk into a drugstore or other retail 

outlet to purchase hearing aids by the spring 

or summer of 2022, officials have said. 

If finalized, the rule will also place new 

regulatory scrutiny on companies that currently 

sell OTC devices known as personal 

sound amplification devices, or PSAPs. 

These devices look similar to hearing aids 

but are sold as commercial sound boosters 

that can help users whose hearing is 

already in the normal range to hear better in 

noisy environments. If hearing aids become 

widely available over the counter at comparable 

prices, many PSAP manufacturers 

could find their products either reclassified 

or obsolete, according to the FDA. 

Medicare premiums: 

why the spike? 

Medicare beneficiaries will be dealing 

with a 14.5% increase in their Medicare 

Part B premiums in 2022, the largest spike 

since 2016. 

In its November announcement of the 

increase, the Centers for Medicare and 

Medicaid Services (CMS) partially placed 

blame for it on the pandemic. The agency 

also pointed to uncertainty over how 

much it will have to pay for the recently 

approved new Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm, 

which is likely to require additional contingency 

funds. 

“CMS is committed to ensuring high 

quality care and affordable coverage for 

those who rely on Medicare today, while 

protecting Medicare’s sustainability for 

future generations,” CMS Administrator 

Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said in a press 

release. “The increase in the Part B premium 

for 2022 is continued evidence that 

rising drug costs threaten the affordability 

and sustainability of the Medicare program. 

The Biden-Harris Administration is working 

to make drug prices more affordable 

and equitable for all Americans, and to 

advance drug pricing reform through competition, 

innovation, and transparency.” 

The CMS also noted in its announcement 

that most Medicare beneficiaries collect 

Social Security benefits, and will receive 

a cost-of-living adjustment of 5.9% in their 

2022 monthly payments, which it said will 

offset the increased premium. 

The Medicare Open Enrollment period 

for 2022 ends next week, on Tuesday, 

Dec. 7. 

Community infection 

investigators 

Two University of Missouri researchers 

who began their careers as registered 

nurses have seen firsthand how respiratory 

infections can spread like wildfire in 

nursing homes. Now, they plan to use their 

recent grant award to help standardize and 

improve infection control procedures at 

community care facilities for older adults 

throughout the state and elsewhere. 

Lori Popejoy and Amy Vogelsmeier, 

both associate professors in MU’s Sin- 

See MATURE FOCUS, page 30





I MATURE FOCUS I 29 

Pardon Our 

Pixie Dust 

We have something extraordinary in the making. 

Come in from the cold. Step into paradise. Stop by 

The Watermark at St. Peters for a sneak peek of our 

refreshed and refined common spaces, featuring a 

brand-new café, coffee and wine bar, and social 

club to complement our fine dining restaurant. We’re 

upgrading our lobby, family and game rooms, along 

with amenity spaces for our private theater, heated 

indoor pool and swim club, fitness center, salon and 

spa, and more. 

20 

Ready to design your days around everything that 

fulfills you? Here, the choice is always yours. 

Call 636-229-3106 to learn more 

and schedule your private tour. 

363 Jungermann Road • St. Peters, MO 63376 

636-229-3106• stpeters.watermarkcommunities.com 

INDEPENDENT LIVING • VILLA LIVING 

21-SPL-2614






2.35% 

2.75% 

2.95% 

MATURE FOCUS, from page 28 

clair School of Nursing, are the recently 

announced recipients of a four-year, $1.9 

million grant from the Agency for Healthcare 

Research and Quality. They plan to 

use the money to study how more than 500 

Missouri nursing homes have responded to 

the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Their research plan includes comparing 

facilities in both urban and rural areas, as 

well as facilities with high and low rates 

of COVID-19 transmission. “By talking to 

various stakeholders, including residents 

and their families, nursing home staff and 

administrators, public health experts and the 

Department of Health and Senior Services, 

we can find helpful strategies to assist nursing 

homes to better prepare and respond to 

infectious outbreaks,” Vogelsmeier said. 

By learning how some facilities were able 

to successfully prevent community spread of 

the coronavirus, they also hope to develop 

recommendations for improving the quality 

of care at nursing homes nationwide. 

On the calendar 

St. Louis Oasis presents 10 Warning 

Signs of Alzheimer’s on Monday, Dec. 6 

from 10 a.m.-noon. This free virtual class 

provides important information about typical 

age-related changes, common warning 

signs and early detection, how to approach 

someone about memory concerns, the benefits 

of a diagnosis and more. The class 

is sponsored by BJC Missouri Baptist 

Medical Center. Register online at https:// 

classes-events.bjc.org. 

• • • 

St. Luke’s Hospital sponsors Moving 

Forward After a Stroke, a support group 

for patients and families, on Tuesday, Dec. 

14 from 11 a.m.-noon at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation 

Hospital, 14709 Olive Blvd. in 

Chesterfield. Regular meetings are held 

on the second Tuesday of every month. To 

RSVP or for details, call (314) 317-5797. 

• • • 

St. Louis Oasis offers a free Dietary Supplements 

virtual class on Thursday, Dec. 16 

from 10 a.m.-noon. During this free Zoom 

session, participants will discover how to 

take the mystery out of taking supplements. 

Register online at st-louis.oasisnet.org. 

• • • 

BJC Missouri Baptist Hospital offers 

in-person Today’s Grandparents Classes 

on Tuesday, Jan. 4 and Wednesday, Jan. 26 

from 6:30-9 p.m. Registration is required 

for each person attending; cost is $20 per 

person. Register online at https://classesevents.bjc.org. 

Participants are asked to 

arrive on campus 15 minutes prior to class 

to complete the required health screening 

process at the hospital’s main entrance. 

bal·ance 

At Breeze Park, our attentive staff provide older adults the 

excellent care we’re known for while promoting active 

independence, engagement, and personal growth. 

SAVE $5,000 ON 

ASSISTED LIVING OR 

LONG TERM CARE!* 

Now welcoming new move-ins! Call 636.242.8944 

to learn about moving to Breeze Park today! 

600 Breeze Park Dr. 

Weldon Spring, MO 63304 

BreezeParkLiving.org 

*Offer ends December 31, 2021. Terms and conditions apply. 

Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care | Long Term Care | Short Stay Rehab 

(BP216595) BP Mid Rivers Magazine Ad – Size: 10” x 5.6” – Due: 9/8/21





I 31 

SCHOOLS, from page 18 

public school to win three championships: 

2018, 2020 & 2021! This success doesn’t 

happen without the support of so many.” 

Layne also recognized the accomplishments 

of Ryan Harvatin, Karson Gibbs, 

Ryley Gibbs, Jack Jellinek and Luke Dillon, 

who were All-Region selections. Additionally, 

Harvatin was named Player of the 

Year. Karson Gibbs was named Offensive 

Player of the Year. Jellinik was named 

Defensive Player of the Year. Dillon was 

named Goalkeeper of the Year. 

Lutheran High cross country 

comes in third at state 

On an absolutely perfect day for a Cross 

Country State Championship meet, the 

Lutheran Cougars charged to the podium 

for the second consecutive year. On Nov. 5, 

the team captured the third-place, Class 4 

trophy. Senior Caleb Lind claimed the title 

of Missouri State Class 4 champion. 

Fort Zumwalt West student 

receives teaching scholarship 

Fort Zumwalt West High senior Jakob 

Stratman was selected as Fort Zumwalt’s 

2021 recipient of the Grow Your Own 

Teachers Scholarship. The program identifies 

individuals who will be graduates of 

the district and who are interested in pursuing 

careers in teaching areas of high needs. 

Components of the program include financial 

support, seminars, work experiences, 

mentor support and job placement upon 

successful completion of all requirements 

for teacher certifications and criteria of the 

program. Its purpose is to allow the chosen 

student to complete their undergraduate 

degree in a high needs area of teacher education, 

with the ultimate goal of receiving their 

teacher certification and working as a teacher 

in the Fort Zumwalt School District. 

Stratman will study to become an Industrial 

Tech teacher. 

Duello Elementary Principal Dr. Danielle 

Todd tweeted her support: 

“Hoping to get him teaching at West 

High in a few years. Jakob helped in my 

kindergarten classroom way back when! 

He is such a leader and kids are drawn to 

him. Congrats!!” 

Local schools honor veterans 

The Academy of Sacred Heart community 

honored veterans on Nov. 11 with a 

touching Prayer Service planned by the 

third and fourth grade classes. 

Several family members who are veterans 

joined for the program, which included 

a flag procession led by Scouts. Students 

shared heartfelt reflections, poems, prayers 

and songs. 

As a featured speaker, Master Sgt. Josh 

Foor, father of an Academy student and 

husband of Academy music teacher Liz 

Foor, connected the Academy’s mission 

to his service in the military. Young artists 

Kennedy Silkebaken and Carson Locker 

presented original artwork in honor of the 

Armed Forces. The program concluded with 

the Academy Choir singing tribute as guests 

were recognized by their military branches. 

• • • 

Three vehicles were sent on Nov. 12 

filled to the brim with items ready to be 

shipped off to the soldiers deployed in 

Kuwait as part of Christian School District’s 

annual Adopt a Soldier Christmas 

Care package outreach. 

The annual tradition has resulted in over 

450 care packages sent to soldiers overseas 

during the past 14 years. Each middle and 

high class was given the name of a specific 

soldier along with a list of items to be collected. 

Each care package weighed approximately 

20 pounds with a value of $75- 

$90. Along with the much needed items, 

students also included personalized letters 

thanking the soldiers for their service and 

a Bible with a scripture verse hand written 

especially for them by the students. 

Jewelry 

Buying Event 

Get Paid Cash FOR GOLD, SILVER, DIAMONDS, 

COSTUME JEWELRY, WATCHES & COINS 

DECEMBER 20 • 11 am to 4 pm 

DECEMBER 2 1 • 11 am to 4 pm 

DECEMBER 22 • 11 am to 4 pm 

We also buy antiques, artwork, 

paintings, swords, china, crystal 

and other collectibles & rarities. 

If you would prefer 

a private or in-home 

appointment, 

call 314-691-2888 

west county mall 

LOWER LEVEL NEAR JCPENNEY 

NOW HIRING! 

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS 

TAX BILLS, from page 13 

Any and all payments are due upon 

receipt and are subject to late payment 

interest and penalty if not paid by Friday, 

Dec. 31, 2021. 

Residents should note that technical difficulties 

with making phone or online payments 

do not extend the statutory deadline 

to pay without late payment penalties and 

interest. Receipts for payments made by 

mail, online, phone, or placed in the drop 

box located inside or outside the Administration 

Building are mailed approximately 

five days after payment is received and 

processed by the Collector of Revenue’s 

office. Receipts for payments made inperson 

at the collector’s service windows 

are provided same-day. 

Also included on the bills is a line Project 

CARE, an opportunity for taxpayers to 

donate $1, $5, or $10 to support local nonprofit 

agencies. Project CARE (Community 

Assistance Relief Effort) was established 

through an effort spearheaded by County 

Council Member Joe Cronin (District 1) to 

support local nonprofit agencies that serve 

homeless and indigent residents. 

Organizations that have received funds 

include Bridgeway, Crider Center, Crisis 

Nursery and Sts. Joachim and Ann Care 

Service. Donations are tax deductible. 

For additional information about taxes, 

visit sccmo.org/Collector. 

RTRP’s, CPA’s AND/OR Enrolled Agents! 

3 Years or More Experience

32 I HEALTH I 





O’Fallon • 5551 WingHaven Blvd., Suite 100 • O’Fallon, MO 63368 

314.205.6200 • stlukes-stl.com/urgent-care • 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Online Check-In • Walk-Ins Welcome • Telehealth Visits • On-site X-ray and Lab • COVID-19 testing 

Sports and camp physicals • Employer related services • Flu Shots 

2-3703 

West and Mid Rivers News Health and Header 2-3703B.indd 2 

9/29/21 11:23 AM 

For most people, there’s no need to panic amid the rush to get a COVID-19 

booster shot, a recent study found. 


health 

capsules 

By LISA RUSSELL 

Researchers say no rush necessary 

to get COVID-19 booster shot 

Area health officials are now warning 

that yet another spike in COVID-19 cases 

may be coming along with the holiday 

season. Data from the Missouri Department 

of Health and Senior Services seem 

to reflect this growing concern as more St. 

Louis County residents are getting booster 

shots of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID- 

19 vaccines on a consistent daily basis than 

are getting their first or second doses. 

However, anxiety over getting a booster 

as soon as you become eligible is not necessary, 

according to results of a recent study 

conducted at the University of Georgia. 

Scientists there are conducting regular 

surveillance of more than 3,100 people ranging 

in age from 18 to 90. Participants give 

blood and saliva samples each month so the 

researchers can track their immune response 

to both vaccination and natural infection. 

The UGA study has found that vaccination 

produces a significantly more robust 

immune response to COVID-19 than is seen 

in those who contracted it naturally. Vaccinated 

participants have shown higher levels 

of neutralizing antibodies, which serve as 

the body’s “lookouts” for viruses, alert the 

immune system to their presence, and prevent 

them from infecting cells. 

It also found that while antibody levels 

are declining in people who were vaccinated 

more than six months ago, their ability 

to fend off the virus remains strong. 

“Overall, antibody levels are decreasing, 

but their ability to protect against infection 

isn’t,” said Ted Ross, lead author and the 

director of UGA’s Center for Vaccines and 

Immunology. “The quality is still there even 

if the total quantity has gone down … People 

were concerned that if you had waning antibody 

levels, you would become susceptible 

to the virus again. But right now that doesn’t 

seem to be the case for most people.” 

Additionally, the study showed that for 

most people who have previously been 

infected with the virus, a single shot of the 

Moderna or Pfizer vaccine was enough to 

make them fully immune. Because some 

may require both shots to be fully protected, 

however, Ross recommended that everyone 

– even those who’ve had COVID-19 

– receive the second shot. 

Holidays harbor health 

dangers for pets 

Annual holiday celebrations usually 

include decorating homes, preparing special 

meals and hosting holiday parties… 

but these traditions can also harbor several 

potential health hazards for our pets. Being 

aware of the dangers and taking a few extra 

steps to protect furry family members can 

help ensure a happy holiday season for all. 

Following are some of the top hazards and 

how to avoid them, according to the ASP- 

CA’s Animal Poison Control Center. 

Tinsel, wrappings and lights: 

A tree decorated with tinsel can be fascinating 

to pets; however, its shiny strands 

can cause severe vomiting, dehydration or 

digestive tract obstruction requiring surgery 

Area health organizations join partnership to address inequity 

BJC, Mercy Health and SSM Health, 

along with several other leading corporations 

and educational institutions in the 

St. Louis area, have joined forces to work 

toward reducing racial, economic and 

healthcare inequities in the region. The 

newly formed St. Louis Anchor Action 

Network (STLAAN) brings together institutions, 

businesses, community leaders and 

other stakeholders to address those inequities 

through efforts to increase employment, 

income, health and wealth-building. 

The idea for the network grew out of 

conversations among local leaders beginning 

in late 2019, which intensified in 

2020 amid growing awareness of inequities 

due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

They agreed that the pandemic has had a 

larger impact on communities of color, in 

part due to underlying health disparities 

related to income and other social determinants 

of health. 

The STLAAN partner organizations 

have committed to working together to 

drive equitable wealth-building and economic 

development that can benefit the 

entire region. Their initial efforts will 

focus on leveraging intentional hiring, 

career development, and spending within 

a footprint crossing the city of St. Louis 

and St. Louis County. 

“BJC is proud to be part of an effort to 

if ingested, so it should be avoided. Likewise, 

pets should be supervised around 

those wrapped gifts adorned with ribbons 

that look so beautiful under the tree, but 

could also potentially be shredded and consumed 

– and those containing food items 

should always be kept out of their reach. 

Decorative lights are another attraction 

pets may try to chew on, and should be 

carefully examined to minimize their risk 

of life-threatening electrical shock or burns. 

Holiday treats: 

Although well-meaning family and 

friends may want to share holiday foods 

with pets, this could cause them to develop 

an upset stomach or even pancreatitis. In 

addition, some common holiday treats, 

Making sure decorations and celebrations 

are safe for pets is an important part of a 

happy holiday season. (Source: Adobe Stock) 

address decades of disinvestment in partnership 

with leading anchor institutions in 

our region,” said Jason Purnell, BJC vice 

president of community health improvement. 

“Providing economic opportunity is 

one of the most powerful ways of advancing 

health equity, ensuring that all people 

have the ability to be as healthy as possible.” 

In addition to the three healthcare organizations, 

other founding members of 

STLAAN include Edward Jones, Harris- 

Stowe State University, St. Louis Community 

College, Saint Louis University, 

the Saint Louis Zoo, the University of 

Missouri-St. Louis, Washington University 

in St. Louis and Webster University.





I HEALTH I 33 

especially chocolate, can be toxic – but 

alcohol, salty snacks, grapes, nuts, xylitolsweetened 

foods, and turkey or chicken 

bones are some of the other foods which 

can also be dangerous. 

Poisonous plants: 

Mistletoe in particular can be very toxic 

to animals, and accidental ingestion of any 

part of the plant warrants an emergency 

visit to the veterinarian, as it can cause 

shock and death within hours. Holly can 

also cause gastrointestinal and cardiovascular 

problems if ingested, and many 

types of lilies typically found in holiday 

arrangements can cause kidney failure in 

cats. Poinsettia plants are not as dangerous 

to pets, but they do contain a sap that can 

irritate a pet’s mouth. 

In situations where a pet may have 

ingested something harmful and a veterinarian 

cannot be reached, the Animal 

Poison Control Center operates a 24-hour 

hotline; its nationwide phone number is 

(888) 426-4435. 

Fast foods contain harmful 

chemicals, research shows 

Many fast-food burgers, fries, chicken 

nuggets and other popular items consumed 

by millions of Americans every day contain 

chemicals which have been linked to 

serious health problems, according to a 

recently published study. 

A research team from George Washington 

University conducted tests on 64 

fast food items purchased from six different 

national restaurant chains. Out of 11 

potentially harmful chemicals tested for in 

those foods, they were found to contain 10 

– including phthalates, which are used to 

soften plastics and are known to disrupt the 

human endocrine system. 

In previous studies, these chemicals have 

been linked to fertility and reproductive 

problems in adults. They also can increase 

risks for learning, attention, and behavioral 

disorders in children. 

Along with the food items, the scientists 

also tested unused food handling gloves they 

obtained from each restaurant. These were 

also found to contain the harmful chemicals, 

which can contaminate food during handling. 

In addition to gloves, other sources 

A recent analysis of burgers, fries and other 

food items sold by major fast food restaurant 

chains showed they are contaminated with 

potentially harmful chemicals. 


of plasticizers found in restaurants are 

industrial tubing, food conveyor belts and 

packaging materials used to wrap foods for 

consumers, they said. 

In general, foods containing meats, such 

as cheeseburgers and chicken burritos, 

were found to contain the highest concentrations 

of these chemicals, while cheese 

pizzas had the lowest. 

On the calendar 

BJC St. Louis Children’s Hospital offers 

free Head to Toe online orientation sessions 

on Monday, Dec. 6 and Tuesday, Dec. 

14 from 6-7 p.m. During their selected 

one-hour virtual session, families will 

learn about St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s 

family-focused weight management 

program called Head to Toe, which helps 

children and their parents make healthier 

lifestyle choices, set goals and get regular 

exercise, all of which have a positive 

impact on a child’s self-esteem. The Head 

to Toe program will begin on Wednesday, 

Jan. 26, 2022. Register for a session online 

at classes-events.bjc.org. 

• • • 

Staying Home Alone, sponsored by 

BJC, is on Tuesday, Dec. 7 from 6:30-8 

p.m. This virtual class, presented via Teams 

Meeting, will help prepare the parent(s), 

child and family for times when children 

will be home alone. The cost is $25 per 

family. To register, call (314) 454-5437. 

• • • 

BJC sponsors a Family and Friends CPR 

course on Monday, Dec. 13 from 6:30-8:30 

p.m. This virtual class, offered via Teams 

Meeting, uses the American Heart Association 

curriculum to teach hands-on CPR 

skills. Each participating household will 

receive a CPR kit prior to the course date. 

The cost is $50. Register online by visiting 

classes-events.bjc.org. 

• • • 

BJC St. Louis Children’s Hospital sponsors 

a Babysitting 101 virtual class on 

Tuesday, Dec. 14 from 6-8:30 p.m. This 

interactive class, offered virtually through 

Teams Meeting, is a great introduction to the 

basics of babysitting and is recommended for 

ages 10 and above. A workbook, first-aid kit, 

babysitter skills assessment and backpack 

will be delivered to each participant’s home 

prior to class. The cost is $25 per child. Register 

online at classes-events.bjc.org. 

• • • 

St. Luke’s Hospital presents Wellness 

Head 2 Toe (WH2T) on Thursday, Dec. 

16 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. This free virtual 

program promotes wellness and connects 

people based on the beliefs that overall 

well-being is possible through the practice 

of holistic healing. The special guest to be 

featured in this session is sleep medicine 

physician Dr. Shalini Paruthi. Register for 

the session online at stlukes-stl.com. 

WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS 

Dr. Tanner Brown and Dr. Michael Genovese 

Gentle Family Dental Care 

If you are looking for a personal touch in a fun 

and comfortable environment, come let our team 

at Cottleville Smiles take care of all your 

dental needs under one roof. 

636-928-4090 www.cottlevillesmiles.com 

6065 MID RIVERS MALL DRIVE | COTTLEVILLE 

Holiday 

GIFT GUIDE 

Coming again Dec. 15 

Call 636.591.0010 to reserve 

your advertising space.

ATTENTION 

READERS: 

Make sure you are signed up for your 

FREE subscription today! 

1. If you got this paper in your mailbox and your first and last name are on the 

front cover label, THANK YOU for subscribing. You are all signed up and will 

continue to get the paper in your mailbox for the next three years. 

2. If you got this paper in your mailbox and the label reads “Current 

Resident” then you need to fill out and mail in the form on this ad or visit 

midriversnewsmagazine.com/subscribe to subscribe. Otherwise, this could 

be the last paper you receive in the mail. 

3. If you picked this paper up at a newsstand such as Schnucks or Dierbergs, 

thank you so much for your interest! Please visit midriversnewsmagazine. 

com/subscribe or fill out and mail in the form on this ad to subscribe and get 

the paper delivered right to your home FREE of charge. 

CLIP & MAIL 

By providing your signature below, Mid Rivers Newsmagazine will 

qualify as a Requester Periodical helping us save postage expense so 

we can continue to deliver your copy through the post office. 

YES, I want Mid Rivers Newsmagazine, 

Please deliver to: 

Name: 

Address: 

City: State: Zip: 

Phone: 

E-mail: 

Signature 

x 

Date: / / 

Mail to: 

754 Spirit 40 Park Drive • Chesterfield, MO 63005





I BUSINESS I 35 

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-Districts #2 & 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 

December 28th, 2021 until 5:00 pm. 

LIKE 

US ON 

Five Acres Animal Shelter Supervisor Kayla Kammerer celebrated the 

grand reopening of the newly remodeled St. Charles Animal Shelter among 

staff members and city council members. 

(Source: GSTCCC) 

Filing of a Declaration of Candidacy begins 

at 8:00 am December 7, 2021 and closes at 

5:00 pm December 28, 2021. 

Done by the order of the Board of 

Directors, Public Water Supply District No. 2 

of St. Charles County, Missouri. 

Facebook.com/midriversnewsmagazine 

business 

briefs 

PLACES 

Five Acres Animal Shelter recently 

celebrated the grand reopening of its 

2835 W. Randolph St. location. The Randolph 

location of Five Acres is a no-kill 

shelter and accepts strays and surrendered 

animals – not just dogs and cats. Other 

animals such as hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, 

birds, hedgehogs and other pets will be 

accepted and either fostered or be available 

for adoption. 

• • • 

Dentists of St. Peters, 7080 Mexico 

Road, celebrated its one-year anniversary 

in November. The office offers essential 

and cosmetic dentistry options including 

teeth whitening, dentures, implants, teeth 

extractions and veneers. 

• • • 

ALDI has renovated and reopened its 

store at 1665 Jungermann Road in St. 

Peters. The remodel is part of an initiative 

to expand more than 1,300 ALDI stores 

nationwide. The updated store includes 

ample refrigeration, open ceilings, natural 

lighting and environmentally friendly 

building materials. 

PEOPLE 

Timothy Green of 

the Electrical Connection 

has been named to 

the St. Charles County 

Convention and Sports 

Facilities Authority as 

a commissioner. He 

was nominated to the 

position by St. Charles 

Green 

County Executive Steve Ehlmann. The 

authority oversees the spending of the revenues 

to promote and expand convention 

and sports facilities throughout the county. 

COMMUNITY CARE 

Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service 

staff members spent a month participating 

in and hosting their own 2021 Olympic 

Games to benefit United Way. They also 

raised more than $50,000 at the annual 

Golf Outing, which occurred in September. 

The nonprofit is located at 4116 McClay 

Road in St. Charles. 

EVENTS 

The Cottleville-Weldon Spring Chamber 

of Commerce’s general membership 

meeting is from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 

on Tuesday, Dec. 14 at Piazza Messina, 

5335 Hwy. N in Cottleville. Cost is $20 

per members, $25 for guest. A $3 late 

registration cost applies. To register, visit 

cottlevilleweldonspringchamber.com. 

• • • 

The O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce and 

Industries holds its membership luncheon 

from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 14 

at Whitmoor Country Club, 1100 Whitmoor 

Drive in Saint Charles. Registration is $20 

in advance; $25 after the Friday before the 

event and includes lunch. Preregistration is 

required online at ofallonchamber.org or by 

calling (636) 240-1818. 

• • • 

The Greater St. Charles County Chamber 

of Commerce’s Lunch with Leaders 

meeting is from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on 

Wednesday, Dec. 15 at Whitmoor Country 

Club, 1100 Whitmoor Drive in Saint 

Charles. Connect with local business and 

community leaders. Cost is $30 for members 

and $35 for guests. Register early 

to receive $5 early registration discount. 

Register at gstccc.com. 

from 

A diverse set of wealth 

management options 

to meet your diverse 

set of needs. 

From retirement planning to saving for college and more, 

Schwab has a breadth of investment products to help you 

and everyone under your roof reach their financial goals. 

Andrew Weltz 

Jonathan Randolph 

O’Fallon Independent Branch 

4579 Highway K 

636-486-8094 

schwab.com/ofallon 

©2020 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) Member SIPC. 

All rights reserved. SCH2716-1 (1018-8X9S) (10/20)

36 I EVENTS I 

HOLIDAY 

HAPPENINGS 



Letters to Santa are being accepted from 

noon-8 p.m. daily through Dec. 6 at Kinetic 

Park, 7801 Town Square Ave. in Dardenne 

Prairie. Children ages 8 and younger are 

invited to write a letter and bring it to the 

park along with a self-addressed, stamped 

envelope before Dec. 6, and they will receive 

a letter from Santa before Christmas. Santa’s 

mailbox is located inside the park building. 

• • • 

St. Charles Christmas Traditions continues 

through Dec. 24 on Main Street in 

Historic Saint Charles. Meet yuletide characters, 

shop along Main Street and discover 

the wonder of Christmas past brought to 

life. For a complete schedule and list of 

events, visit discoverstcharles.com/events/ 

christmas-traditions. 

• • • 

Celebration of Lights is 6-9 p.m., 

Sunday-Thursday; 6-10 p.m. Fridays 

and Saturdays nightly through Dec. 30 

at Fort Zumwalt Park, 1000 Jessup Lane 

in O’Fallon. Drive-through tickets must 

be purchased in advance. Cost is $12 per 

vehicle; $20 per van or limousine; $35 per 

bus. Ticket sales are final and non-transferable. 

Celebration of Lights is closed to 

vehicles on Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 7 and 13. City 

train rides are featured on Dec. 13. The 

Old Fashioned Holiday Stroll is Dec. 6 and 

7. The display is closed on Dec. 25. 

• • • 

The Holiday Train Display is open 

daily through Jan. 2, at the St. Charles 

County Heritage Museum, 1630 Heritage 

Landing. This year’s display features 

county landmark buildings and multiple 

trains, including the new Winter Wonderland 

Express. Watch the locomotives as 

they glide along the tracks through wintry 

scenes that highlight the historic Boone 

The magic and festivities of Christmas Traditions continues through Dec. 24 

on Main Street in Saint Charles. 

(Source: Discover St. Charles) 

Village, Hays Home, Heritage Museum, 

the 1860s homestead at Towne Park and 

more. Free admission. 

• • • 

Merry Makers Market is from 5-8 

p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3 and from 10 a.m.-3 

p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4 at The Foundry 

Art Centre, 520 N. Main Center in Saint 

Charles. More than 30 vendor booths and 

artists will be selling handmade items. Visit 

foundryartcentre.org/merry-makers-market. 

• • • 

Christmas Candlelight Walks are from 

5-10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3 at 5577 Walnut 

St. in Augusta. Enjoy a Norman Rockwellstyle 

Christmas as over 1,000 luminaries 

greet visitors as Santa Claus awaits at the 

Edelweiss Guest House and horse-drawn 

carriages trot around the town square. Visit 

augusta-chamber.org. 

• • • 

Christmas Candlelight Walks are on 

Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3-4; Friday 

and Saturday, Dec. 10-11 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 enchanting village illuminated 

with thousands of candle-lit lanterns. 

Along the way, visit with Daniel and 

Rebecca Boone as they reminisce about 

winters past. Guests will tour the inside of 

the home and hear storytellers inside buildings 

throughout the historic village Tickets 

are $15. Visit stccparks.org. 

• • • 

Breakfast with Santa is at 9 a.m. on 

Saturday, Dec. 4 at the Memorial Hall 

Auditorium in Blanchette Park, 1900 W. 

Randolph St. in Saint Charles. Enjoy a hot 



breakfast and some festive crafts. Each 

child will have the opportunity to get their 

photo taken with Santa. Bring a camera. 

Cost is $25 per person All attending must 

pay; ages 2 and younger are free. Seating 

is limited. For details and to register, visit 

stcharlesparks.com. 

• • • 

Cocoa With a Cop is from 9-11 a.m. 

on Saturday, Dec. 4 at Alpha and Omega 

Roasting Company, 111 N. Main St. in 

O’Fallon. Enjoy free cocoa and pictures 

with Officer Claus and the elves from 

O’Fallon Police Department. For details, 

visit ofallon.mo.us. 

• • • 

A Spirited Holiday Past is from 10 

a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4 at the Historic 

Daniel Boone Home, 1868 Hwy. F in 

Defiance. Join 20 historic sites, museums, 

and privately-owned homes of Historic 

Saint Louis in a splendid grand tour. Each 

venue will be decorated with a festive flair. 

Many sites will also have special entertainment, 

whether it be a costumed skit, music, 

or seasonal activity. Guests are invited to 

create their own tour or utilize themed 

tours. Themed tours cover a variety of historic 

topics, geographical areas, and story 

connections. All ages welcome. Each site 

is individually priced with some having 

a minimal fee and others being free of 

charge. To learn more about each site and 

what they offer, visit historicsaintlouis.org. 

• • • 

Winterfest from 4:30-8 p.m. on Sunday, 

Dec. 5 at Lindenwood University, 209 S. 

Kingshighway St. in Saint Charles. Take 

an evening stroll through 3,000 luminaries 

on campus, sing carols with Lindenwood’s 

Voices Only acapella group, decorate holiday 

cookies, create holiday crafts, talk to Santa, 

and more. New, unwrapped toy donations for 

the Salvation Army accepted. Visit lindenwood.edu/winterfest 

for additional details. 

• • • 

See HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS, page 39 

BUSINESS 

PROFILES 

{Generate buzz} 

Coming again 1.26.22 

Call 636.591.0010 to reserve your space



DINING 

636.591.0010 

Lentel Chili 

#11 Italian Club Sandwich 

Pepperoni Pizza 



BUY ONE SANDWICH, GET ONE 

FREE 

WITH THE PURCHASE OF CHIPS & DRINK 

One coupon per person. In-Store Only. 

Not to be combined with other offers. Expires 1/31/22 

I 37 

OFFER VALID AT O’FALLON LOCATION ONLY! 

3023 Highway K • O’Fallon, MO 63368 

636-272-7000 

ORDER ONLINE AT PICKLEMANS.COM 

® 

$5.00 

OFF 

Erio’s 

Ristorante 

Since 1971 

ANY PURCHASE OF 

$ 

30.00 or more 

Fresh Fish Daily • Certified Angus Beef 

Veal • Pasta • Hand-tossed Pizza 

951 Jungermann Rd • St. Peters 

928-0112 

One coupon per table. Not valid with other offers. 

Expires 12/31/21 

over 15 

different 

tacos 

636-477-6520 • 5045 Highway N • Cottleville, MO 

Look on our facebook page for specials 

The Best In Italian Cuisine 

 

Special Daily Features 

Chilean Sea Bass 

Sicilian Chops • Chicken Spedini 

8oz Sirloin 

 

• Chicken Modiga 

Includes Salad and Side Dish 

Open Monday - Thursday 4 - 9 pm 

Friday and Saturday 11:30 am - 10 pm 

Closed Sunday 

RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED. 

Ask about Catering! 

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. 

Dec. 3 will be one year since Bill passed. If you remember Bill, 

please sign this ad and give it to your server for a free beverage. 

(Rail brands only) 

Merry Christmas! We are proud to know that you are 

our customers...no...friends! 

- The Massa's staff 

3072 Winghaven Blvd. 

Lakeside Shoppes Plaza 

636-561-5202 

3761 New Town Blvd. 

Right at the Hwy. 370 

636-925-2961 

Log on to AmisPizza.com for Full Menu! 

LUNCH EXPRESS 

Large Slice of Pizza & Salad 

$6.95 

11AM-4PM 

Buy 1 Large Pizza, 

Pasta Dinner 

or Entree and get 

the 2nd for 

$8.00 OFF 

Monday - Wednesday. 

Dine in or Carryout. Not valid with 

any other offer. Expires 12/31/21. 

& PIZZERIA 

www.AmisPizza.com 

Pizza, Pasta, Steaks, Seafood, Salad 

Carryout & Delivery • Catering 

Now Order Available Online Ordering and receive Online a 

FREE offer with your purchase 

3728 Monticello Plaza • 636-329-8787 

9824 Manchester Rd. Rock Hill • 314-963-1822 

Large One 

Topping Pizza, 

any appetizer, large 

combination salad 

$25.95 

Sunday - Thursday. 



$5 OFF 

W/ ANY PURCHASE 

$25.00 

OR MORE 

CARRYOUT 

Sunday - Thursday. 



THE BISCUIT STORY 

I was walking through the dining room, 

when a customer looked up at me and said, 

“Oh my gosh, this biscuit. It is the best biscuit 

I’ve ever had.” 

I smiled and thanked him for his kind words. 

I told him, “but you don’t know the Biscuit 

Story. That biscuit didn’t start out so great. It 

was a 6-month process – I was working, so I 

only had weekends to perfect the recipe for 

my new restaurant. They were so bad for 

months on end that it was getting hard to recruit 

family tasters. 

We started with shortening, no flavor. Butter made it better. Then, we had to get 

the big biscuit to cook in the center. Success! We moved from tasteless biscuits to biscuit 

ornaments, and finally perfection. It was pure determination and a crap ton of butter that 

finally got us to our awesome biscuit recipe. 

The biscuit dough has become the backbone of Nina’s menu items. It is an awesome 

biscuit. It became our famous ciNINAbun (think cinnamon roll). When the dining room 

was closed during the pandemic, we even delivered 9” pans, still hot from the oven. 

Customers say it’s the best cinnamon roll out there. 

Recently, we introduced our breakfast pizza with none other than our biscuit dough, 

slathered with a swipe of our roasted garlic butter. In the dining room the other day, a 

customer said to me, “This breakfast pizza is the best I’ve ever had.” I smiled and thought 

to myself, we must be doing something right. 

3752 MONTICELLO PLAZA • O’FALLON , MO 

WWW.LETSMEETATNINAS.COM • (636) 498-2426 

HOURS: TUES-SUN 7AM-2PM • CLOSED MONDAYS

38 I 





local 

events 

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 

Beale Street Market is from 5-8 p.m. 

the first Wednesday of each month at 

Streets of St. Charles, 1650 Beale St. An 

annual market series featuring unique art 

and homegrown foods. For details, visit 

discoverstcharles.com. 

• • • 

The opening reception for Kalven 

Duncan’s “through this window, another 

side” exhibition is from 5-8 p.m. on 

Friday, Jan. 7 at the Foundry Art Centre, 

520 N. Main Center in Saint Charles. 

Duncan employs alternative photographic 

processes, primarily the cyanotype 

process. Works will be on display 

through March. 

• • • 

The opening reception for Rachel 

Ferguson’s “Inside Voices” exhibition 

is from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 7 at the 

Foundry Art Centre, 520 N. Main Center 

in Saint Charles. Ferguson is a painter 

focused on female figures and creating 

subtle narratives about their inner lives 

through her works. Works will be on display 

through March. 

BENEFITS 

A holiday toy drive runs through 

Thursday Dec. 9 at the St. Charles County 

Heritage Museum, 1630 Heritage Landing 

in St. Peters. Help St. Charles County 

Parks fill the Toys for Tots boxes. Drop 

off new, unwrapped toys from 10 a.m.-5 

p.m., Wednesday-Saturday; and noon-5 

p.m., Sundays. 

• • • 

Cornucopia of Care Food Drive runs 

now through Friday, Dec. 10. Join Volunteer 

O’Fallon in collecting food items for 

donation to local food pantries. Donation 

locations include O’Fallon Municipal 

Centre, Renaud Center, Krekeler Jewelers 

and Ryan Lee at Edward Jones. For details, 

visit ofallon.mo.us/cornucopia-of-care. 

• • • 

The Lake Saint Louis Police Officers 

Association Holiday Charity Drive is 

now through Dec. 22. The food items will 

include a fully prepared meal purchased 

from a local business. Do not send food 

items or clothing. To make a donation, 

send checks to: Lake Saint Louis Police 

Officers Association, 8651 Highway N, 

Suite 229, Lake Saint Louis 63367. Attn: 

Butch Crowley. Write “Holiday Drive” on 

the memo. 

• • • 

Rise Together International Charity 

Trivia Night is at 6 p.m. (doors open 

at 5:30 p.m.) on Saturday, Dec. 4 at The 

Christy Banquet Center, 9000 Veterans 

Memorial Parkway in O’Fallon. Raffle 

baskets, 50/50 tickets, barrel of booze 

and more. Open bar included with ticket 

purchase. Bring food and cash for the 

raffle items. Cost is $40 per ticket; $280 

per ticket for a table of eight. Eight 

attendees per ticket. All proceeds support 

Rise Together International’s work 

to help impoverished families in Peru. 

Visit risetogetherint.kindful.com. 

• • • 

Lake Saint Louis Open Poker Tournament 

is from 6-10 p.m. (doors open at 

5 p.m.) on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 18 North 

Central Drive in O’Fallon. Food and 

drinks available for purchase. Cost is 

$60 for registration/buy-in. Funds go to 

the LSL Water Ski Club. To register, visit 

lslski.flipcause.com. 

• • • 

Helping Hands for the Holidays 

is from 4-7 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the St. 

Charles Convention Center, 1 Convention 

Center Plaza. Bring donations of 

winter clothes, blankets, shoes, shampoo, 

conditioner, deodorant, floss, feminine 

products, detail products, razors, soap 

and body wash. For more information, 

visit helpinghandsstcharles.com. 

FAMILY & KIDS 

One Read, a collaboration between 

St. Charles City-County Library and 

the Fort Zumwalt, Francis Howell, and 

Wentzville school districts, runs through 

Dec. 15. Open to all ages. The shared 

community reading initiative features 

the book “Dreamland Burning” by Jennifer 

Latham. Readers are encouraged to 

track their reading and learn more about 

the historical events in the book. Visit 

mylibrary.org/one-read. 

• • • 

St. Charles County Parks and the St. 

Charles County Disc Golf Club host 

the College Meadows Disc Golf Glow 

Tournament from 6:30-9:30 p.m., Friday, 

Dec. 17, at College Meadows Park, 4601 

Mid Rivers Mall Drive. Experience the 

expanded 18-hole course with baskets 

illuminated with puck lighting and the full 

moon. Cash prizes and “Closest to the Pin” 

awarded. Cost is $10 per person; cash only 

registration from 5:15-6:15 p.m. on the day 

of the event. For more information, visit 

https://bit.ly/CollegeMeadowsGlow. 

• • • 

Take a Hike 2021! is from 1-3:30 p.m. 

on Friday, Dec. 31 at Quail Ridge Park, 

560 Interstate Drive in Wentzville. Finish 

the year with a winter hike with park rangers 

on New Year’s Eve. Participants will 

take a moderate, yet rugged, 2.5-mile 

hike in the park. Participants ages 8 and 

older should dress warm and wear sturdy 

shoes. Pre-registration is required at bit.ly/ 

TakeAHikeDec2021. 

SPECIAL INTEREST 

The St. Charles County Pachyderm 

Club hosts public speakers at noon on Fridays 

at JJ’s Restaurant, 200 Fort Zumwalt 

Square, O’Fallon. The Dec. 10 speaker is 

a representative from the Salvation Army. 

All are welcome. For more information 

visit sccpachyderms.org. 

• • • 

Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony is at 1 

p.m. on Dec. 5 at the Krekel Civic Center, 

305 Civic Park Drive in O’Fallon. Join the 

O’Fallon Veterans Commission in memory 

of the victims and survivors of the bombing 

of the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor 

on Dec. 7, 1941. 

• • • 

A Trail Work Day is from 9 a.m.-1 

p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11 at Klondike 

Park, 4600 Hwy. 94 South in Augusta. 

Wear sturdy shoes and bring a pair of 

gloves and follow the directional signs 

to the trail location in the park. Visit 

stccparks.org and click on “Activity 

Registration” to register. Lunch will be 

provided to volunteers. 

MID RIVERS HOME PAGES 

Serving the St. Charles, St. Louis & Surrounding Counties 

• Tree Trimming • Stump Grinding • Bobcat Work 

• Concrete Work • Storm Damage Clean Up 

Fully Insured! 

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 

All Work Guaranteed! 

Call Today for a FREE ESTIMATE! 

636-373-1387 

Military & Senior 

Discounts Available! 

Tree Removal 

$100 OFF 

or 

10% OFF 

Any other Service 

TREE SERVICE 

Any tree removal estimated value of 

$999 or more. Must Mention ad the 

same time as estimate. Not valid 

with other discounts. Exp: 12/31/21 

When you want it done right... 

Check our ads first. 

MID RIVERS 

H O M E P A G E S 

636.591.0010 

30+ YEARS 

EXPERIENCE 

A+ 

RATED 

County House Washing 

& Painting 

Power Washing • Painting • Staining 

INTERIORS • EXTERIORS • CONCRETE 

CEDAR HOMES • DECKS & FENCES 

Tim Trog 636.394.0013 

WWW.COUNTYHOUSEWASHING.COM 

TOP GUNN FAMILY 

CONSTRUCTION INC. 

Build and Repair Decks & Fences, 

All Painting, Wallpaper Removal, 

Powerwash/Stain Decks, Finish Basements, 

Remodeling, Kitchens, Baths 

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 

ARBORISTPLUS 

TREE SERVICE • SINCE 1994 

Deadwooding • Pruning • Removal • Trimming 

Stump Grinding • Emergency Tree Service • Gutter Cleaning 

314.378.4686 • FREE Estimates! 

Fully Insured & Licensed





I 39 

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS, from page 36 

St. Charles Municipal Band & Big 

Band Holiday Concert is from 7-9 

p.m. on Monday, Dec. 6 at the Foundry 

Art Centre, 520 N. Main St. in Saint 

Charles.The Concert Band will open 

the concert at 7 p.m., after an intermission 

at 8 p.m. the Big Band with vocalist 

will close out the evening entertainment. 

Free event with free parking 

and handicapped access. 

• • • 

Lightwire Theater’s A 

Very Electric Christmas at 

3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 

Lindenwood’s J. Scheidegger 

Center for the Arts, 2300 West 

Clay in Saint Charles. A familyfriendly 

tale of family, friendship, 

and hope set to timeless holiday hits including 

Nat King Cole, Mariah Carey, and 

Tchaikovsky. Tickets are $10-$20. Visit 

discoverstcharles.com/event/lightwiretheaters-a-very-electric-christmas/3550/. 

• • • 

Christkindl Abend is from 3:30-6:30 

p.m. on Dec. 8 and from 4-7 p.m. on 

Dec. 9 at All Saints Church, 7 McMenamy 

Road in St. Peters. Featuring a live 

nativity, story time with pastors, photo 

booth opportunities, reflection in 

church and snack sacks. 

• • • 

Breakfast With Santa is at 9 a.m. 

on Sunday, Dec. 5 and 9 a.m. on 

Sunday, Dec. 19 at the Foundry 

Art Centre, 520 N. Main 

St. in Saint Charles. Join 

Santa and Mrs. Claus for 

a sausage and pancake 

breakfast by Chris Cakes 

St. Louis. Create wintry art 

with Jack Frost, learn dance 

moves from the Sugarplum 

Fairy and Nutcracker Prince; 

and share a wish list with Santa Claus. 

Tickets are $18 per person. Visit discoverstcharles.com/events/christmas-traditions/ 

ticketed-events. 

• • • 

Breakfast with Santa is from 9-11 a.m. 

on Saturday, Dec. 11 at the St. Peters Rec- 

Plex, 1 St. Peters Centre Blvd. Children 

ages 2-8 will enjoy a continental breakfast, 

crafts, Christmas carols and more with 

Santa and his elves. Cost for Rec-Plex 

members is $13 for children and $8 for 

adults; cost for non-members is $15 for 

children and $10 per adult. Register by 

Dec. 3 at stpetersmo.net. 

• • • 

A Holiday Concert is from 

2-4 p.m. on Dec. 11 at the Cultural 

Arts Centre, One St. Peters 

Centre Blvd. in St. Peters. Enjoy 

holiday classics with the St. Charles 

County Symphony Orchestra. Tickets 

are $10. To purchase tickets, email scsymphony@att.net. 

• • • 

Winter Chill Down is from 4-8 p.m. 

on Saturday, Dec. 11 at City Park, 5401 

Independence Road in Weldon Spring. An 

evening of winter fun in the park. Celebrate 

with s’mores, pictures with Santa, 

hot cocoa, coffee, kettle corn and the first 

annual tree lighting. 

• • • 

St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: 

Mercy Holiday Celebration is at 

7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 15 and 

Thursday, Dec. 16 at Lindenwood’s 

J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts, 

2300 West Clay in Saint Charles. Sing 

along to holiday classics performed 

by the orchestra and Denzal Sinclaire 

and enjoy a special visit 

from Santa Claus. Tickets are 

$15-$55 at slso.org. 

• • • 

Winter Wonderland on 

Ice Show is from 7-9 p.m. on 

Friday, Dec. 17 and at 5 p.m. on 

Saturday, Dec. 18 at the St. Peters Rec- 

Plex, 5200 Mexico Road in St. Peters. 

Rec-Plex skaters and synchronized skating 

teams will dazzle audiences with the 

beauty and skill of their original programs. 

Rec-Plex pass-holders pay $8.50 per 

adult, $6.50 for children (12 and younger) 

and seniors (55 and older). All others pay 

$9.50/per adult; $7.50 for children and 

seniors. Visit stpetersmo.net. 

MID RIVERS CLASSIFIEDS • 636.591.0010 • CLASSIFIEDS@NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM 

COLLECTIBLES 

WANTED TO BUY 

• SPORTS MEMORABILIA • 

Baseball Cards, Sports Cards, 

Cardinals Souvenirs and 

Memorabilia. Pre-1975 Only. 

Private Collector: 

314-302-1785 

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 

GARAGE DOORS 

DSI/Door Solutions, Inc. 

Garage Doors, Electric Openers. 

Fast Repairs. All makes & models. 

Same day service. Free Estimates. 

Custom Wood and Steel Doors. 

BBB Member • Angie's List 

Call 314-550-4071 

www.dsi-stl.com 

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 

HOME IMPROVEMENT 

SBA Contracting LLC 

Home Improvement and Repairs 

Interior Painting, Flooring, 

Drywall & Wood Repair. 

FREE Estimates 

Insured 

Call 314-910-7458 

or email us at 

sbacontractingllc@gmail.com 

AFFORDABLE CARPENTRY 

Kitchen Remodeling, Wainscoting, 

Cabinets, Crown Molding, Trim, 

Framing, Basement Finishing, 

Custom Decks, Doors, Windows. 

Free estimates! 

Anything inside & out! 

Call Joe 636-699-8316 

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 

SPECIALIZING IN 

ONE TIME CLEANUP 

REPAIR•REDO 

ALL NEW 

Retaining Walls • Paver Patios 

Fire Pits • Walkways 

trimming 

& removal 

TREES • BUSHES 

rock•mulch•dirt 

bobcat work 

+ LANDSCAPE 

REHAB + 

• FREE ESTIMATES • 

636-775-5992 

Rockwood School District 

Hiring For Position of: 

Mowing & Landscaping 

Technician in Grounds Dept. 

- 40 hrs/week 

- 12 months/year 

- Competitive Salary 

Full Benefit Package includes: 

- Retirement through the Public 

Educational Employee Retirement 

System (PEERS) of Missouri 

- Paid Medical, Dental 

& Vision Insurance 

- Flexible Spending Accounts 

- Life Insurance 

- Long-Term Disability 

- Employee Assistance Program 

- Sick Leave Compensation 

- Vacation Compensation 

- 11 Paid Holidays 

Apply at: 

https://rockwood.ted.peopleadmin. 

com/hire/index 

or call (636) 733-3270 

EEOC 



CUSTODIAN 

- 40 hrs/week 
















Apply at: 



or call (636) 733-3270 

EEOC 

HELP WANTED 



Secretary III for the Director of 

Facilities 

- 40 hrs/week 
















Apply at: 



or call (636) 733-3270 

EEOC 



HVAC Maintenance Technician 

- 40 hrs/week 
















Apply at: 



or call (636) 733-3270 

EEOC 

-HELP WANTED- 

PT multi task position 

in a private home. 

Cooking & light housekeeping. 

Flexible hours and some 

weekends 

possible. 

For more info call 

(314) 349-1457 

Ask for Sherlyn Whiteside 

PAINTING 

Interior and 

exterior painting 

Deck staining 

- Insured & Free Estimates - 

Dickspainting.com 

314-707-3094 

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 

WEDDING SERVICES 

S 

ANYTIME ANYWHERE 

- CEREMONIES - 

• Marriage Ceremonies 

• Vow Renewals 

• Baptisms 

• Pastoral Visits 

• Graveside Visits 

Full Service Ministry 

(314) 703-7456 

To place a Classified ad, go to 


or call 636.591.0010 ext. 21

Celebrate the Season at Our 

Holiday Open House 

Thursday, December 9 th 

1:00 to 4:00 pm 

From the moment you enter the breathtaking lobby at Park Place at Winghaven, you know you’re somewhere 

special. And as you take in every aspect of this amazing community, you’ll begin to understand why we say it’s the 

ideal place to make every day new. 

Get an inside view of Park Place 

Not only will you get to see this beautiful community nestled in the charming O’Fallon area, but you’ll also get 

to meet team members and talk with the residents who live here at our Holiday Open House on 

Thursday, December 9. They’re ready to tell you the things they value most about Park Place. 

Unwrap Your Future Today! 

Space is limited. 

RSVP at ParkPlaceWinghaven.com/rsvp or call (636) 278-9943 today. 

2002 Boardwalk Place Drive | O’Fallon, MO 63368 

ParkPlaceWinghaven.com | Assisted Living Facility #047170 & #047463

Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 12-1-21

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Delete template?

Save as template ?