West Newsmagazine 12-13-23

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28 I December 13, 2023 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE @WESTNEWSMAG WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM FAMILY & KIDS ‘Tis the season for making memories, sharing stories By KATE UPTERGROVE “She was cool, like she did tai chi with a sword.” That is one of the ways that Jason James Carter remembered his grandmother, Eleanor Rosalynn Carter, who served as America’s First Lady from 1977 to 1981. Rosalynn died on Nov. 19 at the age of 96. She and President Jimmy Carter were married for 77 years. Together, they traveled the world, climbed mountains, built homes, changed lives, promoted peace, exuded faith and championed a better life for people marginalized by poverty, mental health conditions and disease. Jason is the board chair of The Carter Center, a nonprofit founded in 1982 to “wage peace, fight disease and build hope.” As such, he knows all about the historic momments in his grandmother’s magnificent life but at her memorial service he noted, “she was my grandmother first – and she was like everyone else’s grandmother in a lot of ways.” He recalled getting birthday cards with $20 bills in them, how her recipes often had a favorite ingredient (mayonnaise) in them and how she was “so down-to-Earth.” He recalled a trip when Rosalynn and the family was seated in the back of a commercial airplane. As the plane took off he said Rosalynn “took out this Tupperware of pimiento cheese and this loaf of bread and she just started making sandwiches.” “She gave them to all of us grandkids and then she started giving them to other people on the plane,” he said. “People were just sitting there like, ‘Rosalynn Carter just made me this sandwich!’ You know? They couldn’t believe it. But she loved people.” What is your grandmother or grandfather like? What are your favorite stories of her or him? The holidays are the perfect time to celebrate family and capturing in writing, or on camera, all the things you love about your family – its members, traditions, foods and, of course, its funniest stories. This is an activity that everyone, all ages, can participate in – and for kids the results can make excellent gifts for older family members. Here are some ideas to get you started. Create a “Why I love you” list. This is as easy as making a list of all the things that come to mind when you think of that person you honor and love. Imagine how delighted a grandparent, favorite aunt, uncle, or a parent would be to receive a list of all the reasons why a child loves them. Record your favorite story. Every family has stories. But do record them? You should. Recording favorite memories and stories is simple with smartphones – whether you choose to make audio recordings or videos. It’s fun to ask family members to share their memory of a particular event and see what each person remembers. Sometimes memories are wildly and hilariously different. Ask questions – a lot of questions – and record or write down the answers. The genealogy site FamilySearch offers plenty of questions from which to choose. In fact, its #52Stories Project webpage offers 52 weeks of questions spanning goals and achievements, travel and vacations, (Adobe Stock photo) holidays and traditions and so much more. Plus, those resources are free downloads. What could be simpler? Check them out at familysearch.org/en/blog/52storiesprintables. Take photos and put them in a book but also include stories, captions and notes about the who, why, when and what of those images. While a photo is worth a thousand words, the words provide context for future generations. Make a map or family tree to see where your family lives or has lived and how all those spread out family members are connected. Need more inspiration? Visit storycorps.org and listen to other families and communities share their memories. 1. 2. 3. IMAGINE • TRY • EXPLORE Imagine you’re an Olympic figure skater or hockey player with a spin around the ice at Greensfelder Recreation Complex at 550 Weidman Road in Manchester. They have public sessions for skaters every weekend. Feeling a little wobbly in skates? They also have skating lessons! Search for Greensfelder Recreation Complex online. And don’t forget that the Winter Olympics begin Friday, Jan. 19 and run through Thursday, Feb. 1. Try a hike in your favorite park on Jan. 1 and start the new year in a healthy way with fresh air and exercise. St. Louis County Parks has a list of 30 hikes that take 30 minutes on its website. Search 30-30 Hikes on stlouiscountymo.gov to find one. This means you could try a new hike every New Year’s Day for 30 years and start every year right. Explore the History Clubhouse at the Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd. in St. Louis, and take a trip back in time. Explore iconic buildings in downtown St. Louis, take a trolley ride to the 1904 World’s Fair or play house in the ancient city of Cahokia. Admission to the Missouri History Museum and this exhibit is free. Learn more at mohistory.org/society.
FACEBOOK.COM/WESTNEWSMAGAZINE WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM Holiday Happenings Santa Claus Visits are from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through Thursday through Dec. 24 at West County Center in Des Peres. Extended hours begin on Dec. 8. Christmas Eve hours are 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Visits are free; photo packages are available for purchase. • • • Santa’s Magical Kingdom is from 5:30- 10:30 p.m. nightly through Jan. 7 at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Resort, 5300 Fox Creek Road in Eureka. Experience more than 4 million shimmering lights within a fantasyland of animated scenes and special effects. Kids are encouraged to bring letters to drop off for Santa. Admission is $35 per family vehicle or $45 per 12- to 15-passenger van. Open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Save $5 with a toy donation; discount is valid Monday-Thursday only. For details, visit SantasMagicalKingdom.com. • • • Children living in Manchester are invited to send their Letters to Santa. Send letters by Dec. 18 and include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for a response to: Santa Claus, c/o Manchester Parks Department, 359 Old Meramec Station Road, Manchester, MO 63021. • • • At PRINCIPIA, we become Leaders, Problem Solvers, Changemakers Join us! EXPERIENCE PRINCIPIA Discovery Night: January 25 Visiting Days: February 5, February 19 Register at principiaschool.org/visit A “North Pole” Mailbox is open in Ellisville’s Blue Bird Park through Dec. 15 in front of the Park Administration Building. Letters may also be mailed to: Santa Claus, 225 Kiefer Creek Road, Ellisville, MO 63021. Include the child’s full name and return address for a response. For details, visit ellisville.mo.us. • • • St. Louis Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” continues through Dec. 23 at The Touhill on the campus of UMSL. Visit stlouisballet.org for exact dates and times along with ticket information. • • • Saint Charles Christmas Traditions opens at noon on Saturday, Nov. 25 at Frontier Park and continues on historic Main Street on weekends through Dec. 23. For a schedule of activities, visit discoverstcharles.com/events/christmas-traditions. • • • A Drive Through Christmas Experience is from 6:30-8 p.m. on Dec. 15-16 at Pathfinder Church in Ellisville. Features lights synchronized to music, Christmasthemed inflatables, live music, Christmas characters, a live expression of the nativity See HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS, page 44 Learn more about our program December 13, 2023 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE I FAMILY & KIDS I 29 2024 BASEBALL & SOFTBALL REGISTRATION POND ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION IN WILDWOOD YOUTH & ADULT BASEBALL & SOFTBALL Fun Family Activities! Serving the Local Youth Since 1963 Team & Individual Player Sign-Up Practice Fields Available Starting in March League Play: April - July Age 4U-6U $95* Age 7U-14U $85 Team $1850 *includes hat/visor & shirt Registration Opens Nov. 1st - Visit PondAthletic.net Youth & Adult Leagues & Tournaments International Games | HS Feeder Leagues Easter Egg Hunt & Many More Events HOLIDAY SPECIALS AT BALLWIN DENTAL CARE Experience the DIFFERENCE NEW PATIENT SPECIAL $ 99 OR $ 100 OFF YOUR FIRST VISIT New patients only. Cleaning, X-rays (up to 4), comprehensive exam, oral cancer screening. Not valid with other offers, including botox. Offer ends 1/15/24. $ 99 not valid for patients with gum disease. Whitening Specials $ 25 OFF $ 75 OFF WHITENING TRAYS ZOOM IN-OFFICE WHITENING $50 MAIL-IN REBATE FOR ZOOM IN OFFICE! Offers end 12/31/23 Dr. Kimberly Simonds & Associates 14649 Manchester Road | Ballwin 636-227-2552
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Page 12 and 13: Your Time is More Valuable Than Eve
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Page 25 and 26: Have a MAGICAL Holiday Season Karie
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Page 48: CELEBRATE WITH US THIS CHRISTMAS! C

West Newsmagazine 12-13-23

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